Revenue segments as reported by the company.

Merchandise

Intermodal

Coal

Revenue Segments

Gross Profit, Operating Income, and Net Income as a percentage of Revenue

Operating Margin

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Margins

An operating expense is an expense a business incurs through its normal business operations. Often abbreviated as OPEX.

Compensation and benefits

Purchased services and rent

Fuel

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Materials and other

Eastern Ohio incident

Restructuring and other charges

Operating Expenses

Year over year growth in Revenue and Operating Expenses.

Revenue Y/Y

OpEx Y/Y

Growth

Shares outstanding refer to a company's stock currently held by all its shareholders, including share blocks held by institutional investors and restricted shares owned by the company's officers and insiders.

Outstanding Shares

Market Cap

Also known as Price/Sales Ratio. Calculated using Average market cap for the quarter / Annualized quarterly revenue.

Revenue Multiple

Norfolk Southern

Norfolk Southern Corp. is a transportation company, which owns a freight railroad. It engages in the rail transportation of raw materials, intermediate products, and finished goods primarily in the Southeast, East, and Midwest and, via interchange with rail carriers to and from the rest of the United States. The company transports overseas freight through several Atlantic and Gulf Coast ports. It offers an extensive intermodal network in the eastern half of the United States and is a transporter of coal, automotive, and industrial products. The company's services include property leases and sales, wire line or pipeline and fiber optics projects, access property, managing private crossings, promoting businesses with signboards, and natural resource management. Norfolk Southern was founded on July 23, 1980, and is headquartered in Atlanta, GA.

Earnings data Q1 2021

Earnings data Q2 2021

Earnings data Q3 2021

Earnings data Q4 2021

Earnings data Q1 2022

Earnings data Q2 2022

Earnings data Q3 2022

Earnings data Q4 2022

Earnings data Q1 2023

Earnings data Q2 2023

Earnings data Q3 2023

Earnings data Q4 2023

Earnings data Q1 2024

Earnings data Q2 2024

Earnings data Q3 2024

Earnings data Q4 2024

Norfolk Southern posts robust Q4 results amidst operational enhancements

Norfolk Southern (NSC) delivered strong financial results in Q4 2022, focusing on operational efficiency, service enhancements, and strategic growth initiatives.
Despite challenges such as macroeconomic uncertainties and service-related costs, NSC remains optimistic, aiming to capitalize on opportunities in market share expansion and network resiliency.
The company's performance, strengths, and proactive approach to challenges position it well for continued growth and competitiveness in the rail industry.

Norfolk Southern prioritizes safety and resilience amidst operational challenges

Norfolk Southern is prioritizing safety enhancements, cost-effective measures, and workforce optimization to improve service quality. The company's strategy focuses on resilient service, supporting highway to rail conversions, and investing in employee training. Despite challenges, Norfolk Southern remains committed to competitive margins, revenue growth, EPS, and ROIC.

Norfolk Southern reports Q2 revenue decline, focuses on recovery

Norfolk Southern (NSC) faced revenue declines and operational challenges in Q2 2023, impacted by the Eastern Ohio derailment and market headwinds.
Despite challenges, the company remains committed to safety, recovery, and long-term value creation, focusing on efficiency and service excellence.
Opportunities for OR improvement, cost management, and service enhancements provide a path for Norfolk Southern (NSC) to navigate challenges and drive future growth.

Norfolk Southern (NSC) reports Q3 improvements amidst cost pressures

Norfolk Southern (NSC) navigated challenges in Q3 with a focus on resilience and operational excellence. Despite cost pressures, the company saw improvements in service, volume, and safety performance. With a strategic focus on industry competitive margins and growth opportunities, Norfolk Southern is investing in service enhancements and productivity to drive future success.

Norfolk Southern (NSC) reports safety improvements and growth strategies

Norfolk Southern (NSC) navigated challenges in 2023 with a focus on safety, service improvements, and sustainable growth strategies. Despite cost impacts and margin challenges, the company remains optimistic about modest volume growth and revenue enhancement opportunities in 2024.

Norfolk Southern prioritizes productivity and efficiency for industry competitiveness

Norfolk Southern (NSC) focused on productivity and efficiency to achieve industry competitive margins in Q1 2024.
Operational changes led by new COO John Orr emphasized safety, productivity, and network optimization efforts.
Challenges in revenue declines and market outlook were addressed, with opportunities for growth through operational enhancements.
Confidence in achieving operational targets and reducing headcount through productivity initiatives was expressed.
Balanced strategy focusing on service, productivity, and growth to drive transformational journey.
Customer service improvements and changes underway were well-received, with a focus on velocity and reliability.

