WallStSmart

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (CP)vsNorfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited generates 23% more annual revenue ($14.98B vs $12.19B). CP leads profitability with a 27.2% profit margin vs 21.9%. CP appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 2.22. NSC earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 55/100 (C).

CP

Buy

54

out of 100

Grade: C-

Growth: 4.0Profit: 8.0Value: 6.7Quality: 5.0

NSC

Buy

55

out of 100

Grade: C

Growth: 2.7Profit: 8.0Value: 4.3Quality: 4.5
Piotroski: 4/9
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

CPUndervalued (+61.5%)

Margin of Safety

+61.5%

Fair Value

$217.94

Current Price

$83.50

$134.44 discount

UndervaluedFair: $217.94Overvalued

Intrinsic value data unavailable for NSC.

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

CP4 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Operating MarginProfitability
37.6%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 37.6%

Market CapQuality
$73.80B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Profit MarginProfitability
27.2%9/10

Keeps 27 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Price/BookValuation
2.2x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

NSC3 strengths · Avg: 9.3/10
Operating MarginProfitability
32.3%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 32.3%

Market CapQuality
$70.95B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Profit MarginProfitability
21.9%9/10

Keeps 22 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Areas to Watch

CP4 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
2.224/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
26.3x4/10

Moderate valuation

Revenue GrowthGrowth
-2.5%2/10

Revenue declined 2.5%

EPS GrowthGrowth
-3.1%2/10

Earnings declined 3.1%

NSC4 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
P/E RatioValuation
26.6x4/10

Moderate valuation

Revenue GrowthGrowth
0.2%4/10

0.2% revenue growth

PEG RatioValuation
4.702/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

EPS GrowthGrowth
-26.6%2/10

Earnings declined 26.6%

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : CP

The strongest argument for CP centers on Operating Margin, Market Cap, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 27.2% and operating margin at 37.6%.

Bull 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%.

Bear Case : CP

The primary concerns for CP are PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio, Revenue Growth.

Bear Case : NSC

The primary concerns for NSC are P/E Ratio, Revenue Growth, PEG Ratio.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

CP profiles as a declining stock while NSC is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.

NSC carries more volatility with a beta of 1.31 — expect wider price swings.

NSC is growing revenue faster at 0.2% — sustainability is the question.

CP generates stronger free cash flow (307M), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

NSC scores higher overall (55/100 vs 54/100), backed by strong 21.9% margins. CP offers better value entry with a 61.5% margin of safety. Both earn "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.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited

INDUSTRIALS · RAILROADS · USA

Canadian Pacific Railway Limited, owns and operates a transcontinental freight railway in Canada and the United States. The company is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

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.

Want to dig deeper into these stocks?