UP: ‘Solid Productivity’ in 1Q21, ‘Improving Outlook’ for 2021 UP: ‘Solid Productivity’ in 1Q21, ‘Improving Outlook’ for 2021 Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor “We generated solid productivity through efficient use of our resources despite the significant weather event that covered most of our network in February and early March,” UP Chairman, President and CEO Lance Fritz said during a first-quarter 2021 earnings announcement. Due in large part to weather-related network disruptions, Union Pacific’s first-quarter 2021 financials lagged those of the prior-year period, but North America’s largest Class I expressed confidence that business will improve, and affirmed its guidance. UP reported April 22 that it earned $1.341 billion, or $2.00 per diluted share, in the first three months of 2021—falling 9.02% from the prior-year period’s $1.474 billion.