VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Friday, January 2, 2026

Stock Comparison

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited vs Norfolk Southern Corporation

Compare moat strength, market structure, and segment coverage to understand how each company defends its edge.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited

CP · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$68.5B
Gross margin (TTM)56.7%
Operating margin (TTM)37%
Net margin (TTM)28.4%
SectorIndustrials
IndustryRailroads
CountryCA
Data as of2025-12-30
Moat score
70/ 100

Weighted average of segment moat scores, combining moat strength, durability, confidence, market structure, pricing power, and market share.

Full stock profile

Dive deeper into Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View CP analysis

Norfolk Southern Corporation

NSC · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$65B
Gross margin (TTM)
Operating margin (TTM)
Net margin (TTM)
SectorIndustrials
IndustryRailroads
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-02
Moat score
70/ 100

Weighted average of segment moat scores, combining moat strength, durability, confidence, market structure, pricing power, and market share.

Full stock profile

Dive deeper into Norfolk Southern Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View NSC analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score: both at 70 / 100.
  • Segment focus: Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited has 4 segments (46% in Merchandise Freight); Norfolk Southern Corporation has 3 segments (62% in Merchandise).
  • Moat breadth: Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited has 4 moat types across 2 domains; Norfolk Southern Corporation has 4 across 3.

Primary market context

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited

Merchandise Freight

Market

North American carload rail freight (industrial and consumer commodities)

Geography

Canada, United States, Mexico

Customer

Industrial shippers and manufacturers across multiple commodity groups

Role

Rail carrier + logistics/transload provider

Revenue share

46%

Norfolk Southern Corporation

Merchandise

Market

Eastern U.S. freight rail transportation for industrial & consumer goods

Geography

United States (Southeast/East/Midwest; NS network + interchanges)

Customer

Manufacturers, producers, and distributors

Role

Rail carrier

Revenue share

62%

Side-by-side metrics

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited
Norfolk Southern Corporation
Ticker / Exchange
CP - New York Stock Exchange
NSC - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$68.5B
$65B
Gross margin (TTM)
56.7%
n/a
Operating margin (TTM)
37%
n/a
Net margin (TTM)
28.4%
n/a
Sector
Industrials
Industrials
Industry
Railroads
Railroads
HQ country
CA
US
Primary segment
Merchandise Freight
Merchandise
Market structure
Oligopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
n/a
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
70 / 100
70 / 100
Moat domains
Legal, Supply
Supply, Legal, Demand
Last update
2025-12-30
2026-01-02

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Permits Rights Of WayPhysical Network Density

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited strengths

Operational ExcellenceDistribution Control

Norfolk Southern Corporation strengths

Scale Economies Unit CostSwitching Costs General

Segment mix

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited segments

Full profile >

Bulk Freight

Oligopoly

34.2%

Merchandise Freight

Oligopoly

46%

Intermodal Freight

Competitive

17.6%

Non-freight and Other

Competitive

2.2%

Norfolk Southern Corporation segments

Full profile >

Merchandise

Oligopoly

62%

Intermodal

Oligopoly

25%

Coal

Oligopoly

13%

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Curation & Accuracy

This directory blends AI‑assisted discovery with human curation. Entries are reviewed, edited, and organized with the goal of expanding coverage and sharpening quality over time. Your feedback helps steer improvements (because no single human can capture everything all at once).

Details change. Pricing, features, and availability may be incomplete or out of date. Treat listings as a starting point and verify on the provider’s site before making decisions. If you spot an error or a gap, send a quick note and I’ll adjust.