NSC
IndustrialsNorfolk Southern Corporation · Railroads · $71B
What is Norfolk Southern Corporation?
Norfolk Southern Corporation is one of the largest freight railroad operators in the eastern United States, moving a wide range of goods across a vast rail network. Incorporated in 1982 and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, the company serves customers across 22 states and the District of Columbia.
Norfolk Southern generates revenue by transporting raw materials, intermediate products, and finished goods by rail. Its network connects manufacturers, agricultural producers, chemical companies, and automotive suppliers to markets across the eastern US and through Atlantic and Gulf Coast ports for international freight. The company also operates an intermodal network and provides commuter rail passenger services, giving it exposure to both freight and transit revenue streams.
Norfolk Southern was incorporated in 1982 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
- Freight rail transportation across 22 eastern US states
- Intermodal network connecting rail and truck shipping
- Agricultural and consumer goods transport
- Chemicals, metals, and construction materials hauling
- Automotive and coal freight services
Is NSC a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates NSC as Below Average overall, reflecting meaningful headwinds across several key dimensions.
The Quality pillar stands out as the relative bright spot, suggesting the underlying business retains some operational durability. The Valuation pillar comes in as Neutral, meaning the stock is not obviously mispriced relative to its fundamentals at current levels.
Growth and Risk are both rated Weak — the two pillars that most directly affect near-term investor outcomes. The Moat pillar registers as Neutral, indicating the company's competitive positioning is not a clear differentiator at this time.
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Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does NSC pay dividends?
Yes — Norfolk Southern Corporation pays a dividend.
Norfolk Southern pays a regular dividend, which is common among large, capital-intensive rail operators that generate relatively predictable cash flows. For income-oriented investors, the dividend provides a return component independent of share price movement. That said, dividend sustainability should always be evaluated alongside the company's Risk and Growth profiles, both of which are currently rated Weak.
When does NSC report earnings?
Norfolk Southern reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with standard practice for US-listed public companies.
The company's current UQS pillar profile — particularly Weak Growth and Weak Risk ratings — suggests recent results have faced pressure. Investors should monitor freight volume trends and operating ratio improvements as key indicators of trajectory.
For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit Norfolk Southern's investor relations page directly.
NSC Price History
+19.0% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in Norfolk Southern Corporation?
Based on Norfolk Southern Corporation's historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
NSC Long-term Outlook
Norfolk Southern's fundamental outlook is shaped by its Weak Growth and Weak Risk pillar ratings, pointing to a challenging near-term environment. Rail freight demand is closely tied to broader industrial activity, and softness in key end markets — including coal and chemicals — can weigh on volume growth. The Neutral Moat rating suggests the company's network advantages exist but may not be sufficient to fully offset cyclical or operational pressures in the current period.
Growth drivers
- Intermodal network expansion connecting rail and truck freight
- Recovery in industrial and agricultural freight volumes
- Operational efficiency improvements across the rail network
Key risks
- Weak Risk pillar signals elevated financial or operational vulnerability
- Cyclical freight demand tied to broader US industrial output
- Competitive pressure from other eastern rail operators
NSC vs Peers
Norfolk Southern operates in a concentrated freight rail industry alongside a small number of large competitors, each with distinct geographic footprints and strategic priorities.
Canadian National spans coast-to-coast across Canada with deep US connections, giving it a broader continental reach than NSC's eastern US focus.
Following its merger with Kansas City Southern, CPKC is the only single-line rail network connecting Canada, the US, and Mexico, a unique cross-border positioning.
CSX is Norfolk Southern's most direct eastern US rival, competing for many of the same freight corridors and industrial customers across overlapping geographies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Norfolk Southern do?
Norfolk Southern is a major freight railroad operator in the eastern United States. It transports raw materials, agricultural products, chemicals, metals, automotive goods, and coal across roughly 19,300 route miles in 22 states. The company also operates an intermodal network and provides commuter rail passenger services.
Does NSC pay dividends?
Yes, Norfolk Southern pays a regular dividend. This is typical for large rail operators that generate relatively stable cash flows from freight transportation. Investors should weigh the dividend against the company's current Weak Risk and Weak Growth pillar ratings when assessing income sustainability.
When does NSC report earnings?
Norfolk Southern reports earnings quarterly, in line with standard US public company practice. For exact dates and the most recent results, check the investor relations section of Norfolk Southern's official website.
