Jefferies Financial Group Inc. Has $41.46 Million Stock Position in Norfolk Southern Corporation $NSC

Key Points

• Jefferies Financial Group increased its holding in Norfolk Southern by 154.4% in Q3 to 138,000 shares, a position valued at about $41.46 million.
• Norfolk Southern beat Q4 EPS expectations ($3.22 vs. $2.76) despite a 1.7% year-over-year revenue decline, and recently paid a quarterly dividend of $1.35 per share (annualized $5.40, ~1.8% yield).
• The stock has a consensus Hold rating with an average price target of $308.95, a market cap near $68.1 billion, and roughly 75% ownership by institutional investors.

Jefferies Financial Group Inc. raised its position in Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE:NSC - Free Report) by 154.4% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 138,000 shares of the railroad operator's stock after purchasing an additional 83,747 shares during the quarter. Jefferies Financial Group Inc. owned approximately 0.06% of Norfolk Southern worth $41,457,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. ORG Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Norfolk Southern by 75.0% during the 3rd quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 84 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 36 shares during the last quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Norfolk Southern by 207.1% in the 3rd quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 86 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 58 shares in the last quarter. MMA Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Norfolk Southern in the third quarter worth approximately $28,000. BNP Paribas acquired a new position in Norfolk Southern in the second quarter worth approximately $26,000. Finally, Highline Wealth Partners LLC raised its position in Norfolk Southern by 68.9% during the third quarter. Highline Wealth Partners LLC now owns 103 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 42 shares in the last quarter. 75.10% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Norfolk Southern Trading Down 2.5%

Shares of NSC stock opened at $303.02 on Monday. Norfolk Southern Corporation has a 12 month low of $201.63 and a 12 month high of $319.94. The company has a market cap of $68.05 billion, a PE ratio of 23.77, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.47 and a beta of 1.31. The company has a quick ratio of 0.78, a current ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06. The business's 50 day moving average is $300.10 and its two-hundred day moving average is $291.64.

Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 29th. The railroad operator reported $3.22 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.76 by $0.46. The business had revenue of $3 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $3.03 billion. Norfolk Southern had a net margin of 23.59% and a return on equity of 18.78%. Norfolk Southern's revenue for the quarter was down 1.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $3.04 earnings per share. Equities analysts predict that Norfolk Southern Corporation will post 13 EPS for the current year.

Norfolk Southern Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 6th were issued a dividend of $1.35 per share. This represents a $5.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 6th. Norfolk Southern's dividend payout ratio is 42.35%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have commented on the stock. Susquehanna boosted their target price on shares of Norfolk Southern from $304.00 to $305.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target on shares of Norfolk Southern from $300.00 to $350.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, March 3rd. UBS Group lowered shares of Norfolk Southern from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $342.00 price objective for the company. in a research note on Friday, February 6th. Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of Norfolk Southern from an "equal weight" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, December 18th. Finally, Citigroup lowered their target price on shares of Norfolk Southern from $317.00 to $300.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eighteen have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Norfolk Southern has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $308.95.

About Norfolk Southern

Norfolk Southern Corporation is a major U.S. freight railroad company that provides rail transportation and related logistics services. As a Class I carrier, the company operates an extensive network across the eastern United States and offers scheduled freight service for a broad range of industries. Its core operations include long-haul and regional rail freight transportation, intermodal services that move containers and trailers between rail and other modes, and terminal and switching services that support efficient rail shipments for industrial and port customers.

The company transports a variety of commodities, serving sectors such as coal and energy, automotive and automotive parts, chemicals, agriculture, metals and construction materials, and consumer goods.

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