JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Corp. reported second quarter 2008 earnings of $385 million, or a record 93 cents per share. Last year CSX reported second quarter earnings of $324 million, or 71 cents per share.
Second quarter 2008 results included 4 cents per share associated with the resolution of certain tax matters. On a comparable basis, excluding this item, second quarter EPS was up 25 percent from a year ago.
“CSX continues to deliver significant value for shareholders and demonstrate the secular strength of our business,” said Michael Ward, chairman, president and CEO. “The strong earnings performance delivered by this team was supported by all-time records in revenue and operating income, despite the effects of a softer economy.”
Sustained strong demand for export coal, grain, ethanol, metals and phosphates and fertilizers, as well as solid yield management, continued to lead significant revenue growth across CSX’s markets. Revenue increased in eight of the company’s ten markets resulting in overall quarterly revenues of $2.9 billion, a 15 percent increase over the same period last year.
CSX produced quarterly operating income of $717 million, up 17 percent over the $612 million reported last year. The company’s continued focus on productivity and cost control helped to offset the significant increase in fuel costs, driving its operating ratio to 75.3 percent for the quarter.
“We are achieving the company’s vision, quickly taking this company’s results to industry leading positions,” said Ward. “This success is propelled by our employees every day delivering exceptional customer service, safety, innovation and a balanced approach to managing capital that drives shareholder value and positions the company to leverage future demand.”
Reflecting the company’s strong second quarter performance and the underlying strength of its business, CSX continues to target the upper end of its previously announced 2008 EPS guidance of $3.40 – $3.60 on a comparable basis.
— PRNewswire-FirstCall
