LB Foster Company (FSTR)vsNorfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)
FSTR
LB Foster Company
$28.04
-0.04%
INDUSTRIALS · Cap: $292.15M
NSC
Norfolk Southern Corporation
$282.61
-0.36%
INDUSTRIALS · Cap: $63.70B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Norfolk Southern Corporation generates 2156% more annual revenue ($12.18B vs $540.01M). NSC leads profitability with a 23.6% profit margin vs 1.4%. FSTR appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.19. FSTR earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 55/100 (C).
FSTR
Buy55
out of 100
Grade: C
NSC
Buy53
out of 100
Grade: C-
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
-572.5%
Fair Value
$4.69
Current Price
$28.04
$23.35 premium
Margin of Safety
-265.7%
Fair Value
$86.77
Current Price
$282.61
$195.84 premium
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Growing faster than its price suggests
Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk
Reasonable price relative to book value
Revenue surging 25.1% year-over-year
Strong operational efficiency at 31.2%
Large-cap with strong market position
Keeps 24 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Areas to Watch
Smaller company, higher risk/reward
ROE of 4.2% — below average capital efficiency
1.4% margin — thin
Weak financial health signals
Expensive relative to growth rate
Revenue declined 1.7%
Earnings declined 11.4%
Negative free cash flow — burning cash
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : FSTR
The strongest argument for FSTR centers on PEG Ratio, Altman Z-Score, Price/Book. Revenue growth of 25.1% demonstrates continued momentum. PEG of 0.19 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.
Bull 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%.
Bear Case : FSTR
The primary concerns for FSTR are Market Cap, Return on Equity, Profit Margin. A P/E of 40.7x leaves little room for execution misses. Thin 1.4% margins leave little buffer for downturns.
Bear Case : NSC
The primary concerns for NSC are PEG Ratio, Revenue Growth, EPS Growth.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
FSTR profiles as a growth stock while NSC is a declining play — different risk/reward profiles.
NSC carries more volatility with a beta of 1.30 — expect wider price swings.
FSTR is growing revenue faster at 25.1% — sustainability is the question.
FSTR generates stronger free cash flow (14M), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
FSTR scores higher overall (55/100 vs 53/100) and 25.1% revenue growth. 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.
LB Foster Company
INDUSTRIALS · RAILROADS · USA
LB Foster Company provides products and services for the rail industry and solutions to support critical infrastructure projects globally. The company is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Visit Website →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.
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