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Union Pacific (UNP - Free Report) could be a solid addition to your portfolio given its recent upgrade to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). This upgrade primarily reflects an upward trend in earnings estimates, which is one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.

The sole determinant of the Zacks rating is a company's changing earnings picture. The Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years is tracked by the system.

Individual investors often find it hard to make decisions based on rating upgrades by Wall Street analysts, since these are mostly driven by subjective factors that are hard to see and measure in real time. In these situations, the Zacks rating system comes in handy because of the power of a changing earnings picture in determining near-term stock price movements.

As such, the Zacks rating upgrade for Union Pacific is essentially a positive comment on its earnings outlook that could have a favorable impact on its stock price.

Most Powerful Force Impacting Stock PricesThe change in a company's future earnings potential, as reflected in earnings estimate revisions, and the near-term price movement of its stock are proven to be strongly correlated. The influence of institutional investors has a partial contribution to this relationship, as these big professionals use earnings and earnings estimates to calculate the fair value of a company's shares. An increase or decrease in earnings estimates in their valuation models simply results in higher or lower fair value for a stock, and institutional investors typically buy or sell it. Their transaction of large amounts of shares then leads to price movement for the stock.

Fundamentally speaking, rising earnings estimates and the consequent rating upgrade for Union Pacific imply an improvement in the company's underlying business. Investors should show their appreciation for this improving business trend by pushing the stock higher.

Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate RevisionsEmpirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, so it could be truly rewarding if such revisions are tracked for making an investment decision. Here is where the tried-and-tested Zacks Rank stock-rating system plays an important role, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions.

The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Earnings Estimate Revisions for Union PacificThis railroad is expected to earn $13.02 per share for the fiscal year ending December 2026, which represents no year-over-year change.

Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for Union Pacific. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 3.9%.

Bottom LineUnlike the overly optimistic Wall Street analysts whose rating systems tend to be weighted toward favorable recommendations, the Zacks rating system maintains an equal proportion of "buy" and "sell" ratings for its entire universe of more than 4,000 stocks at any point in time. Irrespective of market conditions, only the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks get a "Strong Buy" rating and the next 15% get a "Buy" rating. So, the placement of a stock in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks indicates its superior earnings estimate revision feature, making it a solid candidate for producing market-beating returns in the near term.

You can learn more about the Zacks Rank here >>>

The upgrade of Union Pacific to a Zacks Rank #2 positions it in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks in terms of estimate revisions, implying that the stock might move higher in the near term.

Bank of Nova Scotia bought a new stake in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP – Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 52,929 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $14,397,000.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in UNP. Tucker Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC boosted its stake in Union Pacific by 2,575.0% during the 4th quarter. SWAN Capital LLC now owns 107 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 103 shares during the period. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth $25,000. High Point Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Finally, Scarborough Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Union Pacific in the first quarter valued at $27,000. 80.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Union Pacific from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Citizens Jmp began coverage on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Wednesday, July 15th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $350.00 target price on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an “outperform” rating and set a $339.00 target price (up from $289.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $304.00 to $334.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, TD Cowen reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $325.00 price target (up from $282.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Union Pacific presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $320.89.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Union Pacific Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $263.96, for a total value of $789,504.36. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 43,012 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $11,353,447.52. The trade was a 6.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Stock Performance NYSE:UNP opened at $309.83 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40. The company has a market capitalization of $184.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.14 and a beta of 0.96. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $287.14 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $268.31. Union Pacific Corporation has a twelve month low of $210.84 and a twelve month high of $315.99.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.26 by $0.15. The company had revenue of $6.86 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.72 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 28.85% and a return on equity of 38.46%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $3.03 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts expect that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Monday, August 31st will be paid a $1.42 dividend. This represents a $5.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 31st. This is an increase from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio is currently 45.99%.

Union Pacific Company Profile (Free Report)

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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Beacon Pointe Advisors LLC trimmed its stake in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP – Free Report) by 3.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 49,545 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after selling 1,780 shares during the quarter. Beacon Pointe Advisors LLC’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $13,474,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of UNP. Tucker Asset Management LLC bought a new position in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter worth $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC boosted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 2,575.0% during the 4th quarter. SWAN Capital LLC now owns 107 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. Wiser Advisor Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the second quarter valued at about $30,000. Scarborough Advisors LLC bought a new position in Union Pacific in the first quarter worth about $27,000. Finally, Cornerstone Financial Management LLC purchased a new stake in Union Pacific in the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. Institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

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 Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research analysts have recently issued reports on UNP shares. Bank of America increased their target price on Union Pacific from $301.00 to $334.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company reissued an “overweight” rating and set a $335.00 price objective (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Erste Group Bank assumed coverage on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Thursday. They set a “buy” rating on the stock. Stephens upgraded shares of Union Pacific to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 8th. Finally, Benchmark boosted their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $325.00 to $335.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Two investment 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 stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $320.89. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Union Pacific

Union Pacific Stock Performance UNP stock opened at $307.82 on Friday. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $291.07 and its 200 day simple moving average is $269.81. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12-month low of $210.84 and a 12-month high of $315.99. The stock has a market capitalization of $182.87 billion, a PE ratio of 24.92, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.12 and a beta of 0.96.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP – Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.26 by $0.15. The business had revenue of $6.86 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.72 billion. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 38.46% and a net margin of 28.85%.The company’s quarterly revenue was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $3.03 EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that Union Pacific Corporation will post 13.01 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 31st will be issued a dividend of $1.42 per share. 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 dividend payout ratio is presently 44.70%.

Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $263.96, for a total transaction of $789,504.36. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 43,012 shares in the company, valued at $11,353,447.52. This represents a 6.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.22% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Union Pacific Profile (Free Report)

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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Aberdeen Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP – Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund bought 4,518 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $1,229,000. Union Pacific comprises about 0.6% of Aberdeen Wealth Management LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 29th biggest holding.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Tucker Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC boosted its stake in 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 acquiring an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth $25,000. High Point Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth $26,000. Finally, Scarborough Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Union Pacific in the first quarter worth $27,000. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Ratings Changes UNP has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Weiss Ratings raised shares of Union Pacific from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Robert W. Baird increased their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $311.00 to $344.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, July 27th. Barclays restated an “overweight” rating and issued a $350.00 target price (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed a “strong-buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Monday, July 13th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $339.00 price target (up from $289.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Union Pacific currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $320.89.

Get Our Latest Analysis on UNP Union Pacific Stock Up 0.6% UNP stock opened at $309.83 on Tuesday. Union Pacific Corporation has a twelve month low of $210.84 and a twelve month high of $315.99. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $287.14 and its 200-day moving average is $268.31. The firm has a market capitalization of $184.06 billion, a PE ratio of 25.09, a P/E/G ratio of 3.14 and a beta of 0.96.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.26 by $0.15. The business had revenue of $6.86 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.72 billion. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 38.46% and a net margin of 28.85%.Union Pacific’s revenue was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $3.03 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts expect that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Monday, August 31st will be issued a dividend of $1.42 per share. This represents a $5.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.8%. This is a boost from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 31st. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio is presently 45.99%.

Insiders Place Their Bets In other Union Pacific news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $263.96, for a total value of $789,504.36. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 43,012 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $11,353,447.52. This represents a 6.50% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Company Profile (Free Report)

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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Receive News & Ratings for Union Pacific Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Union Pacific and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.

Barbara Oil Co. acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP – Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund acquired 15,000 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $4,080,000. Union Pacific accounts for 1.4% of Barbara Oil Co.’s portfolio, making the stock its 21st biggest holding.

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Tiemann Investment Advisors LLC increased its stake in Union Pacific by 1.7% in the 2nd quarter. Tiemann Investment Advisors LLC now owns 2,117 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $576,000 after buying an additional 35 shares during the period. TFR Capital LLC. boosted its position in Union Pacific by 3.8% in the 2nd quarter. TFR Capital LLC. now owns 979 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $266,000 after buying an additional 36 shares during the period. Key Financial Inc grew its stake in Union Pacific by 2.1% in the 1st quarter. Key Financial Inc now owns 1,821 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $442,000 after acquiring an additional 38 shares in the last quarter. Members Trust Co grew its stake in Union Pacific by 2.5% in the 1st quarter. Members Trust Co now owns 1,573 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $382,000 after acquiring an additional 38 shares in the last quarter. Finally, EJMK Ventures LLC grew its stake in Union Pacific by 4.0% in the 1st quarter. EJMK Ventures LLC now owns 1,016 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $247,000 after acquiring an additional 39 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Stock Performance Shares of UNP stock opened at $307.97 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $182.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.94, a PEG ratio of 3.14 and a beta of 0.96. The company’s 50 day moving average is $286.30 and its 200 day moving average is $267.83. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40. Union Pacific Corporation has a 52-week low of $210.84 and a 52-week high of $315.99.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP – Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.26 by $0.15. The company had revenue of $6.86 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.72 billion. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 38.46% and a net margin of 28.85%.Union Pacific’s revenue was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $3.03 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 EPS for the current fiscal year. Union Pacific Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Monday, August 31st will be given a dividend of $1.42 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 31st. This is an increase from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. This represents a $5.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.8%. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio is 44.70%.

Insiders Place Their Bets In other Union Pacific news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $263.96, for a total value of $789,504.36. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 43,012 shares in the company, valued at $11,353,447.52. The trade was a 6.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.22% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research firms have recently weighed in on UNP. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed a “strong-buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Monday, July 13th. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed a “market perform” rating and set a $320.00 target price (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Robert W. Baird upped their target price on Union Pacific from $311.00 to $344.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, July 27th. Benchmark increased their price target on Union Pacific from $325.00 to $335.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Susquehanna raised their price target on Union Pacific from $305.00 to $333.00 and gave the company a “positive” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 14th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $320.89.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Union Pacific

About Union Pacific (Free Report)

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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Blue Capital Inc. bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP – Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor bought 2,470 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $672,000.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Tucker Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC lifted its stake in Union Pacific by 2,575.0% in the fourth quarter. SWAN Capital LLC now owns 107 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. High Point Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the fourth quarter valued at $26,000. Finally, Cornerstone Financial Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research firms recently weighed in on UNP. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed a “strong-buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Monday, July 13th. 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. Susquehanna lifted their price target on Union Pacific from $305.00 to $333.00 and gave the company a “positive” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a $335.00 price objective (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group set a $317.00 price objective on Union Pacific and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, July 23rd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Union Pacific presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $320.89.

Check Out Our Latest Report on Union Pacific Insider Buying and Selling at Union Pacific In other news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $263.96, for a total value of $789,504.36. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 43,012 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $11,353,447.52. This represents a 6.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 0.22% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Union Pacific Trading Up 1.3% NYSE UNP opened at $307.97 on Friday. Union Pacific Corporation has a twelve month low of $210.84 and a twelve month high of $315.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 0.99. The stock has a market cap of $182.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.94, a PEG ratio of 3.10 and a beta of 0.96. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $286.30 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $267.60.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP – Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.26 by $0.15. The company had revenue of $6.86 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.72 billion. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 38.46% and a net margin of 28.85%.The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $3.03 earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 EPS for the current year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 31st will be issued a $1.42 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 31st. This represents a $5.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.8%. This is a positive change from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio is currently 44.70%.

