Hide

FocusBar

FeedbackFeedback
Subscribe to Premium Member
77.45 (1y: +17%)
Market Cap 24.52 B P/E(ttm) 13.90
Enterprise Value 32.32 B P/B 2.50
NSC- NYSE (USA)
Norfolk Southern Corporation
  • Currently 4/5
Business Predictability Rank: 4-Star
Back Testing Results:
Average gain of all 4-Star stocks: 9.8% per year.
% of Stocks that are in still loss if held for 10yrs: 8%.
Read more:
What is Predictability Rank?
Performances of real portfolio
Top Ranked Predictable Companies
$77.45
Switch to:

GuruFocus Financial Strength Rank measures how strong a company’s financial situation is. It is based on these factors

1. The debt burden that the company has as measured by its Interest coverage (current year).
2. Debt to revenue ratio. The lower, the better
3. Altman Z-score.

A company ranks high with financial strength is likely to withstand any business slowdowns and recessions.

Financial Strength : 5/10

vs
industry		 vs
history
Cash to Debt 0.077
NSC's Cash to Debt is ranked lower than
182815% of the 547 Companies
in the Global Railroads industry.

( Industry Median: 0.48 vs. NSC: 0.077 )
NSC' s 10-Year Cash to Debt Range
Min: 0.01   Max: 0.18
Current: 0.08
0.01
0.18
Equity to Asset 0.322
NSC's Equity to Asset is ranked lower than
195695% of the 511 Companies
in the Global Railroads industry.

( Industry Median: 0.50 vs. NSC: 0.322 )
NSC' s 10-Year Equity to Asset Range
Min: 0.31   Max: 0.38
Current: 0.32
0.31
0.38
Interest Coverage 6.3
NSC's Interest Coverage is ranked lower than
251256% of the 398 Companies
in the Global Railroads industry.

( Industry Median: 8.10 vs. NSC: 6.3 )
NSC' s 10-Year Interest Coverage Range
Min: 1   Max: 7
Current: 6.3
1
7
F-Score: 5
Z-Score: 1.77
M-Score: -2.36
GuruFocus Profitability Rank ranks how profitable a company is and how likely the company’s business will stay that way. It is based on these factors:

1. Operating Margin
2. Trend of the Operating Margin (5-year average). The company with an uptrend profit margin has a higher rank.
••3. Consistency of the profitability
4. Piotroski F-Score
5. Predictability Rank•

The maximum rank is 10. A rank of 7 or higher means a higher profitability and may stay that way. A rank of 3 or lower indicates that the company has had trouble to make a profit.

Profitability Rank is not directly related to the Financial Strength Rank. But if a company is consistently profitable, its financial strength will be stronger.

Profitability & Growth : 9/10

vs
industry		 vs
history
Operating margin (%) 28.30
NSC's Operating margin (%) is ranked higher than
84% of the 464 Companies
in the Global Railroads industry.

( Industry Median: 7.90 vs. NSC: 28.30 )
NSC' s 10-Year Operating margin (%) Range
Min: 10.3   Max: 28.9
Current: 28.3
10.3
28.9
Net-margin (%) 15.8
NSC's Net-margin (%) is ranked higher than
77% of the 435 Companies
in the Global Railroads industry.

( Industry Median: 5.50 vs. NSC: 15.8 )
NSC' s 10-Year Net-margin (%) Range
Min: 2.8   Max: 17.2
Current: 15.8
2.8
17.2
ROE (%) 17.9
NSC's ROE (%) is ranked higher than
86% of the 433 Companies
in the Global Railroads industry.

( Industry Median: 7.90 vs. NSC: 17.9 )
NSC' s 10-Year ROE (%) Range
Min: 3   Max: 19.3
Current: 17.9
3
19.3
ROA (%) 5.8
NSC's ROA (%) is ranked higher than
69% of the 432 Companies
in the Global Railroads industry.

