Norfolk Southern (NSC) vs Union Pacific (UNP)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Union Pacific (UNP) has outperformed Norfolk Southern (NSC) over the past year, gaining 19.6% versus a gain of 6.9%. Over five years, UNP leads with a +23.6% price change compared with +15.0% for NSC. Union Pacific is the larger company by market cap ($165.27 billion vs $71.20 billion), about 2.3 times the size.
On valuation, Union Pacific trades at a lower forward P/E (19.6x vs 22.2x for Norfolk Southern). Union Pacific offers the higher dividend yield (1.98% vs 1.70%). Union Pacific converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 29.1% versus 23.6%.
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 | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $316.99 | $278.20 |
| Market cap | $71.20B | $165.27B |
| 1-day change | +1.21% | +1.28% |
| YTD return | +9.79% | +20.27% |
| 1-year return | +6.87% | +19.58% |
| 5-year return | +15.03% | +23.56% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 27.05 | 22.54 |
| Forward P/E | 22.18 | 19.57 |
| EPS (TTM) | $11.72 | $12.34 |
| Dividend yield | 1.70% | 1.98% |
| Annual dividend | $5.40 | $5.52 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $12.18B | $24.51B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +0.47% | +1.07% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $2.87B | $7.14B |
| Operating margin | 35.76% | 40.17% |
| Net margin | 23.59% | 29.12% |
| 52-week high | $358.60 | $315.99 |
| 52-week low | $277.80 | $215.53 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -11.60% | -11.96% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +13.29% | +17.96% |
| Average volume | 1.12M | 2.67M |
| Shares outstanding | 224.61M | 594.08M |
| Employees | 19,300 | 28,716 |
| 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
- Union Pacific is about 2.3 times larger than Norfolk Southern by market value ($165.27B vs $71.20B).
- UNP has outperformed NSC by 12.7 percentage points over the past year.
- Union Pacific is more profitable, keeping 29.1 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 23.6 cents for Norfolk Southern.
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 Union Pacific
UNP stock →Union Pacific Corporation, through its subsidiary, Union Pacific Railroad Company, operates in the railroad business in the United States. It offers transportation services for grain and grain products, fertilizers, food and refrigerated products, and coal and renewables to grain processors, animal feeders, and ethanol and renewable biofuel producers; and construction products, industrial chemicals, plastics, forest products, specialized products, metals and ores, petroleum, liquid petroleum gases, soda ash, and sand, as well as finished automobiles, automotive parts, and merchandise in intermodal containers.
Industrials · Railroads · 28,716 employees
NSC vs UNP FAQ
Which is bigger, Norfolk Southern or Union Pacific?
Union Pacific (UNP) is larger, with a market capitalization of $165.27B compared with $71.20B for Norfolk Southern (NSC).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, NSC or UNP?
UNP returned +19.58% over the past 12 months, compared with +6.87% for NSC (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, NSC or UNP?
UNP has the lower trailing P/E at 22.5, 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, Norfolk Southern or Union Pacific?
Union Pacific has the higher yield at 1.98%, compared with 1.70% for Norfolk Southern.
Are Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Railroads industry within the Industrials sector.