Nisa Investment Advisors LLC Buys 1,357 Shares of Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE:NSC)

Nisa Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE:NSC - Free Report) by 1.5% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 91,861 shares of the railroad operator's stock after buying an additional 1,357 shares during the period. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC's holdings in Norfolk Southern were worth $21,757,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of NSC. Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC bought a new position in Norfolk Southern in the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. Atlantic Private Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Norfolk Southern in the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Putney Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Norfolk Southern in the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Greenline Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Norfolk Southern in the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, HWG Holdings LP acquired a new stake in Norfolk Southern during the first quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Institutional investors own 75.10% of the company's stock.

Norfolk Southern Stock Up 1.0%

Shares of Norfolk Southern stock traded up $2.72 on Friday, hitting $265.86. The company had a trading volume of 1,094,379 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,234,837. The firm has a market capitalization of $59.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.16, a P/E/G ratio of 2.12 and a beta of 1.31. Norfolk Southern Corporation has a twelve month low of $201.63 and a twelve month high of $277.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15, a current ratio of 0.78 and a quick ratio of 0.70. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $247.14 and a 200-day moving average of $240.47.

Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC - Get Free Report) last announced 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). Norfolk Southern had a return on equity of 19.65% and a net margin of 27.40%. The business had revenue of $2.99 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.01 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.49 EPS. The business's revenue for the quarter was down .4% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts predict that Norfolk Southern Corporation will post 13 earnings per share for the current year.

Norfolk Southern Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, May 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 2nd were given a dividend of $1.35 per share. This represents a $5.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.03%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 2nd. Norfolk Southern's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 36.89%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms recently commented on NSC. Jefferies Financial Group cut their target price on shares of Norfolk Southern from $285.00 to $260.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. Bank of America upped their price objective on shares of Norfolk Southern from $280.00 to $290.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 2nd. Robert W. Baird began coverage on shares of Norfolk Southern in a research note on Tuesday, July 1st. They set a "neutral" rating and a $255.00 price target on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a "neutral" rating and issued a $278.00 target price on shares of Norfolk Southern in a research note on Monday, June 2nd. Finally, Barclays lowered their target price on shares of Norfolk Southern from $305.00 to $290.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 2nd. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $273.80.

Norfolk Southern Company 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.