Post-derailment costs and safety investment
Ongoing remediation, litigation, and regulatory scrutiny tied to the East Palestine derailment continue to affect costs and reputation. Track how these costs trend versus initial estimates.
Stock research
Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) Stock Research
Norfolk Southern runs a freight railroad serving the eastern United States.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, Norfolk Southern Corporation reported revenue of $12.2B and net income of $2.9B, with operating cash flow of $4.4B. Source: Form 10-K filed February 9, 2026
Reviewed · SEC data as of
- Revenue
- $12.2B
- FY ending 2025-12-31
- Net income
- $2.9B
- FY ending 2025-12-31
- Diluted EPS
- $12.75
- Net margin
- 23.6%
Reported SEC XBRL figures. Each metric’s period and original filing are listed below.
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About Norfolk Southern
- Exchange
- NYSE: NSC
- Sector
- Industrials
- SEC industry
- Railroads, Line-Haul Operating (SIC 4011)
- Fiscal year end
- December 31
NSC key financials
Reported figures from Norfolk Southern Corporation's filings, pulled directly from SEC XBRL data rather than a third-party terminal. Each row links to the filing it came from.
| Metric | Value | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $12.2B | 2025-01-01 – 2025-12-31 | SEC filing |
| Net income | $2.9B | 2025-01-01 – 2025-12-31 | SEC filing |
| Operating cash flow | $4.4B | 2025-01-01 – 2025-12-31 | SEC filing |
| Diluted EPS | $12.75 | 2025-01-01 – 2025-12-31 | SEC filing |
| Net margin | 23.6% | 2025-01-01 – 2025-12-31 | SEC filing |
| Shares outstanding | 225M | As of 2026-01-31 | SEC filing |
Values are as tagged by the issuer in XBRL. Revenue for banks and insurers is net of interest expense where that is the reported line. Fiscal years that do not follow the calendar are shown by their period-end date. No price, market cap, or valuation multiple is shown because Yield Theory does not republish unlicensed market data.
Diluted EPS is the earnings figure behind the price-to-earnings ratio; the P/E multiple compression calculator shows how a change in that multiple moves a share price. Shares outstanding multiplied by the share price gives market capitalization.
What investors should watch in NSC
For Norfolk Southern Corporation, the most important recurring operating and market variables are:
- ◆Freight volumes across intermodal, coal, industrial, and agricultural traffic
- ◆Operating-ratio trajectory and precision-scheduled-railroading efficiency efforts
- ◆Safety and remediation costs stemming from the 2023 East Palestine derailment
- ◆Pricing power relative to long-haul trucking competition
Key questions for the NSC thesis
Each question starts with what the filings show, then why it matters. None of these is a rating or a forecast.
Operating ratio trajectory
Compare efficiency-program progress against rail peers, since a lower operating ratio (costs as a share of revenue) is the primary lever for rail-industry margin improvement.
Volume mix
Intermodal traffic competes directly with trucking, while bulk commodities like coal and grain follow their own demand cycles. The mix between them shapes both revenue growth and pricing power.
Regulatory and legislative exposure
Rail-safety rulemaking prompted by the East Palestine derailment could raise compliance costs industry-wide. Watch for federal or state legislation that would add operating requirements.
Does NSC's reported profit turn into cash?
Operating cash flow was $4.4B, 1.52 times net income of $2.9B, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025.
Cash from operations exceeded reported earnings. Non-cash charges such as depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation usually explain the gap; the cash-flow statement shows which.
How much of NSC's revenue is left as profit?
Net income was 23.6% of revenue for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, based on revenue and net income reported for the same period.
Net margin reflects the business model as much as execution, so compare it with companies in the same SEC industry and read the income statement for one-time items before treating it as a run rate.
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Read the full researchNSC primary sources
- Latest annual report: Form 10-K filed February 9, 2026
- Latest quarterly report: Form 10-Q filed July 23, 2026
- Norfolk Southern Corporation investor relations
- Norfolk Southern Corporation filings at the SEC
- All NSC filings on SEC EDGAR
How we source and review company pages: research methodology.
Congressional trading in NSC
| Politician | Trade date | Type | Owner | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alan Armstrong | 2026-03-27 | Purchase | Self | $1,001 - $15,000 | Filing #fda235b3-bad7-4637-8fa1-053f354d929c |
| Julie Johnson | 2025-12-18 | Sale | Joint | $1,001 - $15,000 | Filing #20033789 |
| Julie Johnson | 2025-11-13 | Sale | Joint | $1,001 - $15,000 | Filing #20033611 |
| Valerie Hoyle | 2025-09-23 | Sale | Spouse | $1,001 - $15,000 | Filing #20032211 |
| Julie Johnson | 2025-08-14 | Sale | Joint | $1,001 - $15,000 | Filing #20032066 |
| Marjorie Greene | 2025-05-05 | Purchase | Self | $1,001 - $15,000 | Filing #20030295 |
| Marjorie Greene | 2025-05-05 | Purchase | Self | $1,001 - $15,000 | Filing #20030295 |
| Jefferson Shreve | 2025-04-11 | Sale | Self | $15,001 - $50,000 | Filing #20030231 |
| Josh Gottheimer | 2025-04-09 | Sale | Joint | $1,001 - $15,000 | Filing #20030338 |
| Robert Bresnahan | 2025-04-08 | Sale | Self | $1,001 - $15,000 | Filing #20030238 |
All verified NSC congressional disclosures
Congressional disclosures are delayed, range-based records—not real-time signals or proof of motive. See the source-linked tracker for scope and limitations.
Compare NSC with similar companies
Norfolk Southern peers
Union Pacific Corporation (UNP)Railroads, Line-Haul OperatingCSX Corporation (CSX)Railroads, Line-Haul OperatingRTX Corporation (RTX)Aircraft Engines & Engine PartsLockheed Martin Corporation (LMT)Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & PartsDeere & Company (DE)Farm Machinery & EquipmentSouthwest Airlines Co. (LUV)Air Transportation, Scheduled
NSC — frequently asked questions
What does Norfolk Southern Corporation do?
Norfolk Southern runs a freight railroad serving the eastern United States.
What were NSC's latest reported annual revenue and net income?
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, Norfolk Southern Corporation reported revenue of $12.2B and net income of $2.9B, with operating cash flow of $4.4B. The figures come from Norfolk Southern Corporation's SEC XBRL filings.
When does Norfolk Southern Corporation's fiscal year end?
The SEC lists Norfolk Southern Corporation's fiscal year end as December 31.
Do members of Congress trade NSC?
The current verified House and Senate snapshot contains 18 transaction rows for NSC, each linked to the original filing.
Is NSC a good investment?
This page does not rate NSC as a buy or sell. It sets out what Norfolk Southern Corporation reports, what investors should watch and the questions a thesis has to answer, with links to the SEC filings. It is research, not investment advice.
This page is independent research and educational information, not investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Company facts are compiled from public sources. Do your own research.
What do the NSC numbers leave unanswered?
Financials describe the business. The next question is which assumptions an investment thesis depends on. Explore the member reports below for analysis of catalysts, risks, and what would change the view. $39/month or $249/year.
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