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Union Pacific Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Results

Published: 2024-01-25 12:45:00 ET
<<<  go to UNP company page
  • Fourth quarter earnings per diluted share of $2.71, up 1%
  • Fourth quarter net income up 1%
  • Full year earnings per diluted share of $10.45, down 7%
  • Full year net income down 9%

OMAHA, Neb., Jan. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP) today reported 2023 fourth quarter net income of $1.7 billion, or $2.71 per diluted share. This compares to 2022 fourth quarter net income of $1.6 billion, or $2.67 per diluted share.

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

Reported net income for full year 2023 was $6.4 billion, or $10.45 per diluted share. These full year results compare to full year 2022 net income of $7.0 billion, or $11.21 per diluted share.

"The team continues to execute our multi-year strategy to be the industry's best in safety, service, and operational excellence," said Jim Vena, Union Pacific Chief Executive Officer. "Our fourth quarter results show much of what's possible at Union Pacific and that we're on the right path to reaching our goals. Service and operational metrics showed great improvement in the quarter. Those improvements propel us toward a service product that supports growth with our customers. We enter 2024 with strong momentum, recognizing we have plenty of opportunity to improve. We're excited to show our stakeholders what our great team can accomplish."

Fourth Quarter Summary: 2023 vs. 2022

Financial Results: Increased Volume and Core Pricing Gains Offset by Lower Fuel Surcharge Revenue Led to Flat Operating Revenue

  • Operating revenue of $6.2 billion was flat driven by increased volume and core pricing gains offset by reduced fuel surcharge revenue and business mix.
  • Revenue carloads were up 3%.
  • Operating ratio was 60.9%, an improvement of 10 basis points.
  • Operating income of $2.4 billion was flat.

Operating Performance: Improved Resource Utilization Drives Strong Service Metrics and Fluid Network; Fourth Quarter Record for Workforce Productivity

  • Quarterly freight car velocity was 217 daily miles per car, a 14% improvement.
  • Quarterly locomotive productivity was 140 gross ton-miles (GTMs) per horsepower day, a 14% improvement.
  • Average maximum train length was 9,413 feet, a 2% increase.
  • Quarterly workforce productivity improved 4% to 1,051 car miles per employee.
  • Fuel consumption rate of 1.091, measured in gallons of fuel per thousand GTMs, deteriorated 3%.

Full Year Summary: 2023 vs. 2022

Financial Results: Lower Fuel Surcharge Revenue and Volume Drive Reduced Operating Revenue

  • Operating revenue of $24.1 billion was down 3% driven by lower fuel surcharge revenue, business mix, and volume declines partially offset by core pricing gains.
  • Revenue carloads declined 1%.
  • Union Pacific's 62.3% reported operating ratio deteriorated 220 basis points. Lower fuel prices positively impacted the operating ratio by 50 basis points.
  • Operating Income of $9.1 billion was down 8%.
  • Union Pacific's 2023 capital program totaled $3.7 billion.
  • The company repurchased 3.5 million shares in 2023 at an aggregate cost of $712 million.

Operating Performance: Improving Resource Availability and Utilization Through the Year Results in Fluid Operations to End 2023

  • Union Pacific's reportable derailment rates improved, while reportable personal injury rates did not improve.
  • Freight car velocity was 204 daily miles per car, a 7% improvement.
  • Locomotive productivity was 129 GTMs per horsepower day, a 3% increase.
  • Average maximum train length of 9,356 feet was flat.
  • Workforce productivity of 1,000 car miles per employee declined 3%.
  • Fuel consumption rate of 1.088, measured in gallons of fuel per thousand GTMs, deteriorated 1%.

