Union Pacific Reports Second Quarter 2021 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP) announced a robust second quarter for 2021, reporting a net income of $1.8 billion or $2.72 per diluted share, a significant increase from $1.1 billion or $1.67 in the same quarter last year. Operating revenue rose 30% to $5.5 billion, with a 22% increase in business volumes. The operating ratio improved to 55.1%, despite challenges from supply chain disruptions. The company also achieved a 3% reduction in fuel consumption rate and repurchased 12.2 million shares for $2.7 billion.

Positive

• Net income increased 64% to $1.8 billion.
• Operating revenue rose 30% to $5.5 billion.
• Operating ratio improved by 590 basis points to 55.1%.
• Operating income increased 50% to $2.5 billion.
• Repurchased 12.2 million shares for $2.7 billion.
• Fuel consumption rate improved by 3%.
• Workforce productivity up 22%.

Negative

• Freight car velocity declined 6% to 213 daily miles per car.
• First half reportable personal injury rate worsened to 0.95.

OMAHA, Neb., July 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP) today reported 2021 second quarter net income of $1.8 billion, or $2.72 per diluted share. This compares to $1.1 billion, or $1.67 per diluted share, in the second quarter 2020.

"The Union Pacific team leveraged volume growth, core pricing gains, and productivity to produce record quarterly results," said Lance Fritz, Union Pacific chairman, president, and chief executive officer. "Beyond our strong financial performance, we also made progress on our goal to reduce our carbon footprint, which includes a 3% improvement in our fuel consumption rate. Importantly, these strong results were achieved in a challenging environment as our rail network continues to be impacted by supply chain disruptions, particularly in the Intermodal space. As we move into the second half of 2021, we will continue working with our customers and the broader supply chain to increase fluidity and efficiently handle the strong demand for freight transportation."

Financial Results: Quarterly Records for Operating Ratio, Operating Income, Net Income, and Earnings Per Share
Second Quarter 2021 Compared to Second Quarter 2020

• Operating revenue of $5.5 billion was up 30%.
• Business volumes, as measured by total revenue carloads, increased 22%.
• Union Pacific's 55.1% operating ratio improved 590 basis points. Higher fuel prices negatively impacted the operating ratio by 210 basis points.
• Operating Income of $2.5 billion was up 50%.
• The company repurchased 12.2 million shares in second quarter 2021 at an aggregate cost of $2.7 billion.

Operating Performance: Quarterly Records for Workforce Productivity and Train Length; Second Quarter Records for Locomotive Productivity and Fuel Consumption Rate
Second Quarter 2021 Compared to Second Quarter 2020

• Quarterly freight car velocity was 213 daily miles per car, a 6% decline.
• Quarterly locomotive productivity was 140 gross ton-miles per horsepower day, a 3% improvement.
• Average maximum train length was 9,410 feet, a 9% increase.
• Fuel consumption rate, measured in gallons of fuel per thousand gross ton-miles (GTMs), improved 3%.
• Quarterly workforce productivity was 1,060 car miles per employee, a 22% improvement.
• Union Pacific's first half reportable personal injury rate deteriorated to 0.95 per 200,000 employee-hours compared to 0.83 for first half 2020.

Second Quarter 2021 Earnings Conference Call

Union Pacific will webcast its second quarter 2021 earnings release presentation live at www.up.com/investor and via teleconference on Thursday, July 22, 2021, at 8:45 a.m. Eastern Time. Participants may join the conference call by dialing 877-407-8293 (or for international participants, 201-689-8349).

ABOUT UNION PACIFIC

Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) delivers the goods families and businesses use every day with safe, reliable and efficient service. Operating in 23 western states, the company connects its customers and communities to the global economy. Trains are the most environmentally responsible way to move freight, helping Union Pacific protect future generations. More information about Union Pacific is available at www.up.com.

Supplemental financial information is attached.

This news release 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, its ability to improve network performance, its results of operations, and potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. These statements are, or will be, forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of 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 2020, which was filed with the SEC on February 5, 2021. 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.

