Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) Given New $282.00 Price Target at TD Cowen

Key Points

• TD Cowen raised its price target on Union Pacific to $282.00 (from $256) and kept a "buy" rating, implying roughly a 4.0% upside from current levels.
• Union Pacific beat Q1 estimates with adjusted EPS of $2.93 (vs. $2.86) and revenue of $6.22B, and management affirmed full‑year guidance, citing efficiency and pricing gains that helped margins and pushed the stock to a 52‑week high.
• Analyst sentiment is broadly positive—consensus "Moderate Buy" with an average target of $270.19 and several firms raising targets—but investors are monitoring valuation re‑pricing and a fuel‑cost warning that could weigh on margins.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) had its price target upped by equities researchers at TD Cowen from $256.00 to $282.00 in a report released on Friday. The firm presently has a "buy" rating on the railroad operator's stock. TD Cowen's price target points to a potential upside of 4.02% from the company's current price.

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 note on Wednesday, April 15th. Robert W. Baird set a $311.00 target price on shares of Union Pacific and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Friday, March 6th. Sanford C. Bernstein increased their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $289.00 to $293.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 31st. Weiss Ratings raised shares of Union Pacific from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "buy (b)" rating in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, Citigroup raised their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $270.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 7th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have given a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $270.19.

Union Pacific Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:UNP opened at $271.09 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $160.86 billion, a PE ratio of 22.65, a PEG ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a current ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64. Union Pacific has a 1-year low of $206.63 and a 1-year high of $271.26. The business's 50 day moving average is $251.59 and its 200-day moving average is $238.07.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.93 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.86 by $0.07. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 40.89% and a net margin of 29.12%.The business had revenue of $6.22 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.12 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.70 earnings per share. Union Pacific's revenue was up 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts predict that Union Pacific will post 12.42 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity at Union Pacific

In other news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 1,999 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Friday, March 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $234.93, for a total value of $469,625.07. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Corporate insiders own 0.22% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Union Pacific

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Midwest Trust Co increased its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 2.8% in the 3rd quarter. Midwest Trust Co now owns 281,036 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $66,428,000 after buying an additional 7,759 shares during the period. CX Institutional lifted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 39.8% during the third quarter. CX Institutional now owns 65,826 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $15,559,000 after acquiring an additional 18,742 shares during the period. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans boosted its holdings in Union Pacific by 15.1% in the third quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 135,188 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $31,955,000 after acquiring an additional 17,696 shares during the last quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Union Pacific by 29.6% in the third quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 653,589 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $154,488,000 after acquiring an additional 149,158 shares during the last quarter. Finally, AustralianSuper Pty Ltd acquired a new stake in Union Pacific in the third quarter worth about $802,000. 80.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Union Pacific News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Q1 earnings beat and guidance affirmation — UNP reported adjusted Q1 EPS of $2.93 (above consensus) on roughly $6.22B in revenue, and management affirmed full‑year earnings guidance, signaling that pricing and productivity are offsetting some cost pressures. Union Pacific Reports First Quarter 2026 Results
• Positive Sentiment: Efficiency and pricing drove margin upside — Management highlighted efficiency gains, pricing power and fuel surcharge dynamics on the earnings call as key drivers of the beat and improved profitability. These operational improvements are a near‑term catalyst for investor sentiment. Union Pacific Earnings Call Highlights Record Q1 Strength
• Positive Sentiment: Progress on Norfolk Southern deal renews merger optionality — Union Pacific said it expects to resubmit a revised regulatory filing soon, which revived investor optimism about the proposed acquisition and potential synergies, supporting the stock’s rally. Norfolk Southern rallies as Union Pacific reiterates pursuit of proposed acquisition and nears renewed regulatory filing
• Positive Sentiment: Shares hit a new 12‑month / 52‑week high on the combined news flow — Momentum from the beat, deal update and favorable analyst positioning helped push the stock to fresh highs. Union Pacific NYSE: UNP Sets New 12-Month High on Strong Earnings
• Neutral Sentiment: Top-line and segment mix were mixed — some reports note weaker premium‑segment volumes and lower carloads offsetting pricing gains, leaving certain operating metrics less uniformly strong despite the overall beat. Monitor volume trends for sustainability. Union Pacific's Q1 Earnings Beat Estimates, Revenues Increase Y/Y
• Neutral Sentiment: Market is re‑pricing valuation after recent run — analysts and investors are reassessing UNP’s valuation following the share-price momentum; this could limit upside unless growth proves durable. Assessing Union Pacific (UNP) Valuation After Recent Share Price Momentum And Undervaluation Signals
• Negative Sentiment: Fuel-cost warning could pressure margins — Management cautioned that higher fuel prices will weigh on margins going forward, which is a clear near‑term headwind to profit growth if fuel remains elevated. Union Pacific warns higher fuel prices to pressure margins

Union Pacific Company Profile

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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