NSC vs CP: which was the better investment?
Norfolk Southern Corporation against Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Dec 30, 1983 to Jul 15, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did NSC beat CP?
No — measured from Dec 30, 1983 to Jul 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, CP came out ahead: $1,572,980 versus $1,459,887 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 12.6% annual return against 12.4%.
What would $10,000 in NSC be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) on Dec 30, 1983 would be worth about $1,459,887 as of Jul 15, 2026, a total return of 14498.9% (12.4% per year). The same $10,000 in CP would be worth $1,572,980.
Which was riskier — NSC or CP?
NSC swung with an annualized volatility of 29.4% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -67.7%; CP ran at 28.7% volatility with a -69.2% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.35 for NSC vs 0.37 for CP.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Dec 30, 1983 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 CP. 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.