Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

Momentum investing revolves around the idea of following a stock's recent trend in either direction. In "long context," investors will be essentially be "buying high, but hoping to sell even higher." With this methodology, taking advantage of trends in a stock's price is key; once a stock establishes a course, it is more than likely to continue moving that way. The goal is that once a stock heads down a fixed path, it will lead to timely and profitable trades.

Even though momentum is a popular stock characteristic, it can be tough to define. Debate surrounding which are the best and worst metrics to focus on is lengthy, but the Zacks Momentum Style Score, part of the Zacks Style Scores, helps address this issue for us.

Below, we take a look at CSX (CSX - Free Report) , which currently has a Momentum Style Score of A. We also discuss some of the main drivers of the Momentum Style Score, like price change and earnings estimate revisions.

It's also important to note that Style Scores work as a complement to the Zacks Rank, our stock rating system that has an impressive track record of outperformance. CSX currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy). Our research shows that stocks rated Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and #2 (Buy) and Style Scores of "A or B" outperform the market over the following one-month period.

You can see the current list of Zacks #1 Rank Stocks here >>>

Set to Beat the Market? In order to see if CSX is a promising momentum pick, let's examine some Momentum Style elements to see if this freight railroad holds up.

Looking at a stock's short-term price activity is a great way to gauge if it has momentum, since this can reflect both the current interest in a stock and if buyers or sellers have the upper hand at the moment. It's also helpful to compare a security to its industry; this can show investors the best companies in a particular area.

For CSX, shares are up 2.71% over the past week while the Zacks Transportation - Rail industry is up 3.42% over the same time period. Shares are looking quite well from a longer time frame too, as the monthly price change of 11.32% compares favorably with the industry's 7.12% performance as well.

While any stock can see its price increase, it takes a real winner to consistently beat the market. That is why looking at longer term price metrics -- such as performance over the past three months or year -- can be useful as well. Shares of CSX have increased 16.25% over the past quarter, and have gained 50.89% in the last year. In comparison, the S&P 500 has only moved 4.48% and 17.65%, respectively.

Investors should also take note of CSX's average 20-day trading volume. Volume is a useful item in many ways, and the 20-day average establishes a good price-to-volume baseline; a rising stock with above average volume is generally a bullish sign, whereas a declining stock on above average volume is typically bearish. Right now CSX is averaging 12,499,395 shares for the last 20 days..

Earnings OutlookThe Zacks Momentum Style Score also takes into account trends in estimate revisions, in addition to price changes. Please note that estimate revision trends remain at the core of Zacks Rank as well. A nice path here can help show promise, and we have recently been seeing that with CSX.

Over the past two months, 5 earnings estimates moved higher compared to none lower for the full year. These revisions helped boost CSX's consensus estimate, increasing from $1.90 to $1.94 in the past 60 days. Looking at the next fiscal year, 6 estimates have moved upwards while there have been no downward revisions in the same time period.

Bottom LineGiven these factors, it shouldn't be surprising that CSX is a #2 (Buy) stock and boasts a Momentum Score of A. If you're looking for a fresh pick that's set to soar in the near-term, make sure to keep CSX on your short list.

Key Takeaways CSX beat Q2 estimates with EPS of 54 cents and revenues of $3.94B, up 22.7% and 10.1% year over year. CSX growth was driven by higher fuel surcharge revenues & pricing gains across segments. CSX raised its 2026 outlook, with mid to high single-digit revenue growth & operating margin expansion. CSX Corporation (CSX - Free Report) reported impressive second-quarter 2026 results, wherein both earnings and revenues surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate.

Quarterly earnings per share (EPS) of 54 cents surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 50 cents and increased 22.7% on a year-over-year basis.

Total revenues of $3.94 billion beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.82 billion. The top line increased 10.1% year over year, driven by higher fuel surcharge revenues, volume growth and pricing across merchandise, intermodal and coal. These were partially offset by a decrease in export coal revenues, including the impact of lower benchmark rates.

Second-quarter operating income increased 17% year over year to $1.51 billion. Total expenses increased 6% year over year. CSX’s operating margin expanded to 38.3% during the March quarter from 35.9% in the year-ago quarter. Total volumes inched up 6% year over year, boosted by 9% growth in intermodal volumes.

Q1 Segmental Performance of CSXMerchandise revenues grew 8.4% year over year to $2.45 billion (above our estimate of $2.33 billion) in the reported quarter. Merchandise volumes rose 4% year over year to $670 million. Segmental revenues per unit inched up 4% year over year.

Intermodal revenues increased 26% year over year to $620 million (above our estimate of $547.1 million). Segmental volumes increased 9%, while revenues per unit rose 16% year over year.

Coal revenues improved 9% year over year to $520 million in the reported quarter (above our estimate of $506.7 million). Coal volumes inched up 4% year over year, while segmental revenues per unit increased 4% year over year.

Trucking revenues totaled $226 million (above our estimate of $190.6 million) and rose 7% year over year. Other revenues fell 11% year over year to $123 million in the reported quarter.

CSX’s LiquidityCSX exited the second quarter of 2026 with cash and cash equivalents of $1 billion compared with $670 million at the end of the fourth quarter of 2025. Long-term debt of $17.16 billion compared with $18.17 at the quarter end of 2025.

CSX's 2026 Guidance For 2026, CSX now expects mid-to high single-digit revenue growth (including fuel, based on the current forward curve for diesel) compared with its prior guidance of mid-single digit revenue growth.

Operating margin expansion is now anticipated to exceed 350 basis points compared with the previous expectation of around the higher end of the 200-300 basis points range.

Free cash flow is now anticipated to increase more than 80% compared with the prior expectation of growth of more than 60%.

For the full-year 2026, CSX continues to expect capital expenditures to be below $2.4 billion.

Currently, CSX carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Q2 Performances of Other Transportation CompaniesWestinghouse Air Brake Technologies (WAB - Free Report) , operating as Wabtec Corporation, reported encouraging second-quarter 2026 results, wherein both earnings and revenues surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate and increased year over year.

Quarterly adjusted earnings of $2.76 per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.63 by 4.9% and increased 21.6% year over year, owing to higher sales and operating margin expansion.

Revenues climbed 17.5% to $3.18 billion and surpassed the consensus mark of $3.08 billion by 3.2%.

United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (UAL - Free Report)  reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $1.99 per share, down 48.6% year over year but above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.92 by 3.7%.

Operating revenues rose 16% to $17.67 billion and were essentially in line with the $17.68 billion consensus mark. A 12.1% increase in total revenues per available seat mile or TRASM, and broad-based gains across premium, loyalty and cargo revenues, supported the top line despite sharply higher fuel costs.

J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (JBHT - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2026 earnings of $1.91 per share, up 45.8% from $1.31 a year ago. The figure beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.71 by 11.7%.

Operating revenues climbed 19.4% year over year to $3.50 billion and surpassed the consensus mark of $3.19 billion by 9.5%. Higher volumes and pricing across several businesses supported growth, led by a 10% increase in Intermodal loads.

Revenue: Increased 10%, reaching a new quarterly record.Volume Growth: Increased 6% year over year.Operating Income: Increased by 17%.Operating Margin: Improve

CSX (CSX - Free Report) reported $3.94 billion in revenue for the quarter ended June 2026, representing a year-over-year increase of 10.1%. EPS of $0.54 for the same period compares to $0.44 a year ago.

The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.82 billion, representing a surprise of +2.99%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of +8%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $0.50.

While investors scrutinize revenue and earnings changes year-over-year and how they compare with Wall Street expectations to determine their next move, some key metrics always offer a more accurate picture of a company's financial health.

Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.

