Kansas City Southern Reports Record Second Quarter Revenues, Operating Ratio & Operating Income

Second Quarter 2012 Results

  • Record second quarter revenues of $545 million.
  • Operating income of $204 million. Adjusted operating income of $161 million, also a record for the second quarter.
  • Operating ratio of 62.6%. Adjusted operating ratio of 70.5%, a 1.2 point improvement over second quarter 2011 and a 0.7 point sequential improvement over first quarter 2012.
  • Diluted earnings per share of $1.09 compared with diluted earnings per share of $0.64 in second quarter 2011. Adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.85 for second quarter 2012 compared with adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.71, a 20% improvement over second quarter 2011.

KANSAS CITY, Mo.--()--Kansas City Southern (KCS) (NYSE:KSU) reported second quarter 2012 revenues of $545 million, an increase of 2% over second quarter 2011 on a 4% increase in carloads.

Second quarter revenue growth compared to 2011 was led by a 23% increase in Intermodal and a 15% increase in Automotive revenues. Revenue from Industrial and Consumer Products was also strong, growing 10% over 2011. Revenues from Chemical & Petroleum and Agriculture & Minerals each declined by 7% in the second quarter. Energy revenue declined by 12% compared to 2011, primarily caused by a 24% decrease in utility coal revenue.

Operating income for the second quarter of 2012 was $204 million compared with $152 million a year ago. Adjusting for a one-time benefit from the elimination of a net deferred liability resulting from an organizational restructuring, operating income was $161 million, 6% higher than second quarter 2011. KCS reported an adjusted second quarter 2012 operating ratio of 70.5%, a 1.2 point improvement from second quarter 2011. Operating expenses in the second quarter were $341 million compared with $383 million in the corresponding 2011 period. Adjusted operating expenses in the second quarter were $384 million, comparatively flat with the same period in 2011.

Reported net income in the second quarter of 2012 totaled $120 million, or $1.09 per diluted share, compared with $71 million, or $0.64 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2011. Excluding debt retirement costs and the one-time benefit from the elimination of a net deferred liability, adjusted diluted earnings per share for second quarter 2012 was $0.85, compared with adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.71 in second quarter 2011.

“While lower than anticipated coal traffic clearly had an impact on second quarter results, KCS still reported a 4% increase in carloads, and excluding utility coal, our volumes rose 7% compared to second quarter 2011,” stated KCS president and chief executive officer David L. Starling. "We also ended the quarter on a strong note by achieving the highest average daily carloads in KCS’ history during the month of June.

“Despite economic uncertainties that might affect the overall business environment, a number of second quarter achievements provide powerful evidence that KCS’ growth story remains very much intact. Cross border intermodal volumes increased 106% over the prior year. This increase is significant as it is in a business segment that has some of the longest lengths of haul on our network. It also is an area in which KCS, taking advantage of secular changes in transportation, has the opportunity to experience record growth over an extended period of time. Carloads out of Lázaro Cárdenas grew by 20%. With Lázaro Cárdenas being the fastest growing container port in North America, and with a second port concession now being added, these opportunities will benefit the Company for many years.

“Automotive carloads increased 18% in the second quarter. It is anticipated that finished automotive production in Mexico will grow by more than 30% between now and 2015. KCS is well-positioned to benefit from this growth. In addition, the ripple effect from finished auto production on other commodity groups such as plastics, steel, glass and intermodal bodes well for KCS’ overall business mix over the long-term.

“These growth opportunities are combined with a steady focus on cost controls and a continual refinement of our overall cost structure. In the second quarter, KCS continued to effectively scale operational expenses to volume changes. As a result, despite a significant decline in utility coal shipments, KCS again achieved strong incremental margins in the second quarter.

“While we appreciate the importance of adjusting spending in response to periodic fluctuations in the business environment, KCS is first and foremost a growth company with excellent business expansion opportunities over a wide variety of commodity areas. We will continue to make the investments necessary to facilitate that growth in the future.”

