Return on Assets (ROA)
since 2005
Calculation
Union Pacific Corp., ROA, long-term trends, calculation
| ROA | = | 100 | × | Net income1 | ÷ | Total assets1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2024 | 9.96% | = | 100 | × | 6,747) | ÷ | 67,715) |
| Dec 31, 2023 | 9.50% | = | 100 | × | 6,379) | ÷ | 67,132) |
| Dec 31, 2022 | 10.69% | = | 100 | × | 6,998) | ÷ | 65,449) |
| Dec 31, 2021 | 10.27% | = | 100 | × | 6,523) | ÷ | 63,525) |
| Dec 31, 2020 | 8.57% | = | 100 | × | 5,349) | ÷ | 62,398) |
| Dec 31, 2019 | 9.60% | = | 100 | × | 5,919) | ÷ | 61,673) |
| Dec 31, 2018 | 10.09% | = | 100 | × | 5,966) | ÷ | 59,147) |
| Dec 31, 2017 | 18.53% | = | 100 | × | 10,712) | ÷ | 57,806) |
| Dec 31, 2016 | 7.60% | = | 100 | × | 4,233) | ÷ | 55,718) |
| Dec 31, 2015 | 8.74% | = | 100 | × | 4,772) | ÷ | 54,600) |
| Dec 31, 2014 | 9.83% | = | 100 | × | 5,180) | ÷ | 52,716) |
| Dec 31, 2013 | 8.82% | = | 100 | × | 4,388) | ÷ | 49,731) |
| Dec 31, 2012 | 8.36% | = | 100 | × | 3,943) | ÷ | 47,153) |
| Dec 31, 2011 | 7.30% | = | 100 | × | 3,292) | ÷ | 45,096) |
| Dec 31, 2010 | 6.45% | = | 100 | × | 2,780) | ÷ | 43,088) |
| Dec 31, 2009 | 4.48% | = | 100 | × | 1,898) | ÷ | 42,410) |
| Dec 31, 2008 | 5.89% | = | 100 | × | 2,338) | ÷ | 39,722) |
| Dec 31, 2007 | 4.88% | = | 100 | × | 1,855) | ÷ | 38,033) |
| Dec 31, 2006 | 4.40% | = | 100 | × | 1,606) | ÷ | 36,515) |
| Dec 31, 2005 | 2.88% | = | 100 | × | 1,026) | ÷ | 35,620) |
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
The financial data reveals several important trends in the company’s performance from 2005 through 2024. Net income demonstrates an overall growth trajectory with some fluctuations across the period. Starting at $1,026 million in 2005, net income rises to $6,747 million by 2024, peaking notably in 2017 at $10,712 million. Despite this peak, subsequent years show a decline and stabilization around the $6,000 to $7,000 million range, indicating variability in profitability after the spike.
Total assets consistently increase throughout the examined period, moving from $35,620 million in 2005 to $67,715 million by 2024. This steady growth in assets suggests ongoing investment and expansion activities, reflecting potentially increased capacity or resource accumulation.
Return on assets (ROA) shows a positive upward trend from 2.88% in 2005 to 9.96% in 2024, with a remarkable peak at 18.53% in 2017. This peak coincides with the highest net income level, indicating an exceptional efficiency in asset utilization during that year. After this peak, ROA declines but remains relatively strong compared to the earlier years, indicating improved overall asset productivity compared to the starting years.
- Net Income
- Exhibits long-term growth with noticeable volatility, particularly a significant surge in 2017, followed by a decrease and subsequent stability at a higher level than in the earlier years.
- Total Assets
- Shows consistent growth, nearly doubling over the period, which suggests steady investment and asset base expansion.
- Return on Assets (ROA)
- Improves substantially over the years with a clear peak in 2017, indicating exceptional asset efficiency during that year, followed by some decline but remaining significantly above initial levels.
In summary, the data points to a company that has expanded its asset base steadily while improving profitability and operational efficiency as measured by ROA. The exceptional performance in 2017 may warrant further investigation to understand the drivers behind that year’s spike. After 2017, while metrics retreat from their peak, they remain at a higher baseline than in the earlier years, indicating sustained operational improvements.
