Strategic Financial Concepts LLC Invests $8.26 Million in Norfolk Southern Co. (NYSE:NSC)

Strategic Financial Concepts LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Norfolk Southern Co. (NYSE:NSC - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 35,205 shares of the railroad operator's stock, valued at approximately $8,263,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Highline Wealth Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Norfolk Southern during the third quarter valued at about $25,000. Financial Life Planners bought a new stake in shares of Norfolk Southern during the fourth quarter valued at about $27,000. Morse Asset Management Inc bought a new stake in Norfolk Southern in the third quarter worth about $30,000. Coastline Trust Co bought a new stake in Norfolk Southern in the third quarter worth about $32,000. Finally, Capital Performance Advisors LLP bought a new stake in Norfolk Southern in the third quarter worth about $33,000. 75.10% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

NSC has been the topic of several research reports. TD Cowen boosted their price target on shares of Norfolk Southern from $253.00 to $259.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 23rd. Robert W. Baird boosted their price target on shares of Norfolk Southern from $260.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday, January 30th. Susquehanna dropped their price target on shares of Norfolk Southern from $285.00 to $265.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Stephens boosted their price objective on Norfolk Southern from $260.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Thursday, January 30th. Finally, Benchmark restated a "buy" rating and set a $285.00 price objective on shares of Norfolk Southern in a report on Thursday, January 30th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $276.11.

Norfolk Southern Price Performance

NSC stock traded down $2.65 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $253.80. 876,492 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,197,585. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 0.90 and a quick ratio of 0.82. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $245.86 and a 200 day moving average price of $250.31. Norfolk Southern Co. has a 12 month low of $206.71 and a 12 month high of $277.60. The stock has a market capitalization of $57.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.96, a PEG ratio of 2.32 and a beta of 1.35.

Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The railroad operator reported $3.04 earnings per share for the quarter, beating 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%. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Norfolk Southern Co. will post 13.02 EPS for the current year.

Norfolk Southern Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 20th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 7th will be given a $1.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 7th. This represents a $5.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.13%. Norfolk Southern's dividend payout ratio is currently 46.71%.

Insider Transactions at Norfolk Southern

In other Norfolk Southern news, Director Gilbert H. Lamphere acquired 607 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 31st. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $259.86 per share, with a total value of $157,735.02. Following the transaction, the director now owns 2,487 shares of the company's stock, valued at $646,271.82. The trade was a 32.29 % increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Sameh Fahmy acquired 350 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 12th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $249.37 per share, for a total transaction of $87,279.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 10,350 shares in the company, valued at $2,580,979.50. This represents a 3.50 % increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders own 0.19% 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.