CSX vs. NSC
CSX (CSX Corporation) and NSC (Norfolk Southern Corporation) are both stocks. Both operate in the Railroads industry within the Industrials sector. Over the past 10 years, CSX returned 20.03%/yr vs 16.27%/yr for NSC. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.
Performance
CSX vs. NSC - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, CSX achieves a 28.26% return, which is significantly higher than NSC's 6.27% return. Over the past 10 years, CSX has outperformed NSC with an annualized return of 20.03%, while NSC has yielded a comparatively lower 16.27% annualized return.
CSX
- 1D
- 1.25%
- 1M
- 1.80%
- YTD
- 28.26%
- 6M
- 27.24%
- 1Y
- 46.14%
- 3Y*
- 13.78%
- 5Y*
- 9.40%
- 10Y*
- 20.03%
NSC
- 1D
- 1.36%
- 1M
- -3.29%
- YTD
- 6.27%
- 6M
- 5.22%
- 1Y
- 22.37%
- 3Y*
- 14.21%
- 5Y*
- 5.12%
- 10Y*
- 16.27%
CSX vs. NSC - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CSX CSX Corporation | 28.26% | 14.13% | -5.65% | 13.51% | -16.58% | 25.70% | 27.09% | 18.06% | 14.47% | 55.48% |
NSC Norfolk Southern Corporation | 6.27% | 25.65% | 1.55% | -1.63% | -15.59% | 27.26% | 24.76% | 32.39% | 5.22% | 36.85% |
Correlation
The correlation between CSX and NSC is 0.63, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.63 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.73 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.80 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.80 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 2, 1982 | 0.65 |
The correlation between CSX and NSC shifts across timeframes, from 0.63 (1 year) to 0.80 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
CSX:
$1.63
NSC:
$15.83
CSX:
28.26
NSC:
19.21
CSX:
6.09
NSC:
4.21
CSX:
$14.15B
NSC:
$12.19B
CSX:
$3.64B
NSC:
$6.23B
CSX:
$5.55B
NSC:
$5.20B
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Return for Risk
CSX vs. NSC — Risk / Return Rank
CSX
NSC
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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| CSX | NSC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.95 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.13 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.37 | 1.22 | +0.14 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.90 | 1.80 | +2.10 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.39 | 5.25 | +5.14 |
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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.
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Drawdown Indicators
| CSX | NSC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -69.19% | -67.74% | -1.45% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.89% | -12.47% | +0.58% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -29.44% | -25.11% | -4.33% |
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 DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.88% | -6.60% | +3.72% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -15.91% | -15.13% | -0.78% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.45% | 4.27% | +0.18% |
Volatility
CSX vs. NSC - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for CSX Corporation (CSX) is 6.56%, while Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) has a volatility of 8.20%. This indicates that CSX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NSC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| CSX | NSC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.56% | 8.20% | -1.64% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 16.42% | 16.28% | +0.14% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.44% | 20.07% | +2.37% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 23.52% | 25.09% | -1.57% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 27.84% | 27.56% | +0.28% |
Dividends
CSX vs. NSC - Dividend Comparison
CSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.17%, less than NSC's 1.78% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CSX CSX Corporation | 1.17% | 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 | 1.78% | 1.87% | 2.30% | 2.28% | 2.01% | 1.40% | 1.58% | 1.85% | 2.03% | 1.68% | 2.18% | 2.79% |
Financials
CSX vs. NSC - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between CSX Corporation and Norfolk Southern Corporation. You can select fields from income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to easily visualize and compare the financial health of both companies.
Total Revenue: Total amount of money received from sales and other business activities
CSX vs. NSC - Profitability Comparison
CSX - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, CSX Corporation reported a gross profit of 0.00 and revenue of 3.48B. 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 Jun 2026, Norfolk Southern Corporation reported a gross profit of 2.00B and revenue of 3.00B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 66.8%.
CSX - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, CSX Corporation reported an operating income of 1.25B and revenue of 3.48B, resulting in an operating margin of 36.0%.
NSC - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Norfolk Southern Corporation reported an operating income of 877.00M and revenue of 3.00B, resulting in an operating margin of 29.3%.
CSX - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, CSX Corporation reported a net income of 807.00M and revenue of 3.48B, resulting in a net margin of 23.2%.
NSC - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Norfolk Southern Corporation reported a net income of 547.00M and revenue of 3.00B, resulting in a net margin of 18.3%.
Frequently Asked Questions
CSX and NSC have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
NSC has higher volatility (8.20%) compared to CSX (6.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CSX dropped -69.19% vs NSC's -67.74%.
CSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 1.12), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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