Norfolk Southern Corporation vs Upstart Holdings Inc — how do they compare? Norfolk Southern Corporation trades at $323.3 (market cap $73.65B), while Upstart Holdings Inc trades at $26.06 (market cap $2.63B). The key difference: Norfolk Southern Corporation is far larger — about 28× Upstart Holdings Inc's market cap, and Norfolk Southern Corporation pays a 1.65% dividend while Upstart Holdings Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| NSC | UPST | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $73.65B | $2.63B |
Sector | Technology | Financials |
52-Week High | $352.98 | $68.11 |
52-Week Low | $272.36 | $24.22 |
Enterprise Value | $89.20B | — |
Dividend Yield | 1.65% | — |
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.
Upstart Holdings (UPST) trades at $26.98, down 3.81% on the day, reflecting bearish technical momentum and recent earnings misses. The stock shows oversold conditions with an RSI of 18.98, while fundamentals indicate a turnaround with 2025 net income of $53.60M on $1.02B revenue, marking its first annual profit. Analyst sentiment is mixed with a 45.46% buy rating and $47.20 consensus target, but insider selling and weak cash flow from operations pose concerns.
The outlook hinges on execution in personal loan growth and AI lending efficiency, but risks include high debt-to-asset ratio of 61.48% and macroeconomic sensitivity. Near-term resistance at $28 challenges upside, while support at $26 may stabilize declines if earnings improve in Q3 2026.
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 →Upstart Holdings Inc provides credit services. The company provides a proprietary, cloud-based, artificial intelligence lending platform. The platform aggregates consumer demand for loans and connects it to the network of Upstart AI-enabled bank partners. The revenue of the company is primarily comprised of fees paid by banks.
Read more on UPST →