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Investing.com - RBC Capital raised its price target on Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) to $276.00 from $257.00 on Wednesday, while maintaining an Outperform rating on the railroad operator’s stock. The new target represents significant upside potential for the prominent transportation player, which currently commands a market capitalization of $132.6 billion. According to InvestingPro data, analysts maintain a bullish consensus on UNP, with multiple upward earnings revisions for the upcoming period.
The price target increase follows Union Pacific’s proposal to acquire Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC), which was announced on Tuesday. RBC described the potential combination as creating a "Trans-Continental powerhouse" with significant avenues for both revenue growth and operating synergies. Union Pacific enters this potential merger from a position of strength, with impressive gross profit margins of 55.9% and a solid EBITDA of $12.37 billion.
RBC analyst Walter Spracklin took a "constructive view" on the acquisition proposal, noting that the deal offers "an unparalleled opportunity of significant size and scale" in the railroad industry.
The investment bank believes the advantages of the proposed merger would benefit shareholders, customers, and the overall transportation network in North America. RBC updated its valuation to account for the full run-rate synergies expected in the third year following the potential acquisition.
RBC continues to highlight Union Pacific as a top pick among its railroad coverage universe, according to the research note issued Wednesday morning. The company has maintained dividend payments for 55 consecutive years, with a current yield of 2.47%. For deeper insights into UNP’s financial health and growth potential, including additional ProTips and comprehensive analysis, visit InvestingPro.
In other recent news, Union Pacific has announced a significant merger with Norfolk Southern, valued at $85 billion. This merger is expected to create the nation’s first transcontinental railroad, enhancing Union Pacific’s business model resilience and competitive positioning. Fitch Ratings has responded by placing Union Pacific’s ’A-’ Long-Term Issuer Default Rating on Rating Watch Positive. Similarly, S&P Global Ratings has revised Norfolk Southern’s outlook to positive, highlighting the benefits of an integrated network spanning over 52,000 route miles. However, the merger faces opposition from the SMART Transportation Division, the largest rail union in the United States, which plans to contest the deal during Surface Transportation Board proceedings. In another development, JPMorgan has raised its price target for Union Pacific to $267 from $241, maintaining a Neutral rating. This adjustment follows Union Pacific’s strong second-quarter 2025 operating performance. These developments reflect significant strategic moves and challenges for Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern.
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