Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV Reduces Position in Norfolk Southern Co. (NYSE:NSC)

Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV lowered its holdings in Norfolk Southern Co. (NYSE:NSC - Free Report) by 79.4% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 1,086 shares of the railroad operator's stock after selling 4,192 shares during the quarter. Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV's holdings in Norfolk Southern were worth $255,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Spinnaker Trust purchased a new position in shares of Norfolk Southern in the 4th quarter worth approximately $408,000. ABC Arbitrage SA purchased a new position in shares of Norfolk Southern in the 4th quarter worth approximately $2,860,000. Asset Planning Inc purchased a new position in shares of Norfolk Southern in the 4th quarter worth approximately $82,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC grew its position in shares of Norfolk Southern by 4.3% in the 4th quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 2,570 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $603,000 after buying an additional 105 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vontobel Holding Ltd. grew its position in shares of Norfolk Southern by 3.0% in the 4th quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 3,349 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $786,000 after buying an additional 97 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 75.10% of the company's stock.

Norfolk Southern Stock Performance

NYSE NSC traded down $1.57 on Friday, hitting $247.84. 1,493,699 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,217,659. 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 1-year low of $206.71 and a 1-year high of $277.60. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $245.43 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $250.60. The firm has a market capitalization of $56.12 billion, a PE ratio of 21.44, a P/E/G ratio of 2.30 and a beta of 1.35.

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

Norfolk Southern Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 20th. Investors of record on Friday, February 7th were paid a $1.35 dividend. This represents a $5.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.18%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 7th. Norfolk Southern's dividend payout ratio is currently 46.71%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on NSC shares. Citigroup lifted their price objective on shares of Norfolk Southern from $302.00 to $316.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 12th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on shares of Norfolk Southern from $320.00 to $300.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, January 7th. Stephens lifted their price objective on shares of Norfolk Southern from $260.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Thursday, January 30th. Benchmark reissued a "buy" rating and set a $285.00 target price on shares of Norfolk Southern in a research report on Thursday, January 30th. Finally, Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Norfolk Southern from $290.00 to $305.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 13th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $276.11.

Insider Activity at Norfolk Southern

In other 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 purchased at an average cost of $259.86 per share, for a total transaction of $157,735.02. Following the purchase, 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 transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Sameh Fahmy bought 350 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 12th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $249.37 per share, with a total value of $87,279.50. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now owns 10,350 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,580,979.50. This trade represents a 3.50 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Company insiders own 0.19% of the company's stock.

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.