Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE:NSC) Stock Has Average Target Price of $346.94 According to Analysts

Shares of Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE:NSC) have been assigned an average recommendation of “Hold” from the twenty-one brokerages that are covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Fourteen research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and seven have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $348.81.

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Citigroup increased their price target on shares of Norfolk Southern from $347.00 to $349.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday. Benchmark restated a “hold” rating on shares of Norfolk Southern in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Susquehanna decreased their price target on Norfolk Southern from $386.00 to $350.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 2nd. Evercore lifted their price objective on shares of Norfolk Southern from $358.00 to $360.00 in a research report on Wednesday, September 30th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on Norfolk Southern from $318.00 to $323.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday.

Norfolk Southern Price Performance

Shares of NYSE NSC opened at $329.85 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $74.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.00, a P/E/G ratio of 5.04 and a beta of 1.29. Norfolk Southern has a twelve month low of $277.80 and a twelve month high of $358.60. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $326.46 and a two-hundred day moving average of $320.64. The company has a current ratio of 0.90, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95.

Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 22nd. The railroad operator reported $3.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.46 by $0.16. The business had revenue of $3.53 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.48 billion. Norfolk Southern had a net margin of 20.70% and a return on equity of 18.22%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 13.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $3.30 earnings per share. On average, research analysts forecast that Norfolk Southern will post 12.81 earnings per share for the current year.

Norfolk Southern Announces Dividend

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 issued a dividend of $1.35 per share. 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 payout ratio is currently 46.08%.

Key Headlines Impacting Norfolk Southern

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

Institutional Trading of Norfolk Southern

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of NSC. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System bought a new position in Norfolk Southern during the first quarter worth about $3,272,000. SCS Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Norfolk Southern in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $13,837,000. B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. AG acquired a new position in shares of Norfolk Southern in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $3,669,000. Focus Partners Advisor Solutions LLC acquired a new position in shares of Norfolk Southern in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,376,000. Finally, PensionDanmark Pensionsforsikringsaktieselskab raised its holdings in shares of Norfolk Southern by 29.2% in the 2nd quarter. PensionDanmark Pensionsforsikringsaktieselskab now owns 54,620 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $17,183,000 after buying an additional 12,350 shares in the last quarter. 75.10% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Norfolk Southern Company Profile

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.