Dodge & Cox Trims Stake in Norfolk Southern Co. (NYSE:NSC)

Dodge & Cox trimmed its position in shares of Norfolk Southern Co. (NYSE:NSC - Free Report) by 1.6% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 10,689,209 shares of the railroad operator's stock after selling 173,630 shares during the quarter. Norfolk Southern makes up 1.5% of Dodge & Cox's holdings, making the stock its 23rd biggest holding. Dodge & Cox owned approximately 4.72% of Norfolk Southern worth $2,508,757,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Albert D Mason Inc. increased its position in shares of Norfolk Southern by 0.7% during the fourth quarter. Albert D Mason Inc. now owns 6,881 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $1,615,000 after buying an additional 46 shares during the period. Signal Advisors Wealth LLC boosted its position in shares of Norfolk Southern by 5.4% during the 4th quarter. Signal Advisors Wealth LLC now owns 960 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $225,000 after purchasing an additional 49 shares in the last quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB increased its holdings in Norfolk Southern by 2.0% in the fourth quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 2,507 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $588,000 after purchasing an additional 49 shares in the last quarter. Leavell Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in Norfolk Southern by 0.9% during the 4th quarter. Leavell Investment Management Inc. now owns 5,816 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $1,365,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Shayne & Jacobs LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Norfolk Southern by 1.5% in the fourth quarter. Shayne & Jacobs LLC now owns 3,327 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $781,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares in the last quarter. 75.10% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Norfolk Southern Price Performance

Norfolk Southern stock traded up $5.96 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $219.99. 1,362,718 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,253,317. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $233.78 and a 200-day moving average price of $245.73. 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 stock has a market cap of $54.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.03, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.31 and a beta of 1.30. Norfolk Southern Co. has a one year low of $201.63 and a one year high of $277.60.

Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The railroad operator reported $3.04 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.97 by $0.07. Norfolk Southern had a return on equity of 20.04% and a net margin of 21.63%. On average, equities analysts predict that Norfolk Southern Co. will post 13 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Norfolk Southern Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 7th were paid a $1.35 dividend. This represents a $5.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.45%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 7th. Norfolk Southern's dividend payout ratio is presently 46.71%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

NSC has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Susquehanna cut their price objective on shares of Norfolk Southern from $265.00 to $260.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, March 27th. Citigroup cut their price objective on Norfolk Southern from $298.00 to $259.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 8th. Benchmark reaffirmed a "buy" rating and set a $285.00 target price on shares of Norfolk Southern in a research report on Thursday, January 30th. Stephens boosted their price target on shares of Norfolk Southern from $260.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Thursday, January 30th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on shares of Norfolk Southern from $275.00 to $286.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday, January 30th. One 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's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $268.79.

Insider Buying and Selling at Norfolk Southern

In other news, Director Gilbert H. Lamphere purchased 607 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 31st. The stock was bought 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 of the company's stock, valued at $646,271.82. This represents a 32.29 % increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Company insiders own 0.06% of the company's stock.

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.