Union Pacific uvedl, že jeho sloučení s Norfolk Southern vstoupilo do věcné fáze federálního přezkumu a může být uzavřeno ve 3. nebo 4. čtvrtletí 2027. Firma dál čeká 1,8 miliardy USD ročních čistých synergií z příjmů a 1 miliardu USD ročních nákladových synergií.
Buffett Spent 60 Years Ignoring Tech and the Bill Is Coming DueUnion Pacific NYSE: UNP executives said the company is moving into the merits phase of federal review for its proposed merger with Norfolk Southern, expressing confidence that the transaction will satisfy Surface Transportation Board requirements and create customer, safety and financial benefits.
Speaking at a Bernstein fireside chat, Chief Executive Officer Jim Vena said the STB accepted the company’s application and confirmed that the statutory 12-month review clock began when the application was accepted on May 28, 2026. While Vena said Union Pacific would have preferred a faster initial process, he said the company does not view the extended pre-acceptance period as a meaningful signal about the eventual outcome.
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AI Broke the Trucks: 3 Transports to Buy After the AI Panic“We are in the merits review,” Vena said. “The conversation will be focused on data and facts.” He said parties seeking to participate in the proceeding face upcoming filing deadlines, including a November 18 deadline for competing railroads and stakeholders to support their positions with details.
Merger benefits and customer protections Union Pacific said its application projects that the combination would remove 2.1 million truckloads annually from highways, reduce congestion, improve driver safety and generate $3.5 billion in annual shipper savings. The company also said a coast-to-coast single-line railroad would provide faster, more reliable service and introduce new intermodal and manifest products.
2026 Sector Playbook: 3 Sectors Trading Below Fair ValueVena argued that eliminating handoffs between railroads would reduce transit delays, improve equipment utilization and allow the combined company to build freight blocks that travel closer to their final destinations without repeated handling. He said intermodal transfers can add hours of delay compared with crew changes on a single railroad, while carload freight could avoid 24 to 48 hours of handling time in some cases.
The company has also offered a series of commitments designed to address competitive concerns, including expanded Committed Gateway Pricing, protections for certain shippers with limited Class I rail options, additional service-level protections and access to a new rate-relief process. Vena said gateways would remain open, allowing customers to choose routing options involving other carriers.
“The railroad benefit is for us to have a single line haul is we don’t have to hand off,” Vena said. “You change the whole paradigm of what your fixed costs are.”
Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Hamann said the company believes the transaction would create opportunities for customers to access additional markets, including ports and destinations that may be less efficient to reach through current interchange arrangements. She also said faster rail service could improve customers’ freight-car turns and reduce their asset costs.
Financial targets maintained Hamann said Union Pacific continues to expect approximately $1.8 billion in annual net revenue synergies and $1 billion in annual cost synergies from the proposed combination. The estimates have remained consistent despite adjustments made during the company’s late-July filing process, she said.
The company expects to resume share repurchases in the second year following the merger’s closing, return to its leverage targets and maintain strong investment-grade credit ratings. Hamann said the company expects to generate roughly $11.8 billion of cash by the third year after closing.
Based on the STB’s schedule, Union Pacific expects a possible closing in the third or fourth quarter of 2027, Hamann said. She added that having a formal review timetable allows the company to further develop its integration planning.
Canadian National agreement and competitive response Vena also discussed Union Pacific’s agreements with Canadian National, which were announced in late July. He said the arrangements address competitive concentration concerns related to the St. Louis-to-Kansas City route that Union Pacific would acquire through Norfolk Southern, while providing Canadian National access to Kansas City.
The agreement also gives Union Pacific access to Canadian National’s route around Chicago through the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway. Vena said the arrangement could improve network efficiency and create new single-line service opportunities between Canada and Mexico, increasing competition with Canadian Pacific Kansas City.
Vena said Union Pacific remains open to discussions with other railroads but has not identified other parties willing to negotiate comparable agreements. He rejected arguments that partnerships alone could reliably deliver the same benefits as a merger, citing operational disputes involving train lengths, locomotive availability and capital investment priorities.
Addressing objections from shipper associations and rival railroads, Hamann said the company has not heard an argument that it views as a substantial threat to its case. She said Union Pacific’s analysis continues to support its conclusion that the merger serves the public interest through truck-to-rail conversion, consumer savings, safety improvements and expanded single-line service.
Vena added that a more integrated railroad network could also support broader U.S. transportation and national-security needs by moving critical freight more seamlessly across the country.
About Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP)Union Pacific Corporation NYSE: UNP is one of the largest freight railroad companies in the United States. Its principal operating subsidiary, Union Pacific Railroad, has roots that trace back to the Pacific Railway Act of 1862 and the construction of the first transcontinental rail link completed in 1869. The company is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, and operates as a holding company for rail transportation and related services.
Union Pacific's core business is the movement of freight by rail across an extensive rail network serving the western two‑thirds of the United States.
