What is Norfolk Southern Corporation's average annual return?

Since 1983, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) has returned about 11.8% a year (the compound annual growth rate) and an average calendar-year return of 13.1%.

What were Norfolk Southern Corporation's best and worst years?

Over 1983–2026, the best year was 2004 (+55.1%) and the worst was 1999 (-33.5%).

How often is Norfolk Southern Corporation up in a year?

33 of the 43 full years since 1983 were positive — about 77% of the time.

NSC

Norfolk Southern CorporationStock · IndustrialsS&P 500 0.1%

$350.74+$2.19 (+0.63%)as of market close, Jul 24, 2026

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NSC returns by year

Norfolk Southern Corporation has returned +11.8% annually (CAGR) since 1983. Calendar-year, monthly and weekly total returns for Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) below, through July 24, 2026 — the most recent year is year-to-date.

Annualized (CAGR)

+11.8%

1983–2026

Average year

+13.1%

43 full years

Best year

+55.1%

2004

Worst year

-33.5%

1999

Positive years

33/43

77% up

Norfolk Southern Corporation returns by year (1983–2026)#

Calendar-year returns with each year's path and its dividend contribution (dividend return = total minus price return).

Norfolk Southern Corporation annual returns by year
Year	Start price	End price	Dividend	Total return
2026YTD	$288.72	$350.74	+1.1%	+22.5%
2025	$234.70	$288.72	+2.6%	+25.6%
2024	$236.38	$234.70	+2.2%	+1.5%
2023	$246.42	$236.38	+2.4%	-1.6%
2022	$297.71	$246.42	+1.6%	-15.6%
2021	$237.61	$297.71	+2.0%	+27.3%
2020	$194.13	$237.61	+2.4%	+24.8%
2019	$149.54	$194.13	+2.6%	+32.4%
2018	$144.90	$149.54	+2.0%	+5.2%
2017	$108.07	$144.90	+2.8%	+36.8%
2016	$84.59	$108.07	+3.7%	+31.5%
2015	$109.61	$84.59	+2.0%	-20.8%
2014	$92.83	$109.61	+2.7%	+20.7%
2013	$61.84	$92.83	+4.0%	+54.1%
2012	$72.86	$61.84	+2.4%	-12.8%
2011	$62.82	$72.86	+2.8%	+18.7%
2010	$52.42	$62.82	+2.3%	+22.1%
2009	$47.05	$52.42	+3.8%	+15.2%
2008	$50.44	$47.05	+1.9%	-4.8%
2007	$50.29	$50.44	+1.9%	+2.2%
2006	$44.83	$50.29	+1.2%	+13.4%
2005	$36.19	$44.83	+1.7%	+25.5%
2004	$23.65	$36.19	+2.1%	+55.1%
2003	$19.99	$23.65	+1.8%	+20.1%
2002	$18.33	$19.99	+1.3%	+10.4%
2001	$13.31	$18.33	+1.9%	+39.6%
2000	$20.50	$13.31	+3.2%	-31.9%
1999	$31.69	$20.50	+1.8%	-33.5%
1998	$30.50	$31.69	+2.7%	+6.6%
1997	$29.33	$30.50	+2.6%	+6.6%
1996	$26.46	$29.33	+3.0%	+13.9%
1995	$20.21	$26.46	+2.8%	+33.8%
1994	$23.50	$20.21	+0.0%	-14.0%
1993	$20.42	$23.50	+0.0%	+15.1%
1992	$19.79	$20.42	+0.0%	+3.2%
1991	$13.92	$19.79	+0.0%	+42.2%
1990	$13.50	$13.92	+0.0%	+3.1%
1989	$10.46	$13.50	+0.0%	+29.1%
1988	$8.75	$10.46	+0.0%	+19.5%
1987	$9.39	$8.75	+0.0%	-6.8%
1986	$9.03	$9.39	+0.0%	+4.0%
1985	$6.51	$9.03	+0.0%	+38.6%
1984	$7.01	$6.51	+0.0%	-7.1%
1983	$6.08	$7.01	+0.0%	+15.3%

Total return by period

-40%-20%+0%+20%+40%

'83'87'91'95'99'03'07'11'15'19'23

Methodology#

Returns are total returns (dividends reinvested), computed from NSC's split- and dividend-adjusted closes. The bar chart switches between annual and monthly periods. Annualized return is the compound annual growth rate over the full period. The current year is year-to-date. See also the periodic table of returns. Past performance does not predict future returns; not investment advice.

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FAQ

What is Norfolk Southern Corporation's average annual return?: Since 1983, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) has returned about 11.8% a year (the compound annual growth rate) and an average calendar-year return of 13.1%.
What were Norfolk Southern Corporation's best and worst years?: Over 1983–2026, the best year was 2004 (+55.1%) and the worst was 1999 (-33.5%).
How often is Norfolk Southern Corporation up in a year?: 33 of the 43 full years since 1983 were positive — about 77% of the time.