UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.   20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(X)

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES

 

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended MARCH 31,SEPTEMBER 30, 2003

 

 

( )

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES

 

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from __________ to __________

 

Commission file number 1-8339

 

 

 

 

 

 

NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Virginia

52-1188014

(State or other jurisdiction of

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

incorporation or organization)

 

 

 

 

 

Three Commercial Place

 

Norfolk, Virginia

23510-2191

(Address of principal executive offices)

Zip Code

 

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code

(757) 629-2680

 

 

No Change

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year,

if changed since last report.)

 

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.  

(X) Yes   

( ) No

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of The Exchange Act).

 

(X) Yes   

( ) No

 

 

 

The number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of Common Stock, as of the last

practicable date:

 

 

Class
Outstanding as of March 31,Sept. 30, 2003

Common Stock (par value $1.00)

389,797,649390,419,172 (excluding 21,169,12521,116,125 shares

 

held by registrant's consolidated subsidiaries)


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

Part I.

Financial information:

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial statements:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Income

3

 

 

Three and Nine Months Ended March 31,Sept. 30, 2003 and 2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

4

 

 

March 31,Sept. 30, 2003 and Dec. 31, 2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

5

 

 

ThreeNine Months Ended March 31,Sept. 30, 2003 and 2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

Independent Accountants' Review Report

14

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of

15

 

 

Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures

22

 

 

About Market Risks

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

22

 

 

 

 

Part II.

Other Information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

23

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

23

Item 6.

Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

23

 

 

 

 

Signatures

 

24

Certifications of CEO and CFO

25

 

 

 

 

Exhibit Index

 

2726

 

2

2
PART I.   FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.   Financial Statements.

 

 

NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Income

($ in millions except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

                                                                                                                   

Three Months Ended

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

March 31,

Sept. 30,

Sept. 30,

2003

2002

2003

2002

2003

2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Railway operating revenues

 

 

 

 

Railway operating revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coal

$

354 

$

359 

$

372 

$

371 

$

1,115 

$

1,080 

General merchandise

 

918 

 

869 

 

911 

 

917 

 

2,773 

 

2,734 

Intermodal

 

289 

 

270 

 

315 

 

310 

 

904 

 

875 

Total railway operating revenues

 

1,561 

 

1,498 

 

1,598 

 

1,598 

 

4,792 

 

4,689 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Railway operating expenses

 

 

 

 

Railway operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation and benefits

 

526 

 

523 

 

531 

 

489 

 

1,592 

 

1,509 

Materials, services and rents

 

360 

 

339 

 

346 

 

386 

 

1,083 

 

 1,089 

Conrail rents and services (Note 4)

 

107 

 

113 

 

105 

 

100 

 

314 

 

 316 

Depreciation

 

127 

 

127 

 

128 

 

129 

 

384 

 

385 

Diesel fuel

 

104 

 

81 

 

86 

 

81 

 

283 

 

246 

Casualties and other claims

 

51 

 

35 

 

44 

 

57 

 

142 

 

129 

Other

 

55 

 

43 

 

47 

 

45 

 

154 

 

145 

Total railway operating expenses

 

1,330 

 

1,261 

 

1,287 

 

1,287 

 

3,952 

 

3,819 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from railway operations

 

231 

 

237 

 

311 

 

311 

 

840 

 

870 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income - net

 

21 

 

34 

 

 12 

 

 

57 

 

40 

Interest expense on debt

 

(127)

 

(134)

 

(123)

 

(126)

 

(373)

 

(390)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

income taxes and accounting changes

 

125 

 

137 

 

200 

 

189 

 

 524 

 

520 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for income taxes

 

40 

 

51 

 

63 

 

63 

 

165 

 

189 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before

accounting changes

 

85 

 

86 

 

137 

 

126 

 

359 

 

331 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discontinued operations - taxes on sale of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

motor carrier (Note 2)

 

10 

 

- -- 

 

- -- 

 

- -- 

 

10 

 

- -- 

Cumulative effect of changes in accounting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

principles, net of taxes (Note 3)

 

114 

 

- -- 

 

- -- 

 

- -- 

 

114 

 

- -- 

Net income

$

209 

$

86 

$

137 

$

126 

$

483 

$

331 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Per share amounts, basic and diluted (Note 7)

 

 

 

 

Per share amounts, basic and diluted (Note 7):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

accounting changes

$

0.22 

$

0.22 

$

0.35 

$

0.32

$

0.92 

$

0.85

Discontinued operations - taxes on sale of motor carrier

$

0.03 

$

- -- 

 

- -- 

 

- -- 

 

0.03 

 

- -- 

Cumulative effect of changes in accounting

principles, net of taxes

$

0.29 

$

- -- 

 

- -- 

 

- -- 

 

0.29 

 

- -- 

Net income

$

0.54 

$

0.22 

$

0.35 

$

0.32

$

1.24 

$

0.85

Dividends

$

0.07 

$

0.06 

Dividends per share

$

0.08 

$

0.07

$

0.22 

$

0.19

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

3


NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

($ in millions)

(Unaudited)

 

 

March 31,

Dec. 31,

Sept. 30,

Dec. 31,

2003

2002

2003

2002

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

128 

$

184 

$

158 

$

184 

Short-term investments

 

 

- -- 

Accounts receivable, net (Note 5)

 

789 

 

683 

 

779 

 

683 

Due from Conrail (Note 4)

 

 

 

 

Materials and supplies

 

101 

 

97 

 

92 

 

97 

Deferred income taxes

 

193 

 

187 

 

198 

 

187 

Other current assets

 

117 

 

142 

 

48 

 

142 

Total current assets

 

1,331 

 

1,299 

 

1,284 

 

1,299 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment in Conrail (Note 4)

 

6,199 

 

6,178 

 

6,229 

 

6,178 

Properties less accumulated depreciation

 

11,772 

 

11,370 

 

11,821 

 

11,370 

Other assets

 

1,132 

 

1,109 

 

1,225 

 

1,109 

Total assets

$

20,434 

$

19,956 

$

20,559 

$

19,956 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

$

904 

$

908 

$

938 

$

908 

Income and other taxes

 

275 

 

269 

 

222 

 

269 

Due to Conrail (Note 4)

 

78 

 

86 

 

65 

 

86 

Other current liabilities

 

298 

 

232 

 

266 

 

232 

Current maturities of long-term debt

 

616 

 

358 

 

363 

 

358 

Total current liabilities

 

2,171 

 

1,853 

 

1,854 

 

1,853 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

6,873 

 

7,006 

 

6,823 

 

7,006 

Other liabilities

 

983 

 

1,029 

 

1,030 

 

1,029 

Due to Conrail (Note 4)

 

594 

 

513 

 

688 

 

513 

Minority interests

 

51 

 

45 

 

50 

 

45 

Deferred income taxes

 

3,075 

 

3,010 

 

3,199 

 

3,010 

Total liabilities

 

13,747 

 

13,456 

 

13,644 

 

13,456 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders' equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock $1.00 per share par value, 1,350,000,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

shares authorized; issued 410,966,774 and

 

 

 

 

shares authorized; issued 411,535,297 and

 

 

 

 

410,154,465 shares, respectively

 

411 

 

410 

 

412 

 

410 

Additional paid-in capital

 

496 

 

481 

 

507 

 

481 

Unearned restricted stock (Note 1)

 

(8)

 

- -- 

 

(6)

 

- -- 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss (Note 8)

 

(68)

 

(65)

 

(69)

 

(65)

Retained income

 

5,876 

 

5,694 

 

6,091 

 

5,694 

Less treasury stock at cost, 21,169,125 shares

 

(20)

 

(20)

Less treasury stock at cost, 21,116,125 and

21,169,125 shares, respectively

 

(20)

 

(20)

Total stockholders' equity

 

6,687 

 

6,500 

 

6,915 

 

6,500 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

20,434 

$

19,956 

$

20,559 

$

19,956 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

4


 

 

NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

($ in millions)

(Unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

March 31,

Sept. 30,

2003

2002

2003

2002

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

209 

$

86 

$

483  

$

331 

Reconciliation of net income to net cash

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles

 

(114)

 

- -- 

 

(114)

 

- -- 

Depreciation

 

131 

 

131 

 

 395 

 

395 

Deferred income taxes

 

(6)

 

28 

 

 116 

 

139 

Equity in earnings of Conrail

 

(12)

 

(8)

 

(41)

 

(32)

Gains and losses on properties and investments

 

(5)

 

(28)

 

(16)

 

(35)

Income from discontinued operations

 

(10)

 

- -- 

 

(10)

 

- -- 

Changes in assets and liabilities affecting operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

(106)

 

(140)

 

(96)

 

(209)

Materials and supplies

 

(4)

 

(4)

 

 

(1)

Other current assets and due from Conrail

 

24 

 

28 

 

86 

 

75 

Current liabilities other than debt

 

73 

 

25 

 

 23 

 

21 

Other - net

 

(47)

 

(55)

 

(31)

 

(62)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

133 

 

63 

 

 800 

 

622 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property additions

 

(197)

 

(189)

 

(536)

 

(517)

Property sales and other transactions

 

 

(7)

 

 40 

 

15 

Investments, including short-term

 

(20)

 

(21)

 

(83)

 

(58)

Investment sales and other transactions

 

 

11 

 

 1 

 

15 

Net cash used for investing activities

 

(210)

 

(206)

 

(578)

 

(545)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends

 

(27)

 

(23)

 

(86)

 

(74)

Common stock issued - net

 

 

35 

 

 5 

 

39 

Proceeds from borrowings

 

87 

 

133 

 

 218 

 

609 

Debt repayments

 

(40)

 

(42)

 

(385)

 

(723)

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

21 

 

103 

Net cash used for financing activities

 

 (248)

 

(149)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(56)

 

(40)

 

(26)

 

(72)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At beginning of year

 

184 

 

204 

 

184 

 

204 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At end of period

$

128 

$

164 

$

 158 

$

132 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information

 

 

Cash paid during the period for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest (net of amounts capitalized)

$

72 

$

79 

$

  334 

$

348 

Income taxes

$

14 

$

27 

$

  62 

$

49 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

5


 

NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

 

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited interim financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly the Corporation'sNorfolk Southern Corporation and subsidiaries (NS) financial position as of March 31,Sept. 30, 2003, its results of operations for the three and nine months ended March 31,Sept. 30, 2003 and 2002, and its cash flows for the threenine months ended March 31,Sept. 30, 2003 and 2002.2002, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Although management believes that the disclosures presented are adequate to make the information not misleading, these Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with:   (a) the financial statements and notes included in the Corporation'sNS' latest Annual Report on Form 10‑K and (b) any Current Reports on Form 8‑K.

