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Norfolk Southern (NSC) Competitors

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$317.23 +6.65 (+2.14%)
Closing price 05/14/2026 03:59 PM Eastern
Extended Trading
$312.33 -4.91 (-1.55%)
As of 08:07 AM Eastern
Extended trading is trading that happens on electronic markets outside of regular trading hours. This is a fair market value extended hours 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? MarketBeat compares Norfolk Southern with other companies and stocks that may be similar based on industry, sector, market capitalization, business model, investor interest, or shared news coverage. Companies and stocks commonly compared with Norfolk Southern include CSX (CSX), J.B. Hunt Transport Services (JBHT), Canadian National Railway (CNI), Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CP), and Illinois Tool Works (ITW).

How does Norfolk Southern compare to CSX?

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

Norfolk Southern has a net margin of 21.91% compared to CSX's net margin of 21.55%. CSX's return on equity of 24.47% beat Norfolk Southern's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
CSX21.55% 24.47% 7.29%
Norfolk Southern 21.91%18.30%6.26%

CSX presently has a consensus price target of $45.42, indicating a potential downside of 1.09%. Norfolk Southern has a consensus price target of $319.83, indicating a potential upside of 0.82%. Given Norfolk Southern's higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Norfolk Southern is more favorable than CSX.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
CSX
0 Sell rating(s)
9 Hold rating(s)
16 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.64
Norfolk Southern
0 Sell rating(s)
17 Hold rating(s)
6 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.26

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

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
CSX$14.09B6.05$2.89B$1.6328.17
Norfolk Southern$12.18B5.85$2.87B$11.8726.73

CSX pays an annual dividend of $0.56 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.2%. Norfolk Southern pays an annual dividend of $5.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.7%. CSX pays out 34.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Norfolk Southern pays out 45.5% 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. CSX has raised its dividend for 21 consecutive years.

In the previous week, CSX had 11 more articles in the media than Norfolk Southern. MarketBeat recorded 18 mentions for CSX and 7 mentions for Norfolk Southern. Norfolk Southern's average media sentiment score of 0.79 beat CSX's score of 0.67 indicating that Norfolk Southern is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
CSX
4 Very Positive mention(s)
5 Positive mention(s)
6 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Norfolk Southern
3 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
4 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

CSX has a beta of 1.24, indicating that its share price is 24% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Norfolk Southern has a beta of 1.3, indicating that its share price is 30% more volatile than the broader market.

Summary

CSX beats Norfolk Southern on 12 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

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

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

Norfolk Southern has a net margin of 21.91% compared to J.B. Hunt Transport Services' net margin of 5.13%. Norfolk Southern's return on equity of 18.30% beat J.B. Hunt Transport Services' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
J.B. Hunt Transport Services5.13% 17.30% 7.73%
Norfolk Southern 21.91%18.30%6.26%

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 an annual dividend of $5.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.7%. J.B. Hunt Transport Services pays out 27.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Norfolk Southern pays out 45.5% 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.

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
J.B. Hunt Transport Services$12.00B2.00$598.28M$6.4639.42
Norfolk Southern$12.18B5.85$2.87B$11.8726.73

In the previous week, J.B. Hunt Transport Services had 4 more articles in the media than Norfolk Southern. MarketBeat recorded 11 mentions for J.B. Hunt Transport Services and 7 mentions for Norfolk Southern. J.B. Hunt Transport Services' average media sentiment score of 1.29 beat Norfolk Southern's score of 0.79 indicating that J.B. Hunt Transport Services is being referred to more favorably in the media.

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

J.B. Hunt Transport Services has a beta of 1.28, indicating that its share price is 28% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Norfolk Southern has a beta of 1.3, indicating that its share price is 30% more volatile than the broader market.

