| [a]In the period of the final settlement, the average price under the accelerated share repurchase programs is calculated based on the total program value less the value assigned to the initial delivery of shares. The average price of the initial settlement of the 2025 accelerated share repurchase programs was $.
[b]Includes shares repurchased in February 2025 under accelerated share repurchase programs.
Management's assessments of market conditions and other pertinent factors guide the timing, manner, and volume of all repurchases. We expect to fund any share repurchases under this program through cash generated from operations, the sale or lease of various operating and non-operating properties, debt issuances, and cash on hand. Open market repurchases are recorded in treasury stock at cost, which includes any applicable commissions, fees, and excise taxes.
Subsequent event – From April 1, 2025, through April 23, 2025, we repurchased million shares at an aggregate cost of approximately $ million.
Accelerated share repurchase programs – The Company has established accelerated share repurchase programs (ASRs) with financial institutions to repurchase shares of our common stock. These ASRs have been structured so that at the time of commencement, we pay a specified amount to the financial institutions and receive an initial delivery of shares. Additional shares may be received at the time of settlement. The final number of shares to be received is based on the volume weighted
shares of its common stock repurchased under ASRs for an aggregate of $ billion. When the shares were received, the exchange was accounted for as an equity transaction with $ billion of the aggregate amount allocated to treasury stock and the remaining $ billion allocated to paid-in-surplus. This delivery of shares represents the initial and likely minimum number of shares that we may receive under the ASRs initiated in 2025. The final settlement is expected to be completed prior to the end of the third quarter of 2025.
ASRs are accounted for as equity transactions, and at the time of receipt, shares are included in treasury stock at fair market value as of the corresponding initiation or settlement date. The Company reflects shares received as a repurchase of common stock in the weighted average common shares outstanding calculation for basic and diluted earnings per share.
16.
% economic interest in TTX while the other North American railroads own the remaining interest. In accordance with ASC 323 Investments - Equity Method and Joint Venture, UPRR applies the equity method of accounting to our investment in TTX.
TTX is a rail car pooling company that owns rail cars and intermodal wells to serve North America’s railroads. TTX assists railroads in meeting the needs of their customers by providing rail cars in an efficient, pooled environment. All railroads may utilize TTX rail cars through car hire (i.e., renting rail cars at stated rates).
billion recognized as investments related to TTX in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as of both March 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024. TTX car hire expense of $ million and $ million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, are included in equipment and other rents in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. In addition, UPRR had accounts payable to TTX of $ million and $ million at March 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024, respectively.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
UNION PACIFIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to
three months ended March 31, 2024
For purposes of this report, unless the context otherwise requires, all references herein to "Union Pacific", “UPC”, “Corporation”, “Company”, “we”, “us”, and “our” shall mean Union Pacific Corporation and its subsidiaries, including Union Pacific Railroad Company, which we separately refer to as “UPRR” or the “Railroad”.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and applicable notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Item 1, and other information included in this report. Our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are unaudited and reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal and recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for their fair presentation in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP).
The Railroad, along with its subsidiaries and rail affiliates, is our one reportable business segment. Although revenues are analyzed by commodity, we analyze the net financial results of the Railroad as one segment due to the integrated nature of the rail network.
Critical accounting estimates
The preparation of these financial statements requires estimation and judgment that affect the reported amounts of revenues, expenses, assets, and liabilities. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. If these estimates differ materially from actual results, the impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements may be material. Our critical accounting estimates are available in Item 7 of our 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K. During the first three months of 2025, there have not been any significant changes with respect to our critical accounting estimates.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Quarterly summary
The Company reported earnings of $2.70 per diluted share on net income of $1.6 billion and an operating ratio of 60.7% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to earnings of $2.69 per diluted share on net income of $1.6 billion and an operating ratio of 60.7% for the first quarter of 2024. Freight revenues increased 1% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024 driven by a 7% volume increase and core pricing gains, largely offset by unfavorable business mix (for example, a relative increase in international intermodal shipments, which have a lower average revenue per car (ARC)), lower fuel surcharge revenues, and one less day due to leap year in 2024. Volume increases were primarily driven by international intermodal and coal, partially offset by weaker demand for automotive and decreased petroleum product shipments.
