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Union Pacific Reports Third Quarter 2023 Results

Published: 2023-10-19 11:45:00 ET
<<<  go to UNP company page
  • Earnings per diluted share of $2.51
  • Operating revenue of $5.9 billion
  • Operating income of $2.2 billion

OMAHA, Neb., Oct. 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP) today reported 2023 third quarter net income of $1.5 billion, or $2.51 per diluted share. This compares to 2022 third quarter net income of $1.9 billion, or $3.05 per diluted share.

Union Pacific. (PRNewsFoto/Union Pacific) (PRNewsfoto/Union Pacific)

"We faced many challenges in the quarter, including continued inflationary pressures and a drop in carloads," said Jim Vena, Union Pacific Chief Executive Officer. "Operationally we gained momentum through the quarter, which positions us to provide our customers with great service. Operating and safety metrics are showing solid improvement, as we increase asset utilization. We are aligning the team around our strategy focused on being the best in safety, service, and operational excellence as we drive growth to the railroad. Through our day-to-day actions, we will continue to make improvements as we exit the year."

Financial Results: Operating Revenue Reduced by Lower Fuel Surcharge Revenue and Lower Volumes Third Quarter 2023 Compared to Third Quarter 2022

  • Operating revenue of $5.9 billion was down 10% driven by reduced fuel surcharge revenue, lower volumes, and business mix, partially offset by core pricing gains.
  • Business volumes, as measured by total revenue carloads, were down 3%.
  • Operating ratio was 63.4%, up 350 basis points. Rising fuel prices during the quarter negatively impacted the operating ratio 170 basis points.
  • Operating income of $2.2 billion declined 17%.

Operating Performance: Service Strengthening as Resource Utilization Improves Third Quarter 2023 Compared to Third Quarter 2022

  • Quarterly freight car velocity was 200 daily miles per car, a 5% improvement.
  • Quarterly locomotive productivity was 129 gross ton-miles (GTMs) per horsepower day, a 4% improvement.
  • Average maximum train length was 9,537 feet, a 1% increase.
  • Quarterly workforce productivity decreased 6% to 985 car miles per employee.
  • Fuel consumption rate of 1.052, measured in gallons of fuel per thousand GTMs, was flat.
  • Union Pacific's year to date reportable personal injury and derailment rates improved.

2023 Full Year Outlook Remains Relatively Unchanged

  • Year to date softness in consumer-related volumes likely drive full year volume expectations below Industrial Production (Current forecast: 0.0%)
  • Pricing dollars in excess of inflation dollars
  • 2023 Capital Allocation:
    • Updated capital plan of $3.7 billion
    • Maintain dividend of $1.30/quarter
    • No further 2023 share repurchases planned

Third Quarter 2023 Earnings Conference Call

Union Pacific will webcast its third quarter 2023 earnings release presentation live at www.up.com/investor and via teleconference on Thursday, October 19, 2023, at 8:45 a.m. Eastern Time. Participants may join the conference call by dialing 877-407-8293 (or for international participants, 201-689-8349).

ABOUT UNION PACIFIC

Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) delivers the goods families and businesses use every day with safe, reliable, and efficient service. Operating in 23 western states, the company connects its customers and communities to the global economy. Trains are the most environmentally responsible way to move freight, helping Union Pacific protect future generations. More information about Union Pacific is available at www.up.com.

Supplemental financial information is attached.

****

This news release and related materials contain statements about the Company's future that are not statements of historical fact, including specifically the statements regarding the potential impacts of public health crises, including pandemics, epidemics and the outbreak of other contagious diseases, such as the coronavirus and its variant strains (COVID); the Russia-Ukraine and Israeli wars and any impacts on our business operations, financial results, liquidity, and financial position, and on the world economy (including customers, employees, and supply chains), including as a result of fluctuations in volume and carloadings; expectations as to general macroeconomic conditions, including slowdowns and recessions, domestically or internationally, and future volatility in interest rates and fuel prices; closing of customer manufacturing, distribution, or production facilities; expectations as to operational or service improvements; expectations as to hiring challenges; availability of employees; expectations regarding the effectiveness of steps taken or to be taken to improve operations, service, infrastructure improvements, and transportation plan modifications; expectations as to cost savings, revenue growth, and earnings; the time by which goals, targets, or objectives will be achieved; projections, predictions, expectations, estimates, or forecasts as to business, financial, and operational results, future economic performance, and planned capital investments ; proposed new products and services; estimates of costs relating to environmental remediation and restoration; estimates and expectations regarding tax matters; expectations that claims, litigation, environmental costs, commitments, contingent liabilities, labor negotiations or agreements, cyberattacks or other matters. These statements are, or will be, forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements also generally include, without limitation, information, or statements regarding: projections, predictions, expectations, estimates, or forecasts as to the Company's and its subsidiaries' business, financial, and operational results, and future economic performance; and management's beliefs, expectations, goals, and objectives and other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts.

Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times that, or by which, such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking information, including expectations regarding operational and financial improvements and the Company's future performance or results are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in the statement. Important factors, including risk factors, could affect the Company's and its subsidiaries' future results and could cause those results or other outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Information regarding risk factors and other cautionary information are available in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2022, which was filed with the SEC on February 10, 2023. The Company updates information regarding risk factors if circumstances require such updates in its periodic reports on Form 10-Q and its subsequent Annual Reports on Form 10-K (or such other reports that may be filed with the SEC).

Forward-looking statements speak only as of, and are based only upon information available on, the date the statements were made. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking information to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions, or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information. If the Company does update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that the Company will make additional updates with respect thereto or with respect to other forward-looking statements. References to the Company's website are provided for convenience and, therefore, information on or available through the website is not, and should not be deemed to be, incorporated by reference herein.

###

UNION PACIFIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) 

Millions, Except Per Share Amounts and

3rd Quarter

Year-to-Date

Percentages, For the Periods Ended September 30,

2023

2022

%

2023

2022

%

Operating Revenues

Freight revenues

$

5,545

$

6,109

(9)

%

$

16,770

$

17,391

(4)

%

Other revenues

396

457

(13)

1,190

1,304

(9)

Total operating revenues

5,941

6,566

(10)

17,960

18,695

(4)

Operating Expenses

Compensation and benefits

1,201

1,278

(6)

3,649

3,471

5

Fuel

702

932

(25)

2,132

2,586

(18)

Purchased services and materials

668

626

7

1,971

1,809

9

Depreciation

580

563

3

1,729

1,677

3

Equipment and other rents

235

215

9

718

660

9

Other

378

319

18

1,086

987

10

Total operating expenses

3,764

3,933

(4)

11,285

11,190

1

Operating Income

2,177

2,633

(17)

6,675

7,505

(11)

Other income, net

106

124

(15)

383

334

15

Interest expense

(334)

(315)

6

(1,009)

(938)

8

Income before income taxes

1,949

2,442

(20)

6,049

6,901

(12)

Income tax expense

(421)

(547)

(23)

(1,322)

(1,541)

(14)

Net Income

$

1,528

$

1,895

(19)

%

$

4,727

$

5,360

(12)

%

Share and Per Share

Earnings per share - basic

$

2.51

$

3.05

(18)

%

$

7.76

$

8.56

(9)

%

Earnings per share - diluted

$

2.51

$

3.05

(18)

$

7.75

$

8.54

(9)

Weighted average number of shares - basic

608.7

620.4

(2)

609.3

626.1

(3)

Weighted average number of shares - diluted

609.8

621.5

(2)

610.3

627.4

(3)

Dividends declared per share

$

1.30

$

1.30

-

$

3.90

$

3.78

3

Operating Ratio

63.4

%

59.9

%

3.5

pts

62.8

%

59.9

%

2.9

pts

Effective Tax Rate

21.6

%

22.4

%

(0.8)

pts

21.9

%

22.3

%

(0.4)

 

UNION PACIFIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

Freight Revenues Statistics (unaudited)

3rd Quarter

Year-to-Date

For the Periods Ended September 30,

2023

2022

%

2023

2022

%

Freight Revenues (Millions)

Grain & grain products

$

825

$

880

(6)

%

$

2,658

$

2,624

1

%

Fertilizer

194

178

9

563

541

4

Food & refrigerated

259

290

(11)

777

828

(6)

Coal & renewables

488

611

(20)

1,422

1,611

(12)

Bulk

1,766

1,959

(10)

5,420

5,604

(3)

Industrial chemicals & plastics

557

579

(4)

1,638

1,656

(1)

Metals & minerals

556

601

(7)

1,654

1,648

-

Forest products

333

390

(15)

1,012

1,140

(11)

Energy & specialized markets

611

624

(2)

1,856

1,762

5

Industrial

2,057

2,194

(6)

6,160

6,206

(1)

Automotive

609

601

1

1,821

1,663

10

Intermodal

1,113

1,355

(18)

3,369

3,918

(14)

Premium

1,722

1,956

(12)

5,190

5,581

(7)

Total

$

5,545

$

6,109

(9)

%

$

16,770

17,391

(4)

%

Revenue Carloads (Thousands)

