Union Pacific Reports First Quarter 2025 Results

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Apr 24, 2025

Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP) today reported 2025 first quarter net income of $1.6 billion, or $2.70 per diluted share. This compares to 2024 first quarter net income of $1.6 billion, or $2.69 per diluted share.

“The team delivered a solid start to the year as we worked closely with our customers to meet their needs in an uncertain environment,” said Jim Vena, Union Pacific Chief Executive Officer. “Looking to the rest of 2025, we will continue to execute our strategy that emphasizes safety, service, and operational excellence. Building on a strong foundation with our record First Quarter operating performance, we are positioned to deliver.”

First Quarter Summary: 2025 vs. 2024

Financial Results: Volume Growth and Robust Core Pricing Gains Offset by Business Mix and Fuel Headwinds; First Quarter Records for Freight Revenue

  • Operating revenue of $6.0 billion was flat on 7% volume growth and solid core pricing gains offset by business mix, reduced fuel surcharge revenue, lower other revenue, and impact from leap year.
  • Freight revenue grew 1%. Freight revenue excluding fuel surcharge grew 4%.
  • Core pricing dollars net of inflation were accretive to operating ratio.
  • Operating ratio was 60.7%, flat compared to 2024. Lower fuel prices and leap year unfavorably impacted the operating ratio 90 basis points.
  • Operating expenses were flat as productivity improvements and lower fuel costs offset volume-related costs and inflation.

Operating Performance: Continued Improvement in Service and Operational Excellence; First Quarter Records for Personal Injury Rate, Fuel Consumption Rate, Freight Car Velocity, and Workforce Productivity

  • Union Pacific’s reportable personal injury rate improved, matching our best-ever quarterly performance.
  • Quarterly freight car velocity was 215 daily miles per car, a 6% improvement.
  • Quarterly locomotive productivity was 136 gross ton-miles (GTMs) per horsepower day, a 1% improvement.
  • Average maximum train length was 9,490 feet, a 2% increase.
  • Quarterly workforce productivity improved 9% to 1,091 car miles per employee.
  • Fuel consumption rate improved 1% to 1.107, measured in gallons of fuel per thousand GTMs.

On Track With Investor Day Targets

  • Focused on Our Strategy Amid Uncertain Macro Environment
  • Affirming 2025 Outlook:
    • Volume impacted by mixed economic backdrop, coal demand, and challenging year-over-year international intermodal comparisons
    • Pricing dollars accretive to operating ratio
    • Earnings per share growth consistent with attaining the 3-year CAGR target of high-single to low-double digit
    • Industry-leading operating ratio and return on invested capital
    • No change to long-term capital allocation strategy
      - Capital plan of $3.4 billion
      - Share repurchases of $4.0 to $4.5 billion

First Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call

Union Pacific will webcast its first quarter 2025 earnings release presentation live at www.up.com/investor and via teleconference on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at 8:45 a.m. Eastern Time. Participants may join the conference call by dialing 877-407-8293 (or for international participants, 201-689-8349).

ABOUT UNION PACIFIC

Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) delivers the goods families and businesses use every day with safe, reliable, and efficient service. Operating in 23 western states, the company connects its customers and communities to the global economy. Trains are the most environmentally responsible way to move freight, helping Union Pacific protect future generations. More information about Union Pacific is available at www.up.com.

Supplemental financial information is attached.

