Kornitzer Capital Management Inc. KS Grows Stock Position in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Kornitzer Capital Management Inc. KS boosted its holdings in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 9.2% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 34,393 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after buying an additional 2,890 shares during the period. Kornitzer Capital Management Inc. KS’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $8,344,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Key Financial Inc increased its position in Union Pacific by 2.1% during the first quarter. Key Financial Inc now owns 1,821 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $442,000 after purchasing an additional 38 shares during the last quarter. EJMK Ventures LLC grew its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 4.0% during the 1st quarter. EJMK Ventures LLC now owns 1,016 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $247,000 after buying an additional 39 shares during the period. Rehmann Capital Advisory Group grew its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Rehmann Capital Advisory Group now owns 6,637 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $1,535,000 after buying an additional 42 shares during the period. Fairvoy Private Wealth LLC increased its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 3.8% during the 1st quarter. Fairvoy Private Wealth LLC now owns 1,156 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $280,000 after buying an additional 42 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Moss Adams Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 2.0% during the 1st quarter. Moss Adams Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,096 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $508,000 after buying an additional 42 shares during the last quarter. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Key Stories Impacting Union Pacific

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

• Positive Sentiment: JPMorgan raised its price target on Union Pacific to $304 from $275, implying additional upside from current levels, while keeping a neutral rating. Article: Union Pacific price target raised by JPMorgan Chase & Co.
• Positive Sentiment: Stephens upgraded Union Pacific to strong-buy, signaling confidence in the railroad’s earnings outlook and valuation momentum. Article: Union Pacific was upgraded by Stephens
• Positive Sentiment: Coverage around Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern’s proposed merger continues to advance, with both companies filing responses as the regulatory review moves forward. Investors may see the deal as a potential long-term strategic catalyst if approved. Article: Norfolk Southern (NSC) Files Merger Response With Union Pacific As STB Review Advances
• Neutral Sentiment: Commentary on the proposed rail merger from Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern CEOs highlights the scale of the strategic opportunity, but also underscores that the deal remains subject to significant regulatory scrutiny. Article: EXCLUSIVE: Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern CEOs talk about the rail merger
• Neutral Sentiment: Seeking Alpha published a downgrade saying buying Union Pacific now may be “too late,” which adds a cautionary note but does not appear to outweigh the bullish analyst actions. Article: Union Pacific: Buying Now Feels Too Late (Rating Downgrade)

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Kenyatta G. Rocker sold 27,387 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $271.76, for a total transaction of $7,442,691.12. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 61,102 shares in the company, valued at approximately $16,605,079.52. This trade represents a 30.95% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 3rd. The shares were 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 in the company, valued at approximately $11,353,447.52. The trade was a 6.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 32,378 shares of company stock worth $8,781,595. 0.22% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Union Pacific Stock Up 0.8%

Shares of NYSE:UNP traded up $2.23 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $287.27. 1,876,184 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,394,006. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $269.23 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $253.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a current ratio of 0.92. Union Pacific Corporation has a twelve month low of $210.84 and a twelve month high of $288.90. The company has a market cap of $170.55 billion, a PE ratio of 23.66, a P/E/G ratio of 3.00 and a beta of 0.96.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.93 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.86 by $0.07. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 39.58% and a net margin of 29.20%.The firm had revenue of $6.22 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.12 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.70 EPS. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.56 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 29th were paid a $1.38 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 29th. This represents a $5.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.9%. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 45.47%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

UNP has been the topic of several research reports. TD Cowen increased their target price on Union Pacific from $256.00 to $282.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an “outperform” rating and set a $289.00 price target (up from $273.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, April 24th. Barclays restated an “overweight” rating and issued a $315.00 price objective (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, April 24th. Susquehanna reaffirmed a “positive” rating and issued a $305.00 price objective on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, June 5th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on Union Pacific from $300.00 to $315.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Union Pacific presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $290.39.

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.