NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORP
10-Qs and 10-Ks
PROXIES
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM
10-Q
for the quarterly period ended
JUNE 30, 2020
for the transition period from ___________ to___________
Commission file number
1-8339
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes
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No
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Yes
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No
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Smaller reporting company
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Emerging growth company
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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.
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes
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No
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Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
| Class | Outstanding at June 30, 2020 | ||||||||||
| Common Stock ($1.00 par value per share) |
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(excluding 20,320,777 shares held by the registrant’s | |||||||||
| consolidated subsidiaries) | |||||||||||
TABLE OF CONTENTS
NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
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2
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements.
Norfolk Southern Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)
| Second Quarter | First Six Months | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in millions, except per share amounts) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Railway operating revenues | $ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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| Railway operating expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Compensation and benefits |
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| Purchased services and rents |
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| Fuel |
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| Depreciation |
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| Materials and other |
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| Loss on asset disposal |
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| Total railway operating expenses |
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| Income from railway operations |
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| Other income – net |
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| Interest expense on debt |
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| Income before income taxes |
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| Income taxes |
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| Net income | $ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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| Earnings per share: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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| Diluted |
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See accompanying notes to
consolidated
financial
statements.
3
Norfolk Southern Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)
| Second Quarter | First Six Months | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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| Other comprehensive income, before tax: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pension and other postretirement benefits |
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| Other comprehensive income (loss) of equity investees |
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(
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| Other comprehensive income, before tax |
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| Income tax expense related to items of | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| other comprehensive income |
(
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(
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| Other comprehensive income, net of tax |
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| Total comprehensive income | $ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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See accompanying notes to
consolidated
financial
statements.
4
Norfolk Southern Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
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June 30,
2020 |
December 31,
2019 |
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| ($ in millions) | |||||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||
| Current assets: | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ |
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$ |
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| Accounts receivable – net |
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| Materials and supplies |
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| Other current assets |
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| Total current assets |
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| Investments |
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Properties less accumulated depreciation of $
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and $
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| Other assets |
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| Total assets | $ |
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$ |
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| Liabilities and stockholders’ equity | |||||||||||
| Current liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ |
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$ |
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| Income and other taxes |
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| Other current liabilities |
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| Current maturities of long-term debt |
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| Total current liabilities |
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| Long-term debt |
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| Other liabilities |
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| Deferred income taxes |
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| Total liabilities |
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| Stockholders’ equity: | |||||||||||
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Common stock $
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authorized; outstanding
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| respectively, net of treasury shares |
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| Additional paid-in capital |
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| Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
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(
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| Retained income |
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| Total stockholders’ equity |
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| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ |
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$ |
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See accompanying notes to
consolidated
financial
statements.
5
Norfolk Southern Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
| First Six Months | ||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
| ($ in millions) | ||||||||||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ |
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$ |
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| Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||||||||||||||
| Depreciation |
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| Deferred income taxes |
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| Gains and losses on properties |
(
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(
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| Loss on asset disposal |
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| Changes in assets and liabilities affecting operations: | ||||||||||||||
| Accounts receivable |
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| Materials and supplies |
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| Other current assets |
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| Current liabilities other than debt |
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| Other – net |
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| Net cash provided by operating activities |
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| Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||||||||||
| Property additions |
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| Property sales and other transactions |
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| Investment purchases |
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| Investment sales and other transactions |
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| Net cash used in investing activities |
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(
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| Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||||||||||
| Dividends |
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| Common stock transactions |
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| Purchase and retirement of common stock |
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| Proceeds from borrowings |
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| Debt repayments |
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| Net cash used in financing activities |
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(
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Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents,
and restricted cash |
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| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash: | ||||||||||||||
| At beginning of year |
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| At end of period | $ |
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$ |
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| Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: | ||||||||||||||
| Cash paid during the period for: | ||||||||||||||
| Interest (net of amounts capitalized) | $ |
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$ |
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| Income taxes (net of refunds) |
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See accompanying notes to
consolidated
financial
statements.
6
Norfolk Southern Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
(Unaudited)
|
Common
Stock |
Additional
Paid-in Capital |
Accum. Other
Comprehensive Loss |
Retained
Income |
Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in millions, except per share amounts) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2019 | $ |
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$ |
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$ |
(
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$ |
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$ |
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| Comprehensive income: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income |
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| Other comprehensive income |
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| Total comprehensive income |
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| Dividends on common stock, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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$
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(
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(
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| Share repurchases |
(
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(
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(
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(
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| Stock-based compensation |
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| Balance at March 31, 2020 |
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| Comprehensive income: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income |
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| Other comprehensive income |
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| Total comprehensive income |
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| Dividends on common stock, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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$
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(
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(
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| Share repurchases |
(
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(
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(
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(
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| Stock-based compensation |
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| Balance at June 30, 2020 | $ |
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$ |
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$ |
(
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$ |
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$ |
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See accompanying notes to
consolidated
financial
statements.
7
Norfolk Southern Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
(Unaudited)
|
Common
Stock |
Additional
Paid-in Capital |
Accum. Other
Comprehensive Loss |
Retained
Income |
Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in millions, except per share amounts) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2018 | $ |
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$ |
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$ |
(
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$ |
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$ |
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| Comprehensive income: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income |
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| Other comprehensive income |
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| Total comprehensive income |
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| Dividends on common stock, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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$
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(
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(
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| Share repurchases |
(
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(
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(
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(
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| Stock-based compensation |
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(
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| Balance at March 31, 2019 |
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(
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| Comprehensive income: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income |
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| Other comprehensive income |
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| Total comprehensive income |
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| Dividends on common stock, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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$
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(
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(
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| Share repurchases |
(
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(
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(
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(
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| Stock-based compensation |
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(
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| Balance at June 30, 2019 | $ |
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$ |
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$ |
(
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$ |
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$ |
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See accompanying notes to
consolidated
financial
statements.
8
Norfolk Southern Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly Norfolk Southern Corporation (Norfolk Southern) and subsidiaries’ (collectively, NS, we, us, and our) financial position at June 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, our results of operations, comprehensive income and changes in stockholders’ equity for the second quarters and first six months of 2020 and 2019, and our cash flows for the first six months of 2020 and 2019 in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in our latest Annual Report on Form 10-K.
