Norfolk Southern's Operational Turnaround To Drive Over 20% EPS Growth Through 2027, Analyst Says
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 23 2024
0mins
Should l Buy NSC?
Source: Business Insider
- Analyst Upgrade: RBC Capital Markets analyst upgraded Norfolk Southern Corporation to Outperform from Sector Perform with a price target of $270.
- Bullish Stance: The upgrade is based on expected significant improvement in operating ratio and subsequent meaningful EPS growth.
- Investment Opportunity: Analyst sees the company as an attractive investment opportunity due to operational turnaround and outperforming EPS growth.
- Financial Projections: Spracklin estimates EPS CAGR of +20% 2024-27 and a 12.6ppt improvement in operating ratio by 2027.
- First Quarter Performance: Norfolk Southern reported a 4% Y/Y decline in first-quarter railway operating revenue, missing consensus estimates.
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Analyst Views on NSC
Wall Street analysts forecast NSC stock price to fall
13 Analyst Rating
5 Buy
8 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 317.250
Low
297.00
Averages
316.56
High
340.00
Current: 317.250
Low
297.00
Averages
316.56
High
340.00
About NSC
Norfolk Southern Corporation is a holding company engaged in the rail transportation business. The Company is engaged in the rail transportation of raw materials, intermediate products, and finished goods in the Southeast, East, and Midwest and, via interchange with rail carriers, to and from the rest of the United States. It also transports overseas freight through several Atlantic and Gulf Coast ports. It offers an intermodal network in the eastern half of the United States. Its railroad operations system reaches various manufacturing plants, electric generating facilities, mines, distribution centers and transload facilities. It serves various industries such as agriculture, forest and consumer products, automotive, chemicals, and metals and construction. Its coal franchise supports the electric generation market, directly serving over 18 coal-fired power plants, as well as the export, domestic metallurgical, and industrial markets, through direct rail and river, lake, and coastal.
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.
Norfolk Southern CFO to Present at Bank of America Conference
- Executive Presentation: Norfolk Southern's CFO Jason Zampi will present at the Bank of America 2026 Industrials, Transportation & Airlines Key Leaders Conference on May 12, 2026, highlighting the company's strategic direction and financial health in the transportation sector.
- Event Timing and Access: The conference is scheduled for 8:45 a.m. EDT and will be accessible via webcast, allowing investors to engage directly with the company through its investor page, thereby enhancing communication.
- Sustainability Commitment: Norfolk Southern is committed to sustainability, helping customers avoid approximately 15 million tons of carbon emissions annually through rail transport, which strengthens its brand image and environmental responsibility.
- Transportation Network Strength: Operating across 22 states and delivering around 7 million carloads annually, the company boasts the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern U.S., ensuring its critical role and competitive edge in the U.S. economy.
See More
Norfolk Southern to Present at Bank of America Conference
- Conference Details: Jason Zampi, CFO of Norfolk Southern, will present at the Bank of America 2026 Industrials, Transportation & Airlines Key Leaders Conference on May 12, 2026, outlining the company's strategic direction in the transportation sector.
- Network Coverage: Norfolk Southern operates a freight transportation network across 22 states, delivering approximately 7 million carloads annually, which is crucial for the efficient functioning of the U.S. economy while contributing to sustainability efforts.
- Environmental Commitment: By utilizing rail transport, Norfolk Southern helps customers avoid around 15 million tons of carbon emissions each year, showcasing its proactive approach to environmental responsibility and enhancing its competitive edge in the industry.
- Market Connectivity: The company boasts the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern U.S., connecting major container ports and serving a majority of the U.S. population and manufacturing base, thereby solidifying its market leadership.
See More
BNSF: INITIAL REVIEW SUGGESTS NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO THE CORE CONCEPT OF THE PROPOSED UP-NS MERGER
Current Status of Review: The review process is still in its early stages.
Fundamental Premise: The core premise of the proposed up-N merger remains unchanged.
See More
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern Update Merger Application
- Merger Application Update: Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern submitted an amended merger application to the Surface Transportation Board, aiming to create America's first transcontinental railroad, which is expected to make rail significantly more competitive by removing approximately 2.1 million trucks from the roads.
- Cost Savings Anticipation: By shifting freight from higher-cost trucking to lower-cost rail, shippers are projected to save an estimated $3.5 billion annually, significantly reducing transportation costs and enhancing overall logistics efficiency.
- New Business Demand: The amended application estimates that the combined company will require 1,200 net new union jobs by the third year of the merger, an increase from the original estimate of 900 positions, to accommodate the new business demands.
- Service Expansion: The amended application also confirms the addition of a new premium intermodal lane connecting Northern California and the Southeast, increasing the number of premium lanes operating seven days a week from six to seven, thereby enhancing customer service capabilities.
See More
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern Submit Merger Application
- Merger Application Submitted: Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern submitted a revised merger application to the Surface Transportation Board on Thursday, seeking approval for their $85 billion merger to create the first coast-to-coast freight rail operator in the U.S.
