Empyrean Capital Partners LP lowered its position in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP – Free Report) by 36.2% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 238,300 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after selling 135,500 shares during the period. Union Pacific makes up approximately 1.9% of Empyrean Capital Partners LP’s portfolio, making the stock its 12th largest position. Empyrean Capital Partners LP’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $57,816,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.
A number of other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Quantinno Capital Management LP raised its holdings in Union Pacific by 29.6% in the 1st quarter. Quantinno Capital Management LP now owns 322,529 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $78,252,000 after acquiring an additional 73,599 shares during the last quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 1.0% in the 1st quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 105,940 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $25,703,000 after purchasing an additional 1,083 shares in the last quarter. Gateway Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the first quarter worth $620,000. OMERS ADMINISTRATION Corp raised its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 0.9% in the first quarter. OMERS ADMINISTRATION Corp now owns 716,766 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $173,902,000 after purchasing an additional 6,287 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Lombard Odier Asset Management Switzerland SA lifted its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 10.2% during the first quarter. Lombard Odier Asset Management Switzerland SA now owns 25,902 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $6,284,000 after purchasing an additional 2,400 shares in the last quarter. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
Union Pacific News Summary
Here are the key news stories impacting Union Pacific this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Merger application strengthened: Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern submitted supplemental information to the Surface Transportation Board, adding customer protections including expanded gateway pricing and assurances aimed at delivering faster, more reliable service. The commitments could improve the merger’s regulatory prospects, although approval remains pending. Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern File Supplemental Information to STB on Merger
- Positive Sentiment: Canadian National support reduces opposition risk: Canadian National reportedly will not challenge the Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern transaction under a revised arrangement that would give it access to certain shipper sites. This may remove a potential obstacle before the STB review. Canadian National won’t fight UP-NS merger under new deal
- Positive Sentiment: More bullish valuation outlook: Robert W. Baird raised its UNP price target to $344 from $311 and reiterated an “outperform” rating. Other recent coverage remains broadly favorable, including a consensus “moderate buy” recommendation and a higher $335 target from Benchmark.
- Positive Sentiment: Standalone operating case remains constructive: Recent analysis highlights service-led growth as a potential driver of improved margins and earnings. Union Pacific’s latest quarterly results also exceeded expectations, with revenue growth and earnings above consensus.
- Neutral Sentiment: Options activity signals interest, not certainty: Investors purchased approximately 10,816 UNP call options, about 44% above average volume. The activity may indicate bullish positioning but does not guarantee near-term gains.
- Negative Sentiment: Merger execution remains a risk: The proposed transaction is still subject to STB approval, and the added customer assurances could underscore the regulatory and integration challenges involved. Investors may also be taking profits after UNP approached its 52-week high.
Insider Transactions at Union Pacific
Union Pacific Price Performance
NYSE UNP opened at $299.47 on Tuesday. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $275.61 and its 200-day moving average price is $258.97. The stock has a market capitalization of $177.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.25, a PEG ratio of 3.16 and a beta of 0.96. 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 Corporation has a 1-year low of $210.84 and a 1-year high of $315.99.
Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 EPS for the quarter, topping 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 during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.72 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $3.03 earnings per share. Union Pacific’s revenue was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts predict that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.84 earnings per share for the current year.
Union Pacific Announces Dividend
The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 29th were given a $1.38 dividend. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 29th. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 44.70%.
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In
Several equities research analysts recently commented on the company. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $339.00 price objective (up from $289.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday. Wells Fargo & Company reissued an “overweight” rating and issued a $335.00 target price (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday. Evercore restated an “outperform” rating and set a $294.00 target price on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Thursday, June 25th. Weiss Ratings raised shares of Union Pacific from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a report on Friday. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reiterated a “market perform” rating and issued a $320.00 price target (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $320.89.
Check Out Our Latest Research Report on UNP
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.
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