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CSX vs NSC
Which Stock Would AI Choose? CSX Corporation (CSX) vs. Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- CSX has significantly outperformed NSC year-to-date (YTD, year-to-date), delivering 25.68% returns compared to NSC's 11.22%.
- Both companies reported Q1 2026 earnings beats, with CSX raising its full-year outlook amid strong intermodal volumes, while NSC faced higher fuel costs and flat revenue.
- CSX trades at a market cap of $84B with a P/E ratio (price-to-earnings) of 27.86, versus NSC's $72B cap and 25.06 P/E, reflecting CSX's premium valuation.
- NSC offers a higher dividend yield at 1.68% compared to CSX's 1.21%, appealing to income-focused investors.
- Recent market activity shows transport stocks rallying, benefiting both but highlighting CSX's stronger momentum.
Introduction
CSX Corporation and Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) are two leading Class I railroads dominating freight transportation in the Eastern United States. As direct competitors in intermodal, coal, chemicals, and merchandise shipping, they offer investors exposure to industrial recovery, supply chain dynamics, and infrastructure spending. Traders monitoring relative performance may favor one amid shifting fuel costs and volume trends, while long-term holders assess valuation and dividend sustainability. This comparison analyzes recent market positioning, earnings momentum, and key metrics to inform stock selection in the current environment.
CSX Overview and Recent Performance
CSX, headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, operates a 20,000-mile rail network east of the Mississippi River, transporting chemicals, coal, intermodal containers, and automotive goods. In recent market activity, CSX shares have shown robust momentum, with YTD gains of 25.68% and one-year returns of 63.83%. The stock trades around $45.41, near its 52-week high of $46.55, supported by Q1 2026 earnings that beat estimates on EPS (earnings per share) and operating income, driven by intermodal strength and efficiency gains. CSX raised its 2026 outlook, boosting sentiment despite revenue misses and valuation concerns from analysts like Morgan Stanley. Rising fuel costs pose headwinds, but network expansions and cost controls have sustained positive price behavior.
NSC Overview and Recent Performance
Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC), based in Atlanta, Georgia, runs an extensive network hauling agriculture, chemicals, metals, autos, and coal, with key intermodal operations to ports. Recent weeks have seen NSC shares consolidate around $319.71, with YTD performance at 11.22% and one-year gains of 43.92%. Q1 2026 results topped EPS estimates at $2.65 adjusted, though GAAP profit fell 27% without derailment insurance recoveries, and revenue held flat at $3B amid 15% expense rises from fuel volatility. Analyst upgrades followed, but elevated operating costs and legacy issues have tempered momentum relative to peers, influencing cautious sentiment.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Both CSX and NSC share similar business models as Eastern U.S. freight railroads, with exposure to intermodal growth and commodity cycles, but differ in network focus—CSX emphasizes efficiency in the Southeast, NSC spans the Northeast with coal heaviness. CSX exhibits superior recent momentum, outpacing NSC YTD by over 14 percentage points, buoyed by margin expansion catalysts. Risk factors include fuel price surges impacting both, though NSC's higher beta (1.31) signals greater volatility. NSC counters with a richer dividend yield and lower P/E, suiting value plays, while CSX's larger market cap reflects stability. Sector tailwinds like infrastructure aid both, but CSX's outlook raise edges sentiment amid competitive trade-offs.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI tools currently lean toward CSX based on trend consistency, superior YTD and one-year returns, and positive earnings catalysts like raised guidance. NSC's beats are notable, but expense pressures and lagging momentum temper its positioning. Probabilistic edge favors CSX for momentum traders, though NSC suits dividend stability in volatile markets.
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 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 CSX is a Buy 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).
CSX’s FA Score shows that 3 FA rating(s) are green whileNSC’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- CSX’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 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.
CSX’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while NSC’s TA Score has 3 bullish TA indicator(s).
- CSX’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 3 bearish.
- NSC’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 3 bearish.
Price Growth
CSX (@Railroads) experienced а +1.23% 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
CSX is expected to report earnings on Jul 22, 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.
| CSX | NSC | CSX / NSC | |
| Capitalization | 88.4B | 70.5B | 125% |
| EBITDA | 6.49B | 5.59B | 116% |
| Gain YTD | 32.063 | 9.678 | 331% |
| P/E Ratio | 29.18 | 26.45 | 110% |
| Revenue | 14.2B | 12.2B | 116% |
| Total Cash | 1.11B | 1.34B | 83% |
| Total Debt | 19.3B | 17.1B | 113% |
CSX | NSC | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 14 | 12 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 87 Overvalued | 85 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 33 | 66 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 41 | 50 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 14 | 30 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 19 | 18 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 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 CSX (87). This means that NSC’s stock grew similarly to CSX’s over the last 12 months.
CSX's Profit vs Risk Rating (33) in the Railroads industry is somewhat better than the same rating for NSC (66). This means that CSX’s stock grew somewhat faster than NSC’s over the last 12 months.
CSX's SMR Rating (41) in the Railroads industry is in the same range as NSC (50). This means that CSX’s stock grew similarly to NSC’s over the last 12 months.
CSX's Price Growth Rating (14) in the Railroads industry is in the same range as NSC (30). This means that CSX’s stock grew similarly to NSC’s over the last 12 months.
NSC's P/E Growth Rating (18) in the Railroads industry is in the same range as CSX (19). This means that NSC’s stock grew similarly to CSX’s over the last 12 months.
| CSX | NSC | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | N/A | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 40% | 3 days ago 58% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 60% | 3 days ago 62% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 61% | 3 days ago 56% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 60% | 3 days ago 60% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 56% | 3 days ago 56% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 57% | 3 days ago 57% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 17 days ago 49% | 17 days ago 52% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 70% | 3 days ago 52% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 55% | N/A |
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CSX and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, CSX has been closely correlated with NSC. These tickers have moved in lockstep 68% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if CSX jumps, then NSC could also see price increases.