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CP vs NSC
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CP) vs. Norfolk Southern (NSC) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CP) has outperformed Norfolk Southern (NSC) year-to-date, with approximately 17% gains compared to NSC's 11%.
- Both stocks trade at similar forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios around 26-27, reflecting comparable valuations in the railroad sector.
- Recent analyst price targets suggest modest upside for both, with CP at around $91-93 (7% potential) and NSC at $329-331 (3-4% potential).
- NSC beat Q1 2026 earnings estimates despite weather challenges, while CP approaches its earnings release with positive labor developments.
- Railroad sector momentum favors CP's transcontinental network post-merger synergies over NSC's Eastern U.S. focus amid operational hurdles.
Introduction
Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CP) and Norfolk Southern (NSC) are leading Class I railroads, key players in North American freight transport. This stock comparison analyzes their recent market performance, business dynamics, and relative positioning amid evolving sector trends like intermodal growth and supply chain shifts. Traders seeking momentum plays and long-term investors eyeing infrastructure stability will find value in understanding how CP's international expansion stacks up against NSC's domestic network, especially in the context of recent earnings and analyst sentiment.
CP Overview and Recent Performance
Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (CP), formed via the 2023 merger with Kansas City Southern, operates a transcontinental rail network spanning Canada, the U.S., and Mexico, focusing on intermodal, grain, and energy freight. Trading around $87 with a market cap of $78 billion, CP boasts a trailing P/E of 26.3 and EPS of $3.30. In recent market activity, the stock has gained about 17% year-to-date and 12% over the past month, driven by steady operational performance and analyst upgrades. Positive sentiment stems from tentative long-term labor agreements with unions and raised price targets ahead of Q1 2026 earnings on April 29, underscoring efficiency gains from merger synergies despite broader rail volume pressures.
NSC Overview and Recent Performance
Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) provides rail transportation across 19 Eastern U.S. states and beyond, emphasizing coal, chemicals, and intermodal services with a network of 19,500 route miles. At approximately $319 and a $72 billion market cap, it trades at a P/E of 26.9 with EPS of $11.86. Recent weeks saw year-to-date gains of 11%, with shares near 52-week highs amid Q1 2026 earnings that beat estimates (adjusted EPS $2.65 vs. $2.51 expected), though profits fell 27% year-over-year due to severe weather and elevated expenses. Sentiment reflects resilience in revenue stability but caution over operational costs and fuel prices, balanced by optimistic guidance on volume recovery.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Both CP and NSC thrive on freight volume but differ in scope: CP leverages a single-line transcontinental route for cross-border efficiency, while NSC dominates Eastern merchandise with heavier coal exposure. Growth drivers favor CP's post-merger synergies versus NSC's weather-sensitive operations. Recent momentum shows CP stronger at 18-20% yearly gains over NSC's 41% but lagging YTD. Risks include labor and fuel for both, with NSC facing higher legacy derailment scrutiny. Sector-wise, intermodal boosts both, but market sentiment tilts toward CP's stability.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI models currently lean toward CP for its superior recent momentum, YTD outperformance, and analyst upside potential ahead of earnings. NSC offers value post-earnings beat but trails in trend consistency amid cost pressures. This positioning suggests higher probability of near-term relative strength for CP in a recovering rail environment.
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 Limitations
To 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 Hold 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 0 FA rating(s) are green whileNSC’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- CP’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
- NSC’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 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 3 TA indicator(s) are bullish while NSC’s TA Score has 3 bullish TA indicator(s).
- CP’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 5 bearish.
- NSC’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 3 bearish.
Price Growth
CP (@Railroads) experienced а +0.17% price change this week, while NSC (@Railroads) price change was +0.15% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Railroads industry was +0.77%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -2.60%, and the average quarterly price growth was +7.36%.
Reported Earning Dates
CP is expected to report earnings on Aug 05, 2026.
NSC is expected to report earnings on Jul 29, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Railroads (+0.77% 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 | 80B | 70.5B | 113% |
| EBITDA | 8.32B | 5.59B | 149% |
| Gain YTD | 22.341 | 9.678 | 231% |
| P/E Ratio | 28.05 | 26.45 | 106% |
| Revenue | 15B | 12.2B | 123% |
| Total Cash | 409M | 1.34B | 30% |
| Total Debt | 24.3B | 17.1B | 142% |
CP | NSC | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 13 | 12 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 90 Overvalued | 85 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 70 | 66 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 77 | 50 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 47 | 30 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 49 | 18 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 39 | 50 |
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 (85) in the Railroads industry is in the same range as CP (90). This means that NSC’s stock grew similarly to CP’s over the last 12 months.
NSC's Profit vs Risk Rating (66) in the Railroads industry is in the same range as CP (70). This means that NSC’s stock grew similarly to CP’s over the last 12 months.
NSC's SMR Rating (50) in the Railroads industry is in the same range as CP (77). This means that NSC’s stock grew similarly to CP’s over the last 12 months.
NSC's Price Growth Rating (30) 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 (18) in the Railroads industry is in the same range as CP (49). This means that NSC’s stock grew similarly to CP’s over the last 12 months.
| CP | NSC | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 84% | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 63% | 4 days ago 58% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 51% | 4 days ago 62% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 57% | 4 days ago 56% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 54% | 4 days ago 60% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 48% | 4 days ago 56% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 8 days ago 55% | 4 days ago 57% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 58% | 18 days ago 52% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 62% | 4 days ago 52% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 35% | N/A |
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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 86% 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.