Union Pacific Company Profile (Free Report)

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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BOK Financial Private Wealth Inc. purchased a new stake in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP – Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 6,410 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $1,744,000.

A number of other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in UNP. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 1.1% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 59,329,262 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $13,724,045,000 after purchasing an additional 659,378 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its stake in Union Pacific by 4.3% in the fourth quarter. State Street Corp now owns 26,330,080 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $6,090,674,000 after purchasing an additional 1,082,285 shares in the last quarter. Capital World Investors grew its stake in Union Pacific by 92.1% in the fourth quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 20,136,349 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $4,658,142,000 after purchasing an additional 9,655,306 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Union Pacific by 2.0% in the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 15,360,668 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $3,552,550,000 after buying an additional 296,814 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE raised its stake in Union Pacific by 16.8% during the first quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 14,463,071 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $3,509,030,000 after buying an additional 2,084,808 shares in the last quarter. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research analysts have commented on UNP shares. Barclays reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and set a $350.00 target price (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, July 24th. Susquehanna upped their price target on Union Pacific from $305.00 to $333.00 and gave the company a “positive” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Union Pacific from $304.00 to $334.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, July 24th. UBS Group reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and issued a $310.00 price objective (up from $286.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Citigroup boosted their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $326.00 to $349.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Union Pacific has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $320.89.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on UNP Insider Transactions at Union Pacific In other news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 3rd. The shares were 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 owned 43,012 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $11,353,447.52. The trade was a 6.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Stock Up 1.0% NYSE:UNP opened at $301.69 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $284.87 and a 200-day moving average of $266.83. The firm has a market capitalization of $179.23 billion, a PE ratio of 24.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.05 and a beta of 0.96. Union Pacific Corporation has a 52 week low of $210.84 and a 52 week high of $315.99.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 earnings per share (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 business had revenue of $6.86 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.72 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $3.03 EPS. The business’s revenue was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 EPS for the current year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 31st will be paid a $1.42 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 31st. This is a positive change from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. This represents a $5.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.9%. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 44.70%.

Union Pacific Company Profile (Free Report)

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.

Further Reading Five stocks we like better than Union Pacific Bloom Energy’s AI Surge Meets a Valuation Reality Check Target Is Winning Shoppers Back—Can the Rally Reach $180? IonQ’s Space Contract Points to a New Frontier for Quantum Investors Is Apple’s AI Strategy Smarter Than Skeptics Think? Want to see what other hedge funds are holding UNP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP – Free Report).

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Avaii Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP – Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund acquired 2,431 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $661,000.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Pacific Sun Financial Corp acquired a new position in Union Pacific during the second quarter worth about $283,000. Stevens Capital Partners purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $9,866,000. BOK Financial Private Wealth Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,744,000. Danica Pension Livsforsikringsaktieselskab acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $8,103,000. Finally, Danske Bank A S acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $2,359,000. 80.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research firms recently issued reports on UNP. Evercore reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $294.00 target price on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Thursday, June 25th. Stephens raised Union Pacific to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 8th. UBS Group reissued a “neutral” rating and issued a $310.00 price target (up from $286.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, July 24th. TD Cowen restated a “buy” rating and issued a $325.00 price objective (up from $282.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised Union Pacific from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $320.89.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Union Pacific Insider Activity In related news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $263.96, for a total value of $789,504.36. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 43,012 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $11,353,447.52. This trade represents a 6.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Stock Up 1.0% Shares of NYSE UNP opened at $301.69 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $179.23 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.05 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 0.99. Union Pacific Corporation has a 1 year low of $210.84 and a 1 year high of $315.99. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $284.87 and its 200 day moving average price is $266.83.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results 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 company had revenue of $6.86 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.72 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $3.03 EPS. Union Pacific’s revenue was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 31st will be issued a dividend of $1.42 per share. This represents a $5.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 31st. This is an increase from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. Union Pacific’s payout ratio is currently 44.70%.

Union Pacific Profile (Free Report)

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.

Recommended Stories Five stocks we like better than Union Pacific Bloom Energy’s AI Surge Meets a Valuation Reality Check Target Is Winning Shoppers Back—Can the Rally Reach $180? IonQ’s Space Contract Points to a New Frontier for Quantum Investors Is Apple’s AI Strategy Smarter Than Skeptics Think? Want to see what other hedge funds are holding UNP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP – Free Report).

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Anchor Capital Advisors LLC decreased its holdings in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP) by 5.6% in the undefined quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 59,443 shares of the railroad operator's stock after selling 3,508 shares during the quarter. Anchor Capital Advisors

Posted by Defense World Staff on Aug 7th, 2026

Armstrong Henry H Associates Inc. increased its stake in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP – Free Report) by 2.9% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 68,701 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after purchasing an additional 1,909 shares during the period. Union Pacific accounts for approximately 1.8% of Armstrong Henry H Associates Inc.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 7th biggest position. Armstrong Henry H Associates Inc.’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $18,687,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Tucker Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC boosted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 2,575.0% in the fourth quarter. SWAN Capital LLC now owns 107 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. High Point Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth approximately $26,000. Finally, Cornerstone Financial Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth approximately $27,000. 80.38% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research firms recently commented on UNP. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $339.00 price objective (up from $289.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Bank of America upped their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $301.00 to $334.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, July 23rd. Citizens Jmp started coverage on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Wednesday, July 15th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $350.00 target price for the company. Citigroup increased their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $326.00 to $349.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Union Pacific from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $320.89.

