Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) Quarterly Valuation
Benjamin Graham taught that Intelligent Investors must do a thorough fundamental analysis of investment opportunities to determine their intrinsic value and inherent risk.  This is best done by utilizing a systematic approach to analysis that will provide investors with a sense of how a specific company compares to another company.  By using the ModernGraham method one can review a company’s historical accomplishments and determine an intrinsic value that can be compared across industries.  What follows is a specific look at how Norfolk Southern Corporation fares in the ModernGraham valuation model.
Company Profile (obtained from Google Finance): Norfolk Southern Corporation (Norfolk Southern) is a Virginia based company that controls a railroad, Norfolk Southern Railway Company. Norfolk Southern Railway Company is primarily engaged in the rail transportation of raw materials, intermediate products, and finished goods primarily in the Southeast, East, and Midwest and, via interchange with rail carriers, to and from the rest of the United States. Norfolk Southern also transports overseas freight through several Atlantic and Gulf Coast ports. It provides logistics services and offers intermodal network in the eastern half of the United States.
Defensive Investor – must pass at least 6 of the following 7 tests: Score = 6/7
- Adequate Size of Enterprise – market capitalization of at least $2 billion – PASS
- Sufficiently Strong Financial Condition – current ratio greater than 2 – FAIL
- Earnings Stability – positive earnings per share for at least 10 straight years – PASS
- Dividend Record – has paid a dividend for at least 10 straight years – PASS
- Earnings Growth – earnings per share has increased by at least 1/3 over the last 10 years using 3 year averages at beginning and end of period – PASS
- Moderate PEmg ratio – PEmg is less than 20 – PASS
- Moderate Price to Assets – PB ratio is less than 2.5 or PB x PEmg is less than 50 – PASS
Enterprising Investor – must pass at least 4 of the following 5 tests or be suitable for a defensive investor: Score = 3/5
- Sufficiently Strong Financial Condition, Part 1 – current ratio greater than 1.5 – FAIL
- Sufficiently Strong Financial Condition, Part 2 – Debt to Net Current Assets ratio less than 1.1 – FAIL
- Earnings Stability – positive earnings per share for at least 5 years – PASS
- Dividend Record – currently pays a dividend – PASS
- Earnings growth – EPSmg greater than 5 years ago – PASS
Valuation Summary
Key Data:
| Recent Price | $93.99 |
| MG Value | $122.00 |
| MG Opinion | Fairly Valued |
| Value Based on 3% Growth | $76.75 |
| Value Based on 0% Growth | $44.99 |
| Market Implied Growth Rate | 4.63% |
| NCAV | -$58.66 |
| PEmg | 17.76 |
| Current Ratio | 1.33 |
| PB Ratio | 2.57 |
Balance Sheet – 12/31/2013
| Current Assets | $3,075,000,000 |
| Current Liabilities | $2,305,000,000 |
| Total Debt | $8,903,000,000 |
| Total Assets | $32,483,000,000 |
| Intangible Assets | $0 |
| Total Liabilities | $21,194,000,000 |
| Outstanding Shares | 308,880,000 |
Earnings Per Share
| 2013 | $6.05 |
| 2012 | $5.38 |
| 2011 | $5.55 |
| 2010 | $4.08 |
| 2009 | $2.82 |
| 2008 | $4.52 |
| 2007 | $3.68 |
| 2006 | $3.57 |
| 2005 | $3.11 |
| 2004 | $2.31 |
| 2003 | $1.05 |
| 2002 | $1.18 |
Earnings Per Share – ModernGrahamÂ
| 2013 | $5.29 |
| 2012 | $4.77 |
| 2011 | $4.35 |
| 2010 | $3.74 |
| 2009 | $3.56 |
| 2008 | $3.77 |
Dividend History
NSC Dividend data by YCharts
Conclusion:
Norfolk Southern Corporation is suitable for the Defensive Investor, having passed every requirement of the investor type except for the current ratio requirement. Â The company is also suitable for the Enterprising Investor by default since it qualifies for Defensive Investors, despite having a higher level of debt relative to current assets than the Enterprising Investor typically likes to see. Â As a result, value investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham’s methods should feel very comfortable proceeding with further research into the company. Â One example of further research may be to compare the company to a competitor such as through a review of ModernGraham’s valuation of Union Pacific Corp (UNP), or one could review a list of 5 Low PEmg Companies for the Defensive Investor. Â From a valuation perspective, the company has grown its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $3.56 in 2009 to $5.29 for 2013. Â This is a solid level of historically demonstrated growth that surpasses the market’s current implied estimate for earnings growth of 4.63%, and the ModernGraham valuation model returns an estimate of intrinsic value that is greater than the market price, indicating the company may be undervalued presently.
The next part of the analysis is up to individual investors, and requires discussion of the company’s prospects.  What do you think?  What value would you put on Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)?  Where do you see the company going in the future?  Is there a company you like better?  Leave a comment on our Facebook page or mention @ModernGraham on Twitter to discuss.
If you like our valuations, why not check out ModernGraham Stocks & Screens?  It’s a great way to review the valuations while screening for things like low PE ratio, undervalued companies, etc.!
Disclaimer: Â The author did not hold a position in Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) or any of the other companies listed in this article at the time of publication and had no intention of changing that position within the next 72 hours.
Logo taken from the Wikipedia; this article is not affiliated with the company in any manner.
