AVY vs. NSC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AVY and NSC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | AVY | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Avery Dennison Corporation | Norfolk Southern Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Materials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Containers & Packaging | Ground Transportation |
| Market Capitalization | 12.63 billion USD | 66.56 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | February 21, 1973 | June 2, 1982 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AVY 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 | AVY | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -0.44% | -0.56% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -11.75% | 14.07% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -8.15% | 34.38% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -24.30% | 21.69% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -0.13% | -1.26% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -13.45% | 26.38% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.55M | 1.43M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.66M | 1.98M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 18.03% | 18.08% |
| Beta | 1.03 | 1.34 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
AVY
31.33%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 36.99%
- Q3
- 19.86%
- Median
- 10.47%
- Q1
- 6.76%
- Min
- -0.20%
In the upper quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry, AVY’s Return on Equity of 31.33% 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)
AVY
8.14%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 10.84%
- Q3
- 8.25%
- Median
- 4.91%
- Q1
- 3.65%
- Min
- -0.12%
AVY’s Net Profit Margin of 8.14% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Containers & Packaging 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)
AVY
10.81%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 22.03%
- Q3
- 13.09%
- Median
- 8.06%
- Q1
- 6.46%
- Min
- -0.07%
AVY’s Operating Profit Margin of 10.81% is around the midpoint for the Containers & Packaging 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 | AVY | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 31.33% | 23.35% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 8.42% | 7.66% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 8.14% | 27.51% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 10.81% | 41.45% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 28.57% | 51.67% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
AVY
1.04
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 1.96
- Q3
- 1.45
- Median
- 1.33
- Q1
- 1.09
- Min
- 0.87
AVY’s Current Ratio of 1.04 falls into the lower quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
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)
AVY
1.61
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 4.15
- Q3
- 2.03
- Median
- 1.20
- Q1
- 0.53
- Min
- 0.23
AVY’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.61 is typical for the Containers & Packaging 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)
AVY
7.97
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 13.16
- Q3
- 8.10
- Median
- 3.38
- Q1
- 2.83
- Min
- 1.06
AVY’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.97 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Containers & Packaging 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 | AVY | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.04 | 0.79 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.70 | 0.71 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.61 | 1.17 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 7.97 | 5.21 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
AVY
2.26%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 7.14%
- Q3
- 4.65%
- Median
- 3.69%
- Q1
- 2.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AVY’s Dividend Yield of 2.26% is consistent with its peers in the Containers & Packaging 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)
AVY
39.97%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 222.75%
- Q3
- 132.16%
- Median
- 65.79%
- Q1
- 28.53%
- Min
- 0.00%
AVY’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 39.97% is within the typical range for the Containers & Packaging 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 | AVY | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.26% | 1.68% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 39.97% | 36.42% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
AVY
17.72
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 24.22
- Q3
- 20.28
- Median
- 17.07
- Q1
- 15.06
- Min
- 7.79
AVY’s P/E Ratio of 17.72 is within the middle range for the Containers & Packaging industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
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)
AVY
1.44
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 1.99
- Q3
- 1.17
- Median
- 0.94
- Q1
- 0.55
- Min
- 0.31
AVY’s P/S Ratio of 1.44 is in the upper echelon for the Containers & Packaging industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
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)
AVY
6.23
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 4.79
- Q3
- 3.32
- Median
- 2.14
- Q1
- 1.60
- Min
- 0.89
At 6.23, AVY’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Containers & Packaging industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
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 | AVY | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 17.72 | 21.64 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.44 | 5.95 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 6.23 | 3.90 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 19.03 | 35.81 |