Qsemble Capital Management LP Takes $1.53 Million Position in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Qsemble Capital Management LP purchased a new position in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 5,637 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $1,533,000.

Several other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in UNP. Key Financial Inc increased its stake in Union Pacific by 2.1% in the 1st quarter. Key Financial Inc now owns 1,821 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $442,000 after buying an additional 38 shares during the period. Members Trust Co lifted its position in Union Pacific by 2.5% in the 1st quarter. Members Trust Co now owns 1,573 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $382,000 after buying an additional 38 shares in the last quarter. EJMK Ventures LLC boosted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 4.0% during the 1st quarter. EJMK Ventures LLC now owns 1,016 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $247,000 after buying an additional 39 shares during the period. Wealthquest Corp grew its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 3.7% during the 1st quarter. Wealthquest Corp now owns 1,108 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $269,000 after acquiring an additional 40 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 5.3% during the 2nd quarter. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. now owns 791 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $215,000 after acquiring an additional 40 shares in the last quarter. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts recently issued reports on the company. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $339.00 price objective (up from $289.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, July 24th. Weiss Ratings upgraded Union Pacific from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Evercore reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $294.00 price target on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Thursday, June 25th. Benchmark lifted their price target on Union Pacific from $325.00 to $335.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on Union Pacific from $304.00 to $334.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $320.89.

Union Pacific Stock Down 1.4%

UNP stock opened at $293.57 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40. Union Pacific Corporation has a 1 year low of $210.84 and a 1 year high of $315.99. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $283.00 and a 200 day simple moving average of $265.13. The firm has a market cap of $174.40 billion, a PE ratio of 23.77, a PEG ratio of 3.00 and a beta of 0.96.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.26 by $0.15. The firm had revenue of $6.86 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.72 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 28.85% and a return on equity of 38.46%. Union Pacific’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $3.03 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 31st will be paid a dividend of $1.42 per share. This is a boost from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 31st. This represents a $5.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio is currently 44.70%.

Insider Activity

In other news, 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 owned 43,012 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $11,353,447.52. This represents a 6.50% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

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.