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Union Pacific Corp. (UNP)
NYSE:UNP
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Union Pacific (UNP) AI Stock Analysis

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UNP

Union Pacific

(NYSE:UNP)

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Neutral 66 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:66Neutral
Price Target:
$234.00
▲(8.15% Upside)
Union Pacific's strong financial performance and positive earnings call are offset by technical weaknesses and high leverage. The stock's valuation is fair, but market momentum is currently bearish.
Positive Factors
Operational Efficiency
Union Pacific's focus on operational efficiencies enhances productivity and cost management, supporting long-term profitability and competitive positioning.
Revenue Growth
Consistent freight revenue growth indicates strong demand and effective pricing strategies, contributing to sustained financial health and market leadership.
Debt Management
Effective debt management improves financial stability and flexibility, allowing for strategic investments and resilience against economic fluctuations.
Negative Factors
High Leverage
High leverage poses risks to financial stability and limits the company's ability to invest or weather economic downturns, potentially impacting long-term growth.
Free Cash Flow Decline
Declining free cash flow growth may hinder future investments and debt repayments, affecting the company's ability to sustain growth and operational improvements.
Volume Declines
Decreasing volumes, especially in intermodal and international sectors, could challenge revenue growth and margin expansion, impacting long-term performance.

Union Pacific (UNP) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Union Pacific Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionUnion Pacific Corporation (UNP) is a leading North American transportation service provider, operating one of the largest freight railroad networks in the United States. The company primarily serves the western two-thirds of the country, offering a diverse range of transportation services that include intermodal, bulk commodities, and merchandise freight. Union Pacific plays a vital role in connecting markets and facilitating the movement of goods across various sectors, including agriculture, automotive, chemicals, coal, and industrial products.
How the Company Makes MoneyUnion Pacific generates revenue primarily through the transportation of freight. Its revenue model is built on several key streams: first, the movement of bulk commodities such as coal, agricultural products, and chemicals, which constitutes a significant portion of its earnings. Second, the company earns income from merchandise freight, which includes manufactured goods and consumer products. Third, intermodal services, where goods are transported in containers that can be moved seamlessly between rail and truck transport, also contribute notably to revenue. Additionally, Union Pacific has established partnerships with various industries to enhance logistics and supply chain efficiency, ensuring consistent demand for its services. Factors such as economic growth, infrastructure investments, and the overall health of the freight market significantly influence the company's earnings.

Union Pacific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Locomotive Productivity
Locomotive Productivity
Measures the efficiency of locomotive usage, indicating how well the company utilizes its fleet to transport goods. Higher productivity suggests better asset utilization and cost management, impacting profitability.
Chart InsightsUnion Pacific's locomotive productivity has shown a steady recovery since early 2023, reaching levels not seen since 2020. This improvement aligns with the company's record operational efficiency and workforce productivity, as highlighted in the latest earnings call. Despite challenges in fuel surcharge revenue and the premium segment, Union Pacific's strategic focus on operational excellence and cost management is paying off, supporting their ambitious EPS growth targets. Investors should note the company's commitment to shareholder returns, evidenced by a consistent dividend increase over 19 years.
Data provided by:Main Street Data

