Norfolk Southern (NSC) Reports Q4 Earnings: What Key Metrics Have to Say

Financial Performance - Norfolk Southern reported revenue of $3.02 billion for the quarter ended December 2024, a decrease of 1.6% year-over-year [1] - The earnings per share (EPS) was $3.04, an increase from $2.83 in the same quarter last year [1] - The reported revenue was slightly below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.03 billion, resulting in a surprise of -0.16% [1] - The company delivered an EPS surprise of +3.05%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $2.95 [1] Key Metrics - Railway Operating Ratio was reported at 62.6%, better than the average estimate of 65.6% based on five analysts [4] - Total carloads volume was 1.79 million, slightly below the average estimate of 1.8 million [4] - Carloads volume for merchandise was 560.5 thousand, compared to the four-analyst average estimate of 561.8 thousand [4] - Carloads volume for intermodal was 1.06 million, matching the average estimate [4] Revenue Breakdown - Railway operating revenues from merchandise in agriculture, forest, and consumer products were $646 million, exceeding the average estimate of $634.38 million, with a year-over-year change of +1.1% [4] - Railway operating revenues from coal were $390 million, above the average estimate of $378.60 million, but represented a year-over-year decline of -9.3% [4] - Railway operating revenues from merchandise in chemicals were $521 million, slightly below the average estimate of $522.38 million, with a year-over-year change of +1.8% [4] - Railway operating revenues from intermodal were $792 million, compared to the average estimate of $786.47 million, reflecting a year-over-year change of -0.3% [4] - Railway operating revenues from merchandise in automotive were $283 million, below the average estimate of $293.01 million, with a year-over-year change of -4.4% [4] - Total railway operating revenues from merchandise were $1.84 billion, slightly below the average estimate of $1.86 billion, with a year-over-year change of -0.4% [4] - Railway operating revenues from merchandise in metals and construction were $392 million, compared to the average estimate of $414.01 million, representing a year-over-year change of -2.5% [4] Stock Performance - Norfolk Southern shares returned +7.5% over the past month, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +1.7% change [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating potential performance in line with the broader market in the near term [3]