Here is how CSX performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:

Operating Margin: 38.3% versus the four-analyst average estimate of 64.3%.Volume - Merchandise - Minerals: 105 thousand versus the three-analyst average estimate of 100.46 thousand.Revenue ton-miles: 51.4 billion versus 52.24 billion estimated by three analysts on average.Revenue per unit - Intermodal: $783.00 compared to the $713.43 average estimate based on three analysts.Revenue- Coal: $520 million versus the three-analyst average estimate of $516.78 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +9%.Revenue- Intermodal: $620 million versus the three-analyst average estimate of $563.18 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +26.3%.Revenue- Merchandise- Fertilizers: $132 million versus $147.23 million estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +4.8% change.Revenue- Merchandise- Chemicals: $774 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $756.3 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +10.4%.Revenue- Merchandise- Automotive: $332 million compared to the $323.06 million average estimate based on two analysts. The reported number represents a change of +3.8% year over year.Revenue- Merchandise- Minerals: $242 million compared to the $227.78 million average estimate based on two analysts. The reported number represents a change of +11% year over year.Revenue- Merchandise- Forest Products: $266 million compared to the $251.57 million average estimate based on two analysts. The reported number represents a change of +6.4% year over year.Revenue- Total Merchandise: $2.45 billion versus $2.38 billion estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +8.4% change.View all Key Company Metrics for CSX here>>>

Shares of CSX have returned +8.1% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.3% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), indicating that it could outperform the broader market in the near term.

MarketBeat Week in Review – 08/18 - 08/22CSX NASDAQ: CSX raised its full-year 2026 outlook after reporting a second quarter marked by higher volumes, record revenue and expanded margins, with executives saying stronger demand and cost controls helped offset fuel-related headwinds.

President and CEO Steve Angel said CSX made progress toward its goal of “best-in-class performance,” while acknowledging that network fluidity and service remain areas for improvement. For the quarter, total volume increased 6% and revenue rose 10% to what Angel described as a new quarterly record. Operating income and earnings per share both grew by double digits.

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This Railroad Stock Is Chugging Along to a New All-Time High“Our priority is achieving profitable growth, not gaining market share for its own sake,” Angel said. He added that CSX is focused on adding business that increases operating income, expands margins and generates good returns on invested capital.

Financial Results Show Margin Expansion Despite Fuel Costs Chief Financial Officer Kevin Boone said total revenue increased 10%, supported by higher fuel surcharge revenue, volume growth and higher pricing across merchandise, intermodal and coal markets. Total expenses rose 6%, but non-fuel expenses declined 2%.

Golden Cross Alert: 3 Stocks With Serious Upside PotentialOperating income increased 17%, and operating margins improved 240 basis points despite 160 basis points of fuel price headwinds. Earnings per share increased 23% in the quarter.

Second-quarter expenses increased by $138 million from the prior year. Boone said fuel expense rose $177 million due to higher diesel prices, partially offset by what the company described as record fuel efficiency. Labor costs increased $40 million, including nearly $90 million of combined pressure from higher incentive compensation and inflation. Those increases were mostly offset by savings from a 6% lower headcount across management and craft employees.

Boone said train and engine headcount will increase modestly in coming months to support service as demand improves, while CSX expects to use process improvements and technology to absorb attrition elsewhere in the business.

The company also continued to reduce purchased services and other expenses. Boone cited $23 million in lower third-party services spending within operations, helped by better use of internal maintenance functions and reviews of contractor activity. Intermodal terminal costs per lift fell 12% as the company absorbed higher volumes more efficiently.

Safety and Productivity Improve, But Dwell Rises Chief Operating Officer Mike Cory said CSX made progress in safety and productivity even as volumes grew faster than expected. The company’s FRA injury rate improved 19% from the prior year, while its train accident rate improved 30%. Cory said total people hours declined 7%.

Average velocity improved 3% year over year, but dwell increased. Cory said the company saw tightness in some parts of the network due to stronger demand and seasonal reductions in employee availability.

“Our service metrics aren’t where we want them to be, and particularly terminal dwell and trip plan performance,” Cory said during the question-and-answer portion of the call. He said the issue was not structural and that CSX expects sequential improvement in operating and service metrics.

Cory said CSX increased average tonnage per merchandise train by 5% and improved workforce productivity. He said the company plans only a modest increase in headcount and will avoid overcorrecting in a way that gives back productivity gains.

Intermodal Leads Volume Growth Chief Commercial Officer Maryclare Kenney said commercial and operations teams handled volumes that exceeded expectations. She said favorable market trends that began narrowly broadened through the spring, contributing to growth across the business.

Merchandise volume rose 4% year over year, while revenue increased 8%. Merchandise revenue per unit excluding fuel increased 1%, as pricing helped offset negative mix. Chemicals volume grew 8%, supported by plastics exports and demand for waste-by-rail. Metals and equipment revenue increased 14% on 3% higher volume, helped by new plate mill production and favorable mix from military and equipment moves. Forest products volume was flat from a year earlier, which Kenney said was a significant improvement from the first quarter.

Intermodal was the largest contributor to unit growth. Revenue increased 26% on 9% higher volume, while revenue per unit rose 16%, driven by fuel surcharge. Kenney said domestic intermodal growth benefited from new service offerings, tighter truck capacity and truck-to-rail conversions. She also cited faster service and expanded network capacity enabled by the Howard Street Tunnel.

Coal revenue increased 9% on 4% higher volume. Export tonnage increased 12%, driven by mine restarts and strong tonnage through Curtis Bay. Domestic tonnage declined 2% as lower natural gas prices and normalized customer inventories tempered demand.

Guidance Raised for 2026 CSX raised its 2026 outlook based on year-to-date performance and expectations for the rest of the year. The company now expects:

Full-year revenue growth in the mid- to high-single-digit range; Operating margin expansion of more than 350 basis points; Free cash flow growth of more than 80%; Capital spending of less than $2.4 billion, unchanged from the prior outlook. Kenney said the second-half outlook remains encouraging, with opportunities tied to new service offerings, industrial development projects, investments in transload and terminal networks, and truck-to-rail conversions. She said tighter truck supply and higher rates are reinforcing rail’s value proposition, particularly in forest products, waste, metals and domestic intermodal.

Still, Kenney flagged potential moderation in some markets. Automotive is starting the second half softer after strong second-quarter production, with normalized inventories and summer shutdowns ahead of new model launches in the fourth quarter. Plastics volumes in chemicals could also moderate after first-half pull-forward activity.

On pricing, Kenney reiterated that CSX expects same-store sales pricing to be stronger in 2026 than in 2025. She said truck capacity tightened over the past few months, particularly after regulatory enforcement, and that CSX has seen acceleration in domestic intermodal spot pricing and some recent rail asset contract renewals. However, she declined to provide a 2027 pricing outlook.

Angel said CSX continues to see opportunities in operations, pricing and productivity. “All businesses, great businesses, have opportunities for improvement, and we’re no different than anyone else,” he said.

About CSX (NASDAQ:CSX)CSX Corporation is a leading North American transportation company that provides rail-based freight services and supply-chain solutions. Its operating subsidiary, CSX Transportation, moves a wide range of goods for customers across multiple industries, using a combination of long-haul rail service, intermodal operations and terminal and yard services. The company focuses on delivering efficient, reliable freight transportation between major production centers, consumption markets and port gateways.

CSX's freight portfolio includes intermodal containers and trailers, bulk commodities, industrial products and specialized unit trains.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].

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Record quarterly revenue of $3.94 billion, up 10% year-over-year; diluted EPS of $0.54, up 23%Operating income of $1.51 billion, up 17%; operating margin expanded 240 bps to 38.3%Volume increased 6% with broad-based growth across markets led by 9% intermodal growth JACKSONVILLE, Fla., July 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CSX Corp. (NASDAQ: CSX) today announced second quarter 2026 operating income of $1.51 billion and net earnings of $1.00 billion, or $0.54 per diluted share. In the second quarter of 2025, the company reported operating income of $1.28 billion and net earnings of $829 million, or $0.44 per diluted share. On a year-over-year basis, operating income increased 17%, net earnings increased 21%, and EPS increased 23%.

