Zacks Research Issues Optimistic Outlook for NSC Earnings

Norfolk Southern Co. (NYSE:NSC) – Equities research analysts at Zacks Research raised their Q3 2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Norfolk Southern in a report issued on Monday, January 20th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now forecasts that the railroad operator will earn $3.44 per share for the quarter, up from their previous forecast of $3.40. The consensus estimate for Norfolk Southern’s current full-year earnings is $11.78 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Norfolk Southern’s Q1 2026 earnings at $3.45 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $3.78 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $3.71 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $14.26 EPS.

Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 22nd. The railroad operator reported $3.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.11 by $0.14. Norfolk Southern had a net margin of 19.85% and a return on equity of 20.25%. The firm had revenue of $3.10 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.08 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.65 EPS. The company’s revenue was up 3.3% on a year-over-year basis.

Several other analysts also recently issued reports on the company. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on Norfolk Southern from $320.00 to $300.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. UBS Group increased their target price on Norfolk Southern from $289.00 to $309.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 23rd. TD Cowen boosted their price target on Norfolk Southern from $253.00 to $259.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 23rd. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on shares of Norfolk Southern from $272.00 to $282.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 23rd. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein boosted their target price on shares of Norfolk Southern from $285.00 to $286.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 9th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $275.68.

Norfolk Southern Price Performance

Norfolk Southern stock opened at $256.47 on Wednesday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $249.90 and a 200-day moving average of $247.33. Norfolk Southern has a 52-week low of $206.71 and a 52-week high of $277.60. The company has a quick ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21. The firm has a market capitalization of $58.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.08, a PEG ratio of 2.29 and a beta of 1.34.

Insider Buying and Selling at Norfolk Southern

In other Norfolk Southern news, Director Sameh Fahmy bought 350 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 12th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $249.37 per share, for a total transaction of $87,279.50. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 10,350 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,580,979.50. This trade represents a 3.50 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.19% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Ausbil Investment Management Ltd bought a new position in Norfolk Southern in the fourth quarter worth about $4,703,000. Austin Private Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Norfolk Southern in the 4th quarter worth approximately $220,000. Caprock Group LLC acquired a new position in Norfolk Southern during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $1,796,000. Mine & Arao Wealth Creation & Management LLC. grew its stake in Norfolk Southern by 7.0% during the 4th quarter. Mine & Arao Wealth Creation & Management LLC. now owns 2,420 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $568,000 after buying an additional 158 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mediolanum International Funds Ltd increased its position in Norfolk Southern by 165.3% in the fourth quarter. Mediolanum International Funds Ltd now owns 123,109 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $28,674,000 after buying an additional 76,713 shares during the period. 75.10% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.