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Kansas City Southern Reports Strong Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2019 Results

Kansas City Southern (KCS) (NYSE:KSU) reported strong fourth quarter and full year 2019 results, driven by implementation of Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR) principles.

Fourth Quarter 2019

Fourth quarter revenues were $729.5 million, an increase of 5% primarily led by a 13% increase in Chemicals and Petroleum and an 11% increase in Industrial & Consumer Products as compared to fourth quarter 2018. Carloads were down 1%, as declines in Automotive and Intermodal offset carload growth in all other business units.

Fourth quarter operating expenses were $493.5 million, including $38.3 million of restructuring charges related to PSR initiatives. Operating income was $236.0 million and the reported operating ratio was 67.6%. Fourth quarter net income was $127.9 million, or $1.30 per diluted share. Adjusted fourth quarter operating income, operating ratio, net income and diluted earnings per share were as follows:

(in millions, except operating ratio and diluted earnings per share)

Three Months Ended December 31, 2019

Operating
Income

Operating
Ratio

Net Income

Diluted Earnings
per Share

GAAP Operating Results

$

236.0

67.6

%

$

127.9

$

1.30

Restructuring Charges

38.3

(5.2

)%

28.2

0.29

Other Adjustments, Net

23.0

0.23

Adjusted Operating Results (non-GAAP)

$

274.3

62.4

%

$

179.1

$

1.82

See below for reconciliations to GAAP

"Kansas City Southern's implementation of PSR principles has sustained momentum in the fourth quarter, driving strong results in the form of more consistent and reliable operations, improved customer service, improved cost structure and growth in shareholder returns," stated President and Chief Executive Officer, Patrick J. Ottensmeyer. "Thanks to the hard work and dedication of KCS's employees, we exited 2019 with network-wide velocity performing at record levels."

Full Year 2019

Full year 2019 revenues were $2.9 billion, an increase of 6% on a 1% decline in carloads. Operating income was $886.3 million and the reported operating ratio was 69.1%. Full year 2019 net income was $540.8 million, or $5.40 per diluted share.

During 2019, KCS significantly improved its operating performance, as demonstrated by an increase in gross velocity of 22%, a decline in terminal dwell of 16%, and an improvement to car miles per day of 19% as compared to 2018. PSR initiatives also contributed directly to operating expense savings of $58.0 million in 2019, and are projected to deliver incremental savings of $61.0 million in 2020.

"Year one of KCS's PSR implementation has exceeded our own expectations for service, operational and financial improvement," stated Ottensmeyer. "As we turn our focus to 2020, we look forward to growing our business while implementing our second year of PSR initiatives.

"These strong results have allowed us to improve guidance, and we now expect to deliver a 60% to 61% operating ratio in 2020, and below 60% in 2021. Additionally, we have improved our outlook for earnings per share growth to a mid-teens CAGR from 2019 through 2021. Finally, with improved asset utilization, we have reduced our outlook for capital expenditures to ~17% of revenue through 2022."

Statement Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to disclosing financial results in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the accompanying fourth quarter and full year 2019 earnings release contains non-GAAP financial measures. KCS management believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures used to review and in certain cases manage the Company's business fall within the meaning of Regulation G (Disclosure of non-GAAP financial measures) and may provide its users of the financial information with additional meaningful comparison when reviewing the Company's results. KCS management uses non-GAAP information in its planning and forecasting processes and to further analyze its own financial trends and operational performance, as well as making financial comparisons to prior periods presented on a similar basis. Management believes investors and users of the Company's financial information should consider all of the above factors when evaluating KCS's results.

These non-GAAP measures should be viewed as a supplement and not considered a substitute for GAAP measures. Some of KCS's non-GAAP measures may differ from similar measures used by other companies, even if similar terms are used to identify such measures.

