Cintas Corporation vs Norfolk Southern Corporation — how do they compare? Cintas Corporation trades at $195.06 (market cap $73.76B), while Norfolk Southern Corporation trades at $327.03 (market cap $73.40B). The key difference: Cintas Corporation and Norfolk Southern Corporation are close in size by market cap, and Norfolk Southern Corporation pays the higher dividend (1.65%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CTAS | NSC | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $73.76B | $73.40B |
Sector | Industrials | Technology |
52-Week High | $226.27 | $327.59 |
52-Week Low | $163.55 | $259.49 |
Enterprise Value | $76.49B | $89.16B |
Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 1.65% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Cintas (CTAS) trades at $183.75, up 2.29% on the day, with a bullish technical outlook supported by moving averages and strong support at $182. The company shows robust fundamentals with revenue growing to $10.34B in 2025 and net income reaching $1.81B, though valuation ratios like P/E of 38.77 appear elevated. Recent news highlights upcoming Q4 earnings and continued recognition as a top employer.
The stock offers a compelling growth story with consistent earnings beats and a 43-year dividend growth track record, but faces risks from high valuation and economic sensitivity. Analyst consensus is mixed with a $212.50 price target, suggesting moderate upside potential if execution remains strong amid competitive pressures.
Norfolk Southern (NSC) trades at $327.59, up 0.04% on the day, with a bullish technical outlook driven by moving averages and a consensus price target of $344.40. The stock has beaten earnings estimates for three consecutive quarters, with Q2 2026 results expected on July 23, 2026. Strong profitability is evident with a 21.91% net income margin and 17.6% ROE, though valuation multiples like a P/E of 27.53 are elevated. Recent news highlights the ongoing merger review with Union Pacific, a key regulatory focus.
NSC offers steady earnings growth and dividend income, but risks include regulatory hurdles for the merger and rich valuations limiting near-term upside. Analyst sentiment is mixed with 44% buy ratings, suggesting cautious optimism amid merger uncertainty. The stock's proximity to its 52-week high warrants monitoring for pullbacks to support levels near $323.
Trailing returns across standard periods
In its core uniform and facility services unit (78% of sales), Cintas provides uniform rental programs to businesses across the size spectrum, mostly in North America. The firm is by far the largest provider in the industry. Facilities products generally include the rental and sale of entrance mat, mops, shop towels, hand sanitizers, and restroom supplies. Cintas also runs a first aid and safety services business (11% of sales), a fire protection services business (7% of sales), and a uniform direct sales business (4% of sales).
Read more on CTAS →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 →