Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) FCF Payout Ratio: 31.76%
Is Norfolk Southern Corporation’s FCF payout ratio high or low?
Norfolk Southern Corporation's FCF payout ratio of 31.76% is 54% below its 5-year average of 68.34%, near the low end of its 5-year range (31.76%–147.59%).
50.91% below its 12-month average of 64.70%.
NSC FCF Payout Ratio Chart
NSC Average FCF Payout Ratio Chart
NSC Current vs Average FCF Payout Ratio Chart
NSC FCF Payout Ratio Metrics
FCF PAYOUT RATIO
31.76%
FCF PAYOUT RATIO AVG TTM
64.70%
FCF PAYOUT RATIO AVG 3Y
82.08%
FCF PAYOUT RATIO AVG 5Y
68.34%
FCF PAYOUT RATIO AVG 10Y
69.06%
FCF PAYOUT RATIO AVG 15Y
67.62%
FCF PAYOUT RATIO AVG 20Y
61.59%
CURRENT VS TTM AVG
-50.91%
CURRENT VS 3Y AVG
-61.30%
CURRENT VS 5Y AVG
-53.52%
CURRENT VS 10Y AVG
-54.01%
CURRENT VS 15Y AVG
-53.03%
CURRENT VS 20Y AVG
-48.43%
Payout Ratio Comparison
FCF Payout Ratio
31.8%
Earnings Payout Ratio
42.4%
Dividend Yield
1.74%
FCF Yield
5.47%
Annual FCF Payout Ratio History
| Year | Free Cash Flow | Dividends Paid | FCF Payout Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2.16B | $1.22B | 56.3% |
| 2024 | $1.67B | $1.22B | 73.1% |
| 2023 | $830.00M | $1.23B | 147.6% |
| 2022 | $2.27B | $1.17B | 51.3% |
| 2021 | $2.79B | $1.03B | 36.9% |
| 2020 | $2.14B | $960.00M | 44.8% |
| 2019 | $1.87B | $949.00M | 50.7% |
| 2018 | $1.77B | $844.00M | 47.5% |
| 2017 | $1.53B | $703.00M | 45.9% |
| 2016 | $1.15B | $695.00M | 60.6% |
| 2015 | $492.00M | $713.00M | 144.9% |
| 2014 | $734.00M | $687.00M | 93.6% |
| 2013 | $1.11B | $637.00M | 57.5% |
| 2012 | $824.00M | $624.00M | 75.7% |
| 2011 | $1.07B | $576.00M | 54.0% |
| 2010 | $1.24B | $514.00M | 41.3% |
| 2009 | $561.00M | $500.00M | 89.1% |
| 2008 | $1.16B | $456.00M | 39.4% |
| 2007 | $992.00M | $377.00M | 38.0% |
| 2006 | $1.03B | $278.00M | 27.0% |
| 2005 | $1.08B | $194.00M | 18.0% |
| 2004 | $620.00M | $142.00M | 22.9% |
| 2003 | $334.00M | $117.00M | 35.0% |
| 2002 | $114.00M | $101.00M | 88.6% |
| 2001 | ($92.00M) | $93.00M | N/A (Loss) |
| 2000 | $611.00M | $306.00M | 50.1% |
| 1999 | ($379.00M) | $304.00M | N/A (Loss) |
| 1998 | ($66.00M) | $303.00M | N/A (Loss) |
| 1997 | $275.00M | $301.00M | 109.5% |
| 1996 | $516.50M | $283.70M | 54.9% |
Formula: FCF Payout Ratio = Dividends Paid / Free Cash Flow × 100
FCF payout and earnings payout:
- FCF represents operating cash flow after capital expenditures
- FCF payout compares dividends paid with free cash flow
- FCF payout above 100% means dividends paid exceeded free cash flow for the period
- Earnings payout compares dividends paid with net income
Reading the series: Use the chart and table to compare dividend payments with cash generation over time.
Norfolk Southern Corporation FCF Payout Ratio Formula & Definition
FCF Payout Ratio measures what percentage of free cash flow is paid out as dividends. Unlike earnings-based payout, it compares dividends with cash generated after capital expenditures.