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Norfolk Southern má silnou rozvahu a odkupuje akcie, ale dál ji brzdí slabé přepravní tržby, problémy s železniční sítí a slabý trh s uhlím. Akcie letos přidaly 20,1 %, za odvětvím však zaostávají.
Key Takeaways NSC supports shareholders through dividends and buybacks while maintaining a low debt profile. NSC is hurt by weak freight revenues, rail network issues, coal market weakness and share price volatility.NSC shares have gained so far this year, but underperform its industry and peers like CP and CNI. Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC - Free Report) is currently mired in multiple tailwinds, which, we believe, have made it an impressive investment option. The positive sentiment surrounding Norfolk Southern stock is evident from the fact that the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the third quarter of 2026 and the fourth quarter of 2026 earnings has been revised upward in the past 60 days. The consensus mark for 2026 and 2027 earnings has also been projected upward in the past 60 days.
The favorable estimate revisions indicate brokers’ lack of confidence in the stock.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Given this backdrop, the question now arises whether it is worth buying, holding, or selling the Norfolk Southern stock at current prices. Let us delve deeper to find out.
Factors Working in Favor of NSC StockE-commerce growth is a tailwind for Norfolk Southern. E-commerce demand strength should continue to support growth of railroads like Norfolk Southern. NSC’s AccessNS, an e-commerce tool, gives customers an efficient and convenient one-stop digital platform to conduct business with the railroad operator.
Further, Norfolk Southern’s focus on utilizing the Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR) operating plan to reduce costs and enhance services for optimal asset utilization is commendable.
NSC’s longer-term operating agenda includes lowering emissions and raising fuel efficiency, which can support competitiveness with shippers focused on supply chain emissions. The company is targeting a 42% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2034 and expects locomotive fuel efficiency to improve by 13% by 2027. NSC also launched RailGreen to help customers reduce emissions from freight rail shipments, supported by verified certificates for supply chain emissions reduction.
Norfolk Southern’s solid balance sheet increases financial flexibility. The company ended second-quarter 2026 with cash and cash equivalents of $1.06 billion, higher than the current debt level of $649 million. This implies that the company has sufficient cash to meet its current debt obligations. Further, NSC’s long-term debt has declined to $15.9 billion at the end of the second quarter of 2026 from $16.4 billion at the end of second-quarter 2025.
A strong balance sheet enables the company to reward shareholders with dividends and share repurchases. As a reflection of its shareholder-friendly stance, during 2025, the company paid dividends worth $1.21 billion and repurchased and retired common stock worth $534 million. During the first six months of 2026, the company paid dividends worth $606 million and repurchased and retired common stock worth $5 million. Norfolk Southern's strong free cash flow-generating ability supports its shareholder-friendly activities. Such shareholder-friendly moves indicate the company’s commitment to creating value for shareholders and underline its confidence in its business.
Headwinds Weighing on Norfolk Southern StockMacroeconomic concerns are leading to a tough freight environment. Risks associated with an economic slowdown, geopolitical tensions and tariff-induced economic uncertainty do not bode well for railroad stocks like NSC. As things stand now, consumer spending and business investments remain low, and production levels have decreased in response to reduced demand, affecting demand for goods transportation and resulting in a freight recession (The Cass Freight Shipments Index, which declined 4.4% year over year in April 2026, 4.5% year over year in March 2026, 7.2% year over year in February 2026 and 7.1% in January 2026, deteriorated in each of the 12 months in 2025 and led to sub-par freight rates).
Rail network issues due to headwinds like locomotive or crew/labor shortages and other service disruptions represent a major challenge for NSC. Network issues or supply chain constraints are likely to adversely impact service levels, in turn hurting operating efficiency or volume of shipments. High labor costs and operating expenses are hurting the bottom line as well.
Coal market weakness is another headwind for NSC. The coal business remains subject to secular pressures from greener alternatives, which is leading to the planned retirement of coal units. The weak coal market has resulted in below-par coal revenues. Coal revenues fell 8% year over year to $1.48 billion in 2025. Coal revenues per unit declined 9% year over year in 2025. During first-quarter 2026, coal revenues fell 2% year over year while coal revenues per unit declined 9% year over year.
Stock prices of railroad companies like NSC are notoriously volatile. This is mainly because the health of the company is tied to the economy, which is undergoing a turbulent phase. As such, shares of NSC may not be suitable for investors who are not comfortable with often substantial day-to-day volatility.
Unattractive Valuation Picture for NSC StockNorfolk Southern looks expensive from a valuation standpoint. Considering the forward 12-month price-to-sales ratio (P/E-F12M), NSC is trading at a premium compared to the industry.
The stock has a forward 12-month P/E-F12M of 25.88X compared with 22.86X for the industry over the past five years. The company’s forward 12-month P/E-F12M ratio is also above the median level of 18.71X over the past five years. These factors indicate that the stock’s valuation is unattractive. NSC has a Value Score of D.
