Earnings Alerts

Norfolk Southern (NSC) Earnings Fall Short of Estimates Despite Robust Volume Growth in Q1

Norfolk Southern‘s preliminary adjusted EPS for the first quarter is $2.49, lower than the estimated $2.59.

• The preliminary railway operating revenue stands at $3 billion.

• The adjusted operating ratio is at 69.9%, higher than the estimated 69%.

• The company has reaffirmed its full-year 2024 adjusted operating guidance improvement, which includes a rise of over 400 basis points in the second half.

• The company has agreed in principle to a $600 million settlement related to the East Palestine derailment class action litigation.

• The company anticipates a $50–100 million impact on its second quarter revenue following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26.

• Despite macroeconomic challenges and a revenue mix that’s weighted towards lower-rated traffic, the company managed to achieve its result.

• International intermodal continues to be a major driver of volume growth for the company.

• The company has received 13 buy ratings, 12 hold ratings, and no sell ratings.


Norfolk Southern on Smartkarma

Analyst coverage of Norfolk Southern on Smartkarma includes a report by Baptista Research which delves into the company’s recent performance in the Fourth Quarter of 2023. The report highlights mixed results stemming from network disruptions and a weak freight market, exacerbated by a significant train derailment in Eastern Ohio. Despite these obstacles, Norfolk Southern exhibited resilience and dedication to safety and service, showcasing its ability to navigate challenges efficiently.

Baptista Research‘s report, titled “Norfolk Southern Corporation: A Tale Of Expansion & Investment in Intermodal Operations! – Major Drivers” on Smartkarma sheds light on the company’s progress amidst a complex operating environment. The analyst’s bullish sentiment reflects optimism regarding Norfolk Southern‘s expansion and investment in intermodal operations, demonstrating a positive outlook for the company’s future growth and strategic initiatives.


A look at Norfolk Southern Smart Scores

FactorScoreMagnitude
Value2
Dividend3
Growth3
Resilience2
Momentum4
OVERALL SMART SCORE2.8

Smart Score is a compound score for the Company indicating its overall outlook. It is derived by taking an equally weighted average of underlying Factor scores computed by Smartkarma

Norfolk Southern Corporation, a company that provides rail transportation services primarily in the Southeast, East, and Midwest regions of the United States, has been evaluated using Smartkarma Smart Scores. These scores provide an overall outlook for the company based on key factors. With a momentum score of 4, Norfolk Southern shows strong potential for growth and upward movement in the long term. Additionally, having a dividend and growth score of 3 indicates stability and potential for future expansion. However, the company scored lower on the value and resilience factors, with scores of 2 each, suggesting areas where improvements or adjustments may be needed to enhance its overall performance.

Analysts using the Smartkarma Smart Scores for Norfolk Southern see a positive long-term outlook based on the company’s strong momentum score. This indicates a favorable market perception and potential for increased investor interest. While the value and resilience scores are not as high, with scores of 2, the solid dividend and growth scores of 3 suggest a balanced approach to shareholder returns and future expansion. Overall, Norfolk Southern‘s performance in these key areas indicates a company positioned for growth and stability in the rail transportation industry.


Disclaimer: This article by Smartkarma is general in nature and based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Note that our articles may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material.
While all reasonable care has been taken in the preparation, Smartkarma makes no assurance about the accuracy of any generated data or content. All content is indicative only and should be independently checked for accuracy and confirmed before use. Smartkarma accepts no responsibility for any loss or damage caused as a result of any inaccuracy or error within the Lab online tools or generated data.
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