Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) Receives Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” from Brokerages

Shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) have received a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the twenty-two research firms that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have given a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price objective among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $320.8947.

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on UNP shares. BMO Capital Markets restated a “market perform” rating and set a $320.00 target price (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Barclays reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and set a $350.00 target price (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Susquehanna boosted their price target on Union Pacific from $305.00 to $333.00 and gave the stock a “positive” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 14th. Erste Group Bank began coverage on Union Pacific in a report on Thursday. They issued a “buy” rating for the company. Finally, Bank of America lifted their price objective on Union Pacific from $301.00 to $334.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, July 23rd.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Union Pacific news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $263.96, for a total transaction of $789,504.36. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 43,012 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $11,353,447.52. The trade was a 6.50% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.22% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of UNP. California State Teachers Retirement System grew its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 29,250.5% in the 2nd quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 247,700,336 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $67,374,491,000 after purchasing an additional 246,856,396 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Union Pacific by 1.1% during the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 59,329,262 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $13,724,045,000 after buying an additional 659,378 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp boosted its holdings in Union Pacific by 4.3% during the fourth quarter. State Street Corp now owns 26,330,080 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $6,090,674,000 after buying an additional 1,082,285 shares in the last quarter. Capital World Investors grew its position in Union Pacific by 92.1% in the fourth quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 20,136,349 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $4,658,142,000 after buying an additional 9,655,306 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in Union Pacific by 2.0% in the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 15,360,668 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $3,552,550,000 after buying an additional 296,814 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Price Performance

Shares of UNP stock opened at $307.45 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $182.65 billion, a PE ratio of 24.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.17 and a beta of 0.96. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $290.07 and a 200-day simple moving average of $269.54. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40. Union Pacific has a twelve month low of $210.84 and a twelve month high of $315.99.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.26 by $0.15. Union Pacific had a net margin of 28.85% and a return on equity of 38.46%. The business had revenue of $6.86 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.72 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $3.03 EPS. The business’s revenue was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts anticipate that Union Pacific will post 12.93 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

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

Key Stories Impacting Union Pacific

Here are the key news stories impacting Union Pacific this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Merger application advances: Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern urged the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to reject opponents’ preliminary challenges, arguing that their application satisfies the threshold for a full regulatory review. Progress toward review keeps potential network synergies and long-term growth benefits in focus. Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern defend rail merger application as STB review advances
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst endorsement: Erste Group Bank initiated coverage with a “buy” rating, adding a new bullish view on UNP’s valuation and outlook. Erste Group initiates coverage of Union Pacific
• Positive Sentiment: Dividend appeal: Union Pacific was highlighted as a railroad with a solid five-year dividend-growth record, supporting its appeal to income-oriented investors. Recent coverage also pointed to the dividend and second-quarter 2026 earnings as factors supporting the outlook. 2 Dividend-Paying Stocks From the Railroad Industry to Consider
• Neutral Sentiment: Investor-event watch: CEO Jim Vena and CFO Jennifer Hamann will participate in a Bernstein Research virtual fireside chat on September 1. Management commentary on merger timing, volumes, pricing, costs and rail efficiency could provide a near-term trading catalyst. Union Pacific CEO and CFO to Participate in Bernstein Fireside Chat
• Negative Sentiment: Execution and regulatory risks remain: Coverage described a fresh test for Union Pacific’s rail efficiency, while the merger still faces STB scrutiny and opposition. These issues may be limiting enthusiasm even as the companies argue the application merits full review. Union Pacific Faces a Fresh Test of Rail Efficiency

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.