NSC

Get insights on thousands of stocks from the global community of over 7 million individual investors at Simply Wall St. Union Pacific stock has delivered a 52.7% total return over the past five years, yet current checks suggest it may now sit close to its intrinsic value rather than being a clear bargain or an obvious premium. A 52.7% five year return indicates shareholders have already captured a meaningful portion of Union Pacific's value creation over that period. The proposed merger with Norfolk Southern, alongside efficiency gains and supply chain moves like the long rail supply agreement, can support future cash flows, while regulatory conditions and integration risks may cap how much value investors are willing to pay up for today. Union Pacific scores 3 out of 6 on our valuation checks, which points to a mixed picture rather than a clear bargain or clear overvaluation. The stock's next move may depend on whether Union Pacific's current price already reflects the potential benefits of the merger and efficiency gains, or still leaves some room above or below the intrinsic value estimate from the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Union Pacific delivered 34.6% returns over the last year. See how this stacks up to the rest of the Transportation industry. The Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model values Union Pacific by projecting future free cash flows and discounting them back to today. On this view, Union Pacific generated about $5.8b in free cash flow over the last twelve months, with the model assuming that cash flows continue growing from this base rather than shrinking. Those cash flows, run through a 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity framework, point to an estimated intrinsic value of about $286 per share. That intrinsic estimate sits slightly below the current share price, implying the stock screens around 4.8% overvalued on this cash flow outlook. The proposed $85b merger with Norfolk Southern, which is expected to increase revenue and cost synergies over time, helps explain why the market is already pricing Union Pacific stock a little ahead of the DCF output. On balance, the Discounted Cash Flow view suggests Union Pacific stock currently looks about fairly valued, with only a modest premium to the intrinsic value estimate. Union Pacific is fairly valued according to our Discounted Cash Flow (DCF), but this can change at a moment's notice. Track the...

Norfolk Southern (NSC) is expected to deliver a year-over-year decline in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price. The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 23. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower. While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise. This railroad is expected to post quarterly earnings of $3.23 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -1.8%. Revenues are expected to be $3.32 billion, up 6.7% from the year-ago quarter. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.26% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period. Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Estimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction). The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier. Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP...

Norfolk Southern Corporation NSC is scheduled to report second-quarter 2026 results on July 23, before market open. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NSC’s second-quarter 2026 earnings has been revised upward by 3.53% over the past 60 days to $3.23 per share. The consensus mark for earnings implies a 1.8% decline from the year-ago actuals. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NSC's second-quarter 2026 revenues is pegged at $3.32 billion, indicating a 6.7% fall year over year. Norfolk Southern has an encouraging earnings surprise history. The company’s earnings outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average beat of 6.45%. Norfolk Southern Corporation price-eps-surprise | Norfolk Southern Corporation Quote Let’s see how things are likely to have shaped up for Norfolk Southern this earnings season. We expect NSC’s performance in the to-be-reported quarter to have been bolstered by an uptick in freight market demand and robust cost-cutting initiatives. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the Railway operating revenues from the intermodal segment is anticipated to have increased 5.7% from the year ago actuals. E-commerce demand is likely to have driven NSC's shipment volumes in the to-be-reported quarter, thereby boosting the company's top line. Additionally, service quality is expected to have improved through the company's Precision Scheduled Railroading operating plan, enabling more efficient utilization of assets. Our proven model predicts an earnings beat for Norfolk Southern this time. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. Which is not the case here. NSC has an Earnings ESP of +0.21% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. NSC posted earnings (excluding 22 cents from non-recurring items) of $2.65 per share for the first quarter of 2026, topping the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.51. The adjusted figure was down 1.5% from $2.69 a year ago. Railway operating revenues were $3.0 billion, edging past the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.99 billion and rising 0.2% year over year. The adjusted operating ratio (operating expenses as a % of revenues) in the quarter landed at 68.7%, as higher costs and fuel headwinds weighed on profitability. The year-ago value of the m...

