JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Corp. announced fourth quarter earnings per share of 63 cents.
These results include a noncash impairment charge of 27 cents per share related to the write-down of its investment in The Greenbrier resort. Excluding this charge and gains from insurance recoveries in the prior year quarter, comparable earnings per share increased to 90 cents, a 6 percent increase on a year-over-year basis.
“CSX achieved solid financial results in the fourth quarter,” said Michael J. Ward, chairman, president and CEO. “The company finished 2008 in a strong financial position and began taking aggressive actions in the quarter as the intensifying global recession dramatically impacted our business.”
Revenues in the quarter increased four percent over last year, to $2.7 billion. The gains were driven by higher yields and fuel recovery, which more than offset the impact of significantly lower volumes. Operating income, on a comparable basis, increased 16 percent to $692 million, resulting in an operating ratio of 74.1 percent.
Lower fuel costs and the company’s productivity initiatives helped drive the increase in operating income as well as the improvement to a record fourth quarter operating ratio, the company said in a statement.
“Given the current economic environment, the company is accelerating its focus on driving productivity, changing its cost structure, creating efficiency and right sizing the resource base,” said Ward. “We will achieve this while keeping our intense focus on safety and customer service.”
— PRNewswire-FirstCall
