NSC vs. VTSAX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

NSC (Norfolk Southern Corporation) is a stock, while VTSAX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares) is Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, NSC returned 16.33%/yr vs 15.09%/yr for VTSAX. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

NSC vs. VTSAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) and Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTSAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NSC achieves a 7.46% return, which is significantly lower than VTSAX's 11.71% return. Over the past 10 years, NSC has outperformed VTSAX with an annualized return of 16.33%, while VTSAX has yielded a comparatively lower 15.09% annualized return.

NSC

• 1D: 0.78%
• 1M: -2.22%
• YTD: 7.46%
• 6M: 6.34%
• 1Y: 27.72%
• 3Y*: 15.00%
• 5Y*: 4.09%
• 10Y*: 16.33%

VTSAX

• 1D: 0.25%
• 1M: 5.10%
• YTD: 11.71%
• 6M: 12.07%
• 1Y: 29.65%
• 3Y*: 22.24%
• 5Y*: 12.88%
• 10Y*: 15.09%

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

NSC vs. VTSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NSC Norfolk Southern Corporation	7.46%	25.65%	1.55%	-1.63%	-15.59%	27.26%	24.76%	32.39%	5.22%	36.85%
VTSAX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares	11.71%	17.12%	23.23%	26.51%	-19.52%	25.72%	20.98%	30.79%	-5.18%	21.16%

Correlation

The correlation between NSC and VTSAX is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.44
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 14, 2000	0.61

Over the past year, the correlation between NSC and VTSAX has dropped to 0.32 - well below their long-term average of 0.61, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

NSC vs. VTSAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NSC

NSC Risk / Return Rank: 78
NSC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
NSC Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
NSC Omega Ratio Rank: 76
NSC Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
NSC Martin Ratio Rank: 80

VTSAX

VTSAX Risk / Return Rank: 72
VTSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
VTSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
VTSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 64
VTSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VTSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

NSC vs. VTSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) and Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTSAX). 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	VTSAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.42	2.49	-1.07
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.12	3.38	-1.26
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.45	-0.17
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.15	3.38	-1.23
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.55	15.63	-9.08
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NSC vs. VTSAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NSC Sharpe Ratio is 1.42, which is lower than the VTSAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NSC and VTSAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	NSC	VTSAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.42	2.49	-1.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.16	0.75	-0.58
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60	0.82	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.47	-0.05

Drawdowns

NSC vs. VTSAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NSC drawdown since its inception was -67.74%, which is greater than VTSAX's maximum drawdown of -55.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NSC and VTSAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NSC	VTSAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-67.74%	-55.33%	-12.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.47%	-8.92%	-3.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.11%	-19.36%	-5.75%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.64%	-25.36%	-10.28%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.42%	-34.97%	-9.45%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.57%	0.00%	-5.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.14%	-9.01%	-6.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.09%	1.93%	+2.16%

Volatility

NSC vs. VTSAX - Volatility Comparison

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) has a higher volatility of 7.74% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTSAX) at 2.95%. This indicates that NSC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTSAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NSC	VTSAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.74%	2.95%	+4.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.87%	9.20%	+6.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.67%	12.21%	+7.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.05%	17.36%	+7.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.54%	18.41%	+9.13%

Dividends

NSC vs. VTSAX - Dividend Comparison

NSC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.76%, more than VTSAX's 1.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NSC Norfolk Southern Corporation	1.76%	1.87%	2.30%	2.28%	2.01%	1.40%	1.58%	1.85%	2.03%	1.68%	2.18%	2.79%
VTSAX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.00%	1.11%	1.26%	1.42%	1.65%	1.20%	1.41%	1.76%	2.03%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NSC and VTSAX in my portfolio?

NSC and VTSAX have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NSC or VTSAX?

NSC has higher volatility (7.74%) compared to VTSAX (2.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NSC dropped -67.74% vs VTSAX's -55.33%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTSAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.48 vs 1.42), 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.