Norfolk Southern Corporation $NSC Shares Bought by Simplicity Wealth LLC

Key Points

• Simplicity Wealth LLC increased its Norfolk Southern position by 87.8% in the third quarter, adding 12,150 shares to hold 25,995 shares valued at approximately $8.0 million. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.1% of the company.
• Norfolk Southern exceeded third-quarter expectations, reporting $3.62 in EPS and $3.53 billion in revenue, with revenue up 13.6% year over year. Higher freight volumes and fuel surcharges supported results, though elevated operating costs pressured margins.
• Analyst sentiment remains mixed, with the stock carrying an average “Hold” rating and a $348.81 price target. The company also declared a $1.35 quarterly dividend, equivalent to a $5.40 annualized payout and an approximately 1.6% yield.

Simplicity Wealth LLC increased its position in shares of Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE:NSC - Free Report) by 87.8% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 25,995 shares of the railroad operator's stock after buying an additional 12,150 shares during the quarter. Simplicity Wealth LLC's holdings in Norfolk Southern were worth $8,032,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Apollon Financial LLC increased its holdings in shares of Norfolk Southern by 4.3% in the first quarter. Apollon Financial LLC now owns 881 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $253,000 after purchasing an additional 36 shares during the period. Moss Adams Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in Norfolk Southern by 4.6% in the 1st quarter. Moss Adams Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 827 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $237,000 after purchasing an additional 36 shares in the last quarter. Diversify Advisory Services LLC raised its stake in shares of Norfolk Southern by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter. Diversify Advisory Services LLC now owns 2,824 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $917,000 after buying an additional 36 shares during the last quarter. Turtle Creek Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in Norfolk Southern by 4.4% during the first quarter. Turtle Creek Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 952 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $273,000 after acquiring an additional 40 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Foster Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Norfolk Southern by 3.1% during the 2nd quarter. Foster Group Inc. now owns 1,405 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $442,000 after purchasing an additional 42 shares during the last quarter. 75.10% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Citigroup upped their target price on shares of Norfolk Southern from $347.00 to $349.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday. Susquehanna reduced their target price on Norfolk Southern from $386.00 to $350.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 2nd. Robert W. Baird lifted their price target on shares of Norfolk Southern from $360.00 to $377.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Monday, July 27th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on Norfolk Southern from $365.00 to $385.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, TD Cowen upped their target price on shares of Norfolk Southern from $376.00 to $379.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and fourteen have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $348.81.

Norfolk Southern Price Performance

NSC opened at $329.85 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $74.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.92 and a beta of 1.29. Norfolk Southern Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $277.80 and a fifty-two week high of $358.60. The company has a quick ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95. The company's 50-day moving average price is $326.46 and its 200 day moving average price is $320.64.

Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 22nd. The railroad operator reported $3.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $3.46 by $0.16. Norfolk Southern had a return on equity of 18.22% and a net margin of 20.70%. The business had revenue of $3.53 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.48 billion. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 13.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $3.30 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Norfolk Southern Corporation will post 12.83 earnings per share for the current year.

Norfolk Southern Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 6th will be given a $1.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 6th. This represents a $5.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.6%. Norfolk Southern's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 45.26%.

Norfolk Southern News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Norfolk Southern this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Third-quarter results exceeded expectations: reported EPS was approximately $3.62 versus the $3.46 analyst consensus, while revenue reached $3.53 billion versus expectations of $3.48 billion. Earnings also improved from $3.30 per share a year earlier. Reuters earnings article
• Positive Sentiment: Higher freight volumes, fuel surcharges and tighter trucking capacity supported rail demand and helped Norfolk Southern produce record railway operating revenue. Zacks earnings analysis
• Positive Sentiment: TD Cowen raised its price target from $376 to $379 and maintained a “buy” rating, implying meaningful upside based on the referenced share price. Norfolk Southern revenue announcement
• Neutral Sentiment: Norfolk Southern declared a quarterly dividend of $1.35 per share, payable November 20 to shareholders of record November 6. The annualized payout is $5.40, or roughly a 1.6% yield. Dividend announcement
• Negative Sentiment: High fuel and other operating costs pressured efficiency and margins. Management lifted its 2026 operating-expense outlook to slightly above $9 billion, while capital spending is expected to be approximately $2.1 billion. Norfolk Southern expense outlook
• Negative Sentiment: Analyst views were mixed: JPMorgan raised its target from $318 to $323 but retained a “neutral” rating, while Stephens cut its target from $377 to $354, reinforcing concerns about valuation and cost execution. Stephens price target report

About Norfolk Southern

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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