This news release and related materials contain statements about the Company’s future that are not statements of historical fact, including specifically the statements regarding the potential impacts of public health crises, including pandemics, epidemics and the outbreak of other contagious diseases, such as the coronavirus and its variant strains (COVID); the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas wars and other geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, and any impacts on our business operations, financial results, liquidity, and financial position, and on the world economy (including customers, employees, and supply chains), including as a result of fluctuations in volume and carloadings; expectations as to general macroeconomic conditions, including slowdowns and recessions, domestically or internationally, and future volatility in interest rates and fuel prices; closing of customer manufacturing, distribution, or production facilities; expectations as to operational or service improvements; expectations as to hiring challenges; availability of employees; expectations regarding the effectiveness of steps taken or to be taken to improve operations, service, infrastructure improvements, and transportation plan modifications (including those in response to increased traffic); expectations as to cost savings, revenue growth, and earnings; the time by which goals, targets, or objectives will be achieved; projections, predictions, expectations, estimates, or forecasts as to business, financial, and operational results, future economic performance, and planned capital investments; proposed new products and services; estimates of costs relating to environmental remediation and restoration; estimates and expectations regarding tax matters; estimates and expectations regarding current or potential tariffs; expectations that claims, litigation, environmental costs, commitments, contingent liabilities, labor negotiations or agreements, cyberattacks or other matters. These statements are, or will be, forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements also generally include, without limitation, information, or statements regarding: projections, predictions, expectations, estimates, or forecasts as to the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ business, financial, and operational results, and future economic performance; and management’s beliefs, expectations, goals, and objectives and other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts.

Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times that, or by which, such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking information, including expectations regarding operational and financial improvements and the Company’s future performance or results are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in the statement. Important factors, including risk factors, could affect the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ future results and could cause those results or other outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Information regarding risk factors and other cautionary information are available in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2024, which was filed with the SEC on February 7, 2025. The Company updates information regarding risk factors if circumstances require such updates in its periodic reports on Form 10-Q and its subsequent Annual Reports on Form 10-K (or such other reports that may be filed with the SEC).

Forward-looking statements speak only as of, and are based only upon information available on, the date the statements were made. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking information to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions, or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information. If the Company does update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that the Company will make additional updates with respect thereto or with respect to other forward-looking statements. References to the Company’s website are provided for convenience and, therefore, information on or available through the website is not, and should not be deemed to be, incorporated by reference herein.

UNION PACIFIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)

Millions, except per share amounts and percentages, for the periods Ended March 31,

2025

2024

%

Operating revenues

Freight revenues

$

5,691

$

5,616

1

%

Other revenues

336

415

(19

)

Total operating revenues

6,027

6,031

-

Operating expenses

Compensation and benefits

1,212

1,223

(1

)

Purchased services and materials

631

613

3

Depreciation

610

594

3

Fuel

603

658

(8

)

Equipment and other rents

241

216

12

Other

359

355

1

Total operating expenses

3,656

3,659

-

Operating income

2,371

2,372

-

Other income, net

78

92

(15

)

Interest expense

(322

)

(324

)

(1

)

Income before income taxes

2,127

2,140

(1

)

Income tax expense

(501

)

(499

)

-

Net income

$

1,626

$

1,641

(1

)%

Share and per share

Earnings per share - basic

$

2.71

$

2.69

1

%

Earnings per share - diluted

$

2.70

$

2.69

-

Weighted average number of shares - basic

601.0

609.2

(1

)

Weighted average number of shares - diluted

601.9

610.2

(1

)

Dividends declared per share

$

1.34

$

1.30

3

Operating ratio

60.7

%

60.7

%

- pts

Effective tax rate

23.6

%

23.3

%

0.3 pts

UNION PACIFIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

Freight Revenues Statistics (unaudited)

For the periods ended March 31,

2025

2024

%

Freight revenues (millions)

Grain & grain products

$

950

$

943

1

%

Fertilizer

210

201

4

Food & refrigerated

260

285

(9

)

Coal & renewables

416

388

7

Bulk

1,836

1,817

1

Industrial chemicals & plastics

607

572

6

Metals & minerals

521

515

1

Forest products

321

338

(5

)

Energy & specialized markets

633

679

(7

)

Industrial

2,082

2,104

(1

)

Automotive

581

611

(5

)

Intermodal

1,192

1,084

10

Premium

1,773

1,695

5

Total

$

5,691

$

5,616

1

%

Revenue carloads (thousands)