GAAP Reconciliations
($ in millions, except per share amounts)

Reconciliation of Diluted Earnings per Share to Adjusted

Diluted Earnings per Share

Three Months Ended December 31, 2019

Income Before
Income Taxes

Income Tax
Expense

Net Income

Diluted
Earnings per
Share

As reported

$

207.5

$

79.6

$

127.9

$

1.30

Adjustments for:

Restructuring charges

38.3

10.1

28.2

0.29

Debt retirement costs

0.5

0.1

0.4

Foreign exchange gain

(7.6

)

(2.3

)

(5.3

)

(0.05

)

Foreign exchange component of income taxes

(27.9

)

27.9

0.28

Adjusted

$

238.7

$

59.6

179.1

Less: Noncontrolling interest and preferred stock dividends

(0.7

)

Adjusted net income available to common stockholders - see (a) below

$

178.4

$

1.82

Three Months Ended December 31, 2018

Income Before
Income Taxes

Income Tax
Expense

Net Income

Diluted
Earnings per
Share

As reported

$

222.1

$

60.3

$

161.8

$

1.59

Adjustments for:

Gain on insurance recoveries related to hurricane damage

(8.5

)

(2.0

)

(6.5

)

(0.06

)

Foreign exchange loss

8.5

2.6

5.9

0.05

Foreign exchange component of income taxes

2.5

(2.5

)

(0.02

)

Adjusted

$

222.1

$

63.4

158.7

Less: Noncontrolling interest and preferred stock dividends

(0.7

)

Adjusted net income available to common stockholders - see (a) below

$

158.0

$

1.56

GAAP Reconciliations (continued)
($ in millions, except per share amounts)

Reconciliation of Diluted Earnings per Share to Adjusted

Diluted Earnings per Share

Year Ended December 31, 2019

Income Before
Income Taxes

Income Tax
Expense

Net Income

Diluted
Earnings per
Share

As reported

$

788.4

$

247.6

$

540.8

$

5.40

Adjustments for:

Restructuring charges

168.8

43.6

125.2

1.25

Debt retirement costs

1.1

0.3

0.8

0.01

Foreign exchange gain

(17.1

)

(5.1

)

(12.0

)

(0.12

)

Foreign exchange component of income taxes

(35.9

)

35.9

0.36

Adjusted

$

941.2

$

250.5

690.7

Less: Noncontrolling interest and preferred stock dividends

(2.1

)

Adjusted net income available to common stockholders - see (a) below

$

688.6

$

6.90

Year Ended December 31, 2018

Income Before
Income Taxes

Income Tax
Expense

Net Income

Diluted
Earnings per
Share

As reported

$

886.9

$

257.5

$

629.4

$

6.13

Adjustments for:

Gain on insurance recoveries related to hurricane damage

(17.9

)

(4.2

)

(13.7

)

(0.13

)

Debt retirement costs

2.2

0.7

1.5

0.02

Foreign exchange gain

(7.8

)

(2.3

)

(5.5

)

(0.05

)

Foreign exchange component of income taxes

(21.7

)

21.7

0.21

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

20.9

(20.9

)

(0.21

)

Adjusted

$

863.4

$

250.9

612.5

Less: Noncontrolling interest and preferred stock dividends

(2.2

)

Adjusted net income available to common stockholders - see (a) below

$

610.3

$

5.97

GAAP Reconciliations (continued)
($ in millions)

Reconciliation of Operating Expenses to Adjusted

Three Months Ended

Years Ended

Operating Expenses

December 31,

December 31,

2019

2018

2019

2018

Operating expenses as reported

$

493.5

$

437.6

$

1,979.7

$

1,727.7

Adjustment for restructuring charges

(38.3

)

(168.8

)

Adjustment for gain on insurance recoveries related to hurricane damage

8.5

17.9

Adjusted operating expenses - see (b) below

$

455.2

$

446.1

$

1,810.9

$

1,745.6

Operating income as reported

$

236.0

$

256.4

$

886.3

$

986.3

Adjusted operating income - see (b) below

274.3

247.9

1,055.1

968.4

Operating ratio (c) as reported

67.6

%

63.1

%

69.1

%

63.7

%

Adjusted operating ratio - see (b) and (c) below

62.4

%

64.3

%

63.2

%

64.3

%

(a)

The Company believes adjusted diluted earnings per share is meaningful as it allows investors to evaluate the Company's performance for different periods on a more comparable basis by adjusting for the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, the impact of adjustments to 2017 provisional income tax benefit for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and items that are not directly related to the ongoing operations of the Company. The income tax expense impacts related to these adjustments are calculated at the applicable statutory tax rate.

