Norfolk Southern Co. (NYSE:NSC) Shares Purchased by Forsta AP Fonden

Forsta AP Fonden boosted its stake in shares of Norfolk Southern Co. (NYSE:NSC) by 0.4% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 45,300 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after buying an additional 200 shares during the quarter. Forsta AP Fonden’s holdings in Norfolk Southern were worth $10,632,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Asset Dedication LLC grew its holdings in shares of Norfolk Southern by 11.3% in the 4th quarter. Asset Dedication LLC now owns 1,230 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $289,000 after acquiring an additional 125 shares during the period. Fulton Breakefield Broenniman LLC grew its holdings in Norfolk Southern by 11.6% in the fourth quarter. Fulton Breakefield Broenniman LLC now owns 1,207 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $283,000 after purchasing an additional 125 shares during the last quarter. VCI Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Norfolk Southern by 39.8% during the 4th quarter. VCI Wealth Management LLC now owns 6,290 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $1,476,000 after buying an additional 1,791 shares during the last quarter. W Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Norfolk Southern by 39.0% in the 4th quarter. W Advisors LLC now owns 2,101 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $493,000 after buying an additional 590 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Lebenthal Global Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Norfolk Southern in the 4th quarter valued at about $544,000. 75.10% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Norfolk Southern Stock Up 0.3 %

Shares of NYSE NSC opened at $257.50 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21. The stock has a market capitalization of $58.26 billion, a PE ratio of 24.18, a P/E/G ratio of 2.29 and a beta of 1.34. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $249.36 and a 200-day moving average of $248.69. Norfolk Southern Co. has a 52-week low of $206.71 and a 52-week high of $277.60.

Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The railroad operator reported $3.04 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.97 by $0.07. Norfolk Southern had a return on equity of 20.25% and a net margin of 19.85%. On average, analysts anticipate that Norfolk Southern Co. will post 11.78 EPS for the current year.

Norfolk Southern Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 7th will be given a $1.35 dividend. This represents a $5.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.10%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 7th. Norfolk Southern’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 50.70%.

Insider Activity at Norfolk Southern

In other Norfolk Southern news, Director Sameh Fahmy bought 350 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 12th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $249.37 per share, for a total transaction of $87,279.50. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 10,350 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,580,979.50. This trade represents a 3.50 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.19% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have issued reports on the stock. TD Cowen upped their price target on shares of Norfolk Southern from $253.00 to $259.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 23rd. Susquehanna lowered their target price on Norfolk Southern from $285.00 to $265.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Robert W. Baird boosted their price target on Norfolk Southern from $260.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on Norfolk Southern from $275.00 to $280.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 10th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein boosted their target price on shares of Norfolk Southern from $285.00 to $286.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 9th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $277.74.

Norfolk Southern Profile

Norfolk Southern Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the rail transportation of raw materials, intermediate products, and finished goods in the United States. The company transports agriculture, forest, and consumer products comprising soybeans, wheat, corn, fertilizers, livestock and poultry feed, food products, food oils, flour, sweeteners, ethanol, lumber and wood products, pulp board and paper products, wood fibers, wood pulp, beverages, and canned goods; chemicals consist of sulfur and related chemicals, petroleum products comprising crude oil, chlorine and bleaching compounds, plastics, rubber, industrial chemicals, chemical wastes, sand, and natural gas liquids; metals and construction materials, such as steel, aluminum products, machinery, scrap metals, cement, aggregates, minerals, clay, transportation equipment, and military-related products; and automotive, including finished motor vehicles and automotive parts, as well as coal.