Total volume of 1.68 million units for the quarter was 6% higher compared to second quarter 2025. Revenue totaled $3.94 billion for the quarter, increasing 10% year-over-year, due to increased fuel surcharge revenue together with higher volume and pricing across merchandise, intermodal, and coal.

“Our second quarter results reflect the solid progress we’re making at CSX. Our railroaders successfully managed substantial volume growth while maintaining a consistent focus on safety and productivity, which allowed us to deliver improved financial performance,” said Steve Angel, president and chief executive officer. “As we move into the second half of the year, we will strengthen our service execution as we continue to build momentum across the business.”

CSX executives will conduct a conference call with the investment community this afternoon, July 22, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Investors, media and the public may listen to the conference call by dialing 1-888-510-2008. For callers outside the U.S., dial 1-646-960-0306. Participants should dial in 10 minutes prior to the call and enter in 3368220 as the passcode.

In conjunction with the call, a live webcast will be accessible and presentation materials will be posted on the company’s website at investors.csx.com. Following the earnings call, a webcast replay of the presentation will be archived on the company website.

This earnings announcement, as well as additional detailed financial information, is contained in the CSX Quarterly Financial Report available through the company’s website at investors.csx.com and on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

About CSX and its Disclosures

CSX, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier transportation company. It provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural, and consumer products. For nearly 200 years, CSX has played a critical role in the nation's economic expansion and industrial development. Its network connects every major metropolitan area in the eastern United States, where nearly two-thirds of the nation's population resides. It also links approximately 250 short-line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports with major population centers and farming towns alike.

This announcement, as well as additional financial information, is available on the company's website at investors.csx.com. CSX also uses social media channels to communicate information about the company. Although social media channels are not intended to be the primary method of disclosure for material information, it is possible that certain information CSX posts on social media could be deemed to be material. Therefore, we encourage investors, the media, and others interested in the company to review the information we post on X, formerly known as Twitter, (x.com/CSX) and on Facebook (facebook.com/OfficialCSX). The social media channels used by CSX may be updated from time to time. More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at www.csx.com.

Non-GAAP Disclosure

CSX reports its financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). CSX also uses certain non-GAAP measures that fall within the meaning of Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation G and Regulation S-K Item 10(e), which may provide users of the financial information with additional meaningful comparison to prior reported results. Non-GAAP measures do not have standardized definitions and are not defined by U.S. GAAP. Therefore, CSX’s non-GAAP measures are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. The presentation of these non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or as superior to the financial information presented in accordance with GAAP.

Forward-looking Statements

This information and other statements by the company may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act with respect to, among other items: projections and estimates of earnings, revenues, margins, volumes, rates, cost-savings, expenses, taxes, liquidity, capital expenditures, dividends, share repurchases or other financial items, statements of management's plans, strategies and objectives for future operations, and management's expectations as to future performance and operations and the time by which objectives will be achieved, statements concerning proposed new services, and statements regarding future economic, industry or market conditions or performance. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as “will,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “estimate,” “preliminary” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement. If the company updates any forward-looking statement, no inference should be drawn that the company will make additional updates with respect to that statement or any other forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, and actual performance or results could differ materially from that anticipated by any forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by any forward-looking statements include, among others: (i) the company's success in implementing its financial and operational initiatives; (ii) changes in domestic or international economic, political or business conditions, including those affecting the transportation industry (such as the impact of industry competition, conditions, performance and consolidation); (iii) legislative or regulatory changes; (iv) the inherent business risks associated with safety and security; (v) the outcome of claims and litigation involving or affecting the company; (vi) natural events such as severe weather conditions or pandemic health crises; (vii) changes in fuel prices, surcharges for fuel and the availability of fuel; (viii) adverse economic or operational effects from actual or threatened war or terrorist activities and any government response; and (ix) the inherent uncertainty associated with projecting economic and business conditions.

Other important assumptions and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are specified in the company's SEC reports, accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and the company's website at www.csx.com.

Contact:

Matthew Korn, CFA, Investor Relations
904-366-4515

Austin Staton, Corporate Communications
855-955-6397

The railroad operator's revenue rose 10%, driven by increased fuel surcharge revenue paired with higher volume and pricing across merchandise, intermodal and coal.

Investors interested in the Transportation sector can watch out for second-quarter 2026 earnings reports of LUV, CSX, UNP and AAL.

The Transportation group has plenty of great stocks, but investors should always be looking for companies that are outperforming their peers. Is CSX (CSX - Free Report) one of those stocks right now? A quick glance at the company's year-to-date performance in comparison to the rest of the Transportation sector should help us answer this question.

CSX is a member of the Transportation sector. This group includes 110 individual stocks and currently holds a Zacks Sector Rank of #1. The Zacks Sector Rank gauges the strength of our 16 individual sector groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups.

The Zacks Rank is a successful stock-picking model that emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions. The system highlights a number of different stocks that could be poised to outperform the broader market over the next one to three months. CSX is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

Over the past 90 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for CSX's full-year earnings has moved 4.5% higher. This signals that analyst sentiment is improving and the stock's earnings outlook is more positive.

According to our latest data, CSX has moved about 40% on a year-to-date basis. In comparison, Transportation companies have returned an average of 19.1%. This means that CSX is performing better than its sector in terms of year-to-date returns.

Another stock in the Transportation sector, EuroDry (EDRY - Free Report) , has outperformed the sector so far this year. The stock's year-to-date return is 72.3%.

In EuroDry's case, the consensus EPS estimate for the current year increased 29.9% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).

Looking more specifically, CSX belongs to the Transportation - Rail industry, a group that includes 9 individual stocks and currently sits at #204 in the Zacks Industry Rank. Stocks in this group have gained about 29.7% so far this year, so CSX is performing better this group in terms of year-to-date returns.

In contrast, EuroDry falls under the Transportation - Shipping industry. Currently, this industry has 28 stocks and is ranked #44. Since the beginning of the year, the industry has moved +38.7%.

Going forward, investors interested in Transportation stocks should continue to pay close attention to CSX and EuroDry as they could maintain their solid performance.

Wall Street expects a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when CSX (CSX - Free Report) reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. While this widely-known consensus outlook is important in gauging the company's earnings picture, a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.

The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 22. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise.

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis freight railroad is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.50 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +13.6%.

Revenues are expected to be $3.82 billion, up 6.9% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.91% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

Investors should keep in mind that the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts may not always get reflected in the aggregate change.

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.

A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.

Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).

How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for CSX?For CSX, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +1.31%.

On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #2.

So, this combination indicates that CSX will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate.

Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?Analysts often consider to what extent a company has been able to match consensus estimates in the past while calculating their estimates for its future earnings. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that CSX would post earnings of $0.39 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.43, delivering a surprise of +10.26%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates three times.

Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.

That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

CSX appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.

Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.

Momentum investing revolves around the idea of following a stock's recent trend in either direction. In "long context," investors will be essentially be "buying high, but hoping to sell even higher." With this methodology, taking advantage of trends in a stock's price is key; once a stock establishes a course, it is more than likely to continue moving that way. The goal is that once a stock heads down a fixed path, it will lead to timely and profitable trades.

Even though momentum is a popular stock characteristic, it can be tough to define. Debate surrounding which are the best and worst metrics to focus on is lengthy, but the Zacks Momentum Style Score, part of the Zacks Style Scores, helps address this issue for us.

Below, we take a look at CSX (CSX - Free Report) , which currently has a Momentum Style Score of B. We also discuss some of the main drivers of the Momentum Style Score, like price change and earnings estimate revisions.

