Compared to Estimates, Norfolk Southern (NSC) Q1 Earnings: A Look at Key Metrics

For the quarter ended March 2025, Norfolk Southern (NSC) reported revenue of $2.99 billion, down 0.4% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $2.69, compared to $2.49 in the year-ago quarter.The reported revenue represents a surprise of +0.06% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.99 billion. With the consensus EPS estimate being $2.72, the EPS surprise was -1.10%.While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance.As these metrics influence top- and bottom-line performance, comparing them to the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated helps investors project a stock's price performance more accurately.Here is how Norfolk Southern performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts: Railway Operating Ratio: 61.7% versus the five-analyst average estimate of 66.9%. Carloads (Units) - Volume - Merchandise - Automotive: 88.3 thousand versus the four-analyst average estimate of 89.3 thousand. Carloads (Units) - Volume - Merchandise - Metals and construction: 148.3 thousand versus 159.56 thousand estimated by four analysts on average. Carloads (Units) - Volume - Merchandise - Chemicals: 132 thousand compared to the 128.97 thousand average estimate based on four analysts. Carloads (Units) - Volume - Merchandise - Agriculture, forest and consumer products: 183.6 thousand compared to the 184.98 thousand average estimate based on four analysts. Railway operating revenues- Merchandise: $1.86 billion compared to the $1.86 billion average estimate based on five analysts. The reported number represents a change of 0% year over year. Railway operating revenues- Intermodal: $760 million versus the five-analyst average estimate of $764.55 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +2%. Railway operating revenues- Coal: $370 million versus the five-analyst average estimate of $371.62 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of -6.6%. Railway operating revenues- Merchandise- Automotive: $278 million versus the five-analyst average estimate of $283.17 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +0.4%. Railway operating revenues- Merchandise- Chemicals: $535 million versus $528.41 million estimated by five analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +1.5% change. Railway operating revenues- Merchandise- Metals and construction: $414 million compared to the $424.28 million average estimate based on five analysts. The reported number represents a change of -3.7% year over year. Railway operating revenues- Merchandise- Agriculture, forest and consumer products: $636 million compared to the $634.44 million average estimate based on five analysts. The reported number represents a change of +1.1% year over year. View all Key Company Metrics for Norfolk Southern here>>>Shares of Norfolk Southern have returned -6% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -6.6% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell), indicating that it could underperform the broader market in the near term.7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 DaysJust released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. See them now >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks