Go Pro

Norfolk Southern (NSC) Competitors

Norfolk Southern logo
$320.92 +0.65 (+0.20%)
As of 10:25 AM Eastern
This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.

NSC vs. CSX, JBHT, CNI, CP, and ITW

Should you buy Norfolk Southern stock or one of its competitors? Norfolk Southern's main competitors and comparable companies include CSX (CSX), J.B. Hunt Transport Services (JBHT), Canadian National Railway (CNI), Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CP), and Illinois Tool Works (ITW). Companies are selected based on similarities in market, industry, and size. These companies are all part of the "industrials" sector.

How does Norfolk Southern compare to CSX?

Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC) and CSX (NASDAQ:CSX) are both large-cap industrials companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, profitability, earnings, risk, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, media sentiment and dividends.

In the previous week, CSX had 8 more articles in the media than Norfolk Southern. MarketBeat recorded 18 mentions for CSX and 10 mentions for Norfolk Southern. Norfolk Southern's average media sentiment score of 1.34 beat CSX's score of 1.28 indicating that Norfolk Southern is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Norfolk Southern
8 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
CSX
12 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
4 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Norfolk Southern currently has a consensus price target of $348.00, indicating a potential upside of 8.25%. CSX has a consensus price target of $51.31, indicating a potential upside of 4.99%. Given Norfolk Southern's higher probable upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Norfolk Southern is more favorable than CSX.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Norfolk Southern
0 Sell rating(s)
15 Hold rating(s)
7 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.32
CSX
1 Sell rating(s)
7 Hold rating(s)
18 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.65

Norfolk Southern has a beta of 1.27, suggesting that its stock price is 27% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, CSX has a beta of 1.21, suggesting that its stock price is 21% more volatile than the broader market.

CSX has a net margin of 22.21% compared to Norfolk Southern's net margin of 21.02%. CSX's return on equity of 24.98% beat Norfolk Southern's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Norfolk Southern21.02% 18.21% 6.34%
CSX 22.21%24.98%7.61%

Norfolk Southern pays an annual dividend of $5.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.7%. CSX pays an annual dividend of $0.56 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.1%. Norfolk Southern pays out 46.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. CSX pays out 32.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. CSX has increased its dividend for 21 consecutive years.

CSX has higher revenue and earnings than Norfolk Southern. Norfolk Southern is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than CSX, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Norfolk Southern$12.18B5.93$2.87B$11.7227.43
CSX$14.09B6.42$2.89B$1.7328.25

75.1% of Norfolk Southern shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 73.6% of CSX shares are held by institutional investors. 0.1% of Norfolk Southern shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.3% of CSX shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

CSX beats Norfolk Southern on 13 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Norfolk Southern compare to J.B. Hunt Transport Services?

Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC) and J.B. Hunt Transport Services (NASDAQ:JBHT) are both large-cap industrials companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, profitability, analyst recommendations, media sentiment, dividends, institutional ownership, valuation and risk.

In the previous week, Norfolk Southern had 1 more articles in the media than J.B. Hunt Transport Services. MarketBeat recorded 10 mentions for Norfolk Southern and 9 mentions for J.B. Hunt Transport Services. J.B. Hunt Transport Services' average media sentiment score of 1.45 beat Norfolk Southern's score of 1.34 indicating that J.B. Hunt Transport Services is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Norfolk Southern
8 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
J.B. Hunt Transport Services
6 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Norfolk Southern has higher revenue and earnings than J.B. Hunt Transport Services. Norfolk Southern is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than J.B. Hunt Transport Services, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Norfolk Southern$12.18B5.93$2.87B$11.7227.43
J.B. Hunt Transport Services$12.00B2.12$598.28M$7.0638.28

75.1% of Norfolk Southern shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 75.0% of J.B. Hunt Transport Services shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.1% of Norfolk Southern shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 2.5% of J.B. Hunt Transport Services shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Norfolk Southern currently has a consensus target price of $348.00, indicating a potential upside of 8.25%. J.B. Hunt Transport Services has a consensus target price of $286.30, indicating a potential upside of 5.95%. Given Norfolk Southern's higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Norfolk Southern is more favorable than J.B. Hunt Transport Services.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Norfolk Southern
0 Sell rating(s)
15 Hold rating(s)
7 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.32
J.B. Hunt Transport Services
1 Sell rating(s)
10 Hold rating(s)
13 Buy rating(s)
2 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.62

Norfolk Southern has a net margin of 21.02% compared to J.B. Hunt Transport Services' net margin of 5.31%. J.B. Hunt Transport Services' return on equity of 18.75% beat Norfolk Southern's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Norfolk Southern21.02% 18.21% 6.34%
J.B. Hunt Transport Services 5.31%18.75%8.46%

Norfolk Southern has a beta of 1.27, suggesting that its stock price is 27% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, J.B. Hunt Transport Services has a beta of 1.29, suggesting that its stock price is 29% more volatile than the broader market.

Norfolk Southern pays an annual dividend of $5.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.7%. J.B. Hunt Transport Services pays an annual dividend of $1.80 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.7%. Norfolk Southern pays out 46.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. J.B. Hunt Transport Services pays out 25.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. J.B. Hunt Transport Services has increased its dividend for 22 consecutive years.

