ACM vs. NSC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ACM and NSC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | ACM | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | AECOM | Norfolk Southern Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Construction & Engineering | Ground Transportation |
| Market Capitalization | 17.57 billion USD | 66.56 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | May 10, 2007 | June 2, 1982 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ACM and NSC by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | ACM | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 2.32% | -0.56% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 14.72% | 14.07% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 43.04% | 34.38% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 26.08% | 21.69% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 1.66% | -1.26% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 24.17% | 26.38% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.84M | 1.43M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.94M | 1.98M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 21.41% | 18.08% |
| Beta | 1.04 | 1.34 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
ACM
26.79%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 26.79%
- Q3
- 16.47%
- Median
- 10.66%
- Q1
- 8.46%
- Min
- -1.86%
In the upper quartile for the Construction & Engineering industry, ACM’s Return on Equity of 26.79% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
NSC
23.35%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 23.35%
- Q3
- 13.74%
- Median
- 9.05%
- Q1
- 6.86%
- Min
- 1.73%
In the upper quartile for the Ground Transportation industry, NSC’s Return on Equity of 23.35% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
ACM
3.82%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 11.67%
- Q3
- 6.13%
- Median
- 3.82%
- Q1
- 2.31%
- Min
- -2.77%
ACM’s Net Profit Margin of 3.82% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Construction & Engineering industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
NSC
27.51%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 32.19%
- Q3
- 17.08%
- Median
- 7.19%
- Q1
- 4.45%
- Min
- -5.54%
A Net Profit Margin of 27.51% places NSC in the upper quartile for the Ground Transportation industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
ACM
6.38%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 17.78%
- Q3
- 9.61%
- Median
- 6.19%
- Q1
- 3.73%
- Min
- -1.78%
ACM’s Operating Profit Margin of 6.38% is around the midpoint for the Construction & Engineering industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
NSC
41.45%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 42.90%
- Q3
- 23.80%
- Median
- 10.93%
- Q1
- 7.06%
- Min
- -12.94%
An Operating Profit Margin of 41.45% places NSC in the upper quartile for the Ground Transportation industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ACM | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 26.79% | 23.35% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 5.13% | 7.66% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 3.82% | 27.51% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 6.38% | 41.45% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 7.34% | 51.67% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
ACM
1.17
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 2.17
- Q3
- 1.50
- Median
- 1.23
- Q1
- 1.00
- Min
- 0.65
ACM’s Current Ratio of 1.17 aligns with the median group of the Construction & Engineering industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
NSC
0.79
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 2.00
- Q3
- 1.31
- Median
- 0.98
- Q1
- 0.74
- Min
- 0.35
NSC’s Current Ratio of 0.79 aligns with the median group of the Ground Transportation industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
ACM
1.01
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 2.37
- Q3
- 1.24
- Median
- 0.62
- Q1
- 0.31
- Min
- 0.00
ACM’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.01 is typical for the Construction & Engineering industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
NSC
1.17
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 2.51
- Q3
- 1.48
- Median
- 1.02
- Q1
- 0.48
- Min
- 0.00
NSC’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.17 is typical for the Ground Transportation industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
ACM
6.76
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 36.37
- Q3
- 17.88
- Median
- 8.20
- Q1
- 4.98
- Min
- -6.49
ACM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 6.76 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Construction & Engineering industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
NSC
5.21
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 59.80
- Q3
- 25.78
- Median
- 8.23
- Q1
- 2.52
- Min
- -24.57
NSC’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.21 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Ground Transportation industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ACM | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.17 | 0.79 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.03 | 0.71 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.01 | 1.17 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 6.76 | 5.21 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
ACM
0.75%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 5.80%
- Q3
- 3.33%
- Median
- 2.22%
- Q1
- 0.21%
- Min
- 0.00%
ACM’s Dividend Yield of 0.75% is consistent with its peers in the Construction & Engineering industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
NSC
1.68%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 5.29%
- Q3
- 2.57%
- Median
- 1.59%
- Q1
- 0.71%
- Min
- 0.00%
NSC’s Dividend Yield of 1.68% is consistent with its peers in the Ground Transportation industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
ACM
21.01%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 139.17%
- Q3
- 74.39%
- Median
- 51.48%
- Q1
- 15.67%
- Min
- 0.00%
ACM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 21.01% is within the typical range for the Construction & Engineering industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
NSC
36.42%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 149.12%
- Q3
- 75.08%
- Median
- 41.35%
- Q1
- 16.42%
- Min
- 0.00%
NSC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 36.42% is within the typical range for the Ground Transportation industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | ACM | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.75% | 1.68% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 21.01% | 36.42% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
ACM
28.14
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 41.00
- Q3
- 26.91
- Median
- 16.02
- Q1
- 13.49
- Min
- 1.65
A P/E Ratio of 28.14 places ACM in the upper quartile for the Construction & Engineering industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
NSC
21.64
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 39.04
- Q3
- 24.45
- Median
- 17.51
- Q1
- 12.92
- Min
- 5.87
NSC’s P/E Ratio of 21.64 is within the middle range for the Ground Transportation industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
ACM
1.08
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 2.93
- Q3
- 1.65
- Median
- 0.71
- Q1
- 0.45
- Min
- 0.11
ACM’s P/S Ratio of 1.08 aligns with the market consensus for the Construction & Engineering industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
NSC
5.95
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 2.82
- Q3
- 2.22
- Median
- 1.41
- Q1
- 0.88
- Min
- 0.24
With a P/S Ratio of 5.95, NSC trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Ground Transportation industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
ACM
5.99
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 7.96
- Q3
- 4.06
- Median
- 1.98
- Q1
- 1.23
- Min
- 0.24
ACM’s P/B Ratio of 5.99 is in the upper tier for the Construction & Engineering industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
NSC
3.90
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 5.27
- Q3
- 3.03
- Median
- 1.40
- Q1
- 1.18
- Min
- 0.67
NSC’s P/B Ratio of 3.90 is in the upper tier for the Ground Transportation industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ACM | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 28.14 | 21.64 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.08 | 5.95 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 5.99 | 3.90 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 20.94 | 35.81 |