Northcape Wealth Management LLC Acquires Shares of 11,867 Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Northcape Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund bought 11,867 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $3,228,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of UNP. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 1.1% in the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 59,329,262 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $13,724,045,000 after buying an additional 659,378 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its position in Union Pacific by 4.3% in the fourth quarter. State Street Corp now owns 26,330,080 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $6,090,674,000 after purchasing an additional 1,082,285 shares during the last quarter. Capital World Investors raised its stake in Union Pacific by 92.1% during the fourth quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 20,136,349 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $4,658,142,000 after purchasing an additional 9,655,306 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Union Pacific by 2.0% during the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 15,360,668 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $3,552,550,000 after purchasing an additional 296,814 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE lifted its position in Union Pacific by 16.8% during the first quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 14,463,071 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $3,509,030,000 after purchasing an additional 2,084,808 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Bank of America boosted their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $301.00 to $334.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, July 23rd. Susquehanna upped their price objective on Union Pacific from $305.00 to $333.00 and gave the company a “positive” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 14th. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed a “strong-buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Monday, July 13th. BMO Capital Markets reissued a “market perform” rating and set a $320.00 target price (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on Union Pacific from $304.00 to $334.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, July 24th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $320.89.

Insider Buying and Selling

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 transaction, 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 position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.22% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Union Pacific Price Performance

UNP opened at $304.34 on Friday. The business has a fifty day moving average of $285.59 and a 200 day moving average of $267.31. Union Pacific Corporation has a 52-week low of $210.84 and a 52-week high of $315.99. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40. The stock has a market cap of $180.80 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.64, a PEG ratio of 3.08 and a beta of 0.96.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.26 by $0.15. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 38.46% and a net margin of 28.85%.The business had revenue of $6.86 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.72 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $3.03 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 EPS for the current year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 31st will be issued a $1.42 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 31st. This is a boost from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. This represents a $5.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.9%. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 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.