Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) vs United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS)
A side-by-side comparison of Norfolk Southern Corporation and United Parcel Service, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 23, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
NSC
Norfolk Southern Corporation
$350.72IndustrialsAt close: Aug 21, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
UPS
United Parcel Service, Inc.
$102.01IndustrialsAt close: Aug 21, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
Total return — NSC vs UPS
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yNSC +380.8% (+17.0%/yr)UPS +37.1% (+3.2%/yr)NSC compounded faster over this window
NSC UPS
NSC vs UPS: by the numbers
- •UPS is the larger company ($86.66B vs $78.77B market cap).
- •UPS trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (18.96 vs 29.92 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •NSC converts more revenue to profit (21.02% vs 5.08% net margin).
- •NSC grew revenue faster over the past five years (3.58% vs 0.98% CAGR).
- •UPS pays the higher dividend yield (6.43% vs 1.54%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | NSC | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 29.92 | 18.96 |
| Forward P/E | 27.07 | 14.18 |
| P/S ratio | 6.30 | 0.97 |
| P/B ratio | 4.86 | 5.76 |
| EV / EBITDA | 17.60 | 10.61 |
| FCF yield | 4.86% | 6.32% |
Profitability
| Metric | NSC | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 42.43% | 16.63% |
| Operating margin | 31.63% | 7.31% |
| Net margin | 21.02% | 5.08% |
| ROE | 16.22% | 30.33% |
| ROIC | 7.33% | 8.99% |
Dividends
| Metric | NSC | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.54% | 6.43% |
| Payout ratio | 42.35% | 100.00% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | NSC | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 3.58% | 0.98% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 10.10% | 33.45% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 8.17% | -7.15% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 8.21% | -7.74% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, NSC or UPS?
- UPS has the lower trailing P/E: NSC trades at 29.92 and UPS at 18.96. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, NSC or UPS?
- Over the past five years, NSC grew revenue faster — NSC at a 3.58% CAGR versus UPS at 0.98%.
- Does NSC or UPS pay a bigger dividend?
- NSC yields 1.54% and UPS yields 6.43% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is NSC or UPS more profitable?
- NSC runs the higher net margin — NSC at 21.02% versus UPS at 5.08%.
- How have NSC and UPS total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, NSC delivered 16.68% and UPS delivered 3.13% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Norfolk Southern P/E ratioUnited Parcel Service P/E ratioNorfolk Southern dividend yieldUnited Parcel Service dividend yieldNorfolk Southern ROEUnited Parcel Service ROENorfolk Southern operating marginUnited Parcel Service operating marginNorfolk Southern revenue growthUnited Parcel Service revenue growthNorfolk Southern free cash flowUnited Parcel Service free cash flow
Norfolk Southern & United Parcel Service 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 August 23, 2026.