CSX vs. NSC

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about CSX Corporation (CSX) and Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC).

Performance

CSX vs. NSC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in CSX Corporation (CSX) and Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

CSX vs. NSC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CSX CSX Corporation	13.61%	14.13%	-5.65%	13.51%	-16.58%	25.70%	27.09%	18.06%	14.47%	55.48%
NSC Norfolk Southern Corporation	-0.16%	25.65%	1.55%	-1.63%	-15.59%	27.26%	24.76%	32.39%	5.22%	36.85%

Fundamentals

Market Cap CSX : $76.52B NSC : $64.52B
EPS CSX : $1.54 NSC : $12.78
PE Ratio CSX : 26.72 NSC : 22.46
PS Ratio CSX : 5.12 NSC : 5.30
PB Ratio CSX : 5.81 NSC : 4.15
Total Revenue (TTM) CSX : $14.97B NSC : $12.18B
Gross Profit (TTM) CSX : $4.28B NSC : $5.17B
EBITDA (TTM) CSX : $5.45B NSC : $5.85B

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CSX achieves a 13.61% return, which is significantly higher than NSC's -0.16% return. Over the past 10 years, CSX has outperformed NSC with an annualized return of 18.70%, while NSC has yielded a comparatively lower 15.58% annualized return.

CSX

• 1D: 3.22%
• 1M: -3.84%
• YTD: 13.61%
• 6M: 16.41%
• 1Y: 41.61%
• 3Y*: 12.71%
• 5Y*: 6.26%
• 10Y*: 18.70%

NSC

• 1D: 1.65%
• 1M: -8.81%
• YTD: -0.16%
• 6M: -3.58%
• 1Y: 23.64%
• 3Y*: 13.15%
• 5Y*: 3.27%
• 10Y*: 15.58%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Return for Risk

CSX vs. NSC — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

CSX

CSX Risk / Return Rank: 87
CSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
CSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
CSX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
CSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
CSX Martin Ratio Rank: 88

NSC

NSC Risk / Return Rank: 76
NSC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
NSC Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
NSC Omega Ratio Rank: 72
NSC Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
NSC Martin Ratio Rank: 81

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

CSX vs. NSC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for CSX Corporation (CSX) and Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	CSX	NSC	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.75	1.06	+0.69
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.43	1.61	+0.82
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.22	+0.10
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.63	2.00	+1.63
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.03	6.08	+2.95
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CSX vs. NSC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CSX Sharpe Ratio is 1.75, which is higher than the NSC Sharpe Ratio of 1.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CSX and NSC, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	CSX	NSC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.75	1.06	+0.69
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27	0.13	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68	0.57	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.42	+0.01

Correlation

The correlation between CSX and NSC is 0.65, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

CSX vs. NSC - Dividend Comparison

CSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.29%, less than NSC's 1.88% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CSX CSX Corporation	1.29%	1.43%	1.49%	1.27%	1.29%	0.99%	1.15%	1.33%	1.42%	1.42%	2.00%	2.70%
NSC Norfolk Southern Corporation	1.88%	1.87%	2.30%	2.28%	2.01%	1.40%	1.58%	1.85%	2.03%	1.68%	2.18%	2.79%

Drawdowns

CSX vs. NSC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CSX drawdown since its inception was -69.19%, roughly equal to the maximum NSC drawdown of -67.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CSX and NSC.

Drawdown Indicators

	CSX	NSC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-69.19%	-67.74%	-1.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.89%	-13.51%	+1.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.44%	-35.64%	+6.20%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.55%	-44.42%	+3.87%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.91%	-9.70%	+4.79%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.98%	-15.19%	-0.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.78%	4.44%	+0.34%

Volatility

CSX vs. NSC - Volatility Comparison

CSX Corporation (CSX) has a higher volatility of 8.57% compared to Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) at 5.69%. This indicates that CSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NSC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CSX	NSC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.57%	5.69%	+2.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.56%	12.49%	+2.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.90%	22.63%	+1.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.21%	24.71%	-1.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.77%	27.64%	+0.13%

Financials

CSX vs. NSC - Profitability Comparison

The chart below illustrates the profitability comparison between CSX Corporation and Norfolk Southern Corporation over time, highlighting three key metrics: Gross Profit Margin, Operating Margin, and Net Profit Margin.

CSX - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, CSX Corporation reported a gross profit of 0.00 and revenue of 3.51B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 0.0%.

NSC - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Norfolk Southern Corporation reported a gross profit of 2.10B and revenue of 2.97B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 70.5%.

CSX - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, CSX Corporation reported an operating income of 1.11B and revenue of 3.51B, resulting in an operating margin of 31.6%.

NSC - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Norfolk Southern Corporation reported an operating income of 937.00M and revenue of 2.97B, resulting in an operating margin of 31.5%.

CSX - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, CSX Corporation reported a net income of 720.00M and revenue of 3.51B, resulting in a net margin of 20.5%.

NSC - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Norfolk Southern Corporation reported a net income of 644.00M and revenue of 2.97B, resulting in a net margin of 21.7%.