Norfolk Southern reports first quarter 2023 results

Rhea-AI Summary

On April 26, 2023, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) released its first quarter financial results, reporting a 34% decline in income from railway operations to $711 million and a 30% decrease in diluted earnings per share to $2.04, compared to Q1 2022. The financial results included a $387 million charge linked to the Eastern Ohio incident. After adjusting for this charge, adjusted income from railway operations was $1.1 billion, showing a 1% increase year-over-year, and adjusted diluted earnings per share increased 13% to $3.32. Railway operating revenues rose by 7% to $3.1 billion, up $217 million from the previous year.

Positive

• Adjusted income from railway operations increased by 1% to $1.1 billion compared to Q1 2022.
• Adjusted diluted earnings per share improved by 13%, reaching $3.32.

Negative

• Income from railway operations decreased by 34% to $711 million, primarily due to the $387 million incident charge.
• Diluted earnings per share fell by 30% to $2.04.

ATLANTA, April 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) announced Wednesday its first quarter 2023 financial results. For the quarter, income from railway operations was $711 million, and diluted earnings per share were $2.04 – down by 34% and 30%, respectively, compared to the first quarter 2022. These results include an initial $387 million charge associated with the incident in Eastern Ohio and do not reflect any amounts potentially recoverable under the company's insurance policies, which would be reflected in future periods in which recovery is considered probable.

Adjusting for the effects of the incident charge, first quarter results included adjusted income from railway operations of $1.1 billion and adjusted diluted earnings per share of $3.32 – improvements of 1% and 13%, respectively, compared to first quarter 2022. 

"From the beginning, we have been guided by one principle: We are going to do whatever it takes to make it right for East Palestine and the surrounding areas," said Norfolk Southern President and Chief Executive Officer Alan H. Shaw.  "We are making progress every day and I'm proud of our people.  Our response reflects our strategy of focusing on long-term priorities and value."

First Quarter Summary 

• Railway operating revenues of $3.1 billion, up 7%, or $217 million, compared to first quarter 2022. 
  
  
• Income from railway operations in the first quarter 2023 was $711 million including a $387 million charge associated with the Eastern Ohio Incident, a 34% decline compared to $1.1 billion in the first quarter of 2022. 
• Adjusting for the Eastern Ohio Incident, income from railway operations was $1.1 billion, up $13 million or 1% compared to first quarter 2022.
  
  
• Diluted earnings per share were $2.04 in the first quarter 2023, a decline of 30% compared to first quarter 2022.
• Adjusting for the Eastern Ohio Incident, diluted earnings per share were $3.32, up 13%, or $0.39 compared to the first quarter 2022.

About Norfolk Southern
Since 1827, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) and its predecessor companies have safely moved the goods and materials that drive the U.S. economy. Today, it operates a customer-centric and operations-driven freight transportation network. Committed to furthering sustainability, Norfolk Southern helps its customers avoid 15 million tons of yearly carbon emissions by shipping via rail. Its dedicated team members deliver more than 7 million carloads annually, from agriculture to consumer goods, and is the largest rail shipper of auto products and metals in North America. Norfolk Southern also has the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern U.S., serving a majority of the country's population and manufacturing base, with connections to every major container port on the Atlantic coast as well as the Gulf of Mexico and Great Lakes. Learn more by visiting www.NorfolkSouthern.com.

Forward-looking statements
Certain statements in this press release may be considered "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, or our achievements or those of our industry to be materially different from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words like "may," "will," "could," "would," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "intend," "believe," "estimate," "project," "consider," "predict," "potential," "feel," or other comparable terminology. We have based these forward- looking statements on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates, beliefs, and projections. While we believe these expectations, assumptions, estimates, and projections are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond our control. These and other important factors, including those discussed under "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), as supplemented in Part II, Item 1A of our Form 10-Q to be filed with the SEC on the same date as this press release, may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward- looking statements. The forward-looking statements herein are made only as of the date they were first issued, and unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, we disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Information included within this filing includes non-GAAP financial measures, as defined by SEC Regulation G. Non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, the financial measures reported in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

GAAP financial results are adjusted to exclude the effects of  a February 3, 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio that included 11 non-Company-owned tank cars carrying hazardous materials, fires associated with the derailment that threatened certain of the tank cars, and a controlled vent and burn procedure conducted on February 6, 2023 on the five derailed tank cars containing vinyl chloride (the Incident).  The Company recognized $387 million of expenses during the first quarter related to the Incident.  The income tax effects of this non-GAAP adjustment were calculated based on the applicable tax rates to which the non-GAAP adjustment related.  The Company uses these non-GAAP financial measures internally and believes this information provides useful supplemental information to investors to facilitate making period-to-period comparisons by excluding the effects of the Incident.  

While the Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful in evaluating the Company's business, this information should be considered as supplemental in nature and is not meant to be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.  In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures may not be the same as similar measures presented by other companies.  

($ in millions except per share amounts)				First
				Quarter 2023
Income from railway operations		$		711
	Effect of the Incident			387
Adjusted income from railway operations		$		1,098
Diluted earnings per share		$		2.04
	Effect of the Incident			1.28
Adjusted diluted earnings per share		$		3.32

 

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SOURCE Norfolk Southern Corporation

FAQ

What were Norfolk Southern's earnings per share in Q1 2023?

Norfolk Southern reported diluted earnings per share of $2.04 for Q1 2023.

How much did the Eastern Ohio incident cost Norfolk Southern in Q1 2023?

The company incurred a charge of $387 million associated with the Eastern Ohio incident.

What were Norfolk Southern's operating revenues in the first quarter of 2023?

Railway operating revenues for Q1 2023 were $3.1 billion, a 7% increase compared to the same period in 2022.

How does Norfolk Southern's adjusted earnings compare to last year?

After adjustments, Norfolk Southern's income from railway operations grew by 1% and adjusted diluted earnings per share rose by 13% compared to Q1 2022.

What is the impact of the Eastern Ohio incident on Norfolk Southern's financials?

The Eastern Ohio incident had a significant impact, resulting in a $387 million charge that affected both income from railway operations and diluted earnings per share.