 

1.   Stock-Based Compensation

 

During the first quarter of 2003, a committee of nonemployee directors of NS' Board granted stock options, performance share units (PSUs) and restricted shares pursuant to the stockholder-approved Long-Term Incentive Plan.   Options to purchase 5,700,000 shares were granted with an option price of $19.625, which was the fair market value of Common Stock on the date of grant.   The options have a term of ten years, but may not be exercised prior to the first anniversary of the date of grant.   PSUs granted totaled 946,000 and will be awarded based on achievement of certain predetermined corporate performance goals at the end of a three-year cycle.   One-half of any PSUs earned will be paid in the form of shares of Common Stock withand the other half towill be paid in cash.   Restricted shares granted totaled 420,600 and have a three-year vesting and restriction period.

 

NS applies the intrinsic value recognition and measurement principles of APB Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," and related interpretations in accounting for its stock-based employee compensation plans.   As a result, the grants of PSUs and restricted shares resulted in charges to net income, while the stock-option grant did not result in a charge to net income.   The portion of the restricted stock that has not yet been earned is shown as a reduction of stockholders' equity on NS' Consolidated Balance Sheet.   The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if NS had applied the fair value recognition provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" to stock-based employee compensation:

 

Three Months Ended

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

March 31,

Sept. 30,

Sept. 30,

2003

2002

2003

2002

2003

2002

($ in millions, except per share)

($ in millions, except per share)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income, as reported

$

209 

$

86 

$

137 

$

126 

$

483 

$

331 

Add: Stock-based employee compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

expense included in reported net income,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

net of related tax effects

 

 

 

 

(1)

 

 

11 

Deduct: Stock-based employee compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

expense determined under fair value method,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

net of related tax effects

 

(8)

 

(15)

 

(7)

 

(8)

 

(23)

 

(33)

Pro forma net income

$

203 

$

80 

$

133 

$

117 

$

468 

$

309 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted - as reported

$

0.54 

$

0.22 

$

0.35

$

0.32

$

1.24

$

0.85

Basic and diluted - pro forma

$

0.52 

$

0.20 

$

0.34

$

0.30

$

1.20

$

0.80

6

6


2.   Discontinued Operations

 

First-quarterYear-to-date 2003 results include an additional after-tax gain of $10 million, or 3 cents per share, related to the 1998 sale of NS' motor carrier subsidiary, North American Van Lines, Inc.   This noncash gain resulted from the resolution of tax issues related to the transaction.

 

3.   Changes in Accounting Principles

 

NS adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Statement No. 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations," (SFAS No. 143) effective Jan. 1, 2003, and recorded a $110 million net adjustment ($182 million before taxes) for the cumulative effect of this change in accounting on years prior to 2003.   Pursuant to SFAS No. 143, the cost to remove crossties must be recorded as an expense when incurred; previously these removal costs were accrued as a component of depreciation.   This change in accounting in the first quarter of 2003 lowered depreciation expense by almostabout $7 million in the third quarter and $21 million in the first nine months (because the depreciation rate for crossties no longer reflects cost to remove) and increased compensation and benefits and other expenses by almost $5about $6 million for the quarter and $16 million for the first nine months (for the costs to remove retired assets).

 

NS also adopted FASB Interpretation No. 46, "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities," (FIN No. 46) effective Jan. 1, 2003, and recorded a $4 million net adjustment ($6 million before taxes) for the cumulative effect of this change in accounting on years prior to 2003.   Pursuant to FIN No. 46, NS has consolidated a special-purpose entity that leases certain locomotives to NS.   This entity's assets and liabilities at Jan. 1, 2003, included $169 million of locomotives and $157 million of debt related to their purchase as well as a $6 million minority interest liability.   This change in accounting in the first quarter of 2003 increased depreciation and interest expense (to reflect the locomotives as owned assets) and lowered lease expense.   The net effect to total railway operating expenses and net income was not material.

 

4.   Investment in Conrail and Operations Over Its Lines

 

Overview

 

Through a limited liability company, Norfolk SouthernNS and CSX Corporation (CSX) jointly own Conrail Inc. (Conrail), whose primary subsidiary is Consolidated Rail Corporation (CRC), the major freight railroad in the Northeast.   NS has a 58% economic and 50% voting interest in the jointly owned entity, and CSX has the remainder of the economic and voting interests.   From time to time, Norfolk SouthernNS and CSX, as the indirect owners of Conrail, may have to make capital contributions, loans or advances to Conrail under the terms of the Transaction Agreement among NS, CSX and Conrail.

 

Operation of Conrail's Lines

Norfolk Southern'sNS' railroad subsidiary, Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NSR), operates as a part of its rail system the routes and assets of Pennsylvania Lines LLC (PRR), a wholly owned subsidiary of CRC, pursuant to operating and lease agreements.   CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSXT) operates the routes and assets of another CRC subsidiary under comparable terms.

 

Operation of Conrail's Lines

The June 1999 Operating Agreement between NSR and PRR governs substantially all nonequipmenttrack assets to be operated by NSR and has an initial 25-year term, renewable at the option of NSR for two five-year terms.   Payments under the Opera-ting Agreement are subject to adjustment every six years to reflect changes in values.   NSR also has leased or subleased equipment for varying terms from PRR a number of equipment assets.PRR.   Costs necessary to operate and maintain the PRR assets, including leasehold improvements, are borne by NSR.   NSR receives all freight revenues on the PRR lines.

 

NSR and CSXT also have entered into agreements with CRC governing other properties that continue to be owned and operated by CRC (the Shared Assets Areas).   NSR and CSXT pay CRC a fee for joint and exclusive access to the Shared Assets Areas.   In addition, NSR and CSXT pay, based on usage, the costs incurred by CRC to operate the Shared Assets Areas.

 

7


Proposed Spin-Off of PRR and NYC

In June 2003, NS together with CSX and Conrail, filed a joint petition with the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to establish direct ownership and control by NSR and CSXT of PRR and NYC, respectively.   The proposed transaction would replace the existing operating agreements and allow NSR and CSXT to operate PRR and NYC, respectively, via direct ownership.   The proposed transaction does not involve the Shared Assets Areas.   The proposed transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including STB approval and an Internal Revenue Service ruling qualifying it as a nontaxable distribution.

As a part of the proposed transaction, Conrail would undertake a restructuring of its existing unsecured and secured public indebtedness.   There are currently two series of unsecured public debentures with an outstanding principal amount of $800 million and 13 series of secured debt with an outstanding principal amount of approximately $350 million.   It is currently contemplated that guaranteed debt securities of two newly formed corporate subsidiaries of NSR and CSXT would be offered in a 58%/42% ratio in exchange for Conrail's unsecured debentures.   Upon completion of the proposed transaction, the new debt securities would become direct unsecured obligations of NSR and CSXT, respectively, and would rank equally with all existing and future senior unsecured debt obligations, if any, of NSR and CSXT.   These new debt securities will have maturity dates, interest rates and principal and interest payment dates identical to those of the respective series of Conrail's unsecured debentures.   In addition, these new debt securities will have covenant packages substantially similar to those of the publicly traded debt securities of NS and CSX, respectively.   Registration statements on Form S-4 will be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the proposed exchange offer.

Conrail's secured debt and lease obligations will remain obligations of Conrail and are expected to be supported by new leases and subleases which, upon completion of the proposed transaction, would be the direct lease and sublease obligations of NSR or CSXT.

Investment in Conrail

 

NS is applying the equity method of accounting to its investment in Conrail in accordance with APB Opinion No. 18, "The Equity Method of Accounting for Investments in Common Stock."   NS is amortizing the excess of the purchase price over Conrail's net equity using the principles of purchase accounting, based primarily on the estimated remaining useful lives of Conrail's depreciable property and equipment, including the related deferred tax effect of the differences in tax and accounting bases for certain assets.   At March 31,Sept. 30, 2003, the difference between NS' investment in Conrail and its share of Conrail's underlying net equity was $3.7 billion.

 

NS' Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31,Sept. 30, 2003 includes $53$40 million of liabilities related to the Conrail transaction, principally for contractual obligations to Conrail employees imposed by the Surface Transportation BoardSTB when it approved the transaction.   Through March 31,Sept. 30, 2003, NS has paid $150$163 million of thesesuch costs.

