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NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORP - Quarter Report: 2019 March (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 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, 2019
 
(  )    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

nslogoq217a06.jpg
 
NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 
Virginia
52-1188014
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
Three Commercial Place
Norfolk, Virginia
23510-2191
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(757) 629-2680
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
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.
Yes [X] No [  ]
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Yes [X] No [  ]
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. 
Large accelerated filer [X] Accelerated filer [  ]  Non-accelerated filer [  ]  Smaller reporting company [   ]  Emerging growth company [  ]

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes [  ] No [X]
 
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class
 
Outstanding at March 31, 2019
Common Stock ($1.00 par value per share)
 
265,967,039
(excluding 20,320,777 shares held by the registrant’s
 
 
consolidated subsidiaries)



TABLE OF CONTENTS

NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

2


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
  
Item 1. Financial Statements.
 
Norfolk Southern Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)
 
 
First Quarter
 
2019
 
2018
 
($ in millions, except per share amounts)
 
 
 
 
Railway operating revenues
$
2,840

 
$
2,717

 
 
 
 
Railway operating expenses:
 

 
 

Compensation and benefits
727

 
737

Purchased services and rents
424

 
401

Fuel
250

 
266

Depreciation
283

 
272

Materials and other
190

 
206

 
 
 
 
Total railway operating expenses
1,874

 
1,882

 
 
 
 
Income from railway operations
966

 
835

 
 
 
 
Other income – net
44

 
8

Interest expense on debt
149

 
136

 
 
 
 
Income before income taxes
861

 
707

 
 
 
 
Income taxes
184

 
155

 
 
 
 
Net income
$
677

 
$
552

 
 
 
 
Earnings per share:
 

 
 

Basic
$
2.53

 
$
1.94

Diluted
2.51

 
1.93

 
 
 
 
 

 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
3


Norfolk Southern Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)
 
 
First Quarter
 
2019
 
2018
 
($ in millions)
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
677

 
$
552

Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
 
 
 
Pension and other postretirement benefits (expense)
5

 
(7
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) of equity investees
(1
)
 
1

Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax
4

 
(6
)
 
 
 
 
Income tax benefit (expense) related to items of
 
 
 
other comprehensive income (loss)
(1
)
 
2

 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
3

 
(4
)
 
 
 
 
Total comprehensive income
$
680

 
$
548

 

 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
4


Norfolk Southern Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)

 
March 31,
2019
 
December 31,
2018
 
($ in millions)
 
 
 
 
Assets
 

 
 

Current assets:
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
$
411

 
$
358

Accounts receivable – net
1,048

 
1,009

Materials and supplies
228

 
207

Other current assets
235

 
288

Total current assets
1,922

 
1,862

 
 
 
 
Investments
3,198

 
3,109

Properties less accumulated depreciation of $12,374
 
 
 

at both periods
31,158

 
31,091

Other assets
784

 
177

 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
37,062

 
$
36,239

 
 
 
 
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 

 
 

Current liabilities:
 

 
 

Accounts payable
$
1,334

 
$
1,505

Short-term debt
250

 

Income and other taxes
338

 
255

Other current liabilities
378

 
246

Current maturities of long-term debt
585

 
585

Total current liabilities
2,885

 
2,591

 
 
 
 
Long-term debt
10,569

 
10,560

Other liabilities
1,759

 
1,266

Deferred income taxes
6,518

 
6,460

 
 
 
 
Total liabilities
21,731

 
20,877

 
 
 
 
Stockholders’ equity:
 

 
 

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

 
 

  authorized; outstanding 265,967,039 and 268,098,472 shares,
 

 
 

  respectively, net of treasury shares
267

 
269

Additional paid-in capital
2,213

 
2,216

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(560
)
 
(563
)
Retained income
13,411

 
13,440

 
 
 
 
Total stockholders’ equity
15,331

 
15,362

 
 
 
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
37,062

 
$
36,239

 

 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
5


Norfolk Southern Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
First Three Months
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
($ in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
 

 
 

 
Net income
$
677

 
$
552

 
Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 

 
 

 
Depreciation
283

 
272

 
Deferred income taxes
57

 
45

 
Gains and losses on properties
(18
)
 
(8
)
 
Changes in assets and liabilities affecting operations:
 

 
 

 
Accounts receivable
(39
)
 
(26
)
 
Materials and supplies
(21
)
 
(23
)
 
Other current assets
12

 
13

 
Current liabilities other than debt
(27
)
 
12

 
Other – net
(43
)
 
(21
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
881

 
816

 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
 

 
 

 
Property additions
(467
)
 
(383
)
 
Property sales and other transactions
152

 
13

 
Investment purchases
(2
)
 
(2
)
 
Investment sales and other transactions
(33
)
 
1

 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash used in investing activities
(350
)
 
(371
)
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
 

 
 

 
Dividends
(230
)
 
(205
)
 
Common stock transactions
2

 
(1
)
 
Purchase and retirement of common stock
(500
)
 
(300
)
 
Proceeds from borrowings – net of issuance costs
250

 
543

 
Debt repayments

 
(100
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash used in financing activities
(478
)
 
(63
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents,
 
 
 
 
and restricted cash
53

 
382

 
 
 
 
 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash:
 

 
 

 
At beginning of year
446

 
690

 
 
 
 
 
 
At end of period
$
499

 
$
1,072

 
 
 
 
 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
 

 
 

 
Cash paid during the period for:
 

 
 

 
Interest (net of amounts capitalized)
$
112

 
$
69

 
Income taxes (net of refunds)
9

 
7


 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
6


Norfolk Southern Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
(Unaudited)

 
Common
Stock
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Accum. Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 
Retained
Income
 
Total
 
($ in millions, except per share amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2018
$
269

 
$
2,216

 
$
(563
)
 
$
13,440

 
$
15,362

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 
677

 
677

Other comprehensive income

 

