Norfolk Southern (NSC) vs Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies (WAB)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies (WAB) has outperformed Norfolk Southern (NSC) over the past year, gaining 42.8% versus a gain of 6.9%. Over five years, WAB leads with a +207.0% price change compared with +15.0% for NSC. Norfolk Southern is the larger company by market cap ($71.20 billion vs $47.43 billion), about 1.5 times the size, while Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies is growing revenue faster (+7.5% vs +0.5%).
On valuation, Norfolk Southern trades at a lower forward P/E (22.2x vs 22.5x for Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies). Norfolk Southern offers the higher dividend yield (1.70% vs 0.40%). Norfolk Southern converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 23.6% versus 10.5%.
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 | NSC | WAB |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $316.99 | $280.80 |
| Market cap | $71.20B | $47.43B |
| 1-day change | +1.21% | -0.58% |
| YTD return | +9.79% | +32.32% |
| 1-year return | +6.87% | +42.79% |
| 5-year return | +15.03% | +207.00% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 27.05 | 37.74 |
| Forward P/E | 22.18 | 22.49 |
| EPS (TTM) | $11.72 | $7.44 |
| Dividend yield | 1.70% | 0.40% |
| Annual dividend | $5.40 | $1.12 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $12.18B | $11.17B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +0.47% | +7.51% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $2.87B | $1.17B |
| Gross margin | — | 34.08% |
| Operating margin | 35.76% | 16.06% |
| Net margin | 23.59% | 10.48% |
| 52-week high | $358.60 | $306.64 |
| 52-week low | $277.80 | $186.06 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -11.60% | -8.43% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +13.29% | +17.37% |
| Average volume | 1.12M | 904.09K |
| Shares outstanding | 224.61M | 168.91M |
| Employees | 19,300 | 31,000 |
| 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
- WAB has outperformed NSC by 35.9 percentage points over the past year.
- Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies trades at a higher earnings multiple (37.7x vs 27.0x trailing P/E).
- Norfolk Southern offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.70% vs 0.40%).
- Norfolk Southern is more profitable, keeping 23.6 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 10.5 cents for Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies.
- Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+7.51% vs +0.47%).
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 Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies
WAB stock →Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation provides locomotives, equipment, systems, and services for the freight rail and passenger transit industries worldwide. It operates in two segments, Freight and Transit.
Industrials · Railroads · 31,000 employees
NSC vs WAB FAQ
Which is bigger, Norfolk Southern or Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies?
Norfolk Southern (NSC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $71.20B compared with $47.43B for Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies (WAB).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, NSC or WAB?
WAB returned +42.79% 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 WAB?
NSC has the lower trailing P/E at 27.0, versus 37.7 for WAB. 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 Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies?
Norfolk Southern has the higher yield at 1.70%, compared with 0.40% for Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies.
Are Norfolk Southern and Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Railroads industry within the Industrials sector.