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NSC vs. RYAAY: Norfolk Southern vs. Ryanair Stock Comparison

How do Norfolk Southern (NSC) and Ryanair (RYAAY) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.

Company Profile

Norfolk Southern (NSC) and Ryanair (RYAAY) both fall under the Transportation industry group, but NSC is classified in Ground Transportation while RYAAY is classified in Passenger Airlines.

Norfolk Southern (NSC) trades as ordinary local shares, while Ryanair (RYAAY) trades as an ADR — compare with FX exposure, depositary-program fees, and dividend-withholding-tax differences in mind.

Company profile comparison for Norfolk Southern (NSC) and Ryanair (RYAAY)
Profile ItemNSCRYAAY
NameNorfolk Southern Corp.Ryanair Holdings plc Sponsored ADR
Country/RegionUnited StatesIreland
GICS SectorIndustrialsIndustrials
GICS Industry GroupTransportationTransportation
GICS IndustryGround TransportationPassenger Airlines
GICS Sub-IndustryRail TransportationPassenger Airlines
Market Capitalization71.86 billion USD30.71 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNYSENasdaq
Listing DateJune 2, 1982May 29, 1997
Security TypeCommon StockADR

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

NSC
RYAAY
GSPC
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Norfolk Southern (NSC) vs. Ryanair (RYAAY), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

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Trailing total returns for Norfolk Southern (NSC) and Ryanair (RYAAY). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Norfolk Southern (NSC) and Ryanair (RYAAY). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Norfolk Southern (NSC) and Ryanair (RYAAY)
MetricNSCRYAAY
Total Return (1Y)16.63%-2.55%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)21.35%14.57%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)4.94%5.74%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

NSC
RYAAY
GSPC
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Norfolk Southern (NSC) vs. Ryanair (RYAAY), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

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Distribution of monthly total returns for Norfolk Southern (NSC) and Ryanair (RYAAY). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Norfolk Southern (NSC) and Ryanair (RYAAY)
MetricNSCRYAAY
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)21.75%37.69%
Beta (5Y)1.191.14
Max Drawdown (5Y)-35.64%-54.17%
Avg. Volume (3M)1.02M1.62M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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NSC and RYAAY are plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. The dashed Capital Allocation Line runs from the risk-free rate through the shared industry median.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Risk-adjusted metrics for Norfolk Southern (NSC) and Ryanair (RYAAY)
MetricNSCRYAAY
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)0.57-0.18
Sortino Ratio (1Y)0.86-0.27

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Both Norfolk Southern (NSC) at 16.84% and Ryanair (RYAAY) at 17.32% land near their industries’ usual ROE ranges, so capital efficiency looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

NSC

Transportation industry group

16.84%

Max
45.08%
Q3
22.02%
NSC
16.84%
Median
13.94%
Q1
2.89%
Min
-10.45%

RYAAY

Transportation industry group

17.32%

Max
45.08%
Q3
22.02%
RYAAY
17.32%
Median
13.94%
Q1
2.89%
Min
-10.45%
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Norfolk Southern (NSC) vs. Ryanair (RYAAY): A comparison of their ROE against the Transportation industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Both Norfolk Southern (NSC) at 20.71% and Ryanair (RYAAY) at 11.28% keep about the typical share of revenue as profit for their industries — neither bottom line stands out from peers.

NSC

Transportation industry group

20.71%

Max
50.36%
Q3
21.18%
NSC
20.71%
Median
5.58%
Q1
1.55%
Min
-11.37%

RYAAY

Transportation industry group

11.28%

Max
50.36%
Q3
21.18%
RYAAY
11.28%
Median
5.58%
Q1
1.55%
Min
-11.37%
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Norfolk Southern (NSC) vs. Ryanair (RYAAY): A comparison of their net margin against the Transportation industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both Norfolk Southern (NSC) at 35.42% and Ryanair (RYAAY) at 31.94% convert sales into operating profit at a top-quartile rate, pointing to tighter cost discipline before financing and tax.

NSC

Transportation industry group

35.42%

Max
59.18%
NSC
35.42%
Q3
29.30%
Median
11.50%
Q1
4.62%
Min
-8.91%

RYAAY

Transportation industry group

31.94%

Max
59.18%
RYAAY
31.94%
Q3
29.30%
Median
11.50%
Q1
4.62%
Min
-8.91%
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Norfolk Southern (NSC) vs. Ryanair (RYAAY): A comparison of their operating margin against the Transportation industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Norfolk Southern (NSC) and Ryanair (RYAAY)
MetricNSCRYAAY
ROE (TTM)16.84%17.32%
ROA (TTM)6.03%6.82%
Net Margin (TTM)20.71%11.28%
Operating Margin (TTM)35.42%31.94%
Gross Margin (TTM)44.68%27.18%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Ryanair (RYAAY) at 11.44% sits in the top revenue growth quartile, while Norfolk Southern (NSC) at 0.47% is closer to the peer norm — faster top-line expansion for RYAAY.

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Norfolk Southern (NSC) vs. Ryanair (RYAAY): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Ryanair (RYAAY) at 40.37% sits in the top EPS growth quartile, while Norfolk Southern (NSC) at 10.20% is closer to the peer norm — faster per-share earnings growth for RYAAY.