 

Related-Party Transactions

 

NS provides certain general and administrative support functions to Conrail, the fees for which are billed in accordance with several service-provider arrangements and amount to approximately $7 million annually.

 

"Conrail rents and services" includes:   (1) expenses for amounts due to PRR and CRC for use by NSR of operating properties and equipment, and(2) expenses for amounts due to CRC for operation of the Shared Assets Areas and (2)(3) NS' equity in the earnings of Conrail, net of amortization.  

 

A significant portion of payments made to PRR is borrowed back from a subsidiary of PRR under a note due in 2032.   Amounts outstanding under this note comprise the long-term balance of "Due to Conrail."   The interest rate for these loans is variable and was 1.56%1.51% at March 31,Sept. 30, 2003.   On a consolidated basis, the proposed spin-off transaction described above would effectively relieve NS of this obligation.   The current balance "Due to Conrail" is composed of amounts related to expenses included in "Conrail rents and services," as discussed above.

 

8


Summary Financial Information - Conrail

 

The following historical cost basis financial information should be read in conjunction with Conrail's audited financial statements, included as Exhibit 99(b) with NS' 2002 Annual Report on Form 10‑K.  

 

Summarized Consolidated Statements of Income - Conrail

 

Three Months Ended

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

March 31,

Sept. 30,

Sept. 30,

2003

2002

2003

2002

2003

2002

($ in millions)

($ in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenues

Operating revenues

$

226 

$

225  

$

228 

$

221 

$

685 

$

668 

Operating expenses excluding depreciation

Operating expenses excluding depreciation

 

(82)

 

(83) 

 

(79)

 

(70)

 

(241)

 

(231)

Depreciation

Depreciation

 

(81)

 

(81) 

 

(82)

 

(81)

 

(248)

 

(242)

Operating income

Operating income

 

63 

 

61  

 

67 

 

70 

 

196 

 

195 

Interest expense on debt

 

(25)

 

(26) 

 

(25)

 

(26)

 

(75)

 

(78)

Other income - net

 

21 

 

21  

 

23 

 

24 

 

65 

 

74 

Income before income taxes and accounting change

 

59 

 

56  

 

65 

 

68 

 

186 

 

191 

Provision for income taxes

Provision for income taxes

 

(22)

 

(20) 

 

(23)

 

(24)

 

(68)

 

(69)

Income before accounting change

Income before accounting change

 

37 

 

36  

 

42 

 

44 

 

118 

 

122 

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principles, net of taxes

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principles, net of taxes

 

40 

 

- --  

 

- -- 

 

- -- 

 

40 

 

- -- 

Net income

Net income

$

77 

$

36  

$

42 

$

44 

$

158 

$

122 

 

Note:   Conrail adopted SFAS No. 143, effective Jan. 1, 2003, and recorded a $40 million net adjustment for the cumulative effect of this change in accounting on years prior to 2003.   NS excluded this amount from its determination of equity in earnings of Conrail because an amount related to Conrail is included in NS' cumulative effect adjustment for SFAS No. 143.

8


Summarized Consolidated Balance Sheets - Conrail

 

March 31,

Dec. 31,

Sept. 30,

Dec. 31,

2003

2002

2003

2002

($ in millions)

($ in millions)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

$

280

$

300

$

268

$

300

Noncurrent assets

 

7,957

 

7,857

 

7,973

 

7,857

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

$

8,237

$

8,157

$

8,241

$

8,157

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and stockholders' equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

$

354

$

329

Noncurrent liabilities

 

3,580

 

3,602

Current maturities of long-term debt

$

58

$

57

Other current liabilities

 

284

 

272

Long-term debt

 

1,090

 

1,123

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

2,425

 

2,479

Stockholders' equity

 

4,303

 

4,226

 

4,384

 

4,226

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

8,237

$

8,157

$

8,241

$

8,157

 

5.  

 

 Accounts Receivable

 

A bankruptcy-remote special purpose subsidiary of NS sells without recourse undivided ownership interests in a pool of accounts receivable.   The buyers have a priority collection interest in the entire pool of receivables, and as a result, NS has credit risk to the extent the pool of receivables exceeds the amount sold.   NS services and collects the receivables on behalf of the buyers; however, no servicing asset or liability has

9

been recognized because the benefits of servicing are estimated to be just adequate to compensate NS for its responsibilities.   Payments collected from sold receivables can be reinvested in new accounts receivable on behalf of the buyers.   Should NS' credit rating drop below investment grade, the buyers have the right to discontinue this reinvestment.

 

There were no accounts receivable sold under this arrangement at March 31,Sept. 30, 2003, but $30 million were sold at Dec. 31, 2003,2002, and therefore not included in "Accounts receivable, net" on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.   The fees associated with the sale, which are based on the buyers' financing costs, are included in "Other income - net."   NS' retained interest, which is included in "Accounts receivable, net" is recorded at fair value using estimates of dilution based on NS' historical experience.   These estimates are adjusted regularly based on NS' actual experience with the pool, including defaults and credit deterioration.   NS has experienced very low levels of default, and as a result, little dilution.   If historical dilution percentages were to increase one percentage point, the value of NS' retained interest would be reduced by approximately $6 million.

 

NS' allowance for doubtful accounts was $6 million at March 31,Sept. 30, 2003, and $5 million at Dec. 31, 2002.

 

6.  Derivative Financial Instruments

 

NS uses derivative financial instruments to reduce the risk of volatility in its diesel fuel costs and to manage its overall exposure to fluctuations in interest rates.   NS does not engage in the trading of derivatives.   Management has determined that its derivative financial instruments qualify as either fair-value or cash-flow hedges, having values which highly correlate with the underlying hedged exposures, and has designated such instruments as hedging transactions.   Credit risk related to the derivative financial instruments is considered to be minimal and is managed by requiring high credit standards for counterparties and periodic settlements.

 

9


Diesel Fuel Hedging

 

In the second quarter of 2001, NS began a program to hedge a portion of its diesel fuel consumption. The intent of the program is to assist in the management of NS' aggregate risk exposure to fuel price fluctuations, which can significantly affect NS' operating margins and profitability. In order to minimize this risk, NS instituted a continuous hedging strategy for a portion of its estimated future fuel needs by entering into a series of swaps in order to lock in the purchase prices of some of its diesel fuel. Management has designated these derivative instruments as cash-flow hedges of the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows attributable to fluctuations in diesel fuel prices.

Following is a summary of NS' diesel fuel swaps:

 

 

 

First Quarter

 

 

 

 

2003

2002

 

Number of swaps entered into during the first quarter

 

72

72

 

Approximate number of gallons hedged (millions)

 

94

101

 

Approximate average price per gallon of Nymex

 

  $0.74

 $0.61

 

   No. 2 heating oil

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remainder of

 

 

 

2003

2004

2005

 

Percent of estimated future diesel fuel consumption

   covered as of March 31, 2003

68%

33%

2%

 

 

Third Quarter

 

 

 

 

2003

2002

 

Number of swaps entered into during the third quarter

 

72

72

 

Approximate number of gallons hedged (millions)

 

95

97

 

Approximate average price per gallon of Nymex

 

 

 

 

   No. 2 heating oil

 

$0.73

$0.69

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remainder of

 

 

 

2003

2004

2005

 

Percent of estimated future diesel fuel consumption

   covered as of Sept. 30, 2003

77%

52%

13%

 

Hedges are placed each month by competitive bid among selected counterparties. The goal of this hedging strategy is to average fuel costs over an extended period of time while minimizing the incremental cost of hedging. The program provides that NS will not enter into any fuel hedges with a duration of more than 36 months, and that no more than 80% of NS' average monthly forecasted fuel consumption will be hedged for any month within the 36-month period.   Diesel fuel costs represented 8%7% and 6%, respectively, of NS' operating expenses for the firstthird quarters of 2003 and 2002, respectively.2002.

10

 

NS' fuel hedging activity resulted in a net decrease inhad the following effects on diesel fuel expenseexpense:   for the third quarter, decreases of $26$11 million and $5 million for first quarter 2003 and a net increase in diesel fuel expense2002, respectively, and decreases of $4$45 million and $2 million, respectively, for the first quarter 2002.nine months.   The effect of the hedges was to yield an average cost of 75 centscosts per gallon (including federal taxes and transportation) of 77 cents and 73 cents for the third quarters of 2003 and 2002, respectively, and 81 cents and 70 cents for the first quarternine months of 2003 and 70 cents per gallon for the same period of 2002, including federal taxes and transportation.respectively.   Ineffectiveness, or the extent to which changes in the fair values of the heating oil contracts do not offset changes in the fair values of the expected diesel fuel oil transactions, was approximatelyless than $1 million for each quarter.

 

Interest Rate Hedging

 

NS manages its overall exposure to fluctuations in interest rates by issuing both fixed and floating-rate debt instruments, and by entering into interest rate hedging transactions.   NS had $211$194 million, or 3.1%3%, and $220 million, or 3.2%3%, of its fixed rate debt portfolio hedged at March 31,Sept. 30, 2003, and Dec. 31, 2002, respectively, using interest rate swaps that qualify for and are designated as fair-value hedge transactions.   These swaps have been effective in hedging the changes in fair value of the related debt arising from changes in interest rates, and accordingly, there has been no impact on earnings resulting from ineffectiveness associated with these derivative transactions.