2024 Outlook

  • Volume outlook muted by international intermodal business loss, lower coal demand, and soft economic conditions
  • Pricing dollars in excess of inflation dollars
  • No change to long-term capital allocation strategy
    • Capital plan of $3.4 billion
    • No first quarter share repurchases

Fourth Quarter 2023 Earnings Conference Call

Union Pacific will webcast its fourth quarter 2023 earnings release presentation live at www.up.com/investor and via teleconference on Thursday, January 25, 2024, 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

4th Quarter

Full Year

Percentages, For the Periods Ended December31,

2023

2022

%

2023

2022

%

Operating Revenues

Freight revenues

$

5,801

$

5,768

1

%

$

22,571

$

23,159

(3)

%

Other revenues

358

412

(13)

1,548

1,716

(10)

Total operating revenues

6,159

6,180

-

24,119

24,875

(3)

Operating Expenses

Compensation and benefits

1,169

1,174

-

4,818

4,645

4

Fuel

759

853

(11)

2,891

3,439

(16)

Purchased services and materials

645

633

2

2,616

2,442

7

Depreciation

589

569

4

2,318

2,246

3

Equipment and other rents

229

238

(4)

947

898

5

Other

361

301

20

1,447

1,288

12

Total operating expenses

3,752

3,768

-

15,037

14,958

1

Operating Income

2,407

2,412

-

9,082

9,917

(8)

Other income, net

108

92

17

491

426

15

Interest expense

(331)

(333)

(1)

(1,340)

(1,271)

5

Income before income taxes

2,184

2,171

1

8,233

9,072

(9)

Income tax expense

(532)

(533)

-

(1,854)

(2,074)

(11)

Net Income

$

1,652

$

1,638

1

$

6,379

$

6,998

(9)

Share and Per Share

Earnings per share - basic

$

2.71

$

2.67

1

%

$

10.47

$

11.24

(7)

%

Earnings per share - diluted

$

2.71

$

2.67

1

$

10.45

$

11.21

(7)

Weighted average number of shares - basic

608.9

612.7

(1)

609.2

622.7

(2)

Weighted average number of shares - diluted

609.9

613.7

(1)

610.2

624.0

(2)

Dividends declared per share

$

1.30

$

1.30

-

$

5.20

$

5.08

2

Operating Ratio

60.9

%

61.0

%

(0.1)

pts

62.3

%

60.1

%

2.2

pts

Effective Tax Rate

24.4

%

24.6

%

(0.2)

22.5

%

22.9

%

(0.4)

 

UNION PACIFIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

Freight Revenues Statistics (unaudited)

4th Quarter

Full Year

For the Periods Ended December 31,

2023

2022

%

2023

2022

%

Freight Revenues (Millions)

Grain & grain products

$

986

$

974

1

%

$

3,644

$

3,598

1

%

Fertilizer

194

171

13

757

712

6

Food & refrigerated

264

265

-

1,041

1,093

(5)

Coal & renewables

494

523

(6)

1,916

2,134

(10)

Bulk

1,938

1,933

-

7,358

7,537

(2)

Industrial chemicals & plastics

538

502

7

2,176

2,158

1

Metals & minerals

540

548

(1)

2,194

2,196

-

Forest products

335

325

3

1,347

1,465

(8)

Energy & specialized markets

665

624

7

2,521

2,386

6

Industrial

2,078

1,999

4

8,238

8,205

-

Automotive

600

594

1

2,421

2,257

7

Intermodal

1,185

1,242

(5)

4,554

5,160

(12)

Premium

1,785

1,836

(3)

6,975

7,417

(6)

Total

$

5,801

$

5,768

1

%

$

22,571

$

23,159

(3)

%

Revenue Carloads (Thousands)

Grain & grain products

216

208

4

%

798

798

-

%

Fertilizer

47

41

15

191

190

1

Food & refrigerated

42

44

(5)

175

187

(6)

Coal & renewables

217

215

1

867

885

(2)

Bulk

522

508

3

2,031

2,060

(1)

Industrial chemicals & plastics

161

151

7

645

637

1

Metals & minerals

189

196

(4)

793

785

1

Forest products

52

52

-

213

241

(12)

Energy & specialized markets

153

140

9

582

552

5

Industrial

555

539

3

2,233

2,215

1

Automotive

197

198

(1)

820

778

5

Intermodal [a]

782

743

5

3,028

3,116

(3)

