(Union Pacific issued the following on April 24.)
OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP) today reported 2008 first quarter net income of $443 million, or $1.70 per diluted share, compared to $386 million, or $1.41 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2007.
“Overall, it was a solid quarter for us as we converted profitable revenue growth and reliable, efficient service into record earnings despite a soft economic environment,” said Jim Young, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
First Quarter 2008 Records
* Fully diluted earnings per share increased 21 percent to $1.70.
* Operating revenue totaled $4.3 billion, up 11 percent.
* Operating income grew 10 percent to $788 million.
* Net income increased 15 percent to $443 million.
2008 First Quarter Summary
In the first quarter of 2008, Union Pacific reported operating income of $788 million compared to $719 million in first quarter of 2007, a 10 percent improvement.
* The Company’s freight revenue grew 11 percent in 2008 to a quarterly best of $4.1 billion. All six business groups posted record first quarter revenue, while three groups, Agricultural, Chemical and Energy, set all-time marks. The main driver of revenue growth was an 11 percent increase in average revenue per car (ARC), which reached a quarterly record of $1,738 per car in the first quarter 2008. Core pricing gains and greater fuel cost recovery each contributed approximately half of the overall ARC increase.
* Business volumes in the first quarter of 2008, as measured by total revenue carloads, were flat at 2.3 million.
* The Railroad’s 2008 average quarterly fuel price, including transportation and taxes, was up 47 percent to $2.84 per gallon compared to $1.93 in 2007.
* Driven by higher fuel prices, first quarter 2008 operating ratio was slightly higher at 81.5 percent versus 81.3 percent in 2007.
* The Company’s fuel consumption rate, as measured by gallons per thousand gross ton-miles, was a first quarter-best rate of 1.283 versus 1.302 in the first quarter 2007.
* The effective tax rate in the first quarter of 2008 was 35.5 percent reflecting a state tax law change, which resulted in a one-time after tax earnings increase of $16 million.
* The Company repurchased nearly 3.3 million common shares at an average share price of $123.67 in the first quarter of 2008. The year-over-year reduction in the weighted average diluted shares outstanding drove a 5 percent increase in fully diluted earnings per share.
First Quarter 2008 Freight Revenue Summary versus 2007
* Agricultural up 24 percent
* Energy up 17 percent
* Chemicals up 11 percent
* Intermodal up 5 percent
* Industrial Products up 4 percent
* Automotive up 3 percent
Second Quarter Outlook
“Although we expect continued challenges from a soft economy and high diesel fuel prices in the Second Quarter and beyond, we’re confident about our future,” Young said. “Union Pacific’s ongoing focus on yield, productivity and service should result in a record 2008.”
Union Pacific Corporation owns one of America’s leading transportation companies. Its principal operating company, Union Pacific Railroad, is the largest railroad in North America, covering 23 states across the western two-thirds of the United States. A strong focus on quality and a strategically advantageous route structure enable the company to serve customers in critical and fast growing markets. It is a leading carrier of low-sulfur coal used in electrical power generation and has broad coverage of the large chemical-producing areas along the Gulf Coast. With competitive long-haul routes between all major West Coast ports and eastern gateways, and as the only railroad to serve all six major gateways to Mexico, Union Pacific has the premier rail franchise in North America.