EME vs. NSC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at EME and NSC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | EME | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | EMCOR Group, Inc. | Norfolk Southern Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Construction & Engineering | Ground Transportation |
| Market Capitalization | 27.27 billion USD | 62.23 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 10, 1995 | June 2, 1982 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of EME 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 | EME | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.34% | -2.85% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 32.91% | 15.75% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 40.09% | 11.38% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 63.42% | 16.99% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -2.92% | -0.22% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 34.21% | 18.19% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.27M | 2.13M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.42M | 1.82M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 28.00% | 18.35% |
| Beta | 1.27 | 1.33 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
EME
37.80%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 29.61%
- Q3
- 17.18%
- Median
- 10.42%
- Q1
- 8.10%
- Min
- -0.10%
EME’s Return on Equity of 37.80% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Construction & Engineering industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
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.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
EME
7.07%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 11.14%
- Q3
- 6.17%
- Median
- 3.85%
- Q1
- 2.40%
- Min
- -0.05%
A Net Profit Margin of 7.07% places EME in the upper quartile for the Construction & Engineering industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
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.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
EME
9.50%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 17.56%
- Q3
- 9.36%
- Median
- 5.46%
- Q1
- 3.47%
- Min
- -1.93%
An Operating Profit Margin of 9.50% places EME in the upper quartile for the Construction & Engineering industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
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.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | EME | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 37.80% | 23.35% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 14.03% | 7.66% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 7.07% | 27.51% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 9.50% | 41.45% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 19.49% | 51.67% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
EME
1.18
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 1.98
- Q3
- 1.53
- Median
- 1.24
- Q1
- 1.05
- Min
- 0.66
EME’s Current Ratio of 1.18 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
- 2.03
- 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.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
EME
0.08
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 2.49
- Q3
- 1.19
- Median
- 0.63
- Q1
- 0.29
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Construction & Engineering industry, EME’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.08 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.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
EME
490.27
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 23.59
- Q3
- 14.49
- Median
- 8.20
- Q1
- 5.26
- Min
- -6.49
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 490.27, EME demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Construction & Engineering industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
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.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | EME | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.18 | 0.79 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.13 | 0.71 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.08 | 1.17 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 490.27 | 5.21 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
EME
0.17%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 6.28%
- Q3
- 3.25%
- Median
- 2.02%
- Q1
- 0.23%
- Min
- 0.00%
EME’s Dividend Yield of 0.17% is in the lower quartile for the Construction & Engineering industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.
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.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
EME
4.14%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 139.17%
- Q3
- 69.47%
- Median
- 40.99%
- Q1
- 10.51%
- Min
- 0.00%
EME’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 4.14% is in the lower quartile for the Construction & Engineering industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
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.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | EME | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.17% | 1.90% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 4.14% | 36.42% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
EME
24.48
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 36.96
- Q3
- 24.81
- Median
- 15.45
- Q1
- 12.51
- Min
- 2.74
EME’s P/E Ratio of 24.48 is within the middle range for the Construction & Engineering 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.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
EME
1.73
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 3.22
- Q3
- 1.63
- Median
- 0.61
- Q1
- 0.48
- Min
- 0.11
EME’s P/S Ratio of 1.73 is in the upper echelon for the Construction & Engineering 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
5.28
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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
EME
7.85
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 5.74
- Q3
- 3.33
- Median
- 1.49
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.23
At 7.85, EME’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Construction & Engineering 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
- 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | EME | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 24.48 | 19.18 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.73 | 5.28 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 7.85 | 3.90 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 22.38 | 31.74 |