Erste Group Bank began coverage on shares of Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP – Free Report) in a research report sent to investors on Thursday morning, Marketbeat reports. The firm issued a buy rating on the railroad operator’s stock.
A number of other equities research analysts also recently weighed in on the stock. BMO Capital Markets restated 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, July 24th. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $317.00 price objective on shares of Union Pacific and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 23rd. Evercore reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $294.00 price objective on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Thursday, June 25th. Raymond James Financial reissued a “strong-buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Monday, July 13th. Finally, UBS Group restated a “neutral” rating and issued a $310.00 target price (up from $286.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $320.89.
Get Our Latest Research Report on Union Pacific
Union Pacific Trading Up 0.0%
Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data 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 business had revenue of $6.86 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.72 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $3.03 earnings per share. Union Pacific’s revenue was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts anticipate that Union Pacific will post 13.01 EPS for the current fiscal year.
Union Pacific Increases Dividend
The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 31st will be paid a $1.42 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 31st. This is a positive change from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. This represents a $5.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.8%. Union Pacific’s payout ratio is currently 44.70%.
Insider Activity
In other news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $263.96, for a total transaction of $789,504.36. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 43,012 shares in the company, valued at $11,353,447.52. This trade represents a 6.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 0.22% of the stock is owned by company insiders.
Institutional Trading of Union Pacific
Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Tucker Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC increased its position in shares of Union Pacific by 2,575.0% during the fourth 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. Wiser Advisor Group LLC bought a new position in Union Pacific during the second quarter worth $30,000. Scarborough Advisors LLC bought a new position in Union Pacific during the first quarter worth $27,000. Finally, Cornerstone Financial Management LLC acquired a new position in Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at $27,000. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.
More Union Pacific News
Here are the key news stories impacting Union Pacific this week:
- Positive Sentiment: New analyst coverage adds support: Erste Group Bank AG initiated coverage of Union Pacific with a “buy” rating, signaling confidence in the railroad’s valuation and outlook. Erste Group Bank coverage
- Positive Sentiment: Dividend and earnings backdrop remains favorable: Union Pacific is being highlighted as a dividend-growth railroad, and recent quarterly results showed earnings and revenue above analyst expectations, with revenue up year over year. These factors reinforce the company’s appeal to income and quality-focused investors. Dividend-paying railroad stocks
- Neutral Sentiment: Merger application advances: Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern submitted expanded customer protections to the Surface Transportation Board, including broader eligibility for committed gateway pricing. The proposed terms could improve the prospects for approval of the first single-line transcontinental railroad network, although the transaction remains subject to a lengthy regulatory review. Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern merger protections
- Neutral Sentiment: Management will address investors: CEO Jim Vena and CFO Jennifer Hamann are scheduled to participate in a Bernstein Research fireside chat on September 1. Investors may look for updates on merger strategy, rail efficiency and operating trends. Union Pacific Bernstein fireside chat
- Negative Sentiment: Regulatory and efficiency risks remain: The companies continue defending the merger against opponents’ challenges, while new analysis describes Union Pacific as facing a fresh test of rail efficiency. Any tougher STB scrutiny or evidence of operational weaknesses could temper merger-driven optimism. Merger application regulatory review
Union Pacific Company 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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