Get Our Latest Report on UNP

Insider Buying and Selling at Union Pacific In other news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $263.96, for a total transaction of $789,504.36. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 43,012 shares in the company, valued at $11,353,447.52. This trade represents a 6.50% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.22% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Union Pacific Trading Down 0.0% Shares of UNP stock opened at $295.41 on Friday. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $279.53 and its 200-day moving average price is $262.62. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40. The stock has a market cap of $175.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.92, a PEG ratio of 3.03 and a beta of 0.96. Union Pacific Corporation has a twelve month low of $210.84 and a twelve month high of $315.99.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.26 by $0.15. Union Pacific had a net margin of 28.85% and a return on equity of 38.46%. The firm had revenue of $6.86 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.72 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $3.03 earnings per share. Union Pacific’s quarterly revenue was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts predict that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.9 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend The company 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. This is a positive change from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 31st. This represents a $5.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio is currently 44.70%.

Union Pacific Profile (Free Report)

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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OMAHA, Neb.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP) announced that its Board of Directors today voted to increase the quarterly dividend on the Company's common shares by 3% to $1.42 per share. The dividend is payable September 30, 2026, to shareholders of record August 31, 2026. Union Pacific has paid dividends on its common stock for 127 consecutive years. “Union Pacific remains committed to delivering strong financial results and long-term value for our shareholders,” said Je.

OMAHA, Neb. & ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) and Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC) today enhanced their merger application by offering customer protections that go beyond those provided in any prior rail merger. The new commitments are provided with the supplemental information requested by the Surface Transportation Board (STB) when it accepted the companies' merger application as complete on May 28, 2026. “We are more confident than ever that creating America's first transcont.

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Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Posted by Defense World Staff on Jul 25th, 2026

Bank of Nova Scotia increased its stake in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP – Free Report) by 19.2% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 284,453 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after acquiring an additional 45,813 shares during the quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $69,014,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of UNP. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Tucker Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC increased its position in shares of Union Pacific by 2,575.0% in the fourth quarter. SWAN Capital LLC now owns 107 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. High Point Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at $26,000. Finally, Cornerstone Financial Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth $27,000. 80.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key Stories Impacting Union Pacific Here are the key news stories impacting Union Pacific this week:

Positive Sentiment: Union Pacific reported better-than-expected Q2 results, with adjusted EPS of $3.41 and revenue of $6.86 billion, both ahead of Wall Street estimates, reinforcing confidence in operating momentum and pricing power. Positive Sentiment: Analysts turned more constructive after the earnings beat, with Citigroup, JPMorgan, Benchmark, and Bank of America all raising price targets, suggesting expectations for further upside in the stock. Positive Sentiment: Union Pacific and Canadian National reached a binding access agreement tied to the proposed Norfolk Southern merger, easing competition concerns and improving the odds of regulatory approval while also giving UNP better Chicago routing efficiency and expanded corridor access. Article Title Neutral Sentiment: The broader news flow also highlighted that the merger and access agreement may reshape North American rail traffic patterns, but the deal still depends on Surface Transportation Board approval and final closing. Neutral Sentiment: Several articles noted Union Pacific’s record freight revenue and improved efficiency, which supports the bullish case but is already partly reflected in the recent rally. Union Pacific Stock Up 1.1% Union Pacific stock opened at $307.54 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $182.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.90, a P/E/G ratio of 3.18 and a beta of 0.96. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $275.12 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $258.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.73. Union Pacific Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $210.84 and a fifty-two week high of $315.99.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.26 by $0.15. The business had revenue of $6.86 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.72 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 28.85% and a return on equity of 38.46%. Union Pacific’s quarterly revenue was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $3.03 earnings per share. As a group, analysts forecast that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.64 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 29th were issued 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 payout ratio is 45.47%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Union Pacific In related news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $263.96, for a total value of $789,504.36. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 43,012 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $11,353,447.52. The trade was a 6.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades UNP has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Citizens Jmp initiated coverage on Union Pacific in a report on Wednesday, July 15th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $350.00 price target for the company. Susquehanna boosted their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $305.00 to $333.00 and gave the stock a “positive” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on Union Pacific from $304.00 to $334.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an “outperform” rating and set a $339.00 target price (up from $289.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday. Finally, Weiss Ratings lowered Union Pacific from a “buy (b)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 23rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, Union Pacific presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $319.16.

Get Our Latest Report on Union Pacific

Union Pacific Profile (Free Report)

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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Buffett Spent 60 Years Ignoring Tech and the Bill Is Coming DueUnion Pacific NYSE: UNP reported record second-quarter 2026 financial results, with executives citing volume growth, pricing gains and improved operating performance, while also raising the railroad’s full-year earnings outlook.

Chief Executive Officer Jim Vena said the company delivered “record financial results driven by strong execution and 2% volume growth.” Net income totaled $2 billion, and earnings per share were $3.36 on a reported basis. Adjusted for merger costs, EPS was $3.41.

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AI Broke the Trucks: 3 Transports to Buy After the AI Panic“There was a lot of in and outs as we compare our performance against last year,” Vena said, noting fuel was a major driver of both surcharge revenue and expense. Excluding those factors, he said Union Pacific saw “solid core improvement” in revenue and operating income.

Revenue Rises as Fuel Surcharges and Volume Lift Results Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Hamann said operating revenue rose 12% from a year earlier to $6.9 billion, while freight revenue also increased 12% to $6.5 billion. Fuel surcharge revenue contributed 750 basis points to freight revenue growth and increased by roughly $460 million, reflecting higher fuel prices and volume.

2026 Sector Playbook: 3 Sectors Trading Below Fair ValueVolume growth added 225 basis points to freight revenue, while core pricing and business mix contributed 175 basis points. Hamann said the company’s “quarterly pricing dollars continue to exceed inflation dollars” as Union Pacific competes for business at levels reflecting the value of its rail service.

Business mix was a slight headwind in the quarter, Hamann said, as stronger-than-expected domestic intermodal growth offset the mix benefit from lower international intermodal traffic.

