CSX [CSX] vs Norfolk Southern [NSC] Detailed Stock Comparison

TLDR: Quick Comparison Summary

Based on 20 vital metrics comparison: CSX wins in 10 metrics, Norfolk Southern wins in 10 metrics, with 0 ties. Both stocks appear equally matched on key metrics.

View Metrics Details

Vital Metrics Comparison

MetricCSXNorfolk SouthernBetter
P/E Ratio (TTM)20.3719.62Norfolk Southern
Price-to-Book Ratio5.004.41Norfolk Southern
Debt-to-Equity Ratio160.11121.06Norfolk Southern
PEG Ratio-1.844.02CSX
EV/EBITDA12.1913.26CSX
Profit Margin (TTM)21.92%27.51%Norfolk Southern
Operating Margin (TTM)36.09%37.27%Norfolk Southern
EBITDA Margin (TTM)36.09%37.27%Norfolk Southern
Return on Equity24.82%24.13%CSX
Return on Assets (TTM)7.25%6.75%CSX
Free Cash Flow (TTM)$2.72B$1.67BCSX
Dividend Yield1.83%1.61%CSX
1-Year Return-2.17%19.52%Norfolk Southern
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)4.375.35CSX
Enterprise Value$80.91B$80.32BCSX
EV/Revenue Ratio5.726.60CSX
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)35.90%39.71%Norfolk Southern
Revenue per Share (TTM)$7$54Norfolk Southern
Earnings per Share (Diluted)$1.63$14.81Norfolk Southern
Beta (Stock Volatility)1.251.29CSX
Performance
News Sentiment
Key Stats
Valuation
Financials
Short Interest
Dividends

CSX vs Norfolk Southern Stock Performance Analysis

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Performance Comparison

Short-term Returns

Stock1D1W1M3M6MYTD
CSX-0.12%1.05%2.96%3.97%14.39%5.04%
Norfolk Southern0.43%4.21%6.19%15.42%25.88%25.56%

Long-term Returns

Stock1Y3Y5Y10Y15Y20Y
CSX-2.17%26.80%31.34%271.21%451.06%1,209.30%
Norfolk Southern19.52%40.51%38.52%272.83%399.10%626.26%

News Based Sentiment: CSX vs Norfolk Southern

CSX

News based Sentiment: MIXED

September brought a blend of positive and negative developments for CSX, including analyst upgrades alongside lowered earnings estimates and varied investor activity. While operational improvements are underway, the mixed signals create a cautious outlook, making it a moderately significant month for investors.

View CSX News Sentiment Analysis

Norfolk Southern

News based Sentiment: POSITIVE

September was a pivotal month for Norfolk Southern, marked by a potential transformative merger with Union Pacific, boosted by a presidential endorsement, and supported by growing institutional investment. While the merger is still years away and subject to regulatory approval, the positive developments significantly enhance the company's long-term prospects.

View Norfolk Southern News Sentiment Analysis

Performance & Financial Health Analysis: CSX vs Norfolk Southern

MetricCSXNSC
Market Information
Market Cap i$61.89B$66.11B
Market Cap CategoryLarge capLarge cap
10 Day Avg. Volume i14,524,7622,058,719
90 Day Avg. Volume i21,191,2342,015,956
Last Close$33.78$294.57
52 Week Range$26.22 - $37.25$201.63 - $296.38
% from 52W High-9.32%-0.61%
All-Time High$40.12 (Feb 19, 2024)$299.20 (Dec 27, 2021)
% from All-Time High-15.80%-1.55%
Growth Metrics
Quarterly Revenue Growth-0.03%0.02%
Quarterly Earnings Growth-0.14%0.04%
Financial Health
Profit Margin (TTM) i0.22%0.28%
Operating Margin (TTM) i0.36%0.37%
Return on Equity (TTM) i0.25%0.24%
Debt to Equity (MRQ) i160.11121.06
Cash & Liquidity
Book Value per Share (MRQ)$6.64$65.83
Cash per Share (MRQ)$0.21$5.80
Operating Cash Flow (TTM) i$4.96B$4.20B
Levered Free Cash Flow (TTM) i$1.48B$1.45B
Dividends
Last 12-Month Dividend Yield i1.83%1.61%
Last 12-Month Dividend i$0.63$4.05

Valuation & Enterprise Metrics Analysis: CSX vs Norfolk Southern

MetricCSXNSC
Price Ratios
P/E Ratio (TTM) i20.3719.62
Forward P/E i16.3521.40
PEG Ratio i-1.844.02
Price to Sales (TTM) i4.375.35
Price to Book (MRQ) i5.004.41
Market Capitalization
Market Capitalization i$61.89B$66.11B
Enterprise Value i$80.91B$80.32B
Enterprise Value Metrics
Enterprise to Revenue i5.726.60
Enterprise to EBITDA i12.1913.26
Risk & Other Metrics
Beta i1.251.29
Book Value per Share (MRQ) i$6.64$65.83

Financial Statements Comparison: CSX vs Norfolk Southern

Financial Metrics

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Revenue

EBITDA

Shareholders Equity

Operating Margin

Free Cash Flow

Long Term Debt

Profit Margin

Current Ratio

Operating Cash Flow

Income Statement (MRQ)

Metric (MRQ)CSXNSC
Revenue/Sales i$3.57B$3.11B
Cost of Goods Sold i$2.29B$1.88B
Gross Profit i$1.28B$1.24B
Research & Development iN/AN/A
Operating Income (EBIT) i$1.28B$1.23B
EBITDA i$1.73B$1.60B
Pre-Tax Income i$1.09B$998.00M
Income Tax i$264.00M$230.00M
Net Income (Profit) i$829.00M$768.00M

Balance Sheet & Liquidity Metrics (MRQ)

Metric (MRQ)CSXNSC
Cash & Equivalents i$1.14B$1.01B
Total Current Assets i$3.02B$2.70B
Total Current Liabilities i$3.42B$3.45B
Long-Term Debt i$19.01B$16.66B
Total Shareholders Equity i$12.18B$14.51B
Retained Earnings i$9.66B$12.30B
Property, Plant & Equipment i$53.16B$49.99B

Cash Flow Statement Comparison (MRQ)

Metric (MRQ)CSXNSC
Operating Cash Flow i$1.17B$973.00M
Capital Expenditures i$-750.00M$-431.00M
Free Cash Flow i$-141.00M$501.00M
Debt Repayment i$-1.00M$-1.00M
Common Stock Repurchase i$-421.00M$-257.00M

Short Interest & Institutional Ownership Analysis

MetricCSXNSC
Shares Short i29.14M2.94M
Short Ratio i1.191.09
Short % of Float i0.02%0.01%
Average Daily Volume (10 Day) i14,524,7622,058,719
Average Daily Volume (90 Day) i21,191,2342,015,956
Shares Outstanding i1.90B226.32M
Float Shares i1.86B224.19M
% Held by Insiders i0.00%0.00%
% Held by Institutions i0.80%0.81%

Dividend Analysis & Yield Comparison: CSX vs Norfolk Southern

MetricCSXNSC
Last 12-Month Dividend i$0.63$4.05
Last 12-Month Dividend Yield i1.83%1.61%
3-Year Avg Annual Dividend i$0.50$4.88
3-Year Avg Dividend Yield i0.35%0.56%
3-Year Total Dividends i$1.51$14.63
Ex-Dividend DateAug 29, 2025Feb 07, 2025