Norfolk Southern Corporation vs VF Corp — how do they compare? Norfolk Southern Corporation trades at $316.72 (market cap $71.20B), while VF Corp trades at $14.66 (market cap $5.71B). The key difference: Norfolk Southern Corporation is far larger — about 12.5× VF Corp's market cap, and VF Corp pays the higher dividend (2.48%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold Norfolk Southern Corporation for 33 Days and VF Corp for 64 Days on average.
| NSC | VFC | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $71.20B | $5.71B |
Volume | 555,248 | 8,987,330 |
Sector | Industrials | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $352.98 | $21.55 |
52-Week Low | $278.19 | $12.62 |
Typical Hold Time | 33 Days | 64 Days |
Enterprise Value | $86.75B | $10.00B |
Dividend Yield | 1.7% | 2.48% |
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.
VFC trades at $14.38, down 0.48% with a bullish technical signal from moving averages. The company shows mixed fundamentals with revenue declining from $11.8B in 2022 to $9.5B in 2025, while profitability remains challenged with negative net income of -$189.72M. Recent earnings show volatility with one beat and two misses in the last four quarters. The stock trades at attractive valuation multiples with P/E of 21.06 and P/S of 0.61, below industry averages.
VFC presents a turnaround opportunity with discounted valuation and improving cash flow projections for 2026, but faces significant execution risks from Vans brand weakness and ongoing debt reduction challenges. Analyst consensus leans neutral with 52% hold rating and $18.33 price target suggesting 27% upside potential, though recent dividend cuts and brand-specific headwinds require careful monitoring of Q3 earnings performance.
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 →VF designs, produces, and distributes branded apparel and accessories. Its largest apparel categories include action sports, outdoor, and workwear. Its portfolio of about a dozen brands includes Vans, The North Face, Timberland, Supreme, and Dickies. VF markets its products in the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific through wholesale sales to retailers, e-commerce, and branded stores owned by the company and partners. The company has grown through multiple acquisitions and traces its roots to 1899.
Read more on VFC →