CSX stock faces higher earnings bar after Zacks upgrade

CSX stock faces a higher earnings bar after Zacks Research raised its 2026 earnings estimate. MarketBeat reported on Thursday, November 5, that the research firm now expects CSX Corporation to earn USD 2.06 per share for the year, up from USD 2.00 previously. The note was issued on Wednesday, November 4.

Higher forecast follows strong quarter

The revision follows CSX's third-quarter report on October 21. MarketBeat said the railroad earned USD 0.57 per share against a USD 0.53 consensus estimate and generated USD 4.02 billion in revenue, compared with an estimate of USD 3.96 billion. Revenue increased 12.0 percent from the prior-year quarter, when CSX posted USD 0.44 per share.

The new Zacks estimate is above the current consensus of USD 2.04 per share. Zacks also projects fourth-quarter 2026 earnings of USD 0.52 per share and full-year 2027 earnings of USD 2.32 per share. These figures are analyst forecasts, not company guidance.

MarketBeat reports that 18 analysts rate CSX a Buy, seven recommend Hold and one assigns a Sell rating. The resulting consensus view is Moderate Buy, with a target price of USD 52.20. The breadth of the ratings provides context for the higher earnings estimate, while execution in freight volumes, pricing and network reliability remains central to the outlook.

Trading and shareholder return

CSX stock traded at 46.80 euros on Lang & Schwarz at 16:12 CET on Thursday, November 5, 2026. Investors can follow the real-time quote of CSX stock. MarketBeat also reports a quarterly dividend of USD 0.14, payable on Tuesday, December 15, to shareholders of record on Monday, November 30.

US equities remain shaped by the broader S&P 500, whose market developments can be followed in the latest market coverage.

For more company-specific developments, see more news and analyses on CSX stock.