J.B. Hunt Transport Services presently has a consensus price target of $228.17, indicating a potential downside of 10.40%. Norfolk Southern has a consensus price target of $319.83, indicating a potential upside of 0.82%. Given Norfolk Southern's higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Norfolk Southern is more favorable than J.B. Hunt Transport Services.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
J.B. Hunt Transport Services
0 Sell rating(s)
11 Hold rating(s)
12 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.58
Norfolk Southern
0 Sell rating(s)
17 Hold rating(s)
6 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.26

75.0% of J.B. Hunt Transport Services shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 75.1% of Norfolk Southern shares are held by institutional investors. 2.5% of J.B. Hunt Transport Services shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.1% of Norfolk Southern shares are held by company 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

J.B. Hunt Transport Services and Norfolk Southern tied by winning 10 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 transportation companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, risk, dividends, institutional ownership, profitability, valuation, analyst recommendations and media sentiment.

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 $2.67 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.4%. Norfolk Southern pays out 45.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Canadian National Railway pays out 48.5% 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. 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.

Norfolk Southern currently has a consensus price target of $319.83, suggesting a potential upside of 0.82%. Canadian National Railway has a consensus price target of $122.04, suggesting a potential upside of 8.52%. Given Canadian National Railway's stronger consensus rating and higher probable 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)
17 Hold rating(s)
6 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.26
Canadian National Railway
0 Sell rating(s)
10 Hold rating(s)
9 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.47

Canadian National Railway has a net margin of 27.22% compared to Norfolk Southern's net margin of 21.91%. Canadian National Railway's return on equity of 21.90% beat Norfolk Southern's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Norfolk Southern21.91% 18.30% 6.26%
Canadian National Railway 27.22%21.90%8.08%

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$12.18B5.85$2.87B$11.8726.73
Canadian National Railway$17.28B3.95$3.38B$5.5020.45

In the previous week, Canadian National Railway had 10 more articles in the media than Norfolk Southern. MarketBeat recorded 17 mentions for Canadian National Railway and 7 mentions for Norfolk Southern. Norfolk Southern's average media sentiment score of 0.79 beat Canadian National Railway's score of 0.63 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
3 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
4 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Canadian National Railway
2 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
4 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Norfolk Southern has a beta of 1.3, meaning that its stock price is 30% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Canadian National Railway has a beta of 0.95, meaning that its stock price is 5% less volatile than the broader market.

75.1% of Norfolk Southern shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 80.7% of Canadian National Railway shares are held by institutional investors. 0.1% of Norfolk Southern shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 2.4% of Canadian National Railway shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

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?

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

In the previous week, Norfolk Southern had 1 more articles in the media than Canadian Pacific Kansas City. MarketBeat recorded 7 mentions for Norfolk Southern and 6 mentions for Canadian Pacific Kansas City. Norfolk Southern's average media sentiment score of 0.79 beat Canadian Pacific Kansas City's score of -0.13 indicating that Norfolk Southern is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Canadian Pacific Kansas City
0 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
2 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
Norfolk Southern
3 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
4 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

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

Canadian Pacific Kansas City has a net margin of 27.20% compared to Norfolk Southern's net margin of 21.91%. Norfolk Southern's return on equity of 18.30% beat Canadian Pacific Kansas City's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Canadian Pacific Kansas City27.20% 8.86% 4.82%
Norfolk Southern 21.91%18.30%6.26%

Canadian Pacific Kansas City currently has a consensus target price of $95.30, suggesting a potential upside of 9.72%. Norfolk Southern has a consensus target price of $319.83, suggesting a potential upside of 0.82%. Given Canadian Pacific Kansas City's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, research 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
Canadian Pacific Kansas City
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
9 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.79
Norfolk Southern
0 Sell rating(s)
17 Hold rating(s)
6 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.26

Canadian Pacific Kansas City has higher revenue and 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
Canadian Pacific Kansas City$14.98B5.15$2.96B$3.2426.81
Norfolk Southern$12.18B5.85$2.87B$11.8726.73

Canadian Pacific Kansas City pays an annual dividend of $0.78 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.9%. Norfolk Southern pays an annual dividend of $5.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.7%. Canadian Pacific Kansas City pays out 24.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Norfolk Southern pays out 45.5% 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.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City has a beta of 1.09, indicating that its share price is 9% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Norfolk Southern has a beta of 1.3, indicating that its share price is 30% more volatile than the broader market.

