Free Cash Flow for Norfolk Southern (NSC)
Free Cash Flow for Norfolk Southern (NSC): headline value $3.82B · YoY +29.1%. Annual and quarterly series, chart, and tables are below.
Headline figure above is from the reporting period ending (reported ). Chart and table below cover the full reported history back to .
Currently viewingFree Cash FlowSwitch metric
Latest period
$3.82B
YoY change
+29.1%
5Y CAGR
+0.1%
Peak year (2021)
$2.79B
Latest annual
$2.16B
Free Cash Flow history chart for Norfolk Southern (NSC) from 1989 to 2025
Free Cash Flow history table for Norfolk Southern (NSC) from 1989 to 2025
| Fiscal year | Period ended | Reported | Free Cash Flow | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2.16B | +29.1% | ||
| 2024 | $1.67B | +101.3% | ||
| 2023 | $830.00M | -63.5% | ||
| 2022 | $2.27B | -18.3% | ||
| 2021 | $2.79B | +30.0% | ||
| 2020 | $2.14B | +14.4% | ||
| 2019 | $1.87B | +5.5% | ||
| 2018 | $1.77B | +16.0% | ||
| 2017 | $1.53B | +33.4% | ||
| 2016 | $1.15B | +133.1% | ||
| 2015 | $492.00M | -33.0% | ||
| 2014 | $734.00M | -33.7% | ||
| 2013 | $1.11B | +34.3% | ||
| 2012 | $824.00M | -22.8% | ||
| 2011 | $1.07B | -14.2% | ||
| 2010 | $1.24B | +121.7% | ||
| 2009 | $561.00M | -51.5% | ||
| 2008 | $1.16B | +16.6% | ||
| 2007 | $992.00M | -3.5% | ||
| 2006 | $1.03B | -4.8% | ||
| 2005 | $1.08B | +74.2% | ||
| 2004 | $620.00M | +85.6% | ||
| 2003 | $334.00M | +193.0% | ||
| 2002 | $114.00M | -223.9% | ||
| 2001 | -$92.00M | -115.1% | ||
| 2000 | $611.00M | -261.2% | ||
| 1999 | -$379.00M | +474.2% | ||
| 1998 | -$66.00M | -124.0% | ||
| 1997 | $275.00M | -46.8% | ||
| 1996 | $516.50M | -10.7% | ||
| 1995 | $578.50M | +34.1% | ||
| 1994 | $431.40M | +110.0% | ||
| 1993 | $205.40M | -15.2% | ||
| 1992 | $242.10M | +135.0% | ||
| 1991 | $103.00M | -68.3% | ||
| 1990 | $325.00M | -28.7% | ||
| 1989 | $455.60M | — |
Free Cash Flow values are taken from Norfolk Southern's reported cash flow statements (10-Q quarterly and 10-K annual filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission). Each row shows the period end date and the date the filing was reported; YoY compares each figure to the same period one year earlier. Amounts are in USD as filed.
Analysis
Norfolk Southern (NSC) most recent annual free cash flow stands at $2.16B (2025) – grew 29.1% year-over-year.
Across 2020–2025 (5 years), Norfolk Southern free cash flow produced a CAGR of +0.1% – sustaining 2 straight years of year-over-year growth.
Norfolk Southern free cash flow declined from $2.79B in 2021 to $2.16B in 2025, a 22.5% drawdown.
The highest annual free cash flow of $2.79B was reported in 2021. The lowest in the available history was -$379.00M in 1999.
Norfolk Southern (NSC) sits 8th of 8 Industrials peers we track on this metric, against a peer median of $5.45B.
Norfolk Southern Free Cash Flow by Year
Norfolk Southern Free Cash Flow 2025: $2.16B
Norfolk Southern free cash flow in 2025 was $2.16B, grew 29.1% from 2024.
Norfolk Southern Free Cash Flow 2024: $1.67B
Norfolk Southern free cash flow in 2024 was $1.67B, surged 101.3% from 2023.
Norfolk Southern Free Cash Flow 2023: $830.00M
Norfolk Southern free cash flow in 2023 was $830.00M, plunged 63.5% below 2022.
Norfolk Southern Free Cash Flow 2022: $2.27B
Norfolk Southern free cash flow in 2022 was $2.27B, declined 18.3% below 2021.
Norfolk Southern Free Cash Flow 2021: $2.79B
Norfolk Southern free cash flow in 2021 was $2.79B.
See more financial history for Norfolk Southern (NSC).
Sector peers — Free Cash Flow
Companies in the same sector as Norfolk Southern, ranked by their latest free cash flow.
| Company | Free Cash Flow | Sector |
|---|---|---|
| Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) | $10.27B | Industrials |
| RTX Corporation (RTX) | $7.94B | Industrials |
| GE Aerospace (GE) | $7.26B | Industrials |
| Union Pacific Corporation (UNP) | $5.50B | Industrials |
| Honeywell International Inc. (HON) | $5.39B | Industrials |
| Eaton Corporation plc (ETN) | $4.47B | Industrials |
| Deere & Company (DE) | $3.23B | Industrials |
| The Boeing Company (BA) | -$1.88B | Industrials |
Frequently asked questions
What is Norfolk Southern's free cash flow?
Latest reported free cash flow for Norfolk Southern (NSC) is $3.82B (period ending March 31, 2026).
How has Norfolk Southern free cash flow changed year-over-year?
Norfolk Southern (NSC) free cash flow changed +29.1% year-over-year on the latest annual filing.
What is the long-term growth rate of Norfolk Southern free cash flow?
Norfolk Southern (NSC) free cash flow compound annual growth rate is +0.1% over the most recent 5 years available.
When did Norfolk Southern free cash flow hit its highest annual value?
Norfolk Southern free cash flow reached its highest annual value of $2.79B in 2021.
What was Norfolk Southern free cash flow in 2024?
Norfolk Southern (NSC) free cash flow in 2024 was $1.67B.
What was Norfolk Southern free cash flow in 2025?
Norfolk Southern (NSC) free cash flow in 2025 was $2.16B.
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