SG Trading Solutions LLC Buys Shares of 2,985 Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

SG Trading Solutions LLC bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 2,985 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $690,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the business. Magellan Asset Management Ltd acquired a new position in Union Pacific in the third quarter valued at $69,343,000. Jefferies Financial Group Inc. boosted its stake in Union Pacific by 1,581.2% in the 3rd quarter. Jefferies Financial Group Inc. now owns 232,000 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $54,838,000 after buying an additional 218,200 shares during the last quarter. North Dakota State Investment Board purchased a new stake in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at about $4,746,000. First National Bank of Omaha grew its holdings in Union Pacific by 35.8% in the 4th quarter. First National Bank of Omaha now owns 54,635 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $12,665,000 after buying an additional 14,399 shares during the period. Finally, Avanza Fonder AB acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter valued at about $1,449,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Citigroup reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $307.00 price objective (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, April 24th. Barclays restated an “overweight” rating and issued a $315.00 target price (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, April 24th. Benchmark upped their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $275.00 to $300.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $289.00 price target (up from $273.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, April 24th. Finally, Evercore reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $277.00 price target on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, April 24th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating and eight have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $282.21.

Insider Activity at Union Pacific

In related news, EVP Kenyatta G. Rocker sold 27,387 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $271.76, for a total value of $7,442,691.12. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 61,102 shares in the company, valued at approximately $16,605,079.52. This trade represents a 30.95% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CFO Jennifer L. Hamann sold 2,000 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $274.70, for a total transaction of $549,400.00. Following 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 SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 32,378 shares of company stock worth $8,781,595. Company insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Price Performance

UNP stock opened at $257.46 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $152.86 billion, a PE ratio of 21.21, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.74 and a beta of 0.97. The company has a current ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $263.62 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $249.75. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12-month low of $210.84 and a 12-month high of $279.70.

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

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced 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 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 29th. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio is 45.47%.

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.