The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company Sells 57,873 Shares of Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company trimmed its position in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 11.3% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 452,837 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after selling 57,873 shares during the period. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $123,172,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Tucker Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC grew 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 worth $25,000 after buying an additional 103 shares during the period. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Scarborough Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the 1st quarter worth about $27,000. Finally, Merkkuri Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the 1st quarter worth about $29,000. 80.38% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

Shares of Union Pacific stock opened at $284.46 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $168.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.03, a PEG ratio of 2.84 and a beta of 0.96. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $294.87 and its 200 day moving average is $271.74. Union Pacific Corporation has a 1 year low of $213.89 and a 1 year high of $315.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.82.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.26 by $0.15. The business had revenue of $6.86 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.72 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 28.85% and a return on equity of 38.46%. Union Pacific’s revenue was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $3.03 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Corporation will post 13.02 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared 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 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 2.0%. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio is currently 45.99%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on UNP. Raymond James Financial reissued a “strong-buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Monday, July 13th. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed a “market perform” rating and set a $320.00 target price (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Barclays reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a $350.00 target price (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, July 24th. Erste Group Bank started coverage on Union Pacific in a research note on Thursday, August 27th. They issued a “buy” rating on the stock. Finally, Citigroup upped their price target on 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 issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Union Pacific currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $320.89.

Union Pacific Profile

Union Pacific Corporation is a transportation company that operates Union Pacific Railroad, one of the largest freight railroad networks in the United States. The company provides rail transportation and logistics services for a broad range of commodities, including agricultural products, automotive goods, chemicals, coal, industrial products, and intermodal shipments.

Union Pacific’s railroad network serves the western two-thirds of the United States, connecting major markets and ports across approximately 23 states.