Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) - What Are Analysts Saying About This Stock?

Key Points

• Analysts hold a neutral view: Among 21 firms covering Norfolk Southern, 14 rate the stock “Hold” and seven rate it “Buy.” The average 12-month price target is $346.94, versus a recent price of $325.64.
• Recent results exceeded expectations: Norfolk Southern reported quarterly EPS of $3.52, above the $3.32 consensus estimate, while revenue rose 12.5% year over year to $3.46 billion.
• Institutional ownership remains high: Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.1% of the company, while the stock trades at a P/E ratio of 27.79 and has recently moved between $277.80 and $358.60.

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE:NSC - Get Free Report) has received an average rating of "Hold" from the twenty-one ratings firms that are covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Fourteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and seven have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $346.94.

A number of research firms have issued reports on NSC. Royal Bank Of Canada cut their target price on shares of Norfolk Southern from $360.00 to $330.00 and set a "sector perform" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, September 24th. Robert W. Baird boosted their price target on shares of Norfolk Southern from $360.00 to $377.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Monday, July 27th. Evercore upped their price target on shares of Norfolk Southern from $358.00 to $360.00 in a research note on Wednesday, September 30th. Weiss Ratings raised shares of Norfolk Southern from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "buy (b)" rating in a research note on Friday, October 9th. Finally, Barclays increased their price objective on Norfolk Southern from $360.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, July 24th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Edmond DE Rothschild Holding S.A. acquired a new position in shares of Norfolk Southern during the 2nd quarter valued at about $26,000. Meeder Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Norfolk Southern in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,000. North Point Portfolio Managers Corp OH acquired a new stake in Norfolk Southern in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC lifted its holdings in Norfolk Southern by 2,125.0% in the 3rd quarter. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC now owns 89 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 85 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Comprehensive Financial Planning Inc. PA bought a new stake in Norfolk Southern during the second quarter worth approximately $31,000. 75.10% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Norfolk Southern Price Performance

Shares of NSC opened at $325.64 on Wednesday. The business's 50-day moving average is $326.76 and its 200-day moving average is $319.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.98, a current ratio of 0.83 and a quick ratio of 0.73. The company has a market capitalization of $73.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.79, a P/E/G ratio of 4.82 and a beta of 1.29. Norfolk Southern has a fifty-two week low of $277.80 and a fifty-two week high of $358.60.

Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.52 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.32 by $0.20. Norfolk Southern had a net margin of 21.02% and a return on equity of 18.21%. The business had revenue of $3.46 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $3.38 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $3.29 earnings per share. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 12.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts expect that Norfolk Southern will post 12.81 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Norfolk Southern Company Profile

Norfolk Southern Corporation NYSE: NSC is a transportation company that operates one of the largest freight railroad networks in the eastern United States. Through its Norfolk Southern Railway subsidiary, the company provides rail transportation and related services across a broad territory spanning portions of the Midwest, South and East Coast, including access to major industrial centers, ports and distribution markets.

Norfolk Southern transports a diverse range of commodities, including intermodal freight, merchandise, automotive products, coal and other energy-related materials.

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