Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC) Price Target Cut to $265.00 by Analysts at Susquehanna

Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC - Free Report) had its target price reduced by Susquehanna from $285.00 to $265.00 in a research report released on Wednesday morning,Benzinga reports. They currently have a neutral rating on the railroad operator's stock.

Other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. UBS Group lifted their target price on Norfolk Southern from $289.00 to $309.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 23rd. Loop Capital increased their target price on shares of Norfolk Southern from $285.00 to $287.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 23rd. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Norfolk Southern from $290.00 to $305.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, November 13th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on Norfolk Southern from $272.00 to $282.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, October 23rd. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus boosted their target price on Norfolk Southern from $241.00 to $245.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, October 11th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $275.68.

Norfolk Southern Stock Down 0.3 %

Norfolk Southern stock traded down $0.82 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $236.94. 850,303 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 954,721. Norfolk Southern has a 52-week low of $206.71 and a 52-week high of $277.60. The company has a quick ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21. The business's 50-day moving average price is $254.19 and its 200-day moving average price is $245.42. The stock has a market capitalization of $53.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.25, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 1.34.

Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 22nd. The railroad operator reported $3.25 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $3.11 by $0.14. The firm had revenue of $3.10 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.08 billion. Norfolk Southern had a return on equity of 20.25% and a net margin of 19.85%. The company's revenue was up 3.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.65 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Norfolk Southern will post 11.82 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Norfolk Southern Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 20th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 1st were given a dividend of $1.35 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 1st. This represents a $5.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.28%. Norfolk Southern's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 50.70%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Sameh Fahmy bought 350 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 12th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $249.37 per share, with a total value of $87,279.50. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 10,350 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,580,979.50. This trade represents a 3.50 % increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.19% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Norfolk Southern

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Lake Street Advisors Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of Norfolk Southern by 1.8% during the 3rd quarter. Lake Street Advisors Group LLC now owns 2,265 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $563,000 after purchasing an additional 41 shares during the last quarter. Raab & Moskowitz Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Norfolk Southern by 2.4% during the third quarter. Raab & Moskowitz Asset Management LLC now owns 1,749 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $435,000 after buying an additional 41 shares during the last quarter. Foster Victor Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Norfolk Southern by 4.2% in the third quarter. Foster Victor Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,043 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $256,000 after buying an additional 42 shares during the period. Stratos Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Norfolk Southern by 3.8% in the 3rd quarter. Stratos Investment Management LLC now owns 1,154 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $287,000 after acquiring an additional 42 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Archer Investment Corp boosted its holdings in Norfolk Southern by 2.3% during the 3rd quarter. Archer Investment Corp now owns 1,934 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $481,000 after acquiring an additional 43 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.10% of the company's stock.

About Norfolk Southern

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.