Johnson Investment Counsel Inc. Grows Position in CSX Co. (NASDAQ:CSX)

Johnson Investment Counsel Inc. boosted its stake in CSX Co. (NASDAQ:CSX) by 8.2% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 108,096 shares of the transportation company’s stock after purchasing an additional 8,177 shares during the quarter. Johnson Investment Counsel Inc.’s holdings in CSX were worth $3,488,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. lifted its position in CSX by 177.8% during the third quarter. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. now owns 750 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 480 shares in the last quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. acquired a new position in CSX during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Sierra Ocean LLC acquired a new position in CSX during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Addison Advisors LLC lifted its position in CSX by 348.5% during the third quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 1,045 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 812 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Center for Financial Planning Inc. lifted its position in CSX by 205.7% during the fourth quarter. Center for Financial Planning Inc. now owns 1,070 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 720 shares in the last quarter. 73.57% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

CSX Stock Down 2.0 %

Shares of NASDAQ:CSX opened at $30.65 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.43. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $32.45 and a 200 day simple moving average of $33.61. The firm has a market cap of $58.07 billion, a PE ratio of 17.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 1.25. CSX Co. has a 12-month low of $30.55 and a 12-month high of $38.35.

CSX (NASDAQ:CSX) last issued its quarterly earnings results 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 return on equity of 28.15% and a net margin of 23.95%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that CSX Co. will post 1.83 EPS for the current fiscal year.

CSX Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 28th will be paid a dividend of $0.13 per share. This is a positive change from CSX’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.12. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 28th. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.70%. CSX’s payout ratio is presently 29.05%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

CSX has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Benchmark reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $38.00 price target on shares of CSX in a research report on Monday, January 27th. Stephens reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and set a $38.00 price target on shares of CSX in a research report on Friday, January 24th. Robert W. Baird reduced their price target on shares of CSX from $39.00 to $38.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 24th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on shares of CSX from $36.00 to $34.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 24th. Finally, Citigroup reduced their target price on shares of CSX from $40.00 to $39.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 24th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $37.00.

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.