Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. Purchases Shares of 280,437 Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund purchased 280,437 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $76,279,000.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Tucker Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC raised its position in Union Pacific by 2,575.0% during the fourth quarter. SWAN Capital LLC now owns 107 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. High Point Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Finally, Cornerstone Financial Management LLC acquired a new position in Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Stock Up 1.3%

Shares of UNP opened at $307.97 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $182.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.94, a PEG ratio of 3.14 and a beta of 0.96. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12 month low of $210.84 and a 12 month high of $315.99. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $286.30 and its two-hundred day moving average is $267.60. 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 (NYSE:UNP) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.26 by $0.15. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 38.46% and a net margin of 28.85%.The business had revenue of $6.86 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.72 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $3.03 EPS. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 31st will be paid a dividend of $1.42 per share. This is an increase 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 1.8%. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 44.70%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UNP has been the topic of several recent research reports. Robert W. Baird upped their price objective on Union Pacific from $311.00 to $344.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, July 27th. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $317.00 target price on shares of Union Pacific and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 23rd. Stephens raised shares of Union Pacific to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 8th. Barclays restated an “overweight” rating and set a $350.00 price target (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Susquehanna lifted their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $305.00 to $333.00 and gave the company a “positive” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. 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 company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Union Pacific has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $320.89.

Insider Activity at Union Pacific

In other news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the stock in a transaction dated 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 sale, the executive vice president directly owned 43,012 shares in the company, valued at $11,353,447.52. This represents a 6.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

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.