Conning Inc. Trims Stock Holdings in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Conning Inc. lessened its position in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 1.8% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 154,141 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after selling 2,749 shares during the period. Union Pacific accounts for 1.2% of Conning Inc.’s holdings, making the stock its 10th biggest holding. Conning Inc.’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $36,434,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Union Pacific during the second quarter worth approximately $1,856,340,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Union Pacific by 22,618.2% during the 2nd quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,624,636 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $603,876,000 after buying an additional 2,613,083 shares during the period. Amundi increased its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 35.6% in the 2nd quarter. Amundi now owns 4,782,577 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $1,134,236,000 after acquiring an additional 1,255,231 shares in the last quarter. Rothschild & Co Wealth Management UK Ltd lifted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 3,536.2% during the 2nd quarter. Rothschild & Co Wealth Management UK Ltd now owns 1,011,677 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $232,767,000 after acquiring an additional 983,855 shares during the period. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership grew its holdings in Union Pacific by 32.8% in the second quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 3,152,042 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $725,222,000 after purchasing an additional 778,411 shares during the period. 80.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Union Pacific Trading Down 1.0%

Shares of Union Pacific stock opened at $226.89 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $134.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.28, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.61 and a beta of 0.99. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $230.31 and a 200 day simple moving average of $227.19. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12-month low of $204.66 and a 12-month high of $256.84. The company has a current ratio of 0.75, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.75.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.08 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.99 by $0.09. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 42.23% and a net margin of 28.73%.The business had revenue of $6.24 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.24 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.75 EPS. The business’s revenue was up 2.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Corporation will post 11.99 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 5th were paid a $1.38 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 5th. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.4%. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 46.90%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on UNP shares. Susquehanna reiterated a “positive” rating and set a $272.00 price objective (up previously from $257.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Thursday, September 25th. BMO Capital Markets set a $255.00 target price on Union Pacific in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. Cowen reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, October 24th. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $280.00 price objective on Union Pacific in a report on Thursday, December 18th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $245.00 target price on Union Pacific in a report on Thursday, December 11th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Buy rating and twelve have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Union Pacific currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $259.58.

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.