Renaissance Technologies LLC Acquires 21,821 Shares of Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP)

Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its stake in shares of Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 4.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 535,000 shares of the railroad operator's stock after buying an additional 21,821 shares during the quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC owned 0.09% of Union Pacific worth $121,049,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of UNP. Forum Financial Management LP grew its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 0.6% in the first quarter. Forum Financial Management LP now owns 7,037 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $1,731,000 after acquiring an additional 41 shares during the period. Berkeley Capital Partners LLC raised its stake in Union Pacific by 1.0% during the 4th quarter. Berkeley Capital Partners LLC now owns 4,100 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $1,007,000 after buying an additional 42 shares during the last quarter. Prestige Wealth Management Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 1.4% during the 1st quarter. Prestige Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 3,015 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $741,000 after buying an additional 42 shares during the period. Fairhaven Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 1.7% in the 2nd quarter. Fairhaven Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,581 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $584,000 after buying an additional 43 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Elevated Capital Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 3.6% in the first quarter. Elevated Capital Advisors LLC now owns 1,269 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $312,000 after acquiring an additional 44 shares during the period. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Union Pacific Price Performance

Union Pacific stock traded up $3.39 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $252.51. 1,651,009 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,259,431. The stock's fifty day moving average is $243.00 and its 200-day moving average is $239.08. Union Pacific Co. has a 12 month low of $199.33 and a 12 month high of $258.66. The company has a quick ratio of 0.86, a current ratio of 1.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.89. The stock has a market cap of $154.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.94, a PEG ratio of 2.20 and a beta of 1.05.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 25th. The railroad operator reported $2.74 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.71 by $0.03. Union Pacific had a net margin of 26.90% and a return on equity of 42.62%. The business had revenue of $6.01 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.05 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $2.57 EPS. The business's revenue was up .7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Co. will post 11.11 EPS for the current year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 30th will be paid a $1.34 dividend. This represents a $5.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.12%. This is a positive change from Union Pacific's previous quarterly dividend of $1.30. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 30th. Union Pacific's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 51.15%.

Insider Transactions at Union Pacific

In related news, President Elizabeth F. Whited sold 3,552 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $246.59, for a total transaction of $875,887.68. Following the sale, the president now owns 64,945 shares in the company, valued at approximately $16,014,787.55. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 0.28% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have issued reports on UNP. StockNews.com cut Union Pacific from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 18th. Daiwa America lowered shares of Union Pacific from a "moderate buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 4th. Benchmark reiterated a "buy" rating and set a $266.00 price target on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Monday, July 29th. Susquehanna cut their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $270.00 to $250.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, June 25th. Finally, TD Cowen lowered their target price on Union Pacific from $259.00 to $255.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $258.79.

Union Pacific Profile

Union Pacific Corporation, through its subsidiary, Union Pacific Railroad Company, operates in the railroad business in the United States. The company offers transportation services for grain and grain products, fertilizers, food and refrigerated products, and coal and renewables to grain processors, animal feeders, ethanol producers, renewable biofuel producers, and other agricultural users; and construction products, industrial chemicals, plastics, forest products, specialized products, metals and ores, petroleum, liquid petroleum gases, soda ash, and sand, as well as finished automobiles, automotive parts, and merchandise in intermodal containers.