Comparison to Competitors
Union Pacific Corp., ROA, 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 | 9.96% | 4.98% | 19.23% | 4.25% | 8.25% |
| Dec 31, 2023 | 9.50% | 4.56% | 4.88% | 3.68% | 9.47% |
| Dec 31, 2022 | 10.69% | 4.45% | -28.47% | 1.09% | 16.24% |
| Dec 31, 2021 | 10.27% | 6.32% | -1.28% | -2.88% | 18.57% |
| Dec 31, 2020 | 8.57% | 1.75% | -20.35% | -11.87% | 2.15% |
| Dec 31, 2019 | 9.60% | 0.99% | -26.78% | 5.72% | 7.67% |
| Dec 31, 2018 | 10.09% | 8.74% | — | 4.75% | 9.58% |
| Dec 31, 2017 | 18.53% | 6.17% | — | 5.03% | 10.81% |
| Dec 31, 2016 | 7.60% | 3.95% | — | 5.64% | 8.50% |
| Dec 31, 2015 | 8.74% | 2.83% | — | 17.96% | 12.64% |
| Dec 31, 2014 | 9.83% | 6.34% | — | 3.03% | 8.55% |
| Dec 31, 2013 | 8.82% | 4.65% | — | 1.55% | 12.07% |
| Dec 31, 2012 | 8.36% | 6.80% | — | -1.92% | 2.08% |
| Dec 31, 2011 | 7.30% | 5.30% | — | 2.21% | 10.96% |
| Dec 31, 2010 | 6.45% | 4.75% | — | 0.64% | 10.38% |
| Dec 31, 2009 | 4.48% | 0.40% | — | -3.48% | 6.75% |
| Dec 31, 2008 | 5.89% | 4.39% | — | -27.48% | 9.42% |
| Dec 31, 2007 | 4.88% | 8.40% | — | 1.66% | 0.98% |
| Dec 31, 2006 | 4.40% | 7.96% | — | 90.17% | 12.65% |
| Dec 31, 2005 | 2.88% | 7.10% | — | -109.48% | 10.99% |
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., ROA, long-term trends, comparison to sector (transportation)
| Union Pacific Corp. | Transportation | |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2024 | 9.96% | 8.53% |
| Dec 31, 2023 | 9.50% | 6.44% |
| Dec 31, 2022 | 10.69% | 4.34% |
| Dec 31, 2021 | 10.27% | 6.88% |
| Dec 31, 2020 | 8.57% | -2.01% |
| Dec 31, 2019 | 9.60% | 2.09% |
| Dec 31, 2018 | 10.09% | 8.46% |
| Dec 31, 2017 | 18.53% | 10.69% |
| Dec 31, 2016 | 7.60% | 6.44% |
| Dec 31, 2015 | 8.74% | 10.54% |
| Dec 31, 2014 | 9.83% | 7.21% |
| Dec 31, 2013 | 8.82% | 6.97% |
| Dec 31, 2012 | 8.36% | 3.95% |
| Dec 31, 2011 | 7.30% | 6.47% |
| Dec 31, 2010 | 6.45% | 5.46% |
| Dec 31, 2009 | 4.48% | 2.98% |
| Dec 31, 2008 | 5.89% | 0.96% |
| Dec 31, 2007 | 4.88% | 3.72% |
| Dec 31, 2006 | 4.40% | 25.89% |
| Dec 31, 2005 | 2.88% | -13.41% |
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., ROA, long-term trends, comparison to industry (industrials)
| Union Pacific Corp. | Industrials | |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2024 | 9.96% | 5.24% |
| Dec 31, 2023 | 9.50% | 5.61% |
| Dec 31, 2022 | 10.69% | 3.31% |
| Dec 31, 2021 | 10.27% | 3.40% |
| Dec 31, 2020 | 8.57% | 0.04% |
| Dec 31, 2019 | 9.60% | 2.56% |
| Dec 31, 2018 | 10.09% | 3.16% |
| Dec 31, 2017 | 18.53% | 3.59% |
| Dec 31, 2016 | 7.60% | 4.55% |
| Dec 31, 2015 | 8.74% | 3.52% |
| Dec 31, 2014 | 9.83% | 4.31% |
| Dec 31, 2013 | 8.82% | 3.91% |
| Dec 31, 2012 | 8.36% | 3.38% |
| Dec 31, 2011 | 7.30% | 3.69% |
| Dec 31, 2010 | 6.45% | 3.03% |
| Dec 31, 2009 | 4.48% | 2.24% |
| Dec 31, 2008 | 5.89% | 3.10% |
| Dec 31, 2007 | 4.88% | 3.87% |
| Dec 31, 2006 | 4.40% | 6.41% |
| Dec 31, 2005 | 2.88% | 1.42% |
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).