Apollo Global Management, Inc. (APO) vs Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)

APO leads on 8 of 14 compared metrics, though NSC is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of Apollo Global Management, 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

Total return — APO vs NSC

growth of $100 · last 15y
APO +635.6%NSC +355.0%APO compounded faster
02004006008001kStart $10020142017202020232026$736$455
APO NSC

APO vs NSC: by the numbers

  • APO is the larger company ($79.41B vs $70.50B market cap).
  • NSC trades at the lower earnings multiple (26.45 vs 40.08 P/E).
  • NSC converts more revenue to profit (21.91% vs 7.24% net margin).
  • APO grew revenue faster over the past five years (37.15% vs 4.45% CAGR).
  • NSC pays the higher dividend yield (1.72% vs 1.56%).

Which is better, APO or NSC?

Metric tally: APO 8 · NSC 6

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

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

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricAPONSC
P/E ratio40.0826.45
Forward P/E14.9923.20
P/S ratio2.685.80
P/B ratio3.994.47
PEG ratio0.532.24
EV / EBITDA15.65
FCF yield5.41%

Profitability

MetricAPONSC
Gross margin89.33%45.31%
Operating margin31.05%32.39%
Net margin7.24%21.91%
ROE10.78%16.89%
ROIC7.24%7.47%

Dividends

MetricAPONSC
Dividend yield1.56%1.72%
Payout ratio28.63%42.35%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAPONSC
Revenue CAGR (5Y)37.15%4.45%
EPS CAGR (5Y)75.44%10.10%
FCF CAGR (5Y)10.65%
Total return CAGR (5Y)21.35%5.11%

Frequently asked

Which is better, APO or NSC?
It depends on your goal. value: NSC (lower P/E); growth: APO (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: NSC (higher dividend yield); quality: NSC (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, APO leads 8 to 6.
Is APO or NSC cheaper?
On trailing earnings, NSC is cheaper: APO trades at a 40.08 P/E and NSC at 26.45.
Which has grown faster, APO or NSC?
Over the past five years, APO grew revenue faster — APO at a 37.15% CAGR versus NSC at 4.45%.
Does APO or NSC pay a bigger dividend?
APO yields 1.56% and NSC yields 1.72% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is APO or NSC more profitable?
NSC runs the higher net margin — APO at 7.24% versus NSC at 21.91%.
Which has been the better investment, APO or NSC?
Over the past 10-year, APO delivered the higher annualized total return — APO at 29.59% versus NSC at 16.41%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

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.