Union PacificNYSE: UNP

OMAHA, Neb.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Union Pacific Railroad today announced five new Focus Sites, providing businesses additional connections to the railroad's 32,000-mile network and new opportunities to address their transportation needs. Focus Sites are large-scale development sites suited for custom-built warehouses or industrial facilities. These sites are railroad hubs where Union Pacific can concentrate resources, effectively manage logistics and provide targeted services for its customers. "Ou.

Union Pacific (UNP) might move higher on growing optimism about its earnings prospects, which is reflected by its upgrade to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Union Pacific's (UNP) bottom line benefits due to its cost-cutting approach. However, weak freight revenues and volumes hurt the company's top line.

Given its better prospects, we believe Philip Morris stock (NYSE: PM) is a better pick than Union Pacific stock (NYSE: UNP). Although these companies are from different sectors, they share similar market capitalizations of around $145-155 billion.

Despite flat revenue, Union Pacific exceeded Wall Street's earnings expectations. Investors had expected greater efficiency from the new leadership, and are pleased to see signs of improvement.

Union Pacific's (UNP) freight revenues declined by 1% compared to the previous year in the first quarter.

Union Pacific (UNP) reported quarterly earnings of $2.69 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.50 per share. This is an increase from earnings of $2.67 per share in the same quarter last year.

Railroad company Union Pacific announced that their quarterly profit remained largely unchanged compared to the previous year, with strong pricing helping to offset lower volumes, especially in the coal sector.

Union Pacific's first quarter revenues may have been impacted by a decrease in freight demand.