Debt to Equity
since 2005
Calculation
Union Pacific Corp., debt to equity, long-term trends, calculation
| Debt to equity | = | Total debt1 | ÷ | Common shareholders’ equity1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2024 | 1.85 | = | 31,192) | ÷ | 16,890) |
| Dec 31, 2023 | 2.20 | = | 32,579) | ÷ | 14,788) |
| Dec 31, 2022 | 2.74 | = | 33,326) | ÷ | 12,163) |
| Dec 31, 2021 | 2.10 | = | 29,729) | ÷ | 14,161) |
| Dec 31, 2020 | 1.58 | = | 26,729) | ÷ | 16,958) |
| Dec 31, 2019 | 1.39 | = | 25,200) | ÷ | 18,128) |
| Dec 31, 2018 | 1.10 | = | 22,391) | ÷ | 20,423) |
| Dec 31, 2017 | 0.68 | = | 16,944) | ÷ | 24,856) |
| Dec 31, 2016 | 0.75 | = | 15,007) | ÷ | 19,932) |
| Dec 31, 2015 | 0.69 | = | 14,201) | ÷ | 20,702) |
| Dec 31, 2014 | 0.54 | = | 11,480) | ÷ | 21,189) |
| Dec 31, 2013 | 0.45 | = | 9,577) | ÷ | 21,225) |
| Dec 31, 2012 | 0.45 | = | 8,997) | ÷ | 19,877) |
| Dec 31, 2011 | 0.48 | = | 8,906) | ÷ | 18,578) |
| Dec 31, 2010 | 0.52 | = | 9,242) | ÷ | 17,763) |
| Dec 31, 2009 | 0.58 | = | 9,848) | ÷ | 16,941) |
| Dec 31, 2008 | 0.58 | = | 8,927) | ÷ | 15,447) |
| Dec 31, 2007 | 0.49 | = | 7,682) | ÷ | 15,585) |
| Dec 31, 2006 | 0.44 | = | 6,780) | ÷ | 15,312) |
| Dec 31, 2005 | 0.54 | = | 7,416) | ÷ | 13,707) |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-12-31).
1 US$ in millions
- Total Debt
-
The total debt exhibits an overall increasing trend from 2005 through 2024. Starting at $7,416 million in 2005, debt generally rises with occasional fluctuations, reaching a peak of $33,326 million in 2022. Subsequent years show a slight decline, with debt reported at $31,192 million in 2024. Notably, debt growth accelerated significantly from 2013 onwards, doubling from approximately $11,480 million in 2013 to over $33,000 million by 2022.
- Common Shareholders’ Equity
-
Common shareholders’ equity demonstrates moderate growth from 2005 ($13,707 million) to 2013 ($21,225 million), with minor fluctuations thereafter. After peaking in 2013, equity declined steadily until 2021, reaching a low of $12,163 million in 2022. There is a slight recovery from 2022 to 2024, ending at $16,890 million. Overall, equity shows less consistent upward momentum compared to debt, with periods of both growth and decline.
- Debt to Equity Ratio
-
The debt to equity ratio remains below 1.0 from 2005 to 2013, indicating a conservative capital structure with more equity than debt. Starting in 2014, this ratio rises sharply, surpassing 1.0 in 2014 and peaking at 2.74 in 2022, reflecting a substantial increase in leverage. This elevated ratio implies the company has increasingly relied on debt financing relative to equity. Post-2022, the ratio declines to 1.85 by 2024, suggesting a reduction in financial leverage but still at a significantly higher level compared to the earlier period.
- Overall Analysis
-
The company’s financial metrics reveal a strategic shift in capital structure over the 20-year span. While equity grew steadily in the early years, the pronounced rise in total debt after 2013 marks an increased reliance on borrowing. This trend is underscored by the debt to equity ratio moving from a conservative stance toward a more leveraged position. The peak leverage coincides with a weakening equity base, pointing to potentially higher financial risk. The slight deleveraging observed in the most recent years indicates a possible effort to stabilize the balance sheet. Continuous monitoring of leverage and equity trends is advisable to assess ongoing financial risk and capital adequacy.
