Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) Price Target Raised to $335.00

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) had its price target raised by Benchmark from $325.00 to $335.00 in a research report report published on Friday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a buy rating on the railroad operator’s stock.

UNP has been the subject of a number of other reports. Stephens upgraded Union Pacific to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 8th. Barclays reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a $350.00 price target (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday. Evercore reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $294.00 price target on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Thursday, June 25th. UBS Group restated a “neutral” rating and set a $274.00 price objective (up from $253.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Finally, 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. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Union Pacific currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $319.16.

Union Pacific Trading Up 0.1%

Union Pacific stock opened at $307.54 on Friday. Union Pacific has a 1 year low of $210.84 and a 1 year high of $315.99. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $275.12 and its 200-day moving average is $258.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 0.99. The company has a market cap of $182.70 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.90, a PEG ratio of 3.16 and a beta of 0.96.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last announced its quarterly earnings data 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. The business had revenue of $6.86 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.72 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 28.85% and a return on equity of 38.46%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $3.03 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Union Pacific will post 12.84 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 29th were given a $1.38 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 29th. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.8%. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio is 44.70%.

Insider Activity at Union Pacific

In other Union Pacific news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the firm’s 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 sale, the executive vice president owned 43,012 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,353,447.52. This trade represents a 6.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Union Pacific

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Tucker Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC boosted its position in Union Pacific by 2,575.0% during the 4th 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 period. High Point Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Finally, Cornerstone Financial Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the fourth quarter worth $27,000. 80.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Key Stories Impacting Union Pacific

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

• Positive Sentiment: Union Pacific reported better-than-expected Q2 results, with adjusted EPS of $3.41 and revenue of $6.86 billion, both ahead of Wall Street estimates, reinforcing confidence in operating momentum and pricing power.
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts turned more constructive after the earnings beat, with Citigroup, JPMorgan, Benchmark, and Bank of America all raising price targets, suggesting expectations for further upside in the stock.
• Positive Sentiment: Union Pacific and Canadian National reached a binding access agreement tied to the proposed Norfolk Southern merger, easing competition concerns and improving the odds of regulatory approval while also giving UNP better Chicago routing efficiency and expanded corridor access. Article Title
• Neutral Sentiment: The broader news flow also highlighted that the merger and access agreement may reshape North American rail traffic patterns, but the deal still depends on Surface Transportation Board approval and final closing.
• Neutral Sentiment: Several articles noted Union Pacific’s record freight revenue and improved efficiency, which supports the bullish case but is already partly reflected in the recent rally.

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.