1.
Railway Operating Revenues
The following table disaggregates our revenues by major commodity group:
| Second Quarter | First Six Months | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Merchandise: | ($ in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Agriculture, forest and consumer products | $ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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| Chemicals |
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| Metals and construction |
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| Automotive |
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| Merchandise |
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| Intermodal |
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| Coal |
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| Total | $ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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At the beginning of 2020, we combined the agriculture products and forest and consumer commodity groups. In addition, we also made changes in the categorization of certain other commodity groups within Merchandise. Specifically, certain commodities were shifted between agriculture, forest, and consumer products; chemicals; and, metals and construction. These changes were made as a result of organizational initiatives to better align with how we manage these commodities. Prior period railway operating revenues have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.
We recognize the amount of revenue we expect to be entitled to for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. A performance obligation is created when a customer under a transportation contract or public tariff submits a bill of lading to NS for the transport of goods. These performance obligations are satisfied as the shipments move from origin to destination. As such, transportation revenue is recognized proportionally as a shipment moves, and related expenses are recognized as incurred. These performance obligations are generally short-term in nature with transit days averaging approximately one week or less for each commodity group. The customer has an unconditional obligation to pay for the service once the service has been completed. Estimated revenue associated with in-process shipments at period-end is recorded based on the estimated percentage of service completed to total transit days. We had no material remaining performance obligations as of June 30, 2020 or December 31, 2019.
Revenue related to interline transportation services that involve another railroad is reported on a net basis. Therefore, the portion of the amount that relates to another party is not reflected in revenue.
9
Under the typical payment terms of our freight contracts, payment for services is due within
fifteen days
of billing the customer, thus there are no significant financing components.
“Accounts receivable – net” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets includes both customer and non-customer receivables as follows:
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June 30,
2020 |
December 31, 2019 | |||||||||||||
| ($ in millions) | ||||||||||||||
| Customer | $ |
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$ |
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| Non-customer |
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| Accounts receivable – net | $ |
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$ |
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Non-customer receivables include non-revenue-related amounts due from other railroads, governmental entities, and others. “Other assets” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets includes non-current customer receivables of $
23
million at both June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. We do
no
t have any material contract assets or liabilities at June 30, 2020 or December 31, 2019.
Certain ancillary services may be provided to customers under their transportation contracts such as switching, demurrage and other incidental service revenues. These are distinct performance obligations that are recognized at a point in time when the services are performed or as contractual obligations are met. This revenue is included within each of the commodity groups and represents
5
% of total “Railway operating revenues” on the Consolidated Statements of Income for the second quarter and first six months of 2020 and
4
% for the second quarter and first six months of 2019.
2.
Stock-Based Compensation
| Second Quarter | First Six Months | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | $ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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| Total tax benefit |
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During 2020, a committee of nonemployee members of our Board of Directors (and the Chief Executive Officer when delegated authority by such committee) granted stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs) and performance share units (PSUs) pursuant to the Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP), as follows:
| Second Quarter | First Six Months | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Granted | Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value | Granted | Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock options |
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$ |
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$ |
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| RSUs |
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| PSUs |
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10
Stock Options
| Second Quarter | First Six Months | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock options exercised |
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| Cash received upon exercise | $ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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| Related tax benefit realized |
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Restricted Stock Units
RSUs granted primarily have a
-year ratable restriction period and will be settled through the issuance of shares of Norfolk Southern common stock (Common Stock). Certain RSU grants include cash dividend equivalent payments during the restriction period in an amount equal to the regular quarterly dividends paid on Common Stock.
| Second Quarter | First Six Months | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| RSUs vested |
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| Common Stock issued net of tax withholding |
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| Related tax benefit realized | $ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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Performance Share Units
PSUs provide for awards based on the achievement of certain predetermined corporate performance goals at the end of a
-year cycle and are settled through the issuance of shares of Common Stock. All PSUs will earn out based on the achievement of performance conditions and some will also earn out based on a market condition. The market condition fair value was measured on the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation model. No PSUs were earned or paid out during the second quarters of 2020 or 2019.
| First Six Months | ||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
| ($ in millions) | ||||||||||||||
| PSUs earned |
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| Common Stock issued net of tax withholding |
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| Related tax benefit realized | $ |
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$ |
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3.
Loss on Asset Disposal
11
4.
Earnings Per Share
The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
| Basic | Diluted | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Second Quarter | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
($ in millions, except per share amounts,
shares in millions) |
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| Net income | $ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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| Dividend equivalent payments |
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(
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| Income available to common stockholders | $ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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| Weighted-average shares outstanding |
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| Dilutive effect of outstanding options | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| and share-settled awards |
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| Adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding |
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| Earnings per share | $ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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| Basic | Diluted | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| First Six Months | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
($ in millions, except per share amounts,
shares in millions) |
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| Net income | $ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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| Dividend equivalent payments |
(
|
(
|
(
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
| Income available to common stockholders | $ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
|||||||||||||||
| Weighted-average shares outstanding |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
| Dilutive effect of outstanding options | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| and share-settled awards |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings per share | $ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
|||||||||||||||
During the second quarters and first six months of 2020 and 2019, dividend equivalent payments were made to certain holders of stock options and RSUs. For purposes of computing basic earnings per share, dividend equivalent payments made to holders of stock options and RSUs were deducted from net income to determine income available to common stockholders. For purposes of computing diluted earnings per share, we evaluate on a grant-by-grant basis those stock options and RSUs receiving dividend equivalent payments under the two-class and treasury stock methods to determine which method is more dilutive for each grant. For those grants for which the two-class
12
5.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
The changes in the cumulative balances of “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets consisted of the following:
|
Balance at
Beginning of Year |
Net Income
(Loss) |
Reclassification
Adjustments |
Balance at
End of Period |
||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pensions and other postretirement liabilities | $ |
(
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
(
|
|||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| of equity investees |
(
|
|
|
(
|
|||||||||||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | $ |
(
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
(
|
|||||||||||||||
| Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pensions and other postretirement liabilities | $ |
(
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
(
|
|||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| of equity investees |
(
|
(
|
|
(
|
|||||||||||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | $ |
(
|
$ |
(
|
$ |
|
$ |
(
|
|||||||||||||||
6.
Stock Repurchase Program
7.
