(CSX issued the following press release on January 24, 2011.)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Corporation (NYSE: CSX) today announced fourth quarter earnings of $430 million, or $1.14 per share, versus $303 million, or $0.77 per share, in the same period last year. This represents a 48 percent year-over-year improvement in earnings per share and a record fourth quarter for the company.
Fourth Quarter Highlights:
• Operating income increases 46 percent to $846 million
• Operating ratio improves 500 basis points to 70.0 percent
• Earnings Per Share increases 48 percent to $1.14
Full Year Highlights:
• Operating income increases 35 percent to $3.1 billion
• Operating ratio improves 380 basis points to 71.1 percent
• Earnings Per Share increases 40 percent to $4.06
Fourth quarter revenue grew to $2.8 billion, a 21 percent increase from the prior year, on a 13 percent increase in volume. The fourth quarter of 2010 included an extra week resulting from the company’s 52/53 week fiscal reporting calendar. Excluding the extra week, revenue increased 14 percent and volume increased seven percent on a comparable basis.
Continued revenue growth, along with productivity and operating leverage, drove a 46 percent increase in operating income to $846 million, and a 500 basis point improvement in the operating ratio to 70.0 percent for the quarter.
“With growth across nearly all the markets we serve and continued strong performance in our operations, we are driving outstanding value for our customers and shareholders,” said Michael J. Ward, chairman, president and chief executive officer.
Full-year Results
CSX continued its excellent safety performance in 2010 and achieved a 17 percent reduction in its FRA personal injury rate to 1.00, an all-time record for the full year.
The company also delivered record financial results for the full year. Earnings were $1.56 billion, or $4.06 a share, versus $1.14 billion, or $2.89 a share, for 2009. These results were driven by strengthening volume, revenue, productivity and operating leverage, which also led to a record annual operating ratio of 71.1 percent.
CSX continued to apply its balanced approach to deploying capital for shareholders in 2010. The company invested $1.8 billion in its business, increased its dividend twice, repurchased $1.5 billion of its shares, and expects to repurchase approximately $300 million of its shares in the first quarter of this year, completing its current $3 billion share repurchase program.
2011 Expectations
CSX expects to produce record financial results, including a high-60’s operating ratio in 2011. This progress is consistent with the Company’s previously announced goal of achieving a 65 percent operating ratio no later than 2015. In addition, the company plans to invest $2 billion in its business during 2011, with approximately two-thirds of that investment in the company’s infrastructure and rolling stock, and the remaining split between strategic and regulatory investments.
“This investment will further strengthen our company’s transportation network, enhance our ability to reliably serve America’s freight transportation needs, and create shareholder value in the near- and long-term,” said Ward.
CSX Corporation, based in Jacksonville, Fla., is a leading transportation company providing rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services. The company’s transportation network spans approximately 21,000 miles with service to 23 eastern states and the District of Columbia, and connects to more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports.
This earnings announcement, as well as a package of detailed financial information, is contained in the CSX Quarterly Financial Report available on the company’s website at http://investors.csx.com and on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
CSX executives will conduct a quarterly earnings conference call with the investment community on January 25, 2011 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. Investors, media and the public may listen to the conference call by dialing 1-888-327-6279 (888-EARN-CSX) and asking for the CSX earnings call. (Callers outside the U.S., dial 1-773-756-0199). Participants should dial in 10 minutes prior to the call. In conjunction with the call, a live webcast will be accessible and presentation materials will be posted on the company’s website at http://investors.csx.com. Following the earnings call, an internet replay of the presentation will be archived on the company website.