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Norfolk Southern (NSC) vs. Ryanair (RYAAY): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Norfolk Southern (NSC) and Ryanair (RYAAY)
MetricNSCRYAAY
Revenue Growth (YoY)0.47%11.44%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)-1.50%12.99%
EPS Growth (YoY)10.20%40.37%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)-2.79%21.00%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both Norfolk Southern (NSC) at 0.90 and Ryanair (RYAAY) at 1.17 carry current ratio within their industries’ typical mid-ranges, suggesting balanced short-term liquidity relative to peers.

NSC

Transportation industry group

0.90

Max
2.58
Q3
1.62
Median
1.16
NSC
0.90
Q1
0.78
Min
0.22

RYAAY

Transportation industry group

1.17

Max
2.58
Q3
1.62
RYAAY
1.17
Median
1.16
Q1
0.78
Min
0.22
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Norfolk Southern (NSC) vs. Ryanair (RYAAY): A comparison of their current ratio against the Transportation industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Ryanair (RYAAY) at 0.05 keeps leverage in the lower industry quartile, while Norfolk Southern (NSC) at 1.02 runs a more typical debt-to-equity mix.

NSC

Transportation industry group

1.02

Max
2.75
Q3
1.37
NSC
1.02
Median
0.78
Q1
0.35
Min
0.00

RYAAY

Transportation industry group

0.05

Max
2.75
Q3
1.37
Median
0.78
Q1
0.35
RYAAY
0.05
Min
0.00
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Norfolk Southern (NSC) vs. Ryanair (RYAAY): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Transportation industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for Norfolk Southern (NSC) and Ryanair (RYAAY)
MetricNSCRYAAY
Current Ratio (MRQ)0.901.17
Debt / Equity (MRQ)1.020.05
Net Debt / EBITDA2.68-0.59

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Both Norfolk Southern (NSC) at 1.65% and Ryanair (RYAAY) at 0.80% pay solid, industry-typical yields, sitting squarely within their peers’ usual range.

NSC

Transportation industry group

1.65%

Max
4.68%
Q3
1.99%
NSC
1.65%
Median
0.74%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

RYAAY

Transportation industry group

0.80%

Max
4.68%
Q3
1.99%
RYAAY
0.80%
Median
0.74%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Norfolk Southern (NSC) vs. Ryanair (RYAAY): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Transportation industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Ryanair (RYAAY) at 22.67% pays out a band-typical share of earnings, while Norfolk Southern (NSC) at 45.26% distributes more than its industry norm — less retained, thinner cover.

NSC

Transportation industry group

45.26%

Max
100.89%
NSC
45.26%
Q3
41.68%
Median
20.43%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

RYAAY

Transportation industry group

22.67%

Max
100.89%
Q3
41.68%
RYAAY
22.67%
Median
20.43%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Norfolk Southern (NSC) vs. Ryanair (RYAAY): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Transportation industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Norfolk Southern (NSC) and Ryanair (RYAAY)
MetricNSCRYAAY
Dividend Yield (TTM)1.65%0.80%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)45.26%22.67%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Both Norfolk Southern (NSC) at 26.82 and Ryanair (RYAAY) at 14.90 land around their industries’ usual P/E ratio levels — neither is getting a clear earnings-multiple discount or premium versus peers.

NSC

Transportation industry group

26.82

Max
46.76
Q3
30.87
NSC
26.82
Median
20.58
Q1
10.44
Min
0.00

RYAAY

Transportation industry group

14.90

Max
46.76
Q3
30.87
Median
20.58
RYAAY
14.90
Q1
10.44
Min
0.00
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Norfolk Southern (NSC) vs. Ryanair (RYAAY): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Transportation industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

Ryanair (RYAAY) at 1.94 prices around its industry’s typical P/S ratio, while Norfolk Southern (NSC) at 5.54 clears its benchmark range — NSC looks notably rich on sales.

NSC

Transportation industry group

5.54

NSC
5.54
Max
4.35
Q3
2.07
Median
0.93
Q1
0.53
Min
0.04

RYAAY

Transportation industry group

1.94

Max
4.35
Q3
2.07
RYAAY
1.94
Median
0.93
Q1
0.53
Min
0.04
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Norfolk Southern (NSC) vs. Ryanair (RYAAY): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Transportation industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Ryanair (RYAAY) at 2.35 is valued about in line with its industry on P/B ratio, while Norfolk Southern (NSC) at 4.30 carries an above-peer premium to book — NSC is pricier on assets.

NSC

Transportation industry group

4.30

Max
6.29
NSC
4.30
Q3
3.39
Median
1.90
Q1
1.03
Min
-2.07

RYAAY

Transportation industry group

2.35

Max
6.29
Q3
3.39
RYAAY
2.35
Median
1.90
Q1
1.03
Min
-2.07
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Norfolk Southern (NSC) vs. Ryanair (RYAAY): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Transportation industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Norfolk Southern (NSC) and Ryanair (RYAAY)
MetricNSCRYAAY
P/E Ratio (TTM)26.8214.90
P/S Ratio (TTM)5.541.94
P/B Ratio (MRQ)4.302.35
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)2.25%-3.25%