Investments
Investment in Conrail
Through a limited liability company, we and CSX Corporation (CSX) jointly own Conrail Inc. (Conrail), whose primary subsidiary is Consolidated Rail Corporation (CRC). We have a
58
% economic and
50
% voting interest in the jointly owned entity, and CSX has the remainder of the economic and voting interests. Our investment in Conrail was $
1.4
billion at both June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
CRC owns and operates certain properties (the Shared Assets Areas) for the joint and exclusive benefit of Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NSR) and CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSXT). The costs of operating the Shared Assets Areas are borne by NSR and CSXT based on usage. In addition, NSR and CSXT pay CRC a fee for access to the Shared Assets Areas. “Purchased services and rents” and “Fuel” include amounts payable to CRC for the operation of the Shared Assets Areas totaling $
30
million and $
38
million for the second quarters of 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $
65
million and $
75
million for the first six months of 2020 and 2019, respectively. Our equity in the earnings of Conrail, net of amortization, included in “Purchased services and rents,” which offsets the costs of operating the Shared Assets Areas, was $
13
million and $
15
million for the second quarters of 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $
22
million and $
23
million for the first six months of 2020 and 2019, respectively.
13
“Other liabilities” includes $
280
million at both June 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, for long-term advances from Conrail, maturing 2044, that bear interest at an average rate of
2.9
%.
Investment in TTX
NS and
eight
other North American railroads jointly own TTX Company (TTX). NS has a
19.65
% ownership interest in TTX, a railcar pooling company that provides its owner-railroads with standardized fleets of intermodal, automotive, and general use railcars at stated rates.
8.
Debt
In May 2020, we issued $
800
million of
3.05
% senior notes due 2050, resulting in $
790
million in net proceeds.
In May 2020, we also issued $
800
million of
3.155
% senior notes due 2055 in exchange for $
554
million of previously issued notes ($
450
million at
5.1
% due 2118, $
42
million at
6
% due 2111, $
29
million at
7.9
% due 2097, $
26
million at
6
% due 2105, and $
7
million at
7.05
% due 2037). As part of the debt exchange, a $
4
million loss on extinguishment was recognized in “Other income – net.”
In May 2020, we renewed and amended our accounts receivable securitization program with maximum borrowing capacity of $
400
million and a term expiring in May 2021. We had
no
amounts outstanding at both June 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, and our available borrowing capacity was $
308
million and $
429
million, respectively.
In March 2020, we renewed and amended our
-year credit agreement which expires in March 2025 and provides for borrowings at prevailing rates and includes covenants. We increased the program’s borrowing capacity from $
750
million to $
800
million. We had
no
amounts outstanding under this facility at both June 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019.
9.
Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits
We have both funded and unfunded defined benefit pension plans covering principally salaried employees. We also provide specified health care and life insurance benefits to eligible retired employees; these plans can be amended or terminated at our option. Under our self-insured retiree health care plan, for those participants who are not Medicare-eligible, certain health care expenses are covered for retired employees and their dependents, reduced by any deductibles, coinsurance, and, in some cases, coverage provided under other group insurance policies. Those participants who are Medicare-eligible are not covered under the self-insured retiree health care plan, but instead are provided with an employer-funded health reimbursement account which can be used for reimbursement of health insurance premiums or eligible out-of-pocket medical expenses.
14
Pension and postretirement benefit cost components for the second quarter and first six months were as follows:
| Other Postretirement | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pension Benefits | Benefits | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Second Quarter | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service cost | $ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
|||||||||||||||
| Interest cost |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
| Expected return on plan assets |
(
|
(
|
(
|
(
|
|||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of net losses |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of prior service benefit |
|
|
(
|
(
|
|||||||||||||||||||
| Net benefit | $ |
(
|
$ |
(
|
$ |
(
|
$ |
(
|
|||||||||||||||
| Other Postretirement | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pension Benefits | Benefits | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| First Six Months | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service cost | $ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
|||||||||||||||
| Interest cost |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
| Expected return on plan assets |
(
|
(
|
(
|
(
|
|||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of net losses |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of prior service benefit |
|
|
(
|
(
|
|||||||||||||||||||
| Net benefit | $ |
(
|
$ |
(
|
$ |
(
|
$ |
(
|
|||||||||||||||
10.
Fair Values of Financial Instruments
The fair values of “Cash and cash equivalents,” “Accounts receivable – net,” and “Accounts payable,” approximate carrying values because of the short maturity of these financial instruments. The carrying value of corporate-owned life insurance is recorded at cash surrender value and, accordingly, approximates fair value. There are no other assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at June 30, 2020 or December 31, 2019.
The carrying amounts and estimated fair values, based on Level 1 inputs, of long-term debt consisted of the following:
| June 30, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Carrying
Amount |
Fair
Value |
Carrying
Amount |
Fair
Value |
||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt, including current maturities | $ |
(
|
$ |
(
|
$ |
(
|
$ |
(
|
|||||||||||||||
15
11.
Commitments and Contingencies
Lawsuits
We and/or certain subsidiaries are defendants in numerous lawsuits and other claims relating principally to railroad operations. When we conclude that it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated, it is accrued through a charge to earnings. While the ultimate amount of liability incurred in any of these lawsuits and claims is dependent on future developments, in our opinion, the recorded liability is adequate to cover the future payment of such liability and claims. However, the final outcome of any of these lawsuits and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, and unfavorable or unexpected outcomes could result in additional accruals that could be significant to results of operations in a particular year or quarter. Any adjustments to the recorded liability will be reflected in earnings in the periods in which such adjustments become known.
In 2007, various antitrust class actions filed against us and other Class I railroads in various Federal district courts regarding fuel surcharges were consolidated in the District of Columbia by the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. In 2012, the court certified the case as a class action. The defendant railroads appealed this certification, and the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia vacated the District Court’s decision and remanded the case for further consideration. On October 10, 2017, the District Court denied class certification. The decision was upheld by the Court of Appeals on August 16, 2019. Since that decision, various individual cases have been filed in multiple jurisdictions and also consolidated in the District of Columbia. We believe the allegations in the complaints are without merit and intend to vigorously defend the cases. We do not believe the outcome of these proceedings will have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.