UNION PACIFIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)
Millions, Except Per Share Amounts and Percentages, For the Periods Ended June 30,	2nd Quarter							Year-to-Date
	2021		2020		%			2021		2020		%
Operating Revenues
Freight revenues	$	5,132	$	3,972	29	%		$	9,781	$	8,852	10	%
Other		372		272	37				724		621	17
Total operating revenues		5,504		4,244	30				10,505		9,473	11
Operating Expenses
Compensation and benefits		1,022		905	13				2,048		1,964	4
Depreciation		550		551	-				1,099		1,098	-
Purchased services and materials		478		441	8				968		962	1
Fuel		497		247	U				908		681	33
Equipment and other rents		200		211	(5)				412		438	(6)
Other		284		235	21				604		533	13
Total operating expenses		3,031		2,590	17				6,039		5,676	6
Operating Income		2,473		1,654	50				4,466		3,797	18
Other income, net		125		131	(5)				176		184	(4)
Interest expense		(282)		(289)	(2)				(572)		(567)	1
Income before income taxes		2,316		1,496	55				4,070		3,414	19
Income taxes		(518)		(364)	42				(931)		(808)	15
Net Income	$	1,798	$	1,132	59	%		$	3,139	$	2,606	20	%
Share and Per Share
Earnings per share - basic	$	2.73	$	1.67	63	%		$	4.73	$	3.83	23	%
Earnings per share - diluted	$	2.72	$	1.67	63			$	4.72	$	3.82	24
Weighted average number of shares - basic		658.5		677.7	(3)				663.1		681.0	(3)
Weighted average number of shares - diluted		660.1		679.2	(3)				664.7		682.7	(3)
Dividends declared per share	$	1.07	$	0.97	10			$	2.04	$	1.94	5
Operating Ratio		55.1%		61.0%	(5.9)	pts			57.5%		59.9%	(2.4)	pts
Effective Tax Rate		22.4%		24.3%	(1.9)	pts			22.9%		23.7%	(0.8)	pts

 

UNION PACIFIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
Freight Revenues Statistics (unaudited)
	2nd Quarter							Year-to-Date
For the Periods Ended June 30,	2021		2020		%			2021		2020		%
Freight Revenues (Millions)
Grain & grain products	$	795	$	644	23	%		$	1,561	$	1,333	17	%
Fertilizer		179		168	7				349		342	2
Food & refrigerated		251		205	22				486		455	7
Coal & renewables		423		369	15				764		790	(3)
Bulk		1,648		1,386	19				3,160		2,920	8
Industrial chemicals & plastics		498		435	14				933		930	-
Metals & minerals		467		368	27				842		837	1
Forest products		348		266	31				664		569	17
Energy & specialized markets		546		431	27				1,076		1,058	2
Industrial		1,859		1,500	24				3,515		3,394	4
Automotive		428		189	F				875		713	23
Intermodal		1,197		897	33				2,231		1,825	22
Premium		1,625		1,086	50				3,106		2,538	22
Total	$	5,132	$	3,972	29	%		$	9,781	$	8,852	10	%
Revenue Carloads (Thousands)
Grain & grain products		204		167	22	%			407		342	19	%
Fertilizer		54		53	2				98		99	(1)
Food & refrigerated		48		41	17				93		89	4
Coal & renewables		198		186	6				372		394	(6)
Bulk		504		447	13				970		924	5
Industrial chemicals & plastics		156		141	11				296		295	-
Metals & minerals		182		162	12				328		336	(2)
Forest products		64		50	28				124		106	17
Energy & specialized markets		138		115	20				277		277	-
Industrial		540		468	15				1,025		1,014	1
Automotive		173		79	F				353		287	23
Intermodal [a]		878		724	21				1,674		1,433	17
Premium		1,051		803	31				2,027		1,720	18
Total		2,095		1,718	22	%			4,022		3,658	10	%
Average Revenue per Car
Grain & grain products	$	3,894	$	3,861	1	%		$	3,838	$	3,901	(2)	%
Fertilizer		3,304		3,181	4				3,550		3,456	3
Food & refrigerated		5,226		4,986	5				5,230		5,142	2
Coal & renewables		2,134		1,979	8				2,051		2,001	2
Bulk		3,266		3,099	5				3,256		3,161	3
Industrial chemicals & plastics		3,189		3,086	3				3,153		3,148	-
Metals & minerals		2,569		2,276	13				2,567		2,494	3
Forest products		5,463		5,256	4				5,357		5,361	-
Energy & specialized markets		3,944		3,739	5				3,886		3,813	2
Industrial		3,442		3,201	8				3,430		3,345	3
Automotive		2,479		2,388	4				2,482		2,487	-
Intermodal [a]		1,363		1,241	10				1,332		1,274	5
Premium		1,547		1,354	14				1,532		1,476	4
Average	$	2,449	$	2,312	6	%		$	2,432	$	2,420	-	%

[a]	For intermodal shipments each container or trailer equals one carload.