 
3

 

 
3

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 
680

Dividends on common stock,

 

 

 

 

$0.86 per share

 

 

 
(230
)
 
(230
)
Share repurchases
(3
)
 
(22
)
 

 
(475
)
 
(500
)
Stock-based compensation
1

 
19

 

 
(1
)
 
19

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2019
$
267

 
$
2,213

 
$
(560
)
 
$
13,411

 
$
15,331


 
Common
Stock
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Accum. Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 
Retained
Income
 
Total
 
($ in millions, except per share amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2017
$
285

 
$
2,254

 
$
(356
)
 
$
14,176

 
$
16,359

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income

 

 

 
552

 
552

Other comprehensive loss

 

 
(4
)
 

 
(4
)
Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 
548

Dividends on common stock,

 

 

 

 

$0.72 per share

 

 

 
(205
)
 
(205
)
Share repurchases
(2
)
 
(16
)
 

 
(282
)
 
(300
)
Stock-based compensation
1

 
17

 

 
(2
)
 
16

Reclassification of stranded
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
tax effects
 
 
 
 
(88
)
 
88

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at March 31, 2018
$
284

 
$
2,255

 
$
(448
)
 
$
14,327

 
$
16,418



 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
7


Norfolk Southern Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly Norfolk Southern Corporation (Norfolk Southern) and subsidiaries’ (collectively, NS, we, us, and our) financial position at March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, our results of operations, comprehensive income and changes in stockholders’ equity for the first quarters of 2019 and 2018, and our cash flows for the first three months of 2019 and 2018 in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
 
These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in our latest Annual Report on Form 10-K.

1. Railway Operating Revenues

The following table disaggregates our revenues by major commodity group:
 
 
First Quarter
 
 
2019
 
2018
Merchandise:
 
($ in millions)
Chemicals
 
$
452

 
$
454

Agriculture products
 
385

 
357

Metals and construction
 
385

 
356

Automotive
 
251

 
243

Forest and consumer
 
213

 
195

Merchandise
 
1,686

 
1,605

Intermodal
 
719

 
678

Coal
 
435

 
434

 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
$
2,840

 
$
2,717



At the beginning of 2019, we recategorized certain commodities within Merchandise major commodity groups to better align with how we internally manage these commodities. Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation with no net impact to overall Merchandise revenue or total railway operating revenues. Specifically, certain commodities were shifted between Chemicals, Agriculture products, Metals and construction, and Forest and consumer.

We recognize the amount of revenue we expect to be entitled to for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. A performance obligation is created when a customer under a transportation contract or public tariff submits a bill of lading to NS for the transport of goods. These performance obligations are satisfied as the shipments move from origin to destination. As such, transportation revenue is recognized proportionally as a shipment moves, and related expenses are recognized as incurred. These performance obligations are generally short-term in nature with transit days averaging approximately one week or less for each commodity group. The customer has an unconditional obligation to pay for the service once the service has been completed. Estimated revenue associated with in-process shipments at period-end is recorded based on the estimated percentage of service completed to total transit days. We had no material remaining performance obligations as of March 31, 2019 or December 31, 2018.


8


Under the typical payment terms of our freight contracts, payment for services is due within fifteen days of billing the customer, thus there are no significant financing components. “Accounts receivable – net” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets includes both customer and non-customer receivables as follows:
 
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
 
($ in millions)
Customer                                       
 
$
793

 
$
740

Non-customer
 
255

 
269

 
 
 
 
 
  Accounts receivable – net
 
$
1,048

 
$
1,009



Non-customer receivables include non-revenue-related amounts due from other railroads, governmental entities, and others.  “Other assets” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets includes non-current customer receivables of $55 million at both March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.  We do not have any material contract assets or liabilities.

Certain ancillary services may be provided to customers under their transportation contracts such as switching, demurrage and other incidental service revenues. These are distinct performance obligations that are recognized at a point in time when the services are performed or as contractual obligations are met. This revenue is included within each of the commodity groups and represents approximately 5% and 4% of total “Railway operating revenues” on the Consolidated Statements of Income for the quarters ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

2.  Stock-Based Compensation
 
 
First Quarter
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
($ in millions)
Stock-based compensation expense
 
$
16

 
$
16

Total tax benefit
 
23

 
14



During the first quarter 2019, a committee of nonemployee members of our Board of Directors (and the Chief Executive Officer under delegated authority by such committee) granted stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs) and performance share units (PSUs) pursuant to the Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP), as follows:
 
 
First Quarter
 
 
Granted
 
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value
 
 
 
 
 
Stock options
 
42,380

 
$
45.61

RSUs
 
208,320

 
163.33

PSUs
 
93,710

 
97.75



 


9


Stock Options
 
 
First Quarter
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
($ in millions)
Stock options exercised
 
406,371

 
254,982

Cash received upon exercise
 
$
28

 
$
17

Related tax benefit realized
 
9

 
4



Restricted Stock Units

Beginning in 2018, RSUs granted primarily have a four-year ratable restriction period and will be settled through the issuance of shares of Norfolk Southern common stock (Common Stock). RSUs granted in previous years have a five-year restriction period and will also be settled through the issuance of shares of Common Stock. Certain RSU grants include cash dividend equivalent payments during the restriction period in an amount equal to the regular quarterly dividends paid on Common Stock. 

 
 
First Quarter
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
($ in millions)
RSUs vested
 
165,549

 
160,200
Common Stock issued net of tax withholding
 
118,881

 
99,968
Related tax benefit realized
 
$
2

 
$
3



Performance Share Units

PSUs provide for awards based on the achievement of certain predetermined corporate performance goals at the end of a three-year cycle and are settled through the issuance of shares of Common Stock. All PSUs will earn out based on the achievement of performance conditions and some will also earn out based on a market condition. The market condition fair value was measured on the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation model.

