CSX Corporation vs Norfolk Southern Corporation — how do they compare? CSX Corporation trades at $47.36 (market cap $86.70B), while Norfolk Southern Corporation trades at $317.24 (market cap $70.35B). The key difference: CSX Corporation is the larger of the two by market cap, and Norfolk Southern Corporation pays the higher dividend (1.72%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold CSX Corporation for 55 Days and Norfolk Southern Corporation for 33 Days on average.
| CSX | NSC | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $86.70B | $70.35B |
Volume | 6,811,485 | 825,542 |
Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
52-Week High | $53.21 | $352.98 |
52-Week Low | $33.68 | $278.19 |
Typical Hold Time | 55 Days | 33 Days |
Enterprise Value | $104.66B | $85.89B |
Dividend Yield | 1.2% | 1.72% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
CSX trades at $47.34, down 0.34% today, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages. Recent earnings show mixed quarterly results, beating in Q1 and Q2 2026 but missing in Q4 2025. Revenue has declined from $14.9B in 2022 to $14.1B in 2025, though net income margin remains strong at 22.21%. Analyst consensus is bullish with a $51.00 price target, supported by institutional buying and positive news on dividend sustainability.
The outlook for CSX hinges on reversing revenue declines and executing on projected 2026 growth. Risks include competitive pressures and economic sensitivity, but strong profitability and analyst support offer upside. Investors should weigh valuation premiums against operational resilience in the freight sector.
Norfolk Southern (NSC) trades at $313.20, down 0.98% with bearish technical signals despite strong fundamentals. The stock shows consistent earnings beats with Q2 2026 EPS of $3.52 exceeding expectations by 6%. Valuation metrics include P/E of 26.72 and ROE of 16.97%, while the proposed Union Pacific merger progresses through regulatory review. Cash flow trends show operational strength with $4.36B from operations in 2025.
Outlook remains constructive with 43.75% analyst buy ratings and $361.86 consensus target offering 15.5% upside. Key risks include merger approval uncertainty and fuel cost pressures. The combination creates transcontinental railroad opportunities but faces STB regulatory hurdles. Earnings on October 22, 2026 will be critical for near-term direction.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
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 →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 →