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).

Compare

Total return — FDX vs NSC

growth of $100 · last 30y
FDX +2297.9%NSC +960.1%FDX compounded faster
05001k2k2k3kStart $100200120062011201620212026$2,398$1,060
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 9

It 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

MetricFDXNSC
P/E ratio17.3025.56
Forward P/E14.0622.42
P/S ratio0.815.60
P/B ratio0.734.32
PEG ratio1.952.24
EV / EBITDA8.0715.22
FCF yield5.67%5.60%

Profitability

MetricFDXNSC
Gross margin26.38%45.31%
Operating margin5.77%32.39%
Net margin4.68%21.91%
ROE4.21%16.89%
ROIC3.27%7.47%

Dividends

MetricFDXNSC
Dividend yield1.49%1.78%
Payout ratio25.46%42.35%

Growth (annualized)

MetricFDXNSC
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.

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.