Common Stock Valuation Ratios (Price Multiples)
Valuation ratios measure the quantity of an asset or flaw (e.g., earnings) associated with ownership of a specified claim (e.g., a share of ownership of the enterprise).
Current Valuation Ratios
Norfolk Southern Corp., current price multiples
| Norfolk Southern Corp. | FedEx Corp. | Uber Technologies Inc. | Union Pacific Corp. | United Parcel Service Inc. | Transportation | Industrials | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data | ||||||||||
| Current share price (P) | $262.53 | |||||||||
| No. shares of common stock outstanding | 238,332,514 | |||||||||
| Growth rate (g) | 14.33% | |||||||||
| Earnings per share (EPS) | $12.61 | |||||||||
| Next year expected EPS | $14.42 | |||||||||
| Operating profit per share | $18.66 | |||||||||
| Sales per share | $46.75 | |||||||||
| Book value per share (BVPS) | $57.24 | |||||||||
| Valuation Ratios (Price Multiples) | ||||||||||
| Price to earnings (P/E) | 20.82 | 16.84 | 77.91 | 22.59 | 18.92 | 20.08 | 37.48 | |||
| Price to next year expected earnings | 18.21 | 15.19 | 185.58 | 18.44 | 18.70 | 28.25 | 38.51 | |||
| Price-earnings-growth (PEG) | 1.45 | 1.55 | — | 1.00 | 15.89 | — | — | |||
| Price to operating profit (P/OP) | 14.07 | 13.61 | 132.45 | 15.86 | 13.89 | 20.06 | 24.66 | |||
| Price to sales (P/S) | 5.62 | 0.74 | 3.94 | 5.97 | 1.40 | 2.20 | 2.43 | |||
| Price to book value (P/BV) | 4.59 | 2.56 | 13.07 | 9.74 | 7.33 | 7.23 | 6.29 | |||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31).
If the company price multiple is lower then the price multiple of benchmark then company stock is relatively undervalued.
Otherwise, if the company price multiple is higher then the price multiple of benchmark then company stock is relatively overvalued.
Historical Valuation Ratios (Summary)
Norfolk Southern Corp., historical price multiples
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31).
| Valuation ratio | Description | The company |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | The P/E ratio tells analyst how much an investor in common stock pays per dollar of current earnings. | Norfolk Southern Corp. P/E ratio increased from 2019 to 2020 but then slightly decreased from 2020 to 2021 not reaching 2019 level. |
| P/OP ratio | Because P/E ratio is calculated using net income, the ratio can be sensitive to nonrecurring earnings and capital structure, analysts may use price to operating profit. | Norfolk Southern Corp. P/OP ratio increased from 2019 to 2020 but then slightly decreased from 2020 to 2021 not reaching 2019 level. |
| P/S ratio | An rationale for the P/S ratio is that sales, as the top line in an income statement, are generally less subject to distortion or manipulation than other fundamentals such as EPS or book value. Sales are also more stable than earnings and never negative. | Norfolk Southern Corp. P/S ratio increased from 2019 to 2020 but then slightly decreased from 2020 to 2021. |
| P/BV ratio | The P/BV ratio is interpreted as an indicator of market judgment about the relationship between a company required rate of return and its actual rate of return. | Norfolk Southern Corp. P/BV ratio increased from 2019 to 2020 and from 2020 to 2021. |
Price to Earnings (P/E)
Norfolk Southern Corp., historical P/E calculation, comparison to benchmarks
| Dec 31, 2021 | Dec 31, 2020 | Dec 31, 2019 | Dec 31, 2018 | Dec 31, 2017 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. shares of common stock outstanding1 | 239,777,444 | 251,911,634 | 257,844,180 | 267,455,326 | 283,997,242 | |
| Selected Financial Data (US$) | ||||||
| Net income (in millions) | 3,005) | 2,013) | 2,722) | 2,666) | 5,404) | |
| Earnings per share (EPS)2 | 12.53 | 7.99 | 10.56 | 9.97 | 19.03 | |
| Share price1, 3 | 270.42 | 245.57 | 212.68 | 171.46 | 138.61 | |
| Valuation Ratio | ||||||
| P/E ratio4 | 21.58 | 30.73 | 20.15 | 17.20 | 7.28 | |
| Benchmarks | ||||||
| P/E Ratio, Competitors5 | ||||||
| FedEx Corp. | 15.07 | 33.43 | 82.00 | 13.39 | — | |
| Uber Technologies Inc. | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Union Pacific Corp. | 23.67 | 25.57 | 21.44 | — | — | |
| United Parcel Service Inc. | 14.11 | 104.33 | 20.59 | — | — | |
| P/E Ratio, Sector | ||||||
| Transportation | 20.01 | 347.91 | 133.39 | — | — | |
| P/E Ratio, Industry | ||||||
| Industrials | 32.33 | 133.33 | 45.57 | — | — | |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31).
