Canadian National Railway Company (CNI) vs Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)
CNI and NSC are evenly matched — 8 metrics each of 16.
A side-by-side comparison of Canadian National Railway Company and Norfolk Southern Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 28, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
CNI
Canadian National Railway Company
$120.56Industrials
NSC
Norfolk Southern Corporation
$312.81Industrials
Total return — CNI vs NSC
growth of $100 · last 30yCNI +3655.8%NSC +951.5%CNI compounded faster
CNI NSC
CNI vs NSC: by the numbers
- •CNI is the larger company ($73.13B vs $70.26B market cap).
- •CNI trades at the lower earnings multiple (21.88 vs 26.35 P/E).
- •CNI converts more revenue to profit (27.22% vs 21.91% net margin).
- •NSC grew revenue faster over the past five years (4.45% vs 3.41% CAGR).
- •CNI pays the higher dividend yield (2.17% vs 1.73%).
Which is better, CNI or NSC?
Metric tally: CNI 8 · NSC 8It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueCNI(lower P/E)
GrowthNSC(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeCNI(higher dividend yield)
QualityCNI(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CNI | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 21.88● | 26.35 |
| Forward P/E | 13.78● | 23.12 |
| P/S ratio | 5.88 | 5.78 |
| P/B ratio | 4.77 | 4.46● |
| PEG ratio | 2.29 | 2.24● |
| EV / EBITDA | 14.61● | 16.12 |
| FCF yield | 3.51% | 5.43%● |
Profitability
| Metric | CNI | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 44.21% | 45.31%● |
| Operating margin | 37.76%● | 32.39% |
| Net margin | 27.22%● | 21.91% |
| ROE | 22.07%● | 16.89% |
| ROIC | 8.90%● | 7.47% |
Dividends
| Metric | CNI | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.17%● | 1.73% |
| Payout ratio | 47.56% | 42.35% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CNI | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 3.41% | 4.45%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 6.99% | 10.10%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 0.73% | 10.65%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 4.67% | 5.48%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, CNI or NSC?
- It depends on your goal. value: CNI (lower P/E); growth: NSC (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: CNI (higher dividend yield); quality: CNI (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, they are evenly matched.
- Is CNI or NSC cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, CNI is cheaper: CNI trades at a 21.88 P/E and NSC at 26.35.
- Which has grown faster, CNI or NSC?
- Over the past five years, NSC grew revenue faster — CNI at a 3.41% CAGR versus NSC at 4.45%.
- Does CNI or NSC pay a bigger dividend?
- CNI yields 2.17% and NSC yields 1.73% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CNI or NSC more profitable?
- CNI runs the higher net margin — CNI at 27.22% versus NSC at 21.91%.
- Which has been the better investment, CNI or NSC?
- Over the past 10-year, NSC delivered the higher annualized total return — CNI at 9.87% versus NSC at 16.57%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Canadian National Railway P/E ratioNorfolk Southern P/E ratioCanadian National Railway dividend yieldNorfolk Southern dividend yieldCanadian National Railway ROENorfolk Southern ROECanadian National Railway operating marginNorfolk Southern operating marginCanadian National Railway revenue growthNorfolk Southern revenue growthCanadian National Railway free cash flowNorfolk Southern free cash flow
Canadian National Railway & 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 28, 2026.