NSC official logo NSC
NSC 2-star rating from Upturn Advisory
Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) company logo

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) 2-star rating from Upturn Advisory
$280.77
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Upturn Advisory Summary

11/05/2025: NSC (2-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.

Upturn Star Rating

Upturn 2 star rating for performance

Below Average Performance

These Stocks/ETFs, based on Upturn Advisory, often underperform the market, warranting careful consideration before investing.

Number of Analysts

4 star rating from financial analysts

27 Analysts rated it

Well-followed company, solid analyst reports, reliable data for confident investing.

1 Year Target Price $312.28

1 Year Target Price $312.28

Analysts Price Target For last 52 week
$312.28 Target price
52w Low $199.43
Current$280.77
52w High $302.24

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit 35.23%
Avg. Invested days 76
Today’s Advisory PASS
Upturn Star Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 5.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 3.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 11/05/2025

Key Highlights

Company Size Large-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 63.30B USD
Price to earnings Ratio 21.5
1Y Target Price 312.28
Price to earnings Ratio 21.5
1Y Target Price 312.28
Volume (30-day avg) 27
Beta 1.32
52 Weeks Range 199.43 - 302.24
Updated Date 11/6/2025
52 Weeks Range 199.43 - 302.24
Updated Date 11/6/2025
Dividends yield (FY) 1.92%
Basic EPS (TTM) 13.12

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

Earnings Date

Report Date 2025-10-23
When After Market
Estimate 3.2
Actual 3.3

Profitability

Profit Margin 24.22%
Operating Margin (TTM) 36.58%

Management Effectiveness

Return on Assets (TTM) 6.11%
Return on Equity (TTM) 20.48%

Valuation

Trailing PE 21.5
Forward PE 21.41
Enterprise Value 82998842557
Price to Sales(TTM) 5.18
Enterprise Value 82998842557
Price to Sales(TTM) 5.18
Enterprise Value to Revenue 6.82
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 12.76
Shares Outstanding 224386617
Shares Floating 223993940
Shares Outstanding 224386617
Shares Floating 223993940
Percent Insiders 0.07
Percent Institutions 79.94

Icon representing Upturn AI-generated SWOT analysis summary Upturn AI SWOT

Norfolk Southern Corporation

Norfolk Southern Corporation(NSC) company logo displayed in Upturn AI summary

Company Overview

Company history and background logo History and Background

Norfolk Southern Corporation traces its origins to predecessor companies dating back to the 1830s. Formed in 1982 through the merger of Norfolk and Western Railway and Southern Railway. A key player in the US freight rail industry.

Company business area logo Core Business Areas

  • Freight Rail Transportation: The core business involves transporting raw materials, intermediate products, and finished goods. Primary commodities include coal, agriculture, chemicals, automotive, and intermodal traffic.

leadership logo Leadership and Structure

Alan H. Shaw is the President and CEO. The organizational structure is hierarchical, with various departments responsible for operations, marketing, finance, and other key functions.

Top Products and Market Share

Product Key Offerings logo Key Offerings

  • Coal: Transporting coal to power plants and export terminals. Market share varies by region. Competitors: CSX, BNSF, Union Pacific, trucking companies.
  • Market_Share_Competitors: CSX, BNSF, Union Pacific, trucking companies
  • Intermodal: Moving shipping containers and truck trailers via rail. Competes with trucking companies. Market share is significant in key corridors. Competitors: JB Hunt, Swift Transportation.
  • Market_Share_Competitors: JB Hunt, Swift Transportation
  • Agriculture: Transportation of farm products and supplies across the Eastern US, with increasing focus on export. Competitors: BNSF, Union Pacific.
  • Market_Share_Competitors: BNSF, Union Pacific
  • Chemicals: Transportation of chemicals and plastics. Competitors: CSX, Union Pacific
  • Market_Share_Competitors: CSX, Union Pacific
  • Automotive: Shipment of finished vehicles and components. Competitors: Union Pacific, Canadian National.
  • Market_Share_Competitors: Union Pacific, Canadian National

Market Dynamics

industry overview logo Industry Overview

The US freight rail industry is dominated by a few major players. It is capital intensive and subject to regulatory oversight. Demand is influenced by economic conditions, commodity prices, and fuel costs.

Positioning

Norfolk Southern is one of the largest Class I railroads in North America, operating primarily in the eastern United States. It has a strong network and is focused on improving efficiency and service.

Total Addressable Market (TAM)

The US freight transportation market is estimated to be worth hundreds of billions of dollars annually. Norfolk Southern captures a portion of this, especially in the Eastern US rail network. They hold a significant share of the overall freight transportation market, competing with trucking, pipelines, and other rail companies.

Upturn SWOT Analysis

Strengths

  • Extensive rail network in the Eastern U.S.
  • Diversified commodity mix
  • Strong intermodal business
  • Focus on efficiency and safety improvements

Weaknesses

  • High capital expenditures
  • Sensitivity to economic cycles
  • Service disruptions can impact revenue
  • Negative ESG impacts of some transported commodities

Opportunities

  • Growing intermodal market
  • Shift from truck to rail
  • Increased infrastructure spending
  • Technological advancements
  • Increased export of US agricultural products

Threats

  • Economic downturns
  • Competition from trucking and other modes of transportation
  • Regulatory changes
  • Rising fuel costs
  • Labor disputes
  • Weather-related disruptions
  • Climate change regulation

Competitors and Market Share

Key competitor logo Key Competitors

  • CSX (CSX)
  • Union Pacific (UNP)
  • BNSF (Berkshire Hathaway BRK.B)
  • Canadian National Railway (CNI)
  • Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CP)

Competitive Landscape

Norfolk Southern competes with other railroads and trucking companies. Its advantages include its eastern U.S. network and intermodal capabilities. Disadvantages may include high operating costs and sensitivity to economic downturns.

Growth Trajectory and Initiatives

Historical Growth: Historical growth has been influenced by economic cycles and industry trends.

Future Projections: Future growth is expected to be driven by intermodal traffic, efficiency improvements, and strategic initiatives. Analyst estimates vary.

Recent Initiatives: Recent initiatives include investments in infrastructure, technology, and safety improvements.

Summary

Norfolk Southern is a major freight railroad with a strong presence in the Eastern US. Its intermodal business is a key growth driver, but it faces challenges from economic cycles and competition. Strategic initiatives are focused on efficiency and safety, while regulatory changes and environmental factors are key considerations. Overall the company has opportunities to grow but must watch out for market headwinds.

Similar Stocks

Sources and Disclaimers

Data Sources:

  • Company filings
  • Industry reports
  • Analyst estimates

Disclaimers:

This analysis is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Market share data is approximate.

Information icon for Upturn AI Summarization accuracy disclaimer AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.

Information icon for Upturn AI Summarization data freshness disclaimer Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.

Information icon warning about Upturn AI Fundamental Rating based on potentially old data Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.

Information icon warning about potential inaccuracies or hallucinations in Upturn AI-generated summaries AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.

About Norfolk Southern Corporation

Exchange NYSE
Headquaters Atlanta, GA, United States
IPO Launch date 1982-06-02
President, CEO & Director Mr. Mark R. George
Sector Industrials
Industry Railroads
Full time employees 19600
Full time employees 19600

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. It also transports overseas freight through various Atlantic and Gulf Coast ports; and operates an intermodal network. Norfolk Southern Corporation was incorporated in 1980 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.