 

Fair Values

 

The fair values of NS' diesel fuel derivative instruments at March 31,Sept. 30, 2003, and Dec. 31, 2002, were determined based upon current fair market values as quoted by third party dealers.   Fair values of interest rate swaps were determined based upon the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the appropriate implied spot rate from the spot rate yield curve.   Fair value adjustments are noncash transactions, and accordingly, are excluded from the

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.   "Accumulated other comprehensive loss," a component of "Stockholders' equity," included an unrealized gainspretax gain of $23$22 million and an unrealized pretax loss of $1 million at Sept. 30, 2003, and an unrealized pretax gain of $29 million (pretax) at March 31, 2003, and Dec. 31, 2002, respectively, related to the fair value of derivative fuel hedging transactions that will terminate within twelve months of the respective dates.

 

10


The asset and liability positions of NS' outstanding derivative financial instruments were as follows:

 

March 31,

Dec. 31,

Sept. 30,

Dec. 31,

2003

2002

2003

2002

($ in millions)

($ in millions)

Interest rate hedges

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross fair market asset position

$

22 

$

24

$

19 

$

24

Gross fair market (liability) position

 

- -- 

 

- --

 

- -- 

 

- --

Fuel hedges

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross fair market asset position

 

27 

 

29

 

25 

 

29

Gross fair market (liability) position

 

(2)

 

- --

 

(1)

 

- --

Total net asset position

$

47 

$

53

$

43 

$

53

 

7.  Earnings Per Share

 

 

The following table sets forth the reconciliation of the number of weighted-average shares outstanding used in the calculations of basic and diluted earnings per share:

 

Three Months Ended

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

March 31,

Sept. 30,

Sept. 30,

2003

2002

2003

2002

2003

2002

(in millions)

(In millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average shares outstanding

 

389.3

 

387.2

 

389.9

 

388.6

 

389.6

 

388.0

Dilutive effect of outstanding options,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

performance share units and restricted stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(as determined by the application of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the treasury stock method)

 

1.4

 

2.5

 

1.6

 

2.1

 

1.8

 

2.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding

 

390.7

 

389.7

 

391.5

 

390.7

 

391.4

 

390.4

11

The calculations exclude options on 31 million shares in 2003 and 24 million shares in 2002 whose exercise price exceeded the average market price of Common Stock for the period.period as follows:   in 2003, 31 million in the third quarter, 25 million in the second quarter and 31 million in the first quarter; and in 2002, 25 million in the third quarter and 24 million in the second and first quarters.   There are no adjustments to "Net income" for the diluted earnings per share computations.

8.  Comprehensive Income

 

NS' total comprehensive income was as follows:

 

Three Months Ended

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

March 31,

Sept. 30,

Sept. 30,

2003

2002

2003

2002

2003

2002

($ in millions)

($ in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

209 

$

86 

$

137 

$

126  

$

483 

$

331 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

(3)

 

15 

 

(5)

 

8  

 

(4)

 

22 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

$

206 

$

101 

$

132 

$

134  

$

479 

$

353 

 

 

For NS, "Other"Other comprehensive income (loss)" reflects the unrealized gains and losses on certain investments in debt and equity securities and net fair value adjustments to certain derivative financial instruments.

11


9.    Commitments and Contingencies

 

Lawsuits

 

Norfolk Southern and certain subsidiaries are defendants in numerous lawsuits and other claims relating principally to railroad operations.   When management concludes that it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated, it is accrued through a charge to expenses.   While the ultimate amount of liability incurred in any of these lawsuits and claims is dependent on future developments, in management's opinion the recorded liability is adequate to cover the future payment of such liability and claims.   However, the final outcome of any of these lawsuits and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, and unfavorable or unexpected outcomes could result in additional accruals that could be significant to results of operations in a particular year or quarter.   Any adjustments to the recorded liability will be reflected in expenses in the periods in which such adjustments are known.

 

Presently, there are two disputes, one involving labor arbitration and other claims for "New York Dock" and other income protection benefits and the othersecond involving contractual obligations of a fiber optic codeveloper, WilTel Communications, LLC (f/k/a Williams Communications, LLCLLC) ("Williams Communications"WilTel"), where the aggregated range of loss could be from zero to $75$45 million.   Management believes that NS will prevail in both these matters.   However, unfavorable outcomes in either of these matters could result in accruals that could be significant to results of operations in a particular year or quarter.

 

A number of claims have been filed with NSR on behalf of employees furloughed after June 1, 1999, for various periods of time, alleging that the furloughs were a result of the Conrail transaction and seeking "New York Dock" income protection benefits.   Other disputes are pending wherein similar benefits are sought under labor agreement provisions that, in management's judgment, do not apply to the involved circumstances.   A number of claims on behalf of individual employees have been submitted to arbitration.   Three significant cases have been heard and NSR received favorable decisions in each of them.

On January 29, 2003, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia entered an order requiring Williams CommunicationsWilTel to pay T‑Cubed, NS' telecommunications subsidiary, approximately $36 million, plus prejudgment interest at a rate of 9% per annum, in connection with its contractual obligations to T-Cubed.   Williams CommunicationsWilTel has appealed and has posted an appeal bond for the full amount of the judgment and interest.   In the event the appeals court reverses the judgment and returns the case to the trial court for further proceedings, T-Cubed's ability to collect and retain the $36 million receivable due from Williams CommunicationsWilTel may be limited because of the latter's financial condition and any subsequent developments in the trial court.   The shortfall, if any, cannot now be determined.   Williams Communications' parent, Williams Communications Group, Inc.,In March of 2003, WilTel filed in April 2002 a voluntary petitiondemand for reorganization under Chapter 11arbitration of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, and emerged from bankruptcy in October 2002. Williams Communications was not includedcounterclaims first asserted in the bankruptcy petition.above contract litigation relating to alleged construction

12

defects, and T-Cubed asserted additional claims relating to costs incurred under the contract.   The arbitration is currently scheduled for December 2003.   Management believes that NS will prevail in these matters and that any potential liability for the claims should not have a material adverse effect on NS' financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

 

Casualty Claims

 

NS is generally self-insured for casualty claims.   NS has insurance for catastrophic events, but that coverage has upper limits.   The casualty claims liability is determined actuarially based upon claims filed and an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported.   While the ultimate amount of claims incurred is dependent on future developments, in management's opinion, the recorded liability is adequate to cover the future payments of claims.   However, it is possible that the recorded liability may not be adequate to cover the future payment of claims.   Adjustments to the recorded liability are reflected in operating expenses in the periods in which such adjustments are known.

 

Environmental Matters

 

NS is subject to various jurisdictions' environmental laws and regulations.   It is NS' policy to record a liability where such liability or loss is probable and its amount can be estimated reasonably.   Claims, if any, against third parties for recovery of cleanup costs incurred by NS are reflected as receivables (when collection is probable) on the balance sheet and are not netted against the associated liability.   Environmental engineers regularly participate in ongoing evaluations of all known sites and in determining any necessary adjustments to liability estimates.   NS also has established an Environmental Policy Council, composed of senior managers, to oversee and interpret its environmental policy.

 

NS' balance sheets included liabilities for environmental exposures in the amount of $28$25 million at March 31,Sept. 30, 2003, and $29 million at Dec. 31, 2002 (of which $8 million was accounted for as a current liability for each period).   At March 31,Sept. 30, 2003, the liability represented NS' estimate of the probable cleanup and remediation costs based on available information at 113 known locations.   On that date, 10 sites accounted for $15$13 million of the liability, and no individual site was considered to be material.   NS anticipates that much of this liability will be paid out over five years; however, some costs will be paid out over a longer period.

 

12


At some of the 113 locations, certain NS subsidiaries, usually in conjunction with a number of other parties, have been identified as potentially responsible parties by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or similar state authorities under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, or comparable state statutes, which often impose joint and several liability for cleanup costs.

 

With respect to known environmental sites (whether identified by NS or by the EPA or comparable state authorities), estimates of NS' ultimate potential financial exposure for a given site or in the aggregate for all such sites are necessarily imprecise because of the widely varying costs of currently available cleanup techniques, the likely development of new cleanup technologies, the difficulty of determining in advance the nature and full extent of contamination and each potential participant's share of any estimated loss (and that participant's ability to bear it), and evolving statutory and regulatory standards governing liability.

 

The risk of incurring environmental liability - for acts and omissions, past, present and future - is inherent in the railroad business.   Some of the commodities in NS' traffic mix, particularly those classified as hazardous materials, can pose special risks that NS and its subsidiaries work diligently to minimize.   In addition, several NS subsidiaries own, or have owned, land used as operating property, or which is leased or may have been leased and operated by others, or held for sale.   Because environmental problems may exist on these properties that are latent or undisclosed, there can be no assurance that NS will not incur environmentally related liabilities or costs with respect to one or more of them, the amount and materiality of which cannot be estimated reliably at this time.   Moreover, lawsuits and claims involving these and potentially other now-unidentified environmental sites and matters are likely to arise from time to time.   The resulting liabilities could have a significant effect on financial condition, results of operations or liquidity in a particular year or quarter.

 

However, based on its assessment of the facts and circumstances now known, management believes that it has recorded the probable costs for dealing with those environmental matters of which the Corporation is aware.   Further,

13

management believes that it is unlikely that any known matters, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on NS' financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

 

Purchase Commitments

 

At March 31,Sept. 30, 2003, NS had outstanding purchase commitments of approximately $63$14 million in connection with its 2003 capital program.   In addition, Norfolk Southern has committed to purchase telecommunications services totaling $36$32 million through 2006.

