Kestra Advisory Services LLC Has $6.72 Million Stake in Norfolk Southern Corporation $NSC

Kestra Advisory Services LLC increased its holdings in shares of Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE:NSC) by 21.1% in the first quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 23,420 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after purchasing an additional 4,076 shares during the quarter. Kestra Advisory Services LLC’s holdings in Norfolk Southern were worth $6,722,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of NSC. JPL Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Norfolk Southern during the 3rd quarter worth $25,000. BNP Paribas bought a new stake in shares of Norfolk Southern during the 2nd quarter valued at $26,000. GoalVest Advisory LLC lifted its stake in shares of Norfolk Southern by 933.3% in the 4th quarter. GoalVest Advisory LLC now owns 93 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 84 shares during the period. Meeder Asset Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Norfolk Southern by 239.3% in the 4th quarter. Meeder Asset Management Inc. now owns 95 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 67 shares during the period. Finally, FNY Investment Advisers LLC boosted its stake in Norfolk Southern by 669.2% during the 3rd quarter. FNY Investment Advisers LLC now owns 100 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 87 shares during the last quarter. 75.10% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Norfolk Southern Price Performance

Shares of NYSE NSC opened at $326.75 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $73.38 billion, a PE ratio of 27.53, a PEG ratio of 5.99 and a beta of 1.27. The company has a current ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04. Norfolk Southern Corporation has a 1-year low of $257.49 and a 1-year high of $329.38. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $313.54 and a 200 day moving average price of $303.58.

Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, April 24th. The railroad operator reported $2.65 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.49 by $0.16. Norfolk Southern had a return on equity of 18.30% and a net margin of 21.91%.The firm had revenue of $3 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.13 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.69 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up .2% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts predict that Norfolk Southern Corporation will post 12.24 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Norfolk Southern Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, May 20th. Investors of record on Friday, May 8th were issued a dividend of $1.35 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 8th. This represents a $5.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.7%. Norfolk Southern’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 45.49%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have commented on the stock. UBS Group set a $327.00 target price on shares of Norfolk Southern in a research note on Thursday, May 7th. Evercore set a $325.00 price target on shares of Norfolk Southern in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their price target on shares of Norfolk Southern from $360.00 to $320.00 and set a “sector perform” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, June 24th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Norfolk Southern from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, May 2nd. Finally, Stephens raised Norfolk Southern to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 8th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seventeen have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $328.00.

About Norfolk Southern

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.