Compare Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) vs Ulta Beauty Inc (ULTA) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Norfolk Southern Corporation vs Ulta Beauty Inc — how do they compare? Norfolk Southern Corporation trades at $323.3 (market cap $73.65B), while Ulta Beauty Inc trades at $542.26 (market cap $24.12B). The key difference: Norfolk Southern Corporation is far larger — about 3.1× Ulta Beauty Inc's market cap, and Norfolk Southern Corporation pays a 1.65% dividend while Ulta Beauty Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| NSC | ULTA | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $73.65B | $24.12B |
Sector | Technology | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $352.98 | $706.82 |
52-Week Low | $272.36 | $450.75 |
Enterprise Value | $89.20B | $26.43B |
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.
ULTA Beauty trades at $549.23, down 2.64% today, amid mixed signals. The stock shows a bullish technical trend with strong moving averages, while fundamentals reveal steady revenue growth to $11.30B in 2025, though net income margin has softened to 9.34%. Recent Q2 2026 earnings beat expectations, and the company raised full-year guidance, yet some segments like cosmetics showed flat performance.
The outlook is cautiously optimistic, with a consensus price target of $653.14 implying significant upside. Key opportunities include digital growth and AI integration potential, but risks involve competitive pressures and reliance on discretionary consumer spending. Analyst sentiment remains predominantly bullish, supporting a favorable risk-reward profile for long-term investors.
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 Ulta Beauty Inc
With more than 1,300 stores and a partnership with Target, Ulta Beauty is the largest specialized beauty retailer in the U.S. The firm offers makeup (43% of 2021 sales), fragrances, skin care, and hair care products (20% of 2021 sales), and bath and body items. Ulta offers private-label products and merchandise from more than 500 vendors. It also offers salon services, including hair, makeup, skin, and brow services, in all stores. Most Ulta stores are approximately 10,000 square feet and are in suburban strip centers. Ulta was founded in 1990 and is based in Bolingbrook, Illinois.
Read more on ULTA →