1 Data adjusted for splits and stock dividends.
2 2021 Calculation
EPS = Net income ÷ No. shares of common stock outstanding
= 3,005,000,000 ÷ 239,777,444 = 12.53
3 Closing price as at the filing date of Norfolk Southern Corp. Annual Report.
4 2021 Calculation
P/E ratio = Share price ÷ EPS
= 270.42 ÷ 12.53 = 21.58
5 Click competitor name to see calculations.
| Valuation ratio | Description | The company |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | The P/E ratio tells analyst how much an investor in common stock pays per dollar of current earnings. | Norfolk Southern Corp. P/E ratio increased from 2019 to 2020 but then slightly decreased from 2020 to 2021 not reaching 2019 level. |
Price to Operating Profit (P/OP)
Norfolk Southern Corp., historical P/OP calculation, comparison to benchmarks
| Dec 31, 2021 | Dec 31, 2020 | Dec 31, 2019 | Dec 31, 2018 | Dec 31, 2017 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. shares of common stock outstanding1 | 239,777,444 | 251,911,634 | 257,844,180 | 267,455,326 | 283,997,242 | |
| Selected Financial Data (US$) | ||||||
| Income from railway operations (in millions) | 4,447) | 3,002) | 3,989) | 3,959) | 3,586) | |
| Operating profit per share2 | 18.55 | 11.92 | 15.47 | 14.80 | 12.63 | |
| Share price1, 3 | 270.42 | 245.57 | 212.68 | 171.46 | 138.61 | |
| Valuation Ratio | ||||||
| P/OP ratio4 | 14.58 | 20.61 | 13.75 | 11.58 | 10.98 | |
| Benchmarks | ||||||
| P/OP Ratio, Competitors5 | ||||||
| FedEx Corp. | 13.46 | 17.79 | 9.92 | 12.57 | — | |
| Uber Technologies Inc. | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Union Pacific Corp. | 16.53 | 17.46 | 14.83 | — | — | |
| United Parcel Service Inc. | 14.20 | 18.23 | 11.72 | — | — | |
| P/OP Ratio, Sector | ||||||
| Transportation | 19.99 | 32.20 | 26.12 | — | — | |
| P/OP Ratio, Industry | ||||||
| Industrials | 21.27 | 46.07 | 18.93 | — | — | |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31).
1 Data adjusted for splits and stock dividends.
2 2021 Calculation
Operating profit per share = Income from railway operations ÷ No. shares of common stock outstanding
