We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Will Volume Weakness Mar Norfolk Southern (NSC) Q4 Earnings?
Read MoreHide Full Article
Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC - Free Report) is scheduled to report fourth-quarter 2020 results on Jan 27, before market open.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s fourth-quarter earnings has been revised downward by approximately 2% in the last 60 days. However, it has an impressive earnings history, having outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the preceding four quarters, the average beat being 11.4%. Let’s see whether the company is able to retain its beat streak in its fourth-quarter results as well.
Factors to Note
Amid coronavirus-induced freight slowdown, volumes are likely to have been weak in the fourth quarter as was the case in the last two reported quarters. Notably, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for volumes in the fourth quarter shows a 1.2% dip from the year-ago period’s reported figure. This anticipated softness in volumes is expected to reflect in total revenues. The consensus mark for revenues indicates a 4.8% decline from the fourth-quarter 2019’s reported number.
Additionally, coal segment weakness due to low natural gas prices and unfavorable weather conditions, worsened by coronavirus, is likely to have hurt Norfolk Southern’s fourth-quarter performance. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for coal volumes hints at a 25.9% plunge from the year-ago reported number. The same for coal revenues implies a 29.2% drop from fourth-quarter 2019’s reported number.
However, increased efficiency and reduced costs owing to the precision scheduled railroading (“PSR”) model is expected to have aided the bottom line. Benefits from the PSR model should get reflected in the operating ratio (operating expenses as a percentage of revenues). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for operating ratio is pegged at 62%, better than the year-ago reported figure of 63%. Notably, lower the value of the metric the better.
Norfolk Southern Corporation Price and EPS Surprise
Our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Norfolk Southern this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. However, that is not the case here as elaborated below. You can seethe complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Earnings ESP: Norfolk Southern has an Earnings ESP of -0.90% as the Most Accurate Estimate is pegged at $2.46, lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.48. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Zacks Rank: Norfolk Southern carries a Zacks Rank #3.
Highlights of Q3 Earnings
In the last-reported quarter, the company delivered a positive earnings surprise of 6.4%. However, total revenues fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Both the top and bottom lines declined year over year due to drop in volumes, thanks to coronavirus-led woes.
Stocks to Consider
Investors interested in the broader Transportation sector may consider Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (CP - Free Report) , CSX Corporation (CSX - Free Report) and C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW - Free Report) , as these stocks possess the right combination of elements to beat on earnings this reporting cycle.
Canadian Pacific has an Earnings ESP of +0.12% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company will announce fourth-quarter 2020 results on Jan 27.
CSX has an Earnings ESP of +0.47% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company will release fourth-quarter 2020 results on Jan 21.
C.H. Robinson has an Earnings ESP of +1.01% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company is scheduled to release fourth-quarter 2020 results on Jan 26.
Breakout Biotech Stocks with Triple-Digit Profit Potential
The biotech sector is projected to surge beyond $775 billion by 2024 as scientists develop treatments for thousands of diseases. They’re also finding ways to edit the human genome to literally erase our vulnerability to these diseases.
Zacks has just released Century of Biology: 7 Biotech Stocks to Buy Right Now to help investors profit from 7 stocks poised for outperformance. Our recent biotech recommendations have produced gains of +50%, +83% and +164% in as little as 2 months. The stocks in this report could perform even better. See these 7 breakthrough stocks now>>
Unique Zacks Analysis of Your Chosen Ticker
Pick one free report - opportunity may be withdrawn at any time
Image: Bigstock
Will Volume Weakness Mar Norfolk Southern (NSC) Q4 Earnings?
Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC - Free Report) is scheduled to report fourth-quarter 2020 results on Jan 27, before market open.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s fourth-quarter earnings has been revised downward by approximately 2% in the last 60 days. However, it has an impressive earnings history, having outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the preceding four quarters, the average beat being 11.4%. Let’s see whether the company is able to retain its beat streak in its fourth-quarter results as well.
Factors to Note
Amid coronavirus-induced freight slowdown, volumes are likely to have been weak in the fourth quarter as was the case in the last two reported quarters. Notably, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for volumes in the fourth quarter shows a 1.2% dip from the year-ago period’s reported figure. This anticipated softness in volumes is expected to reflect in total revenues. The consensus mark for revenues indicates a 4.8% decline from the fourth-quarter 2019’s reported number.
Additionally, coal segment weakness due to low natural gas prices and unfavorable weather conditions, worsened by coronavirus, is likely to have hurt Norfolk Southern’s fourth-quarter performance. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for coal volumes hints at a 25.9% plunge from the year-ago reported number. The same for coal revenues implies a 29.2% drop from fourth-quarter 2019’s reported number.
However, increased efficiency and reduced costs owing to the precision scheduled railroading (“PSR”) model is expected to have aided the bottom line. Benefits from the PSR model should get reflected in the operating ratio (operating expenses as a percentage of revenues). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for operating ratio is pegged at 62%, better than the year-ago reported figure of 63%. Notably, lower the value of the metric the better.
Norfolk Southern Corporation Price and EPS Surprise
Norfolk Southern Corporation price-eps-surprise | Norfolk Southern Corporation Quote
What Does the Zacks Model Say?
Our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Norfolk Southern this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. However, that is not the case here as elaborated below. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Earnings ESP: Norfolk Southern has an Earnings ESP of -0.90% as the Most Accurate Estimate is pegged at $2.46, lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.48. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Zacks Rank: Norfolk Southern carries a Zacks Rank #3.
Highlights of Q3 Earnings
In the last-reported quarter, the company delivered a positive earnings surprise of 6.4%. However, total revenues fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Both the top and bottom lines declined year over year due to drop in volumes, thanks to coronavirus-led woes.
Stocks to Consider
Investors interested in the broader Transportation sector may consider Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (CP - Free Report) , CSX Corporation (CSX - Free Report) and C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW - Free Report) , as these stocks possess the right combination of elements to beat on earnings this reporting cycle.
Canadian Pacific has an Earnings ESP of +0.12% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company will announce fourth-quarter 2020 results on Jan 27.
CSX has an Earnings ESP of +0.47% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company will release fourth-quarter 2020 results on Jan 21.
C.H. Robinson has an Earnings ESP of +1.01% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company is scheduled to release fourth-quarter 2020 results on Jan 26.
Breakout Biotech Stocks with Triple-Digit Profit Potential
The biotech sector is projected to surge beyond $775 billion by 2024 as scientists develop treatments for thousands of diseases. They’re also finding ways to edit the human genome to literally erase our vulnerability to these diseases.
Zacks has just released Century of Biology: 7 Biotech Stocks to Buy Right Now to help investors profit from 7 stocks poised for outperformance. Our recent biotech recommendations have produced gains of +50%, +83% and +164% in as little as 2 months. The stocks in this report could perform even better.
See these 7 breakthrough stocks now>>