 

(b)

The Company believes adjusted operating expenses, operating income and operating ratio are meaningful as they allow investors to evaluate the Company's performance for different periods on a more comparable basis by adjusting for items that are not directly related to the ongoing operations of the Company.

 

(c)

Operating ratio is calculated by dividing operating expenses by revenues; or in the case of adjusted operating ratio, adjusted operating expenses divided by revenues.

 

Investor Conference Call and Webcast

KCS will also hold its fourth quarter 2019 earnings conference call on Friday, January 17, 2020 at 8:45 a.m. eastern time. Shareholders and other interested parties are invited to participate via live webcast or telephone. To participate in the live webcast and to view accompanying presentation materials, please log into investors.kcsouthern.com immediately prior to the presentation. To join the teleconference, please call (844) 308-6428 from the U.S., or (412) 317-5409 from all other countries.

A replay of the presentation will be available by calling (877) 344-7529 from the U.S., (855) 669-9658 from Canada or (412) 317-0088 from all other countries and entering conference ID 10136928. The webcast replay and presentation materials will be archived on the company’s website.

About Kansas City Southern

Headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., Kansas City Southern (KCS) (NYSE: KSU) is a transportation holding company that has railroad investments in the U.S., Mexico and Panama. Its primary U.S. holding is The Kansas City Southern Railway Company, serving the central and south central U.S. Its international holdings include Kansas City Southern de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., serving northeastern and central Mexico and the port cities of Lázaro Cárdenas, Tampico and Veracruz, and a 50 percent interest in Panama Canal Railway Company, providing ocean-to-ocean freight and passenger service along the Panama Canal. KCS' North American rail holdings and strategic alliances with other North American rail partners are primary components of a unique railway system, linking the commercial and industrial centers of the U.S., Mexico and Canada. More information about KCS can be found at www.kcsouthern.com.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the securities laws concerning potential future events involving KCS and its subsidiaries, which could materially differ from the events that actually occur. Words such as “projects,” “estimates,” “forecasts,” “believes,” “intends,” “expects,” “anticipates,” and similar expressions are intended to identify many of these forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based upon information currently available to management and management’s perception thereof as of the date hereof. Differences that actually occur could be caused by a number of external factors over which management has little or no control, including: competition and consolidation within the transportation industry; the business environment in industries that produce and use items shipped by rail; loss of the rail concession of KCS’ subsidiary, Kansas City Southern de México, S.A. de C.V.; the termination of, or failure to renew, agreements with customers, other railroads and third parties; access to capital; disruptions to KCS’ technology infrastructure, including its computer systems; natural events such as severe weather, hurricanes and floods; market and regulatory responses to climate change; legislative and regulatory developments and disputes; rail accidents or other incidents or accidents on KCS’ rail network or at KCS’ facilities or customer facilities involving the release of hazardous materials, including toxic inhalation hazards; fluctuation in prices or availability of key materials, in particular diesel fuel; dependency on certain key suppliers of core rail equipment; changes in securities and capital markets; unavailability of qualified personnel; labor difficulties, including strikes and work stoppages; acts of terrorism or risk of terrorist activities; war or risk of war; domestic and international economic, political and social conditions; the level of trade between the United States and Asia or Mexico; fluctuations in the peso-dollar exchange rate; increased demand and traffic congestion; the outcome of claims and litigation involving KCS or its subsidiaries; and other factors affecting the operation of the business. More detailed information about factors that could affect future events may be found in filings by KCS with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including KCS’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 (File No. 1-4717) and subsequent reports. 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. KCS is not obligated to update any forward-looking statements to reflect future events or developments.

