Sumitomo Life Insurance Co. Takes Position in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Sumitomo Life Insurance Co. acquired a new position in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 7,105 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $1,933,000.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. Tucker Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC raised its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 2,575.0% during the 4th quarter. SWAN Capital LLC now owns 107 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. High Point Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Finally, Cornerstone Financial Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Union Pacific news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $263.96, for a total value of $789,504.36. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 43,012 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $11,353,447.52. This trade represents a 6.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have recently commented on UNP shares. Susquehanna upped their target price on Union Pacific from $305.00 to $333.00 and gave the stock a “positive” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 14th. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $317.00 price target on Union Pacific and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 23rd. TD Cowen reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $325.00 price target (up from $282.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, July 24th. Benchmark upped their price objective on Union Pacific from $325.00 to $335.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Robert W. Baird raised their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $311.00 to $344.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, July 27th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $320.89.

Union Pacific Trading Up 1.3%

UNP stock opened at $307.97 on Friday. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $286.30 and its 200-day simple moving average is $267.60. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40. Union Pacific Corporation has a 52-week low of $210.84 and a 52-week high of $315.99. The firm has a market cap of $182.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.94, a PEG ratio of 3.10 and a beta of 0.96.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last announced 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. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 38.46% and a net margin of 28.85%.The firm had revenue of $6.86 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.72 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $3.03 EPS. Union Pacific’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 31st will be given a dividend of $1.42 per share. This is an increase from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. This represents a $5.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 31st. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 44.70%.

Union Pacific 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.