EXPRESS MAIL: Union Pacific’s Surprise Merger Bid

How strong is your dividend growth portfolio? Send it to us for a free evaluation at [email protected]. Plus, join our market newsletter for more on dividend growth investing. In what may be the largest M&A deal of 2025 so far, Union Pacific ($UNP) has made a formal bid to merge with Norfolk Southern ($NSC). The proposed merger not only furthers the consolidation of the quasi-monopolistic railroad industry but also raises important questions about what it means for investors. Given the time we’ve spent highlighting Union Pacific as a model of dividend growth, we believe this surprise announcement warrants an early-stage analysis. In this Express Mail episode, Greg covers:[01:12] Merger Details Union Pacific makes a surprise $20B bid for Norfolk Southern—despite their past capital discipline.[03:54] Financial Analysis: Debt, EBIT, and Credit Ratings How the merger affects profitability, interest coverage, and debt loads.[10:29] Lessons from Canadian Pacific’s Kansas City Merger A similar deal that didn’t go quite as planned—and what it might signal for UNP.[15:36] Dividend Outlook: What Now? We break down whether the combined railroad can still deliver 7% dividend growth.[17:59] Final Thoughts Is Union Pacific now a total return story, not a dividend growth story? Why we’re holding through the uncertainty.  📩  Want your dividend portfolio reviewed?Email a list of your holdings (no dollar amounts necessary) to [email protected]’ll rate it from 1 to 5 and include a few helpful bullet points to show how well you're aligned with long-term dividend growth principles. Send us Fan Mail________ Disclaimer: Past performance does not guarantee future results. This episode is for educational purposes only and is not investment advice.________ RESOURCES:Schedule a meeting with us: Financial Planning & Portfolio Management Getting into the weeds: DCM Investment Reports & ModelsIf you enjoy the show, we'd greatly appreciate it if you subscribe and leave a reviewFollow us on:Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | X