Union Pacific Corporation vs Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated — how do they compare? Union Pacific Corporation trades at $285.05 (market cap $171.36B), while Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated trades at $522.29 (market cap $134.06B). The key difference: Union Pacific Corporation is the larger of the two by market cap, and Union Pacific Corporation pays a 1.97% dividend while Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| UNP | VRTX | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $171.36B | $134.06B |
Sector | Industrials | Health |
52-Week High | $310.62 | $557.96 |
52-Week Low | $214.91 | $376.62 |
Enterprise Value | $200.42B | $128.18B |
Dividend Yield | 1.97% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Union Pacific (UNP) trades at $288.45, down 0.4% on the day, with a bearish technical signal but strong fundamentals including a 28.85% net income margin and robust cash flow. Recent earnings beats in Q1 and Q2 2026, coupled with a pending Norfolk Southern merger expected to close by late 2027, highlight growth potential. The stock is supported by a consensus analyst price target of $334.33, indicating 16% upside.
The outlook is positive due to solid profitability and merger prospects, but risks include regulatory hurdles for the merger and economic sensitivity. Analysts are predominantly bullish (58.7% buy ratings), though technical indicators suggest near-term caution with support at $287.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) trades at $528.9, down 3.15% on the day, amid a mixed technical and fundamental backdrop. The stock shows a bullish moving average signal but neutral oscillators, with key support at $522. Fundamentally, 2025 revenue reached $12.0B with a strong net income margin of 35%, though recent quarterly EPS results have been mixed. The company recently completed the acquisition of Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, signaling growth ambitions.
The outlook remains positive given analyst consensus favoring a Buy rating (84%) and a $548.78 price target, implying upside. Key opportunities include revenue growth from new drug launches, while risks involve competitive pressures and earnings volatility. The stock's current valuation at a P/E of 30.8 requires sustained execution to justify further gains.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
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 →Vertex Pharmaceuticals is a global biotechnology company that discovers and develops small-molecule drugs for the treatment of serious diseases. Its key drugs are Kalydeco, Orkambi, Symdeko, and Trikafta/Kaftrio for cystic fibrosis, where Vertex therapies remain the standard of care globally. In addition to its focus on cystic fibrosis, Vertex is diversifying its pipeline through gene-editing therapies such as CTX001 for beta-thalassemia and sickle-cell disease, small-molecule inhibitors targeting acute and chronic pain using non-opioid treatments, and small-molecule inhibitors of APOL1-mediated kidney diseases. Vertex is also investigating cell therapies to deliver a potential functional cure for type 1 diabetes.
Read more on VRTX →