NSCNEUTRAL

NSC Quick Ratio Analysis

0.58x

Updated 945h ago·SEC filings & market data

Key Takeaway

The quick ratio measures a company’s ability to pay short-term debts using its most liquid assets (cash, marketable securities, receivables) — excluding inventory.

Sector Performance

37th percentile

NSC

0.58x

Sector Median

0.72x

Sector Avg

2.70x

Prior Period

0.65x(Jul 2026)

↓ Declining

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Deep Analysis

The quick ratio measures a company’s ability to pay short-term debts using its most liquid assets (cash, marketable securities, receivables) — excluding inventory.

NSC’s current quick ratio of 0.58x is below the sector median of 0.71x and sits at the 37th percentile among sector peers, indicating it has less liquidity than most competitors. The year-over-year change was not available, but quarter-over-quarter the ratio fell 10.8% from 0.65x to 0.58x, showing a clear decline in the most recent period. A low liquidity level combined with a shrinking trend points to increased risk that NSC may struggle to cover near-term obligations if cash flows tighten. This metric contradicts the overall NEUTRAL verdict because it highlights a specific vulnerability that adds downside pressure, rather than confirming a balanced risk profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Quick Ratio tell investors about NSC?

A strict liquidity test. Values below 1.0 suggest a company may struggle to cover short-term obligations without selling inventory.

How is the Quick Ratio calculated?

Quick Ratio is calculated as: (Cash + Receivables) / Current Liabilities.

Who are NSC's closest peers by Quick Ratio?

The closest peers by Quick Ratio include: OMC (0.67x), KO (0.66x), SIEGY (0.64x), TAP (0.60x), LW (0.60x).

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Learn More About Quick Ratio

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Working capital is more than current assets minus liabilities. Learn why working capital matters for liquidity, efficiency, and competitive advantage, with real data from AMZN, COST, HD, and XOM.

The Formula

(Cash + Receivables) / Current Liabilities

Why It Matters

A strict liquidity test. Values below 1.0 suggest a company may struggle to cover short-term obligations without selling inventory.