CSX beats second-quarter profit on better volumes, strong pricing By Reuters

(Reuters) – U.S. railroad CSX Inc (NASDAQ:CSX) narrowly beat second-quarter profit estimates on Monday, helped by higher freight volumes and strong rates, sending its shares up 5% after the open.

Improving intermodal volumes, or goods moved across two or more modes of transportation, has helped railroads post profits along with higher-than-inflation pricing, even as the freight industry as a whole continues to face a slowdown.

CSX’s intermodal revenue was $506 million in the reported quarter, up 3% from a year ago.

The Jacksonville, Florida-based company reported revenue of $3.7 billion in the second quarter, in line with analysts’ estimates.

The company reported a profit of 49 cents per share, beating analysts’ estimates of 48 cents per share, according to data from the London Stock Exchange.

Operating margin was 39.1% during the quarter, down 50 basis points compared to the prior year.

CSX’s competitor on the East Coast Norfolk Southern (NYSE:) also reported higher-than-estimated second-quarter earnings last month, helped by higher prices.

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