Johnson Controls International plc (JCI) vs Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)

NSC leads on 11 of 16 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Johnson Controls International plc 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).

Total return — JCI vs NSC

growth of $100 · last 30y
JCI +1930.3%NSC +1021.1%JCI compounded faster
05001k2k2kStart $100200120062011201620212026$2,030$1,121
JCI NSC

JCI vs NSC: by the numbers

  • JCI is the larger company ($88.44B vs $70.50B market cap).
  • JCI trades at the lower earnings multiple (25.93 vs 26.45 P/E).
  • NSC converts more revenue to profit (21.91% vs 14.45% net margin).
  • NSC grew revenue faster over the past five years (4.45% vs 1.91% CAGR).
  • NSC pays the higher dividend yield (1.72% vs 1.08%).

Which is better, JCI or NSC?

Metric tally: JCI 5 · NSC 11

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

GrowthNSC(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeNSC(higher dividend yield)
QualityJCI(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricJCINSC
P/E ratio25.9326.45
Forward P/E25.2123.20
P/S ratio3.645.80
P/B ratio6.574.47
PEG ratio5.012.24
EV / EBITDA28.7715.65
FCF yield1.57%5.41%

Profitability

MetricJCINSC
Gross margin36.56%45.31%
Operating margin13.57%32.39%
Net margin14.45%21.91%
ROE26.12%16.89%
ROIC8.68%7.47%

Dividends

MetricJCINSC
Dividend yield1.08%1.72%
Payout ratio59.47%42.35%

Growth (annualized)

MetricJCINSC
Revenue CAGR (5Y)1.91%4.45%
EPS CAGR (5Y)25.74%10.10%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-10.97%10.65%
Total return CAGR (5Y)19.06%5.11%

Frequently asked

Which is better, JCI or NSC?
It depends on your goal. growth: NSC (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: NSC (higher dividend yield); quality: JCI (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, NSC leads 11 to 5.
Is JCI or NSC cheaper?
On trailing earnings, JCI is cheaper: JCI trades at a 25.93 P/E and NSC at 26.45.
Which has grown faster, JCI or NSC?
Over the past five years, NSC grew revenue faster — JCI at a 1.91% CAGR versus NSC at 4.45%.
Does JCI or NSC pay a bigger dividend?
JCI yields 1.08% and NSC yields 1.72% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is JCI or NSC more profitable?
NSC runs the higher net margin — JCI at 14.45% versus NSC at 21.91%.
Which has been the better investment, JCI or NSC?
Over the past 10-year, NSC delivered the higher annualized total return — JCI at 16.18% versus NSC at 16.41%. 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 14, 2026.