April 21, 2022 - TRA Newswire -

Union Pacific Corporation reported 2022 first quarter net income of $1.6 billion, or $2.57 per diluted share. This compares to 2021 first quarter net income of $1.3 billion, or $2.00 per diluted share.

“Union Pacific translated revenue growth from a strong economy, our focused business development initiatives, core pricing gains, and positive business mix, into solid financial results,” said Lance Fritz, Union Pacific chairman, president, and chief executive officer. “Operationally, we did not meet expectations, which is having an impact on our customers. We are taking actions to improve resource utilization, increase crews and locomotives where needed, and reduce freight car inventory levels to restore fluidity.”

Financial Results: Revenue Growth Drives First Quarter Records for Operating Revenue, Operating Income, Net Income, and Earnings Per Share

First Quarter 2022 Compared to First Quarter 2021

• Operating revenue of $5.9 billion was up 17% driven by higher fuel surcharge revenue, volume growth, core pricing gains, and a positive business mix.
• Business volumes, as measured by total revenue carloads, were up 4%.
• Union Pacific’s 59.4% operating ratio improved 70 basis points. Operating ratio included 160 basis points of positive impact from 2021 weather events. Higher fuel prices negatively impacted the operating ratio 80 basis points.
• Operating income of $2.4 billion was up 19%.
• The company repurchased 11.0 million shares in first quarter 2022 at an aggregate cost of $2.8 billion.

Operating Performance: Operational Inefficiencies and Incidents Impacted Service and Productivity
First Quarter 2022 Compared to First Quarter 2021

• Quarterly freight car velocity of 198 daily miles per car, a 5% decline.
• Quarterly locomotive productivity was 130 gross ton-miles (GTMs) per horsepower day, a 6% decline.
• Average maximum train length was flat.
• Quarterly workforce productivity was 1,056 car miles per employee, a 5% improvement.
• Fuel consumption rate, measured in gallons of fuel per thousand GTMs, was flat.
• Union Pacific’s reportable personal injury rate deteriorated to 0.97 per 200,000 employee-hours compared to 0.85 for 2021.

Photo credit: Union Pacific