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CSX (CSX) vs. Union Pacific (UNP)

This page compares CSX (CSX) with Union Pacific (UNP) using performance and risk, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividends, and valuation metrics.

Company Profile

CSX (CSX) and Union Pacific (UNP) are both classified in the Rail Transportation sub-industry within the broader Ground Transportation industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.

SymbolCSXUNP
NameCSX CorporationUnion Pacific Corporation
Country/RegionUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorIndustrialsIndustrials
GICS Industry GroupTransportationTransportation
GICS IndustryGround TransportationGround Transportation
GICS Sub-IndustryRail TransportationRail Transportation
Market Capitalization84.10 billion USD155.93 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNasdaqNYSE
Listing DateNovember 3, 1980January 2, 1980
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

Both CSX (CSX) at 27.77 and Union Pacific (UNP) at 21.60 post Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) near the typical industry midpoint — neither company stands out strongly from peers on trailing earnings multiple.

CSX

Transportation industry group

27.77

Max
95.78
Q3
46.99
Median
21.89
Q1
13.87
Min
2.06

UNP

Transportation industry group

21.60

Max
95.78
Q3
46.99
Median
21.89
Q1
13.87
Min
2.06
CSX (CSX) vs. Union Pacific (UNP): A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Transportation industry group benchmark.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

Investors are paying well above the peer range per dollar of sales for both CSX (CSX) at 5.94 and Union Pacific (UNP) at 6.31 — each Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) clears its industry’s benchmark range.

CSX

Transportation industry group

5.94

Max
4.16
Q3
2.19
Median
1.09
Q1
0.58
Min
0.14

UNP

Transportation industry group

6.31

Max
4.16
Q3
2.19
Median
1.09
Q1
0.58
Min
0.14
CSX (CSX) vs. Union Pacific (UNP): A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Transportation industry group benchmark.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

Both CSX (CSX) at 6.19 and Union Pacific (UNP) at 8.44 carry a premium to book value versus peers, sitting in the upper Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) quartile of their industries.

CSX

Transportation industry group

6.19

Max
8.95
Q3
4.38
Median
2.05
Q1
1.22
Min
-2.38

UNP

Transportation industry group

8.44

Max
8.95
Q3
4.38
Median
2.05
Q1
1.22
Min
-2.38
CSX (CSX) vs. Union Pacific (UNP): A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Transportation industry group benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolCSXUNP
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)27.7721.60
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)5.946.31
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)6.198.44
Free Cash Flow Yield1.34%2.59%

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

Both CSX (CSX) at 23.68% and Union Pacific (UNP) at 40.69% rank in the top quartile for Return on Equity (TTM) among industry peers, indicating strong returns on shareholders’ equity.

CSX

Transportation industry group

23.68%

Max
43.37%
Q3
20.89%
Median
10.23%
Q1
1.90%
Min
-18.46%

UNP

Transportation industry group

40.69%

Max
43.37%
Q3
20.89%
Median
10.23%
Q1
1.90%
Min
-18.46%
CSX (CSX) vs. Union Pacific (UNP): A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Transportation industry group benchmark.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

For every dollar of sales, both CSX (CSX) at 21.55% and Union Pacific (UNP) at 29.20% retain more as net profit than most peers, landing in the top Net Profit Margin (TTM) quartile of their industries.

CSX

Transportation industry group

21.55%

Max
43.82%
Q3
18.17%
Median
5.10%
Q1
0.74%
Min
-9.62%

UNP

Transportation industry group

29.20%

Max
43.82%
Q3
18.17%
Median
5.10%
Q1
0.74%
Min
-9.62%
CSX (CSX) vs. Union Pacific (UNP): A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Transportation industry group benchmark.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

Both CSX (CSX) at 36.16% and Union Pacific (UNP) at 40.36% squeeze more operating profit from each sales dollar than most peers, ranking in the top Operating Profit Margin (TTM) quartile of their industries.