In 2018, a lawsuit was filed against one of our subsidiaries by the minority owner in a jointly-owned terminal railroad company in which our subsidiary has the majority ownership. The lawsuit alleged violations of various state laws and federal antitrust laws. It is reasonably possible that we could incur a loss in the case; however, we intend to vigorously defend the case and believe that we will prevail. The potential range of loss cannot be estimated at this time.
Casualty Claims
Casualty claims include employee personal injury and occupational claims as well as third-party claims, all exclusive of legal costs. To aid in valuing our personal injury liability and determining the amount to accrue with respect to such claims during the year, we utilize studies prepared by an independent consulting actuarial firm. Job-related personal injury and occupational claims are subject to the
F
ederal Employer’s Liability Act (FELA), which is applicable only to railroads. FELA’s fault-based tort system produces results that are unpredictable and inconsistent as compared with a no-fault workers’ compensation system. The variability inherent in this system could result in actual costs being different from the liability recorded. While the ultimate amount of claims incurred is dependent on future developments, in our opinion the recorded liability is adequate to cover the future payments of claims and is supported by the most recent actuarial study. In all cases, we record a liability when the expected loss for the claim is both probable and reasonably estimable.
Employee personal injury claims
– The largest component of claims expense is employee personal injury costs. The independent actuarial firm engaged by us provides quarterly studies to aid in valuing our employee personal injury liability and estimating personal injury expense. The actuarial firm studies our historical patterns of reserving for claims and subsequent settlements, taking into account relevant outside influences. The actuarial firm uses the results of these analyses to estimate the ultimate amount of liability. We adjust the liability quarterly based upon our assessment and the results of the study. Our estimate of the liability is subject to inherent limitation given the difficulty of predicting future events such as jury decisions, court interpretations, or legislative changes. As a result, actual claim settlements may vary from the estimated liability recorded.
16
Occupational claims
– Occupational claims include injuries and illnesses alleged to be caused by exposures which occur over time as opposed to injuries or illnesses caused by a specific accident or event. Types of occupational claims commonly seen allege exposure to asbestos and other claimed toxic substances resulting in respiratory diseases or cancer. Many such claims are being asserted by former or retired employees, some of whom have not been employed in the rail industry for decades. The independent actuarial firm provides an estimate of the occupational claims liability based upon our history of claim filings, severity, payments, and other pertinent facts. The liability is dependent upon judgments we make as to the specific case reserves as well as judgments of the actuarial firm in the quarterly studies. The actuarial firm’s estimate of ultimate loss includes a provision for those claims that have been incurred but not reported. This provision is derived by analyzing industry data and projecting our experience. We adjust the liability quarterly based upon our assessment and the results of the study. However, it is possible that the recorded liability may not be adequate to cover the future payment of claims. Adjustments to the recorded liability are reflected in operating expenses in the periods in which such adjustments become known.
Third-party claims
– We record a liability for third-party claims including those for highway crossing accidents, trespasser and other injuries, property damage, and lading damage. The actuarial firm assists us with the calculation of potential liability for third-party claims, except lading damage, based upon our experience including the number and timing of incidents, amount of payments, settlement rates, number of open claims, and legal defenses. We adjust the liability quarterly based upon our assessment and the results of the study. Given the inherent uncertainty in regard to the ultimate outcome of third-party claims, it is possible that the actual loss may differ from the estimated liability recorded.
Environmental Matters
We are subject to various jurisdictions’ environmental laws and regulations. We record a liability where such liability or loss is probable and reasonably estimable. Environmental specialists regularly participate in ongoing evaluations of all known sites and in determining any necessary adjustments to liability estimates.
Our Consolidated Balance Sheets include liabilities for environmental exposures of $
54
million and $
56
million at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, of which $
15
million is classified as a current liability at both dates. At June 30, 2020, the liability represents our estimates of the probable cleanup, investigation, and remediation costs based on available information at
109
known locations and projects compared with
110
locations and projects at December 31, 2019. At June 30, 2020,
fifteen
sites accounted for $
38
million of the liability, and no individual site was considered to be material. We anticipate that much of this liability will be paid out over
five years
; however, some costs will be paid out over a longer period.
At
eleven
locations, one or more of our subsidiaries in conjunction with a number of other parties have been identified as potentially responsible parties under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 or comparable state statutes that impose joint and several liability for cleanup costs. We calculate our estimated liability for these sites based on facts and legal defenses applicable to each site and not solely on the basis of the potential for joint liability.
With respect to known environmental sites (whether identified by us or by the Environmental Protection Agency or comparable state authorities), estimates of our ultimate potential financial exposure for a given site or in the aggregate for all such sites can change over time because of the widely varying costs of currently available cleanup techniques, unpredictable contaminant recovery and reduction rates associated with available cleanup technologies, the likely development of new cleanup technologies, the difficulty of determining in advance the nature and full extent of contamination and each potential participant’s share of any estimated loss (and that participant’s ability to bear it), and evolving statutory and regulatory standards governing liability.
The risk of incurring environmental liability for acts and omissions, past, present, and future, is inherent in the railroad business. Some of the commodities we transport, particularly those classified as hazardous materials, pose special risks that we work diligently to reduce. In addition, several of our subsidiaries own, or have owned, land
17
used as operating property, or which is leased and operated by others, or held for sale. Because environmental problems that are latent or undisclosed may exist on these properties, there can be no assurance that we will not incur environmental liabilities or costs with respect to one or more of them, the amount and materiality of which cannot be estimated reliably at this time. Moreover, lawsuits and claims involving these and potentially other unidentified environmental sites and matters are likely to arise from time to time. The resulting liabilities could have a significant effect on financial position, results of operations, or liquidity in a particular year or quarter.
Based on our assessment of the facts and circumstances now known, we believe we have recorded the probable and reasonably estimable costs for dealing with those environmental matters of which we are aware. Further, we believe that it is unlikely that any known matters, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.
Insurance
12.
New Accounting Pronouncements
18
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Norfolk Southern Corporation and Subsidiaries
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes.
OVERVIEW
We are one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Our 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. We are a major transporter of industrial products, including chemicals, agriculture, and metals and construction materials. In addition, we operate the most extensive intermodal network in the East and are a principal carrier of coal, automobiles, and automotive parts.
