Primecap Management Co. CA Makes New Investment in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Primecap Management Co. CA bought a new position in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor bought 775,740 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $211,001,000. Primecap Management Co. CA owned 0.13% of Union Pacific at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of UNP. Palisade Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter valued at about $7,831,000. Cooper Haims Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Union Pacific in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $203,000. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board purchased a new position in Union Pacific in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,094,677,000. Castlekeep Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Union Pacific in the second quarter valued at approximately $1,165,000. Finally, Osterweis Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Union Pacific in the second quarter valued at approximately $1,089,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity at Union Pacific

In other news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction that occurred 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 approximately $11,353,447.52. This trade represents a 6.50% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Raymond James Financial reiterated a “strong-buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Monday, July 13th. UBS Group reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and set a $310.00 price target (up from $286.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, July 24th. Citizens Jmp began coverage on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Wednesday, July 15th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $350.00 price target for the company. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed a “market perform” rating and set a $320.00 price target (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Finally, TD Cowen reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $325.00 price objective (up from $282.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report 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 given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $320.89.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

Shares of Union Pacific stock opened at $310.11 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $184.23 billion, a PE ratio of 25.11, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.16 and a beta of 0.96. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $287.99 and its 200-day simple moving average is $268.73. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 0.99. Union Pacific Corporation has a 1 year low of $210.84 and a 1 year high of $315.99.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 EPS for the quarter, topping 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 return on equity of 38.46% and a net margin of 28.85%.The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $3.03 earnings per share. Equities analysts forecast that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 31st will be issued a dividend of $1.42 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 31st. This represents a $5.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.8%. This is a boost from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 44.70%.

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.