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Union Pacific (UNP) vs. United Parcel Service (UPS)

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

Company Profile

Union Pacific (UNP) and United Parcel Service (UPS) both fall under the Transportation industry group, but UNP is classified in Ground Transportation while UPS is classified in Air Freight & Logistics.

SymbolUNPUPS
NameUnion Pacific CorporationUnited Parcel Service, Inc.
Country/RegionUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorIndustrialsIndustrials
GICS Industry GroupTransportationTransportation
GICS IndustryGround TransportationAir Freight & Logistics
GICS Sub-IndustryRail TransportationAir Freight & Logistics
Market Capitalization161.06 billion USD91.69 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateJanuary 2, 1980November 10, 1999
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

Both Union Pacific (UNP) at 22.33 and United Parcel Service (UPS) at 17.45 post Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) near the typical industry midpoint — neither company stands out strongly from peers on trailing earnings multiple.

UNP

Transportation industry group

22.33

Max
92.10
Q3
44.86
Median
22.33
Q1
13.19
Min
0.00

UPS

Transportation industry group

17.45

Max
92.10
Q3
44.86
Median
22.33
Q1
13.19
Min
0.00
Union Pacific (UNP) vs. United Parcel Service (UPS): A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Transportation industry group benchmark.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

United Parcel Service (UPS) at 1.04 prices around its industry’s typical Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM), while Union Pacific (UNP) at 6.52 clears its benchmark range — UNP looks notably rich on sales.

UNP

Transportation industry group

6.52

Max
4.22
Q3
2.24
Median
1.11
Q1
0.56
Min
0.07

UPS

Transportation industry group

1.04

Max
4.22
Q3
2.24
Median
1.11
Q1
0.56
Min
0.07
Union Pacific (UNP) vs. United Parcel Service (UPS): A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Transportation industry group benchmark.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

Both Union Pacific (UNP) at 8.29 and United Parcel Service (UPS) at 5.64 carry a premium to book value versus peers, sitting in the upper Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) quartile of their industries.

UNP

Transportation industry group

8.29

Max
8.29
Q3
4.40
Median
2.12
Q1
1.21
Min
-2.29

UPS

Transportation industry group

5.64

Max
8.29
Q3
4.40
Median
2.12
Q1
1.21
Min
-2.29
Union Pacific (UNP) vs. United Parcel Service (UPS): A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Transportation industry group benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolUNPUPS
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)22.3317.45
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)6.521.04
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)8.295.64
Free Cash Flow Yield2.50%5.04%

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

Both Union Pacific (UNP) at 40.69% and United Parcel Service (UPS) at 33.35% rank in the top quartile for Return on Equity (TTM) among industry peers, indicating strong returns on shareholders’ equity.

UNP

Transportation industry group

40.69%

Max
43.37%
Q3
20.41%
Median
10.34%
Q1
1.88%
Min
-18.53%

UPS

Transportation industry group

33.35%

Max
43.37%
Q3
20.41%
Median
10.34%
Q1
1.88%
Min
-18.53%
Union Pacific (UNP) vs. United Parcel Service (UPS): A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Transportation industry group benchmark.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

Union Pacific (UNP) at 29.20% retains a top-quartile share of revenue as profit, ahead of United Parcel Service (UPS) at 5.94%, which keeps about the industry-typical share.

UNP

Transportation industry group

29.20%

Max
43.82%
Q3
19.14%
Median
5.11%
Q1
0.86%
Min
-9.62%

UPS

Transportation industry group

5.94%

Max
43.82%
Q3
19.14%
Median
5.11%
Q1
0.86%
Min
-9.62%
Union Pacific (UNP) vs. United Parcel Service (UPS): A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Transportation industry group benchmark.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

Union Pacific (UNP) at 40.36% operates in the top Operating Profit Margin (TTM) quartile, ahead of United Parcel Service (UPS) at 6.33%, which runs around its industry’s norm.

UNP

Transportation industry group

40.36%

Max
54.53%
Q3
24.85%
Median
6.34%
Q1
1.12%
Min
-33.27%

UPS

Transportation industry group

6.33%

Max
54.53%
Q3
24.85%
Median
6.34%
Q1
1.12%
Min
-33.27%
Union Pacific (UNP) vs. United Parcel Service (UPS): A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Transportation industry group benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolUNPUPS
Return on Equity (TTM)40.69%33.35%
Return on Assets (TTM)9.14%7.19%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)29.20%5.94%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)40.36%6.33%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)56.53%22.45%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Union Pacific (UNP) vs. United Parcel Service (UPS): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

Revenue Growth at a Glance

SymbolUNPUPS
1-Year Revenue Growth1.07%-2.65%
3-Year Revenue CAGR-0.49%-4.04%

EPS Growth

Union Pacific (UNP) vs. United Parcel Service (UPS): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth at a Glance

SymbolUNPUPS
1-Year EPS Growth8.03%-2.81%
3-Year EPS CAGR2.24%-20.79%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both Union Pacific (UNP) at 0.92 and United Parcel Service (UPS) at 1.21 carry Current Ratio (MRQ) within their industry mid-ranges, suggesting balanced short-term liquidity relative to peers.

UNP

Transportation industry group

0.92

Max
2.26
Q3
1.61
Median
1.16
Q1
0.84
Min
0.42

UPS

Transportation industry group

1.21

Max
2.26
Q3
1.61
Median
1.16
Q1
0.84
Min
0.42
Union Pacific (UNP) vs. United Parcel Service (UPS): A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Transportation industry group benchmark.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

Union Pacific (UNP) at 1.62 carries Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) around its industry mid-range, while United Parcel Service (UPS) at 1.82 sits in the higher-leverage quartile.

UNP

Transportation industry group

1.62

Max
3.37
Q3
1.64
Median
0.80
Q1
0.36
Min
0.00

UPS

Transportation industry group

1.82

Max
3.37
Q3
1.64
Median
0.80
Q1
0.36
Min
0.00
Union Pacific (UNP) vs. United Parcel Service (UPS): A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Transportation industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolUNPUPS
Current Ratio (MRQ)0.921.21
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)1.621.82
Net Debt / EBITDA2.421.93

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Both Union Pacific (UNP) at 2.03% and United Parcel Service (UPS) at 6.08% report Dividend Yield (TTM) near their industry mid-ranges, so neither company stands out strongly from peers on cash yield relative to share price.

UNP

Transportation industry group

2.03%

Max
5.97%
Q3
2.39%
Median
0.95%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

UPS

Transportation industry group

6.08%

Max
5.97%
Q3
2.39%
Median
0.95%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
Union Pacific (UNP) vs. United Parcel Service (UPS): A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Transportation industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

United Parcel Service (UPS) reports an unusual Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) of 106.15% — outside the typical 0–100% range, indicating either negative earnings (negative ratio) or dividends above current-period earnings (above 100%), both signaling sustainability concerns. Meanwhile Union Pacific (UNP) reports 45.10%, ranking against industry peers normally.

UNP

Transportation industry group

45.10%

Max
106.15%
Q3
45.72%
Median
20.46%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

UPS

Transportation industry group

106.15%

Max
106.15%
Q3
45.72%
Median
20.46%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
Union Pacific (UNP) vs. United Parcel Service (UPS): A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Transportation industry group benchmark.

Dividends at a Glance

SymbolUNPUPS
Dividend Yield (TTM)2.03%6.08%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)45.10%106.15%

Performance & Risk

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

Performance & Risk at a Glance

SymbolUNPUPS
1-Year Return22.98%17.16%
1-Year Volatility21.59%29.25%
Beta0.961.04
3-Month Avg. Volume2.98M6.13M