Madison Asset Management LLC Invests $15.58 Million in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Madison Asset Management LLC 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 57,293 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $15,584,000.

Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC bought a new stake in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Tucker Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC raised its stake 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 worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. High Point Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth approximately $26,000. Finally, Cornerstone Financial Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth approximately $27,000. 80.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts recently weighed in on UNP shares. Robert W. Baird raised their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $311.00 to $344.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, July 27th. TD Cowen reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $325.00 price objective (up from $282.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, July 24th. Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an “overweight” rating and issued a $335.00 price objective (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Citigroup lifted their target price on Union Pacific from $326.00 to $349.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Evercore restated an “outperform” rating and set a $294.00 target price on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Thursday, June 25th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Union Pacific has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $320.89.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction 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 of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $11,353,447.52. This represents a 6.50% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

Shares of UNP stock opened at $304.34 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $180.80 billion, a PE ratio of 24.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.08 and a beta of 0.96. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $285.59 and a 200-day moving average of $267.31. 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 Corporation has a one year low of $210.84 and a one year high of $315.99.

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, beating the consensus estimate of $3.26 by $0.15. The business had revenue of $6.86 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.72 billion. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 38.46% and a net margin of 28.85%.Union Pacific’s quarterly revenue was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $3.03 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 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. Investors of record on Monday, August 31st will be issued a dividend of $1.42 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 31st. This is a positive change from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. This represents a $5.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.9%. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 44.70%.

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.