Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) Given New $300.00 Price Target at Benchmark

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) had its target price hoisted by investment analysts at Benchmark from $275.00 to $300.00 in a research report issued on Friday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a “buy” rating on the railroad operator’s stock. Benchmark’s price target indicates a potential upside of 10.90% from the company’s previous close.

Other analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed a “strong-buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Wednesday, April 15th. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $289.00 price objective (up from $273.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday. Barclays reissued an “overweight” rating and issued a $315.00 price target on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on Union Pacific from $270.00 to $265.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reissued an “overweight” rating and issued a $300.00 price target (up from $260.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Union Pacific presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $273.24.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

Union Pacific stock traded down $0.75 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $270.51. 526,228 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,337,383. Union Pacific has a twelve month low of $210.53 and a twelve month high of $274.79. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $251.59 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $238.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64, a quick ratio of 0.75 and a current ratio of 0.91. The firm has a market cap of $160.52 billion, a PE ratio of 22.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 0.96.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.93 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.86 by $0.07. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 40.89% and a net margin of 29.12%.The company had revenue of $6.22 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.12 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.70 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts predict that Union Pacific will post 12.42 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Union Pacific

In other Union Pacific news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 1,999 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 20th. The shares were 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 Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Union Pacific

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in UNP. Key Financial Inc raised its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 2.1% in the first quarter. Key Financial Inc now owns 1,821 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $442,000 after acquiring an additional 38 shares during the last quarter. Rehmann Capital Advisory Group raised its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 0.6% in the fourth quarter. Rehmann Capital Advisory Group now owns 6,637 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $1,535,000 after acquiring an additional 42 shares during the last quarter. Fairvoy Private Wealth LLC raised its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 3.8% in the first quarter. Fairvoy Private Wealth LLC now owns 1,156 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $280,000 after acquiring an additional 42 shares during the last quarter. Moss Adams Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 2.0% in the first quarter. Moss Adams Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,096 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $508,000 after acquiring an additional 42 shares during the last quarter. Finally, AA Financial Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 3.1% in the first quarter. AA Financial Advisors LLC now owns 1,452 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $352,000 after acquiring an additional 43 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Key Headlines Impacting Union Pacific

Here are the key news stories impacting Union Pacific this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q1 earnings beat and strong profit metrics: UNP reported adjusted EPS of $2.93 versus street estimates of ~$2.86 and delivered higher net income and margins, supporting the view of resilient pricing and operating leverage. Read More.
• Positive Sentiment: Guidance affirmed and shares hitting fresh highs: Management affirmed full‑year earnings guidance; the beat + guidance reinforcement helped lift the stock to a new 52‑week / 12‑month high on stronger-than-expected execution. Read More.
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst backing: TD Cowen bumped its price target to $282 and reiterated a Buy rating, adding institutional validation to the post‑earnings momentum (this raises upside vs. recent levels).
• Positive Sentiment: Merger progress renews optionality: Management said it’s continuing work on the proposed Norfolk Southern transaction and expects to resubmit a revised regulatory filing soon — that renewed timetable has revived deal optimism and potential synergy upside. Read More.
• Neutral Sentiment: Re‑rating/valuation focus: Analysts and commentators are re‑assessing UNP’s valuation after the recent run; some see continued upside given dividend and buyback profile, while others point to elevated expectations. Read More.
• Negative Sentiment: Fuel-cost headwind: Management warned that higher fuel prices could pressure margins going forward — a material input cost that can compress operating leverage if elevated. Read More.
• Negative Sentiment: Traffic mix and carloads: Some commentary noted lower carloads and softness in premium segments that offset pricing gains; these demand/mix issues are watch points that could limit upside if they persist. Read More.

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.