Norfolk Southern Corporation vs Tractor Supply Co — how do they compare? Norfolk Southern Corporation trades at $316.96 (market cap $71.20B), while Tractor Supply Co trades at $33.5 (market cap $17.44B). The key difference: Norfolk Southern Corporation is far larger — about 4.1× Tractor Supply Co's market cap, and Tractor Supply Co pays the higher dividend (2.87%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold Norfolk Southern Corporation for 33 Days and Tractor Supply Co for 88 Days on average.
| NSC | TSCO | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $71.20B | $17.44B |
Volume | 555,248 | 10,598,723 |
Sector | Industrials | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $352.98 | $56.37 |
52-Week Low | $278.19 | $29.14 |
Typical Hold Time | 33 Days | 88 Days |
Enterprise Value | $86.75B | $23.76B |
Dividend Yield | 1.7% | 2.87% |
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.
Tractor Supply (TSCO) trades at $32.52, up 0.71% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and a neutral RSI. The company reported revenue of $15.52B in 2025, with a net income margin of 6.42% and a P/E ratio of 17.44. Recent earnings misses and a dividend streak under scrutiny are balanced by expansion efforts, including a new distribution center in Idaho.
The outlook is mixed; analyst consensus is a $36.76 price target with a near-even split between buy and hold ratings. Risks include consecutive earnings misses and competitive pressures, but the company's strong ROE of 39.51% and consistent dividend history offer potential for patient investors amid cyclical challenges.
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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 →Tractor Supply is the largest operator of retail farm and ranch stores in the United States. The company targets recreational farmers and ranchers and has little exposure to commercial and industrial farm operations. Currently, the company operates 2,016 of its namesake banners in 49 states and 178 Petsense stores. Stores are typically located in towns outside of urban areas and in rural communities. In fiscal 2021, revenue consisted primarily of livestock and pet (47%), hardware, tools, and truck (21%), and seasonal gift and toy (21%).
Read more on TSCO →