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NSC vs. SARO: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

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Here’s a clear look at NSC and SARO, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

SymbolNSCSARO
Company NameNorfolk Southern CorporationStandardAero, Inc.
CountryUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorIndustrialsIndustrials
GICS IndustryGround TransportationAerospace & Defense
Market Capitalization64.05 billion USD8.91 billion USD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateJune 2, 1982October 2, 2024
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of NSC and SARO 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.

NSC vs. SARO: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolNSCSARO
5-Day Price Return1.06%-5.93%
13-Week Price Return17.11%-11.55%
26-Week Price Return10.99%-4.75%
52-Week Price Return18.38%--
Month-to-Date Return2.69%-7.22%
Year-to-Date Return21.64%6.99%
10-Day Avg. Volume1.69M1.96M
3-Month Avg. Volume1.75M2.31M
3-Month Volatility18.13%24.14%
Beta1.331.24

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.

SARO

6.27%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max
43.89%
Q3
22.42%
Median
12.50%
Q1
5.21%
Min
-6.24%

SARO’s Return on Equity of 6.27% is on par with the norm for the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

NSC vs. SARO: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Ground Transportation and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

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.

SARO

2.37%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max
14.54%
Q3
8.08%
Median
6.17%
Q1
2.49%
Min
-1.63%

Falling into the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, SARO’s Net Profit Margin of 2.37% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.

NSC vs. SARO: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Ground Transportation and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

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.

SARO

7.59%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max
16.63%
Q3
10.38%
Median
8.29%
Q1
6.21%
Min
0.95%

SARO’s Operating Profit Margin of 7.59% is around the midpoint for the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

NSC vs. SARO: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Ground Transportation and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolNSCSARO
Return on Equity (TTM)23.35%6.27%
Return on Assets (TTM)7.66%2.11%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)27.51%2.37%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)41.45%7.59%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)51.67%14.90%

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.

SARO

2.15

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max
3.09
Q3
1.98
Median
1.23
Q1
1.03
Min
0.02

SARO’s Current Ratio of 2.15 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 vs. SARO: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Ground Transportation and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

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.

SARO

0.92

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max
1.70
Q3
1.04
Median
0.68
Q1
0.41
Min
0.00

SARO’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.92 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 vs. SARO: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Ground Transportation and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

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.

SARO

1.29

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max
36.57
Q3
19.90
Median
7.04
Q1
2.40
Min
-7.63

In the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, SARO’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 1.29 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.

NSC vs. SARO: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Ground Transportation and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolNSCSARO
Current Ratio (MRQ)0.792.15
Quick Ratio (MRQ)0.711.45
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)1.170.92
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)5.211.29

Growth

Revenue Growth

NSC vs. SARO: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

NSC vs. SARO: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

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.

SARO

0.00%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max
2.03%
Q3
1.22%
Median
0.43%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

SARO 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.

NSC vs. SARO: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Ground Transportation and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

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.

SARO

0.00%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max
83.87%
Q3
49.90%
Median
16.48%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

SARO 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.

NSC vs. SARO: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Ground Transportation and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolNSCSARO
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.

SARO

66.98

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max
65.97
Q3
54.11
Median
34.53
Q1
23.66
Min
0.00

At 66.98, SARO’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.

NSC vs. SARO: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Ground Transportation and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

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.

SARO

1.59

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max
8.07
Q3
4.49
Median
2.42
Q1
1.39
Min
0.00

SARO’s P/S Ratio of 1.59 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 vs. SARO: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Ground Transportation and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

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.

SARO

4.21

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max
13.67
Q3
7.92
Median
4.65
Q1
2.68
Min
0.82

SARO’s P/B Ratio of 4.21 is within the conventional range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

NSC vs. SARO: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Ground Transportation and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolNSCSARO
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)19.1866.98
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)5.281.59
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)3.904.21
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)31.74--