Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (TSX: CP) (NYSE: CP) today announced first-quarter revenues of $1.77 billion and reported diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $3.09, or $2.79 on an adjusted diluted EPS basis.
"This past winter was one of the most challenging in my railroading career," said CP President and Chief Executive Officer, Keith Creel. "I applaud our employees for their resiliency in overcoming loss and pushing through extraordinary conditions and challenges throughout February and March. Our commitment to precision scheduled railroading enabled a strong recovery, and gives us a solid foundation moving forward."
FIRST-QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
- Revenues increased by 6 percent to $1.77 billion from $1.66 billion last year
- Reported diluted EPS of $3.09, a 28 percent increase from $2.41 last year, and adjusted diluted EPS was $2.79, a 3 percent increase from $2.70 last year
- Operating ratio was 69.3 percent, an increase of 180 basis points compared to last year's operating ratio of 67.5 percent
"I thank our customers and stakeholders for working with and supporting CP over the past few months, and our 13,000-strong CP family for their tireless dedication," Creel said. "As we look forward, we remain confident in our ability to deliver record financial and operating results in 2019."
As noted on January 23, 2019, CP expects to grow volumes, as measured in revenue ton miles (RTMs), in the mid-single digits and generate double digit adjusted diluted EPS growth in 20191.
CP will discuss its results with the financial community in a conference call beginning at 4:30 p.m. eastern time (2:30 p.m. mountain time) today.
Conference Call Access
Toronto participants dial in number: 1-647-427-7450
Operator assisted toll free dial in number: 1-888-231-8191
Callers should dial in 10 minutes prior to the call.
Webcast
We encourage you to access the webcast and presentation material in the Investors section of CP's website at
investor.cpr.ca
A replay of the first-quarter conference call will be available by phone through to May 7, 2019 at 416-849-0833 or toll free 1-855-859-2056, password 8383898.
Access to the webcast and audio file of the presentation will be made available at
investor.cpr.ca
- CP's expectations for adjusted diluted EPS growth in 2019 are based on adjusted diluted EPS of $14.51 in 2018. CP reported diluted EPS of $13.61 in 2018.
Non-GAAP Measures
In this news release, CP has provided a forward-looking non-GAAP measure. It is not practicable to provide a reconciliation to a forward-looking reported diluted EPS, the most comparable GAAP measure, due to unknown variables and uncertainty related to future results. For information regarding non-GAAP measures, including reconciliations to the nearest GAAP measures, see the attached supplementary schedule Non-GAAP Measures.
Note on forward-looking information
This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements concerning expectations, beliefs, plans, goals, objectives, assumptions and statements about possible future events, conditions, and results of operations or performance. Forward-looking information may contain statements with words or headings such as "financial expectations", "key assumptions", "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "plan", "will", "outlook", "should" or similar words suggesting future outcomes. This news release contains forward-looking information relating, but not limited to, the success of our business, our operations, priorities and plans, anticipated financial and operational performance, including our 2019 full-year guidance, expected RTM and adjusted diluted EPS growth, business prospects, planned capital expenditures, programs and strategies. The purpose of the 2019 adjusted diluted EPS growth projection is to assist readers in understanding our expected and targeted financial results, and this information may not be appropriate for other purposes.
The forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions, having regard to CP's experience and its perception of historical trends, and includes, but is not limited to, expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions relating to: foreign exchange rates, effective tax rates, land sales and pension income (including as specified in this news release); North American and global economic growth; commodity demand growth; sustainable industrial and agricultural production; commodity prices and interest rates; performance of our assets and equipment; sufficiency of our budgeted capital expenditures in carrying out our business plan; applicable laws, regulations and government policies; the availability and cost of labour, services and infrastructure; and the satisfaction by third parties of their obligations to CP. Although CP believes the expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions reflected in the forward-looking information presented herein are reasonable as of the date hereof, there can be no assurance that they will prove to be correct.
Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information as actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking information. By its nature, CP's forward-looking information involves inherent risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward looking information, including, but not limited to, the following factors: changes in business strategies; general North American and global economic, credit and business conditions; risks associated with agricultural production, such as weather conditions and insect populations; the availability and price of energy commodities; the effects of competition and pricing pressures; industry capacity; shifts in market demand; changes in commodity prices; uncertainty surrounding timing and volumes of commodities being shipped via CP; inflation; changes in laws, regulations and government policies, including regulation of rates; changes in taxes and tax rates; potential increases in maintenance and operating costs; changes in fuel prices; uncertainties of investigations, proceedings or other types of claims and litigation; labour disputes; risks and liabilities arising from derailments; transportation of dangerous goods; timing of completion of capital and maintenance projects; currency and interest rate fluctuations; effects of changes in market conditions and discount rates on the financial position of pension plans and investments; trade restrictions or other changes to international trade arrangements; climate change; and various events that could disrupt operations, including severe weather, such as droughts, floods, avalanches and earthquakes, and cybersecurity attacks, as well as security threats and governmental response to them, and technological changes. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. These and other factors are detailed from time to time in reports filed by CP with securities regulators in Canada and the United States. Reference should be made to "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Forward-Looking Information" in CP's annual and interim reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q.
The forward-looking information contained in this news release is made as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, CP undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking information, or the foregoing assumptions and risks affecting such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
About Canadian Pacific
Canadian Pacific is a transcontinental railway in Canada and the United States with direct links to major ports on the west and east coasts. CP provides North American customers a competitive rail service with access to key markets in every corner of the globe. CP is growing with its customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Visit cpr.ca to see the rail advantages of CP. CP-IR