Companies /Industrials

CSX Corp

NASDAQ: CSX Railroads
$51.54
▼ $0.22 (−0.43%) today
Markets closed · 9:08pm ET

Q1 2025 Earnings

Reported Apr 16, 2025, 4:01pm ET · SEC source
$0.34
Miss −7.71%
EPS · est. $0.37
$3.4B
Miss −0.78%
Revenue · est. $3.4B
+0.2%
Beating market
CSX vs S&P since report
2 quarters
Consecutive EPS beats

Market Reaction

% change · around the report
0+3%+6%Apr 16Apr 17report 4:01pm ETearnings+0.1%+5.9%
0+3%+6%Apr 16Apr 17earnings+0.1%+5.9%
CSX +5.9%S&P 500 +0.1%
0+3%+6%Apr 16Apr 17report 4:01pm ETearnings−0.0%+5.9%
0+3%+6%Apr 16Apr 17earnings−0.0%+5.9%
CSX +5.9%NASDAQ −0.0%
−3%0+3%Apr 15Apr 24report 4:01pm ETearnings+4.3%+4.1%
−3%0+3%Apr 15Apr 24earnings+4.3%+4.1%
CSX +4.1%S&P 500 +4.3%
−3%0+3%+6%Apr 15Apr 24report 4:01pm ETearnings+5.5%+4.1%
−3%0+3%+6%Apr 15Apr 24earnings+5.5%+4.1%
CSX +4.1%NASDAQ +5.5%
+1.21%
Day of report
−0.79%
Next session
+0.58%
One week
+12.83%
30 days

S&P 500 over the same 30 days: +12.62%.

Did CSX Beat Earnings? Q1 2025 Results

CSX Corporation delivered a disappointing first quarter of 2025, missing Wall Street expectations on both the top and bottom lines as a confluence of operational headwinds weighed heavily on results. The railroad operator posted diluted EPS of $0.34, falling 7.71% short of the $0.37 consensus estimate, while revenue slid 7.0% year-over-year to $3.42 billion, just below the $3.45 billion analysts had expected. The single most damaging driver was the double impact of the Howard Street Tunnel project and severe winter weather, which together inflicted roughly $25 million in incremental network disruption costs while degrading key operational metrics, with carload trip plan performance dropping 16 percentage points to 69% and train velocity slipping to 17.6 mph. Coal revenue collapsed 27% to $461 million, compounding the pressure. CEO Joe Hinrichs, who acknowledged results "did not meet our expectations," characterized Q1 as a profitability trough, pointing to targeted operational improvements and anticipated volume growth for the full year, even as trade and tariff uncertainties cloud the broader freight environment.

Key Takeaways
  • Declines in coal revenue driven by reduced export production and customer facility outages
  • Lower fuel surcharge revenue due to declining highway diesel prices
  • Merchandise volume declines across automotive, minerals, forest products, and metals segments
  • Network disruptions and congestion from Howard Street Tunnel project and severe winter weather
  • Higher merchandise pricing partially offset volume declines
  • Intermodal volume growth of 2% driven by higher international port volumes
  • Fuel cost savings of $50 million from 15% decrease in locomotive fuel prices
  • Operational metrics deteriorated: velocity down 3%, dwell up 19%, carload trip plan performance down 16 percentage points

“CSX faced operational challenges to start the year, which contributed to first quarter results that did not meet our expectations.”

CSX CEO, on the earnings call

Forward Guidance & Outlook

CEO Joe Hinrichs referenced an 'uncertain market outlook' but stated the company is taking targeted actions to address network constraints posed by two major ongoing infrastructure projects. Management is focused on operational improvements and executing the operating plan to deliver safe, reliable, and efficient service to customers. No specific quantitative forward guidance was provided.

CSX YoY Financials

Q1 2025 vs Q1 2024 · SEC filings Q1 2024 Q1 2025
$0$2.0B$4.0B$3.7B$3.4BRevenue$1.3B$1.0BOperating Income$880.0M$646.0MNet Income
$0$2.0B$4.0BRevenueOperating IncomeNet Income

CSX Revenue by Segment

Total Merchandise$2.2B−2.0%
Chemicals$698.0M+1.0%
Intermodal$493.0M−3.0%
Coal$461.0M−27.0%
Agricultural and Food Products$408.0M
Automotive$271.0M−8.0%
Forest Products$249.0M−5.0%
Metals and Equipment$209.0M−5.0%

Figures from SEC filings and company reports. Not investment advice.