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

Norfolk Southern Corporation

NYSE
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CSX Corp

NASDAQ
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TLDR: Quick Comparison Summary

Based on 21 vital metrics comparison: Norfolk Southern Corporation wins in 12 metrics, CSX Corp wins in 9 metrics, with 0 ties. Norfolk Southern Corporation appears stronger overall.

View Metrics Details

Vital Metrics Comparison

Metric Norfolk Southern Corporation CSX Corp Better
P/E Ratio (TTM) 23.70 28.16 Norfolk Southern Corporation
Price-to-Book Ratio 4.36 6.13 Norfolk Southern Corporation
Debt-to-Equity Ratio 114.74 148.22 Norfolk Southern Corporation
PEG Ratio -2.08 77.60 CSX Corp
EV/EBITDA 15.04 15.49 Norfolk Southern Corporation
Profit Margin (TTM) 23.59% 20.50% Norfolk Southern Corporation
Operating Margin (TTM) 31.17% 32.72% CSX Corp
EBITDA Margin (TTM) 31.17% 32.72% CSX Corp
Return on Equity 19.25% 22.51% CSX Corp
Return on Assets (TTM) 5.91% 6.86% CSX Corp
Free Cash Flow (TTM) $2.16B $1.71B Norfolk Southern Corporation
Dividend Yield 1.76% 1.55% Norfolk Southern Corporation
1-Year Return 26.27% 48.10% CSX Corp
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) 5.57 5.72 Norfolk Southern Corporation
Enterprise Value $84.18B $99.48B CSX Corp
EV/Revenue Ratio 6.91 7.06 Norfolk Southern Corporation
Gross Profit Margin (TTM) 32.58% 31.64% Norfolk Southern Corporation
Revenue per Share (TTM) $54 $8 Norfolk Southern Corporation
Earnings per Share (Diluted) $12.75 $1.54 Norfolk Southern Corporation
Beta (Stock Volatility) 1.31 1.25 CSX Corp
Short % of Float 3.77% 2.18% CSX Corp

Norfolk Southern Corporation vs CSX Corp Stock Performance Analysis

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NSC
CSX

Performance Comparison

Short-term Returns

Stock1D1W1M3M6MYTD
Norfolk Southern Corporation-1.16%0.11%-1.79%6.74%3.60%7.80%
CSX Corp-0.38%0.59%3.79%19.13%27.46%30.66%

Long-term Returns

Stock1Y3Y5Y10Y15Y20Y
Norfolk Southern Corporation26.27%40.05%20.07%268.48%342.31%522.59%
CSX Corp48.10%43.24%50.63%433.30%475.21%1,228.77%

Performance & Financial Health Analysis: Norfolk Southern Corporation vs CSX Corp

MetricNSCCSX
Market Information
Market Cap i$72.19B$85.89B
Market Cap CategoryLarge capLarge cap
10 Day Avg. Volume i1,338,88710,772,406
90 Day Avg. Volume i1,337,07912,459,792
Last Close$310.28$47.39
52 Week Range$248.82 - $326.00$31.80 - $48.03
% from 52W High-4.82%-1.33%
All-Time High$326.00 (May 27, 2026)$48.03 (Jun 12, 2026)
% from All-Time High-4.82%-1.33%
Growth Metrics
Quarterly Revenue Growth-0.02%-0.01%
Quarterly Earnings Growth-0.12%-0.02%
Financial Health
Profit Margin (TTM) i0.24%0.21%
Operating Margin (TTM) i0.31%0.33%
Return on Equity (TTM) i0.19%0.23%
Debt to Equity (MRQ) i114.74148.22
Cash & Liquidity
Book Value per Share (MRQ)$69.28$7.07
Cash per Share (MRQ)$6.81$0.36
Operating Cash Flow (TTM) i$4.36B$4.61B
Levered Free Cash Flow (TTM) i$1.45B$970.50M
Dividends
Last 12-Month Dividend Yield i1.76%1.55%
Last 12-Month Dividend i$5.40$0.66

Valuation & Enterprise Metrics Analysis: Norfolk Southern Corporation vs CSX Corp

MetricNSC (Apr 24, 2026)CSX (Apr 24, 2026)
Price Ratios
P/E Ratio (TTM) i23.7028.16
Forward P/E i22.5620.72
PEG Ratio i-2.0877.60
Price to Sales (TTM) i5.575.72
Price to Book (MRQ) i4.366.13
Market Capitalization
Market Capitalization i$72.19B$85.89B
Enterprise Value i$84.18B$99.48B
Enterprise Value Metrics
Enterprise to Revenue i6.917.06
Enterprise to EBITDA i15.0415.49
Risk & Other Metrics
Beta i1.311.25
Book Value per Share (MRQ) i$69.28$7.07

Financial Statements Comparison: Norfolk Southern Corporation vs CSX Corp

Financial Metrics

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Revenue

Operating Margin

Profit Margin

Long Term Debt

Income Flow Analysis

Financial Statements Comparison

Income Statement

MetricNSC (2025)CSX (2025)
Revenue/Sales i12.18B14.09B
Cost of Goods Sold i7.75B9.41B
COGS % of Revenue i63.7%66.8%
Gross Profit i4.43B4.69B
Gross Margin i36.3%33.2%
Research & Development iN/AN/A
Operating Income (EBIT) i4.57B4.72B
Operating Margin i37.5%33.5%
EBITDA i5.96B6.46B
EBITDA Margin i48.9%45.8%
Pre-Tax Income i3.67B3.77B
Pre-Tax Income % of Revenue i30.1%26.7%
Income Tax i792.00M880.00M
Income Tax % of Revenue i6.5%6.2%
Net Income (Profit) i2.87B2.89B
Profit Margin i23.6%20.5%

Balance Sheet & Liquidity Metrics

MetricNSC (2025)CSX (2025)
Cash & Equivalents i1.53B670.00M
Total Current Assets i3.20B2.55B
Total Current Assets % of Revenue i26.3%18.1%
Total Current Liabilities i3.78B3.13B
Total Current Liabilities % of Revenue i31.0%22.2%
Long-Term Debt i16.63B18.64B
Long-Term Debt % of Revenue i136.5%132.3%
Total Shareholders Equity i15.55B13.16B
Retained Earnings i13.24B10.56B
Retained Earnings % of Revenue i108.7%74.9%
Property, Plant & Equipment i11.50B28.09B

Cash Flow Statement Comparison

MetricNSC (2025)CSX (2025)
Operating Cash Flow i4.61B4.85B
Operating Cash Flow % of Revenue i37.9%34.4%
Capital Expenditures i-2.04B-2.82B
Free Cash Flow i2.16B1.71B
FCF Margin i17.7%12.1%
Debt Repayment i-559.00M-613.00M
Common Stock Repurchase i-534.00M-1.40B

Short Interest & Institutional Ownership Analysis

MetricNSCCSX
Shares Short i8.47M40.41M
Short Ratio i6.543.16
Short % of Float i3.77%2.18%
Shares Outstanding i224.42M1.86B
Float Shares i224.20M1.86B
% Held by Insiders i0.08%0.24%
% Held by Institutions i78.52%80.37%
% Held by Public i21.40%19.39%

Dividend Analysis & Yield Comparison: Norfolk Southern Corporation vs CSX Corp

MetricNSCCSX
Last 12-Month Dividend i$5.40$0.66
Last 12-Month Dividend Yield i1.76%1.55%
3-Year Avg Annual Dividend i$5.40$0.49
3-Year Avg Dividend Yield i0.55%0.36%
3-Year Total Dividends i$16.20$1.47
Ex-Dividend DateFeb 06, 2026Feb 27, 2026