Second half of 2024's operating momentum continued as we ran a fluid network in the first quarter of 2025 while handling 7% more volume than last year, including elevated international intermodal business, which was 33% more than first quarter of 2024. Terminal dwell and freight car velocity are key indicators of that fluidity, both improving 6% compared to last year. We continue to utilize our resources effectively as locomotive productivity improved 1% and workforce productivity improved 9% year-over-year. Manifest service performance index and train length improved from the first quarter of 2024, while intermodal service performance index was essentially flat.
Operating expenses decreased slightly compared to the first quarter of 2024 due to productivity and lower fuel prices. These decreases were partially offset by volume-related costs, inflation, and higher depreciation. Operating income of $2.4 billion and operating ratio of 60.7% remained unchanged from last year, despite the business mix, fuel price impact, and having one less day in 2025.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating revenues | | | | | |
| |
| Millions, for the three months ended March 31, | 2025 | 2024 | Change % | | |
| Freight revenues | $ | 5,691 | | $ | 5,616 | | 1% |
| Other subsidiary revenues | 194 | | 217 | | (11) | | | |
| Accessorial revenues | 118 | | 174 | | (32) | | | |
| Other | 24 | | 24 | | - | | | |
| Total | $ | 6,027 | | $ | 6,031 | | -% |
We generate freight revenues by transporting products from our three commodity groups. Freight revenues vary with volumes (carloads) and ARC. Changes in price, traffic mix, and fuel surcharges drive ARC. Customer incentives, which are primarily provided for shipping to/from specific locations or based on cumulative volumes, are recorded as a reduction to operating revenues. Customer incentives that include variable consideration based on cumulative volumes are estimated using the expected value method, which is based on available historical, current, and forecasted volumes, and recognized as the related performance obligation is satisfied. We recognize freight revenues over time as shipments move from origin to destination. The allocation of revenues between reporting periods is based on the relative transit time in each reporting period with expenses recognized as incurred.
Other subsidiary revenues (primarily logistics and commuter rail operations) are generally recognized over time as shipments move from origin to destination. The allocation of revenues between reporting periods is based on the relative transit time in each reporting period with expenses recognized as incurred. Accessorial revenues are recognized at a point in time as performance obligations are satisfied.
Freight revenues increased 1% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024 driven by a 7% increase in volumes and core pricing gains, largely offset by unfavorable business mix (for example, a relative increase in international intermodal shipments, which have a lower ARC), lower fuel surcharge revenues, and one less day due to leap year in 2024. Volume increases were primarily driven by international intermodal and coal, partially offset by weaker demand for automotive and decreased petroleum product shipments.
Each of our commodity groups includes revenues from fuel surcharges. Freight revenues from fuel surcharge programs decreased $100 million to $565 million in the first quarter of 2025 compared to $665 million in the same period of 2024 due to lower fuel prices and the lag impact on fuel prices (it can generally take up to two months for changing fuel prices to affect fuel surcharge recoveries), partially offset by higher volumes.
Other subsidiary revenues decreased in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 2024 primarily driven by the partial transfer of our commuter operations to Metra and a weaker demand for intermodal shipments at our subsidiary that brokers intermodal and transload logistics services. Accessorial revenues decreased in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 2024 driven by lower intermodal accessorial revenues as a result of our intermodal equipment sale and a one-time contract settlement recognized in the first quarter of 2024.
The following tables summarize the year-over-year changes in freight revenues, revenue carloads, and ARC by commodity type:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| Freight revenues | | | | | |
| Millions, for the three months ended March 31, | 2025 | 2024 | Change % | | |
| 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, for the three months ended March 31, | 2025 | 2024 | Change % | | |
| 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 | | | | | |
| For the three months ended March 31, | 2025 | 2024 | Change % | | |
| 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.
Bulk – Bulk includes shipments of grain and grain products, fertilizer, food and refrigerated, and coal and renewables. Freight revenues from bulk shipments increased in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 2024 due to core pricing gains and a 2% volume increase, partially offset by business mix from increased coal shipments and lower fuel surcharge revenues. The volume increase was driven by higher demand for coal used in electricity generation, due to colder weather and higher natural gas prices, and strength in export grain and grain products from increased soybean crush production and strong ethanol demand.
