44,600 Shares in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP Bought by Polar Asset Management Partners Inc.

Polar Asset Management Partners Inc. purchased a new stake in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 44,600 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $12,131,000.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Jupiter Topco LLC bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the second quarter worth about $479,274,000. J. Goldman & Co LP acquired a new stake in Union Pacific in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $2,413,000. EFG International AG bought a new stake in Union Pacific in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $50,172,000. Ancora Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Union Pacific in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $7,900,000. Finally, Primecap Management Co. CA acquired a new position in Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $211,001,000. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the firm’s 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 approximately $11,353,447.52. This trade represents a 6.50% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on UNP. Benchmark boosted their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $325.00 to $335.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Susquehanna lifted their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $305.00 to $333.00 and gave the company a “positive” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 14th. Robert W. Baird boosted their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $311.00 to $344.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, July 27th. BMO Capital Markets reissued a “market perform” rating and set a $320.00 price target (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Bank of America increased their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $301.00 to $334.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 23rd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Union Pacific presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $320.89.

Union Pacific Price Performance

NYSE:UNP opened at $310.11 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $184.23 billion, a PE ratio of 25.11, a P/E/G ratio of 3.16 and a beta of 0.96. Union Pacific Corporation has a 1-year low of $210.84 and a 1-year high of $315.99. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $287.99 and a 200 day simple moving average of $268.73. 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 posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.26 by $0.15. The firm had revenue of $6.86 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.72 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 28.85% and a return on equity of 38.46%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $3.03 earnings per share. On average, research analysts expect that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 EPS 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. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 31st will be paid a dividend of $1.42 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 31st. This represents a $5.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.8%. This is a boost from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 44.70%.

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.