CSX – CSX Corporation

CSX Corporation Monthly Stock Report – December 02, 2025

Company Overview

CSX Corporation (CSX), headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, is a leading provider of rail-based freight transportation services within the United States and Canada. The company operates in the industrials sector, specifically within the railroads industry, offering a diverse range of services through its rail and trucking segments. These services encompass the transportation of intermodal containers, bulk commodities, and various goods such as chemicals, agricultural products, and automobiles.

With a rail network of approximately 20,000 route miles serving 26 states east of the Mississippi River and parts of Canada, CSX plays a pivotal role in connecting production and distribution facilities, as well as facilitating exports through its intermodal services and terminals. Since its founding in 1978, CSX has established itself as a critical player in the freight transportation landscape, which is of growing importance in today’s logistics and supply chain environments.

52-Week Price Performance Analysis

CSX Corporation’s stock performance over the past year has been characterized by significant volatility, reflecting broader trends in the railroad industry. The stock has traded within a range of approximately $26.22 to $37.25, with the current price sitting at $34.655.

Technical Analysis

The 52-week chart reveals a generally bullish trend after an initial decline. Following a drop from around $36 in December 2024 to a low of approximately $26 in April 2025, the price saw a robust recovery, climbing back to the $36 mark by September. However, recent months have shown consolidation activity, with the price hovering near the $34.85 mark.

• Support Levels: The $26 level established in April served as a robust support point, indicating strong buying interest when the stock reached this threshold.

• Resistance Levels: The $36 price level has acted as a significant resistance barrier, tested multiple times, and revealing strong selling pressure above this point.

• Moving Averages: The stock remained above the moving average line from June to September, demonstrating bullish momentum. Recently, as the stock dipped below this average, caution is advised as it suggests a potential shift toward a more bearish or sideways trend. A drop of approximately 1.64% from recent highs brings additional caution, suggesting the stock may remain range-bound between $34 and $36 unless substantial bullish momentum is reignited.

Financial Performance and Metrics

CSX Corporation has demonstrated strong financial performance, reflected in its robust key metrics and health indicators.

• Total Revenue: Approximately $14.12 billion, indicative of strong operational performance within the sector.
• EBITDA: The company reported an EBITDA of around $6.54 billion, signaling effective operational efficiency and profitability.
• Gross Profit Margin: The gross profit margin stands at 48.65%, which is an encouraging sign of the company’s capacity to manage costs and pricing effectively.
• Dividend Yield: CSX offers a dividend yield of 1.76%, appealing to income-focused investors.
• Shares Outstanding: Approximately 1.86 billion shares are outstanding, with a short interest of about 1.64%, indicating a generally positive sentiment towards the company from investors.

Valuation Metrics

The stock’s current price of $34.655 is positioned slightly below its fifty-day moving average of $35.26. The mean price target among analysts is approximately $39.29, suggesting an anticipated upside potential. The target high price is set at $45.00, while the low price target encompasses $27.00, illustrating a forecast of volatility in CSX’s trading values moving forward.

Recent News and Developments

December 2025 brought significant news impacting CSX’s operational landscape:

1. 52-Week Low: On December 1, 2025, CSX’s stock hit a 52-week low of $29.35 amid challenges such as reduced freight volumes and operational inefficiencies. This represents a 21.89% decline over the past year.

2. Leadership Changes: Steve Angel was appointed CEO in September 2025 following increased shareholder pressure due to prior leadership concerns. This shift in strategic direction may contribute positively to future operational performance.

3. Dividend Announcement: The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.13 per share, payable on December 15, 2025, signaling ongoing shareholder returns despite current market challenges.

4. Market Reactions: The market reacted negatively to CSX’s announcement of new intermodal services with BNSF Railway. Bernstein analysts indicated that the market overreacted, maintaining that these advantages would take time to reflect positively in financial results.

5. Analyst Adjustments: On August 27, 2025, TD Cowen lowered its price target for CSX from $45.00 to $38.00 while maintaining a ‘Buy’ rating, following news that Berkshire Hathaway would not pursue an acquisition.

Market Sentiment and Analyst Recommendations

Currently, sentiment toward CSX Corporation appears mixed but shows signs of cautious optimism among analysts. The stock’s recent price movements have created a divided perspective.

• Analyst Consensus: A total of 24 analysts have weighed in on the stock, with a majority indicating a mildly bullish sentiment reflected in the median target price of $40.00.

• Price Targets: With a current price of $34.655, the mean target price of $39.29 and high target of $45.00 highlight the potential for growth, despite institutional shifts in sentiment.

• Investor Outlook: The relatively low short interest at 1.64% suggests that most investors are optimistic about the company’s recovery, while those positioned differently may see the ongoing challenges as risks to CSX’s profitability moving forward. The upcoming earnings and operational efficiencies will likely play a critical role in shaping future investor sentiment.

Balancing Opportunities and Risks

While CSX’s fundamentals are strong with a solid operational base, the current landscape presents both potential opportunities and risks:

• Opportunities: The company’s diversification of services, solid profitability metrics, and an established dividend yield bolster its attractiveness. As the economy stabilizes and demand for freight transport potentially rebounds, CSX stands to benefit.

• Risks: Challenges such as operational inefficiencies and market reactions to leadership changes may pose risks. With a volatile trading pattern and external economic pressures, investors should remain vigilant.

In conclusion, CSX Corporation presents a compelling case for retail investors. With its robust market positioning and eventual recovery potential, it will be essential to monitor CSX’s performance closely as 2026 unfolds.

Metric	Value
Market Cap	$64.6b
Total Debt	$19.8b
Total Cash	$618.0m
Shares Outstanding	1.9b
Float Shares	1.9b