Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) Return on Equity (ROE): 16.89%
Is Norfolk Southern Corporation’s return on equity (ROE) high or low?
Norfolk Southern Corporation's return on equity (ROE) of 16.89% is in line with its 5-year average of 18.74%, near the low end of its 5-year range (13.61%–25.68%).
As of Friday, June 12, 2026. 8.23% below its 12-month average of 18.41%.
NSC Return on Equity (ROE) Chart
NSC Average Return on Equity (ROE) Chart
NSC Current vs Average Return on Equity (ROE) Chart
NSC Return on Equity (ROE) Metrics
RETURN ON EQUITY (ROE)
16.89%
RETURN ON EQUITY (ROE) AVG TTM
18.41%
RETURN ON EQUITY (ROE) AVG 3Y
19.20%
RETURN ON EQUITY (ROE) AVG 5Y
18.74%
RETURN ON EQUITY (ROE) AVG 10Y
18.81%
RETURN ON EQUITY (ROE) AVG 15Y
18.20%
RETURN ON EQUITY (ROE) AVG 20Y
17.30%
CURRENT VS TTM AVG
-8.23%
CURRENT VS 3Y AVG
-12.01%
CURRENT VS 5Y AVG
-9.86%
CURRENT VS 10Y AVG
-10.22%
CURRENT VS 15Y AVG
-7.21%
CURRENT VS 20Y AVG
-2.39%
NSC Competitors' Return on Equity (ROE)
| NAME | MARKET CAP | RETURN ON EQUITY (ROE) | TTM | 3Y | 5Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) | $69.72B | 16.89% | 18.41% | 19.20% | 18.74% |
| Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (RKLB) | $66.44B | -8.06% | -30.62% | -28.59% | -16.36% |
| Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) | $73.44B | 97.06% | 100.13% | 99.17% | 89.55% |
| Comfort Systems USA, Inc. (FIX) | $64.90B | 43.47% | 36.20% | 30.58% | 26.94% |
| PACCAR Inc (PCAR) | $61.88B | 12.53% | 18.05% | 21.98% | 19.42% |
| Emerson Electric Co. (EMR) | $79.58B | 12.04% | 10.21% | 28.87% | 27.03% |
| 3M Company (MMM) | $82.36B | 85.41% | 88.87% | 17.87% | 25.53% |
| Fastenal Company (FAST) | $53.26B | 32.58% | 31.87% | 33.14% | 32.40% |
| AMETEK, Inc. (AME) | $51.85B | 13.99% | 14.09% | 14.68% | 14.63% |
| Johnson Controls International plc (JCI) | $87.86B | 26.12% | 18.02% | 14.16% | 11.60% |
Return Analysis
ROE
16.9%
ROA
5.9%
Norfolk Southern Corporation Return on Equity (ROE) Formula & Definition
ROE = Net Income / Total Shareholders' Equity
Return on equity measures how efficiently a company generates profit from shareholders' equity. Higher ROE indicates better capital efficiency.
Expanded definitions: Investopedia, Wikipedia, Corporate Finance Institute
Norfolk Southern Corporation Return on Equity (ROE) FAQ
- What is the return on equity (ROE) for Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)?
- The return on equity (ROE) for NSC stock is 16.89%.
- Is Norfolk Southern Corporation's return on equity (ROE) high or low?
- Norfolk Southern Corporation's return on equity (ROE) of 16.89% is in line with its 5-year average of 18.74%, near the low end of its 5-year range (13.61%–25.68%).
- What is the TTM average return on equity (ROE) for Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)?
- The TTM average return on equity (ROE) for NSC stock is 18.41%.
- What is the 3Y average return on equity (ROE) for Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)?
- The 3Y average return on equity (ROE) for NSC stock is 19.20%.
- What is the 5Y average return on equity (ROE) for Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)?
- The 5Y average return on equity (ROE) for NSC stock is 18.74%.
- What is the 10Y average return on equity (ROE) for Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)?
- The 10Y average return on equity (ROE) for NSC stock is 18.81%.
- What is the 15Y average return on equity (ROE) for Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)?
- The 15Y average return on equity (ROE) for NSC stock is 18.20%.
- What is the 20Y average return on equity (ROE) for Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)?
- The 20Y average return on equity (ROE) for NSC stock is 17.30%.
Norfolk Southern Corporation Return on Equity (ROE) History
| DATE | RETURN ON EQUITY (ROE) |
|---|---|
| 2025-12-31 | 18.48% |
| 2024-12-31 | 18.33% |
| 2023-12-31 | 14.29% |
| 2022-12-31 | 25.68% |
| 2021-12-31 | 22.03% |
| 2020-12-31 | 13.61% |
| 2019-12-31 | 17.93% |
| 2018-12-31 | 17.35% |
| 2017-12-31 | 33.03% |
| 2016-12-31 | 13.44% |
| 2015-12-31 | 12.77% |
| 2014-12-31 | 16.12% |
| 2013-12-31 | 16.92% |
| 2012-12-31 | 17.92% |
| 2011-12-31 | 19.33% |
| 2010-12-31 | 14.02% |
| 2009-12-31 | 9.99% |
| 2008-12-31 | 17.88% |
| 2007-12-31 | 15.05% |
| 2006-12-31 | 15.40% |
| 2005-12-31 | 13.79% |
| 2004-12-31 | 11.55% |
| 2003-12-31 | 7.67% |
| 2002-12-31 | 7.08% |
| 2001-12-31 | 6.16% |
| 2000-12-31 | 2.95% |
| 1999-12-31 | 4.03% |
| 1998-12-31 | 12.40% |
| 1997-12-31 | 13.24% |
| 1996-12-31 | 15.48% |
Related Metrics
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.
- Sector
- Industrials
- Industry
- Railroads
- CEO
- Mark R. George