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Genesee & Wyoming (GWR) Q2 Earnings Beat Estimates, Up Y/Y

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Genesee & Wyoming Inc.’s second-quarter earnings (excluding 21 cents from non-recurring items) of 94 cents per share surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2 cents.  The bottom line also increased 17.5% on a year-over-year basis. Results were aided by higher revenues and lower effective tax rate.

Operating revenues increased 10.1% year over year to $595 million, which outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $588.2 million. Freight revenues accounted for bulk of the top line (70.3%) and increased 9.2% to $418.2 million. Meanwhile, freight-related revenues contributed 23.9% to the top line and increased 11.8% to $142.4 million. The balance came from ‘other revenues’.

Total operating expenses (on a reported basis) increased 11.6% to $491.9 million mainly owing to higher labor-related costs. Operating income (on a reported basis) was up 3.4% to $103.1 million in the quarter. The metric, on an adjusted basis, increased 1.1% to $107 million.

Traffic at Genesee & Wyoming increased 3% year over year to 834,363 carloads. During the first half of 2018, the company bought back approximately 2.7 million shares for $192 million.

Genesee & Wyoming, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

 

Genesee & Wyoming, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Genesee & Wyoming, Inc. Quote

 Segmental Results

Geographically, operating revenues from North American, Australian and U.K./European operations increased 7.6%, 2.9% and 19.2%, respectively. Moreover, North American, Australian and U.K./European operations accounted for a respective 56.1%, 13.3% and 29.6% of the total operating revenues in the quarter. The North American unit exhibited the strongest carload growth (on a quarterly basis) since the first quarter of 2011.

Adjusted operating ratio (operating expenses as a percentage of revenues) at the company’s North American operations deteriorated 180 basis points to 76.1% in the second quarter. We note that lower the value of the metric the better. Adjusted operating ratio at its Australian operations also decreased approximately 170 basis points to 75.2% in the second quarter. However, the metric improved 50 basis points to 96.4%. On a consolidated basis, the metric stood at 82% compared with 80.4% a year ago.

Q3 Outlook

For the third quarter of 2018, operating revenues (consolidated) are envisioned between $580 million and $600 million. In the North American segment, the same is anticipated between $330 million and $340 million. Operating revenues is anticipated between $75 million and $80 million in Australia and $175-$180 million at the company’s U.K./European operations.

Earnings per share are expected to be in the $1.10-$1.20 range in the third quarter of 2018. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings per share and revenues are pegged at $1.15 and $614.9 million, respectively. Operating ratio (excluding U.K. restructuring costs) is projected to lie between 78% and 79%. Effective tax rate is projected to be approximately 27%.

2018 Outlook

This Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company expects earnings per share to lie between $3.80 and $3.90. Consolidated revenues are envisioned to be in the $2,335 million to $2,365 million band. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings per share and revenues are pegged at $3.84 and $2,390 million, respectively. Adjusted operating ratio is projected to lie between 81% and 82%.

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Upcoming Releases

Investors interested in the broader Transportation sector are keenly awaiting second-quarter earnings reports from key players, namely C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (CHRW - Free Report) , Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. (EXPD - Free Report) and Air Lease Corp. (AL - Free Report) . While C.H. Robinson will report second-quarter earnings on Jul 31, Expeditors and Air Lease will release the same on Aug 7 and Aug 9, respectively.

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