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Norfolk Southern Reports Second-Quarter 2009 Results
 
For second-quarter 2009:

- Railway operating revenues were $1.9 billion.

- Income from railway operations was $468 million.

- Net income was $247 million.

- Diluted earnings per share were $0.66.

- The railway operating ratio was 74.8 percent.

NORFOLK, Va., July 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- For the second quarter of 2009, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) reported net income of $247 million, or $0.66 per diluted share, compared with $453 million, or $1.18 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2008.

"Second-quarter results obviously reflect the impact of the recession," said Norfolk Southern CEO Wick Moorman. "However, the measures we are taking to control expenses while maintaining our industry-leading service levels have enabled us to post solid second-quarter results, while at the same time we continue to invest in projects that position us for the eventual economic recovery."

Second-quarter railway operating revenues were $1.9 billion, down 33 percent, compared with the second quarter of 2008, primarily the result of a 26 percent reduction in traffic volume and lower fuel-related revenues.

General merchandise revenues were $978 million, 33 percent lower compared with the same period last year. Coal revenues declined 34 percent to $511 million compared with second-quarter 2008 results. Intermodal revenues decreased 31 percent to $368 million compared with the second quarter of last year.

Railway operating expenses for the quarter were $1.4 billion, a decrease of 29 percent over the same period of 2008.

The railway operating ratio was 74.8 percent, compared with 71.1 percent during second-quarter 2008.

Norfolk Southern Corporation is a leading North American transportation provider. Its Norfolk Southern Railway subsidiary operates approximately 21,000 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves every major container port in the eastern United States, and provides efficient connections to other rail carriers. Norfolk Southern operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is a major transporter of coal and industrial products.

                   Norfolk Southern Corporation and Subsidiaries
                         Consolidated Statements of Income
                                   (Unaudited)

                                               Three Months      Six Months
                                                   Ended            Ended
                                                  June 30,         June 30,
                                                2009   2008     2009     2008
                                                ----   ----     ----     ----
                                    ($ in millions, except per share amounts)

    Railway operating revenues:
       Coal                                     $511   $775   $1,113   $1,437
       General merchandise                       978  1,458    1,953    2,810
       Intermodal                                368    532      734    1,018
                                                 ---    ---      ---    -----
         Total railway operating revenues      1,857  2,765    3,800    5,265
                                               -----  -----    -----    -----

    Railway operating expenses:
       Compensation and benefits                 551    662    1,190    1,367
       Purchased services and rents              334    400      689      775
       Fuel                                      153    491      312      895
       Depreciation                              207    199      414      397
       Materials and other (note 1)              144    214      344      454
                                                 ---    ---      ---      ---
         Total railway operating expenses      1,389  1,966    2,949    3,888
                                               -----  -----    -----    -----

             Income from railway operations      468    799      851    1,377

    Other income - net                            36     46       53       53
    Interest expense on debt                     113    112      230      221
                                                 ---    ---      ---      ---

             Income before income taxes          391    733      674    1,209

    Provision for income taxes:
       Current                                    85    242      175      402
       Deferred                                   59     38       75       63
                                                  --     --       --       --
         Total income taxes                      144    280      250      465
                                                 ---    ---      ---      ---

                Net income                      $247   $453     $424     $744
                                                 ===    ===      ===      ===

    Earnings per share (note 3):
       Basic                                   $0.67  $1.20    $1.14    $1.97
       Diluted                                 $0.66  $1.18    $1.13    $1.94

    Weighted average shares outstanding
     (millions) (notes 2 & 3):
       Basic                                   366.8  375.4    366.5    375.6
       Diluted                                 371.4  383.5    371.3    383.7

    See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.



                 Norfolk Southern Corporation and Subsidiaries
                           Consolidated Balance Sheets
                                   (Unaudited)

                                                        June 30, December 31,
                                                           2009         2008
                                                           ----         ----
                                                             ($ in millions)

    Assets
    Current assets:
       Cash and cash equivalents                           $722         $618
       Accounts receivable - net                            800          870
       Materials and supplies                               188          194
       Deferred income taxes                                136          149
       Other current assets                                  90          168
                                                             --          ---
          Total current assets                            1,936        1,999

    Investments                                           2,027        1,779

    Properties less accumulated depreciation             22,375       22,247

    Other assets                                            295          272
                                                            ---          ---

          Total assets                                  $26,633      $26,297
                                                         ======       ======