With a market cap of $73.6 billion, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) is a leading transportation company that operates one of the largest freight rail networks in the eastern United States. Through its subsidiary, Norfolk Southern Railway Company, it provides rail transportation for a wide range of raw materials, intermediate products, and finished goods, including agricultural, chemical, industrial, and automotive commodities. The Atlanta, Georgia-based company is expected to release its fiscal Q2 2026 results before the market opens on Thursday, Jul. 23. Ahead of this event, analysts predict NSC to report an adjusted EPS of $3.20, a 2.7% decline from $3.29 in the year-ago quarter. However, it has exceeded Wall Street's bottom-line estimates in each of the last four quarters. Dear Google Stock Fans, Mark Your Calendars for July 13 Oracle Stock Crashes to a 52-Week Low. Here’s Why It Might Be Time to Buy. Costco vs. Walmart: 1 Dividend-Paying Retail Giant Stands Above the Other Tired of missing midday reversals? The FREE Barchart Brief newsletter keeps you in the know. Sign up now! For fiscal 2026, analysts forecast the railroad operator to report adjusted EPS of $12.24, down 2% from $12.49 in fiscal 2025. Nevertheless, adjusted EPS is projected to rise 9.6% year-over-year to $13.41 in fiscal 2027. NSC stock has soared 24.6% over the past 52 weeks, outpacing the broader S&P 500 Index's ($SPX) 20.3% return and the State Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF's (XLI) 20.2% gain over the same period. Norfolk Southern shares fell marginally on Apr. 24 after the company warned that surging fuel prices would continue to pressure earnings in the coming quarters, with the management stating fuel would remain a "headwind" in Q2. The company said Q1 2026 fuel expenses were $31 million higher than a year earlier and more than $40 million above expectations, contributing to adjusted EPS slipping to $2.65, while quarterly revenue remained flat at $3 billion. Management also cited the sharp rise in fuel prices during March, severe winter weather, and a rapidly changing macroeconomic environment as additional pressures on margins despite fuel surcharge revenue partially offsetting higher costs. Analysts' consensus view on NSC stock is cautiously optimistic, with an overall "Moderate Buy" rating. Among 21 analysts covering the stock, five suggest a "Strong Buy" and 16 p...

ATLANTA, June 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) will announce its second quarter 2026 financial results during a live conference call and internet webcast at 10 a.m. ET on Thursday, July 23, 2026. Quarterly earnings results will be released in advance of the call and a press release will be posted on the Investors page of the company's website. For electronic notification of earnings events, subscribe to Investor Alerts, an email distribution list for the latest investor events, reports, news and more from Norfolk Southern. About Norfolk Southern Since 1827, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) and its predecessor companies have safely moved the goods and materials that drive the U.S. economy. Today, it operates a 22-state freight transportation network. Committed to furthering sustainability, Norfolk Southern helps its customers avoid approximately 15 million tons of yearly carbon emissions by shipping via rail. Its dedicated team members deliver approximately 7 million carloads annually, from agriculture to consumer goods. Norfolk Southern also has the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern U.S. It serves a majority of the country's population and manufacturing base, with connections to every major container port on the Atlantic coast as well as major ports across the Gulf Coast and Great Lakes. Learn more by visiting www.NorfolkSouthern.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/norfolk-southern-to-announce-second-quarter-2026-earnings-results-on-july-23-2026-302811014.html

Railroad companies Canadian National Railway (CNI), CSX (CSX), and Union Pacific (UNP) are well-posi

