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Form 8-K NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORP For: Apr 25

April 25, 2018 8:06 AM

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
________________________________

FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
April 25, 2018 (April 25, 2018)
________________________________
ns8k042518image1.jpg
NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
______________________________________

Virginia
1-8339
52-1188014
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
(Commission File Number)
(IRS Employer
Identification Number)
 
 
 
Three Commercial Place
 
757-629-2680
Norfolk, Virginia 
23510-9241
 
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
 

No Change
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[ ]    Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[ ]    Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[ ]    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act
        (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[ ]    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act
        (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging growth company.  [  ]

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  [  ]




Item 2.02.    Results of Operations and Financial Condition
Item 7.01.    Regulation FD Disclosure
On April 25, 2018, the Registrant issued a Press Release, attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1, reporting first quarter results for 2018. Quarterly financial data is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2. These documents are available on the Registrant’s website, www.nscorp.com, in the “Invest in NS” section, under “Financial Reports.”
The accompanying unaudited financial information and summary of certain notes to the consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with: (a) the consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Registrant's latest Annual Report on Form 10-K and in subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q; and (b) any Current Reports on Form 8-K.

Item 9.01.     Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

The following exhibits are furnished as part of this Current Report on Form 8-K:

Exhibit Number
Description
99.1
99.2


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

SIGNATURES
NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION
(Registrant)


/s/ Thomas E. Hurlbut        
Name:  Thomas E. Hurlbut
Title:    Vice President and Controller

Date:  April 25, 2018



nspr042518image1a01.jpg
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Norfolk Southern reports first-quarter 2018 results

Achieves record first-quarter operating income, operating ratio, net income and earnings per share

NORFOLK, Va., April 25, 2018 – Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) today reported first-quarter financial results.

First-quarter net income was $552 million, up 27 percent year-over-year, a result of a 10 percent increase in income from railway operations and a lower effective income tax rate. Diluted earnings per share were $1.93, up 30 percent year-over-year and a first-quarter record.

“We are pleased with the continued improvement in our financial performance and the growth in our business,” said James A. Squires, Norfolk Southern chairman, president and CEO. “We are focused on improving service for our customers to position us for future growth and efficiency that will benefit both our customers and shareholders. The outlook for 2018 is promising, and we are increasing our expected annual share repurchases to $1.5 billion, confident that we will deliver strong financial performance.”

First-quarter summary


Railway operating revenues of $2.7 billion increased 6 percent compared with first-quarter 2017, as overall volumes were up 3 percent, reflecting 8 percent growth in our intermodal category that offset declines in merchandise and coal volumes.

Railway operating expenses increased $64 million, or 4 percent, to $1.9 billion compared with the same period last year, as higher fuel prices and increased costs associated with overall lower network velocity were offset, in part, by efficiency gains.

Income from railway operations was $835 million, an increase of 10 percent year-over-year, a first-quarter record. The railway operating ratio, or operating expenses as a percentage of revenues, was 69.3 percent, also a first-quarter record.


About Norfolk Southern
Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway Company subsidiary operates approximately 19,500 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves every major container port in the



eastern United States, and provides efficient connections to other rail carriers. Norfolk Southern operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is a major transporter of coal, automotive, and industrial products.

Forward-looking statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements that may be identified by the use of words like “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “consider,” “project,” and similar references to the future. Forward-looking statements reflect our good-faith evaluation of information currently available. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, and our actual results may differ materially from those projected. Please refer to our annual and quarterly reports filed with the SEC for a full discussion of those risks and uncertainties we view as most important. 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. We undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements.


Media Inquiries:
Susan Terpay, 757-823-5204 ([email protected])

Investor Inquiries:
Clay Moore, 757-629-2861 ([email protected])

http://www.norfolksouthern.com


###



Norfolk Southern Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)

 
First Quarter
 
2018
 
2017
 
($ in millions, except per share amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Railway operating revenues
 
 
 
 
 
Merchandise
$
1,605

 
 
$
1,584

 
Intermodal
 
678

 
 
 
571

 
Coal
 
434

 
 
 
420

 
Total railway operating revenues
 
2,717

 
 
 
2,575

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Railway operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
Compensation and benefits
 
737

 
 
 
759

 
Purchased services and rents
 
401

 
 
 
377

 
Fuel
 
266

 
 
 
213

 
Depreciation
 
272

 
 
 
259

 
Materials and other
 
206

 
 
 
210

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total railway operating expenses
 
1,882

 
 
 
1,818

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from railway operations
 
835

 
 
 
757

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other income – net
 
8

 
 
 
40

 
Interest expense on debt
 
136

 
 
 
142

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income before income taxes
 
707

 
 
 
655

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income taxes
 
 
 
 
 
Current
 
110

 
 
 
166

 
Deferred
 
45

 
 
 
56

 
Total income taxes
 
155

 
 
 
222

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
552

 
 
$
433

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share – diluted
$
1.93

 
 
$
1.48

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted
 
285.9

 
 
 
292.8

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.





