BA vs. UNP: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Here’s a clear look at BA and UNP, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | BA | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | The Boeing Company | Union Pacific Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry Group | Capital Goods | Transportation |
| GICS Industry | Aerospace & Defense | Ground Transportation |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Aerospace & Defense | Rail Transportation |
| Market Capitalization | 180.69 billion USD | 159.91 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 2, 1962 | January 2, 1980 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
BA’s market capitalization stands at 180.69 billion USD, while UNP’s is 159.91 billion USD, indicating their market valuations are broadly comparable.
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of BA and UNP by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | BA | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -3.43% | 1.77% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -2.98% | 2.48% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 16.65% | 23.56% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 11.96% | 17.96% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 0.08% | -0.05% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 5.57% | 16.44% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 7.39M | 2.34M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 7.18M | 3.27M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 35.80% | 23.74% |
| Beta | 1.21 | 1.00 |
With betas of 1.21 for BA and 1.00 for UNP, both stocks show similar sensitivity to overall market movements.
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
BA
143.62%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 37.11%
- Q3
- 16.99%
- Median
- 10.74%
- Q1
- 0.70%
- Min
- -22.49%
BA’s Return on Equity of 143.62% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
UNP
40.38%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 40.38%
- Q3
- 22.30%
- Median
- 12.91%
- Q1
- 2.90%
- Min
- -0.62%
In the upper quartile for the Ground Transportation industry, UNP’s Return on Equity of 40.38% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
BA
2.46%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 20.22%
- Q3
- 9.83%
- Median
- 6.73%
- Q1
- 2.27%
- Min
- -4.12%
BA’s Net Profit Margin of 2.46% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Aerospace & Defense industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
UNP
29.20%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 45.03%
- Q3
- 19.23%
- Median
- 4.05%
- Q1
- 1.72%
- Min
- -8.78%
A Net Profit Margin of 29.20% places UNP in the upper quartile for the Ground Transportation industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
BA
4.63%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 26.56%
- Q3
- 11.96%
- Median
- 9.57%
- Q1
- 1.32%
- Min
- -3.99%
BA’s Operating Profit Margin of 4.63% is around the midpoint for the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
UNP
40.21%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 24.57%
- Q3
- 14.89%
- Median
- 7.56%
- Q1
- 2.71%
- Min
- -2.98%
UNP’s Operating Profit Margin of 40.21% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Ground Transportation industry. This demonstrates outstanding efficiency in managing its core operations, which can be a result of strong pricing power or superior cost control.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | BA | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 143.62% | 40.38% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 1.42% | 10.43% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 2.46% | 29.20% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 4.63% | 40.21% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 4.79% | 79.36% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
BA
1.18
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 5.63
- Q3
- 3.52
- Median
- 2.27
- Q1
- 1.38
- Min
- 0.45
BA’s Current Ratio of 1.18 falls into the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
UNP
0.92
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 2.08
- Q3
- 1.47
- Median
- 0.95
- Q1
- 0.73
- Min
- 0.37
UNP’s Current Ratio of 0.92 aligns with the median group of the Ground Transportation industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
BA
7.89
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 0.89
- Q3
- 0.60
- Median
- 0.48
- Q1
- 0.15
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 7.89, BA operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Aerospace & Defense industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
UNP
1.58
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 2.69
- Q3
- 1.24
- Median
- 0.61
- Q1
- 0.27
- Min
- 0.00
UNP’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Ground Transportation industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.58. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
BA
1.96
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 29.86
- Q3
- 15.37
- Median
- 7.88
- Q1
- 1.57
- Min
- -14.21
BA’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 1.96 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
UNP
8.00
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 21.71
- Q3
- 11.50
- Median
- 4.76
- Q1
- 1.32
- Min
- -3.80
UNP’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 8.00 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Ground Transportation industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | BA | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.18 | 0.92 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.35 | 0.73 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 7.89 | 1.58 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 1.96 | 8.00 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | BA | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY) | 13.96% | 3.15% |
| Revenue Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY) | 32.75% | 1.87% |
| 3-Year Revenue CAGR | 10.33% | -0.49% |
| 5-Year Revenue CAGR | 8.81% | 4.64% |
EPS Growth
EPS Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | BA | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| EPS Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY) | -- | 6.08% |
| EPS Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY) | -- | 9.44% |
| 3-Year EPS CAGR | -- | 2.22% |
| 5-Year EPS CAGR | -- | 8.75% |
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
BA
0.19%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 1.75%
- Q3
- 0.78%
- Median
- 0.11%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
BA’s Dividend Yield of 0.19% is consistent with its peers in the Aerospace & Defense industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
UNP
2.05%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 2.36%
- Q3
- 1.57%
- Median
- 0.77%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 2.05%, UNP offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Ground Transportation industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
BA
1.06%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 65.74%
- Q3
- 33.10%
- Median
- 9.07%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
BA’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 1.06% is within the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
UNP
45.10%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 112.14%
- Q3
- 45.78%
- Median
- 25.38%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
UNP’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 45.10% is within the typical range for the Ground Transportation industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | BA | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.19% | 2.05% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 1.06% | 45.10% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
BA
80.55
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 80.55
- Q3
- 56.69
- Median
- 32.85
- Q1
- 25.01
- Min
- 1.09
A P/E Ratio of 80.55 places BA in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
UNP
22.01
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 87.35
- Q3
- 59.41
- Median
- 39.15
- Q1
- 25.56
- Min
- 1.74
In the lower quartile for the Ground Transportation industry, UNP’s P/E Ratio of 22.01 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
BA
1.98
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 14.72
- Q3
- 7.59
- Median
- 4.55
- Q1
- 2.30
- Min
- 0.87
In the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, BA’s P/S Ratio of 1.98 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
UNP
6.43
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 7.59
- Q3
- 4.50
- Median
- 1.51
- Q1
- 0.97
- Min
- 0.22
UNP’s P/S Ratio of 6.43 is in the upper echelon for the Ground Transportation industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
BA
26.19
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 18.42
- Q3
- 9.58
- Median
- 4.30
- Q1
- 2.90
- Min
- 1.10
At 26.19, BA’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Aerospace & Defense industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
UNP
7.42
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 12.34
- Q3
- 6.11
- Median
- 3.58
- Q1
- 1.66
- Min
- 1.20
UNP’s P/B Ratio of 7.42 is in the upper tier for the Ground Transportation industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | BA | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 80.55 | 22.01 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.98 | 6.43 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 26.19 | 7.42 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 302.45 | 27.86 |