CSX (CSX) vs. Union Pacific (UNP)
This page compares CSX (CSX) with Union Pacific (UNP) using historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, 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.
| Symbol | CSX | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | CSX Corporation | Union Pacific Corporation |
| Country/Region | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry Group | Transportation | Transportation |
| GICS Industry | Ground Transportation | Ground Transportation |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Rail Transportation | Rail Transportation |
| Market Capitalization | 85.62 billion USD | 161.23 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | November 3, 1980 | January 2, 1980 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | CSX | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 3.78% | 3.59% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 12.31% | 5.54% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 31.73% | 22.89% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 47.65% | 18.89% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 1.43% | 2.10% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 27.12% | 18.94% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 12.49M | 2.51M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 13.26M | 3.26M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 25.76% | 23.92% |
| Beta | 1.25 | 1.01 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
Union Pacific (UNP) at 40.38% ranks in the top quartile for Return on Equity (TTM), ahead of CSX (CSX) at 23.53%, which sits closer to the industry mid-range.
CSX
Transportation industry group
23.53%
- Max
- 49.96%
- Q3
- 24.84%
- Median
- 14.64%
- Q1
- 3.88%
- Min
- -6.75%
UNP
Transportation industry group
40.38%
- Max
- 49.96%
- Q3
- 24.84%
- Median
- 14.64%
- Q1
- 3.88%
- Min
- -6.75%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
Both CSX (CSX) at 21.55% and Union Pacific (UNP) at 29.20% rank in the top quartile for Net Profit Margin (TTM) among industry peers, indicating both companies convert revenue into net income more strongly than typical competitors.
CSX
Transportation industry group
21.55%
- Max
- 43.82%
- Q3
- 19.90%
- Median
- 6.87%
- Q1
- 1.71%
- Min
- -9.62%
UNP
Transportation industry group
29.20%
- Max
- 43.82%
- Q3
- 19.90%
- Median
- 6.87%
- Q1
- 1.71%
- Min
- -9.62%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
Both CSX (CSX) at 33.45% and Union Pacific (UNP) at 40.21% rank in the top quartile for Operating Profit Margin (TTM) among industry peers, indicating both companies convert revenue into operating income more strongly than typical competitors.
CSX
Transportation industry group
33.45%
- Max
- 47.61%
- Q3
- 23.60%
- Median
- 8.44%
- Q1
- 3.22%
- Min
- -10.15%
UNP
Transportation industry group
40.21%
- Max
- 47.61%
- Q3
- 23.60%
- Median
- 8.44%
- Q1
- 3.22%
- Min
- -10.15%
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | CSX | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 23.53% | 40.38% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 7.01% | 10.43% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 21.55% | 29.20% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 33.45% | 40.21% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 71.51% | 79.36% |
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
- 2.08
- Q3
- 1.57
- Median
- 1.10
- Q1
- 0.70
- Min
- 0.36
UNP
Transportation industry group
0.92
- Max
- 2.08
- Q3
- 1.57
- Median
- 1.10
- Q1
- 0.70
- Min
- 0.36
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
CSX (CSX) at 1.39 carries Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) around its industry mid-range, while Union Pacific (UNP) at 1.58 sits in the higher-leverage quartile.
CSX
Transportation industry group
1.39
- Max
- 2.69
- Q3
- 1.41
- Median
- 0.73
- Q1
- 0.30
- Min
- 0.00
UNP
Transportation industry group
1.58
- Max
- 2.69
- Q3
- 1.41
- Median
- 0.73
- Q1
- 0.30
- Min
- 0.00
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
Both CSX (CSX) at 5.72 and Union Pacific (UNP) at 8.00 post Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) near their industry mid-ranges, so neither company stands out strongly from peers on interest-coverage headroom.
CSX
Transportation industry group
5.72
- Max
- 21.71
- Q3
- 11.36
- Median
- 5.75
- Q1
- 1.63
- Min
- -4.33
UNP
Transportation industry group
8.00
- Max
- 21.71
- Q3
- 11.36
- Median
- 5.75
- Q1
- 1.63
- Min
- -4.33
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | CSX | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.97 | 0.92 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.83 | 0.73 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.39 | 1.58 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 5.72 | 8.00 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | CSX | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY) | 1.72% | 3.15% |
| Revenue Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY) | -0.92% | 1.87% |
| 3-Year Revenue CAGR | -1.74% | -0.49% |
| 5-Year Revenue CAGR | 5.89% | 4.64% |
EPS Growth
EPS Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | CSX | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| EPS Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY) | 26.95% | 6.08% |
| EPS Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY) | -2.56% | 9.44% |
| 3-Year EPS CAGR | -7.45% | 2.22% |
| 5-Year EPS CAGR | 5.15% | 8.75% |
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Union Pacific (UNP) at 1.99% reports Dividend Yield (TTM) in the top quartile of industry peers, ahead of CSX (CSX) at 1.15%, which sits around the industry mid-range.
CSX
Transportation industry group
1.15%
- Max
- 4.01%
- Q3
- 1.77%
- Median
- 0.81%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
UNP
Transportation industry group
1.99%
- Max
- 4.01%
- Q3
- 1.77%
- Median
- 0.81%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Both CSX (CSX) at 32.36% 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
32.36%
- Max
- 112.14%
- Q3
- 47.86%
- Median
- 15.73%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
UNP
Transportation industry group
45.10%
- Max
- 112.14%
- Q3
- 47.86%
- Median
- 15.73%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | CSX | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.15% | 1.99% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 32.36% | 45.10% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
Both CSX (CSX) at 28.15 and Union Pacific (UNP) at 22.65 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
28.15
- Max
- 68.67
- Q3
- 39.12
- Median
- 22.03
- Q1
- 12.85
- Min
- 1.75
UNP
Transportation industry group
22.65
- Max
- 68.67
- Q3
- 39.12
- Median
- 22.03
- Q1
- 12.85
- Min
- 1.75
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
Both CSX (CSX) at 6.07 and Union Pacific (UNP) at 6.61 sit above their industries’ benchmark ranges for Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM), pointing to unusually high trailing revenue multiples relative to peers.
CSX
Transportation industry group
6.07
- Max
- 5.87
- Q3
- 2.82
- Median
- 1.48
- Q1
- 0.70
- Min
- 0.14
UNP
Transportation industry group
6.61
- Max
- 5.87
- Q3
- 2.82
- Median
- 1.48
- Q1
- 0.70
- Min
- 0.14
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
Both CSX (CSX) at 5.62 and Union Pacific (UNP) at 7.42 trade in the higher-multiple quartile for Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) among industry peers, indicating higher book-value multiples than typical peers.
CSX
Transportation industry group
5.62
- Max
- 9.25
- Q3
- 4.77
- Median
- 2.14
- Q1
- 1.36
- Min
- 0.45
UNP
Transportation industry group
7.42
- Max
- 9.25
- Q3
- 4.77
- Median
- 2.14
- Q1
- 1.36
- Min
- 0.45
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | CSX | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 28.15 | 22.65 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 6.07 | 6.61 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 5.62 | 7.42 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 41.98 | 28.67 |