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 SEPTEMBER 30, 2001
( ) TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
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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
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 October 31, 2001
----- ----------------------------------
Common Stock (par value $1.00) 385,528,270 (excluding 21,363,974
shares held by registrant's
consolidated subsidiaries)
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
----
Part I. Financial Information:
Item 1. Financial Statements:
Consolidated Statements of Income
Three and Nine Months Ended
Sept. 30, 2001 and 2000 3
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Sept. 30, 2001 and Dec. 31, 2000 4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Nine Months Ended Sept. 30, 2001 and 2000 5
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 6
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations 13
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures
About Market Risks 20
Part II. Other Information:
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 21
Signatures 22
Exhibit Index 23
3
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
------------------------------
Item 1. Financial Statements.
- ------ --------------------
NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Income
($ in millions except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
Sept. 30, Sept. 30,
------------------ -----------------
2001 2000 2001 2000
---- ---- ---- ----
Railway operating revenues:
Coal $ 366 $ 363 $1,154 $1,087
General merchandise 862 878 2,655 2,735
Intermodal 280 294 831 813
------ ------ ------ ------
TOTAL RAILWAY
OPERATING REVENUES 1,508 1,535 4,640 4,635
------ ------ ------ ------
Railway operating expenses:
Compensation and benefits (Note 4) 478 507 1,499 1,678
Materials, services and rents 363 360 1,112 1,078
Conrail rents and services (Note 5) 113 119 324 364
Depreciation 129 126 384 377
Diesel fuel 93 118 316 339
Casualties and other claims 32 33 109 99
Other 55 61 164 183
------ ------ ------ ------
TOTAL RAILWAY
OPERATING EXPENSES 1,263 1,324 3,908 4,118
------ ------ ------ ------
Income from railway operations 245 211 732 517
Other income - net 16 81 67 154
Interest expense on debt (137) (136) (417) (415)
------ ------ ------ ------
Income from continuing
operations before income taxes 124 156 382 256
Provision for income taxes 45 57 135 89
------ ------ ------ ------
Income from continuing
operations 79 99 247 167
Discontinued operations - gain on
sale of motor carrier, net of
taxes (Note 3) -- -- 13 --
------ ------ ------ ------
NET INCOME $ 79 $ 99 $ 260 $ 167
====== ====== ====== ======
Per share amounts (Note 9):
Income from continuing
operations, basic and diluted $ 0.20 $ 0.26 $ 0.64 $ 0.44
Net income, basic and diluted $ 0.20 $ 0.26 $ 0.67 $ 0.44
Dividends $ 0.06 $ 0.20 $ 0.18 $ 0.60
See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
4
Item 1. Financial Statements. (continued)
- ------ --------------------
NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
($ in millions)
(Unaudited)
Sept. 30, Dec. 31,
2001 2000
---- ----
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 134 $ --
Short-term investments -- 2
Accounts receivable, net 456 411
Due from Conrail (Note 5) 6 31
Materials and supplies 89 91
Deferred income taxes 170 182
Other current assets 38 132
-------- --------
Total current assets 893 849
Investment in Conrail (Note 5) 6,188 6,154
Properties less accumulated depreciation 11,276 11,105
Other assets 1,028 868
-------- --------
TOTAL ASSETS $ 19,385 $ 18,976
======== ========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 869 $ 925
Income and other taxes 259 251
Notes and accounts payable to Conrail (Note 5) 351 155
Other current liabilities 300 259
Current maturities of long-term debt 604 297
-------- --------
Total current liabilities 2,383 1,887
Long-term debt (Note 6) 7,064 7,339
Other liabilities 1,079 1,131
Minority interests 45 50
Deferred income taxes 2,781 2,745
-------- --------
TOTAL LIABILITIES 13,352 13,152
-------- --------
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock $1.00 per share par value,
1,350,000,000 shares authorized;
issued 406,837,206 and 405,421,447 shares,
respectively 407 405
Additional paid-in capital 416 392
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (Note 10) (14) (6)
Retained income 5,244 5,053
Less treasury stock at cost, 21,363,974 shares (20) (20)
-------- --------
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 6,033 5,824
-------- --------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 19,385 $ 18,976
======== ========
See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
5
Item 1. Financial Statements. (continued)
- ------ --------------------
NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
($ in millions)
(Unaudited)
Nine Months Ended
Sept. 30,
-----------------
2001 2000
---- ----
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income $ 260 $ 167
Reconciliation of net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation 395 387
Deferred income taxes 49 2
Equity in earnings of Conrail (31) (13)
Gains and losses on properties and investments (27) (141)
Income from discontinued operations (13) --
Changes in assets and liabilities
affecting operations:
Accounts receivable (Note 7) (55) 388
Materials and supplies 2 (16)
Other current assets and due from Conrail 117 130
Current liabilities other than debt -- 303
Other - net (120) 16
------ ------
Net cash provided by operating activities 577 1,223
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Property additions (594) (508)
Property sales and other transactions 38 116
Investments, including short-term (81) (64)
Investment sales and other transactions 35 43
------ ------
Net cash used for investing activities (602) (413)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Dividends (69) (230)
Common stock issued - net 14 1
Proceeds from borrowings 1,940 875
Debt repayments (1,726) (1,342)
------ ------
Net cash provided by (used for)
financing activities 159 (696)
------ ------
Net increase in cash and cash
equivalents 134 114
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:
At beginning of year -- 37
------ ------
At end of period $ 134 $ 151
====== ======
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest (net of amounts capitalized) $ 360 $ 335
Income taxes $ 71 $ 6
See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
6
Item 1. Financial Statements. (continued)
- ------ --------------------
NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
1. 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's
financial position as of Sept. 30, 2001, its results of operations
for the three and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2001 and 2000, and
its cash flows for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2001 and 2000.
