How Does CSX Stack Up Against Its Peers?
Here is how CSX (CSX) stacks up against its peers in size, valuation, growth and margin.
- CSX’s operating margin of 34.9% is high, lowest among peers; NSC has 42.1%.
- CSX’s revenue growth of -3.3% in the last 12 months is negative, lagging UNP, NSC, CNI, CP.
- CSX’s stock is down 1.6% in last 1 year, and trades at a PE of 19.6; it underperformed NSC.
As a quick background, CSX provides rail-based freight transportation of chemicals, agricultural products, automotive goods, minerals, forest products, and metals across a 19,500-mile network in 23 eastern U.S. states.
| CSX | UNP | NSC | CNI | CP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market Cap ($ Bil) | 60.8 | 131.3 | 61.3 | 58.6 | 68.6 |
| Revenue ($ Bil) | 14.2 | 24.4 | 12.2 | 17.1 | 14.9 |
| PE Ratio | 19.6 | 18.9 | 18.3 | 12.8 | 16.4 |
| LTM Revenue Growth | -3.3% | 1.1% | 0.7% | 0.6% | 4.8% |
| LTM Operating Margin | 34.9% | 40.3% | 42.1% | 37.3% | 36.4% |
| LTM FCF Margin | 14.2% | 25.7% | 16.6% | 18.9% | 16.8% |
| 12M Market Return | -1.6% | -9.7% | 11.8% | -15.6% | -6.9% |
Why does this matter? CSX just went down -9.6% in a week – peer comparison puts stock performance, valuation, and financials in context – highlighting whether it is truly outperforming, lagging behind, and above all – can this continue? Read Buy or Sell CSX Stock to see if CSX is really a falling knife. Sharp dips often come with rebound opportunities – see how the stock has dipped and recovered in the past through CSX Dip Buyer Analysis lens.
While peer comparison is critical Trefis High Quality Portfolio evaluates much more, and is designed to reduce stock-specific risks while giving upside exposure.
Revenue Growth Comparison
| LTM | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSX | -3.3% | -0.8% | -1.3% | 18.6% |
| UNP | 1.1% | 0.5% | -3.0% | 14.1% |
| NSC | 0.7% | -0.3% | -4.6% | 14.4% |
| CNI | 0.6% | 1.3% | -1.6% | 18.2% |
| CP | 4.8% | 15.9% | 42.4% | 10.2% |
Operating Margin Comparison
| LTM | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSX | 34.9% | 37.1% | 37.5% | 39.0% |
| UNP | 40.3% | 40.1% | 37.7% | 39.9% |
| NSC | 42.1% | 40.7% | 35.6% | 40.8% |
| CNI | 37.3% | 37.1% | 39.2% | 40.0% |
| CP | 36.4% | 35.6% | 35.0% | 37.8% |
PE Ratio Comparison
| LTM | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSX | 19.6 | 18.0 | 19.0 | 16.1 |
| UNP | 18.9 | 20.5 | 23.5 | 18.4 |
| NSC | 18.3 | 20.2 | 29.4 | 17.7 |
| CNI | 12.8 | 14.5 | 14.7 | 15.9 |
| CP | 16.4 | 18.2 | 18.7 | 19.7 |
The Trefis High Quality (HQ) Portfolio, with a collection of 30 stocks, has a track record of comfortably outperforming its benchmark that includes all 3 – the S&P 500, S&P mid-cap, and Russell 2000 indices. Why is that? As a group, HQ Portfolio stocks provided better returns with less risk versus the benchmark index; less of a roller-coaster ride, as evident in HQ Portfolio performance metrics.