What Are Wall Street Analysts' Target Price for Norfolk Southern Stock?
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Atlanta, Georgia-based Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) is a major U.S. freight railroad company valued at $55 billion by market cap. With a history dating back to 1827, it operates a 19,500-mile rail network across 22 states and the District of Columbia, connecting to 800 industrial sites, 175 warehouses, and 43 ports.
Shares of this railroad behemoth have underperformed the broader market over the past year. NSC has soared 6% over this time frame, while the broader S&P 500 Index ($SPX) has rallied nearly 11.9%. However, in 2025, NSC’s stock is up 4%, surpassing SPX’s 1% rise on a YTD basis.
Narrowing the focus, NSC has surpassed the iShares Transportation Average ETF (IYT). The exchange-traded fund has gained 2.9% over the past year and marginally this year.
Norfolk Southern shares surged over 5% on May 12 following weekend progress in U.S.-China trade negotiations, which lifted overall market sentiment. Railroad stocks, including NSC, rallied on optimism that the easing of tariff tensions would revive port activity and, in turn, boost rail freight volumes.
For fiscal 2025, ending in December, analysts expect NSC’s EPS to grow 7.7% to $13.02 on a diluted basis. The company’s earnings surprise history is mixed. It beat the consensus estimate in three of the last four quarters while missing the forecast on another occasion.
Among the 25 analysts covering NSC stock, the consensus is a “Moderate Buy.” That’s based on 14 “Strong Buy” ratings, one “Moderate Buy,” nine “Holds,” and one “Strong Sell.”
This configuration is more bullish than three months ago, with 13 analysts suggesting a “Strong Buy.”
On May 16, BofA Securities raised its price target for Norfolk Southern from $267 to $280, a 4.87% increase, while maintaining a "Buy" rating. Analyst Ken Hoexter’s update reflects growing confidence in NSC’s outlook and highlights the company’s strategic position in the transportation sector, reinforcing investor interest in its long-term growth potential.
The mean price target of $260.35 represents a 6.7% premium to NSC’s current price levels. The Street-high price target of $290 suggests an upside potential of 18.8%.
On the date of publication, Kritika Sarmah did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.