( Industry Median: 3.80 vs. NSC: 5.8 )
NSC' s 10-Year ROA (%) Range
Min: 0.9   Max: 6.7
Current: 5.8
0.9
6.7
ROC (Joel Greenblatt) (%) 12.30
NSC's ROC (Joel Greenblatt) (%) is ranked higher than
56% of the 442 Companies
in the Global Railroads industry.

( Industry Median: 10.70 vs. NSC: 12.30 )
NSC' s 10-Year ROC (Joel Greenblatt) (%) Range
Min: 6.1   Max: 14
Current: 12.3
6.1
14
Revenue Growth (%) 11.8
NSC's Revenue Growth (%) is ranked lower than
398406% of the 251 Companies
in the Global Railroads industry.

( Industry Median: 7.40 vs. NSC: 11.8 )
NSC' s 10-Year Revenue Growth (%) Range
Min: -1.1   Max: 11.8
Current: 11.8
-1.1
11.8
EBITDA Growth (%) 12.9
NSC's EBITDA Growth (%) is ranked lower than
558659% of the 179 Companies
in the Global Railroads industry.

( Industry Median: 10.30 vs. NSC: 12.9 )
NSC' s 10-Year EBITDA Growth (%) Range
Min: -1   Max: 18.2
Current: 12.9
-1
18.2
EPS Growth (%) 18.1
NSC's EPS Growth (%) is ranked lower than
613496% of the 163 Companies
in the Global Railroads industry.

( Industry Median: 14.40 vs. NSC: 18.1 )
NSC' s 10-Year EPS Growth (%) Range
Min: -6.2   Max: 32.1
Current: 18.1
-6.2
32.1
» NSC's 10-Y Financials

Financials


Revenue & Net Income
Cash & Debt
Oprt. Cash Flow & Free Cash Flow

» Details

Guru Trades
Q2 2012

NSC Guru Trades in Q2 2012

Paul Tudor Jones 25,000 sh (New)
Steven Cohen 136,614 sh (+66.62%)
David Dreman 37,606 sh (+1.11%)
Dodge & Cox 7,597 sh (unchged)
David Winters 188,200 sh (unchged)
Wintergreen Fund 159,828 sh (unchged)
Meridian Funds 6,800 sh (unchged)
Bill Frels 3,644 sh (unchged)
Louis Moore Bacon Sold Out
Joel Greenblatt Sold Out
John Buckingham 96,479 sh (-1.09%)
Murray Stahl 245,956 sh (-1.49%)
Manning & Napier Advisors, Inc 2,488,638 sh (-4.1%)
Tweedy Browne 331,526 sh (-11.38%)
PRIMECAP Management 1,329,231 sh (-13.06%)
Scott Black 36,637 sh (-13.46%)
Jeremy Grantham 89,137 sh (-32.44%)
Pioneer Investments 1,566,191 sh (-43.07%)
Jim Simons 481,104 sh (-67.32%)
Ray Dalio 24,733 sh (-90.27%)
Ken Fisher 11,962 sh (-98.91%)
» More
Q3 2012

NSC Guru Trades in Q3 2012

Joel Greenblatt 8,878 sh (New)
Tom Gayner 21,400 sh (New)
PRIMECAP Management 1,419,331 sh (+6.78%)
Meridian Funds 6,800 sh (unchged)
Bill Frels 3,644 sh (unchged)
Wintergreen Fund 159,828 sh (unchged)
David Winters 188,200 sh (unchged)
Paul Tudor Jones Sold Out
Scott Black Sold Out
Jeremy Grantham Sold Out
Ray Dalio Sold Out
David Dreman 37,587 sh (-0.05%)
Manning & Napier Advisors, Inc 2,479,282 sh (-0.38%)
Dodge & Cox 7,397 sh (-2.63%)
John Buckingham 92,394 sh (-4.23%)
Pioneer Investments 1,307,332 sh (-16.53%)
Tweedy Browne 244,307 sh (-26.31%)
Steven Cohen 98,780 sh (-27.69%)
Ken Fisher 8,195 sh (-31.49%)
Murray Stahl 138,111 sh (-43.85%)
Jim Simons 204,800 sh (-57.43%)
» More
Q4 2012

