August 29, 2024
Top 10 Stock Union Pacific Buy Recommendation
How to read the ranks
For every stock, we judge its performance against its peers and rank it on a scale of 1 to 100. The higher the rank, the better the stock performs than its peers. And, we do this for six investment strategies:
Value - shows how good of a value the stock is. Green is "inexpensive"; red is "expensive".
Growth - shows a company's growth potential. Green is "high growth" expected; red is "tough times ahead".
Safety - relates to the amount of debt a company has. Green is low debt level; red is high debt level.
Combined Financial - this isn't an average of the first three ranks but rather a consolidated view across several financial indicators. Green = good; red = tread carefully.
(NEW) Sentiment - quantifies professional analyst ratings and holdings as well as market pulse. Green = positive sentiment; red = skepticism (Only available to Premium Subscribers).
(NEW) 360° View - the ultimate rating with all financial and non-financial indicators.
Snapshot: Union Pacific – Top 10 Stock in Low Waste Leaders
Union Pacific is listed as a top 10 stock on August 29, 2024 in the market index Low Waste because of its high performance in at least one of the Obermatt investment strategies. Two consolidated Obermatt Ranks are above-average. The company is growing above average and professional investor sentiment is positive. Both are encouraging signals for a stock purchase decision, albeit at an above-average share price. Based on the Obermatt 360° View of 56 (high 56% performer), Obermatt assesses an overall buy recommendation for Union Pacific on August 29, 2024.
Snapshot: Obermatt Ranks
| Country | USA |
| Industry | Railroads |
| Index | Dividends USA, Diversity USA, Human Rights, Low Waste, S&P 500 |
| Size class | XX-Large |
When Obermatt identifies the Top 10 stocks in a market, it’s based on a certain investment strategy. The best performing stocks usually aren’t the ones that everyone is talking about (those are often "over-priced" and have low Value ranks).
For each investment strategy, we provide you with more detailed analysis and our recommendation. You see the ranks of the top 10 stocks ranked by that particular investment strategy (360° View, Sentiment, Value, Growth, Safety and Combined Financial Performance).
360° View: Obermatt 360° View Union Pacific Buy
| 360 METRICS | August 29, 2024 | |||||||
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| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 21 |
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| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 63 |
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| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 33 |
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| SENTIMENT | ||||||||
| SENTIMENT | 97 |
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| 360° VIEW | ||||||||
| 360° VIEW | 56 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt 360° View of 56 (better than 56% compared with alternatives), overall professional sentiment and financial characteristics for the stock Union Pacific are above average. The 360° View is based on consolidating four consolidated indicators, with half of the metrics below and half above average for Union Pacific. The consolidated Growth Rank has a good rank of 63, which means that the company experiences above-average growth momentum when looking at financial metrics such as revenue, profit, and invested capital growth as well as stock returns. This means that growth is higher than for 63% of competitors in the same industry. The consolidated Sentiment Rank also has a good rank of 97, which means that professional investors are more optimistic about the stock than for 97% of alternative investment opportunities. But the consolidated Value Rank has a less desirable rank of 21, which means that the share price of Union Pacific is on the higher side compared with typical size in indicators such as revenues, profits, and invested capital. This means the stock price is higher than for 79% of alternative stocks in the same industry. Finally, the consolidated Safety Rank has a riskier rank of 33, which means that the company has a financing structure that is riskier than those of 67% comparable companies when looking at the amount of its debt, its refinancing requirements, and its ability to service debt. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated 360° View of 56, Union Pacific is better positioned than 56% of all alternative stock investment opportunities based on the Obermatt Method. Only half of the consolidated Obermatt Ranks exhibit excellent performance, so one needs to take a close look. Growth is above-average (Growth Rank of 63), and professional market sentiment is positive (Sentiment Rank of 97), but value and safety are below average. The Safety Rank is the least significant of the four consolidated ranks, because it only reflects financing practices. In the case of high growth, aggressive financing is a good thing. So the question is: How to assess below-average value against above-average growth and sentiment? Growth may be the strongest driver of the investment rationale in this case, which is reflected in institutional investors' opinions. It is typical for growth companies to have low value, as is the case here. Investors are willing to pay more for companies that outperform their competitors. So the question is, how much do you sacrifice value for growth? You can use the following rule of thumb: If you take 100 minus the growth rank, you arrive at a possibly minimum level for the value rank. For example, if the growth rank is at 75, and the value rank is at 5, you should tread carefully. If the value rank is at 40, it still might be a good value if the growth rank is above 60. Sometimes market sentiment just extrapolates the past, but sometimes it reflects reality. You pay more than the market average for this stock, but it may be worth it. ...read more
Sentiment Strategy: Professional Market Sentiment for Union Pacific very positive
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Sentiment Rank of 97 (better than 97% compared with alternatives) for 2024, overall professional sentiment and engagement for the stock Union Pacific is very positive. The Sentiment Rank is based on consolidating four sentiment indicators where all but one are above average for Union Pacific. Analyst Opinions are at a rank of 64 (better than 64% of alternative investments), which means that currently, stock research analysts tend to recommend a stock investment in the company. The Professional Investors rank is also good at 97, which means that currently, professional investors hold more stock in this company than in 97% of alternative investment opportunities. Pros tend to favor investing in this company. In addition, Market Pulse has a rank of 84 which means that the current professional news and professional social networks are on the positive side when discussing this company (more positive news than for 84% of competitors). But Analyst Opinions Change has a below-average rank of 47, which means that stock research experts are currently changing their opinions for the worse when it comes to recommending this stock. In other words, they are getting more critical of investments in Union Pacific. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Sentiment Rank of 97 (more positive than 97% compared with investment alternatives), Union Pacific has a reputation among professional investors that is significantly higher than that of its competitors. This is an early sign of caution, even if the stock has significantly appreciated. If analysts change their opinions, the stock may become too expensive. If the price is on the way down, the trend may continue. This may be a stock with a good reputation and history, but it may have reached its breaking point by now. Investors should look at the Value Ranks as well. If they indicate trouble, it might just materialize in the future. ...read more
