Field & Main Bank Takes $1.98 Million Position in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Field & Main Bank bought a new stake in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 7,265 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $1,976,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the business. Cambient Family Office LLC acquired a new position in Union Pacific in the fourth quarter worth about $1,319,000. First National Bank of Omaha grew its position in shares of Union Pacific by 35.8% in the 4th quarter. First National Bank of Omaha now owns 54,635 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $12,665,000 after acquiring an additional 14,399 shares in the last quarter. North Dakota State Investment Board bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $4,746,000. Sage Investment Advisers LLC bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $997,000. Finally, Truist Financial Corp raised its position in shares of Union Pacific by 3.1% during the 4th quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 1,016,071 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $235,038,000 after acquiring an additional 30,079 shares in the last quarter. 80.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred 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 directly owned 43,012 shares in the company, valued at $11,353,447.52. This trade represents a 6.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 0.22% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Wells Fargo & Company restated an “overweight” rating and set a $335.00 price objective (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Barclays reissued an “overweight” rating and set a $350.00 target price (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, July 24th. Evercore reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $294.00 target price on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Thursday, June 25th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an “outperform” rating and set a $339.00 price objective (up from $289.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, UBS Group restated a “neutral” rating and set a $310.00 price objective (up from $286.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have given a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $320.89.

Key Headlines Impacting Union Pacific

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

• Positive Sentiment: New analyst coverage adds support: Erste Group Bank AG initiated coverage of Union Pacific with a “buy” rating, signaling confidence in the railroad’s valuation and outlook. Erste Group Bank coverage
• Positive Sentiment: Dividend and earnings backdrop remains favorable: Union Pacific is being highlighted as a dividend-growth railroad, and recent quarterly results showed earnings and revenue above analyst expectations, with revenue up year over year. These factors reinforce the company’s appeal to income and quality-focused investors. Dividend-paying railroad stocks
• Neutral Sentiment: Merger application advances: Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern submitted expanded customer protections to the Surface Transportation Board, including broader eligibility for committed gateway pricing. The proposed terms could improve the prospects for approval of the first single-line transcontinental railroad network, although the transaction remains subject to a lengthy regulatory review. Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern merger protections
• Neutral Sentiment: Management will address investors: CEO Jim Vena and CFO Jennifer Hamann are scheduled to participate in a Bernstein Research fireside chat on September 1. Investors may look for updates on merger strategy, rail efficiency and operating trends. Union Pacific Bernstein fireside chat
• Negative Sentiment: Regulatory and efficiency risks remain: The companies continue defending the merger against opponents’ challenges, while new analysis describes Union Pacific as facing a fresh test of rail efficiency. Any tougher STB scrutiny or evidence of operational weaknesses could temper merger-driven optimism. Merger application regulatory review

Union Pacific Stock Up 0.0%

UNP opened at $307.82 on Friday. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12 month low of $210.84 and a 12 month high of $315.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.82. The stock has a market cap of $182.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.92, a P/E/G ratio of 3.12 and a beta of 0.96. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $291.07 and its 200 day moving average price is $269.81.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last announced its quarterly earnings results 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. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 38.46% and a net margin of 28.85%.The company had revenue of $6.86 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.72 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $3.03 EPS. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts predict that Union Pacific Corporation will post 13.01 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 31st will be issued a $1.42 dividend. This represents a $5.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.8%. This is a boost from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 31st. Union Pacific’s payout ratio is 44.70%.

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.