AustralianSuper Pty Ltd Raises Stock Position in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

AustralianSuper Pty Ltd grew its holdings in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 71.3% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 5,810 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after acquiring an additional 2,419 shares during the period. AustralianSuper Pty Ltd’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $1,344,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. High Point Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Caitlin John LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the third quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Saranac Partners Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the third quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Finally, Stephens Consulting LLC raised its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 48.4% during the fourth quarter. Stephens Consulting LLC now owns 135 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 44 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Stock Up 0.5%

Shares of NYSE:UNP opened at $270.58 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $252.29 and a 200 day simple moving average of $242.06. The firm has a market cap of $160.65 billion, a PE ratio of 22.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.86 and a beta of 0.99. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12-month low of $210.84 and a 12-month high of $274.79.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.93 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.86 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $6.22 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.12 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 29.20% and a return on equity of 39.58%. The business’s revenue was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $2.70 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.53 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Investors 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 is Friday, May 29th. Union Pacific’s payout ratio is 45.47%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UNP has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Citigroup reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $307.00 price objective (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, April 24th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Union Pacific from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 21st. Evercore reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $277.00 price objective on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, April 24th. Raymond James Financial set a $310.00 price objective on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, April 24th. Finally, Barclays reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a $315.00 price objective (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, April 24th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Union Pacific currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $280.47.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CFO Jennifer L. Hamann sold 2,000 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction on Friday, April 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $274.70, for a total value of $549,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer owned 114,642 shares in the company, valued at approximately $31,492,157.40. The trade was a 1.71% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 1,999 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction on Friday, March 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $234.93, for a total transaction of $469,625.07. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 31,386 shares of company stock worth $8,461,716. 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.