Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)vsWells Fargo & Company (WFC)
NSC
Norfolk Southern Corporation
$312.01
-0.44%
INDUSTRIALS · Cap: $70.39B
WFC
Wells Fargo & Company
$75.64
-4.45%
FINANCIAL SERVICES · Cap: $242.24B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Wells Fargo & Company generates 566% more annual revenue ($81.14B vs $12.19B). WFC leads profitability with a 26.7% profit margin vs 21.9%. WFC appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.43. WFC earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 74/100 (B).
NSC
Buy55
out of 100
Grade: C
WFC
Strong Buy74
out of 100
Grade: B
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Strong operational efficiency at 32.3%
Large-cap with strong market position
Keeps 22 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Mega-cap, among the largest globally
Reasonable price relative to book value
Keeps 27 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Attractively priced relative to earnings
Strong operational efficiency at 29.4%
Generating 9.1B in free cash flow
Areas to Watch
Moderate valuation
0.2% revenue growth
Expensive relative to growth rate
Earnings declined 26.6%
Distress zone — elevated risk
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : NSC
The strongest argument for NSC centers on Operating Margin, Market Cap, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 21.9% and operating margin at 32.3%.
Bull Case : WFC
The strongest argument for WFC centers on Market Cap, Price/Book, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 26.7% and operating margin at 29.4%. PEG of 1.43 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.
Bear Case : NSC
The primary concerns for NSC are P/E Ratio, Revenue Growth, PEG Ratio.
Bear Case : WFC
The primary concerns for WFC are Altman Z-Score.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
NSC profiles as a value stock while WFC is a mature play — different risk/reward profiles.
NSC carries more volatility with a beta of 1.29 — expect wider price swings.
WFC is growing revenue faster at 5.7% — sustainability is the question.
WFC generates stronger free cash flow (9.1B), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
WFC scores higher overall (74/100 vs 55/100), backed by strong 26.7% margins. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.
This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.
Norfolk Southern Corporation
INDUSTRIALS · RAILROADS · USA
The Norfolk Southern Railway is a Class I freight railroad in the United States, and is the current name of the former Southern Railway. With headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, the company operates 19,420 route miles (31,250 km) in 22 eastern states, the District of Columbia, and has rights in Canada over the Albany to Montreal route of the Canadian Pacific Railway, and previously on CN from Buffalo to St. Thomas.
Wells Fargo & Company
FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - DIVERSIFIED · USA
Wells Fargo & Company is an American multinational financial services company with corporate headquarters in San Francisco, California, operational headquarters in Manhattan, and managerial offices throughout the United States and overseas.
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