On Oct 23, major Wall Street analysts update their ratings for $Norfolk Southern (NSC.US)$, with price targets ranging from $175 to $302.
Morgan Stanley analyst Ravi Shanker maintains with a sell rating, and maintains the target price at $175.
Goldman Sachs analyst Jordan Alliger maintains with a buy rating, and adjusts the target price from $292 to $301.
J.P. Morgan analyst Brian Ossenbeck maintains with a buy rating, and adjusts the target price from $283 to $288.
BofA Securities analyst Ken Hoexter maintains with a buy rating, and sets the target price at $291.
Citi analyst Ariel Rosa maintains with a buy rating, and adjusts the target price from $294 to $302.
Furthermore, according to the comprehensive report, the opinions of $Norfolk Southern (NSC.US)$'s main analysts recently are as follows:
The company delivered a comparatively positive earnings report. Despite several challenges expected to affect Q4 margins, there is a vision for significant enhancements in profitability by 2025, which correlates with a compelling equity value.
The company is positioned to enhance margins significantly compared to other Class 1 railways in the near to medium term as it starts from a lower base relative to its peers. The recent sequential margin improvements are indicative of a positive trend. Additionally, the recent increase in carloads and the expected narrowing of the operating ratio gap across its Eastern network geographies signify further operational advancements.
Norfolk Southern's Q3 adjusted EPS observed a 23% increase year over year, surpassing Street estimates. The company also reaffirmed its full year operating ratio goal of 66%, despite a decrease in its 2024 revenue growth forecast to 1% year over year from the previous 3%. It is anticipated that Norfolk Southern will boost earnings through productivity enhancements.
Following the release of quarterly results, there is a positive outlook on Norfolk Southern's operational performance. The company is making notable progress in areas where it had faced challenges, particularly in the implementation of precision scheduled railroading, which is contributing to better efficiency and improved margins. It is observed that achieving an operating ratio under 60 remains a realistic target for the company, assuming macroeconomic support. It's also indicated that the impressive operating ratio this quarter may have been influenced by a combination of volume growth and operational leverage effects.
The company's Q3 earnings surpassed expectations, showcasing its effective cost-saving measures and indicating that Norfolk Southern is experiencing a structural shift in cost management. Relative to its peers, with one having faced a tougher quarter, the company's Q3 performance is particularly commendable.
Here are the latest investment ratings and price targets for $Norfolk Southern (NSC.US)$ from 14 analysts:
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美东时间10月23日，多家华尔街大行更新了$诺福克南方 (NSC.US)$的评级，目标价介于175美元至302美元。
摩根士丹利分析师Ravi Shanker维持卖出评级，维持目标价175美元。
高盛集团分析师Jordan Alliger维持买入评级，并将目标价从292美元上调至301美元。
摩根大通分析师Brian Ossenbeck维持买入评级，并将目标价从283美元上调至288美元。
美银证券分析师Ken Hoexter维持买入评级，目标价291美元。
花旗分析师Ariel Rosa维持买入评级，并将目标价从294美元上调至302美元。
此外，综合报道，$诺福克南方 (NSC.US)$近期主要分析师观点如下：
公司发布了相对积极的收益报告。 尽管预计会遇到一些影响第四季度利润率的挑战，但到2025年，将有望实现利润能力的显著提升，这与具有强有力资产价值的愿景相关。
该公司有望在中短期内显著提高利润率，与其他一级铁路相比，由于从较低的基础出发，这些同行相对较低。最近的连续利润率改善表明积极的趋势。此外，最近的车厢增加以及其东部网络地理位置上预期的运营比率差距的缩小，表明进一步的运营改进。
诺福克南方的第三季度调整后每股收益同比增加了23%，超过了华尔街的预期。 尽管其2024年的营业收入增长预测从之前的3%同比下降至1%，但公司还重申全年的营业比率目标为66%。 预计诺福克南方将通过提高生产力增强收益。
在季度业绩发布之后，对诺福克南方的运营表现持乐观态度。 该公司在曾面临挑战的领域取得了显著进展，特别是在实行精准定期铁路运输方面，这有助于提高效率和改善利润率。 观察到如果有宏观经济支持，实现低于60的营业比率仍然是该公司的现实目标。 还表明，本季度令人印象深刻的营业比率可能受到成交量增长和运营杠杆效应的影响。
公司的第三季度收益超出预期，展示了其有效的节约成本措施，并表明诺福克南方正在经历成本管理方面的结构性转变。 与其同行相比，其中一个同行经历了更为艰难的季度，该公司第三季度的表现尤其值得称赞。
以下为今日14位分析师对$诺福克南方 (NSC.US)$的最新投资评级及目标价：
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