Expanded definitions: Investopedia, Wikipedia, Corporate Finance Institute
Norfolk Southern Corporation FCF Payout Ratio FAQ
- What is the FCF payout ratio for Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)?
- The FCF payout ratio for NSC stock is 31.76%.
- Is Norfolk Southern Corporation's FCF payout ratio high or low?
- Norfolk Southern Corporation's FCF payout ratio of 31.76% is 54% below its 5-year average of 68.34%, near the low end of its 5-year range (31.76%–147.59%).
- What is the TTM average FCF payout ratio for Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)?
- The TTM average FCF payout ratio for NSC stock is 64.70%.
- What is the 3Y average FCF payout ratio for Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)?
- The 3Y average FCF payout ratio for NSC stock is 82.08%.
- What is the 5Y average FCF payout ratio for Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)?
- The 5Y average FCF payout ratio for NSC stock is 68.34%.
- What is the 10Y average FCF payout ratio for Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)?
- The 10Y average FCF payout ratio for NSC stock is 69.06%.
- What is the 15Y average FCF payout ratio for Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)?
- The 15Y average FCF payout ratio for NSC stock is 67.62%.
- What is the 20Y average FCF payout ratio for Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)?
- The 20Y average FCF payout ratio for NSC stock is 61.59%.
Norfolk Southern Corporation FCF Payout Ratio History
| DATE | FCF PAYOUT RATIO |
|---|---|
| 2025-12-31 | 56.33% |
| 2024-12-31 | 73.07% |
| 2023-12-31 | 147.59% |
| 2022-12-31 | 51.32% |
| 2021-12-31 | 36.91% |
| 2020-12-31 | 44.80% |
| 2019-12-31 | 50.67% |
| 2018-12-31 | 47.55% |
| 2017-12-31 | 45.95% |
| 2016-12-31 | 60.59% |
| 2015-12-31 | 144.92% |
| 2014-12-31 | 93.60% |
| 2013-12-31 | 57.54% |
| 2012-12-31 | 75.73% |
| 2011-12-31 | 53.98% |
| 2010-12-31 | 41.32% |
| 2009-12-31 | 89.13% |
| 2008-12-31 | 39.41% |
| 2007-12-31 | 38.00% |
| 2006-12-31 | 27.04% |
| 2005-12-31 | 17.96% |
| 2004-12-31 | 22.90% |
| 2003-12-31 | 35.03% |
| 2002-12-31 | 88.60% |
| 2000-12-31 | 50.08% |
| 1997-12-31 | 109.45% |
| 1996-12-31 | 54.93% |
About Norfolk Southern Corporation
Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC), operating through its various subsidiaries, is a prominent rail transport provider in the United States. The company's core business involves the conveyance of raw materials, semi-finished goods, and completed merchandise across the nation. Its extensive freight services cover a broad spectrum of commodities. This includes a variety of agricultural and forestry products like grains (e.g., soybeans, wheat, corn), fertilizers, animal feeds, and diverse foodstuffs such as oils, flour, sweeteners, beverages, and canned goods, alongside lumber and paper products. NSC also handles a wide range of chemicals, from sulfur and petroleum derivatives to chlorine compounds, plastics, industrial chemicals, and sand. Furthermore, the company moves metals and construction supplies, including steel, aluminum, heavy machinery, cement, aggregates, and specialized military equipment. Transportation of both finished motor vehicles and automotive components is a significant segment, as is the consistent shipment of coal. Beyond its principal freight operations, Norfolk Southern facilitates global trade by connecting with various Atlantic and Gulf Coast ports for overseas cargo. The corporation also manages an expansive intermodal network and offers commuter passenger rail services. As of the close of 2021, the company's vast railway infrastructure extended over roughly 19,300 route miles, serving 22 states and the District of Columbia. Norfolk Southern Corporation, originally incorporated in 1980, is based in Atlanta, Georgia.
- Sector
- Industrials
- Industry
- Railroads
- CEO
- Mark R. George