Operating expenses rose 13% to $4.1 billion, primarily due to higher diesel fuel prices. Fuel expense increased 63%, driven by a 60% increase in the average fuel price and 2% higher gross ton miles. The company’s average price per gallon rose to $3.86 from $2.42 a year earlier, adding 120 basis points to the operating ratio.

Union Pacific’s operating ratio was 59.2% in the quarter. Hamann said cash from operations increased 21% to $5.5 billion, while free cash flow totaled $1.8 billion after network reinvestment and dividends. The company also paid down $1.5 billion of long-term debt in the first half, bringing adjusted debt-to-EBITDA to 2.5 times.

Company Raises 2026 EPS Outlook Union Pacific raised its 2026 outlook to reported EPS growth in the high single-digit range, up from its prior outlook for 6% year-to-date growth in line with January expectations. Hamann said the company expects continued operating ratio improvement despite pressure from fuel costs.

“Fuel prices remain volatile,” Hamann said, adding that recent purchases have been above $4 per gallon. In response to an analyst question, she said fuel would likely continue to pressure the operating ratio, but Union Pacific expects volume opportunities and productivity gains to help offset that headwind.

Vena said he would prefer lower fuel prices despite the revenue benefit from fuel surcharges, because sustained high fuel prices could affect customers and consumer demand. Hamann said the company has not yet seen that demand impact.

Bulk, Industrial and Premium Segments Show Mixed Trends Executive Vice President of Marketing and Sales Kenny Rocker said second-quarter freight revenue excluding fuel surcharge grew 4% to $5.5 billion, which he described as a record.

In the bulk segment, revenue rose 7% despite a 1% decline in volume. Grain and grain products posted double-digit volume growth, driven by export demand, facility expansions, renewable fuels and related feedstocks. Rocker said the category delivered record second-quarter volume and revenue. Coal volume was pressured by weaker natural gas prices, mild weather and customer downtime.

Industrial revenue increased 8% on 3% volume growth. Petrochemicals benefited from improved demand and new business, while metals and minerals volumes rose on higher domestic steel production and business development wins, offsetting weakness in export soda ash.

Premium revenue rose 21% on 4% volume growth and a 16% increase in average revenue per car. Domestic intermodal posted its fourth consecutive record quarter in both volume and revenue, with private asset, rail asset and parcel volumes all up double digits. Rocker said the business benefited from constrained truck capacity and share gains. International intermodal volume fell 14%, though the company saw improvement late in the quarter from stronger West Coast imports.

Looking ahead, Rocker said grain and grain products are positioned for further second-half growth, while coal is expected to remain challenging due to elevated inventories and lower natural gas prices. He also said domestic intermodal should continue to perform well, supported by over-the-road conversions and Union Pacific’s service product.

Operations Improve as Volume Grows Executive Vice President of Operations Eric Gehringer said Union Pacific delivered record second-quarter operating performance while handling 2% more volume. Employee and derailment rates improved compared with their respective three-year rolling averages.

Freight car velocity increased 5% to 231 miles per day, a second-quarter record. Train speed rose 3%, and terminal dwell improved 7% to 19.7 hours, matching the first-quarter record and marking the third straight quarter below 20 hours. Gehringer said both the intermodal and manifest service performance indexes finished at 95%.

The company also reported record workforce productivity, train length and fuel consumption performance. Locomotive productivity improved 1%, fuel consumption improved 1%, workforce productivity rose 5%, and train length increased 2% from a year earlier.

Gehringer said Union Pacific continues to make strategic capacity investments, including in the Houston Complex, Pacific Northwest siding extensions and Sunset Double Track projects.

Norfolk Southern Merger and CN Agreement Remain in Focus Vena also provided an update on Union Pacific’s proposed merger with Norfolk Southern. He said the Surface Transportation Board accepted the company’s application as complete on May 28 and that Union Pacific planned to submit supplemental information requested by the board on Monday.

Vena said Union Pacific has expanded its Committed Gateway Pricing and made other voluntary commitments intended to improve the competitive nature of the proposed merger. He also highlighted a newly announced merger settlement agreement with Canadian National.

Vena said the agreement with Canadian National addresses ownership and competitive issues involving the Kansas City terminal and Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis, while also giving Canadian National access between east of St. Louis and Kansas City. He said the agreement would provide CN with a path to move traffic into Mexico and would give Union Pacific better east-to-west access through Chicago.

Vena argued the merger would create seamless single-line service, improve reliability, lower costs and make rail more competitive against trucks and other railroads. “Now versus almost one year ago when we first announced our plans to merge, we have even more conviction that our transaction is in the public interest,” he said.

About Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP)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.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].

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Key Takeaways Union Pacific beat Q2 estimates as EPS rose 8.5% and revenue increased 11.5% year over year.UNP grew freight revenues 12%, led by pricing gains, higher fuel surcharge revenue and volume growth.UNP expects high-single digit EPS growth in 2026 with operating ratio improvement and $3.3B capex. Union Pacific Corporation (UNP - Free Report) reported impressive second-quarter 2026 results, wherein both the earnings and revenues beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate.

Quarterly earnings (excluding 5 cents from non-recurring items) of $3.41 per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.8% and increased 8.5% on a year-over-year basis.

Operating revenues of $6.86 billion beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.65 billion and rose 11.5% on a year-over-year basis, driven by core pricing gains, volume growth and higher fuel surcharge revenues, partially offset by business mix. Revenue carloads declined 1% year over year.

Freight revenues (accounting for 95% of the top line) increased 12% year over year to $6.52 billion. Other revenues increased 11% year over year to $346 million in the second quarter of 2026.

