Investment
Features
FeesSafety
Academy
More
Pluang+

Compare AstraZeneca plc (AZN) vs Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) Price & Performance

AstraZeneca plcTrade
Norfolk Southern CorporationTrade

Price performance (Past 24H)

Key statistics

AstraZeneca plc vs Norfolk Southern Corporation — how do they compare? AstraZeneca plc trades at $157.98 (market cap $248.14B), while Norfolk Southern Corporation trades at $334.48 (market cap $75.15B). The key difference: AstraZeneca plc is far larger — about 3.3× Norfolk Southern Corporation's market cap, and AstraZeneca plc pays the higher dividend (2.01%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.

AZNNSC
Market Cap
$248.14B$75.15B
Sector
HealthTechnology
52-Week High
$209.48$350.66
52-Week Low
$147.06$272.35
Enterprise Value
$275.41B$90.70B
Dividend Yield
2.01%1.61%

Aura AI Summary

Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice

AstraZeneca plc

AstraZeneca (AZN) trades at $161.91, up 0.3% on the day, amid mixed technical signals and strong fundamental performance. The stock exhibits a bearish technical trend with key support at $161 and resistance at $163, while recent earnings consistently beat expectations with Q2 2026 EPS of $2.63 versus $2.50 estimated. Revenue growth has been robust, climbing from $44.4B in 2022 to $58.7B in 2025, with a net income margin of 17.4% in 2025. Recent news centers on potential merger discussions with Bristol Myers Squibb, though reports on August 5, 2026, from Reuters indicate no current talks.

The outlook for AZN is cautiously optimistic, driven by solid profitability and analyst support, but tempered by merger-related volatility and a bearish technical setup. Investment opportunities lie in its high gross margin of 81.88% and positive earnings trajectory, while risks include integration challenges from any future acquisitions and market sensitivity to deal speculation. The stock's valuation at a P/E of 23.76 appears reasonable given its growth profile.

Norfolk Southern Corporation

Norfolk Southern (NSC) trades at $332.82, down 0.34% on the day, with a bullish technical signal supported by moving averages. The company reported strong Q2 2026 earnings of $3.52 per share, beating estimates, driven by record revenue and volume growth. Valuation ratios like P/E of 28.55 and P/S of 5.99 indicate a premium, while profitability remains solid with a net income margin of 21.02% and ROE of 16.97%. Recent news highlights merger developments with Union Pacific and institutional interest.

Outlook is cautiously optimistic due to earnings momentum and industry tailwinds, but risks include high fuel costs, merger execution uncertainties, and premium valuation. Analysts give a mixed consensus with 43.75% buy ratings and a $369.67 price target, suggesting modest upside potential from current levels amid competitive and operational headwinds.

Returns comparison

Trailing returns across standard periods

Top news

Latest headlines on both assets

About AstraZeneca plc

A merger between Astra of Sweden and Zeneca Group of the United Kingdom formed AstraZeneca in 1999. The firm sells branded drugs across several major therapeutic classes, including gastrointestinal, diabetes, cardiovascular, respiratory, cancer, and immunology. The majority of sales come from international markets with the United States representing close to one third of its sales.

Read more on AZN

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