Comparison to Competitors
Union Pacific Corp., debt to equity, long-term trends, comparison to competitors
| Union Pacific Corp. | FedEx Corp. | Uber Technologies Inc. | United Airlines Holdings Inc. | United Parcel Service Inc. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2024 | 1.85 | 0.73 | 0.39 | 2.26 | 1.27 |
| Dec 31, 2023 | 2.20 | 0.79 | 0.84 | 3.40 | 1.29 |
| Dec 31, 2022 | 2.74 | 0.81 | 1.26 | 4.68 | 0.99 |
| Dec 31, 2021 | 2.10 | 0.86 | 0.64 | 7.03 | 1.54 |
| Dec 31, 2020 | 1.58 | 1.20 | 0.62 | 4.75 | 37.53 |
| Dec 31, 2019 | 1.39 | 0.99 | 0.40 | 1.29 | 7.73 |
| Dec 31, 2018 | 1.10 | 0.85 | — | 1.47 | 7.53 |
| Dec 31, 2017 | 0.68 | 0.93 | — | 1.63 | 24.29 |
| Dec 31, 2016 | 0.75 | 1.01 | — | 1.35 | 39.69 |
| Dec 31, 2015 | 0.69 | 0.48 | — | 1.31 | 5.80 |
| Dec 31, 2014 | 0.54 | 0.31 | — | 5.06 | 5.04 |
| Dec 31, 2013 | 0.45 | 0.17 | — | 4.16 | 1.68 |
| Dec 31, 2012 | 0.45 | 0.11 | — | 27.37 | 2.77 |
| Dec 31, 2011 | 0.48 | 0.11 | — | 7.05 | 1.58 |
| Dec 31, 2010 | 0.52 | 0.14 | — | 8.76 | 1.36 |
| Dec 31, 2009 | 0.58 | 0.19 | — | — | 1.25 |
| Dec 31, 2008 | 0.58 | 0.14 | — | — | 1.46 |
| Dec 31, 2007 | 0.49 | 0.21 | — | 3.49 | 0.90 |
| Dec 31, 2006 | 0.44 | 0.21 | — | 4.93 | 0.27 |
| Dec 31, 2005 | 0.54 | 0.29 | — | — | 0.24 |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-12-31).
Comparison to Sector (Transportation)
Union Pacific Corp., debt to equity, long-term trends, comparison to sector (transportation)
| Union Pacific Corp. | Transportation | |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2024 | 1.85 | 1.15 |
| Dec 31, 2023 | 2.20 | 1.48 |
| Dec 31, 2022 | 2.74 | 1.61 |
| Dec 31, 2021 | 2.10 | 1.63 |
| Dec 31, 2020 | 1.58 | 2.02 |
| Dec 31, 2019 | 1.39 | 1.36 |
| Dec 31, 2018 | 1.10 | 1.45 |
| Dec 31, 2017 | 0.68 | 1.39 |
| Dec 31, 2016 | 0.75 | 1.32 |
| Dec 31, 2015 | 0.69 | 1.01 |
| Dec 31, 2014 | 0.54 | 0.95 |
| Dec 31, 2013 | 0.45 | 0.75 |
| Dec 31, 2012 | 0.45 | 0.92 |
| Dec 31, 2011 | 0.48 | 0.81 |
| Dec 31, 2010 | 0.52 | 0.90 |
| Dec 31, 2009 | 0.58 | 0.86 |
| Dec 31, 2008 | 0.58 | 0.84 |
| Dec 31, 2007 | 0.49 | 0.70 |
| Dec 31, 2006 | 0.44 | 0.54 |
| Dec 31, 2005 | 0.54 | 1.07 |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-12-31).
Comparison to Industry (Industrials)
Union Pacific Corp., debt to equity, long-term trends, comparison to industry (industrials)
| Union Pacific Corp. | Industrials | |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2024 | 1.85 | 1.38 |
| Dec 31, 2023 | 2.20 | 1.52 |
| Dec 31, 2022 | 2.74 | 1.42 |
| Dec 31, 2021 | 2.10 | 1.37 |
| Dec 31, 2020 | 1.58 | 1.82 |
| Dec 31, 2019 | 1.39 | 1.82 |
| Dec 31, 2018 | 1.10 | 1.85 |
| Dec 31, 2017 | 0.68 | 1.65 |
| Dec 31, 2016 | 0.75 | 1.54 |
| Dec 31, 2015 | 0.69 | 1.51 |
| Dec 31, 2014 | 0.54 | 1.89 |
| Dec 31, 2013 | 0.45 | 1.79 |
| Dec 31, 2012 | 0.45 | 2.29 |
| Dec 31, 2011 | 0.48 | 2.60 |
| Dec 31, 2010 | 0.52 | 2.68 |
| Dec 31, 2009 | 0.58 | 3.01 |
| Dec 31, 2008 | 0.58 | 3.54 |
| Dec 31, 2007 | 0.49 | 2.73 |
| Dec 31, 2006 | 0.44 | 2.49 |
| Dec 31, 2005 | 0.54 | 2.42 |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-12-31).