Lakewood Capital Management LP Buys Shares of 101,700 Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Lakewood Capital Management LP bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 101,700 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $27,662,000. Union Pacific accounts for about 1.4% of Lakewood Capital Management LP’s portfolio, making the stock its 28th largest holding.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Legal & General Group Plc purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,193,135,000. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company purchased a new position in Union Pacific in the second quarter valued at approximately $123,172,000. Park Presidio Capital LLC purchased a new position in Union Pacific in the second quarter valued at approximately $108,474,000. Kelly Lawrence W & Associates Inc. CA bought a new position in Union Pacific during the second quarter valued at $34,000. Finally, Jones Financial Companies Lllp bought a new position in Union Pacific during the second quarter valued at $4,602,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Stock Up 0.6%

UNP opened at $309.83 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $184.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.14 and a beta of 0.96. Union Pacific Corporation has a one year low of $210.84 and a one year high of $315.99. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $287.14 and a 200-day moving average price of $268.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.82.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.26 by $0.15. The company had revenue of $6.86 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.72 billion. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 38.46% and a net margin of 28.85%.The firm’s revenue was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $3.03 earnings per share. Equities research analysts expect that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 31st will be paid a $1.42 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 31st. This represents a $5.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.8%. This is an increase from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio is currently 45.99%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

UNP has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. UBS Group reissued a “neutral” rating and issued a $310.00 target price (up from $286.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Stephens upgraded Union Pacific to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 8th. Wells Fargo & Company reissued an “overweight” rating and issued a $335.00 price objective (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, July 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on Union Pacific from $304.00 to $334.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised shares of Union Pacific from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a report on Friday, July 24th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $320.89.

Insider Buying and Selling at Union Pacific

In other Union Pacific news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $263.96, for a total value of $789,504.36. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 43,012 shares of the company’s stock, 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 SEC, which is available at this link. 0.22% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

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.