 
 
First Quarter
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
($ in millions)
PSUs earned
 
331,099

 
154,189
Common Stock issued net of tax withholding
 
221,241

 
94,399
Related tax benefit realized
 
$
9

 
$
3



10


3.  Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

 
Basic
 
Diluted
 
First Quarter
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
($ in millions, except per share amounts,
shares in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
677

 
$
552

 
$
677

 
$
552

Dividend equivalent payments
(1
)
 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income available to common stockholders
$
676

 
$
551

 
$
677

 
$
551

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average shares outstanding
267.1

 
283.5

 
267.1

 
283.5

Dilutive effect of outstanding options
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

and share-settled awards
 

 
 

 
2.3

 
2.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding
 

 
 

 
269.4

 
285.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share
$
2.53

 
$
1.94

 
$
2.51

 
$
1.93


During the first quarter of 2019 and 2018, dividend equivalent payments were made to certain holders of stock options and RSUs.  For purposes of computing basic earnings per share, dividend equivalent payments made to holders of stock options and RSUs were deducted from net income to determine income available to common stockholders. For purposes of computing diluted earnings per share, we evaluate on a grant-by-grant basis those stock options and RSUs receiving dividend equivalent payments under the two-class and treasury stock methods to determine which method is more dilutive for each grant. For those grants for which the two-class method was more dilutive, net income was reduced by dividend equivalent payments to determine income available to common stockholders. The dilution calculations exclude options having exercise prices exceeding the average market price of Common Stock of zero for the quarters ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.


11


4. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
The changes in the cumulative balances of “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets consisted of the following:
 
Balance at
Beginning
of Year
 
Net Income
(Loss)
 
Reclassification of Stranded
Tax Effects
 
Reclassification
Adjustments
 
Balance at
End of Period
 
($ in millions)    
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pensions and other
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
postretirement liabilities
$
(497
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
4

 
$
(493
)
Other comprehensive loss
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

of equity investees
(66
)
 
(1
)
 

 

 
(67
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated other
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 comprehensive loss
$
(563
)
 
$
(1
)
 
$

 
$
4

 
$
(560
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

Pensions and other
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
postretirement liabilities
$
(300
)
 
$
(11
)
 
$
(86
)
 
$
6

 
$
(391
)
Other comprehensive income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(loss) of equity investees
(56
)
 
1

 
(2
)
 

 
(57
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated other
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 comprehensive loss
$
(356
)
 
$
(10
)
 
$
(88
)
 
$
6

 
$
(448
)


In February 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2018-02, “Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.” We adopted the provisions of ASU 2018-02 in the first quarter of 2018 resulting in an increase to “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” of $88 million and a corresponding increase to “Retained income,” with no impact on “Total stockholders’ equity.”

5.  Stock Repurchase Program
 
We repurchased and retired 2.9 million shares and 2.1 million shares of Common Stock under our stock repurchase program in the first three months of 2019 and 2018, respectively, at a cost of $500 million and $300 million, respectively.

Since the beginning of 2006, we have repurchased and retired 188.5 million shares at a total cost of $14.6 billion.

6.  Investments

Investment in Conrail
 
Through a limited liability company, we and CSX Corporation (CSX) jointly own Conrail Inc. (Conrail), whose primary subsidiary is Consolidated Rail Corporation (CRC). We have a 58% economic and 50% voting interest in the jointly owned entity, and CSX has the remainder of the economic and voting interests. Our investment in Conrail was $1.3 billion at both March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018.

12



CRC owns and operates certain properties (the Shared Assets Areas) for the joint and exclusive benefit of Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NSR) and CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSXT). The costs of operating the Shared Assets Areas are borne by NSR and CSXT based on usage. In addition, NSR and CSXT pay CRC a fee for access to the Shared Assets Areas. “Purchased services and rents” and “Fuel” include amounts payable to CRC for the operation of the Shared Assets Areas totaling $37 million and $38 million for the first quarters of 2019 and 2018, respectively. Our equity in the earnings of Conrail, net of amortization, included in “Purchased services and rents” was $8 million and $16 million for the first quarters of 2019 and 2018, respectively. 

“Other liabilities” includes $280 million at both March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, for long-term advances from Conrail, maturing 2044, that bear interest at an average rate of 2.9%.

Investment in TTX

NS and eight other North American railroads jointly own TTX Company (TTX).  NS has a 19.65% ownership interest in TTX, a railcar pooling company that provides its owner-railroads with standardized fleets of intermodal, automotive, and general use railcars at stated rates.

Amounts paid to TTX for use of equipment are included in “Purchased services and rents” and amounted to $62 million and $66 million of expense for the first quarters of 2019 and 2018, respectively. Our equity in the earnings of TTX, also included in “Purchased services and rents,” totaled $13 million and $16 million for the first quarters of 2019 and 2018, respectively.

7.  Debt

We have a $400 million accounts receivable securitization program expiring in May 2019.  We had $250 million outstanding under this program at March 31, 2019, reflected as “Short-term debt” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and no amounts outstanding at December 31, 2018.

The “Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash” line item in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows includes restricted cash of $88 million at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 reflecting deposits held by a third-party bond agent as collateral for certain debt obligations maturing in 2019. The restricted cash balance is included as part of “Other current assets” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in both periods.

8. Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” and subsequent amendments, which replaced existing lease guidance in GAAP and requires lessees to recognize right-of-use (ROU) assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for leases greater than twelve months and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. We adopted the standard on January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective method and used the effective date as our date of initial application. Financial information will not be updated and the disclosures required under the new standard will not be provided for dates and periods before January 1, 2019. There were no adjustments to “Retained income” on adoption.
The new standard provides a number of optional practical expedients for transition. We elected the package of practical expedients under the transition guidance which permitted us not to reassess under the new standard our prior conclusions for lease identification and lease classification on expired or existing contracts and whether initial direct costs previously capitalized would qualify for capitalization under FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 842. We also elected the practical expedient related to land easements, which allowed us to not reassess our current accounting treatment for existing agreements on land easements, which are not accounted for as leases. We did not elect the hindsight practical expedient to determine the reasonably certain lease term for existing leases.

