Uptick Partners LLC Invests $940,000 in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Uptick Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund bought 3,455 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $940,000.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in UNP. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Tucker Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC raised its position in shares of Union Pacific by 2,575.0% in the fourth 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 position in shares of Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at about $26,000. Finally, Cornerstone Financial Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

NYSE UNP opened at $304.34 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $285.59 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $267.31. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12-month low of $210.84 and a 12-month high of $315.99. The company has a market capitalization of $180.80 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.64, a P/E/G ratio of 3.08 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last announced 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. Union Pacific had a net margin of 28.85% and a return on equity of 38.46%. The company had revenue of $6.86 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.72 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $3.03 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Monday, August 31st will be given a dividend of $1.42 per share. This is an increase from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. This represents a $5.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 31st. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 44.70%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently commented on UNP shares. Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $311.00 to $344.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, July 27th. Stephens upgraded Union Pacific to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 8th. Evercore reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $294.00 target price on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Thursday, June 25th. Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a $335.00 target price (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reissued a “market perform” rating and set a $320.00 price target (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, July 24th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $320.89.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Union Pacific news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $263.96, for a total transaction of $789,504.36. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 43,012 shares in the company, valued at $11,353,447.52. This trade represents a 6.50% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.22% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

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.