Mcdonald Capital Investors Inc. CA Lowers Holdings in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Mcdonald Capital Investors Inc. CA reduced its position in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 1.1% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 230,249 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after selling 2,500 shares during the quarter. Union Pacific comprises about 3.8% of Mcdonald Capital Investors Inc. CA’s holdings, making the stock its 13th largest position. Mcdonald Capital Investors Inc. CA’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $55,863,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of UNP. Capital World Investors boosted its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 92.1% in the fourth quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 20,136,349 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $4,658,142,000 after acquiring an additional 9,655,306 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth about $1,779,907,000. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC raised its holdings in Union Pacific by 72.7% during the third quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 9,177,002 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $2,169,168,000 after purchasing an additional 3,861,636 shares in the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors lifted its position in Union Pacific by 26.0% in the fourth quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 10,980,904 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $2,540,105,000 after purchasing an additional 2,267,708 shares during the period. Finally, Baupost Group LLC MA acquired a new stake in Union Pacific in the third quarter valued at about $353,658,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Price Performance

UNP stock opened at $289.26 on Tuesday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $269.62 and a 200-day moving average of $254.46. The company has a market cap of $171.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.83, a PEG ratio of 3.02 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a current ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12-month low of $210.84 and a 12-month high of $290.41.

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

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 29th were given 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 presently 45.47%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have issued reports on UNP shares. Citigroup reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $326.00 target price (up from $307.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Thursday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Union Pacific from $275.00 to $304.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed a “strong-buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Monday. Evercore restated an “outperform” rating and set a $294.00 target price on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Thursday, June 25th. Finally, UBS Group restated a “neutral” rating and set a $274.00 target price (up from $253.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $293.33.

Insider Buying and Selling at Union Pacific

In other news, EVP Kenyatta G. Rocker sold 27,387 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, April 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $271.76, for a total value of $7,442,691.12. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 61,102 shares in the company, valued at $16,605,079.52. This trade represents a 30.95% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the firm’s 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 transaction, the executive vice president owned 43,012 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $11,353,447.52. This represents a 6.50% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 32,378 shares of company stock valued at $8,781,595. Insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Company 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.