News Releases

Financial

Union Pacific Reports Third Quarter 2017 Results

Third Quarter Diluted Earnings per Share up 10 percent

Omaha, Neb., October 26, 2017

Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP) today reported 2017 third quarter net income of $1.2 billion, or a $1.50 per diluted share. This compares to $1.1 billion, or $1.36 per diluted share, in the third quarter 2016.

Third Quarter Results

  • Diluted earnings per share of $1.50 increased 10 percent.
  • Operating income totaled $2.0 billion, up 3 percent.
  • Operating ratio of 62.8 percent, up 0.7 points.

"During the quarter, our company faced the unprecedented challenge of Hurricane Harvey," said Lance Fritz, Union Pacific chairman, president and chief executive officer. "I want to thank the men and women of Union Pacific who worked tirelessly and heroically to quickly and safely restore our network and operations from the storm and related flooding. Given these challenges, I am pleased with our results and look forward to continuing to build on the foundation provided by our six-track value strategy."

Third Quarter Summary

Operating revenue of $5.4 billion was up 5 percent in the third quarter 2017 compared to the third quarter 2016. Third quarter business volumes, as measured by total revenue carloads, declined 1 percent compared to 2016. Volume increases in industrial products were more than offset by declines in agricultural products, automotive, chemicals and coal. Intermodal volume was flat compared to 2016. In addition:

  • Quarterly freight revenue improved 4 percent compared to the third quarter 2016, as increased fuel surcharge revenue, core pricing gains and positive mix of traffic all contributed to the increase.
  • Union Pacific's third quarter operating ratio of 62.8 percent increased 0.7 points compared to the third quarter 2016. Higher fuel prices negatively impacted the operating ratio by 0.3 points.
  • The $1.77 per gallon average quarterly diesel fuel price in the third quarter 2017 was 13 percent higher than the third quarter 2016.
  • Quarterly train speed, as reported to the Association of American Railroads, was 25.4 mph, 2 percent slower than the third quarter 2016.
  • The year-to-date reportable personal injury rate of 0.78 per 200,000 employee-hours increased from the record year-to-date rate of 0.77 achieved in 2016.
  • Union Pacific repurchased 11.8 million shares in the third quarter 2017 at an aggregate cost of nearly $1.3 billion.
  • Included in the third quarter results are the following previously disclosed items:
     
    EPS Impact
    Favorable / (Unfavorable)
    Operating Ratio Impact
    Favorable / (Unfavorable)
    Workforce Reduction Charge ($0.06) (1.55) pts
    Hurricane Harvey Impact ($0.04) (0.75) pts
    Illinois State Income Tax Adjustment ($0.04) N/A
    Land Sale $0.04 N/A
    Resolution of a Litigation Matter $0.05 N/A
Summary of Third Quarter Freight Revenues 
  • Automotive down 3 percent
  • Agricultural Products down 2 percent
  • Coal down 2 percent
  • Chemicals up 2 percent
  • Intermodal up 3 percent
  • Industrial Products up 26 percent
2017 Outlook

"As the economy continues to ebb and flow, we will focus on executing our value strategy. We will use innovation to enhance our customer experience while continuing to drive resource productivity throughout the organization as we progress our G55 + 0 initiatives," Fritz said. "Looking ahead to 2018, our engaged team is laser focused on building upon our recent success. Our goal is to continue creating long-term enterprise value for all of our stakeholders as we improve our top-line and progress toward our margin improvement targets."

Third Quarter 2017 Earnings Conference Call

Union Pacific will host its third quarter 2017 earnings release presentation live over the Internet and via teleconference on Thursday, October 26, 2017 at 8:45 a.m. Eastern Time. The presentation will be webcast live over the internet on Union Pacific's website at www.up.com/investor. Alternatively, the webcast can be accessed directly through the following link. Participants may join the conference call by dialing 877/407-8293 (or for international participants, 201/689-8349).

ABOUT UNION PACIFIC

Union Pacific Railroad is the principal operating company of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP). One of America's most recognized companies, Union Pacific Railroad connects 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country by rail, providing a critical link in the global supply chain. In the past 10 years, 2007-2016, Union Pacific invested approximately $34 billion in its network and operations to support America's transportation infrastructure. The railroad's diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Coal, Industrial Products and Intermodal. Union Pacific
serves many of the fastest-growing U.S. population centers, operates from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways, connects with Canada's rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major Mexico gateways. Union Pacific provides value to its roughly 10,000 customers by delivering products in a safe, reliable, fuel-efficient and environmentally responsible manner.

Union Pacific Investor contact: Mike Staffenbeal at 402-544-4227 or mstaffen@up.com

This presentation and related materials contain statements about the Company’s future that are not statements of historical fact, including specifically the statements regarding the Company’s expectations with respect to economic conditions; its ability to generate financial returns, improve resource productivity and use innovation to enhance customer experience; implementing corporate strategies; and providing excellent service to its customers and returns to its shareholders. These statements are, or will be, forward-looking statements as defined by the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements also generally include, without limitation, information or statements regarding: projections, predictions, expectations, estimates or forecasts as to the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ business, financial, and operational results, and future economic performance; and management’s beliefs, expectations, goals, and objectives and other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts.

Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times that, or by which, such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking information, including expectations regarding operational and financial improvements and the Company’s future performance or results are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in the statement. Important factors, including risk factors, could affect the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ future results and could cause those results or other outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Information regarding risk factors and other cautionary information are available in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2016, which was filed with the SEC on February 3, 2017. The Company updates information regarding risk factors if circumstances require such updates in its periodic reports on Form 10-Q and its subsequent Annual Reports on Form 10-K (or such other reports that may be filed with the SEC).

Forward-looking statements speak only as of, and are based only upon information available on, the date the statements were made. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking information to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information. If the Company does update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that the Company will make additional updates with respect thereto or with respect to other forward-looking statements. References to our website are provided for convenience and, therefore, information on or available through the website is not, and should not be deemed to be, incorporated by reference herein.

The statements and information contained in the news releases provided by Union Pacific speak only as of the date issued. Such information by its nature may become outdated, and investors should not assume that the statements and information contained in Union Pacific's news releases remain current after the date issued. Union Pacific makes no commitment, and disclaims any duty, to update any of this information.

Media Contact

Raquel Espinoza
402-544-5034
respinoza@up.com
@raquelespinoza