Operating income increased 9% year over year to $2.76 billion. Total operating expenses of $4.10 billion inched up 13% year over year. Fuel expenses rose 63% year over year. Expenses on purchased services and materials increased 10% on a year-over-year basis, while expenses on compensation and benefits decreased 1% year over year.

The operating ratio (operating expenses as a percentage of revenues) in the second quarter of 2026, on an adjusted basis, improved 110 basis points year over year to 59.2%.

UNP’s Segmental HighlightsBulk (Grain & grain products, Fertilizer, Food & refrigerated, Coal & renewables) freight revenues were $2.04 billion, which increased 7% on a year-over-year basis. Segmental revenue carloads decreased 1% year over year to $514 million.

Industrial freight revenues totaled $2.39 billion, up 8% year over year. Segmental revenue carloads increased 3% year over year to $586 million.

Freight revenues in the premium division were $2.08 billion, up 21% year over year. Premium revenue carloads increased 4% year over year to $1.06 billion.

UNP’s LiquidityUnion Pacific exited the second quarter of 2026 with cash and cash equivalents of $1.16 billion compared with $1.27 billion at the quarter's end of 2026. Debt (due after a year) of $29.04 billion was down 4.14% compared with the December-quarter end of 2026 actuals.

UNP’s 2026 OutlookFor 2026, earnings per share are expected to register high-single digit growth, consistent with attaining the three-year CAGR target of high-single digit to low-double digit growth through 2027.

UNP further anticipates operating ratio improvement. Capital expenditure is expected to be approximately $3.3 billion. UNP aims to continue generating strong cash while increasing annual dividend payouts.

Currently, UNP carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Q2 Performances of Other Transportation CompaniesWestinghouse Air Brake Technologies (WAB - Free Report) , operating as Wabtec Corporation, reported encouraging second-quarter 2026 results wherein both earnings and revenues surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate and increased year over year.

Quarterly adjusted earnings of $2.76 per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.63 by 4.9% and increased 21.6% year over year, owing to higher sales and operating margin expansion.

Revenues climbed 17.5% to $3.18 billion and surpassed the consensus mark of $3.08 billion by 3.2%.

United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (UAL - Free Report)  reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $1.99 per share, down 48.6% year over year but above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.92 by 3.7%.

Operating revenues rose 16% to $17.67 billion and were essentially in line with the $17.68-billion consensus mark. A 12.1% increase in total revenue per available seat mile or TRASM, and broad-based gains across premium, loyalty and cargo revenues supported the top line despite sharply higher fuel costs.

J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (JBHT - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2026 earnings of $1.91 per share, up 45.8% from $1.31 a year ago. The figure beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.71 by 11.7%.

Operating revenues climbed 19.4% year over year to $3.50 billion and surpassed the consensus mark of $3.19 billion by 9.5%. Higher volumes and pricing across several businesses supported growth, led by a 10% increase in Intermodal loads.

Union Pacific (UNP - Free Report) reported $6.86 billion in revenue for the quarter ended June 2026, representing a year-over-year increase of 11.5%. EPS of $3.41 for the same period compares to $3.03 a year ago.

The reported revenue represents a surprise of +3.18% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.65 billion. With the consensus EPS estimate being $3.20, the EPS surprise was +6.56%.

While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance.

Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.

Here is how Union Pacific performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:

Operating Ratio: 59.7% versus the three-analyst average estimate of 59.4%.Revenue Ton-Miles: 109.95 billion versus 110.05 billion estimated by two analysts on average.Revenue Carloads - Total: 2.16 million compared to the 2.16 million average estimate based on two analysts.Revenue Carloads - Industrial Products: 586 thousand compared to the 588.92 thousand average estimate based on two analysts.Average revenue per car: $3,014.00 versus $2,967.10 estimated by two analysts on average.Average revenue per car - Industrial Products: $4,075.00 versus the two-analyst average estimate of $4,135.32.Revenue Carloads - Premium: 1.06 million compared to the 1.06 million average estimate based on two analysts.Freight Revenues- Premium: $2.09 billion versus $1.95 billion estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +20.8% change.Freight Revenues- Bulk: $2.04 billion compared to the $2.04 billion average estimate based on two analysts. The reported number represents a change of +7.5% year over year.Operating Revenues- Other revenues: $346 million versus $306.03 million estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +11.3% change.Freight Revenues- Industrial Products: $2.39 billion versus the two-analyst average estimate of $2.44 billion. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +7.9%.Operating Revenues- Freight revenues: $6.52 billion versus the two-analyst average estimate of $6.42 billion. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +11.6%.View all Key Company Metrics for Union Pacific here>>>

Shares of Union Pacific have returned +12.5% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.4% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

Union Pacific Corp (UNP) released its 8-K filing detailing the company's financial performance for the second quarter of 2026, which showed favorable results co

Compass Connections, A21, Clear Channel Outdoor and Union Pacific Launch Anti-Human Trafficking Billboard Campaign PR Newswire

Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lifted its stake in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP – Free Report) by 10.8% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 396,610 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after purchasing an additional 38,782 shares during the quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC owned about 0.07% of Union Pacific worth $96,424,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Capital World Investors boosted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 92.1% during the 4th quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 20,136,349 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $4,658,142,000 after purchasing an additional 9,655,306 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth $1,779,907,000. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC increased its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 72.7% in the 3rd quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 9,177,002 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $2,169,168,000 after purchasing an additional 3,861,636 shares in the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors lifted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 26.0% in the fourth quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 10,980,904 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $2,540,105,000 after purchasing an additional 2,267,708 shares during the period. Finally, Baupost Group LLC MA acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the third quarter valued at about $353,658,000. 80.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research analysts have weighed in on UNP shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $275.00 to $304.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, July 10th. BMO Capital Markets reiterated a “market perform” rating and set a $285.00 price target (up from $278.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, April 24th. UBS Group reissued a “neutral” rating and set a $274.00 price target (up from $253.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, April 24th. Weiss Ratings cut Union Pacific from a “buy (b)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a report on Tuesday, June 23rd. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein raised their price objective on Union Pacific from $289.00 to $293.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 31st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $299.11.