Premium

979

941

4

3,848

3,894

(1)

Total

2,056

1,988

3

%

8,112

8,169

(1)

%

Average Revenue per Car

Grain & grain products

$

4,580

$

4,681

(2)

%

$

4,567

$

4,509

1

%

Fertilizer

4,085

4,167

(2)

3,962

3,749

6

Food & refrigerated

6,174

5,957

4

5,929

5,844

1

Coal & renewables

2,281

2,431

(6)

2,211

2,410

(8)

Bulk

3,712

3,799

(2)

3,623

3,658

(1)

Industrial chemicals & plastics

3,353

3,335

1

3,374

3,388

-

Metals & minerals

2,860

2,790

3

2,765

2,797

(1)

Forest products

6,326

6,264

1

6,310

6,092

4

Energy & specialized markets

4,347

4,459

(3)

4,335

4,320

-

Industrial

3,742

3,711

1

3,689

3,704

-

Automotive

3,061

3,007

2

2,955

2,902

2

Intermodal [a]

1,515

1,672

(9)

1,504

1,656

(9)

Premium

1,824

1,953

(7)

1,813

1,905

(5)

Average

$

2,822

$

2,902

(3)

%

$

2,782

$

2,835

(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)

Dec. 31,

Dec. 31,

Millions, Except Percentages

2023

2022

Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

$

1,055

$

973

Short-term investments

16

46

Other current assets

3,077

2,933

Investments

2,605

2,375

Properties, net

57,398

56,038

Operating lease assets

1,643

1,672

Other assets

1,338

1,412

Total assets

$

67,132

$

65,449

Liabilities and Common Shareholders' Equity

Debt due within one year

$

1,423

$

1,678

Other current liabilities

3,683

3,842

Debt due after one year

31,156

31,648

Operating lease liabilities

1,245

1,300

Deferred income taxes

13,123

13,033

Other long-term liabilities

1,714

1,785

Total liabilities

52,344

53,286

Total common shareholders' equity

14,788

12,163

Total liabilities and common shareholders' equity

$

67,132

$

65,449

Return on Average Common Shareholders' Equity

47.3

%

53.2

%

Return on Invested Capital as Adjusted (ROIC)*

15.5

%

17.3

%

*

ROIC is a non-GAAP measure; however, management believes that it is an important measure in evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of our long-term capital investments. See page 9 for a reconciliation to GAAP.

 

UNION PACIFIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) 

Millions,

Full Year

For the Periods Ended December 31,

2023

2022

Operating Activities

Net income

$

6,379

$

6,998

Depreciation

2,318

2,246

Deferred and other income taxes

117

262

Other - net

(435)

(144)

Cash provided by operating activities

8,379

9,362

Investing Activities

Capital investments*

(3,606)

(3,620)

Other - net

(61)

149

Cash used in investing activities

(3,667)

(3,471)

Financing Activities

Dividends paid

(3,173)

(3,159)

Debt repaid

(2,190)

(2,291)

Debt issued

1,599

6,080

Share repurchase programs

(705)

(6,282)

Other - net

(156)

(235)

Cash used in financing activities

(4,625)

(5,887)

Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash

87

4

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

987

983

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

$

1,074

$

987

Free Cash Flow**

Cash provided by operating activities

$

8,379

$

9,362

Cash used in investing activities

(3,667)

(3,471)

Dividends paid

(3,173)

(3,159)

Free cash flow

$

1,539

$

2,732

*

Capital investments include locomotive and freight car early lease buyouts of $57 million in 2023 and $70 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)

4th Quarter

Full Year

For the Periods Ended December 31,

2023

2022

%

2023

2022

%

Operating/Performance Statistics

Freight car velocity (daily miles per car)*

217

191

14

%

204

191

7

%

Average train speed (miles per hour)*

24.9

23.8

5

24.2

23.8

2

Average terminal dwell time (hours)*

22.7

24.5

(7)

23.4

24.4

(4)

Locomotive productivity (GTMs per horsepower day)

