CSX vs. DAL: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CSX and DAL, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CSX | DAL |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | CSX Corporation | Delta Air Lines, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Ground Transportation | Passenger Airlines |
| Market Capitalization | 67.26 billion USD | 38.80 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | November 3, 1980 | May 3, 2007 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CSX and DAL 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 | CSX | DAL |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 2.35% | 10.80% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 19.04% | 16.19% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 10.20% | -12.51% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 7.70% | 52.12% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 1.52% | 11.67% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 11.81% | -1.79% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 16.48M | 7.91M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 16.92M | 11.14M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 21.22% | 45.84% |
| Beta | 1.30 | 1.55 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
CSX
24.83%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 22.11%
- Q3
- 13.84%
- Median
- 9.66%
- Q1
- 7.55%
- Min
- 0.36%
CSX’s Return on Equity of 24.83% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Ground Transportation industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
DAL
29.02%
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 49.96%
- Q3
- 28.15%
- Median
- 15.41%
- Q1
- 8.29%
- Min
- -11.01%
In the upper quartile for the Passenger Airlines industry, DAL’s Return on Equity of 29.02% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
CSX
21.91%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 32.20%
- Q3
- 18.59%
- Median
- 7.11%
- Q1
- 4.13%
- Min
- -10.38%
A Net Profit Margin of 21.91% places CSX in the upper quartile for the Ground Transportation industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
DAL
7.24%
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 17.65%
- Q3
- 8.90%
- Median
- 5.80%
- Q1
- 2.02%
- Min
- -3.12%
DAL’s Net Profit Margin of 7.24% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Passenger Airlines industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
CSX
33.80%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 41.31%
- Q3
- 23.16%
- Median
- 11.33%
- Q1
- 6.82%
- Min
- -12.08%
An Operating Profit Margin of 33.80% places CSX 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.
DAL
9.30%
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 22.47%
- Q3
- 12.33%
- Median
- 8.62%
- Q1
- 4.43%
- Min
- -2.88%
DAL’s Operating Profit Margin of 9.30% is around the midpoint for the Passenger Airlines industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | CSX | DAL |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 24.83% | 29.02% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 7.22% | 5.85% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 21.91% | 7.24% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 33.80% | 9.30% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 71.73% | 50.92% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
CSX
0.77
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 2.03
- Q3
- 1.26
- Median
- 0.89
- Q1
- 0.73
- Min
- 0.38
CSX’s Current Ratio of 0.77 aligns with the median group of the Ground Transportation industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
DAL
0.38
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 1.46
- Q3
- 0.94
- Median
- 0.76
- Q1
- 0.54
- Min
- 0.17
DAL’s Current Ratio of 0.38 falls into the lower quartile for the Passenger Airlines industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
CSX
1.55
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 2.51
- Q3
- 1.51
- Median
- 1.06
- Q1
- 0.47
- Min
- 0.00
CSX’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Ground Transportation industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.55. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
DAL
0.86
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 9.80
- Q3
- 4.82
- Median
- 1.30
- Q1
- 0.89
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Passenger Airlines industry, DAL’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.86 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
CSX
7.10
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 51.07
- Q3
- 22.54
- Median
- 7.94
- Q1
- 2.72
- Min
- -24.57
CSX’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.10 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Ground Transportation industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
DAL
5.37
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 22.60
- Q3
- 16.29
- Median
- 6.75
- Q1
- 1.94
- Min
- -8.55
DAL’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.37 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Passenger Airlines industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | CSX | DAL |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.77 | 0.38 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.63 | 0.25 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.55 | 0.86 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 7.10 | 5.37 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
CSX
1.42%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 5.44%
- Q3
- 2.49%
- Median
- 1.53%
- Q1
- 0.39%
- Min
- 0.00%
CSX’s Dividend Yield of 1.42% is consistent with its peers in the Ground Transportation industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
DAL
1.02%
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 6.71%
- Q3
- 3.95%
- Median
- 1.10%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
DAL’s Dividend Yield of 1.02% is consistent with its peers in the Passenger Airlines industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
CSX
30.63%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 137.07%
- Q3
- 74.71%
- Median
- 41.16%
- Q1
- 15.12%
- Min
- 0.00%
CSX’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 30.63% is within the typical range for the Ground Transportation industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
DAL
8.67%
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 71.59%
- Q3
- 38.54%
- Median
- 8.16%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
DAL’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 8.67% is within the typical range for the Passenger Airlines industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | CSX | DAL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.42% | 1.02% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 30.63% | 8.67% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CSX
21.51
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 42.59
- Q3
- 24.86
- Median
- 16.38
- Q1
- 12.79
- Min
- 4.37
CSX’s P/E Ratio of 21.51 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.
DAL
8.52
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 13.29
- Q3
- 11.94
- Median
- 8.78
- Q1
- 7.42
- Min
- 3.07
DAL’s P/E Ratio of 8.52 is within the middle range for the Passenger Airlines 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)
CSX
4.71
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 4.02
- Q3
- 2.20
- Median
- 1.23
- Q1
- 0.87
- Min
- 0.22
With a P/S Ratio of 4.71, CSX 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.
DAL
0.62
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 1.09
- Q3
- 0.74
- Median
- 0.61
- Q1
- 0.44
- Min
- 0.09
DAL’s P/S Ratio of 0.62 aligns with the market consensus for the Passenger Airlines industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
CSX
4.95
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 4.95
- Q3
- 2.78
- Median
- 1.38
- Q1
- 1.17
- Min
- 0.64
CSX’s P/B Ratio of 4.95 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.
DAL
1.84
Passenger Airlines Industry
- Max
- 3.44
- Q3
- 2.89
- Median
- 1.84
- Q1
- 1.22
- Min
- 0.56
DAL’s P/B Ratio of 1.84 is within the conventional range for the Passenger Airlines industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | CSX | DAL |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 21.51 | 8.52 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 4.71 | 0.62 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 4.95 | 1.84 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 24.77 | 16.01 |