Shelter Mutual Insurance Co Takes Position in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Shelter Mutual Insurance Co acquired a new stake in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 35,523 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $9,662,000. Union Pacific comprises about 2.0% of Shelter Mutual Insurance Co’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 17th biggest position.

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of UNP. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Tucker Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC lifted its stake 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 during the period. High Point Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the fourth quarter valued at $26,000. Finally, Cornerstone Financial Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the fourth quarter valued at $27,000. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Bank of America upped their target price on Union Pacific from $301.00 to $334.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on Union Pacific from $304.00 to $334.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, July 24th. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $317.00 price objective on Union Pacific and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, July 23rd. Evercore restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $294.00 price objective on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Thursday, June 25th. Finally, Barclays reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and set a $350.00 target price (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. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $320.89.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $263.96, for a total transaction of $789,504.36. Following 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 legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.22% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Union Pacific Trading Up 1.3%

NYSE UNP opened at $307.97 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $182.96 billion, a PE ratio of 24.94, a P/E/G ratio of 3.10 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a fifty day moving average of $286.30 and a 200 day moving average of $267.60. Union Pacific Corporation has a 1 year low of $210.84 and a 1 year high of $315.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.82.

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

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

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

Union Pacific 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.