Summary

J.B. Hunt Transport Services beats Norfolk Southern on 11 of the 20 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Norfolk Southern compare to Canadian National Railway?

Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC) and Canadian National Railway (NYSE:CNI) are both large-cap industrials companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, dividends, media sentiment, profitability, risk and earnings.

Norfolk Southern currently has a consensus price target of $348.00, indicating a potential upside of 8.25%. Canadian National Railway has a consensus price target of $137.40, indicating a potential upside of 11.94%. Given Canadian National Railway's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Canadian National Railway is more favorable than Norfolk Southern.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Norfolk Southern
0 Sell rating(s)
15 Hold rating(s)
7 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.32
Canadian National Railway
0 Sell rating(s)
9 Hold rating(s)
9 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50

Norfolk Southern has a beta of 1.27, indicating that its share price is 27% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Canadian National Railway has a beta of 0.94, indicating that its share price is 6% less volatile than the broader market.

In the previous week, Norfolk Southern had 2 more articles in the media than Canadian National Railway. MarketBeat recorded 10 mentions for Norfolk Southern and 8 mentions for Canadian National Railway. Norfolk Southern's average media sentiment score of 1.34 beat Canadian National Railway's score of 0.74 indicating that Norfolk Southern is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Norfolk Southern
8 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Canadian National Railway
4 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
3 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Norfolk Southern pays an annual dividend of $5.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.7%. Canadian National Railway pays an annual dividend of $2.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.1%. Norfolk Southern pays out 46.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Canadian National Railway pays out 46.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Canadian National Railway has raised its dividend for 3 consecutive years. Canadian National Railway is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Canadian National Railway has higher revenue and earnings than Norfolk Southern. Canadian National Railway is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Norfolk Southern, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Norfolk Southern$12.18B5.93$2.87B$11.7227.43
Canadian National Railway$12.38B6.00$3.38B$5.6421.76

75.1% of Norfolk Southern shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 80.7% of Canadian National Railway shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.1% of Norfolk Southern shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 2.4% of Canadian National Railway shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Canadian National Railway has a net margin of 26.92% compared to Norfolk Southern's net margin of 21.02%. Canadian National Railway's return on equity of 22.22% beat Norfolk Southern's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Norfolk Southern21.02% 18.21% 6.34%
Canadian National Railway 26.92%22.22%8.12%

Summary

Canadian National Railway beats Norfolk Southern on 13 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Norfolk Southern compare to Canadian Pacific Kansas City?

Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (NYSE:CP) are both large-cap industrials companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, media sentiment, valuation, dividends, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, earnings and profitability.

In the previous week, Norfolk Southern had 1 more articles in the media than Canadian Pacific Kansas City. MarketBeat recorded 10 mentions for Norfolk Southern and 9 mentions for Canadian Pacific Kansas City. Norfolk Southern's average media sentiment score of 1.34 beat Canadian Pacific Kansas City's score of 1.11 indicating that Norfolk Southern is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Norfolk Southern
8 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Canadian Pacific Kansas City
6 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Norfolk Southern presently has a consensus price target of $348.00, suggesting a potential upside of 8.25%. Canadian Pacific Kansas City has a consensus price target of $108.60, suggesting a potential upside of 21.06%. Given Canadian Pacific Kansas City's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Canadian Pacific Kansas City is more favorable than Norfolk Southern.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Norfolk Southern
0 Sell rating(s)
15 Hold rating(s)
7 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.32
Canadian Pacific Kansas City
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
11 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.87

Canadian Pacific Kansas City has a net margin of 25.02% compared to Norfolk Southern's net margin of 21.02%. Norfolk Southern's return on equity of 18.21% beat Canadian Pacific Kansas City's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Norfolk Southern21.02% 18.21% 6.34%
Canadian Pacific Kansas City 25.02%9.02%4.86%

Norfolk Southern pays an annual dividend of $5.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.7%. Canadian Pacific Kansas City pays an annual dividend of $0.78 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.9%. Norfolk Southern pays out 46.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Canadian Pacific Kansas City pays out 25.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years.

Norfolk Southern has a beta of 1.27, suggesting that its stock price is 27% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Canadian Pacific Kansas City has a beta of 1.12, suggesting that its stock price is 12% more volatile than the broader market.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Norfolk Southern. Norfolk Southern is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Canadian Pacific Kansas City, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Norfolk Southern$12.18B5.93$2.87B$11.7227.43
Canadian Pacific Kansas City$10.79B7.30$2.96B$3.1128.84

75.1% of Norfolk Southern shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 72.2% of Canadian Pacific Kansas City shares are held by institutional investors. 0.1% of Norfolk Southern shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.0% of Canadian Pacific Kansas City shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Norfolk Southern beats Canadian Pacific Kansas City on 10 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Norfolk Southern compare to Illinois Tool Works?

Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC) and Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW) are both large-cap industrials companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, valuation, risk, dividends, institutional ownership, media sentiment, profitability and analyst recommendations.

