Union Pacific Corporation $UNP Shares Sold by BNP Paribas

BNP Paribas lessened its stake in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 4.4% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 46,503 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after selling 2,144 shares during the quarter. BNP Paribas’ holdings in Union Pacific were worth $10,756,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in UNP. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Tucker Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. High Point Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Caitlin John LLC bought a new position in Union Pacific in the 3rd quarter worth $27,000. Finally, Saranac Partners Ltd bought a new position in Union Pacific in the 3rd quarter worth $27,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Price Performance

NYSE:UNP opened at $263.31 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $156.33 billion, a PE ratio of 21.69, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 0.97. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12 month low of $210.84 and a 12 month high of $279.70. The company has a quick ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $257.15 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $245.98.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last posted its quarterly 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 net margin of 29.20% and a return on equity of 39.58%. The business had revenue of $6.22 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.12 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.70 earnings per share. Union Pacific’s revenue for the quarter was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.53 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

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

Insider Activity

In related news, CFO Jennifer L. Hamann sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $274.70, for a total transaction of $549,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 114,642 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $31,492,157.40. This represents a 1.71% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Kenyatta G. Rocker sold 27,387 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $271.76, for a total transaction of $7,442,691.12. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 61,102 shares in the company, valued at approximately $16,605,079.52. The trade was a 30.95% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 31,386 shares of company stock worth $8,461,716 over the last quarter. 0.22% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently commented on UNP shares. TD Cowen lifted their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $256.00 to $282.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, April 24th. Raymond James Financial set a $310.00 target price on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, April 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $267.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, April 24th. BMO Capital Markets restated a “market perform” rating and issued a $285.00 price target (up from $278.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Finally, UBS Group restated a “neutral” rating and issued a $274.00 price target (up from $253.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, April 24th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $280.47.

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.