NSCNEUTRAL

NSC Debt-to-Equity Ratio Analysis

1.02x

Updated 945h ago·SEC filings & market data

Key Takeaway

The debt-to-equity ratio measures how much a company uses debt to finance its operations compared to shareholders' equity; NSC’s current ratio of 1.02x means it has slightly more debt than equity.

Sector Performance

63th percentile

NSC

1.02x

Sector Median

0.74x

Sector Avg

2.51x

Prior Period

1.08x(Jul 2026)

↑ Improving

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Deep Analysis

The debt-to-equity ratio measures how much a company uses debt to finance its operations compared to shareholders' equity; NSC’s current ratio of 1.02x means it has slightly more debt than equity.

This is above the sector median of 0.73x, placing NSC in the 64th percentile among its peers — indicating a higher reliance on debt than more than half of the sector. The year-over-year change is not available, but the ratio decreased by 5.6% quarter-over-quarter, showing a recent reduction in debt relative to equity. While the current level is above the median, the downward trend may signal that management is actively deleveraging, which can reduce financial risk over time. This combination of a moderately high but declining ratio suggests a balanced risk profile — not overly aggressive, yet warranting monitoring. The NEUTRAL verdict is supported, as the metric neither strongly advocates for nor warns against the stock, given the above-median level being tempered by a recent improvement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Debt-to-Equity Ratio tell investors about NSC?

Shows how much a company is financing its operations through debt vs shareholder funds. High D/E can amplify returns — and losses.

How is the Debt-to-Equity Ratio calculated?

Debt-to-Equity Ratio is calculated as: Total Debt / Shareholders' Equity.

Who are NSC's closest peers by Debt-to-Equity Ratio?

The closest peers by Debt-to-Equity Ratio include: TAP (0.76x), PCAR (0.72x), O (0.78x), PRU (0.78x), KIM (0.85x).

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Learn More About Debt-to-Equity Ratio

How to Spot a Debt Problem Before It Hits the Stock Price

Learn how to spot a debt problem in stocks using D/E, interest coverage, and net debt/EBITDA ratios. Real examples from META and MSFT, plus danger thresholds you need to know.

Debt/Equity Ratio: How Much Debt Is Too Much?

The debt to equity ratio explained: why context, interest coverage, and sector norms matter far more than the raw number when assessing debt risk.

The Formula

Total Debt / Shareholders' Equity

Why It Matters

Shows how much a company is financing its operations through debt vs shareholder funds. High D/E can amplify returns — and losses.