Norfolk Southern (NSC) vs FreightCar America (RAIL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Norfolk Southern (NSC) has outperformed FreightCar America (RAIL) over the past year, gaining 5.9% versus a loss of 33.8%. Over five years, RAIL leads with a +45.9% price change compared with +13.7% for NSC. Norfolk Southern is the larger company by market cap ($71.20 billion vs $202.3 million), about 351.9 times the size.
On valuation, FreightCar America trades at a lower forward P/E (5.8x vs 22.2x for Norfolk Southern). Norfolk Southern pays a dividend yielding 1.70%, while FreightCar America does not currently pay one.
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 | NSC | RAIL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $316.99 | $6.17 |
| Market cap | $71.20B | $202.32M |
| 1-day change | +1.21% | -1.91% |
| YTD return | +8.48% | -43.18% |
| 1-year return | +5.86% | -33.79% |
| 5-year return | +13.65% | +45.94% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 27.05 | — |
| Forward P/E | 22.18 | 5.82 |
| EPS (TTM) | $11.72 | $-0.39 |
| Dividend yield | 1.70% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $5.40 | $0.00 |
| 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 | $358.60 | $14.90 |
| 52-week low | $277.80 | $6.06 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -11.60% | -58.59% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +13.29% | +137.76% |
| Average volume | 1.12M | 225.19K |
| Shares outstanding | 224.61M | 32.79M |
| Employees | 19,300 | 1,986 |
| 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 351.9 times larger than FreightCar America by market value ($71.20B vs $202.32M).
- NSC has outperformed RAIL by 39.7 percentage points over the past year.
- Norfolk Southern offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.70% vs 0.00%).
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
About FreightCar America
RAIL stock →FreightCar America, Inc., through its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and sells railcars and railcar components for the transportation of bulk commodities and containerized freight products in the United States and Mexico. The company operates through two segments: Manufacturing and Aftermarket.
Industrials · Railroads · 1,986 employees
NSC vs RAIL FAQ
Which is bigger, Norfolk Southern or FreightCar America?
Norfolk Southern (NSC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $71.20B compared with $202.32M for FreightCar America (RAIL).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, NSC or RAIL?
NSC returned +5.86% over the past 12 months, compared with -33.79% for RAIL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which pays a higher dividend, Norfolk Southern or FreightCar America?
Norfolk Southern pays a dividend yielding 1.70%, while FreightCar America does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Norfolk Southern and FreightCar America in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Railroads industry within the Industrials sector.