It's also important to note that Style Scores work as a complement to the Zacks Rank, our stock rating system that has an impressive track record of outperformance. CSX currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy). Our research shows that stocks rated Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and #2 (Buy) and Style Scores of "A or B" outperform the market over the following one-month period.

You can see the current list of Zacks #1 Rank Stocks here >>>

Set to Beat the Market? In order to see if CSX is a promising momentum pick, let's examine some Momentum Style elements to see if this freight railroad holds up.

A good momentum benchmark for a stock is to look at its short-term price activity, as this can reflect both current interest and if buyers or sellers currently have the upper hand. It is also useful to compare a security to its industry, as this can help investors pinpoint the top companies in a particular area.

For CSX, shares are up 2.58% over the past week while the Zacks Transportation - Rail industry is up 1.48% over the same time period. Shares are looking quite well from a longer time frame too, as the monthly price change of 2.6% compares favorably with the industry's 2.6% performance as well.

While any stock can see a spike in price, it takes a real winner to consistently outperform the market. Shares of CSX have increased 14.11% over the past quarter, and have gained 45.28% in the last year. On the other hand, the S&P 500 has only moved 13.69% and 21.71%, respectively.

Investors should also pay attention to CSX's average 20-day trading volume. Volume is a useful item in many ways, and the 20-day average establishes a good price-to-volume baseline; a rising stock with above average volume is generally a bullish sign, whereas a declining stock on above average volume is typically bearish. CSX is currently averaging 11,360,750 shares for the last 20 days.

Earnings OutlookThe Zacks Momentum Style Score encompasses many things, including estimate revisions and a stock's price movement. Investors should note that earnings estimates are also significant to the Zacks Rank, and a nice path here can be promising. We have recently been noticing this with CSX.

Over the past two months, 4 earnings estimates moved higher compared to none lower for the full year. These revisions helped boost CSX's consensus estimate, increasing from $1.89 to $1.93 in the past 60 days. Looking at the next fiscal year, 3 estimates have moved upwards while there have been no downward revisions in the same time period.

Bottom LineGiven these factors, it shouldn't be surprising that CSX is a #2 (Buy) stock and boasts a Momentum Score of B. If you're looking for a fresh pick that's set to soar in the near-term, make sure to keep CSX on your short list.

For those looking to find strong Transportation stocks, it is prudent to search for companies in the group that are outperforming their peers. Is CSX (CSX - Free Report) one of those stocks right now? A quick glance at the company's year-to-date performance in comparison to the rest of the Transportation sector should help us answer this question.

CSX is one of 110 individual stocks in the Transportation sector. Collectively, these companies sit at #2 in the Zacks Sector Rank. The Zacks Sector Rank gauges the strength of our 16 individual sector groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups.

The Zacks Rank emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find stocks with improving earnings outlooks. This system has a long record of success, and these stocks tend to be on track to beat the market over the next one to three months. CSX is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CSX's full-year earnings has moved 3.1% higher within the past quarter. This is a sign of improving analyst sentiment and a positive earnings outlook trend.

According to our latest data, CSX has moved about 34.9% on a year-to-date basis. Meanwhile, the Transportation sector has returned an average of 16.6% on a year-to-date basis. As we can see, CSX is performing better than its sector in the calendar year.

One other Transportation stock that has outperformed the sector so far this year is C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW - Free Report) . The stock is up 18.1% year-to-date.

Over the past three months, C.H. Robinson Worldwide's consensus EPS estimate for the current year has increased 3.2%. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Looking more specifically, CSX belongs to the Transportation - Rail industry, a group that includes 9 individual stocks and currently sits at #105 in the Zacks Industry Rank. This group has gained an average of 22.4% so far this year, so CSX is performing better in this area.

C.H. Robinson Worldwide, however, belongs to the Transportation - Services industry. Currently, this 20-stock industry is ranked #156. The industry has moved +11% so far this year.

Investors with an interest in Transportation stocks should continue to track CSX and C.H. Robinson Worldwide. These stocks will be looking to continue their solid performance.

Key Takeaways CSX shares gained 45.5% in a year, outperforming the rail industry's 18.2% growth. CSX could benefit from the upgraded SMX service through stronger cross-border freight connectivity. CSX expanded rail-served facilities, raised its dividend 8% and saw higher 2026 and 2027 estimates. CSX (CSX - Free Report) shares have performed impressively on the bourse of late. Shares of this Jacksonville, FL-based company have surged 45.5% over the past year, outperforming the Zacks Transportation - Rail industry’s 22.5% growth.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Given the impressive price performance, let's take a deeper look at the factors driving growth at this leading rail-based freight transportation service provider, which currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), and assess its potential for continued gains. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

CSX and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CP - Free Report) are expected to benefit from the upgraded Southeast Mexico Express (“SMX”) service, as faster transit times, expanded market access and improved network efficiency are introduced. Backed by infrastructure investments, cross-border connectivity between the U.S. Southeast, Texas and Mexico is expected to be strengthened, potentially driving additional freight volumes and supporting long-term growth.

Similarly, Schneider National (SNDR - Free Report) , a premier provider of transportation, intermodal and logistics services, has already benefited from the SMX corridor. The enhanced service offers more reliable, truck-like transit times between Texas, Mexico and the U.S. Southeast, strengthening rail's competitiveness against trucking while providing greater capacity and efficiency for shippers.

CSX continued to broaden its growth opportunities by adding 85 new or expanded rail-served facilities and maintaining a robust pipeline of customer development projects across its network. At the end of 2025, the company also broadened its market reach through new intermodal and interchange agreements while returning $2.4 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. An 8% dividend increase, combined with ongoing investments in artificial intelligence and predictive analytics, highlights management's confidence in the company's long-term growth, productivity and cash-generation potential.

The company also delivered notable improvements in safety and service performance at the end of 2025. Its FRA personal injury frequency index improved to 0.94, while its train accident rate improved to 3.08, reflecting a strong focus on employee safety and operational discipline. Network performance metrics, including train velocity, terminal dwell and trip-plan performance, also improved throughout the second half of 2025, providing a stronger foundation for service reliability, customer satisfaction and future commercial growth.

Estimate Revisions to Head NorthDriven by the positives discussed above, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the full-year 2026 and 2027 has been revised upward by 3.26% and 3.37%, respectively, over the past 60 days.

On June 16, 2026, we present a discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis for CSX Corp CSX . The company has shown notable price performance, with a year-to-date increase of 31.6% and a one-year gain of 49.6%. Below are key points from our analysis:

DCF Earnings-based intrinsic value of $30.68 vs current price of $47.39 (margin of safety: -54.5%) DCF FCF-based intrinsic value of $26.64 vs current price (second opinion) GF Score™ of 86/100 indicating high reliability of the DCF inputs What Is CSX Worth? DCF Earnings-Based Model The DCF earnings-based model evaluates CSX's intrinsic value based on its projected earnings growth over the next decade. The model operates in two stages: a growth phase followed by a terminal phase. Below are the assumptions used in the calculation:

Parameter Value Current EPS (TTM, excl. non-recurring) $1.70 10-Year Growth Rate 11.8% 10-Year Treasury Rate 4.44% Discount Rate (ceil(Treasury) + 6%) 11% Terminal Growth Rate 4% In the first stage, we project that CSX's EPS will grow at an annual rate of 11.8% for the next 10 years, discounted at a rate of 11%. The value derived from this growth phase is $17.69 per share. In the second stage, we assume a terminal growth rate of 4% for the subsequent 10 years, also discounted at 11%, yielding a terminal value of $12.99 per share. The summary of the calculations is as follows:

Stage Description Value Growth Stage (Years 1-10) EPS growing at 11.8%, discounted at 11% $17.69 Terminal Stage (Years 11-20) 4% terminal growth, discounted at 11% $12.99 Intrinsic Value Growth + Terminal $30.68 With the current price of CSX at $47.39, the intrinsic value of $30.68 indicates that the stock is modestly overvalued, with a margin of safety of -54.5%. It is important to note that GuruFocus uses EPS excluding non-recurring items, as research shows that stock prices correlate more closely with earnings than free cash flow. For further details, you can visit the CSX DCF Calculator.