Grain & grain products

183

190

(4)

%

582

590

(1)

%

Fertilizer

51

51

-

144

149

(3)

Food & refrigerated

45

48

(6)

133

143

(7)

Coal & renewables

231

243

(5)

650

670

(3)

Bulk

510

532

(4)

1,509

1,552

(3)

Industrial chemicals & plastics

163

165

(1)

484

486

-

Metals & minerals

206

202

2

604

589

3

Forest products

54

62

(13)

161

189

(15)

Energy & specialized markets

146

140

4

429

412

4

Industrial

569

569

-

1,678

1,676

-

Automotive

210

198

6

623

580

7

Intermodal [a]

763

811

(6)

2,246

2,373

(5)

Premium

973

1,009

(4)

2,869

2,953

(3)

Total

2,052

2,110

(3)

%

6,056

6,181

(2)

%

Average Revenue per Car

Grain & grain products

$

4,486

$

4,641

(3)

%

$

4,563

$

4,449

3

%

Fertilizer

3,818

3,504

9

3,921

3,634

8

Food & refrigerated

5,847

6,017

(3)

5,850

5,809

1

Coal & renewables

2,114

2,514

(16)

2,187

2,403

(9)

Bulk

3,465

3,685

(6)

3,592

3,612

(1)

Industrial chemicals & plastics

3,406

3,508

(3)

3,381

3,404

(1)

Metals & minerals

2,688

2,969

(9)

2,736

2,799

(2)

Forest products

6,197

6,347

(2)

6,305

6,044

4

Energy & specialized markets

4,201

4,434

(5)

4,331

4,273

1

Industrial

3,612

3,852

(6)

3,671

3,702

(1)

Automotive

2,894

3,030

(4)

2,921

2,866

2

Intermodal [a]

1,459

1,672

(13)

1,500

1,651

(9)

Premium

1,769

1,939

(9)

1,809

1,890

(4)

Average

$

2,702

$

2,895

(7)

%

$

2,769

$

2,814

(2)

%

[a]

For intermodal shipments each container or trailer equals one carload.

 

UNION PACIFIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (unaudited) 

Sep. 30,

Dec. 31,

Millions, Except Percentages

2023

2022

Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

$

750

$

973

Short-term investments

16

46

Other current assets

3,047

2,933

Investments

2,580

2,375

Properties, net

57,010

56,038

Operating lease assets

1,670

1,672

Other assets

1,467

1,412

Total assets

$

66,540

$

65,449

Liabilities and Common Shareholders' Equity

Debt due within one year

$

1,724

$

1,678

Other current liabilities

3,580

3,842

Debt due after one year

31,153

31,648

Operating lease liabilities

1,244

1,300

Deferred income taxes

13,095

13,033

Other long-term liabilities

1,740

1,785

Total liabilities

52,536

53,286

Total common shareholders' equity

14,004

12,163

Total liabilities and common shareholders' equity

$

66,540

$

65,449

 

UNION PACIFIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) 

Year-to-Date

Millions, for the Periods Ended September 30,

2023

2022

Operating Activities

Net income

$

4,727

$

5,360

Depreciation

1,729

1,677

Deferred income taxes

59

180

Other - net

(531)

(147)

Cash provided by operating activities

5,984

7,070

Investing Activities

Capital investments*

(2,582)

(2,690)

Other - net

(68)

131

Cash used in investing activities

(2,650)

(2,559)

Financing Activities

Dividends paid

(2,380)

(2,362)

Debt repaid

(2,179)

(2,185)

Debt issued

1,599

6,080

Share repurchase programs

(705)

(5,497)

Other - net

125

(246)

Cash used in financing activities

(3,540)

(4,210)

Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash

(206)

301

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of year

987

983

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period

$

781

$

1,284

Free Cash Flow**

Cash provided by operating activities

$

5,984

$

7,070

Cash used in investing activities

(2,650)

(2,559)

Dividends paid

(2,380)

(2,362)

Free cash flow

$

954

$

2,149

*

Capital investments include locomotive and freight car early lease buyouts of $14 million in 2023 and $55 million in 2022.

**

Free cash flow is a non-GAAP measure; however, we believe this measure is important to management and investors in evaluating our financial performance and measures our ability to generate cash without additional external financing.

