Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)vsWells Fargo & Company (WFC)
NSC
Norfolk Southern Corporation
$282.61
-0.36%
INDUSTRIALS · Cap: $63.70B
WFC
Wells Fargo & Company
$80.26
-1.54%
FINANCIAL SERVICES · Cap: $245.65B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Wells Fargo & Company generates 557% more annual revenue ($80.04B vs $12.18B). WFC leads profitability with a 26.7% profit margin vs 23.6%. WFC appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.66. WFC earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 72/100 (B).
NSC
Buy53
out of 100
Grade: C-
WFC
Strong Buy72
out of 100
Grade: B
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
-265.7%
Fair Value
$86.77
Current Price
$282.61
$195.84 premium
Margin of Safety
+53.8%
Fair Value
$173.78
Current Price
$80.26
$93.52 discount
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Strong operational efficiency at 31.2%
Large-cap with strong market position
Keeps 24 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Mega-cap, among the largest globally
Keeps 27 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Attractively priced relative to earnings
Reasonable price relative to book value
Strong operational efficiency at 29.9%
Generating 4.1B in free cash flow
Areas to Watch
Expensive relative to growth rate
Revenue declined 1.7%
Earnings declined 11.4%
Negative free cash flow — burning cash
Expensive relative to growth rate
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 23.6% and operating margin at 31.2%.
Bull Case : WFC
The strongest argument for WFC centers on Market Cap, Profit Margin, P/E Ratio. Profitability is solid with margins at 26.7% and operating margin at 29.9%.
Bear Case : NSC
The primary concerns for NSC are PEG Ratio, Revenue Growth, EPS Growth.
Bear Case : WFC
The primary concerns for WFC are PEG Ratio, Altman Z-Score.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
NSC profiles as a declining stock while WFC is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.
NSC carries more volatility with a beta of 1.30 — expect wider price swings.
WFC is growing revenue faster at 5.0% — sustainability is the question.
WFC generates stronger free cash flow (4.1B), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
WFC scores higher overall (72/100 vs 53/100), 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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