UNP vs NSC: which was the better investment?
Union Pacific Corporation against Norfolk Southern Corporation on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Jun 2, 1982 to Jul 15, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did UNP beat NSC?
Yes — measured from Jun 2, 1982 to Jul 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, UNP came out ahead: $2,674,607 versus $2,334,389 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 13.5% annual return against 13.2%.
What would $10,000 in UNP be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Union Pacific Corporation (UNP) on Jun 2, 1982 would be worth about $2,674,607 as of Jul 15, 2026, a total return of 26646.1% (13.5% per year). The same $10,000 in NSC would be worth $2,334,389.
Which was riskier — UNP or NSC?
UNP swung with an annualized volatility of 27.0% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -59.4%; NSC ran at 29.3% volatility with a -67.7% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.43 for UNP vs 0.38 for NSC.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Jun 2, 1982 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 UNP vs NSC. 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.