WallStSmart

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)vsWoodside Energy Group Ltd (WDS)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Woodside Energy Group Ltd generates 7% more annual revenue ($12.98B vs $12.18B). NSC leads profitability with a 23.6% profit margin vs 20.9%. WDS appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.33. WDS earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 53/100 (C-).

NSC

Buy

53

out of 100

Grade: C-

Growth: 2.0Profit: 8.0Value: 4.7Quality: 4.5
Piotroski: 4/9

WDS

Buy

53

out of 100

Grade: C-

Growth: 2.0Profit: 6.0Value: 7.3Quality: 4.8
Piotroski: 2/9Altman Z: 1.37
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

NSCSignificantly Overvalued (-265.7%)

Margin of Safety

-265.7%

Fair Value

$86.77

Current Price

$282.61

$195.84 premium

UndervaluedFair: $86.77Overvalued
WDSSignificantly Overvalued (-94.1%)

Margin of Safety

-94.1%

Fair Value

$9.66

Current Price

$23.66

$14.00 premium

UndervaluedFair: $9.66Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

NSC3 strengths · Avg: 9.3/10
Operating MarginProfitability
31.2%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 31.2%

Market CapQuality
$63.70B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Profit MarginProfitability
23.6%9/10

Keeps 24 of every $100 in revenue as profit

WDS3 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Price/BookValuation
1.3x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Profit MarginProfitability
20.9%9/10

Keeps 21 of every $100 in revenue as profit

P/E RatioValuation
17.1x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Areas to Watch

NSC4 concerns · Avg: 2.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
3.852/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Revenue GrowthGrowth
-1.7%2/10

Revenue declined 1.7%

EPS GrowthGrowth
-11.4%2/10

Earnings declined 11.4%

Free Cash FlowQuality
$-412.00M2/10

Negative free cash flow — burning cash

WDS4 concerns · Avg: 2.5/10
Return on EquityProfitability
7.2%3/10

ROE of 7.2% — below average capital efficiency

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
2/93/10

Weak financial health signals

Revenue GrowthGrowth
-11.1%2/10

Revenue declined 11.1%

EPS GrowthGrowth
-14.4%2/10

Earnings declined 14.4%

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

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%.

Bull Case : WDS

The strongest argument for WDS centers on Price/Book, Profit Margin, P/E Ratio. Profitability is solid with margins at 20.9% and operating margin at 19.1%. PEG of 1.33 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bear Case : NSC

The primary concerns for NSC are PEG Ratio, Revenue Growth, EPS Growth.

Bear Case : WDS

The primary concerns for WDS are Return on Equity, Piotroski F-Score, Revenue Growth.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

NSC carries more volatility with a beta of 1.30 — expect wider price swings.

NSC is growing revenue faster at -1.7% — sustainability is the question.

WDS generates stronger free cash flow (417M), providing more financial flexibility.

Monitor RAILROADS industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.

Bottom Line

NSC scores higher overall (53/100 vs 53/100), backed by strong 23.6% margins. 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.

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.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd

ENERGY · OIL & GAS E&P · USA

Woodside Energy Group Ltd is engaged in the exploration, evaluation, development, production, marketing and sale of hydrocarbons in Oceania, Asia, Canada, Africa and internationally. The company is headquartered in Perth, Australia.

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