Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd Takes $1.96 Million Position in Norfolk Southern Co. (NYSE:NSC)

Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd acquired a new stake in Norfolk Southern Co. (NYSE:NSC - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 8,356 shares of the railroad operator's stock, valued at approximately $1,961,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Norfolk Southern by 0.7% during the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 20,089,164 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $4,714,927,000 after buying an additional 139,485 shares during the period. State Street Corp lifted its stake in shares of Norfolk Southern by 2.1% during the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 9,330,849 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $2,318,716,000 after acquiring an additional 196,249 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Norfolk Southern by 2.5% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 4,694,573 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $1,098,472,000 after acquiring an additional 113,648 shares during the period. Boston Partners grew its position in Norfolk Southern by 16.9% in the 4th quarter. Boston Partners now owns 4,020,392 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $945,385,000 after acquiring an additional 580,293 shares during the last quarter. Finally, EdgePoint Investment Group Inc. increased its stake in Norfolk Southern by 2.7% in the third quarter. EdgePoint Investment Group Inc. now owns 3,892,717 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $967,340,000 after purchasing an additional 103,281 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.10% of the company's stock.

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Insider Activity

In other Norfolk Southern news, Director Gilbert H. Lamphere bought 607 shares of the firm's 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 completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 2,487 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $646,271.82. This trade represents a 32.29 % increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.19% of the company's stock.

Norfolk Southern Stock Performance

NYSE:NSC traded down $6.79 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $215.24. 605,126 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,241,407. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 0.90 and a quick ratio of 0.82. Norfolk Southern Co. has a 52-week low of $201.63 and a 52-week high of $277.60. The stock has a market capitalization of $53.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.57, a PEG ratio of 2.31 and a beta of 1.30. The company's 50 day moving average price is $238.59 and its 200-day moving average price is $247.11.

Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The railroad operator reported $3.04 EPS for the quarter, topping 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, research analysts forecast that Norfolk Southern Co. will post 13 earnings per share for the current year.

Norfolk Southern Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 7th were paid a dividend of $1.35 per share. This represents a $5.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.51%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 7th. Norfolk Southern's payout ratio is 46.71%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have recently commented on NSC. UBS Group reduced their target price on shares of Norfolk Southern from $305.00 to $284.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 2nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on Norfolk Southern in a research report on Friday, March 7th. They set a "buy" rating and a $293.00 target price for the company. Barclays dropped their price target 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. Robert W. Baird lifted their price objective on Norfolk Southern from $260.00 to $270.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, January 30th. Finally, Stephens increased their target price 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. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $268.68.

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.