Jacksonville-based rail operator CSX Corporation (NASDAQ: CSX) is preparing to release its financial results for the fourth quarter following the market close on Thursday, January 22. Market participants and analysts have set their expectations for CSX’s upcoming earnings and revenue figures, which reflect a forecasted moderate decrease in profitability per share juxtaposed with stable revenue performance relative to the previous year.
According to aggregated data sourced from Benzinga Pro, analysts anticipate CSX will report earnings of approximately 41 cents per share for the fourth quarter, which would represent a slight dip from the 42 cents per share posted during the equivalent quarter a year prior. Meanwhile, consensus estimates for the company’s quarterly revenue remain steady at $3.54 billion, matching the revenue figure reported in the prior year's fourth quarter. This revenue projection implies stability in top-line performance despite the modest earnings decline forecasted.
This anticipated earnings figure follows CSX’s third-quarter results, which the company reported on October 16 and which surpassed market expectations. These encouraging results had a favorable impact on CSX's stock price, contributing to a 2.9% increase, closing at $36.53 on the trading day prior to January 22.
In the days leading up to the earnings release, several influential Wall Street analysts have shared updated assessments regarding CSX's stock, revealing both a consensus on valuation adjustments and divergent views on investment positioning.
Brian Ossenbeck, an analyst at JP Morgan, reiterated his Overweight rating on CSX shares and augmented his price target from $41 to $43 as of January 12, 2026. Notably, Ossenbeck is recognized for a high degree of forecast precision, with a reported accuracy rate of 71%, indicating significant confidence in his valuation assessments.
From Morgan Stanley, analyst Ravi Shanker maintained an Equal-Weight rating on CSX but raised his price target to $30 from the prior $27 on December 8, 2025. Shanker's forecast accuracy stands at 57%, reflecting moderate reliability of prior recommendations.
Daniel Moore at Baird upheld an Outperform rating and slightly increased his price target from $39 to $40 on October 20, 2025. Moore’s accuracy rate is relatively strong at 62%, suggesting his insights carry considerable weight.
Barclays’ Brandon Oglenski also chose to maintain his Overweight stance on CSX stock, lifting his price target from $38 to $40 concurrently on October 20, 2025. His accuracy rate, measured at 63%, substantiates a meaningful level of predictive success.
Finally, Jefferies analyst Stephen Moore preserved his Buy rating while raising his price target from $40 to $42 on October 17, 2025. Moore’s recommendations have demonstrated a 65% accuracy rate in the past, supporting a favorable outlook on CSX’s performance.
Collectively, these analyst insights suggest a cautiously optimistic long-term view for CSX despite the projected near-term earnings softness. The revisions to price targets generally exhibit upward adjustments, reflecting enhanced valuation expectations.
The stock’s performance metrics, as indicated by Benzinga Rankings, report scores across momentum, quality, and value factors, which offer investors an additional framework for assessing potential investment opportunities in CSX. However, specific details to gauge comprehensive growth metrics are not available in the present data.
Key Points:
- CSX is expected to report Q4 earnings of 41 cents per share, slightly lower than 42 cents in the previous year.
- Quarterly revenue for Q4 is forecasted to remain flat year over year at $3.54 billion.
- Several notable analysts have raised their price targets in the past few months, indicating a positive long-term market sentiment.
- CSX stock responded favorably to strong Q3 earnings, increasing 2.9% prior to the Q4 earnings announcement.
Risks and Uncertainties:
- The forecasted decline in earnings per share may indicate pressure on profit margins or increased costs impacting near-term profitability.
- Stable revenue projections without growth could signal challenges in top-line expansion or pricing power.
- Divergent analyst ratings—ranging from Equal-Weight to Overweight—reflect differing opinions on CSX’s immediate performance prospects.
- The absence of data on growth metrics limits comprehensive evaluation of CSX’s potential trajectory beyond near-term forecasts.
Disclosure: This analysis is based on publicly available information and aggregated data from financial analysts as of January 2026. It does not constitute investment advice. Investors should perform their own due diligence or consult professional advisors before making investment decisions.