Union Pacific Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Oct 23, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Jan 22, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
Union Pacific delivered strong financial performance with record-setting freight revenue and improved operational metrics. However, volume declines and challenges in the intermodal and energy markets, coupled with softer economic indicators, present ongoing challenges.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Financial Performance
Union Pacific reported Q3 2025 earnings per share of $3.01, excluding $41 million of merger-related costs. Adjusted earnings per share increased 12% versus last year to $3.08, driven by core pricing gains and operational efficiencies.
Record Freight Revenue
Freight revenue, excluding fuel, grew for the sixth consecutive quarter and set a best-ever record. Operational efficiencies led to records in workforce productivity, fuel consumption, terminal dwell, and train line.
Improved Safety and Service
Safety and service results improved, demonstrating the company's commitment to running the safest and most reliable railroad in North America. Personal injury and derailment rates showed measurable progress.
Positive Cash Flow and Debt Management
Third quarter cash from operations totaled $7.1 billion, up 6% versus last year. Union Pacific paid down $1 billion in long-term notes, reducing the adjusted debt-to-EBITDA ratio to 2.6x.
Negative Updates
Volume Declines
Volume was down slightly in the quarter, resulting in a 25 basis points reduction in freight revenue. Q4 volumes are currently running down 6%, reflecting challenges in international intermodal volumes.
Intermodal and Energy Market Challenges
Premium revenue for the quarter declined 2% on a 5% decrease in volume. Intermodal volumes were challenged by lower West Coast imports, resulting in a 17% decrease in international volumes.
Impact of Macro Economic Factors
Key economic indicators like automotive sales and housing starts were softer, creating a headwind for earnings and margin expansion compared to last year's record fourth quarter.
Company Guidance
During Union Pacific's third-quarter 2025 earnings call, CEO Jim Vena highlighted the company's strong financial performance, driven by operational efficiencies and core pricing gains. The adjusted earnings per share (EPS) was $3.08, reflecting a 12% increase year-over-year, excluding $41 million in merger-related costs. The adjusted operating ratio improved by 180 basis points to 58.5%. The company reported record achievements in workforce productivity, fuel consumption, terminal dwell, and train line performance. Despite a slight decrease in volume, freight revenue grew 3% to $5.9 billion, with operating revenue reaching $6.2 billion. Union Pacific's strategic focus on safety and service resulted in improved safety metrics and reliable operations, reinforcing its position as a leading North American railroad. Looking ahead, the company anticipates continued strength in certain segments but faces challenges due to softer economic indicators and lower international volumes.

Union Pacific Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Union Pacific shows strong profitability with robust margins and stable revenue growth. However, high leverage and a significant decline in free cash flow growth present potential risks.
Income Statement
85
Very Positive
Union Pacific demonstrates strong profitability with a consistent gross profit margin around 45% and a net profit margin near 28% in the TTM. The revenue growth rate of 0.63% in the TTM indicates stability, though not aggressive growth. EBIT and EBITDA margins are robust at 42% and 52% respectively, reflecting efficient operations. Overall, the income statement shows solid profitability and stable revenue growth.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The balance sheet reveals a high debt-to-equity ratio of 1.88 in the TTM, indicating significant leverage, which could pose risks if not managed carefully. However, the return on equity is strong at 42.4%, suggesting effective use of equity to generate profits. The equity ratio stands at 25.2%, indicating a moderate level of equity financing. Overall, while profitability is strong, the high leverage warrants caution.
Cash Flow
60
Neutral
The cash flow statement shows a concerning decline in free cash flow growth by 74.14% in the TTM, which could impact future investments or debt repayments. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is 0.51, indicating moderate cash generation relative to net income. The free cash flow to net income ratio is 0.61, suggesting reasonable cash conversion. While cash generation is adequate, the decline in free cash flow growth is a notable weakness.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue24.55B24.25B24.12B24.88B21.80B19.53B
Gross Profit11.27B11.04B10.53B11.21B10.51B9.18B
EBITDA12.79B12.50B11.93B12.64B11.84B10.33B
Net Income7.05B6.75B6.38B7.00B6.52B5.35B
Balance Sheet
Total Assets68.65B67.72B67.13B65.45B63.52B62.40B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments808.00M1.04B1.07B1.02B1.01B1.86B
Total Debt32.85B32.46B34.18B34.96B31.49B28.33B
Total Liabilities51.34B50.83B52.34B53.29B49.36B45.44B
Stockholders Equity17.30B16.89B14.79B12.16B14.16B16.96B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow6.01B5.89B4.77B5.74B6.10B5.61B
Operating Cash Flow9.73B9.35B8.38B9.36B9.03B8.54B
Investing Cash Flow-3.69B-3.33B-3.67B-3.47B-2.71B-2.68B
Financing Cash Flow-6.16B-6.07B-4.63B-5.89B-7.16B-4.90B

Union Pacific Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price216.37
Price Trends
50DMA
224.49
Negative
100DMA
224.92
Negative
200DMA
226.96
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-2.46
Positive
RSI
33.86
Neutral
STOCH
11.71
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For UNP, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 216.37 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 226.34, below the 50-day MA of 224.49, and below the 200-day MA of 226.96, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -2.46 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 33.86 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 11.71 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for UNP.