CSX

Transportation industry group

36.16%

Max
54.53%
Q3
24.18%
Median
6.33%
Q1
1.00%
Min
-33.27%

UNP

Transportation industry group

40.36%

Max
54.53%
Q3
24.18%
Median
6.33%
Q1
1.00%
Min
-33.27%
CSX (CSX) vs. Union Pacific (UNP): A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Transportation industry group benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolCSXUNP
Return on Equity (TTM)23.68%40.69%
Return on Assets (TTM)7.08%9.14%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)21.55%29.20%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)36.16%40.36%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)46.82%56.53%

Growth

Revenue Growth

CSX (CSX) vs. Union Pacific (UNP): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

Revenue Growth at a Glance

SymbolCSXUNP
1-Year Revenue Growth-3.08%1.07%
3-Year Revenue CAGR-1.74%-0.49%

EPS Growth

CSX (CSX) vs. Union Pacific (UNP): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth at a Glance

SymbolCSXUNP
1-Year EPS Growth-13.97%8.03%
3-Year EPS CAGR-7.57%2.24%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both CSX (CSX) at 0.97 and Union Pacific (UNP) at 0.92 carry Current Ratio (MRQ) within their industry mid-ranges, suggesting balanced short-term liquidity relative to peers.

CSX

Transportation industry group

0.97

Max
2.26
Q3
1.61
Median
1.13
Q1
0.84
Min
0.19

UNP

Transportation industry group

0.92

Max
2.26
Q3
1.61
Median
1.13
Q1
0.84
Min
0.19
CSX (CSX) vs. Union Pacific (UNP): A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Transportation industry group benchmark.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

Both CSX (CSX) at 1.43 and Union Pacific (UNP) at 1.62 post Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) near their industry mid-ranges, so neither company stands out strongly from peers on leverage.

CSX

Transportation industry group

1.43

Max
3.37
Q3
1.66
Median
0.76
Q1
0.36
Min
0.00

UNP

Transportation industry group

1.62

Max
3.37
Q3
1.66
Median
0.76
Q1
0.36
Min
0.00
CSX (CSX) vs. Union Pacific (UNP): A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Transportation industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolCSXUNP
Current Ratio (MRQ)0.970.92
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)1.431.62
Net Debt / EBITDA2.772.42

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Both CSX (CSX) at 1.24% and Union Pacific (UNP) at 2.10% report Dividend Yield (TTM) near their industry mid-ranges, so neither company stands out strongly from peers on cash yield relative to share price.

CSX

Transportation industry group

1.24%

Max
6.15%
Q3
3.14%
Median
1.83%
Q1
1.11%
Min
0.35%

UNP

Transportation industry group

2.10%

Max
6.15%
Q3
3.14%
Median
1.83%
Q1
1.11%
Min
0.35%
CSX (CSX) vs. Union Pacific (UNP): A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Transportation industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Both CSX (CSX) at 32.52% and Union Pacific (UNP) at 45.10% maintain Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) around their industries’ median — balanced dividend policy on both sides, returning cash while leaving part of reported earnings available for reinvestment or balance-sheet flexibility.

CSX

Transportation industry group

32.52%

Max
106.15%
Q3
45.95%
Median
20.55%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

UNP

Transportation industry group

45.10%

Max
106.15%
Q3
45.95%
Median
20.55%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
CSX (CSX) vs. Union Pacific (UNP): A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Transportation industry group benchmark.

Dividends at a Glance

SymbolCSXUNP
Dividend Yield (TTM)1.24%2.10%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)32.52%45.10%

Performance & Risk

CSX
UNP
Loading price history…
CSX (CSX) vs. Union Pacific (UNP): Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Performance & Risk at a Glance

SymbolCSXUNP
1-Year Return46.69%21.45%
1-Year Volatility22.32%21.36%
Beta1.230.97
3-Month Avg. Volume12.91M3.03M