J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. Lowers Stock Position in Norfolk Southern Corporation $NSC

J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. cut its stake in shares of Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE:NSC) by 22.2% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 7,990 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after selling 2,282 shares during the period. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc.’s holdings in Norfolk Southern were worth $2,206,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Argent Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in Norfolk Southern in the 4th quarter worth $336,000. Vise Technologies Inc. lifted its position in shares of Norfolk Southern by 104.0% during the fourth quarter. Vise Technologies Inc. now owns 3,993 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $1,153,000 after purchasing an additional 2,036 shares during the last quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Norfolk Southern by 3.2% during the fourth quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 36,360 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $10,498,000 after purchasing an additional 1,120 shares during the last quarter. Ted Buchan & Co bought a new position in shares of Norfolk Southern during the fourth quarter worth about $249,000. Finally, Harold Davidson & Associates Inc. lifted its position in shares of Norfolk Southern by 1.6% during the fourth quarter. Harold Davidson & Associates Inc. now owns 6,641 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $1,917,000 after purchasing an additional 106 shares during the last quarter. 75.10% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Norfolk Southern Price Performance

NYSE NSC opened at $313.88 on Monday. Norfolk Southern Corporation has a 52 week low of $247.85 and a 52 week high of $326.00. The company has a current ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04. The stock has a market cap of $70.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.79 and a beta of 1.27. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $305.69 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $299.20.

Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC) last posted its earnings results on Friday, April 24th. The railroad operator reported $2.65 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.49 by $0.16. Norfolk Southern had a net margin of 21.91% and a return on equity of 18.30%. The firm had revenue of $3 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.13 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.69 EPS. Norfolk Southern’s quarterly revenue was up .2% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts forecast that Norfolk Southern Corporation will post 12.11 EPS for the current year.

Norfolk Southern Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, May 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 8th were given a $1.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 8th. This represents a $5.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.7%. Norfolk Southern’s dividend payout ratio is 45.49%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

NSC has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Sanford C. Bernstein reduced their price target on shares of Norfolk Southern from $322.00 to $313.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, March 31st. Citigroup reaffirmed a “neutral” rating on shares of Norfolk Southern in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Barclays increased their price target on shares of Norfolk Southern from $320.00 to $360.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, April 27th. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on shares of Norfolk Southern from $305.00 to $310.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research report on Monday, April 27th. Finally, Evercore set a $325.00 price target on shares of Norfolk Southern in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and sixteen have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $322.71.

About Norfolk Southern

Norfolk Southern Corporation is a major U.S. freight railroad company that provides rail transportation and related logistics services. As a Class I carrier, the company operates an extensive network across the eastern United States and offers scheduled freight service for a broad range of industries. Its core operations include long-haul and regional rail freight transportation, intermodal services that move containers and trailers between rail and other modes, and terminal and switching services that support efficient rail shipments for industrial and port customers.

The company transports a variety of commodities, serving sectors such as coal and energy, automotive and automotive parts, chemicals, agriculture, metals and construction materials, and consumer goods.