Norfolk Southern reports fourth-quarter and full-year 2017 results

Achieves record 2017 operating ratio and earnings per share

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Jan 24, 2018, 08:00 ET

NORFOLK, Va., Jan. 24, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) today reported fourth-quarter and 2017 financial results.

Net income for the quarter was $3,968 million and diluted earnings per share were $13.79. For the year, net income was $5,404 million and diluted earnings per share were $18.61. These results include effects of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 ("tax reform"), which added $3,482 million to net income in both periods and increased diluted earnings per share by $12.10 for the quarter and $12.00 for the year.

Absent the effects of tax reform, fourth-quarter 2017 adjusted net income was $486 million, and adjusted diluted earnings per share of $1.69, compared with $416 million, and $1.42 per diluted share, during the same period of 2016. For the year, adjusted net income was $1,922 million versus $1,668 million in 2016. Adjusted diluted earnings per share were $6.61, an 18 percent increase over last year's record diluted earnings per share of $5.62.

"Norfolk Southern is open for growth, and we are optimistic as we head into 2018 that the current economic environment will provide an opportunity for continuing growth," said James A. Squires, Norfolk Southern chairman, president and CEO. "The hard work and dedication of our employees in executing our Strategic Plan are clearly evident as we continue to achieve record results and deliver on the commitments we made to our shareholders. We remain steadfast in our commitment to deliver on the goals in our Strategic Plan, of which positioning ourselves for growth is a key element. We are laser-focused on execution of our strategy and are confident that we can achieve our targets by 2020 or sooner."

For 2017, Norfolk Southern invested over $1.7 billion in capital - reinvesting in the maintenance of its rail infrastructure and supporting economic growth. These investments range from sidings that better support network fluidity, to terminal expansions that accommodate volume growth, to roadway infrastructure that supports regional competitiveness. The recently-completed Portageville Bridge is one example; funded through a public-private partnership, it will support economic growth and jobs across New York's Southern Tier region. Norfolk Southern also realized new business in 2017 from 75 industries it assisted in locating or expanding along its lines - representing a customer investment of over 1 billion dollars.

Looking forward in 2018 with respect to capital deployment, Norfolk Southern plans to invest $1.8 billion to maintain the safety of its rail network, enhance service, improve operational efficiency, and support growth. In addition, Norfolk Southern's board of directors approved an 18 percent increase in its quarterly dividend on the company's common stock, from $0.61 to $0.72 per share. The dividend is payable March 10, to shareholders of record on Feb. 2. Since its inception in 1982, Norfolk Southern has paid dividends on its common stock for 142 consecutive quarters.

Fourth-quarter summary

Railway operating revenues of $2.7 billion increased 7 percent compared with fourth-quarter 2016, as overall volumes were up 5 percent reflecting growth in all three major commodity categories of intermodal, coal and merchandise.
Railway operating expenses decreased $74 million, or 4 percent, to $1.7 billion compared with the same period last year. The effects of tax reform decreased railway operating expenses $151 million, more than offsetting increases resulting from increased incentive compensation, higher fuel prices and the 5% growth in volume, which were offset in part by efficiency gains and higher property sales.
Income from railway operations was $1,014 million. Excluding the $151 million benefit from tax reform, adjusted income from railway operations was $863 million, an increase of 13 percent year-over-year, and the adjusted railway operating ratio, or operating expenses as a percentage of revenues, was 67.7 percent, a 170 basis point improvement over prior year.

2017 summary

Railway operating revenues of $10.6 billion increased 7 percent compared with 2016, as overall volumes were up 5 percent reflecting growth in the major commodity categories of coal and intermodal.
Railway operating expenses of $7.0 billion increased $151 million, or 2 percent, compared with last year. Expenses related to higher diesel fuel prices, increased incentive compensation, higher inflationary costs and volume growth were offset in part by efficiency savings and the $151 million benefit from tax reform.
Income from railway operations was $3,586 million. Excluding the tax reform benefit, adjusted income from railway operations was $3,435 million, an increase of 12 percent over the prior year, and the adjusted railway operating ratio was 67.4 percent, a 150 basis point improvement over the prior year's record.

About Norfolk Southern
Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation's premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway Company subsidiary operates approximately 19,500 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves every major container port in the eastern United States, and provides efficient connections to other rail carriers. Norfolk Southern operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is a major transporter of coal, automotive, and industrial products.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This news release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures. Reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures is provided in the table below, entitled "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures."

Forward-looking statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements that may be identified by the use of words like "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "plan," "consider," "project," and similar references to the future. Forward-looking statements reflect our good-faith evaluation of information currently available. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, and our actual results may differ materially from those projected. Please refer to our annual and quarterly reports filed with the SEC for a full discussion of those risks and uncertainties we view as most important. Forward-looking statements are not, and should not be relied upon as, a guarantee of future performance or results, nor will they necessarily prove to be accurate indications of the times at or by which any such performance or results will be achieved. As a result, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements.

http://www.norfolksouthern.com

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Information included within this press release includes non-GAAP financial measures, as defined by SEC Regulation G. Non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, the financial measures reported in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

GAAP financial results are adjusted to exclude the effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("tax reform"), signed into law on Dec. 22, 2017. Specifically, the adjustments remove the effects of remeasurements of net deferred tax liabilities related to the reduction of the federal tax rate from 35% to 21%.

The Company uses these non-GAAP financial measures internally and believes this information provides useful supplemental information to investors to facilitate making period-to-period comparisons by excluding the effects of tax reform. While the Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful in evaluating the Company's business, this information should be considered as supplemental in nature and is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures may not be the same as similar measures presented by other companies.

