Ieq Capital LLC Buys New Stake in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Ieq Capital LLC bought a new position in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor bought 15,928 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $4,332,000.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in UNP. Callan Family Office LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the second quarter valued at about $7,579,000. Expressive Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $314,000. Gambit Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $246,000. Heartland Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $156,000. Finally, Shelter Mutual Insurance Co bought a new position in Union Pacific during the second quarter worth $9,662,000. 80.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Union Pacific Price Performance

Shares of NYSE UNP opened at $309.83 on Tuesday. Union Pacific Corporation has a twelve month low of $210.84 and a twelve month high of $315.99. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $287.14 and a two-hundred day moving average of $268.31. The company has a market capitalization of $184.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.09, a PEG ratio of 3.14 and a beta of 0.96.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates 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%.Union Pacific’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $3.03 earnings per share. As a group, analysts expect that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 31st will be issued a $1.42 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 31st. This is a positive change from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. This represents a $5.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.8%. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio is 45.99%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Union Pacific

In other news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of Union Pacific 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 transaction, the executive vice president directly 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 transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 0.22% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently commented on UNP. Bank of America upped their target price on Union Pacific from $301.00 to $334.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, July 23rd. Raymond James Financial restated a “strong-buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Monday, July 13th. TD Cowen reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $325.00 price objective (up from $282.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Benchmark upped their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $325.00 to $335.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Evercore reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $294.00 price target on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Thursday, June 25th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $320.89.

About Union Pacific

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.