Investment banking firm Cowen and Company recently released three reports that reflect tough times for railroads yet contend that things are not catastrophic either.
The New York-based firm noted that in the fourth quarter of 2019 freight volumes fell by 7.5 percent when compared to the same period of 2018.
In comparing the last quarter of 2019 to the earlier quarters of the year, carloads fell by 1.4 percent, 4.8 percent and 4.4 percent by respective quarter for a full-year decline of 4.0 percent compared with 2018.
Cowen said railroads last year handled volumes that were similar to those expected during an economic recession.
It said, though, that the advent of precision scheduled railroading has enabled Class 1 railroads to reduce their expenses, which helped to stimulate earnings growth despite volume declines.
Among the long-term forces affecting railroads are intermodal growth, decline in export coal, and the state of the overall economy.
Cowen said these resulted in Class I railroads falling short of expectations.
It likewise has lowered its expectations for 2020 on earnings per share forecasts for most Class 1 railroads.
The exception is Kansas City Southern because Cowen analysts believe that carrier will benefit from the shifting of supply chains to South and Central Mexico.
In another study released by Cowen, a survey of rail shippers found they are expecting price increases of 3.0 percent below the survey’s long-term average.
Cowen described this as a positive for railroads but noted carriers continue to confront a challenging near-term demand environment and the worst volume declines since 2009.
The report said data show that railroads haven’t sought to increase their volume by lowering their freight rates.
The average positive rating given by shippers to rail service rose to 60 percent from 53 percent the third quarter of 2019 with satisfaction rising with all railroads other than Norfolk Southern.
In a third report, Cowen said railcar demand appears to be holding at or just below the levels of the past quarter despite rail traffic declines and the continued implementation of PSR.
Cowen said about 51 percent of all shippers surveyed said they will or may order railcars in the next 12 months.
That compares with 53 percent who said that during the third quarter survey.
About 49 percent of shippers said they do not plan to order railcars compared to 48 percent in the previous quarter survey.
Tags: class 1 railroads, Cowen and Company, railroad finances, railroad financial condition, Railroad financial figures, railroad financial outlook, railroad financial results
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