CSX Corp's stock rose by 3.10% as it reached a 20-day high, despite the broader market decline with the Nasdaq-100 and S&P 500 down 0.25% and 0.24%, respectively.
The company's Q4 earnings report revealed a revenue decline of 1% year-over-year, with net earnings of $720 million falling short of analysts' expectations. However, CSX's forecast for low single-digit revenue growth in 2026 and anticipated operating margin expansion of 200-300 basis points has generated optimism among investors, leading to a positive stock reaction.
This performance indicates that while CSX faces challenges in the current economic environment, its strategic focus on cost control and productivity enhancement may position it for improved financial performance in the future.
Wall Street analysts forecast CSX stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for CSX is 39.50 USD with a low forecast of 30.00 USD and a high forecast of 45.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
17 Analyst Rating
Wall Street analysts forecast CSX stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for CSX is 39.50 USD with a low forecast of 30.00 USD and a high forecast of 45.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
13 Buy
4 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 37.380
Low
30.00
Averages
39.50
High
45.00
Current: 37.380
Low
30.00
Averages
39.50
High
45.00
Evercore ISI
Outperform
downgrade
$41 -> $40
2026-01-23
Reason
Evercore ISI
Price Target
$41 -> $40
AI Analysis
2026-01-23
downgrade
Outperform
Reason
Evercore ISI lowered the firm's price target on CSX to $40 from $41 and keeps an Outperform rating on the shares. Q4 EPS missed expectations, but margin prospects for 2026 "provide a silver lining" as the company's outlook suggests potential margin improvements that could outweigh shortfalls in revenue and earnings, the analyst tells investors.
Susquehanna
Neutral
maintain
$38 -> $39
2026-01-23
Reason
Susquehanna
Price Target
$38 -> $39
2026-01-23
maintain
Neutral
Reason
Susquehanna raised the firm's price target on CSX to $39 from $38 and keeps a Neutral rating on the shares. The firm updated its model following Q4 results and noted under new CEO Steve Angel, CSX is focused on the right things to drive shareholder value mid-term; drivingcosts lower and ROIC and cash flows higher, and that can only improve potential long-term merger outcomes.
Unlock Full Analyst Thesis， Get the complete breakdown of rating reason for CSX
Unlock Now
Citi
Buy
downgrade
$42 -> $41
2026-01-23
Reason
Citi
Price Target
$42 -> $41
2026-01-23
downgrade
Buy
Reason
Citi lowered the firm's price target on CSX to $41 from $42 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares following the Q4 report. The firm says a cautious macro and demand outlook held back the company's 2026 outlook. Citi sees share upside when demand recovers.
Bernstein
David Vernon
Market Perform
downgrade
$37 -> $36
2026-01-23
Reason
Bernstein
David Vernon
Price Target
$37 -> $36
2026-01-23
downgrade
Market Perform
Reason
Bernstein analyst David Vernon lowered the firm's price target on CSX to $36 from $37 and keeps a Market Perform rating on the shares. The firm notes CSX reported a headline EPS miss of 6% on weaker-than-expected revenue; adjusting for one-time items the miss was closer to 2%. Guide implies operating earnings 3% lower than street forecasts. Bernstein is taking its numbers down, and its multiple up a touch. The stock looks fully valued, the firm adds.
About CSX
CSX Corporation is a transportation company. The Company provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across an array of markets, including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural and consumer products. It provides rail-based freight transportation services, including traditional rail service, the transport of intermodal containers and trailers, as well as other transportation services such as rail-to-truck transfers and bulk commodity operations. Through its subsidiary, CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSXT), it provides a link to the transportation supply chain through its approximately 20,000 route-mile rail network and serves major population centers in 26 states east of the Mississippi River, the District of Columbia and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. CSXT is also engaged in real estate sales, leasing, acquisition and management and development activities. It serves merchandise, intermodal, coal, and trucking businesses.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
