Main Street Research LLC Purchases 1,787 Shares of Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Main Street Research LLC increased its position in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 76.3% in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 4,129 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after buying an additional 1,787 shares during the period. Main Street Research LLC’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $1,002,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Tucker Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC lifted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 2,575.0% in the 4th quarter. SWAN Capital LLC now owns 107 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 103 shares during the period. High Point Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Finally, Saranac Partners Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the 3rd quarter valued at about $27,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Trading Up 1.5%

Shares of Union Pacific stock opened at $285.06 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a current ratio of 0.92. Union Pacific Corporation has a 52 week low of $210.84 and a 52 week high of $285.79. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $268.77 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $253.70. The stock has a market capitalization of $169.24 billion, a PE ratio of 23.48, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.95 and a beta of 0.96.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.93 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.86 by $0.07. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 39.58% and a net margin of 29.20%.The firm had revenue of $6.22 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.12 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.70 earnings per share. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.56 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 29th were paid a dividend of $1.38 per share. This represents a $5.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 29th. Union Pacific’s payout ratio is 45.47%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on UNP shares. Benchmark lifted their target price on Union Pacific from $275.00 to $300.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, April 24th. Barclays restated an “overweight” rating and set a $315.00 price target (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, April 24th. Sanford C. Bernstein raised their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $289.00 to $293.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 31st. Susquehanna reiterated a “positive” rating and issued a $305.00 price objective on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, June 5th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $300.00 to $315.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $288.78.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CFO Jennifer L. Hamann sold 2,000 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $274.70, for a total transaction of $549,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 114,642 shares in the company, valued at $31,492,157.40. This trade represents a 1.71% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the business’s 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 directly owned 43,012 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $11,353,447.52. The trade was a 6.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 32,378 shares of company stock worth $8,781,595. Insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

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.