Empirical Asset Management LLC Buys Shares of 2,001 Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Empirical Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 2,001 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $544,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Chancellor Financial Group WB LP bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the 2nd quarter valued at about $373,000. Great Lakes Advisors LLC bought a new position in Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,886,000. Avaii Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $661,000. Pacific Sun Financial Corp acquired a new position in Union Pacific during the second quarter valued at approximately $283,000. Finally, Stevens Capital Partners acquired a new position in Union Pacific during the second quarter valued at approximately $9,866,000. Institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity at Union Pacific

In other news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the stock in a transaction dated 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 $11,353,447.52. This represents a 6.50% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 0.22% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

Shares of UNP stock opened at $301.69 on Thursday. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $284.87 and its 200-day simple moving average is $266.83. 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 firm has a market cap of $179.23 billion, a PE ratio of 24.43, a P/E/G ratio of 3.05 and a beta of 0.96. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12 month low of $210.84 and a 12 month high of $315.99.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.26 by $0.15. The business had revenue of $6.86 billion during 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 was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $3.03 earnings per share. Equities research analysts expect that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 31st will be given a dividend of $1.42 per share. This is a boost from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 31st. This represents a $5.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.9%. Union Pacific’s payout ratio is presently 44.70%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts recently commented on UNP shares. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $339.00 price objective (up from $289.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Robert W. Baird boosted their target price on Union Pacific from $311.00 to $344.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, July 27th. Barclays reissued an “overweight” rating and issued a $350.00 target price (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Susquehanna raised their price target on Union Pacific from $305.00 to $333.00 and gave the stock a “positive” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 14th. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price objective on Union Pacific from $326.00 to $349.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, July 24th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price 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.