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's latest Annual Report on Form 10-K and in any
subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and (b) any Current
Reports on Form 8-K.
2. Commitments and Contingencies
There have been no significant changes since year-end 2000 in the
matters discussed in NOTE 17, COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES,
appearing in the NS Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2000, Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements, beginning on page 78.
3. Discontinued Operations
Results for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2001 include an
additional after-tax gain of $13 million, or 3 cents per share,
recorded in the first quarter, related to the 1998 sale of NS'
motor carrier subsidiary, North American Van Lines, Inc.
This noncash gain resulted from the expiration of certain
indemnities contained in the sales agreement.
4. Work-Force Reduction Costs in 2000
"Compensation and benefits" expenses for the nine months ended
Sept. 30, 2000, include $101 million of costs recorded in the
first quarter related to actions taken to reduce the size of
the work force, which reduced net income by $62 million, or
16 cents per share. These costs resulted principally from a
voluntary early retirement program accepted by 919 of 1,180
eligible employees. The retirements were effective March 1,
2000, and most of the related benefits are being paid from the
Corporation's overfunded pension plan. The resulting noncash
reduction to NS' pension plan asset is included in "Other - net"
in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. In addition,
an accrual was made for certain postemployment benefits due
to some union employees who were furloughed.
5. Investment in Conrail and Operations Over Its Lines
Overview
--------
NS 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 percent
economic and 50 percent voting interest in the jointly owned
entity, and CSX has the remainder of the economic and voting
interests. From time to time, NS and CSX, as the indirect owners
of Conrail, may need to make capital contributions, loans or
advances to Conrail.
7
Item 1. Financial Statements. (continued)
- ------ --------------------
Operations of Conrail's Lines
-----------------------------
NS' 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. Costs necessary to
operate and maintain the PRR assets, including leasehold
improvements, are borne by NSR. CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSXT)
operates the routes and assets of another CRC subsidiary under
comparable terms. Certain other Conrail routes and assets (the
"Shared Assets Areas") continue to be operated by CRC for the
joint and exclusive benefit of NSR and CSXT. In addition to a
fee paid for access, NSR and CSXT pay, based on usage, the costs
incurred by CRC to operate the Shared Assets Areas.
Investment in Conrail
---------------------
NS is applying the equity method of accounting to its investment in
Conrail. 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
property and equipment, including the related deferred tax effect of
the differences in tax and accounting bases for certain assets. At
Sept. 30, 2001, the difference between NS' investment in Conrail and
its share of Conrail's underlying net equity was $3.8 billion.
NS' Consolidated Balance Sheet at Sept. 30, 2001 includes $86 million
of liabilities related to the Conrail transaction, principally for
contractual obligations to Conrail employees imposed by the Surface
Transportation Board when it approved the transaction. Through
Sept. 30, 2001, NS has paid $101 million of these 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. Any unpaid balance is included in
"Due from Conrail."
"Conrail rents and services" includes: (1) expenses for amounts
due to PRR and CRC for use by NSR of operating properties and
equipment and operation of the Shared Assets Areas and (2) NS'
equity in the earnings of Conrail, net of amortization.
"Notes and accounts payable to Conrail" includes $263 million at
Sept. 30, 2001, and $51 million at Dec. 31, 2000, of interest-
bearing loans made to NS by a PRR subsidiary, payable on demand.