75.1% of Norfolk Southern shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 79.8% of Illinois Tool Works shares are held by institutional investors. 0.1% of Norfolk Southern shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.8% of Illinois Tool Works shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Illinois Tool Works has higher revenue and earnings than Norfolk Southern. Illinois Tool Works is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Norfolk Southern, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Norfolk Southern$12.18B5.93$2.87B$11.7227.43
Illinois Tool Works$16.04B4.78$3.07B$11.0324.39

Norfolk Southern has a net margin of 21.02% compared to Illinois Tool Works' net margin of 19.39%. Illinois Tool Works' return on equity of 101.72% beat Norfolk Southern's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Norfolk Southern21.02% 18.21% 6.34%
Illinois Tool Works 19.39%101.72%19.64%

Norfolk Southern presently has a consensus target price of $348.00, suggesting a potential upside of 8.25%. Illinois Tool Works has a consensus target price of $281.25, suggesting a potential upside of 4.55%. Given Norfolk Southern's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Norfolk Southern is more favorable than Illinois Tool Works.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Norfolk Southern
0 Sell rating(s)
15 Hold rating(s)
7 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.32
Illinois Tool Works
5 Sell rating(s)
6 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
1.77

Norfolk Southern pays an annual dividend of $5.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.7%. Illinois Tool Works pays an annual dividend of $6.44 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.4%. Norfolk Southern pays out 46.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Illinois Tool Works pays out 58.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Illinois Tool Works has raised its dividend for 55 consecutive years. Illinois Tool Works is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Norfolk Southern has a beta of 1.27, indicating that its stock price is 27% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Illinois Tool Works has a beta of 0.98, indicating that its stock price is 2% less volatile than the broader market.

In the previous week, Illinois Tool Works had 7 more articles in the media than Norfolk Southern. MarketBeat recorded 17 mentions for Illinois Tool Works and 10 mentions for Norfolk Southern. Norfolk Southern's average media sentiment score of 1.34 beat Illinois Tool Works' score of 1.29 indicating that Norfolk Southern is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Norfolk Southern
8 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Illinois Tool Works
13 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Summary

Norfolk Southern beats Illinois Tool Works on 10 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

Get Norfolk Southern News Delivered to You Automatically

Sign up to receive the latest news and ratings for NSC and its competitors with MarketBeat's FREE daily newsletter.

Subscribe Now
SMS is currently available in Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. By entering your phone number and clicking the sign-up button, you agree to receive periodic text messages from MarketBeat at the phone number you submitted, including texts that may be sent using an automatic telephone dialing system. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency will vary. Messages will consist of stock alerts, news stories, and partner advertisements/offers. Consent is not a condition of the purchase of any goods or services. Text HELP for help/customer support. Unsubscribe at any time by replying "STOP" to any text message that you receive from MarketBeat or by visiting our mailing preferences page. Read our full terms of service and privacy policy.

New MarketBeat Followers Over Time

This chart shows the number of new MarketBeat users adding NSC and its top 5 competitors to their watchlist. Each company is represented with a line over a 90 day period.
Skip Chart

Media Sentiment Over Time

This chart shows the average media sentiment of NYSE and its competitors over the past 90 days as caculated by MarketBeat. The averaged score is equivalent to the following: Very Negative Sentiment <= -1.5, Negative Sentiment > -1.5 and <= -0.5, Neutral Sentiment > -0.5 and < 0.5, Positive Sentiment >= 0.5 and < 1.5, and Very Positive Sentiment >= 1.5.
Skip Chart

NSC vs. The Competition

MetricNorfolk SouthernGround Transportation IndustryIndustrials SectorNYSE Exchange
Market Cap$72.11B$20.54B$10.30B$23.34B
Dividend Yield1.69%2.10%97.17%3.57%
P/E Ratio27.3941.2025.7728.72
Price / Sales5.932.43332.2921.23
Price / Cash17.0742.5223.8519.47
Price / Book4.643.364.864.75
Net Income$2.87B$989.25M$613.10M$1.07B
7 Day Performance-2.31%-2.08%-1.59%-2.00%
1 Month Performance-3.95%-0.64%-4.27%-3.27%
1 Year Performance16.95%11.38%6.16%10.51%

Norfolk Southern Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
NSC
Norfolk Southern
4.2366 of 5 stars
$320.92
+0.2%
$348.00
+8.4%
+16.7%$72.05B$12.18B27.3719,300
CSX
CSX
4.0929 of 5 stars
$49.41
flat
$51.31
+3.9%
+50.8%$91.53B$14.09B28.5623,000
JBHT
J.B. Hunt Transport Services
4.6624 of 5 stars
$273.77
flat
$286.30
+4.6%
+96.1%$25.71B$12.00B38.7831,750
CNI
Canadian National Railway
3.9608 of 5 stars
$123.42
+0.0%
$137.40
+11.3%
+30.9%$74.66B$12.38B21.8823,839
CP
Canadian Pacific Kansas City
4.4606 of 5 stars
$91.69
+0.1%
$108.60
+18.4%
+18.9%$80.46B$10.79B29.4819,479

Related Companies and Tools


This page (NYSE:NSC) was last updated on 9/14/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
From Our Partners