NSC P/E Ratio (Forward 12 Months) Vs. Industry Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
NSC Stock’s Price PerformanceShares of Norfolk Southern stock have gained 20.1% so far this year, underperforming the Zacks Transportation - Rail industry’s 30.1% surge, as well as that of other industry players, Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (CP - Free Report) and Canadian National Railway Company (CNI - Free Report) ), within the same time frame.
NSC Stock’s YTD Price Comparison Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Time to Retain Norfolk Southern StockIt is understood that NSC stock is currently unattractively valued. Risks associated with an economic slowdown, geopolitical tensions and tariff-induced economic uncertainty do not bode well for railroad stocks like NSC. Rail network issues due to headwinds like locomotive or crew/labor shortages and other service disruptions continue to bother NSC. Weakness pertaining to freight revenues and volumes does not bode well for NSC. Coal market weakness and share price volatility are also causes for worry.
Despite the headwinds, we advise investors not to sell NSC stock now due to its environmentally-friendly approach of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and focus on utilizing the PSR operating plan to reduce costs and enhance services for optimal asset utilization. NSC’s solid balance sheet allows it to reward shareholders through dividends and share buybacks. Such shareholder-friendly moves boost investor confidence and positively impact the company's bottom line.
Considering all the aforesaid factors, we advise investors to wait for a better entry point. For those who already own the stock, it will be prudent to stay invested. The company’s current Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) justifies our analysis. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The U.S. Surface Transportation Board on Tuesday said it has resumed consideration of Union Pacific's (UNP.N) proposed merger with Norfolk Southern (NSC.N), while stressing that the move does not signal approval of the $85-billion deal.
The board removed the proceeding from abeyance after determining that supplemental information submitted by the railroads was sufficient to resume the review process.
The deal, announced in July last year, would create the first coast-to-coast freight railroad in the United States.
The decision lays out a timeline for public comments on the proposed merger, giving stakeholders and regulators time to review its potential impact.
STB's decision also directs the companies to refile, within 10 days, any workpapers that had been filtered or screened, allowing the board to review the full dataset.
The board denied the companies' request for an expedited proceeding related to their proposed divestiture of control of the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis, and said unfiltered workpapers must be filed by August 28.
Norfolk Southern oznámila za 2Q upravený EPS 3,52 USD, což je o 9 % nad odhadem, a tržby dosáhly rekordu 3,47 miliardy USD. Odhady celoročního zisku za čtyři týdny vzrostly o 3,9 %.
Key Takeaways Norfolk Southern posted Q2 adjusted EPS of $3.52, beating estimates by 9% as railway revenue hit a record.NSC saw full-year earnings estimates rise over four weeks after stronger revenue and operating execution.Norfolk Southern generated $1.40B operating cash flow in H1 while reducing debt and maintaining its dividend. Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC - Free Report) has a stronger near-term setup after a solid second-quarter earnings beat, record railway operating revenues and positive estimate revisions. The stock also offers meaningful price-target upside from the reported share price.
The trade-off is valuation. Investors are being asked to pay a premium multiple while cost inflation, service execution and merger-related uncertainty remain important risks.
NSC’s Earnings Beat Supports the Bull CaseNorfolk Southern reported adjusted second-quarter 2026 earnings of $3.52 per share, up 7% year over year. The result was 9% above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.23.
Railway operating revenues rose 11% year over year to a record $3.47 billion, topping the consensus mark by 4.4%. The gain reflected 4% volume growth, stronger revenue per unit and higher fuel surcharges.
Norfolk Southern’s Estimates Are Moving HigherEstimate momentum adds support to the near-term bull case. The full-year earnings estimate has increased 3.9% over the past four weeks, while the report also shows positive changes across one-week, four-week and 12-week estimate-revision periods.
That matters because rising estimates often reinforce favorable short-term sentiment. For NSC, the revisions suggest analysts are giving more credit to revenue improvement and operating execution after the stronger-than-expected quarter.
NSC Trades at a Premium ValuationNSC trades at 25.17X forward 12-month earnings. That is above 21.77X for the Zacks rail sub-industry, 13.6X for the broader transportation sector and 21.57X for the S&P 500.
The premium is not only relative. Norfolk Southern’s five-year forward P/E range runs from 14.03X to 25.2X, with a median of 18.71X, putting the current multiple near the top of its own historical range.
Norfolk Southern Offers Measured Target UpsideNorfolk Southern’s $383 price target compares with a reported share price of $335.74. That implies meaningful appreciation potential from that level.
Still, the upside is not without a cost. Investors are paying a high multiple for projected 2026 EPS of $12.60 versus $12.49 in 2025, suggesting relatively modest near-term earnings growth despite stronger revenue momentum.
NSC’s Cash Flow Supports Core PrioritiesNorfolk Southern generated $1.40 billion of operating cash flow in the first half of 2026. The company ended June with $1.07 billion in cash and cash equivalents, while total debt declined to $16.62 billion from $17.09 billion at year-end 2025.
Shareholder returns remain anchored by the dividend. Norfolk Southern announced a quarterly dividend of $1.35 per share, and the company has paid dividends for 176 consecutive quarters since its formation in 1982. Buybacks, however, remain suspended following the Union Pacific (UNP - Free Report) merger agreement.