GAAP RECONCILIATIONS

($ in millions, except per share amount)

       

Reconciliation of Diluted Earnings per Share to
  Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share

Three Months Ended

June 30,

2012 2011
Diluted earnings per share $ 1.09 $ 0.64
Adjustment for debt retirement costs 0.03 0.07
Adjustment for elimination of net deferred liability   (0.27 ) -  
Adjusted diluted earnings per share - see (a) below $ 0.85   $ 0.71  
 
 

Reconciliation of Operating Expenses to Adjusted
  Operating Expenses

Three Months Ended

June 30,

2012         2011
Operating expenses as reported $ 341.5 $ 383.3
Adjustment for elimination of net deferred liability   43.0     -  
Adjusted operating expenses - see (a) below $ 384.5   $ 383.3  
 
Operating income as reported $ 203.8 $ 151.6
Adjusted operating income 160.8 151.6
 
Operating ratio (b) as reported 62.6 % 71.7 %
Adjusted operating ratio - see (a) below 70.5 % 71.7 %
 

(a)

   

The Company believes adjusted diluted earnings per share, operating expenses and operating ratio are meaningful as they allow investors to evaluate the Company’s performance for different periods on a more comparable basis by excluding items that do not relate to the ongoing operations of the Company.

 

(b)

Operating ratio is calculated by dividing operating expenses by revenues.

 

Headquartered in Kansas City, MO, Kansas City Southern is a transportation holding company that has railroad investments in the U.S., Mexico and Panama. Its primary U.S. holding is The Kansas City Southern Railway Company, serving the central and south central U.S. Its international holdings include Kansas City Southern de México, S.A. de C.V., serving northeastern and central Mexico and the port cities of Lázaro Cárdenas, Tampico and Veracruz, and a 50 percent interest in Panama Canal Railway Company, providing ocean-to-ocean freight and passenger service along the Panama Canal. Kansas City Southern's North American rail holdings and strategic alliances are primary components of a NAFTA Railway system, linking the commercial and industrial centers of the U.S., Mexico and Canada.

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the securities laws concerning potential future events involving KCS and its subsidiaries, which could materially differ from the events that actually occur. The words “projects,” “estimates,” “forecasts,” “believes,” “intends,” “expects,” “anticipates,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based upon information currently available to management and management’s perception thereof as of the date of this news release. Differences that actually occur could be caused by a number of external factors over which management has little or no control, including: competition and consolidation within the transportation industry; the business environment in industries that produce and consume rail freight; revocation of the rail concession of KCS’s subsidiary, Kansas City Southern de México, S.A. de C.V.; the termination, or failure to renew, agreements with customers, other railroads and third parties; interest rates; access to capital; disruptions to KCS’s technology infrastructure, including its computer systems; natural events such as severe weather, hurricanes and floods; market and regulatory responses to climate change; credit risk of customers and counterparties and their failure to meet their financial obligations; legislative and regulatory developments and disputes; rail accidents or other incidents or accidents along KCS’s rail network, facilities or customer facilities involving the release of hazardous materials, including toxic inhalation hazards; fluctuation in prices or availability of key materials, in particular diesel fuel; dependency on certain key suppliers of core rail equipment; changes in securities and capital markets; loss of key personnel; labor difficulties, including strikes and work stoppages; insufficiency of insurance to cover lost revenue, profits or other damages; acts of terrorism or risk of terrorist activities; war or risk of war; domestic and international economic conditions; political and economic conditions in Mexico and the level of trade between the United States and Mexico; the outcome of claims and litigation involving KCS or its subsidiaries; and other factors affecting the operation of the business. More detailed information about these factors may be found in filings by KCS with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including KCS’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 (File No. 1-4717) and subsequent reports. 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. KCS is not obligated to update any forward-looking statements in this news release to reflect future events or developments.

