CHRW vs. NSC: C.H. Robinson Worldwide vs. Norfolk Southern Stock Comparison

November 11, 2026

How do C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) and Norfolk Southern (NSC) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.

Company Profile

C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) and Norfolk Southern (NSC) both fall under the Transportation industry group, but CHRW is classified in Air Freight & Logistics while NSC is classified in Ground Transportation.

Company profile comparison for C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) and Norfolk Southern (NSC)
Profile Item	CHRW	NSC
Name	C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc.	Norfolk Southern Corp.
Country/Region	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Industrials	Industrials
GICS Industry Group	Transportation	Transportation
GICS Industry	Air Freight & Logistics	Ground Transportation
GICS Sub-Industry	Air Freight & Logistics	Rail Transportation
Market Capitalization	14.53 billion USD	71.86 billion USD
Currency	USD	USD
Exchange	Nasdaq	NYSE
Listing Date	October 16, 1997	June 2, 1982
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

CHRW

NSC

GSPC

C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) vs. Norfolk Southern (NSC), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

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Trailing total returns for C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) and Norfolk Southern (NSC). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) and Norfolk Southern (NSC). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) and Norfolk Southern (NSC)
Metric	CHRW	NSC
Total Return (1Y)	-12.63%	16.63%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)	19.75%	21.35%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)	8.87%	4.94%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

CHRW

NSC

GSPC

C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) vs. Norfolk Southern (NSC), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

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Distribution of monthly total returns for C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) and Norfolk Southern (NSC). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) and Norfolk Southern (NSC)
Metric	CHRW	NSC
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)	43.97%	21.75%
Beta (5Y)	0.93	1.19
Max Drawdown (5Y)	-40.55%	-35.64%
Avg. Volume (3M)	1.72M	1.02M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

CHRW and NSC are plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. The dashed Capital Allocation Line runs from the risk-free rate through the shared industry median.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Risk-adjusted metrics for C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) and Norfolk Southern (NSC)
Metric	CHRW	NSC
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)	-0.38	0.57
Sortino Ratio (1Y)	-0.47	0.86

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) at 38.93% sits in the top ROE quartile, while Norfolk Southern (NSC) at 16.84% is closer to the peer norm — stronger capital efficiency for CHRW.

CHRW

Transportation industry group

38.93%

Max: 45.08%
CHRW: 38.93%
Q3: 22.02%
Median: 13.94%
Q1: 2.89%
Min: -10.45%

NSC

Transportation industry group

16.84%

Max: 45.08%
Q3: 22.02%
NSC: 16.84%
Median: 13.94%
Q1: 2.89%
Min: -10.45%

C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) vs. Norfolk Southern (NSC): A comparison of their ROE against the Transportation industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Both C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) at 3.67% and Norfolk Southern (NSC) at 20.71% keep about the typical share of revenue as profit for their industries — neither bottom line stands out from peers.

CHRW

Transportation industry group

3.67%

Max: 50.36%
Q3: 21.18%
Median: 5.58%
CHRW: 3.67%
Q1: 1.55%
Min: -11.37%

NSC

Transportation industry group

20.71%

Max: 50.36%
Q3: 21.18%
NSC: 20.71%
Median: 5.58%
Q1: 1.55%
Min: -11.37%

C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) vs. Norfolk Southern (NSC): A comparison of their net margin against the Transportation industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Norfolk Southern (NSC) at 35.42% operates in the top operating margin quartile, ahead of C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) at 5.66%, which runs around its industry’s norm.

CHRW

Transportation industry group

5.66%

Max: 59.18%
Q3: 29.30%
Median: 11.50%
CHRW: 5.66%
Q1: 4.62%
Min: -8.91%

NSC

Transportation industry group

35.42%

Max: 59.18%
NSC: 35.42%
Q3: 29.30%
Median: 11.50%
Q1: 4.62%
Min: -8.91%

C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) vs. Norfolk Southern (NSC): A comparison of their operating margin against the Transportation industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) and Norfolk Southern (NSC)
Metric	CHRW	NSC
ROE (TTM)	38.93%	16.84%
ROA (TTM)	10.34%	6.03%
Net Margin (TTM)	3.67%	20.71%
Operating Margin (TTM)	5.66%	35.42%
Gross Margin (TTM)	8.34%	44.68%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Norfolk Southern (NSC) at 0.47% is around its peer norm for revenue growth, while C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) at -8.42% drops into the bottom quartile, signaling weaker demand or pricing momentum.

C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) vs. Norfolk Southern (NSC): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) at 25.13% sits in the top EPS growth quartile, while Norfolk Southern (NSC) at 10.20% is closer to the peer norm — faster per-share earnings growth for CHRW.

