NSC vs CNI: which was the better investment?
Norfolk Southern Corporation against Canadian National Railway Company on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Nov 26, 1996 to Jul 15, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did NSC beat CNI?
No — measured from Nov 26, 1996 to Jul 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, CNI came out ahead: $659,236 versus $210,860 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 15.2% annual return against 10.8%.
What would $10,000 in NSC be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) on Nov 26, 1996 would be worth about $210,860 as of Jul 15, 2026, a total return of 2008.6% (10.8% per year). The same $10,000 in CNI would be worth $659,236.
Which was riskier — NSC or CNI?
NSC swung with an annualized volatility of 31.6% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -67.7%; CNI ran at 26.0% volatility with a -46.9% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.28 for NSC vs 0.51 for CNI.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Nov 26, 1996 through Jul 15, 2026 — the full period where both assets have price history. Adjusted prices include dividends and splits, so these are total returns. The page refreshes with new market data every day.
Can I change the dates, amounts, or add monthly investing?
Yes — the interactive tool on this page is pre-loaded with NSC vs CNI. You can set any start and end date, change the starting amount, add monthly contributions, or build a multi-asset portfolio and compare it against any benchmark.