Caxton Associates LLP Boosts Stock Position in Norfolk Southern Corporation $NSC

Caxton Associates LLP raised its holdings in Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE:NSC) by 328.0% in the first quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 338,126 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after acquiring an additional 259,126 shares during the period. Norfolk Southern accounts for about 2.2% of Caxton Associates LLP’s portfolio, making the stock its 9th biggest position. Caxton Associates LLP’s holdings in Norfolk Southern were worth $97,042,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. JPL Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Norfolk Southern in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. BNP Paribas bought a new position in Norfolk Southern in the second quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Meeder Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in Norfolk Southern by 239.3% in the fourth quarter. Meeder Asset Management Inc. now owns 95 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. Financial Life Planners acquired a new position in shares of Norfolk Southern in the first quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Finally, Bayban acquired a new position in shares of Norfolk Southern in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $34,000. 75.10% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Trending Headlines about Norfolk Southern

Here are the key news stories impacting Norfolk Southern this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Norfolk Southern reported second-quarter adjusted earnings of $3.52 per share, topping estimates, while revenue rose to a record roughly $3.5 billion and increased 12.5% year over year. Article: Norfolk Southern (NSC) Q2 Earnings and Revenues Top Estimates
• Positive Sentiment: Management pointed to stronger freight demand, higher fuel surcharges, volume growth, and intermodal gains as key drivers of the quarter, which helped boost investor confidence in operating momentum. Article: Norfolk Southern rides freight demand, fuel surcharges to quarterly profit beat
• Positive Sentiment: The company said it achieved record quarterly revenue, and several outlets noted the stock rose as the revenue surge and earnings beat outweighed margin compression. Article: Norfolk Southern Stock Rises as Revenue Surge Offsets Margin Compression
• Neutral Sentiment: Norfolk Southern also announced a quarterly dividend of $1.35 per share, reinforcing shareholder returns but not changing the main earnings-driven stock move. Article: Norfolk Southern earnings report and conference call

Norfolk Southern Stock Performance

Shares of NSC stock opened at $347.70 on Friday. Norfolk Southern Corporation has a 12 month low of $268.23 and a 12 month high of $358.60. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $316.67 and its 200-day simple moving average is $305.84. The firm has a market cap of $78.09 billion, a PE ratio of 29.29, a P/E/G ratio of 6.05 and a beta of 1.27. The company has a quick ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04.

Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.52 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.32 by $0.20. Norfolk Southern had a net margin of 21.91% and a return on equity of 18.30%. The business had revenue of $3.46 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.38 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $3.29 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 12.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts expect that Norfolk Southern Corporation will post 12.24 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Norfolk Southern Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, August 20th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 7th will be issued a $1.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 7th. This represents a $5.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.6%. Norfolk Southern’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 45.49%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

NSC has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Susquehanna raised their price objective on shares of Norfolk Southern from $337.00 to $360.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their target price on Norfolk Southern from $350.00 to $310.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 6th. UBS Group set a $327.00 price target on Norfolk Southern in a research note on Thursday, May 7th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on Norfolk Southern from $350.00 to $365.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 8th. Finally, Rothschild & Co Redburn upped their price objective on Norfolk Southern from $308.00 to $315.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 29th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seventeen have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $331.29.

Norfolk Southern Company Profile

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.