Field & Main Bank Invests $1.98 Million in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Field & Main Bank acquired a new stake in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 7,265 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $1,976,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of UNP. Capital World Investors grew its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 92.1% during the 4th quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 20,136,349 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $4,658,142,000 after purchasing an additional 9,655,306 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at $1,779,907,000. Legal & General Group Plc bought a new position in Union Pacific in the second quarter worth $1,193,135,000. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board bought a new position in Union Pacific in the second quarter worth $1,094,677,000. Finally, UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC boosted its stake in Union Pacific by 72.7% during the third 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 buying an additional 3,861,636 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: New analyst coverage adds support: Erste Group Bank AG initiated coverage of Union Pacific with a “buy” rating, signaling confidence in the railroad’s valuation and outlook. Erste Group Bank coverage
• Positive Sentiment: Dividend and earnings backdrop remains favorable: Union Pacific is being highlighted as a dividend-growth railroad, and recent quarterly results showed earnings and revenue above analyst expectations, with revenue up year over year. These factors reinforce the company’s appeal to income and quality-focused investors. Dividend-paying railroad stocks
• Neutral Sentiment: Merger application advances: Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern submitted expanded customer protections to the Surface Transportation Board, including broader eligibility for committed gateway pricing. The proposed terms could improve the prospects for approval of the first single-line transcontinental railroad network, although the transaction remains subject to a lengthy regulatory review. Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern merger protections
• Neutral Sentiment: Management will address investors: CEO Jim Vena and CFO Jennifer Hamann are scheduled to participate in a Bernstein Research fireside chat on September 1. Investors may look for updates on merger strategy, rail efficiency and operating trends. Union Pacific Bernstein fireside chat
• Negative Sentiment: Regulatory and efficiency risks remain: The companies continue defending the merger against opponents’ challenges, while new analysis describes Union Pacific as facing a fresh test of rail efficiency. Any tougher STB scrutiny or evidence of operational weaknesses could temper merger-driven optimism. Merger application regulatory review

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other 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 transaction of $789,504.36. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 43,012 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $11,353,447.52. This trade represents a 6.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. UBS Group reissued a “neutral” rating and issued a $310.00 price target (up from $286.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, July 24th. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $339.00 target price (up from $289.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Robert W. Baird upped their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $311.00 to $344.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, July 27th. Benchmark increased their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $325.00 to $335.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Citigroup raised their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $326.00 to $349.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have given a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $320.89.

Union Pacific Stock Up 0.0%

Shares of NYSE:UNP opened at $307.82 on Friday. Union Pacific Corporation has a 52 week low of $210.84 and a 52 week high of $315.99. 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’s fifty day moving average is $291.07 and its 200-day moving average is $269.81. The company has a market capitalization of $182.87 billion, a PE ratio of 24.92, a P/E/G ratio of 3.12 and a beta of 0.96.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last announced 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. The business had revenue of $6.86 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.72 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 28.85% and a return on equity of 38.46%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $3.03 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Union Pacific Corporation will post 13.01 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The company 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 dividend of $1.42 per share. This is a positive change from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. This represents a $5.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 31st. Union Pacific’s payout ratio is currently 44.70%.

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.