Norfolk Southern Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)
 
First Quarter
 
2018
 
2017
 
($ in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
552

 
 
$
433

 
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
 
 
 
 
 
Pension and other post retirement benefit (expense)
 
(7
)
 
 
 
7

 
Other comprehensive income (loss) of equity investees

 
1

 
 
 
(2
)
 
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax
 
(6
)
 
 
 
5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income tax benefit (expense) related to items of
 
 
 
 
 
other comprehensive income (loss)
 
2

 
 
 
(3
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
 
(4
)
 
 
 
2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total comprehensive income
$
548

 
 
$
435

 


 
      












See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.





Norfolk Southern Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
($ in millions)
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
 
1,072

 
 
$
 
690

 
Accounts receivable – net
 
 
973

 
 
 
 
955

 
Materials and supplies
 
 
245

 
 
 
 
222

 
Other current assets
 
 
189

 
 
 
 
282

 
Total current assets
 
 
2,479

 
 
 
 
2,149

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments
 
 
3,020

 
 
 
 
2,981

 
Properties less accumulated depreciation of $12,076 and
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$11,909, respectively
 
 
30,396

 
 
 
 
30,330

 
Other assets
 
 
267

 
 
 
 
251

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
 
36,162

 
 
$
 
35,711

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
 
1,217

 
 
$
 
1,401

 
Short-term debt
 
 
50

 
 
 
 
100

 
Income and other taxes
 
 
217

 
 
 
 
211

 
Other current liabilities
 
 
304

 
 
 
 
233

 
Current maturities of long-term debt
 
 
600

 
 
 
 
600

 
Total current liabilities
 
 
2,388

 
 
 
 
2,545

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt
 
 
9,637

 
 
 
 
9,136

 
Other liabilities
 
 
1,352

 
 
 
 
1,347

 
Deferred income taxes
 
 
6,367

 
 
 
 
6,324

 
Total liabilities
 
 
19,744

 
 
 
 
19,352

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stockholders’ equity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock $1.00 per share par value, 1,350,000,000 shares
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  authorized; outstanding 282,541,886 and 284,157,187 shares,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  respectively, net of treasury shares
 
 
284

 
 
 
 
285

 
Additional paid-in capital
 
 
2,255

 
 
 
 
2,254

 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
 
(448
)
 
 
 
 
(356
)
 
Retained income
 
 
14,327

 
 
 
 
14,176

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total stockholders’ equity
 
 
16,418

 
 
 
 
16,359

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
 
36,162

 
 
$
 
35,711

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.





Norfolk Southern Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
 
First Three Months
 
2018
 
2017
 
($ in millions)
Cash flows from operating activities
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
552

 
 
$
433

 
Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation
 
272

 
 
 
260

 
Deferred income taxes
 
45

 
 
 
56

 
Gains and losses on properties
 
(8
)
 
 
 
(9
)
 
Changes in assets and liabilities affecting operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
 
(26
)
 
 
 
(53
)
 
Materials and supplies
 
(23
)
 
 
 
(24
)
 
Other current assets
 
13

 
 
 
31

 
Current liabilities other than debt
 
12

 
 
 
188

 
Other – net
 
(21
)
 
 
 
(36
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
816

 
 
 
846

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities
 
 
 
 
 
Property additions
 
(383
)
 
 
 
(438
)
 
Property sales and other transactions
 
13

 
 
 
35

 
Investment purchases
 
(2
)
 
 
 
(2
)
 
Investment sales and other transactions
 
1

 
 
 
1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash used in investing activities
 
(371
)
 
 
 
(404
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends
 
(205
)
 
 
 
(177
)
 
Common stock transactions
 
(1
)
 
 
 
34

 
Purchase and retirement of common stock
 
(300
)
 
 
 
(200
)
 
Proceeds from borrowings – net of issuance costs
 
543

 
 
 

 
Debt repayments
 
(100
)
 
 
 
(100
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash used in financing activities
 
(63
)
 
 
 
(443
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 
382

 
 
 
(1
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
 
 
 
 
At beginning of year
 
690

 
 
 
956

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At end of period
$
1,072

 
 
$
955

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
 
 
 
 
 
Cash paid during the period for:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest (net of amounts capitalized)
$
69

 
 
$
70

 
Income taxes (net of refunds)
 
7

 
 
 
12

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.





NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:

1.    Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
We adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-07 on January 1, 2018. The retrospective application resulted in the reclassification of $16 million of pension and other postretirement benefits from the “Compensation and benefits” line item within “Railway operating expenses” to “Other income - net” on the Consolidated Statements of Income for the quarter ended March 31, 2017.

2.    Stock Repurchase Program
We repurchased and retired 2.1 million and 1.7 million shares of common stock under our stock repurchase program in the first quarters of 2018 and 2017, respectively, at a cost of $300 million and $200 million, respectively. Since the beginning of 2006, we have repurchased and retired 170.6 million shares at a total cost of $11.6 billion.

3.    Reclassification of Stranded Tax Effects
In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, “Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.” This update is intended to reclassify the stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that was enacted on December 22, 2017 from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. In the first quarter of 2018, we adopted the provisions of ASU 2018-02 resulting in an increase to “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” of $88 million and a corresponding increase to “Retained income,” with no impact on “Total stockholders’ equity.”




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