Smith Salley Wealth Management Has $17.86 Million Stake in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Smith Salley Wealth Management boosted its holdings in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 3.2% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 73,626 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after purchasing an additional 2,294 shares during the period. Smith Salley Wealth Management’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $17,863,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in UNP. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Tucker Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC increased its position 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 valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. High Point Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at about $26,000. Finally, Caitlin John LLC bought a new stake in Union Pacific during the third quarter worth about $27,000. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

UNP opened at $257.46 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12-month low of $210.84 and a 12-month high of $279.70. The business has a 50 day moving average of $263.79 and a 200-day moving average of $249.93. The stock has a market cap of $152.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.21, a PEG ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 0.97.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, April 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.93 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.86 by $0.07. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 39.58% and a net margin of 29.20%.The business had revenue of $6.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.12 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $2.70 EPS. The firm’s revenue was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts expect that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.55 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 29th will be given a dividend of $1.38 per share. This represents a $5.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 29th. Union Pacific’s payout ratio is 45.47%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently commented on UNP shares. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $289.00 price target (up from $273.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Benchmark upped their price objective on Union Pacific from $275.00 to $300.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, April 24th. Robert W. Baird set a $311.00 price objective on Union Pacific and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, March 6th. BMO Capital Markets reissued a “market perform” rating and issued a $285.00 target price (up from $278.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, April 24th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein boosted their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $289.00 to $293.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, March 31st. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Union Pacific presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $282.21.

Insider Buying and Selling at Union Pacific

In other news, CFO Jennifer L. Hamann sold 2,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $274.70, for a total transaction of $549,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer owned 114,642 shares in the company, valued at approximately $31,492,157.40. This trade represents a 1.71% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, 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 owned 61,102 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $16,605,079.52. This represents a 30.95% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold a total of 32,378 shares of company stock worth $8,781,595 over the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific 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.