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CSX CorpCSXDON'T BUYJan 30, 2018Stock price when the opinion was issued
As of Jun 18, 2026. Market Open.
They are continuing the plan that Hunter Harrison put in place to improve efficiency, drive down the operating ratio, and sell assets. Velocity is up 20% this year: trains are moving faster, which provides better service and increases capacity. CSX is improving its capital profile, with higher cash flow margins. He expects every dollar of revenue to convert to about 30 cents in the future from a historical level of 8 cents. There have been complaints from the customer (shipper) base as a result of all the cost cutting but if CSX keeps improving its operating metrics, the customers’ concerns will be resolved. (Analysts’ price target is 62.92$)
Hunter Harrison was the CEO at the time of his passing. His approach was a very rigid, cost cutting, precision railroad, and to drive the Operating Ratio down as far as he possibly could. This was at the cost of good business. The OR right now is at about 65%, pretty low. It's not an easy railroad to run. It’s highly reliant on coal. Trading at about 21 or 22 times earnings. He would pass on this.