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UNP vs WAB
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Union Pacific (UNP) vs. Wabtec (WAB) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- UNP delivered solid Q1 2026 results with adjusted EPS of $2.93 and improved operating ratio, though recent market activity reflects some volatility tied to ongoing merger regulatory reviews.
- WAB reported strong Q1 2026 growth with 13% sales increase and raised full-year guidance, supported by a record multi-year backlog exceeding $30 billion.
- Both companies operate in the rail sector, with UNP as a major freight railroad operator and WAB as a leading provider of rail equipment and services.
- Year-to-date through early July 2026, both stocks posted gains exceeding the S&P 500, with WAB showing slightly stronger momentum in several reported periods.
- Key contrasts include UNP's focus on network operations and dividends versus WAB's emphasis on backlog visibility and recurring service revenue.
- Market sentiment for both remains tied to broader industrial and transportation trends, with limited sector-specific catalysts in the most recent weeks.
Introduction
Union Pacific Corporation (UNP) and Wabtec Corporation (WAB) represent two distinct segments of the North American rail industry. UNP operates one of the largest freight railroad networks, while WAB supplies locomotives, components, and services to rail operators worldwide. This comparison appeals to investors and traders evaluating relative performance within the transportation sector, particularly those assessing operator stability against equipment-provider growth dynamics in the current market environment.
UNP Overview and Recent Performance
Union Pacific Corporation (UNP) is a leading Class I railroad providing freight transportation across the western United States. In recent weeks, the stock has shown resilience amid broader market movements, with year-to-date returns through early July 2026 exceeding 17% and one-year gains near 20-25%, outpacing the S&P 500 in several periods. Q1 2026 results featured adjusted diluted EPS of $2.93 and freight revenue growth of 4%, alongside an improved operating ratio near 60%. Sentiment has been influenced by progress on a proposed transcontinental railroad merger, which introduced some price fluctuations in late May 2026 due to regulatory developments, though the company reiterated its 2026 outlook at investor events.
WAB Overview and Recent Performance
Wabtec Corporation (WAB) provides technology-based products and services for the freight rail and passenger transit industries globally. Recent market activity has highlighted steady gains, with year-to-date returns through early July 2026 around 21-22% and one-year performance near 23-27%. Q1 2026 delivered 13% sales growth to $2.95 billion and adjusted EPS of $2.71, prompting an upward revision to full-year 2026 guidance. A multi-year backlog reached a record $30.8 billion, supporting visibility into future revenue. The stock has traded with moderate volatility, and upcoming Q2 2026 earnings scheduled for July 22 remain a focal point for market participants.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
UNP functions primarily as a rail network operator with significant fixed assets and consistent dividend payouts, exposing it to volume-driven freight cycles and regulatory oversight on mergers. In contrast, WAB acts as an equipment and services supplier with substantial recurring revenue from maintenance and a growing international backlog, offering potentially higher growth sensitivity to rail capital spending. Recent momentum has favored WAB in reported periods due to backlog expansion and earnings beats, while UNP benefits from operational efficiency gains and long-term network advantages. Risk factors differ: UNP faces merger-related uncertainty and commodity exposure, whereas WAB contends with execution on large contracts and competitive bidding. Both maintain positive sector positioning amid transportation demand, though WAB shows comparatively stronger recent earnings momentum.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as trend consistency in recent performance metrics, backlog-driven stability, and relative earnings growth positioning, Tickeron’s AI models currently indicate a probabilistic preference toward WAB in a head-to-head assessment. This stems from stronger reported sales expansion and guidance raises in the latest quarter compared to UNP’s steadier but merger-influenced profile. Outcomes remain subject to ongoing market conditions and sector dynamics.
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 UNP is a Buy and WAB 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).
UNP’s FA Score shows that 2 FA rating(s) are green whileWAB’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- UNP’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- WAB’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 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.
UNP’s TA Score shows that 6 TA indicator(s) are bullish while WAB’s TA Score has 3 bullish TA indicator(s).
- UNP’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
- WAB’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 6 bearish.
Price Growth
UNP (@Railroads) experienced а +1.67% price change this week, while WAB (@Railroads) price change was -0.37% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Railroads industry was +0.76%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +4.97%, and the average quarterly price growth was +9.20%.
Reported Earning Dates
UNP is expected to report earnings on Jul 23, 2026.
WAB is expected to report earnings on Jul 22, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Railroads (+0.76% 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.
| UNP | WAB | UNP / WAB | |
| Capitalization | 170B | 44.3B | 384% |
| EBITDA | 13.1B | 2.36B | 555% |
| Gain YTD | 25.350 | 22.673 | 112% |
| P/E Ratio | 23.62 | 36.95 | 64% |
| Revenue | 24.7B | 11.5B | 215% |
| Total Cash | 1.04B | 531M | 195% |
| Total Debt | 31.5B | 6.54B | 482% |
UNP | WAB | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 50 | 50 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 86 Overvalued | 87 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 44 | 5 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 23 | 67 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 18 | 48 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 38 | 38 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 75 | 32 |
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 (86) in the Railroads industry is in the same range as WAB (87) in the Trucks Or Construction Or Farm Machinery industry. This means that UNP’s stock grew similarly to WAB’s over the last 12 months.
WAB's Profit vs Risk Rating (5) in the Trucks Or Construction Or Farm Machinery industry is somewhat better than the same rating for UNP (44) in the Railroads industry. This means that WAB’s stock grew somewhat faster than UNP’s over the last 12 months.
UNP's SMR Rating (23) in the Railroads industry is somewhat better than the same rating for WAB (67) in the Trucks Or Construction Or Farm Machinery industry. This means that UNP’s stock grew somewhat faster than WAB’s over the last 12 months.
UNP's Price Growth Rating (18) in the Railroads industry is in the same range as WAB (48) in the Trucks Or Construction Or Farm Machinery industry. This means that UNP’s stock grew similarly to WAB’s over the last 12 months.
UNP's P/E Growth Rating (38) in the Railroads industry is in the same range as WAB (38) in the Trucks Or Construction Or Farm Machinery industry. This means that UNP’s stock grew similarly to WAB’s over the last 12 months.
| UNP | WAB | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 56% | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 47% | 3 days ago 85% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 58% | 3 days ago 48% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 70% | 3 days ago 46% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 51% | 3 days ago 50% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 46% | 3 days ago 63% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 54% | 3 days ago 65% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 25 days ago 47% | 5 days ago 44% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 61% | 3 days ago 38% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 52% | 3 days ago 68% |
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WAB and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, WAB has been loosely correlated with UNP. These tickers have moved in lockstep 49% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if WAB jumps, then UNP could also see price increases.