form6k.htm
FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
Report of Foreign Issuer
 
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
For the month of January 2013
 
Commission File Number: 001-02413
 
Canadian National Railway Company
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)
 
935 de la Gauchetiere Street West
Montreal, Quebec
Canada H3B 2M9
(Address of principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under
cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:

Form 20-F ____                                                      Form 40-F    X                                

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as
permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):

Yes ____                                           No   X

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as
permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):

Yes ____                                           No   X

Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this
Form, the Registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission
pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:

Yes ____                                           No   X

If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): N/A
 

 
 

 
 
 
Canadian National Railway Company

Table of Contents
 
Items
 
   
 
 
 
 
 

 

Item 1

CN Logo
North America’s Railroad
 

NEWS RELEASE


CN reports Q4-2012 net income of C$610 million,
or C$1.41 per diluted share

Adjusted diluted EPS for full-year 2012 increased 16 per cent to C$5.61 (1)

Full-year 2012 volumes and earnings highest in Company history

MONTREAL, Jan. 22, 2013 CN (TSX: CNR)(NYSE: CNI) today reported its financial and operating results for the fourth quarter and year ended Dec. 31, 2012.

Fourth-quarter and full-year 2012 financial highlights
·  
Record fourth-quarter and full-year 2012 carloads, revenues and revenue ton-miles.
·  
Fourth-quarter 2012 net income was C$610 million, or C$1.41 per diluted share, compared with net income of C$592 million or, C$1.32 per diluted share, for the year-earlier quarter.
·  
Q4-2012 diluted earnings per share (EPS) of C$1.41 increased eight per cent over year-earlier adjusted diluted EPS of C$1.30 (adjusted net income of C$581 million), which excluded an income tax recovery. (1)
·  
Full-year 2012 net income was C$2,680 million, or C$6.12 per diluted share, compared with net income of C$2,457 million, or C$5.41 per diluted share, for 2011.
·  
Full-year 2012 adjusted diluted EPS increased 16 per cent to C$5.61, with adjusted 2012 net income of C$2,456 million versus adjusted net income of C$2,194 million in 2011. (1)
·  
Q4-2012 operating income increased 10 per cent to C$922 million, while full-year 2012 operating income rose 12 per cent to C$3,685 million.
·  
Fourth-quarter 2012 operating ratio improved by 1.1 points to 63.6 per cent; full-year 2012 operating ratio was 62.9 per cent, a 0.6-point improvement.
·  
2012 free cash flow totalled C$1,006 million, after voluntary pension plan contributions of C$700 million, compared with free cash flow of C$1,175 million for 2011. (1)

Claude Mongeau, president and chief executive officer, said: “CN's team of railroaders delivered impressive fourth-quarter results on the strength of a seven per cent increase in revenues, capping a very strong 2012 performance.

 
 
1

 
“Thanks to our supply chain collaboration focus and solid execution, CN’s growth last year continued to outpace that of the overall economy, generating the highest volumes and earnings in Company history.

“In 2012, we experienced strong growth in commodities related to oil and gas, particularly crude oil, and saw continued market share gains in overseas and domestic intermodal. CN also benefited from strong coal and petroleum coke exports, increased wheat and soybean exports, as well as higher lumber and panels shipments to the United States.”

Foreign currency impact on results
Although CN reports its earnings in Canadian dollars, a large portion of its revenues and expenses is denominated in U.S. dollars. As such, the Company’s results are affected by exchange-rate fluctuations. On a constant currency basis that excludes the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, CN’s fourth-quarter 2012 net income would have been higher by C$11 million, or C$0.03 per diluted share, while its 2012 net income would have been lower by C$14 million, or C$0.03 per diluted share. (1)

Positive 2013 outlook, increased dividend (2)
Mongeau said: “For 2013, CN anticipates continued gradual improvement in the economy and further growth opportunities in intermodal, energy and other resource markets. Despite the challenge of an approximate C$150-million headwind related to increased pension expense and the impact of depreciation studies, CN is aiming for high single-digit growth in 2013 diluted earnings per share over adjusted diluted earnings per share of C$5.61 for 2012. CN also expects to generate 2013 free cash flow in the range of C$800 million to C$900 million, including a normalized, higher level of cash taxes. (1)

“Given CN’s strong balance sheet and its solid outlook for earnings and free cash flow generation, I am pleased to announce that the Company’s Board of Directors has approved a 15 per cent increase in CN’s 2013 quarterly common-share dividend.”