Is NSC a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates NSC as Below Average overall. While the Quality pillar shows some resilience, the Growth and Risk pillars are both rated Weak, which presents meaningful concerns for investors. The full pillar breakdown is available to Pro members on UQS Score.
Is NSC overvalued?
The UQS Valuation pillar for NSC is rated Neutral, suggesting the stock is neither clearly cheap nor obviously expensive relative to its fundamentals. Valuation context is most useful when read alongside the other four pillars — view the complete analysis on UQS Score.
How does NSC compare to its competitors?
Norfolk Southern competes primarily with CSX in the eastern US, and faces broader competition from Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Kansas City. Each rival has distinct geographic strengths. UQS Score provides side-by-side pillar comparisons for all major rail operators for Pro members.
What is NSC's market cap bracket?
Norfolk Southern is classified as a large-cap stock, reflecting its scale as one of the dominant freight rail operators in the eastern United States. Large-cap status generally implies greater liquidity and institutional coverage compared to smaller peers.
Who founded Norfolk Southern?
Norfolk Southern Corporation was incorporated in 1982 through the merger of Norfolk and Western Railway and Southern Railway. The combined entity brought together two historic rail systems with deep roots in eastern US freight transportation. Further founding history is widely available through public sources.
Is NSC a long-term quality investment?
As a long-term quality indicator, NSC's UQS profile is mixed. The Quality pillar shows some durability, but Weak Growth and Weak Risk ratings are important considerations for long-term holders. Long-term quality investing benefits from reviewing all five pillars together — available in full on UQS Score.
What is the main competitive advantage of Norfolk Southern?
Norfolk Southern's primary advantage is its extensive rail network across the eastern US — a physical infrastructure that is extraordinarily difficult and costly to replicate. However, the UQS Moat pillar rates this advantage as Neutral, suggesting it may not be translating into outsized financial returns at present.
What sector does NSC belong to?
Norfolk Southern belongs to the Industrials sector, specifically within freight transportation and rail. Rail stocks in this sector are generally sensitive to economic cycles, industrial production levels, and commodity demand — all factors reflected in NSC's current UQS pillar profile.
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Pro Analysis
NSC — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 22, 2026 | 47.9 | 71.3 | 54.0 | 29.4 | 33.8 | 37.2 | +0.1 |
| May 17, 2026 | 47.8 | 71.3 | 54.0 | 29.4 | 33.8 | 37.2 | -1.5 |
| May 7, 2026 | 49.3 | 75.3 | 54.0 | 29.0 | 34.1 | 40.8 | -0.1 |
| May 4, 2026 | 49.4 | 75.3 | 54.0 | 29.0 | 34.1 | 40.9 | +0.1 |
| May 3, 2026 | 49.3 | 75.3 | 54.0 | 28.9 | 34.1 | 40.9 | 0.0 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 49.3 | 75.3 | 54.0 | 28.8 | 34.1 | 40.6 | +0.1 |
| Apr 25, 2026 | 49.2 | 75.3 | 54.0 | 27.2 | 34.1 | 42.1 | +0.1 |
| Apr 19, 2026 | 49.1 | 75.3 | 54.0 | 26.9 | 34.1 | 42.1 | -0.1 |
| Apr 18, 2026 | 49.2 | 75.3 | 54.0 | 26.9 | 34.1 | 42.7 | +1.1 |
| Apr 12, 2026 | 48.1 | 75.3 | 54.0 | 26.9 | 34.1 | 35.2 | -0.1 |
NSC — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 71.3/100 (25%)Norfolk Southern Corporation shows solid profitability with healthy returns on capital and reasonable margins.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 29.4/100 (20%)Norfolk Southern Corporation faces growth headwinds with declining or stagnant revenue trends.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 33.8/100 (15%)Norfolk Southern Corporation presents elevated risk with concerns around leverage or financial stability.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 37.3/100 (15%)Norfolk Southern Corporation has a mixed valuation — some metrics suggest fair value while others appear stretched.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
How many years of FCF the market cap represents.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 54/100 (25%)Norfolk Southern Corporation possesses some competitive advantages but faces meaningful competition. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for NSC.
Score Composition
Financial Data
More Stock Analysis
How is the NSC UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Norfolk Southern Corporation is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses Norfolk Southern Corporation's competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether Norfolk Southern Corporation is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.