Union Pacific (UNP) vs Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies (WAB)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies (WAB) has outperformed Union Pacific (UNP) over the past year, gaining 40.8% versus a gain of 20.2%. Over five years, WAB leads with a +205.2% price change compared with +23.6% for UNP. Union Pacific is the larger company by market cap ($165.35 billion vs $48.21 billion), about 3.4 times the size, while Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies is growing revenue faster (+7.5% vs +1.1%).
On valuation, Union Pacific trades at a lower forward P/E (19.6x vs 22.9x for Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies). Union Pacific offers the higher dividend yield (1.98% vs 0.39%). Union Pacific converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 29.1% versus 10.5%.
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 | UNP | WAB |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $278.34 | $285.43 |
| Market cap | $165.35B | $48.21B |
| 1-day change | +0.05% | +1.65% |
| YTD return | +20.33% | +31.55% |
| 1-year return | +20.21% | +40.77% |
| 5-year return | +23.56% | +205.22% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 22.56 | 37.76 |
| Forward P/E | 19.57 | 22.86 |
| EPS (TTM) | $12.34 | $7.56 |
| Dividend yield | 1.98% | 0.39% |
| Annual dividend | $5.52 | $1.12 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $24.51B | $11.17B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +1.07% | +7.51% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $7.14B | $1.17B |
| Gross margin | — | 34.08% |
| Operating margin | 40.17% | 16.06% |
| Net margin | 29.12% | 10.48% |
| 52-week high | $315.99 | $306.64 |
| 52-week low | $215.53 | $186.06 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -11.91% | -6.92% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +17.90% | +15.47% |
| Average volume | 2.67M | 906.46K |
| Shares outstanding | 594.08M | 168.91M |
| Employees | 28,716 | 31,000 |
| 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 3.4 times larger than Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies by market value ($165.35B vs $48.21B).
- WAB has outperformed UNP by 20.6 percentage points over the past year.
- Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies trades at a higher earnings multiple (37.8x vs 22.6x trailing P/E).
- Union Pacific offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.98% vs 0.39%).
- Union Pacific is more profitable, keeping 29.1 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 10.5 cents for Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies.
- Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+7.51% vs +1.07%).
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
About Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies
WAB stock →Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation provides locomotives, equipment, systems, and services for the freight rail and passenger transit industries worldwide. It operates in two segments, Freight and Transit.
Industrials · Railroads · 31,000 employees
UNP vs WAB FAQ
Which is bigger, Union Pacific or Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies?
Union Pacific (UNP) is larger, with a market capitalization of $165.35B compared with $48.21B for Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies (WAB).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, UNP or WAB?
WAB returned +40.77% over the past 12 months, compared with +20.21% for UNP (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, UNP or WAB?
UNP has the lower trailing P/E at 22.6, versus 37.8 for WAB. 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, Union Pacific or Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies?
Union Pacific has the higher yield at 1.98%, compared with 0.39% for Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies.
Are Union Pacific and Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Railroads industry within the Industrials sector.