The interest rate for these loans is variable and was 3.8 percent
at Sept. 30, 2001. Also included is $88 million at Sept. 30, 2001,
and $104 million at Dec. 31, 2000, due to PRR and CRC related to
expenses included in "Conrail rents and services," as discussed
above.
Summary Financial Information - Conrail
---------------------------------------
The following historical cost basis financial information should be
read in conjunction with Conrail's audited financial statements,
included as Exhibit 99 with NS' 2000 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
8
Item 1. Financial Statements. (continued)
- ------ --------------------
Summarized Consolidated Statements of Income - Conrail
------------------------------------------------------
Three Months Ended Nine months Ended
Sept. 30, Sept. 30,
------------------ ----------------
2001 2000 2001 2000
---- ---- ---- ----
($ in millions)
(Unaudited)
Operating revenues $ 223 $ 243 $ 685 $ 748
Operating expenses 165 178 487 571
----- ----- ----- -----
Operating income 58 65 198 177
Other income (expense) - net (2) (6) (13) 33
----- ----- ----- -----
Income before income taxes 56 59 185 210
Provision for income taxes 21 24 58 79
----- ----- ----- -----
Net income $ 35 $ 35 $ 127 $ 131
===== ===== ===== =====
Note: Conrail's results for the first nine months of 2000
included a gain from the sale in the first quarter of property
that had been written up to fair market value in the allocation
of NS' investment in Conrail. Accordingly, the gain related to
that fair-value write-up, totaling $16 million after taxes, was
excluded in determining NS' equity in Conrail's net income.
Summarized Consolidated Balance Sheets - Conrail
------------------------------------------------
Sept. 30, Dec. 31,
2001 2000
---- ----
($ in millions)
(Unaudited)
Assets:
Current assets $ 820 $ 520
Noncurrent assets 7,323 7,540
------ ------
Total assets $ 8,143 $ 8,060
====== ======
Liabilities and
stockholders' equity:
Current liabilities $ 403 $ 435
Noncurrent liabilities 3,611 3,643
Stockholders' equity 4,129 3,982
------ ------
Total liabilities and
stockholders' equity $ 8,143 $ 8,060
====== ======
9
Item 1. Financial Statements. (continued)
- ------ --------------------
6. Long-Term Debt
In February 2001, NS received net proceeds of $987 million from
issuing $300 million of 6.75 percent, 10-year term Senior Notes
and $700 million of 7.25 percent, 30-year term Senior Notes. The
notes were issued under NS' October 2000 $1 billion shelf
registration. In July 2001, NS issued $250 million floating rate,
2-year term Senior Notes under the $1 billion shelf registration
that became effective in April 2001.
7. Accounts Receivable
Beginning in May 2000, a bankruptcy-remote special purpose
subsidiary of NS sold without recourse undivided ownership
interests in a pool of accounts receivable totaling approximately
$700 million. The buyers have a priority collection interest in
the entire pool of receivables, and as a result, NS has retained
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 been recognized
because the benefits of servicing are estimated to be just adequate
to compensate NS for its responsibilities. Payments collected from
sold receivables are reinvested in new accounts receivable on
behalf of the buyers.
Accounts receivable sold under this arrangement, and therefore
not included in "Accounts receivable, net" on the Consolidated
Balance Sheets, were $395 million at Sept. 30, 2001, and
$388 million at Dec. 31, 2000. The fees associated with the
sales, which are based on the buyers' financing costs, are
included in "Other income - net."
8. Derivative Financial Instruments
On January 1, 2001, NS adopted Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and
Hedging Activities" (SFAS 133), as amended by Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 138, "Accounting for Certain
Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities" (SFAS 138).
The Statements establish accounting and reporting standards for
derivative instruments and hedging activities, requiring that all
derivatives be recognized in the financial statements as either
assets or liabilities and that they be measured at fair value.
Changes in fair value are recorded as adjustments to the assets
or liabilities being hedged in "Other comprehensive income", or
in current earnings, depending on whether the derivative is
designated and qualifies for hedge accounting, the type of hedge
transaction represented and the effectiveness of the hedge. The
adoption of SFAS 133 and SFAS 138 resulted in the recognition of
a $5 million asset and a $5 million increase in long-term debt
as of Jan. 1, 2001.
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. NS' 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.
10
Item 1. Financial Statements. (continued)
- ------ --------------------
Diesel Fuel Hedging
-------------------
In second quarter 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. Diesel fuel costs represented
approximately 7 percent and 8 percent of NS' operating expenses
for the third quarter and first nine months of 2001, respectively.
