Main Street Financial Solutions LLC Acquires New Shares in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Main Street Financial Solutions LLC acquired a new position in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 6,439 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $1,751,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in UNP. Capital World Investors lifted its stake 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 purchasing an additional 9,655,306 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth $1,779,907,000. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC grew its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 72.7% during the 3rd 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 period. Capital Research Global Investors increased its position in shares of Union Pacific by 26.0% during the 4th quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 10,980,904 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $2,540,105,000 after purchasing an additional 2,267,708 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE increased its position in shares of Union Pacific by 16.8% during the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 14,463,071 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $3,509,030,000 after purchasing an additional 2,084,808 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have commented on UNP shares. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed a “market perform” rating and issued a $320.00 target price (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Bank of America lifted their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $301.00 to $334.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company reissued an “overweight” rating and issued a $335.00 price target (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Citigroup upped their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $326.00 to $349.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Barclays reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and set a $350.00 price objective (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $320.89.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $263.96, for a total value of $789,504.36. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 43,012 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $11,353,447.52. This trade represents a 6.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Price Performance

UNP stock opened at $301.69 on Thursday. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $284.87 and its 200 day moving average price is $266.83. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12-month low of $210.84 and a 12-month high of $315.99. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40. 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 (NYSE:UNP) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 EPS 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%.Union Pacific’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $3.03 EPS. On average, sell-side 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. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 31st will be given a dividend of $1.42 per share. This is a boost from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. This represents a $5.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 31st. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio is currently 44.70%.

Union Pacific 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.