($ in millions except per share amounts)		Fourth Quarter 2017		Year-Ended Dec. 31, 2017

Income from railway operations	$	1,014	$	3,586
Effect of tax reform		(151)		(151)
Adjusted income from railway operations	$	863	$	3,435

Operating ratio (%)		62.0		66.0
Effect of tax reform (%)		5.7		1.4
Adjusted operating ratio (%)		67.7		67.4

Net income	$	3,968	$	5,404
Effect of tax reform		(3,482)		(3,482)
Adjusted net income	$	486	$	1,922

Diluted earnings per share	$	13.79	$	18.61
Effect of tax reform		(12.10)		(12.00)
Adjusted diluted earnings per share	$	1.69	$	6.61

Norfolk Southern Corporation and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)

	Fourth Quarter				Years Ended December 31,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
	($ in millions, except per share amounts)

Railway operating revenues
Merchandise	$	1,576	$	1,504	$	6,357	$	6,182
Intermodal		667		583		2,452		2,218
Coal		426		403		1,742		1,488
Total railway operating revenues		2,669		2,490		10,551		9,888

Railway operating expenses
Compensation and benefits		714		662		2,915		2,743
Purchased services and rents		268		399		1,414		1,548
Fuel		239		194		840		698
Depreciation		267		259		1,055		1,026
Materials and other		167		215		741		799

Total railway operating expenses		1,655		1,729		6,965		6,814

Income from railway operations		1,014		761		3,586		3,074

Other income – net		13		22		92		71
Interest expense on debt		134		142		550		563

Income before income taxes		893		641		3,128		2,582

Income taxes
Current		3		175		583		687
Deferred		(3,078)		50		(2,859)		227
Total income taxes		(3,075)		225		(2,276)		914

Net income	$	3,968	$	416	$	5,404	$	1,668

Earnings per share
Basic	$	13.91	$	1.43	$	18.76	$	5.66
Diluted		13.79		1.42		18.61		5.62

Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic		285.1		291.2		287.9		293.9
Diluted		287.8		293.7		290.3		296.0

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

Norfolk Southern Corporation and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)

	Fourth Quarter				Years Ended December 31,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
	($ in millions)

Net income	$	3,968	$	416	$	5,404	$	1,668
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Pension and other postretirement benefits		134		(94)		155		(74)
Other comprehensive income of
equity investees		20		5		19		5

Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax		154		(89)		174		(69)
Income tax benefit (expense) related to items of
other comprehensive income (loss)		(35)		35		(43)		27

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax		119		(54)		131		(42)

Total comprehensive income	$	4,087	$	362	$	5,535	$	1,626

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

Norfolk Southern Corporation and Subsidiaries Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

	At December 31,
	2017		2016
	($ in millions)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	690	$	956
Accounts receivable – net		955		945
Materials and supplies		222		257
Other current assets		282		133
Total current assets		2,149		2,291

Investments		2,981		2,777
Properties less accumulated depreciation of $11,909 and
$11,737, respectively		30,330		29,751
Other assets		251		73

Total assets	$	35,711	$	34,892

Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	1,401	$	1,215
Short-term debt		100		100
Income and other taxes		211		245
Other current liabilities		233		229
Current maturities of long-term debt		600		550
Total current liabilities		2,545		2,339

Long-term debt		9,136		9,562
Other liabilities		1,347		1,442
Deferred income taxes		6,324		9,140
Total liabilities		19,352		22,483

Stockholders' equity:
Common stock $1.00 per share par value, 1,350,000,000 shares
authorized; outstanding 284,157,187 and 290,417,610 shares,
respectively, net of treasury shares		285		292
Additional paid-in capital		2,254		2,179
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(356)		(487)
Retained income		14,176		10,425

Total stockholders' equity		16,359		12,409

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	35,711	$	34,892

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

Norfolk Southern Corporation and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

	Years Ended December 31,
	2017		2016
	($ in millions)
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$	5,404	$	1,668
Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation		1,059		1,030
Deferred income taxes		(2,859)		227
Gains and losses on properties		(92)		(46)
Changes in assets and liabilities affecting operations:
Accounts receivable		(41)		23
Materials and supplies		35		42
Other current assets		(71)		82
Current liabilities other than debt		135		158
Other – net		(317)		(150)

Net cash provided by operating activities		3,253		3,034

Cash flows from investing activities
Property additions		(1,723)		(1,887)
Property sales and other transactions		202		130
Investment purchases		(7)		(123)
Investment sales and other transactions		47		48

Net cash used in investing activities		(1,481)		(1,832)

Cash flows from financing activities
Dividends		(703)		(695)
Common stock transactions		89		57
Purchase and retirement of common stock		(1,012)		(803)
Proceeds from borrowings – net of issuance costs		290		694
Debt repayments		(702)		(600)

Net cash used in financing activities		(2,038)		(1,347)

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents		(266)		(145)

Cash and cash equivalents
At beginning of year		956		1,101

At end of year	$	690	$	956

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest (net of amounts capitalized)	$	528	$	543
Income taxes (net of refunds)		705		593

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:

Tax Reform
As a result of the enactment of tax reform, "Purchased services and rents" includes a $151 million benefit and "Total income taxes" includes a $3,331 million benefit which added $3,482 million to "Net income." This increased "Earnings per share - basic" by $12.21 and $12.10 in the fourth quarter and for the year 2017, respectively, and "Earnings per share - diluted" by $12.10 and $12.00 in the fourth quarter 2017 and for the year 2017, respectively.
Stock Repurchase Program
We repurchased and retired 8.2 million and 9.2 million shares of common stock under our stock repurchase program in 2017 and 2016, respectively, at a cost of $1.0 billion and $803 million, respectively. Since the beginning of 2006, we have repurchased and retired 168.5 million shares at a total cost of $11.3 billion.