 

 

 

 

 

13
Independent Accountants' Review Report

 

 

The Stockholders and Board of Directors

Norfolk Southern Corporation:

 

We have reviewed the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Norfolk Southern Corporation and subsidiaries as of March 31,September 30, 2003, and the related consolidated statements of income for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 and the related consolidated statements of cash flows for the three-monthnine-month periods ended March 31,September 30, 2003 and 2002.   These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.

 

We conducted our reviews in accordance with standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.   A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters.   It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole.   Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

 

Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the consolidated financial statements referred to above for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  

 

As discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 143, "AccountingAccounting for Asset Retirement Obligations," and Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 46, "ConsolidationConsolidation of Variable Interest Entities," as of January 1, 2003.

 

We have previously audited, in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, the consolidated balance sheet of Norfolk Southern Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2002, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders' equity and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated January 28, 2003, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.   In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2002, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.

 

 

/s/ KPMG LLP

Norfolk, Virginia

April 22,October 28, 2003

 

 

14


Item 2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Net Income

 

First-quarterThird-quarter net income was $209$137 million in 2003, up $11 million, or 9%, compared with the same period last year, benefiting from higher nonoperating income and a lower effective tax rate.   For the first nine months of 2003, net income was $483 million and included $114 million for the cumulative effect on years prior to 2003 of changes in accounting principles as required by the adoption of two accounting pronouncements (see Note 3).   First-quarter 2003Nine-month net income also included an additional $10 million gain related to the 1998 sale of NS' former motor carrier subsidiary, North American Van Lines, Inc., which is reported as discontinued operations (see Note 2).   First-quarter incomeIncome from continuing operations before accounting changes, which does not include these items, was $85$359 million down slightlyfor the first nine months of 2003, up $28 million, or 8%, compared with results for the first quartersame period of 2002.   Lower income from railway operations and lowerThe improvement was primarily the result of higher nonoperating income were largely offset by the favorable effects ofand a lower effective income tax rate.rate, which more than offset lower income from railway operations.

 

Railway Operating Revenues

 

First-quarterThird-quarter railway operating revenues were $1.56$1.6 billion in 2003 and 2002 as increased revenue per unit was exactly offset by lower traffic volume.   For the first nine months, revenues were $4.8 billion, up $63$103 million, or 4%2%, compared with the first quarter of 2002.   Asresult, as shown in the following table, the increase was the result of higher traffic volume and increased average revenues.

 

 

First Quarter

 

Third Quarter

First Nine Months

 

2003 vs. 2002

 

2003 vs. 2002

2003 vs. 2002

 

Increase (Decrease)

Increase (Decrease)

Increase (Decrease)

 

($ in millions)

 

($ in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

Traffic volume (carloads)

Traffic volume (carloads)

$

39

 

$   (13)   

$     44   

Revenue per unit/mix

Revenue per unit/mix

 

24

 

       13 

       59  

 

 

 

$      - -- 

$   103

Total

$

63

 

 

Revenues, carloads and carloadsaverage revenue per unit for the commodity groups were as follows:follows (prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation):

 

First Quarter

Third Quarter

Revenues

Carloads

Revenue

Carloads

Revenue per Unit

2003

2002

2003

2002

2003

2002

2003

2002

2003

2002

($ in millions)

(carloads in thousands)

($ in millions)

(in thousands)

($ per unit)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coal

$

354

$

359

 

395

 

398

$

372

$

371

 

407

 

413

$

915

$

900

General merchandise:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Automotive

 

242

 

228

 

167

 

163

 

205

 

231

 

142

 

155

 

1,447

 

1,494

Chemicals

 

194

 

186

 

107

 

104

 

196

 

194

 

108

 

110

 

1,805

 

1,768

Metals/construction

 

166

 

160

 

161

 

162

 

180

 

181

 

187

 

193

 

965

 

935

Agr./consumer prod./govt.

 

166

 

154

 

133

 

125

 

167

 

156

 

138

 

127

 

1,212

 

1,219

Paper/clay/forest

 

150

 

141

 

107

 

105

 

163

 

155

 

113

 

113

 

1,445

 

1,379

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General merchandise

 

918

 

869

 

675

 

659

 

911

 

917

 

688

 

698

 

1,325

 

1,313

Intermodal

 

289

 

270

 

578

 

549

 

315

 

310

 

627

 

625

 

502

 

496

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

$

1,561

$

1,498

 

1,648

 

1,606

$

1,598

$

1,598

 

1,722

 

1,736

$

928

$

921

15

 

First Nine Months

 

Revenues

Carloads

Revenue per Unit

 

2003

2002

2003

2002

2003

2002

 

($ in millions)

(in thousands)

($ per unit)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coal

$

1,115

$

1,080

 

1,222

 

1,204

$

913

$

897

General merchandise:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Automotive

 

689

 

718

 

477

 

499

 

1,444

 

1,439

   Chemicals

 

578

 

567

 

319

 

319

 

1,812

 

1,779

   Metals/construction

 

521

 

530

 

532

 

551

 

980

 

962

   Agr./consumer prod./govt.

 

510

 

469

 

409

 

382

 

1,245

 

1,227

   Paper/clay/forest

 

475

 

450

 

333

 

330

 

1,428

 

1,365

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General merchandise

 

2,773

 

2,734

 

2,070

 

2,081

 

1,340

 

1,314

Intermodal

 

904

 

875

 

1,814

 

1,774

 

498

 

493

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      Total

$

4,792

$

4,689

 

5,106

 

5,059

$

939

$

927

 

15


Coal

 

First-quarter coalCoal revenues decreased $5increased $1 million in the third quarter and $35 million, or 1%3%, in the first nine months, compared with the same periods last year.   Total traffic volume (tonnage) handled was down slightlydecreased 1% in the quarter, but increased 2% for the first nine months, primarily because of higher utility and export coal volume.   Shipments of export coal increased 40% in the quarter and 12% for the first nine months due to blend changes, the impact of ocean freight rates and the value of the dollar.   Industrial coal volume increased 8% in the quarter, as lower traffic volumelow inventories at plants began to be replenished, but decreased 6% for export, domestic metallurgical and industrial coal more than offset higher traffic volume for utility coal.   Export coal volume was hampered by production shortfalls from a key supplier.   Domestic metallurgical coal shipments were lower as the harsh winter weather delayed shipments in the Great Lakes region.   Utility coal traffic volume benefited from higher demand caused by the cold weather; however, the weather also resulted in delayed shipments as frozen coal slowed loading and unloading operations.first nine months.   Average revenue per carload declined 1%was up 2% in the third quarter and for the first quarter asnine months, reflecting a favorable change in the effectsmix of more shorter-haul (lower revenue per unit) business more than offset the favorable effects of a fuel surcharge.traffic (increased export volume).

 

CoalFor the remainder of the year, coal volumes are expected to strengthencontinue to be higher, although mild weather patterns could dampen this outlook.   Utility stockpiles are estimated to be below normal and utilities should begin rebuilding stockpiles in anticipation of winter, and gas prices remain relatively high, which could lead to greater utilization of coal-fired generation plants.

As disclosed in NS' 2002 10-K, since early 2002, two utility customers have rate reasonableness complaints before the STB.   Until resolved, NS is billing and collecting amounts from these customers based on the challenged tariff rates.   NS currently expects the STB to issue its decisions in the secondfourth quarter as utilities' coal stockpiles were depleted duringof 2003, although ultimate resolution may not occur until a later date.   While the winter.   For the last halfaccompanying financial statements reflect management's best estimate of the resolution of these matters, due to the passage of time, their ultimate outcome could have a significant effect on results of operations in the particular quarter or year coal revenues are expected to be comparable to those of 2002.resolved.

 

General Merchandise

 

First-quarter generalGeneral merchandise revenues increased $49decreased $6 million, or 6%1%, in the third quarter, but increased $39 million, or 1%, in the first nine months, compared with the same periods last year.   TrafficThe decline for the quarter was the result of lower traffic volume (carloads) increased 2%, as all commodity groups exceptwhich was partially offset by higher average revenues.   For the first nine months, the revenue increase reflected higher average revenues.   For both periods, the largest volume decreases were in the automotive and metals and construction group posted increases.groups.   Automotive traffic volume reflected plant downtime at Ford and DaimlerChrysler.   Metals and construction volume suffered from continued softness in the imported steel market.   Agriculture, consumer products and government volume increased 6%8% in the quarter and 7% for the first nine months reflecting increased volume for fertilizer, higher shipments for the military and more shipments of corn into markets affected by the 2002 drought.   This is expected to continue until late September when the 2003 crop comes to market.   In addition, trafficPaper, clay and forest products volume benefited from increased volume for sweeteners and more shipmentsslightly for the military.   Chemicals traffic volume increased 3% on stronger demandquarter and was up 1% for industrial intermediate products and increased plastics shipments, which was supported by higher vehicle production and consumer products demand.   Automotive traffic volume increased 2%, primarily due to the resumption of production at a plant that had been curtailed during the first quarter of 2002.   Automotive production for the year is expected to be lower than that of 2002.   nine months.

General merchandise average revenue per carload increased 3%1% in the third quarter and 2% for the first nine months reflecting fuel surcharges, increased rates moreand longer haul (higher average revenue) business, a fuel surcharge and favorable changes in the mixlengths of traffic.haul.

