Insider Trading February 20, 2026

CSX Executive Sells $3.74M in Shares, Exercises Options Amid Earnings Miss and Leadership Change

EVP Diana Sorfleet sells 90,000 shares and exercises options; Q4 results fell short of estimates and multiple analysts trimmed price targets

By Ajmal Hussain CSX
CSX Executive Sells $3.74M in Shares, Exercises Options Amid Earnings Miss and Leadership Change
CSX

Summary: Diana B. Sorfleet, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of CSX CORP (CSX), sold 90,000 shares of CSX common stock on February 19, 2026, for $3.74 million at a weighted average price of $41.56. On the same day she exercised options to acquire 90,000 shares via three option exercises with strike prices of $16.13, $17.94 and $22.70, valued at $1,834,264. CSX’s fourth-quarter earnings per share were $0.39, missing several analysts' estimates, and the quarter included $50 million in severance and technology rationalization costs. In response to the results and outlook, a number of firms cut price targets for CSX; the company also announced Sorfleet’s retirement and named Riz Chand as Chief Human Resources Officer effective February 23, 2026.

Key Points

  • CSX EVP Diana B. Sorfleet sold 90,000 shares on Feb. 19, 2026, receiving $3.74 million at a weighted average price of $41.56; trade prices ranged from $41.48 to $41.70.
  • On the same day, Sorfleet exercised options to acquire 90,000 shares via three exercises at strikes of $16.13, $17.94 and $22.70, totaling $1,834,264 in value.
  • CSX reported Q4 EPS of $0.39, below multiple analyst estimates; several firms lowered price targets and cited weaker revenue, with notable impacts on the transportation and broader equity markets.

Insider transaction details

Diana B. Sorfleet, who served as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer at CSX CORP (NASDAQ: CSX), completed a sale of 90,000 common shares on February 19, 2026. The disposition brought in $3.74 million in gross proceeds. The sale was executed at a weighted average price of $41.56 per share, with the individual trade prices falling between $41.48 and $41.70.


Concurrent option exercises

On the same day that the shares were sold, Sorfleet exercised stock options to acquire a total of 90,000 CSX shares. Those option exercises were completed in three tranches with strike prices of $16.13, $17.94 and $22.70. The aggregate value associated with these option exercises was reported as $1,834,264.


Market valuation note

A Pro research analysis included with the reporting indicates that CSX is trading at levels that appear to be overvalued. The firm’s Pro Research Report covering CSX is noted as available alongside coverage of more than 1,400 other U.S. equities for subscribers who seek deeper company and valuation context.


Quarterly results and analyst reaction

In its fourth-quarter financial disclosure, CSX reported earnings per share of $0.39. That outcome was below several external expectations: it trailed both Benchmark’s estimate and the consensus figure of $0.41, and it was short of Evercore ISI’s projection of $0.42. The company’s reported results included $50 million in severance and technology rationalization charges.

Following the earnings report, several brokerage and research teams adjusted their price targets and commentary. Bernstein SocGen Group lowered its price target to $36, citing revenue that was weaker than anticipated. RBC Capital moved its target to $39 and characterized the results as "somewhat inline" after taking into account certain costs and tax benefits. Evercore ISI trimmed its price target to $40, pointing to a mixed outlook where volumes and yields underperformed expectations. Benchmark maintained its $40 target and highlighted the company’s focus on efficiency despite the earnings shortfall.


Leadership change

The company announced the retirement of Executive Vice President Diana Sorfleet and the appointment of Riz Chand as Chief Human Resources Officer, with the new appointment effective February 23, 2026.

These transactions, the quarterly performance, analyst reactions and the management transition together form the current public narrative around CSX as it navigates near-term operational and market valuation headwinds.

Risks

  • Valuation risk: A Pro research analysis indicates CSX may be trading at overvalued levels, posing potential market valuation pressure for investors in the transportation sector.
  • Operational and revenue uncertainty: Q4 results included $50 million in severance and technology rationalization costs and showed earnings below analyst estimates, with some analysts citing weaker-than-expected revenue.
  • Executive turnover and governance considerations: The retirement of EVP Diana Sorfleet and the appointment of a new Chief Human Resources Officer introduce near-term leadership changes that could affect transition planning within the company.

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