NSC 10-K Analysis: Zero Revenue Growth Behind the 10% EPS Headline
Norfolk Southern reported 10.2% EPS growth and 200 basis points of operating ratio improvement in FY 2025. Revenue grew $57 million — less than half a percent. The 10-K reveals that 100% of the earnings improvement came from cost cuts, while the pending $85B Union Pacific merger has inflated compensation by $154M, suppressed capex by 20%, and triggered customer defection. At $289, investors are buying a binary merger bet with asymmetric downside.