Industrial – Industrial includes shipments of industrial chemicals and plastics, metals and minerals, forest products, and energy and specialized markets. Freight revenues from industrial shipments decreased in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 2024 due to business mix from decreased soda ash and lumber shipments, lower fuel surcharge revenues, and volume declines, partially offset by core pricing gains. Volume decreases in first quarter of 2025 compared to 2024 were driven by decreased shipments of petroleum due to business losses, a weaker global soda ash market, and a soft housing market along with ongoing tariff uncertainties that drove declines in lumber. Partially offsetting some of the volume declines was strength in rock, industrial chemicals, and plastics.
Premium – Premium includes shipments of finished automobiles, automotive parts, and merchandise in intermodal containers, both domestic and international. Premium freight revenues increased in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 2024 due to a 13% rise in volume and core pricing gains, partially offset by business mix and lower fuel surcharge revenues. The volume increase was primarily due to continued elevated U.S. West Coast imports in the first quarter of 2025, reflecting a 33% increase compared to the first quarter of 2024. In addition, business development efforts in domestic intermodal contributed to year-over-year volume growth. Automotive shipments decreased in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 2024 due to reduced production and tariff uncertainties, which offset some of the volume gains from intermodal shipments.
Mexico business – Freight revenues from each of our commodity groups includes revenues from shipments to and from Mexico, which decreased 9% to $719 million in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 2024 driven by a 5% volume decline and a 4% decrease in ARC. Volume declines were driven by lower automotive shipments in both parts and finished vehicles.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating expenses | | | | | |
| |
| Millions, for the three months ended March 31, | 2025 | 2024 | Change % | | |
| 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 | $ | 3,656 | | $ | 3,659 | | -% |
Operating expenses decreased slightly in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 2024 driven by productivity and lower fuel prices. These decreases were partially offset by volume-related costs, inflation, and higher depreciation.
Compensation and benefits – Compensation and benefits include wages, payroll taxes, health and welfare costs, pension costs, and incentive costs. For the first quarter of 2025, expense decreased 1% compared to 2024 due to lower employee levels, partially offset by wage inflation.
Purchased services and materials – Expense for purchased services and materials includes the costs of services purchased from outside contractors and other service providers (including equipment maintenance and contract expense incurred by our subsidiaries for external transportation services); materials used to maintain the Railroad’s lines, structures, and equipment; costs of operating facilities jointly used by UPRR and other railroads; transportation and lodging for train crew employees; trucking and contracting costs for intermodal containers; leased automobile maintenance expense; and tools and supplies. Purchased services and materials increased 3% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 2024, driven by inflation, volume-related costs (including an increase in our active locomotive fleet), and a 2024 favorable contract settlement, partially offset by decreased volume-related drayage costs incurred at one of our subsidiaries.
Depreciation – The majority of depreciation relates to road property, including rail, ties, ballast, and other track material. Depreciation expense was up 3% for the first quarter of 2025 compared to 2024, driven by a higher depreciable asset base.
Fuel – Fuel includes locomotive fuel and gasoline for highway and non-highway vehicles and heavy equipment. Fuel expense decreased in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024 driven by a decrease in locomotive diesel fuel prices and a 1% improvement in the fuel consumption rate (computed as gallons of fuel consumed divided by gross ton-miles
in thousands), partially offset by an increase in gross ton-miles. Locomotive diesel fuel prices averaged $2.51 and $2.81 per gallon (including taxes and transportation costs) in the first quarter of 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Equipment and other rents – Equipment and other rents expense primarily includes rental expense that the Railroad pays for freight cars owned by other railroads or private companies; freight car, intermodal, and locomotive leases; and office and other rent expense, offset by equity income from certain equity method investments. Equipment and other rents expense increased 12% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 2024, driven by increased car hire for auto racks, inflation, and increased demand in business (mainly intermodal) utilizing freight cars owned by others, partially offset by a reduction in equipment leases.