Norfolk Southern reports solid Q2 earnings amidst coal market challenges

Norfolk Southern's Q2 2024 performance showcased financial strength, operational improvements, and a focus on safety and productivity. While facing challenges in the coal market, the company remains committed to its strategy and delivering results. Opportunities for growth through partnerships and operational enhancements position Norfolk Southern for long-term success.

Norfolk Southern reports robust Q3 earnings amidst market challenges

Norfolk Southern (NSC) delivered strong financial results with revenue and earnings growth, driven by volume increases and cost management initiatives.
The company's emphasis on safety, productivity, and cost reductions underscores its commitment to operational excellence and sustainable growth.
While facing challenges from market uncertainties and external impacts, Norfolk Southern remains focused on enhancing operational efficiency and seizing growth opportunities.

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Cost of revenue

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SG&A

Other

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EBITDA

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Cash & equivalents

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Stockholders equity

Minority interest

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Book value per share

Cash from operations

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Change in working capital

Cash from investing

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Purchase/sale of investments

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Change in stock

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Net change in cash

Free cash flow

Norfolk Southern Corp. is a transportation company, which engages in the rail transportation of raw materials, intermediate products, and finished goods. The company also transports overseas freight through several Atlantic and Gulf Coast ports. Its services include property leases and sales, wire line or pipeline and fiber optics projects, access property, managing private crossings, promoting businesses with signboards, and natural resource management. The company was founded on July 23, 1980 and is headquartered in Atlanta, GA.

Weakness in the coal segment and low volumes hurt Norfolk Southern (NSC). However, the company's strong liquidity position is a tailwind.

Volumes Hurt Norfolk Southern (NSC) Amid Strong Liquidity

NSC's Q3 revenue fell in the double digit percentage range. Management maintained margins via cost containment efforts. Industry rail traffic gained traction in December. Rail traffic should rebound after the economy reopens.

Remain Disciplined About Norfolk Southern

U.S. carload volume on a weekly basis is almost at the same level as a year ago, with last week's volumes down by only 1.4%, according to data from the Association of American Railroads. U.S. carload traffic totaled 244,986 carloads for the week ending Saturday, which is 1.4% lower than the same period in 2019 and 18.8% higher sequentially.

US carloads bounce back while import gains fuel intermodal

Kansas City Southern

Union Pacific

Train lengths, e-commerce and mergers and acquisitions were among the topics discussed by four Class I railroads at the Credit Suisse 8th Annual Industrials Conference last week. Here are some highlights: Kansas City Southern talks service design adjustments, longer sidings Kansas City Southern (NYSE: KSU) hopes to implement the third phase of its PSR program in 2021.

COVID-19 uncertainties, PSR part II: What's on the minds of rail execs

Canadian National Railway Company

The Surface Transportation Board is planning to consider a voluntary arbitration program aimed at addressing small rate disputes. The board intends to conduct a rulemaking proceeding on this issue, according to a preannouncement notice for the Federal Register.

STB to mull new arbitration program for smaller rate disputes

Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings

Landstar System

The solid readings from October's Cass Freight Shipments Index report are indicative of an improving freight scenario. This rosy picture bodes well for the likes of Knight-Swift (KNX), Landstar System (LSTR) and Norfolk Southern (NSC).

Freight Scene is Picking Up: 3 Transportation Stocks in Focus

Norfolk Southern (NSC) reported earnings 30 days ago. What's next for the stock?

Norfolk Southern (NSC) Up 21.9% Since Last Earnings Report: Can It Continue?

U.S. intermodal traffic on a weekly basis exceeded the 300,000-unit mark this week amid continued brisk import activity. Intermodal volumes for the week ending Saturday were 301,129 containers and trailers, which is 11.5% higher than the same week a year ago, according to data from the Association of American Railroads.

Weekly US intermodal volumes march upward

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited

With coronavirus cases rising sharply in the U.S. and Canada in recent weeks, the Class I railroads have also been grappling with managing increased COVID-19 exposure on their networks. Meanwhile, some rail union members contend that the railroads have been inconsistent with how safety precautions have been applied throughout the rail network (see below).

