Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) Hits New 1-Year High – What’s Next?

Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP)’s stock price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $303.49 and last traded at $301.3430, with a volume of 1905 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $301.75.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have commented on UNP shares. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on Union Pacific from $300.00 to $315.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 8th. Citigroup began coverage on Union Pacific in a report on Wednesday, July 15th. They set an “outperform” rating on the stock. Raymond James Financial reissued a “strong-buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Monday, July 13th. Citizens Jmp initiated coverage on Union Pacific in a research report on Wednesday, July 15th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $350.00 price target on the stock. Finally, TD Cowen increased their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $256.00 to $282.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Union Pacific has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $299.11.

Union Pacific Trading Down 0.0%

The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $271.93 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $256.15. The company has a current ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53. The company has a market capitalization of $179.07 billion, a PE ratio of 24.82, a PEG ratio of 3.16 and a beta of 0.96.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.93 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.86 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $6.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.12 billion. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 39.58% and a net margin of 29.20%.The company’s revenue was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.70 earnings per share. On average, analysts predict that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.62 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 29th were issued a dividend of $1.38 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 29th. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.8%. Union Pacific’s payout ratio is currently 45.47%.

Insider Transactions at Union Pacific

In other news, EVP Kenyatta G. Rocker sold 27,387 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $271.76, for a total value of $7,442,691.12. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 61,102 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $16,605,079.52. The trade was a 30.95% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $263.96, for a total transaction of $789,504.36. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 43,012 shares in the company, valued at $11,353,447.52. The trade was a 6.50% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 32,378 shares of company stock valued at $8,781,595. 0.22% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Union Pacific

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of UNP. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Tucker Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC increased its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 2,575.0% in the 4th quarter. SWAN Capital LLC now owns 107 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. High Point Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Finally, Cornerstone Financial Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. 80.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Union Pacific

Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP) is one of the largest freight railroad companies in the United States. Its principal operating subsidiary, Union Pacific Railroad, has roots that trace back to the Pacific Railway Act of 1862 and the construction of the first transcontinental rail link completed in 1869. The company is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, and operates as a holding company for rail transportation and related services.

Union Pacific’s core business is the movement of freight by rail across an extensive rail network serving the western two?thirds of the United States.