What Does the Free Cash Flow DCF Say? The free cash flow (FCF)-based intrinsic value for CSX is calculated at $26.64. When comparing this to the earnings-based intrinsic value of $30.68, both models suggest that CSX is modestly overvalued, with a margin of safety of -77.9%. This significant difference in intrinsic values highlights the importance of considering multiple valuation methods.

How Does GF Value™ Compare to the DCF Models? The GF Value™ for CSX is calculated at $35.44, providing a third perspective on the company's valuation. GF Value™ is GuruFocus' proprietary measure derived from historical trading multiples, past business growth, and future performance estimates. All three models—DCF earnings, DCF FCF, and GF Value™—indicate that CSX is overvalued at its current price. For more information, visit the GF Value™ page.

What Does CSX's GF Score™ Tell Us? The GF Score™ ranks stocks from 0 to 100 based on five key aspects: Financial Strength, Profitability, Growth, Valuation, and Momentum. Stocks with higher GF Score™ values have been found to generate higher long-term returns based on backtesting from 2006 to 2021.

Metric Rating GF Score™ 86/100 Financial Strength 4/10 Profitability 9/10 Growth 8/10 Valuation 5/10 Momentum 10/10 CSX has a predictability rank of 1/5 stars, indicating that the DCF model may be less reliable for this stock. For more information, visit the CSX stock page.

Key Assumptions and Limitations It is essential to recognize that DCF models are highly sensitive to the assumptions made regarding growth rates and discount rates. Stocks with low predictability ratings, such as CSX, tend to produce less reliable DCF estimates. The terminal growth rate of 4% used in this analysis is a simplifying assumption that may not reflect actual future performance.

What This Means for Investors In summary, the three valuation models—DCF earnings, DCF FCF, and GF Value™—all suggest that CSX is currently overvalued. This conclusion is supported by the significant margins of safety observed in both DCF models.

For the full DCF analysis, visit the CSX DCF Calculator. You can also explore the GF Value™ page, or use the GuruFocus Stock Screener to find undervalued predictable companies.

Frequently Asked Questions What is CSX's intrinsic value based on DCF?

[Answer: earnings-based $30.68, FCF-based $26.64]

Is CSX overvalued or undervalued?

[Answer using DCF + GF Value™ consensus]

How reliable is the DCF model for CSX?

[Answer using predictability rank 1/5]

This stock alert was generated using automated technology and GuruFocus financial data to provide readers with timely and accurate market reporting. This content was reviewed by GuruFocus editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].

CSX (CSX - Free Report) appears an attractive pick, as it has been recently upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). This rating change essentially reflects an upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.

The Zacks rating relies solely on a company's changing earnings picture. It tracks EPS estimates for the current and following years from the sell-side analysts covering the stock through a consensus measure -- the Zacks Consensus Estimate.

The power of a changing earnings picture in determining near-term stock price movements makes the Zacks rating system highly useful for individual investors, since it can be difficult to make decisions based on rating upgrades by Wall Street analysts. These are mostly driven by subjective factors that are hard to see and measure in real time.

As such, the Zacks rating upgrade for CSX is essentially a positive comment on its earnings outlook that could have a favorable impact on its stock price.

Most Powerful Force Impacting Stock PricesThe change in a company's future earnings potential, as reflected in earnings estimate revisions, and the near-term price movement of its stock are proven to be strongly correlated. That's partly because of the influence of institutional investors that use earnings and earnings estimates for calculating the fair value of a company's shares. An increase or decrease in earnings estimates in their valuation models simply results in higher or lower fair value for a stock, and institutional investors typically buy or sell it. Their bulk investment action then leads to price movement for the stock.

For CSX, rising earnings estimates and the consequent rating upgrade fundamentally mean an improvement in the company's underlying business. And investors' appreciation of this improving business trend should push the stock higher.

Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate RevisionsAs empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, tracking such revisions for making an investment decision could be truly rewarding. Here is where the tried-and-tested Zacks Rank stock-rating system plays an important role, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions.

The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Earnings Estimate Revisions for CSXThis freight railroad is expected to earn $1.90 per share for the fiscal year ending December 2026, which represents no year-over-year change.

Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for CSX. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 2.9%.

Bottom LineUnlike the overly optimistic Wall Street analysts whose rating systems tend to be weighted toward favorable recommendations, the Zacks rating system maintains an equal proportion of "buy" and "sell" ratings for its entire universe of more than 4,000 stocks at any point in time. Irrespective of market conditions, only the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks get a "Strong Buy" rating and the next 15% get a "Buy" rating. So, the placement of a stock in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks indicates its superior earnings estimate revision feature, making it a solid candidate for producing market-beating returns in the near term.

You can learn more about the Zacks Rank here >>>

The upgrade of CSX to a Zacks Rank #2 positions it in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks in terms of estimate revisions, implying that the stock might move higher in the near term.

On April 28, 2026, we delve into the DCF analysis for CSX Corp CSX , a company that has demonstrated impressive price performance recently, with a year-to-date increase of 25.8% and a remarkable 65.8% rise over the past year. Below are some key highlights:

DCF Earnings-based intrinsic value of $30.68 compared to the current price of $45.46 (margin of safety: -48.2%) DCF FCF-based intrinsic value of $26.64 compared to the current price (second opinion: -70.7% margin of safety) GF Score™ of 88/100, indicating a high reliability of the DCF inputs What Is CSX Worth? DCF Earnings-Based Model The DCF earnings-based model employs a two-stage approach to estimate the intrinsic value of CSX. In the first stage, we project earnings growth over the next 10 years, followed by a terminal growth phase. The assumptions used in this model are outlined in the table below:

Parameter Value Current EPS (TTM, excl. non-recurring) $1.70 10-Year Growth Rate 11.8% 10-Year Treasury Rate 4.35% Discount Rate (ceil(Treasury) + 6%) 11% Terminal Growth Rate 4% In the first stage (Years 1-10), we expect EPS to grow at an annual rate of 11.8%, which is then discounted at a rate of 11%. In the second stage (Years 11-20), growth slows to a terminal rate of 4%, also discounted at 11%. The summary of our calculations is presented in the table below:

Stage Description Value Growth Stage (Years 1-10) EPS growing at 11.8%, discounted at 11% $17.69 Terminal Stage (Years 11-20) 4% terminal growth, discounted at 11% $12.99 Intrinsic Value Growth + Terminal $30.68 When comparing the current price of CSX at $45.46 to the intrinsic value of $30.68, we find that the stock is modestly overvalued, with a margin of safety of -48.2%. It is important to note that GuruFocus uses EPS excluding non-recurring items, as research indicates that stock prices correlate more closely with earnings than with free cash flow. For further details, visit the CSX DCF Calculator.

What Does the Free Cash Flow DCF Say? The free cash flow (FCF)-based intrinsic value for CSX is calculated to be $26.64. When we compare this with the earnings-based intrinsic value of $30.68, we observe a consensus that both models suggest the stock is modestly overvalued, with a significant margin of safety of -70.7% for the FCF model.

How Does GF Value™ Compare to the DCF Models? The GF Value™ of CSX is calculated at $34.99, providing a third perspective on the valuation. GF Value™ is GuruFocus' proprietary measure derived from historical trading multiples, past business growth, and future performance estimates. When we analyze the three models—DCF earnings, DCF FCF, and GF Value™—we find that they all indicate that CSX is currently overvalued. For more information, visit the GF Value™ page.

