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

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

Company Profile

SymbolNSCTDG
Company NameNorfolk Southern CorporationTransDigm Group Incorporated
CountryUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorIndustrialsIndustrials
GICS IndustryGround TransportationAerospace & Defense
Market Capitalization64.05 billion USD79.01 billion USD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateJune 2, 1982March 15, 2006
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of NSC and TDG 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. TDG: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolNSCTDG
5-Day Price Return1.06%-0.75%
13-Week Price Return17.11%-2.63%
26-Week Price Return10.99%4.96%
52-Week Price Return18.38%7.18%
Month-to-Date Return2.69%-12.83%
Year-to-Date Return21.64%10.64%
10-Day Avg. Volume1.69M0.40M
3-Month Avg. Volume1.75M0.31M
3-Month Volatility18.13%29.15%
Beta1.331.04

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.

TDG

37.11%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

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

In the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, TDG’s Return on Equity of 37.11% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

NSC vs. TDG: 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.

TDG

22.52%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

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

TDG’s Net Profit Margin of 22.52% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.

NSC vs. TDG: 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.

TDG

45.94%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

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

TDG’s Operating Profit Margin of 45.94% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This demonstrates outstanding efficiency in managing its core operations, which can be a result of strong pricing power or superior cost control.

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

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolNSCTDG
Return on Equity (TTM)23.35%37.11%
Return on Assets (TTM)7.66%8.43%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)27.51%22.52%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)41.45%45.94%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)51.67%60.12%

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.

TDG

3.13

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max
3.09
Q3
1.98
Median
1.23
Q1
1.03
Min
0.02

TDG’s Current Ratio of 3.13 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.

NSC vs. TDG: 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.

TDG

5.41

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 5.41, TDG 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 vs. TDG: 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.

TDG

2.72

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max
36.57
Q3
19.90
Median
7.04
Q1
2.40
Min
-7.63

TDG’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.72 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

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

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolNSCTDG
Current Ratio (MRQ)0.793.13
Quick Ratio (MRQ)0.712.07
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)1.175.41
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)5.212.72

Growth

Revenue Growth

NSC vs. TDG: 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. TDG: 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.

TDG

5.58%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

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

TDG’s Dividend Yield of 5.58% 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 vs. TDG: 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.

TDG

891.68%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

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

At 891.68%, TDG’s Dividend Payout Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. While this provides a significant return to shareholders, it may limit funds for reinvestment and could be difficult to sustain.

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

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolNSCTDG
Dividend Yield (TTM)1.90%5.58%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)36.42%891.68%

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.

TDG

40.76

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max
65.97
Q3
54.11
Median
34.53
Q1
23.66
Min
0.00

TDG’s P/E Ratio of 40.76 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 vs. TDG: 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.

TDG

9.18

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max
8.07
Q3
4.49
Median
2.42
Q1
1.39
Min
0.00

With a P/S Ratio of 9.18, TDG trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Aerospace & Defense industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

NSC vs. TDG: 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.

TDG

10.13

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max
13.67
Q3
7.92
Median
4.65
Q1
2.68
Min
0.82

TDG’s P/B Ratio of 10.13 is in the upper tier for the Aerospace & Defense 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.

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

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolNSCTDG
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)19.1840.76
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)5.289.18
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)3.9010.13
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)31.7441.32