TickerHumSide-by-side comparison
Delta Air Lines vs Norfolk Southern
As of Nov 11, 2026, P/E is 18.2x for Delta Air Lines vs 27.7x for Norfolk Southern; P/S is 0.8x for Delta Air Lines vs 5.7x for Norfolk Southern; revenue growth is 14.1% for Delta Air Lines vs 6.0% for Norfolk Southern; operating margin is 7.4% for Delta Air Lines vs 31.5% for Norfolk Southern.
What stands out
- Delta Air Lines is cheaper on earnings: 18.2x P/E vs 27.7x for Norfolk Southern.
- Norfolk Southern keeps more of each sale as operating profit: 31.5% margin vs 7.4% for Delta Air Lines.
- Delta Air Lines carries less debt relative to equity: 0.41 vs 0.95 for Norfolk Southern.
- Delta Air Lines's shares did better over the past year: +51.0% vs +15.4% for Norfolk Southern.
Key metrics
| Metric | DAL | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $91.30 | $330.53 |
| Market cap | $60.07B | $74.24B |
| P/E | 18.2x (#1) | 27.7x (#2) |
| P/S | 0.8x (#1) | 5.7x (#2) |
| Revenue growth | 14.1% (#1) | 6.0% (#2) |
| Operating margin | 7.4% (#2) | 31.5% (#1) |
| Net margin | 4.6% (#2) | 20.7% (#1) |
| Debt / equity | 0.41 (#1) | 0.95 (#2) |
| 1-year return | +51.0% (#1) | +15.4% (#2) |
| Research score | 57/100 (#1) | 55/100 (#2) |
Higher is better for growth, margins, one-year return and overall score; lower is better for valuation and debt ratios. Ties share a rank and missing values are excluded.
Company research
- Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL) — Airlines
- Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) — Railroads