MMM vs. NSC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at MMM and NSC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | MMM | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | 3M Company | Norfolk Southern Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Industrial Conglomerates | Ground Transportation |
| Market Capitalization | 83.09 billion USD | 67.01 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 MMM 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 | MMM | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.38% | 2.42% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 1.93% | 17.36% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 1.64% | 27.42% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 13.02% | 21.89% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -0.23% | 7.30% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 20.21% | 28.00% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.68M | 1.94M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 3.18M | 1.99M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 22.89% | 18.45% |
| Beta | 1.05 | 1.34 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
MMM
91.40%
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 21.93%
- Q3
- 13.64%
- Median
- 9.41%
- Q1
- 5.80%
- Min
- -3.73%
MMM’s Return on Equity of 91.40% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Industrial Conglomerates 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
- 23.35%
- Q3
- 13.74%
- Median
- 9.05%
- Q1
- 6.86%
- Min
- 1.73%
In the upper quartile for the Ground Transportation industry, NSC’s Return on Equity of 23.35% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
MMM
16.01%
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 26.43%
- Q3
- 13.08%
- Median
- 9.39%
- Q1
- 3.21%
- Min
- -2.43%
A Net Profit Margin of 16.01% places MMM in the upper quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
NSC
27.51%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 32.19%
- Q3
- 17.08%
- Median
- 7.19%
- Q1
- 4.45%
- Min
- -5.54%
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)
MMM
19.46%
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 27.02%
- Q3
- 17.23%
- Median
- 12.90%
- Q1
- 8.32%
- Min
- -3.91%
An Operating Profit Margin of 19.46% places MMM in the upper quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates 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
- 42.90%
- Q3
- 23.80%
- Median
- 10.93%
- Q1
- 7.06%
- Min
- -12.94%
An Operating Profit Margin of 41.45% 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 | MMM | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 91.40% | 23.35% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 9.93% | 7.66% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 16.01% | 27.51% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 19.46% | 41.45% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 41.11% | 51.67% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
MMM
1.72
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 2.40
- Q3
- 1.69
- Median
- 1.35
- Q1
- 1.14
- Min
- 0.56
MMM’s Current Ratio of 1.72 is in the upper quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
NSC
0.79
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 2.00
- Q3
- 1.31
- Median
- 0.98
- Q1
- 0.74
- Min
- 0.35
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)
MMM
3.06
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 2.27
- Q3
- 1.49
- Median
- 0.91
- Q1
- 0.63
- Min
- 0.24
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 3.06, MMM operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Industrial Conglomerates 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
- 1.48
- Median
- 1.02
- Q1
- 0.48
- 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)
MMM
-15.31
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 19.80
- Q3
- 10.68
- Median
- 4.59
- Q1
- 2.73
- Min
- -2.15
MMM has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -15.31. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
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 | MMM | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.72 | 0.79 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.12 | 0.71 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 3.06 | 1.17 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -15.31 | 5.21 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
MMM
1.86%
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 9.82%
- Q3
- 5.04%
- Median
- 3.09%
- Q1
- 1.67%
- Min
- 0.00%
MMM’s Dividend Yield of 1.86% is consistent with its peers in the Industrial Conglomerates industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
NSC
1.82%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 5.29%
- Q3
- 2.57%
- Median
- 1.59%
- Q1
- 0.71%
- Min
- 0.00%
NSC’s Dividend Yield of 1.82% is consistent with its peers in the Ground Transportation industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
MMM
39.27%
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 182.48%
- Q3
- 97.89%
- Median
- 55.48%
- Q1
- 31.63%
- Min
- 1.76%
MMM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 39.27% is within the typical range for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
NSC
36.42%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 149.12%
- Q3
- 75.08%
- Median
- 41.35%
- Q1
- 16.42%
- 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 | MMM | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.86% | 1.82% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 39.27% | 36.42% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
MMM
21.10
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 45.17
- Q3
- 25.68
- Median
- 15.16
- Q1
- 8.58
- Min
- 0.79
MMM’s P/E Ratio of 21.10 is within the middle range for the Industrial Conglomerates 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
20.00
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 39.04
- Q3
- 24.45
- Median
- 17.51
- Q1
- 12.92
- Min
- 5.87
NSC’s P/E Ratio of 20.00 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)
MMM
3.38
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 4.18
- Q3
- 2.15
- Median
- 0.69
- Q1
- 0.41
- Min
- 0.09
MMM’s P/S Ratio of 3.38 is in the upper echelon for the Industrial Conglomerates 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
5.50
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 2.82
- Q3
- 2.22
- Median
- 1.41
- Q1
- 0.88
- Min
- 0.24
With a P/S Ratio of 5.50, 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)
MMM
18.90
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 5.44
- Q3
- 2.68
- Median
- 0.97
- Q1
- 0.52
- Min
- 0.04
At 18.90, MMM’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Industrial Conglomerates 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
- 5.27
- Q3
- 3.03
- Median
- 1.40
- Q1
- 1.18
- Min
- 0.67
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 | MMM | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 21.10 | 20.00 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.38 | 5.50 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 18.90 | 3.90 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 31.11 | 33.09 |