LMT vs. NSC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at LMT and NSC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | LMT | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Lockheed Martin Corporation | Norfolk Southern Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Aerospace & Defense | Ground Transportation |
| Market Capitalization | 104.13 billion USD | 64.05 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 2, 1962 | June 2, 1982 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of LMT 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 | LMT | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.98% | 1.06% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -5.72% | 17.11% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 2.59% | 10.99% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -20.13% | 18.38% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 5.94% | 2.69% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -8.22% | 21.64% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.47M | 1.69M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.66M | 1.75M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 30.65% | 18.13% |
| Beta | 0.26 | 1.33 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
LMT
65.82%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 43.89%
- Q3
- 22.42%
- Median
- 12.50%
- Q1
- 5.21%
- Min
- -6.24%
LMT’s Return on Equity of 65.82% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense 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)
LMT
5.85%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 14.54%
- Q3
- 8.08%
- Median
- 6.17%
- Q1
- 2.49%
- Min
- -1.63%
LMT’s Net Profit Margin of 5.85% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Aerospace & Defense 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.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
LMT
8.29%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 16.63%
- Q3
- 10.38%
- Median
- 8.29%
- Q1
- 6.21%
- Min
- 0.95%
LMT’s Operating Profit Margin of 8.29% is around the midpoint for the Aerospace & Defense 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.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | LMT | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 65.82% | 23.35% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 7.42% | 7.66% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 5.85% | 27.51% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 8.29% | 41.45% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 8.25% | 51.67% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
LMT
0.99
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 3.09
- Q3
- 1.98
- Median
- 1.23
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.02
LMT’s Current Ratio of 0.99 falls into the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense 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.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
LMT
4.06
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 1.70
- Q3
- 1.04
- Median
- 0.68
- Q1
- 0.41
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 4.06, LMT operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Aerospace & Defense industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
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)
LMT
7.49
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 36.57
- Q3
- 19.90
- Median
- 7.04
- Q1
- 2.40
- Min
- -7.63
LMT’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.49 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
- 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 | LMT | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.99 | 0.79 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.83 | 0.71 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 4.06 | 1.17 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 7.49 | 5.21 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
LMT
2.99%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 2.03%
- Q3
- 1.22%
- Median
- 0.43%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
LMT’s Dividend Yield of 2.99% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. While this may seem attractive, an unusually high yield can sometimes be a warning sign, reflecting a falling stock price or market concerns about the dividend’s sustainability.
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)
LMT
73.60%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 83.87%
- Q3
- 49.90%
- Median
- 16.48%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
LMT’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 73.60% is in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
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 | LMT | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.99% | 1.90% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 73.60% | 36.42% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
LMT
24.64
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 65.97
- Q3
- 54.11
- Median
- 34.53
- Q1
- 23.66
- Min
- 0.00
LMT’s P/E Ratio of 24.64 is within the middle range for the Aerospace & Defense 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)
LMT
1.44
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 8.07
- Q3
- 4.49
- Median
- 2.42
- Q1
- 1.39
- Min
- 0.00
LMT’s P/S Ratio of 1.44 aligns with the market consensus for the Aerospace & Defense 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
LMT
20.34
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 13.67
- Q3
- 7.92
- Median
- 4.65
- Q1
- 2.68
- Min
- 0.82
At 20.34, LMT’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Aerospace & Defense 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 | LMT | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 24.64 | 19.18 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.44 | 5.28 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 20.34 | 3.90 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 20.78 | 31.74 |