Union Pacific Corporation $UNP Stock: QV Investors Inc. Lowers Position

QV Investors Inc. cut its stake in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 42.4% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 36,166 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after selling 26,625 shares during the quarter. QV Investors Inc.’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $9,842,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in UNP. Scarborough Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Merkkuri Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Union Pacific during the 1st quarter worth approximately $29,000. Wiser Advisor Group LLC bought a new stake in Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Kelly Lawrence W & Associates Inc. CA bought a new stake in Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $34,000. Finally, Clark Wealth Partners lifted its holdings in Union Pacific by 37.4% during the third quarter. Clark Wealth Partners now owns 136 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 37 shares in the last quarter. 80.38% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Union Pacific Stock Up 0.2%

Shares of UNP opened at $287.65 on Wednesday. The business’s 50 day moving average is $287.53 and its 200 day moving average is $277.49. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12-month low of $215.53 and a 12-month high of $315.99. The company has a market capitalization of $170.89 billion, a PE ratio of 23.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.85 and a beta of 0.95.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 earnings per share for the quarter, topping 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 business had revenue of $6.86 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.72 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $3.03 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts expect that Union Pacific Corporation will post 13.05 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 31st were given a dividend of $1.42 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 31st. This is an increase from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. This represents a $5.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.0%. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 45.99%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have weighed in on UNP. Benchmark upped their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $325.00 to $335.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, July 24th. TD Cowen reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $325.00 price objective (up from $282.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Bank of America raised their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $301.00 to $334.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 23rd. Raymond James Financial set a $350.00 target price on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Thursday, October 15th. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised shares of Union Pacific from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a report on Friday, October 9th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have given a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Union Pacific has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $325.00.

Union Pacific Company Profile

Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP) is a transportation company that operates one of the largest freight railroad networks in the United States. Through its Union Pacific Railroad subsidiary, the company moves goods across the western two-thirds of the country, connecting major agricultural, industrial, energy, population and port markets.

Union Pacific transports a broad range of commodities and products, including agricultural goods, automotive shipments, chemicals, coal, industrial products, forest products and intermodal containers.