NSC vs. SAIA: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at NSC and SAIA, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | NSC | SAIA |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Norfolk Southern Corporation | Saia, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Ground Transportation | Ground Transportation |
| Market Capitalization | 63.85 billion USD | 8.53 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | June 2, 1982 | September 11, 2002 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of NSC and SAIA 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 | NSC | SAIA |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.72% | 8.29% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 18.87% | 19.17% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 10.13% | -36.58% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 17.83% | -19.43% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 2.37% | 5.97% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 21.26% | -29.72% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.99M | 0.54M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.80M | 0.74M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 18.02% | 46.75% |
| Beta | 1.33 | 2.04 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
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.
SAIA
12.42%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 22.11%
- Q3
- 13.84%
- Median
- 9.66%
- Q1
- 7.55%
- Min
- 0.36%
SAIA’s Return on Equity of 12.42% is on par with the norm for the Ground Transportation industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
SAIA
8.96%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 32.20%
- Q3
- 18.59%
- Median
- 7.11%
- Q1
- 4.13%
- Min
- -10.38%
SAIA’s Net Profit Margin of 8.96% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Ground Transportation industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
SAIA
12.25%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 41.31%
- Q3
- 23.16%
- Median
- 11.33%
- Q1
- 6.82%
- Min
- -12.08%
SAIA’s Operating Profit Margin of 12.25% is around the midpoint for the Ground Transportation industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | NSC | SAIA |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 23.35% | 12.42% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 7.66% | 8.88% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 27.51% | 8.96% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 41.45% | 12.25% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 51.67% | 72.75% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
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.
SAIA
1.49
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 2.03
- Q3
- 1.26
- Median
- 0.89
- Q1
- 0.73
- Min
- 0.38
SAIA’s Current Ratio of 1.49 is in the upper quartile for the Ground Transportation industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
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.
SAIA
0.13
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 2.51
- Q3
- 1.51
- Median
- 1.06
- Q1
- 0.47
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Ground Transportation industry, SAIA’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.13 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
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.
SAIA
61.40
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 51.07
- Q3
- 22.54
- Median
- 7.94
- Q1
- 2.72
- Min
- -24.57
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 61.40, SAIA demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Ground Transportation industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | NSC | SAIA |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.79 | 1.49 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.71 | 1.34 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.17 | 0.13 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 5.21 | 61.40 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
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.
SAIA
0.00%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 5.44%
- Q3
- 2.49%
- Median
- 1.53%
- Q1
- 0.39%
- Min
- 0.00%
SAIA currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
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.
SAIA
0.00%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 137.07%
- Q3
- 74.71%
- Median
- 41.16%
- Q1
- 15.12%
- Min
- 0.00%
SAIA has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | NSC | SAIA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.90% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 36.42% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
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.
SAIA
27.43
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 42.59
- Q3
- 24.86
- Median
- 16.38
- Q1
- 12.79
- Min
- 4.37
A P/E Ratio of 27.43 places SAIA in the upper quartile for the Ground Transportation industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
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.
SAIA
2.46
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 4.02
- Q3
- 2.20
- Median
- 1.23
- Q1
- 0.87
- Min
- 0.22
SAIA’s P/S Ratio of 2.46 is in the upper echelon for the Ground Transportation 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
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.
SAIA
3.00
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 4.95
- Q3
- 2.78
- Median
- 1.38
- Q1
- 1.17
- Min
- 0.64
SAIA’s P/B Ratio of 3.00 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 | NSC | SAIA |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 19.18 | 27.43 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 5.28 | 2.46 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 3.90 | 3.00 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 31.74 | 54.06 |