West Family Investments Inc. Makes New $514,000 Investment in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

West Family Investments Inc. acquired a new stake in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 1,889 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $514,000.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in UNP. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Tucker Asset Management LLC bought a new position in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC grew its position in Union Pacific by 2,575.0% during the fourth quarter. SWAN Capital LLC now owns 107 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 103 shares during the period. High Point Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth about $26,000. Finally, Cornerstone Financial Management LLC purchased a new stake in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. 80.38% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the 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 owned 43,012 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $11,353,447.52. This represents a 6.50% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

UNP has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Evercore reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $294.00 target price on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Thursday, June 25th. Citigroup raised their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $326.00 to $349.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Weiss Ratings raised shares of Union Pacific from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a report on Friday, July 24th. Stephens upgraded Union Pacific to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 8th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $339.00 price objective (up from $289.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, July 24th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Union Pacific currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $320.89.

Union Pacific Stock Up 0.8%

UNP opened at $304.34 on Friday. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12 month low of $210.84 and a 12 month high of $315.99. The company has a market cap of $180.80 billion, a PE ratio of 24.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.08 and a beta of 0.96. 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 company has a 50 day moving average of $285.59 and a 200 day moving average of $267.31.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.26 by $0.15. The business had revenue of $6.86 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.72 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 28.85% and a return on equity of 38.46%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $3.03 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 EPS for the current year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Monday, August 31st will be paid a dividend of $1.42 per share. This represents a $5.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 31st. This is a positive change from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio is presently 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.