What Does CSX's GF Score™ Tell Us? The GF Score™ ranks stocks from 0 to 100 based on five key aspects: Financial Strength, Profitability, Growth, Valuation, and Momentum. Stocks with higher GF Score™ values have historically generated higher long-term returns (backtested from 2006 to 2021). The table below summarizes CSX's GF Score™ metrics:

Metric Rating GF Score™ 88/100 Financial Strength 4/10 Profitability 9/10 Growth 8/10 Valuation 5/10 Momentum 10/10 CSX has a predictability rating of 1 out of 5 stars, indicating that the DCF model may be less reliable for this stock. For more details, visit the CSX stock page.

Key Assumptions and Limitations It is important to note that DCF models are highly sensitive to the assumptions made regarding growth rates and discount rates. Stocks with low predictability ratings, such as CSX, tend to produce less reliable DCF estimates. Additionally, the terminal growth rate of 4% is a simplifying assumption that may not reflect future economic conditions accurately.

What This Means for Investors In summary, the three valuation models—DCF earnings, DCF FCF, and GF Value™—all suggest that CSX is currently overvalued. The intrinsic values derived from both DCF models are significantly lower than the current market price, reinforcing the notion of overvaluation.

For the full DCF analysis, visit the CSX DCF Calculator. You can also explore the GF Value™ page, or use the GuruFocus Stock Screener to find undervalued predictable companies.

Frequently Asked Questions What is CSX's intrinsic value based on DCF?

Answer: earnings-based $30.68, FCF-based $26.64

Is CSX overvalued or undervalued?

Answer: Based on the consensus of DCF and GF Value™, CSX is overvalued.

How reliable is the DCF model for CSX?

Answer: The predictability rank of 1/5 indicates lower reliability for the DCF model for CSX.

This stock alert was generated using automated technology and GuruFocus financial data to provide readers with timely and accurate market reporting. This content was reviewed by GuruFocus editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., May 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CSX Corp. (NASDAQ: CSX) Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Kevin Boone, will address the Bank of America 33rd Annual Industrials, Transportation & Airlines Key Leaders Conference in New York on Wednesday, May 13, at 8:45 a.m.

On May 12, 2026, we conduct a DCF analysis for CSX Corp CSX , a company that has seen a notable price performance with a year-to-date increase of 24.1% and a remarkable 57.2% rise over the past year. However, despite this strong performance, our analysis indicates potential overvaluation.

DCF Earnings-based intrinsic value of $30.68 vs current price of $44.74 (margin of safety: -45.8%) DCF FCF-based intrinsic value of $26.64 vs current price (second opinion indicates overvaluation) GF Score™ of 88/100 suggests high reliability of the DCF inputs What Is CSX Worth? DCF Earnings-Based Model The DCF earnings-based model for CSX Corp utilizes a two-stage growth approach. In the first stage, we project earnings growth over the next 10 years at a rate of 11.8%, followed by a terminal growth rate of 4% for the subsequent 10 years. The discount rate applied is 11%, which accounts for the risk-free rate and equity risk premium.

Parameter Value Current EPS (TTM, excl. non-recurring) $1.70 10-Year Growth Rate 11.8% 10-Year Treasury Rate 4.33% Discount Rate (ceil(Treasury) + 6%) 11% Terminal Growth Rate 4% The calculation summary for the DCF earnings-based model is as follows:

Stage Description Value Growth Stage (Years 1-10) EPS growing at 11.8%, discounted at 11% $17.69 Terminal Stage (Years 11-20) 4% terminal growth, discounted at 11% $12.99 Intrinsic Value Growth + Terminal $30.68 With a current price of $44.74 compared to an intrinsic value of $30.68, CSX appears modestly overvalued, reflecting a margin of safety of -45.8%. It is important to note that GuruFocus uses EPS excluding non-recurring items because research indicates that stock prices correlate more closely with earnings than free cash flow. For further calculations, you can visit the CSX DCF Calculator.

What Does the Free Cash Flow DCF Say? The free cash flow (FCF)-based intrinsic value for CSX is calculated at $26.64. When comparing this with the earnings-based intrinsic value of $30.68, both models indicate a similar conclusion regarding overvaluation, with the FCF model reflecting a margin of safety of -67.9%.

How Does GF Value™ Compare to the DCF Models? The GF Value™ of CSX is calculated at $35.11, providing a third perspective on valuation. GF Value™ is GuruFocus' proprietary measure derived from historical trading multiples, past business growth, and future performance estimates. All three models—DCF earnings, DCF FCF, and GF Value™—indicate that CSX is modestly overvalued at its current price. For more insights, visit the GF Value™ page.

What Does CSX's GF Score™ Tell Us? The GF Score™ ranks stocks from 0 to 100 based on five key aspects: Financial Strength, Profitability, Growth, Valuation, and Momentum. Stocks with higher GF Score™ values have been shown to generate higher long-term returns based on backtested data from 2006 to 2021.

Metric Rating GF Score™ 88/100 Financial Strength 4/10 Profitability 9/10 Growth 8/10 Valuation 5/10 Momentum 10/10 With a predictability rank of 1/5 stars, it indicates that the DCF model may be less reliable for this stock. For more details, visit the CSX stock page.

Key Assumptions and Limitations It is essential to recognize that DCF models are highly sensitive to the assumptions made regarding growth rates and discount rates. Additionally, stocks with low predictability ratings, such as CSX, tend to produce less reliable DCF estimates. The terminal growth rate of 4% used in this analysis is a simplifying assumption that may not accurately reflect future market conditions.

What This Means for Investors In synthesizing the findings from the DCF earnings model, the DCF FCF model, and the GF Value™, it is clear that CSX is currently overvalued based on the intrinsic values derived from these analyses. Investors should consider these insights when making decisions regarding CSX.

For the full DCF analysis, visit the CSX DCF Calculator. You can also explore the GF Value™ page, or use the GuruFocus Stock Screener to find undervalued predictable companies.

Frequently Asked Questions What is CSX's intrinsic value based on DCF?

[Answer: earnings-based $30.68, FCF-based $26.64]

Is CSX overvalued or undervalued?

[Answer using DCF + GF Value™ consensus]

How reliable is the DCF model for CSX?

[Answer using predictability rank 1/5]

This stock alert was generated using automated technology and GuruFocus financial data to provide readers with timely and accurate market reporting. This content was reviewed by GuruFocus editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].

CSX Corporation (CSX) Presents at Bank of America 33rd Annual Industrials, Transportation and Airlines Key Leaders Conference Transcript

MarketBeat Week in Review – 08/18 - 08/22CSX NASDAQ: CSX used its 2026 annual meeting of shareholders to highlight early-year operating momentum after what executives described as a difficult 2025 marked by weather disruption, major infrastructure work and softer freight conditions.

Chairman John J. Zillmer opened the virtual meeting by thanking CSX railroaders for their work during a year that included severe weather disruptions and the simultaneous execution of two major infrastructure projects that constrained the network. Zillmer said those efforts helped the company recover service performance, improve safety and continue moving essential goods across a network serving major population centers in 26 states east of the Mississippi River, the District of Columbia and parts of Canada.

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This Railroad Stock Is Chugging Along to a New All-Time HighPresident and Chief Executive Officer Steve Angel said the company’s performance improved in the first quarter of 2026, with revenue rising 2% on 3% volume growth. Operating expense fell 6%, operating income increased 20% and earnings per share rose 26%, he said. Angel also cited a 13% improvement in the Federal Railroad Administration injury rate, a more than 30% improvement in the train accident rate and record first-quarter fuel efficiency.

“We are still early in the process, and there is a great deal of work ahead of us to make CSX a best-in-class railroad, but I would say this is an encouraging first step,” Angel said.

