For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL –August 11, 2017 – Today, Zacks Equity Research discusses the Industry: Railroads, Part 2, including Union Pacific Corp. (NYSE:UNP – Free Report), Norfolk Southern Corp. (NYSE:NSC – Free Report), CSX Corp. (NASDAQ:CSX – Free Report), Kansas City Southern (NYSE:KSU – Free Report) and Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (NYSE:GWR – Free Report).
Industry: Railroads, part 2
Link: https://www.zacks.com/commentary/124781/coal-revival-a-blessing-for-railroads
Stocks in the railroad space are psyched up after years of struggle. The main reason for the struggles of the sector was weakness in domestic coal shipments. However, things are looking up now for this a key revenue-generating commodity for railroad operators.
Coal Prospects Brighten in the Trump Era
It is a well-documented fact that coal as a fuel source lost much of its relevance during President Obama’s tenure. However, the election of President Trump late last year has been a blessing for this industry, which is a vital source of employment in the country. The President is in favor of increasing employment in this industry apart from relaxing regulations. As coal accounts for more than 15% of revenues for railroads in the U.S., it is natural that any bullish development pertaining to the commodity is a boon for railroads.
Trump’s repeated emphasis on the need to revive the coal industry bodes well for the railroad industry. He is a bigger fan of fossil fuels compared to renewable energy, and has started to act on his pre-election promises and taken measures to repeal the Clean Power Plan. Trump also walked out of the Paris Climate Agreement. Both have similar objectives of lowering emission levels.
Given this backdrop, we expect a surge in the usage of coal during the Trump regime. Naturally, sector participants like Union Pacific Corp. (NYSE:UNP – Free Report), Norfolk Southern Corp. (NYSE:NSC – Free Report) and CSX Corp. (NASDAQ:CSX – Free Report) stand to benefit substantially if the President successfully resurrects the coal industry.
Union Pacific carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
An improving economy also means good news for railroads as it implies that an increased volume of goods are crossing the country on the rails. Additionally, coal volumes will be positively impacted in the event of higher industrial production. The bullishness surrounding railroad operators is clear from the 10.61% year-to-date increase witnessed in the Dow Jones U.S. Railroads Index.
Impressive Q2
In view of the positive sentiment surrounding the space and the improvement of coal volumes, it is of little surprise that railroads fared well in the Q2 earnings season. The railroad space saw major players like Norfolk Southern, Kansas City Southern (NYSE:KSU – Free Report), Union Pacific, Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (NYSE:GWR – Free Report) and CSX report earnings beats.
Apart from reporting better-than-expected earnings, companies like Kansas City, Union Pacific and CSX also outperformed on the revenue front. The vast improvement in coal revenues led to the turnaround in fortunes of the sector participants.
For example, at Union Pacific, coal revenues (freight) increased 25% while the same at CSX improved 27%. The intermodal unit has also performed well in the quarter.
Union Pacific’s expectation that its business volumes will improve further in the second half of the year raises further optimism.
Operating Ratio Improvement: A Key Positive
In the second quarter, Union Pacific’s operating ratio (defined as operating expenses as a percentage of revenues) came in at 61.8%, reflecting an improvement of 340 basis points on a year-over-year basis. The metric benefited from higher fuel prices.
The company is on track to achieve its guidance of around 60% by 2019. Operating ratio of 55% is targeted beyond 2019. We are also impressed by the $3.1 billion capital plan announced by the company in 2017. The plan is in line with the company's efforts to promote safety and enhance productivity. Operating ratio in the mid-60s is expected this year at CSX.
Norfolk Southern is on track to deliver annual savings to the tune of $650 million by 2020. Operating ratio of below 65% is targeted by 2020 or even earlier. CEO James A. Squires recently said that the company is on track to achieve these targets. The efforts of railroad operators to cut costs in order to drive the bottom line raise optimism.
Zacks Industry Rank
Within the Zacks Industry classification, health insurers are broadly grouped in the Medical sector (one of the 16 Zacks sectors).
We rank 265 industries into 16 Zacks sectors based on the earnings outlook and fundamental strength of the constituent companies in each industry. We put our X industries into two groups: the top half (industries with the best average Zacks Rank) and the bottom half (the industries with the worst average Zacks Rank).
Over the last 10 years, using a one-week rebalance, the top half beat the bottom half by more than twice as much. The Zacks Industry Rank is #177 (bottom 34%). The ranking is available on the Zacks Industry Rank page.
Strong Stocks that Should Be in the News
Many are little publicized and fly under the Wall Street radar. They're virtually unknown to the general public. Yet today's 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buys" were generated by the stock-picking system that has nearly tripled the market from 1988 through 2015. Its average gain has been a stellar +26% per year.See these high-potential stocks free >>.
Get the full Report on NSC - FREE
Get the full Report on UNP - FREE
Get the full Report on KSU - FREE
Get the full Report on GWR - FREE
Get the full Report on CSX - FREE
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/zacksresearch
Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Zacks-Investment-Research/57553657748?ref=ts
Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.
