Health score, competitive moat, risk signals, and key metrics at a glance.
Norfolk Southern Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the rail transportation of raw materials, intermediate products, and finished goods in the United States. The company transports agriculture, forest, and consumer products comprising soybeans, wheat, corn, fertilizers, livestock and poultry feed, food products, food oils, flour, sweeteners, ethanol, lumber and wood products, pulp board and paper products, wood fibers, wood pulp, beverages, and canned goods; chemicals, including sulfur and related chemicals, petroleum products comprising crude oil, chlorine and bleaching compounds, plastics, rubber, industrial chemicals, chemical wastes, sand, and natural gas liquids; metals and construction materials, such as steel, aluminum products, machinery, scrap metals, cement, aggregates, minerals, clay, transportation equipment, and military-related products; and automotive, including finished motor vehicles and automotive parts, as well as coal. It also transports overseas freight through various Atlantic and Gulf Coast ports; and operates an intermodal network. Norfolk Southern Corporation was incorporated in 1980 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
Competitive analysis based on 68 quarters of fundamental data
Operating margins are positive at ~37.4% on average, but show some variability — pricing power may be sensitive to market conditions.
ROE averages 18.8% but has fluctuated — the competitive advantage may be cyclical or emerging.
7 of the last 8 quarters generated positive FCF. The company generally funds itself but has occasional cash consumption quarters.
Revenue shows resilience with 4 of 7 quarters posting growth — demand is generally stable but has seen some soft patches.
Data-driven red flags and warnings across 68 quarters
Operating margins declined 18.9% — watch for continued compression, which may signal competitive or cost pressure.
FCF consistently trails net income (avg 0.6x) — earnings may be inflated by non-cash items or aggressive accounting.
D/E ratio is 1.0 — conservative capital structure with low financial risk.
Revenue is stable or growing over recent quarters — demand appears durable.
Free cash flow is consistently positive — the business self-funds without external capital reliance.
Share count is stable — no significant dilution or buyback activity.
as of March 2026
Revenue, EBITDA, operating income, net income, EPS, and shares
Gross, EBITDA, operating, and net margin trends
P/E, P/S, P/B, EV/EBITDA, FCF yield, and earnings yield
Total assets, cash, debt, book value, and leverage
Operating cash flow, free cash flow, FCF margin, and earnings quality
