Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC) Price Target Raised to $323.00

Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC) had its price objective hoisted by JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $318.00 to $323.00 in a report issued on Friday,Benzinga reports. They currently have a neutral rating on the railroad operator’s stock.

A number of other equities analysts have also issued reports on the stock. UBS Group reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $363.00 target price on shares of Norfolk Southern in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Benchmark reissued a “hold” rating on shares of Norfolk Southern in a report on Friday, July 24th. Citigroup raised their price target on shares of Norfolk Southern from $347.00 to $349.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday. Susquehanna dropped their price objective on shares of Norfolk Southern from $386.00 to $350.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 2nd. Finally, Robert W. Baird upped their price objective on Norfolk Southern from $360.00 to $377.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Monday, July 27th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and fourteen have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $348.81.

Norfolk Southern Stock Down 0.0%

Shares of NYSE NSC opened at $329.85 on Friday. Norfolk Southern has a 12-month low of $277.80 and a 12-month high of $358.60. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $326.46 and its 200 day simple moving average is $320.87. The company has a quick ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95. The company has a market cap of $74.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.91 and a beta of 1.29.

Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 22nd. The railroad operator reported $3.62 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.46 by $0.16. Norfolk Southern had a net margin of 20.70% and a return on equity of 18.22%. The firm had revenue of $3.53 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.48 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $3.30 EPS. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 13.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts expect that Norfolk Southern will post 12.83 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Norfolk Southern Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 20th. Investors of record on Friday, November 6th will be given a $1.35 dividend. This represents a $5.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.6%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 6th. Norfolk Southern’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 45.26%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in NSC. Apollon Financial LLC increased its position in Norfolk Southern by 4.3% in the first quarter. Apollon Financial LLC now owns 881 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $253,000 after buying an additional 36 shares during the period. Moss Adams Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Norfolk Southern by 4.6% in the first quarter. Moss Adams Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 827 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $237,000 after buying an additional 36 shares during the last quarter. Diversify Advisory Services LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Norfolk Southern by 1.3% during the third quarter. Diversify Advisory Services LLC now owns 2,824 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $917,000 after acquiring an additional 36 shares during the period. Turtle Creek Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Norfolk Southern by 4.4% during the first quarter. Turtle Creek Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 952 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $273,000 after acquiring an additional 40 shares during the period. Finally, Foster Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Norfolk Southern by 3.1% during the second quarter. Foster Group Inc. now owns 1,405 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $442,000 after acquiring an additional 42 shares during the last quarter. 75.10% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Norfolk Southern News Roundup

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.