Make better investment decisions with Simply Wall St's easy, visual tools that give you a competitive edge. Norfolk Southern’s fair value estimate in one analyst model has shifted from US$332.22 to US$335.71 per share, providing an updated reference point for where the stock is being pegged right now. That change sits within a broader split on Wall Street, where some firms are responding to rail volume trends and industrial data with higher targets, while others are trimming their numbers and flagging execution risk. Read on to see what is driving this evolving narrative and how you can keep track of it as it develops. Analyst Price Targets don't always capture the full story. Head over to our Company Report to find new ways to value Norfolk Southern. Susquehanna lifted its Norfolk Southern target to US$337 from US$330 while keeping a Neutral stance, citing rail volumes that it sees as running ahead of expectations and ISM manufacturing readings that have expanded for five straight months. Several firms, including Baird, BMO Capital, TD Cowen, Evercore ISI, RBC Capital, Barclays and Citi, have issued higher price targets in recent months. This points to growing interest in the stock’s valuation and potential if current rail and industrial trends hold. JPMorgan and Bernstein have both reduced their price targets, and RBC Capital also issued a lower target in March, highlighting concerns that tie back to execution risk and the balance between volumes, costs and capital spending. The mix of higher and lower targets across the same set of firms signals that analysts are split on how durable recent operating trends might be. This can leave the risk or reward trade off looking less clear cut for you as an investor. Do your thoughts align with the Bull or Bear Analysts? Perhaps you think there's more to the story. Head to the Simply Wall St Community to discover more perspectives! We've flagged 1 risk for Norfolk Southern. See which could impact your investment. Union Pacific's proposed US$85b acquisition of Norfolk Southern is on hold after the U.S. Surface Transportation Board paused its review, with a final decision expected in late 2026 or 2027. Norfolk Southern shares fell 5.5% on May 28 after the review pause and the stock has underperformed the S&P 500 over the past year. Wall Street maintains a consensus "Moderate Buy" rating from 21 analysts tied to the me...

Norfolk Southern reported slightly lower first-quarter earnings on Friday morning as harsh winter weather took a toll on volume in February and fuel prices jumped in March. “Working together, we successfully navigated another challenging winter with weather events that affected most of our territory, putting real pressure on the network and our volumes in the month of February,” Chief Executive Mark George said on the railroad’s earnings call Friday. “But as conditions normalized and our network recovered, we were able to capture the available volume in March and exited the quarter with solid momentum, all while staying focused on what matters most, operating the railroad safely.” Adjusted for the ongoing financial impact of the February 2023 derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, and merger-related costs, Norfolk Southern’s operating income declined 2%, to $939 million, on flat revenue of $2.99 billion. Earnings per share declined 1%, to $2.65. The railroad’s adjusted operating ratio was 68.7%, an increase of 0.8 points from a year ago. “On costs, we remained disciplined,” George said. “Total adjusted expenses were up just 1% year-over-year despite inflationary pressures, storm costs, and sharply higher fuel prices.” Overall volume declined 1% for the quarter due to a 4% drop in intermodal volume. Coal traffic was up 9%, while merchandise posted a 1% gain. The intermodal decline was primarily due to a 9% drop in international traffic compared to last year’s tariff-related volume spike, but merger-related domestic intermodal business losses also contributed, Chief Commercial Officer Ed Elkins said. Some of NS’ domestic traffic has migrated to CSX (NASDAQ: CSX) thanks to its intermodal alliance with BNSF Railway (NYSE: BRK-B). The jump in coal volume was due to a 27% increase in domestic utility shipments as natural gas prices rose and utilities sought to rebuild depleted coal stockpiles. “Within merchandise, volume and revenue increased 1% from a year ago, and this was driven by continued share gains in our chemicals and our automotive markets,” said Elkins. NS (NYSE: NSC) and UP (NYSE: UNP) plan to submit their revised merger application to federal regulators as planned on April 30. The original application was rejected as incomplete in January. “The new application is going to confirm what we said in the original application on the logic of doing this deal an...

