Norfolk Southern Co. (NYSE:NSC) Holdings Raised by Zimmer Partners LP

Zimmer Partners LP grew its stake in shares of Norfolk Southern Co. (NYSE:NSC - Free Report) by 30.0% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 65,000 shares of the railroad operator's stock after acquiring an additional 15,000 shares during the quarter. Zimmer Partners LP's holdings in Norfolk Southern were worth $15,256,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of NSC. Financial Life Planners acquired a new stake in Norfolk Southern during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Keystone Financial Group Inc. acquired a new stake in Norfolk Southern during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust acquired a new stake in Norfolk Southern during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Vision Financial Markets LLC acquired a new stake in Norfolk Southern during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Finally, Atlantic Private Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in Norfolk Southern during the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.10% of the company's stock.

Norfolk Southern Stock Up 0.3%

Shares of Norfolk Southern stock traded up $0.66 on Friday, hitting $240.30. 1,414,591 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,211,346. The stock has a market cap of $54.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.79, a PEG ratio of 2.31 and a beta of 1.30. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16. The firm's 50-day moving average is $227.14 and its 200 day moving average is $241.98. Norfolk Southern Co. has a 52-week low of $201.63 and a 52-week high of $277.60.

Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.69 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.72 by ($0.03). The business had revenue of $2.99 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $3.01 billion. Norfolk Southern had a net margin of 21.63% and a return on equity of 20.04%. The business's quarterly revenue was down .4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $2.49 earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that Norfolk Southern Co. will post 13 earnings per share for the current year.

Norfolk Southern Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, May 20th. Investors of record on Friday, May 2nd were paid a dividend of $1.35 per share. This represents a $5.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.25%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 2nd. Norfolk Southern's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 36.89%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

NSC has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Stephens increased their target price on shares of Norfolk Southern from $260.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Thursday, January 30th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on shares of Norfolk Southern from $300.00 to $290.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, March 27th. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their target price on shares of Norfolk Southern from $271.00 to $270.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on shares of Norfolk Southern in a research report on Friday, March 7th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $293.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Evercore ISI lowered their price objective on shares of Norfolk Southern from $284.00 to $269.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $266.50.

Norfolk Southern Profile

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.