Kansas City Southern and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Income

(In millions, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

Years Ended

December 31,

December 31,

2019

2018

2019

2018

Revenues

$

729.5

$

694.0

$

2,866.0

$

2,714.0

Operating expenses:

Compensation and benefits

137.1

128.3

529.1

495.7

Purchased services

56.3

51.5

219.2

200.7

Fuel

82.6

91.2

340.4

348.2

Mexican fuel excise tax credit

(11.1

)

(37.7

)

Equipment costs

26.8

30.2

108.6

126.1

Depreciation and amortization

88.0

89.6

350.7

346.7

Materials and other

64.4

66.4

262.9

265.9

Restructuring charges

38.3

168.8

Gain on insurance recoveries related to hurricane damage

(8.5

)

(17.9

)

Total operating expenses

493.5

437.6

1,979.7

1,727.7

Operating income

236.0

256.4

886.3

986.3

Equity in net earnings (losses) of affiliates

(2.6

)

0.8

1.0

2.6

Interest expense

(31.8

)

(28.2

)

(115.9

)

(110.0

)

Debt retirement costs

(0.5

)

(1.1

)

(2.2

)

Foreign exchange gain (loss)

7.6

(8.5

)

17.1

7.8

Other income (expense), net

(1.2

)

1.6

1.0

2.4

Income before income taxes

207.5

222.1

788.4

886.9

Income tax expense

79.6

60.3

247.6

257.5

Net income

127.9

161.8

540.8

629.4

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

0.7

0.7

1.9

2.0

Net income attributable to Kansas City Southern and subsidiaries

127.2

161.1

538.9

627.4

Preferred stock dividends

0.2

0.2

Net income available to common stockholders

$

127.2

$

161.1

$

538.7

$

627.2

Earnings per share:

Basic earnings per share

$

1.31

$

1.59

$

5.42

$

6.16

Diluted earnings per share

$

1.30

$

1.59

$

5.40

$

6.13

Average shares outstanding (in thousands):

Basic

97,467

101,098

99,316

101,852

Potentially dilutive common shares

513

418

431

418

Diluted

97,980

101,516

99,747

102,270

Kansas City Southern and Subsidiaries

Revenue & Carload/Units by Commodity - Fourth Quarter 2019 and 2018

Revenues

Carloads and Units

Revenue per

(in millions)

(in thousands)