Norfolk Southern Corporation NSC posted earnings (excluding 22 cents from non-recurring items) of $2.65 per share for the first quarter of 2026, topping the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.51. The adjusted figure was down 1.5% from $2.69 a year ago. Railway operating revenues were $3.0 billion, edging past the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.99 billion and rising 0.2% year over year. The adjusted operating ratio (operating expenses as a % of revenues) in the quarter landed at 68.7%, as higher costs and fuel headwinds weighed on profitability. The year-ago value of the metric was 67.9%. A lower value of the metric is preferable. Norfolk Southern Corporation price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Norfolk Southern Corporation Quote First-quarter performance reflected a mixed demand and operating backdrop. Management pointed to volatile volumes, severe winter weather and a sharp rise in fuel prices in March, but noted that service execution improved as conditions normalized late in the quarter. The volume decline was modest at 1% year over year, suggesting a relatively steady demand base even amid macro uncertainty. As conditions improved, the railroad said it captured momentum exiting the quarter, underscoring the strength of the operating foundation. In the market outlook, the company also flagged that the competitive environment following its merger announcement is expected to pressure volumes in the short to medium term. Merchandise remained the largest contributor, with revenues rising 1% year over year to $1.88 billion on a 1% increase in units. Revenue per unit for the franchise was essentially flat year over year, indicating stable pricing and mix despite a choppy backdrop. Intermodal revenues dipped 1% to $749 million as units declined 4%, though revenue per unit improved 3%. Coal revenues slipped 2% to $364 million, even as volumes increased 9%, as revenue per unit fell 9%, reflecting weaker realization. On a GAAP basis, earnings were $2.43 per share compared with $3.31 in the year-ago period, while income from railway operations fell 23% to $877 million. Operating expenses rose 15% to $2.12 billion, caused in part by $52 million of merger-related expenses and $10 million of net expenses tied to the Eastern Ohio incident. Excluding merger-related costs and the incident impacts, adjusted income from railway operations was $939 million, down 2% year over yea...

This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Adjusted Operating Ratio: 68.7% EPS (Earnings Per Share): $2.65 per share Total Adjusted Expenses: Up 1% year-over-year Revenue: Flat year-over-year RPU (Revenue Per Unit): Up 2% Merchandise Volume and Revenue: Increased 1% from a year ago Intermodal Volumes: Decreased 4% Intermodal Revenue: Declined 1% Coal Volume: Increased 9% Coal Revenue: Declined 2% Fuel Price Impact: $31 million higher than last year Fuel Efficiency Savings: Over $30 million FRA Personal Injury Ratio: 1.10 FRA Accident Ratio: 1.43 (37% improvement year-over-year) Gross Ton Miles: Increased 1.1% Warning! GuruFocus has detected 10 Warning Sign with NSC. Is NSC fairly valued? Test your thesis with our free DCF calculator. Release Date: April 24, 2026 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Norfolk Southern Corp (NYSE:NSC) successfully navigated challenging winter weather, maintaining solid momentum and focusing on safe operations. The company's safety performance continues to excel, with a reduction in FRA reportable accident rates and improvements in safety culture. NSC demonstrated cost discipline, with total adjusted expenses up just 1% year-over-year despite inflationary pressures and higher fuel prices. The company saw strength and encouraging results across multiple business segments, reflecting focused investments and improved coordination. NSC achieved a fuel efficiency record, strengthening its competitive position in a high fuel price environment while protecting margins. Volume finished down 1% primarily due to challenging intermodal market conditions and merger-related losses. Revenue ended the quarter flat year-over-year, with some business segments experiencing revenue declines due to mix headwinds. The macroeconomic environment remains uncertain, with dynamic and shifting supply chains impacting customer demand. Fuel prices surged unexpectedly, resulting in expenses that were $40 million higher than anticipated in March alone. The company faces competitive pressures in the intermodal segment, particularly related to merger activities and increased competitor activity. Q: Can you clarify the normal operating ratio (OR) seasonality from Q1 to Q2, and discuss competitive activity in Intermodal related to the merger? A: Jason Zampi, CFO, explained that despite headwinds like i...

Norfolk Southern (NSC) came out with quarterly earnings of $2.65 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.51 per share. This compares to earnings of $2.69 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items. This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +5.45%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this railroad would post earnings of $2.78 per share when it actually produced earnings of $3.22, delivering a surprise of +15.83%. Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates four times. Norfolk Southern, which belongs to the Zacks Transportation - Rail industry, posted revenues of $3 billion for the quarter ended March 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.25%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $2.99 billion. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates two times over the last four quarters. The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call. Norfolk Southern shares have added about 11.3% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 3.8%. While Norfolk Southern has outperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock? There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately. Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions. Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Norfolk Southern was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1...

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