Our second-quarter 2020 results were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic that caused significant global economic contraction. The pandemic influenced the demand for our services and, as a result, our volumes fell significantly across all of our major commodity groups. In response to lower customer demand, we focused on tailoring operating plans for the low-demand environment and reducing expenses, including further implementation of structural cost reductions associated with our strategic plan. Although the revenue reduction in the quarter exceeded the cost reductions we achieved, the initiatives implemented have further optimized our operating activities and network and have positioned us to benefit when volumes return in the future.
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to generate significant uncertainty in the economy and our outlook for the remainder of 2020. The magnitude and duration of the pandemic, including its impact on our customers and general economic conditions, is still uncertain. We continue to monitor the impact of the pandemic on our employees’ availability, which has not been adversely affected in a significant manner thus far in 2020. We remain committed to protecting our employees and providing excellent transportation service products for our customers.
SUMMARIZED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
($ in millions, except per share amounts)
| Second Quarter | First Six Months | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | % change | 2020 | 2019 | % change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income from railway operations | $ | 610 | $ | 1,065 | (43%) | $ | 1,178 | $ | 2,031 | (42%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 392 | $ | 722 | (46%) | $ | 773 | $ | 1,399 | (45%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per share | $ | 1.53 | $ | 2.70 | (43%) | $ | 3.00 | $ | 5.21 | (42%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Railway operating ratio (percent) | 70.7 | 63.6 | 11% | 75.0 | 64.8 | 16% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income from railway operations decreased in both periods, leading to lower net income and diluted earnings per share. The reduction in income from railway operations resulted from decreased railway operating revenues that exceeded the operating expense declines, driving the increases in the railway operating ratio. Railway operating revenues declined as lower customer demand resulted in volume declines. Railway operating expenses decreased due to declines in fuel price and consumption, reduced employment levels, lower volumes and operational efficiency improvements.
Additionally, our results for the first six months of 2020 were adversely impacted by a first-quarter loss on asset disposal of $385 million related to the loss on locomotives sold and a write-down of locomotives held-for-sale. For more information on the impact of the charge, see Note 3.
19
The following table adjusts our 2020 GAAP financial results for the first six months to exclude the effects of this charge. We use these non-GAAP financial measures internally and believe this information provides useful supplemental information to investors to facilitate making period-to-period comparisons by excluding the 2020 charge. While we believe that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful in evaluating our business, this information should be considered as supplemental in nature and is not meant to be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for, the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures may not be the same as similar measures presented by other companies.
| Non-GAAP Reconciliation for First Six Months | |||||||||||||||||
| Reported 2020 (GAAP) |
2020 Loss on Asset Disposal
|
Adjusted
2020 (non-GAAP) |
|||||||||||||||
| ($ in millions, except per share amounts) | |||||||||||||||||
| Railway operating expenses | $ | 3,532 | $ | (385) | $ | 3,147 | |||||||||||
| Income from railway operations | $ | 1,178 | $ | 385 | $ | 1,563 | |||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 773 | $ | 288 | $ | 1,061 | |||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per share | $ | 3.00 | $ | 1.11 | $ | 4.11 | |||||||||||
| Railway operating ratio (percent) | 75.0 | (8.2) | 66.8 | ||||||||||||||
In the table below, references to the first six months of 2020 results and related comparisons use the adjusted, non-GAAP results from the reconciliation in the table above.
| First Six Months | |||||||||||||||||
|
Adjusted
2020 (non-GAAP) |
2019 |
Adjusted 2020 (non-GAAP)
vs. 2019 |
|||||||||||||||
| ($ in millions, except per share amounts) | % change | ||||||||||||||||
| Railway operating expenses | $ | 3,147 | $ | 3,734 | (16%) | ||||||||||||
| Income from railway operations | $ | 1,563 | $ | 2,031 | (23%) | ||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 1,061 | $ | 1,399 | (24%) | ||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per share | $ | 4.11 | $ | 5.21 | (21%) | ||||||||||||
| Railway operating ratio (percent) | 66.8 | 64.8 | 3% | ||||||||||||||
20
DETAILED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Railway Operating Revenues
The following tables present a comparison of revenues ($ in millions), volumes (units in thousands), and average revenue per unit ($ per unit) by commodity group.
| Second Quarter | First Six Months | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | 2020 | 2019 | % change | 2020 | 2019 | % change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Merchandise: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Agriculture, forest and consumer products | $ | 498 | $ | 577 | (14%) | $ | 1,049 | $ | 1,135 | (8%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chemicals | 423 | 544 | (22%) | 943 | 1,051 | (10%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Metals and construction | 293 | 384 | (24%) | 660 | 754 | (12%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Automotive | 93 | 251 | (63%) | 327 | 502 | (35%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Merchandise | 1,307 | 1,756 | (26%) | 2,979 | 3,442 | (13%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Intermodal | 569 | 701 | (19%) | 1,224 | 1,420 | (14%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coal | 209 | 468 | (55%) | 507 | 903 | (44%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,085 | $ | 2,925 | (29%) | $ | 4,710 | $ | 5,765 | (18%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Units | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Merchandise: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Agriculture, forest and consumer products | 165.8 | 200.6 | (17%) | 347.3 | 391.3 | (11%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chemicals | 112.1 | 153.7 | (27%) | 254.4 | 298.7 | (15%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Metals and construction | 136.1 | 182.1 | (25%) | 291.0 | 346.5 | (16%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Automotive | 37.1 | 101.8 | (64%) | 127.5 | 199.9 | (36%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Merchandise | 451.1 | 638.2 | (29%) | 1,020.2 | 1,236.4 | (17%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Intermodal | 884.4 | 1,048.5 | (16%) | 1,839.5 | 2,119.5 | (13%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coal | 111.6 | 258.3 | (57%) | 275.1 | 494.6 | (44%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 1,447.1 | 1,945.0 | (26%) | 3,134.8 | 3,850.5 | (19%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue per Unit | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Merchandise: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Agriculture, forest and consumer products | $ | 3,004 | $ | 2,875 | 4% | $ | 3,021 | $ | 2,900 | 4% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chemicals | 3,771 | 3,541 | 6% | 3,705 | 3,519 | 5% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Metals and construction | 2,154 | 2,104 | 2% | 2,269 | 2,175 | 4% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Automotive | 2,499 | 2,471 | 1% | 2,566 | 2,513 | 2% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Merchandise | 2,897 | 2,751 | 5% | 2,920 | 2,784 | 5% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Intermodal | 644 | 668 | (4%) | 665 | 670 | (1%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coal | 1,864 | 1,815 | 3% | 1,841 | 1,826 | 1% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 1,440 | 1,504 | (4%) | 1,502 | 1,497 | —% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
At the beginning of 2020, we combined the agriculture products and forest and consumer commodity groups. In addition, we also made changes in the categorization of certain other commodity groups within Merchandise. Specifically, certain commodities were shifted between agriculture, forest, and consumer products; chemicals; and,
21
metals and construction. These changes were made as a result of organizational initiatives to better align with how we manage these commodities. Prior period railway operating revenues, units, and revenue per unit have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.