View Our Latest Research Report on UNP

Union Pacific Price Performance Shares of NYSE:UNP opened at $301.44 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $178.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.83, a P/E/G ratio of 3.13 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a quick ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53. Union Pacific Corporation has a 52 week low of $210.84 and a 52 week high of $303.15. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $271.93 and a 200-day simple moving average of $256.00.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP – Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, April 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.93 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.86 by $0.07. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 39.58% and a net margin of 29.20%.The firm had revenue of $6.22 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.12 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.70 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts forecast that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.62 EPS for the current year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 29th were issued a dividend of $1.38 per share. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 29th. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio is presently 45.47%.

Key Stories Impacting Union Pacific Here are the key news stories impacting Union Pacific this week:

Positive Sentiment: Union Pacific received the first rail from Rocky Mountain Steel’s new $1.2 billion Pueblo mill, kicking off a seven-year domestic supply contract that could improve rail-input reliability and support efficiency. Article Title Positive Sentiment: Several analysts remain constructive, with recent price-target increases and buy/outperform-style ratings helping reinforce expectations for stronger earnings and continued momentum. Article Title Positive Sentiment: Heading into Q2 results, earnings estimates have been rising as stronger freight demand may offset volume and supply-chain pressures, which could set up a positive catalyst if Union Pacific beats expectations. Article Title Neutral Sentiment: A valuation article said Union Pacific looks fairly valued on cash flow, suggesting the shares may be closer to intrinsic value than deeply discounted, which is less of a near-term trading catalyst. Article Title Negative Sentiment: Dan Loeb’s Third Point cut its Union Pacific stake by more than 90% while also slashing other railroad holdings, a move that may pressure sentiment around the sector amid merger uncertainty. Article Title Insider Transactions at Union Pacific In other Union Pacific news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $263.96, for a total transaction of $789,504.36. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 43,012 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $11,353,447.52. This trade represents a 6.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Kenyatta G. Rocker sold 27,387 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction on Friday, April 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $271.76, for a total transaction of $7,442,691.12. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 61,102 shares in the company, valued at approximately $16,605,079.52. This trade represents a 30.95% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold a total of 32,378 shares of company stock worth $8,781,595 in the last three months. Company insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

About Union Pacific (Free Report)

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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Storied railroad freight company Union Pacific (UNP +3.84%) had a fine Thursday on the stock market. Thanks in no small part to an analyst's price target increase, its shares thundered nearly 4% higher that trading session.

On the right track That morning, Bernstein SocGen prognosticator David Vernon made that change. He now believes Union Pacific stock is worth $346 per share; his previous level was $330. More importantly, he maintained his positive view on the stock by maintaining his outperform (i.e., buy) recommendation.

Image source: Getty Images.

A single analyst move doesn't necessarily push a stock higher or lower. What compounded this one is that it followed two other bullish analyst takes, both coming on Wednesday.

The first was from Nathan Martin of Benchmark, who upped his price target to $325 per share from $300, and kept his buy recommendation intact. The second was the initiation of coverage by Citizens JMP, which began covering transportation sector titles. The firm's Jeff Kauffman flagged Union Pacific as an outperform, with a relatively high price target of $350.

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Rolling with the recovery According to reports, Kauffman wrote that what he considers to be the early phase of an economic recovery in the U.S. will be a major catalyst for improvements in earnings for the transportation sector generally and Union Pacific specifically in the coming quarters.

While I don't believe we're in a serious slump, I'd agree that our economy is positioned for some improvement. So I'd buy this argument, which certainly supports the buy case for Union Pacific's equity.

Eric Volkman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Union Pacific. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Wall Street expects a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when Union Pacific (UNP - Free Report) reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. While this widely-known consensus outlook is important in gauging the company's earnings picture, a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.

The earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 23, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise.

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis railroad is expected to post quarterly earnings of $3.20 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +5.6%.

Revenues are expected to be $6.6 billion, up 7.2% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 1.22% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

Investors should keep in mind that the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts may not always get reflected in the aggregate change.

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. Our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) -- has this insight at its core.

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.

A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.

Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).

How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Union Pacific?For Union Pacific, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +0.34%.

On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.

So, this combination indicates that Union Pacific will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate.

Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?Analysts often consider to what extent a company has been able to match consensus estimates in the past while calculating their estimates for its future earnings. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Union Pacific would post earnings of $2.85 per share when it actually produced earnings of $2.93, delivering a surprise of +2.81%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates three times.

Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.

That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

Union Pacific appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.

Expected Results of an Industry PlayerAmong the stocks in the Zacks Transportation - Rail industry, CSX (CSX - Free Report) , is soon expected to post earnings of $0.5 per share for the quarter ended June 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +13.6%. This quarter's revenue is expected to be $3.82 billion, up 6.9% from the year-ago quarter.

Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for CSX has been revised 0.9% up to the current level. Nevertheless, the company now has an Earnings ESP of +1.31%, reflecting a higher Most Accurate Estimate.

This Earnings ESP, combined with its Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), suggests that CSX will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate. Over the last four quarters, the company surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times.

Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.

Two factors often determine stock prices in the long run: earnings and interest rates. Investors can't control the latter, but they can focus on a company's earnings results every quarter.

Life and the stock market are both about expectations, and rising above what is expected is often rewarded, while falling short can come with negative consequences. Investors might want to try to capture stronger returns by finding positive earnings surprises.

