ATLAS Infrastructure Partners UK Ltd. Grows Holdings in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

ATLAS Infrastructure Partners UK Ltd. boosted its stake in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 76.5% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 910,022 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after acquiring an additional 394,379 shares during the period. Union Pacific accounts for approximately 10.6% of ATLAS Infrastructure Partners UK Ltd.’s holdings, making the stock its 7th biggest holding. ATLAS Infrastructure Partners UK Ltd.’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $210,506,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Capital World Investors raised its position 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 worth $4,658,142,000 after purchasing an additional 9,655,306 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter valued at about $1,779,907,000. Capital Research Global Investors grew its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 95.0% during the 3rd quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 8,713,196 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $2,059,538,000 after acquiring an additional 4,244,226 shares during the period. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC grew its stake 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 valued at $2,169,168,000 after acquiring an additional 3,861,636 shares during the period. Finally, EdgePoint Investment Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $408,592,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Trading Down 3.7%

Shares of NYSE:UNP opened at $257.61 on Thursday. Union Pacific Corporation has a 52-week low of $210.84 and a 52-week high of $279.70. The stock has a market cap of $152.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.22, a PEG ratio of 2.83 and a beta of 0.97. The company has a quick ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $263.39 and a 200-day moving average price of $249.57.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.93 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.86 by $0.07. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 39.58% and a net margin of 29.20%.The firm had revenue of $6.22 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.12 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.70 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts predict that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.55 EPS for the current year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Investors of record on Friday, May 29th will be given a dividend of $1.38 per share. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 29th. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 45.47%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms recently commented on UNP. BMO Capital Markets reissued a “market perform” rating and issued a $285.00 price target (up from $278.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, April 24th. Benchmark increased their price target on Union Pacific from $275.00 to $300.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, April 24th. Wells Fargo & Company reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and issued a $300.00 price objective (up from $260.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Weiss Ratings raised Union Pacific from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 21st. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein increased their price target on Union Pacific from $289.00 to $293.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 31st. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Union Pacific currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $282.21.

Insider Activity at Union Pacific

In related news, CFO Jennifer L. Hamann sold 2,000 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $274.70, for a total transaction of $549,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 114,642 shares in the company, valued at approximately $31,492,157.40. This trade represents a 1.71% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the business’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 sale, the executive vice president owned 43,012 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $11,353,447.52. This trade represents a 6.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 34,377 shares of company stock worth $9,251,221. 0.22% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

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.