Railway operating revenues decreased $840 million in the second quarter and $1.1 billion for the first six months compared with the same periods last year. The table below reflects the components of the revenue change by major commodity group ($ in millions).
| Second Quarter | First Six Months | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Increase (Decrease) | Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Merchandise | Intermodal | Coal | Merchandise | Intermodal | Coal | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Volume | $ | (515) | $ | (110) | $ | (266) | $ | (602) | $ | (188) | $ | (401) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fuel surcharge revenue | (24) | (48) | (3) | (30) | (58) | (9) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rate, mix and other | 90 | 26 | 10 | 169 | 50 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | (449) | $ | (132) | $ | (259) | $ | (463) | $ | (196) | $ | (396) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Approximately 90% of our revenue base is covered by contracts that include negotiated fuel surcharges. Revenues associated with these surcharges totaled $69 million and $144 million in the second quarters of 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $200 million and $297 million for the first six months of 2020 and 2019, respectively. The decrease in fuel surcharge revenues for the second quarter and first six months are driven by lower fuel commodity prices and volume declines.
Merchandise
Merchandise revenue decreased in both periods as lower volumes were partially offset by higher average revenue per unit driven by pricing gains. Overall, volumes fell in all merchandise commodity groups and across almost all markets within those commodity groups due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic caused industries to close and suspend production which negatively impacted customers’ needs for receiving materials and shipping finished and semi-finished goods.
Agriculture, forest and consumer products volume decreased in both periods across almost all markets due to the impact of COVID-19 on gasoline consumption, the food service industry, and building, industrial, commercial and consumer activities.
Chemicals volume decreased in both periods for all markets due to the impact from COVID-19 and the continuing disruptions in the energy market. Oil and petroleum shipments were negatively impacted due to reductions in gasoline/jet fuel demand and consumer travel. The pandemic caused industries to close which negatively impacted our customers’ needs for materials.
Metals and construction volume fell in both periods, largely the result of weakened demand due to reductions in metal and domestic vehicle production. Low coal power generation in the second quarter weakened scrubber stone demand, which negatively affected aggregates volumes. The pandemic caused industries to close and suspend production which heavily impacted customers’ needs for receiving materials and shipping finished and semi-finished goods.
Automotive volume declined in both periods due to unplanned automotive plant shutdowns, primarily associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Intermodal
Intermodal revenue declined in both periods, the result of decreased volumes and lower revenue per unit, a result of lower fuel surcharge revenue.
Intermodal units (in thousands) by market were as follows:
| Second Quarter | First Six Months | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | % change | 2020 | 2019 | % change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Domestic | 566.6 | 635.8 | (11%) | 1,164.9 | 1,292.1 | (10%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International | 317.8 | 412.7 | (23%) | 674.6 | 827.4 | (18%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 884.4 | 1,048.5 | (16%) | 1,839.5 | 2,119.5 | (13%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Domestic and international volumes fell in both periods, the result of supply chain disruption resulting from COVID-19 related shutdowns and lower consumer demand. The first six months were additionally impacted by stronger over-the-road competition.
Coal
Coal revenues decreased in both periods, primarily driven by significant volume declines partially offset by higher revenue per unit, resulting from volume shortfalls and favorable mix.
Coal tonnage (in thousands) by market was as follows:
| Second Quarter | First Six Months | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | % change | 2020 | 2019 | % change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Utility | 5,700 | 17,129 | (67%) | 14,598 | 32,884 | (56%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Export | 3,669 | 6,626 | (45%) | 9,738 | 13,014 | (25%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Domestic metallurgical | 2,338 | 3,851 | (39%) | 4,614 | 6,782 | (32%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Industrial | 747 | 1,181 | (37%) | 1,728 | 2,403 | (28%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 12,454 | 28,787 | (57%) | 30,678 | 55,083 | (44%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In both periods, low natural gas prices and reduced demand in global and domestic manufacturing due to COVID-19 negatively impacted all four of our distinct coal markets. Utility coal tonnage was challenged by low natural gas prices, high stockpiles, and diminished industrial and commercial electricity demand. Export coal tonnage declined in both periods as a result of COVID-19 related global disruptions and weak seaborne pricing. Domestic metallurgical coal and coke tonnage fell in both periods due to reduced domestic steel demand leading to idled customer facilities and lower production. Industrial coal tonnage decreased in both periods as a result of customer sourcing changes and continued pressure from natural gas conversions.
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Railway Operating Expenses
Railway operating expenses summarized by major classifications were as follows ($ in millions):
| Second Quarter | First Six Months | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | % change | 2020 | 2019 | % change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Compensation and benefits | $ | 586 | $ | 712 | (18%) | $ | 1,208 | $ | 1,439 | (16%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Purchased services and rents | 372 | 418 | (11%) | 775 | 842 | (8%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fuel | 84 | 254 | (67%) | 273 | 504 | (46%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation | 282 | 284 | (1%) | 574 | 567 | 1% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Materials and other | 151 | 192 | (21%) | 317 | 382 | (17%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss on asset disposal | — | — | 385 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,475 | $ | 1,860 | (21%) | $ | 3,532 | $ | 3,734 | (5%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Compensation and benefits
expense decreased in both periods as follows:
•
employment levels (down $98 million for the quarter and $174 million for the first six months),
•
health and welfare benefits for agreement employees (down $21 million for the quarter and $39 million for the first six months),
•
overtime and recrews (down $20 million for the quarter and $37 million for the first six months),
•
stock-based and incentive compensation (down $16 million for the quarter and $33 million for the first six months),
•
lower capitalized labor (additional expense of $13 million for the quarter and $23 million for the first six months),
•
increased pay rates (up $14 million for the quarter and $30 million for the first six months), and
•
other (up $2 million for the quarter and down $1 million for the first six months).