13


The new standard also provides practical expedients and recognition exemptions for an entity’s ongoing accounting policy elections. We elected the short-term lease recognition exemption for all leases that qualify. This means, for those leases that qualify, we do not recognize ROU assets or lease liabilities.
We are committed under long-term lease agreements for equipment, lines of road, and other property. Some of these agreements contain variable payment provisions that depend on an index or rate, initially measured using the index or rate at the lease commencement date, and are therefore not included in our future minimum lease payments. These variable lease agreements include usage-based payments for equipment under service contracts, lines of road, and other property. Our long-term lease agreements do not contain any material restrictive covenants.
Our equipment leases have remaining terms of less than 1 year to 9 years and our lines of road and property leases have remaining terms of less than 1 year to 138 years. Some of these leases may include options to extend the leases for up to 99 years, and some may include options to terminate the leases within 30 days. Because we are not reasonably certain to exercise these renewal options, the options are not considered in determining the lease term, and associated payments are excluded from future minimum lease payments.

Leases with an initial term of twelve months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet. We recognize lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. We do not separate lease and non-lease components.

Operating lease amounts included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet are as follows:
 
 
March 31, 2019
Assets
Classification
($ in millions)
ROU assets
Other assets
$
593

 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
Current lease liabilities
Other current liabilities
$
93

Non-current lease liabilities
Other liabilities
500

 
 
 
Total lease liabilities
 
$
593

 
 
 

The components of operating lease expense, primarily included in “Purchased services and rents,” were as follows:
 
First Quarter
 
2019
 
($ in millions)
Operating lease expense
$
27

Variable lease expense
12

Short-term lease expense
2

 
 
Total lease expense
$
41



At March 31, 2019, we do not have any material finance lease assets or liabilities, nor do we have any material subleases.

14


During March 2019, we entered into a non-cancellable lease for an office building with an estimated construction cost of $550 million. The lease will commence upon completion of the construction (for which we are a construction agent) of the office building which is expected to be in 2021. The initial term of the lease is five years, with options to renew, purchase, or sell the office building at the end of the lease term. Upon lease commencement, the ROU asset and lease liability will be determined and recorded. The lease also contains a residual value guarantee of up to ninety percent of the total construction cost.
Other information related to operating leases was as follows:
 
First Quarter
 
2019
 
($ in millions)
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
 
Operating cash flows from operating leases
$
27

 
 
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities
29

 
 
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years) on operating leases
8.68

 
 
Weighted-average discount rates on operating leases
3.52
%

During the first quarter, cash proceeds from a sale and leaseback transaction were $82 million and the gain on the transaction was $15 million.
Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases were as follows:
 
March 31, 2019
 
($ in millions)
2019 - 9 months
$
84

2020
105

2021
99

2022
76

2023
68

2024 and subsequent years
266

Total lease payments
$
698

Less: Interest
105

 
 
Present value of lease liabilities
$
593




15


Undiscounted future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases accounted for under ASC 840 “Leases” were as follows:
 
December 31, 2018
 
($ in millions)
2019
$
101

2020
95

2021
88

2022
75

2023
69

2024 and subsequent years
267

 
 
Total
$
695


9.  Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits
 
We have both funded and unfunded defined benefit pension plans covering principally salaried employees. We also provide specified health care and life insurance benefits to eligible retired employees; these plans can be amended or terminated at our option.  Under our self-insured retiree health care plan, for those participants who are not Medicare-eligible, a defined percentage of health care expenses is covered for retired employees and their dependents, reduced by any deductibles, coinsurance, and, in some cases, coverage provided under other group insurance policies.  Those participants who are Medicare-eligible are not covered under the self-insured retiree health care plan, but instead are provided with an employer-funded health reimbursement account which can be used for reimbursement of health insurance premiums or eligible out-of-pocket medical expenses.

Pension and postretirement benefit cost components for the first quarter are as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Postretirement
 
Pension Benefits
 
Benefits
 
First Quarter
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
($ in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service cost
$
9

 
$
10

 
$
2

 
$
2

Interest cost
23

 
20

 
4

 
4

Expected return on plan assets
(45
)
 
(44
)
 
(4
)
 
(4
)
Amortization of net losses
11

 
14

 

 

Amortization of prior service benefit

 

 
(6
)
 
(6
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net benefit
$
(2
)
 
$

 
$
(4
)
 
$
(4
)


The service cost component of defined benefit pension cost and postretirement benefit cost are reported within “Compensation and benefits” and all other components of net benefit cost are presented in “Other income – net” on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


16


10.  Fair Values of Financial Instruments
 
The fair values of “Cash and cash equivalents,” “Accounts receivable – net,” “Accounts payable,” and “Short-term debt” approximate carrying values because of the short maturity of these financial instruments. The carrying value of corporate-owned life insurance is recorded at cash surrender value and, accordingly, approximates fair value. There are no other assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2019 or December 31, 2018. The carrying amounts and estimated fair values, based on Level 1 inputs, of long-term debt consisted of the following:
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
 
($ in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt, including current maturities
$
(11,154
)
 
$
(12,698
)
 
$
(11,145
)
 
$
(12,203
)


11.  Commitments and Contingencies
 
Lawsuits
 
We and/or certain subsidiaries are defendants in numerous lawsuits and other claims relating principally to railroad operations.  When we conclude 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 earnings.  While the ultimate amount of liability incurred in any of these lawsuits and claims is dependent on future developments, in our 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 earnings in the periods in which such adjustments become known.

