Canadian rail volumes rose again year-to-date for the week ended May 11, while U.S. rail volumes continued downward amid U.S. tariff uncertainty and a fuzzy economic picture.
FreightWaves market expert Jim Blaze looks at a regulatory spat between Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific Railway over the concept of “open access.” Learn why that is important to all railroads – and shippers!
A number of rail equipment lessors and manufacturers have been merging and consolidating in recent months as a way to leverage themselves against marketplace changes brought about by precision scheduled railroading. Meanwhile, industry observers are watching whether railcar utilization grow in 2019.
Canadian Pacific (NYSE: CP) and Canadian National (NYSE: CNI) both moved record volumes of grain in April, following a harsh winter that sometimes curtailed rail shipments. Canadian National said on May 8 that it moved an all-time record 2.72 million metric tonnes in April, compared to a three-year average of 2.23 million metric tonnes. Canadian […]
Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) announced which intermodal terminals it would close around Chicago, Illinois, weeks after hinting on its first quarter earnings call that it planned to consolidate operations there. The railroad said on May 2 that the changes are a result of its efforts to “simplify” its supply chain along its intermodal network and […]
The uncertainty over whether and when the U.S. and China will reach a trade agreement this year is creating a cloudy outlook for grain volumes this fall.
“We expect uncertainty to persist in the grain market due to the foreign tariffs,” said Kenny Rocker, Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) executive vice president for marketing and sales.
April rail volumes fell year-over-year but rose slightly from March 2019, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) said on May 1. But the AAR predicted that improving economic conditions could lead to rail volumes stabilizing or growing in the second half of the year, although some uncertainties still persist.
BNSF (NYSE: BRK) says proposed rules in Oregon would make it harder for the railroad to comply with the common carrier obligation, a federal mandate requiring a railroad to provide transportation to all parties and for all goods, including hazardous materials.
Genesee & Wyoming, Inc. reported adjusted earnings per share of $0.78 for the first quarter of 2019, which were 11.4 percent better year-over-year, but less than the consensus estimate of $0.83.
Rail shippers could gain more leverage in rate disputes should the Surface Transportation Board (STB) proceed with its staff recommendations for how to reform rate review methodologies.
Canadian National Railway Company reported adjusted earnings per share of C$1.17 per share for the first quarter 2019, 17 percent better than the same period a year ago.
Legislation has been approved by the Washington State Legislature that could restrict the movement of crude oil via railroads. The bill is sitting on the desk of Gov. Jay Inslee (D).
U.S. rail traffic dipped again for the week ending April 20, according to data from the Association of American Railroads.
Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC) expects to have the next stage of its new operating plan in place by the end of July. In this next stage, which Norfolk Southern dubs “TOP 21,” the railroad will seek to run heavier trains and have them run faster along some routes.
Despite higher operating income, Trinity Industries’ (NYSE: TRN) first quarter 2019 net profit fell 24 percent to $30.6 million from $40.2 million in the first quarter of 2018. TRN consists of three business segments: a rail group that includes the manufacturing of rail parts and tanks; a leasing group; and a highway products and logistics service.
GATX’s (NYSE: GATX) first quarter profit fell 46 percent to $41.5 million, or $1.12 per diluted share, from $76.3 million, or $1.98 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2018. Chicago-based GATX is a railcar lessor, providing railcars and boxcars to freight railroads and shippers.
The company posted an operating ratio (OR) of 66 percent, improving on its fourth quarter 2018 OR of 67.8 percent and setting a first quarter record.
“This past winter was one of the most challenging in my railroading career,” Canadian Pacific (NYSE: CP) president and chief executive officer Keith Creel said. “I applaud our employees for their resiliency in overcoming loss and pushing through extraordinary conditions and challenges throughout February and March. Our commitment to precision scheduled railroading [PSR] enabled a strong recovery, and gives us a solid foundation moving forward.”
The Greenbrier Companies (NYSE: GBX) is planning to buy the manufacturing arm of American Railcar Industries as a way to increase its North American presence.
Add Ohio and Washington state to the list of states where leaders are debating whether to require freight railroads to have at least two crew members per train. Ohio and Washington state legislators have introduced bills this spring mandating a minimum crew size for freight trains. Washington state’s bill takes the debate one step further by also defining how many crew members should be operating a train that’s carrying crude oil.
