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NSC vs WAB
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Norfolk Southern (NSC) vs. Wabtec (WAB) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Wabtec (WAB) has significantly outperformed Norfolk Southern (NSC) year-to-date, with returns of approximately 25% compared to NSC's 11%.
- WAB delivered robust Q1 2026 results, including 13% sales growth and 19% adjusted EPS increase, while NSC reported flat revenue and a slight EPS decline year-over-year.
- WAB raised its full-year 2026 adjusted EPS guidance, signaling confidence in sustained growth, whereas NSC maintained steady but pressured operations.
- NSC offers a higher dividend yield at 1.68% versus WAB's 0.39%, appealing to income-focused investors.
- WAB's backlog reached $30.8 billion, supporting future revenue visibility, in contrast to NSC's volume-sensitive freight operations.
- Both stocks operate in the rail sector, but WAB exhibits lower volatility with a beta of 0.99 compared to NSC's 1.31.
Introduction
Norfolk Southern (NSC) and Wabtec (WAB) are prominent players in the rail industry, representing complementary aspects of freight transportation: NSC as a major Class I railroad operator and WAB as a leading provider of rail equipment and services. This comparison is particularly relevant for investors and traders tracking the industrials sector amid evolving freight demand, supply chain dynamics, and economic indicators. By examining recent performance, growth drivers, and market positioning, readers can assess relative strengths in the current environment, where rail stocks reflect broader trends in manufacturing, energy, and logistics recovery.
NSC Overview and Recent Performance
Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) operates one of the largest rail networks in the Eastern U.S., transporting freight including intermodal, coal, and chemicals. In recent market activity, NSC shares have traded around $320, reflecting year-to-date gains of about 11% amid broader industrial sector pressures. The company's Q1 2026 earnings showed adjusted EPS of $2.65, surpassing estimates but down slightly year-over-year, with revenue holding flat at approximately $3 billion. Higher operating expenses, influenced by merger-related costs and fuel volatility, have tempered profitability. Sentiment remains mixed, supported by network investments but challenged by softening demand volumes in recent weeks, contributing to moderate stock momentum near its 52-week high.
WAB Overview and Recent Performance
Wabtec Corporation (WAB), formerly Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies, supplies locomotives, components, and digital solutions for global rail operations. Shares have performed strongly, trading near $267 with year-to-date returns exceeding 25%. Q1 2026 results highlighted sales of $2.95 billion, up 13% year-over-year, and adjusted EPS of $2.71, a 19% increase, driven by aftermarket services and acquisitions. The company raised its full-year adjusted EPS guidance to $10.25-$10.65, bolstered by a $30.8 billion backlog. Positive sentiment stems from international demand and technological upgrades, though offset somewhat by tariff concerns, fueling upward momentum in recent trading sessions.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Norfolk Southern (NSC) and Wabtec (WAB) share rail sector exposure but diverge in business models: NSC's asset-intensive operations tie performance closely to freight volumes and economic cycles, while WAB benefits from recurring aftermarket revenue and digital innovations less dependent on tonnage. Growth drivers contrast sharply—WAB leverages a massive backlog and international expansion, versus NSC's focus on network efficiency amid flat volumes. Recent momentum favors WAB's 25% YTD gains over NSC's 11%, with lower beta (0.99 vs. 1.31) indicating reduced risk. However, NSC provides superior dividend yield and stability for conservative portfolios. Risk factors include NSC's exposure to operational disruptions and fuel costs, and WAB's sensitivity to tariffs and manufacturing cycles. Market sentiment tilts toward WAB's growth narrative in recent activity.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on trend consistency, earnings momentum, and forward catalysts, Tickeron’s AI models would currently lean toward Wabtec (WAB). Its superior Q1 growth, raised guidance, and robust backlog position it favorably relative to Norfolk Southern (NSC)'s steadier but pressured profile, suggesting higher probability of near-term outperformance in a recovering freight 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 NSC is a Hold and WAB 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).
NSC’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green whileWAB’s FA Score has 3 green FA rating(s).
- NSC’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- WAB’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 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.
NSC’s TA Score shows that 3 TA indicator(s) are bullish while WAB’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- NSC’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 5 bearish.
- WAB’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
NSC (@Railroads) experienced а -1.97% price change this week, while WAB (@Railroads) price change was +2.92% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Railroads industry was -0.54%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +2.14%, and the average quarterly price growth was +6.68%.
Reported Earning Dates
NSC is expected to report earnings on Jul 29, 2026.
WAB is expected to report earnings on Jul 23, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Railroads (-0.54% 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.
| NSC | WAB | NSC / WAB | |
| Capitalization | 68.3B | 47B | 145% |
| EBITDA | 5.59B | 2.36B | 237% |
| Gain YTD | 6.275 | 29.971 | 21% |
| P/E Ratio | 25.63 | 39.14 | 65% |
| Revenue | 12.2B | 11.5B | 106% |
| Total Cash | 1.34B | 531M | 253% |
| Total Debt | 17.1B | 6.54B | 262% |
NSC | WAB | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 12 | 20 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 84 Overvalued | 90 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 68 | 6 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 50 | 67 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 52 | 19 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 22 | 31 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | n/a | 47 |
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 (84) in the Railroads industry is in the same range as WAB (90) in the Trucks Or Construction Or Farm Machinery industry. This means that NSC’s stock grew similarly to WAB’s over the last 12 months.
WAB's Profit vs Risk Rating (6) in the Trucks Or Construction Or Farm Machinery industry is somewhat better than the same rating for NSC (68) in the Railroads industry. This means that WAB’s stock grew somewhat faster than NSC’s over the last 12 months.
NSC's SMR Rating (50) in the Railroads industry is in the same range as WAB (67) in the Trucks Or Construction Or Farm Machinery industry. This means that NSC’s stock grew similarly to WAB’s over the last 12 months.
WAB's Price Growth Rating (19) in the Trucks Or Construction Or Farm Machinery industry is somewhat better than the same rating for NSC (52) in the Railroads industry. This means that WAB’s stock grew somewhat faster than NSC’s over the last 12 months.
NSC's P/E Growth Rating (22) in the Railroads industry is in the same range as WAB (31) in the Trucks Or Construction Or Farm Machinery industry. This means that NSC’s stock grew similarly to WAB’s over the last 12 months.
| NSC | WAB | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | N/A | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 58% | 2 days ago 42% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 51% | 2 days ago 69% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 62% | 2 days ago 67% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 56% | 2 days ago 65% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 60% | 2 days ago 64% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 12 days ago 57% | 2 days ago 64% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 6 days ago 51% | 16 days ago 45% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 60% | 2 days ago 45% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | N/A | 2 days ago 58% |
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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.
WAB and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, WAB has been loosely correlated with UNP. These tickers have moved in lockstep 51% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if WAB jumps, then UNP could also see price increases.