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

Updated on August 19, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	FIX	NSC
Company Name	Comfort Systems USA, Inc.	Norfolk Southern Corporation
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Industrials	Industrials
GICS Industry	Construction & Engineering	Ground Transportation
Market Capitalization	24.77 billion USD	63.23 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	June 27, 1997	June 2, 1982
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of FIX 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	FIX	NSC
5-Day Price Return	1.10%	0.49%
13-Week Price Return	55.38%	17.87%
26-Week Price Return	49.46%	12.07%
52-Week Price Return	124.39%	18.83%
Month-to-Date Return	-0.17%	1.38%
Year-to-Date Return	65.57%	20.09%
10-Day Avg. Volume	0.42M	2.15M
3-Month Avg. Volume	0.41M	1.78M
3-Month Volatility	50.80%	22.17%
Beta	1.59	1.33

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

FIX

39.33%

Construction & Engineering Industry

Max: 29.61%
Q3: 17.18%
Median: 10.42%
Q1: 8.10%
Min: -0.10%

FIX’s Return on Equity of 39.33% 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.

FIX vs. NSC: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Construction & Engineering and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

FIX

9.01%

Construction & Engineering Industry

Max: 11.14%
Q3: 6.17%
Median: 3.85%
Q1: 2.40%
Min: -0.05%

A Net Profit Margin of 9.01% places FIX 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.

FIX vs. NSC: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Construction & Engineering and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

FIX

12.21%

Construction & Engineering Industry

Max: 17.56%
Q3: 9.36%
Median: 5.46%
Q1: 3.47%
Min: -1.93%

An Operating Profit Margin of 12.21% places FIX 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.

FIX vs. NSC: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Construction & Engineering and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	FIX	NSC
Return on Equity (TTM)	39.33%	23.35%
Return on Assets (TTM)	14.76%	7.66%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	9.01%	27.51%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	12.21%	41.45%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	22.50%	51.67%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

FIX

1.13

Construction & Engineering Industry

Max: 1.98
Q3: 1.53
Median: 1.24
Q1: 1.05
Min: 0.66

FIX’s Current Ratio of 1.13 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.

FIX vs. NSC: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Construction & Engineering and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

FIX

0.04

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, FIX’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.04 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.

FIX vs. NSC: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Construction & Engineering and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

FIX

9.10

Construction & Engineering Industry

Max: 23.59
Q3: 14.49
Median: 8.20
Q1: 5.26
Min: -6.49

FIX’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 9.10 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Construction & Engineering 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.

FIX vs. NSC: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Construction & Engineering and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	FIX	NSC
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.13	0.79
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.09	0.71
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.04	1.17
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	9.10	5.21

Growth

Revenue Growth

FIX 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

FIX 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)

FIX

0.22%

Construction & Engineering Industry

Max: 6.28%
Q3: 3.25%
Median: 2.02%
Q1: 0.23%
Min: 0.00%

FIX’s Dividend Yield of 0.22% 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

1.95%

Ground Transportation Industry

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

NSC’s Dividend Yield of 1.95% is consistent with its peers in the Ground Transportation industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

FIX vs. NSC: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Construction & Engineering and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

FIX

7.68%

Construction & Engineering Industry

Max: 139.17%
Q3: 69.47%
Median: 40.99%
Q1: 10.51%
Min: 0.00%

FIX’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 7.68% 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.

FIX vs. NSC: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Construction & Engineering and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	FIX	NSC
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.22%	1.95%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	7.68%	36.42%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

FIX

35.29

Construction & Engineering Industry

Max: 36.96
Q3: 24.81
Median: 15.45
Q1: 12.51
Min: 2.74

A P/E Ratio of 35.29 places FIX in the upper quartile for the Construction & Engineering industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

NSC

18.72

Ground Transportation Industry

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

NSC’s P/E Ratio of 18.72 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.

FIX vs. NSC: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Construction & Engineering and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

FIX

3.18

Construction & Engineering Industry

Max: 3.22
Q3: 1.63
Median: 0.61
Q1: 0.48
Min: 0.11

FIX’s P/S Ratio of 3.18 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

5.15

Ground Transportation Industry

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

With a P/S Ratio of 5.15, 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.

FIX vs. NSC: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Construction & Engineering and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

FIX

9.60

Construction & Engineering Industry

Max: 5.74
Q3: 3.33
Median: 1.49
Q1: 1.20
Min: 0.23

At 9.60, FIX’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.

FIX vs. NSC: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Construction & Engineering and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	FIX	NSC
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	35.29	18.72
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	3.18	5.15
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	9.60	3.90
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	36.40	30.98