Old Dominion Freight Line Inc vs Union Pacific Corporation — how do they compare? Old Dominion Freight Line Inc trades at $182.12 (market cap $37.71B), while Union Pacific Corporation trades at $286.67 (market cap $169.16B). The key difference: Union Pacific Corporation is far larger — about 4.5× Old Dominion Freight Line Inc's market cap, and Union Pacific Corporation pays the higher dividend (1.99%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ODFL | UNP | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $37.71B | $169.16B |
Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
52-Week High | $248.73 | $310.62 |
52-Week Low | $126.29 | $214.91 |
Enterprise Value | $37.45B | $198.21B |
Dividend Yield | 0.64% | 1.99% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL) trades at $187.01, up 0.61% on the day, with a bearish technical signal but strong fundamentals. The stock has beaten earnings estimates for three consecutive quarters, with Q3 2026 results pending. Revenue per day rose 12.4% year-over-year in August 2026, though net income margins have softened from 21.99% in 2022 to 18.62% in 2025. The balance sheet remains robust with low debt, and cash flow trends show improved net cash flow in 2026.
Outlook: ODFL's premium valuation (P/E 35.96) demands sustained execution, but analyst consensus targets $238.73 imply ~28% upside. Risks include freight volume pressure and high valuation sensitivity. Institutional buying and cost discipline support momentum, though technical weakness near support at $182 warrants caution.
Union Pacific (UNP) trades at $288.45, down 0.4% with a bearish technical signal despite strong fundamentals. The company reported solid Q2 2026 earnings beat ($3.41 vs $3.26 expected) and maintains robust profitability with 28.85% net margin and 39.7% ROE. Recent news highlights progress on the Norfolk Southern merger, expected to close by late 2027, while institutional activity shows mixed positioning with some funds increasing stakes while others reduced exposure.
The stock offers upside to the $334.33 consensus price target with 58.7% analyst buy ratings, though technical resistance near $290-294 and merger regulatory risks warrant monitoring. Strong cash flow generation ($9.29B operating cash flow in 2025) and dividend payments ($1.42 declared for H2-26) support shareholder returns, while debt levels remain manageable at 46.06% debt-to-asset ratio.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Old Dominion Freight Line is the fourth-largest less-than-truckload carrier in the United States, with more than 240 service centers and 9,200-plus tractors. OD is by far one of the most disciplined and efficient providers in the trucking industry, and its profitability and capital returns stand head and shoulders above its peers. Strategic initiatives revolve around increasing network density through market share gains and maintaining industry-leading service via consistent infrastructure investment.
Read more on ODFL →Omaha, Nebraska-based Union Pacific is the largest public railroad in North America. Operating on more than 30,000 miles of track in the western two thirds of the U.S., UP generated roughly $22 billion of revenue in 2021 by hauling coal, industrial products, intermodal containers, agriculture goods, chemicals, and automotive goods. UP owns about one fourth of Mexican railroad Ferromex and derives about 10% of its revenue hauling freight to and from Mexico.
Read more on UNP →