June 11, 2025 a 09:00 pm
NSC: Analysts Ratings - Norfolk Southern Corporation
The Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) stock holds a stable position in the railway transportation sector. Current analyst ratings hint at moderate optimism, with a slight tendency towards holding positions. Despite some challenges in the broader market, NSC continues to leverage its strategic advantages. Investors appear to maintain cautious optimism, reflecting in the overall ratings.
Historical Stock Grades
| Rating | Count | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Strong Buy | 4 | |
| Buy | 11 | |
| Hold | 12 | |
| Sell | 1 | |
| Strong Sell | 0 |
Sentiment Development
The sentiment analysis reveals a stable recommendation trend over recent months. Most analysts prefer a 'Hold' or 'Buy' position, with minimal interest in 'Strong Buy' or 'Sell' ratings. The overall volume of analyst evaluations remains consistent.
- A minor decrease in 'Strong Buy' recommendations from early 2024.
- 'Hold' ratings have seen a moderate increase, suggesting growing caution.
- Minimal fluctuation in 'Sell' and 'Strong Sell' positions.
Percentage Trends
Recent months show a trend towards increased caution, with 'Hold' ratings growing in share. The propensity to issue aggressive 'Strong Buy' ratings has decreased slightly, suggesting analysts might be considering potential market headwinds.
- 'Strong Buy' movements in percentage show a slight decline, from around 18% to 14%.
- 'Hold' ratings increased in percentage spread, from a previous 35% to approximately 41%.
- 'Buy' percentages remain the most stable, maintaining around 38-40% share.
Latest Analyst Recommendations
| Date | New Recommendation | Last Recommendation | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-06-02 | Neutral | Buy | Goldman Sachs |
| 2025-05-30 | Buy | Buy | UBS |
| 2025-05-16 | Buy | Buy | B of A Securities |
| 2025-04-24 | Buy | Buy | UBS |
| 2025-04-24 | Outperform | Outperform | Evercore ISI Group |
Analyst Recommendations with Change of Opinion
| Date | New Recommendation | Last Recommendation | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-06-02 | Neutral | Buy | Goldman Sachs |
| 2025-02-03 | Hold | Buy | Loop Capital |
| 2024-05-23 | Outperform | Sector Perform | RBC Capital |
| 2024-03-04 | Buy | Neutral | UBS |
| 2024-02-21 | Overweight | Equal Weight | Barclays |
Interpretation
The analyst sentiment reflects a cautious optimism towards Norfolk Southern Corporation, with a notable shift towards neutral positions such as 'Hold'. The adjustments in recommendations imply that while some confidence exists, analysts might be increasingly wary of market fluctuations or internal challenges. This could denote a broader market uncertainty or evaluated internal performance metrics. Stability in ratings suggests limited shifts in market perception but indicates a balanced stance amid hesitant market conditions.
Conclusion
The Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) demonstrates stability in a fluctuating market environment. While there are signs of cautious sentiment, notably with increasing 'Hold' recommendations, the stock maintains robust industrial positioning. With persistent diligence in operational expansions, the potential for growth remains, potentially increasing analyst confidence in future assessments. Investors should weigh the prevailing market conditions closely, considering both opportunities and inherent risks associated with the transportation sector's volatility.