2,500 Shares in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP Purchased by Vazirani Asset Management LLC

Vazirani Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund bought 2,500 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $680,000,000. Union Pacific makes up about 3.3% of Vazirani Asset Management LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 11th biggest position.

Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec acquired a new position in Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $17,080,000. Pointe Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $878,000. Odyssean LLC raised its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 16.9% in the second quarter. Odyssean LLC now owns 3,090 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $840,000 after purchasing an additional 446 shares during the last quarter. Man Group plc acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the second quarter valued at approximately $14,345,000. Finally, Western Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the second quarter worth $1,755,000. Institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Stock Up 0.5%

NYSE:UNP opened at $311.21 on Thursday. Union Pacific Corporation has a twelve month low of $210.84 and a twelve month high of $315.99. The firm has a market capitalization of $184.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.20, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.16 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $289.07 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $269.15.

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

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 31st will be given a dividend of $1.42 per share. This represents a $5.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.8%. This is an increase from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 31st. Union Pacific’s payout ratio is currently 44.70%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages recently commented on UNP. Stephens upgraded shares of Union Pacific to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 8th. Benchmark lifted their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $325.00 to $335.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, July 24th. UBS Group reissued a “neutral” rating and set a $310.00 price target (up from $286.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $304.00 to $334.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Susquehanna increased their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $305.00 to $333.00 and gave the stock a “positive” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 14th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $320.89.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Union Pacific news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the stock in a transaction 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 sale, the executive vice president owned 43,012 shares in the company, valued at $11,353,447.52. This trade represents a 6.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 0.22% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

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.