Norfolk Southern Co. (NYSE:NSC) Shares Purchased by Capital International Investors

Capital International Investors lifted its holdings in Norfolk Southern Co. (NYSE:NSC - Free Report) by 3.1% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 131,427 shares of the railroad operator's stock after buying an additional 3,913 shares during the quarter. Capital International Investors owned approximately 0.06% of Norfolk Southern worth $30,781,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of NSC. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Norfolk Southern during the 4th quarter valued at about $547,575,000. Boston Partners raised its position in Norfolk Southern by 16.9% during the 4th quarter. Boston Partners now owns 4,020,392 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $945,385,000 after purchasing an additional 580,293 shares in the last quarter. Amundi grew its position in shares of Norfolk Southern by 56.4% during the 4th quarter. Amundi now owns 1,302,635 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $308,607,000 after buying an additional 469,558 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in Norfolk Southern in the fourth quarter worth about $105,225,000. Finally, FMR LLC increased its position in Norfolk Southern by 13.8% during the 4th quarter. FMR LLC now owns 3,073,933 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $721,452,000 after purchasing an additional 371,589 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.10% of the company's stock.

Norfolk Southern Price Performance

Shares of Norfolk Southern stock traded down $5.03 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $221.65. The stock had a trading volume of 1,306,890 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,255,480. The company has a current ratio of 0.90, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16. Norfolk Southern Co. has a twelve month low of $201.63 and a twelve month high of $277.60. The stock's 50 day moving average is $230.35 and its 200 day moving average is $244.93. The firm has a market capitalization of $54.65 billion, a PE ratio of 19.17, a PEG ratio of 2.31 and a beta of 1.30.

Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.69 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.72 by ($0.03). The business had revenue of $2.99 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.01 billion. Norfolk Southern had a return on equity of 20.04% and a net margin of 21.63%. Equities analysts expect that Norfolk Southern Co. will post 13 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Norfolk Southern Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 2nd will be issued a $1.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 2nd. This represents a $5.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.44%. Norfolk Southern's payout ratio is currently 36.89%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Gilbert H. Lamphere bought 607 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 31st. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $259.86 per share, for a total transaction of $157,735.02. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 2,487 shares in the company, valued at approximately $646,271.82. This trade represents a 32.29 % increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.06% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have weighed in on NSC. Robert W. Baird upped their target price on Norfolk Southern from $260.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, January 30th. Barclays dropped their price objective on Norfolk Southern from $305.00 to $290.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 2nd. Evercore ISI reduced their target price on shares of Norfolk Southern from $284.00 to $269.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Thursday. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of Norfolk Southern from $300.00 to $290.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, March 27th. Finally, UBS Group reduced their price target on Norfolk Southern from $284.00 to $275.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $266.10.

Norfolk Southern 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.