The program provides that NS will not enter into any fuel hedges
with a duration of more than thirty-six months, and that no more
than eighty percent of NS' average monthly fuel consumption will
be hedged for each month within any thirty-six month period.
NS has entered into two types of diesel fuel derivative
transactions through third quarter 2001. NS' 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. In April,
NS purchased eight monthly call options at a strike price of
$0.84 per gallon of Nymex No. 2 heating oil. The cost of the
monthly options, which expire serially through Dec. 31, 2001,
is being amortized as a component of diesel fuel expense.
Because the price of diesel fuel did not reach the strike price
at any time through the third quarter, NS has not recorded any
benefit related to these transactions. During the third quarter,
NS entered into 72 fuel swaps for approximately 108 million
gallons at an average price of approximately $0.66 per gallon of
Nymex No. 2 heating oil. As of Sept. 30, 2001, outstanding swaps
covered approximately 21 percent, 22 percent, and 12 percent of
estimated fuel purchases for the remainder of 2001 and for the
years 2002 and 2003, respectively.
NS' fuel hedging activity resulted in a net increase in diesel
fuel expense of $1.8 million and $2.1 million, respectively, for
the third quarter and first nine months of 2001.
Ineffectiveness related to the use of diesel fuel hedges through
Sept. 30, 2001, was less than $1 million.
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
$258 million, or 3.6 percent, and $287 million, or 4.4 percent,
of its fixed rate debt portfolio hedged at Sept. 30, 2001 and
Sept. 30, 2000, 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
Sept. 30, 2001, 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. At Sept. 30, 2001,
"Accumulated other comprehensive income," a component of
"Stockholders' equity," includes $4 million relating to the
decrease in the fair value of the derivative fuel hedging
transactions that will terminate within the next twelve months.
11
Item 1. Financial Statements. (continued)
- ------ --------------------
The asset and liability positions of NS' outstanding derivative
financial instruments at Sept. 30, 2001 and Dec. 31, 2000 were
as follows:
Sept. 30, Dec. 31,
2001 2000
---- ----
($ in millions)
Interest rate hedges:
Gross fair market asset position $ 18 $ --
Gross fair market (liability) position -- --
Fuel hedges:
Gross fair market asset position 1 --
Gross fair market (liability) position (7) --
---- ----
Total net asset position $ 12 $ --
==== ====
9. 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 Nine months Ended
Sept. 30, Sept. 30,
------------------ -----------------
2001 2000 2001 2000
---- ---- ---- ----
(In millions)
Weighted-average shares
outstanding 385.4 383.5 385.0 383.2
Dilutive effect of
outstanding options and
performance share units
(as determined by the
application of the
treasury stock method) 1.7 0.2 1.3 0.3
----- ----- ----- -----
Diluted weighted-average
shares outstanding 387.1 383.7 386.3 383.5
===== ===== ===== =====
The calculations exclude options on shares whose exercise price
exceeded the average market price of Common Stock for the period
as follows: in 2001, 19 million in each of the third and second
quarters and 28 million in the first quarter; and in 2000,
28 million in each of the third and first quarters and 20 million
in the second quarter. There are no adjustments to "Net income"
for the diluted earnings per share computations.
12
Item 1. Financial Statements. (continued)
- ------ --------------------
10. Comprehensive Income
NS' total comprehensive income was as follows:
Three Months Ended Nine months Ended
Sept. 30, Sept. 30,
------------------ -----------------
2001 2000 2001 2000
---- ---- ---- ----
($ in millions)
Net income $ 79 $ 99 $ 260 $ 167
Other comprehensive
income (loss) (4) 3 (8) 5
----- ----- ----- -----
Total comprehensive
income $ 75 $ 102 $ 252 $ 172
===== ===== ===== =====
For NS, "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.
13
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
- ----------
Third-quarter net income was $79 million in 2001, down $20 million, or
20 percent, compared with third quarter last year, reflecting lower
nonoperating income that was somewhat offset by a 16 percent increase
in income from railway operations. For the first nine months of 2001,
net income was $260 million and included $13 million of additional
after-tax gain related to the 1998 sale of NS' motor carrier subsidiary,
which is reported as "Discontinued operations" on the Consolidated
Statement of Income (see Note 3). Income from continuing operations
was $247 million year-to-date, compared with $167 million for the first
nine months of last year. Results in 2000 included $62 million of
after-tax costs related to actions taken to reduce the size of the
work force (see Note 4). Excluding the effects of last year's work-
force reduction costs, income from continuing operations increased
$18 million, principally due to higher income from railway operations,
which was somewhat offset by lower nonoperating income.