NSC Guru Trades in Q4 2012

Ray Dalio 12,290 sh (New)
Brian Rogers 4,000,000 sh (New)
John Hussman 1,000 sh (New)
Tom Gayner 72,100 sh (+236.92%)
David Dreman 52,514 sh (+39.71%)
Bill Frels 3,794 sh (+4.12%)
Manning & Napier Advisors, Inc 2,512,867 sh (+1.35%)
Tweedy Browne 244,474 sh (+0.07%)
Meridian Funds 6,800 sh (unchged)
Dodge & Cox 7,397 sh (unchged)
Wintergreen Fund 159,828 sh (unchged)
Jim Simons Sold Out
PRIMECAP Management 1,400,731 sh (-1.31%)
David Winters 185,411 sh (-1.48%)
John Buckingham 89,765 sh (-2.85%)
Murray Stahl 125,771 sh (-8.93%)
Pioneer Investments 1,101,394 sh (-15.75%)
Ken Fisher 6,345 sh (-22.57%)
Joel Greenblatt 4,810 sh (-45.82%)
Steven Cohen 7,996 sh (-91.91%)
» More
Q1 2013

NSC Guru Trades in Q1 2013

Jean-Marie Eveillard 1,062,655 sh (New)
Louis Moore Bacon 35,000 sh (New)
Steven Cohen 10,916 sh (+36.52%)
Tom Gayner 94,100 sh (+30.51%)
Brian Rogers 4,000,000 sh (unchged)
David Winters 185,411 sh (unchged)
Dodge & Cox 7,397 sh (unchged)
John Hussman 1,000 sh (unchged)
Meridian Funds 6,800 sh (unchged)
Joel Greenblatt Sold Out
Ray Dalio Sold Out
Murray Stahl 125,510 sh (-0.21%)
John Buckingham 89,375 sh (-0.43%)
Tweedy Browne 239,679 sh (-1.96%)
Bill Frels 3,649 sh (-3.82%)
PRIMECAP Management 1,320,131 sh (-5.75%)
David Dreman 47,557 sh (-9.44%)
Pioneer Investments 995,127 sh (-9.65%)
Ken Fisher 5,540 sh (-12.69%)
Manning & Napier Advisors, Inc 36,025 sh (-98.57%)
» More
» Details

Insider Trades

Latest Guru Trades with NSC

GuruDate Trades Impact to Portfolio Price Range * (?) Current Price Change from Average Current Shares
Jean-Marie Eveillard 2013-03-31 New Buy0.27%$61.84 - $77.08 $ 77.4510%1062655
Tom Gayner 2013-03-31 Add 30.51%0.06%$61.84 - $77.08 $ 77.4510%94100
Joel Greenblatt 2013-03-31 Sold Out 0.02%$61.84 - $77.08 $ 77.4510%0
Ray Dalio 2013-03-31 Sold Out 0.01%$61.84 - $77.08 $ 77.4510%0
Tom Gayner 2012-12-31 Add 236.92%0.13%$56.34 - $67.71 $ 77.4525%72100
David Dreman 2012-12-31 Add 39.71%0.03%$56.34 - $67.71 $ 77.4525%52514
Joel Greenblatt 2012-12-31 Reduce -45.82%0.02%$56.34 - $67.71 $ 77.4525%4810
Ray Dalio 2012-12-31 New Buy0.01%$56.34 - $67.71 $ 77.4525%12290
John Hussman 2012-12-31 New Buy$56.34 - $67.71 $ 77.4525%1000
Scott Black 2012-09-30 Sold Out 0.41%$63.61 - $75.12 $ 77.457%0
Tweedy Browne 2012-09-30 Reduce -26.31%0.22%$63.61 - $75.12 $ 77.457%244307
Tom Gayner 2012-09-30 New Buy0.06%$63.61 - $75.12 $ 77.457%21400
Joel Greenblatt 2012-09-30 New Buy0.04%$63.61 - $75.12 $ 77.457%8878
Ray Dalio 2012-09-30 Sold Out 0.03%$63.61 - $75.12 $ 77.457%0
Ray Dalio 2012-06-30 Reduce -90.27%0.23%$63.47 - $74 $ 77.4513%24733
Joel Greenblatt 2012-06-30 Sold Out 0.03%$63.47 - $74 $ 77.4513%0
Premium More recent guru trades are included for Premium Members only!!

