NSC vs. UNP
Compare and contrast key facts about Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) and Union Pacific Corporation (UNP).
Performance
NSC vs. UNP - Performance Comparison
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NSC vs. UNP - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NSC Norfolk Southern Corporation | -0.16% | 25.65% | 1.55% | -1.63% | -15.59% | 27.26% | 24.76% | 32.39% | 5.22% | 36.85% |
UNP Union Pacific Corporation | 5.43% | 3.86% | -5.10% | 21.61% | -15.93% | 23.31% | 17.64% | 33.70% | 5.26% | 32.30% |
Fundamentals
NSC:
$64.52B
UNP:
$143.99B
NSC:
$12.78
UNP:
$12.02
NSC:
22.46
UNP:
20.18
NSC:
3.41
UNP:
4.04
NSC:
5.30
UNP:
5.88
NSC:
4.15
UNP:
7.80
NSC:
$12.18B
UNP:
$24.51B
NSC:
$5.17B
UNP:
$14.55B
NSC:
$5.85B
UNP:
$12.62B
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, NSC achieves a -0.16% return, which is significantly lower than UNP's 5.43% return. Over the past 10 years, NSC has outperformed UNP with an annualized return of 15.58%, while UNP has yielded a comparatively lower 14.40% annualized return.
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%
UNP
- 1D
- 1.42%
- 1M
- -8.44%
- YTD
- 5.43%
- 6M
- 3.78%
- 1Y
- 5.12%
- 3Y*
- 8.90%
- 5Y*
- 4.28%
- 10Y*
- 14.40%
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Return for Risk
NSC vs. UNP — Risk / Return Rank
NSC
UNP
NSC vs. UNP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) and Union Pacific Corporation (UNP). 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.
| NSC | UNP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.06 | 0.23 | +0.83 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.61 | 0.48 | +1.13 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.22 | 1.06 | +0.16 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.00 | 0.55 | +1.45 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.08 | 1.19 | +4.90 |
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
| NSC | UNP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.06 | 0.23 | +0.83 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.13 | 0.19 | -0.06 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.57 | 0.57 | -0.01 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.42 | 0.42 | 0.00 |
Correlation
The correlation between NSC and UNP is 0.63, 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
NSC vs. UNP - Dividend Comparison
NSC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.88%, less than UNP's 2.26% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
UNP Union Pacific Corporation | 2.26% | 2.35% | 2.32% | 2.12% | 2.45% | 1.70% | 1.86% | 2.05% | 2.21% | 1.85% | 2.17% | 2.81% |
Drawdowns
NSC vs. UNP - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum NSC drawdown since its inception was -67.74%, roughly equal to the maximum UNP drawdown of -67.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NSC and UNP.
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Drawdown Indicators
| NSC | UNP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -67.74% | -67.49% | -0.25% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.51% | -12.66% | -0.85% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -35.64% | -31.83% | -3.81% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -44.42% | -38.72% | -5.70% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -9.70% | -9.12% | -0.58% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -15.19% | -17.13% | +1.94% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.44% | 5.88% | -1.44% |
Volatility
NSC vs. UNP - Volatility Comparison
Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) and Union Pacific Corporation (UNP) have volatilities of 5.69% and 5.68%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| NSC | UNP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.69% | 5.68% | +0.01% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.49% | 14.16% | -1.67% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.63% | 22.82% | -0.19% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 24.71% | 22.30% | +2.41% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 27.64% | 25.19% | +2.45% |
Financials
NSC vs. UNP - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Norfolk Southern Corporation and Union Pacific 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
NSC vs. UNP - Profitability Comparison
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%.
UNP - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Union Pacific Corporation reported a gross profit of 6.09B and revenue of 6.09B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 100.0%.
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%.
UNP - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Union Pacific Corporation reported an operating income of 2.40B and revenue of 6.09B, resulting in an operating margin of 39.5%.
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%.
UNP - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Union Pacific Corporation reported a net income of 1.85B and revenue of 6.09B, resulting in a net margin of 30.4%.