CSX Corporation (CSX) is scheduled to report third-quarter 2024 results on Oct. 16, after market close.

Stay up-to-date with all quarterly releases: See Zacks Earnings Calendar.

CSX has an impressive earnings surprise history, having outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the preceding four quarters and matched once, the average beat being 1.64%.

Let’s see how things have shaped up for CSX this earnings season.

CSX’s Q3 Expectations

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CSX’sthird-quarter 2024 revenues is pegged at $3.70 billion, indicating 3.5% growth year over year. The top line is likely to have been aided by the positive effects of merchandise pricing gains and growth in intermodal and merchandise volume.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter Merchandise revenues is pegged at $2.26 billion, indicating a 7% increase from the year-ago reported figure. Our estimate of $2.24 billion implies growth of 6.2% year over year.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter Intermodal revenues is pegged at $531.24 million, indicating 2.8% growth from the year-ago reported figure. Our estimate of $562.3 million implies growth of 8.8% year over year.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter Coal revenues is pegged at $564.89 million, indicating a 4.9% decline from the year-ago reported figure. Our estimate of $589.4 million implies a decline of 0.8% year over year.

On the flip side, rail network issues due to headwinds like locomotive or crew/labor shortages and other service disruptions represent a major challenge for CSX. Network issues or supply-chain constraints are likely to have affected service levels in turn hurting operating efficiency or volume of shipments.

CSX’s high capital expenditures may further impede its bottom line. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CSX’s third-quarter 2024 earnings has been revised downward by a penny in the past 90 days.

What Our Model Says

Our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for CSX this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. But that’s not the case here. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

CSX has an Earnings ESP of -0.52% and a Zacks Rank #3.

CSX Corporation Price and EPS Surprise

CSX Corporation price-eps-surprise | CSX Corporation Quote

CSX’s Q2 Highlights

CSX's second-quarter 2024 earnings per share of 49 cents beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny. However, the bottom line remained flat on a year-over-year basis. Total revenues of $3.7 billion marginally topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The top line was flat year over year.