UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021

OR

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes (X) No ( )

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

Yes (X) No ( )

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ( )

Indicate by a check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

There were 764,774,958757,400,216 shares of common stock outstanding on September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 (the latest practicable date that is closest to the filing date).

(Dollars in millions)

Background

    CSX's principal operating subsidiary, CSX Transportation, Inc. (“CSXT”), provides an important link to the transportation supply chain through its approximately 20,00019,500 route mile rail network, which serves major population centers in 23 states east of the Mississippi River, the District of Columbia and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. The Company's intermodal business links customers to railroads via trucks and terminals.

CSXT is also responsible for the Company's real estate sales, leasing, acquisition and management and development activities. Substantially all of these activities are focused on supporting railroad operations.

Other entities

    In addition to CSXT, the Company’s subsidiaries include CSX Intermodal Terminals, Inc. (“CSX Intermodal Terminals”), Total Distribution Services, Inc. (“TDSI”), Transflo Terminal Services, Inc. (“Transflo”), CSX Technology, Inc. (“CSX Technology”) and other subsidiaries. CSX Intermodal Terminals owns and operates a system of intermodal terminals, predominantly in the eastern United States and also performs drayage services (the pickup and delivery of intermodal shipments) for certain customers and trucking dispatch operations.customers. TDSI serves the automotive industry with distribution centers and storage locations. Transflo connects non-rail served customers to the many benefits of rail by transferring products from rail to trucks. The biggest Transflo markets are chemicals and agriculture, which includes shipments of plastics and ethanol. CSX Technology and other subsidiaries provide support services for the Company.

Basis of Presentation

In the opinion of management, the accompanying consolidated financial statements contain all normal, recurring adjustments necessary to fairly present the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Where applicable, prior year information has been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), certain information and disclosures normally included in the notes to the annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) have been omitted from these interim financial statements. CSX suggests that these financial statements be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and the notes included in CSX's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequently filed current reports on Form 8-K.

Fiscal Year

The Company's fiscal periods are based upon the calendar year. Except as otherwise specified, references to “third“first quarter(s)” or “nine“three months” indicate CSX's fiscal periods ending September 30,March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020, and September 30, 2019, and references to "year-end" indicate the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

    The following table sets forth the computation of basic earnings per share and earnings per share, assuming dilution:

    

Basic earnings per share is based on the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Earnings per share, assuming dilution, is based on the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding and common stock equivalents adjusted for the effects of common stock that may be issued as a result of potentially dilutive instruments. CSX's potentially dilutive instruments are made up of equity awards including performance units and employee stock options.

    When calculating diluted earnings per share, the potential shares that would be outstanding if all outstanding stock options were exercised are included. This number is different from outstanding stock options because it is offset by shares CSX could repurchase using the proceeds from these hypothetical exercises to obtain the common stock equivalent. The total average outstanding stock options that were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation because their effect was antidilutive is in the table below.

Dividend Increase

InOn February 2020,10, 2021, the Company's Board of Directors authorized an 8% increase in the quarterly cash dividend to $0.26$0.28 per common share.

Under CSX's share-based compensation plans, awards consist of performance units, stock options, restricted stock units and restricted stock awards for management and stock grants for directors. Awards granted under the various programs are determined and approved by the Compensation and Talent Management Committee of the Board of Directors. Awards to the Chief Executive Officer are approved by the full Board and awards to senior executives are approved by the Compensation and Talent Management Committee. In certain circumstances, the Chief Executive Officer or delegate approves awards to management employees other than senior executives. The Board of Directors approves awards granted to CSX's non-management directors upon recommendation of the Governance and Sustainability Committee.

Share-based compensation expense for awards under share-based compensation plans and purchases made as part of the employee stock purchase plan is measured using the fair value of the award on the grant date and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the service period of the respective award or upon grant date to certain retirement-eligible employees whose agreements allow for continued vesting upon retirement. Forfeitures are recognized as they occur. Total pre-tax expense and income tax benefits associated with share-based compensation are shown in the table below. Income tax benefits include impacts from option exercises and the vesting of other equity awards.