140

123

14

129

125

3

Gross ton-miles (GTMs) (millions)

214,570

208,949

3

837,502

843,443

(1)

Train length (feet)

9,413

9,191

2

9,356

9,329

-

Intermodal car trip plan compliance (%)**

85

73

12

pts

78

67

11

pts

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

70

58

12

pts

65

59

6

pts

Workforce productivity (car miles per employee)

1,051

1,010

4

1,000

1,036

(3)

Total employees (average)

30,559

31,120

(2)

31,490

30,717

3

Locomotive Fuel Statistics

Average fuel price per gallon consumed

$

3.16

$

3.70

(15)

%

$

3.09

$

3.65

(15)

%

Fuel consumed in gallons (millions)

234

222

5

911

909

-

Fuel consumption rate***

1.091

1.064

3

1.088

1.078

1

Revenue Ton-Miles (Millions)

Grain & grain products

21,166

20,683

2

%

77,717

79,725

(3)

%

Fertilizer

2,960

2,701

10

12,031

11,769

2

Food & refrigerated

4,586

4,576

-

18,286

17,965

2

Coal & renewables

21,876

21,847

-

88,604

91,824

(4)

Bulk

50,588

49,807

2

196,638

201,283

(2)

Industrial chemicals & plastics

7,040

6,626

6

28,837

29,572

(2)

Metals & minerals

8,712

9,367

(7)

36,121

37,827

(5)

Forest products

5,447

5,546

(2)

22,447

25,438

(12)

Energy & specialized markets

10,349

9,575

8

39,286

37,068

6

Industrial

31,548

31,114

1

126,691

129,905

(2)

Automotive

4,369

4,384

-

18,080

17,018

6

Intermodal

18,438

17,622

5

71,890

72,546

(1)

Premium

22,807

22,006

4

89,970

89,564

-

Total

104,943

102,927

2

%

413,299

420,752

(2)

%

*

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)

Millions,

2023

Except Per Share Amounts and Percentages,

1st Qtr

2nd Qtr

3rd Qtr

4th Qtr

Full Year

Operating Revenues

Freight revenues

$

5,656

$

5,569

$

5,545

$

5,801

$

22,571

Other revenues

400

394

396

358

1,548

Total operating revenues

6,056

5,963

5,941

6,159

24,119

Operating Expenses

Compensation and benefits

1,179

1,269

1,201

1,169

4,818

Fuel

766

664

702

759

2,891

Purchased services and materials

653

650

668

645

2,616

Depreciation

572

577

580

589

2,318

Equipment and other rents

235

248

235

229

947

Other

357

351

378

361

1,447

Total operating expenses

3,762

3,759

3,764

3,752

15,037

Operating Income

2,294

2,204

2,177

2,407

9,082

Other income, net

184

93

106

108

491

Interest expense

(336)

(339)

(334)

(331)

(1,340)

Income before income taxes

2,142

1,958

1,949

2,184

8,233

Income tax expense

(512)

(389)

(421)

(532)

(1,854)

Net Income

$

1,630

$

1,569

$

1,528

$

1,652

$

6,379

Share and Per Share

Earnings per share - basic

$

2.67

$

2.58

$

2.51

$

2.71

$

10.47

Earnings per share - diluted

$

2.67

$

2.57

$

2.51

$

2.71

$

10.45

Weighted average number of shares - basic

610.6

608.7

608.7

608.9

609.2

Weighted average number of shares - diluted

611.5

609.5

609.8

609.9

610.2

Dividends declared per share

$

1.30

$

1.30

$

1.30

$

1.30

$

5.20

Operating Ratio

62.1

%

63.0

%

63.4

%

60.9

%

62.3

%

Effective Tax Rate

23.9

%

19.9

%

21.6

%

24.4

%

22.5

%

 

UNION PACIFIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

Freight Revenues Statistics (unaudited)

2023

1st Qtr

2nd Qtr

3rd Qtr

4th Qtr

Full Year

Freight Revenues (Millions)

