Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)vsExxon Mobil Corp (XOM)
NSC
Norfolk Southern Corporation
$282.61
-0.36%
INDUSTRIALS · Cap: $63.70B
XOM
Exxon Mobil Corp
$163.26
-1.28%
ENERGY · Cap: $665.31B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Exxon Mobil Corp generates 2559% more annual revenue ($323.90B vs $12.18B). NSC leads profitability with a 23.6% profit margin vs 8.9%. XOM appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 2.02. NSC earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 53/100 (C-).
NSC
Buy53
out of 100
Grade: C-
XOM
Hold44
out of 100
Grade: D
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
-265.7%
Fair Value
$86.77
Current Price
$282.61
$195.84 premium
Margin of Safety
-262.4%
Fair Value
$45.63
Current Price
$163.26
$117.63 premium
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Strong operational efficiency at 31.2%
Large-cap with strong market position
Keeps 24 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Mega-cap, among the largest globally
Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk
Conservative balance sheet, low leverage
Reasonable price relative to book value
Generating 5.2B in free cash flow
Areas to Watch
Expensive relative to growth rate
Revenue declined 1.7%
Earnings declined 11.4%
Negative free cash flow — burning cash
Expensive relative to growth rate
Weak financial health signals
Revenue declined 1.3%
Earnings declined 11.0%
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 23.6% and operating margin at 31.2%.
Bull Case : XOM
The strongest argument for XOM centers on Market Cap, Altman Z-Score, Debt/Equity.
Bear Case : NSC
The primary concerns for NSC are PEG Ratio, Revenue Growth, EPS Growth.
Bear Case : XOM
The primary concerns for XOM are PEG Ratio, Piotroski F-Score, Revenue Growth.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
NSC profiles as a declining stock while XOM is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.
NSC carries more volatility with a beta of 1.30 — expect wider price swings.
XOM is growing revenue faster at -1.3% — sustainability is the question.
XOM generates stronger free cash flow (5.2B), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
NSC scores higher overall (53/100 vs 44/100), backed by strong 23.6% 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.
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.
Exxon Mobil Corp
ENERGY · OIL & GAS INTEGRATED · USA
Exxon Mobil Corporation, stylized as ExxonMobil, is an American multinational oil and gas corporation headquartered in Irving, Texas. It is the largest direct descendant of John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil, and was formed on November 30, 1999 by the merger of Exxon (formerly the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey) and Mobil (formerly the Standard Oil Company of New York). ExxonMobil's primary brands are Exxon, Mobil, Esso, and ExxonMobil Chemical. ExxonMobil is incorporated in New Jersey.
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