Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) Given New $304.00 Price Target at JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) had its price target lifted by equities researchers at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $275.00 to $304.00 in a research note issued to investors on Friday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a “neutral” rating on the railroad operator’s stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co.‘s target price suggests a potential upside of 5.40% from the company’s previous close.

Several other brokerages also recently issued reports on UNP. BMO Capital Markets reissued a “market perform” rating and issued a $285.00 price target (up from $278.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, April 24th. Barclays restated an “overweight” rating and set a $315.00 price objective (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, April 24th. Citigroup reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $326.00 target price (up from $307.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Thursday. UBS Group reiterated a “neutral” rating and issued a $274.00 target price (up from $253.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, April 24th. Finally, Susquehanna reissued a “positive” rating and set a $305.00 price target on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, June 5th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $290.39.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

Shares of Union Pacific stock traded up $3.38 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $288.42. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 262,518 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,135,819. Union Pacific has a one year low of $210.84 and a one year high of $288.00. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $268.77 and its 200 day simple moving average is $253.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a current ratio of 0.92. The stock has a market cap of $171.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.95 and a beta of 0.96.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.93 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.86 by $0.07. Union Pacific had a net margin of 29.20% and a return on equity of 39.58%. The firm had revenue of $6.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.12 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $2.70 earnings per share. Union Pacific’s quarterly revenue was up 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts expect that Union Pacific will post 12.56 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Union Pacific

In other news, CFO Jennifer L. Hamann sold 2,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, April 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $274.70, for a total value of $549,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer owned 114,642 shares in the company, valued at $31,492,157.40. This represents a 1.71% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Kenyatta G. Rocker sold 27,387 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $271.76, for a total value of $7,442,691.12. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 61,102 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $16,605,079.52. This represents a 30.95% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 32,378 shares of company stock valued at $8,781,595. 0.22% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Union Pacific

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Tucker Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC lifted its position in Union Pacific by 2,575.0% in the 4th quarter. SWAN Capital LLC now owns 107 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. High Point Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Finally, Saranac Partners Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 3rd quarter valued at $27,000. 80.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.