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First look: Norfolk Southern Q4 earnings
Yahoo Finance· 2026-01-29 13:27
Core Insights - Norfolk Southern reported a 17% decline in fourth quarter income to $937 million, with revenue down 2% to $3 billion, attributed to a 4% decrease in freight volumes compared to the previous year [1] - Diluted earnings per share fell by 11% to $2.87, but adjusted earnings per share, excluding merger-related expenses and derailment costs, increased by 6% year-over-year to $3.22 [1] Financial Performance - The current quarter included rail line sales of $53 million and a significant land sale resulting in a net gain of $85 million [2] - The operating ratio for the quarter was 68.5%, an increase from 62.6% in the fourth quarter of 2024, indicating a decline in operational efficiency [2] - For the full year 2025, income from railway operations rose to $4.4 billion, a 7% increase of $285 million, with revenues reaching $12.2 billion, up $57 million from 2024 [2] Adjusted Metrics - Fuel surcharge revenue decreased by $134 million, or 1%, compared to 2024, while adjusted income rose by 3% to $4.3 billion [3] - The operating ratio improved to 64.2% in 2025, a 220 basis point enhancement from 66.4% in 2024 [3] - Diluted earnings per share improved by 10% to $12.75, with adjusted earnings totaling $12.49, reflecting a 5% increase compared to 2024 [3]