HWM vs. NSC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at HWM and NSC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | HWM | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Howmet Aerospace Inc. | Norfolk Southern Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Aerospace & Defense | Ground Transportation |
| Market Capitalization | 81.46 billion USD | 63.68 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | November 1, 2016 | June 2, 1982 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of HWM 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 | HWM | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -3.08% | -1.02% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 18.71% | 1.15% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 28.42% | 18.20% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 75.60% | 5.47% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -1.29% | 0.21% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 85.87% | 21.00% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.03M | 1.25M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.29M | 1.95M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 24.72% | 14.36% |
| Beta | 1.31 | 1.33 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
HWM
29.70%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 43.89%
- Q3
- 23.64%
- Median
- 12.98%
- Q1
- 8.07%
- Min
- -2.55%
In the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, HWM’s Return on Equity of 29.70% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
NSC
20.17%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 23.31%
- Q3
- 13.97%
- Median
- 9.07%
- Q1
- 6.97%
- Min
- 1.90%
In the upper quartile for the Ground Transportation industry, NSC’s Return on Equity of 20.17% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
HWM
18.18%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 14.96%
- Q3
- 9.50%
- Median
- 6.59%
- Q1
- 4.45%
- Min
- 1.01%
HWM’s Net Profit Margin of 18.18% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
NSC
24.22%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 33.54%
- Q3
- 16.85%
- Median
- 7.19%
- Q1
- 4.37%
- Min
- -12.12%
A Net Profit Margin of 24.22% 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)
HWM
25.10%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 17.97%
- Q3
- 12.09%
- Median
- 9.29%
- Q1
- 6.41%
- Min
- -1.59%
HWM’s Operating Profit Margin of 25.10% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This demonstrates outstanding efficiency in managing its core operations, which can be a result of strong pricing power or superior cost control.
NSC
37.20%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 42.90%
- Q3
- 24.00%
- Median
- 10.93%
- Q1
- 7.11%
- Min
- -12.12%
An Operating Profit Margin of 37.20% places NSC 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.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | HWM | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 29.70% | 20.17% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 13.33% | 6.72% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 18.18% | 24.22% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 25.10% | 37.20% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 33.43% | 50.03% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
HWM
2.35
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 3.37
- Q3
- 2.01
- Median
- 1.22
- Q1
- 1.07
- Min
- 0.68
HWM’s Current Ratio of 2.35 is in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
NSC
0.86
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 2.11
- Q3
- 1.32
- Median
- 1.02
- Q1
- 0.74
- Min
- 0.39
NSC’s Current Ratio of 0.86 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)
HWM
0.62
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 1.89
- Q3
- 0.99
- Median
- 0.63
- Q1
- 0.39
- Min
- 0.03
HWM’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.62 is typical for the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
NSC
1.13
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 2.54
- Q3
- 1.52
- Median
- 0.99
- Q1
- 0.49
- Min
- 0.00
NSC’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.13 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)
HWM
7.92
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 29.86
- Q3
- 19.49
- Median
- 7.09
- Q1
- 2.62
- Min
- -7.63
HWM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.92 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
NSC
5.21
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 59.80
- Q3
- 25.78
- Median
- 8.23
- Q1
- 2.52
- 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 | HWM | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.35 | 0.86 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.96 | 0.78 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.62 | 1.13 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 7.92 | 5.21 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
HWM
0.20%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 2.87%
- Q3
- 1.46%
- Median
- 0.58%
- Q1
- 0.10%
- Min
- 0.00%
HWM’s Dividend Yield of 0.20% is consistent with its peers in the Aerospace & Defense industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
NSC
1.75%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 5.32%
- Q3
- 2.61%
- Median
- 1.59%
- Q1
- 0.75%
- Min
- 0.00%
NSC’s Dividend Yield of 1.75% is consistent with its peers in the Ground Transportation industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
HWM
11.31%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 110.40%
- Q3
- 51.46%
- Median
- 20.20%
- Q1
- 4.21%
- Min
- 0.00%
HWM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 11.31% is within the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
NSC
41.12%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 149.12%
- Q3
- 76.66%
- Median
- 45.70%
- Q1
- 15.53%
- Min
- 0.00%
NSC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 41.12% 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 | HWM | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.20% | 1.75% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 11.31% | 41.12% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
HWM
55.41
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 94.22
- Q3
- 53.31
- Median
- 32.27
- Q1
- 24.64
- Min
- 14.57
A P/E Ratio of 55.41 places HWM in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
NSC
23.51
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 32.48
- Q3
- 25.52
- Median
- 16.81
- Q1
- 12.10
- Min
- 5.45
NSC’s P/E Ratio of 23.51 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.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
HWM
10.07
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 7.20
- Q3
- 3.95
- Median
- 2.35
- Q1
- 1.71
- Min
- 0.32
With a P/S Ratio of 10.07, HWM trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Aerospace & Defense industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
NSC
5.69
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 3.82
- Q3
- 2.15
- Median
- 1.37
- Q1
- 0.81
- Min
- 0.19
With a P/S Ratio of 5.69, 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)
HWM
15.38
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 18.61
- Q3
- 9.58
- Median
- 5.45
- Q1
- 3.11
- Min
- 0.94
HWM’s P/B Ratio of 15.38 is in the upper tier for the Aerospace & Defense 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.
NSC
4.86
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 5.19
- Q3
- 3.11
- Median
- 1.41
- Q1
- 1.18
- Min
- 0.69
NSC’s P/B Ratio of 4.86 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 | HWM | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 55.41 | 23.51 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 10.07 | 5.69 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 15.38 | 4.86 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 62.81 | 33.17 |