Union Pacific Corporation $UNP Shares Sold by Empowered Funds LLC

Empowered Funds LLC lowered its position in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 14.6% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 69,927 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after selling 11,909 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $16,966,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of UNP. Cambient Family Office LLC purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter valued at about $1,319,000. First National Bank of Omaha boosted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 35.8% in the fourth quarter. First National Bank of Omaha now owns 54,635 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $12,665,000 after buying an additional 14,399 shares during the last quarter. North Dakota State Investment Board purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the fourth quarter worth about $4,746,000. Sage Investment Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth about $997,000. Finally, Truist Financial Corp grew its holdings in Union Pacific by 3.1% during the fourth quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 1,016,071 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $235,038,000 after acquiring an additional 30,079 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Union Pacific news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $263.96, for a total transaction of $789,504.36. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 43,012 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,353,447.52. This represents a 6.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Price Performance

Shares of Union Pacific stock opened at $294.48 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $174.94 billion, a PE ratio of 23.84, a P/E/G ratio of 3.08 and a beta of 0.96. Union Pacific Corporation has a twelve month low of $210.84 and a twelve month 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 business has a 50-day moving average price of $276.08 and a 200 day moving average price of $259.46.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last issued its quarterly 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. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 38.46% and a net margin of 28.85%.The company had revenue of $6.86 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.72 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $3.03 earnings per share. Union Pacific’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts predict that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.84 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Investors of record on Friday, May 29th were issued a $1.38 dividend. 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 payout ratio is presently 44.70%.

Key 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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages recently weighed in on UNP. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $339.00 price target (up from $289.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday. Robert W. Baird upped their price objective on Union Pacific from $311.00 to $344.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed a “strong-buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Monday, July 13th. Barclays reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and set a $350.00 target price (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday. Finally, Evercore reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $294.00 target price on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Thursday, June 25th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Union Pacific presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $320.89.

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.