- Cost Savings Projection: The railroads argue that the merger will save shippers an estimated $3.5 billion annually, significantly enhancing transportation efficiency and strengthening their competitive position in the market.
- Market Impact Analysis: The merger is expected to integrate the resources and networks of both companies, optimizing operational efficiency and positioning them favorably in a highly competitive rail transport market, potentially driving industry consolidation.
- Regulatory Review Challenges: Despite the optimistic merger outlook, the deal must pass regulatory scrutiny, which may face opposition from competitors and regulatory bodies, potentially impacting the final outcome of the merger.
See More
UNION PACIFIC CORP - TRANSACTION ANTICIPATED TO FINISH BY MID-2027
Union Pacific Corp Deal: Union Pacific Corporation is expected to complete a significant deal in the first half of 2027.
Timeline for Completion: The completion of the deal is anticipated to occur within the specified timeframe, indicating strategic planning and execution by the company.
See More
Norfolk Southern CFO to Present at Bank of America Conference
- Executive Presentation: Norfolk Southern's CFO Jason Zampi will present at the Bank of America 2026 Industrials, Transportation & Airlines Key Leaders Conference on May 12, 2026, highlighting the company's strategic direction and financial health in the transportation sector.
- Event Timing and Access: The conference is scheduled for 8:45 a.m. EDT and will be accessible via webcast, allowing investors to engage directly with the company through its investor page, thereby enhancing communication.
- Sustainability Commitment: Norfolk Southern is committed to sustainability, helping customers avoid approximately 15 million tons of carbon emissions annually through rail transport, which strengthens its brand image and environmental responsibility.
- Transportation Network Strength: Operating across 22 states and delivering around 7 million carloads annually, the company boasts the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern U.S., ensuring its critical role and competitive edge in the U.S. economy.
See More
Norfolk Southern to Present at Bank of America Conference
- Conference Details: Jason Zampi, CFO of Norfolk Southern, will present at the Bank of America 2026 Industrials, Transportation & Airlines Key Leaders Conference on May 12, 2026, outlining the company's strategic direction in the transportation sector.
- Network Coverage: Norfolk Southern operates a freight transportation network across 22 states, delivering approximately 7 million carloads annually, which is crucial for the efficient functioning of the U.S. economy while contributing to sustainability efforts.
- Environmental Commitment: By utilizing rail transport, Norfolk Southern helps customers avoid around 15 million tons of carbon emissions each year, showcasing its proactive approach to environmental responsibility and enhancing its competitive edge in the industry.
- Market Connectivity: The company boasts the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern U.S., connecting major container ports and serving a majority of the U.S. population and manufacturing base, thereby solidifying its market leadership.
See More
BNSF: INITIAL REVIEW SUGGESTS NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO THE CORE CONCEPT OF THE PROPOSED UP-NS MERGER
Current Status of Review: The review process is still in its early stages.
Fundamental Premise: The core premise of the proposed up-N merger remains unchanged.
See More
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern Update Merger Application
- Merger Application Update: Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern submitted an amended merger application to the Surface Transportation Board, aiming to create America's first transcontinental railroad, which is expected to make rail significantly more competitive by removing approximately 2.1 million trucks from the roads.
- Cost Savings Anticipation: By shifting freight from higher-cost trucking to lower-cost rail, shippers are projected to save an estimated $3.5 billion annually, significantly reducing transportation costs and enhancing overall logistics efficiency.
- New Business Demand: The amended application estimates that the combined company will require 1,200 net new union jobs by the third year of the merger, an increase from the original estimate of 900 positions, to accommodate the new business demands.
- Service Expansion: The amended application also confirms the addition of a new premium intermodal lane connecting Northern California and the Southeast, increasing the number of premium lanes operating seven days a week from six to seven, thereby enhancing customer service capabilities.
See More
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern Submit Merger Application
- Merger Application Submitted: Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern submitted a revised merger application to the Surface Transportation Board on Thursday, seeking approval for their $85 billion merger to create the first coast-to-coast freight rail operator in the U.S.
- Cost Savings Projection: The railroads argue that the merger will save shippers an estimated $3.5 billion annually, significantly enhancing transportation efficiency and strengthening their competitive position in the market.
- Market Impact Analysis: The merger is expected to integrate the resources and networks of both companies, optimizing operational efficiency and positioning them favorably in a highly competitive rail transport market, potentially driving industry consolidation.
- Regulatory Review Challenges: Despite the optimistic merger outlook, the deal must pass regulatory scrutiny, which may face opposition from competitors and regulatory bodies, potentially impacting the final outcome of the merger.
See More
UNION PACIFIC CORP - TRANSACTION ANTICIPATED TO FINISH BY MID-2027
Union Pacific Corp Deal: Union Pacific Corporation is expected to complete a significant deal in the first half of 2027.
Timeline for Completion: The completion of the deal is anticipated to occur within the specified timeframe, indicating strategic planning and execution by the company.
See More
