JPMorgan Chase & Co. Cuts Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC) Price Target to $296.00

Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC) had its price target reduced by equities researchers at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $301.00 to $296.00 in a research report issued on Friday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a “neutral” rating on the railroad operator’s stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co.‘s price objective would suggest a potential upside of 1.82% from the company’s current price.

A number of other analysts have also issued reports on the company. TD Cowen cut their target price on Norfolk Southern from $320.00 to $314.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 24th. Susquehanna raised their target price on shares of Norfolk Southern from $288.00 to $304.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, January 12th. Barclays lowered their price objective on Norfolk Southern from $340.00 to $320.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday. Wolfe Research lifted their price target on shares of Norfolk Southern from $361.00 to $368.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. Finally, Evercore ISI boosted their price target on shares of Norfolk Southern from $298.00 to $299.00 in a report on Thursday, December 18th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Norfolk Southern has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $303.53.

Norfolk Southern Stock Performance

Shares of NSC stock traded up $0.55 during trading on Friday, reaching $290.71. 393,048 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,053,974. The company has a current ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 0.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $290.30 and its 200 day moving average is $285.47. The company has a market capitalization of $65.23 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.16, a PEG ratio of 4.98 and a beta of 1.33. Norfolk Southern has a 1 year low of $201.63 and a 1 year high of $302.24.

Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The railroad operator reported $3.22 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.76 by $0.46. Norfolk Southern had a return on equity of 18.93% and a net margin of 24.22%.The company had revenue of $3 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.03 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $3.04 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was down 1.7% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts expect that Norfolk Southern will post 13 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Norfolk Southern

In other news, EVP Anil Bhatt sold 900 shares of Norfolk Southern stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $281.60, for a total transaction of $253,440.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 1,413 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $397,900.80. The trade was a 38.91% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Sameh Fahmy bought 1,650 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 5th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $282.97 per share, with a total value of $466,900.50. Following the transaction, the director owned 12,000 shares in the company, valued at $3,395,640. The trade was a 15.94% increase in their position. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. Insiders own 0.06% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. ORG Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of Norfolk Southern by 75.0% during the third quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 84 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 36 shares during the period. JPL Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Norfolk Southern in the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Westside Investment Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Norfolk Southern by 207.1% during the third quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 86 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 58 shares in the last quarter. BNP Paribas purchased a new stake in shares of Norfolk Southern during the 2nd quarter worth $26,000. Finally, GoalVest Advisory LLC increased its position in shares of Norfolk Southern by 933.3% in the fourth quarter. GoalVest Advisory LLC now owns 93 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 84 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.10% of the company’s stock.

Key Norfolk Southern News

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

• Positive Sentiment: EPS beat and profitability — Norfolk Southern reported adjusted Q4 EPS above consensus (reported ~ $3.22 per share), driven by pricing and cost control that lifted net margin and ROE. This beat is a short‑term positive for EPS momentum and investor confidence. Norfolk Southern beats Q4 earnings estimates on productivity gains
• Positive Sentiment: Productivity savings and operating efficiency — Management highlighted more than $215M in annual productivity savings and an improved operating ratio (~68.5%), signaling successful cost actions that support margins even with softer top‑line. This underpins cash flow and buyback/dividend capacity. Norfolk Southern reports fourth quarter and full year 2025 results
• Neutral Sentiment: Management commentary — The earnings call/transcripts reiterate focus on safety, service and continued productivity programs while describing a volatile macro backdrop; useful context but no major guidance change announced. Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
• Negative Sentiment: Revenue and volume weakness — Revenue of $3.0B missed consensus and was down year‑over‑year (~1.7% decline); management cited weaker volumes in a challenging macroeconomic environment, which caps upside and raises growth concerns. Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC) misses Q4 CY2025 sales expectations
• Negative Sentiment: Market reaction and positioning risks — Despite the beat, shares slipped on the mix (profitability vs. revenue), and the company remains exposed to volume cyclicality and macro uncertainty; investors should watch forward volume trends and any guidance updates. Norfolk Southern Profit, Revenue Falls

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.