Zacks Consensus Estimates for Norfolk Southern's second-quarter 2026, full-year 2026, and full-year 2027 earnings have all been revised downward over the past 90 days, reflecting broker pessimism. The company faces a tough freight environment due to macroeconomic concerns, with the Cass Freight Shipments Index declining year over year in each of the first four months of 2026, and coal revenues fell 8% to $1.48 billion in 2025. Despite these headwinds, Norfolk Southern benefits from e-commerce growth, its Precision Scheduled Railroading operating plan, and a strong balance sheet with $1.34 billion in cash against $609 million in current debt at the end of first-quarter 2026. The stock has gained 20.7% over the past year, outperforming the industry's 19.5% increase, but trades at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio of 24.81, above the industry's 21.82 and its own five-year median of 18.71. Zacks maintains a Hold rating, advising investors to retain shares and await a better entry point.
Norfolk Southern CorporationEPS estimates revised downward over 90 days due to weak freight environment and coal revenue decline
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