Other – Other expense includes state and local taxes; freight, equipment, and property damage; utilities; insurance; personal injury; environmental remediation; employee travel; telephone and cellular; computer software; bad debt; and other general expenses. Other expense increased 1% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 2024, driven by higher costs associated with destroyed equipment, partially offset by lower bad debt expense and environmental remediation costs.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non operating items | | | | | |
| |
| Millions, for the three months ended March 31, | 2025 | 2024 | Change % | | |
| Other income, net | $ | 78 | | $ | 92 | | (15)% |
| Interest expense | (322) | | (324) | | (1) | | | |
| Income tax expense | (501) | | (499) | | - | |
Other income, net – Other income decreased in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 2024. See Note 6 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Item 1, for additional detail.
Interest expense – Interest expense decreased in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 2024 due to a decreased weighted-average debt level of $31.9 billion in 2025 compared to $32.3 billion in 2024, partially offset by a slightly higher effective interest rate of 4.1% in 2025 compared to 4.0% in 2024.
Income tax expense – Income tax expense was essentially flat in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 2024. Our effective tax rates for the first quarter 2025 and 2024 were 23.6% and 23.3%, respectively.
OTHER OPERATING/PERFORMANCE AND FINANCIAL STATISTICS
We report a number of key performance measures weekly to the Surface Transportation Board (STB). We provide these on our website at https://investor.unionpacific.com/key-performance-metrics.
Operating/performance statistics
Management continuously monitors these key operating metrics to evaluate our operational efficiency in striving to deliver the service product we sold to our customers.
Railroad performance measures are included in the table below:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| For the three months ended March 31, | 2025 | 2024 | Change % | | |
| Gross ton-miles (GTMs) (billions) | 212.8 | 206.0 | 3% |
| Revenue ton-miles (billions) | 104.0 | 101.3 | 3 | | | |
| Freight car velocity (daily miles per car) [a] | 215 | 203 | 6 | | | |
| Average train speed (miles per hour) [a] | 23.7 | 24.1 | (2) | | | |
| Average terminal dwell time (hours) [a] | 22.1 | 23.5 | (6) | | | |
| Locomotive productivity (GTMs per horsepower day) | 136 | 135 | 1 | | | |
| Train length (feet) | 9,490 | 9,287 | 2 | | | |
| Intermodal service performance index (%) | 94 | | 95 | | (1)pts |
| Manifest service performance index (%) | 93 | | 87 | | 6pts |
| Workforce productivity (car miles per employee) | 1,091 | 1,000 | 9 | | | |
| Total employees (average) | 30,146 | 31,052 | (3) | | | |
| Operating ratio (%) | 60.7 | | 60.7 | | -pts |
[a]As reported to the STB.
Gross and revenue ton-miles – Gross ton-miles are calculated by multiplying the weight of loaded and empty freight cars by the number of miles hauled. Revenue ton-miles are calculated by multiplying the weight of freight by the number of rate miles. Both gross ton-miles and revenue ton-miles increased 3%, in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 2024, while carloadings increased 7% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 2024. Changes in business mix drove the year-over-year variances between gross ton-miles, revenue ton-miles, and carloads due to increased international intermodal shipments that are generally lighter.
Freight car velocity – Freight car velocity measures the average daily miles per car on our network. The two key drivers of this metric are the speed of the train between terminals (average train speed) and the time a rail car spends at the terminals (average terminal dwell time). Freight car velocity increased 6% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 2024 driven by a 6% improvement in terminal dwell.
Locomotive productivity – Locomotive productivity is gross ton-miles per average daily locomotive horsepower available. Locomotive productivity increased 1% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 2024 driven by improved network fluidity and asset utilization despite the increase in active fleet to handle the additional volumes.
Train length – Train length is the average maximum train length on a route measured in feet. Our train length increased 2% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 2024 due to train length improvement initiatives and increases in international intermodal shipments.
Service performance index (SPI) – SPI is a ratio of the service customers are currently receiving relative to the best monthly performance over the last three years. Measuring our performance relative to a historical benchmark demonstrates our focus on continuously improving service for our customers. Our SPI is calculated for intermodal and manifest products. Intermodal SPI was essentially flat in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 2024, while handling 18% more volume. Manifest SPI improved 6 points in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 2024 driven by improved network fluidity.
