NSC vs. UPS: Norfolk Southern vs. United Parcel Service Stock Comparison
How do Norfolk Southern (NSC) and United Parcel Service (UPS) 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 United Parcel Service (UPS) both fall under the Transportation industry group, but NSC is classified in Ground Transportation while UPS is classified in Air Freight & Logistics.
| Profile Item | NSC | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Norfolk Southern Corporation | United Parcel Service, Inc. |
| Country/Region | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry Group | Transportation | Transportation |
| GICS Industry | Ground Transportation | Air Freight & Logistics |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Rail Transportation | Air Freight & Logistics |
| Market Capitalization | 75.11 billion USD | 88.91 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | June 2, 1982 | November 10, 1999 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | NSC | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 20.46% | 26.13% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 18.26% | -11.39% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | 6.67% | -7.55% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | NSC | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 20.44% | 29.39% |
| Beta (5Y) | 1.27 | 1.05 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -35.64% | -57.92% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 1.18M | 5.34M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | NSC | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 0.81 | 0.75 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 1.27 | 1.05 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
United Parcel Service (UPS) at 29.60% sits in the top ROE quartile, while Norfolk Southern (NSC) at 16.99% is closer to the peer norm — stronger capital efficiency for UPS.
NSC
Transportation industry group
16.99%
- Max
- 42.67%
- Q3
- 21.91%
- NSC
- 16.99%
- Median
- 11.31%
- Q1
- 1.69%
- Min
- -15.07%
UPS
Transportation industry group
29.60%
- Max
- 42.67%
- UPS
- 29.60%
- Q3
- 21.91%
- Median
- 11.31%
- Q1
- 1.69%
- Min
- -15.07%
Net Margin (TTM)
Norfolk Southern (NSC) at 21.02% retains a top-quartile share of revenue as profit, ahead of United Parcel Service (UPS) at 5.08%, which keeps about the industry-typical share.
NSC
Transportation industry group
21.02%
- Max
- 50.36%
- NSC
- 21.02%
- Q3
- 20.85%
- Median
- 5.56%
- Q1
- 0.93%
- Min
- -11.37%
UPS
Transportation industry group
5.08%
- Max
- 50.36%
- Q3
- 20.85%
- Median
- 5.56%
- UPS
- 5.08%
- Q1
- 0.93%
- Min
- -11.37%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Norfolk Southern (NSC) at 35.30% operates in the top operating margin quartile, ahead of United Parcel Service (UPS) at 9.05%, which runs around its industry’s norm.
NSC
Transportation industry group
35.30%
- Max
- 53.49%
- NSC
- 35.30%
- Q3
- 25.45%
- Median
- 10.71%
- Q1
- 3.19%
- Min
- -11.50%
UPS
Transportation industry group
9.05%
- Max
- 53.49%
- Q3
- 25.45%
- Median
- 10.71%
- UPS
- 9.05%
- Q1
- 3.19%
- Min
- -11.50%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | NSC | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 16.99% | 29.60% |
| ROA (TTM) | 5.95% | 7.23% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 21.02% | 5.08% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 35.30% | 9.05% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 45.16% | 22.41% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Norfolk Southern (NSC) at 0.47% is around its peer norm for revenue growth, while United Parcel Service (UPS) at -2.65% drops into the bottom quartile, signaling weaker demand or pricing momentum.
EPS Growth
Both Norfolk Southern (NSC) at 10.20% and United Parcel Service (UPS) at -2.81% land near their industries' usual EPS growth ranges, so bottom-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | NSC | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 0.47% | -2.65% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | -1.50% | -4.04% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | 10.20% | -2.81% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | -2.79% | -20.79% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Both Norfolk Southern (NSC) at 0.83 and United Parcel Service (UPS) at 1.18 carry current ratio within their industries’ typical mid-ranges, suggesting balanced short-term liquidity relative to peers.
