Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) vs PACCAR Inc (PCAR)

PCAR leads on 10 of 17 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Norfolk Southern Corporation and PACCAR Inc across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — NSC vs PCAR

growth of $100 · last 30y
NSC +1011.2%PCAR +3592.2%PCAR compounded faster
01k2k3k4kStart $100200120062011201620212026$1,111$3,692
NSC PCAR

NSC vs PCAR: by the numbers

  • NSC is the larger company ($70.50B vs $62.38B market cap).
  • PCAR trades at the lower earnings multiple (25.22 vs 26.45 P/E).
  • NSC converts more revenue to profit (21.91% vs 9.09% net margin).
  • PCAR grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.01% vs 4.45% CAGR).
  • PCAR pays the higher dividend yield (2.31% vs 1.72%).

Which is better, NSC or PCAR?

Metric tally: NSC 7 · PCAR 10

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValuePCAR(lower P/E)
GrowthPCAR(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomePCAR(higher dividend yield)
QualityNSC(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricNSCPCAR
P/E ratio26.4525.22
Forward P/E23.2020.88
P/S ratio5.802.29
P/B ratio4.473.16
PEG ratio2.242.00
EV / EBITDA15.6519.84
FCF yield5.41%5.23%

Profitability

MetricNSCPCAR
Gross margin45.31%15.11%
Operating margin32.39%9.68%
Net margin21.91%9.09%
ROE16.89%12.53%
ROIC7.47%6.39%

Dividends

MetricNSCPCAR
Dividend yield1.72%2.31%
Payout ratio42.35%60.62%

Growth (annualized)

MetricNSCPCAR
Revenue CAGR (5Y)4.45%7.01%
EPS CAGR (5Y)10.10%12.58%
FCF CAGR (5Y)10.65%15.97%
Total return CAGR (5Y)5.11%16.19%

Frequently asked

Which is better, NSC or PCAR?
It depends on your goal. value: PCAR (lower P/E); growth: PCAR (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: PCAR (higher dividend yield); quality: NSC (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, PCAR leads 10 to 7.
Is NSC or PCAR cheaper?
On trailing earnings, PCAR is cheaper: NSC trades at a 26.45 P/E and PCAR at 25.22.
Which has grown faster, NSC or PCAR?
Over the past five years, PCAR grew revenue faster — NSC at a 4.45% CAGR versus PCAR at 7.01%.
Does NSC or PCAR pay a bigger dividend?
NSC yields 1.72% and PCAR yields 2.31% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is NSC or PCAR more profitable?
NSC runs the higher net margin — NSC at 21.91% versus PCAR at 9.09%.
Which has been the better investment, NSC or PCAR?
Over the past 10-year, NSC delivered the higher annualized total return — NSC at 16.41% versus PCAR at 14.87%. 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 13, 2026.