Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) vs United Rentals, Inc. (URI)
A side-by-side comparison of Norfolk Southern Corporation and United Rentals, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
NSC
Norfolk Southern Corporation
$313.00IndustrialsDelayed quote: Sep 25, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
URI
United Rentals, Inc.
$1,047.06IndustrialsDelayed quote: Sep 25, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — NSC vs URI
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yNSC +320.9% (+15.5%/yr)URI +1238.1% (+29.6%/yr)URI compounded faster over this window
NSC URI
NSC vs URI: by the numbers
- •NSC is the larger company ($70.30B vs $65.17B market cap).
- •URI trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (25.35 vs 26.71 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •NSC converts more revenue to profit (21.02% vs 15.67% net margin).
- •URI grew revenue faster over the past five years (13.83% vs 3.58% CAGR).
- •NSC pays the higher dividend yield (1.69% vs 0.75%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | NSC | URI |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 26.71 | 25.35 |
| Forward P/E | 24.11 | 21.18 |
| P/S ratio | 5.61 | 3.87 |
| P/B ratio | 4.33 | 7.07 |
| EV / EBITDA | 15.99 | 12.00 |
| FCF yield | 1.26% | 0.97% |
Profitability
| Metric | NSC | URI |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 42.43% | 37.07% |
| Operating margin | 31.63% | 24.79% |
| Net margin | 21.02% | 15.67% |
| ROE | 16.22% | 28.60% |
| ROIC | 7.33% | 11.11% |
Dividends
| Metric | NSC | URI |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.69% | 0.75% |
| Payout ratio | 46.08% | 18.64% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | NSC | URI |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 3.58% | 13.83% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 10.10% | 25.88% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 8.17% | -11.55% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 7.53% | 25.59% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, NSC or URI?
- URI has the lower trailing P/E: NSC trades at 26.71 and URI at 25.35. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, NSC or URI?
- Over the past five years, URI grew revenue faster — NSC at a 3.58% CAGR versus URI at 13.83%.
- Does NSC or URI pay a bigger dividend?
- NSC yields 1.69% and URI yields 0.75% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is NSC or URI more profitable?
- NSC runs the higher net margin — NSC at 21.02% versus URI at 15.67%.
- How have NSC and URI total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, NSC delivered 15.72% and URI delivered 29.94% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Norfolk Southern P/E ratioUnited Rentals P/E ratioNorfolk Southern dividend yieldUnited Rentals dividend yieldNorfolk Southern ROEUnited Rentals ROENorfolk Southern operating marginUnited Rentals operating marginNorfolk Southern revenue growthUnited Rentals revenue growthNorfolk Southern free cash flowUnited Rentals free cash flow
Norfolk Southern & United Rentals 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 September 13, 2026.