Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) Issues Quarterly Earnings Results, Beats Expectations By $0.16 EPS

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) announced its earnings results on Thursday. The railroad operator reported $3.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.25 by $0.16, Briefing.com reports. Union Pacific had a net margin of 29.20% and a return on equity of 39.58%. The company had revenue of $6.86 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.72 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $3.03 earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year.

Here are the key takeaways from Union Pacific’s conference call:

• Union Pacific reported record second-quarter results, with operating revenue up 12% to $6.9 billion, net income of $2 billion, and adjusted EPS of $3.41, driven by 2% volume growth and stronger pricing.
• The company raised its full-year 2026 outlook to reported EPS growth in the high single-digit range, citing stronger-than-expected volume trends, continued productivity gains, and improved service execution.
• Fuel was a major headwind in the quarter, with higher diesel costs and fuel surcharges materially affecting both revenue and expense; management said fuel remains volatile and may continue to pressure operating ratio.
• Operational performance was a highlight, with record productivity and service metrics including 5% higher freight car velocity, 7% lower terminal dwell, and a 95% service performance index in both intermodal and manifest.
• Management emphasized that the Norfolk Southern merger is progressing, including STB approval milestones and a new settlement with Canadian National, which it says improves competitiveness and supports the case for the transaction.

Union Pacific Stock Up 4.4%

UNP traded up $12.74 during trading on Thursday, hitting $305.30. The stock had a trading volume of 2,886,152 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,139,770. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $273.68 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $257.46. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a current ratio of 0.92. Union Pacific has a twelve month low of $210.84 and a twelve month high of $315.99. The company has a market capitalization of $181.26 billion, a PE ratio of 25.18, a PEG ratio of 3.07 and a beta of 0.96.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 29th were paid a $1.38 dividend. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 29th. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 45.47%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the company. Barclays restated an “overweight” rating and issued a $315.00 price objective (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, April 24th. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $289.00 price objective (up from $273.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, April 24th. UBS Group reissued a “neutral” rating and issued a $274.00 price objective (up from $253.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, April 24th. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of Union Pacific from a “buy (b)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a report on Tuesday, June 23rd. Finally, Evercore restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $294.00 price objective on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Thursday, June 25th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $299.11.

Key Union Pacific News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Union Pacific beat Wall Street expectations with Q2 adjusted EPS of $3.41 versus the $3.25 consensus, and revenue of $6.86 billion versus $6.72 billion expected, reinforcing confidence in the company’s operating momentum. Union Pacific Reports Second Quarter 2026 Results
• Positive Sentiment: Results also showed year-over-year improvement, with adjusted EPS up 13% and revenue up 11.5%, helped by stronger volumes and higher profitability. Union Pacific Logs Higher Profit, Revenue on Volume Growth
• Positive Sentiment: Union Pacific and CN reached a binding agreement that expands operating rights and competitive access, reducing a major regulatory overhang around the Norfolk Southern deal and potentially improving merger prospects. Union Pacific and CN Reach Agreement to Expand Customer Opportunities in Connection with Merger

Insider Activity

In other Union Pacific news, CFO Jennifer L. Hamann sold 2,000 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $274.70, for a total transaction of $549,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer owned 114,642 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $31,492,157.40. The trade was a 1.71% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the business’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 in the company, valued at approximately $11,353,447.52. The trade was a 6.50% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last quarter, insiders sold 32,378 shares of company stock worth $8,781,595. Insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Union Pacific

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. SWAN Capital LLC lifted its holdings 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 buying an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. Gilpin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Union Pacific in the fourth quarter worth approximately $31,000. Quarry LP purchased a new position in Union Pacific in the third quarter worth approximately $34,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd grew its holdings in Union Pacific by 507.7% during the 4th quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 158 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 132 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ankerstar Wealth LLC acquired a new position in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth approximately $37,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

About Union Pacific

Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP) is one of the largest freight railroad companies in the United States. Its principal operating subsidiary, Union Pacific Railroad, has roots that trace back to the Pacific Railway Act of 1862 and the construction of the first transcontinental rail link completed in 1869. The company is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, and operates as a holding company for rail transportation and related services.

Union Pacific’s core business is the movement of freight by rail across an extensive rail network serving the western two‑thirds of the United States.