DHR vs. NSC
DHR (Danaher Corporation) and NSC (Norfolk Southern Corporation) are both stocks. DHR operates in Diagnostics & Research (Healthcare), while NSC operates in Railroads (Industrials). Over the past 10 years, DHR returned 11.19%/yr vs 16.29%/yr for NSC. At a 0.36 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
DHR vs. NSC - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DHR achieves a -19.66% return, which is significantly lower than NSC's 8.29% return. Over the past 10 years, DHR has underperformed NSC with an annualized return of 11.19%, while NSC has yielded a comparatively higher 16.29% annualized return.
DHR
- 1D
- -0.42%
- 1M
- 7.23%
- YTD
- -19.66%
- 6M
- -17.95%
- 1Y
- -5.73%
- 3Y*
- -3.67%
- 5Y*
- -2.52%
- 10Y*
- 11.19%
NSC
- 1D
- -1.12%
- 1M
- -0.67%
- YTD
- 8.29%
- 6M
- 6.71%
- 1Y
- 25.89%
- 3Y*
- 15.24%
- 5Y*
- 4.69%
- 10Y*
- 16.29%
DHR vs. NSC - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DHR Danaher Corporation | -19.66% | 0.35% | -0.35% | -1.22% | -19.02% | 48.57% | 45.34% | 49.55% | 11.80% | 20.01% |
NSC Norfolk Southern Corporation | 8.29% | 25.65% | 1.55% | -1.63% | -15.59% | 27.26% | 24.76% | 32.39% | 5.22% | 36.85% |
Correlation
The correlation between DHR and NSC is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.17 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.33 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.37 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.36 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 5, 1987 | 0.36 |
The correlation between DHR and NSC shifts across timeframes, from 0.17 (1 year) to 0.37 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
DHR:
$5.17
NSC:
$15.83
DHR:
35.51
NSC:
19.57
DHR:
5.29
NSC:
4.29
DHR:
$24.78B
NSC:
$12.19B
DHR:
$15.04B
NSC:
$6.23B
DHR:
$6.69B
NSC:
$5.20B
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Return for Risk
DHR vs. NSC — Risk / Return Rank
DHR
NSC
DHR vs. NSC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Danaher Corporation (DHR) 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.
| DHR | NSC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.52 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.10 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.99 | 1.26 | -0.27 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.17 | 2.08 | -2.26 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.42 | 6.27 | -6.70 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| DHR | NSC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.21 | 1.32 | -1.52 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.09 | 0.19 | -0.28 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.44 | 0.59 | -0.15 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.65 | 0.42 | +0.23 |
Drawdowns
DHR vs. NSC - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DHR drawdown since its inception was -45.80%, smaller than the maximum NSC drawdown of -67.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DHR and NSC.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DHR | NSC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -45.80% | -67.74% | +21.94% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -32.97% | -12.47% | -20.50% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -41.72% | -25.11% | -16.61% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -43.81% | -35.64% | -8.17% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -43.81% | -44.42% | +0.61% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -36.31% | -4.84% | -31.47% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.21% | -15.14% | +4.93% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 13.51% | 4.14% | +9.37% |
Volatility
DHR vs. NSC - Volatility Comparison
Danaher Corporation (DHR) has a higher volatility of 9.24% compared to Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) at 7.84%. This indicates that DHR'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.
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Volatility by Period
| DHR | NSC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 9.24% | 7.84% | +1.40% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 19.43% | 16.01% | +3.42% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 28.08% | 19.77% | +8.31% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 28.00% | 25.06% | +2.94% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 25.53% | 27.54% | -2.01% |
Dividends
DHR vs. NSC - Dividend Comparison
DHR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.74%, less than NSC's 1.74% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DHR Danaher Corporation | 0.74% | 0.56% | 0.47% | 12.64% | 0.38% | 0.26% | 0.32% | 0.44% | 0.62% | 0.60% | 32.55% | 0.58% |
NSC Norfolk Southern Corporation | 1.74% | 1.87% | 2.30% | 2.28% | 2.01% | 1.40% | 1.58% | 1.85% | 2.03% | 1.68% | 2.18% | 2.79% |
Financials
DHR vs. NSC - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Danaher 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
DHR vs. NSC - Profitability Comparison
DHR - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Danaher Corporation reported a gross profit of 3.59B and revenue of 5.95B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 60.3%.
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%.
DHR - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Danaher Corporation reported an operating income of 1.34B and revenue of 5.95B, resulting in an operating margin of 22.6%.
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%.
DHR - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Danaher Corporation reported a net income of 1.03B and revenue of 5.95B, resulting in a net margin of 17.3%.
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
DHR and NSC have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
DHR has higher volatility (9.24%) compared to NSC (7.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DHR dropped -45.80% vs NSC's -67.74%.
NSC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.32 vs -0.21), 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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