Grain & grain products

$

943

$

890

$

825

$

986

$

3,644

Fertilizer

186

183

194

194

757

Food & refrigerated

263

255

259

264

1,041

Coal & renewables

505

429

488

494

1,916

Bulk

1,897

1,757

1,766

1,938

7,358

Industrial chemicals & plastics

536

545

557

538

2,176

Metals & minerals

536

562

556

540

2,194

Forest products

332

347

333

335

1,347

Energy & specialized markets

613

632

611

665

2,521

Industrial

2,017

2,086

2,057

2,078

8,238

Automotive

587

625

609

600

2,421

Intermodal

1,155

1,101

1,113

1,185

4,554

Premium

1,742

1,726

1,722

1,785

6,975

Total

$

5,656

$

5,569

$

5,545

5,801

22,571

Revenue Carloads (Thousands)

Grain & grain products

202

197

183

216

798

Fertilizer

45

48

51

47

191

Food & refrigerated

44

44

45

42

175

Coal & renewables

216

203

231

217

867

Bulk

507

492

510

522

2,031

Industrial chemicals & plastics

157

164

163

161

645

Metals & minerals

188

210

206

189

793

Forest products

52

55

54

52

213

Energy & specialized markets

139

144

146

153

582

Industrial

536

573

569

555

2,233

Automotive

200

213

210

197

820

Intermodal [a]

734

749

763

782

3,028

Premium

934

962

973

979

3,848

Total

1,977

2,027

2,052

2,056

8,112

Average Revenue per Car

Grain & grain products

$

4,668

$

4,527

$

4,486

$

4,580

$

4,567

Fertilizer

4,135

3,830

3,818

4,085

3,962

Food & refrigerated

5,963

5,740

5,847

6,174

5,929

Coal & renewables

2,341

2,107

2,114

2,281

2,211

Bulk

3,743

3,568

3,465

3,712

3,623

Industrial chemicals & plastics

3,402

3,336

3,406

3,353

3,374

Metals & minerals

2,853

2,677

2,688

2,860

2,765

Forest products

6,384

6,337

6,197

6,326

6,310

Energy & specialized markets

4,408

4,388

4,201

4,347

4,335

Industrial

3,760

3,646

3,612

3,742

3,689

Automotive

2,944

2,928

2,894

3,061

2,955

Intermodal [a]

1,573

1,471

1,459

1,515

1,504

Premium

1,866

1,794

1,769

1,824

1,813

Average

$

2,861

$

2,748

$

2,702

$

2,822

$

2,782

[a]

For intermodal shipments each container or trailer equals one carload.

 

UNION PACIFIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES 

Non-GAAP Measures Reconciliation to GAAP (unaudited) 

Debt / Net Income

Millions, Except Ratios

2023

2022

Debt

$

32,579

$

33,326

Net income

$

6,379

$

6,998

Debt / net income

5.1

4.8

Adjusted Debt / Adjusted EBITDA*

Millions, Except Ratios

2023

2022

Net income

$

6,379

$

6,998

Add:

Income tax expense

1,854

2,074

Depreciation

2,318

2,246

Interest expense

1,340

1,271

EBITDA

$

11,891

$

12,589

Adjustments:

Other income, net

(491)

(426)

Interest on operating lease liabilities**

58

54

Adjusted EBITDA

$

11,458

$

12,217

Debt

$

32,579

$

33,326

Operating lease liabilities

1,600

1,631

Adjusted debt

$

34,179

$

34,957

Adjusted debt / adjusted EBITDA

3.0

2.9

Comparable Adjusted Debt / Adjusted EBITDA*

2023

2022

Adjusted debt / Adjusted EBITDA

3.0

2.9

Factors Affecting Comparability:

Labor accrual adjustment [a]

-

(0.1)

Comparable adjusted debt / adjusted EBITDA

3.0

2.8

[a]

Adjustments remove the impact of $69 million from net income and $23 million from income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2022. See page 10 for a reconciliation to GAAP.