Workforce productivity – Workforce productivity is average daily car miles per employee. Workforce productivity improved 9% in the first quarter of 2025 as average daily car miles increased 6% and employees decreased 3% compared to 2024. In the first quarter of 2025, we continued to adjust our active train, engine, and yard (TE&Y) workforce to enable responsiveness in an ever-changing demand and operating environment. As a result, we were able to handle 7% more volume with 1% fewer active TE&Y employees.
Operating ratio – Operating ratio is our operating expenses reflected as a percentage of operating revenues. Our operating ratio of 60.7% for the first quarter of 2025 was consistent with 2024 driven by core pricing gains and productivity initiatives, offset by the year-over-year impact of the business mix, inflation, the year-over-year impact from lower fuel prices, and other costs.
| | | | | | | | |
| 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.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Financial condition
| | | | | | | | |
| Cash flows | | |
| Millions, for the three months ended March 31, | 2025 | 2024 |
| Cash provided by operating activities | $ | 2,210 | | $ | 2,122 | |
| Cash used in investing activities | (938) | | (802) | |
| Cash used in financing activities | (878) | | (1,451) | |
| Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | $ | 394 | | $ | (131) | |
Operating activities
Cash provided by operating activities increased slightly in the first three months of 2025 compared to the same period of 2024.
Investing activities
Cash used in investing activities increased in the first three months of 2025 compared to the same period of 2024 driven by the timing of capital investments.
The table below details cash capital investments:
| | | | | | | | |
| Millions, for the three months ended March 31, | 2025 | 2024 |
| Rail and other track material | $ | 118 | | $ | 124 | |
| Ties | 141 | | 100 | |
| Ballast | 43 | | 35 | |
| Other [a] | 127 | | 120 | |
| Total road infrastructure replacements | 429 | | 379 | |
| Line expansion and other capacity projects | 48 | | 40 | |
| Commercial facilities | 77 | | 38 | |
| Total capacity and commercial facilities | 125 | | 78 | |
| Locomotives and freight cars [b] | 257 | | 246 | |
| Technology and other | 95 | | 94 | |
| Total cash capital investments [c] | $ | 906 | | $ | 797 | |
[a]Other includes bridges and tunnels, signals, other road assets, and road work equipment.
[b]Locomotives and freight cars include early lease buyouts of $127 million in 2025 and $96 million in 2024.
[c]Weather-related damages for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, are immaterial.
Capital plan
In 2025, we expect our capital plan to be approximately $3.4 billion, consistent with 2024. We plan to continue to make investments to support our growth strategy, improve the safety, resiliency, and operational efficiency of the network, harden our infrastructure, and replace older assets, including modernization of our locomotive fleet and acquiring freight cars to support replacement and growth opportunities. In addition, the plan includes investments in growth-related projects to drive more carloads to the network and enhance productivity. This includes siding construction and extension projects, terminal investments supporting our manifest network, and investments in certain ramps to efficiently handle volumes from new and existing intermodal customers. The capital plan may be revised if business conditions warrant or if laws or regulations affect our ability to generate sufficient returns on these investments.
Financing activities
Cash used in financing activities decreased in the first three months of 2025 compared to the same period of 2024 driven by an increase of debt issued and less debt repaid, partially offset by more share repurchases, including entering into accelerated share repurchase programs.
See Note 13 of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Item 1, for a description of all our outstanding financing arrangements and significant new borrowings and Note 15 of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Item 1, for a description of our share repurchase programs.
Free cash flow – Free cash flow is defined as cash provided by operating activities less cash used in investing activities and dividends paid. Cash flow conversion rate is defined as cash provided by operating activities less cash used for capital investments as a ratio of net income.
Free cash flow and cash flow conversion rate are not considered financial measures under GAAP 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 free cash flow and cash flow conversion rate are important to management and investors in evaluating our financial
performance and measures our ability to generate cash without external financing. Free cash flow and cash flow conversion rate should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, cash provided by operating activities.
