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An announcement from Norfolk Southern ( (NSC) ) is now available.
On January 29, 2026, Norfolk Southern reported its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results, showing modest top-line growth for the year alongside improved profitability despite a softer fourth quarter and a volatile macroeconomic backdrop. Fourth-quarter 2025 railway operating revenue slipped 2% year-over-year to $3.0 billion on a 4% volume decline, with income from railway operations down 17% to $937 million and the operating ratio deteriorating to 68.5%, though adjusted figures excluding merger-related costs, the Eastern Ohio incident, and prior-year line-sale gains show a milder 3% decline in operating income and a 65.3% operating ratio. Full-year 2025 railway operating revenue edged up to $12.2 billion despite a $134 million headwind from lower fuel surcharge revenue, while income from railway operations rose 7% to $4.4 billion and the operating ratio improved 220 basis points to 64.2%, with adjusted metrics indicating 3% growth in operating income, an 80-basis-point improvement in operating ratio, and a 5% gain in adjusted EPS to $12.49. Management highlighted achieving more than $215 million in productivity savings, record-low injury and accident rates over more than a decade, and a focus on cost control, safety and service reliability, signaling continued emphasis on efficiency and risk management as the company navigates an uncertain demand environment and ongoing financial impacts from the Eastern Ohio incident and merger-related activities.
The most recent analyst rating on (NSC) stock is a Buy with a $322.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Norfolk Southern stock, see the NSC Stock Forecast page.
Spark’s Take on NSC Stock
According to Spark, TipRanks’ AI Analyst, NSC is a Outperform.
Norfolk Southern’s overall stock score reflects strong financial performance and potential strategic benefits from the proposed merger. However, the stock faces challenges from competitive pressures and macroeconomic headwinds, which impact revenue and valuation. Technical indicators suggest a cautious outlook, with neutral trends and moderate valuation metrics.
To see Spark’s full report on NSC stock, click here.
More about Norfolk Southern
Norfolk Southern Corporation is a major U.S. freight railroad operating a 22‑state transportation network with the most extensive intermodal system in the eastern United States. The company moves about 7 million carloads annually, serving sectors from agriculture to consumer goods, and connects to every major Atlantic container port as well as key Gulf Coast and Great Lakes ports, positioning it as a critical link in domestic supply chains and a lower‑carbon alternative to trucking for shippers.
Average Trading Volume: 1,244,848
Technical Sentiment Signal: Buy
Current Market Cap: $70.71B
Find detailed analytics on NSC stock on TipRanks’ Stock Analysis page.