Greenbrier Companies (GBX) vs Union Pacific (UNP)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Union Pacific (UNP) has outperformed Greenbrier Companies (GBX) over the past year, gaining 19.6% versus a loss of 15.1%. Over five years, UNP leads with a +23.6% price change compared with -17.4% for GBX. Union Pacific is the larger company by market cap ($165.35 billion vs $1.19 billion), about 139.1 times the size.
On valuation, Greenbrier Companies trades at a lower forward P/E (10.2x vs 19.6x for Union Pacific). Greenbrier Companies offers the higher dividend yield (3.38% vs 1.98%).
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 | GBX | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $38.43 | $278.34 |
| Market cap | $1.19B | $165.35B |
| 1-day change | -0.52% | +0.05% |
| YTD return | -17.35% | +20.27% |
| 1-year return | -15.14% | +19.58% |
| 5-year return | -17.39% | +23.56% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 11.37 | 22.56 |
| Forward P/E | 10.25 | 19.58 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.38 | $12.34 |
| Dividend yield | 3.38% | 1.98% |
| Annual dividend | $1.30 | $5.52 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | — | $24.51B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | — | +1.07% |
| Net income (latest FY) | — | $7.14B |
| Operating margin | — | 40.17% |
| Net margin | — | 29.12% |
| 52-week high | $59.19 | $315.99 |
| 52-week low | $37.61 | $215.53 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -35.07% | -11.91% |
| Analyst consensus | underperform | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +17.95% | +17.90% |
| Average volume | 396.86K | 2.67M |
| Shares outstanding | 30.94M | 594.08M |
| Employees | 11,000 | 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
- Union Pacific is about 139.1 times larger than Greenbrier Companies by market value ($165.35B vs $1.19B).
- UNP has outperformed GBX by 34.7 percentage points over the past year.
- Union Pacific trades at a higher earnings multiple (22.6x vs 11.4x trailing P/E).
- Greenbrier Companies offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.38% vs 1.98%).
About Greenbrier Companies
GBX stock →The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets railroad freight car equipment in North America, Europe, and South America.
Industrials · Railroads · 11,000 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
GBX vs UNP FAQ
Which is bigger, Greenbrier Companies or Union Pacific?
Union Pacific (UNP) is larger, with a market capitalization of $165.35B compared with $1.19B for Greenbrier Companies (GBX).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, GBX or UNP?
UNP returned +19.58% over the past 12 months, compared with -15.14% for GBX (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, GBX or UNP?
GBX has the lower trailing P/E at 11.4, versus 22.6 for UNP. 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, Greenbrier Companies or Union Pacific?
Greenbrier Companies has the higher yield at 3.38%, compared with 1.98% for Union Pacific.
Are Greenbrier Companies and Union Pacific in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Railroads industry within the Industrials sector.