AMETEK, Inc. (AME) vs Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)

NSC leads on 13 of 17 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of AMETEK, Inc. and Norfolk Southern Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 15, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare
AMETEK, Inc. logo
AME
AMETEK, Inc.
$53.18B
$227.12Industrials
Norfolk Southern Corporation logo
NSC
Norfolk Southern Corporation
$69.69B
$310.28Industrials

Total return — AME vs NSC

growth of $100 · last 30y
AME +7305.8%NSC +1006.6%AME compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $100200120062011201620212026$7,406$1,107
AME NSC

AME vs NSC: by the numbers

  • •NSC is the larger company ($69.69B vs $53.18B market cap).
  • •NSC trades at the lower earnings multiple (26.14 vs 34.31 P/E).
  • •NSC converts more revenue to profit (21.91% vs 20.11% net margin).
  • •AME grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.78% vs 4.45% CAGR).
  • •NSC pays the higher dividend yield (1.74% vs 0.57%).

Which is better, AME or NSC?

Metric tally: AME 4 · NSC 13

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueNSC(lower P/E)
GrowthAME(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeNSC(higher dividend yield)
QualityAME(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricAMENSC
P/E ratio34.3126.14●
Forward P/E25.7822.93●
P/S ratio6.875.73●
P/B ratio4.784.42●
PEG ratio4.052.24●
EV / EBITDA23.8815.51●
FCF yield3.26%5.47%●

Profitability

MetricAMENSC
Gross margin36.56%45.31%●
Operating margin26.17%32.39%●
Net margin20.11%21.91%●
ROE13.99%16.89%●
ROIC10.99%●7.47%

Dividends

MetricAMENSC
Dividend yield0.57%1.74%●
Payout ratio20.25%42.35%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAMENSC
Revenue CAGR (5Y)10.78%●4.45%
EPS CAGR (5Y)11.06%●10.10%
FCF CAGR (5Y)6.90%10.65%●
Total return CAGR (5Y)11.79%●4.74%

Frequently asked

Which is better, AME or NSC?
It depends on your goal. value: NSC (lower P/E); growth: AME (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: NSC (higher dividend yield); quality: AME (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, NSC leads 13 to 4.
Is AME or NSC cheaper?
On trailing earnings, NSC is cheaper: AME trades at a 34.31 P/E and NSC at 26.14.
Which has grown faster, AME or NSC?
Over the past five years, AME grew revenue faster — AME at a 10.78% CAGR versus NSC at 4.45%.
Does AME or NSC pay a bigger dividend?
AME yields 0.57% and NSC yields 1.74% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is AME or NSC more profitable?
NSC runs the higher net margin — AME at 20.11% versus NSC at 21.91%.
Which has been the better investment, AME or NSC?
Over the past 10-year, AME delivered the higher annualized total return — AME at 18.19% versus NSC at 16.37%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full AME analysisFull NSC analysisInteractive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

AMETEK P/E ratioNorfolk Southern P/E ratioAMETEK dividend yieldNorfolk Southern dividend yieldAMETEK ROENorfolk Southern ROEAMETEK operating marginNorfolk Southern operating marginAMETEK revenue growthNorfolk Southern revenue growthAMETEK free cash flowNorfolk Southern free cash flow

AMETEK & Norfolk Southern appear in these rankings

Highest Operating Margin StocksHighest FCF Yield StocksBest 10-Year Total Return Stocks

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 15, 2026.