Top Ranked Articles about Norfolk Southern Corporation

Brian Rogers’ Biggest Buys for the T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund – Q4 2012 Update
January 29, 2013
Brian Rogers,Warren Buffett - Brian Rogers’ Biggest Buys For The T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund – Q4 2012 Update
Guru Brian Rogers, who manages the $24 billion T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund, has reported a total of 33 transactions for his fourth quarter 2012 portfolio update. The update consists of 11 stake increases, 7 new buys, 6 stake reductions and 9 sales of his entire stake in companies. Read more...

Ratios

vs
industry		 vs
history
P/E(ttm) 13.90
NSC's P/E(ttm) is ranked lower than
226244% of the 442 Companies
in the Global Railroads industry.

( Industry Median: 16.20 vs. NSC: 13.90 )
NSC' s 10-Year P/E(ttm) Range
Min: 6.46   Max: 91.97
Current: 13.9
6.46
91.97
P/B 2.50
NSC's P/B is ranked lower than
187266% of the 534 Companies
in the Global Railroads industry.

( Industry Median: 1.00 vs. NSC: 2.50 )
NSC' s 10-Year P/B Range
Min: 0.8   Max: 2.76
Current: 2.5
0.8
2.76
P/S 2.27
NSC's P/S is ranked lower than
182149% of the 549 Companies
in the Global Railroads industry.

( Industry Median: 0.78 vs. NSC: 2.27 )
NSC' s 10-Year P/S Range
Min: 0.79   Max: 2.82
Current: 2.27
0.79
2.82
PFCF 41.70
NSC's PFCF is ranked lower than
289017% of the 346 Companies
in the Global Railroads industry.

( Industry Median: 16.83 vs. NSC: 41.70 )
NSC' s 10-Year PFCF Range
Min: 8.31   Max: 278.75
Current: 41.7
8.31
278.75
EV-to-EBIT 10.5
NSC's EV-to-EBIT is ranked lower than
208333% of the 480 Companies
in the Global Railroads industry.

( Industry Median: 14.50 vs. NSC: 10.5 )
NSC' s 10-Year EV-to-EBIT Range
Min: 5.6   Max: 558.9
Current: 10.5
5.6
558.9
PEG 1.6
NSC's PEG is ranked lower than
555555% of the 180 Companies
in the Global Railroads industry.

( Industry Median: 1.58 vs. NSC: 1.6 )
NSC' s 10-Year PEG Range
Min: 0.28   Max: 5.48
Current: 1.6
0.28
5.48
Shiller P/E 16.5
NSC's Shiller P/E is ranked lower than
100% of the Companies
in the Global Railroads industry.

( Industry Median: vs. NSC: 16.5 )
NSC' s 10-Year Shiller P/E Range
Min: 8.49   Max: 31.05
Current: 16.5
8.49
31.05

Dividend & Buy Back

vs
industry		 vs
history
Dividend Yield 2.58
NSC's Dividend Yield is ranked lower than
255754% of the 391 Companies
in the Global Railroads industry.

