14 Stocks on the Verge of Becoming Dividend Aristocrats

7. Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP)

Consecutive Years of Dividend Growth: 19 Years

On March 6, Baird upgraded Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) to Outperform from Neutral. It also raised its price target to $311 from $239. The firm said it recommends buying the shares on pullbacks. According to the analyst, Union Pacific has likely under-promised on the cost synergies tied to a potential transaction involving Norfolk Southern. Those savings could “easily” exceed the initial merger application estimate of $1B, the research note said. Baird also said investors should consider building exposure to Union Pacific shares over the next nine months, particularly during periods of weakness, as sentiment could improve heading into 2026.

A few days earlier, on March 4, BofA raised its price objective on Union Pacific to $297 from $266 and maintained a Buy rating. The firm said it updated price targets across the transportation and railroad companies under its coverage. The analyst noted that operating performance across the group remains strong. Several indicators also point to a possible turning point in the broader industrial economy.

Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) operates primarily through its main subsidiary, Union Pacific Railroad Company. The railroad network spans more than 23 states across the western two-thirds of the United States and plays a key role in moving goods through the global supply chain.