Lakewood Capital Management LP Acquires Shares of 101,700 Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Lakewood Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 101,700 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $27,662,000. Union Pacific comprises approximately 1.4% of Lakewood Capital Management LP’s holdings, making the stock its 28th biggest position.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in UNP. Capital World Investors lifted its position in Union Pacific by 92.1% in the 4th quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 20,136,349 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $4,658,142,000 after acquiring an additional 9,655,306 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,779,907,000. Legal & General Group Plc bought a new stake in Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,193,135,000. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC increased its holdings in Union Pacific by 72.7% during the 3rd quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 9,177,002 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $2,169,168,000 after purchasing an additional 3,861,636 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Capital Research Global Investors raised its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 26.0% in the fourth quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 10,980,904 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $2,540,105,000 after purchasing an additional 2,267,708 shares during the last quarter. 80.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Union Pacific Price Performance

Union Pacific stock opened at $309.83 on Tuesday. Union Pacific Corporation has a 52 week low of $210.84 and a 52 week high of $315.99. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $287.14 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $268.31. The stock has a market cap of $184.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.09, a P/E/G ratio of 3.14 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, beating the consensus estimate of $3.26 by $0.15. The company 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% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $3.03 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts predict that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 31st will be paid a $1.42 dividend. This is a boost from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 31st. This represents a $5.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.8%. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio is currently 45.99%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Citizens Jmp began coverage on Union Pacific in a report on Wednesday, July 15th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $350.00 target price on the stock. Weiss Ratings upgraded Union Pacific from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a report on Friday, July 24th. Raymond James Financial reissued a “strong-buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Monday, July 13th. Barclays reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and set a $350.00 price objective (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, TD Cowen reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $325.00 target price (up from $282.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $320.89.

Insider Transactions at Union Pacific

In other Union Pacific news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 3rd. The stock was 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 owned 43,012 shares in the company, valued at $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 available through the SEC website. 0.22% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

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.