Emerson Electric Co. (EMR) vs Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)
A side-by-side comparison of Emerson Electric Co. and Norfolk Southern Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 29, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
EMR
Emerson Electric Co.
$146.19IndustrialsDelayed quote: Jul 29, 2026, 1:10 PM EDT
NSC
Norfolk Southern Corporation
$337.08IndustrialsDelayed quote: Jul 29, 2026, 1:10 PM EDT
Total return — EMR vs NSC
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yEMR +1512.8%NSC +2356.1%NSC compounded faster
EMR NSC
EMR vs NSC: by the numbers
- •EMR is the larger company ($81.88B vs $75.71B market cap).
- •NSC trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (28.91 vs 35.06 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •NSC converts more revenue to profit (21.02% vs 13.35% net margin).
- •NSC grew revenue faster over the past five years (3.58% vs 1.43% CAGR).
- •NSC pays the higher dividend yield (1.59% vs 1.44%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | EMR | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 35.06 | 28.91 |
| Forward P/E | 23.33 | 26.41 |
| P/S ratio | 4.67 | 6.11 |
| P/B ratio | 4.21 | 4.71 |
| PEG ratio | 1.78 | 2.24 |
| EV / EBITDA | 19.04 | 16.88 |
| FCF yield | 3.64% | 5.01% |
Profitability
| Metric | EMR | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 52.66% | 42.43% |
| Operating margin | 19.96% | 31.63% |
| Net margin | 13.35% | 21.02% |
| ROE | 12.04% | 16.22% |
| ROIC | 7.26% | 7.47% |
Dividends
| Metric | EMR | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.44% | 1.59% |
| Payout ratio | 53.87% | 42.35% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | EMR | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 1.43% | 3.58% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 4.54% | 10.10% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 0.94% | 10.65% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 11.29% | 7.92% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, EMR or NSC?
- NSC has the lower trailing P/E: EMR trades at 35.06 and NSC at 28.91. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, EMR or NSC?
- Over the past five years, NSC grew revenue faster — EMR at a 1.43% CAGR versus NSC at 3.58%.
- Does EMR or NSC pay a bigger dividend?
- EMR yields 1.44% and NSC yields 1.59% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is EMR or NSC more profitable?
- NSC runs the higher net margin — EMR at 13.35% versus NSC at 21.02%.
- How have EMR and NSC total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, EMR delivered 13.31% and NSC delivered 16.52% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Emerson Electric P/E ratioNorfolk Southern P/E ratioEmerson Electric dividend yieldNorfolk Southern dividend yieldEmerson Electric ROENorfolk Southern ROEEmerson Electric operating marginNorfolk Southern operating marginEmerson Electric revenue growthNorfolk Southern revenue growthEmerson Electric free cash flowNorfolk Southern free cash flow
Emerson Electric & 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 July 29, 2026.