CSX: Operational Outperformance, Freight Growth Tailwinds, and Infrastructure Pipeline Support Reiterated Buy and Higher $45 Target

Jason Seidl, an analyst from TD Cowen, reiterated the Buy rating on CSX. The associated price target was raised to $45.00.

Jason Seidl has given his Buy rating due to a combination of factors, including CSX’s operational outperformance and improved profitability despite rising fuel costs. The company delivered a notable year-over-year improvement in operating ratio even after excluding real estate gains, and management now expects full-year efficiency to finish toward the top of prior guidance, reflecting ongoing progress in cost control and network optimization.

Moreover, CSX is capturing new freight as shippers shift more volume to rail in response to higher energy prices and a tightening truck market, with recent gains led by chemicals, coal, and agricultural shipments. A substantial pipeline of roughly 600 infrastructure projects, including the near-complete Howard Street Tunnel, is set to add meaningful carload growth through 2027, and combined with strong execution and share-price momentum, underpins Seidl’s higher $45 target and reiterated Buy recommendation.

In another report released today, Barclays also maintained a Buy rating on the stock with a $47.00 price target.

Based on the recent corporate insider activity of 62 insiders, corporate insider sentiment is negative on the stock. This means that over the past quarter there has been an increase of insiders selling their shares of CSX in relation to earlier this year.