NSC
Transportation industry group
0.83
- Max
- 2.50
- Q3
- 1.59
- Median
- 1.14
- NSC
- 0.83
- Q1
- 0.79
- Min
- 0.28
UPS
Transportation industry group
1.18
- Max
- 2.50
- Q3
- 1.59
- UPS
- 1.18
- Median
- 1.14
- Q1
- 0.79
- Min
- 0.28
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
Norfolk Southern (NSC) at 1.06 carries an industry-typical debt-to-equity mix, while United Parcel Service (UPS) at 1.90 uses more debt funding than most peers.
NSC
Transportation industry group
1.06
- Max
- 2.94
- Q3
- 1.45
- NSC
- 1.06
- Median
- 0.82
- Q1
- 0.36
- Min
- 0.00
UPS
Transportation industry group
1.90
- Max
- 2.94
- UPS
- 1.90
- Q3
- 1.45
- Median
- 0.82
- Q1
- 0.36
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | NSC | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.83 | 1.18 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 1.06 | 1.90 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 2.84 | 2.00 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Norfolk Southern (NSC) at 1.60% pays an industry-typical yield; United Parcel Service (UPS) at 6.22% is above its entire peer range — the higher number, but one that calls for a look at payout sustainability before treating it as an advantage.
NSC
Transportation industry group
1.60%
- Max
- 3.74%
- Q3
- 1.77%
- NSC
- 1.60%
- Median
- 0.67%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
UPS
Transportation industry group
6.22%
- UPS
- 6.22%
- Max
- 3.74%
- Q3
- 1.77%
- Median
- 0.67%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
United Parcel Service (UPS) reports payout ratio above 100% at 121.93%, meaning dividends exceeded current-period earnings and sustainability needs extra context. Meanwhile Norfolk Southern (NSC) reports 46.08%, ranking against industry peers normally.
NSC
Transportation industry group
46.08%
- Max
- 100.88%
- NSC
- 46.08%
- Q3
- 44.15%
- Median
- 20.14%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
UPS
Transportation industry group
121.93%
- UPS
- 121.93%
- Max
- 100.88%
- Q3
- 44.15%
- Median
- 20.14%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | NSC | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.60% | 6.22% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 46.08% | 121.93% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Both Norfolk Southern (NSC) at 28.83 and United Parcel Service (UPS) at 19.42 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
28.83
- Max
- 62.08
- Q3
- 34.61
- NSC
- 28.83
- Median
- 20.36
- Q1
- 12.48
- Min
- 2.19
UPS
Transportation industry group
19.42
- Max
- 62.08
- Q3
- 34.61
- Median
- 20.36
- UPS
- 19.42
- Q1
- 12.48
- Min
- 2.19
P/S Ratio (TTM)
United Parcel Service (UPS) at 0.99 prices around its industry’s typical P/S ratio, while Norfolk Southern (NSC) at 5.99 clears its benchmark range — NSC looks notably rich on sales.
NSC
Transportation industry group
5.99
- NSC
- 5.99
- Max
- 4.54
- Q3
- 2.43
- Median
- 1.30
- Q1
- 0.65
- Min
- 0.07
UPS
Transportation industry group
0.99
- Max
- 4.54
- Q3
- 2.43
- Median
- 1.30
- UPS
- 0.99
- Q1
- 0.65
- Min
- 0.07
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
Both Norfolk Southern (NSC) at 4.62 and United Parcel Service (UPS) at 5.90 carry a premium to book value versus peers, sitting in the upper P/B ratio quartile of their industries.
NSC
Transportation industry group
4.62
- Max
- 8.71
- NSC
- 4.62
- Q3
- 4.24
- Median
- 2.00
- Q1
- 1.17
- Min
- -2.47
UPS
Transportation industry group
5.90
- Max
- 8.71
- UPS
- 5.90
- Q3
- 4.24
- Median
- 2.00
- Q1
- 1.17
- Min
- -2.47
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | NSC | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 28.83 | 19.42 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 5.99 | 0.99 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 4.62 | 5.90 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 1.84% | 6.25% |