JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Corp. announced first quarter net earnings of $395 million, or $1.06 per share, versus $305 million, or $0.78 per share, in the same period last year. This represents a 36 percent year-over-year improvement in earnings per share.
“CSX delivered record financial results and achieved growth across nearly all markets in a growing economy,” said Michael J. Ward, chairman, president and chief executive officer. “We expect these positive trends to continue, allowing CSX to make critical investments and meet the future transportation needs of our customers and the nation.”
Revenue in the quarter improved 13 percent from the prior year to $2.8 billion, driven primarily by a 7 percent increase in overall volume. Shipments across all major markets – merchandise, intermodal and coal – increased as the economy continued to grow.
The higher revenue coupled with the company’s focus on profitable growth drove a 22 percent increase in operating income to $773 millionand a record first quarter operating ratio of 72.5 percent, a 210 basis point improvement year-over-year.
Consistent with prior guidance, CSX expects to deliver a high-sixties operating ratio in 2011, which keeps the company on a path to a 65 percent operating ratio by no later than 2015.
