MA vs. NSC
MA (Mastercard Incorporated) and NSC (Norfolk Southern Corporation) are both stocks. MA operates in Credit Services (Financial Services), while NSC operates in Railroads (Industrials). Over the past 10 years, MA returned 18.40%/yr vs 16.29%/yr for NSC. At a 0.44 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
MA vs. NSC - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MA achieves a -14.65% return, which is significantly lower than NSC's 8.29% return. Over the past 10 years, MA has outperformed NSC with an annualized return of 18.40%, while NSC has yielded a comparatively lower 16.29% annualized return.
MA
- 1D
- -1.10%
- 1M
- -1.98%
- YTD
- -14.65%
- 6M
- -9.84%
- 1Y
- -17.21%
- 3Y*
- 10.21%
- 5Y*
- 6.59%
- 10Y*
- 18.40%
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%
MA vs. NSC - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MA Mastercard Incorporated | -14.65% | 9.04% | 24.17% | 23.40% | -2.66% | 1.16% | 20.19% | 59.16% | 25.31% | 47.69% |
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 MA and NSC is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.23 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.35 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.41 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.43 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 25, 2006 | 0.44 |
Over the past year, the correlation between MA and NSC has dropped to 0.23 - well below their long-term average of 0.44, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
Fundamentals
MA:
$17.28
NSC:
$15.83
MA:
28.11
NSC:
19.57
MA:
1.64
NSC:
2.97
MA:
12.90
NSC:
4.29
MA:
$33.94B
NSC:
$12.19B
MA:
$26.70B
NSC:
$6.23B
MA:
$21.23B
NSC:
$5.20B
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Return for Risk
MA vs. NSC — Risk / Return Rank
MA
NSC
MA vs. NSC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Mastercard Incorporated (MA) 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.
| MA | NSC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.09 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.96 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.88 | 1.26 | -0.38 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.83 | 2.08 | -2.91 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -1.68 | 6.27 | -7.95 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| MA | NSC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.78 | 1.32 | -2.09 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.28 | 0.19 | +0.09 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.69 | 0.59 | +0.09 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.83 | 0.42 | +0.41 |
Drawdowns
MA vs. NSC - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MA drawdown since its inception was -62.67%, smaller than the maximum NSC drawdown of -67.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MA and NSC.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MA | NSC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -62.67% | -67.74% | +5.07% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -20.91% | -12.47% | -8.44% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -20.91% | -25.11% | +4.20% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.25% | -35.64% | +7.39% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -41.00% | -44.42% | +3.42% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -18.55% | -4.84% | -13.71% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.82% | -15.14% | +5.32% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 10.26% | 4.14% | +6.12% |
Volatility
MA vs. NSC - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Mastercard Incorporated (MA) is 6.33%, while Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) has a volatility of 7.84%. This indicates that MA 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
| MA | NSC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.33% | 7.84% | -1.51% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 17.37% | 16.01% | +1.36% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.28% | 19.77% | +2.51% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 23.99% | 25.06% | -1.07% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 26.93% | 27.54% | -0.61% |
Dividends
MA vs. NSC - Dividend Comparison
MA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.67%, less than NSC's 1.74% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MA Mastercard Incorporated | 0.67% | 0.53% | 0.50% | 0.53% | 0.56% | 0.49% | 0.45% | 0.44% | 0.53% | 0.58% | 0.74% | 0.66% |
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
MA vs. NSC - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Mastercard Incorporated 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
MA vs. NSC - Profitability Comparison
MA - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Mastercard Incorporated reported a gross profit of 4.91B and revenue of 8.40B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 58.4%.
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%.
MA - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Mastercard Incorporated reported an operating income of 4.91B and revenue of 8.40B, resulting in an operating margin of 58.4%.
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%.
MA - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Mastercard Incorporated reported a net income of 3.88B and revenue of 8.40B, resulting in a net margin of 46.2%.
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
MA and NSC have a correlation of 0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
NSC has higher volatility (7.84%) compared to MA (6.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MA dropped -62.67% vs NSC's -67.74%.
NSC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.32 vs -0.78), 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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