EFG International AG Takes $50.17 Million Position in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

EFG International AG bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor bought 184,407 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $50,172,000. Union Pacific accounts for 0.9% of EFG International AG’s holdings, making the stock its 25th biggest position.

Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Tiemann Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Union Pacific by 1.7% in the 2nd quarter. Tiemann Investment Advisors LLC now owns 2,117 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $576,000 after buying an additional 35 shares in the last quarter. TFR Capital LLC. lifted its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 3.8% during the second quarter. TFR Capital LLC. now owns 979 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $266,000 after buying an additional 36 shares in the last quarter. Key Financial Inc lifted its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 2.1% during the first quarter. Key Financial Inc now owns 1,821 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $442,000 after buying an additional 38 shares in the last quarter. Members Trust Co boosted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 2.5% in the first quarter. Members Trust Co now owns 1,573 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $382,000 after acquiring an additional 38 shares during the period. Finally, EJMK Ventures LLC boosted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 4.0% in the first quarter. EJMK Ventures LLC now owns 1,016 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $247,000 after acquiring an additional 39 shares during the period. 80.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Union Pacific Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:UNP opened at $310.11 on Wednesday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $287.99 and a 200-day moving average of $268.73. The stock has a market capitalization of $184.23 billion, a PE ratio of 25.11, a PEG ratio of 3.16 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. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12 month low of $210.84 and a 12 month high of $315.99.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 earnings per share for the quarter, topping 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 firm’s quarterly revenue was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $3.03 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

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

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Union Pacific news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction 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 sale, the executive vice president owned 43,012 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $11,353,447.52. This trade represents a 6.50% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.22% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts recently commented on the stock. Susquehanna raised their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $305.00 to $333.00 and gave the stock a “positive” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 14th. Barclays reissued an “overweight” rating and issued a $350.00 price objective (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, July 24th. Stephens raised shares of Union Pacific to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 8th. Citigroup lifted their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $326.00 to $349.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reiterated a “market perform” rating and issued a $320.00 price target (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average 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.