 

General merchandise revenues16

While improvements are expected to weaken in the second quarter, when compared with the second quarter of 2002, reflecting lower vehicle production.   However, for the last half of the year,our metals and construction, chemicals and agriculture business groups, overall, general merchandise revenues are expected to be comparablecontinue to thoseshow weakness during the last quarter of 2002the year and are largely reflectdependent upon the performance of the economy.

 

Intermodal

 

First-quarter intermodalIntermodal revenues increased $19$5 million, or 7%1%, in the third quarter and $29 million, or 3%, in the first nine months, compared with the same periods last year.   Traffic volume (units) was slightly higher in the third quarter and increased 5%, reflecting more shipments of containers.2% for the first nine months, which reflected higher trailer and Triple Crown traffic volume.   Container traffic volume benefited from increased international and domestic truckload business as well as the conversion of truck traffic to rail.   Intermodal revenue per unit increased 2%was up 1% for the quarter and first nine months, as the favorable effects of fuel surcharges and ancillary revenues were slightly offset (entirely for the quarter and largely for the first nine months) by an unfavorable change in the mix of traffic.

 

Intermodal revenues are expected to continueshow growth due to benefitfavorable year-over-year comparison from the 2002 West Coast port shutdown, market share gains and new business supported byproducts, in addition to a steady recovery in the economy and continued improvements in service and conversionhigh levels of truck traffic to rail; however, any weakening in consumer demand could dampen this outlook.spending.

Railway Operating Expenses

 

First-quarterThird-quarter railway operating expenses were $1.33$1.3 billion in 2003, up $69 million, or 5%,even compared with last year, as most expense line itemsyear.   For the first nine months, expenses were higher.$4.0 billion, up $133 million, or 3%.

 

As discussed in Note 3, effective Jan. 1, 2003, NS' method of accounting for crosstie removal was changed as a result of implementation of SFAS No. 143.   This change in accounting in the first quarter lowered depreciation expense by almost $7 million and increased compensation and benefits and other expenses by almost $5 million.as disclosed in Note 3.   For the year, it is expected that the depreciation reduction will total approximately $29 million, while the expense increases will total about $20 million.

 

16


Compensation and benefits expenses increased $3$42 million, or 1%9%, reflectingin the third quarter and $83 million, or 6%, in the first nine months, compared with the same periods last year.   Both comparisons reflected lower pension income, higher wage rates, increased medical costs (despite additional employee contributions), and expenses attributable to employee turnover (primarily, an increase in train and engine trainees).

In the third quarter, NS announced a voluntary separation program for nonagreement employees with at least two years of service.   The program offers severance pay of three weeks' salary for each year of service up to a maximum of 100 weeks, continued health care for one year at no cost and outplacement services for up to 90 days.   Voluntary separations will be effective on or before Nov. 30, 2003.   The cost of this program, approximately $100 million, will be reflected in fourth quarter results and consists of a cash and non-cash component.   The cash component is estimated at approximately $65 million for severance benefits and the effect of the change in accounting (see Note 3).   These increases more than offset lower incentive compensationbalance will be a non-cash charge for postretirement medical and reduced payroll taxes.pension benefits.

 

Materials, services and rents increased $21decreased $40 million, or 6%10%, principally becausein the third quarter and $6 million, or 1%, in the first nine months, compared with the same periods last year.   The decline for both periods reflected lower automotive traffic volume in addition to adjustments relating to periodic studies and favorable settlements of higher material expenses, primarily for locomotive repairs, and volume-related intermodal expenses and equipment rents.recent bills.

 

Conrail rents and services expenses decreased $6increased $5 million, or 5%, reflecting lower costs in the Shared Assets Areasthird quarter, but decreased $2 million, or 1%, in the first nine months, compared with the same periods last year.   The increase for the quarter reflected higher expenses in the shared assets areas, whereas the year-to-date decline reflected lower shared assets areas expense and slightly higher Conrailequity earnings.

 

Depreciation expense was just about even in both the third quarter and the first quarter,nine months, compared with the same periods last year, as the effects of property additions were offset by the change in accounting related to crosstie removal costs (see Note 3).

17

 

Diesel fuel expenses increased $23$5 million, or 28%6%, in the third quarter and $37 million, or 15%, in the first nine months, compared with the same periods last year, reflecting higher average pricesprices.   The hedging program produced benefits of $11 million and marginally higher consumption.   Expenses$45 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2003, includedrespectively, compared with a $26$5 million and a $2 million benefit from favorable hedge settlements, whilefor the first quartersame periods of 2002 included $4 million of cost related to the hedging program.2002.

 

Casualties and other claims expense increased $16decreased $13 million, or 46%23%, primarily becausein the third quarter, but increased $13 million, or 10%, in the first nine months, compared with the same periods last year.   The decrease for the quarter reflected lower unfavorable periodic study adjustments as compared with the prior year.   The increase for the first nine months was largely the result of damage to equipment and lading incurred because of several derailments, continuing unfavorableadverse personal injury claims development and higher insurance costs.premiums, mitigated by an insurance recovery related to a previous settlement.   The increase for the first nine months also reflected damage costs incurred because of several derailments early in the year.

 

Other expense increased $12$2 million, or 28%4%, reflectingin the third quarter and $9 million, or 6%, in the first nine months, compared with the same periods of last year.   Both periods reflected the absence of two items that benefited 2002 -- a favorable propertyprior year settlements - - sales and use tax settlementfor the quarter and a favorable bad debt settlement.settlement for the first nine months.

 

Other Income - Net

 

Other income - net was $13increased $11 million lowerin the third quarter and $34 million in the first quarternine months of 2003, compared with the same periodperiods of 2002.   The declineincrease for the quarter principally resulted from lower interest accruals related to income tax liabilities, which were favorably affected by settlements, and higher returns on corporate-owned life insurance.   The first nine months benefited from these same items but also reflected fewer gains from the sale of properties and investments and lower coal royalties, which were somewhat offset by a favorable adjustment to interest accruals upon settlement of federal tax audits.royalties.

 

Provision for Income Taxes

 

The first-quarterthird-quarter effective income tax rate was 32.0%31.5% in 2003, compared with 37.2%33.3% last year.   For the first nine months, the effective rate was 31.5% in 2003, compared with 36.3% in 2002.   Excluding NS' equity in Conrail's after-tax earnings, the first-quarterthird-quarter rate was 35.4%33.9% in 2003 and 39.5%35.8% in 2002, and the year-to-date rate was 34.2% in 2003, compared with 38.7% in 2002.   The decline was primarily the result of favorable resolutions of prior years' tax audits, which will alsocontinue to be reflected in the effective rate for the remainder of the year.   In addition, the rates in 2002 included the effects of an increase in the Indiana state income tax rate.

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND LIQUIDITY

 

Cash provided by operating activities, NS' principal source of liquidity, was $133$800 million in the first threenine months of 2003, compared with $63$622 million in the first threenine months of 2002.   The improvement reflectedincrease was primarily the result of a smaller reduction in the amount of accounts receivable sold --- a reduction of $30 million in the first quarternine months of 2003, compared with a reduction of $150$200 million during the same period of 2002.   Absent this change, operatingIn the fourth quarter, payments will be made for the cash flow declined, principallyportion of the result of changes in working capital, including growth in accounts receivable.voluntary separation program.   See discussion under "Railway Operating Expenses."

 

A significant portion of payments made to PRR (which are included in "Conrail rents and services" and, therefore, are a use of cash in "Cash provided by operating activities") are borrowed back from a PRR subsidiary and, therefore, are a source of cash in "Proceeds from borrowings."   NS' net cash flow from these borrowings amounted to $80$174 million in the first threenine months of 2003 and $66$162 million for the same period of 2002.

 

NS' working capital deficit was $840$570 million at March 31,Sept. 30, 2003, compared with $554 million at Dec. 31, 2002.   The increase was principally the result of more current maturities of debt.   NS has two large debt payments due within the next twelve months:   $250 million due July 7, 2003 and $250 million due Feb. 15, 2004.   NS expects to repay this debt using cash generated from operations (including sales of accounts receivable), cash on hand and borrowings from the PRR subsidiary, as discussed above.

17


NS currently has the capability to increase the amount of accounts receivable being sold under the revolving sale program to meet its more immediate working capital needs.   Over the last twelve months, the amount of receivables NS could sell under this program ranged from $358 million to $421$433 million, and the amount of receivables sold ranged from zero to $400$120 million.   Moreover, NS has a $1 billion credit facility, which expires in 2006, that it can borrow under or use to support commercial paper debt; however, reductions in its credit rating could limit NS' ability to access the commercial paper markets.   NS expects to generate sufficient cash flow from operations to meet its ongoing obligations.

 

18

Cash used for investing activities increased slightly in the first threenine months of 2003, compared with the first threenine months of 2002, principally because of a small increase in capital expenditures.due to increased investments and to lower investment sales.

 

Cash provided byused for financing activities was $21$248 million in the first threenine months of 2003, compared with $103$149 million in the same period of 2002.   Proceeds from borrowings in the first nine months of 2003 consisted entirely of loans from the PRR subsidiary, in 2003, while in the prior year it2002 proceeds also included $52$380 million from the issuance of notes, equipment trust certificates.certificates and commercial paper.   NS' debt-to-total capitalization ratio (excluding the notes payable to the PRR subsidiary) was 52.8%51.0% at March 31,Sept. 30, 2003, and 53.1% at Dec. 31, 2002.   On July 22, 2003, NS increased its quarterly dividend to 8 cents per share.

