Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) vs TransDigm Group Incorporated (TDG)

TDG leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics, though NSC is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of Norfolk Southern Corporation and TransDigm Group Incorporated across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 18, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — NSC vs TDG

growth of $100 · last 20y
NSC +482.3%TDG +5411.7%TDG compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $10020102014201820222026$582$5,512
NSC TDG

NSC vs TDG: by the numbers

  • TDG is the larger company ($74.30B vs $67.32B market cap).
  • NSC trades at the lower earnings multiple (25.32 vs 41.46 P/E).
  • NSC converts more revenue to profit (21.91% vs 21.29% net margin).
  • TDG grew revenue faster over the past five years (14.19% vs 4.45% CAGR).
  • TDG pays the higher dividend yield (6.78% vs 1.80%).

Which is better, NSC or TDG?

Metric tally: NSC 7 · TDG 9

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueNSC(lower P/E)
GrowthTDG(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeTDG(higher dividend yield)
QualityTDG(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricNSCTDG
P/E ratio25.3241.46
Forward P/E22.2128.28
P/S ratio5.558.14
P/B ratio4.28
PEG ratio2.241.47
EV / EBITDA15.1122.04
FCF yield5.65%2.39%

Profitability

MetricNSCTDG
Gross margin45.31%59.02%
Operating margin32.39%46.51%
Net margin21.91%21.29%
ROE16.89%-21.41%
ROIC7.47%15.22%

Dividends

MetricNSCTDG
Dividend yield1.80%6.78%
Payout ratio42.35%280.55%

Growth (annualized)

MetricNSCTDG
Revenue CAGR (5Y)4.45%14.19%
EPS CAGR (5Y)10.10%31.14%
FCF CAGR (5Y)10.65%13.70%
Total return CAGR (5Y)4.95%19.52%

Frequently asked

Which is better, NSC or TDG?
It depends on your goal. value: NSC (lower P/E); growth: TDG (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: TDG (higher dividend yield); quality: TDG (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, TDG leads 9 to 7.
Is NSC or TDG cheaper?
On trailing earnings, NSC is cheaper: NSC trades at a 25.32 P/E and TDG at 41.46.
Which has grown faster, NSC or TDG?
Over the past five years, TDG grew revenue faster — NSC at a 4.45% CAGR versus TDG at 14.19%.
Does NSC or TDG pay a bigger dividend?
NSC yields 1.80% and TDG yields 6.78% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is NSC or TDG more profitable?
NSC runs the higher net margin — NSC at 21.91% versus TDG at 21.29%.
Which has been the better investment, NSC or TDG?
Over the past 10-year, TDG delivered the higher annualized total return — NSC at 15.73% versus TDG at 23.35%. 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 18, 2026.