Analysis for CSX
- 📈 Growth — 12/30
- 💰 Profitability — 14/20
- 🏦 Financial Health — 12/20
- 💵 Valuation — 14/20
- ⚠️ Risk — 7/10
Summary:
📈 Growth & Financial Trajectory
Over the 8 quarters from 2024 Q2 to 2026 Q1, CSX revenue declined from $3.741B to $3.482B, while net income fell from $963M to $807M, with a trough around 2025 Q1-Q2 before a rebound in 2026 Q1. The trend shows volatility but a late improvement, leaving end quarter below the initial level.
💰 Margins & Cash Flow
Gross margins ranged roughly 25%–36%, averaging near 30%. Operating leverage supported positive operating income across most quarters, though margin pressure persisted in late 2024 through 2025. Net cash flow from operating activities was generally positive, roughly in the $1.25B–$1.34B range per quarter, with investing/financing outflows offsetting gains in several periods. The 2026 Q1 quarter shows stronger earnings support for cash flow.
🛡️ Balance Sheet & Liquidity
Total assets run around $43–44B, liabilities about $30–31B, and equity near $12.5–13.6B. Noncurrent liabilities sit around $27–30B. Current assets and current liabilities are modest by comparison, yielding a near-balance sheet profile with liquidity closer to a trough than a peak. Debt levels imply leverage risk but earnings and cash flow have historically supported coverage.
⚠️ Key Drivers & Risks
- Drivers: Freight volumes and industrial demand; pricing discipline in core lanes
- Risks: Sector cyclicality and macro sensitivity; substantial debt and potential margin compression