12 Best Stocks to Buy for the Long Term

5. Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 99

5-Year Average Revenue Growth: 3.61%

5-Year Return: 19.06%

On January 28, TD Cowen trimmed its price target on Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) to $255 from $257 while maintaining a Buy rating. The firm updated its outlook after the company reported Q4 results that reflected steady execution, with guidance coming in largely in line with expectations.

Union Pacific reported fourth-quarter earnings on January 27 that came in slightly below analysts’ forecasts, as uneven freight demand and ongoing macroeconomic pressures weighed on performance. The results also arrive as regulators continue to review the company’s proposed acquisition of Norfolk Southern. Last year, Union Pacific announced an $85 billion bid for its smaller rival, a deal that would create the first coast-to-coast freight railroad in the US. The proposal has faced pushback from rail unions, which argue the merger could threaten jobs and lead to higher costs for shippers.

For the quarter ended December 31, Union Pacific posted adjusted earnings of $2.86 per share, just below the $2.87 analysts had expected, according to LSEG data. Operating revenue totaled $6.09 billion, also slightly under forecasts of $6.12 billion. Looking ahead, the company is guiding for mid-single-digit earnings growth in 2026.

Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) operates one of the largest rail networks in the US, spanning more than 23 states across the western two-thirds of the country and playing a key role in keeping the global supply chain moving.