Norfolk Southern Corporation vs O'Reilly Automotive Inc. Common Stock — how do they compare? Norfolk Southern Corporation trades at $317.24 (market cap $71.20B), while O'Reilly Automotive Inc. Common Stock trades at $85.99 (market cap $69.58B). The key difference: Norfolk Southern Corporation and O'Reilly Automotive Inc. Common Stock are close in size by market cap, and Norfolk Southern Corporation pays a 1.7% dividend while O'Reilly Automotive Inc. Common Stock pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| NSC | ORLY | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $71.20B | $69.58B |
Volume | 555,248 | 4,819,072 |
Sector | Industrials | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $352.98 | $103.05 |
52-Week Low | $278.19 | $82.73 |
Typical Hold Time | 33 Days | — |
Enterprise Value | $86.75B | $78.90B |
Dividend Yield | 1.7% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Norfolk Southern (NSC) trades at $313.20, down 0.98% on the day, with a bearish technical outlook despite strong fundamentals. The company has consistently beaten earnings expectations in recent quarters, with Q2 2026 EPS of $3.52 exceeding the $3.32 forecast. Key developments include the proposed merger with Union Pacific, which is progressing through regulatory review and expected to close by late 2027. Financial metrics show solid profitability with 21.02% net income margin and 16.97% ROE, though cash flow trends indicate negative net cash flow in both 2025 and 2026.
The investment case balances strong operational performance against merger execution risks and technical weakness. With 44% analyst buy ratings and a $361.86 consensus price target suggesting 15% upside, the stock offers value if merger benefits materialize. However, regulatory hurdles, fuel cost pressures, and bearish technical signals warrant caution for near-term investors.
No Aura AI signal available yet.
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 →O'Reilly Automotive sells automotive aftermarket parts, tools, supplies, equipment, and accessories. It serves both professional service providers and do-it-yourself customers through its store network.
Read more on ORLY →