Compare Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT) vs Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) Price & Performance
Price performance
Price movement over the last 24 hours
Key statistics
Key statistics
Applied Materials, Inc. vs Norfolk Southern Corporation — how do they compare? Applied Materials, Inc. trades at $582.01 (market cap $478.36B), while Norfolk Southern Corporation trades at $327.47 (market cap $73.55B). The key difference: Applied Materials, Inc. is far larger — about 6.5× Norfolk Southern Corporation's market cap, and Norfolk Southern Corporation pays the higher dividend (1.65%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AMAT | NSC | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $478.36B | $73.55B |
Sector | Technology | Technology |
52-Week High | $723.00 | $327.47 |
52-Week Low | $156.25 | $259.49 |
Enterprise Value | $477.39B | $89.31B |
Dividend Yield | 0.35% | 1.65% |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Applied Materials (AMAT) trades at $602.50, up 2.35% today, with strong earnings beats in recent quarters and a consensus analyst price target of $644.33. The stock shows a bullish moving average signal but neutral oscillators, with key resistance at $617 and support at $573. Revenue grew to $28.37B in 2025, with a net income margin of 24.66%, though valuation ratios like P/E of 56.68 are elevated. Recent news highlights CEO Gary Dickerson's optimism on AI-driven semiconductor demand, positioning AMAT for multi-year growth.
The outlook for AMAT is positive, driven by AI infrastructure expansion and consistent earnings outperformance. Risks include high valuation multiples and semiconductor cycle volatility. With 76.9% of analysts rating it a buy and institutional sentiment bullish, the stock offers growth potential but requires monitoring of execution and market conditions.
Norfolk Southern (NSC) trades at $327.47, up 1.14% with a bullish technical outlook and strong fundamental performance. The stock shows consistent earnings beats, with Q1 2026 EPS of $2.65 exceeding expectations of $2.49. Valuation metrics include a P/E of 27.59 and ROE of 17.6%, while analyst consensus targets $342.67. Recent developments include the pending merger with Union Pacific and upcoming Q2 2026 earnings on July 23, 2026.
NSC presents a favorable investment case with strong profitability and merger potential, though regulatory scrutiny and rich valuations pose risks. The stock's proximity to 52-week highs suggests limited near-term upside, but long-term growth prospects remain solid if merger approvals proceed smoothly and operational efficiency improves.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
About Applied Materials, Inc.
Applied Materials is the world's largest supplier of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, providing materials engineering solutions to help make nearly every chip in the world. The firm's systems are used in nearly every major process step with the exception of lithography. Key tools include those for chemical and physical vapor deposition, etching, chemical mechanical polishing, wafer- and reticle-inspection, critical dimension measurement, and defect-inspection scanning electron microscopes.
Read more on AMAT →About Norfolk Southern Corporation
Norfolk Southern Corporation is a major North American railroad company operating one of the largest freight rail networks in the eastern United States. The company transports a diverse range of commodities, including coal, intermodal containers, and various industrial products. NSC is a critical link in the nation's supply chain, providing efficient, long-haul transportation services to and from ports and industrial centers.
Read more on NSC →
