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CSX vs UNP
Which Stock Would AI Choose? CSX Corporation (CSX) vs. Union Pacific Corporation (UNP) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- CSX has shown stronger recent momentum, gaining approximately 13% over the past 30 days compared to UNP's 5% rise, driven by bullish technical signals.
- Year-to-date, CSX outperforms UNP with about 21% returns versus 10%, reflecting superior relative performance in the railroads sector.
- UNP boasts a larger market capitalization of around $150 billion and a lower P/E ratio (price-to-earnings) of 21 versus CSX's 28, suggesting potentially better value.
- Both stocks approach Q1 earnings releases, with analysts anticipating growth, but CSX's upward trend appears more consistent amid recent market activity.
- Analyst price targets indicate modest upside for CSX (average ~$42) and stronger potential for UNP (~$273), balancing momentum with valuation.
Introduction
CSX Corporation and Union Pacific Corporation (UNP) are leading Class I railroads, dominating freight transport in the eastern and western U.S., respectively. This comparison analyzes their recent stock performance, business dynamics, and market positioning amid fluctuating freight volumes and economic conditions. Investors in the transportation sector or those seeking exposure to industrial cyclicals may find value in evaluating their relative momentum, valuations, and growth prospects, especially as both prepare for quarterly earnings.
CSX Overview and Recent Performance
CSX Corporation operates an extensive rail network across 23 eastern states and Canada, transporting coal, chemicals, intermodal containers, and merchandise. In recent market activity, CSX shares have exhibited robust upward momentum, surging about 13% over the past 30 days and 19% in the recent quarter, outpacing broader indices. This strength stems from positive technical indicators, including momentum above zero, MACD histogram turning positive, and crosses above key moving averages, alongside anticipation for Q1 earnings on April 22. Sentiment has been bolstered by solid operating performance noted by analysts, though shares trade near 52-week highs around $44, with a market cap of $81 billion and P/E of 28. Recent weeks' gains reflect resilience in freight demand despite sector headwinds.
UNP Overview and Recent Performance
Union Pacific Corporation manages North America's premier rail franchise in 23 western states, focusing on bulk commodities like agricultural products, energy, and industrial goods. UNP stock has advanced roughly 5% in the past 30 days and 14% over the recent quarter, supported by RSI exiting oversold territory and positive MACD shifts, though mixed signals like overbought Stochastic persist. Key developments include a settlement with a rail supplier and merger-related discussions, influencing sentiment ahead of Q1 earnings on April 23. With a $150 billion market cap and P/E of 21, shares hover near $252, reflecting steady but less explosive performance compared to peers in recent weeks.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Both CSX and UNP operate similar business models in rail freight, with exposure to intermodal, chemicals, and coal, but CSX's eastern network benefits from denser population centers, while UNP's western routes leverage energy and agriculture volumes. Growth drivers differ: CSX emphasizes operational efficiency amid recent volume upticks, whereas UNP focuses on network precision and supplier partnerships. Recent momentum favors CSX with cleaner bullish trends versus UNP's mixed signals. Risk factors include freight softening and fuel costs for both, though UNP's larger scale offers stability. Sector exposure is nearly identical in railroads, but market sentiment tilts toward CSX's relative outperformance, trading at a premium valuation versus UNP's more attractive P/E.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI tools currently lean toward CSX in the near term, citing its consistent upward trend, stronger recent price gains, and favorable technical patterns like sustained momentum and moving average crosses over UNP's more varied signals. While UNP shows value through lower multiples and scale, CSX's relative positioning and stability suggest higher probabilistic outperformance amid ongoing earnings anticipation.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full Disclaimers and Limitations.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is CSX is a Buy and UNP is a Buy.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
CSX’s FA Score shows that 3 FA rating(s) are green whileUNP’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- CSX’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 red.
- UNP’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
CSX’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while UNP’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- CSX’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 3 bearish.
- UNP’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 3 bearish.
Price Growth
CSX (@Railroads) experienced а +1.23% price change this week, while UNP (@Railroads) price change was +0.14% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Railroads industry was +0.77%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -2.60%, and the average quarterly price growth was +7.36%.
Reported Earning Dates
CSX is expected to report earnings on Jul 22, 2026.
UNP is expected to report earnings on Jul 23, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Railroads (+0.77% weekly)The Railroad industry includes passenger and freight transportation services along rail lines. This also includes companies that provide maintenance and switching duties as part of rail services. Within North America, the industry is largely dominated by some large operators. Several short-line railroads serve regional and local routes. Union Pacific Corporation, Canadian National Railway Company, and CSX Corporation are some of the prominent names in the business. The railroad business is relatively cyclical; economic expansion boost the freight services in particular, while economic stagnation often dampens transportation demand.
| CSX | UNP | CSX / UNP | |
| Capitalization | 88.4B | 162B | 55% |
| EBITDA | 6.49B | 13.1B | 50% |
| Gain YTD | 32.063 | 19.120 | 168% |
| P/E Ratio | 29.18 | 22.44 | 130% |
| Revenue | 14.2B | 24.7B | 57% |
| Total Cash | 1.11B | 1.04B | 107% |
| Total Debt | 19.3B | 31.5B | 61% |
CSX | UNP | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 14 | 25 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 87 Overvalued | 84 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 33 | 51 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 41 | 23 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 14 | 25 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 19 | 43 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
UNP's Valuation (84) in the Railroads industry is in the same range as CSX (87). This means that UNP’s stock grew similarly to CSX’s over the last 12 months.
CSX's Profit vs Risk Rating (33) in the Railroads industry is in the same range as UNP (51). This means that CSX’s stock grew similarly to UNP’s over the last 12 months.
UNP's SMR Rating (23) in the Railroads industry is in the same range as CSX (41). This means that UNP’s stock grew similarly to CSX’s over the last 12 months.
CSX's Price Growth Rating (14) in the Railroads industry is in the same range as UNP (25). This means that CSX’s stock grew similarly to UNP’s over the last 12 months.
CSX's P/E Growth Rating (19) in the Railroads industry is in the same range as UNP (43). This means that CSX’s stock grew similarly to UNP’s over the last 12 months.
| CSX | UNP | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | N/A | 3 days ago 42% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 40% | 3 days ago 57% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 60% | 3 days ago 59% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 61% | 3 days ago 63% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 60% | 3 days ago 51% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 56% | 3 days ago 46% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 57% | 3 days ago 55% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 17 days ago 49% | 17 days ago 47% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 70% | 3 days ago 47% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 55% | 3 days ago 42% |
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UNP and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, UNP has been closely correlated with NSC. These tickers have moved in lockstep 86% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if UNP jumps, then NSC could also see price increases.