Union Pacific Corporation (UNP) Intrinsic Value

DCF-based fair value calculation with Bear, Base, and Bull scenarios

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Union Pacific Corporation (UNP)

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Intrinsic Value (DCF)

Current$230.51
Intrinsic$138.03
-40%
$75.82$138.03$261.87
Market implies 18% growth for 5 years
Current price reflects execution expectations above 8% growth — not unreasonable for quality businesses.
At $231, the market prices in continued high-teens cash flow growth (18%) — likely reflecting buybacks, margin stability, and ecosystem strength.
Range: Bear $76 → Bull $262. Current price implies expectations above the base case, closer to bull expectations.
Discount ↓Growth →4%6%8%10%
8%$180$201$224$249
10%$109$123$138$154
12%$71$81$92$105
14%$47$55$64$74

Bull Case

  • Bull case ($262) offers 14% upside at 10% growth, 8% discount
  • Conservative 8% growth assumption is achievable based on track record

Bear Case

  • Bear case ($76) implies 67% downside at 6% growth, 12% discount
  • Price reflects 18% growth expectations vs 8% historical — high bar to clear
  • Trading 40% above base case — execution must exceed assumptions to justify
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5-Year Free Cash Flow Projection

Year 1$6.37B
Year 2$6.87B
Year 3$7.42B
Year 4$8.02B
Year 5$8.66B
Terminal$137.23B

📐 Model Inputs

Growth Rate8.0%5Y CAGR (cascade: 5Y→3Y→TTM)
Discount Rate9.5%WACC estimate
Terminal Growth3.0%Perpetuity rate
Base Free Cash Flow$5.89BTTM actual
Bear g×0.8, r+2%
Base Historical CAGR
Bull g×1.2, r−1.5%
ℹ️

DCF estimates based on historical growth rates extrapolated forward. See FAQ below for full methodology.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is UNP stock undervalued or overvalued?
🔴 OVERVALUED

UNP trades at $230.51 vs. our DCF-derived intrinsic value of $138.03, implying -41% downside. Using a 9.5% WACC and 8.0% FCF growth assumption, the current price requires growth rates above our estimates to be justified. Even our bull case ($213.67) suggests limited upside.

What is UNP's intrinsic value?

Using a 5-year DCF model: Base FCF of $5.89B, projected at 8.0% 5Y CAGR (best of revenue, EPS, or FCF growth), discounted at 9.5% WACC, with 3.0% terminal growth. Terminal value calculated via Gordon Growth Model: TV = FCF₅ × (1+g) / (WACC−g). After deducting $31.45B net debt and dividing by 0.61B shares: Bear $83.36 | Base $138.03 | Bull $213.67. Current price $230.51 implies -41% to base case.

How is UNP's fair value calculated?

DCF Methodology:

① Project FCF years 1-5 using 8.0% growth derived from 5-year historical CAGR (best of revenue, EPS, or FCF growth, with 8% floor and 25% cap).

② Calculate terminal value at year 5 using perpetuity growth model with g=3.0%.

③ Discount all cash flows to PV using WACC=9.5%.

④ Sum PV of explicit period + PV of terminal value = Enterprise Value ($115.45B).

⑤ Subtract net debt, divide by shares outstanding.

Sensitivity analysis available above—adjust WACC ±2% or growth ±3% to stress-test the valuation. Implied EV/FCF multiple: 19.6x.