We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
CSX Rides on Dividends Amid Sluggish Revenues & High Debts
Read MoreHide Full Article
We recently issued an updated report on CSX Corporation (CSX - Free Report) . Factors like high debt levels, sluggish revenues and coronavirus-related woes are setbacks for the company. However, its shareholder-friendly measures and cost-cut initiatives are aiding growth.
Its operating expenses declined 6% and operating ratio (operating expenses as a percentage of revenues) improved to 58.4% during 2019. Notably, lower the value of this key metric, the better.
The company’s shareholder-friendly measures through dividend payments and buybacks are encouraging. This February, it announced an 8% dividend hike to 26 cents per share. In January 2019, the company’s board cleared a new $5-billion share buyback program, following early completion of the previous one. Moreover, adjusted free cash flow increased 9% year over year to $3.5 billion in 2019. This reflects CSX's robust cash generating capabilities.
The expansion of its intermodal service in order to provide customers with a faster and more efficient solution is noteworthy. ROE (expressed as a percentage) for CSX is currently 27.5 compared with 18.5 for the S&P 500 Index, which implies that the company is efficient in utilizing its shareholders' funds.
However, persistent weakness in coal revenues (down 8% in 2019) due to lower export demand and intermodal revenues (down 9% in 2019) are concerning. Consequently, total revenues slipped 3% year over year in 2019. In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak that has caused global slowdown, volumes may decline this year as well, at least in the first half.
Additionally, CSX's high debt levels are worrisome. The debt-to-equity ratio for CSX is more than 100% compared with 82.7% for S&P 500, which implies that the company is funding most of its ventures with debt.
Long-term (three to five years) expected earnings per share growth rate for GATX, Höegh LNG and Teekay Tankers is pegged at 15%, 8.5% and 3%, respectively.
Biggest Tech Breakthrough in a Generation
Be among the early investors in the new type of device that experts say could impact society as much as the discovery of electricity. Current technology will soon be outdated and replaced by these new devices. In the process, it’s expected to create 22 million jobs and generate $12.3 trillion in activity.
A select few stocks could skyrocket the most as rollout accelerates for this new tech. Early investors could see gains similar to buying Microsoft in the 1990s. Zacks’ just-released special report reveals 8 stocks to watch. The report is only available for a limited time.
Image: Bigstock
CSX Rides on Dividends Amid Sluggish Revenues & High Debts
We recently issued an updated report on CSX Corporation (CSX - Free Report) . Factors like high debt levels, sluggish revenues and coronavirus-related woes are setbacks for the company. However, its shareholder-friendly measures and cost-cut initiatives are aiding growth.
Its operating expenses declined 6% and operating ratio (operating expenses as a percentage of revenues) improved to 58.4% during 2019. Notably, lower the value of this key metric, the better.
The company’s shareholder-friendly measures through dividend payments and buybacks are encouraging. This February, it announced an 8% dividend hike to 26 cents per share. In January 2019, the company’s board cleared a new $5-billion share buyback program, following early completion of the previous one. Moreover, adjusted free cash flow increased 9% year over year to $3.5 billion in 2019. This reflects CSX's robust cash generating capabilities.
The expansion of its intermodal service in order to provide customers with a faster and more efficient solution is noteworthy. ROE (expressed as a percentage) for CSX is currently 27.5 compared with 18.5 for the S&P 500 Index, which implies that the company is efficient in utilizing its shareholders' funds.
CSX Corporation Price
CSX Corporation price | CSX Corporation Quote
However, persistent weakness in coal revenues (down 8% in 2019) due to lower export demand and intermodal revenues (down 9% in 2019) are concerning. Consequently, total revenues slipped 3% year over year in 2019. In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak that has caused global slowdown, volumes may decline this year as well, at least in the first half.
Additionally, CSX's high debt levels are worrisome. The debt-to-equity ratio for CSX is more than 100% compared with 82.7% for S&P 500, which implies that the company is funding most of its ventures with debt.
Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider
CSX currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
Some better-ranked stocks in the Zacks Transportation sector are GATX Corporation (GATX - Free Report) , Höegh LNG Partners LP and Teekay Tankers Ltd. (TNK - Free Report) . GATX and Teekay Tankers sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), whereas Höegh LNG carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Long-term (three to five years) expected earnings per share growth rate for GATX, Höegh LNG and Teekay Tankers is pegged at 15%, 8.5% and 3%, respectively.
Biggest Tech Breakthrough in a Generation
Be among the early investors in the new type of device that experts say could impact society as much as the discovery of electricity. Current technology will soon be outdated and replaced by these new devices. In the process, it’s expected to create 22 million jobs and generate $12.3 trillion in activity.
A select few stocks could skyrocket the most as rollout accelerates for this new tech. Early investors could see gains similar to buying Microsoft in the 1990s. Zacks’ just-released special report reveals 8 stocks to watch. The report is only available for a limited time.
See 8 breakthrough stocks now>>