Jefferies lowers CSX stock price target to $38 from $40, maintains Buy rating

Published 02/09/2025, 16:36
© Reuters.

Investing.com - Jefferies lowered its price target on CSX (NASDAQ:CSX) stock to $38.00 from $40.00 on Tuesday, while maintaining a Buy rating on the railroad operator’s shares. The stock, currently trading at $32.17, sits between its 52-week range of $26.22 to $37.25, with a market capitalization of nearly $60 billion.

The price target reduction comes as Jefferies noted that the recent pullback in CSX’s stock has eliminated the takeover premium that had previously been priced into the shares.

Despite the lower target, Jefferies highlighted that CSX’s operating performance is showing strong improvement, with service metrics including dwell times, train velocity, and trip plan compliance reaching near multi-year best levels.

The firm expects network disruptions to subside by the fourth quarter of 2025, positioning CSX for above-peer margin expansion and earnings growth as the company moves into 2026.

Jefferies maintained its Buy rating on CSX stock, noting that shares are currently trading at what it considers an attractive valuation following the recent price decline.

In other recent news, CSX Corporation has been the focus of multiple developments affecting its operations and investor outlook. Activist investor Ancora Holdings Group has urged CSX to explore merger options, following the combination of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern. Ancora criticized CSX’s operational performance and called for the company to hire an investment bank to consider merger possibilities. Meanwhile, TD Cowen has lowered its price target for CSX to $38 from $45, maintaining a Buy rating, following Berkshire Hathaway’s decision not to pursue an acquisition of the railroad operator. Warren Buffett confirmed that Berkshire Hathaway is not interested in acquiring any train companies, including CSX.

Additionally, CSX, in partnership with BNSF, has launched new intermodal services across the United States, aiming to provide coast-to-coast shipping solutions. These services include routes connecting Southern California with Charlotte, North Carolina, and Jacksonville, Florida, as well as Phoenix, Arizona with Atlanta, Georgia. This initiative is intended to convert over-the-road freight to rail transportation. In other developments, the White House has removed Robert Primus from his position on the Surface Transportation Board, citing misalignment with the Trump administration’s agenda. These recent events highlight the dynamic landscape CSX is navigating amid industry shifts and investor actions.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers
© 2007-2025 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.