Fastenal Company (FAST) vs Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)
NSC leads on 11 of 16 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Fastenal Company and Norfolk Southern Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
FAST
Fastenal Company
$46.57Industrials
NSC
Norfolk Southern Corporation
$313.91Industrials
Total return — FAST vs NSC
growth of $100 · last 30yFAST +3202.8%NSC +1021.1%FAST compounded faster
FAST NSC
FAST vs NSC: by the numbers
- •NSC is the larger company ($70.50B vs $53.46B market cap).
- •NSC trades at the lower earnings multiple (26.45 vs 40.85 P/E).
- •NSC converts more revenue to profit (21.91% vs 15.39% net margin).
- •FAST grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.19% vs 4.45% CAGR).
- •FAST pays the higher dividend yield (1.98% vs 1.72%).
Which is better, FAST or NSC?
Metric tally: FAST 5 · NSC 11It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueNSC(lower P/E)
GrowthFAST(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeFAST(higher dividend yield)
QualityFAST(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | FAST | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 40.85 | 26.45● |
| Forward P/E | 37.40 | 23.20● |
| P/S ratio | 6.35 | 5.80● |
| P/B ratio | 13.43 | 4.47● |
| PEG ratio | 3.66 | 2.24● |
| EV / EBITDA | 29.07 | 15.65● |
| FCF yield | 2.17% | 5.41%● |
Profitability
| Metric | FAST | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 44.89% | 45.31% |
| Operating margin | 20.25% | 32.39%● |
| Net margin | 15.39% | 21.91%● |
| ROE | 32.58%● | 16.89% |
| ROIC | 28.17%● | 7.47% |
Dividends
| Metric | FAST | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.98%● | 1.72% |
| Payout ratio | 83.64% | 42.35% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | FAST | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 8.19%● | 4.45% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 7.96% | 10.10%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 3.42% | 10.65%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 14.87%● | 5.11% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, FAST or NSC?
- It depends on your goal. value: NSC (lower P/E); growth: FAST (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: FAST (higher dividend yield); quality: FAST (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, NSC leads 11 to 5.
- Is FAST or NSC cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, NSC is cheaper: FAST trades at a 40.85 P/E and NSC at 26.45.
- Which has grown faster, FAST or NSC?
- Over the past five years, FAST grew revenue faster — FAST at a 8.19% CAGR versus NSC at 4.45%.
- Does FAST or NSC pay a bigger dividend?
- FAST yields 1.98% and NSC yields 1.72% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is FAST or NSC more profitable?
- NSC runs the higher net margin — FAST at 15.39% versus NSC at 21.91%.
- Which has been the better investment, FAST or NSC?
- Over the past 10-year, FAST delivered the higher annualized total return — FAST at 18.42% versus NSC at 16.41%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Fastenal P/E ratioNorfolk Southern P/E ratioFastenal dividend yieldNorfolk Southern dividend yieldFastenal ROENorfolk Southern ROEFastenal operating marginNorfolk Southern operating marginFastenal revenue growthNorfolk Southern revenue growthFastenal free cash flowNorfolk Southern free cash flow
Fastenal & 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 14, 2026.