Canadian National Railway (CNI) reported adjusted earnings per share of C$1.26 ($1.30) in the second quarter of 2011, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.28.
Adjusted earnings increased 11.5% from the year-ago quarter of C$1.13 driven by strong volume and pricing, backed by a gradual improvement in the North American economy.
Adjusted earnings include net deferred income tax expense of C$40 million or 8 Canadian cents per share related changes in state corporate income tax rates and other legislated state tax revisions.
Revenues increased 8% year over year to C$2.3 billion ($2.4 billion) and were ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.3 billion driven by higher volumes across all of commodity segments except for coal, which showed a steep decline (14%) in volume.
On a year-over-year basis, revenues increased 17% for Metals and Minerals followed by increases of 14% in Intermodal, 13% in Grain and Fertilizers, 6% in Forest Products, 5% in Coal, 3% in Petroleum and Chemicals, and 2% in Automotive. Growth across all commodity segments can be attributed to improving North American and international economic conditions, a higher fuel surcharge as well as an increase in freight rate. These factors were partly offset by a negative currency translation.
Carloads (volumes) increased 4% year over year and revenue ton miles, which measure the relative weight and distance of rail freight transported by Canadian National, grew 5% from the year-ago quarter. Coal showed a major decline in volumes, partially compensated by Intermodal, Grain and Automotive.
Operating income increased 7.5% year over year to C$874 million ($903 million). Operating expenses climbed 8.3% year over year primarily attributable to surging fuel costs, increased purchased services and materials expense, higher labor and fringe benefits expense. Operating ratio (defined as operating expenses as a percentage of revenue) deteriorated by 10 basis points to 61.3% from 61.2% in the year-ago quarter.
Liquidity
Canadian National exited the second quarter with cash and cash equivalents of C$175 million, which was much lower than C$896 million in the year-ago quarter. Long-term debt decreased to C$5.4 billion from C$6.3 billion in the year-ago quarter.
Dividend
Canadian National’s board of directors announced a quarterly dividend of 32.5 Canadian cents per share to shareholders of record on September 9, payable on September 30.
Our Analysis
We believe Canadian National is poised to benefit from the rebound in the overall economy as well as slower rise in North American industrial production. Improved performance in each of the business segments will likely fuel future revenue and earnings growth. In addition, the company’s recent agreement with Raven Energy, LLC, for coal transportation is also expected to aid its Coal business. Further, the company remains focused on increasing network fluidity, train efficiency, productivity initiatives, and its “first mile-last mile” initiative, which should all bode well for volume growth at low costs.
However, several headwinds from rising fuel prices, higher depreciation expenses and negative currency translation, along with competitive threats particularly from Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (CP) as well as a unionized labor force will limit the upside potential of the stock. Further, the rail industry may create potential headwinds by way of increasing regulations, which may weigh on efficiency gains and earnings growth of the company.
Accordingly, we are currently maintaining our long-term Neutral rating on the largest Canadian railway, with the Zacks #3 (Hold) Rank.
CDN NATL RY CO (CNI): Free Stock Analysis Report
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