Media Contact
Zacks Investment Research
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
support@zacks.com
https://www.zacks.com/
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performancefor information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
Image: Bigstock
Zacks Industry Outlook Highlights: Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern, CSX, Kansas City Southern and Genesee & Wyoming
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL –August 11, 2017 – Today, Zacks Equity Research discusses the Industry: Railroads, Part 2, including Union Pacific Corp. (NYSE:UNP – Free Report), Norfolk Southern Corp. (NYSE:NSC – Free Report), CSX Corp. (NASDAQ:CSX – Free Report), Kansas City Southern (NYSE:KSU – Free Report) and Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (NYSE:GWR – Free Report).
Industry: Railroads, part 2
Link: https://www.zacks.com/commentary/124781/coal-revival-a-blessing-for-railroads
Stocks in the railroad space are psyched up after years of struggle. The main reason for the struggles of the sector was weakness in domestic coal shipments. However, things are looking up now for this a key revenue-generating commodity for railroad operators.
Coal Prospects Brighten in the Trump Era
It is a well-documented fact that coal as a fuel source lost much of its relevance during President Obama’s tenure. However, the election of President Trump late last year has been a blessing for this industry, which is a vital source of employment in the country. The President is in favor of increasing employment in this industry apart from relaxing regulations. As coal accounts for more than 15% of revenues for railroads in the U.S., it is natural that any bullish development pertaining to the commodity is a boon for railroads.
Trump’s repeated emphasis on the need to revive the coal industry bodes well for the railroad industry. He is a bigger fan of fossil fuels compared to renewable energy, and has started to act on his pre-election promises and taken measures to repeal the Clean Power Plan. Trump also walked out of the Paris Climate Agreement. Both have similar objectives of lowering emission levels.
Given this backdrop, we expect a surge in the usage of coal during the Trump regime. Naturally, sector participants like Union Pacific Corp. (NYSE:UNP – Free Report), Norfolk Southern Corp. (NYSE:NSC – Free Report) and CSX Corp. (NASDAQ:CSX – Free Report) stand to benefit substantially if the President successfully resurrects the coal industry.
Union Pacific carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
An improving economy also means good news for railroads as it implies that an increased volume of goods are crossing the country on the rails. Additionally, coal volumes will be positively impacted in the event of higher industrial production. The bullishness surrounding railroad operators is clear from the 10.61% year-to-date increase witnessed in the Dow Jones U.S. Railroads Index.
Impressive Q2
In view of the positive sentiment surrounding the space and the improvement of coal volumes, it is of little surprise that railroads fared well in the Q2 earnings season. The railroad space saw major players like Norfolk Southern, Kansas City Southern (NYSE:KSU – Free Report), Union Pacific, Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (NYSE:GWR – Free Report) and CSX report earnings beats.
Apart from reporting better-than-expected earnings, companies like Kansas City, Union Pacific and CSX also outperformed on the revenue front. The vast improvement in coal revenues led to the turnaround in fortunes of the sector participants.
For example, at Union Pacific, coal revenues (freight) increased 25% while the same at CSX improved 27%. The intermodal unit has also performed well in the quarter.
Union Pacific’s expectation that its business volumes will improve further in the second half of the year raises further optimism.
Operating Ratio Improvement: A Key Positive
In the second quarter, Union Pacific’s operating ratio (defined as operating expenses as a percentage of revenues) came in at 61.8%, reflecting an improvement of 340 basis points on a year-over-year basis. The metric benefited from higher fuel prices.
The company is on track to achieve its guidance of around 60% by 2019. Operating ratio of 55% is targeted beyond 2019. We are also impressed by the $3.1 billion capital plan announced by the company in 2017. The plan is in line with the company's efforts to promote safety and enhance productivity. Operating ratio in the mid-60s is expected this year at CSX.
Norfolk Southern is on track to deliver annual savings to the tune of $650 million by 2020. Operating ratio of below 65% is targeted by 2020 or even earlier. CEO James A. Squires recently said that the company is on track to achieve these targets. The efforts of railroad operators to cut costs in order to drive the bottom line raise optimism.
Zacks Industry Rank
Within the Zacks Industry classification, health insurers are broadly grouped in the Medical sector (one of the 16 Zacks sectors).
We rank 265 industries into 16 Zacks sectors based on the earnings outlook and fundamental strength of the constituent companies in each industry. We put our X industries into two groups: the top half (industries with the best average Zacks Rank) and the bottom half (the industries with the worst average Zacks Rank).
Over the last 10 years, using a one-week rebalance, the top half beat the bottom half by more than twice as much. The Zacks Industry Rank is #177 (bottom 34%). The ranking is available on the Zacks Industry Rank page.
Strong Stocks that Should Be in the News
Many are little publicized and fly under the Wall Street radar. They're virtually unknown to the general public. Yet today's 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buys" were generated by the stock-picking system that has nearly tripled the market from 1988 through 2015. Its average gain has been a stellar +26% per year.See these high-potential stocks free >>.
Get the full Report on NSC - FREE
Get the full Report on UNP - FREE
Get the full Report on KSU - FREE
Get the full Report on GWR - FREE
Get the full Report on CSX - FREE
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/zacksresearch
Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Zacks-Investment-Research/57553657748?ref=ts
Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.
Media Contact
Zacks Investment Research
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
support@zacks.com
https://www.zacks.com/
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performancefor information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.