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CP vs NSC
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (CP) vs. Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (CP) has shown stronger year-to-date performance compared to Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC), with approximately 17% gains versus NSC's 11%.
- Both companies operate in the North American rail transportation sector, benefiting from similar macroeconomic drivers such as freight demand and commodity movements.
- CP recently set new monthly grain volume records, supported by strong agricultural shipments, while upcoming second-quarter 2026 earnings for CP are scheduled for July 29.
- Market sentiment for both stocks remains tied to broader economic indicators, with CP demonstrating relative outperformance in recent market activity.
- Risk factors for the pair include regulatory developments, labor relations, and fluctuations in energy and agricultural commodity prices.
- Relative positioning highlights trade-offs in valuation, operational efficiency, and exposure to specific freight segments between the two railroads.
Introduction
Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (CP) and Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) represent two leading players in the North American rail industry. This comparison examines their recent stock behavior, business fundamentals, and relative positioning in the current market environment. Institutional investors, sector-focused traders, and those evaluating transportation equities may find this analysis useful for assessing performance differentials, momentum indicators, and sector exposure within the rail space.
CP Overview and Recent Performance
Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (CP) operates an extensive rail network across Canada, the United States, and Mexico, transporting a range of commodities including grain, energy products, and intermodal freight. In recent weeks, the stock has reflected positive momentum driven by record grain shipment volumes and favorable agricultural conditions. Year-to-date returns have been robust, supported by operational records and analyst attention ahead of the second-quarter 2026 earnings release scheduled for July 29. Broader market activity has positioned CP favorably relative to benchmarks, with sentiment influenced by volume growth and network integration benefits.
NSC Overview and Recent Performance
Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) provides rail freight services primarily in the eastern United States, with significant exposure to coal, chemicals, automotive, and intermodal traffic. Recent market activity has shown more measured gains compared to peers, with performance influenced by overall freight demand trends and economic indicators. The stock has posted positive but comparatively modest year-to-date returns amid sector dynamics. Sentiment has been shaped by operational metrics and macroeconomic factors affecting industrial shipments, maintaining a steady profile without standout catalysts in the immediate period.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
In business model terms, both entities focus on rail freight but differ in geographic reach, with CP offering broader North American coverage post-merger and NSC concentrated in the eastern U.S. Growth drivers for CP include agricultural and cross-border volumes, while NSC emphasizes industrial and energy-related freight. Recent momentum has favored CP, evidenced by outperformance in year-to-date returns. Risk factors encompass shared exposures to fuel costs, regulatory oversight, and labor issues, though CP has navigated recent volume surges effectively. Sector exposure remains aligned within transportation, yet market sentiment reflects CP's relative stability in current conditions. Trade-offs center on CP's integration advantages versus NSC's established eastern market position.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors including trend consistency and recent volume catalysts, Tickeron’s AI would currently assign a higher probability of favorable positioning to Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (CP) over Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC). This assessment draws from relative performance data and operational highlights without implying certainty in future outcomes.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
Disclaimers and LimitationsTo compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is CP is a StrongBuy and NSC is a StrongBuy.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
CP’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green whileNSC’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- CP’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- NSC’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
CP’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while NSC’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- CP’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
- NSC’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
CP (@Railroads) experienced а +2.05% price change this week, while NSC (@Railroads) price change was +0.01% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Railroads industry was -0.59%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +0.26%, and the average quarterly price growth was +1.44%.
Reported Earning Dates
CP is expected to report earnings on Oct 28, 2026.
NSC is expected to report earnings on Oct 28, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Railroads (-0.59% weekly)The Railroad industry includes passenger and freight transportation services along rail lines. This also includes companies that provide maintenance and switching duties as part of rail services. Within North America, the industry is largely dominated by some large operators. Several short-line railroads serve regional and local routes. Union Pacific Corporation, Canadian National Railway Company, and CSX Corporation are some of the prominent names in the business. The railroad business is relatively cyclical; economic expansion boost the freight services in particular, while economic stagnation often dampens transportation demand.
| CP | NSC | CP / NSC | |
| Capitalization | 81.8B | 75.1B | 109% |
| EBITDA | 8.14B | 5.56B | 146% |
| Gain YTD | 26.986 | 17.303 | 156% |
| P/E Ratio | 30.32 | 28.53 | 106% |
| Revenue | 15.4B | 12.5B | 123% |
| Total Cash | 366M | N/A | - |
| Total Debt | 25.1B | 16.6B | 151% |
CP | NSC | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 21 | 15 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 91 Overvalued | 86 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 52 | 46 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 76 | 52 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 47 | 37 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 23 | 16 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 39 | n/a |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
NSC's Valuation (86) in the Railroads industry is in the same range as CP (91). This means that NSC’s stock grew similarly to CP’s over the last 12 months.
NSC's Profit vs Risk Rating (46) in the Railroads industry is in the same range as CP (52). This means that NSC’s stock grew similarly to CP’s over the last 12 months.
NSC's SMR Rating (52) in the Railroads industry is in the same range as CP (76). This means that NSC’s stock grew similarly to CP’s over the last 12 months.
NSC's Price Growth Rating (37) in the Railroads industry is in the same range as CP (47). This means that NSC’s stock grew similarly to CP’s over the last 12 months.
NSC's P/E Growth Rating (16) in the Railroads industry is in the same range as CP (23). This means that NSC’s stock grew similarly to CP’s over the last 12 months.
| CP | NSC | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 70% | 2 days ago 55% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 60% | 2 days ago 63% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 59% | 2 days ago 59% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 68% | 2 days ago 59% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 55% | 2 days ago 62% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 48% | 2 days ago 58% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 56% | 3 days ago 59% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 17 days ago 58% | 17 days ago 52% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 48% | 2 days ago 57% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 47% | 2 days ago 53% |
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CP and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, CP has been closely correlated with CNI. These tickers have moved in lockstep 78% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if CP jumps, then CNI could also see price increases.
NSC and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, NSC has been closely correlated with UNP. These tickers have moved in lockstep 93% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if NSC jumps, then UNP could also see price increases.