Foyston Gordon & Payne Inc Acquires New Holdings in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Foyston Gordon & Payne Inc bought a new stake 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 47,043 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $12,796,000. Union Pacific makes up about 2.7% of Foyston Gordon & Payne Inc’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 12th largest position.

Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of UNP. Capital World Investors lifted its holdings 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 worth $4,658,142,000 after acquiring an additional 9,655,306 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth about $1,779,907,000. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 72.7% during the 3rd quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 9,177,002 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $2,169,168,000 after purchasing an additional 3,861,636 shares in the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors lifted its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 26.0% during the 4th quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 10,980,904 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $2,540,105,000 after purchasing an additional 2,267,708 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE grew its position in shares of Union Pacific by 16.8% in the 1st 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 period. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

NYSE UNP opened at $307.97 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $182.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.14 and a beta of 0.96. 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’s fifty day moving average price is $286.30 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $267.60. Union Pacific Corporation has a 1 year low of $210.84 and a 1 year high of $315.99.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.26 by $0.15. The company had revenue of $6.86 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.72 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 28.85% and a return on equity of 38.46%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $3.03 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 EPS for the current year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 31st will be paid a $1.42 dividend. This is a positive change from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. This represents a $5.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 31st. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio is currently 44.70%.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $263.96, for a total value of $789,504.36. Following the completion of the sale, 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 filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 0.22% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms recently issued reports on UNP. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $339.00 target price (up from $289.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed a “strong-buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Monday, July 13th. TD Cowen reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $325.00 target price (up from $282.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Citigroup increased their target price on Union Pacific from $326.00 to $349.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Barclays restated an “overweight” rating and issued a $350.00 price target (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, July 24th. Two investment 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 company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Union Pacific currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $320.89.

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.