Railway Operating Revenues
- --------------------------
Third-quarter railway operating revenues were $1.5 billion in 2001,
down $27 million, or 2 percent, compared with third-quarter 2000. For
the first nine months, railway operating revenues were $4.6 billion,
up $5 million, compared with the same period last year. Both periods
benefited from higher revenue per unit; however, these benefits were
overshadowed by declines in traffic volume of 6 percent for the quarter
and 4 percent for the first nine months.
Third Quarter First Nine months
2001 vs. 2000 2001 vs. 2000
Increase (Decrease) Increase (Decrease)
------------------- -------------------
($ in millions) ($ in millions)
Traffic volume (carloads) $ (97) $ (181)
Revenue per unit/mix 70 186
------ ------
$ (27) $ 5
====== ======
14
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
- ------ -----------------------------------------------------------
and Results of Operations. (continued)
-------------------------
Revenues and carloads for the commodity groups were as follows (prior
year data has been reclassified to conform to the current presentation):
Revenues
----------------------------------------------
Third Quarter Nine months
2001 2000 2001 2000
---- ---- ---- ----
($ in millions)
Coal $ 366 $ 363 $ 1,154 $ 1,087
General merchandise:
Automotive 199 208 657 698
Chemicals 190 189 569 569
Metals/construction 176 172 518 531
Paper/clay/forest 150 160 466 477
Agr./consumer prod./govt. 147 149 445 460
------ ------ ------ ------
General merchandise 862 878 2,655 2,735
Intermodal 280 294 831 813
------ ------ ------ ------
Total $ 1,508 $ 1,535 $ 4,640 $ 4,635
====== ====== ====== ======
Carloads
----------------------------------------------
Third Quarter Nine months
2001 2000 2001 2000
---- ---- ---- ----
(In thousands)
Coal 403 425 1,279 1,282
General merchandise:
Automotive 137 158 462 530
Chemicals 110 114 328 343
Metals/construction 186 194 537 591
Paper/clay/forest 110 122 344 374
Agr./consumer prod./govt. 120 129 376 392
------ ------ ------ ------
General merchandise 663 717 2,047 2,230
Intermodal 557 590 1,638 1,653
------ ------ ------ ------
Total 1,623 1,732 4,964 5,165
====== ====== ====== ======
Coal
- ----
Coal revenues increased $3 million, or 1 percent, in the third quarter
and $67 million, or 6 percent, in the first nine months, compared with
the same periods last year. Total tonnage handled decreased 4 percent
for the quarter, but increased 1 percent for the year-to-date. The
decline for the quarter reflected losses in export coal and domestic
metallurgical coal, coke and iron ore, partially offset by gains in
utility coal. Year-to-date tonnage benefited from stronger utility
demand earlier in the year. Utility coal volume increased 5 percent
in the quarter and 11 percent year-to-date. Growth moderated in the
quarter, reflecting milder weather and production problems at some
mines. Domestic metallurgical coal, coke and iron ore volume declined
23 percent for the quarter and 25 percent for the first nine months,
principally due to continued weakness in the steel-production industry.
Export coal volume decreased 41 percent in the quarter and 25 percent
year-to-date, due in part to high domestic prices which are diverting
coal from the export market. Coal revenue per unit increased 6 percent
for both the quarter and year-to-date, reflecting utilization of higher
15
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
- ------ -----------------------------------------------------------
and Results of Operations. (continued)
-------------------------
capacity cars, higher rates and favorable changes in the mix of traffic
and length of hauls. In addition, higher export rates resulting from the
annual contract negotiations began to take effect late in the second
quarter.
Fourth-quarter coal revenues are expected to continue to compare
favorably year-over-year, supported by steady demand for coal-fired
electricity.
General Merchandise
- -------------------
General merchandise revenues decreased $16 million, or 2 percent, in
the third quarter and $80 million, or 3 percent, for the first nine
months, compared with the same periods last year. Traffic volume
(carloads) declined 8 percent in the quarter and the year-to-date, as
all commodity groups posted decreases for both periods. Automotive
traffic volume was 13 percent lower in both periods, reflecting
continued production cutbacks in the face of the slow economy. Metals
and construction traffic volume declined 4 percent in the quarter and
9 percent for the first nine months, principally due to the effects of
the economic slowdown and continued weakness in the steel industry.
