NSC vs SPY: which was the better investment?
Norfolk Southern Corporation against SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Jan 29, 1993 to Jul 15, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did NSC beat SPY?
Yes — measured from Jan 29, 1993 to Jul 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, NSC came out ahead: $334,745 versus $312,915 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 11.1% annual return against 10.8%.
What would $10,000 in NSC be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) on Jan 29, 1993 would be worth about $334,745 as of Jul 15, 2026, a total return of 3247.5% (11.1% per year). The same $10,000 in SPY would be worth $312,915.
Which was riskier — NSC or SPY?
NSC swung with an annualized volatility of 30.4% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -67.7%; SPY ran at 18.6% volatility with a -55.2% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.30 for NSC vs 0.48 for SPY.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Jan 29, 1993 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 SPY. 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.