CSX (CSX) vs Union Pacific (UNP)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
CSX (CSX) has outperformed Union Pacific (UNP) over the past year, gaining 30.5% versus a gain of 19.2%. Over five years, CSX leads with a +37.5% price change compared with +22.7% for UNP. Union Pacific is the larger company by market cap ($163.18 billion vs $86.71 billion), about 1.9 times the size.
On valuation, Union Pacific trades at a lower forward P/E (19.3x vs 20.6x for CSX). Union Pacific offers the higher dividend yield (2.01% vs 1.15%). Union Pacific converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 29.1% versus 20.5%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | CSX | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $46.81 | $274.68 |
| Market cap | $86.71B | $163.18B |
| 1-day change | -1.45% | -0.70% |
| YTD return | +29.55% | +19.43% |
| 1-year return | +30.48% | +19.15% |
| 5-year return | +37.47% | +22.70% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 27.22 | 22.26 |
| Forward P/E | 20.57 | 19.32 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.72 | $12.34 |
| Dividend yield | 1.15% | 2.01% |
| Annual dividend | $0.54 | $5.52 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $14.09B | $24.51B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -3.08% | +1.07% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $2.89B | $7.14B |
| Operating margin | 32.08% | 40.17% |
| Net margin | 20.50% | 29.12% |
| 52-week high | $53.60 | $315.99 |
| 52-week low | $33.63 | $215.53 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -12.67% | -13.07% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +12.88% | +19.75% |
| Average volume | 11.22M | 2.68M |
| Shares outstanding | 1.85B | 594.08M |
| Employees | 22,200 | 28,716 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Railroads | Railroads |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- CSX has outperformed UNP by 11.3 percentage points over the past year.
- Union Pacific is more profitable, keeping 29.1 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 20.5 cents for CSX.
About CSX
CSX stock →CSX Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides rail-based freight transportation services in the United States and Canada. It operates through two segments: rail and trucking.
Industrials · Railroads · 22,200 employees
About Union Pacific
UNP stock →Union Pacific Corporation, through its subsidiary, Union Pacific Railroad Company, operates in the railroad business in the United States. It offers transportation services for grain and grain products, fertilizers, food and refrigerated products, and coal and renewables to grain processors, animal feeders, and ethanol and renewable biofuel producers; and construction products, industrial chemicals, plastics, forest products, specialized products, metals and ores, petroleum, liquid petroleum gases, soda ash, and sand, as well as finished automobiles, automotive parts, and merchandise in intermodal containers.
Industrials · Railroads · 28,716 employees
CSX vs UNP FAQ
Which is bigger, CSX or Union Pacific?
Union Pacific (UNP) is larger, with a market capitalization of $163.18B compared with $86.71B for CSX (CSX).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CSX or UNP?
CSX returned +30.48% over the past 12 months, compared with +19.15% for UNP (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CSX or UNP?
UNP has the lower trailing P/E at 22.3, versus 27.2 for CSX. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, CSX or Union Pacific?
Union Pacific has the higher yield at 2.01%, compared with 1.15% for CSX.
Are CSX and Union Pacific in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Railroads industry within the Industrials sector.