 

UNION PACIFIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (unaudited)
	Jun. 30,		Dec. 31,
Millions, Except Percentages	2021		2020
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,115	$	1,799
Short-term investments		46		60
Other current assets		2,603		2,355
Investments		2,277		2,164
Properties, net		54,148		54,161
Operating lease assets		1,635		1,610
Other assets		249		249
Total assets	$	62,073	$	62,398
Liabilities and Common Shareholders' Equity
Debt due within one year	$	1,110	$	1,069
Other current liabilities		3,247		3,104
Debt due after one year		27,702		25,660
Operating lease liabilities		1,256		1,283
Deferred income taxes		12,389		12,247
Other long-term liabilities		2,066		2,077
Total liabilities		47,770		45,440
Total common shareholders' equity		14,303		16,958
Total liabilities and common shareholders' equity	$	62,073	$	62,398

 

UNION PACIFIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
Millions,	Year-to-Date
For the Periods Ended June 30,	2021		2020
Operating Activities
Net income	$	3,139	$	2,606
Depreciation		1,099		1,098
Deferred income taxes		128		171
Other - net		(147)		517
Cash provided by operating activities		4,219		4,392
Investing Activities
Capital investments		(1,190)		(1,599)
Maturities of short-term investments		48		75
Purchases of short-term investments		(24)		(75)
Other - net		95		182
Cash used in investing activities		(1,071)		(1,417)
Financing Activities
Share repurchase programs		(4,085)		(2,556)
Debt issued		2,896		4,004
Dividends paid		(1,350)		(1,319)
Debt repaid		(691)		(770)
Accelerated share repurchase programs pending final settlement		(400)		(400)
Debt Exchange		(268)		-
Net issuance of commercial paper		125		(1)
Other - net		(34)		(65)
Cash used in financing activities		(3,807)		(1,107)
Net Change in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash		(659)		1,868
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of year		1,818		856
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash at End of Period	$	1,159	$	2,724
Free Cash Flow*
Cash provided by operating activities	$	4,219	$	4,392
Cash used in investing activities		(1,071)		(1,417)
Dividends paid		(1,350)		(1,319)
Free cash flow	$	1,798	$	1,656

*	Free cash flow is a non-GAAP measure; however, we believe this measure is important to management and investors in evaluating our financial performance and measures our ability to generate cash without additional external financing.

 

UNION PACIFIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
Operating and Performance Statistics (unaudited)
	2nd Quarter						Year-to-Date
For the Periods Ended June 30,	2021		2020	%			2021		2020	%
Operating/Performance Statistics
Freight car velocity (daily miles per car) [a]	213		227	(6)	%		211		218	(3)	%
Average train speed (miles per hour) *	25.0		26.9	(7)			25.1		26.0	(3)
Average terminal dwell time (hours) *	22.9		21.6	6			23.2		22.8	2
Locomotive productivity (GTMs per horsepower day)	140		136	3			139		133	5
Gross ton-miles (GTMs) (millions)	207,803		170,626	22			400,890		371,923	8
Train length (feet)	9,410		8,664	9			9,330		8,517	10
Intermodal car trip plan compliance (%)	71		82	(11)	pts		74		83	(9)	pts
Manifest/Automotive car trip plan compliance (%)	67		76	(9)	pts		68		69	(1)	pts
Workforce productivity (car miles per employee)	1,060		868	22			1,031		882	17
Total employees (average)	30,066		30,059	-			29,910		31,965	(6)
Locomotive Fuel Statistics
Average fuel price per gallon consumed	$ 2.16		$ 1.26	71	%		$ 2.01		$ 1.59	26	%
Fuel consumed in gallons (millions)	223		189	18			439		414	6
Fuel consumption rate**	1.072		1.107	(3)			1.095		1.112	(2)
Revenue Ton-Miles (Millions)
Grain & grain products	20,190		16,242	24	%		40,538		32,353	25	%
Fertilizer	3,169		3,116	2			6,164		6,160	-
Food & refrigerated	4,641		3,752	24			9,139		8,258	11
Coal & renewables	20,716		18,188	14			38,252		38,193	-
Bulk	48,716		41,298	18			94,093		84,964	11
Industrial chemicals & plastics	7,990		6,286	27			15,045		13,460	12
Metals & minerals	8,584		6,402	34			15,460		14,935	4
Forest products	6,706		5,398	24			13,024		11,439	14
Energy & specialized markets	9,112		7,276	25			18,702		19,322	(3)
Industrial	32,392		25,362	28			62,231		59,156	5
Automotive	3,769		1,740	F			7,542		6,229	21
Intermodal	19,878		17,514	13			38,253		35,248	9
Premium	23,647		19,254	23			45,795		41,477	10
Total	104,755		85,914	22	%		202,119		185,597	9	%

