Union Pacific Corporation $UNP Shares Acquired by Rakuten Investment Management Inc.

Rakuten Investment Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 10.3% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 97,106 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after buying an additional 9,052 shares during the quarter. Rakuten Investment Management Inc.’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $26,481,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in UNP. Glenview Trust Co acquired a new stake in Union Pacific in the 2nd quarter worth about $33,061,000. North Star Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in Union Pacific by 0.4% in the second quarter. North Star Asset Management Inc. now owns 31,776 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $8,643,000 after purchasing an additional 118 shares during the period. Maxele Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Union Pacific during the second quarter worth approximately $356,000. United Capital Financial Advisors LLC raised its stake in Union Pacific by 3.4% during the second quarter. United Capital Financial Advisors LLC now owns 45,170 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $12,286,000 after purchasing an additional 1,485 shares during the period. Finally, Dearborn Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the 2nd quarter valued at $9,000,000. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently commented on UNP. Evercore restated an “outperform” rating and set a $294.00 price objective on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Thursday, June 25th. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $339.00 price target (up from $289.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on Union Pacific from $304.00 to $334.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Barclays reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a $350.00 target price (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised shares of Union Pacific from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have given a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $320.89.

Union Pacific News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Union Pacific this week:

• Positive Sentiment: New analyst coverage adds support: Erste Group Bank AG initiated coverage of Union Pacific with a “buy” rating, signaling confidence in the railroad’s valuation and outlook. Erste Group Bank coverage
• Positive Sentiment: Dividend and earnings backdrop remains favorable: Union Pacific is being highlighted as a dividend-growth railroad, and recent quarterly results showed earnings and revenue above analyst expectations, with revenue up year over year. These factors reinforce the company’s appeal to income and quality-focused investors. Dividend-paying railroad stocks
• Neutral Sentiment: Merger application advances: Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern submitted expanded customer protections to the Surface Transportation Board, including broader eligibility for committed gateway pricing. The proposed terms could improve the prospects for approval of the first single-line transcontinental railroad network, although the transaction remains subject to a lengthy regulatory review. Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern merger protections
• Neutral Sentiment: Management will address investors: CEO Jim Vena and CFO Jennifer Hamann are scheduled to participate in a Bernstein Research fireside chat on September 1. Investors may look for updates on merger strategy, rail efficiency and operating trends. Union Pacific Bernstein fireside chat
• Negative Sentiment: Regulatory and efficiency risks remain: The companies continue defending the merger against opponents’ challenges, while new analysis describes Union Pacific as facing a fresh test of rail efficiency. Any tougher STB scrutiny or evidence of operational weaknesses could temper merger-driven optimism. Merger application regulatory review

Insider Activity at Union Pacific

In related news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the firm’s 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 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 filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Stock Up 0.0%

Shares of Union Pacific stock opened at $307.82 on Friday. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $291.07 and a 200 day moving average price of $269.81. 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 twelve month low of $210.84 and a twelve month high of $315.99. The stock has a market cap of $182.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.92, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.12 and a beta of 0.96.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.26 by $0.15. The company had revenue of $6.86 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates 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 was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $3.03 earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that Union Pacific Corporation will post 13.01 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 31st will be paid a $1.42 dividend. This represents a $5.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.8%. This is an increase from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 31st. Union Pacific’s payout ratio is 44.70%.

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.