On the stock market since 1980, it operates in the world of heavy industry. It has 22,200 employees. Now — the numbers.
This is an established company with proven profits.
That much dependence is a risk in itself: if this one line weakens, the whole company feels it directly.
The gap is $18.7B. In times of high interest rates, a gap like that can squeeze a company.
We compared this company with its own sector across five subjects.
A score of 50 means class average.
Profit power and business quality lead the class.
Clearly below the class average.
The price isn’t cheap next to earnings — that’s why this grade sits in the middle.
There is growth, but not at top-of-the-class tempo.
Clearly above the class average — a step short of the very top.
Financial Strength: The cash-and-debt balance is thin; the buffer for hard times is slim.
angles, checked one by one.
The 2 that stand out are on screen; the rest came back neutral.
The council scores out of 10; report-card grades are out of 100.
Revenue Growth: Sales are growing slowly.
The stock trades near its peak today. For long-term holders the ride has paid off so far — though past performance guarantees nothing about the future.
The net profit margin is 21% — still a thick cushion, though costs have been eating into it lately.
Over the last 12 months, company executives reported 54 buys and 43 sells. Management buying with its own money is usually read as a good sign.
It pays out $0.54 per share each year — regular cash for whoever holds the stock.
Over the last 3 years, sales fell about 2% a year on average. Profit is holding up, but a shrinking business is a risk worth watching.
The company’s market value is 32 times its annual profit. Even a small disappointment could hit the price hard.
On our five-subject report card, CSX sits near the top of the class. A high grade doesn’t mean “guaranteed win” — it means “the evidence looks strong for now.”
The takeaway: CSX is an established business that has proven its profits for years. The real debate isn’t the quality of the business — it’s what that quality should cost.
The total grade weighs these five subjects against the sector — it isn’t a simple average of the five.