Greenbrier Companies (GBX) vs Norfolk Southern (NSC)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Norfolk Southern (NSC) has outperformed Greenbrier Companies (GBX) over the past year, gaining 6.9% versus a loss of 15.1%. Over five years, NSC leads with a +15.0% price change compared with -17.4% for GBX. Norfolk Southern is the larger company by market cap ($71.20 billion vs $1.20 billion), about 59.6 times the size.
On valuation, Greenbrier Companies trades at a lower forward P/E (10.3x vs 22.2x for Norfolk Southern). Greenbrier Companies offers the higher dividend yield (3.37% vs 1.70%).
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 | GBX | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $38.63 | $316.99 |
| Market cap | $1.20B | $71.20B |
| 1-day change | -0.39% | +1.21% |
| YTD return | -17.35% | +9.79% |
| 1-year return | -15.14% | +6.87% |
| 5-year return | -17.39% | +15.03% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 11.43 | 27.05 |
| Forward P/E | 10.30 | 22.18 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.38 | $11.72 |
| Dividend yield | 3.37% | 1.70% |
| Annual dividend | $1.30 | $5.40 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | — | $12.18B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | — | +0.47% |
| Net income (latest FY) | — | $2.87B |
| Operating margin | — | 35.76% |
| Net margin | — | 23.59% |
| 52-week high | $59.19 | $358.60 |
| 52-week low | $37.61 | $277.80 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -34.74% | -11.60% |
| Analyst consensus | underperform | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +17.34% | +13.29% |
| Average volume | 400.85K | 1.12M |
| Shares outstanding | 30.94M | 224.61M |
| Employees | 11,000 | 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
- Norfolk Southern is about 59.6 times larger than Greenbrier Companies by market value ($71.20B vs $1.20B).
- NSC has outperformed GBX by 22.0 percentage points over the past year.
- Norfolk Southern trades at a higher earnings multiple (27.0x vs 11.4x trailing P/E).
- Greenbrier Companies offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.37% vs 1.70%).
About Greenbrier Companies
GBX stock →The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets railroad freight car equipment in North America, Europe, and South America.
Industrials · Railroads · 11,000 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
GBX vs NSC FAQ
Which is bigger, Greenbrier Companies or Norfolk Southern?
Norfolk Southern (NSC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $71.20B compared with $1.20B for Greenbrier Companies (GBX).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, GBX or NSC?
NSC returned +6.87% over the past 12 months, compared with -15.14% for GBX (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, GBX or NSC?
GBX has the lower trailing P/E at 11.4, versus 27.0 for NSC. 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, Greenbrier Companies or Norfolk Southern?
Greenbrier Companies has the higher yield at 3.37%, compared with 1.70% for Norfolk Southern.
Are Greenbrier Companies and Norfolk Southern in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Railroads industry within the Industrials sector.