Kansas City Southern’s fourth-quarter 2018 earnings (excluding 3 cents from non-recurring items) of $1.56 met the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The bottom line, however, rose 13% on a year-over-year basis.
The company delivered revenues of $694 million, marginally beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $691.9 million. However, the top line improved 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. Overall carload volumes remained flat year over year.
In the reported quarter, adjusted operating income increased 4% to $248 million. Kansas City Southern’s operating ratio (operating expenses as a percentage of revenues) deteriorated to 64.3% compared with 64% a year ago due to 6% rise in operating expenses. The company aims at an operating ratio of 60-61% by 2021.
Segmental Details
The Chemical & Petroleum segment generated revenues of $164 million, up 19% year over year. Volumes expanded 16% year over year. Revenues per carload also climbed 3% from the prior-year quarter.
The Industrial & Consumer Products segment generated revenues of $139.5 million, down 5% year over year. Dismal performances across all segmental units hurt results. While business volumes contracted 9%, revenues per carload increased 4% year over year.
The Agriculture & Minerals segment’s total revenues were $131.7 million, up 8% year over year. While business volumes inched up 3%, revenues per carload were up 5%, both on a year-over-year basis.
The Energy segment generated revenues of $65.3 million, down 6% year over year. Disappointing performances at the Utility Coal and Frac Sand units hampered the segment’s results. While business volumes declined 14% year over year, revenues per carload augmented 9%.
Intermodal revenues were $98.2 million, up 1% year over year. While business volumes ascended 4%, revenues per carload dipped 3% in the quarter under review.
Revenues at the Automotive segment came in at $59.9 million, down 1% year over year. While business volumes slid 5%, revenues per carload increased 4%, both on a year-over-year basis.
Other revenues totaled $35.4 million, up 36% year over year.
Zacks Rank
Kansas City Southern carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). 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 fourth-quarter earnings reports from key players, namely American Airlines (AAL - Free Report) , Norfolk Southern Corp. (NSC - Free Report) and Southwest Airlines (LUV - Free Report) . Each of the companies will report final-quarter results on Jan 24.
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Kansas City Southern’s fourth-quarter 2018 earnings (excluding 3 cents from non-recurring items) of $1.56 met the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The bottom line, however, rose 13% on a year-over-year basis.
The company delivered revenues of $694 million, marginally beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $691.9 million. However, the top line improved 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. Overall carload volumes remained flat year over year.
In the reported quarter, adjusted operating income increased 4% to $248 million. Kansas City Southern’s operating ratio (operating expenses as a percentage of revenues) deteriorated to 64.3% compared with 64% a year ago due to 6% rise in operating expenses. The company aims at an operating ratio of 60-61% by 2021.
Segmental Details
The Chemical & Petroleum segment generated revenues of $164 million, up 19% year over year. Volumes expanded 16% year over year. Revenues per carload also climbed 3% from the prior-year quarter.
The Industrial & Consumer Products segment generated revenues of $139.5 million, down 5% year over year. Dismal performances across all segmental units hurt results. While business volumes contracted 9%, revenues per carload increased 4% year over year.
The Agriculture & Minerals segment’s total revenues were $131.7 million, up 8% year over year. While business volumes inched up 3%, revenues per carload were up 5%, both on a year-over-year basis.
The Energy segment generated revenues of $65.3 million, down 6% year over year. Disappointing performances at the Utility Coal and Frac Sand units hampered the segment’s results. While business volumes declined 14% year over year, revenues per carload augmented 9%.
Intermodal revenues were $98.2 million, up 1% year over year. While business volumes ascended 4%, revenues per carload dipped 3% in the quarter under review.
Revenues at the Automotive segment came in at $59.9 million, down 1% year over year. While business volumes slid 5%, revenues per carload increased 4%, both on a year-over-year basis.
Other revenues totaled $35.4 million, up 36% year over year.
Zacks Rank
Kansas City Southern carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). 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 fourth-quarter earnings reports from key players, namely American Airlines (AAL - Free Report) , Norfolk Southern Corp. (NSC - Free Report) and Southwest Airlines (LUV - Free Report) . Each of the companies will report final-quarter results on Jan 24.
Looking for Stocks with Skyrocketing Upside?
Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana.
Ignited by new referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $6.7 billion to $20.2 billion in 2021. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look.
See the pot trades we're targeting>>
Zacks Names "Single Best Pick to Double"
From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.
It’s a little-known chemical company that’s up 65% over last year, yet still dirt cheap. With unrelenting demand, soaring 2022 earnings estimates, and $1.5 billion for repurchasing shares, retail investors could jump in at any time.
This company could rival or surpass other recent Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.
Free: See Our Top Stock and 4 Runners Up >>
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