Potential payouts add to its risk

Article Excerpt

NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORP. $263 is a hold, but only for aggressive investors. The company (New York symbol NSC; Manufacturing sector; Shares outstanding: 225.9 million; Market cap: $59.4 billion; Dividend yield: 2.1%; Takeover Target Rating: Medium; www.norfolksouthern.com) operates a railway network that transports goods across the U.S. eastern seaboard and Midwest. In response to recent derailments, including the February 2023 catastrophic accident in East Palestine, Ohio, activist investor Ancora Holdings is demanding the company terminate CEO Alan Shaw and other executives. The activist also wants to replace the current board of directors. Ancora holds about $1 billion worth of Norfolk shares. The stock has recovered most of the ground it lost in the aftermath of the East Palestine disaster. However, Norfolk will probably make little progress until its resolves the numerous lawsuits related to the accident, which will likely amount to millions of dollars. Norfolk Southern is a hold. hold…