CSX Corporation vs Diageo plc — how do they compare? CSX Corporation trades at $49.44 (market cap $92.24B), while Diageo plc trades at $82.75 (market cap $45.41B). The key difference: CSX Corporation is far larger — about 2× Diageo plc's market cap, and Diageo plc pays the higher dividend (4.02%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CSX | DEO | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $92.24B | $45.41B |
Sector | Industrials | Technology |
52-Week High | $49.92 | $115.33 |
52-Week Low | $32.05 | $72.47 |
Enterprise Value | $110.47B | $66.23B |
Dividend Yield | 1.13% | 4.02% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
CSX trades at $49.64, up 0.47% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages but overbought RSI readings. The company reported mixed recent earnings, beating in Q1 2026 but missing in Q4 2025, with Q2 2026 results expected soon. Revenue has trended down from $14.9B in 2022 to $14.1B in 2025, though net margins remain above 20%. Strong cash flow from operations supports dividends, including a recent $0.14 payout.
Outlook is cautiously optimistic given analyst consensus favoring Buy ratings (56.52%) and a price target near $48.87. Risks include declining revenue, high debt levels, and valuation multiples above industry norms. Earnings growth and operational efficiency gains are key catalysts for upside, but macroeconomic pressures on freight demand pose headwinds.
Diageo (DEO) trades at $82.50, up 0.57% today, with a bullish technical trend and strong profitability metrics including a 12.19% net margin and 22.29% ROE. Recent earnings show mixed results with a Q4 2025 beat but a Q2 2025 miss, while analyst sentiment is positive with 49% buy ratings. The stock faces headwinds from weak U.S. spirits demand and promotional pressures, as noted in recent Deutsche Bank and UBS reports from July 2026.
The outlook hinges on management's strategy reset in August 2026 to address U.S. volume declines and margin pressures. Investment appeal lies in its discounted valuation relative to historical multiples and dividend yield, but risks include sustained consumer moderation trends and execution challenges in key markets.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Operating in the Eastern United States, Class I railroad CSX generated revenue near $12.5 billion in 2021. On its more than 21,000 miles of track, CSX hauls shipments of coal (13% of consolidated revenue), chemicals (22%), intermodal containers (16%), automotive cargo (9%), and a diverse mix of other bulk and industrial merchandise.
Read more on CSX →Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, and Guinness. It operates a vast portfolio of spirits and beers across more than 180 countries.
Read more on DEO →