Average rail headcount for the quarter was down by over 4,900 compared with the second quarter of 2019.
Purchased services and rents
declined in both periods as follows ($ in millions):
| Second Quarter | First Six Months | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | % change | 2020 | 2019 | % change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Purchased services | $ | 302 | $ | 347 | (13%) | $ | 623 | $ | 693 | (10%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equipment rents | 70 | 71 | (1%) | 152 | 149 | 2% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 372 | $ | 418 | (11%) | $ | 775 | $ | 842 | (8%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
The decline in purchased services in both periods was largely the result of decreased intermodal-related costs and lower operational and transportation expenses. Equipment rents remained relatively flat for the second quarter but increased modestly for the first six months, primarily the result of lower TTX equity earnings partially offset by decreased intermodal volume-related expenses.
Fuel
expense, which includes the cost of locomotive fuel as well as other fuel used in railway operations, decreased due to lower locomotive fuel prices (down 53% in the second quarter and 31% in the first six months), and decreased consumption (down 32% in the second quarter and 23% in the first six months).
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Materials and other
expenses decreased in both periods as follows ($ in millions):
| Second Quarter | First Six Months | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | % change | 2020 | 2019 | % change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Materials | $ | 62 | $ | 82 | (24%) | $ | 134 | $ | 169 | (21%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Claims | 40 | 50 | (20%) | 82 | 99 | (17%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 49 | 60 | (18%) | 101 | 114 | (11%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 151 | $ | 192 | (21%) | $ | 317 | $ | 382 | (17%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Materials costs decreased in both periods, due primarily to lower locomotive maintenance requirements as a result of fewer locomotives in service. Claims expenses declined in both periods, driven by lower costs related to environmental remediation matters. Other expense decreased in both periods, due to lower travel-related expenses. The decrease in the first six months was partially offset by lower gains from sales of operating properties. Gains from operating property sales amounted to $13 million and $21 million in the first six months of 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Other income – net
Other income – net increased $27 million in the second quarter and $5 million for the first six months. The second quarter experienced higher investment returns on corporate-owned life insurance partially offset by expenses associated with the debt exchange. Both periods reflect the impact of a prior year impairment loss on our natural resource assets, lower pension expenses, and lower 2020 non-operating property sales. Coal royalties were also lower in both periods due to the sale of our natural resource assets in the first quarter of 2020. In 2019, coal royalties were $24 million for the full year.
Income taxes
The second-quarter effective tax rate was 22.1% compared with 22.7% for the same period last year. Both periods benefited from favorable tax benefits on stock-based compensation while the current quarter reflects increased tax benefits from higher returns on corporate-owned life insurance. The effective tax rates were 17.7% and 22.1% for the first six months of 2020 and 2019, respectively. Both periods reflect tax benefits on stock-based compensation, while the effective rate for the first six months includes a $19 million reduction of taxes upon the resolution of our 2012 amended federal return.
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND LIQUIDITY
Cash provided by operating activities, our principal source of liquidity, was $1.8 billion for the first six months of 2020, compared with $2.0 billion for the same period of 2019. We had working capital of $415 million at June 30, 2020 and negative working capital of $219 million at December 31, 2019. Cash and cash equivalents totaled $1.1 billion at June 30, 2020.
Cash used in investing activities was $540 million for the first six months of 2020, compared with $852 million for the same period last year. The decrease was primarily driven by lower property additions in 2020.
Cash used in financing activities was $655 million for the first six months of 2020, compared with $1.2 billion in the same period last year, reflecting lower repayments of debt and repurchases of Common Stock, partially offset by lower proceeds from borrowing. We repurchased 3.9 million shares of Common Stock totaling $669 million in the first six months of 2020 compared to 5.7 million shares, totaling $1.1 billion in the same period last year. The timing and volume of future share repurchases will be guided by our assessment of market conditions, cash flow and other pertinent factors. Any near-term purchases under the program are expected to be made with internally-generated cash, cash on hand, or proceeds from borrowings.
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Our total-debt-to-total capitalization ratio was 46.1% at June 30, 2020, and 44.5% at December 31, 2019.
In May 2020, we issued $800 million of 3.05% senior notes due 2050, resulting in $790 million in net proceeds.
In May 2020, we also issued $800 million of 3.155% senior notes due 2055 in exchange for $554 million of our previously-issued notes ($450 million at 5.1% due 2118, $42 million at 6% due 2111, $29 million at 7.9% due 2097, $26 million at 6% due 2105, and $7 million at 7.05% due 2037). As part of the debt exchange, a $4 million loss on extinguishment was recognized in “Other income – net.”
In May 2020, we renewed and amended our accounts receivable securitization program with maximum borrowing capacity of $400 million and a term expiring in May 2021. We had no amounts outstanding at both June 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, and our available borrowing capacity was $308 million and $429 million, respectively. In addition, we have investments in general purpose corporate-owned life insurance policies and had the ability to borrow up to $725 million against these policies at June 30, 2020.
In March 2020, we renewed and amended our five-year credit agreement which expires in March 2025 and provides for borrowings at prevailing rates and includes covenants. We increased the program’s borrowing capacity from $750 million to $800 million. We had no amounts outstanding under this facility at both June 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, and we are in compliance with all of its covenants.
We expect cash on hand combined with cash provided by operating activities will be sufficient to meet our ongoing obligations. In addition, we believe our currently-available borrowing capacity, access to additional financing, and ability to reduce expenditures on property additions and shareholder distributions, including share repurchases, provide additional flexibility to meet our ongoing obligations. Nonetheless, we are monitoring the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which could lead to a further decline of cash inflows from operations. There have been no material changes to the information on future contractual obligations contained in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, with the exception of additional senior notes (see Note 8).
