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 30yNSC +1011.2%PCAR +3592.2%PCAR compounded faster
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 10It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValuePCAR(lower P/E)
GrowthPCAR(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomePCAR(higher dividend yield)
QualityNSC(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | NSC | PCAR |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 26.45 | 25.22● |
| Forward P/E | 23.20 | 20.88● |
| P/S ratio | 5.80 | 2.29● |
| P/B ratio | 4.47 | 3.16● |
| PEG ratio | 2.24 | 2.00● |
| EV / EBITDA | 15.65● | 19.84 |
| FCF yield | 5.41%● | 5.23% |
Profitability
| Metric | NSC | PCAR |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 45.31%● | 15.11% |
| Operating margin | 32.39%● | 9.68% |
| Net margin | 21.91%● | 9.09% |
| ROE | 16.89%● | 12.53% |
| ROIC | 7.47%● | 6.39% |
Dividends
| Metric | NSC | PCAR |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.72% | 2.31%● |
| Payout ratio | 42.35% | 60.62% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | NSC | PCAR |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Norfolk Southern P/E ratioPACCAR P/E ratioNorfolk Southern dividend yieldPACCAR dividend yieldNorfolk Southern ROEPACCAR ROENorfolk Southern operating marginPACCAR operating marginNorfolk Southern revenue growthPACCAR revenue growthNorfolk Southern free cash flowPACCAR free cash flow
Norfolk Southern & PACCAR 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 13, 2026.