(Kansas City Southern issued the following on July 27, 2010.)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Southern (KCS) reported second quarter 2010 revenues of $461.6 million, a 35% increase compared to the corresponding 2009 period. Revenue growth was strong across the board when compared to second quarter 2009, which was the weakest revenue quarter during the recent economic downturn.
Highlights included:
• Adjusted diluted earnings per share, which excludes debt retirement costs, is $0.55 for second quarter 2010, up from $0.07 in the second quarter 2009
• Revenues of $461.6 million, a 35% increase from prior year
• Operating income of $127.2 million, an increase of 195% from a year ago
• Operating ratio of 72.4%, compared with 87.4% in second quarter 2009
Automotive revenues were up 292% over second quarter 2009 on increased auto production in Mexico. Intermodal revenues were 54% higher than the same period last year as new business lanes and organic volume growth continued to improve. Other period-over-period revenue improvements were 42% for Agriculture & Minerals; 31% for Industrial & Consumer Products; 25% for Coal; and 18% for Chemical & Petroleum.
Operating income for the second quarter was $127.2 million representing a 195% increase from a year ago. The second quarter 2010 operating ratio was 72.4% compared with 87.4% a year ago. Operating expenses in the second quarter increased 12% from a year ago to $334.4 million. KCS continued to achieve strong incremental margins from increasing volumes and ongoing cost controls.
The company has produced positive free cash flow of $69.4 million year to date, including $42.4 million in the second quarter. Net income available to common shareholders in the second quarter totaled $34.6 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, compared to $6.5 million, or $0.07 per diluted share in second quarter 2009. Second quarter 2010 results include a $0.21 reduction per share from debt retirement costs. Excluding these debt retirement charges, adjusted diluted earnings per share were $0.55 in second quarter 2010. (See table below for reconciliation of adjusted items to reported numbers.)
Comments from the Chairman
“A year ago, KCS was in the depths of the worst freight recession since the Great Depression. Over the last year, we have seen a steady improvement in traffic levels. Carloadings increased 24% in second quarter 2010 compared to second quarter 2009, and slightly exceeded pre-recession 2008 second quarter volumes. The improvement in volumes, coupled with a solid pricing environment, led to a 35% increase in revenues. Automotive and intermodal traffic trends have been encouraging, and we continued to deliver strong increases in our cross border revenues.
“During the quarter, KCS continued to bring on new business and improve operating margins. The reported 72.4% operating ratio is a 15 percentage point improvement from a year ago, and represents a record operating ratio for KCS. Operating expenses excluding fuel, were up just 3% on strong increases in volume, demonstrating the continued operating leverage KCS has been able to achieve.
“We raised approximately $215 million from an equity offering during the quarter, and along with existing cash on our balance sheet, we announced plans to reduce our debt levels by $300 million. At the end of the second quarter, we had retired approximately $237 million of this debt, and plan to retire the remainder of the announced $300 million during the third quarter. Including the refinancing in January, these transactions significantly improve our financial strength by reducing leverage and lowering our interest expense by approximately $40 million per year. On June 21, 2010 Standard & Poor’s upgraded the company’s long term ratings to BB- from B and on June 28, 2010 Moody’s Investors Service raised its outlook to positive. Coupled with strong free cash flow being generated by our operations, our financial flexibility has improved substantially.”