In 2007, various antitrust class actions filed against us and other Class I railroads in various Federal district courts regarding fuel surcharges were consolidated in the District of Columbia by the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. In 2012, the court certified the case as a class action. The defendant railroads appealed this certification, and the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia vacated the District Court’s decision and remanded the case for further consideration. On October 10, 2017, the District Court denied class certification; the findings are subject to appeal. We believe the allegations in the complaints are without merit and intend to vigorously defend the cases. We do not believe the outcome of these proceedings will have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.

Casualty Claims

Casualty claims include employee personal injury and occupational claims as well as third-party claims, all exclusive of legal costs.  To aid in valuing our personal injury liability and determining the amount to accrue with respect to such claims during the year, we utilize studies prepared by an independent consulting actuarial firm.  Job-related personal injury and occupational claims are subject to the Federal Employer’s Liability Act (FELA), which is applicable only to railroads.  FELA’s fault-based tort system produces results that are unpredictable and inconsistent as compared with a no-fault workers’ compensation system.  The variability inherent in this system could result in actual costs being different from the liability recorded.  While the ultimate amount of claims incurred is dependent on future developments, in our opinion, the recorded liability is adequate to cover the future payments of claims and is supported by the most recent actuarial study.  In all cases, we record a liability when the expected loss for the claim is both probable and reasonably estimable.
 

17


Employee personal injury claims – The largest component of casualties and other claims expense is employee personal injury costs.  The independent actuarial firm engaged by us provides quarterly studies to aid in valuing our employee personal injury liability and estimating personal injury expense.  The actuarial firm studies our historical patterns of reserving for claims and subsequent settlements, taking into account relevant outside influences.  The actuarial firm uses the results of these analyses to estimate the ultimate amount of liability. We adjust the liability quarterly based upon our assessment and the results of the study. Our estimate of the liability is subject to inherent limitation given the difficulty of predicting future events such as jury decisions, court interpretations, or legislative changes. As a result, actual claim settlements may vary from the estimated liability recorded.

Occupational claims – Occupational claims include injuries and illnesses alleged to be caused by exposures which occur over time as opposed to injuries or illnesses caused by a specific accident or event. Types of occupational claims commonly seen allege exposure to asbestos and other claimed toxic substances resulting in respiratory diseases or cancer, exposure to repetitive motion resulting in various musculoskeletal disorders, and exposure to excessive noise resulting in hearing loss. Many such claims are being asserted by former or retired employees, some of whom have not been employed in the rail industry for decades.  The independent actuarial firm provides an estimate of the occupational claims liability based upon our history of claim filings, severity, payments, and other pertinent facts.  The liability is dependent upon judgments we make as to the specific case reserves as well as judgments of the actuarial firm in the quarterly studies.  The actuarial firm’s estimate of ultimate loss includes a provision for those claims that have been incurred but not reported.  This provision is derived by analyzing industry data and projecting our experience. We adjust the liability quarterly based upon our assessment and the results of the study.  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 become known.

Third-party claims – We record a liability for third-party claims including those for highway crossing accidents, trespasser and other injuries, automobile liability, property damage, and lading damage.  The actuarial firm assists us with the calculation of potential liability for third-party claims, except lading damage, based upon our experience including the number and timing of incidents, amount of payments, settlement rates, number of open claims, and legal defenses. We adjust the liability quarterly based upon our assessment and the results of the study.  Given the inherent uncertainty in regard to the ultimate outcome of third-party claims, it is possible that the actual loss may differ from the estimated liability recorded.

Environmental Matters
 
We are subject to various jurisdictions’ environmental laws and regulations.  We record a liability where such liability or loss is probable and reasonably estimable. Environmental specialists regularly participate in ongoing evaluations of all known sites and in determining any necessary adjustments to liability estimates.  
 
Our Consolidated Balance Sheets include liabilities for environmental exposures of $58 million and $55 million at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, of which $15 million is classified as a current liability at both dates. At March 31, 2019, the liability represents our estimates of the probable cleanup, investigation, and remediation costs based on available information at 112 known locations and projects compared with 114 locations and projects at December 31, 2018. At March 31, 2019, fifteen sites accounted for $39 million of the liability, and no individual site was considered to be material. We anticipate that much of this liability will be paid out over five years; however, some costs will be paid out over a longer period.

At eleven locations, one or more of our subsidiaries in conjunction with a number of other parties have been identified as potentially responsible parties under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 or comparable state statutes that impose joint and several liability for cleanup costs.  We calculate our estimated liability for these sites based on facts and legal defenses applicable to each site and not solely on the basis of the potential for joint liability.
 

18


With respect to known environmental sites (whether identified by us or by the Environmental Protection Agency or comparable state authorities), estimates of our ultimate potential financial exposure for a given site or in the aggregate for all such sites can change over time because of the widely varying costs of currently available cleanup techniques, unpredictable contaminant recovery and reduction rates associated with available cleanup technologies, 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 we transport, particularly those classified as hazardous materials, pose special risks that we work diligently to reduce.  In addition, several of our subsidiaries own, or have owned, land used as operating property, or which is 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 we 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 position, results of operations, or liquidity in a particular year or quarter.
 
Based on our assessment of the facts and circumstances now known, we believe we have recorded the probable and reasonably estimable costs for dealing with those environmental matters of which we are aware.  Further, we believe that it is unlikely that any known matters, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.
 
Insurance
 
We obtain on behalf of ourself and our subsidiaries insurance for potential losses for third-party liability and first-party property damages.  We are currently self-insured up to $50 million and above $1.1 billion ($1.5 billion for specific perils) per occurrence and/or policy year for bodily injury and property damage to third parties and up to $25 million and above $200 million per occurrence and/or policy year for property owned by us or in our care, custody, or control.
 
