Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec Takes $17.08 Million Position in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 62,793 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $17,080,000.

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Cambient Family Office LLC bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth $1,319,000. First National Bank of Omaha raised its holdings in Union Pacific by 35.8% in the 4th quarter. First National Bank of Omaha now owns 54,635 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $12,665,000 after acquiring an additional 14,399 shares during the period. North Dakota State Investment Board bought a new position in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter worth $4,746,000. Sage Investment Advisers LLC acquired a new position in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth $997,000. Finally, Truist Financial Corp boosted its holdings in Union Pacific by 3.1% during the fourth quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 1,016,071 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $235,038,000 after acquiring an additional 30,079 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

UNP opened at $307.82 on Friday. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $291.07 and its 200-day simple moving average is $269.81. 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 stock has a market cap of $182.87 billion, a PE ratio of 24.92, a P/E/G ratio of 3.12 and a beta of 0.96. Union Pacific Corporation has a 1 year low of $210.84 and a 1 year high of $315.99.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last issued 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 during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.72 billion. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 38.46% and a net margin of 28.85%.Union Pacific’s quarterly revenue was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $3.03 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts forecast that Union Pacific Corporation will post 13.01 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 issued a dividend of $1.42 per share. This represents a $5.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 31st. This is a positive change from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. Union Pacific’s payout ratio is 44.70%.

Key Headlines Impacting Union Pacific

Here are the key news stories impacting Union Pacific this week:

• Positive Sentiment: New analyst coverage adds support: Erste Group Bank AG initiated coverage of Union Pacific with a “buy” rating, signaling confidence in the railroad’s valuation and outlook. Erste Group Bank coverage
• Positive Sentiment: Dividend and earnings backdrop remains favorable: Union Pacific is being highlighted as a dividend-growth railroad, and recent quarterly results showed earnings and revenue above analyst expectations, with revenue up year over year. These factors reinforce the company’s appeal to income and quality-focused investors. Dividend-paying railroad stocks
• Neutral Sentiment: Merger application advances: Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern submitted expanded customer protections to the Surface Transportation Board, including broader eligibility for committed gateway pricing. The proposed terms could improve the prospects for approval of the first single-line transcontinental railroad network, although the transaction remains subject to a lengthy regulatory review. Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern merger protections
• Neutral Sentiment: Management will address investors: CEO Jim Vena and CFO Jennifer Hamann are scheduled to participate in a Bernstein Research fireside chat on September 1. Investors may look for updates on merger strategy, rail efficiency and operating trends. Union Pacific Bernstein fireside chat
• Negative Sentiment: Regulatory and efficiency risks remain: The companies continue defending the merger against opponents’ challenges, while new analysis describes Union Pacific as facing a fresh test of rail efficiency. Any tougher STB scrutiny or evidence of operational weaknesses could temper merger-driven optimism. Merger application regulatory review

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on Union Pacific from $304.00 to $334.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an “outperform” rating and set a $339.00 target price (up from $289.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Citigroup upped their price target on Union Pacific from $326.00 to $349.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, July 24th. Benchmark increased their price objective on Union Pacific from $325.00 to $335.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Robert W. Baird boosted their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $311.00 to $344.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, July 27th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $320.89.

Insider Buying and Selling at Union Pacific

In other news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 3rd. The shares were 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 in the company, valued at approximately $11,353,447.52. The trade was a 6.50% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

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.