Norfolk Southern’s Scores Favor MomentumThe bottom line: NSC’s earnings beat, estimate revisions and price-target upside support investor interest, especially for those focused on momentum. Record revenues and improved demand trends strengthen the near-term story.
The stock carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), and its Momentum Score of A supports the near-term case. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
However, the Value Score of F, Growth Score of D and VGM Score of D show that NSC looks more suitable for momentum-oriented investors than for value or growth-focused buyers.
Bank of Nova Scotia lifted its position in Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE:NSC – Free Report) by 73.3% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 588,472 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after acquiring an additional 248,965 shares during the quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia owned approximately 0.26% of Norfolk Southern worth $168,891,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.
A number of other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in NSC. JPL Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Norfolk Southern in the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Meeder Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Norfolk Southern by 239.3% during the 4th quarter. Meeder Asset Management Inc. now owns 95 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. BNP Paribas purchased a new position in shares of Norfolk Southern in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $26,000. Financial Life Planners purchased a new position in shares of Norfolk Southern in the 1st quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, Bayban bought a new position in shares of Norfolk Southern in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $34,000. 75.10% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.
Norfolk Southern Stock Performance NYSE:NSC opened at $347.70 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04, a current ratio of 0.91 and a quick ratio of 0.81. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $316.67 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $305.84. Norfolk Southern Corporation has a 1 year low of $268.23 and a 1 year high of $358.60. The company has a market capitalization of $78.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.29, a P/E/G ratio of 6.05 and a beta of 1.27.
Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.52 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.32 by $0.20. The firm had revenue of $3.46 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.38 billion. Norfolk Southern had a return on equity of 18.30% and a net margin of 21.91%.The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 12.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $3.29 EPS. On average, analysts expect that Norfolk Southern Corporation will post 12.24 earnings per share for the current year.
Norfolk Southern Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, August 20th. Investors of record on Friday, August 7th will be paid a $1.35 dividend. This represents a $5.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.6%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 7th. Norfolk Southern’s payout ratio is currently 45.49%.
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of analysts recently commented on NSC shares. Sanford C. Bernstein decreased their price target on Norfolk Southern from $322.00 to $313.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, March 31st. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on Norfolk Southern from $350.00 to $365.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 8th. UBS Group set a $327.00 price objective on Norfolk Southern in a research note on Thursday, May 7th. Weiss Ratings cut Norfolk Southern from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research note on Monday, April 27th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group cut their price target on shares of Norfolk Southern from $350.00 to $310.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 6th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seventeen have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Norfolk Southern has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $331.29.
Read Our Latest Analysis on Norfolk Southern
Key Norfolk Southern News Here are the key news stories impacting Norfolk Southern this week:
Positive Sentiment: Norfolk Southern reported second-quarter adjusted earnings of $3.52 per share, topping estimates, while revenue rose to a record roughly $3.5 billion and increased 12.5% year over year. Article: Norfolk Southern (NSC) Q2 Earnings and Revenues Top Estimates Positive Sentiment: Management pointed to stronger freight demand, higher fuel surcharges, volume growth, and intermodal gains as key drivers of the quarter, which helped boost investor confidence in operating momentum. Article: Norfolk Southern rides freight demand, fuel surcharges to quarterly profit beat Positive Sentiment: The company said it achieved record quarterly revenue, and several outlets noted the stock rose as the revenue surge and earnings beat outweighed margin compression. Article: Norfolk Southern Stock Rises as Revenue Surge Offsets Margin Compression Neutral Sentiment: Norfolk Southern also announced a quarterly dividend of $1.35 per share, reinforcing shareholder returns but not changing the main earnings-driven stock move. Article: Norfolk Southern earnings report and conference call Norfolk Southern Profile (Free Report)
Norfolk Southern Corporation is a major U.S. freight railroad company that provides rail transportation and related logistics services. As a Class I carrier, the company operates an extensive network across the eastern United States and offers scheduled freight service for a broad range of industries. Its core operations include long-haul and regional rail freight transportation, intermodal services that move containers and trailers between rail and other modes, and terminal and switching services that support efficient rail shipments for industrial and port customers.
The company transports a variety of commodities, serving sectors such as coal and energy, automotive and automotive parts, chemicals, agriculture, metals and construction materials, and consumer goods.