12. New Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Credit Losses - Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,” which replaces the current incurred loss impairment method with a method that reflects expected credit losses. The new standard is effective as of January 1, 2020, and early adoption is permitted as of January 1, 2019. Because credit losses associated from our accounts receivables have historically been insignificant, we do not expect this standard to have a material effect on our financial statements. We will not adopt the standard early.

19


Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
 
Norfolk Southern Corporation and Subsidiaries
 
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes.
 
OVERVIEW
 
We are one of the nation’s premier transportation companies.  Our Norfolk Southern Railway Company subsidiary operates approximately 19,500 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves every major container port in the eastern United States, and provides efficient connections to other rail carriers.  Norfolk Southern is a major transporter of industrial products, including chemicals, agriculture, and metals and construction materials. In addition, the railroad operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is a principal carrier of coal, automobiles, and automotive parts.

Our first quarter 2019 results reflect the initial steps in the implementation of our new strategic plan that we unveiled in February. We achieved a record low first-quarter operating ratio (a measure of the amount of operating revenues consumed by operating expenses) of 66.0%, in addition to first-quarter records for railway operating revenues, income from railway operations, net income, and diluted earnings per share. We have started the year with positive momentum as we build a stronger company for our shareholders, customers, and employees.

SUMMARIZED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
($ in millions, except per share amounts)
 
First Quarter
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
% change
 
Income from railway operations
$
966

 
$
835

 
16%
 
Net income
$
677

 
$
552

 
23%
 
Diluted earnings per share
$
2.51

 
$
1.93

 
30%
 
Railway operating ratio (percent)
66.0

 
69.3

 
(5%)
 

Income from railway operations rose as a result of increased railway operating revenues, driven by higher average revenue per unit, reflecting pricing gains, higher fuel surcharge revenue, and increased accessorial charges. Overall volumes were flat, as gains in intermodal were tempered by declines in coal and merchandise. Railway operating expenses were relatively flat as fuel price declines, decreased compensation expense, and lower expenses due to increased network velocity were offset by increases in purchased services. Our share repurchase program resulted in diluted earnings per share growth that exceeded that of net income.


20


DETAILED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Railway Operating Revenues

The following tables present a comparison of revenues ($ in millions), volumes (units in thousands), and average revenue per unit ($ per unit) by commodity group. At the beginning of 2019, we made changes in the categorization of certain commodity groups within Merchandise. Prior period railway operating revenues, units, and revenue per unit have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation (see Note 1).
 
First Quarter
 
Revenues
2019
 
2018
 
% change
 
Merchandise:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chemicals
$
452

 
$
454

 
Agriculture products
385

 
357

 
8%
 
Metals and construction
385

 
356

 
8%
 
Automotive
251

 
243

 
3%
 
Forest and consumer
213

 
195

 
9%
 
Merchandise
1,686

 
1,605

 
5%
 
Intermodal
719

 
678

 
6%
 
Coal
435

 
434

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
$
2,840

 
$
2,717

 
5%
 
Units
 
 
Merchandise:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chemicals
125.9

 
126.6

 
(1%)
 
Agriculture products
130.9

 
129.9

 
1%
 
Metals and construction
173.9

 
175.9

 
(1%)
 
Automotive
98.1

 
102.8

 
(5%)
 
Forest and consumer
69.4

 
70.9

 
(2%)
 
Merchandise
598.2

 
606.1

 
(1%)
 
Intermodal
1,071.0

 
1,049.2

 
2%
 
Coal
236.3

 
249.1

 
(5%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
1,905.5

 
1,904.4

 
Revenue per Unit
 
 
Merchandise:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chemicals
$
3,587

 
$
3,585

 
Agriculture products
2,945

 
2,744

 
7%
 
Metals and construction
2,217

 
2,023

 
10%
 
Automotive
2,557

 
2,362

 
8%
 
Forest and consumer
3,070

 
2,755

 
11%
 
Merchandise
2,819

 
2,647

 
6%
 
Intermodal
671

 
647

 
4%
 
Coal
1,839

 
1,743

 
6%
 
Total
1,490

 
1,427

 
4%
 








21


Railway operating revenues increased $123 million in the first quarter over the same period last year. The table below reflects the components of the revenue change by major commodity group ($ in millions).

 
 
First Quarter
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Merchandise
 
Intermodal
 
Coal
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Volume
 
$
(21
)
 
$
14

 
$
(22
)
Fuel surcharge revenue
 
14

 
9

 
(1
)
Rate, mix and other
 
88

 
18

 
24

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
$
81

 
$
41

 
$
1

 
Most of our contracts include negotiated fuel surcharges, typically tied to either On-Highway Diesel (OHD) or West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil (WTI).  Approximately 90% of our revenue base is covered by these negotiated fuel surcharges, with over 75% tied to OHD. In the first quarter of 2019, contracts tied to OHD accounted for about 95% of our fuel surcharge revenue. Revenues associated with these surcharges totaled $153 million and $131 million in the first quarters of 2019 and 2018, respectively.
 
Merchandise
 
Merchandise revenue grew in the first quarter, as higher average revenue per unit was driven by pricing gains and increased fuel surcharge revenue. Overall volumes fell, as gains in agriculture products were offset by declines in the remaining groups.

Chemicals volume decreased driven by reduced shipments of liquefied petroleum gas, crude oil, and plastics partially offset by gains in municipal waste and petroleum shipments.

Agriculture products volume rose, as increases in corn and feed shipments more than offset declines in ethanol, primarily due to severe flooding in the Midwest, and wheat traffic.

Metals and construction volume fell, largely the result of decreases in iron and steel traffic, partially offset by higher aggregate shipments due to an extended shipping season.

Automotive volume declined as a result of decreases in U.S. light vehicle production and railcar availability, due to disruptions across the U.S. multilevel network.

