Principles of Consolidation – The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Union Pacific Corporation (UPC or the Corporation) and all of its subsidiaries. Investments in affiliated companies (20% to 50% owned or where UPC exercises significant influence over an investee's operations) are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. All material intercompany transactions are eliminated.

Cash and Temporary Investments – Temporary investments are stated at cost which approximates fair value and consist of investments with original maturities of three months or less.

Inventories – Inventories consist of materials and supplies carried at the lower of average cost or market.

Property and Depreciation – Properties are carried at cost. Provisions for depreciation are computed principally on the straight-line method based on estimated service lives of depreciable property.

The cost (net of salvage) of depreciable rail property retired or replaced in the ordinary course of business is charged to accumulated depreciation. A gain or loss is recognized in other income for all other property upon disposition.

The cost of internally developed software is capitalized and amortized over a five-year period. An obsolescence review of capitalized software is performed on a periodic basis.

Impairment of Long-lived Assets – The Corporation reviews long-lived assets, including identifiable intangibles, for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If impairment indicators are present and the estimated future undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of the long-lived assets, the carrying value is reduced to the estimated fair value as measured by the discounted cash flows. The Corporation regularly assesses the recoverability of its enterprise-level goodwill through a review of discounted cash flows.

Revenue Recognition – Transportation revenues are recognized on a percentage-of-completion basis as freight moves from origin to destination. Other revenue is recognized as service is performed or contractual obligations are met.

Financial Instruments – The carrying value of the Corporation's non-derivative financial instruments approximates fair value, except for differences with respect to long-term, fixed-rate debt and certain differences relating to cost method investments and other financial instruments that are not significant. The fair value of financial instruments is generally determined by reference to market values as quoted by recognized dealers or developed based upon the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the applicable U.S. Treasury rate and swap spread.

The Corporation periodically uses derivative financial instruments to manage risk related to changes in fuel prices and interest rates. The Corporation does not enter into financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

Earnings Per Share – Basic earnings per share (EPS) is calculated on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings per share includes shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options and the potential conversion of the preferred securities where the conversion of such instruments would be dilutive.

Use of Estimates – The consolidated financial statements of the Corporation include estimates and assumptions regarding certain assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of certain contingent assets and liabilities. Actual future results may differ from such estimates.

Change in Presentation – Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2000 consolidated financial statement presentation.