The ability to identify stocks that are likely to top quarterly earnings expectations can be profitable, but it's no simple task. Here at Zacks, our Earnings ESP filter helps make things easier.

The Zacks Earnings ESP, ExplainedThe Zacks Earnings ESP is more formally known as the Expected Surprise Prediction, and it aims to grab the inside track on the latest analyst estimate revisions ahead of a company's report. The idea is relatively intuitive as a newer projection might be based on more complete information.

With this in mind, the Expected Surprise Prediction compares the Most Accurate Estimate (being the most recent) against the overall Zacks Consensus Estimate. The percentage difference provides the ESP figure. The system also utilizes our core Zacks Rank to provide a stronger system for identifying stocks that might beat their next quarterly earnings estimate and possibly see the stock price climb.

In fact, when we combined a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better and a positive Earnings ESP, stocks produced a positive surprise 70% of the time. Perhaps most importantly, using these parameters has helped produce 28.3% annual returns on average, according to our 10 year backtest.

Stocks with a #3 (Hold) ranking, which is most stocks covered at 60%, are expected to perform in-line with the broader market. But stocks that fall into the #2 (Buy) and #1 (Strong Buy) ranking, or the top 15% and top 5% of stocks, respectively, should outperform the market. Strong Buy stocks should outperform more than any other rank.

Should You Consider Union Pacific?The final step today is to look at a stock that meets our ESP qualifications. Union Pacific (UNP - Free Report) earns a #3 (Hold) 13 days from its next quarterly earnings release on July 23, 2026, and its Most Accurate Estimate comes in at $3.19 a share.

By taking the percentage difference between the $3.19 Most Accurate Estimate and the $3.15 Zacks Consensus Estimate, Union Pacific has an Earnings ESP of +1.35%. Investors should also know that UNP is one of a large group of stocks with positive ESPs. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

UNP is just one of a large group of Transportation stocks with a positive ESP figure. Kirby (KEX - Free Report) is another qualifying stock you may want to consider.

Kirby is a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock, and is getting ready to report earnings on July 29, 2026. KEX's Most Accurate Estimate sits at $1.74 a share 19 days from its next earnings release.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Kirby is $1.70, and when you take the percentage difference between that number and its Most Accurate Estimate, you get the Earnings ESP figure of +2.66%.

UNP and KEX's positive ESP figures tell us that both stocks have a good chance at beating analyst expectations in their next earnings report.

Find Stocks to Buy or Sell Before They're ReportedUse the Zacks Earnings ESP Filter to turn up stocks with the highest probability of positively, or negatively, surprising to buy or sell before they're reported for profitable earnings season trading. Check it out here >>

Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP) and Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) today submitted the first portion of their responses to the Surface Transpor

Earnings are arguably the most important single number on a company's quarterly financial report. Wall Street clearly dives into all of the other metrics and management's input, but the EPS figure helps cut through all the noise.

The earnings figure itself is key, of course, but a beat or miss on the bottom line can sometimes be just as, if not more, important. Therefore, investors should consider paying close attention to these earnings surprises, as a big beat can help a stock climb and vice versa.

The ability to identify stocks that are likely to top quarterly earnings expectations can be profitable, but it's no simple task. Here at Zacks, our Earnings ESP filter helps make things easier.

The Zacks Earnings ESP, ExplainedThe Zacks Earnings ESP, or Expected Surprise Prediction, aims to find earnings surprises by focusing on the most recent analyst revisions. The basic premise is that if an analyst reevaluates their earnings estimate ahead of an earnings release, it means they likely have new information that could possibly be more accurate.

The core of the ESP model is comparing the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate, where the resulting percentage difference between the two equals the Expected Surprise Prediction. The Zacks Rank is also factored into the ESP metric to better help find companies that appear poised to top their next bottom-line consensus estimate, which will hopefully help lift the stock price.

In fact, when we combined a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better and a positive Earnings ESP, stocks produced a positive surprise 70% of the time. Perhaps most importantly, using these parameters has helped produce 28.3% annual returns on average, according to our 10 year backtest.

Stocks with a ranking of #3 (Hold), or 60% of all stocks covered by the Zacks Rank, are expected to perform in-line with the broader market. Stocks with rankings of #2 (Buy) and #1 (Strong Buy), or the top 15% and top 5% of stocks, respectively, should outperform the market; Strong Buy stocks should outperform more than any other rank.

Should You Consider Delta Air Lines?The final step today is to look at a stock that meets our ESP qualifications. Delta Air Lines (DAL - Free Report) earns a #3 (Hold) eight days from its next quarterly earnings release on July 10, 2026, and its Most Accurate Estimate comes in at $1.45 a share.

By taking the percentage difference between the $1.45 Most Accurate Estimate and the $1.44 Zacks Consensus Estimate, Delta Air Lines has an Earnings ESP of +0.56%. Investors should also know that DAL is one of a large group of stocks with positive ESPs. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

DAL is part of a big group of Transportation stocks that boast a positive ESP, and investors may want to take a look at Union Pacific (UNP - Free Report) as well.

Union Pacific is a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock, and is getting ready to report earnings on July 23, 2026. UNP's Most Accurate Estimate sits at $3.21 a share 21 days from its next earnings release.

For Union Pacific, the percentage difference between its Most Accurate Estimate and its Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.14 is +2.09%.

DAL and UNP's positive ESP metrics may signal that a positive earnings surprise for both stocks is on the horizon.

Find Stocks to Buy or Sell Before They're ReportedUse the Zacks Earnings ESP Filter to turn up stocks with the highest probability of positively, or negatively, surprising to buy or sell before they're reported for profitable earnings season trading. Check it out here >>