Norfolk Southern (NSC)
NYSEIndustrialsRailroadsSnapshot 2026-11-05
$329.25-4.33%
Close 2026-11-05 · 1-day change
NYSEIndustrialsRailroadsSnapshot 2026-11-05
QuarterlyIQ Insights · NSC
How strong the business is — where it ranks within its sector on capital efficiency and cash generation, and how well management has been executing.
How this business ranks within industrials on a research-validated quality screen. As of 2026-11-05.
The screen ranks NSC against its sector on four durable signals: share dilution, return on capital, free-cash-flow yield, and FCF margin. Historically the highest-quality names tended toward better typical outcomes and fewer bad years over multi-year holds (strongest at three years, modest at one), and that pattern showed up even before the price moved. It characterizes business quality, not price direction.
Each leg is a sector-relative percentile (higher is better); 4 of 4 legs were available for this name. The composite is built from these four; the raw value follows each percentile for context.
A forward quality tilt, not a price prediction, and context for your own research rather than a recommendation. Not investment advice.
How management runs the business: capital, margins, balance sheet, and how reliably they guide and deliver.
Each factor is a parallel diagnostic with a clear read of what it shows and how names like it have historically fared. Never aggregated into a single score.
Operating income rose in 2 of the last 3 quarter-over-quarter moves. Historically, Industrials names rated strong grew net income 68% of the time over the next year (vs 52% for the rest of the cohort, n=6978).
Not investment advice. Scores describe historical and current data; they are not forecasts of future returns. Consult a licensed advisor before making investment decisions.
A guidance track record builds as the company issues and delivers on guidance.
Priorities management has stated in recent disclosures, with status and evidence drawn from earnings calls, filings, and press releases.
"Throughout the quarter, we remained focused on safely serving customers, improving operational performance, while maintaining disciplined cost control despite rising fuel costs.
Stated in 5 of 8 supplied quarters. Management reported: ““In the face of a volatile and challenging macro-economic backdrop, our team focused on the controllables – delivering outsized productivity savings in excess of $215 million that accompanies our safety and service improvements.” “"Throughout the quarter, we remained focused on safely serving customers, improving operational performance, while maintaining disciplined cost control despite rising fuel costs.”
“"Throughout the quarter, we remained focused on safely serving customers, improving operational performance, while maintaining disciplined cost control despite rising fuel costs.”
“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…”
“As we move through 2026, the demand environment remains unclear, but we are steadfastly focused on prioritizing the safety of our employees and communities, delivering consistent customer service, an…”
““The entire Thoroughbred team pulled together to serve our customers, achieve an all-time record in fuel efficiency, delivered on key productivity initiatives, and executed a noteworthy land sale tha…”
““We’re controlling what we can control and, in fact, are ahead of schedule on our productivity targets thanks to the exceptional efforts of our Thoroughbred team.””
"Throughout the quarter, we remained focused on safely serving customers, improving operational performance, while maintaining disciplined cost control despite rising fuel costs.
Stated in 5 of 8 supplied quarters. Management reported: “We kept our cost commitments, maintained reliable service, and delivered measurable safety gains with the company’s best injury and accident rates in more than a decade,” said Mark George, president and chief executive officer of Norfolk Southern.” “"Throughout the quarter, we remained focused on safely serving customers, improving operational performance, while maintaining disciplined cost control despite rising fuel costs.”
We remain focused on investing in a stronger, more resilient rail network that can support growth we see on the horizon.”
Stated in 4 of 8 supplied quarters. Management reported: “For the quarter, revenue was $3.1 billion, income from railway operations was $1.2 billion, operating ratio was 62.2%, and diluted earnings per share were $3.41.” “We remain focused on investing in a stronger, more resilient rail network that can support growth we see on the horizon.”” Revenue was $3.526 billion in 2026-Q3.
“We remain focused on investing in a stronger, more resilient rail network that can support growth we see on the horizon.””
Advance the announced Union Pacific transaction, which the companies described as a combination to create a transcontinental railroad.
Continue to drive productivity savings with cost-control and targeted initiatives to improve operating efficiency.
Over the trailing year it converted 1.49x of net income into operating cash flow. Historically, Industrials names rated neutral grew net income 59% of the time over the next year (vs 54% for the rest of the cohort, n=6652).
Not enough signal yet.
Not enough signal to read sensitivity to the broad stock market, the US dollar, long-term interest rates, real (inflation-adjusted) rates, Fed net liquidity (low R² over the window).
13 material management or governance events in the past 24 months, led by M&A activity. Historically, Industrials names rated neutral grew net income 59% of the time over the next year (vs 56% for the rest of the cohort, n=8936).
Not investment advice. As of 2026-11-05.
“"Throughout the quarter, we remained focused on safely serving customers, improving operational performance, while maintaining disciplined cost control despite rising fuel costs.”
“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…”
“We kept our cost commitments, maintained reliable service, and delivered measurable safety gains with the company’s best injury and accident rates in more than a decade,” said Mark George, president…”
““Norfolk Southern delivered another quarter of strong results on safety, service, and productivity through a dynamic freight market,” said President and CEO Mark George.”
“While we remain clear-eyed about market uncertainty, our performance reflects the strength of our strategy and our ability to continue disciplined execution, relentless focus on safety and seamless c…”
“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…”
““The entire Thoroughbred team pulled together to serve our customers, achieve an all-time record in fuel efficiency, delivered on key productivity initiatives, and executed a noteworthy land sale tha…”
“For the quarter, revenue was $3.1 billion, income from railway operations was $1.2 billion, operating ratio was 62.2%, and diluted earnings per share were $3.41.”