Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)
Operating return on assets (Operating ROA)
| Dec 31, 2024 | Sep 30, 2024 | Jun 30, 2024 | Mar 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Sep 30, 2023 | Jun 30, 2023 | Mar 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Sep 30, 2022 | Jun 30, 2022 | Mar 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | Sep 30, 2021 | Jun 30, 2021 | Mar 31, 2021 | Dec 31, 2020 | Sep 30, 2020 | Jun 30, 2020 | Mar 31, 2020 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating income (ttm) | US$ in thousands | 4,071,000 | 3,748,000 | 2,908,000 | 2,353,000 | 2,851,000 | 3,224,000 | 3,740,000 | 4,435,000 | 4,809,000 | 4,757,000 | 4,621,000 | 4,517,000 | 4,447,000 | 4,302,000 | 4,006,000 | 3,449,000 | 3,002,000 | 2,980,000 | 3,136,000 | 3,591,000 |
| Total assets | US$ in thousands | 43,682,000 | 43,255,000 | 42,558,000 | 42,128,000 | 41,652,000 | 40,739,000 | 39,261,000 | 39,169,000 | 38,885,000 | 39,306,000 | 39,336,000 | 39,361,000 | 38,493,000 | 38,604,000 | 38,754,000 | 37,937,000 | 37,962,000 | 38,179,000 | 37,962,000 | 37,438,000 |
| Operating ROA | 9.32% | 8.66% | 6.83% | 5.59% | 6.84% | 7.91% | 9.53% | 11.32% | 12.37% | 12.10% | 11.75% | 11.48% | 11.55% | 11.14% | 10.34% | 9.09% | 7.91% | 7.81% | 8.26% | 9.59% |
December 31, 2024 calculation
Operating ROA = Operating income (ttm) ÷ Total assets
= $4,071,000K ÷ $43,682,000K
= 9.32%
The operating return on assets (ROA) of Norfolk Southern Corporation has shown fluctuations over the period from March 31, 2020, to December 31, 2024. The operating ROA started at 9.59% in March 2020, decreased to 7.81% by September 2020, and then slightly increased to 9.09% in March 2021.
There was a significant improvement in operating ROA from June 2021 to December 2022, where it consistently increased from 10.34% to 12.37%. This indicates efficient utilization of assets to generate operating income during that period.
However, there was a decline in operating ROA from March 2023 to March 2024, dropping from 11.32% to 5.59% before recovering slightly to 9.32% by December 31, 2024. The decrease in operating ROA during this period could be attributed to various factors impacting the company's operations and profitability.
Overall, Norfolk Southern Corporation's operating ROA trend reflects a mix of ups and downs, demonstrating the company's ability to generate operating income relative to its assets, but also highlighting potential challenges in maintaining consistent profitability levels.
Peer comparison
Dec 31, 2024