*

Total debt plus operating lease liabilities plus after-tax unfunded pension and OPEB (other post retirement 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) and comparable adjusted debt to adjusted EBITDA are considered non-GAAP financial measures 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 these measures are 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 and comparable 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 reconciliations from net income to adjusted EBITDA, debt to adjusted debt, debt to net income to adjusted debt to adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted debt to adjusted EBITDA to comparable adjusted debt to adjusted EBITDA. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the incremental borrowing rate on operating lease liabilities was 3.6% and 3.3%, respectively.  Pension and OPEB were funded at December 31, 2023 and 2022.

**

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.

 

UNION PACIFIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES 

Non-GAAP Measures Reconciliation to GAAP (unaudited) 

Return on Average Common Shareholders' Equity

Millions, Except Percentages

2023

2022

Net income

$

6,379

$

6,998

Average equity

$

13,476

$

13,162

Return on average common shareholders' equity

47.3

%

53.2

%

Return on Invested Capital as Adjusted (ROIC)*

Millions, Except Percentages

2023

2022

Net income

$

6,379

$

6,998

Interest expense

1,340

1,271

Interest on average operating lease liabilities

58

56

Taxes on interest

(315)

(304)

Net operating profit after taxes as adjusted

$

7,462

$

8,021

Average equity

$

13,476

$

13,162

Average debt

32,953

31,528

Average operating lease liabilities

1,616

1,695

Average invested capital as adjusted

$

48,045

$

46,385

Return on invested capital as adjusted

15.5

%

17.3

%

Comparable Return on Invested Capital as Adjusted (Comparable ROIC)*

2023

2022

Return on invested capital as adjusted

15.5

%

17.3

%

Factors Affecting Comparability:

Labor accrual adjustment [a]

-

0.1

Comparable return on invested capital as adjusted

15.5

%

17.4

%

[a]

Adjustments remove the impact of $69 million from both net income for the year ended and shareholders' equity as of December 31, 2022. See page 10 for a reconciliation to GAAP.

*

ROIC and comparable ROIC are considered non-GAAP financial measures 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 these measures are important to management and investors in evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of our long-term capital investments. In addition, we currently use ROIC as a performance criterion in determining certain elements of equity compensation for our executives. ROIC and comparable ROIC 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 return on average common shareholders' equity. The tables above provide reconciliations from return on average common shareholders' equity to ROIC and comparable ROIC. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the incremental borrowing rate on operating lease liabilities was 3.6%and 3.3%, respectively.

 

UNION PACIFIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

Non-GAAP Measures Reconciliation to GAAP (unaudited)

Financial Performance*

Reported results

Labor accrual

Adjusted results

Millions, Except Per Share Amounts and Percentages

(GAAP)

adjustment

(non-GAAP)

For the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2022

Compensation and benefits expense

$

4,645

$

(92)

$

4,553

Operating expense

14,958

(92)

14,866

Operating income

9,917

92

10,009

Income taxes

(2,074)

(23)

(2,097)

Net income

6,998

69

7,067

Diluted EPS

11.21

0.12

11.33

Operating ratio

60.1

%

(0.3)

pts

59.8

%

As of December 31, 2022

Shareholders' equity

$

12,163

$

69

$

12,232

*

The above table reconciles our results for the twelve months ended and as of December 31, 2022, to adjust results that exclude the impact of certain items identified as affecting comparability. We use adjusted compensation and benefits expense, adjusted operating expense, adjusted operating income, adjusted income taxes, adjusted net income, adjusted diluted EPS (earnings per share), adjusted operating ratio, and adjusted shareholders' equity, as applicable, among other measures, to evaluate our actual operating performance. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures provide valuable information regarding earnings and business trends by excluding specific items that we believe are not indicative of our ongoing operating results of our business, providing a useful way for investors to make a comparison of our performance over time and against other companies in our industry. Since these are not measures of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP, they should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, compensation and benefits expense, operating expense, operating income, income taxes, net income, diluted EPS, operating ratio, and shareholders' equity as indicators of operating performance.

 

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SOURCE Union Pacific Corporation