Value Strategy: Union Pacific Stock Price Value low
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Value Rank of 21 (worse than 79% compared with alternatives), Union Pacific shares are significantly more expensive than comparable stocks. The Value Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, with three out of four indicators below average for Union Pacific. Only the metric dividend yield has an above-average rank, reflecting that dividend practices are expected to be higher than 78% of comparable companies, making the stock an attractive buy for dividend investors. However, dividend investors may get disappointed because all other critical financial indicators are below the market median: Price-to-Sales is 5 which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future profits is higher than 95% of comparable companies, indicating a low value concerning Union Pacific's sales levels. The same is valid for Price-to-Profit (also referred to as price-earnings, P/E) with a rank of 38 which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future profit levels is higher than 62% of comparable companies. In addition, Price-to-Book (also referred to as market-to-book ratio) with a Price-to-Book Rank of 5 is also low. Compared with invested capital, the stock price is higher than for 95% of comparable investments. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Value Rank of 21, is a sell recommendation based on Union Pacific's stock price compared with the company's operational size and dividend yields. Should dividend investors pick Union Pacific? The company-reported financials speak against it. The company is expensive compared with revenue and invested capital levels, two reliable company size indicators. In addition, it currently has a low level of profits. How can future dividends be paid in the case that profits remain low? Dividend investors should choose Union Pacific only if they reasonably expect the low current profit levels to be transitory. ...read more
Growth Strategy: Union Pacific Growth Momentum good
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Growth Rank of 63 (better than 63% compared with alternatives), Union Pacific shows an above-average growth dynamic in its industry. Investors also speak of positive momentum. The Growth Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, with all but one indicator above average for Union Pacific. Profit Growth has a rank of 76 which means that currently professionals expect the company to grow its profits more than 76% of its competitors. The same is valid for capital growth and stock returns. Capital Growth has a rank of 53, and Stock Returns has a rank of 69 which means that the stock returns have recently been above 69% of alternative investments. Only revenue growth is low with a Sales Growth has a rank of 25 (75% of its competitors are better). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Growth Rank of 63, is a buy recommendation for growth and momentum investors. The many positive growth indicators indicate a positive growth momentum with only low revenue growth. That can also be attributed to divestments or the sale of unprofitable businesses. If that is the reason, overall growth is well on track to making this stock attractive for growth investors. ...read more
Safety Strategy: Union Pacific Debt Financing Safety below-average
| SAFETY METRICS | August 29, 2024 | |||||||
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| LEVERAGE | ||||||||
| LEVERAGE | 20 |
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| REFINANCING | ||||||||
| REFINANCING | 46 |
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| LIQUIDITY | ||||||||
| LIQUIDITY | 63 |
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| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | 33 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Safety Rank of 33 (better than 33% compared with alternatives), the company Union Pacific has financing practices on the riskier side, which means that their overall debt burden is above the industry average. This doesn't mean that the business of Union Pacific is also risky, it only means that the company is on the riskier side in respect to bankruptcy in case things turn sour, assuming that public reporting is correct. The Safety Rank is based on consolidating three financing indicators, with just one indicator above average for Union Pacific. Liquidity is at 63, meaning the company generates more profit to service its debt than 63% of its competitors. This indicates that the company is safer when it comes to debt service. But Refinancing is riskier at a rank of 46, which means that the portion of the debt that is about to be refinanced is above average. It has more debt in the refinancing stage than 54% of its competitors. Leverage is also high at a rank of 20, which means that the company has an above-average debt-to-equity ratio. It has more debt than 80% of its competitors. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Safety Rank of 33 (worse than 67% compared with alternatives), Union Pacific has a financing structure that is riskier than that of its competitors. High Leverage (a low Obermatt Leverage Rank) is good in good times, because it usually indicates that shareholders get higher returns. The good Liquidity performance of the company is an indicator that this is the case. However, if you expect an economic downturn, you may stay clear of this stock because they have an above-average debt level that needs refinancing soon. ...read more
Combined financial peformance: Union Pacific Lowest Financial Performance
| COMBINED PERFORMANCE | August 29, 2024 | |||||||
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| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 21 |
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| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 63 |
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| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 63 |
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| COMBINED | ||||||||
| COMBINED | 16 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 16 (worse than 84% compared with investment alternatives), Union Pacific (Railroads, USA) shares have lower financial characteristics compared with similar stocks. Shares of Union Pacific are low in value (priced high) with a consolidated Value Rank of 21 (worse than 79% of alternatives), and are riskily financed (Safety Rank of 33, which means above-average debt burdens) but show above-average growth (Growth Rank of 63). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 16, is a sell recommendation based on Union Pacific's financial characteristics. As the company Union Pacific shows low value with an Obermatt Value Rank of 21 (79% of comparable investments are less expensive), investors should look at the other ranks. In this case, growth is expected to be above-average, better than 63% of comparable companies (Obermatt Growth Rank is 63). This is a typical case. Companies with above average growth tend to cost more than stocks with slower growth expectations. If this is a high-growth company, the low Obermatt Safety Rank of 33 is a good sign. The more debt a well-performing company has, the higher the returns to shareholders. However, if growth turns negative or interest rates increase, high debt may become a burden. If you believe the future is bright for Union Pacific, even a low-value company (in terms of its key financial indicators) can be a good investment. ...read more
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