CSX Corporation reported its quarterly financial results for the period ended September 30, 2024. The company’s revenue increased by 10% to $3.4 billion, driven by growth in its rail and intermodal segments. Net income rose to $1.1 billion, or $0.58 per diluted share, compared to $944 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, in the same period last year. Operating ratio improved to 59.1%, a 130 basis point decrease from the prior year’s quarter. The company’s cash flow from operations was $1.4 billion, and its debt-to-equity ratio remained at 0.6. CSX’s board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.26 per share, payable on December 10, 2024. The company’s outlook for the full year 2024 remains unchanged, with expectations for revenue growth and improved operating ratio.
Overview of CSX’s Financial Performance
In the third quarter of 2024, CSX reported a 1% increase in total revenue compared to the same period in 2023. This was primarily driven by higher merchandise and intermodal volumes as well as pricing gains in the merchandise segment, partially offset by lower coal revenue and fuel recovery. Expenses decreased 2% due to lower fuel costs and other efficiency savings, though this was partially offset by higher labor and depreciation costs.
For the first nine months of 2024, revenue increased 0.2% compared to the prior year period, while total expenses increased 0.6%. The increase in revenue was again driven by higher merchandise and intermodal volumes, though this was largely offset by lower coal revenue and fuel recovery. The rise in expenses was primarily due to inflation, higher headcount, and increased depreciation, partially offset by lower fuel prices.
Revenue and Profit Trends
CSX saw mixed results across its major business segments in Q3 2024. Merchandise revenue, which makes up the largest portion of total revenue, increased 6% due to higher volumes in chemicals, agricultural/food products, and minerals. However, automotive and metals/equipment volumes declined. Intermodal revenue decreased 2% despite a 3% increase in volume, as lower fuel recovery and pricing more than offset the volume gains. Coal revenue fell 7% due to lower global benchmark rates and reduced domestic shipments.
On the profitability side, CSX’s operating income decreased 1% in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. This was driven by the revenue trends mentioned above as well as higher labor, depreciation, and other costs that offset the savings from lower fuel expenses. The company’s operating ratio, a key measure of efficiency, increased slightly to 62.4% year-to-date.
CSX uses non-GAAP metrics like Economic Profit and Free Cash Flow to provide additional perspective on its financial performance. Economic Profit, which measures profit generated above the cost of capital, decreased 6.4% in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the prior year period. Free Cash Flow before dividends also declined 12% due to lower cash from operations and higher capital expenditures.
Strengths and Weaknesses
One of CSX’s key strengths is its diverse revenue base, with merchandise making up over 60% of total revenue. This helps mitigate the impact of volatility in any single market segment. The company has also demonstrated an ability to effectively manage costs, as evidenced by the 2% decrease in expenses in Q3 2024 despite inflationary pressures.
However, CSX faces some headwinds that could impact future performance. The decline in coal revenue, which has historically been an important profit contributor, is a concern as utilities continue to shift away from coal-fired power generation. The company is also grappling with operational challenges, as evidenced by the declines in trip plan performance and increases in dwell time and personal injury frequency in Q3 2024. Addressing these operational issues will be crucial for improving service reliability and safety.
Another potential weakness is CSX’s high capital intensity. The company plans to invest approximately $2.5 billion in capital expenditures in 2024, which could strain free cash flow generation if revenue growth does not keep pace. Effectively allocating this capital to projects that drive profitable growth will be important.
Outlook and Conclusion
Looking ahead, CSX faces a mixed outlook. On the positive side, the company expects continued strength in merchandise and intermodal volumes, supported by favorable economic conditions and growth in key end markets like chemicals and agriculture. However, the coal market headwinds and operational challenges mentioned earlier are likely to persist.
Overall, CSX appears to be navigating a complex operating environment reasonably well, though there are areas that require management’s attention. The company’s diverse revenue base, cost discipline, and strong liquidity position provide a solid foundation. However, addressing operational inefficiencies, optimizing capital allocation, and finding new avenues for profitable growth will be critical for CSX to deliver consistent financial performance in the years ahead.