CSX (NASDAQ:CSX) Releases Earnings Results, Beats Expectations By $0.02 EPS

CSX (NASDAQ:CSX) posted its earnings results on Wednesday. The transportation company reported $0.54 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.52 by $0.02, FiscalAI reports. The business had revenue of $3.94 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.89 billion. CSX had a return on equity of 24.47% and a net margin of 21.55%.The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 10.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.44 earnings per share.

Here are the key takeaways from CSX’s conference call:

• CSX posted a strong second quarter, with volume up 6%, revenue up 10% to a new quarterly record, and EPS up 23%. Operating income rose 17% as margins expanded 240 basis points despite fuel headwinds.
• The company raised full-year 2026 guidance, now expecting mid- to high-single-digit revenue growth, more than 350 basis points of operating margin expansion, and free cash flow growth above 80%. Capital spending remains unchanged at under $2.4 billion.
• CSX said it made meaningful progress on safety and productivity, including a 19% improvement in FRA injury rate, a 30% improvement in train accident rate, and better fuel efficiency for the fourth straight quarter. Management also highlighted continued cost discipline and lower non-fuel expenses.
• Service metrics were pressured by stronger-than-expected volume and crew tightness in some areas, leading to higher dwell even as velocity improved. Management expects sequential service improvement and only a modest headcount increase to support demand.
• Commercial momentum was broad-based, led by intermodal and solid merchandise performance, with management citing truck-to-rail conversion opportunities, the Howard Street Tunnel, and new service offerings as growth drivers. The company said pricing remains above plan and should benefit from tighter truck capacity and market repricing.

CSX Stock Up 0.1%

NASDAQ:CSX opened at $49.93 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $92.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.46 and a beta of 1.21. CSX has a one year low of $31.80 and a one year high of $51.28. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $47.41 and a 200 day simple moving average of $42.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.34, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a current ratio of 0.97.

CSX Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 31st will be given a dividend of $0.14 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 31st. This represents a $0.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.1%. CSX’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 34.36%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on CSX shares. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of CSX from $50.00 to $54.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 8th. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a “neutral” rating and issued a $41.00 price objective (up from $37.00) on shares of CSX in a report on Thursday, April 23rd. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their target price on CSX from $47.00 to $51.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 24th. Susquehanna raised CSX from a “neutral” rating to a “positive” rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $50.00 to $58.00 in a research report on Tuesday, July 14th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on CSX from $50.00 to $52.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, April 23rd. Seventeen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $49.83.

Insider Activity at CSX

In related news, Director John J. Zillmer sold 10,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $46.45, for a total transaction of $464,500.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 353,714 shares in the company, valued at $16,430,015.30. This trade represents a 2.75% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Kevin S. Boone sold 136,708 shares of CSX stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $46.70, for a total transaction of $6,384,263.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 208,622 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $9,742,647.40. This represents a 39.59% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Corporate insiders own 0.30% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. WFA of San Diego LLC acquired a new stake in CSX during the second quarter worth about $28,000. Sunbelt Securities Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of CSX during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $67,000. J.Safra Asset Management Corp acquired a new stake in shares of CSX during the 4th quarter worth approximately $136,000. McMillan Office Inc. acquired a new position in CSX during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $152,000. Finally, Walled Lake Planning & Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in CSX by 2.7% during the 4th quarter. Walled Lake Planning & Wealth Management LLC now owns 13,235 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $480,000 after purchasing an additional 346 shares during the period. 73.57% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key Headlines Impacting CSX

Here are the key news stories impacting CSX this week:

• Positive Sentiment: CSX beat Wall Street estimates on both earnings and revenue, posting EPS of $0.54 versus $0.52 expected and revenue of $3.94 billion versus about $3.89 billion expected. CSX Corp. Announces Second Quarter 2026 Results
• Positive Sentiment: The quarter showed broad operational strength, with record revenue, operating income up 17%, operating margin expanding to 38.3%, and volume increasing 6% year over year, led by 9% intermodal growth. CSX second-quarter profit, revenue rises on intermodal demand
• Positive Sentiment: Management said stronger intermodal shipments, higher pricing, and cost controls helped offset a tough freight environment, and the company raised its full-year 2026 outlook, which supports investor sentiment. CSX Reports Higher Second-Quarter Profit, Sales
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst and media coverage also highlighted improving carload and intermodal trends ahead of the report, reinforcing expectations that the business is stabilizing. CSX Corporation (CSX) Q2 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

CSX Company Profile

CSX Corporation is a leading North American transportation company that provides rail-based freight services and supply-chain solutions. Its operating subsidiary, CSX Transportation, moves a wide range of goods for customers across multiple industries, using a combination of long-haul rail service, intermodal operations and terminal and yard services. The company focuses on delivering efficient, reliable freight transportation between major production centers, consumption markets and port gateways.

CSX’s freight portfolio includes intermodal containers and trailers, bulk commodities, industrial products and specialized unit trains.