= 4,447,000,000 ÷ 239,777,444 = 18.55
3 Closing price as at the filing date of Norfolk Southern Corp. Annual Report.
4 2021 Calculation
P/OP ratio = Share price ÷ Operating profit per share
= 270.42 ÷ 18.55 = 14.58
5 Click competitor name to see calculations.
| Valuation ratio | Description | The company |
|---|---|---|
| P/OP ratio | Because P/E ratio is calculated using net income, the ratio can be sensitive to nonrecurring earnings and capital structure, analysts may use price to operating profit. | Norfolk Southern Corp. P/OP ratio increased from 2019 to 2020 but then slightly decreased from 2020 to 2021 not reaching 2019 level. |
Price to Sales (P/S)
Norfolk Southern Corp., historical P/S calculation, comparison to benchmarks
| Dec 31, 2021 | Dec 31, 2020 | Dec 31, 2019 | Dec 31, 2018 | Dec 31, 2017 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. shares of common stock outstanding1 | 239,777,444 | 251,911,634 | 257,844,180 | 267,455,326 | 283,997,242 | |
| Selected Financial Data (US$) | ||||||
| Railway operating revenues (in millions) | 11,142) | 9,789) | 11,296) | 11,458) | 10,551) | |
| Sales per share2 | 46.47 | 38.86 | 43.81 | 42.84 | 37.15 | |
| Share price1, 3 | 270.42 | 245.57 | 212.68 | 171.46 | 138.61 | |
| Valuation Ratio | ||||||
| P/S ratio4 | 5.82 | 6.32 | 4.85 | 4.00 | 3.73 | |
| Benchmarks | ||||||
| P/S Ratio, Competitors5 | ||||||
| FedEx Corp. | 0.94 | 0.62 | 0.64 | 0.94 | — | |
| Uber Technologies Inc. | 3.90 | 9.07 | 4.00 | — | — | |
| Union Pacific Corp. | 7.08 | 7.00 | 5.85 | — | — | |
| United Parcel Service Inc. | 1.87 | 1.66 | 1.23 | — | — | |
| P/S Ratio, Sector | ||||||
| Transportation | 2.19 | 2.28 | 1.78 | — | — | |
| P/S Ratio, Industry | ||||||
| Industrials | 2.10 | 2.16 | 1.84 | — | — | |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31).
1 Data adjusted for splits and stock dividends.
2 2021 Calculation
Sales per share = Railway operating revenues ÷ No. shares of common stock outstanding
= 11,142,000,000 ÷ 239,777,444 = 46.47
3 Closing price as at the filing date of Norfolk Southern Corp. Annual Report.
4 2021 Calculation
P/S ratio = Share price ÷ Sales per share
= 270.42 ÷ 46.47 = 5.82
5 Click competitor name to see calculations.
| Valuation ratio | Description | The company |
|---|---|---|
| P/S ratio | An rationale for the P/S ratio is that sales, as the top line in an income statement, are generally less subject to distortion or manipulation than other fundamentals such as EPS or book value. Sales are also more stable than earnings and never negative. | Norfolk Southern Corp. P/S ratio increased from 2019 to 2020 but then slightly decreased from 2020 to 2021. |
Price to Book Value (P/BV)
Norfolk Southern Corp., historical P/BV calculation, comparison to benchmarks
| Dec 31, 2021 | Dec 31, 2020 | Dec 31, 2019 | Dec 31, 2018 | Dec 31, 2017 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. shares of common stock outstanding1 | 239,777,444 | 251,911,634 | 257,844,180 | 267,455,326 | 283,997,242 | |
| Selected Financial Data (US$) | ||||||
| Stockholders’ equity (in millions) | 13,641) | 14,791) | 15,184) | 15,362) | 16,359) | |
| Book value per share (BVPS)2 | 56.89 | 58.72 | 58.89 | 57.44 | 57.60 | |
| Share price1, 3 | 270.42 | 245.57 | 212.68 | 171.46 | 138.61 | |
| Valuation Ratio | ||||||
| P/BV ratio4 | 4.75 | 4.18 | 3.61 | 2.99 | 2.41 | |
| Benchmarks | ||||||
| P/BV Ratio, Competitors5 | ||||||
| FedEx Corp. | 3.26 | 2.35 | 2.49 | 3.15 | — | |
| Uber Technologies Inc. | 4.71 | 8.24 | 3.99 | — | — | |
| Union Pacific Corp. | 10.90 | 8.07 | 7.00 | — | — | |
| United Parcel Service Inc. | 12.76 | 213.26 | 27.98 | — | — | |
| P/BV Ratio, Sector | ||||||
| Transportation | 7.21 | 8.74 | 5.98 | — | — | |
| P/BV Ratio, Industry | ||||||
| Industrials | 5.43 | 5.92 | 6.47 | — | — | |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31).
1 Data adjusted for splits and stock dividends.
2 2021 Calculation
BVPS = Stockholders’ equity ÷ No. shares of common stock outstanding
= 13,641,000,000 ÷ 239,777,444 = 56.89
3 Closing price as at the filing date of Norfolk Southern Corp. Annual Report.
4 2021 Calculation
P/BV ratio = Share price ÷ BVPS
= 270.42 ÷ 56.89 = 4.75
5 Click competitor name to see calculations.
| Valuation ratio | Description | The company |
|---|---|---|
| P/BV ratio | The P/BV ratio is interpreted as an indicator of market judgment about the relationship between a company required rate of return and its actual rate of return. | Norfolk Southern Corp. P/BV ratio increased from 2019 to 2020 and from 2020 to 2021. |