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?

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

Illinois Tool Works has a beta of 1.04, meaning that its stock price is 4% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Norfolk Southern has a beta of 1.3, meaning that its stock price is 30% more volatile than the broader market.

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
Illinois Tool Works$16.22B4.44$3.07B$10.7723.26
Norfolk Southern$12.18B5.85$2.87B$11.8726.73

Illinois Tool Works currently has a consensus target price of $271.92, suggesting a potential upside of 8.57%. Norfolk Southern has a consensus target price of $319.83, suggesting a potential upside of 0.82%. Given Illinois Tool Works' higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Illinois Tool Works is more favorable than Norfolk Southern.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Illinois Tool Works
5 Sell rating(s)
6 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
1.77
Norfolk Southern
0 Sell rating(s)
17 Hold rating(s)
6 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.26

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

Norfolk Southern has a net margin of 21.91% compared to Illinois Tool Works' net margin of 19.32%. Illinois Tool Works' return on equity of 97.36% beat Norfolk Southern's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Illinois Tool Works19.32% 97.36% 19.41%
Norfolk Southern 21.91%18.30%6.26%

In the previous week, Illinois Tool Works had 9 more articles in the media than Norfolk Southern. MarketBeat recorded 16 mentions for Illinois Tool Works and 7 mentions for Norfolk Southern. Illinois Tool Works' average media sentiment score of 0.93 beat Norfolk Southern's score of 0.79 indicating that Illinois Tool Works is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Illinois Tool Works
9 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
3 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Norfolk Southern
3 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
4 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Illinois Tool Works pays an annual dividend of $6.44 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.6%. Norfolk Southern pays an annual dividend of $5.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.7%. Illinois Tool Works pays out 59.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Norfolk Southern pays out 45.5% 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. 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.

Summary

Illinois Tool Works beats Norfolk Southern on 11 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

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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.
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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.
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NSC vs. The Competition

MetricNorfolk SouthernTRANS IndustryTransportation SectorNYSE Exchange
Market Cap$69.75B$51.06B$8.15B$22.90B
Dividend Yield1.74%1.59%965.03%4.09%
P/E Ratio26.7313.9622.9830.78
Price / Sales5.854.514.5395.02
Price / Cash16.5615.998.0825.31
Price / Book4.512.942.144.67
Net Income$2.87B$2.43B$533.83M$1.06B
7 Day Performance1.52%-0.47%-2.11%-0.89%
1 Month Performance6.50%-3.39%0.56%1.42%
1 Year Performance29.93%3.11%34.96%24.64%

Norfolk Southern Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
NSC
Norfolk Southern
2.7337 of 5 stars
$317.23
+2.1%
$319.83
+0.8%
+31.8%$69.75B$12.18B26.7319,300
CSX
CSX
4.4822 of 5 stars
$44.72
-0.8%
$45.34
+1.4%
+48.0%$83.78B$14.09B26.5223,000
JBHT
J.B. Hunt Transport Services
4.2479 of 5 stars
$238.34
-4.2%
$227.04
-4.7%
+72.2%$23.46B$12.00B36.8931,750
CNI
Canadian National Railway
3.953 of 5 stars
$109.31
-2.4%
$122.04
+11.6%
+5.3%$68.16B$12.38B19.8723,839
CP
Canadian Pacific Kansas City
3.8565 of 5 stars
$83.08
-3.6%
$95.30
+14.7%
+6.6%$76.54B$10.79B25.6419,479

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This page (NYSE:NSC) was last updated on 5/15/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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