UNP vs JBHT

For growth investors, Union Pacific Corporation (UNP) is the stronger pick with 1.

1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -0. 7% for J. B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (JBHT). Union Pacific Corporation (UNP) offers the better valuation at 22. 1x trailing P/E (21. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Union Pacific Corporation (UNP) a "Buy" — based on 47 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

On trailing P/E, Union Pacific Corporation (UNP) is the cheapest at 22.

1x versus J. B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. at 39. 6x. On forward P/E, Union Pacific Corporation is actually cheaper at 21. 1x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Union Pacific Corporation wins at 2. 42x versus J. B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. 's 6. 30x.

Over the past 5 years, J.

B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (JBHT) delivered a total return of +40. 2%, compared to +26. 6% for Union Pacific Corporation (UNP). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: UNP returned +261. 9% versus JBHT's +203. 9%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Union Pacific Corporation (UNP) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

64β versus J. B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. 's 1. 07β — meaning JBHT is approximately 67% more volatile than UNP relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, J. B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (JBHT) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 41% versus 172% for Union Pacific Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Union Pacific Corporation (UNP) is pulling ahead at 1.

1% versus -0. 7% for J. B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (JBHT). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: J. B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. grew EPS 10. 1% year-over-year, compared to 7. 9% for Union Pacific Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, UNP leads at -0. 5% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

Union Pacific Corporation (UNP) is the more profitable company, earning 29.

1% net margin versus 5. 0% for J. B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. — meaning it keeps 29. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: UNP leads at 40. 1% versus 7. 2% for JBHT. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — UNP leads at 59. 4%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, Union Pacific Corporation (UNP) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 2. 42x versus J. B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. 's 6. 30x. Both stocks trade at elevated growth-adjusted valuations, so expected growth needs to materialise. On forward earnings alone, Union Pacific Corporation (UNP) trades at 21. 1x forward P/E versus 33. 0x for J. B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. — 12. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for UNP: 8. 5% to $287. 30.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Union Pacific Corporation (UNP) offers the highest yield at 2. 1%, versus 0. 7% for J. B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (JBHT).

For long-horizon retirement investors, Union Pacific Corporation (UNP) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.

64), 2. 1% yield, +261. 9% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (UNP: +261. 9%, JBHT: +203. 9%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.