CSX Co. (NASDAQ:CSX) Given Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

CSX Co. (NASDAQ:CSX) has received a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the eighteen analysts that are covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $38.78.

A number of research analysts have commented on the stock. Loop Capital cut their price target on shares of CSX from $43.00 to $42.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. Evercore ISI lowered their price target on CSX from $38.00 to $37.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 17th. Citigroup boosted their target price on shares of CSX from $42.00 to $44.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 12th. Barclays increased their target price on shares of CSX from $40.00 to $41.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 13th. Finally, TD Cowen decreased their price objective on shares of CSX from $36.00 to $35.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 17th.

CSX Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:CSX opened at $36.55 on Friday. The business’s 50 day moving average is $34.70 and its 200-day moving average is $34.02. The company has a current ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.43. The firm has a market capitalization of $70.48 billion, a PE ratio of 19.65, a PEG ratio of 2.32 and a beta of 1.19. CSX has a 1-year low of $31.72 and a 1-year high of $40.12.

CSX (NASDAQ:CSX) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 16th. The transportation company reported $0.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.48 by ($0.02). The business had revenue of $3.62 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.68 billion. CSX had a net margin of 24.77% and a return on equity of 28.92%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 1.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.42 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that CSX will post 1.84 earnings per share for the current year.

CSX Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 13th. Investors of record on Friday, November 29th will be issued a $0.12 dividend. This represents a $0.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.31%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 29th. CSX’s dividend payout ratio is 25.81%.

Institutional Trading of CSX

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in CSX. Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its stake in shares of CSX by 9.2% in the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 1,350,289 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $47,652,000 after purchasing an additional 113,530 shares during the last quarter. Tidal Investments LLC lifted its holdings in CSX by 9.2% in the third quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 194,760 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $6,725,000 after buying an additional 16,456 shares during the period. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB boosted its stake in CSX by 260.8% in the third quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB now owns 24,970 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $862,000 after acquiring an additional 18,049 shares during the last quarter. World Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings in CSX by 137.4% during the 3rd quarter. World Investment Advisors LLC now owns 16,145 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $557,000 after acquiring an additional 9,344 shares during the period. Finally, Sanctuary Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of CSX by 10.7% during the 3rd quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC now owns 166,381 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $5,953,000 after acquiring an additional 16,073 shares during the last quarter. 73.57% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About CSX

CSX Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides rail-based freight transportation services. The company offers rail services; and transportation of intermodal containers and trailers, as well as other transportation services, such as rail-to-truck transfers and bulk commodity operations. It also transports chemicals, agricultural and food products, minerals, automotive, forest products, fertilizers, and metals and equipment; and coal, coke, and iron ore to electricity-generating power plants, steel manufacturers, and industrial plants, as well as exports coal to deep-water port facilities.