Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)vsWilliams Companies Inc (WMB)
NSC
Norfolk Southern Corporation
$312.01
-0.44%
INDUSTRIALS · Cap: $70.39B
WMB
Williams Companies Inc
$71.96
-1.36%
ENERGY · Cap: $89.22B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Norfolk Southern Corporation generates 1% more annual revenue ($12.19B vs $12.11B). WMB leads profitability with a 23.1% profit margin vs 21.9%. WMB appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 2.48. WMB earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 65/100 (C+).
NSC
Buy55
out of 100
Grade: C
WMB
Buy65
out of 100
Grade: C+
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Strong operational efficiency at 32.3%
Large-cap with strong market position
Keeps 22 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Strong operational efficiency at 33.6%
Large-cap with strong market position
Keeps 23 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Earnings expanding 25.0% YoY
Areas to Watch
Moderate valuation
0.2% revenue growth
Expensive relative to growth rate
Earnings declined 26.6%
Expensive relative to growth rate
Premium valuation, high expectations priced in
Weak financial health signals
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 21.9% and operating margin at 32.3%.
Bull Case : WMB
The strongest argument for WMB centers on Operating Margin, Market Cap, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 23.1% and operating margin at 33.6%.
Bear Case : NSC
The primary concerns for NSC are P/E Ratio, Revenue Growth, PEG Ratio.
Bear Case : WMB
The primary concerns for WMB are PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio, Piotroski F-Score.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
NSC profiles as a value stock while WMB is a mature play — different risk/reward profiles.
NSC carries more volatility with a beta of 1.29 — expect wider price swings.
WMB is growing revenue faster at 9.0% — sustainability is the question.
WMB generates stronger free cash flow (244M), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
WMB scores higher overall (65/100 vs 55/100), backed by strong 23.1% 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.
Williams Companies Inc
ENERGY · OIL & GAS MIDSTREAM · USA
The Williams Companies, Inc., is an American energy company based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Its core business is natural gas processing and transportation, with additional petroleum and electricity generation assets.
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