Norfolk Southern Corporation

NSC · Industrials

About Norfolk Southern Corporation

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) has been publicly traded since 1982, making it a 44-year-old public company. It operates in the Railroads industry within the Industrials sector. The company is headquartered in Atlanta, United States and employs approximately 19,300 people. With a market capitalization of $65 billion, NSC is a large established company.

Key Statistics

Current Price
$289.37
Market Cap
$64.98B
52-Week High
$319.94
52-Week Low
$201.63
Sector
Industrials
Industry
Railroads

$1,000 Invested

1 Year
$1,297
+30%
3 Years
$1,452
+45%
5 Years
$1,240
+24%
10 Years
$4,464
+346%
Since IPO
$206,127
+20513%

Monthly Returns Heatmap

Annual Returns

Avg Return
+14.16%
Best Year
2004 (+55.13%)
Worst Year
1999 (-33.45%)
Positive Years
34/44
Year Return Start End
2026 +0.67% $287.45 $289.37
2025 +25.65% $228.78 $287.45
2024 +1.55% $225.28 $228.78
2023 -1.63% $229.03 $225.28
2022 -15.59% $271.32 $229.03
2021 +27.26% $213.20 $271.32
2020 +24.76% $170.88 $213.20
2019 +32.39% $129.08 $170.88
2018 +5.22% $122.67 $129.08
2017 +36.85% $89.64 $122.67
2016 +31.48% $68.18 $89.64
2015 -20.35% $85.60 $68.18
2014 +20.75% $70.89 $85.60
2013 +54.16% $45.99 $70.89
2012 -12.75% $52.71 $45.99
2011 +18.76% $44.38 $52.71
2010 +22.84% $36.13 $44.38
2009 +15.20% $31.36 $36.13
2008 -4.83% $32.95 $31.36
2007 +2.20% $32.24 $32.95
2006 +13.74% $28.35 $32.24
2005 +25.53% $22.58 $28.35
2004 +55.13% $14.56 $22.58
2003 +20.12% $12.12 $14.56
2002 +10.41% $10.98 $12.12
2001 +39.56% $7.86 $10.98
2000 -31.83% $11.54 $7.86
1999 -33.45% $17.34 $11.54
1998 +6.58% $16.27 $17.34
1997 +6.61% $15.26 $16.27
1996 +13.89% $13.40 $15.26
1995 +34.90% $9.93 $13.40
1994 -11.45% $11.22 $9.93
1993 +18.52% $9.46 $11.22
1992 +6.31% $8.90 $9.46
1991 +46.96% $6.06 $8.90
1990 +7.24% $5.65 $6.06
1989 +34.22% $4.21 $5.65
1988 +24.94% $3.37 $4.21
1987 -2.89% $3.47 $3.37
1986 +8.33% $3.20 $3.47
1985 +45.77% $2.20 $3.20
1984 -1.65% $2.23 $2.20
1983 +21.13% $1.84 $2.23

Valuation

NSC currently trades at a trailing P/E ratio of 22.7, which is considered moderate relative to the broader market. The forward P/E of 21.3 suggests analysts expect earnings to be lower in the coming year. The price-to-book ratio stands at 4.2. The price-to-sales ratio is 5.3.

Dividends

Norfolk Southern Corporation pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 1.87%. This translates to $5.40 per share annually. The payout ratio of 42% indicates sustainable dividend coverage.

Risk & Volatility

NSC has a beta of 1.30, indicating it is significantly more volatile than the overall market. The stock's 52-week range is $201.63 to $319.94, and it currently trades in the upper half of its 52-week range.

Analyst Ratings

Based on 19 analyst opinions, NSC has a consensus "hold" rating. The average price target of $313.95 suggests 8.5% upside from current levels.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Norfolk Southern Corporation do?

Norfolk Southern Corporation is a Railroads company operating in the Industrials sector. The company is headquartered in Atlanta, United States.

What sector is NSC in?

NSC operates in the Industrials sector, specifically in the Railroads industry.

When did NSC go public?

Norfolk Southern Corporation went public in 1982, making it a 44-year-old public company as of 2026.

How much would $1,000 invested in NSC 5 years ago be worth today?

A $1,000 investment in NSC five years ago would be worth approximately $1,240 today, representing a 24.0% return.

Does NSC pay dividends?

Yes, Norfolk Southern Corporation pays a dividend with a current yield of 1.87%, which is $5.4 per share annually.

What is NSC's market cap?

Norfolk Southern Corporation has a market capitalization of $65 billion, classifying it as a large-cap company.

What is NSC's P/E ratio?

NSC has a trailing P/E ratio of 22.7 and a forward P/E of 21.3, which measures how much investors are paying per dollar of earnings.

Is NSC a buy, hold, or sell?

Based on 19 opinions, NSC has a consensus "hold" rating. The average price target is $313.95.

Last updated: 3/14/2026