Compare Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) vs Palo Alto Networks Inc (PANW) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Norfolk Southern Corporation vs Palo Alto Networks Inc — how do they compare? Norfolk Southern Corporation trades at $323.3 (market cap $73.65B), while Palo Alto Networks Inc trades at $336.2 (market cap $274.64B). The key difference: Palo Alto Networks Inc is far larger — about 3.7× Norfolk Southern Corporation's market cap, and Norfolk Southern Corporation pays a 1.65% dividend while Palo Alto Networks Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| NSC | PANW | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $73.65B | $274.64B |
Sector | Technology | Technology |
52-Week High | $352.98 | $396.00 |
52-Week Low | $272.36 | $141.67 |
Enterprise Value | $89.20B | $273.60B |
Dividend Yield | 1.65% | — |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
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.
Palo Alto Networks (PANW) trades at $336.98, up 1.12% today, with a bearish technical signal despite recent earnings beats. Revenue grew to $9.22B in FY2025, with strong gross margins of 71.94%, but valuation ratios are elevated (P/E 293.03, P/S 23.39). The company is set to join the S&P 500, reflecting its leadership in AI cybersecurity, though rising costs and premium pricing pose challenges.
Outlook remains positive due to AI-driven security demand and platformization strategy, but high valuation and competitive pressures warrant caution. Analyst consensus is bullish with a $410.48 price target, yet near-term volatility may persist as the stock digests recent gains and faces execution risks in a dynamic cybersecurity landscape.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
About Norfolk Southern Corporation
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 →About Palo Alto Networks Inc
Palo Alto Networks is a pure-play cybersecurity vendor that sells security appliances, subscriptions, and support into enterprises, government entities, and service providers. The company's product portfolio includes firewall appliances, virtual firewalls, endpoint protection, cloud security, and cybersecurity analytics. The Santa Clara, California, firm was established in 2005 and sells its products worldwide.
Read more on PANW →