( Industry Median: 2.10 vs. NSC: 2.58 )
NSC' s 10-Year Dividend Yield Range
Min: 0.9   Max: 6.5
Current: 2.58
0.9
6.5
Dividend Payout 0.3543
NSC's Dividend Payout is ranked lower than
332226% of the 301 Companies
in the Global Railroads industry.

( Industry Median: 0.40 vs. NSC: 0.3543 )
NSC' s 10-Year Dividend Payout Range
Min: 0.15   Max: 1.78
Current: 0.35
0.15
1.78
Dividend growth (3y) 9.3
NSC's Dividend growth (3y) is ranked lower than
1030927% of the 97 Companies
in the Global Railroads industry.

( Industry Median: 8.40 vs. NSC: 9.3 )
NSC' s 10-Year Dividend growth (3y) Range
Min: -24.5   Max: 27.8
Current: 9.3
-24.5
27.8
Yield on cost (5-Year) 4.56
NSC's Yield on cost (5-Year) is ranked lower than
255102% of the 392 Companies
in the Global Railroads industry.

( Industry Median: 1.97 vs. NSC: 4.56 )
NSC' s 10-Year Yield on cost (5-Year) Range
Min: 1.58   Max: 11.4
Current: 4.56
1.58
11.4
Share Buyback Rate 3
NSC's Share Buyback Rate is ranked lower than
1265822% of the 79 Companies
in the Global Railroads industry.

( Industry Median: 0.50 vs. NSC: 3 )
NSC' s 10-Year Share Buyback Rate Range
Min: 3   Max: -1.5
Current: 3

Valuation & Return

vs
industry		 vs
history
Price/Net Current Asset Value 27.8
NSC's Price/Net Current Asset Value is ranked lower than
274725% of the 364 Companies
in the Global Railroads industry.

( Industry Median: 11.50 vs. NSC: 27.8 )
NSC' s 10-Year Price/Net Current Asset Value Range
Min: 14.8   Max: 35.7
Current: 27.8
14.8
35.7
Price/Tangible Book 2.5
NSC's Price/Tangible Book is ranked lower than
196463% of the 509 Companies
in the Global Railroads industry.

( Industry Median: 1.00 vs. NSC: 2.5 )
NSC' s 10-Year Price/Tangible Book Range
Min: 0.9   Max: 2.5
Current: 2.5
0.9
2.5
Price/DCF (Projected) 1.3
NSC's Price/DCF (Projected) is ranked lower than
595238% of the 168 Companies
in the Global Railroads industry.

( Industry Median: 1.50 vs. NSC: 1.3 )
NSC' s 10-Year Price/DCF (Projected) Range
Min: 0.9   Max: 1.6
Current: 1.3
0.9
1.6
Price/Median PS Value 1.2
NSC's Price/Median PS Value is ranked lower than
186567% of the 536 Companies
in the Global Railroads industry.

( Industry Median: 1.00 vs. NSC: 1.2 )
NSC' s 10-Year Price/Median PS Value Range
Min: 0.4   Max: 1.3
Current: 1.2
0.4
1.3
Price/Peter Lynch Fair Value 1.7
NSC's Price/Peter Lynch Fair Value is ranked lower than
970873% of the 103 Companies
in the Global Railroads industry.

( Industry Median: 1.00 vs. NSC: 1.7 )
NSC' s 10-Year Price/Peter Lynch Fair Value Range
Min: 0.6   Max: 2.4
Current: 1.7
0.6
2.4
Price/Graham Number 1.3
NSC's Price/Graham Number is ranked lower than
243309% of the 411 Companies
in the Global Railroads industry.

( Industry Median: 1.00 vs. NSC: 1.3 )
NSC' s 10-Year Price/Graham Number Range
Min: 0.9   Max: 1.2
Current: 1.3
0.9
1.2
Earnings Yield (Greenblatt) 9.50
NSC's Earnings Yield (Greenblatt) is ranked higher than
69% of the 479 Companies
in the Global Railroads industry.

