Based on the aggregated intelligence of 180,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, railroad operator Norfolk Southern (NSC 1.20%) has earned a coveted five-star ranking.
With that in mind, let's take a closer look at Norfolk Southern and see what CAPS investors are saying about the stock right now.
Norfolk Southern facts
|
Headquarters (founded) |
Norfolk, Va. (1883) |
|
Market Cap |
$19.8 billion |
|
Industry |
Railroads |
|
Trailing-12-Month Revenue |
$11.2 billion |
|
Management |
Chairman/CEO Charles Moorman |
|
Return on Equity (average, past 3 years) |
16.3% |
|
Cash / Debt |
$708.0 million / $8.6 billion |
|
Dividend Yield |
3.2% |
|
Competitors |
Canadian National Railway (NYSE: CNI) |
Sources: S&P Capital IQ and Motley Fool CAPS.
On CAPS, 97% of the 1,236 members who have rated Norfolk Southern believe the stock will outperform the S&P 500 going forward.
Just last week, one of those Fools, All-Star JPresbrown, succinctly summed up the Norfolk Southern bull case for our community:
Good, solid long-term performer selling at bargain prices. Railroads, even ones that move a lot of coal, are a crucial part of our economic structure. Here you get a 3%+ yield with a dozen years of annual increases at low valuations (P/E=11 and PE/Growth ratio is less than 1).
If you want market-thumping returns, you need to put together the best portfolio you can. Owning exceptional stocks is a surefire way to secure your financial future. Of course, despite its five-star rating, Norfolk Southern may not be your top choice.
If that's the case, we've compiled a special free report for investors called "The 3 Dow Stocks Dividend Investors Need," which uncovers a few other juicy income opportunities. The report is 100% free, but it won't be around forever, so click here to access it now.
Want to see how well (or not so well) the stocks in this series are performing? Follow the TrackPoisedTo CAPS account.