 

UNION PACIFIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

Operating and Performance Statistics (unaudited)

3rd Quarter

Year-to-Date

For the Periods Ended September 30,

2023

2022

%

2023

2022

%

Operating/Performance Statistics

Freight car velocity (daily miles per car)*

200

191

5

%

199

192

4

%

Average train speed (miles per hour)*

23.6

23.7

-

23.9

23.8

-

Average terminal dwell time (hours)*

23.5

24.4

(4)

23.6

24.3

(3)

Locomotive productivity (GTMs per horsepower day)

129

124

4

126

126

-

Gross ton-miles (GTMs) (millions)

208,678

214,999

(3)

622,932

634,494

(2)

Train length (feet)

9,537

9,483

1

9,337

9,376

-

Intermodal car trip plan compliance (%)**

75

62

13

pts

75

65

10

pts

Manifest/Automotive car trip plan compliance (%)**

64

58

6

pts

63

59

4

pts

Workforce productivity (car miles per employee)

985

1,045

(6)

984

1,045

(6)

Total employees (average)

31,624

30,841

3

31,800

30,582

4

Locomotive Fuel Statistics

Average fuel price per gallon consumed

$

3.12

$

3.96

(21)

%

$

3.07

$

3.64

(16)

%

Fuel consumed in gallons (millions)

219

227

(4)

677

687

(1)

Fuel consumption rate***

1.052

1.056

-

1.087

1.083

-

Revenue Ton-Miles (Millions)

Grain & grain products

17,649

18,554

(5)

%

56,551

59,042

(4)

%

Fertilizer

2,982

2,802

6

9,071

9,068

-

Food & refrigerated

4,643

4,430

5

13,700

13,389

2

Coal & renewables

23,367

25,169

(7)

66,728

69,977

(5)

Bulk

48,641

50,955

(5)

146,050

151,476

(4)

Industrial chemicals & plastics

7,492

7,702

(3)

21,797

22,946

(5)

Metals & minerals

9,253

10,053

(8)

27,409

28,460

(4)

Forest products

5,636

6,573

(14)

17,000

19,892

(15)

Energy & specialized markets

9,621

9,322

3

28,937

27,493

5

Industrial

32,002

33,650

(5)

95,143

98,791

(4)

Automotive

4,624

4,347

6

13,711

12,634

9

Intermodal

17,765

18,296

(3)

53,452

54,924

(3)

Premium

22,389

22,643

(1)

67,163

67,558

(1)

Total

103,032

107,248

(4)

%

308,356

317,825

(3)

%

*

Surface Transportation Board (STB) reported performance measures.

**

Methodology used to report is not comparable with the reporting to the STB under docket number EP 770.

***

Fuel consumption is computed as follows: gallons of fuel consumed divided by gross ton-miles in thousands.

 

UNION PACIFIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) 

2023

Millions, Except Per Share Amounts and Percentages,

1st Qtr

2nd Qtr

3rd Qtr

Year-to-Date

Operating Revenues

Freight revenues

$

5,656

$

5,569

$

5,545

$

16,770

Other revenues

400

394

396

1,190

Total operating revenues

6,056

5,963

5,941

17,960

Operating Expenses

Compensation and benefits

1,179

1,269

1,201

3,649

Fuel

766

664

702

2,132

Purchased services and materials

653

650

668

1,971

Depreciation

572

577

580

1,729

Equipment and other rents

235

248

235

718

Other

357

351

378

1,086

Total operating expenses

3,762

3,759

3,764

11,285

Operating Income

2,294

2,204

2,177

6,675

Other income, net

184

93

106

383

Interest expense

(336)

(339)

(334)

(1,009)

Income before income taxes

2,142

1,958

1,949

6,049

Income tax expense

(512)

(389)

(421)

(1,322)

Net Income

$

1,630

$

1,569

$

1,528

$

4,727

Share and Per Share

Earnings per share - basic

$

2.67

$

2.58

$

2.51

$

7.76

Earnings per share - diluted

$

2.67

$

2.57

$

2.51

$

7.75

Weighted average number of shares - basic

610.6

608.7

608.7

609.3

Weighted average number of shares - diluted

611.5

609.5

609.8

610.3

Dividends declared per share

$

1.30

$

1.30

$

1.30

$

3.90

Operating Ratio

62.1

%

63.0

%

63.4

%

62.8

%

Effective Tax Rate

23.9

%

19.9

%

21.6

%

21.9

%

 

UNION PACIFIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

Freight Revenues Statistics (unaudited)

2023

1st Qtr

2nd Qtr

3rd Qtr

Year-to-Date

Freight Revenues (Millions)

