10-QPeriod: Q2 FY2020

CANADIAN PACIFIC KANSAS CITY LTD/CN Quarterly Report for Q2 Ended Jun 30, 2020

Filed July 22, 2020For Securities:CP

Summary

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd. (CP) reported its financial results for the second quarter and first six months of 2020. For the second quarter, revenues decreased by 9% year-over-year to $1.79 billion, primarily due to lower volumes impacted by COVID-19, though partially offset by higher freight rates and liquidated damages. Net income declined by 12% to $635 million, and diluted EPS fell 10% to $4.66. Despite revenue and net income declines, CP's operating ratio improved by 140 basis points to 57.0%, reflecting operational efficiencies and favorable fuel prices. For the first six months, total revenues saw a slight increase of 2% to $3.84 billion, while net income decreased by 10% to $1.04 billion, and diluted EPS decreased by 7% to $7.64. The company completed the acquisition of Central Maine & Québec Railway U.S. Inc., expanding its network. CP also announced a quarterly dividend increase to $0.95 per share. Operationally, CP demonstrated improved asset utilization with increased average train weight and length, despite a 10% decrease in revenue ton-miles for the quarter. The company actively managed its operations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, implementing various safety and operational measures. Looking ahead, CP updated its 2020 outlook, expecting adjusted diluted EPS growth and revised its capital expenditure forecast to $1.6 billion.

Key Highlights

  • 1Q2 2020 total revenues decreased by 9% to $1.79 billion, impacted by COVID-19-related volume declines, though partially offset by higher freight rates and liquidated damages.
  • 2Q2 2020 net income decreased by 12% to $635 million, and diluted EPS fell 10% to $4.66 compared to Q2 2019.
  • 3Operating ratio improved by 140 basis points to 57.0% in Q2 2020, indicating increased operational efficiency.
  • 4The company completed the acquisition of Central Maine & Québec Railway U.S. Inc., expanding its rail network to approximately 13,000 miles.
  • 5Average train weight and length increased by 7% and 8% respectively in Q2 2020, demonstrating improved asset utilization.
  • 6CP announced an increase in its quarterly dividend to $0.95 per share, payable in October 2020.
  • 7The company updated its 2020 outlook, expecting adjusted diluted EPS growth and maintaining capital expenditures at $1.6 billion.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary driver of the revenue decline in the second quarter of 2020 was a decrease in volumes, as measured by revenue ton-miles (RTMs), largely attributable to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on consumer demand. This was partially offset by factors such as higher freight rates and revenue from liquidated damages, including customer volume commitments.

The company demonstrated improved operational efficiency in the second quarter of 2020. Key indicators show an increase in average train weight by 7% and average train length by 8% compared to the same period in 2019. The operating ratio also improved by 140 basis points to 57.0%, suggesting better cost management relative to revenue.

The acquisition of CMQ (Central Maine & Québec Railway) is significant because it expands CP's network by adding 244.2 route-miles of rail line in Maine and Vermont, integrating it into CP's existing network. This acquisition connects CP directly to the Atlantic Ocean port of Searsport, Maine, and Port Saint John in New Brunswick, effectively creating a 13,000-mile rail network across Canada and the US.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the company's operations in the second quarter, leading to lower volumes in several key business lines, including Energy, Chemicals & Plastics, Metals, Minerals & Consumer Products, Intermodal, and Automotive. The company implemented various measures to ensure employee safety and business continuity. Looking forward, CP revised its 2020 outlook based on the estimated impact of the pandemic, expecting adjusted diluted EPS growth and maintaining capital expenditures at $1.6 billion.