Susquehanna Raises Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) Price Target to $333.00

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) had its price target upped by stock analysts at Susquehanna from $305.00 to $333.00 in a research report issued on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a “positive” rating on the railroad operator’s stock. Susquehanna’s price objective points to a potential upside of 15.12% from the stock’s current price.

A number of other brokerages also recently weighed in on UNP. Barclays reissued an “overweight” rating and set a $315.00 price target (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Benchmark raised their price objective on Union Pacific from $275.00 to $300.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Union Pacific from $300.00 to $315.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 8th. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $289.00 target price (up from $273.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, April 24th. Finally, UBS Group restated a “neutral” rating and issued a $274.00 price target (up from $253.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, April 24th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $294.89.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

Shares of UNP opened at $289.26 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $171.74 billion, a PE ratio of 23.83, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.02 and a beta of 0.96. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $269.62 and a 200-day moving average of $254.46. Union Pacific has a one year low of $210.84 and a one year high of $290.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53, a current ratio of 0.92 and a quick ratio of 0.73.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.93 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.86 by $0.07. Union Pacific had a net margin of 29.20% and a return on equity of 39.58%. 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 prior year, the firm earned $2.70 EPS. Union Pacific’s quarterly revenue was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Union Pacific will post 12.56 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Union Pacific

In other news, EVP Kenyatta G. Rocker sold 27,387 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $271.76, for a total value of $7,442,691.12. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 61,102 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $16,605,079.52. This represents a 30.95% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $263.96, for a total value 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. The trade was a 6.50% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold a total of 32,378 shares of company stock valued at $8,781,595 in the last three months. 0.22% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Union Pacific

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Tucker Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 2,575.0% during the fourth 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. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. Saranac Partners Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the third quarter valued at about $27,000. Finally, High Point Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at about $26,000. 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.