Norfolk Southern’s 1Q Profit Improves

Norfolk Southern Corp.’s first-quarter profit rose from the same quarter last year on higher freight levels, the Eastern freight railroad said late Wednesday.

Net income rose to $325 million, or 90 cents per share, up from $257 million, or 68 cents, a year ago. Railway operating revenue rose 17% to $2.6 billion.

Intermodal revenue rose 18% to $483 million, and general merchandise revenue rose 10% to $1.3 billion. Coal revenue gained 30% to $816 million.