Union Pacific Corporation $UNP Shares Bought by First National Bank of Omaha

First National Bank of Omaha raised its holdings in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 17.5% during the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 63,263 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after buying an additional 9,401 shares during the period. First National Bank of Omaha’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $17,218,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Capital World Investors increased its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 92.1% in the 4th quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 20,136,349 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $4,658,142,000 after acquiring an additional 9,655,306 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth approximately $1,779,907,000. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC lifted its stake in Union Pacific by 72.7% during the third quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 9,177,002 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $2,169,168,000 after purchasing an additional 3,861,636 shares during the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors boosted its holdings in Union Pacific by 26.0% in the fourth quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 10,980,904 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $2,540,105,000 after purchasing an additional 2,267,708 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE boosted its holdings in Union Pacific by 16.8% in the first quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 14,463,071 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $3,509,030,000 after purchasing an additional 2,084,808 shares in the last quarter. 80.38% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $263.96, for a total transaction of $789,504.36. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 43,012 shares in the company, valued at $11,353,447.52. This represents a 6.50% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.22% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Union Pacific Trading Up 1.0%

NYSE:UNP opened at $301.69 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $179.23 billion, a PE ratio of 24.43, a P/E/G ratio of 3.05 and a beta of 0.96. Union Pacific Corporation has a 52-week low of $210.84 and a 52-week high of $315.99. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $284.87 and its 200 day moving average price is $266.83. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40.

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

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Monday, August 31st will be given a $1.42 dividend. This is a positive change 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 yield of 1.9%. Union Pacific’s payout ratio is currently 44.70%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have commented on UNP. Barclays reiterated an “overweight” rating and issued a $350.00 price target (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Stephens upgraded shares of Union Pacific to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 8th. Raymond James Financial restated a “strong-buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Monday, July 13th. Wells Fargo & Company reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and issued a $335.00 target price (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $326.00 to $349.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $320.89.

Union Pacific Company Profile

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.