DAL vs. NSC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 30, 2025

Here’s a clear look at DAL and NSC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Symbol	DAL	NSC
Company Name	Delta Air Lines, Inc.	Norfolk Southern Corporation
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Industrials	Industrials
GICS Industry	Passenger Airlines	Ground Transportation
Market Capitalization	40.00 billion USD	61.10 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	May 3, 2007	June 2, 1982
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of DAL 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.

DAL vs. NSC: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	DAL	NSC
5-Day Price Return	5.91%	-4.22%
13-Week Price Return	24.01%	11.26%
26-Week Price Return	2.10%	9.92%
52-Week Price Return	49.49%	12.37%
Month-to-Date Return	15.13%	-2.03%
Year-to-Date Return	1.26%	16.04%
10-Day Avg. Volume	6.48M	2.29M
3-Month Avg. Volume	9.77M	1.84M
3-Month Volatility	44.83%	18.71%
Beta	1.55	1.33

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

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.

NSC

23.35%

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 22.11%
Q3: 13.84%
Median: 9.66%
Q1: 7.55%
Min: 0.36%

NSC’s Return on Equity of 23.35% 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 vs. NSC: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

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.

NSC

27.51%

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 32.20%
Q3: 18.59%
Median: 7.11%
Q1: 4.13%
Min: -10.38%

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.

DAL vs. NSC: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

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.

NSC

41.45%

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 41.31%
Q3: 23.16%
Median: 11.33%
Q1: 6.82%
Min: -12.08%

NSC’s Operating Profit Margin of 41.45% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Ground Transportation industry. This demonstrates outstanding efficiency in managing its core operations, which can be a result of strong pricing power or superior cost control.

DAL vs. NSC: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	DAL	NSC
Return on Equity (TTM)	29.02%	23.35%
Return on Assets (TTM)	5.85%	7.66%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	7.24%	27.51%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	9.30%	41.45%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	50.92%	51.67%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

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.

NSC

0.79

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 2.03
Q3: 1.26
Median: 0.89
Q1: 0.73
Min: 0.38

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.

DAL vs. NSC: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

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.

NSC

1.17

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 2.51
Q3: 1.51
Median: 1.06
Q1: 0.47
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.

DAL vs. NSC: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

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.

NSC

5.21

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 51.07
Q3: 22.54
Median: 7.94
Q1: 2.72
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.

DAL vs. NSC: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	DAL	NSC
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.38	0.79
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.25	0.71
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.86	1.17
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	5.37	5.21

Growth

Revenue Growth

DAL vs. NSC: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

DAL vs. NSC: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

DAL

1.00%

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 6.71%
Q3: 3.95%
Median: 1.10%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

DAL’s Dividend Yield of 1.00% is consistent with its peers in the Passenger Airlines industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

NSC

1.90%

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 5.44%
Q3: 2.49%
Median: 1.53%
Q1: 0.39%
Min: 0.00%

NSC’s Dividend Yield of 1.90% is consistent with its peers in the Ground Transportation industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

DAL vs. NSC: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

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.

NSC

36.42%

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 137.07%
Q3: 74.71%
Median: 41.16%
Q1: 15.12%
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.

DAL vs. NSC: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	DAL	NSC
Dividend Yield (TTM)	1.00%	1.90%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	8.67%	36.42%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

DAL

8.71

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 13.29
Q3: 11.94
Median: 8.78
Q1: 7.42
Min: 3.07

DAL’s P/E Ratio of 8.71 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.

NSC

19.18

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 42.59
Q3: 24.86
Median: 16.38
Q1: 12.79
Min: 4.37

NSC’s P/E Ratio of 19.18 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 vs. NSC: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

DAL

0.63

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 1.09
Q3: 0.74
Median: 0.61
Q1: 0.44
Min: 0.09

DAL’s P/S Ratio of 0.63 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.

NSC

5.28

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 4.02
Q3: 2.20
Median: 1.23
Q1: 0.87
Min: 0.22

With a P/S Ratio of 5.28, 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.

DAL vs. NSC: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

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.

NSC

3.90

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 4.95
Q3: 2.78
Median: 1.38
Q1: 1.17
Min: 0.64

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.

DAL vs. NSC: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	DAL	NSC
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	8.71	19.18
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	0.63	5.28
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	1.84	3.90
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	16.36	31.74