OneAscent Financial Services LLC Buys Shares of 2,616 Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

OneAscent Financial Services LLC bought a new position in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 2,616 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $712,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Capital World Investors increased its position 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 valued at $4,658,142,000 after purchasing an additional 9,655,306 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the fourth quarter worth approximately $1,779,907,000. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC boosted 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 worth $2,169,168,000 after buying an additional 3,861,636 shares during the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors grew its position in Union Pacific by 26.0% during the fourth quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 10,980,904 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $2,540,105,000 after buying an additional 2,267,708 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE grew its position in Union Pacific by 16.8% during the first quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 14,463,071 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $3,509,030,000 after buying an additional 2,084,808 shares during the period. 80.38% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Union Pacific Trading Up 1.3%

Union Pacific stock opened at $307.97 on Friday. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12-month low of $210.84 and a 12-month high of $315.99. The firm has a market capitalization of $182.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.94, a P/E/G ratio of 3.10 and a beta of 0.96. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $286.30 and a 200 day moving average of $267.60. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40.

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

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 31st will be given a dividend of $1.42 per share. This represents a $5.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 31st. This is a positive change from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. Union Pacific’s payout ratio is 44.70%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have weighed in on UNP. Barclays reiterated an “overweight” rating and issued a $350.00 price target (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Wells Fargo & Company reissued an “overweight” rating and set a $335.00 price objective (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Weiss Ratings upgraded Union Pacific from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a research note on Friday, July 24th. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed a “market perform” rating and issued a $320.00 target price (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Citizens Jmp initiated coverage on Union Pacific in a research report on Wednesday, July 15th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $350.00 target price on the stock. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $320.89.

Insider Activity at Union Pacific

In related news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction 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 transaction, the executive vice president owned 43,012 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,353,447.52. The trade was a 6.50% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 0.22% of the stock is owned by insiders.

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.