Grain & grain products

214

210

2

%

Fertilizer

49

47

4

Food & refrigerated

43

46

(7

)

Coal & renewables

185

177

5

Bulk

491

480

2

Industrial chemicals & plastics

169

164

3

Metals & minerals

174

170

2

Forest products

51

53

(4

)

Energy & specialized markets

143

154

(7

)

Industrial

537

541

(1

)

Automotive

195

207

(6

)

Intermodal [a]

874

739

18

Premium

1,069

946

13

Total

2,097

1,967

7

%

Average revenue per car

Grain & grain products

$

4,434

$

4,494

(1

)%

Fertilizer

4,339

4,271

2

Food & refrigerated

6,058

6,231

(3

)

Coal & renewables

2,250

2,189

3

Bulk

3,744

3,787

(1

)

Industrial chemicals & plastics

3,601

3,486

3

Metals & minerals

2,986

3,030

(1

)

Forest products

6,264

6,297

(1

)

Energy & specialized markets

4,433

4,416

-

Industrial

3,877

3,886

-

Automotive

2,971

2,947

1

Intermodal [a]

1,364

1,468

(7

)

Premium

1,658

1,792

(7

)

Average

$

2,714

$

2,855

(5

)%

[a] For intermodal shipments each container or trailer equals one carload.

UNION PACIFIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (unaudited)

Millions

Mar. 31,
2025

Dec. 31,
2024

Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

$

1,411

$

1,016

Other current assets

3,128

3,005

Investments

2,704

2,664

Properties, net

58,710

58,343

Operating lease assets

1,142

1,297

Other assets

1,397

1,390

Total assets

$

68,492

$

67,715

Liabilities and Common Shareholders' Equity

Debt due within one year

$

2,227

$

1,425

Other current liabilities

3,995

3,829

Debt due after one year

30,615

29,767

Operating lease liabilities

758

925

Deferred income taxes

13,144

13,151

Other long-term liabilities

1,714

1,728

Total liabilities

52,453

50,825

Total common shareholders' equity

16,039

16,890

Total liabilities and common shareholders' equity

$

68,492

$

67,715

UNION PACIFIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)

Millions, for the periods ended March 31,

2025

2024

Operating Activities

Net income

$

1,626

$

1,641

Depreciation

610

594

Deferred and other income taxes

(7

)

23

Other - net

(19

)

(136

)

Cash provided by operating activities

2,210

2,122

Investing Activities

Capital investments*

(906

)

(797

)

Other - net

(32

)

(5

)

Cash used in investing activities

(938

)

(802

)

Financing Activities

Debt issued

1,996

400

Share repurchase programs

(1,420

)

-

Dividends paid

(804

)

(795

)

Debt repaid

(370

)

(1,358

)

Accelerated share repurchase programs pending final settlement

(300

)

-

Other - net

20

302

Cash used in financing activities

(878

)

(1,451

)

Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash

394

(131

)

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of year

1,028

1,074

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period

$

1,422

$

943

Free Cash Flow**

Cash provided by operating activities

$

2,210

$

2,122

Cash used in investing activities

(938

)

(802

)

Dividends paid

(804

)

(795

)

Free cash flow

$

468

$

525

*

Capital investments include locomotive and freight car early lease buyouts of $127 million in 2025 and $96 million in 2024.

**

Free cash flow is a non-GAAP measure; however, we believe this measure is important to management and investors in evaluating our financial performance and measures our ability to generate cash without additional external financing.