 

NS has outstanding $717 million of its 7.05% notes due May 1, 2037.   Each holder of a 2037 note may require NS to redeem all or part of the note at face value, plus accrued and unpaid interest, on May 1, 2004.   NS will not know the amount of 2037 notes that it may be required to redeem until April 1, 2004.   NS expects to be able to redeem notes properly presented, if any, using cash generated from operations (including sales of accounts receivable), cash on hand and proceeds from borrowings.

 

CONRAIL'S RESULTS OF OPERATIONS, FINANCIAL CONDITION AND LIQUIDITY

 

Conrail's first-quarterthird-quarter net income was $77$42 million in 2003, compared with $44 million in 2002, reflecting a slight decline in operating income.   For the first nine months of 2003, Conrail's net income was $158 million and included $40 million for the cumulative effect on years prior to 2003 of a change in accounting principles as required by Conrail's adoption of SFAS No. 143.   NS excluded this amount from its determination of equity in earnings of Conrail because an amount related to Conrail is included in NS' cumulative effect adjustment for SFAS No. 143.   Conrail's income before the accounting change was $37$118 million infor the first quarternine months of 2003, about even withslightly below the $36$122 million for the same period of first-quarter 2002.

 

Conrail's working capital deficit was $74 million at March 31,Sept. 30, 2003, compared with a deficit of $29 million at Dec. 31, 2002.   Conrail is expected to have sufficient cash flow to meet its ongoing obligations.

 

OTHER MATTERS

Telecommunications Subsidiary

 

NS' subsidiary, Thoroughbred Technology and Telecommunications, Inc. ("T-Cubed"), has developed fiber optic infrastructure with companies in the telecommunications industry.   This industry has experiencedcontinues to experience a severe downturn.   As a result of changes in the values of telecommunications assets, T-Cubed is monitoring its carrying amount of these assets, as required by SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.Assets," by obtaining an independent fair market value appraisal.   The appraisal considers, among other items, the economic outlook for the telecommunications and fiber optic network industry and takes into account potential economic obsolescence, in addition to general market conditions including economic, governmental and environmental forces.   To date, based on the known facts and circumstances, management believes that its ultimate investment in these assets will be recovered, and accordingly, no impairment has been recognized.

 

During 2001, one of T-Cubed's codevelopers, 360networks (USA) inc. ("360"), filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and foreign laws.   360 owes T-Cubed amounts for work performed on certain joint projects, and T-Cubed owes 360 amounts for work performed on other joint projects.   The bankruptcy judge has approved the set-off of these amounts, leaving about $7 million due to T-Cubed from 360.   T-Cubed has the right to collect this amount from any proceeds due 360 from the sale of joint assets.   Management believes that it will collect this receivable.

 

18


T-Cubed is engaged in contract litigation with a second codeveloper, Williams Communications, LLC ("Williams Communications"),WilTel, concerning the latter's obligation to purchase fiber optic infrastructure installed by T-Cubed between Cleveland, Ohio, and northern Virginia.   On Jan. 29, 2003, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia entered an order requiring Williams CommunicationsWilTel to pay T-Cubed the remaining amount due for such infrastructure, approximately $36 million, plus prejudgment interest at a

19

rate of 9% per annum.   Williams CommunicationsWilTel has appealed and has posted an appeal bond for the full amount of the judgment and interest.   In the event the appeals court reverses the judgment and returns the case to the trial court for further proceedings, T-Cubed's ability to collect and retain any future judgment against Williams CommunicationsWilTel may be limited due to the latter's financial condition and any subsequent developments in the trial court; however, the shortfall, if any, cannot now be determined.   Williams Communications' parent, Williams Communications Group, Inc.,In March of 2003, WilTel filed a demand for arbitration of counterclaims first asserted in April 2002the above contract litigation relating to alleged construction defects, and T-Cubed asserted additional claims relating to costs incurred under the contract.   The arbitration is currently scheduled for December 2003.   Management believes that NS will prevail in these matters and that any potential liability for the claims should not have a voluntary petition for reorganization under Chapter 11material adverse effect on NS' financial position, results of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, and emerged from bankruptcy in October 2002. Williams Communications was not included in this bankruptcy petitionoperations or liquidity (see Note 9).

 

Labor Arbitration

 

Several hundredA number of claims have been filed with NSR on behalf of employees furloughed after June 1, 1999, for various periods of time, alleging that the furloughs were a result of the Conrail transaction and seeking "New York Dock" income protection benefits.   Several labor organizations have initiated arbitration on behalf of individual employees.   One such dispute has been heard and NSR is awaiting a decision.   Another dispute is scheduled to be heard in May.   Other disputes are pending wherein similar benefits are sought under labor agreement provisions that, in management's judgment, do not apply to the involved circumstances.   A number of claims on behalf of individual employees have been submitted to arbitration.   Three significant cases have been heard and NSR received favorable decisions in each of them.   In addition, a number of other claims have been settled or withdrawn.

Based on known facts, including the availability of legal defenses, management believes that NS will prevail in these disputes and that any potential liability for the involved claims should not have a material adverse effect on NS' financial position, results of operations or liquidity.   Depending on the outcome of these arbitrations, additionalthe cases that have not yet been arbitrated, other claims maycould be filed or progressedsubmitted to arbitration.   Should all such claimants prevail, there could be a significant effect on results of operations in a particular quarter (see Note 9).

 

Labor Agreements

 

Approximately 24,000 of NS' railroad employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements with 1514 different labor unions.   These agreements remain in effect until changed pursuant to the Railway Labor Act.   Moratorium provisions in these agreements permitted NS and the unions to propose such changes in late 1999; negotiations at the national level commenced shortly thereafter.  

Agreements have been reached with the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes (BMWE), which represents about 4,200 NS employees; the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE), which represents about 4,500 NS employees; the United Transportation Union (UTU), which represents about 6,700 NS employees; the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers and Blacksmiths (IBB), which represents about 100 NS employees; the Transportation Communications International Union (TCU), which represents about 4,400 NS employees; and the American Train Dispatchers Department (ATDD), which represents about 400 NS employees; the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS), which represents about 1,100 NS Employees; the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), which represents about 900 NS employees; and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE), which represents about 4,500 NS employees.   The agreement previously reached with the BLE was through 2004; NS recently reached a further contract extension with the BLE through 2009 (subject to ratification). through 2009.

Health and welfare (H&W) issues have been resolved with BMWE, TCU, and TCU. TheBRS.   Tentative agreements (subject to ratification) have been reached with BLE, UTU agreement providesand IBEW that subsequent to a further period of negotiation, health and welfare issues may be submitted to arbitration. Health and welfarewould resolve H&W issues.   H&W issues with the other organizations have not yet been resolved.

 

Market Risks and Hedging Activities

 

NS uses derivative financial instruments to reduce the risk of volatility in its diesel fuel costs and to manage its overall exposure to fluctuations in interest rates.

 

In 2001, NS began a program to hedge a portion of its diesel fuel consumption.   The intent of the program is to assist in the management of NS' aggregate risk exposure to fuel price fluctuations, which can significantly affect NS' operating margins and profitability, through the use of one or more types of derivative instruments.

 

20

Diesel fuel costs represented 8%7% of NS' operating expenses for the firstthird quarter of 2003.   The program provides that NS will not enter into any fuel hedges with a duration of more than 36 months, and that no more than 80% of NS' average monthly fuel consumption will be hedged for any month within any 36-month period.

 

19

As of March 31,Sept. 30, 2003, through swap transactions, NS has hedged approximately 68%77% of expected 2003 diesel fuel requirements. requirements for the remainder of 2003, and 52% and 13% of expected requirements for 2004 and 2005, respectively.

The effect of the hedges is to yield an average cost of 7579 cents per hedged gallon for the rest of 2003, including federal taxes and transportation.   A 10% decrease in diesel fuel prices would reduce NS' asset related to the swaps by approximately $30$31 million as of March 31,Sept. 30, 2003.

 

NS manages its overall exposure to fluctuations in interest rates by issuing both fixed- and floating-rate debt instruments and by entering into interest-rate hedging transactions to achieve an appropriate mix within its debt portfolio.

 

At March 31,Sept. 30, 2003, NS' debt subject to interest rate fluctuations totaled $917$646 million (excluding debt due to the PRR subsidiary).   A 1% increase in interest rates would increase NS' total annual interest expense related to all its variable debt by approximately $9$6 million.   Management considers it unlikely that interest rate fluctuations applicable to these instruments will result in a material adverse effect on NS' financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

 

Some of NS' capital leases, which carry an average fixed rate of 7%, were effectively converted to variable rate obligations using interest rate swap agreements.   On March 31,Sept. 30, 2003, the average pay rate under these agreements was 2%, and the average receive rate was 7%.   During the first quarters of 2003 and 2002, theThe effect of the swaps was to reduce interest expense by $3 million and $2 million for the third quarters of 2003 and $32002, respectively, and by $7 million respectively.for both the first nine months of 2003 and 2002.   A portion of the lease obligations is payable in Japanese yen.   NS eliminated the associated exchange rate risk at the inception of each lease with a yen deposit sufficient to fund the yen-denominated obligation.   Most of these deposits are held by foreign banks, primarily Japanese.   As a result, NS is exposed to financial market risk relative to Japan.   Counterparties to the interest rate swaps and Japanese banks holding yen deposits are major financial institutions believed by management to be creditworthy.

