Cummins Inc. (CMI) vs Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)
NSC leads on 10 of 17 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Cummins 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).
Total return — CMI vs NSC
growth of $100 · last 30yCMI +6297.5%NSC +1019.5%CMI compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
CMI NSC
CMI vs NSC: by the numbers
- •CMI is the larger company ($91.01B vs $70.50B market cap).
- •NSC trades at the lower earnings multiple (26.45 vs 34.26 P/E).
- •NSC converts more revenue to profit (21.91% vs 7.89% net margin).
- •CMI grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.78% vs 4.45% CAGR).
- •NSC pays the higher dividend yield (1.72% vs 1.21%).
Which is better, CMI or NSC?
Metric tally: CMI 7 · NSC 10It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueNSC(lower P/E)
GrowthCMI(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeNSC(higher dividend yield)
QualityCMI(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CMI | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 34.26 | 26.45● |
| Forward P/E | 22.71● | 23.20 |
| P/S ratio | 2.70● | 5.80 |
| P/B ratio | 7.41 | 4.47● |
| PEG ratio | 3.03 | 2.24● |
| EV / EBITDA | 20.20 | 15.65● |
| FCF yield | 2.92% | 5.41%● |
Profitability
| Metric | CMI | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 25.39% | 45.31%● |
| Operating margin | 11.24% | 32.39%● |
| Net margin | 7.89% | 21.91%● |
| ROE | 21.64%● | 16.89% |
| ROIC | 11.41%● | 7.47% |
Dividends
| Metric | CMI | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.21% | 1.72%● |
| Payout ratio | 38.80% | 42.35% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CMI | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 10.78%● | 4.45% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 11.31%● | 10.10% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.25% | 10.65%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 24.28%● | 5.11% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, CMI or NSC?
- It depends on your goal. value: NSC (lower P/E); growth: CMI (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: NSC (higher dividend yield); quality: CMI (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, NSC leads 10 to 7.
- Is CMI or NSC cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, NSC is cheaper: CMI trades at a 34.26 P/E and NSC at 26.45.
- Which has grown faster, CMI or NSC?
- Over the past five years, CMI grew revenue faster — CMI at a 10.78% CAGR versus NSC at 4.45%.
- Does CMI or NSC pay a bigger dividend?
- CMI yields 1.21% and NSC yields 1.72% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CMI or NSC more profitable?
- NSC runs the higher net margin — CMI at 7.89% versus NSC at 21.91%.
- Which has been the better investment, CMI or NSC?
- Over the past 10-year, CMI delivered the higher annualized total return — CMI at 22.09% versus NSC at 16.41%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Cummins P/E ratioNorfolk Southern P/E ratioCummins dividend yieldNorfolk Southern dividend yieldCummins ROENorfolk Southern ROECummins operating marginNorfolk Southern operating marginCummins revenue growthNorfolk Southern revenue growthCummins free cash flowNorfolk Southern free cash flow
Cummins & Norfolk Southern appear in these rankings
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.