    Liabilities and stockholders' equity
    Current liabilities:
       Accounts payable                                    $945       $1,140
       Income and other taxes                               159          261
       Other current liabilities                            240          220
       Current maturities of long-term debt                 394          484
                                                            ---          ---
          Total current liabilities                       1,738        2,105

    Long-term debt                                        6,688        6,183
    Other liabilities                                     1,902        2,030
    Deferred income taxes                                 6,446        6,372
                                                          -----        -----
          Total liabilities                              16,774       16,690
                                                         ------       ------

    Stockholders' equity:
       Common stock $1.00 per share par value,
        1,350,000,000 shares authorized; outstanding
        367,636,640 and 366,233,106 shares,
        respectively, net of treasury shares                369          368
       Additional paid-in capital                         1,741        1,680
       Accumulated other comprehensive loss                (922)        (942)
       Retained income                                    8,671        8,501
                                                          -----        -----
          Total stockholders' equity                      9,859        9,607
                                                          -----        -----

          Total liabilities and stockholders' equity    $26,633      $26,297
                                                         ======       ======

    See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.



                  Norfolk Southern Corporation and Subsidiaries
                       Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                                 (Unaudited)

                                                           Six Months Ended
                                                               June 30,
                                                             2009    2008
                                                             ----    ----
                                                           ($ in millions)

    Cash flows from operating activities:
       Net income                                            $424    $744
       Reconciliation of net income to net cash
        provided by operating activities:
          Depreciation                                        418     402
          Deferred income taxes                                75      63
          Gains and losses on properties                       (4)    (22)
          Changes in assets and liabilities affecting
           operations:
             Accounts receivable                               29      55
             Materials and supplies                             6     (27)
             Other current assets                              75      34
             Current liabilities other than debt             (319)   (245)
          Other - net                                         (61)     54
                                                              ---      --
               Net cash provided by operating activities      643   1,058

    Cash flows from investing activities:
       Property additions                                    (566)   (676)
       Property sales and other transactions                   27      66
       Investments, including short-term                     (119)    (34)
       Investment sales and other transactions                  9     251
                                                                -     ---
               Net cash used in investing activities         (649)   (393)

    Cash flows from financing activities:
       Dividends                                             (250)   (218)
       Common stock issued - net                               24     177
       Purchase and retirement of common stock
        (note 2)                                                -    (494)
       Proceeds from borrowings - net                         990   1,225
       Debt repayments                                       (654) (1,107)
                                                             ----  ------
               Net cash provided by (used in) financing
                activities                                    110    (417)
                                                              ---    ----

               Net increase in cash and cash equivalents      104     248

    Cash and cash equivalents:
       At beginning of year                                   618     206
                                                              ---     ---

       At end of period                                      $722    $454
                                                              ===     ===

    Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
       Cash paid during the period for:
          Interest (net of amounts capitalized)              $224    $208
          Income taxes (net of refunds)                      $222    $235

    See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:

1. Materials and Other

Second quarter 2009 includes a $21 million favorable adjustment related to settlement of a multi-year state tax dispute.

2. Stock Repurchase Program

In March 2007, NS' Board of Directors amended the stock repurchase program that was authorized in November 2005 so as to increase the number of shares of NS common stock that may be repurchased from 50 million to 75 million. In addition, the term of the program was shortened from December 31, 2015 to December 31, 2010. During the first six months of 2009, NS did not repurchase any shares of common stock. Since inception of the stock repurchase program in 2006, NS has repurchased and retired 64.7 million shares at a total cost of $3.3 billion.

3. Earnings Per Share

In the first quarter of 2009, NS adopted the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Staff Position (FSP) EITF No. 03-6-1, "Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions are Participating Securities," which requires the treatment of unvested stock options receiving dividend equivalents as participating securities in computing earnings per share under the two-class method. NS has retrospectively applied the provisions of this FSP. Accordingly, for basic earnings per share, income available to common stockholders for the second quarter 2009 and 2008 reflects a $2 million reduction and for the first six months of 2009 and 2008 a $4 million reduction from net income for the effect of dividend equivalent payments made to holders of stock options. In addition, for the second quarter and first six months of 2009, diluted earnings per share was calculated under the more dilutive two-class method (as compared to the treasury stock method) and income available to common stockholders reflects a $2 million and $4 million reduction, respectively, from net income for dividend equivalent payments.


SOURCE Norfolk Southern Corporation