Union Pacific Corporation vs Williams-Sonoma, Inc. — how do they compare? Union Pacific Corporation trades at $285.05 (market cap $171.36B), while Williams-Sonoma, Inc. trades at $228.08 (market cap $26.83B). The key difference: Union Pacific Corporation is far larger — about 6.4× Williams-Sonoma, Inc.'s market cap, and Union Pacific Corporation pays the higher dividend (1.97%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| UNP | WSM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $171.36B | $26.83B |
Sector | Industrials | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $310.62 | $251.81 |
52-Week Low | $214.91 | $168.64 |
Enterprise Value | $200.42B | $27.33B |
Dividend Yield | 1.97% | 1.33% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
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.
Williams-Sonoma (WSM) trades at $227.83, up 0.18% on the day, with a bearish technical signal but strong fundamentals. The stock has beaten earnings estimates for three consecutive quarters, with Q2 2026 EPS of $2.10 exceeding expectations. Revenue growth of 6.2% in Q2 2026 reflects market share gains in a flat home furnishings industry, supported by a robust net income margin of 14.73% and ROE of 54.96%.
The outlook is positive given raised full-year guidance and analyst consensus price target of $252.62, though near-term risks include tariff pressures on margins and technical resistance near $231. Institutional buying, such as HSBC's 12.1% stake increase in Q2 2026, underscores confidence in continued execution amid competitive and macroeconomic headwinds.
Trailing returns across standard periods
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 →With a wide retail and direct-to-consumer presence, Williams-Sonoma is a leader in the $300 billion domestic home category, focused on expanding its exposure in the B2B, marketplace, and franchise areas. Namesake Williams-Sonoma (175 stores) offers high-end cooking essentials, while Pottery Barn (189) provides casual home accessories. Brand extensions include Pottery Barn Kids (52) and PBteen. West Elm (121) is an emerging concept for young professionals, and Rejuvenation (9) offers lighting and house parts. Williams-Sonoma also has a business-to-business team that supports projects that range from residential to large-scale commercial.
Read more on WSM →