CN reports Q4-2012 net income of C$610 million, or C$1.41 per diluted share

Adjusted diluted EPS for full-year 2012 increased 16 per cent to C$5.61 ⁽¹⁾

Full-year 2012 volumes and earnings highest in Company history

MONTREAL, Jan. 22, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI) today reported its financial and operating results for the fourth quarter and year ended Dec. 31, 2012.

Fourth-quarter and full-year 2012 financial highlights

• Record fourth-quarter and full-year 2012 carloads, revenues and revenue ton-miles.
• Fourth-quarter 2012 net income was C$610 million, or C$1.41 per diluted share, compared with net income of C$592 million or, C$1.32 per diluted share, for the year-earlier quarter.
• Q4-2012 diluted earnings per share (EPS) of C$1.41 increased eight per cent over year-earlier adjusted diluted EPS of C$1.30 (adjusted net income of C$581 million), which excluded an income tax recovery. ⁽¹⁾
• Full-year 2012 net income was C$2,680 million, or C$6.12 per diluted share, compared with net income of C$2,457 million, or C$5.41 per diluted share, for 2011.
• Full-year 2012 adjusted diluted EPS increased 16 per cent to C$5.61, with adjusted 2012 net income of C$2,456 million versus adjusted net income of C$2,194 million in 2011. ⁽¹⁾
• Q4-2012 operating income increased 10 per cent to C$922 million, while full-year 2012 operating income rose 12 per cent to C$3,685 million.
• Fourth-quarter 2012 operating ratio improved by 1.1 points to 63.6 per cent; full-year 2012 operating ratio was 62.9 per cent, a 0.6-point improvement.
• 2012 free cash flow totalled C$1,006 million, after voluntary pension plan contributions of C$700 million, compared with free cash flow of C$1,175 million for 2011. ⁽¹⁾

Claude Mongeau, president and chief executive officer, said: "CN's team of railroaders delivered impressive fourth-quarter results on the strength of a seven per cent increase in revenues, capping a very strong 2012 performance.

"Thanks to our supply chain collaboration focus and solid execution, CN's growth last year continued to outpace that of the overall economy, generating the highest volumes and earnings in Company history.

"In 2012, we experienced strong growth in commodities related to oil and gas, particularly crude oil, and saw continued market share gains in overseas and domestic intermodal. CN also benefited from strong coal and petroleum coke exports, increased wheat and soybean exports, as well as higher lumber and panels shipments to the United States."

Foreign currency impact on results
Although CN reports its earnings in Canadian dollars, a large portion of its revenues and expenses is denominated in U.S. dollars. As such, the Company's results are affected by exchange-rate fluctuations. On a constant currency basis that excludes the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, CN's fourth-quarter 2012 net income would have been higher by C$11 million, or C$0.03 per diluted share, while its 2012 net income would have been lower by C$14 million, or C$0.03 per diluted share. ⁽¹⁾

Positive 2013 outlook, increased dividend ⁽²⁾
Mongeau said: "For 2013, CN anticipates continued gradual improvement in the economy and further growth opportunities in intermodal, energy and other resource markets. Despite the challenge of an approximate C$150-million headwind related to increased pension expense and the impact of depreciation studies, CN is aiming for high single-digit growth in 2013 diluted earnings per share over adjusted diluted earnings per share of C$5.61 for 2012. CN also expects to generate 2013 free cash flow in the range of C$800 million to C$900 million, including a normalized, higher level of cash taxes. ⁽¹⁾

"Given CN's strong balance sheet and its solid outlook for earnings and free cash flow generation, I am pleased to announce that the Company's Board of Directors has approved a 15 per cent increase in CN's 2013 quarterly common-share dividend."

Fourth-quarter 2012 revenues, traffic volumes and expenses
Revenues for the fourth quarter of 2012 increased by seven per cent to C$2,534 million. Revenues increased for coal (15 per cent), petroleum and chemicals (13 per cent), grain and fertilizers (11 per cent), intermodal (seven per cent), and automotive (five per cent). Revenues declined for forest products (two per cent), and metals and minerals (one per cent).

Carloadings for the quarter rose three per cent to 1,270 thousand.

Revenue ton-miles, measuring the relative weight and distance of rail freight transported by CN, increased by eight per cent over the year-earlier quarter.

Rail freight revenue per revenue ton-mile, a measurement of yield defined as revenue earned on the movement of a ton of freight over one mile, declined by one per cent.

