CSX Co. (NASDAQ:CSX) Stake Raised by Howard Capital Management Inc.

Howard Capital Management Inc. lifted its stake in CSX Co. (NASDAQ:CSX) by 3.1% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 57,852 shares of the transportation company’s stock after purchasing an additional 1,720 shares during the quarter. Howard Capital Management Inc.’s holdings in CSX were worth $1,867,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Wealthspire Advisors LLC increased its holdings in CSX by 7.5% in the fourth quarter. Wealthspire Advisors LLC now owns 28,948 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $934,000 after buying an additional 2,021 shares during the last quarter. Sigma Planning Corp increased its stake in shares of CSX by 3.8% during the 4th quarter. Sigma Planning Corp now owns 49,504 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $1,597,000 after purchasing an additional 1,817 shares during the last quarter. Redmond Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of CSX during the 4th quarter valued at $397,000. Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators lifted its stake in shares of CSX by 3.6% in the 4th quarter. Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators now owns 12,791 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $413,000 after purchasing an additional 440 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Blackston Financial Advisory Group LLC boosted its holdings in CSX by 2.7% in the fourth quarter. Blackston Financial Advisory Group LLC now owns 15,152 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $489,000 after purchasing an additional 405 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 73.57% of the company’s stock.

CSX Trading Down 0.5 %

Shares of CSX opened at $32.30 on Monday. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $32.63 and its 200 day moving average price is $33.77. The company has a quick ratio of 1.23, a current ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.43. The firm has a market capitalization of $62.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.04, a P/E/G ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 1.23. CSX Co. has a 12-month low of $31.43 and a 12-month high of $40.12.

CSX (NASDAQ:CSX) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 23rd. The transportation company reported $0.42 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.44 by ($0.02). CSX had a net margin of 23.95% and a return on equity of 28.15%. As a group, research analysts predict that CSX Co. will post 1.83 earnings per share for the current year.

CSX Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 28th will be paid a $0.13 dividend. This is a boost from CSX’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.12. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 28th. This represents a $0.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.61%. CSX’s dividend payout ratio is currently 29.05%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have weighed in on CSX. Citigroup cut their target price on CSX from $40.00 to $39.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 24th. Susquehanna reduced their target price on CSX from $40.00 to $39.00 and set a “positive” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Barclays lowered their price target on CSX from $40.00 to $38.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 24th. BMO Capital Markets reduced their price objective on shares of CSX from $40.00 to $38.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 24th. Finally, Stephens reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and set a $38.00 price objective on shares of CSX in a report on Friday, January 24th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $37.16.

CSX Company Profile

CSX Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides rail-based freight transportation services. The company offers rail services; and transportation of intermodal containers and trailers, as well as other transportation services, such as rail-to-truck transfers and bulk commodity operations. It also transports chemicals, agricultural and food products, minerals, automotive, forest products, fertilizers, and metals and equipment; and coal, coke, and iron ore to electricity-generating power plants, steel manufacturers, and industrial plants, as well as exports coal to deep-water port facilities.