[a]	Prior years have been realigned to conform to the current year presentation.
*	Surface Transportation Board reported performance measures.
**	Fuel consumption is computed as follows: gallons of fuel consumed divided by gross ton-miles in thousands.

 

UNION PACIFIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)
	2021
Millions, Except Per Share Amounts and Percentages,	1st Qtr		2nd Qtr		Year-to-Date
Operating Revenues
Freight revenues	$	4,649	$	5,132	$	9,781
Other revenues		352		372		724
Total operating revenues		5,001		5,504		10,505
Operating Expenses
Compensation and benefits		1,026		1,022		2,048
Depreciation		549		550		1,099
Purchased services and materials		490		478		968
Fuel		411		497		908
Equipment and other rents		212		200		412
Other		320		284		604
Total operating expenses		3,008		3,031		6,039
Operating Income		1,993		2,473		4,466
Other income, net		51		125		176
Interest expense		(290)		(282)		(572)
Income before income taxes		1,754		2,316		4,070
Income taxes		(413)		(518)		(931)
Net Income	$	1,341	$	1,798	$	3,139
Share and Per Share
Earnings per share - basic	$	2.01	$	2.73	$	4.73
Earnings per share - diluted	$	2.00	$	2.72	$	4.72
Weighted average number of shares - basic		667.6		658.5		663.1
Weighted average number of shares - diluted		669.2		660.1		664.7
Dividends declared per share	$	0.97	$	1.07	$	2.04
Operating Ratio		60.1%		55.1%		57.5%
Effective Tax Rate		23.5%		22.4%		22.9%

 

UNION PACIFIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
Freight Revenues Statistics (unaudited)
	2021
	1st Qtr		2nd Qtr		Year-to-Date
Freight Revenues (Millions)
Grain & grain products	$	766	$	795	$	1,561
Fertilizer		170		179		349
Food & refrigerated		235		251		486
Coal & renewables		341		423		764
Bulk		1,512		1,648		3,160
Industrial chemicals & plastics		435		498		933
Metals & minerals		375		467		842
Forest products		316		348		664
Energy & specialized markets		530		546		1,076
Industrial		1,656		1,859		3,515
Automotive		447		428		875
Intermodal		1,034		1,197		2,231
Premium		1,481		1,625		3,106
Total	$	4,649	$	5,132	$	9,781
Revenue Carloads (Thousands)
Grain & grain products		203		204		407
Fertilizer		44		54		98
Food & refrigerated		45		48		93
Coal & renewables		174		198		372
Bulk		466		504		970
Industrial chemicals & plastics		140		156		296
Metals & minerals		146		182		328
Forest products		60		64		124
Energy & specialized markets		139		138		277
Industrial		485		540		1,025
Automotive		180		173		353
Intermodal [a]		796		878		1,674
Premium		976		1,051		2,027
Total		1,927		2,095		4,022
Average Revenue per Car
Grain & grain products	$	3,782	$	3,894	$	3,838
Fertilizer		3,852		3,304		3,550
Food & refrigerated		5,234		5,226		5,230
Coal & renewables		1,958		2,134		2,051
Bulk		3,246		3,266		3,256
Industrial chemicals & plastics		3,113		3,189		3,153
Metals & minerals		2,563		2,569		2,567
Forest products		5,244		5,463		5,357
Energy & specialized markets		3,828		3,944		3,886
Industrial		3,417		3,442		3,430
Automotive		2,485		2,479		2,482
Intermodal [a]		1,299		1,363		1,332
Premium		1,517		1,547		1,532
Average	$	2,413	$	2,449	$	2,432

[a]	For intermodal shipments each container or trailer equals one carload.

 

UNION PACIFIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
Non-GAAP Measures Reconciliation to GAAP
Adjusted Debt / Adjusted EBITDA*
Millions, Except Ratios	Jun. 30,		Dec. 31,
for the Trailing Twelve Months Ended [a]	2021		2020
Net income	$	5,882	$	5,349
Add:
Income tax expense		1,754		1,631
Depreciation		2,211		2,210
Interest expense		1,146		1,141
EBITDA	$	10,993	$	10,331
Adjustments:
Other income, net		(279)		(287)
Interest on operating lease liabilities**		53		59
Adjusted EBITDA	$	10,767	$	10,103
Debt	$	28,812	$	26,729
Operating lease liabilities		1,553		1,604
Unfunded pension and OPEB, net of taxes of $180 and $195		607		637
Adjusted debt	$	30,972	$	28,970
Adjusted debt / Adjusted EBITDA		2.9		2.9
Comparable Adjusted Debt / Adjusted EBITDA*
	Jun. 30,		Dec. 31,
for the Trailing Twelve Months Ended [a]	2021		2020
Adjusted debt / Adjusted EBITDA		2.9		2.9
Factors Affecting Comparability:
Brazos yard impairment [b]		(0.1)		(0.1)
Comparable Adjusted Debt / Adjusted EBITDA*	2.8		2.8

[a]	The trailing twelve months income statement information ended June 30, 2021, is recalculated by taking the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, subtracting the six months ended June 30, 2020, and adding the six months ended June 30, 2021.
[b]	Adjustments remove the impact of $209 million from net income and $69 million from income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2020. See page 9 for a reconciliation to GAAP.
*	Total debt plus operating lease liabilities plus after-tax unfunded pension and OPEB obligation divided by net income plus income tax expense, depreciation, amortization, interest expense, and adjustments for other income and interest on operating lease liabilities. Adjusted debt to adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, and adjustments for other income and interest on operating lease liabilities) and comparable adjusted debt to adjusted EBITDA are considered a non-GAAP financial measure by SEC Regulation G and Item 10 of SEC Regulation S-K and may not be defined and calculated by other companies in the same manner. We believe these measures are important to management and investors in evaluating the Company's ability to sustain given debt levels (including leases) with the cash generated from operations. In addition, a comparable measure is used by rating agencies when reviewing the Company's credit rating. Adjusted debt to adjusted EBITDA and comparable adjusted debt to adjusted EBITDA should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, net income. The table above provides reconciliations from net income to adjusted debt to adjusted EBITDA and comparable adjusted debt to adjusted EBITDA. At June 30, 2021, and December 31, 2020, the incremental borrowing rate on operating lease liabilities was 3.4% and 3.7%, respectively.
**	Represents the hypothetical interest expense we would incur (using the incremental borrowing rate) if the property under our operating leases were owned or accounted for as finance leases.

 

UNION PACIFIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
Non-GAAP Measures Reconciliation to GAAP
Financial Performance*
Millions, Except Per Share Amounts and Percentages	Reported results			Brazos Yard			Adjusted results
	(GAAP)			Impairment			(non-GAAP)
For the Year Ended December 31, 2020
Income taxes	$	1,631		$	69		$	1,700
Net income	$	5,349		$	209		$	5,558

*

The above table reconciles our results for the year ended December 31, 2020, to adjusted results that exclude the impact of certain items identified as affecting comparability. We use adjusted income taxes and adjusted net income, as applicable, among other measures, to evaluate our actual operating performance. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures provide valuable information regarding earnings and business trends by excluding specific items that we believe are not indicative of our ongoing operating results of our business, providing a useful way for investors to make a comparison of our performance over time and against other companies in our industry. Since these are not measures of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP, they should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, income taxes and net income.

 

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SOURCE Union Pacific Corporation