NSC
NYSE · Road & Rail
Norfolk Southern Corp
$282.61
-1.03 (-0.36%)
Performance
1D
—
1W
—
1M
—
3M
-2.87%
6M
-5.68%
1Y
+19.87%
YTD
-1.81%
Open$286.01
Previous Close$283.64
Day High$286.22
Day Low$282.23
52W High$319.94
52W Low$201.63
Volume—
Avg Volume1.53M
Market Cap68.01B
P/E Ratio23.67
EPS$12.75
SectorRoad & Rail
Technical Indicators
Full analysis →
SMA 50
$295.27
Below
SMA 200
$278.10
Above
RSI (14)
82.3
Overbought
Trend
Golden Cross
Bullish
Analyst Ratings
Hold
27 analysts
Price Target
-15.2% upside
Current
$282.61
$282.61
Target
$239.62
$239.62
$155.44
$239.62 avg
$337.71
Key Financials
| FY 2026 | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 12.14B | 12.33B | 22.21B |
| Net Income | 2.86B | 2.62B | 2.85B |
| Profit Margin | 23.6% | 22.4% | 12.8% |
| EBITDA | 5.81B | 5.60B | 5.32B |
| Free Cash Flow | — | — | 2.75B |
| Rev Growth | -1.5% | -1.5% | -5.5% |
| Debt/Equity | 1.10 | 1.10 | 0.94 |
Dividend
Dividend Yield1.74%
Annual Dividend$5.39
Payout Ratio42.3%
Frequencyquarterly
Ex-Dividend—
Pay Date—
Recent Insider Activity
All Insiders →| Date | Insider | Type | Shares | Price | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 3 | LAMPHERE GILBERT H | Exercise | 3,647 | $0.00 | — |
| Feb 3 | LAMPHERE GILBERT H | Exercise | 622 | $0.00 | — |
| Feb 3 | Zampi Jason Andrew | Exercise | 4,037 | $0.00 | — |
| Feb 3 | Zampi Jason Andrew | Exercise | 4,289 | $0.00 | — |
| Feb 3 | Zampi Jason Andrew | Exercise | 4,424 | $0.00 | — |
About Norfolk Southern Corp
Norfolk Southern Corporation is a major freight railroad company operating one of the premier rail networks in the eastern United States, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The company transports industrial products including chemicals, agriculture, metals, construction materials, automotive, coal, and intermodal containers across 22 states and the District of Columbia. Norfolk Southern operates approximately 19,000 route miles of track connecting major ports, manufacturing centers, and distribution facilities. The company provides comprehensive logistics services and works closely with connecting rail carriers to deliver freight across North America and facilitate international trade.
Road & Rail Peers
| Symbol | Name | Price | Change | P/E | Mkt Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UBER | Uber Technologies Inc. | $73.08 | +1.02% | 15.4 | 155.06B |
| UNP | Union Pacific Corp | $241.33 | +0.69% | 19.4 | 138.66B |
| CP | Canadian Pacific Kansas City | $80.06 | +1.03% | 23.4 | 96.81B |
| CNI | Canadian Natl Railway Co | $101.89 | +0.91% | 19.4 | 91.70B |
| CSX | Csx Corp | $39.57 | +1.80% | 26.5 | 76.52B |
| ODFL | Old Dominion Freight Line | $189.05 | +2.17% | 39.8 | 40.70B |
NSC Frequently Asked Questions
What does Norfolk Southern Corp do?
Norfolk Southern moves freight through the economic heartland of the eastern United States — linking Appalachian coal country, southeastern manufacturing centers, and major Atlantic ports to Midwest distribution hubs. The company earns revenue by charging shippers per carload or intermodal unit moved across its roughly 19,000-mile network. Intermodal containers and industrial commodities like chemicals and metals have grown as a share of revenue as coal has declined. The 2023 East Palestine derailment was a significant operational and reputational event that has shaped the company's safety investment agenda.
Is NSC stock a good investment?
Norfolk Southern is a classic infrastructure moat — you cannot simply build a competing railroad through densely populated eastern cities. The company has been working to close a profitability gap with peers like CSX through operational efficiency improvements and network optimization following leadership changes. Investors weigh the structural advantages of railroading against near-term headwinds: coal volume decline, litigation costs from East Palestine, and slower industrial production in some freight categories. A sustained improvement in operating ratio would be the clearest sign of investment thesis execution.
Who are Norfolk Southern Corp's main competitors?
CSX is Norfolk Southern's primary rail competitor, with extensive route overlap across the Southeast, mid-Atlantic, and Midwest. On cross-border and long-haul freight, Canadian National and CPKC compete for traffic moving between the U.S. and Canada or Mexico. Trucking companies — including J.B. Hunt, Werner, and Schneider — compete for intermodal containers and time-sensitive freight, particularly on shorter regional lanes where rail's time disadvantage is most pronounced.
Does Norfolk Southern Corp pay dividends?
Norfolk Southern has a long and consistent dividend history, with regular annual increases that reflect the railroad's durable cash flow generation. The company pairs its dividend with an ongoing share repurchase program, though buyback pace has modulated depending on capital priorities like East Palestine remediation costs. Its dividend yield is generally modest relative to the payout's growth rate, which has historically appealed to investors looking for compounding income rather than high starting yields.
How much does NSC stock cost right now?
NSC last closed at $282.61, down 0.36% in the most recent trading session. Over the past 52 weeks, the stock has traded between a low of $201.63 and a high of $319.94. The current price represents 68% of its 52-week range, which helps investors gauge where the stock sits relative to its recent trading history.
What is the analyst consensus for NSC?
Among 27 analysts covering NSC, the consensus rating is Hold — 10 rate it a buy, 17 hold, and 0 sell. The average price target sits at $239.62, implying 15% downside from the current price. Keep in mind that analyst targets reflect 12-month expectations and can shift quickly after earnings reports or major company events.
Does Norfolk Southern Corp make money?
Norfolk Southern Corp generated $12.14B in revenue during fiscal year 2026, with $2.86B reaching the bottom line as net income. The net profit margin of 23.6% is strong by most industry standards.
Is NSC stock expensive based on earnings?
NSC trades at a P/E ratio of 23.67 on trailing earnings of $12.75 per share. That's roughly in line with the broader market average of ~20-25x. Comparing this multiple against Road & Rail sector peers gives better context than the broad market alone, since P/E norms vary significantly across industries.
Is NSC stock going up or down?
Performance varies across timeframes, reflecting shifting market conditions. Returns by timeframe: -2.87% (3M), -5.68% (6M), +19.87% (1Y), -1.81% (YTD). Comparing these figures against the S&P 500 and sector benchmarks helps determine whether NSC is outperforming or lagging the broader market.