UNP Union Pacific Corp

OMAHA, Neb., April 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

First Quarter Results

• Diluted earnings per share of $1.30 improved 9 percent.
• Operating income totaled $2 billion, up 7 percent.
• Operating ratio of 64.8 percent improved 2.3 points.

Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP) today reported 2015 first quarter net income of $1.2 billion, or $1.30 per diluted share, compared to $1.1 billion, or $1.19 per diluted share, in the first quarter 2014.

"Union Pacific achieved 9 percent earnings per share growth in the first quarter, as solid core pricing gains were partially offset by a sharp drop in volume," said Lance Fritz, Union Pacific president and chief executive officer. "While we took actions during the quarter to adjust for the volume decline, we did not run an efficient operation. We are taking the steps to align our resources with current demand, while remaining agile in an ever-changing environment."

First Quarter Summary

Operating revenue of $5.6 billion was flat in the first quarter 2015 versus the first quarter 2014. First quarter business volumes, as measured by total revenue carloads, declined 2 percent compared to 2014. Volume declines in coal, industrial products, intermodal and chemicals more than offset the growth in automotive and agricultural products. In addition:

• Quarterly freight revenue decreased 1 percent compared to the first quarter 2014, as lower fuel surcharge revenue and the volume decline more than offset core pricing gains and positive business mix.
• Union Pacific's 64.8 percent operating ratio was 2.3 points better than the first quarter 2014. The operating ratio benefited in the quarter about 3 points from lower fuel prices, including the lag impact of fuel surcharge.
• The $1.95 per gallon average quarterly diesel fuel price in the first quarter 2015 was down 38 percent compared to the first quarter 2014.
• Quarterly train speed, as reported to the Association of American Railroads, was 24.6 mph, about flat when compared with the first quarter 2014.
• The Company repurchased almost 6.9 million shares in the first quarter 2015 at an aggregate cost of $807 million.
• Union Pacific has adjusted its 2015 capital program down $100 million to approximately $4.2 billion.

Summary of First Quarter Freight Revenues

• Automotive up 6 percent
• Agricultural Products up 3 percent
• Industrial Products up 1 percent
• Chemicals flat
• Coal down 5 percent
• Intermodal down 5 percent

2015 Outlook

"We've had some challenges to start off the year, but we're taking the steps needed to work through those challenges and realize the opportunities we see ahead," Fritz said. "We expect to see solid improvement in network performance and cost efficiency over the coming months. As we leverage the strengths of our diverse franchise, we continue to be intently focused on safety, service and shareholder returns."

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. From 2005-2014, Union Pacific invested more than $31 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.

Supplemental financial information is attached.

This presentation and related materials contain statements about the Corporation's future that are not statements of historical fact, including specifically the statements regarding the Corporation's expectations with respect to economic conditions and demand levels; and its ability to generate financial returns, improve network performance and cost efficiency, provide quality customer service, and provide 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 Corporation'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 Corporation'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 Corporation'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 Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2014, which was filed with the SEC on February 6, 2015.  The Corporation 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 Corporation 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 Corporation does update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that the Corporation 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.

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SOURCE Union Pacific Corporation