Forest and consumer volume declined, reflecting decreases in kaolin, lumber, and graphic paper traffic.

Merchandise revenues for the remainder of the year are expected to continue to be higher year-over-year, reflecting higher average revenue per unit, driven by pricing gains.


22


Intermodal
 
Intermodal revenue increased, driven by higher average revenue per unit, a result of pricing gains and increased fuel surcharge revenues, as well as volume growth.

Intermodal units (in thousands) by market were as follows:
 
First Quarter
 
2019
 
2018
 
% change
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic
656.3

 
671.7

 
(2%)
International
414.7

 
377.5

 
10%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
1,071.0

 
1,049.2

 
2%

Domestic volumes fell as a result of inclement winter weather in the Midwest and trailer lane rationalizations. International volumes rose due to increased demand from existing accounts.

Intermodal revenues for the remainder of the year are expected to continue to increase, driven by volume growth in addition to higher average revenue per unit due to pricing gains.

Coal
 
Coal revenues were relatively flat, as higher average revenue per unit, the result of pricing gains, was tempered by volume decreases.
 
Coal tonnage (in thousands) by market was as follows:
 
First Quarter
 
2019
 
2018
 
% change
 
 
 
 
 
 
Utility
15,755

 
15,865

 
(1%)
Export
6,388

 
7,238

 
(12%)
Domestic metallurgical
2,931

 
3,147

 
(7%)
Industrial
1,222

 
1,260

 
(3%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
26,296

 
27,510

 
(4%)
 
Utility coal tonnage was relatively flat as volume declines due to plant outages and inclement weather were offset by higher volumes from increased network velocity and demand to replenish low stockpiles. Export coal tonnage dropped as a result of a decline in coal availability and weak thermal seaborne pricing. Domestic metallurgical coal tonnage fell due to customer sourcing changes and plant outages. Industrial coal tonnage decreased as a result of customer sourcing changes and pressure from natural gas conversions.
 
Coal revenues for the remainder of the year are expected to decline.   Utility demand continues to be impacted by lower natural gas prices.  Export will be impacted by a lower average revenue per unit, mainly the result of softening seaborne metallurgical prices, and reduced volume due to weak thermal seaborne pricing and supply issues.


23


Railway Operating Expenses

Railway operating expenses summarized by major classifications were as follows ($ in millions):
 
First Quarter
 
2019
 
2018
 
% change
 
 
 
 
 
 
Compensation and benefits
$
727

 
$
737

 
(1%)
Purchased services and rents
424

 
401

 
6%
Fuel
250

 
266

 
(6)%
Depreciation
283

 
272

 
4%
Materials and other
190

 
206

 
(8%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
$
1,874

 
$
1,882

 

Compensation and benefits expense decreased as follows:

employment levels (down $11 million),
higher capitalized labor ($8 million),
overtime and recrews (down $6 million),
payroll taxes on stock-based compensation (down $4 million),
other (down $1 million), and
increased pay rates (up $20 million).

Average rail headcount for the quarter was down by about 175 compared with the first quarter 2018 and down by about 375 sequentially. We expect that headcount for the remainder of the year will continue to decline and that our year-end headcount will be down at least 500 as compared to prior year.

Purchased services and rents increased as follows ($ in millions):
 
First Quarter
 
2019
 
2018
 
% change
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchased services
$
346

 
$
318

 
9%
Equipment rents
78

 
83

 
(6%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
$
424

 
$
401

 
6%

The rise in purchased services was largely the result of higher intermodal-related costs, increased technology-related expenses, and lower earnings in equity affiliates. Equipment rents fell, the result of increased network velocity.

Fuel expense, which includes the cost of locomotive fuel as well as other fuel used in railway operations, decreased primarily due to lower locomotive fuel prices (down 4%), as well as decreased consumption (down 1%).






24


Materials and other expenses decreased as follows ($ in millions):  
 
First Quarter
 
2019
 
2018
 
% change
 
 
 
 
 
 
Materials
$
87

 
$
90

 
(3%)
Casualties and other claims
49

 
47

 
4%
Other
54

 
69

 
(22%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
$
190

 
$
206

 
(8%)

Materials costs decreased due primarily to lower locomotive repair costs. Casualties and other claims expenses increased, largely a result of higher costs related to environmental remediation matters, partially offset by lower derailment-related costs. Other expense decreased, reflecting higher gains from the sale of operating property.

Other Income – Net

Other income – net increased $36 million in the first quarter primarily driven by higher investment returns on corporate-owned life insurance.

Income Taxes
 
The first-quarter effective tax rate was 21.4% compared with 21.9% for the same period last year.  Both periods reflect favorable tax benefits on stock-based compensation. The current year also benefited from higher returns on corporate-owned life insurance, while the prior year included benefits of certain 2017 tax credits enacted retroactively by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018.
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND LIQUIDITY
 
Cash provided by operating activities, our principal source of liquidity, was $881 million for the first three months of 2019, compared with $816 million for the same period of 2018, primarily the result of improved operating results partially offset by increased interest payments. We had working capital deficits of $963 million at March 31, 2019, compared with $729 million at December 31, 2018. Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash totaled $499 million at March 31, 2019. We expect cash on hand combined with cash provided by operating activities will be sufficient to meet our ongoing obligations. There have been no material changes to the information on future contractual obligations contained in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 with the exception of additional lease obligations (see Note 8).

Cash used in investing activities was $350 million for the first three months of 2019, compared with $371 million in the same period last year, reflecting increased property sale proceeds partially offset by higher property additions.

Cash used in financing activities was $478 million in the first three months of 2019, compared with $63 million in the same period last year, largely the result of lower proceeds from borrowing and higher repurchases of Common Stock. We repurchased 2.9 million shares of Common Stock, totaling $500 million, in the first three months of 2019, compared to 2.1 million shares, totaling $300 million, in the same period last year.  The timing and volume of future share repurchases will be guided by our assessment of market conditions and other pertinent factors.  Any near-term purchases under the program are expected to be made with internally-generated cash, cash on hand, or proceeds from borrowings. 

