Norfolk Southern (NSC) ROIC: History & Chart

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)NSCNorfolk Southern Corporation

About Norfolk Southern Corporation

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC), operating through its various subsidiaries, is a prominent rail transport provider in the United States. The company's core business involves the conveyance of raw materials, semi-finished goods, and completed merchandise across the nation. Its extensive freight services cover a broad spectrum of commodities. This includes a variety of agricultural and forestry products like grains (e.g., soybeans, wheat, corn), fertilizers, animal feeds, and diverse foodstuffs such as oils, flour, sweeteners, beverages, and canned goods, alongside lumber and paper products. NSC also handles a wide range of chemicals, from sulfur and petroleum derivatives to chlorine compounds, plastics, industrial chemicals, and sand. Furthermore, the company moves metals and construction supplies, including steel, aluminum, heavy machinery, cement, aggregates, and specialized military equipment. Transportation of both finished motor vehicles and automotive components is a significant segment, as is the consistent shipment of coal. Beyond its principal freight operations, Norfolk Southern facilitates global trade by connecting with various Atlantic and Gulf Coast ports for overseas cargo. The corporation also manages an expansive intermodal network and offers commuter passenger rail services. As of the close of 2021, the company's vast railway infrastructure extended over roughly 19,300 route miles, serving 22 states and the District of Columbia. Norfolk Southern Corporation, originally incorporated in 1980, is based in Atlanta, Georgia.

Atlanta, GA

19,300 employees

www.norfolksouthern.com

Industrials / Railroads

Sector: Industrials
Industry: Railroads
CEO: Mark R. George

View full financials

NSC Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) Metrics

RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC)

7.47%

RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC) AVG TTM

7.37%

RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC) AVG 3Y

7.63%

RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC) AVG 5Y

7.86%

RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC) AVG 10Y

7.86%

RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC) AVG 15Y

7.60%

RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC) AVG 20Y

7.19%

CURRENT VS TTM AVG

+1.36%

CURRENT VS 3Y AVG

-2.06%

CURRENT VS 5Y AVG

-4.96%

CURRENT VS 10Y AVG

-4.94%

CURRENT VS 15Y AVG

-1.69%

CURRENT VS 20Y AVG

+3.93%

SECTOR MEDIAN · INDUSTRIALS

9.03%

median of 131 covered companies

CURRENT VS SECTOR MEDIAN

-17.28%

vs the sector median at left

NAME	MARKET CAP	RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC)	TTM	3Y	5Y
Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)	$76.11B	7.47%	7.37%	7.63%	7.86%
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC)vs ›	$78.02B	9.21%	9.50%	8.62%	9.59%
FedEx Corporation (FDX)vs ›	$73.96B	5.95%	5.97%	5.83%	6.14%
Honeywell International Inc. (HON)vs ›	$78.30B	9.22%	9.07%	9.79%	9.60%
Canadian National Railway Company (CNI)vs ›	$78.57B	8.90%	8.82%	9.96%	9.68%
TransDigm Group Incorporated (TDG)vs ›	$73.16B	15.22%	14.50%	12.67%	11.39%
PACCAR Inc (PCAR)vs ›	$72.74B	6.39%	8.44%	10.51%	8.23%
Canadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd. (CP)vs ›	$81.41B	5.09%	4.89%	1.62%	3.59%
Honeywell Aerospace Inc (HONA)vs ›	$68.43B	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
United Rentals, Inc. (URI)vs ›	$67.92B	10.75%	11.25%	11.45%	10.59%

NAME

MARKET CAP

RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC)

TTM

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)

$76.11B

7.47%

7.37%

7.63%

7.86%

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC)vs ›

$78.02B

9.21%

9.50%

8.62%

9.59%

FedEx Corporation (FDX)vs ›

$73.96B

5.95%

5.97%

5.83%

6.14%

Honeywell International Inc. (HON)vs ›

$78.30B

9.22%

9.07%

9.79%

9.60%

Canadian National Railway Company (CNI)vs ›

$78.57B

8.90%

8.82%

9.96%

9.68%

TransDigm Group Incorporated (TDG)vs ›

$73.16B

15.22%

14.50%

12.67%

11.39%

PACCAR Inc (PCAR)vs ›

$72.74B

6.39%

8.44%

10.51%

8.23%

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd. (CP)vs ›

$81.41B

5.09%

4.89%

1.62%

3.59%

Honeywell Aerospace Inc (HONA)vs ›

$68.43B

N/A

United Rentals, Inc. (URI)vs ›

$67.92B

10.75%

11.25%

11.45%

10.59%

Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) FAQ

What is the return on invested capital (ROIC) for Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)?

The return on invested capital (ROIC) for NSC stock is 7.47%.

Is Norfolk Southern Corporation's return on invested capital (ROIC) high or low?

The return on invested capital (ROIC) of 7.47% is in line with its 5-year average of 7.86%, around the middle of its 5-year range (5.65%–10.12%).

What is the TTM average return on invested capital (ROIC) for Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)?

The TTM average return on invested capital (ROIC) for NSC stock is 7.37%.

What is the 3Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)?

The 3Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for NSC stock is 7.63%.

What is the 5Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)?

The 5Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for NSC stock is 7.86%.

What is the 10Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)?

The 10Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for NSC stock is 7.86%.

What is the 15Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)?

The 15Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for NSC stock is 7.60%.

What is the 20Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)?

The 20Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for NSC stock is 7.19%.

DATE	RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC)
2025-12-31	7.47%
2024-12-31	7.27%
2023-12-31	5.65%
2022-12-31	10.12%
2021-12-31	9.24%
2020-12-31	7.41%
2019-12-31	8.42%
2018-12-31	8.89%
2017-12-31	10.40%
2016-12-31	5.97%
2015-12-31	5.60%
2014-12-31	7.22%
2013-12-31	6.82%
2012-12-31	6.94%
2011-12-31	7.80%
2010-12-31	6.35%
2009-12-31	4.80%
2008-12-31	7.80%
2007-12-31	6.86%
2006-12-31	6.95%
2005-12-31	6.72%
2004-12-31	5.20%
2003-12-31	3.90%
2002-12-31	4.09%
2001-12-31	3.74%
2000-12-31	2.50%
1999-12-31	2.74%
1998-12-31	4.56%
1997-12-31	5.20%
1996-12-31	7.46%

DATE

RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC)

2025-12-31

7.47%

2024-12-31

7.27%

2023-12-31

5.65%

2022-12-31

10.12%

2021-12-31

9.24%

2020-12-31

7.41%

2019-12-31

8.42%

2018-12-31

8.89%

2017-12-31

10.40%

2016-12-31

5.97%

2015-12-31

5.60%

2014-12-31

7.22%

2013-12-31

6.82%

2012-12-31

6.94%

2011-12-31

7.80%

2010-12-31

6.35%

2009-12-31

4.80%

2008-12-31

7.80%

2007-12-31

6.86%

2006-12-31

6.95%

2005-12-31

6.72%

2004-12-31

5.20%

2003-12-31

3.90%

2002-12-31

4.09%

2001-12-31

3.74%

2000-12-31

2.50%

1999-12-31

2.74%

1998-12-31

4.56%

1997-12-31

5.20%

1996-12-31

7.46%

Return on Invested Capital (ROIC): 7.47%

NSC Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) Chart

NSC Average Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) Chart

NSC Current vs Average Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) Chart

NSC Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) Metrics

NSC Competitors' Return on Invested Capital (ROIC)

Capital Efficiency

Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) Formula & Definition

Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) FAQ

NSC Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) History

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