Union Pacific and Wabtec Sign $1.2B Modernization Agreement
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 5d ago
0mins
Union Pacific (UNP) and Wabtec (WAB) signed an agreement totaling $1.2B to modernize the railroad's AC4400 locomotives. This agreement represents the largest locomotive modernization investment in rail industry history, building on Union Pacific's previous 2022 order which is scheduled to be completed in 2026. The company said the upgraded fleet will help enhance the railroad's operational efficiency, service reliability and network performance. The upgraded locomotives are expected to deliver over 5% reduction in fuel consumption, a 14% increase in tractive effort and an 80% improvement in reliability. Once completed, the railroad will have more than 1,700 modernized locomotives in its fleet. Production will occur at Wabtec's U.S. facilities, with deliveries beginning in 2027.
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Analyst Views on UNP
Wall Street analysts forecast UNP stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for UNP is 265.27 USD with a low forecast of 245.00 USD and a high forecast of 289.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
15 Analyst Rating
9 Buy
6 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 252.620
Low
245.00
Averages
265.27
High
289.00
Current: 252.620
Low
245.00
Averages
265.27
High
289.00
About UNP
Union Pacific Corporation, through its principal operating company, Union Pacific Railroad Company, connects over 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country by rail, providing a critical link in the global supply chain. It maintains coordinated schedules with other rail carriers to move freight to and from the Atlantic Coast, the Pacific Coast, the Southeast, the Southwest, Canada, and Mexico. The railroad’s diversified business mix includes bulk, industrial, and premium. Its Bulk shipments consist of grain and grain products, fertilizer, food and refrigerated, and coal and renewables. The Industrial shipments consist of several categories, including construction, industrial chemicals, plastics, forest products, specialized products (primarily waste, salt, and roofing), metals and ores, petroleum, liquid petroleum gases (LPG), soda ash, and sand. Its Premium shipments include finished automobiles, automotive parts, and merchandise in intermodal containers.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Modernization Orders: This agreement represents Union Pacific's fourth major modernization order with Wabtec since 2018, and upon completion, the fleet will exceed 1,700 modernized locomotives, further strengthening its competitive position in the market.
- Technological Upgrades: The upgrades are projected to reduce fuel consumption by over 5%, increase tractive effort by 14%, and improve reliability by 80%, leveraging next-generation control and diagnostics technologies to enhance overall network performance.
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- Fuel Efficiency Improvement: The modernized locomotives are projected to reduce fuel consumption by over 5%, which not only helps lower operational costs but also enhances environmental sustainability, aligning with the industry's increasing focus on green transportation.
- Production and Delivery Timeline: Signed in Q4 2025, production will take place at Wabtec's U.S. facilities, with deliveries expected to begin in 2027, ensuring that Union Pacific can gradually update its locomotive fleet over the coming years.
- Locomotive Modernization Program: Once completed, Union Pacific will have more than 1,700 modernized locomotives, greatly enhancing its transportation capacity and reliability, supporting the company's long-term growth strategy in a competitive rail transport market.
See More
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