The following table reconciles cash provided by operating activities (GAAP measure) to free cash flow (non-GAAP measure):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Millions, for the three months ended March 31, | 2025 | | 2024 | |
| 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 | | |
The following table reconciles cash provided by operating activities (GAAP measure) to cash flow conversion rate (non-GAAP measure):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Millions, except percentages, for the three months ended March 31, | 2025 | | 2024 | |
| Cash provided by operating activities | $ | 2,210 | | | $ | 2,122 | | |
| Cash used in capital investments | (906) | | | (797) | | |
| Total (a) | $ | 1,304 | | | $ | 1,325 | | |
| Net income (b) | $ | 1,626 | | | $ | 1,641 | | |
| Cash flow conversion rate (a/b) | 80% | 81% |
Current liquidity status
We are continually evaluating our financial condition and liquidity. We analyze a wide range of economic scenarios and the impact on our ability to generate cash. These analyses inform our liquidity plans and activities outlined below and indicate we have sufficient borrowing capacity to sustain an extended period of lower volumes.
During the first quarter of 2025, we generated $2.2 billion of cash provided by operating activities, paid our quarterly dividend, and repurchased $1.4 billion worth of shares under our share repurchase programs, including entering into accelerated share repurchase programs for $1.5 billion ($1.2 billion assigned to the initial delivery of shares). On March 31, 2025, we had $1.4 billion of cash and cash equivalents, $2.0 billion of credit available under our revolving credit facility, and up to $800 million undrawn on the Receivables Facility. In January 2025, we redeemed all $350 million of outstanding 3.25% notes due January 15, 2025. In February 2025, we issued $2.0 billion of debt (see Note 13 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Item 1). We have been, and we expect to continue to be, in compliance with our debt covenants.
As described in the notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and as referenced in the table below, we have contractual obligations that may affect our financial condition. Based on our assessment of the underlying provisions and circumstances of our contractual obligations, other than the risks that we and other similarly situated companies face with respect to the condition of the capital markets, as of the date of this filing, there is no known trend, demand, commitment, event, or uncertainty that is reasonably likely to occur that would have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity. In addition, our commercial obligations, financings, and commitments are customary transactions that are like those of other comparable corporations, particularly within the transportation industry.
The following table identifies material contractual obligations as of March 31, 2025:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Apr. 1, through Dec. 31, 2025 | Payments Due by Dec. 31, |
| Millions | Total | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | After 2029 |
| Debt [a] | $ | 61,298 | | $ | 1,874 | | $ | 2,724 | | $ | 2,455 | | $ | 2,402 | | $ | 2,360 | | $ | 49,483 | |
| Purchase obligations [b] | 1,790 | | 568 | | 621 | | 264 | | 195 | | 134 | | 8 | |
| Operating leases [c] | 1,176 | | 182 | | 268 | | 219 | | 171 | | 123 | | 213 | |
| Other post-retirement benefits [d] | 368 | | 29 | | 39 | | 38 | | 38 | | 38 | | 186 | |
| Finance lease obligations [e] | 136 | | 23 | | 42 | | 36 | | 14 | | 21 | | - | |
| Total contractual obligations | $ | 64,768 | | $ | 2,676 | | $ | 3,694 | | $ | 3,012 | | $ | 2,820 | | $ | 2,676 | | $ | 49,890 | |
[a]Excludes finance lease obligations of $124 million as well as unamortized discount and deferred issuance costs of ($1,707) million. Includes an interest component of $26,873 million.
[b]Purchase obligations include locomotive maintenance contracts; purchase commitments for ties, ballast, and rail; and agreements to purchase other goods and services.
[c]Includes leases for locomotives, freight cars, other equipment, and real estate. Includes an interest component of $114 million.
[d]Includes estimated other post-retirement, medical, and life insurance payments and payments made under the unfunded pension plan for the next ten years.
[e]Represents total obligations, including interest component of $12 million.
OTHER MATTERS
Asserted and unasserted claims – See Note 14 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Item 1.
Indemnities – See Note 14 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Item 1.
