Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI Decreases Stock Position in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI reduced its stake in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 46.4% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 19,386 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after selling 16,772 shares during the quarter. Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $5,273,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Tucker Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC increased its position in shares of Union Pacific by 2,575.0% in the 4th quarter. SWAN Capital LLC now owns 107 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 103 shares during the period. High Point Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Finally, Cornerstone Financial Management LLC purchased a new position in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter worth $27,000. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

UNP has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Susquehanna boosted their price target on Union Pacific from $305.00 to $333.00 and gave the company a “positive” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 14th. Stephens raised Union Pacific to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 8th. Weiss Ratings upgraded Union Pacific from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed a “strong-buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Monday, July 13th. Finally, Bank of America upped their target price on Union Pacific from $301.00 to $334.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 23rd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Union Pacific presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $320.89.

Union Pacific Trading Up 1.0%

Shares of Union Pacific stock opened at $301.69 on Thursday. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $284.87 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $266.83. 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 fifty-two week low of $210.84 and a fifty-two week high of $315.99. The company has a market cap of $179.23 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.05 and a beta of 0.96.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.26 by $0.15. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 38.46% and a net margin of 28.85%.The company had revenue of $6.86 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.72 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $3.03 earnings per share. Union Pacific’s quarterly revenue was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts predict that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Stockholders 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 is a positive change from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. This represents a $5.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.9%. Union Pacific’s payout ratio is currently 44.70%.

Insider Activity at Union Pacific

In related news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated 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 represents a 6.50% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible 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.