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Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) Q2 2026 Earnings Call July 23, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Company Participants
Luke Nichols - Senior Director of Investor Relations
Mark George - President, CEO & Director
Brian Barr - Chief Operating Officer
Ed Elkins - Executive VP & Chief Commercial Officer
Jason Zampi - Executive VP & CFO
Conference Call Participants
Christian Wetherbee - Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Research Division
Scott Group - Wolfe Research, LLC
Brian Ossenbeck - JPMorgan Chase & Co, Research Division
Jason Seidl - TD Cowen, Research Division
Jonathan Chappell - Evercore ISI Institutional Equities, Research Division
David Vernon - Bernstein Institutional Services LLC, Research Division
Madison Pasterchick - Morgan Stanley, Research Division
Stephanie Benjamin Moore - Jefferies LLC, Research Division
Bascome Majors - Stephens Inc., Research Division
Richa Talwar - Deutsche Bank AG, Research Division
Eric Morgan - Barclays Bank PLC, Research Division
Ariel Rosa - Citigroup Inc., Research Division
Presentation
Operator
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the Norfolk Southern Corporation Q2 2026 Earnings Conference Call. [Operator Instructions] Also note that this call is being recorded on Thursday, July 23, 2026. And I would like to turn the conference over to Luke Nichols. Please go ahead, sir.
Luke Nichols
Senior Director of Investor Relations
Thank you, and good morning, everyone. Please note that during today's call, we will make certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to future events or future performance of Norfolk Southern Corporation, which are subject to risks and uncertainties and may differ materially from actual results.
Please refer to our annual and quarterly reports filed with the SEC for a full discussion of those risks and uncertainties we view as most important. Our presentation slides are available at norfolksouthern.com in the Investors Section along with a reconciliation of any non-GAAP measures
Norfolk Southern vykázala rekordní čtvrtletní tržby 3,5 miliardy USD, meziročně o 11 % více. Zisk z provozu ale klesl na 1,1 miliardy USD a zředěný EPS byl 3,26 USD.
, /PRNewswire/ -- Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) announced Thursday its second quarter 2026 financial results. For the quarter, revenue was $3.5 billion, income from railway operations was $1.1 billion, operating ratio was 67.6%, and diluted earnings per share were $3.26.
Adjusting the results to exclude merger-related expenses, restructuring and other charges, and the effects of the Eastern Ohio incident, second quarter income from railway operations was $1.2 billion, the operating ratio was 65.5%, and diluted earnings per share were $3.52.
"Norfolk Southern delivered a strong second quarter, exceeding our expectations as demand improved across key markets," said Mark George, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our team adapted to a dynamic operating environment with focus and an unwavering commitment to safety. The progress we achieved reflects the dedication of our railroaders and the strength of our franchise."
George added, "As we look to the second half of the year, our priorities remain clear: operating a safe, reliable railroad, providing high-quality, consistent service for our customers, and executing with discipline to capitalize on emerging opportunities. With encouraging demand trends, we are well positioned to create value for our customers, shareholders, and the communities we serve."
Second Quarter Summary
Railway operating revenues of $3.5 billion were an all-time quarterly record, up $355 million, or 11% compared to the second quarter 2025, on a volume increase of 4% year-over-year, and higher fuel surcharges representing six points of the revenue growth. Income from railway operations was $1.1 billion, a decrease of $51 million, or 4%, compared to second quarter 2025. Adjusting for the effects of merger-related expenses in 2026 and restructuring and other charges and the Eastern Ohio incident in both years, income from railway operations was $1.2 billion, an increase of $58 million, or 5%, compared to adjusted second quarter 2025. Operating ratio in the quarter was 67.6% compared to 62.2% in second quarter 2025. Adjusting for the effects of merger-related expenses in 2026 and restructuring and other charges and the Eastern Ohio incident in both years, the operating ratio for second quarter 2026 was 65.5%, 210 basis points higher than adjusted second quarter 2025. Higher fuel expense and the corresponding growth in fuel surcharge revenues translated to 110 basis points of headwind to the operating ratio on a year-over-year basis. Diluted earnings per share were $3.26, down $0.15, or 4%, compared to second quarter 2025. Adjusting for the effects of merger-related expenses in 2026 and restructuring and other charges and the Eastern Ohio incident in both years, diluted earnings per share were $3.52, up $0.23, or 7%, compared to adjusted second quarter 2025. About Norfolk Southern
Since 1827, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) and its predecessor companies have safely moved the goods and materials that drive the U.S. economy. Today, it operates a 22-state freight transportation network. Committed to furthering sustainability, Norfolk Southern helps its customers avoid approximately 15 million tons of yearly carbon emissions by shipping via rail. Its dedicated team members deliver approximately 7 million carloads annually, from agriculture to consumer goods. Norfolk Southern also has the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern U.S. It serves a majority of the country's population and manufacturing base, with connections to every major container port on the Atlantic coast as well as major ports across the Gulf Coast and Great Lakes. Learn more by visiting www.NorfolkSouthern.com.
Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, or our achievements or those of our industry to be materially different from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words like "may," "will," "could," "would," "should," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "project," or other comparable terminology. While the Company has based these forward-looking statements on those expectations, assumptions, estimates, beliefs, and projections it views as reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond the Company's control, including but not limited to: (i) changes in domestic or international economic, political or business conditions, including those impacting the transportation industry; (ii) the Company's ability to successfully implement its operational, productivity, and strategic initiatives; (iii) a significant adverse event on our network, including but not limited to a mainline accident, discharge of hazardous material, or climate-related or other network outage; (iv) the outcome of claims, litigation, governmental proceedings, and investigations involving the Company, including those with respect to the Eastern Ohio incident; (v) new or additional governmental regulation and/or operational changes resulting from or related to the Eastern Ohio incident; (vi) a significant cybersecurity incident or other disruption to our technology infrastructure; and (vii) those pertaining to the Merger. These and other important factors, including those discussed under "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on February 9, 2026, may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements herein are made only as of the date they were first issued, and unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Information included within this press release contains non-GAAP financial measures, including adjusted income from railway operations, adjusted operating ratio, and adjusted diluted earnings per share. Non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, the financial measures reported in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
Our non-GAAP financial results for the second quarters of 2026 and 2025 exclude restructuring and other charges and the effects from the Eastern Ohio Incident (the Incident). Our non-GAAP financial results for the second quarter of 2026 also exclude merger-related expenses. The following tables adjust our GAAP financial results for the second quarters of 2026 and 2025 to exclude the effects of those items. The income tax effects of the non-GAAP adjustments were calculated based on the applicable tax rates to which the non-GAAP adjustments related. We use these non-GAAP financial measures internally and believe this information provides useful supplemental information to investors to facilitate making period-to-period comparisons by excluding these costs. While we believe that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful in evaluating our business, this information should be considered as supplemental in nature and is not meant to be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures may not be the same as similar measures presented by other companies. Information about the adjustments that are not currently available to us could have a potentially unpredictable and significant impact on future GAAP results. Further information about the Company's non-GAAP measures are available on our website at www.norfolksouthern.com on the Investors page under Events and Presentations.
($ in millions, except per share amounts)
Second
Quarter 2026
Income from railway operations
$
1,124
Merger-related expenses, restructuring
and other charges, and effect of the
Incident
72
Adjusted income from railway operations
$
1,196
Operating ratio
67.6 %
Merger-related expenses, restructuring
and other charges, and effect of the
Incident
(2.1 %)
Adjusted operating ratio
65.5 %
Diluted earnings per share
$
3.26
Merger-related expenses, restructuring
and other charges, and effect of the
Incident
0.26
Adjusted diluted earnings per share
$
3.52
($ in millions, except per share amounts)
Second
Quarter 2025
Income from railway operations
$
1,175
Restructuring and other charges and
effect of the Incident
(37)
Adjusted income from railway operations
$
1,138
Operating ratio
62.2 %
Restructuring and other charges and
effect of the Incident
1.2 %
Adjusted operating ratio
63.4 %
Diluted earnings per share
$
3.41
Restructuring and other charges and
effect of the Incident
Norfolk Southern překonala odhady zisku za 2. čtvrtletí díky silnější poptávce po nákladní dopravě a vyšším palivovým příplatkům. Upravený zisk činil 3,52 USD na akcii.
Norfolk Southern logo is seen in this illustration taken August 5, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab
July 23 (Reuters) - Norfolk Southern (NSC.N), opens new tab beat Wall Street expectations for second-quarter adjusted profit on Thursday, as stronger freight demand and increased fuel surcharges billed to customers helped counter fuel-cost pressures.
Fuel costs have remained a headwind for transportation companies, though railroads have partly offset the pressure by passing costs to shippers via fuel surcharges, operational efficiencies and steady intermodal demand.
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U.S. gasoline prices topped $4 a gallon in March for the first time in more than three years and have remained near that level, keeping pressure on fuel-intensive industries.
Atlanta, Georgia-based Norfolk reported an adjusted profit of $3.52 per share, compared with $3.29 per share a year earlier. Analysts expected an adjusted profit of $3.31 per share, according to data compiled by LSEG.
The company's railway operating income for the second quarter rose 11% to $3.5 billion from a year earlier.
On an adjusted basis, the company's operating ratio - a key measure of efficiency - was 65.5% for the quarter, deteriorating by 210 basis points from a year earlier.
Union Pacific outperforms peers since FebruaryReporting by Apratim Sarkar in Bengaluru; Editing by Vijay Kishore
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Resources Investor Relations Journalists Agencies Client Login Send a Release News Products Contact , /PRNewswire/ -- Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) announced today a quarterly dividend of $1.35 per share on its common stock.
The dividend is payable August 20, 2026, to shareholders of record on August 7, 2026.
The company has paid a dividend on its common stock for 176 consecutive quarters since its formation in 1982.
About Norfolk Southern
Since 1827, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) and its predecessor companies have safely moved the goods and materials that drive the U.S. economy. Today, it operates a 22-state freight transportation network. Committed to furthering sustainability, Norfolk Southern helps its customers avoid approximately 15 million tons of yearly carbon emissions by shipping via rail. Its dedicated team members deliver approximately 7 million carloads annually, from agriculture to consumer goods. Norfolk Southern also has the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern U.S. It serves a majority of the country's population and manufacturing base, with connections to every major container port on the Atlantic coast as well as major ports across the Gulf Coast and Great Lakes. Learn more by visiting www.NorfolkSouthern.com.