Long-term Incentive Plan

    In February 2020,2021, the Company granted 218189 thousand performance units to certain employees under a new long-term incentive plan ("LTIP") for the years 20202021 through 2022,2023, which was adopted under the CSX 2019 Stock and Incentive Award Plan.

    Payouts of performance units for the cycle ending with fiscal year 20222023 will be based on the achievement of goals related to both operating income and free cash flow, in each case excluding non-recurring items as disclosed in the Company's financial statements. The cumulativeaverage annual operating income growth percentage and cumulative free cash flow measures over the plan period will each comprise 50% of the payout and will be measured independently of the other.

Stock Options

    In February 2020,2021, the Company granted approximately 1.3 million610 thousand stock options along with the corresponding LTIP. The fair value of stock options on the date of grant was $18.88 per option, which was calculated using the Black-Scholes valuation model. These stock options were granted with ten-year terms and vest over three years in equal installments each year on the anniversary of the grant date. The exercise price for stock options granted equals the closing market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant. These awards are time-based and are not based upon attainment of performance goals. NaN optionsDuring first quarters 2021 and 2020, there were granted during third quarter 2020. During third quarter 2019, there wereadditional immaterial grants of stock options to certain members of management.

    The fair values of all stock option awards during the quarters ended March 31, 2021 and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019 were estimated at the grant date with the following weighted average assumptions:

Restricted Stock Units

    In February 2020,2021, the Company granted 91163 thousand restricted stock units along with the corresponding LTIP. The restricted stock units vest three years after the date of grant. Participants will receive stock dividend equivalents on the vested shares upon vesting. These awards are time-based and are not based upon CSX's attainment of operational targets. Restricted stock units are paid out in CSX common stock on a 1-for-one basis. For information related to the Company's other outstanding long-term incentive compensation, see CSX's most recent annual report on Form 10-K.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

In May 2018, shareholders approved the 2018 CSX Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) for the benefit of Company employees. The Company registered 4 million shares of common stock that may be issued pursuant to this plan. Under the ESPP, employees may contribute between 1% and 10% of base compensation, after-tax, to purchase up to $25,000 of market value CSX common stock per year at 85% of the closing market price on either the grant date or the last day of the six-month offering period, whichever is lower. During third quarterthe quarters ended March 31, 2021 and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2020, and September 30, 2019, the companyCompany issued the following shares under this program:

Personal injury and environmental reserves are considered critical accounting estimates due to the need for management judgment. Casualty, environmental and other reserves are provided for in the consolidated balance sheets as shown in the table below.

    

Casualty

Occupational

In any such proceedings, the Company is subject to environmental clean-up and enforcement actions under the Superfund Law, as well as similar state laws that may impose joint and several liability for clean-up and enforcement costs on current and former owners and operators of a site without regard to fault or the legality of the original conduct. These costs could be substantial.

    Based on management's review process, amounts have been recorded to cover contingent anticipated future environmental remediation costs with respect to each site to the extent such costs are reasonably estimable and probable. The recorded liabilities for estimated future environmental costs are undiscounted. The liability includes future costs for remediation and restoration of sites as well as any significant ongoing monitoring costs, but excludes any anticipated insurance recoveries. Payments related to these liabilities are expected to be made over the next several years. Environmental remediation costs are included in materials, supplies and other on the consolidated income statements.

Currently, the Company does not possess sufficient information to reasonably estimate the amounts of additional liabilities, if any, on some sites until completion of future environmental studies. In addition, conditions that are currently unknown could, at any given location, result in additional exposure, the amount and materiality of which cannot presently be reasonably estimated. Based upon information currently available, however, the Company believes its environmental reserves accurately reflect the estimated cost of remedial actions currently required.