Kansas City Southern

Consolidated Statements of Income

(In millions, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
      Three Months Ended         Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
2012         2011 2012         2011
Revenues $ 545.3   $ 534.9   $ 1,092.8   $ 1,023.5  
Operating expenses:
Compensation and benefits 105.8 104.4 215.1 204.8
Purchased services 60.3 54.8 114.7 102.9
Fuel 86.9 92.0 175.2 171.5
Equipment costs 39.5 42.7 77.8 84.1
Depreciation and amortization 48.7 45.5 97.1 91.2
Materials and other 43.3 43.9 94.3 89.6
Elimination of deferred statutory profit sharing liability, net (43.0 )   (43.0 )  
Total operating expenses 341.5   383.3   731.2   744.1  

Operating income

203.8 151.6 361.6 279.4
Equity in net earnings of unconsolidated affiliates 4.9 5.3 10.7 8.9
Interest expense (25.3 ) (32.4 ) (52.5 ) (65.5 )
Debt retirement costs (5.1 ) (10.3 ) (18.0 ) (10.3 )
Foreign exchange gain (loss) (3.5 ) 0.4 0.4 0.3
Other income (expense), net (0.8 )   (0.7 ) 1.7  
Income before income taxes 174.0 114.6 301.5 214.5
Income tax expense 53.1   42.9   105.3   78.7  
Net income 120.9 71.7 196.2 135.8
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 0.5   0.9   0.8   1.0  
Net income attributable to Kansas City Southern and subsidiaries 120.4 70.8 195.4 134.8
Preferred stock dividends   0.1   0.1   1.5  
Net income available to common stockholders $ 120.4   $ 70.7   $ 195.3   $ 133.3  
 
Earnings per share:
Basic earnings per share $ 1.10   $ 0.65   $ 1.78   $ 1.25  
Diluted earnings per share $ 1.09   $ 0.64   $ 1.77   $ 1.23  
 
Average shares outstanding (in thousands):
Basic 109,689 109,428 109,657 106,858
Potentially dilutive common shares 367   382   371   2,918  
Diluted 110,056   109,810   110,028   109,776  
 
Cash dividends declared per common share $ 0.195   $   $ 0.390   $  
 

Kansas City Southern

Revenue & Carloads/Units by Commodity - Second Quarter 2012 and 2011

                                                                     
Revenues Carloads and Units Revenue per
(in millions) (in thousands) Carload/Unit
Second Quarter % Second Quarter % Second Quarter %
2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change
 
Chemical & Petroleum
Chemicals $ 48.1 $ 51.5 (7 %) 27.8 30.9 (10 %) $ 1,730 $ 1,667 4 %
Petroleum 25.1 29.3 (14 %) 17.2 18.9 (9 %) 1,459 1,550 (6 %)
Plastics 24.8   25.0   (1 %) 15.9   16.5   (4 %) 1,560   1,515   3 %
Total 98.0   105.8   (7 %) 60.9   66.3   (8 %) 1,609   1,596   1 %
 
Industrial & Consumer Products
Forest Products 61.5 56.4 9 % 31.4 30.8 2 % 1,959 1,831 7 %
Metals & Scrap 56.1 49.7 13 % 30.6 28.9 6 % 1,833 1,720 7 %
Other 19.6   18.9   4 % 21.6   20.9   3 % 907   904    
Total 137.2   125.0   10 % 83.6   80.6   4 % 1,641   1,551   6 %
 
Agriculture & Minerals
Grain 59.3 59.6 (1 %) 33.4 34.7 (4 %) 1,775 1,718 3 %
Food Products 35.2 40.5 (13 %) 15.4 18.5 (17 %) 2,286 2,189 4 %
Ores & Minerals 4.8 6.6 (27 %) 5.0 6.6 (24 %) 960 1,000 (4 %)
Stone, Clay & Glass 6.7   6.7     3.4   3.5   (3 %) 1,971   1,914   3 %
Total 106.0   113.4   (7 %) 57.2   63.3   (10 %) 1,853   1,791   3 %
 
Energy (i)
Utility Coal 44.2 58.1 (24 %) 47.1 57.4 (18 %) 938 1,012 (7 %)
Coal & Petroleum Coke 8.0 9.9 (19 %) 10.9 10.9 734 908 (19 %)
Frac Sand 12.9 8.1 59 % 6.4 5.5 16 % 2,016 1,473 37 %
Crude Oil 2.8   1.1   155 % 1.7   0.7   143 % 1,647   1,571   5 %
Total 67.9   77.2   (12 %) 66.1   74.5   (11 %) 1,027   1,036   (1 %)
 