Key Takeaways Norfolk Southern will report Q2 results July 23, with earnings estimated at $3.23 per share. Intermodal revenues are expected to rise 5.7%, aided by freight demand and e-commerce volumes. Cost cuts and Precision Scheduled Railroading may support efficiency as revenues are seen falling 6.7%. Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC - Free Report) is scheduled to report second-quarter 2026 results on July 23, before market open.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NSC’s second-quarter 2026 earnings has been revised upward by 3.53% over the past 60 days to $3.23 per share. The consensus mark for earnings implies a 1.8% decline from the year-ago actuals. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NSC's second-quarter 2026 revenues is pegged at $3.32 billion, indicating a 6.7% fall year over year.
Norfolk Southern has an encouraging earnings surprise history. The company’s earnings outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average beat of 6.45%.
Let’s see how things are likely to have shaped up for Norfolk Southern this earnings season.
Factors Likely to Have Influenced NSC’s Q2 PerformanceWe expect NSC’s performance in the to-be-reported quarter to have been bolstered by an uptick in freight market demand and robust cost-cutting initiatives.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the Railway operating revenues from the intermodal segment is anticipated to have increased 5.7% from the year ago actuals.
E-commerce demand is likely to have driven NSC's shipment volumes in the to-be-reported quarter, thereby boosting the company's top line. Additionally, service quality is expected to have improved through the company's Precision Scheduled Railroading operating plan, enabling more efficient utilization of assets.
What Our Model Says About NSCOur proven model predicts an earnings beat for Norfolk Southern this time. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. Which is not the case here.
NSC has an Earnings ESP of +0.21% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Highlights of NSC’s Q1 ResultsNSC posted earnings (excluding 22 cents from non-recurring items) of $2.65 per share for the first quarter of 2026, topping the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.51. The adjusted figure was down 1.5% from $2.69 a year ago.
Railway operating revenues were $3.0 billion, edging past the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.99 billion and rising 0.2% year over year. The adjusted operating ratio (operating expenses as a % of revenues) in the quarter landed at 68.7%, as higher costs and fuel headwinds weighed on profitability. The year-ago value of the metric was 67.9%. A lower value of the metric is preferable.
Other Stocks to ConsiderHere are a few stocks from the broader Zacks Transportation sector that investors may consider, as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings this reporting cycle.
CSX Corporation (CSX - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.31% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present. CSX is scheduled to report second-quarter 2026 results on July 22, after market close.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the second-quarter 2026 earnings has been revised upward by 6.38% over the past 60 days to 50 cents per share. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $3.82 billion, indicating a 6.90% increase from the second-quarter 2025 actuals.
Schneider National (SNDR - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.50% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present. SNDR is scheduled to report second-quarter 2026 earnings on July 30.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter 2026 earnings has been remained flat at 22 cents over the past 60 days. SNDR’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in one of the preceding four quarters (missing the mark twice and met the mark once in the remaining three quarters). The average miss is 17.97%.
Union Pacific a Norfolk Southern podaly první část odpovědí STB k plánované fúzi. Tvrdí, že propojení sítí přinese transkontinentální službu a úspory pro dopravce ve výši 3,5 miliardy USD ročně.
OMAHA, Neb. & ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP) and Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) today submitted the first portion of their responses to the Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) May 28, 2026, request for additional information to support their accepted merger application.
Today’s filing addresses the STB’s questions regarding Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis (TRRA), Kansas City Terminal Railway (KCT) and TTX Company. These entities are jointly owned with other Class I railroads, operated by independent management teams and governed by non-discrimination policies. Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern do not control these companies today and remain firm in their commitment that they will not control them post-merger. The merger application and today’s supplemental filing provide the STB with options to implement this commitment, up to and including divestiture.
In particular, for the TRRA, the filing provides clear evidence that the other Class I railroads who are vocally opposing the merger are using the TRRA as a pawn in their efforts to stop or delay the merger. This includes failing to appear at a properly convened special meeting for the sole purpose of discussing ways to reduce Union Pacific’s ownership in TRRA post-merger. Only Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern board members attended the meeting called by TRRA’s corporate secretary, while members from BNSF, CSX and Canadian National did not show.
Connecting Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern’s end-to-end networks will finally give American shippers single-line transcontinental rail service, creating a stronger alternative to long-haul trucking, making the entire supply chain more competitive, and putting downward pressure on truck and rail prices. The opportunities opened by the merger for shifting freight from truck to rail are projected to save shippers an estimated $3.5 billion annually.
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern have consistently welcomed rigorous regulatory review of the proposed merger, and today’s submission reflects that commitment. The responses to the STB’s other requests for additional information will follow by July 27, 2026.
The STB accepted as complete the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger application on May 28, a positive step toward creating America’s first transcontinental railroad. The railroads are committed to working constructively with the STB toward a mid-2027 completion. For more information, visit AmericasGreatConnection.com.
