FedEx Corporation (FDX) vs Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)
NSC leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics, though FDX is the cheaper stock.
A side-by-side comparison of FedEx Corporation and Norfolk Southern Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 24, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
FDX
FedEx Corporation
$317.24Industrials
NSC
Norfolk Southern Corporation
$303.39Industrials
Total return — FDX vs NSC
growth of $100 · last 30yFDX +2297.9%NSC +960.1%FDX compounded faster
FDX NSC
FDX vs NSC: by the numbers
- •FDX is the larger company ($75.70B vs $68.50B market cap).
- •FDX trades at the lower earnings multiple (17.30 vs 25.56 P/E).
- •NSC converts more revenue to profit (21.91% vs 4.68% net margin).
- •NSC grew revenue faster over the past five years (4.45% vs 2.47% CAGR).
- •NSC pays the higher dividend yield (1.78% vs 1.49%).
Which is better, FDX or NSC?
Metric tally: FDX 7 · NSC 9It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueFDX(lower P/E)
GrowthNSC(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeNSC(higher dividend yield)
QualityNSC(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | FDX | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 17.30● | 25.56 |
| Forward P/E | 14.06● | 22.42 |
| P/S ratio | 0.81● | 5.60 |
| P/B ratio | 0.73● | 4.32 |
| PEG ratio | 1.95● | 2.24 |
| EV / EBITDA | 8.07● | 15.22 |
| FCF yield | 5.67% | 5.60% |
Profitability
| Metric | FDX | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 26.38% | 45.31%● |
| Operating margin | 5.77% | 32.39%● |
| Net margin | 4.68% | 21.91%● |
| ROE | 4.21% | 16.89%● |
| ROIC | 3.27% | 7.47%● |
Dividends
| Metric | FDX | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.49% | 1.78%● |
| Payout ratio | 25.46% | 42.35% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | FDX | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 2.47% | 4.45%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -1.27% | 10.10%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 2.59% | 10.65%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 7.94%● | 5.02% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, FDX or NSC?
- It depends on your goal. value: FDX (lower P/E); growth: NSC (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: NSC (higher dividend yield); quality: NSC (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, NSC leads 9 to 7.
- Is FDX or NSC cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, FDX is cheaper: FDX trades at a 17.30 P/E and NSC at 25.56.
- Which has grown faster, FDX or NSC?
- Over the past five years, NSC grew revenue faster — FDX at a 2.47% CAGR versus NSC at 4.45%.
- Does FDX or NSC pay a bigger dividend?
- FDX yields 1.49% and NSC yields 1.78% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is FDX or NSC more profitable?
- NSC runs the higher net margin — FDX at 4.68% versus NSC at 21.91%.
- Which has been the better investment, FDX or NSC?
- Over the past 10-year, NSC delivered the higher annualized total return — FDX at 11.32% versus NSC at 16.28%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
FedEx P/E ratioNorfolk Southern P/E ratioFedEx dividend yieldNorfolk Southern dividend yieldFedEx ROENorfolk Southern ROEFedEx operating marginNorfolk Southern operating marginFedEx revenue growthNorfolk Southern revenue growthFedEx free cash flowNorfolk Southern free cash flow
FedEx & 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 24, 2026.