First Bancorp Inc ME Invests $691,000 in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

First Bancorp Inc ME purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 2,540 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $691,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Cambient Family Office LLC acquired a new stake in Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $1,319,000. First National Bank of Omaha increased 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 worth $12,665,000 after purchasing an additional 14,399 shares during the last quarter. North Dakota State Investment Board bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter valued at $4,746,000. Sage Investment Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at $997,000. Finally, Truist Financial Corp lifted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 3.1% in the 4th quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 1,016,071 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $235,038,000 after purchasing an additional 30,079 shares during the last quarter. 80.38% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity at Union Pacific

In related news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the business’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 completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 43,012 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $11,353,447.52. The trade was a 6.50% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have commented on the stock. Bank of America increased their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $301.00 to $334.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 23rd. TD Cowen reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $325.00 price target (up from $282.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on Union Pacific from $304.00 to $334.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Weiss Ratings raised Union Pacific from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Robert W. Baird raised their price objective on Union Pacific from $311.00 to $344.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, July 27th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $320.89.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

NYSE:UNP opened at $310.11 on Wednesday. Union Pacific Corporation has a 1 year low of $210.84 and a 1 year high of $315.99. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $287.99 and its 200 day simple moving average is $268.73. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40. The firm 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.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.26 by $0.15. The firm had revenue of $6.86 billion for 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 business’s quarterly revenue was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $3.03 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 EPS for the current year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed 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 boost 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 is presently 44.70%.

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.