WallStSmart

Deere & Company (DE)vsNorfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Deere & Company generates 284% more annual revenue ($46.73B vs $12.19B). NSC leads profitability with a 21.9% profit margin vs 10.3%. DE appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.70. NSC earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 55/100 (C).

DE

Hold

49

out of 100

Grade: D+

Growth: 2.0Profit: 7.0Value: 4.3Quality: 6.3
Piotroski: 3/9Altman Z: 2.18

NSC

Buy

55

out of 100

Grade: C

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

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

DE1 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Market CapQuality
$151.97B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

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

Strong operational efficiency at 32.3%

Market CapQuality
$71.80B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Profit MarginProfitability
21.9%9/10

Keeps 22 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Areas to Watch

DE4 concerns · Avg: 3.3/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.704/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
31.8x4/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
3/93/10

Weak financial health signals

Revenue GrowthGrowth
-11.1%2/10

Revenue declined 11.1%

NSC4 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
P/E RatioValuation
27.0x4/10

Moderate valuation

Revenue GrowthGrowth
0.2%4/10

0.2% revenue growth

PEG RatioValuation
4.412/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

EPS GrowthGrowth
-26.6%2/10

Earnings declined 26.6%

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : DE

The strongest argument for DE centers on Market Cap.

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 : DE

The primary concerns for DE are PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio, Piotroski F-Score.

Bear Case : NSC

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

Key Dynamics to Monitor

DE 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.

NSC generates stronger free cash flow (-38M), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

NSC scores higher overall (55/100 vs 49/100), backed by strong 21.9% margins. Both earn "Buy" and "Hold" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

Deere & Company

INDUSTRIALS · FARM & HEAVY CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY · USA

John Deere is the brand name of Deere & Company, an American corporation that manufactures agricultural, construction, and forestry machinery, diesel engines, drivetrains (axles, transmissions, gearboxes) used in heavy equipment, and lawn care equipment.

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?