OMAHA, Neb., Oct. 19, 2023
-- Earnings per diluted share of $2.51 -- Operating revenue of $5.9 billion -- Operating income of $2.2 billion
OMAHA, Neb., Oct. 19, 2023 — Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP) today reported 2023 third quarter net income of $1.5 billion, or $2.51 per diluted share. This compares to 2022 third quarter net income of $1.9 billion, or $3.05 per diluted share.
“We faced many challenges in the quarter, including continued inflationary pressures and a drop in carloads,” said Jim Vena, Union Pacific Chief Executive Officer. “Operationally we gained momentum through the quarter, which positions us to provide our customers with great service. Operating and safety metrics are showing solid improvement, as we increase asset utilization. We are aligning the team around our strategy focused on being the best in safety, service, and operational excellence as we drive growth to the railroad. Through our day-to-day actions, we will continue to make improvements as we exit the year.”
Financial Results: Operating Revenue Reduced by Lower Fuel Surcharge Revenue and Lower Volumes
Third Quarter 2023 Compared to Third Quarter 2022
-- Operating revenue of $5.9 billion was down 10% driven by reduced fuel
surcharge revenue, lower volumes, and business mix, partially offset by
core pricing gains.
-- Business volumes, as measured by total revenue carloads, were down 3%.
-- Operating ratio was 63.4%, up 350 basis points. Rising fuel prices during
the quarter negatively impacted the operating ratio 170 basis points.
-- Operating income of $2.2 billion declined 17%.
Operating Performance: Service Strengthening as Resource Utilization Improves
Third Quarter 2023 Compared to Third Quarter 2022
-- Quarterly freight car velocity was 200 daily miles per car, a 5%
improvement.
-- Quarterly locomotive productivity was 129 gross ton-miles (GTMs) per
horsepower day, a 4% improvement.
-- Average maximum train length was 9,537 feet, a 1% increase.
-- Quarterly workforce productivity decreased 6% to 985 car miles per
employee.
-- Fuel consumption rate of 1.052, measured in gallons of fuel per thousand
GTMs, was flat.
-- Union Pacific's year to date reportable personal injury and derailment
rates improved.
2023 Full Year Outlook Remains Relatively Unchanged
-- Year to date softness in consumer-related volumes likely drive full year
volume expectations below Industrial Production (Current forecast: 0.0%)
-- Pricing dollars in excess of inflation dollars
-- 2023 Capital Allocation:
-- Updated capital plan of $3.7 billion
-- Maintain dividend of $1.30/quarter
-- No further 2023 share repurchases planned
Third Quarter 2023 Earnings Conference Call
Union Pacific will webcast its third quarter 2023 earnings release presentation live at and via teleconference on Thursday, October 19, 2023, at 8:45 a.m. Eastern Time. Participants may join the conference call by dialing 877-407-8293 (or for international participants, 201-689-8349).
ABOUT UNION PACIFIC
Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) delivers the goods families and businesses use every day with safe, reliable, and efficient service. Operating in 23 western states, the company connects its customers and communities to the global economy. Trains are the most environmentally responsible way to move freight, helping Union Pacific protect future generations. More information about Union Pacific is available at .
Supplemental financial information is attached.
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This news release and related materials contain statements about the Company’s future that are not statements of historical fact, including specifically the statements regarding the potential impacts of public health crises, including pandemics, epidemics and the outbreak of other contagious diseases, such as the coronavirus and its variant strains (COVID); the Russia-Ukraine and Israeli wars and any impacts on our business operations, financial results, liquidity, and financial position, and on the world economy (including customers, employees, and supply chains), including as a result of fluctuations in volume and carloadings; expectations as to general macroeconomic conditions, including slowdowns and recessions, domestically or internationally, and future volatility in interest rates and fuel prices; closing of customer manufacturing, distribution, or production facilities; expectations as to operational or service improvements; expectations as to hiring challenges; availability of employees; expectations regarding the effectiveness of steps taken or to be taken to improve operations, service, infrastructure improvements, and transportation plan modifications; expectations as to cost savings, revenue growth, and earnings; the time by which goals, targets, or objectives will be achieved; projections, predictions, expectations, estimates, or forecasts as to business, financial, and operational results, future economic performance, and planned capital investments ; proposed new products and services; estimates of costs relating to environmental remediation and restoration; estimates and expectations regarding tax matters; expectations that claims, litigation, environmental costs, commitments, contingent liabilities, labor negotiations or agreements, cyberattacks or other matters. These statements are, or will be, forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements also generally include, without limitation, information, or statements regarding: projections, predictions, expectations, estimates, or forecasts as to the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ business, financial, and operational results, and future economic performance; and management’s beliefs, expectations, goals, and objectives and other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts.
Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times that, or by which, such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking information, including expectations regarding operational and financial improvements and the Company’s future performance or results are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in the statement. Important factors, including risk factors, could affect the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ future results and could cause those results or other outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Information regarding risk factors and other cautionary information are available in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2022, which was filed with the SEC on February 10, 2023. The Company updates information regarding risk factors if circumstances require such updates in its periodic reports on Form 10-Q and its subsequent Annual Reports on Form 10-K (or such other reports that may be filed with the SEC).
Forward-looking statements speak only as of, and are based only upon information available on, the date the statements were made. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking information to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions, or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information. If the Company does update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that the Company will make additional updates with respect thereto or with respect to other forward-looking statements. References to the Company’s website are provided for convenience and, therefore, information on or available through the website is not, and should not be deemed to be, incorporated by reference herein.
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UNION PACIFIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)
Millions,
Except Per
Share Amounts
and 3rd Quarter Year-to-Date
----------------------------- ---------------------------------
Percentages,
For the Periods
Ended September
30, 2023 2022 % 2023 2022 %
--------------- ------ ------ ----- --- -------- -------- ----- ---
Operating
Revenues
Freight
revenues $5,545 $6,109 (9)% $ 16,770 $ 17,391 (4)%
Other revenues 396 457 (13) 1,190 1,304 (9)
--------------- ----- ----- ----- --- ------- ------- ----- ---
Total operating
revenues 5,941 6,566 (10) 17,960 18,695 (4)
--------------- ----- ----- ----- --- ------- ------- ----- ---
Operating
Expenses
Compensation
and benefits 1,201 1,278 (6) 3,649 3,471 5
Fuel 702 932 (25) 2,132 2,586 (18)
Purchased
services and
materials 668 626 7 1,971 1,809 9
Depreciation 580 563 3 1,729 1,677 3
Equipment and
other rents 235 215 9 718 660 9
Other 378 319 18 1,086 987 10
--------------- ----- ----- ----- --- ------- ------- ----- ---
Total operating
expenses 3,764 3,933 (4) 11,285 11,190 1
--------------- ----- ----- ----- --- ------- ------- ----- ---
Operating