Other reserves were $43$41 million and $44$42 million as of September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2019,2020, respectively. These reserves include liabilities for various claims, such as property, automobile and general liability. Also included in other reserves are longshoremen disability claims related to a previously owned international shipping business (these claims are in runoff) as well as claims for current port employees.

Insurance

Legal

    The Company is able to estimate a range of possible loss for certain legal proceedings for which a loss is reasonably possible in excess of reserves established. The Company has estimated this range to be $2$1 million to $41$20 million in aggregate at September 30, 2020.March 31, 2021. This estimated aggregate range is based upon currently available information and is subject to significant judgment and a variety of assumptions. Accordingly, the Company's estimate will change from time to time, and actual losses may vary significantly from the current estimate.

    In May 2007, class action lawsuits were filed against CSXT and 3 other U.S.-based Class I railroads alleging that the defendants' fuel surcharge practices relating to contract and unregulated traffic resulted from an illegal conspiracy in violation of antitrust laws. The class action lawsuits were consolidated into 1 case in federal court in the District of Columbia. In 2017, the District Court issued its decision denying class certification. On August 16, 2019, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit affirmed the District Court’s ruling.

    CSXT believes that its fuel surcharge practices were arrived at and applied lawfully and that the case is without merit. Accordingly, the Company intends to defend itself vigorously. However, penalties for violating antitrust laws can be severe, and resolution of these matters individually or when aggregated could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or liquidity in that particular period.

    CSXT is indemnifying Pharmacia LLC, formerly known as Monsanto Company, ("Pharmacia") for certain liabilities associated with real estate located in Kearny, New Jersey along the Lower Passaic River (the “Property”). The Property, which was formerly owned by Pharmacia, is now owned by CSXT. CSXT's indemnification and defense duties arise with respect to several matters. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA"), using its CERCLA authority, seeks the investigation and cleanup of hazardous substances in the 17-mile Lower Passaic River Study Area (the "Study Area”). CSXT, on behalf of Pharmacia, and a significant number of other potentially responsible parties are together conducting a Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study of the Study Area pursuant to an Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent with the EPA. Pharmacia’s share of responsibility, indemnified by CSXT, for the investigation and cleanup costs of the Study Area may be determined through various mechanisms including (a) an allocation and settlement with the EPA; (b) litigation brought by the EPA against non-settling parties; or (c) litigation among the responsible parties.

In March 2016, EPA issued its Record of Decision detailing the agency’s mandated remedial process for the lower 8 miles of the Study Area. Approximately 80 parties, including Pharmacia, are participating in an EPA-directed allocation and settlement process to assign responsibility for costs to be incurred implementing the remedy selected for the lower 8 miles of the Study Area. CSXT is participating in the EPA-directed allocation and settlement process on behalf of Pharmacia. At a later date, EPA will select a remedy for the remainder of the Study Area and is expected to again seek the participation of private parties to implement the selected remedy using EPA’s CERCLA authority to compel such participation, if necessary.

CSXT is also defending and indemnifying Pharmacia with regard to the Property in litigation filed by Occidental Chemical Corporation ("Occidental"), which is seeking to recover various costs. These costs include costs for the remedial design of the lower 8 miles of the Study Area, as well as anticipated costs associated with the future remediation of the lower 8 miles of the Study Area and potentially the entire Study Area. Alternatively, Occidental seeks to compel some, or all of the defendants to participate in the remediation of the Study Area. Pharmacia is one of approximately 110 defendants in this federal lawsuit filed by Occidental on June 30, 2018.

CSXT is also defending and indemnifying Pharmacia in a cooperative natural resource damages assessment process related to the Property. Based on currently available information, the Company does not believe any indemnification or remediation costs potentially allocable to CSXT with respect to the Property and the Study Area would be material to the Company's financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

The Company sponsors defined benefit pension plans principally for salaried, management personnel. Beginning in 2020, the CSX Pension Plan iswas closed to new participants.

Only the service cost component of net periodic benefit costs is included in labor and fringe expense on the consolidated income statement. All other components of net periodic benefit cost are included in other income - net.