Sculptor Capital LP Increases Position in Norfolk Southern Corporation $NSC

Sculptor Capital LP lifted its stake in Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE:NSC) by 29.6% during the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 658,413 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after buying an additional 150,413 shares during the period. Norfolk Southern makes up approximately 2.0% of Sculptor Capital LP’s portfolio, making the stock its 9th biggest holding. Sculptor Capital LP’s holdings in Norfolk Southern were worth $188,965,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of NSC. OMERS ADMINISTRATION Corp increased its position in shares of Norfolk Southern by 29.6% in the first quarter. OMERS ADMINISTRATION Corp now owns 10,526 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $3,021,000 after acquiring an additional 2,407 shares during the period. Aristotle Atlantic Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Norfolk Southern by 2.5% during the first quarter. Aristotle Atlantic Partners LLC now owns 116,670 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $33,484,000 after purchasing an additional 2,853 shares during the period. Kryger Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Norfolk Southern during the first quarter worth about $152,187,000. Entropy Technologies LP bought a new stake in shares of Norfolk Southern in the first quarter worth about $4,235,000. Finally, Bridgewater Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Norfolk Southern in the first quarter worth about $206,000. 75.10% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Norfolk Southern Price Performance

Shares of NSC stock opened at $351.69 on Monday. The business’s fifty day moving average is $317.37 and its 200 day moving average is $306.29. The company has a quick ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.98. The stock has a market cap of $78.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.01, a PEG ratio of 6.32 and a beta of 1.27. Norfolk Southern Corporation has a twelve month low of $268.23 and a twelve month high of $358.60.

Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.52 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.32 by $0.20. Norfolk Southern had a return on equity of 18.21% and a net margin of 21.02%.The business had revenue of $3.46 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.38 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $3.29 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 12.5% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts expect that Norfolk Southern Corporation will post 12.42 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Norfolk Southern Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, August 20th. Investors of record on Friday, August 7th will be paid a $1.35 dividend. This represents a $5.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.5%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 7th. Norfolk Southern’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 46.08%.

More Norfolk Southern News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Norfolk Southern beat Q2 expectations, posting $3.52 in EPS and revenue above estimates, with revenue up 12.5% year over year and record quarterly sales. Reuters article
• Positive Sentiment: Wells Fargo raised its price target to $385 and reiterated an overweight rating, signaling confidence that the stock still has room to run. Benzinga article
• Positive Sentiment: Citigroup lifted its target to $376, reflecting a more constructive view after the earnings release, even though it kept a neutral rating. Benzinga article
• Neutral Sentiment: JPMorgan raised its target to $338 but maintained a neutral rating, suggesting valuation looks less compelling after the recent move higher. Benzinga article
• Neutral Sentiment: Some commentary noted lower profitability and margin pressure despite the revenue beat, which may temper enthusiasm if cost pressures persist. Seeking Alpha article
• Negative Sentiment: Profitability was held back by higher fuel costs and lower efficiency, showing that cost inflation remains a headwind even as demand improves. TipRanks article

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have commented on NSC. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on Norfolk Southern from $316.00 to $338.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday. Stephens upgraded Norfolk Southern to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 8th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their target price on Norfolk Southern from $305.00 to $310.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research note on Monday, April 27th. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their target price on Norfolk Southern from $320.00 to $360.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Friday. Finally, Susquehanna upped their target price on Norfolk Southern from $337.00 to $360.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and sixteen have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $344.35.

Norfolk Southern Profile

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.