Zacks Research Issues Pessimistic Forecast for NSC Earnings

Norfolk Southern Co. (NYSE:NSC - Free Report) - Investment analysts at Zacks Research decreased their Q4 2024 EPS estimates for Norfolk Southern in a report issued on Monday, November 11th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now anticipates that the railroad operator will post earnings of $2.94 per share for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of $3.03. The consensus estimate for Norfolk Southern's current full-year earnings is $11.81 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Norfolk Southern's Q1 2025 earnings at $2.85 EPS, Q2 2025 earnings at $3.38 EPS, Q3 2025 earnings at $3.40 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $3.31 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $12.92 EPS, Q1 2026 earnings at $3.44 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $3.76 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $3.69 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $14.19 EPS.

Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 22nd. The railroad operator reported $3.25 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.11 by $0.14. Norfolk Southern had a return on equity of 20.25% and a net margin of 19.85%. The business had revenue of $3.10 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.08 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.65 EPS. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 3.3% compared to the same quarter last year.

Several other analysts have also recently issued reports on NSC. TD Cowen upped their target price on Norfolk Southern from $253.00 to $259.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, October 23rd. Loop Capital lifted their target price on Norfolk Southern from $285.00 to $287.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 23rd. Susquehanna boosted their price target on Norfolk Southern from $280.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, October 23rd. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price target on Norfolk Southern from $275.00 to $280.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, October 10th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus upped their target price on Norfolk Southern from $241.00 to $245.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, October 11th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $274.89.

Norfolk Southern Stock Down 0.9 %

NYSE NSC traded down $2.41 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $268.70. The company's stock had a trading volume of 589,002 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,256,483. Norfolk Southern has a fifty-two week low of $195.76 and a fifty-two week high of $277.60. The company has a market cap of $60.79 billion, a PE ratio of 25.17, a P/E/G ratio of 2.58 and a beta of 1.30. The business's 50 day simple moving average is $252.07 and its 200-day simple moving average is $238.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21, a current ratio of 0.73 and a quick ratio of 0.65.

Norfolk Southern Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 20th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 1st will be issued a dividend of $1.35 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 1st. This represents a $5.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.01%. Norfolk Southern's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 50.70%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Sameh Fahmy acquired 1,000 shares of Norfolk Southern stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 24th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $255.00 per share, with a total value of $255,000.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 10,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,550,000. This trade represents a 0.00 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, CEO Alan H. Shaw sold 51,325 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Friday, September 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $255.98, for a total transaction of $13,138,173.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 35,045 shares of the company's stock, valued at $8,970,819.10. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Sameh Fahmy purchased 1,000 shares of Norfolk Southern stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 24th. The shares were bought at an average price of $255.00 per share, with a total value of $255,000.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 10,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,550,000. The trade was a 0.00 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders own 0.19% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in Norfolk Southern by 1.8% during the third quarter. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC now owns 8,718 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $2,166,000 after buying an additional 155 shares during the period. Cerity Partners LLC grew its holdings in Norfolk Southern by 19.5% during the third quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 203,318 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $50,524,000 after purchasing an additional 33,225 shares during the last quarter. Certified Advisory Corp lifted its position in Norfolk Southern by 9.9% in the third quarter. Certified Advisory Corp now owns 4,581 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $1,138,000 after purchasing an additional 414 shares during the period. Nicolet Advisory Services LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Norfolk Southern by 4.9% during the third quarter. Nicolet Advisory Services LLC now owns 4,598 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $1,126,000 after acquiring an additional 215 shares during the period. Finally, Camden National Bank acquired a new stake in Norfolk Southern in the third quarter worth about $281,000. 75.10% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.