About Union Pacific
Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) delivers the goods families and businesses use every day with safe, reliable, and efficient service. Operating in 23 western states, the company connects its customers and communities to the global economy. Trains are the most environmentally responsible way to move freight, helping Union Pacific protect future generations. More information about Union Pacific is available at www.up.com.
About Norfolk Southern
Since 1827, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) and its predecessor companies have safely moved the goods and materials that drive the U.S. economy. Today, it operates a 22-state freight transportation network. Committed to furthering sustainability, Norfolk Southern helps its customers avoid approximately 15 million tons of yearly carbon emissions by shipping via rail. Its dedicated team members deliver approximately 7 million carloads annually, from agriculture to consumer goods. Norfolk Southern also has the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern U.S. It serves a majority of the country's population and manufacturing base, with connections to every major container port on the Atlantic coast as well as major ports across the Gulf Coast and Great Lakes. Learn more by visiting www.NorfolkSouthern.com
Certain statements in this communication are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. These statements relate to future events or future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause Union Pacific’s, Norfolk Southern’s or the combined company’s actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements or those of the railroad industry to be materially different from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words like “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “pro forma,” or any variations or other comparable terminology.
While Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern have based these forward-looking statements on those expectations, assumptions, estimates, beliefs and projections they view as reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond Union Pacific’s, Norfolk Southern’s or the combined company’s control, including but not limited to, in addition to factors disclosed in Union Pacific’s and Norfolk Southern’s respective filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”): the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the right of one or both of the parties to terminate the definitive merger agreement between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern providing for the acquisition of Norfolk Southern by Union Pacific (the “Transaction”); the risk that potential legal proceedings may be instituted against Union Pacific or Norfolk Southern and result in significant costs of defense, indemnification or liability; the possibility that the Transaction does not close when expected or at all because required Surface Transportation Board or other approvals and other conditions to closing are not received or satisfied on a timely basis or at all (and the risk that such approvals may result in the imposition of conditions that could adversely affect the combined company or the expected benefits of the Transaction); the risk that the combined company will not realize expected benefits, cost savings, accretion, synergies and/or growth from the Transaction, or that such benefits may take longer to realize or be more costly to achieve than expected, including as a result of changes in, or problems arising from, general economic and market conditions, tariffs, interest and exchange rates, monetary policy, laws and regulations and their enforcement, and the degree of competition in the geographic and business areas in which Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern operate; disruption to the parties’ businesses as a result of the announcement and pendency of the Transaction; the costs associated with the anticipated length of time of the pendency of the Transaction, including the restrictions contained in the definitive merger agreement on the ability of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, respectively, to operate their respective businesses outside the ordinary course during the pendency of the Transaction; the diversion of Union Pacific’s and Norfolk Southern’s management’s attention and time from ongoing business operations and opportunities on merger-related matters; the risk that the integration of each party’s operations will be materially delayed or will be more costly or difficult than expected or that the parties are otherwise unable to successfully integrate each party’s businesses into the other’s businesses; the possibility that the Transaction may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events; reputational risk and potential adverse reactions of Union Pacific’s or Norfolk Southern’s customers, suppliers, employees, labor unions or other business partners, including those resulting from the announcement or completion of the Transaction; the dilution caused by Union Pacific’s issuance of additional shares of its common stock in connection with the consummation of the Transaction; the risk of a downgrade of the credit rating of Union Pacific’s indebtedness, which could give rise to an obligation to redeem existing indebtedness; a material adverse change in the financial condition of Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern or the combined company; changes in domestic or international economic, political or business conditions, including those impacting the transportation industry (including customers, employees and supply chains); Union Pacific’s, Norfolk Southern’s and the combined company’s ability to successfully implement its respective operational, productivity, and strategic initiatives; a significant adverse event on Union Pacific’s or Norfolk Southern’s network, including, but not limited to, a mainline accident, discharge of hazardous materials, or climate-related or other network outage; the outcome of claims, litigation, governmental proceedings and investigations involving Union Pacific or Norfolk Southern, including, in the case of Norfolk Southern, those with respect to the Eastern Ohio incident; the nature and extent of Norfolk Southern’s environmental remediation obligations with respect to the Eastern Ohio incident; new or additional governmental regulation and/or operational changes resulting from or related to the Eastern Ohio incident; and a cybersecurity incident or other disruption to our technology infrastructure.
This list of important factors is not intended to be exhaustive. These and other important factors, including those discussed under “Risk Factors” in Norfolk Southern’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, as filed with the SEC on February 9, 2026 (available at https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0000702165/000162828026006268/nsc-20251231.htm) and Norfolk Southern’s subsequent filings with the SEC, Union Pacific’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, as filed with the SEC on February 6, 2026 (available at https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/100885/000010088526000037/unp-20251231.htm) and Union Pacific’s subsequent filings with the SEC, may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. References to Union Pacific’s and Norfolk Southern’s website are provided for convenience and, therefore, information on or available through the website is not, and should not be deemed to be, incorporated by reference herein. The forward-looking statements herein are made only as of the date they were first issued, and unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law or regulation.