 

Environmental Matters

 

NS is subject to various jurisdictions' environmental laws and regulations.   It is NS' policy to record a liability where such liability or loss is probable and its amount can be estimated reasonably.   Claims, if any, against third parties for recovery of cleanup costs incurred by NS are reflected as receivables (when collection is probable) in the balance sheet and are not netted against the associated NS liability.   Environmental engineers regularly participate in ongoing   evaluations of all known sites and in determining any necessary adjustments to liability estimates.   NS also has established an Environmental Policy Council, composed of senior managers, to oversee and interpret its environmental policy.

 

Operating expenses for environmental matters totaled approximately $2$6 million infor the first quartersnine months of 2003 and $12 million for the same period of 2002.   Capital expenditures totaled approximately $1$3 million and $5 million for the first quarternine months of 2003 and $2 million for the first quarter of 2002.2002, respectively.

 

NS' balance sheets included liabilities for environmental exposures in the amount of $28$25 million at March 31,Sept. 30, 2003, and $29 million at Dec. 31, 2002 (of which $8 million was accounted for as a current liability in each period).   At March 31,Sept. 30, 2003, the liability represented NS' estimate of the probable cleanup and remediation costs based on available information at 113 known locations.   On that date, 10 sites accounted for $15$13 million of the liability, and no individual site was considered to be material.   NS anticipates that much of this liability will be paid out over five years; however, some costs will be paid out over a longer period.

 

At some of the 113 locations, certain NS subsidiaries, usually in conjunction with a number of other parties, have been identified as potentially responsible parties by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or similar state authorities under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, or comparable state statutes, which often impose joint and several liability for cleanup costs.

 

21

With respect to known environmental sites (whether identified by NS or by the EPA or comparable state authorities), estimates of NS' ultimate potential financial exposure for a given site or in the aggregate for all such sites are unavoidably imprecise because of the widely varying costs of currently available cleanup techniques, the likely development of new cleanup technologies, the difficulty of determining in advance the nature and full extent of

20


contamination and each potential participant's share of any estimated loss (and that participant's ability to bear it), and evolving statutory and regulatory standards governing liability.

 

The risk of incurring environmental liability -- for acts and omissions, past, present and future -- is inherent in the railroad business.   Some of the commodities in NS' traffic mix, particularly those classified as hazardous materials, can pose special risks that NS and its subsidiaries work diligently to minimize.   In addition, several NS subsidiaries own, or have owned, land used as operating property, or which is leased or may have been leased and operated by others, or held for sale.   Because environmental problems that are latent or undisclosed may exist on these properties, there can be no assurance that NS will not incur environmental liabilities or costs with respect to one or more of them, the amount and materiality of which cannot be estimated reliably at this time.   Moreover, lawsuits and claims involving these and potentially other unidentified environmental sites and matters are likely to arise from time to time.

The resulting liabilities could have a significant effect on financial condition, results of operations or liquidity in a particular year or quarter.

 

However, based on an assessment of known facts and circumstances, management believes that it is unlikely that any known matters, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on NS' financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains forward-looking statements that may be identified by the use of words like "believe," "expect," "anticipate" and "project."   Forward-looking statements reflect management's good-faith evaluation of information currently available.   However, such statements are dependent on and, therefore, can be influenced by, a number of external variables over which management has little or no control, including: domestic and international economic conditions; the business environment in industries that produce and consume rail freight; competition and consolidation within the transportation industry; fluctuation in prices of key materials, in particular diesel fuel; labor difficulties, including strikes and work stoppages; legislative and regulatory developments; changes in securities and capital markets; and natural events such as severe weather, floods and earthquakes.   Forward-looking statements are not, and should not be relied upon as, a guaranty of future performance or results.   Nor will they necessarily prove to be accurate indications of the times at or by which any such performance or results will be achieved. As a result, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements.   The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements.

21


Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risks.

 

The information required by this item is included in Part I, Item 2, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations" on page 1920 under the heading "Market Risks and Hedging Activities."

 

 

Item 4.   Controls and Procedures.

 

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

 

NS' Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the effectiveness of NS' disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-14(c) and 15d-14(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing dateend of the period covered by this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date").report.   Based on such evaluation, such

22

officers have concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date,end of the period covered by this report, NS' disclosure controls and procedures are effective in alerting them on a timely basis to material information relating to NS (including its consolidated subsidiaries) required to be included in NS' periodic filings under the Exchange Act.

 

(b) Changes in Internal Controls.

 

SinceDuring the Evaluation Date,most recent fiscal quarter, there havehas not been any significant changeschange in NS' internal controlscontrol over financial reporting that has materially affected, or in other factors that could significantlyis reasonably likely to materially affect, such controls.NS' internal control over financial reporting.

 

22 23
PART II.   OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.   Legal Proceedings

Norfolk Southern Railway Company, Conrail and PRR have entered into a consent order and agreement with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection agreeing to pay a lump-sum civil penalty of $550,000 in settlement of the state's claims for alleged environmental violations at Conway Yard, located in western Pennsylvania.   In addition, the parties agreed to stipulated civil penalties of $1,000 per month for the first two years and $1,500 per month thereafter until certain conditions at the Yard are remediated.

Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

Registrant's Annual Meeting of Stockholders was held on May 8, 2003, at which meeting three directors were elected to serve for a term of three years, the appointment of independent public accountants was ratified and a stockholder proposal was defeated.

The three directors were elected by the following vote:

FOR

AUTHORITY WITHHELD

David R. Goode

318,575,783 votes

12,910,118 votes

Steven F. Leer

320,988,522 votes

10,497,379 votes

Harold W. Pote

303,620,973 votes

27,864,928 votes

The appointment of KPMG LLP, independent public accountants, as auditors of NS' books and records was ratified by the following vote:

FOR:   301,573,927 shares

AGAINST:   27,029,788 shares

ABSTAINED:   2,882,185 shares

A stockholder proposal concerning declassification of the Board of Directors was defeated by the following vote:

FOR:   137,713,122 shares

AGAINST:   145,499,461 shares

ABSTAINED:   5,976,546 shares

 

 

Item 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 

(a)

Exhibits:

10

Norfolk Southern Corporation Executive Life Insurance Plan, as amended effective Oct. 1, 2003.

15

Letter regarding unaudited financial information.

31

Certifications of the CEO and CFO pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a).

32

Certifications of the CEO and CFO required by Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the U. S. Code.

 

(a)  Exhibits:24

(b)

Reports on Form 8-K:

A report on Form 8-K was filed September 26, 2003, advising of the issuance of a press release announcing a voluntary separation program for Norfolk Southern Corporation's nonagreement workforce, and attaching as an exhibit the related press release.

A report on Form 8-K was filed July 23, 2003, advising of the issuance of a press release announcing second quarter 2003 results, and attaching as an exhibit the related press release.

A report on Form 8-K was filed July 22, 2003, advising of the issuance of a press release announcing the increase in Norfolk Southern Corporation's quarterly dividend to 8 cents, and attaching as an exhibit the related press release.

 

99     Certifications of the CEO and CFO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted

         pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

(b)  Reports on Form 8-K:

          A report on Form 8-K was filed Jan. 29, 2003, advising of the issuance of a press release announcing fourth quarter and 2002 results, and attaching as an exhibit the related press release.

          A report on Form 8-K was filed Feb. 12, 2003, advising that the Corporation's vice chairman and chief financial officer was scheduled to address the Deutsche Bank Global Transportation Conference on Feb. 12, and attaching as an exhibit the presentation and the 2003 investor book distributed to conference participants.

          A report on Form 8-K was filed Feb. 27, 2003, advising that several senior officers of the Corporation were to give presentations at the Corporation's conference facilities at Brosnan Forest in Dorchester, South Carolina, and attaching the presentations as an exhibit.

25

23


SIGNATURES

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

 

NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION

 

 

Registrant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

AprilOct. 30, 2003

/s/ Dezora M. Martin

 

 

 

Dezora M. Martin

 

 

Corporate Secretary (Signature)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

AprilOct. 30, 2003

/s/ John P. Rathbone

 

 

 

John P. Rathbone

 

 

Senior Vice President and Controller

 

 

(Principal Accounting Officer) (Signature)

 

26
Exhibit Index

 

 

 

24


Electronic

I, David R. Goode, certify that:

Submission

 

 

1.

I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Norfolk Southern Corporation;

2.

Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact

or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances

under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4.

The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

a.

designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

b.

evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

c.

presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5.

The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing   the equivalent function):

a.

all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

b.

any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls; and

6.

The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Exhibit

 

 

Date:   April 30, 2003

Number

Description

 

 

 

 

10

/s/ David R. Goode

David R. Goode

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

25


I, Henry C. Wolf, certify that:

1.

I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Norfolk Southern Corporation;

2.

Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact

or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances

under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrantCorporation Executive Life Insurance Plan, as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4.

The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

a.

designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

b.

evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

c.

presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5.

The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing   the equivalent function):

a.

all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

b.

any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls; and

6.

The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Date:   April 30, 2003

amended effective Oct. 1, 2003.

 

 

 

 

15

Letter regarding unaudited interim financial information.

 

 

 

/s/ Henry C. Wolf

Henry C. Wolf

Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer

26


Exhibit Index

Electronic

Submission

Exhibit

Number

Description

9931

Certifications of the CEO and CFO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, asExchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)

 

 

adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.or Rule 15d-14(a).

 

 

 

 

32

Certifications of the CEO and CFO required by Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b)

and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the U. S. Code.

 

27