CSX (CSX) vs Norfolk Southern (NSC)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
CSX (CSX) has outperformed Norfolk Southern (NSC) over the past year, gaining 30.5% versus a gain of 6.3%. Over five years, CSX leads with a +37.5% price change compared with +14.1% for NSC. CSX is the larger company by market cap ($86.71 billion vs $70.35 billion), about 1.2 times the size, while Norfolk Southern is growing revenue faster (+0.5% vs -3.1%).
On valuation, CSX trades at a lower forward P/E (20.6x vs 21.9x for Norfolk Southern). Norfolk Southern offers the higher dividend yield (1.72% vs 1.15%). Norfolk Southern converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 23.6% versus 20.5%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | CSX | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $46.81 | $313.20 |
| Market cap | $86.71B | $70.35B |
| 1-day change | -1.45% | -0.98% |
| YTD return | +29.55% | +8.91% |
| 1-year return | +30.48% | +6.28% |
| 5-year return | +37.47% | +14.10% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 27.22 | 26.72 |
| Forward P/E | 20.57 | 21.94 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.72 | $11.72 |
| Dividend yield | 1.15% | 1.72% |
| Annual dividend | $0.54 | $5.40 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $14.09B | $12.18B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -3.08% | +0.47% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $2.89B | $2.87B |
| Operating margin | 32.08% | 35.76% |
| Net margin | 20.50% | 23.59% |
| 52-week high | $53.60 | $358.60 |
| 52-week low | $33.63 | $277.80 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -12.67% | -12.66% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +12.88% | +14.66% |
| Average volume | 11.22M | 1.12M |
| Shares outstanding | 1.85B | 224.61M |
| Employees | 22,200 | 19,300 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Railroads | Railroads |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- CSX has outperformed NSC by 24.2 percentage points over the past year.
About CSX
CSX stock →CSX Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides rail-based freight transportation services in the United States and Canada. It operates through two segments: rail and trucking.
Industrials · Railroads · 22,200 employees
About Norfolk Southern
NSC stock →Norfolk Southern Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the rail transportation of raw materials, intermediate products, and finished goods in the United States. The company transports agriculture, forest, and consumer products comprising soybeans, wheat, corn, fertilizers, livestock and poultry feed, food products, food oils, flour, sweeteners, ethanol, lumber and wood products, pulp board and paper products, wood fibers, wood pulp, beverages, and canned goods; chemicals, including sulfur and related chemicals, petroleum products comprising crude oil, chlorine and bleaching compounds, plastics, rubber, industrial chemicals, chemical wastes, sand, and natural gas liquids; metals and construction materials, such as steel, aluminum products, machinery, scrap metals, cement, aggregates, minerals, clay, transportation equipment, and military-related products; and automotive, including finished motor vehicles and automotive parts, as well as coal.
Industrials · Railroads · 19,300 employees
CSX vs NSC FAQ
Which is bigger, CSX or Norfolk Southern?
CSX (CSX) is larger, with a market capitalization of $86.71B compared with $70.35B for Norfolk Southern (NSC).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CSX or NSC?
CSX returned +30.48% over the past 12 months, compared with +6.28% for NSC (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CSX or NSC?
NSC has the lower trailing P/E at 26.7, versus 27.2 for CSX. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, CSX or Norfolk Southern?
Norfolk Southern has the higher yield at 1.72%, compared with 1.15% for CSX.
Are CSX and Norfolk Southern in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Railroads industry within the Industrials sector.