CAUTIONARY INFORMATION
Certain statements in this report, and statements in other reports or information filed or to be filed with the SEC (as well as information included in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by us), are, or will be, forward-looking statements as defined by the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements and information include, without limitation, statements and information set forth under the captions “Liquidity and Capital Resources” regarding our capital plan, share repurchase programs, contractual obligations, and "Other Matters" in this Item 2 of Part I. Forward-looking statements and information also include any other statements or information in this report (including information incorporated herein by reference) regarding: potential impacts of public health crises, including pandemics, epidemics, and the outbreak of other contagious disease, 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 volumes and carloadings; 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 discussed in response to increased traffic); expectations as to cost savings, revenue growth, and earnings; the time by which goals, targets, aspirations, or objectives will be achieved; projections, predictions, expectations, estimates, or forecasts as to our business, financial, and operational results, future economic performance, and general economic conditions; 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, cyber-attacks or other matters will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity and any other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements may be identified by their use
of forward-looking terminology, such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “should,” “would,” “will,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “projects,” and similar words, phrases, or expressions.
Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance, results, or outcomes, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times that, or by which, such performance, results, or outcomes will be achieved, if ever. Forward-looking statements and information are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in the statements and information. Forward-looking statements and information reflect the good faith consideration by management of currently available information, and may be based on underlying assumptions believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. However, such information and assumptions (and, therefore, such forward-looking statements and information) are or may be subject to variables or unknown or unforeseeable events or circumstances over which management has little or no influence or control, and many of these risks and uncertainties are currently amplified by and may continue to be amplified by, or in the future may be amplified by, among other things, macroeconomic and geopolitical conditions.
The Risk Factors in Item 1A of our 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed February 7, 2025, could affect our future results and could cause those results or other outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements or information. To the extent circumstances require or we deem it otherwise necessary, we will update or amend these risk factors in a Form 10-Q, Form 8-K, or subsequent Form 10-K. All forward-looking statements are qualified by, and should be read in conjunction with, these Risk Factors.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statement was made. We assume no obligation to update forward looking information to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions, or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information. If we do update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect thereto or with respect to other forward-looking statements.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
Our Internet website is www.up.com. We make available free of charge on our website (under the “Investors” caption link) our Annual Reports on Form 10-K; our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q; our current reports on Form 8-K; our proxy statements; Forms 3, 4, and 5, filed on behalf of directors and certain executive officers; and amendments to such reports filed or furnished pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). We provide these reports and statements as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. We also make available on our website previously filed SEC reports and exhibits via a link to EDGAR on the SEC’s Internet site at www.sec.gov. We provide these previously filed reports as a convenience and their contents reflect only information that was true and correct as of the date of the report. We assume no obligation to update this historical information. Additionally, our corporate governance materials, including By-Laws, Board Committee charters, governance guidelines and policies, and codes of conduct and ethics for directors, officers, and employees are available on our website. From time to time, the corporate governance materials on our website may be updated as necessary to comply with rules issued by the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange or as desirable to promote the effective and efficient governance of our Company. Any security holder wishing to receive, without charge, a copy of any of our SEC filings or corporate governance materials should send a written request to: Secretary, Union Pacific Corporation, 1400 Douglas Street, Omaha, NE 68179.
References to our website address in this report, including references in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Item 2, are provided as a convenience and do not constitute, and should not be deemed, an incorporation by reference of the information contained on, or available through, the website. Therefore, such information should not be considered part of this report.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
There were no material changes to the Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk previously disclosed in our 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Corporation carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Corporation’s management, including the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. Based upon that evaluation, the CEO and the CFO concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Corporation’s
disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Additionally, the CEO and CFO determined that there were no changes to the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) during the last fiscal quarter that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
From time to time, we are involved in legal proceedings, claims, and litigation that occur in connection with our business. We routinely assess our liabilities and contingencies in connection with these matters based upon the latest available information and, when necessary, we seek input from our third-party advisors when making these assessments. Consistent with SEC rules and requirements, we describe below material pending legal proceedings (other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to our business), material proceedings known to be contemplated by governmental authorities, other proceedings arising under federal, state, or local environmental laws and regulations (including governmental proceedings involving potential fines, penalties, or other monetary sanctions in excess of $1,000,000), and such other pending matters that we may determine to be appropriate. See also Note 14 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Item 1.
