EP Wealth Advisors LLC Purchases Shares of 293,323 Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

EP Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 293,323 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $79,784,000.

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

Union Pacific Trading Up 1.3%

Shares of UNP stock opened at $307.97 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $286.30 and a 200 day simple moving average of $267.60. Union Pacific Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $210.84 and a fifty-two week high of $315.99. The stock has a market capitalization of $182.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.94, a P/E/G ratio of 3.10 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last released its 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 firm had revenue of $6.86 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.72 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $3.03 earnings per share. Union Pacific’s revenue was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

UNP has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Evercore reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $294.00 target price on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Thursday, June 25th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an “outperform” rating and set a $339.00 price target (up from $289.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Robert W. Baird upped their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $311.00 to $344.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, July 27th. Bank of America increased their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $301.00 to $334.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, July 23rd. Finally, UBS Group reiterated 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 research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $320.89.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the business’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 directly owned 43,012 shares in the company, valued at $11,353,447.52. The trade was a 6.50% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 0.22% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

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.