Our total-debt-to-total capitalization ratio was 42.7% at March 31, 2019, and 42.0% at December 31, 2018.

We have in place and available a $750 million credit agreement expiring in May 2021, which provides for borrowings at prevailing rates and includes covenants. We had no amounts outstanding under this facility at both March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, and are in compliance with all of its covenants. We have a $400 million

25


account receivable securitization program expiring in May 2019. We had $250 million outstanding under this program at March 31, 2019, and no amounts outstanding at December 31, 2018

APPLICATION OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates and assumptions may require judgment about matters that are inherently uncertain, and future events are likely to occur that may require us to make changes to these estimates and assumptions. Accordingly, we regularly review these estimates and assumptions based on historical experience, changes in the business environment, and other factors we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances.  There have been no significant changes to the application of the critical accounting policies disclosure contained in our Form 10-K at December 31, 2018

OTHER MATTERS
 
Labor Agreements

Approximately 80% of our railroad employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements with various labor unions.  Pursuant to the Railway Labor Act, these agreements remain in effect until new agreements are reached, or until the bargaining procedures mandated by the Railway Labor Act are completed.  We largely bargain nationally in concert with other major railroads, represented by the National Carriers Conference Committee.  Moratorium provisions in the labor agreements govern when the railroads and unions may propose changes to the agreements.

New Accounting Pronouncements

For a detailed discussion of new accounting pronouncements, see Note 12.

Inflation

In preparing financial statements, GAAP requires the use of historical cost that disregards the effects of inflation on the replacement cost of property.  As a capital-intensive company with most of our capital invested in long-lived assets.  The replacement cost of these assets, as well as the related depreciation expense, would be substantially greater than the amounts reported on the basis of historical cost.


26


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
Certain statements in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended.  These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, or our achievements or those of our industry to be materially different from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements.  In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “consider,” “predict,” “potential,” “feel,” or other comparable terminology.  We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates, beliefs, and projections.  While we believe these expectations, assumptions, estimates, beliefs, and projections are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond our control.  These and other important factors, including those discussed under “Risk Factors” in our latest Form 10-K, as well as our subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.  The forward-looking statements herein are made only as of the date they were first issued, and unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, we disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.  Copies of our press releases and additional information about us is available at www.norfolksouthern.com, or you can contact our Investor Relations department by calling 757-629-2861.

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
 
The information required by this item is included in Part I, Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” under the heading “Financial Condition and Liquidity.”
 
Item 4.  Controls and Procedures.
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, with the assistance of management, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act)) at March 31, 2019.  Based on such evaluation, our officers have concluded that, at March 31, 2019, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in alerting them on a timely basis to material information required to be included in our periodic filings under the Exchange Act.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
During the first quarter of 2019, we implemented controls to support the adoption of the new lease accounting standard ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842).” We have not identified any other changes in internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. 


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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1.  Legal Proceedings.
 
In 2007, various antitrust class actions filed against us and other Class I railroads in various Federal district courts regarding fuel surcharges were consolidated in the District of Columbia by the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. In 2012, the court certified the case as a class action. The defendant railroads appealed this certification, and the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia vacated the District Court’s decision and remanded the case for further consideration. On October 10, 2017, the District Court denied class certification; the findings are subject to appeal. We believe the allegations in the complaints are without merit and intend to vigorously defend the cases. We do not believe the outcome of these proceedings will have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.
 
The risk factors included in our 2018 Form 10-K remain unchanged and are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
 
 
 
(a) Total
Number
of Shares
(or Units)
 
(b) Average
Price Paid
per Share
 
(c) Total
Number of
Shares
(or Units)
Purchased
as Part of
Publicly
Announced
Plans or
 
(d) Maximum
Number (or
Approximate
Dollar Value)
of Shares (or Units)
that may yet be
purchased under
the Plans or
 
Period
 
Purchased (1)
 
(or Unit)
 
Programs (2)
 
Programs (2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
January 1-31, 2019
 
1,089,814

 
160.66

 
1,089,201

 
38,278,718

 
February 1-28, 2019
 
928,331

 
177.68

 
921,840

 
37,356,878

 
March 1-31, 2019
 
894,511

 
180.45

 
893,393

 
36,463,485

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
2,912,656

 
 

 
2,904,434

 
 

 
 
(1) 
Of this amount, 8,222 represent shares tendered by employees in connection with the exercise of options under the stockholder-approved Long-Term Incentive Plan.
(2) 
On September 26, 2017, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to an additional 50 million shares of Common Stock through December 31, 2022. As of March 31, 2019, 36.5 million shares remain authorized for repurchase.


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Item 6. Exhibits.
 
 
 
 
3(ii)
 
 
10.1
 
 
10.2
 
 
10.3
 
 
10.4
 
 
10.5*,**
 
 
10.6*,**
 
 
10.7*,**
 
 
10.8*
 
 
31-A**
 
 
31-B**
 
 
32**
 
 
101**
The following financial information from Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the first quarter of 2019, formatted in Inline Extensible Business Reporting Language (iXBRL) includes (i) the Consolidated Statements of Income for the first quarter of 2019 and 2018; (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the first quarter of 2019 and 2018; (iii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018; (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the first three months of 2019 and 2018; (v) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the first quarter of 2019 and 2018; and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
*   Management contract or compensatory arrangement.
** Filed herewith.





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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:
April 24, 2019
/s/ Jason A. Zampi
 
 
Jason A. Zampi
Vice President and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer) (Signature)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
April 24, 2019
/s/ Denise W. Hutson
 
 
Denise W. Hutson
Corporate Secretary (Signature)

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