Faithward Advisors LLC Boosts Position in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Faithward Advisors LLC raised its position in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 170.5% during the first quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 6,608 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after acquiring an additional 4,165 shares during the period. Faithward Advisors LLC’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $1,603,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Cambient Family Office LLC purchased a new stake in Union Pacific in the fourth quarter worth about $1,319,000. Magellan Asset Management Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 3rd quarter valued at about $69,343,000. Jefferies Financial Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 1,581.2% during the 3rd quarter. Jefferies Financial Group Inc. now owns 232,000 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $54,838,000 after buying an additional 218,200 shares in the last quarter. North Dakota State Investment Board bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $4,746,000. Finally, First National Bank of Omaha grew its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 35.8% during the 4th quarter. First National Bank of Omaha now owns 54,635 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $12,665,000 after acquiring an additional 14,399 shares during the period. 80.38% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at Union Pacific

In related news, CFO Jennifer L. Hamann sold 2,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on 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 directly owned 114,642 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $31,492,157.40. This trade represents a 1.71% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Kenyatta G. Rocker sold 27,387 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction on Friday, April 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $271.76, for a total transaction of $7,442,691.12. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 61,102 shares in the company, valued at approximately $16,605,079.52. This represents a 30.95% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 32,378 shares of company stock valued at $8,781,595. 0.22% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on UNP shares. TD Cowen increased their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $256.00 to $282.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, April 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $267.00 to $275.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, April 24th. Sanford C. Bernstein upped their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $289.00 to $293.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 31st. Barclays reissued an “overweight” rating and issued a $315.00 price objective (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, April 24th. Finally, UBS Group restated a “neutral” rating and set a $274.00 price objective (up from $253.00) 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 assigned a Buy rating and eight have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $282.21.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

NYSE:UNP opened at $259.20 on Wednesday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $264.14 and a 200 day moving average price of $250.29. The stock has a market capitalization of $153.89 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.35, a P/E/G ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 0.97. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12-month low of $210.84 and a 12-month high of $279.70. The company has a current ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.93 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.86 by $0.07. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 39.58% and a net margin of 29.20%.The company had revenue of $6.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.12 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $2.70 EPS. The firm’s revenue was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts forecast that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.55 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 29th will be given a dividend of $1.38 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 29th. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.1%. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 45.47%.

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.