( Industry Median: 6.90 vs. NSC: 9.50 )
NSC' s 10-Year Earnings Yield (Greenblatt) Range
Min: 0.2   Max: 18
Current: 9.5
0.2
18
Forward Rate of Return (Yacktman) 11.35
NSC's Forward Rate of Return (Yacktman) is ranked lower than
617283% of the 162 Companies
in the Global Railroads industry.

( Industry Median: 10.56 vs. NSC: 11.35 )
NSC' s 10-Year Forward Rate of Return (Yacktman) Range
Min: 6.6   Max: 42.4
Current: 11.35
6.6
42.4

Business Description

Norfolk Southern Corporation was incorporated on July 23, 1980, under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Company controls a major freight railroad, Norfolk Southern Railway Company. It is mainly engaged 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 provides comprehensive logistics services and offers the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern half of the United States. In rail road operations, the system's lines reach many individual industries, electric generating facilities, mines in western Virginia, eastern Kentucky, southern and northern West Virginia and western Pennsylvania, distribution centers, transload facilities and other business located in smaller communities in its service area. Triple Crown Services Company, the Company's subsidiary, provides bimodal, truckload transportation service utilizing RoadRailer trailers, a hybrid technology that facilitates both over-the-road and on-the-rail transportation utilizing enclosed trailers that are pulled over the highways in tractor-trailer configuration and over the rails by locomotives. Triple Crown provides service in the eastern two-thirds of the United States as well as Ontario and Quebec through a network of terminals strategically located in 13 cities. The Company's noncarrier subsidiaries engage principally in the acquisition, leasing, and management of coal, oil, gas and minerals; the development of commercial real estate; telecommunications; and the leasing or sale of rail property and equipment. There is continuing strong competition among rail, water, and highway carriers. The Company's main rail competitor is the CSX system; both operate throughout much of the same territory. Other railroads also operate in parts of the territory. The Company also competes with motor carriers, water carriers, and with shippers who have the additional option of handling their own goods in private carriage, of sourcing products from different geographic areas, and of using substitute products. In addition to environmental, safety, securities, and other regulations generally applicable to all businesses, the Company's railroads are subject to regulation by the STB.
Company Website
SEC Reports
Industry: Railroads
Compare:TRN, UNP, EJPRY, CSX, MTRJY
Traded in other countries:NFS.Germany
» More Articles for NSC

Headlines

Articles On GuruFocus.com
Industrial Strength Stocks with Dividend Growth May 22 2013 
My 3 Favorite Services Dividend Stocks with Cheap Forward Price Ratios May 08 2013 
First Quarter 2013: Top and Bottom Performing Dividend Stocks May 07 2013 
10 Dividend Stocks with a 10% Yield in 10 Years Apr 03 2013 
20 Dividend Contenders with High Growth and Cheap Price Ratios Feb 21 2013 
Markel’s Tom Gayner Buys Alliance Holdings, Moody's, Norfolk Southern, Sells Sysco, Vodafone Feb 12 2013 
My 4 Favorites from the Services Sector with Big Dividends and Strongest Earnings Growth Feb 08 2013 
Brian Rogers’ Biggest Buys for the T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund – Q4 2012 Update Jan 29 2013 
Norfolk Southern Corp: Fundamental Stock Research Analysis Jan 22 2013 
Warren Buffett’s Short-Line Railroads Mix Up Dec 31 2012 


Personalized Checklist





Within your circle of competence?
Macro economic environment favorable?
High quality business?
Enough margin of safety with stocks?
Gurus are buying?
Insiders are buying?
Management capable and shareholder friendly?
Catalyst for stock price to appreciate?
Your level of confidence with the research?

GuruFocus Affiliate Program: Earn up to $400 per referral. ( Learn More)
Get WordPress Plugins for easy affiliate links on Stock Tickers and Guru Names
Free 7-day Trial