Loop Capital analyst Rick Paterson says Union Pacific's call today to outline its upcoming implementation of Precision Scheduled Railroading "went down like a lead balloon." Investors didn't get the "surprise hire" of a big name with Precision Scheduled Railroading experience, Paterson tells investors in a research note. Further, Union Pacific declared that it doesn't anticipate closing any hump yards and declined to change any financial targets, the analyst adds. He believes Union Pacific may become a "giant show-me story, with things getting worse before they get better." Regardless, Paterson remains positive on the shares with a Buy rating and $188 price target. Union Pacific in morning trading is down 78c to $162.92.

Deutsche Bank placed a "Catalyst Call: Buy" on shares of Union Pacific (UNP) as a short-term investment idea. With all the attention Norfolk Southern (NSC) is getting in recent months, it is easy to overlook developments at other railroads, the analyst tells investors in a research note. The firm says Union Pacific is now the worst performing pail stock year-to-date. However, operating metrics "clearly show that UNP's renewed efforts on operations are gaining traction," contends Deutsche Bank. It keeps a Buy rating on the shares with a $266 price target.