Carload/Unit

Fourth Quarter

%

Fourth Quarter

%

Fourth Quarter

%

2019

2018

Change

2019

2018

Change

2019

2018

Change

Chemical & Petroleum

Chemicals

$

59.3

$

57.3

3

%

23.0

24.5

(6

)%

$

2,578

$

2,339

10

%

Petroleum

88.4

70.6

25

%

41.8

35.4

18

%

2,115

1,994

6

%

Plastics

38.4

36.1

6

%

18.9

18.6

2

%

2,032

1,941

5

%

Total

186.1

164.0

13

%

83.7

78.5

7

%

2,223

2,089

6

%

Industrial & Consumer Products

Forest Products

67.5

64.8

4

%

27.9

28.7

(3

)%

2,419

2,258

7

%

Metals & Scrap

56.4

50.3

12

%

28.7

26.3

9

%

1,965

1,913

3

%

Other

30.5

24.4

25

%

23.8

21.6

10

%

1,282

1,130

13

%

Total

154.4

139.5

11

%

80.4

76.6

5

%

1,920

1,821

5

%

Agriculture & Minerals

Grain

74.2

80.8

(8

)%

36.8

37.5

(2

)%

2,016

2,155

(6

)%

Food Products

39.0

38.3

2

%

15.6

15.4

1

%

2,500

2,487

1

%

Ores & Minerals

6.0

4.8

25

%

7.8

6.2

26

%

769

774

(1

)%

Stone, Clay & Glass

8.1

7.8

4

%

3.3

3.4

(3

)%

2,455

2,294

7

%

Total

127.3

131.7

(3

)%

63.5

62.5

2

%

2,005

2,107

(5

)%

Energy

Utility Coal

31.8

28.7

11

%

36.7

31.3

17

%

866

917

(6

)%

Coal & Petroleum Coke

11.3

11.0

3

%

14.5

16.3

(11

)%

779

675

15

%

Frac Sand

5.3

7.0

(24

)%

3.9

4.5

(13

)%

1,359

1,556

(13

)%

Crude Oil

14.3

18.6

(23

)%

9.4

11.3

(17

)%

1,521

1,646

(8

)%

Total

62.7

65.3

(4

)%

64.5

63.4

2

%

972

1,030

(6

)%

Intermodal

97.2

98.2

(1

)%

254.1

268.3

(5

)%

383

366

5

%

Automotive

62.3

59.9

4

%

36.4

38.9

(6

)%

1,712

1,540

11

%

TOTAL FOR COMMODITY GROUPS

690.0

658.6

5

%

582.6

588.2

(1

)%

$

1,184

$

1,120

6

%

Other Revenue

39.5

35.4

12

%

TOTAL

$

729.5

$

694.0

5

%

Kansas City Southern and Subsidiaries

Revenue & Carload/Units by Commodity - Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

Revenues

Carloads and Units

Revenue per

(in millions)

(in thousands)

Carload/Unit

Years Ended

%

Years Ended

%

Years Ended

%

2019

2018

Change

2019

2018

Change

2019

2018

Change

Chemical & Petroleum

Chemicals

$

246.9

$

236.3

4

%

99.6

103.5

(4

)%

$

2,479

$

2,283

9

%

Petroleum

341.8

241.9

41

%

163.4

120.3

36

%

2,092

2,011

4

%

Plastics

148.5

143.9

3

%

74.4

74.1

1,996

1,942

3

%

Total

737.2

622.1

19

%

337.4

297.9

13

%

2,185

2,088

5

%

Industrial & Consumer Products

Forest Products

261.4

268.0

(2

)%

109.2

119.8

(9

)%

2,394

2,237

7

%

Metals & Scrap

232.9

208.2

12

%

120.3

114.0

6

%

1,936

1,826

6

%

Other

116.1

114.8

1

%

91.4

91.1

1,270

1,260

1

%

Total

610.4

591.0

3

%

320.9

324.9

(1

)%

1,902

1,819

5

%

Agriculture & Minerals

Grain

298.4

289.9

3

%

146.1

144.1

1

%

2,042

2,012

1

%

Food Products

149.4

145.7

3

%

60.5

59.5

2

%

2,469

2,449

1

%

Ores & Minerals

25.0

20.9

20

%

32.8

24.8

32

%

762

843

(10

)%

Stone, Clay & Glass

33.5

29.9

12

%

13.9

13.5

3

%

2,410

2,215

9

%

Total

506.3

486.4

4

%

253.3

241.9

5

%

1,999

2,011

(1

)%

Energy

Utility Coal

126.9

117.3

8

%

139.2

125.6

11

%

912

934

(2

)%

Coal & Petroleum Coke

43.2

44.3

(2

)%

57.6

63.4

(9

)%

750

699

7

%

Frac Sand

27.4

37.4

(27

)%

19.6

24.2

(19

)%

1,398

1,545

(10

)%

Crude Oil

48.7

57.3

(15

)%

28.3

35.4

(20

)%

1,721

1,619

6

%

Total

246.2

256.3

(4

)%

244.7

248.6

(2

)%

1,006

1,031

(2

)%

Intermodal

370.2

382.8

(3

)%

979.8

1,030.4

(5

)%

378

372

2

%

Automotive

255.6

253.2

1

%

154.9

161.9

(4

)%

1,650

1,564

5

%

TOTAL FOR COMMODITY GROUPS

2,725.9

2,591.8

5

%

2,291.0

2,305.6

(1

)%

$

1,190

$

1,124

6

%

Other Revenue

140.1

122.2

15

%

TOTAL

$

2,866.0

$

2,714.0

6

%

Contacts:

KCS:
Ashley Thorne, 816-983-1530
athorne@kcsouthern.com

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