Compared to Estimates, CSX (CSX) Q3 Earnings: A Look at Key Metrics

Core Insights - CSX reported revenue of $3.62 billion for the quarter ended September 2024, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 1.3% [1] - Earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter was $0.46, up from $0.42 in the same quarter last year [1] - The reported revenue fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.68 billion, resulting in a surprise of -1.56% [1] - EPS also missed the consensus estimate of $0.48, with a surprise of -4.17% [1] Performance Metrics - Operating Margin was reported at 37.4%, significantly lower than the average estimate of 62% based on five analysts [3] - Revenue per unit for Intermodal was $697, compared to the estimated $719.66 by four analysts [3] - Volume for Merchandise - Automotive was 98 thousand, below the estimated 101.14 thousand [3] - Volume for Merchandise - Minerals was 96 thousand, slightly above the estimated 94.57 thousand [3] - Revenue from Coal was $553 million, compared to the average estimate of $561.69 million, representing a year-over-year decline of 6.9% [3] - Revenue from Intermodal was $509 million, below the estimated $529.24 million, with a year-over-year change of -1.6% [3] - Revenue from Merchandise - Fertilizers was $118 million, compared to the average estimate of $132.40 million, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 4.8% [3] - Revenue from Merchandise - Chemicals was $727 million, exceeding the estimated $698.44 million, with a year-over-year increase of 12.5% [3] - Revenue from Merchandise - Automotive was $301 million, below the estimated $314.07 million, showing a year-over-year decline of 2.3% [3] - Revenue from Merchandise - Minerals was $202 million, slightly above the estimated $198.20 million, with a year-over-year increase of 6.3% [3] - Revenue from Merchandise - Forest Products was $259 million, below the estimated $269.53 million, with a year-over-year increase of 6.6% [3] - Total Merchandise revenue was $2.23 billion, slightly below the estimated $2.26 billion, with a year-over-year increase of 5.6% [3] Stock Performance - CSX shares have returned +4.2% over the past month, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +3.5% change [2] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating potential performance in line with the broader market in the near term [2]