Brokers Offer Predictions for Union Pacific FY2026 Earnings

Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) – Research analysts at Erste Group Bank boosted their FY2026 earnings estimates for Union Pacific in a research report issued on Wednesday, October 21st. Erste Group Bank analyst S. Lingnau now expects that the railroad operator will post earnings per share of $13.14 for the year, up from their previous estimate of $13.12. Erste Group Bank currently has a “Buy” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Union Pacific’s current full-year earnings is $13.05 per share. Erste Group Bank also issued estimates for Union Pacific’s FY2027 earnings at $14.24 EPS.

UNP has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Raymond James Financial restated a “strong-buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on Union Pacific from $334.00 to $322.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 5th. Wells Fargo & Company reissued an “overweight” rating and issued a $335.00 target price (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Bank of America increased their price target on Union Pacific from $301.00 to $334.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, July 23rd. Finally, Benchmark raised 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. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have given a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Union Pacific currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $325.00.

Union Pacific Stock Up 3.5%

Shares of NYSE:UNP opened at $298.08 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $287.41 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $278.18. 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 company has a market capitalization of $177.08 billion, a PE ratio of 24.14, a PEG ratio of 2.86 and a beta of 0.95. Union Pacific has a 52 week low of $215.53 and a 52 week high of $315.99.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 22nd. The railroad operator reported $3.53 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.47 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $7.20 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.16 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 28.85% and a return on equity of 38.46%. Union Pacific’s revenue for the quarter was up 15.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $3.08 EPS.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Union Pacific

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. State Street Corp raised its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 4.9% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 27,890,598 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $7,586,243,000 after purchasing an additional 1,302,732 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE boosted its holdings in Union Pacific by 0.4% during the second quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 14,527,563 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $3,951,497,000 after purchasing an additional 64,492 shares during the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its holdings in Union Pacific by 0.5% during the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 4,617,313 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $1,120,251,000 after purchasing an additional 23,698 shares during the last quarter. Legal & General Group Plc acquired a new position in Union Pacific during the second quarter worth $1,193,135,000. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board bought a new position in Union Pacific in the second quarter valued at $1,094,677,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 31st were paid a $1.42 dividend. This represents a $5.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 31st. This is a positive change from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 45.99%.

Union Pacific News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Quarterly earnings and revenue exceeded expectations. Adjusted EPS was $3.53 versus the $3.47 consensus, while revenue reached $7.20 billion, ahead of the $7.16 billion estimate. Adjusted profit increased 15%, supported by higher freight volumes, pricing gains and fuel-surcharge revenue. Reuters: Union Pacific quarterly profit rises
• Positive Sentiment: Operating momentum remained strong. Management cited approximately 6% volume growth and productivity improvements, with stronger rail demand as elevated trucking fuel costs encourage some cargo to shift to rail. Pricing discipline helped offset inflation and higher fuel expenses. Union Pacific posts record third-quarter revenue and profits
• Positive Sentiment: Full-year guidance was maintained or improved. Union Pacific affirmed expectations for reported 2026 EPS growth in the high-single-digit range and raised planned capital spending to $3.5 billion, indicating confidence in demand and network investment opportunities. Stephens lifted its price target to $352 from $340. Union Pacific affirms EPS growth and raises capex
• Neutral Sentiment: Merger approval remains a major catalyst and risk. CEO Vincenzo Vena expressed extremely high confidence that the Norfolk Southern transaction will receive approval, but the Surface Transportation Board review is not complete. Approval could expand Union Pacific’s long-term growth prospects, while delays or conditions could pressure the shares. Union Pacific CEO discusses merger approval
• Negative Sentiment: Costs and leadership transition warrant monitoring. Fuel prices, inflation and operating expenses remain headwinds, while CFO Jennifer Hamann plans to retire after 35 years. The stock’s elevated valuation—about 24 times earnings—also leaves less room for disappointment. Union Pacific CFO Jennifer Hamann to retire

About Union Pacific

Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP) is a transportation company that operates one of the largest freight railroad networks in the United States. Through its Union Pacific Railroad subsidiary, the company moves goods across the western two-thirds of the country, connecting major agricultural, industrial, energy, population and port markets.

Union Pacific transports a broad range of commodities and products, including agricultural goods, automotive shipments, chemicals, coal, industrial products, forest products and intermodal containers.