Union Pacific Risk Analysis

Union Pacific disclosed 19 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Union Pacific reported the most risks in the "Macro & Political" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Union Pacific Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
$65.73B23.1922.60%1.44%-3.80%-17.32%
$58.88B14.5814.98%2.27%1.14%4.99%
$82.55B14.8933.67%6.72%-1.27%-2.25%
$28.61B26.5826.25%0.81%-5.54%-12.26%
$129.07B18.4741.62%2.50%1.06%8.21%
$68.40B21.3920.46%1.87%0.48%22.88%
$10.79B15.437.44%2.01%2.89%-14.66%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
UNP
Union Pacific
216.37
-10.31
-4.55%
CSX
CSX
35.30
2.18
6.58%
FDX
FedEx
249.64
-17.93
-6.70%
NSC
Norfolk Southern
279.53
34.49
14.08%
ODFL
Old Dominion Freight
136.13
-63.91
-31.95%
UPS
United Parcel
97.40
-28.67
-22.74%

Union Pacific Corporate Events

Union Pacific’s Strong Q3 2025 Performance and Strategic Growth
Oct 24, 2025

Union Pacific Corporation is a leading rail transportation company operating in 23 western U.S. states, providing essential freight services that connect businesses and communities to the global economy.

Union Pacific’s Earnings Call: Record Revenue Amid Challenges
Oct 24, 2025

Union Pacific Corporation’s recent earnings call reflected a strong financial performance, marked by record-setting freight revenue and improved operational metrics. However, the company faces challenges due to volume declines and difficulties in the intermodal and energy markets, compounded by softer economic indicators.

Business Operations and StrategyStock BuybackM&A Transactions
Union Pacific Discusses Merger and Productivity Outlook
Neutral
Sep 10, 2025

On September 10, 2025, Union Pacific‘s CEO V. James Vena and CFO Jennifer L. Hamann spoke at the Morgan Stanley 13th Annual Laguna Conference. Hamann highlighted expectations for strong productivity driven by network fluidity and noted that while mix is anticipated to improve, volume trends will be closely monitored. The company expects merger-related expenses of approximately $50 million and has paused share repurchases due to a merger agreement with Norfolk Southern Corporation.

The most recent analyst rating on (UNP) stock is a Buy with a $249.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Union Pacific stock, see the UNP Stock Forecast page.

Delistings and Listing ChangesM&A Transactions
Union Pacific Announces Merger with Norfolk Southern
Neutral
Jul 29, 2025

On July 28, 2025, Union Pacific Corporation announced an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Norfolk Southern Corporation, involving a two-step merger process. This strategic move, unanimously approved by Union Pacific’s Board of Directors, aims to enhance Union Pacific’s market position by making Norfolk Southern a wholly owned subsidiary. The merger agreement outlines the conversion of Norfolk Southern’s stock into Union Pacific’s stock and cash, and includes provisions for the treatment of Norfolk Southern’s equity awards. The completion of the merger is contingent upon customary closing conditions, including shareholder and regulatory approvals. The merger is expected to significantly impact the company’s operations and industry positioning, with Norfolk Southern’s stock being delisted from the NYSE upon consummation.

The most recent analyst rating on (UNP) stock is a Buy with a $275.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Union Pacific stock, see the UNP Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyM&A Transactions
Union Pacific Announces Merger with Norfolk Southern
Positive
Jul 29, 2025

On July 29, 2025, Union Pacific Corporation and Norfolk Southern Corporation announced a merger agreement to create America’s first transcontinental railroad. This strategic combination, valued at over $250 billion, aims to transform the U.S. supply chain, enhance freight competition, and unlock significant synergies, while preserving union jobs and promoting technological advancements.

The most recent analyst rating on (UNP) stock is a Buy with a $275.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Union Pacific stock, see the UNP Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Oct 26, 2025