UNION PACIFIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

Operating and Performance Statistics (unaudited)

For the periods ended March 31,

2025

2024

%

Operating/performance statistics

Freight car velocity (daily miles per car)*

215

203

6

%

Average train speed (miles per hour)*

23.7

24.1

(2

)

Average terminal dwell time (hours)*

22.1

23.5

(6

)

Locomotive productivity (GTMs per horsepower day)

136

135

1

Gross ton-miles (GTMs) (millions)

212,792

206,029

3

Train length (feet)

9,490

9,287

2

Intermodal service performance index (%)

94

95

(1) pts

Manifest service performance index (%)

93

87

6 pts

Workforce productivity (car miles per employee)

1,091

1,000

9

Total employees (average)

30,146

31,052

(3

)

Locomotive fuel statistics

Average fuel price per gallon consumed

$

2.51

$

2.81

(11

)%

Fuel consumed in gallons (millions)

236

230

3

Fuel consumption rate***

1.107

1.115

(1

)

Revenue ton-miles (millions)

Grain & grain products

21,144

20,649

2

%

Fertilizer

3,431

3,287

4

Food & refrigerated

4,540

4,917

(8

)

Coal & renewables

20,214

18,883

7

Bulk

49,329

47,736

3

Industrial chemicals & plastics

7,737

7,427

4

Metals & minerals

8,098

8,065

-

Forest products

5,269

5,580

(6

)

Energy & specialized markets

9,719

10,586

(8

)

Industrial

30,823

31,658

(3

)

Automotive

4,444

4,536

(2

)

Intermodal

19,415

17,335

12

Premium

23,859

21,871

9

Total

104,011

101,265

3

%

* Surface Transportation Board (STB) reported performance measures.

** Methodology used to report is not comparable with the reporting to the STB under docket number EP 770.

*** Fuel consumption is computed as follows: gallons of fuel consumed divided by gross ton-miles in thousands.

UNION PACIFIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

Non-GAAP Measures Reconciliation to GAAP (unaudited)

Debt / net income

Millions, except ratios

for the trailing twelve months ended [1]

Mar. 31,
2025

Dec. 31,
2024

Debt

$

32,842

$

31,192

Net income

6,732

6,747

Debt / net income

4.9

4.6

Adjusted debt / adjusted EBITDA*

Millions, except ratios

for the trailing twelve months ended [1]

Mar. 31,
2025

Dec. 31,
2024

Net income

$

6,732

$

6,747

Add:

Income tax expense

2,049

2,047

Depreciation

2,414

2,398

Interest expense

1,267

1,269

EBITDA

$

12,462

$

12,461

Adjustments:

Other income, net

(336

)

(350

)

Interest on operating lease liabilities [2]

40

48

Adjusted EBITDA (a)

$

12,166

$

12,159

Debt

$

32,842

$

31,192

Operating lease liabilities

1,062

1,271

Adjusted debt (b)

$

33,904

$

32,463

Adjusted debt / adjusted EBITDA (b/a)

2.8

2.7

[1]

The trailing twelve months income statement information ended March 31, 2025, is recalculated by taking the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, subtracting the three months ended March 31, 2024, and adding the three months ended March 31, 2025.

[2]

Represents the hypothetical interest expense we would incur (using the incremental borrowing rate) if the property under our operating leases were owned or accounted for as finance leases.

*

Adjusted debt (total debt plus operating lease liabilities plus after-tax unfunded pension and OPEB (other post-retirement benefit) obligations) to adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, and adjustments for other income and interest on present value of operating leases) is considered a non-GAAP financial measure by SEC Regulation G and Item 10 of SEC Regulation S-K and may not be defined and calculated by other companies in the same manner. We believe this measure is important to management and investors in evaluating the Company’s ability to sustain given debt levels (including leases) with the cash generated from operations. In addition, a comparable measure is used by rating agencies when reviewing the Company’s credit rating. Adjusted debt to adjusted EBITDA should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, other information provided in accordance with GAAP. The most comparable GAAP measure is debt to net income ratio. The tables above provide reconciliations from net income to adjusted EBITDA, debt to adjusted debt, and debt to net income to adjusted debt to adjusted EBITDA. At both March 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024, the incremental borrowing rate on operating leases was 3.8%. Pension and OPEB were funded at March 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024.

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