2025 Results Fell Short of Expectations Golden Cross Alert: 3 Stocks With Serious Upside PotentialAngel said 2025 was challenging for CSX due to severe weather, the simultaneous execution of two large-scale infrastructure projects, a soft freight environment and unplanned customer closures. Revenue declined 3% on flat volume, while operating margin contracted 400 basis points. Adjusted operating margin contracted 360 basis points. Earnings per diluted share and adjusted earnings per diluted share were $1.54 and $1.61, respectively.

“These results fell short of our expectations,” Angel said.

Despite the weaker financial results, Angel said CSX completed several projects that positioned the railroad for improved performance. He pointed to the reopening of Baltimore’s Howard Street Tunnel after 233 consecutive days of around-the-clock work. The more than $450 million expansion of the 130-year-old tunnel clears what Angel called a century-old bottleneck on the I-95 corridor and enables double-stack intermodal service through Baltimore for the first time.

Angel also highlighted the rebuilding of 60 miles of the Blue Ridge Subdivision destroyed by Hurricane Helene’s flooding. He said full service was restored in under a year after 570,000 man-hours of work, 1 billion cubic yards of rock and 35,500 linear feet of new track through the Nolichucky River Gorge.

Combined with completion of the 75th Street CREATE flyover in Chicago, Angel said the projects add capacity and position CSX to benefit as demand strengthens.

CEO Outlines Priorities for 2026 Angel said CSX is focused on productivity, capital discipline, commercial growth and talent development. He said the company is using artificial intelligence and predictive analytics to improve planning, asset utilization, maintenance, network flow and capital spending decisions.

“Every project will stand on its own,” Angel said, while noting that investments in infrastructure to ensure safe and reliable service will remain the top priority in capital spending.

On the commercial side, Angel said CSX added 85 new or expanded rail-served facilities in 2025 and has approximately 600 customer-related development projects in various stages of engagement. He said the company also expanded its competitive reach through new intermodal and interchange agreements with partner railroads.

CSX returned $2.4 billion to shareholders in 2025 through dividends and share repurchases, Angel said. The company also increased its dividend by 8%, which he said reflected confidence in future cash flow generation.

Howard Street Tunnel, AI and Industrial Development Discussed in Q&A During the question-and-answer session, Angel said the Howard Street Tunnel reopened last fall to single-stack traffic, and the first double-stack train moved through earlier this month. He said filling the added capacity from the project will occur throughout this year and into next year.

Angel said customers are enthusiastic about faster service CSX can provide with BNSF Railway from the West Coast through Atlanta and into the Northeast.

Asked about artificial intelligence, Angel said AI is becoming integrated across the company. In operations, he said AI is being used to analyze large volumes of data to improve planning, asset utilization and network flow. Predictive models are intended to anticipate issues earlier, while machine learning supports predictive condition-based maintenance. On the commercial side, Angel said AI-assisted pricing tools are reducing manual work and speeding up contract negotiations.

Angel also said CSX’s industrial development program is expected to contribute to volume growth. He cited demand for rail-served sites, interest in supply chain resiliency and growth in rail-enabled industries, including automotive, cement, waste and aggregates. Looking to 2027 and 2028, Angel said the initiative is on track to contribute 1% or more to annual volume growth.

CSX Reiterates Opposition to UP-NS Merger Angel was also asked about CSX’s position on the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger. He said CSX issued a press release and launched a website on May 4 outlining its position and providing resources for shippers and other stakeholders.

Angel said CSX reviewed the refiled application and believes it does not meet the new merger rule standards of being in the public interest and enhancing competition. He said the current U.S. Class I railroad structure, with two eastern, two western and two Canadian railroads running north-south, has supported routing options and competitive choices for shippers.

“The proposed combination would create a single transcontinental carrier versus four regional carriers, and the resulting imbalance, in our view, would reduce viable options for shippers,” Angel said.

Shareholders Approve Board, Auditor and Executive Pay Proposal Michael Burns, CSX’s senior vice president, chief legal officer and corporate secretary, said preliminary voting results showed that all 12 nominees to the board of directors were elected. Shareholders also ratified Ernst & Young as the company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2026 and approved the advisory, non-binding resolution on compensation for CSX’s named executive officers.

Final vote totals will be reported in a Form 8-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission within four business days following the meeting, Burns said.

About CSX NASDAQ: CSXCSX Corporation is a leading North American transportation company that provides rail-based freight services and supply-chain solutions. Its operating subsidiary, CSX Transportation, moves a wide range of goods for customers across multiple industries, using a combination of long-haul rail service, intermodal operations and terminal and yard services. The company focuses on delivering efficient, reliable freight transportation between major production centers, consumption markets and port gateways.

CSX's freight portfolio includes intermodal containers and trailers, bulk commodities, industrial products and specialized unit trains.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].

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On May 19, 2026, we present a DCF analysis for CSX Corp CSX , a company that has shown impressive price performance over the past year, with a 49.7% increase. The stock has also seen a year-to-date rise of 27.8%, indicating strong market interest. Below are some key points regarding the valuation:

DCF Earnings-based intrinsic value of $30.68 vs current price of $46.19 (margin of safety: -50.5%) DCF FCF-based intrinsic value of $26.64 vs current price (second opinion: -73.4% margin of safety) GF Score™ of 87/100, indicating high reliability of the DCF inputs What Is CSX Worth? DCF Earnings-Based Model The DCF earnings-based model for CSX Corp uses a two-stage approach to estimate the intrinsic value of the stock. In the first stage, we project earnings growth over the next ten years, followed by a terminal growth phase. The assumptions used in this model are as follows:

Parameter Value Current EPS (TTM, excl. non-recurring) $1.70 10-Year Growth Rate 11.8% 10-Year Treasury Rate 4.33% Discount Rate (ceil(Treasury) + 6%) 11% Terminal Growth Rate 4% In the first stage, we expect the EPS to grow at a rate of 11.8% per year for the next ten years, which is then discounted at a rate of 11%. The calculated value for this growth stage is $17.69 per share. In the second stage, we apply a terminal growth rate of 4% for the following ten years, also discounted at 11%, resulting in a terminal stage value of $12.99 per share. The summary of these calculations is presented below:

Stage Description Value Growth Stage (Years 1-10) EPS growing at 11.8%, discounted at 11% $17.69 Terminal Stage (Years 11-20) 4% terminal growth, discounted at 11% $12.99 Intrinsic Value Growth + Terminal $30.68 With a current price of $46.19, the intrinsic value of $30.68 indicates that CSX is modestly overvalued, with a margin of safety of -50.5%. It is important to note that GuruFocus uses EPS excluding non-recurring items, as research shows that stock prices correlate more closely with earnings than with free cash flow. For further details, visit the CSX DCF Calculator.

What Does the Free Cash Flow DCF Say? The free cash flow (FCF) based intrinsic value for CSX is calculated at $26.64. When comparing this to the earnings-based intrinsic value of $30.68, both models suggest that CSX is modestly overvalued, with the FCF model indicating a margin of safety of -73.4%. This further supports the notion that the stock is trading above its intrinsic value.

How Does GF Value™ Compare to the DCF Models? The GF Value™ for CSX is calculated at $35.26, providing a third perspective on the valuation of the stock. GF Value™ is GuruFocus' proprietary measure derived from historical trading multiples, past business growth, and future performance estimates. All three models—the DCF earnings-based, DCF FCF-based, and GF Value™—indicate that CSX is currently overvalued. For more information, visit the GF Value™ page.

What Does CSX's GF Score™ Tell Us? The GF Score™ ranks stocks from 0 to 100 based on five key aspects: Financial Strength, Profitability, Growth, Valuation, and Momentum. Stocks with higher GF Score™ values have been found to generate higher long-term returns (backtested 2006-2021). Below is a summary of CSX's GF Score™ metrics:

Metric Rating GF Score™ 87/100 Financial Strength 4/10 Profitability 9/10 Growth 8/10 Valuation 5/10 Momentum 10/10 CSX has a predictability rank of 1/5 stars, indicating that the DCF model may be less reliable for this stock. For further insights, visit the CSX stock page.

