Geode Capital Management LLC Buys 296,814 Shares of Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Geode Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 2.0% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 15,360,668 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after acquiring an additional 296,814 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $3,552,550,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of UNP. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Tucker Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. High Point Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Caitlin John LLC bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the 3rd quarter valued at $27,000. Finally, Saranac Partners Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the 3rd quarter valued at $27,000. Institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Trading Up 3.1%

Shares of Union Pacific stock opened at $279.41 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $165.89 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.02, a P/E/G ratio of 2.88 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a current ratio of 0.92. The company has a fifty day moving average of $255.55 and a 200 day moving average of $245.12. Union Pacific Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $210.84 and a fifty-two week high of $279.70.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.93 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.86 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $6.22 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.12 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 29.20% and a return on equity of 39.58%. Union Pacific’s quarterly revenue was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.70 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.53 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Investors of record on Friday, May 29th will be issued a $1.38 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 29th. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.0%. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio is currently 45.47%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Union Pacific news, CFO Jennifer L. Hamann sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 24th. The shares were 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 owned 114,642 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $31,492,157.40. This represents a 1.71% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 1,999 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $234.93, for a total transaction of $469,625.07. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last quarter, insiders sold 31,386 shares of company stock valued at $8,461,716. Company insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

UNP has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Citigroup reissued a “buy” rating and set a $307.00 price objective (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Weiss Ratings raised shares of Union Pacific from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 21st. Barclays reissued an “overweight” rating and set a $315.00 price objective (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Evercore reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $277.00 price objective on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reissued a “market perform” rating and set a $285.00 price objective (up from $278.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, April 24th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $280.47.

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.