iA Global Asset Management Inc. Has $71.82 Million Stake in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

iA Global Asset Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 70.0% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 310,464 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after purchasing an additional 127,810 shares during the period. Union Pacific makes up approximately 0.9% of iA Global Asset Management Inc.’s portfolio, making the stock its 25th biggest holding. iA Global Asset Management Inc.’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $71,817,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in Union Pacific by 1.1% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 59,329,262 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $13,724,045,000 after purchasing an additional 659,378 shares during the last quarter. Capital World Investors boosted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 193.3% in the 3rd quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 10,481,043 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $2,477,404,000 after buying an additional 6,908,016 shares during the last quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC grew its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 72.7% in 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 valued at $2,169,168,000 after acquiring an additional 3,861,636 shares in the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors grew its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 95.0% in the third quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 8,713,196 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $2,059,538,000 after acquiring an additional 4,244,226 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 18.9% in the third quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 7,164,334 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $1,693,434,000 after acquiring an additional 1,139,926 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 1,999 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $234.93, for a total transaction of $469,625.07. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Kenyatta G. Rocker sold 27,387 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $271.76, for a total value of $7,442,691.12. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 61,102 shares in the company, valued at $16,605,079.52. This trade represents a 30.95% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 31,386 shares of company stock valued at $8,461,716. 0.22% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently issued reports on UNP. Robert W. Baird set a $311.00 target price on Union Pacific and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, March 6th. Benchmark boosted their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $275.00 to $300.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, April 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on Union Pacific from $267.00 to $275.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, April 24th. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed a “market perform” rating and issued a $285.00 price target (up from $278.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, April 24th. Finally, Evercore reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $277.00 price target on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, April 24th. One equities research 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 stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $280.47.

Union Pacific Stock Up 0.5%

UNP opened at $270.58 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $160.65 billion, a PE ratio of 22.29, a P/E/G ratio of 2.87 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a quick ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53. Union Pacific Corporation has a 52 week low of $210.84 and a 52 week high of $274.79. The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $252.29 and its 200 day simple moving average is $242.06.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last released its earnings results on Thursday, April 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.93 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.86 by $0.07. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 39.58% and a net margin of 29.20%.The business had revenue of $6.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.12 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.70 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was up 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts expect that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.53 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 29th will be paid a dividend of $1.38 per share. This represents a $5.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 29th. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 45.47%.

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.