Paper, clay and forest products traffic volume decreased 10 percent in
the quarter and 8 percent year-to-date, largely due to production
cutbacks by paper producers, which were mitigated by increased lumber
volume. For both periods, higher revenue per unit, largely the result
of higher rates and favorable changes in the mix of traffic, offset
much of the effects of the traffic volume decreases. Revenue per unit
for the automotive group also benefited from improved yield associated
with the redesign of the mixing center network and changes in the type
of equipment used on certain movements.
Fourth-quarter general merchandise revenues are expected to be
comparable to those of last year, which began to show the adverse
effects of the economic slowdown.
Intermodal
- ----------
Intermodal revenues decreased $14 million, or 5 percent, in the third
quarter, but increased $18 million, or 2 percent, for the first nine
months, compared with the same periods last year. For the quarter,
traffic volume (units) declined 6 percent compared with third quarter
last year, principally due to a 26 percent decrease in trailer volume.
For the year-to-date, shipments were only slightly below last year,
as a 6 percent increase in container traffic volume largely offset
a 22 percent decline in trailer traffic volume. Revenue per unit
increased for both periods, primarily due to rate increases.
Fourth-quarter intermodal revenues are expected to benefit from new
business and facility improvements; however, continued softness in the
economy could offset these benefits.
Railway Operating Expenses
- --------------------------
Third-quarter railway operating expenses were $1.3 billion, down
$61 million, or 5 percent, compared with third quarter last year.
For the first nine months, expenses were $3.9 billion, down
$210 million, or 5 percent. Expenses in 2000 included $101 million
of work-force reduction costs in the first quarter (see Note 4);
excluding these costs, 2001 expenses were down $109 million, or
3 percent.
"Compensation and benefits" expenses decreased $29 million, or
6 percent, in the third quarter and $78 million, or 5 percent,
year-to-date, excluding the first-quarter 2000 work-force reduction
costs. Lower salaries and wages, a result of last year's work force
reductions, were somewhat offset by higher wage rates and benefit
costs for union employees and lower pension income.
16
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
- ------ -----------------------------------------------------------
and Results of Operations. (continued)
-------------------------
"Materials, services and rents" expenses increased $3 million, or
1 percent, in the quarter and $34 million, or 3 percent, year-to-date,
primarily due to higher mechanical and engineering costs and higher
expenses for intermodal-related and other purchased services. These
increases were partially offset by lower equipment rents and joint
facility expenses.
"Conrail rents and services" expenses decreased $6 million, or 5 percent,
in the third quarter and $40 million, or 11 percent, year-to-date. Both
declines reflected lower expenses in the Shared Assets Areas. The
year-to-date also benefited from higher equity earnings from Conrail.
"Diesel fuel" expenses decreased $25 million, or 21 percent, in the
third quarter and $23 million, or 7 percent, for the first nine months.
Both periods benefited from lower consumption -- down 15 percent for the
quarter and 8 percent for the year-to-date. The price per gallon
dropped 8 percent in the quarter, but remained slightly higher for the
year-to-date.
"Casualties and other claims" expenses decreased slightly in the third
quarter, but increased $10 million, or 10 percent, for the first nine
months. The year-to-date increase reflected the absence of a premium
refund that provided a benefit last year and adverse claims development.
"Other" expenses decreased $6 million, or 10 percent, in the third
quarter and $19 million, or 10 percent, for the first nine months. Both
declines primarily resulted from lower property and sales and use taxes,
together with lower travel and relocation costs.
The third-quarter railway operating ratio was 83.8 percent in 2001,
compared with 86.3 percent in the third quarter of 2000. For the first
nine months, the ratio was 84.2 percent in 2001, compared with
86.7 percent in 2000 (excluding the work-force reduction costs, which
added 2.1 percentage points to the ratio).
Other Income - Net
- ------------------
"Other income - net" decreased $65 million in the third quarter and
$87 million for the first nine months, compared with the same periods
last year. The declines reflected the absence of significant gains
that occurred in 2000 -- a $73 million gain in the third quarter from
the sale of certain timber properties and a $28 million gain in the
second quarter from the sale of gas and oil royalty and working
interests. Results in 2001 benefited from lower interest accruals on
federal income tax liabilities and a $13 million gain from a
non-recurring settlement in the first quarter.
