Before Monday’s opening bell, Norfolk Southern (NSC) released its second quarter financial results. Here’s what the results mean for mutual fund investors.
Inside NSC’s Earnings
Earnings
The company reported earnings of $511 million, down from $513 million last year. On a per share basis, earnings remained flat at $1.64. Analysts expected to see EPS of $1.63.
Revenue
Revenue was $2.87 billion, compared to $2.88 billion last year. Analysts expected to see $2.94 billion in revenue.
Better Railroad Plays for Investors
While railroad companies have rallied, NSC has lagged behind its peers. Both Union Pacific (UNP) and CSX Corporation (CSX) rose over 30% in the past year, while NSC climbed just 16%.
From a valuation standpoint, NSC is trading at 15x 2015 earnings estimates and is expected to see a 3% rise in sales. The company also boosted its dividend and is now yielding at about 2.20%. While its valuation and dividend yield are decent, investors interested in a railroad company may be better off investing in one of NSC’s peers.
Mutual Funds to Watch
Investors interested in NSC may be interested in the funds listed below. These funds currently have the largest stakes in the company.
| Symbol | Mutual Fund | Stake |
|---|---|---|
| VTSMX | Vanguard Total Stock Market | 1.68% |
| VFINX | Vanguard 500 Index | 1.08% |
| SGROX | Wells Fargo Advantage Growth | 0.48% |
The Bottom Line
The funds listed above allow investors to gain exposure to NSC while remaining diversified. Investors interested in NSC may also be interested in Union Pacific (UNP) and CSX Corporation (CSX).