Union Pacific Reports Record Third Quarter Results

A press release from Union Pacific Corporation; October 25, 2018:

Third Quarter Diluted Earnings per Share up 43 Percent

Omaha, Neb., October 25, 2018

Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP) today reported 2018 third quarter net income of $1.6 billion, or a third quarter record $2.15 per diluted share. This compares to $1.2 billion, or $1.50 per diluted share, in the third quarter 2017.

“While we reported solid financial results, we did not make the service and productivity gains that we expected during the quarter. However, we are making progress implementing our new Unified Plan 2020 and we are well positioned to drive improvement going forward,” said Lance Fritz, Union Pacific chairman, president and chief executive officer. “I am confident we have the right people and plans in place to improve our operations, provide more reliable service for our customers, and achieve industry-leading financial performance.”

Third Quarter Summary

Operating revenue of $5.9 billion was up 10 percent in the third quarter 2018 compared to the third quarter 2017. Third quarter carloads increased 6 percent compared to 2017. Volume increases in industrial, premium, and agricultural products more than offset declines in energy. In addition:

  • Quarterly freight revenue improved 10 percent compared to the third quarter 2017, as volume growth, higher fuel surcharge revenue, and core pricing gains were partially offset by negative mix of traffic.
  • Union Pacific’s 61.7 percent operating ratio was flat (see footnote) compared to the third quarter 2017.
  • The $2.38 per gallon average quarterly diesel fuel price in the third quarter 2018 was 34 percent higher than the third quarter 2017.
  • Quarterly train speed, as reported to the Association of American Railroads, was 24.0 mph, 6 percent slower than the third quarter 2017.
  • Union Pacific’s year-to-date reportable personal injury rate of 0.77 per 200,000 employee hours improved 1 percent compared to the year-to-date rate achieved in 2017.
  • The Company repurchased 2.2 million shares in the third quarter 2018.
Summary of Third Quarter Freight Revenues
  • Energy up 1 percent
  • Agricultural Products up 6 percent
  • Industrial up 13 percent
  • Premium up 18 percent
Outlook

“Looking ahead, I am confident that the recent progress we have made on our Unified Plan 2020 will accelerate in the near term. As we move forward with its implementation, along with other G55 + 0 initiatives, we will regain our productivity momentum and improve the value proposition for all of our stakeholders,” Fritz said.

Footnote 1: Certain prior period amounts have been adjusted for the retrospective adoption of Accounting Standard Update 2017-07 related to the presentation of the components of net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs.

Third Quarter 2018 Earnings Conference Call

Union Pacific will host its third quarter 2018 earnings release presentation live over the Internet and via teleconference on Thursday, October 25, 2018 at 8:45 a.m. Eastern Time. The presentation will be webcast live over the internet on Union Pacific’s website at www.up.com/investor. Alternatively, the webcast can be accessed directly through the following link. Participants may join the conference call by dialing 877/407-8293 (or for international participants, 201/689-8349).

About Union Pacific

Union Pacific Railroad is the principal operating company of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP). One of America’s most recognized companies, Union Pacific Railroad connects 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country by rail, providing a critical link in the global supply chain. In the past 10 years, 2008-2017, Union Pacific invested approximately $34 billion in its network and operations to support America’s transportation infrastructure. The railroad’s diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Energy, Industrial and Premium. Union Pacific serves many of the fastest-growing U.S. population centers, operates from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways, connects with Canada’s rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major Mexico gateways. Union Pacific provides value to its roughly 10,000 customers by delivering products in a safe, reliable, fuel-efficient and environmentally responsible manner.

Union Pacific Investor contact: Mike Miller at 402-544-4227 or [email protected]

 

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This presentation and related materials contain statements about the Company’s future that are not statements of historical fact, including specifically the statements regarding the Company’s expectations with respect to economic conditions; its ability to generate financial returns; improve resource productivity; enhancing the customer experience; implementing corporate strategies; and providing excellent service to its customers and returns to its shareholders. These statements are, or will be, forward-looking statements as defined by the Securities Act of 1933 and 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 2017, which was filed with the SEC on February 9, 2018. 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 our 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.

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The statements and information contained in the news releases provided by Union Pacific speak only as of the date issued. Such information by its nature may become outdated, and investors should not assume that the statements and information contained in Union Pacific’s news releases remain current after the date issued. Union Pacific makes no commitment, and disclaims any duty, to update any of this information.

Media Contact

Raquel Espinoza
402-544-5034
[email protected]
@raquelespinoza

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