Norfolk Southern Corporation vs Tidewater Inc — how do they compare? Norfolk Southern Corporation trades at $335.9 (market cap $75.15B), while Tidewater Inc trades at $91.56 (market cap $4.54B). The key difference: Norfolk Southern Corporation is far larger — about 16.6× Tidewater Inc's market cap, and Norfolk Southern Corporation pays a 1.61% dividend while Tidewater Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| NSC | TDW | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $75.15B | $4.54B |
Sector | Technology | Utilities |
52-Week High | $350.66 | $91.20 |
52-Week Low | $272.35 | $47.29 |
Enterprise Value | $90.70B | $4.58B |
Dividend Yield | 1.61% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Norfolk Southern (NSC) trades at $334.44, up 0.15% on the day, with a bullish technical signal supported by moving averages. The stock shows strong fundamentals, including three consecutive quarterly earnings beats, a net income margin of 21.02%, and robust cash flow from operations of $4.36B in 2025. Recent news highlights merger developments with Union Pacific and positive Q2 2026 results driven by freight demand.
Outlook is positive with a consensus price target of $369.67, implying upside, but risks include high valuation (P/E 28.55), merger regulatory scrutiny, and fuel cost pressures. Institutional sentiment is mixed with 43.75% buy ratings, yet hedge fund activity suggests potential momentum.
Tidewater (TDW) trades at $91.86, up 2.49% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and ADX indicators. The company reported Q2 2026 earnings of $0.43 per share, beating estimates (Zacks, August 3, 2026), though it missed expectations in prior quarters. Revenue for the quarter was $342.3 million, with net income margins around 18%. Analyst sentiment is mixed, with 26.92% recommending Buy and 57.7% Hold.
Outlook: Strong day rates and utilization support revenue growth, but earnings misses and Middle East operational costs pose risks. The stock's valuation (P/E 18.5) is reasonable, but investors face volatility from oil market exposure and execution challenges. Upside depends on sustained operational improvements and cost management.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
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 →Tidewater is the leading global provider of offshore support vessels (OSVs) to the energy industry. With the world's largest fleet of platform supply vessels (PSVs) and anchor handling tugs (AHTS), it provides critical logistics and marine support for offshore oil, gas, and renewable energy projects. Following a period of massive strategic consolidation, Tidewater is now focused on maximizing day rates and free cash flow in a supply-constrained market, positioning itself as a primary beneficiary of the multi-year offshore upcycle.
Read more on TDW →