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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 and UNP are leading U.S. Class I railroads with similar business models focused on freight transportation across extensive networks.
- Over recent market activity, CSX has shown stronger relative price performance compared to UNP, with notable year-to-date gains.
- Both companies reported solid first-quarter 2026 results, with volume growth and margin management supporting earnings beats for the sector.
- UNP maintains a larger market capitalization and broader geographic reach, while CSX emphasizes eastern U.S. operations with ongoing efficiency initiatives.
- Sector sentiment remains influenced by economic indicators, fuel costs, and intermodal demand trends affecting both stocks similarly.
- Upcoming second-quarter earnings releases provide near-term catalysts for reassessing relative positioning in the rail industry.
Introduction
CSX Corporation (CSX) and Union Pacific Corporation (UNP) represent two of the largest publicly traded railroad operators in North America. This comparison examines their business profiles, recent stock behavior, and key differentiators in the current market environment. Institutional investors, sector-focused traders, and those monitoring transportation equities may find the analysis relevant for evaluating relative value and momentum within the rail industry.
CSX Overview and Recent Performance
CSX Corporation operates a major rail network primarily serving the eastern United States, transporting merchandise, intermodal containers, and coal. In recent weeks, the stock has benefited from positive momentum following its first-quarter 2026 earnings release, which showed operating income of $1.25 billion and diluted EPS of $0.43, exceeding analyst expectations amid volume growth and cost discipline. Broader market activity has reflected steady investor interest in the company’s efficiency programs and pricing power, contributing to outperformance versus broader indices in the period. Sentiment has been supported by operational metrics such as improved terminal dwell times and car utilization, though export coal softness remains a noted offset. The company is scheduled to report second-quarter results on July 22, 2026.
UNP Overview and Recent Performance
Union Pacific Corporation runs one of the largest rail systems in the western United States, handling a diversified mix of agricultural products, energy, and industrial goods. Recent market activity has shown more measured price movement relative to peers, with the stock reflecting sector-wide factors such as intermodal volumes and economic sensitivity. The company’s larger scale provides geographic diversification, yet performance has trailed some eastern-focused operators amid comparable volume trends. Management continues to emphasize network optimization and safety initiatives. Like its peer, Union Pacific faces ongoing scrutiny on cost management and demand recovery, with market participants awaiting its next earnings update to gauge progress.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Both CSX and UNP operate asset-intensive rail networks with high fixed costs and pricing leverage tied to volume and fuel surcharges. UNP holds a larger market capitalization and serves a broader western territory, offering greater exposure to agricultural and energy commodities, while CSX concentrates on eastern corridors with stronger recent merchandise and intermodal emphasis. Recent momentum has favored CSX on relative price performance, though both face similar risk factors including cyclical demand, regulatory pressures, and labor dynamics. Market sentiment for the pair remains correlated with macroeconomic data and supply-chain indicators, creating trade-offs between scale advantages at UNP and operational agility highlighted at CSX.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as recent trend consistency and relative positioning, Tickeron’s AI models currently assign a probabilistic edge to CSX due to stronger near-term momentum and earnings delivery. UNP retains appeal through its scale and diversification, potentially supporting stability in varied conditions. The assessment reflects data-driven pattern recognition rather than forward guarantees.
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 disclaimer.
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 StrongBuy.
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 3 green FA rating(s).
- CSX’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 red.
- UNP’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 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 6 bullish TA indicator(s).
- CSX’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
- UNP’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
CSX (@Railroads) experienced а +3.77% price change this week, while UNP (@Railroads) price change was +1.64% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Railroads industry was +3.13%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +6.10%, and the average quarterly price growth was +13.45%.
Reported Earning Dates
CSX is expected to report earnings on Oct 15, 2026.
UNP is expected to report earnings on Oct 22, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Railroads (+3.13% 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 | 97.8B | 181B | 54% |
| EBITDA | 6.49B | 13.1B | 50% |
| Gain YTD | 46.611 | 32.937 | 142% |
| P/E Ratio | 30.70 | 24.64 | 125% |
| 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 | 27 | 32 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 90 Overvalued | 87 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 21 | 37 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 40 | 23 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 11 | 12 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 19 | 30 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 65 |
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 (87) in the Railroads industry is in the same range as CSX (90). This means that UNP’s stock grew similarly to CSX’s over the last 12 months.
CSX's Profit vs Risk Rating (21) in the Railroads industry is in the same range as UNP (37). 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 (40). This means that UNP’s stock grew similarly to CSX’s over the last 12 months.
CSX's Price Growth Rating (11) in the Railroads industry is in the same range as UNP (12). 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 (30). This means that CSX’s stock grew similarly to UNP’s over the last 12 months.
| CSX | UNP | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 36% | 2 days ago 40% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 53% | 2 days ago 51% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 60% | 2 days ago 49% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 49% | 2 days ago 43% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 60% | 2 days ago 52% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 57% | 2 days ago 47% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 58% | 8 days ago 55% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 47% | 3 days ago 47% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 42% | 2 days ago 39% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 58% | 2 days ago 33% |
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CSX and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, CSX has been loosely correlated with WAB. These tickers have moved in lockstep 43% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if CSX jumps, then WAB could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To CSX | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSX | 100% | +5.77% | ||
| WAB - CSX | 43% Loosely correlated | +2.76% | ||
| RAIL - CSX | 18% Poorly correlated | +2.21% | ||
| FSTR - CSX | 14% Poorly correlated | +0.99% | ||
| SWVL - CSX | 1% Poorly correlated | +2.92% | ||
| RVSN - CSX | 0% Poorly correlated | -4.91% | ||
More | ||||
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 87% 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.