With so many performers in the industry it really becomes tough to pick a few or one. I have tried to compare in the following paragraphs two of performers, and also of the two which one to choose, if one really has to pick one.
Norfolk Southern Corp. (NYSE:NSC) is a company engaged in the rail transportation of raw material, intermediate products, and finished goods primarily in South East, East and Midwest. It is based in Virginia. Norfolk Southern Corp. (NYSE:NSC) also transports overseas freight through several Atlantic and Gulf Coast ports. It gives logistics services and offers intermodal network in the eastern half of the United States.
CSX Corporation (NYSE:CSX) much like NSC is a transportation supplier. The company provides rail based transportation services, including traditional rail services and the transport of intermodal containers and trailers. CSX Corporation (NYSE:CSX) Transportation, the subsidiary, provides linkage to transportation supply chain through its approximately 21,000 miles route mail network, which serves centers in 23 states east of the Mississippi river, the District of Columbia, and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec.
Neck to Neck
Norfolk Southern Corp. (NYSE:NSC) with a 52 week range of $73.11- $74.54, has a price earnings ratio of 13.68, and EPS of 5.37. The company declared a dividend of $2.00 per share with a yield of 2.70%. While CSX Corporation (NYSE:CSX) with 52 week range of $22.62-$23.32, has a price earnings ratio of 12.70, and Earnings per share of 1.79. CSX declared dividend 0.56 with a yield of 2.40%. Norfolk posted a profit of $413 million, or $1.30 a share, down from $480 million, or $1.42 a share, a year earlier. While, CSX reported a profit of $443 million, down from $457 million, a year earlier.
Positive/Negative
-Norfolk enjoys a higher dividend yield when compared to CSX.
-When it comes to balance sheet, Norfolk has a slightly stronger balance sheet with a lower debt/equity ratio than CSX.
-In terms of rail network, CSX is marginally ahead of Norfolk. Norfolk has a slightly smaller rail network, with less extension north and south across the eastern coast, while CSX Corporation (NYSE:CSX) has more extension north and south across the eastern coast.
-Norfolk Southern Corp. (NYSE:NSC) has been consistent with strong operating performance, while CSX had poor financial management years ago, but has rebounded with strong performance.
-Compared to CSX, Norfolk has a slightly more exposure to coal, which is a major headwind currently.
| CSX | NSC | |
|---|---|---|
| Seven Year Revenue Growth Rate | 4.6% | 3.9% |
| Seven Year EPS Growth Rate: | 11.4% | 8.7% |
| Seven Year Dividend Growth Rate: | 33.1% | 21.4% |
| Current Dividend Yield: | 2.85% | 3.31% |
| Current Ratio | 1.07 | 1.08 |
| Debt to Equity | 109.22 | 90.32 |
| Balance Sheet Strength: | Leveraged, Fair | Fair |
As per the analysts, the transportation business will have strong performance in the coming years. CSX is expected to grow earnings approximately 12% over the next few years, whereas Norfolk is also expected to increase its earnings more than 10%.