Total operating expenses increased by five per cent to C$1,612 million.

Full-year 2012 revenues, traffic volumes and expenses
2012 revenues increased 10 per cent to C$9,920 million, with all business units registering gains: petroleum and chemicals (15 per cent), coal (15 per cent), metals and minerals (13 per cent), intermodal (11 per cent), automotive (11 per cent), forest products (five per cent), and grain and fertilizers (four per cent).

The rise in total revenues was largely attributable to higher freight volumes, due in part to growth in North American and Asian economies, and the Company's performance above market conditions in a number of segments, as well as increased volumes in the second quarter as a result of a labor disruption at a key competitor; freight rate increases; the impact of a higher fuel surcharge as a result of year-over-year increases in applicable fuel prices and higher volumes; and the positive translation impact of the weaker Canadian dollar on U.S. dollar-denominated revenues.

Carloadings for the year increased four per cent to 5,059 thousand.

Revenue ton-miles increased by seven per cent over 2011, while rail freight revenue per revenue ton-mile increased by three per cent.

Total operating expenses for 2012 increased by nine per cent to C$6,235 million, mainly due to higher labor and fringe benefits expense, increased purchased services and material expense, as well as increased fuel costs.

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain information included in this news release constitutes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and under Canadian securities laws. CN cautions that, by their nature, these forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The Company cautions that its assumptions may not materialize and that current economic conditions render such assumptions, although reasonable at the time they were made, subject to greater uncertainty. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results or performance of the Company or the rail industry to be materially different from the outlook or any future results or performance implied by such statements. To the extent that CN has provided guidance that are non-GAAP financial measures, the Company may not be able to provide a reconciliation to the GAAP measures, due to unknown variables and uncertainty related to future results. Key assumptions used in determining forward-looking information are set forth below.

Key assumptions
CN has made a number of economic and market assumptions in preparing its 2013 outlook. The Company is forecasting that North American industrial production for the year will increase by about 2.0 per cent. CN also expects U.S. housing starts to be in the range of 950,000 units and U.S. motor vehicles sales to be approximately 15 million units. In addition, CN is assuming that 2013/2014 grain crop production in both Canada and the U.S. will be in-line with their respective five-year averages. With respect to the 2012/2013 crop, production in Canada was slightly above the five-year average while production in the U.S. was below the five-year average. With these assumptions, CN assumes carload growth of three to four per cent, along with continued pricing improvement above inflation. CN also assumes the Canadian-U.S. exchange rate to be around parity for 2013 and that the price of crude oil (West Texas Intermediate) for the year to be in the range of US$90-$100 per barrel. In 2013, CN plans to invest approximately C$1.9 billion in capital programs, of which more than C$1 billion will be targeted on track infrastructure to maintain a safe and fluid railway network. In addition, the Company will invest in projects to support a number of productivity and growth initiatives.

Important risk factors that could affect the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the effects of general economic and business conditions, industry competition, inflation, currency and interest rate fluctuations, changes in fuel prices, legislative and/or regulatory developments, compliance with environmental laws and regulations, actions by regulators, various events which could disrupt operations, including natural events such as severe weather, droughts, floods and earthquakes, labor negotiations and disruptions, environmental claims, uncertainties of investigations, proceedings or other types of claims and litigation, risks and liabilities arising from derailments, and other risks detailed from time to time in reports filed by CN with securities regulators in Canada and the United States. Reference should be made to "Management's Discussion and Analysis" in CN's annual and interim reports, Annual Information Form and Form 40-F filed with Canadian and U.S. securities regulators, available on CN's website, for a summary of major risk factors.

CN assumes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect future events, changes in circumstances, or changes in beliefs, unless required by applicable Canadian securities laws. In the event CN does update any forward-looking statement, no inference should be made that CN will make additional updates with respect to that statement, related matters, or any other forward-looking statement.

1)	See discussion and reconciliation of non-GAAP adjusted performance-measures in the attached supplementary schedule, Non-GAAP Measures.
2)	See Forward-Looking statements for a summary of the key assumptions and risks regarding CN's 2013 outlook.

CN - Canadian National Railway Company and its operating railway subsidiaries - spans Canada and mid-America, from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to the Gulf of Mexico, serving the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert, B.C., Montreal, Halifax, New Orleans, and Mobile, Ala., and the key metropolitan areas of Toronto, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Duluth, Minn./Superior, Wis., Green Bay, Wis., Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, and Jackson, Miss., with connections to all points in North America. For more information on CN, visit the Company's website at www.cn.ca.

CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME (U.S. GAAP) - unaudited
(In millions, except per share data)
		Three months ended						Year ended
		December 31						December 31
			2012			2011			2012			2011
Revenues		$	2,534		$	2,377		$	9,920		$	9,028
Operating expenses
	Labor and fringe benefits		463			511			1,952			1,812
	Purchased services and material		340			295			1,248			1,120
	Fuel		400			382			1,524			1,412
	Depreciation and amortization		237			231			924			884
	Equipment rents		64			63			249			228
	Casualty and other		108			56			338			276
Total operating expenses			1,612			1,538			6,235			5,732
Operating income			922			839			3,685			3,296
Interest expense			(86)			(85)			(342)			(341)
Other income (loss)			(5)			21			315			401
Income before income taxes			831			775			3,658			3,356
Income tax expense			(221)			(183)			(978)			(899)
Net income		$	610		$	592		$	2,680		$	2,457
Earnings per share
	Basic	$	1.42		$	1.33		$	6.15		$	5.45
	Diluted	$	1.41		$	1.32		$	6.12		$	5.41
Weighted-average number of shares
	Basic		430.3			444.3			435.6			451.1
	Diluted		432.0			447.3			437.7			454.4

These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements, expressed in Canadian dollars, and prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP), contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly Canadian National Railway Company's (the Company) financial position as at December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, and its results of operations, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders' equity and cash flows for the three months and years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011. These consolidated financial statements have been prepared using accounting policies consistent with those used in preparing the Company's 2012 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements and should be read in conjunction with such statements, notes thereto and Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A).

CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (U.S. GAAP) - unaudited
(In millions)
			Three months ended					Year ended
			December 31					December 31
				2012		2011			2012		2011
Net income			$	610	$	592		$	2,680	$	2,457
Other comprehensive income (loss)
	Foreign exchange gain (loss) on:
		Translation of the net investment in foreign operations		71		(185)			(128)		130
		Translation of US dollar-denominated long-term debt designated  as a hedge of the net investment in U.S. subsidiaries		(66)		180			123		(122)
	Pension and other postretirement benefit plans
		Net actuarial loss arising during the year		(660)		(1,541)			(660)		(1,541)
		Prior service cost arising during the year		(6)		(28)			(6)		(28)
		Amortization of net actuarial loss included in net periodic  benefit cost (income)		27		2			119		8
		Amortization of prior service cost included in net periodic benefit cost (income)		2		2			7		4
	Derivative instruments			-		(1)			-		(2)
Other comprehensive loss before income taxes				(632)		(1,571)			(545)		(1,551)
Income tax recovery				178		379			127		421
Other comprehensive loss				(454)		(1,192)			(418)		(1,130)
Comprehensive income (loss)			$	156	$	(600)		$	2,262	$	1,327

CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (U.S. GAAP) - unaudited
(In millions)
		December 31			December 31
			2012			2011
Assets
Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	155		$	101
	Restricted cash and cash equivalents		521			499
	Accounts receivable		831			820
	Material and supplies		230			201
	Deferred and receivable income taxes		43			122
	Other		89			105
Total current assets			1,869			1,848
Properties			24,541			23,917
Intangible and other assets			249			261
Total assets		$	26,659		$	26,026
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Current liabilities:
	Accounts payable and other	$	1,626		$	1,580
	Current portion of long-term debt		577			135
Total current liabilities			2,203			1,715
Deferred income taxes			5,555			5,333
Pension and other postretirement benefits, net of current portion			784			1,095
Other liabilities and deferred credits			776			762
Long-term debt			6,323			6,441
Shareholders' equity:
	Common shares		4,108			4,141
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(3,257)			(2,839)
	Retained earnings		10,167			9,378
Total shareholders' equity			11,018			10,680
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity		$	26,659		$	26,026

These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements, expressed in Canadian dollars, and prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly the Company's financial position as at December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, and its results of operations, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders' equity and cash flows for the three months and years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011. These consolidated financial statements have been prepared using accounting policies consistent with those used in preparing the Company's 2012 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements and should be read in conjunction with such statements, notes thereto and MD&A.

CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (U.S. GAAP) - unaudited
(In millions)
		Three months ended						Year ended
		December 31						December 31
			2012			2011			2012			2011
Common shares ^(1)
Balance, beginning of period		$	4,120		$	4,149		$	4,141		$	4,252
	Stock options exercised and other		23			24			128			74
	Share repurchase programs		(35)			(32)			(161)			(185)
Balance, end of period		$	4,108		$	4,141		$	4,108		$	4,141
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Balance, beginning of period		$	(2,803)		$	(1,647)		$	(2,839)		$	(1,709)
	Other comprehensive loss		(454)			(1,192)			(418)			(1,130)
Balance, end of period		$	(3,257)		$	(2,839)		$	(3,257)		$	(2,839)
Retained earnings
Balance, beginning of period		$	9,988		$	9,154		$	9,378		$	8,741
	Net income		610			592			2,680			2,457
	Share repurchase programs		(270)			(224)			(1,239)			(1,235)
	Dividends		(161)			(144)			(652)			(585)
Balance, end of period		$	10,167		$	9,378		$	10,167		$	9,378

(1)

During the three months and year ended December 31, 2012, the Company issued 0.5 million and 3.2 million common shares, respectively, as a result of stock options exercised and repurchased 3.6 million and 16.9 million common shares, respectively, under its share repurchase programs. At December 31, 2012, the Company had 428.4 million common shares outstanding.

CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (U.S. GAAP) - unaudited
(In millions)
			Three months ended						Year ended
			December 31						December 31
				2012			2011			2012			2011
Operating activities
Net income			$	610		$	592		$	2,680		$	2,457
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
	Depreciation and amortization			237			231			924			884
	Deferred income taxes			120			204			451			531
	Gain on disposal of property			-			-			(281)			(348)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
	Accounts receivable			17			(34)			(20)			(51)
	Material and supplies			43			70			(30)			11
	Accounts payable and other			(11)			(68)			129			34
	Other current assets			(7)			(11)			(13)			(2)
Pensions and other, net				(285)			(393)			(780)			(540)
Net cash provided by operating activities				724			591			3,060			2,976
Investing activities
Property additions				(610)			(613)			(1,731)			(1,625)
Disposal of property				-			-			311			369
Change in restricted cash and cash equivalents				(3)			(10)			(22)			(499)
Other, net				16			4			21			26
Net cash used in investing activities				(597)			(619)			(1,421)			(1,729)
Financing activities
Issuance of debt				493			1,165			2,354			1,361
Repayment of debt				(195)			(858)			(2,001)			(1,083)
Issuance of common shares due to exercise of stock options and related excess tax benefits realized				20			21			117			77
Repurchase of common shares				(305)			(256)			(1,400)			(1,420)
Dividends paid				(161)			(144)			(652)			(585)
Net cash used in financing activities				(148)			(72)			(1,582)			(1,650)
Effect of foreign exchange fluctuations on US dollar-denominated cash and cash equivalents				1			9			(3)			14
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents				(20)			(91)			54			(389)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period				175			192			101			490
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period			$	155		$	101		$	155		$	101
Supplemental cash flow information
	Net cash receipts from customers and other		$	2,481		$	2,336		$	9,877		$	8,995
	Net cash payments for:
		Employee services, suppliers and other expenses		(1,239)			(1,092)			(5,241)			(4,643)
		Interest		(89)			(80)			(364)			(329)
		Personal injury and other claims		(22)			(49)			(79)			(97)
		Pensions		(257)			(365)			(844)			(468)
		Income taxes		(150)			(159)			(289)			(482)
Net cash provided by operating activities			$	724		$	591		$	3,060		$	2,976

CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
SELECTED RAILROAD STATISTICS (U.S. GAAP) - unaudited
	Three months ended			Year ended
	December 31			December 31
	2012	2011		2012		2011
Statistical operating data
Rail freight revenues ($ millions)	2,280	2,132		8,938		8,111
Gross ton miles (GTM) (millions)	97,873	92,128		383,754		357,927
Revenue ton miles (RTM) (millions)	52,124	48,156		201,496		187,753
Carloads (thousands)	1,270	1,232		5,059		4,873
Route miles (includes Canada and the U.S.) ^(1)	20,100	20,000		20,100		20,000
Employees (end of period)	23,430	23,339		23,430		23,339
Employees (average for the period)	23,532	23,433		23,466		23,079
Productivity
Operating ratio (%)	63.6	64.7		62.9		63.5
Rail freight revenue per RTM (cents)	4.37	4.43		4.44		4.32
Rail freight revenue per carload ($)	1,795	1,731		1,767		1,664
Operating expenses per GTM (cents)	1.65	1.67		1.62		1.60
Labor and fringe benefits expense per GTM (cents)	0.47	0.55		0.51		0.51
GTMs per average number of employees (thousands)	4,159	3,932		16,354		15,509
Diesel fuel consumed (US gallons in millions)	99.9	94.3		388.7		367.7
Average fuel price ($/US gallon)	3.53	3.55		3.47		3.39
GTMs per US gallon of fuel consumed	980	977		987		973
Safety indicators
Injury frequency rate per 200,000 person hours^(2)	1.34	1.32		1.31		1.55
Accident rate per million train miles ^(2)	1.77	1.96		2.10		2.25
Financial ratio
Debt-to-total capitalization ratio (% at end of period) ^(3)	38.5	38.1		38.5		38.1

(1)						Rounded to the nearest hundred miles.
(2)						Based on Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) reporting criteria.
(3)						Debt-to-total capitalization is calculated as total long-term debt plus current portion of long-term debt, divided by the sum of total debt plus total shareholders' equity.

Certain of the 2011 comparative figures have been restated to conform with the 2012 presentation. Such statistical data and related productivity measures are based on estimated data available at such time and are subject to change as more complete information becomes available.

CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION (U.S. GAAP) - unaudited
	Three months ended December 31						Year ended December 31
	2012	2011	% Change Fav (Unfav)		% Change at constant currency Fav (Unfav) ^(1)		2012	2011	% Change Fav (Unfav)		% Change at constant currency Fav (Unfav) ^(1)
Revenues (millions of dollars)
Petroleum and chemicals	427	377	13%		16%		1,640	1,420	15%		15%
Metals and minerals	274	278	(1%)		1%		1,133	1,006	13%		12%
Forest products	323	329	(2%)		-		1,331	1,270	5%		4%
Coal	171	149	15%		17%		712	618	15%		15%
Grain and fertilizers	459	413	11%		13%		1,590	1,523	4%		4%
Intermodal	498	464	7%		8%		1,994	1,790	11%		11%
Automotive	128	122	5%		7%		538	484	11%		10%
Total rail freight revenues	2,280	2,132	7%		9%		8,938	8,111	10%		10%
Other revenues	254	245	4%		5%		982	917	7%		6%
Total revenues	2,534	2,377	7%		8%		9,920	9,028	10%		9%
Revenue ton miles (millions)
Petroleum and chemicals	10,154	8,532	19%		19%		37,449	32,962	14%		14%
Metals and minerals	5,000	5,119	(2%)		(2%)		20,236	18,899	7%		7%
Forest products	7,141	7,345	(3%)		(3%)		29,674	29,336	1%		1%
Coal	5,754	4,685	23%		23%		23,570	19,980	18%		18%
Grain and fertilizers	12,826	11,900	8%		8%		45,417	45,468	-		-
Intermodal	10,614	9,950	7%		7%		42,396	38,563	10%		10%
Automotive	635	625	2%		2%		2,754	2,545	8%		8%
	52,124	48,156	8%		8%		201,496	187,753	7%		7%
Rail freight revenue / RTM (cents)
Total rail freight revenue per RTM	4.37	4.43	(1%)		-		4.44	4.32	3%		2%
Commodity groups:
Petroleum and chemicals	4.21	4.42	(5%)		(3%)		4.38	4.31	2%		1%
Metals and minerals	5.48	5.43	1%		3%		5.60	5.32	5%		4%
Forest products	4.52	4.48	1%		3%		4.49	4.33	4%		3%
Coal	2.97	3.18	(7%)		(5%)		3.02	3.09	(2%)		(3%)
Grain and fertilizers	3.58	3.47	3%		5%		3.50	3.35	4%		4%
Intermodal	4.69	4.66	1%		2%		4.70	4.64	1%		1%
Automotive	20.16	19.52	3%		6%		19.54	19.02	3%		2%
Carloads (thousands)
Petroleum and chemicals	150	139	8%		8%		594	560	6%		6%
Metals and minerals	246	261	(6%)		(6%)		1,024	1,013	1%		1%
Forest products	109	109	-		-		445	443	-		-
Coal	103	110	(6%)		(6%)		435	464	(6%)		(6%)
Grain and fertilizers	171	152	13%		13%		597	592	1%		1%
Intermodal	437	408	7%		7%		1,742	1,584	10%		10%
Automotive	54	53	2%		2%		222	217	2%		2%
	1,270	1,232	3%		3%		5,059	4,873	4%		4%
Rail freight revenue / carload (dollars)
Total rail freight revenue per carload	1,795	1,731	4%		6%		1,767	1,664	6%		6%
Commodity groups:
Petroleum and chemicals	2,847	2,712	5%		7%		2,761	2,536	9%		8%
Metals and minerals	1,114	1,065	5%		7%		1,106	993	11%		10%
Forest products	2,963	3,018	(2%)		-		2,991	2,867	4%		4%
Coal	1,660	1,355	23%		25%		1,637	1,332	23%		22%
Grain and fertilizers	2,684	2,717	(1%)		1%		2,663	2,573	3%		3%
Intermodal	1,140	1,137	-		1%		1,145	1,130	1%		1%
Automotive	2,370	2,302	3%		5%		2,423	2,230	9%		8%
(1) See supplementary schedule entitled Non-GAAP Measures for an explanation of this Non-GAAP measure.

