Honeywell International Inc. (HON) vs Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)

HON leads on 9 of 17 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Honeywell International Inc. and Norfolk Southern Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 1, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — HON vs NSC

growth of $100 · last 30y
HON +307.2%NSC +980.3%NSC compounded faster
02004006008001kStart $100200120062011201620212026$407$1,080
HON NSC

HON vs NSC: by the numbers

  • NSC is the larger company ($71.62B vs $70.29B market cap).
  • HON trades at the lower earnings multiple (15.86 vs 26.50 P/E).
  • NSC converts more revenue to profit (21.91% vs 11.16% net margin).
  • NSC grew revenue faster over the past five years (4.45% vs 2.42% CAGR).
  • HON pays the higher dividend yield (2.23% vs 1.72%).

Which is better, HON or NSC?

Metric tally: HON 9 · NSC 8

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueHON(lower P/E)
GrowthNSC(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeHON(higher dividend yield)
QualityHON(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricHONNSC
P/E ratio15.8626.50
Forward P/E19.5323.07
P/S ratio1.945.81
P/B ratio3.354.48
PEG ratio9.112.24
EV / EBITDA14.0716.19
FCF yield5.75%5.40%

Profitability

MetricHONNSC
Gross margin36.95%45.31%
Operating margin14.87%32.39%
Net margin11.16%21.91%
ROE19.24%16.89%
ROIC9.22%7.47%

Dividends

MetricHONNSC
Dividend yield2.23%1.72%
Payout ratio33.71%42.35%

Growth (annualized)

MetricHONNSC
Revenue CAGR (5Y)2.42%4.45%
EPS CAGR (5Y)1.74%10.10%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-4.80%10.65%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-10.85%5.64%

Frequently asked

Which is better, HON or NSC?
It depends on your goal. value: HON (lower P/E); growth: NSC (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: HON (higher dividend yield); quality: HON (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, HON leads 9 to 8.
Is HON or NSC cheaper?
On trailing earnings, HON is cheaper: HON trades at a 15.86 P/E and NSC at 26.50.
Which has grown faster, HON or NSC?
Over the past five years, NSC grew revenue faster — HON at a 2.42% CAGR versus NSC at 4.45%.
Does HON or NSC pay a bigger dividend?
HON yields 2.23% and NSC yields 1.72% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is HON or NSC more profitable?
NSC runs the higher net margin — HON at 11.16% versus NSC at 21.91%.
Which has been the better investment, HON or NSC?
Over the past 10-year, NSC delivered the higher annualized total return — HON at 2.33% versus NSC at 16.30%. 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 July 1, 2026.