Jefferies Financial Group Cuts Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC) Price Target to $310.00

Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC) had its price target lowered by Jefferies Financial Group from $350.00 to $310.00 in a report issued on Monday,MarketScreener reports. The firm currently has a hold rating on the railroad operator’s stock.

NSC has been the topic of a number of other reports. Robert W. Baird raised their target price on shares of Norfolk Southern from $288.00 to $315.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, March 6th. Barclays lowered their target price on shares of Norfolk Southern from $340.00 to $320.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Rothschild & Co Redburn lowered their target price on shares of Norfolk Southern from $317.00 to $308.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 1st. Susquehanna raised their target price on shares of Norfolk Southern from $304.00 to $305.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Norfolk Southern to a “sell” rating in a research note on Saturday, April 4th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seventeen have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Norfolk Southern presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $305.53.

Norfolk Southern Stock Performance

NYSE:NSC opened at $294.13 on Monday. Norfolk Southern has a 1 year low of $202.95 and a 1 year high of $319.94. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $300.07 and its 200 day simple moving average is $293.18. The company has a current ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 0.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06. The firm has a market capitalization of $72.01 billion, a PE ratio of 23.07, a PEG ratio of 5.25 and a beta of 1.31.

Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The railroad operator reported $3.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.76 by $0.46. Norfolk Southern had a net margin of 23.59% and a return on equity of 18.78%. The business had revenue of $3 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.03 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $3.04 EPS. Norfolk Southern’s revenue was down 1.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Norfolk Southern will post 13 EPS for the current year.

Norfolk Southern Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 6th were given a $1.35 dividend. This represents a $5.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 6th. Norfolk Southern’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 42.35%.

Institutional Trading of Norfolk Southern

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Tritonpoint Wealth LLC grew its position in Norfolk Southern by 3.5% in the 3rd quarter. Tritonpoint Wealth LLC now owns 1,041 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $313,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares during the last quarter. Massachusetts Wealth Management grew its position in Norfolk Southern by 0.6% in the 3rd quarter. Massachusetts Wealth Management now owns 5,986 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $1,798,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares during the last quarter. Gilbert & Cook Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Norfolk Southern by 1.4% during the 4th quarter. Gilbert & Cook Inc. now owns 2,515 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $726,000 after acquiring an additional 35 shares during the period. Moss Adams Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Norfolk Southern by 4.6% during the 4th quarter. Moss Adams Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 791 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $228,000 after acquiring an additional 35 shares during the period. Finally, Confluence Wealth Services Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Norfolk Southern by 1.1% during the 4th quarter. Confluence Wealth Services Inc. now owns 3,090 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $892,000 after acquiring an additional 35 shares during the period. 75.10% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key Norfolk Southern News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Norfolk Southern was awarded control of a disputed eastern port rail line — a near‑term operational win that can protect routing, revenue and service reliability at that gateway, reducing regulatory/legal uncertainty for that corridor. Norfolk Southern awarded control of disputed eastern port rail line
• Positive Sentiment: Wolfe Research raised its price target to $355 and kept an outperform rating — a bullish analyst signal implying substantial upside vs. recent levels, providing support to the stock. Wolfe Research raises PT to $355
• Positive Sentiment: Citigroup bumped its target to $313 (maintaining neutral) and TD Cowen remains a buy with a modestly adjusted target — both moves lift the implied upside and help underpin demand despite mixed commentary. Citigroup raises PT to $313 TD Cowen adjusts PT to $313
• Neutral Sentiment: JPMorgan trimmed its target slightly (to $292) but kept a neutral rating — a modestly bearish tweak, though not a major shift in stance. JPMorgan trims PT to $292
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks warns EPS estimates are moving lower and offers tactical guidance on positioning — falling EPS expectations are a headwind for valuation and could cap gains if the trend continues. Norfolk Southern EPS Estimates Southbound: How to Play the Stock?
• Negative Sentiment: Jefferies cut its target to $310 and moved to a hold rating — a downward revision that reduces analyst‑driven upside and may temper investor enthusiasm. Jefferies lowers PT to $310, maintains hold

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.