Such statistical data and related productivity measures are based on estimated data available at such time and are subject to change as more complete information becomes available.

CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY

NON-GAAP MEASURES - unaudited

 

Adjusted performance measures

For the three months and year ended December 31, 2012, the Company reported adjusted net income of $610 million, or $1.41 per diluted share and $2,456 million, or $5.61 per diluted share, respectively. The adjusted figures for the year ended December 31, 2012 exclude a gain on disposal of a segment of the Bala and a segment of the Oakville subdivisions, together with the rail fixtures and certain passenger agreements, of $281 million, or $252 million after-tax ($0.57 per diluted share); and a net income tax expense of $28 million ($0.06 per diluted share) consisting of a $35 million income tax expense resulting from the enactment of higher provincial corporate income tax rates that was partly offset by a $7 million income tax recovery resulting from the recapitalization of a foreign investment.

For the three months and year ended December 31, 2011, the Company reported adjusted net income of $581 million, or $1.30 per diluted share and $2,194 million, or $4.84 per diluted share, respectively. The adjusted figures for the three months and year ended December 31, 2011 exclude an income tax recovery of $11 million ($0.02 per diluted share) relating to certain fuel costs attributed to various wholly owned subsidiaries in prior periods. The adjusted figures for the year ended December 31, 2011 also exclude a net income tax expense of $40 million ($0.08 per diluted share) resulting from the enactment of state corporate income tax rate changes and other legislated state tax revisions; a gain on disposal of a segment of the Company's Kingston subdivision, together with the rail fixtures and certain passenger agreements, of $288 million, or $254 million after-tax ($0.55 per diluted share); and a gain on disposal of substantially all of the assets of IC RailMarine Terminal Company of $60 million, or $38 million after-tax ($0.08 per diluted share).

Management believes that adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share are useful measures of performance that can facilitate period-to-period comparisons, as they exclude items that do not necessarily arise as part of the normal day-to-day operations of the Company and could distort the analysis of trends in business performance. The exclusion of such items in adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share does not, however, imply that such items are necessarily non-recurring. These adjusted measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and may, therefore, not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. The reader is advised to read all information provided in the Company's 2012 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements, Notes thereto and Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A). The following tables provide a reconciliation of net income and earnings per share, as reported for the three months and year ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, to the adjusted performance measures presented herein.