C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) vs. Norfolk Southern (NSC): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) and Norfolk Southern (NSC)
Metric	CHRW	NSC
Revenue Growth (YoY)	-8.42%	0.47%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)	-13.05%	-1.50%
EPS Growth (YoY)	25.13%	10.20%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)	-13.26%	-2.79%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) at 1.34 and Norfolk Southern (NSC) at 0.90 carry current ratio within their industries’ typical mid-ranges, suggesting balanced short-term liquidity relative to peers.

CHRW

Transportation industry group

1.34

Max: 2.58
Q3: 1.62
CHRW: 1.34
Median: 1.16
Q1: 0.78
Min: 0.22

NSC

Transportation industry group

0.90

Max: 2.58
Q3: 1.62
Median: 1.16
NSC: 0.90
Q1: 0.78
Min: 0.22

C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) vs. Norfolk Southern (NSC): A comparison of their current ratio against the Transportation industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Both C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) at 1.36 and Norfolk Southern (NSC) at 1.02 fund their balance sheets with roughly industry-typical debt-to-equity mixes.

CHRW

Transportation industry group

1.36

Max: 2.75
Q3: 1.37
CHRW: 1.36
Median: 0.78
Q1: 0.35
Min: 0.00

NSC

Transportation industry group

1.02

Max: 2.75
Q3: 1.37
NSC: 1.02
Median: 0.78
Q1: 0.35
Min: 0.00

C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) vs. Norfolk Southern (NSC): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Transportation industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) and Norfolk Southern (NSC)
Metric	CHRW	NSC
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.34	0.90
Debt / Equity (MRQ)	1.36	1.02
Net Debt / EBITDA	1.95	2.68

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Both C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) at 1.96% and Norfolk Southern (NSC) at 1.65% pay solid, industry-typical yields, sitting squarely within their peers’ usual range.

CHRW

Transportation industry group

1.96%

Max: 4.68%
Q3: 1.99%
CHRW: 1.96%
Median: 0.74%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

NSC

Transportation industry group

1.65%

Max: 4.68%
Q3: 1.99%
NSC: 1.65%
Median: 0.74%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) vs. Norfolk Southern (NSC): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Transportation industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Both C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) at 45.24% and Norfolk Southern (NSC) at 45.26% pay out an above-typical share of earnings for their industries, leaving thinner cover if profits dip.

CHRW

Transportation industry group

45.24%

Max: 100.89%
CHRW: 45.24%
Q3: 41.68%
Median: 20.43%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

NSC

Transportation industry group

45.26%

Max: 100.89%
NSC: 45.26%
Q3: 41.68%
Median: 20.43%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) vs. Norfolk Southern (NSC): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Transportation industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) and Norfolk Southern (NSC)
Metric	CHRW	NSC
Dividend Yield (TTM)	1.96%	1.65%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	45.24%	45.26%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Both C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) at 22.50 and Norfolk Southern (NSC) at 26.82 land around their industries’ usual P/E ratio levels — neither is getting a clear earnings-multiple discount or premium versus peers.

CHRW

Transportation industry group

22.50

Max: 46.76
Q3: 30.87
CHRW: 22.50
Median: 20.58
Q1: 10.44
Min: 0.00

NSC

Transportation industry group

26.82

Max: 46.76
Q3: 30.87
NSC: 26.82
Median: 20.58
Q1: 10.44
Min: 0.00

C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) vs. Norfolk Southern (NSC): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Transportation industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) at 0.80 prices around its industry’s typical P/S ratio, while Norfolk Southern (NSC) at 5.54 clears its benchmark range — NSC looks notably rich on sales.

CHRW

Transportation industry group

0.80

Max: 4.35
Q3: 2.07
Median: 0.93
CHRW: 0.80
Q1: 0.53
Min: 0.04

NSC

Transportation industry group

5.54

NSC: 5.54
Max: 4.35
Q3: 2.07
Median: 0.93
Q1: 0.53
Min: 0.04

C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) vs. Norfolk Southern (NSC): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Transportation industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Both look rich against book: Norfolk Southern (NSC) at 4.30 sits in the upper P/B ratio quartile, and C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) at 9.20 prices even higher, above its industry range.

CHRW

Transportation industry group

9.20

CHRW: 9.20
Max: 6.29
Q3: 3.39
Median: 1.90
Q1: 1.03
Min: -2.07

NSC

Transportation industry group

4.30

Max: 6.29
NSC: 4.30
Q3: 3.39
Median: 1.90
Q1: 1.03
Min: -2.07

C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) vs. Norfolk Southern (NSC): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Transportation industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) and Norfolk Southern (NSC)
Metric	CHRW	NSC
P/E Ratio (TTM)	22.50	26.82
P/S Ratio (TTM)	0.80	5.54
P/B Ratio (MRQ)	9.20	4.30
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)	2.61%	2.25%