Intermodal 76.4   62.0   23 % 228.0   194.6   17 % 335   319   5 %
 
Automotive 39.6   34.4   15 % 24.1   20.5   18 % 1,643   1,678   (2 %)
 
TOTAL FOR COMMODITY GROUPS 525.1 517.8 1 % 519.9   499.8   4 % $ 1,010   $ 1,036   (3 %)
 
Other Revenue 20.2   17.1   18 %
 
TOTAL $ 545.3   $ 534.9   2 %
 
(i) Effective January 1, 2012, the Company established the Energy commodity group, which includes the previous Coal commodity group and certain amounts previously included within the Agriculture & Minerals and Chemicals & Petroleum commodity groups. Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

Kansas City Southern

Revenue & Carload/Units by Commodity - Year to Date June 30, 2012 and 2011

                                                                     
Revenues Carloads and Units Revenue per
(in millions) (in thousands) Carload/Unit
Year to Date % Year to Date % Year to Date %
2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change
 
Chemical & Petroleum
Chemicals $ 98.1 $ 97.8 56.1 59.6 (6 %) $ 1,749 $ 1,641 7 %
Petroleum 51.3 56.7 (10 %) 34.1 37.2 (8 %) 1,504 1,524 (1 %)
Plastics 50.5   47.6   6 % 32.2   32.1     1,568   1,483   6 %
Total 199.9   202.1   (1 %) 122.4   128.9   (5 %) 1,633   1,568   4 %
 
Industrial & Consumer Products
Forest Products 126.4 111.5 13 % 65.4 63.5 3 % 1,933 1,756 10 %
Metals & Scrap 113.8 94.9 20 % 63.7 57.9 10 % 1,786 1,639 9 %
Other 35.6   37.1   (4 %) 39.6   41.3   (4 %) 899   898    
Total 275.8   243.5   13 % 168.7   162.7   4 % 1,635   1,497   9 %
 
Agriculture & Minerals
Grain 122.6 109.9 12 % 69.1 65.6 5 % 1,774 1,675 6 %
Food Products 70.6 75.1 (6 %) 31.1 35.7 (13 %) 2,270 2,104 8 %
Ores & Minerals 11.2 14.3 (22 %) 10.9 14.5 (25 %) 1,028 986 4 %
Stone, Clay & Glass 13.5   12.5   8 % 6.8   6.7   1 % 1,985   1,866   6 %
Total 217.9   211.8   3 % 117.9   122.5   (4 %) 1,848   1,729   7 %
 
Energy (i)
Utility Coal 94.4 114.0 (17 %) 99.1 116.0 (15 %) 953 983 (3 %)
Coal & Petroleum Coke 16.1 18.6 (13 %) 21.4 21.0 2 % 752 886 (15 %)
Frac Sand 24.3 14.8 64 % 12.8 10.6 21 % 1,898 1,396 36 %
Crude Oil 4.1   1.7   141 % 2.5   1.1   127 % 1,640   1,545   6 %
Total 138.9   149.1   (7 %) 135.8   148.7   (9 %) 1,023   1,003   2 %
 
Intermodal 144.5   116.2   24 % 436.1   370.5   18 % 331   314   5 %
 
Automotive 77.1   65.5   18 % 47.1   40.6   16 % 1,637   1,613   1 %
 
TOTAL FOR COMMODITY GROUPS 1,054.1 988.2 7 % 1,028.0   973.9   6 % $ 1,025   $ 1,015   1 %
 
Other Revenue 38.7   35.3   10 %
 
TOTAL $ 1,092.8   $ 1,023.5   7 %
 
(i) Effective January 1, 2012, the Company established the Energy commodity group, which includes the previous Coal commodity group and certain amounts previously included within the Agriculture & Minerals and Chemicals & Petroleum commodity groups. Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

Contacts

Kansas City Southern
William H. Galligan, 816-983-1551
bgalligan@kcsouthern.com

Contacts

Kansas City Southern
William H. Galligan, 816-983-1551
bgalligan@kcsouthern.com