Norfolk Southern Corporation vs Nutrien Ltd — how do they compare? Norfolk Southern Corporation trades at $323.3 (market cap $73.65B), while Nutrien Ltd trades at $80.95 (market cap $38.47B). The key difference: Norfolk Southern Corporation is the larger of the two by market cap, and Nutrien Ltd pays the higher dividend (2.73%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| NSC | NTR | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $73.65B | $38.47B |
Sector | Technology | Basic Materials |
52-Week High | $352.98 | $83.94 |
52-Week Low | $272.36 | $53.64 |
Enterprise Value | $89.20B | $50.28B |
Dividend Yield | 1.65% | 2.73% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Norfolk Southern (NSC) trades at $327.92, down 0.47% on the day, amid a bearish technical signal. The stock has consistently beaten earnings estimates in recent quarters, with Q3 2026 results pending. Key fundamentals show strong profitability with a 21.02% net income margin and 16.97% ROE, though valuation multiples like the P/E of 27.98 appear elevated. Recent news highlights ongoing institutional accumulation and progress in the proposed merger with Union Pacific, which remains under regulatory review.
The outlook is balanced; the merger potential offers upside, but regulatory hurdles and a premium valuation pose risks. Analyst consensus is mixed with a Hold rating predominating, though the $369.67 price target implies modest upside. Earnings sustainability and merger approval are critical for near-term direction.
Nutrien (NTR) trades at $80.68, up 1.52% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages but overbought RSI readings. The company reported mixed Q2 2026 earnings, missing EPS estimates but beating on revenue, driven by higher fertilizer prices. Analyst consensus is a Moderate Buy with a $76.17 price target, though recent news includes a downgrade to Hold citing cost pressures and volume constraints. Cash flow trends show consistent operational strength but negative net cash flow in recent years.
The outlook is cautiously optimistic, supported by strong potash and nitrogen demand and institutional buying, but risks include cyclical earnings, rising sulfur costs, and volatile agricultural markets. The stock's current price above the consensus target suggests limited near-term upside, requiring monitoring of cost management and volume recovery for sustained growth.
Trailing returns across standard periods
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 →Created in 2018 as a result of the merger between PotashCorp and Agrium, Nutrien is the world's largest fertilizer producer by capacity. Nutrien produces the three main crop nutrients--nitrogen, potash, and phosphate--although its main focus is potash, where it is the global leader in installed capacity with roughly 20% share. The company is also the largest agricultural retailer in the United States, selling fertilizers, crop chemicals, seeds, and services directly to farm customers through its brick-and-mortar stores and online platforms.
Read more on NTR →