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CSX Corporation(CSX)

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EXPLORE ADVISORIES AND THEIR HISTORY
QUALITY SIGNAL RECENCY
4-STAR RATING
STRONG BUY
BUY for 1 day
PROFIT SINCE LAST BUY
0.00%
LAST CLOSE
$50.79
10/23/2026
(24-hour delay)

Advisory History & Simulated Performance *

*as per simulation (see disclosures)
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  • BUY Advisory
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Upturn Stock price based on last close iconStock price based on last close
Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Advisory Performance History (Simulated)Advisory Performance History info

Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Upturn Advisory & Investor View for CSX

10/23/2026: CSX (4-star) is a STRONG-BUY. BUY for 1 day. Simulated Profits (0.00%). Updated daily EoD!

CSX Corporation is a major rail transportation company that serves as a vital artery for the Eastern U.S. economy. The firm is known for its high operational efficiency, supported by its Precision Scheduled Railroading model and a vast, hard-to-replicate infrastructure network. Its primary growth opportunity lies in capturing long-haul freight from the trucking industry through expanded intermodal and logistics services. However, the company faces risks from economic cyclicality, intense trucking competition, and the secular decline in coal demand. CSX is generally well-suited for value-oriented and dividend-focused investors seeking exposure to stable infrastructure, provided they monitor industrial volumes and regulatory trends closely.

How to Read the Upturn Advisory

The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.

Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.

Investor Fit

Investor styleFitWhy
Growth investorMixed fitCSX offers moderate growth driven by intermodal adoption rather than high-growth tech-like expansion.
Momentum investorWeak fitThe stock tends to track steady industrial cycles rather than short-term explosive momentum.
Value investorStrong fitThe company's strong cash flow and focus on efficiency often appeal to value-oriented investors.
Dividend investorStrong fitCSX provides consistent, reliable dividend payments supported by predictable industrial rail volumes.
Low-risk investorStrong fitRailroads are established, essential infrastructure assets with deep competitive moats.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityMediumThe stock is subject to broader market swings influenced by industrial and macroeconomic data.
Valuation riskMediumLike many mature industrial stocks, valuation is sensitive to interest rate changes and growth expectations.
Competition risk (trucking)HighThe vast trucking industry provides constant price pressure for short-to-medium haul freight.
Business qualityStrongCSX operates a critical, hard-to-replicate rail network that serves as a backbone for the economy.
Dividend incomeLowThe risk to dividend stability is low given the company's strong free cash flow and operational discipline.
Execution riskMediumOperational delays or failure to optimize the rail network can directly impact profitability and margins.

Price Behavior

Strong Uptrend
PRICE PATH

Strong Uptrend

The stock has maintained a strong upward price trend across the last three quarters.

Smooth
PRICE STABILITY

Smooth

The stock has moved along a generally orderly path with only modest fluctuations.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit 16.77%
Avg. Invested days 39
Today’s Advisory Strong Buy
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 3.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 2.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 10/23/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
CSX receives a 4-star rating, supported by solid analyst coverage. The rating is constrained by weak price momentum, and limited analyst upside.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
CSX has moderate overall fundamentals (3 stars), with solid financial health, soft growth momentum, and solid ownership. In FY2025 versus FY2024, solid cash generation (FCF margin 12.1%) and strong profitability (net margin 20.5%) are partially offset by negative earnings growth (-16.7%), slightly negative revenue growth (-3.1%), very low insider ownership of 0.22%.

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
CSX's financial health is supported by strong cash strength, including free-cash-flow generation of $1.7B (12.1% of revenue). Liquidity is moderate (3 stars), which helps explain the 4-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
CSX's growth profile is soft, with the least-weak measure being revenue growth at -3.1% FY2025 versus FY2024. By comparison, while earnings growth (-16.7%, negative) and free-cash-flow growth (-37.0%, negative) hold the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 81.8% and approximately 99.2% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership is only 0.22%, which materially reduces the ownership score.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

BlackRock Inc 8.69%
Vanguard Capital Management, LLC 6.55%
State Street Corp 4.94%
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. 3.83%
Amvescap Plc. 3.15%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
CSX generates approximately $332 of gross profit, $321 of operating income, and $121 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2025 results. Solid margins and soft cash conversion support a 3-star rating, while capital efficiency is moderate.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: 23.35%

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
CSX has a high-quality, large-cap, liquid profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback, while valuation that is moderately attractive rather than deeply discounted.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

Quality TiltHigh VolatilityLarge / Mega Cap StabilityHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

Key Highlights

Company Size Large-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 94.09B USD
Price to earnings Ratio 26.45
1Y Target Price 53.49
Price to earnings Ratio 26.45
1Y Target Price 53.49
Volume (30-day avg) 11.0M shares
Beta 1.2
52 Weeks Range 33.20 - 53.45
Updated Date 10/25/2026
52 Weeks Range 33.20 - 53.45
Updated Date 10/25/2026
Dividends yield (FY) 1.06%
Basic EPS (TTM) 1.92

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Merchandise FreightTransport of chemicals, metals, agriculture, and automotive goods via rail.This is the core, bread-and-butter revenue driver for the company.
Intermodal ServicesTransporting shipping containers and trailers between ports and inland destinations.This segment is a primary growth engine as shippers move goods from roads to rail.
Coal and EnergyMovement of thermal coal and coke for industrial and power generation use.A legacy segment that is gradually declining due to the energy transition.

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

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Earnings Date

Report Date 2026-10-21
When After Market
Estimate 0.52
Actual 0.57

Profitability

Profit Margin 23.97%
Operating Margin (TTM) 39.26%

Management Effectiveness

Return on Assets (TTM) 7.77%
Return on Equity (TTM) 26.39%

Valuation

Trailing PE 26.45
Forward PE 21.19
Enterprise Value 106.70B
Price to Sales(TTM) 6.3
Enterprise Value 106.70B
Price to Sales(TTM) 6.3
Enterprise Value to Revenue 7.35
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 15.92
Shares Outstanding 1.85B
Shares Floating 1.84B
Shares Outstanding 1.85B
Shares Floating 1.84B
Percent Insiders 0.22
Percent Institutions 81.85

Financial Metrics

🧭 Investment Snapshot

Total Revenue (Scale)

Information icon Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.

Net Income (Profit)

Information icon Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.

Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)

Information icon Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.

📈 Growth & Strength

Operating Income (Core Profit)

Information icon Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.

EBITDA (Cash Earnings)

Information icon Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.

Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)

Information icon Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.

🛡️ Financial Safety

Cash (Liquidity Buffer)

Information icon Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.

Total Debt (Leverage Risk)

Information icon Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.

Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)

Information icon Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.

🧱 Balance Sheet Strength

Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)

Information icon Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.

Total Assets (Asset Base)

Information icon The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.

Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)

Information icon Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.

⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors

Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)

Information icon Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.

Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)

Information icon Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.

Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)

Information icon Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

Form CRS provides a relationship summary of our automated advisory services, flat subscription fees, and conflicts of interest. Form ADV Part 2A brochure contains complete details on services, billing, and disclosures. If any summary differs from our current regulatory filings, the filed Form ADV controls.