About Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)
Norfolk Southern Corporation is a Railroads company operating in the Industrials sector. The company is headquartered in Atlanta, United States. NSC has been publicly traded since 1982, giving it 44+ years of trading history.
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.
NSC trades on the US stock exchanges (NYSE/NASDAQ) and is classified as a large-cap-cap stock with a market capitalization of approximately $65 billion. The company employs approximately 19,300 people worldwide.
Key Statistics
- Current Price
- $289.37
- Market Cap
- $64.98B
- 52-Week High
- $319.94
- 52-Week Low
- $201.63
- Sector
- Industrials
- Industry
- Railroads
NSC Investment Performance
NSC has gained 0.7% year-to-date in 2026. Over the past 5 years, a $1,000 investment in NSC would have grown to $1,240, representing a 24.0% total return. Since its IPO in 1982, a $1,000 investment would now be worth $206,127.
$1,000 Invested in Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)
How much would $1,000 invested in NSC be worth today?
What would $1,000 invested in NSC 1 year ago be worth today?
A $1,000 investment in Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) in 2025 would be worth $1,297 as of May 2026, representing a +29.7% total return.
What would $1,000 invested in NSC 3 years ago be worth today?
A $1,000 investment in Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) in 2023 would be worth $1,452 as of May 2026, representing a +45.2% total return.
What would $1,000 invested in NSC 5 years ago be worth today?
A $1,000 investment in Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) in 2021 would be worth $1,240 as of May 2026, representing a +24.0% total return.
What would $1,000 invested in NSC 10 years ago be worth today?
A $1,000 investment in Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) in 2016 would be worth $4,464 as of May 2026, representing a +346.4% total return.
What would $1,000 invested in NSC at IPO be worth today?
A $1,000 investment in Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) at IPO would be worth $206,127 as of May 2026, representing a +20512.7% total return.
Monthly Returns Heatmap
Over the past 43+ years (525 months), Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) has averaged a monthly return of +1.30% with a median return of +1.26%. The stock had 295 positive months (56%) and 228 negative months (43%). The best month in NSC's history was July 2000 with a +25.5% return, while the worst was October 1987 at -31.5%. Historically, November tends to be the strongest month (averaging +2.8%), and June the weakest (-0.7%).
NSC's longest winning streak was 9 consecutive months of gains, while its longest losing streak was 9 consecutive months of losses. The best full year was 2004 with a cumulative return of +46.2%, and the worst was 1999 at -35.0%.
Annual Returns
Over 44 years of trading history, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) has delivered an average annual return of +14.16% with a median return of +14.54%. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is +12.18%. The stock posted gains in 34 years (77%) and losses in 10 years (23%).
NSC's best year was 2004 with a +55.13% gain, while the worst was 1999 at -33.45%. The longest streak of consecutive positive years was 7, and the longest losing streak was 2 years. NSC achieved double-digit gains (10%+) in 25 years. It suffered double-digit losses in 6 years.
| 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 |
NSC Investment Analysis: Valuation, Risk & Dividends
Key factors to consider when evaluating Norfolk Southern Corporation as an investment
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: NSC
What sector is NSC in? ▼
NSC operates in the Industrials sector, specifically in the Railroads industry.
How has NSC performed historically? ▼
Over 44 years of trading history, NSC has posted gains in 34 years (77% of the time). The best year was 2004 with a +55.1% return. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
How can I invest in NSC? ▼
You can invest in NSC through any brokerage account that offers access to US stock exchanges. Popular options include commission-free brokers like Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Robinhood (US), or international brokers like Interactive Brokers. You can buy individual shares or invest through ETFs that hold NSC.
Does NSC pay 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.
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.
How much would $1,000 invested in NSC 10 years ago be worth today? ▼
A $1,000 investment in NSC ten years ago would be worth approximately $4,464 today, representing a 346.4% total return over the decade.
What is NSC's 3-year return? ▼
Over the past 3 years, NSC has returned 45.2%. A $1,000 investment would have grown to $1,452.
How much would $1,000 invested in NSC at IPO be worth today? ▼
If you invested $1,000 in NSC at its IPO in 1982, it would be worth approximately $206,127 today, a 20,512.7% return over 44 years.
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