Union Pacific Reports Record First Quarter Results

OMAHA, Neb., April 26, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

First Quarter Results

• Diluted earnings per share of $1.68 increased 27 percent.
• Operating income totaled $1.9 billion, up 8 percent.
• Operating ratio of 64.6 percent, improved 0.6 points (see footnote).

Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP) today reported 2018 first quarter net income of $1.3 billion, or a first-quarter record $1.68 per diluted share. This compares to about $1.1 billion, or $1.32 per diluted share, in the first quarter 2017.

"Our solid first quarter results were a direct reflection of the tremendous effort put forth by our entire workforce, and had it not been for some network congestion it would have been even better," said Lance Fritz, Union Pacific chairman, president and chief executive officer. "I am encouraged by the work we are doing to quickly regain superior levels of service and efficiency."

First Quarter Summary

Operating revenue of $5.5 billion was up 7 percent in the first quarter 2018 compared to the first quarter 2017. First quarter business volumes, as measured by total revenue carloads, increased 2 percent compared to 2017. Volume increases in energy, industrial and premium more than offset a decline in agricultural products. In addition:

• Quarterly freight revenue improved 7 percent compared to the first quarter 2017, as volume growth, increased fuel surcharge revenue, core pricing gains and positive mix all contributed to the increase.
• Union Pacific's 64.6 percent operating ratio improved 0.6 points (see footnote) compared to the first quarter 2017. Higher fuel prices negatively impacted the operating ratio by about 0.2 points.
• The $2.13 per gallon average quarterly diesel fuel price in the first quarter 2018 was 22 percent higher than the first quarter 2017.
• Quarterly train speed, as reported to the Association of American Railroads, was 24.8 mph, 4 percent slower than the first quarter 2017.
• Union Pacific's reportable personal injury rate of 0.74 per 200,000 employee-hours was a first quarter record, improving 17 percent compared to the first quarter 2017.
• The Company repurchased 9.3 million shares in the first quarter 2018 at an aggregate cost of $1.2 billion.
• Union Pacific redeemed $155 million of outstanding debentures and mortgage bonds, resulting in an approximate 8 cent reduction to diluted earnings per share.

Summary of First Quarter Freight Revenues

• Agricultural Products flat
• Industrial up 6 percent
• Premium up 7 percent
• Energy up 15 percent

2018 Outlook

"We are pleased with the improvement we have seen in recent weeks and are confident in the plan we have in place to continue building on the progress already made," Fritz said. "With the economy favoring a number of our market segments, we are well positioned to benefit from another year of positive volume growth and solid core pricing gains."

Footnote:  Certain prior period amounts have been adjusted for the retrospective adoption of Accounting Standard Update 2017-07 related to the presentation of the components of net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs.

First Quarter 2018 Earnings Conference Call

Union Pacific will host its first quarter 2018 earnings release presentation live over the Internet and via teleconference on Thursday, April 26, 2018 at 8:45 a.m. Eastern Time.  The presentation will be webcast live over the internet on Union Pacific's website at www.up.com/investor.  Alternatively, the webcast can be accessed directly through the following link.  Participants may join the conference call by dialing 877/407-8293 (or for international participants, 201/689-8349).

ABOUT UNION PACIFIC

Union Pacific Railroad is the principal operating company of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP). One of America's most recognized companies, Union Pacific Railroad connects 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country by rail, providing a critical link in the global supply chain. In the past 10 years, 2008-2017, Union Pacific invested approximately $34 billion in its network and operations to support America's transportation infrastructure. The railroad's diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Energy, Industrial and Premium. Union Pacific serves many of the fastest-growing U.S. population centers, operates from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways, connects with Canada's rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major Mexico gateways. Union Pacific provides value to its roughly 10,000 customers by delivering products in a safe, reliable, fuel-efficient and environmentally responsible manner.

Supplemental financial information is attached.

This presentation and related materials contain statements about the Company's future that are not statements of historical fact, including specifically the statements regarding the Company's expectations with respect to economic conditions and demand levels and its ability to improve network performance and customer service.  These statements are, or will be, forward-looking statements as defined by the Securities Act of 1933 and 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 2017, which was filed with the SEC on February 9, 2018.  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 our 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.

SOURCE Union Pacific Corporation