Key Assumptions and Limitations It is important to note that DCF models are highly sensitive to the assumptions made regarding growth rates and discount rates. Stocks with low predictability ratings, such as CSX, tend to produce less reliable DCF estimates. The terminal growth rate of 4% used in this analysis is a simplifying assumption that may not reflect actual future performance.

What This Means for Investors In summary, the three valuation models—DCF earnings, DCF FCF, and GF Value™—all indicate that CSX is currently overvalued. This conclusion suggests that investors should exercise caution when considering an investment in CSX at its current price level. For the full DCF analysis, visit the CSX DCF Calculator. You can also explore the GF Value™ page, or use the GuruFocus Stock Screener to find undervalued predictable companies.

Frequently Asked Questions What is CSX's intrinsic value based on DCF?

earnings-based $30.68, FCF-based $26.64

Is CSX overvalued or undervalued?

Based on the DCF and GF Value™ consensus, CSX is overvalued.

How reliable is the DCF model for CSX?

The predictability rank of 1/5 indicates that the DCF model is less reliable for CSX.

This stock alert was generated using automated technology and GuruFocus financial data to provide readers with timely and accurate market reporting. This content was reviewed by GuruFocus editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].

On May 27, 2026, we present a discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis for CSX Corp CSX . The company has shown impressive price performance, with a year-to-date increase of 29.0% and a one-year gain of 53.5%. Below are key highlights from our analysis:

DCF Earnings-based intrinsic value of $30.68 vs current price of $46.61 (margin of safety: -51.9%) DCF FCF-based intrinsic value of $26.64 vs current price (margin of safety: -75.0%) GF Score™ of 87/100, indicating high reliability of the DCF inputs What Is CSX Worth? DCF Earnings-Based Model The DCF earnings-based model evaluates the intrinsic value of CSX by projecting its earnings growth over the next decade and applying a discount rate to account for the time value of money. The model is based on the following assumptions:

Parameter Value Current EPS (TTM, excl. non-recurring) $1.70 10-Year Growth Rate 11.8% 10-Year Treasury Rate 4.47% Discount Rate (ceil(Treasury) + 6%) 11% Terminal Growth Rate 4% In this two-stage model, we first calculate the growth stage value, where EPS is expected to grow at 11.8% per year for the first 10 years, discounted at 11%. The second stage accounts for a terminal growth rate of 4% over the following 10 years, also discounted at 11%. The calculation summary is as follows:

Stage Description Value Growth Stage (Years 1-10) EPS growing at 11.8%, discounted at 11% $17.69 Terminal Stage (Years 11-20) 4% terminal growth, discounted at 11% $12.99 Intrinsic Value Growth + Terminal $30.68 With a current price of $46.61 compared to the intrinsic value of $30.68, CSX appears modestly overvalued, with a margin of safety of -51.9%. It is important to note that GuruFocus uses EPS excluding non-recurring items, as research indicates that stock prices correlate more closely with earnings than free cash flow. For further details, visit the CSX DCF Calculator.

What Does the Free Cash Flow DCF Say? The free cash flow (FCF) based intrinsic value for CSX is calculated at $26.64. When comparing this value to the earnings-based intrinsic value of $30.68, both models indicate that CSX is modestly overvalued, with the FCF model showing a margin of safety of -75.0%. This reinforces the notion that CSX may not be a favorable investment at its current price levels.

How Does GF Value™ Compare to the DCF Models? The GF Value™ for CSX is calculated at $35.30, providing a third perspective on the valuation. GF Value™ is GuruFocus' proprietary measure derived from historical trading multiples, past business growth, and future performance estimates. All three models—DCF earnings, DCF FCF, and GF Value™—indicate that CSX is currently overvalued. For more information, visit the GF Value™ page.

What Does CSX's GF Score™ Tell Us? The GF Score™ ranks stocks from 0 to 100 based on five key aspects: Financial Strength, Profitability, Growth, Valuation, and Momentum. Stocks with higher GF Score™ values have been shown to generate higher long-term returns (backtested from 2006-2021). The following table summarizes CSX's GF Score™ metrics:

Metric Rating GF Score™ 87/100 Financial Strength 4/10 Profitability 9/10 Growth 8/10 Valuation 5/10 Momentum 10/10 CSX has a predictability rank of 1 out of 5 stars, indicating that the DCF model may be less reliable for this stock. For more details, visit the CSX stock page.

Key Assumptions and Limitations It is important to note that DCF models are highly sensitive to the assumptions made regarding growth rates and discount rates. Stocks with low predictability ratings, such as CSX, produce less reliable DCF estimates. The terminal growth rate of 4% is a simplifying assumption that may not reflect future realities.

What This Means for Investors In summary, all three valuation models—DCF earnings, DCF FCF, and GF Value™—suggest that CSX is currently overvalued. Investors should exercise caution and consider the implications of these findings before making investment decisions. For the full DCF analysis, visit the CSX DCF Calculator. You can also explore the GF Value™ page, or use the GuruFocus Stock Screener to find undervalued predictable companies.

Frequently Asked Questions What is CSX's intrinsic value based on DCF?

[Answer: earnings-based $30.68, FCF-based $26.64]

Is CSX overvalued or undervalued?

[Answer using DCF + GF Value™ consensus]

How reliable is the DCF model for CSX?

[Answer using predictability rank 1/5]

This stock alert was generated using automated technology and GuruFocus financial data to provide readers with timely and accurate market reporting. This content was reviewed by GuruFocus editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].

June 08, 2026 15:19 ET  | Source: CSX Corporation

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., June 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CSX Corp. (NASDAQ: CSX) today unveiled two commemorative locomotives celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States, highlighting the railroad’s enduring role in building the nation’s economy.

“Freight railroads have powered American growth and prosperity for more than two centuries,” said Steve Angel, president and chief executive officer of CSX. “From the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, one of CSX’s predecessors and the nation’s first common carrier, to today’s CSX system, rail remains essential to the U.S. economy. These locomotives celebrate that unique American legacy and the people who made it possible.”

The locomotives—numbered 250 and 2026—were painted at CSX’s Waycross, Georgia, facility. Both are modernized, high-horsepower CM44AH units designed for efficient, reliable mainline service.

Each locomotive features a distinct design. Unit 250 celebrates America’s anniversary year with a bold Stars and Stripes theme, while Unit 2026 features the American bald eagle and the phrase “United We Stand,” emphasizing national strength and unity.

CSX’s presence in the nation’s capital reinforces these themes. The company owns and operates most of the rail infrastructure in Washington, D.C., supporting the daily movement of goods across the region. Its workforce reflects a similar commitment to service, with approximately one in five employees having served in the U.S. military.

The locomotives will soon travel to Washington for a ceremonial run through the capital. After the event, both units will enter regular service across the CSX network.

About CSX
CSX, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier transportation company. It provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural and consumer products. For nearly 200 years, CSX has played a critical role in the nation’s economic expansion and industrial development. Its network connects every major metropolitan area in the eastern United States, where nearly two-thirds of the nation’s population resides. It also links more than 240 short-line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports with major population centers and farming towns alike. More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at www.csx.com. Like us on Facebook and follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Contact:

Matthew Korn, CFA, Investor Relations
904-366-4515

Austin Staton, Corporate Communications
855-955-6397

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/606e4b5b-e798-4c8f-9c49-bde34b5f6d33

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9f25dc84-363a-46c0-bcf6-cb602f2b7aa3

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cf15702c-fe34-4e98-bc4f-5691fb3f44cf