Grain & grain products

$

943

$

890

$

825

$

2,658

Fertilizer

186

183

194

563

Food & refrigerated

263

255

259

777

Coal & renewables

505

429

488

1,422

Bulk

1,897

1,757

1,766

5,420

Industrial chemicals & plastics

536

545

557

1,638

Metals & minerals

536

562

556

1,654

Forest products

332

347

333

1,012

Energy & specialized markets

613

632

611

1,856

Industrial

2,017

2,086

2,057

6,160

Automotive

587

625

609

1,821

Intermodal

1,155

1,101

1,113

3,369

Premium

1,742

1,726

1,722

5,190

Total

$

5,656

$

5,569

$

5,545

$

16,770

Revenue Carloads (Thousands)

Grain & grain products

202

197

183

582

Fertilizer

45

48

51

144

Food & refrigerated

44

44

45

133

Coal & renewables

216

203

231

650

Bulk

507

492

510

1,509

Industrial chemicals & plastics

157

164

163

484

Metals & minerals

188

210

206

604

Forest products

52

55

54

161

Energy & specialized markets

139

144

146

429

Industrial

536

573

569

1,678

Automotive

200

213

210

623

Intermodal [a]

734

749

763

2,246

Premium

934

962

973

2,869

Total

1,977

2,027

2,052

6,056

Average Revenue per Car

Grain & grain products

$

4,668

$

4,527

$

4,486

$

4,563

Fertilizer

4,135

3,830

3,818

3,921

Food & refrigerated

5,963

5,740

5,847

5,850

Coal & renewables

2,341

2,107

2,114

2,187

Bulk

3,743

3,568

3,465

3,592

Industrial chemicals & plastics

3,402

3,336

3,406

3,381

Metals & minerals

2,853

2,677

2,688

2,736

Forest products

6,384

6,337

6,197

6,305

Energy & specialized markets

4,408

4,388

4,201

4,331

Industrial

3,760

3,646

3,612

3,671

Automotive

2,944

2,928

2,894

2,921

Intermodal [a]

1,573

1,471

1,459

1,500

Premium

1,866

1,794

1,769

1,809

Average

$

2,861

$

2,748

$

2,702

$

2,769

[a]

For intermodal shipments each container or trailer equals one carload.

 

 

UNION PACIFIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES 

Non-GAAP Measures Reconciliation to GAAP

Debt / Net Income

Millions, Except Ratios

Sep. 30,

Dec. 31,

for the Trailing Twelve Months Ended [a]

2023

2022

Debt

$

32,877

$

33,326

Net income

6,365

6,998

Debt / net income

5.2

4.8

Adjusted Debt / Adjusted EBITDA*

Millions, Except Ratios

Sep. 30,

Dec. 31,

for the Trailing Twelve Months Ended [a]

2023

2022

Net income

$

6,365

$

6,998

Add:

Income tax expense

1,855

2,074

Depreciation

2,298

2,246

Interest expense

1,342

1,271

EBITDA

$

11,860

$

12,589

Adjustments:

Other income, net

(475)

(426)

Interest on operating lease liabilities [b]

56

54

Adjusted EBITDA

$

11,441

$

12,217

Debt

$

32,877

$

33,326

Operating lease liabilities

1,606

1,631

Unfunded pension and OPEB, net of tax cost of $0 and $0

-

-

Adjusted debt

$

34,483

$

34,957

Adjusted debt / Adjusted EBITDA

3.0

2.9

[a]

The trailing twelve months income statement information ended September 30, 2023, is recalculated by taking the twelve months ended December 31, 2022, subtracting the nine months ended September 30, 2022, and adding the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

[b]

Represents the hypothetical interest expense we would incur (using the incremental borrowing rate) if the property under our operating leases were owned or accounted for as finance leases.

*

Total debt plus operating lease liabilities plus after-tax unfunded pension and OPEB (other postretirement benefit) obligations divided by net income plus income tax expense, depreciation, amortization, interest expense, and adjustments for other income and interest on operating lease liabilities. Adjusted debt to adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, and adjustments for other income and interest on operating lease liabilities) is considered non-GAAP financial measure by SEC Regulation G and Item 10 of SEC Regulation S-K and may not be defined and calculated by other companies in the same manner. We believe this measure is important to management and investors in evaluating the Company's ability to sustain given debt levels (including leases) with the cash generated from operations. In addition, a comparable measure is used by rating agencies when reviewing the Company's credit rating. Adjusted debt to adjusted EBITDA should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, other information provided in accordance with GAAP. The most comparable GAAP measure is debt to net income ratio. The tables above provide a reconciliation from net income to adjusted EBITDA, debt to adjusted debt, and debt to net income to adjusted debt to adjusted EBITDA. At September 30, 2023, and December 31, 2022, the incremental borrowing rate on operating lease liabilities was 3.5% and 3.3%, respectively.

 

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SOURCE Union Pacific Corporation