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.

Compare

Total returnCP vs NSC

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
CP +239.4% (+13.0%/yr)NSC +359.6% (+16.5%/yr)NSC compounded faster over this window
100200300400500Start $10020182020202220242026$339$460
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

MetricCPNSC
P/E ratio27.3528.53
Forward P/E17.4625.97
P/S ratio5.086.00
P/B ratio2.484.63
EV / EBITDA16.4216.91
FCF yield2.12%5.09%

Profitability

MetricCPNSC
Gross margin59.84%42.43%
Operating margin37.20%31.63%
Net margin18.86%21.02%
ROE9.18%16.22%
ROIC5.09%7.47%

Dividends

MetricCPNSC
Dividend yield0.75%1.62%
Payout ratio20.75%42.35%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCPNSC
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.

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.