BNSF profit up 14%

BNSF profit up 14%    Burlington Northern Santa Fe had had second quarter net profit of $690 million, 14 percent more than the $603 million earned in the same 2010 period.
   The railroad, a subsidiary of the Berkshire Hathaway conglomerate, said revenue for the quarter ending June 30 was $4.8 billion compared to $4.1 million in the same 2010 period.
   BNSF said during the first six months of the year:
   ' Consumer products unit volume for international and domestic intermodal were up 10 percent in the second quarter and 11 percent in the first half as a result of increased consumer spending and tightening truck capacity, partially offset by decreased automotive unit volumes as a result of the crisis in Japan.
   ' Coal revenue reflected lower unit volumes, partially resulting from the impacts of severe flooding along key coal routes.
   ' Industrial Products revenue included increased unit volumes primarily due to increased demand in construction products resulting from strong steel and sand shipments.
   ' Agricultural Products revenue reflected increased wheat shipments resulting from strong export demand.
   ' Average revenue per car/unit increased as a result of increased rate per car/unit and higher fuel surcharges, which was driven by increased fuel prices.