Environmental matters
We receive notices from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state environmental agencies alleging that we are or may be liable under federal or state environmental laws for remediation costs at various sites throughout the U.S., including sites on the Superfund National Priorities List or state superfund lists. We cannot predict the ultimate impact of these proceedings and suits because of the number of potentially responsible parties involved, the degree of contamination by various wastes, the scarcity and quality of volumetric data related to many of the sites, and the speculative nature of remediation costs.
Information concerning environmental claims and contingencies and estimated remediation costs is set forth in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Critical Accounting Estimates - Environmental, Item 7, and Note 17 of the Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Item 8, of our 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
For a discussion of our potential risks and uncertainties, see the risk factors disclosed in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024. These risks could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations (including revenues and profitability), and/or stock price. Our business also could be affected by risks that we are not presently aware of or that we currently consider immaterial to our operations.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Purchases of equity securities – The following table presents common stock repurchases during each month for the first quarter of 2025:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Period | Total number of shares purchased [a] | Average price paid per share [b] | Total number of shares purchased as part of a publicly announced plan or program [c] | Maximum number of shares that may be purchased under current authority [d] |
| Jan. 1 through Jan. 31 | 201,260 | $ | 251.17 | | 198,682 | 73,890,179 |
| Feb. 1 through Feb. 28 | 5,305,408 | 251.19 | | 5,222,504 | 68,667,675 |
| Mar. 1 through Mar. 31 | 329,745 | 237.61 | | 324,415 | 68,343,260 |
| Total | 5,836,413 | $ | 250.42 | | 5,745,601 | N/A |
[a]Total number of shares purchased during the quarter includes 90,812 shares delivered or attested to UPC by employees to pay stock option exercise prices and satisfy tax withholding obligations for stock option exercises or vesting of retention units or retention shares.
[b]The average price of the initial settlement of the 2025 accelerated share repurchase program was $251.73.
[c]Total number of shares purchased as part of a publicly announced plan or program includes 4,815,022 shares repurchased in February under ASRs.
[d]Effective April 1, 2022, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 100 million shares of our common stock by March 31, 2025. These repurchases may be made on the open market or through other transactions. Our management has sole discretion with respect to determining the timing, manner, and amount of these transactions.
See Note 15 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Item 1, for additional information.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not Applicable.
Item 5. Other Information
, , , a trading plan intended to satisfy Rule -1(c) to sell up to shares of Union Pacific Corporation common stock, of which 41,397 are to be acquired upon the exercise of vested stock options, between May 12, 2025, and , subject to certain conditions.
, , , a trading plan intended to satisfy Rule 10b5-1(c) to sell up to shares of Union Pacific Corporation common stock between May 13, 2025, and , subject to certain conditions.Item 6. Exhibits
| | | | | |
| Exhibit No. | Description |
| |
| Filed with this Statement |
| |
| 31(a) | |
| |
| 31(b) | |
| |
| 32 | |
| |
| 101 | The following financial and related information from Union Pacific Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2025 (filed with the SEC on April 24, 2025), formatted in Inline Extensible Business Reporting Language (iXBRL) includes (i) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the periods ended March 31, 2025, and 2024, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the periods ended March 31, 2025, and 2024, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position at March 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the periods ended March 31, 2025, and 2024, (v) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Common Shareholders’ Equity for the periods ended March 31, 2025, and 2024, and (vi) the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. |
| |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File, formatted in Inline XBRL (contained in Exhibit 101). |
| |
| Incorporated by Reference |
| |
| 3(a) | |
| |
| 3(b) | |
| |
| 4(a) | |
| |
| 4(b) | |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Dated: April 24, 2025
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | UNION PACIFIC CORPORATION (Registrant) |
| | | |
| By | /s/ Jennifer L. Hamann | | |
| Jennifer L. Hamann | | |
| Executive Vice President and | | |
| Chief Financial Officer | | |
| (Principal Financial Officer) | | |
| | | |
| By | /s/ Todd M. Rynaski | | |
| Todd M. Rynaski | | |
| Senior Vice President and | | |
| Chief Accounting, Risk, and Compliance Officer | | |
| (Principal Accounting Officer) | | |
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