bLong Financial LLC Takes Position in Norfolk Southern Co. (NYSE:NSC)

bLong Financial LLC acquired a new stake in Norfolk Southern Co. (NYSE:NSC - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund acquired 1,000 shares of the railroad operator's stock, valued at approximately $235,000.

A number of other large investors have also bought and sold shares of NSC. Mizuho Securities USA LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Norfolk Southern by 18,831.2% in the third quarter. Mizuho Securities USA LLC now owns 3,298,000 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $819,553,000 after buying an additional 3,280,579 shares during the period. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC boosted its holdings in Norfolk Southern by 25,181.8% during the third quarter. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC now owns 893,459 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $222,025,000 after purchasing an additional 889,925 shares during the last quarter. FMR LLC increased its position in shares of Norfolk Southern by 48.4% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 2,702,344 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $671,532,000 after purchasing an additional 881,415 shares during the last quarter. Hotchkis & Wiley Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Norfolk Southern in the third quarter valued at $207,830,000. Finally, Holocene Advisors LP bought a new stake in shares of Norfolk Southern in the 3rd quarter valued at about $122,798,000. 75.10% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Norfolk Southern Stock Performance

NYSE NSC traded down $9.47 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $248.96. 2,440,964 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,209,324. The stock has a market capitalization of $56.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.54, a PEG ratio of 2.37 and a beta of 1.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 0.90. The business has a 50 day moving average of $245.37 and a 200-day moving average of $250.62. Norfolk Southern Co. has a 12-month low of $206.71 and a 12-month high of $277.60.

Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 29th. The railroad operator reported $3.04 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.97 by $0.07. Norfolk Southern had a return on equity of 20.04% and a net margin of 21.63%. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Norfolk Southern Co. will post 13.02 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Norfolk Southern Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 20th. Investors of record on Friday, February 7th will be given a $1.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 7th. This represents a $5.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.17%. Norfolk Southern's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 46.71%.

Insider Activity at Norfolk Southern

In other news, Director Gilbert H. Lamphere acquired 607 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 31st. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $259.86 per share, for a total transaction of $157,735.02. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 2,487 shares of the company's stock, valued at $646,271.82. This trade represents a 32.29 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director Sameh Fahmy acquired 350 shares of Norfolk Southern stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 12th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $249.37 per share, for a total transaction of $87,279.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 10,350 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,580,979.50. The trade was a 3.50 % increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 0.19% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

NSC has been the subject of several research analyst reports. TD Cowen lifted their target price on Norfolk Southern from $253.00 to $259.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of Norfolk Southern from $284.00 to $286.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, January 30th. Robert W. Baird increased their price objective on shares of Norfolk Southern from $260.00 to $270.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday, January 30th. Loop Capital downgraded shares of Norfolk Southern from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and reduced their target price for the stock from $289.00 to $256.00 in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, Stephens increased their price target on shares of Norfolk Southern from $260.00 to $275.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Thursday, January 30th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Norfolk Southern currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $276.11.

Norfolk Southern Company Profile

Norfolk Southern Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the rail transportation of raw materials, intermediate products, and finished goods in the United States. The company transports agriculture, forest, and consumer products comprising soybeans, wheat, corn, fertilizers, livestock and poultry feed, food products, food oils, flour, sweeteners, ethanol, lumber and wood products, pulp board and paper products, wood fibers, wood pulp, beverages, and canned goods; chemicals consist of sulfur and related chemicals, petroleum products comprising crude oil, chlorine and bleaching compounds, plastics, rubber, industrial chemicals, chemical wastes, sand, and natural gas liquids; metals and construction materials, such as steel, aluminum products, machinery, scrap metals, cement, aggregates, minerals, clay, transportation equipment, and military-related products; and automotive, including finished motor vehicles and automotive parts, as well as coal.