Provision for Income Taxes
- --------------------------
The third-quarter effective income tax rate was 36.3 percent in 2001,
compared with 36.5 percent for the same period last year. For the
first nine months, the effective rate was 35.3 percent, compared with
34.8 percent last year-to-date. Excluding NS' equity in Conrail's
after-tax income, the third-quarter rate was 37.8 percent in 2001
and 37.3 percent in 2000, and the year-to-date rate was 38.5 percent
in 2001 and 36.6 percent in 2000. Both increases resulted from a
reduction in the level of benefits from investments in coal-seam
gas properties.
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND LIQUIDITY
Cash provided by operating activities, NS' principal source of
liquidity, decreased significantly in the first nine months of 2001,
compared with last year. The decline resulted from: (1) the absence
of the large cash infusion received May 1, 2000, upon commencement of
the program to sell accounts receivable; (2) higher tax payments this
year, including the settlement of federal tax years 1995 and 1996;
(3) the absence of employee bonus payments in 2000 and (4) a
litigation settlement payment this year. These items were somewhat
offset by higher operating income and the receipt of cash from a
17
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
- ------ -----------------------------------------------------------
and Results of Operations. (continued)
-------------------------
non-recurring settlement. NS' working capital deficit was $1.5 billion
at Sept. 30, 2001, compared with $1.0 billion at Dec. 31, 2000. NS
currently has the capability to issue commercial paper to meet its more
immediate working capital needs. In addition, NS can borrow available
funds from PRR. (See the discussion of financing activities, below.)
Cash used for investing activities increased significantly in the first
nine months of 2001, compared with last year. The increase resulted
from a 17 percent rise in property additions, reflecting the purchase
of locomotives versus no such purchase in the first nine months of 2000,
somewhat offset by less track program work and fewer freight car
purchases.
Cash provided by financing activities was $159 million for the first
nine months of 2001. Sources of cash included $1.2 billion of net
proceeds from the sale of Senior Notes (see Note 6), $174 million of
proceeds from the sale of equipment trust certificates and a net
increase of $212 million in borrowings from PRR (see the discussion
of Conrail's financial condition and liquidity, below). Uses of cash
included a $1.1 billion net reduction to commercial paper and a
$200 million repayment of Senior Notes. NS' debt-to-total
capitalization ratio (excluding notes payable to Conrail) was
56.0 percent at Sept. 30, 2001, compared with 56.7 percent at Dec. 31,
2000. NS currently has in place a new $1 billion, 5-year credit
facility, which replaced the facility that would have expired May 2002.
The new agreement provides for borrowings at prevailing rates and
includes financial covenants similar to the old facility. In addition,
NS has issued only $250 million of debt under its $1 billion shelf
registration that became effective in April 2001.
CONRAIL'S RESULTS OF OPERATIONS, FINANCIAL CONDITION AND LIQUIDITY
Conrail's third-quarter net income was $35 million in 2001, unchanged
compared with the same period of last year. For the first nine months,
net income was $127 million this year, compared with $131 million last
year. The decline was the result of the absence of a $37 million
after-tax gain from a property sale in the first quarter of 2000
(see Note 5), largely offset by lower casualties and other claims
expenses, a favorable adjustment to state income tax reserves and an
environmental settlement in Conrail's favor.
Conrail's operating revenues decreased 8 percent in each of the third
quarter and first nine months, compared with the same periods of last
year. The declines resulted from lower revenues at Conrail's Indiana
Harbor Belt subsidiary, the expiration of certain equipment leases and
lower operating fees, largely because of reduced operating costs in the
Shared Assets Areas.
Conrail's operating expenses decreased 7 percent in the third quarter
and 15 percent for the first nine months, compared with the same periods
of last year. The decline for the quarter was principally due to lower
compensation and benefits. The year-to-date decline primarily resulted
from lower expenses for materials, services and rents; casualties and
other claims; and compensation and benefits.
Conrail's working capital was $417 million at Sept. 30, 2001, compared
with $85 million at Dec. 31, 2000. Conrail is expected to have
sufficient cash flow to meet its ongoing obligations.
NS' equity in earnings of Conrail, net of amortization, was $5 million
in the third quarter, compared with $3 million last year, and was
$31 million for the first nine months, compared with $13 million
last year.
18
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
- ------ -----------------------------------------------------------
and Results of Operations. (continued)
-------------------------
OTHER MATTERS
Telecommunications Subsidiary
- -----------------------------
NS' subsidiary, Thoroughbred Technology and Telecommunications, Inc.
("T-Cubed"), is co-developing fiber optic infrastructure with members of
the telecommunications industry. This industry has recently experienced
a severe downturn. During the second quarter, one of T-Cubed's co-
developers filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy
Code and foreign laws. This co-developer owes T-Cubed amounts for work
performed on joint projects; however, based on known facts and
circumstances, Management believes that such amounts ultimately will
be realized.