Class I railroads grapple with COVID-19 as unions seek safety assurances

NORFOLK, Va., Nov. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Mark R. George and Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Alan H. Shaw will make a presentation at: Credit Suisse Industrials Conference...

Norfolk Southern to present at Credit Suisse Industrials Conference

NORFOLK, Va., Nov. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Norfolk Southern announced that its board of directors has appointed two new officers: John Hatfield is vice president corporate communications. Kathleen Smith is vice president business development and real estate, succeeding Robert Martínez,...

Norfolk Southern appoints Smith and Hatfield as vice presidents; Martínez to retire

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies

Rail is the lowest-emitting mode of freight per ton mile. This infographic shows that rail is only responsible for 6% of logistics-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

5 rail sustainability trends for 2021

FreightWaves Classics articles look at various aspects of the transportation industry's history. If there are topics that you think would be of interest, please send them to fwclassics@freightwaves.com   The many industries that make up the world of freight have undergone tremendous change over the past several decades.

FreightWaves Classics: Conrail divided between CSX and Norfolk Southern

A CSX (NASDAQ: CSX) executive confirmed that CSX has talked with short line Pan Am Railways about a possible future involving both companies, but he declined to comment further on the issue. “You might have seen what we've sort of said publicly on Pan Am.

Pan Am, conversions to rail and train lengths — oh my!

With the railroads' third-quarter earnings releases over and done, it's time to take a look at who the “winners” and “laggards” were in Q3. For commodities, the answer might be looking at North American rail volumes in the third quarter.

Q3 rail recap: The good and not so good

U.S. rail volumes on a weekly basis rose nearly 2% amid a 9% increase in intermodal traffic. U.S. rail traffic was 522,653 carloads and intermodal units for the week ending Oct. 24, which is 1.9% higher than the same period in 2019, according to the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

Weekly US rail traffic rises on higher intermodal volumes

The Class I railroads with a presence in the U.S. Gulf Coast are monitoring how Hurricane Zeta will affect rail operations. Service disruptions could occur as a result of the storm, they said in service advisories Tuesday and Wednesday, and the railroads will assess their networks for post-storm damage.

Class I railroads watch for Hurricane Zeta impacts

Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC) will be closing “several” yards in Atlanta, and it will cease humping operations at its Macon, Georgia, yard as part of a wider plan to ramp up network efficiency. The changes, which will occur next week, will “enable us to rework many of our Southeastern intermodal flows for improved service, lower cost and additional growth capacity,” said Norfolk Southern (NS) Chief Operating Officer Cindy Sanborn during the company's third-quarter earnings call on Wednesday.

Norfolk Southern strives to ramp up efficiency

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) CEO Jim Squires on Q3 2020 Results - Earnings Call Transcript

Keeping this in mind, let's analyze whether Norfolk Southern Corp. (NYSE:NSC) is a good investment right now by following the lead of some of the best investors in the world and piggybacking their ideas. There's no better way to get these firms' immense resources and analytical capabilities working for us than to follow their lead into their best ideas. While not all of these picks will be winners, our research shows that these picks historically outperformed the market when we factor in known risk factors.

Was The Smart Money Right About Norfolk Southern Corp. (NSC)?

Norfolk Southern's (NSC) Q3 earnings benefit from low costs. However, decline in volumes weigh on the top line.

Norfolk Southern (NSC) Q3 Earnings Beat, Revenues Fall Y/Y

Norfolk Southern (NSC) delivered earnings and revenue surprises of 6.36% and -0.78%, respectively, for the quarter ended September 2020. Do the numbers hold clues to what lies ahead for the stock?

Norfolk Southern (NSC) Q3 Earnings Surpass Estimates

Coal chiseled away at Norfolk Southern's (NYSE: NSC) operating revenue for the third quarter of 2020, with a 38% decline in coal revenue dragging overall revenue down by 12%. Operating revenue was $2.5 billion for the quarter, compared with $2.8 billion in the third quarter of 2019.

Coal puts pressure on Norfolk Southern's third-quarter revenue

Shares of Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC) were flat in pre-market trading after the company reported Q3 results. Quarterly Results Earnings per share fell 2.71% year over year to $2.51, which beat the estimate of $2.38.

Recap: Norfolk Southern Q3 Earnings

Softness in overall volumes is likely to have marred Norfolk Southern's (NSC) Q3 performance.

News for Norfolk Southern Stock (NSC)