APPLICATION OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates and assumptions may require judgment about matters that are inherently uncertain, and future events are likely to occur that may require us to make changes to these estimates and assumptions. Accordingly, we regularly review these estimates and assumptions based on historical experience, changes in the business environment, and other factors we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. There have been no significant changes to the application of the critical accounting policies contained in our Form 10-K at December 31, 2019.
26
OTHER MATTERS
Labor Agreements
Approximately 80% of our railroad employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements with various labor unions. Pursuant to the Railway Labor Act, these agreements remain in effect until new agreements are reached, or until the bargaining procedures mandated by the Railway Labor Act are completed. We largely bargain nationally in concert with other major railroads, represented by the National Carriers Conference Committee. Moratorium provisions in the labor agreements govern when the railroads and unions may propose changes to the agreements. The current round of bargaining commenced on November 1, 2019 with both management and the unions serving their formal proposals for changes to the collective bargaining agreements.
New Accounting Pronouncements
For a detailed discussion of new accounting pronouncements, see Note 12.
Inflation
In preparing financial statements, GAAP requires the use of historical cost that disregards the effects of inflation on the replacement cost of property. As a capital-intensive company, we have most of our capital invested in long-lived assets. The replacement cost of these assets, as well as the related depreciation expense, would be substantially greater than the amounts reported on the basis of historical cost.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations are “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 can be identified by terminology such as “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, beliefs, 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 the risks and uncertainties related to the COVID-19 pandemic and those discussed under “Risk Factors” in our latest Form 10-K, as well as our subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, 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.
27
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
The information required by this item is included in Part I, Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” under the heading “Financial Condition and Liquidity.”
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, with the assistance of management, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act)) at June 30, 2020. Based on such evaluation, our officers have concluded that, at June 30, 2020, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in alerting them on a timely basis to material information required to be included in our periodic filings under the Exchange Act.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
During the second quarter of 2020, we have not identified any changes in internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
28
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
In 2007, various antitrust class actions filed against us and other Class I railroads in various Federal district courts regarding fuel surcharges were consolidated in the District of Columbia by the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. In 2012, the court certified the case as a class action. The defendant railroads appealed this certification, and the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia vacated the District Court’s decision and remanded the case for further consideration. On October 10, 2017, the District Court denied class certification. The decision was upheld by the Court of Appeals on August 16, 2019. Since that decision, various individual cases have been filed in multiple jurisdictions and also consolidated in the District of Columbia. We believe the allegations in the complaints are without merit and intend to vigorously defend the cases. We do not believe the outcome of these proceedings will have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
The risks set forth in “Risk Factors” included in our 2019 Form 10-K could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or liquidity in a particular year or quarter, and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements. Those risks remain unchanged and are incorporated herein by reference and are updated to include the following risk.
The COVID-19 pandemic could impact us, our customers, our supply chain and our operations. The pandemic has negatively impacted the economy and continues to generate significant economic uncertainty. It has had a significant adverse impact on our results of operations, and may have material adverse impacts on our financial position, results of operations, or liquidity. The magnitude and duration of the pandemic, and its impact on our customers and general economic conditions will influence the demand for our services and affect our revenues. In addition, COVID-19 could affect our operations and business continuity if a significant number of our essential employees, overall or in a key location, are quarantined from contraction of or exposure to the disease or if governmental orders prevent our operating employees or critical suppliers from working. To the extent COVID-19 adversely affects our business and financial results, it may also have the effect of heightening many of the other risks described in the risk factors included in our 2019 Form 10-K.
29
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
|
(a) Total
Number of Shares (or Units) |
(b) Average
Price Paid per Share |
(c) Total
Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or |
(d) Maximum
Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that may yet be purchased under the Plans or |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Period |
Purchased
(1)
|
(or Unit) |
Programs
(2)
|
Programs
(2)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
| April 1-30, 2020 | 907,482 | $ | 153.36 | 906,515 | 24,546,356 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| May 1-31, 2020 | 178,852 | 171.06 | 177,206 | 24,369,150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| June 1-30, 2020 | 185,000 | 178.97 | 183,956 | 24,185,194 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 1,271,334 | 1,267,677 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)
Of this amount, 3,657 represent shares tendered by employees in connection with the exercise of options under the stockholder-approved Long-Term Incentive Plan.
(2)
On September 26, 2017, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to an additional 50 million shares of Common Stock through December 31, 2022. As of June 30, 2020, 24.2 million shares remain authorized for repurchase.
30
Item 6. Exhibits.
| 3(i)** | |||||
| 4.1 | |||||
| 4.2 | |||||
| 10.1*,** | |||||
| 10.2*,** | |||||
| 10.3 |
Amendment No. 15, dated as of May 29, 2020, to Transfer and Administration Agreement, dated as of November 8, 2007, is incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 10.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on June 1, 2020.
8, 2007, is incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 10.1 to Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on June 1, 2020.
|
||||
| 31-A** | |||||
| 31-B** | |||||
| 32** | |||||
| 101** | The following financial information from Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the second quarter of 2020, formatted in Inline Extensible Business Reporting Language (iXBRL) includes (i) the Consolidated Statements of Income for the second quarter and first six months of 2020 and 2019; (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the second quarter and first six months of 2020 and 2019; (iii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019; (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the first six months of 2020 and 2019; (v) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the second quarter and first six months of 2020 and 2019; and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. | ||||
| 104** | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101). | ||||
|
* Management contract or compensatory arrangement.
|
|||||
| ** Filed herewith. | |||||
31
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
|
NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION
Registrant
|
||||||||
| Date: | July 29, 2020 | /s/ Clyde H. Allison, Jr. | ||||||
|
Clyde H. Allison, Jr.
Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer) (Signature) |
||||||||
| Date: | July 29, 2020 | /s/ Denise W. Hutson | ||||||
|
Denise W. Hutson
Corporate Secretary (Signature) |
||||||||
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part I. Financial InformationprintItem 1. Financial StatementsprintItem 2. Management S Discussion and Analysis Of Financial Condition and Results Of OperationsprintItem 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market RiskprintItem 4. Controls and ProceduresprintPart II. Other InformationprintItem 1. Legal ProceedingsprintItem 1A. Risk FactorsprintItem 2. Unregistered Sales Of Equity Securities and Use Of ProceedsprintItem 6. Exhibitsprint