Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) Sets New 12-Month High – Here’s Why

Shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) hit a new 52-week high on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $276.50 and last traded at $277.67, with a volume of 718240 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $271.10.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on UNP shares. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an “outperform” rating and set a $289.00 price objective (up from $273.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Citigroup reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $307.00 target price (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, April 24th. TD Cowen lifted their target price on Union Pacific from $256.00 to $282.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, April 24th. Robert W. Baird set a $311.00 target price on Union Pacific and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, March 6th. Finally, Barclays reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and set a $315.00 target price (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, April 24th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Union Pacific presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $280.47.

Union Pacific Price Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of $165.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.97, a P/E/G ratio of 2.82 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $254.81 and a 200 day simple moving average of $244.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a current ratio of 0.92.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last announced its quarterly earnings data 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. The company had revenue of $6.22 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.12 billion. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 39.58% and a net margin of 29.20%.The firm’s revenue was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $2.70 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.53 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 29th will be paid a $1.38 dividend. This represents a $5.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 29th. Union Pacific’s payout ratio is currently 45.47%.

Insider Activity

In other news, CFO Jennifer L. Hamann sold 2,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $274.70, for a total value of $549,400.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 114,642 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $31,492,157.40. The trade was a 1.71% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 1,999 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $234.93, for a total value of $469,625.07. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold 31,386 shares of company stock valued at $8,461,716 in the last ninety days. 0.22% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Tucker Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC raised its stake in Union Pacific by 2,575.0% during 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 during the period. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Caitlin John LLC acquired a new position in Union Pacific during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Finally, Saranac Partners Ltd acquired a new position in Union Pacific during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $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.