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. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
and Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of." To date, based on the known
facts and circumstances, Management believes that its ultimate
investment in these assets, which is expected to total about
$140 million upon completion of the network, will be recovered, and
accordingly, no impairment has been recognized. However, due to the
evolving circumstances in this industry, T-Cubed expects to complete
in the fourth quarter a more detailed market evaluation of the prospects
for recovering its investment in these assets.
Labor Arbitration
- -----------------
Several hundred claims have been filed on behalf of NSR 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. One labor organization
has initiated arbitration on behalf of approximately one hundred of
these claimants. Management believes, based on known facts and
circumstances, including the availability of legal defenses, that the
amount of liability for these claims should not have a material adverse
effect on NS' financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
Depending on the outcome of the arbitration, other claims may be filed
or progressed to arbitration. Should all such claimants prevail, there
could be a significant effect on results of operations in a particular
quarter.
Labor Agreements
- ----------------
Approximately 85 percent of NS' railroad employees are covered by
collective bargaining agreements with 15 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. The outcome of these
negotiations is uncertain. However, an agreement was reached with the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, which represents about 5,000
NS employees, and a national agreement has been reached with the
Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes, which represents about 4,500
NS employees. In addition, a tentative national agreement (subject to
ratification) has been reached with the United Transportation Union,
which represents about 7,500 NS employees. The tentative national
agreement reached with the International Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers, which represents about 1,000 NS employees, was not ratified.
REQUIRED ACCOUNTING CHANGES AND NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT
Effective Jan. 1, 2001, NS adopted Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards (SFAS) No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and
Hedging Activities" and SFAS No. 138, "Accounting for Certain
Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities" (see Note 8).
19
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
- ------ -----------------------------------------------------------
and Results of Operations. (continued)
-------------------------
Effective April 1, 2001, NS adopted SFAS No. 140, "Accounting for
Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of
Liabilities," which replaced SFAS No. 125 of the same name.
SFAS No. 140 revises the standards for accounting for securitizations
and other transfers of financial assets and requires certain disclosures,
but carries over most of the provisions of SFAS No. 125. NS adopted
the disclosure requirements with its 2000 Annual Report; the remaining
provisions of SFAS No. 140 did not have a material effect on NS'
financial statements.
In October 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued
Statement No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of
Long-Lived Assets." Statement No. 144 supersedes Statement No. 121,
"Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for
Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of," but it retains many of the
fundamental provisions of that Statement. Statement No. 144 also
broadens the presentation of discontinued operations to include more
disposal transactions. NS will adopt Statement No. 144 effective
Jan. 1, 2002, and expects it will not have a material effect on
its financial statements.
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.
20
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risks.
- ------ -----------------------------------------------------------
There has been no material change to the disclosures made under
the heading "Market Risks and Hedging Activities" on page 46 of the
Corporation's 2000 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Additional information
required by this item is included in Part I, Item I, "Financial
Statements" in Note 8 on page 9.
21
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
- ---------------------------
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
- ------ --------------------------------
(a) Exhibits:
10(w) Agreement providing enhanced pension benefits to three
officers in exchange for their continued employment with
the Corporation for two years. The agreement was entered
into with L. Ike Prillaman, Vice Chairman and Chief
Marketing Officer; Stephen C. Tobias, Vice Chairman and
Chief Operating Officer; and Henry C. Wolf, Vice Chairman
and Chief Financial Officer.
(b) Report on Form 8-K:
A report on Form 8-K was filed July 5, 2001, advising of
certain details of the issuance and sale of Registrant's
Floating Rate Senior Notes, and attaching as exhibits the
related agreements, indenture and opinions.
22
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: Nov. 9, 2001 /s/ Dezora M. Martin
------------ --------------------------------------
Dezora M. Martin
Corporate Secretary (Signature)
Date: Nov. 9, 2001 /s/ John P. Rathbone
------------ --------------------------------------
John P. Rathbone
Senior Vice President and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer) (Signature)
23
EXHIBIT INDEX
- -------------
Electronic
Submission
Exhibit
Number Description Page
- ---------- ------------------------------------------------- ----
10(w) Agreement providing enhanced pension benefits to 24
three officers in exchange for their continued
employment with the Corporation for two years.
The agreement was entered into with L. Ike Prillaman,
Vice Chairman and Chief Marketing Officer; Stephen
C. Tobias, Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer;
and Henry C. Wolf, Vice Chairman and Chief
Financial Officer.