	Three months ended							Year ended
	December 31, 2012							December 31, 2012
In millions, except per share data		Reported		Adjustments		Adjusted			Reported		Adjustments		Adjusted
Revenues	$	2,534	$	-	$	2,534		$	9,920	$	-	$	9,920
Operating expenses		1,612		-		1,612			6,235		-		6,235
Operating income		922		-		922			3,685		-		3,685
Interest expense		(86)		-		(86)			(342)		-		(342)
Other income (loss)		(5)		-		(5)			315		(281)		34
Income before income taxes		831		-		831			3,658		(281)		3,377
Income tax expense		(221)		-		(221)			(978)		57		(921)
Net income	$	610	$	-	$	610		$	2,680	$	(224)	$	2,456
Operating ratio		63.6%				63.6%			62.9%				62.9%
Effective tax rate		26.6%				26.6%			26.7%				27.3%
Basic earnings per share	$	1.42	$	-	$	1.42		$	6.15	$	(0.51)	$	5.64
Diluted earnings per share	$	1.41	$	-	$	1.41		$	6.12	$	(0.51)	$	5.61
	Three months ended							Year ended
	December 31, 2011							December 31, 2011
In millions, except per share data		Reported		Adjustments		Adjusted			Reported		Adjustments		Adjusted
Revenues	$	2,377	$	-	$	2,377		$	9,028	$	-	$	9,028
Operating expenses		1,538		-		1,538			5,732		-		5,732
Operating income		839		-		839			3,296		-		3,296
Interest expense		(85)		-		(85)			(341)		-		(341)
Other income		21		-		21			401		(348)		53
Income before income taxes		775		-		775			3,356		(348)		3,008
Income tax expense		(183)		(11)		(194)			(899)		85		(814)
Net income	$	592	$	(11)	$	581		$	2,457	$	(263)	$	2,194
Operating ratio		64.7%				64.7%			63.5%				63.5%
Effective tax rate		23.6%				25.0%			26.8%				27.1%
Basic earnings per share	$	1.33	$	(0.02)	$	1.31		$	5.45	$	(0.57)	$	4.88
Diluted earnings per share	$	1.32	$	(0.02)	$	1.30		$	5.41	$	(0.57)	$	4.84

Constant currency

Although CN conducts its business and reports its earnings in Canadian dollars, a large portion of revenues and expenses is denominated in US dollars. As such, the Company's results are affected by exchange-rate fluctuations.

Financial results at "constant currency" allow results to be viewed without the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, thereby facilitating period-to-period comparisons in the analysis of trends in business performance. Measures at constant currency are considered non-GAAP measures and do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and may, therefore, not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Financial results at constant currency are obtained by translating the current period results denominated in US dollars at the foreign exchange rates of the comparable period of the prior year. The average foreign exchange rates were $0.99 and $1.00 per US$1.00, respectively, for the three months and year ended December 31, 2012, and $1.02 and $0.99 per US$1.00, respectively, for the three months and year ended December 31, 2011.

On a constant currency basis, the Company's 2012 fourth quarter net income would have been higher by $11 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, and the 2012 twelve-month net income would have been lower by $14 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, respectively. The following table presents a reconciliation of 2012 net income as reported to net income on a constant currency basis:

		Three months ended		Year ended
In millions		December 31, 2012		December 31, 2012
Net income, as reported		$	610	$	2,680
Add back:
	Negative (positive) impact due to the strengthening (weakening) Canadian dollar included in net income		9		(11)
Add:
	Increase (decrease) due to the strengthening (weakening) Canadian dollar on additional year-over-year US$ net income		2		(3)
Impact of foreign exchange using constant currency rates			11		(14)
Net income, on a constant currency basis		$	621	$	2,666

Free cash flow

The Company utilized $30 million and generated $1,006 million of free cash flow for the three months and year ended December 31, 2012, respectively, compared to utilized $153 million and generated $1,175 million for the same periods in 2011, respectively. Free cash flow does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and may, therefore, not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. The Company believes that free cash flow is a useful measure of performance as it demonstrates the Company's ability to generate cash after the payment of capital expenditures and dividends. The Company defines free cash flow as the sum of net cash provided by operating activities, adjusted for changes in cash and cash equivalents resulting from foreign exchange fluctuations; and net cash used in investing activities, adjusted for changes in restricted cash and cash equivalents, if any, the impact of major acquisitions, if any; and the payment of dividends, calculated as follows:

			Three months ended						Year ended
			December 31						December 31
In millions				2012			2011			2012			2011
Net cash provided by operating activities			$	724		$	591		$	3,060		$	2,976
Net cash used in investing activities				(597)			(619)			(1,421)			(1,729)
Net cash provided (utilized) before financing activities				127			(28)			1,639			1,247
Adjustments:
	Dividends paid			(161)			(144)			(652)			(585)
	Change in restricted cash and cash equivalents			3			10			22			499
	Effect of foreign exchange fluctuations on US dollar-denominated cash and cash equivalents			1			9			(3)			14
Free cash flow			$	(30)		$	(153)		$	1,006		$	1,175

 

 

 

 

SOURCE: CN

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