Norfolk Southern (NSC)
NYSEIndustrialsRailroadsSnapshot 2026-07-08
$319.21-1.09%
Close 2026-07-08 · 1-day change
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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 2026-07-08.
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 0 of the last 3 quarter-over-quarter moves. Historically, Industrials names rated neutral grew net income 50% of the time over the next year (vs 58% for the rest of the cohort, n=8913).
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.
Focus on achieving higher productivity savings through cost-control and targeted initiatives.
Stated in 3 of last 3 quarters. The productivity target for 2025 was raised to ~$200 million from ~$175 million, indicating a focus on cost-control and targeted initiatives. Despite the increase in target, the financials show a decrease in operating income from $1,146 million in 2025-Q1 to $877 million in 2026-Q1, suggesting limited progress in achieving the desired savings.
“Raising 2025 productivity target to ~$200 million from ~$175 million.”
“Raising expected productivity savings in 2025 to $175+ million.”
“Increase productivity savings.”
Aim for revenue growth despite a dynamic economic environment.
Stated in 2 of last 2 quarters. Revenue in 2026-Q1 was $3.0 billion, up $5 million from 2025-Q1, indicating minimal growth. The guidance for 2025 expected 2-3% growth, but the actual increase suggests limited progress towards this target.
“Continue to expect revenue growth in 2025, updating full year revenue growth expectation to 2-3% vs. 2024.”
Pursue merger and acquisition activities with Union Pacific.
Over the trailing year it converted 1.41x of net income into operating cash flow. Historically, Industrials names rated neutral grew net income 55% of the time over the next year (vs 53% for the rest of the cohort, n=6581).
Most sensitive to the broad stock market.
Not enough signal to read sensitivity to the US dollar, long-term interest rates, real (inflation-adjusted) rates, Fed net liquidity (low R² over the window).
16 material management or governance events in the past 24 months, led by executive changes. Historically, Industrials names rated neutral grew net income 51% of the time over the next year (vs 52% for the rest of the cohort, n=3267).
Not investment advice. As of 2026-07-08.
“Achieve revenue growth.”