Canadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd. (CP) vs Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)
A side-by-side comparison of Canadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd. and Norfolk Southern Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 10, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
CP
Canadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd.
$91.62IndustrialsDelayed quote: Aug 7, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
NSC
Norfolk Southern Corporation
$334.36IndustrialsDelayed quote: Aug 7, 2026, 4:01 PM EDT
Total return — CP vs NSC
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCP +239.4% (+13.0%/yr)NSC +359.6% (+16.5%/yr)NSC compounded faster over this window
CP NSC
CP vs NSC: by the numbers
- •CP is the larger company ($80.54B vs $75.10B market cap).
- •CP trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (27.35 vs 28.53 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •NSC converts more revenue to profit (21.02% vs 18.86% net margin).
- •CP grew revenue faster over the past five years (20.89% vs 3.58% CAGR).
- •NSC pays the higher dividend yield (1.62% vs 0.75%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CP | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 27.35 | 28.53 |
| Forward P/E | 17.46 | 25.97 |
| P/S ratio | 5.08 | 6.00 |
| P/B ratio | 2.48 | 4.63 |
| EV / EBITDA | 16.42 | 16.91 |
| FCF yield | 2.12% | 5.09% |
Profitability
| Metric | CP | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 59.84% | 42.43% |
| Operating margin | 37.20% | 31.63% |
| Net margin | 18.86% | 21.02% |
| ROE | 9.18% | 16.22% |
| ROIC | 5.09% | 7.47% |
Dividends
| Metric | CP | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.75% | 1.62% |
| Payout ratio | 20.75% | 42.35% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CP | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 20.89% | 3.58% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 3.04% | 10.10% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 12.22% | 8.17% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 5.33% | 7.70% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CP or NSC?
- CP has the lower trailing P/E: CP trades at 27.35 and NSC at 28.53. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, CP or NSC?
- Over the past five years, CP grew revenue faster — CP at a 20.89% CAGR versus NSC at 3.58%.
- Does CP or NSC pay a bigger dividend?
- CP yields 0.75% and NSC yields 1.62% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CP or NSC more profitable?
- NSC runs the higher net margin — CP at 18.86% versus NSC at 21.02%.
- How have CP and NSC total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CP delivered 13.26% and NSC delivered 16.47% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Canadian Pacific Kansas City P/E ratioNorfolk Southern P/E ratioCanadian Pacific Kansas City dividend yieldNorfolk Southern dividend yieldCanadian Pacific Kansas City ROENorfolk Southern ROECanadian Pacific Kansas City operating marginNorfolk Southern operating marginCanadian Pacific Kansas City revenue growthNorfolk Southern revenue growthCanadian Pacific Kansas City free cash flowNorfolk Southern free cash flow
Canadian Pacific Kansas City & 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 August 10, 2026.