Union Pacific Corporation $UNP Shares Sold by The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company

The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company lowered its stake in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 51.0% in the first quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 510,710 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after selling 532,217 shares during the period. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $123,909,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds 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 acquired a new position in Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC lifted its holdings in Union Pacific by 2,575.0% in 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 during the period. High Point Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Finally, Cornerstone Financial Management LLC purchased a new stake in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and set a $335.00 target price (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday. Citigroup increased their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $326.00 to $349.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, July 24th. TD Cowen restated a “buy” rating and set a $325.00 price target (up from $282.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $304.00 to $334.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Citizens Jmp assumed coverage on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Wednesday, July 15th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $350.00 price objective for the company. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $320.89.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of Union Pacific 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 sale, the executive vice president owned 43,012 shares in the company, valued at $11,353,447.52. This trade represents a 6.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 0.22% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

More Union Pacific News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern submitted additional customer protections to the Surface Transportation Board (STB), including expanded gateway pricing and temporary access to competing rail service if performance deteriorates. The commitments are intended to address shipper concerns and improve the merger’s chances of regulatory approval. Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern add new customer protections as STB merger review advances
• Positive Sentiment: Canadian National reportedly will not oppose the transaction under the revised arrangement, which would give CN access to certain shipper facilities facing fewer Class I railroad options. Reduced opposition may help the regulatory review advance. Canadian National won’t fight UP-NS merger under new deal
• Positive Sentiment: Robert W. Baird raised its Union Pacific price target to $344 from $311 and maintained an “outperform” rating, citing potential upside from the company’s operating outlook. Baird raises Union Pacific price target
• Positive Sentiment: Unusual options activity and recent analyst commentary point to continued investor interest in Union Pacific’s service-led growth strategy, margin improvement potential and standalone earnings prospects.
• Neutral Sentiment: Union Pacific’s second-quarter results exceeded expectations, with earnings of $3.41 per share and revenue of $6.86 billion. Revenue increased 11.5% year over year, providing fundamental support for the stock, although valuation remains elevated at roughly 24 times earnings.
• Negative Sentiment: The merger remains subject to STB approval, and the new customer guarantees could increase execution obligations and limit some of the anticipated financial benefits. Investors are also comparing UNP’s operating growth with Norfolk Southern’s more event-driven merger valuation, contributing to near-term uncertainty. Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern file supplemental information to STB on merger

Union Pacific Trading Down 1.6%

Shares of NYSE:UNP opened at $294.48 on Wednesday. Union Pacific Corporation has a 1 year low of $210.84 and a 1 year high of $315.99. The firm has a market capitalization of $174.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.08 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.82. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $276.08 and its 200-day moving average price is $259.46.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.26 by $0.15. The firm had revenue of $6.86 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.72 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 28.85% and a return on equity of 38.46%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $3.03 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.84 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 29th were issued a dividend of $1.38 per share. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 29th. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 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.