Norfolk Southern Corporation(NSC)
NYSE
$325.57
2.09 (0.65%)

Norfolk Southern Corporation(NSC)Stock Price & Analysis
NYSE

NSC Stock Price Today (October 2026) — Norfolk Southern Corporation Analysis & Key Metrics 2026-10-21

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) is trading at $325.57, up 0.65% today (as of October 2026). The stock continues to show sustained strength above key moving averages, attracting attention from investors looking for Industrials growth opportunities.

  • According to consensus analyst estimates, the 1-year price target is $356.11 (9.4% upside).
  • Volatility is low (11.61% annualized), implying relatively contained price movements for short-term traders.
  • The fundamental picture, based on the latest financial filings, is nuanced: solid revenue growth (11.40% YoY) alongside competitive pressures in the Railroads space.

NSC Stock Analysis: Key Metrics & Valuation (October 2026)

Concise, actionable data for investors

Trend posture
Uptrend: above 50- and 200-day averages
Analyst 1Y target$356.11+9.4%
Volatility (30d ann.)11.61%Low
RSI (14-day)
65.43 (Neutral)
Debt$17.15B (1.06x D/E)

Norfolk Southern Corporation - Historical Price & Volume

$325.57
+86.01 (+35.91%)
  • Price
  • Volume
  • Latest price
Range: 2Y

Market Cap

$73.13B

Enterprise Value: $89.21B

P/E Ratio

27.80

Forward P/E: 23.94

Revenue Growth

+11.40%

Year over Year

Analyst Target

$356.11

+9.4% upside potential

Key Investor Questions About NSC

What investors need to know before buying

Is it a good time to buy NSC stock?

Based on current market data, NSC presents a neutral technical setup with looking solid fundamentals.

  • Technicals say: Neutral (RSI 65.43)
  • Fundamentals say: Looking solid (debt and growth supportive)
Can NSC sustain revenue growth in the Railroads market?

NSC's growth trajectory depends on its ability to expand within the Railroads sector while managing margin pressures.

  • Future growth will depend on performance in core Railroads operations.
  • The ability to manage competitive pressures will be crucial for sustained growth.
What are the biggest risks facing NSC stock?

The primary risks for NSC investors include debt exposure and competitive dynamics in the Railroads industry.

  • $17.15B in debt could be a headwind in a high-rate environment.
  • Fierce competition from established players in Railroads.

52-Week Trading Range

52-Week Low$277.80
52-Week High$358.60
Current Price$325.57

Over the past year, NSC stock traded between $277.80 and $358.60 and currently trades in the middle of that range. Big swings are less likely unless a major catalyst emerges.

Volatility & Risk Profile

30-Day Volatility11.61%
Beta0.41
RSI (14-day)65.43

With 11.61% annualized volatility and β=0.41, the stock exhibits low sensitivity to market moves—making NSC suitable for investors comfortable with active risk management.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

Insider Ownership0.05%
Institutional Ownership77.61%
Shares Short7.15M

High institutional ownership with low short interest suggests steadier hands and low immediate risk.

Analyst Sentiment & Price Targets

Mean Target
$356.11
Upside Potential
+9.4%
Recommendation
hold
Analyst target of $356.11 suggests modest upside with 9.4% potential gain.

Earnings snapshot

Next report Oct 22, 2026 (before the open)

EPS beat rate
75% (9/12)
Avg move after earnings
±3.4%
Options-implied move
±3.2%
Options vs history
Fair
NSC earnings history, charts and expected move

Frequently Asked Questions

Common investor questions about Norfolk Southern Corporation

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) is currently trading at $325.57. The RSI (14-day) is at 65.4, indicating neutral territory. Wall Street analysts have a consensus "hold" recommendation. The mean analyst price target of $356.11 implies 9.4% upside from current levels. Volatility is low at 11.6% annualized, meaning price movements are relatively contained. Investors should consider their risk tolerance, investment horizon, and portfolio diversification before making a decision.

Based on current valuation metrics for Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC): The trailing P/E ratio is 27.80, which is in line with broader market averages. The forward P/E is 23.94, lower than the trailing P/E, suggesting analysts expect earnings improvement. The PEG ratio is 4.59, above 2.0, suggesting the stock may be overvalued relative to its expected growth. Price-to-Book is 4.43. Price-to-Sales is 5.74. Valuation should be compared to Railroads industry peers for context, as different sectors trade at different multiples.

Based on 18 analysts covering NSC, the consensus price target is $356.11. This represents a 9.4% upside from the current price of $325.57. The range spans from a low target of $297.00 to a high target of $400.00, reflecting varying levels of optimism among analysts. The consensus recommendation is "hold". Note: Analyst price targets are forward-looking estimates and not guarantees of future performance.

Yes, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) pays a dividend with a current yield of approximately 1.66%. The annualized dividend rate is $5.40 per share. The payout ratio is 46.1%, which is conservative and suggests the dividend is well-covered by earnings with room for future increases. The most recent ex-dividend date was Aug 7, 2026.

Key risks for Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) investors include: 1. Elevated debt levels (debt-to-equity of 1.06x) which could pressure margins in a rising rate environment. 2. Broader market and macroeconomic risks (interest rates, inflation, geopolitical events). 3. Railroads sector-specific competitive pressures. Investors should diversify and consider their risk tolerance before investing.

Here is Norfolk Southern Corporation's (NSC) current debt and financial health profile: Total debt stands at $17.15B. The debt-to-equity ratio is 1.06x, which is elevated and warrants monitoring, especially in a rising interest rate environment. The current ratio is 0.83, which is below 1.0 and may indicate short-term liquidity concerns. The quick ratio is 0.67. The company holds $1.07B in cash and equivalents. Free cash flow is positive at $1.38B, providing a cushion for debt servicing and shareholder returns.