GE vs. UNP: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Here’s a clear look at GE and UNP, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | GE | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | GE Aerospace | Union Pacific Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry Group | Capital Goods | Transportation |
| GICS Industry | Industrial Conglomerates | Ground Transportation |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Industrial Conglomerates | Rail Transportation |
| Market Capitalization | 304.61 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 |
GE’s market capitalization (304.61 billion USD) is substantially larger than UNP’s (159.91 billion USD), indicating a significant difference in their market valuations.
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of GE 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 | GE | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -1.89% | 1.77% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -7.07% | 2.48% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -4.50% | 23.56% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 30.59% | 17.96% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 0.56% | -0.05% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -5.35% | 16.44% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 5.28M | 2.34M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 5.97M | 3.27M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 40.09% | 23.74% |
| Beta | 1.38 | 1.00 |
With betas of 1.38 for GE and 1.00 for UNP, both stocks show similar sensitivity to overall market movements.
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
GE
46.22%
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 66.03%
- Q3
- 51.17%
- Median
- 37.69%
- Q1
- 17.01%
- Min
- -19.40%
GE’s Return on Equity of 46.22% is on par with the norm for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
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)
GE
17.86%
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 17.86%
- Q3
- 12.99%
- Median
- 11.26%
- Q1
- 7.49%
- Min
- -0.76%
A Net Profit Margin of 17.86% places GE in the upper quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
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)
GE
16.66%
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 19.10%
- Q3
- 17.27%
- Median
- 15.39%
- Q1
- 9.73%
- Min
- -1.58%
GE’s Operating Profit Margin of 16.66% is around the midpoint for the Industrial Conglomerates 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 | GE | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 46.22% | 40.38% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 6.74% | 10.43% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 17.86% | 29.20% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 16.66% | 40.21% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 34.28% | 79.36% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
GE
1.01
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 1.88
- Q3
- 1.67
- Median
- 1.49
- Q1
- 1.29
- Min
- 1.01
GE’s Current Ratio of 1.01 falls into the lower quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates 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)
GE
1.12
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 5.57
- Q3
- 4.28
- Median
- 3.28
- Q1
- 2.31
- Min
- 1.12
Falling into the lower quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, GE’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.12 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
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)
GE
5.01
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 14.50
- Q3
- 9.44
- Median
- 6.38
- Q1
- 3.59
- Min
- -0.64
GE’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.01 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Industrial Conglomerates 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 | GE | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.01 | 0.92 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.70 | 0.73 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.12 | 1.58 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 5.01 | 8.00 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | GE | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY) | 24.74% | 3.15% |
| Revenue Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY) | 21.75% | 1.87% |
| 3-Year Revenue CAGR | 16.32% | -0.49% |
| 5-Year Revenue CAGR | -9.57% | 4.64% |
EPS Growth
EPS Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | GE | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| EPS Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY) | -1.50% | 6.08% |
| EPS Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY) | 26.27% | 9.44% |
| 3-Year EPS CAGR | 198.60% | 2.22% |
| 5-Year EPS CAGR | 9.37% | 8.75% |
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
GE
0.51%
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 4.93%
- Q3
- 2.98%
- Median
- 2.13%
- Q1
- 1.68%
- Min
- 0.51%
GE’s Dividend Yield of 0.51% is in the lower quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.
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)
GE
17.74%
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 67.06%
- Q3
- 59.23%
- Median
- 51.99%
- Q1
- 39.95%
- Min
- 17.74%
GE’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 17.74% is in the lower quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
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 | GE | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.51% | 2.05% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 17.74% | 45.10% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
GE
35.02
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 35.02
- Q3
- 32.80
- Median
- 30.58
- Q1
- 28.99
- Min
- 27.41
A P/E Ratio of 35.02 places GE in the upper quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates 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)
GE
6.26
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 6.26
- Q3
- 4.17
- Median
- 3.27
- Q1
- 2.43
- Min
- 0.57
GE’s P/S Ratio of 6.26 is in the upper echelon for the Industrial Conglomerates 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.
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)
GE
16.40
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 23.21
- Q3
- 18.10
- Median
- 13.47
- Q1
- 8.95
- Min
- 4.19
GE’s P/B Ratio of 16.40 is within the conventional range for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
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 | GE | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 35.02 | 22.01 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 6.26 | 6.43 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 16.40 | 7.42 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 40.54 | 27.86 |