Fourth-quarter 2012 revenues, traffic volumes and expenses
Revenues for the fourth quarter of 2012 increased by seven per cent to C$2,534 million. Revenues increased for coal (15 per cent), petroleum and chemicals (13 per cent), grain and fertilizers (11 per cent), intermodal (seven per cent), and automotive (five per cent). Revenues declined for forest products (two per cent), and metals and minerals (one per cent).

Carloadings for the quarter rose three per cent to 1,270 thousand.

Revenue ton-miles, measuring the relative weight and distance of rail freight transported by CN, increased by eight per cent over the year-earlier quarter.

Rail freight revenue per revenue ton-mile, a measurement of yield defined as revenue earned on the movement of a ton of freight over one mile, declined by one per cent.

Total operating expenses increased by five per cent to C$1,612 million.
 
2

 
Full-year 2012 revenues, traffic volumes and expenses
2012 revenues increased 10 per cent to C$9,920 million, with all business units registering gains: petroleum and chemicals (15 per cent), coal (15 per cent), metals and minerals (13 per cent), intermodal (11 per cent), automotive (11 per cent), forest products (five per cent), and grain and fertilizers (four per cent).

The rise in total revenues was largely attributable to higher freight volumes, due in part to growth in North American and Asian economies, and the Company’s performance above market conditions in a number of segments, as well as increased volumes in the second quarter as a result of a labor disruption at a key competitor; freight rate increases; the impact of a higher fuel surcharge as a result of year-over-year increases in applicable fuel prices and higher volumes; and the positive translation impact of the weaker Canadian dollar on U.S. dollar-denominated revenues.

Carloadings for the year increased four per cent to 5,059 thousand.

Revenue ton-miles increased by seven per cent over 2011, while rail freight revenue per revenue ton-mile increased by three per cent.

Total operating expenses for 2012 increased by nine per cent to C$6,235 million, mainly due to higher labor and fringe benefits expense, increased purchased services and material expenses, as well as increased fuel costs.

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain information included in this news release constitutes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and under Canadian securities laws. CN cautions that, by their nature, these forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The Company cautions that its assumptions may not materialize and that current economic conditions render such assumptions, although reasonable at the time they were made, subject to greater uncertainty. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results or performance of the Company or the rail industry to be materially different from the outlook or any future results or performance implied by such statements. To the extent that CN has provided guidance that are non-GAAP financial measures, the Company may not be able to provide a reconciliation to the GAAP measures, due to unknown variables and uncertainty related to future results. Key assumptions used in determining forward-looking information are set forth below.

Key assumptions
CN has made a number of economic and market assumptions in preparing its 2013 outlook. The Company is forecasting that North American industrial production for the year will increase by about 2.0 per cent. CN also expects U.S. housing starts to be in the range of 950,000 units and U.S. motor vehicles sales to be approximately 15 million units. In addition, CN is assuming that 2013/2014 grain crop production in both Canada and the U.S. will be in line with their respective five-year averages. With respect to the 2012/2013 crop, production in Canada was slightly above the five-year average while production in the U.S. was below the five-year average. With these assumptions, CN assumes carload growth of three to four per cent, along with continued pricing improvement above inflation. CN also assumes the Canadian-U.S. exchange rate to be around parity for 2013 and that the price of crude oil (West Texas Intermediate) for the year to be in the range of US$90-$100 per barrel. In 2013, CN plans to invest approximately C$1.9 billion in capital programs, of which more than C$1 billion will be targeted on track infrastructure to maintain a safe and fluid railway network. In addition, the Company will invest in projects to support a number of productivity and growth initiatives.
 
Important risk factors that could affect the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the effects of general economic and business conditions, industry competition, inflation, currency and interest rate fluctuations, changes in fuel prices, legislative and/or regulatory developments, compliance with environmental laws and regulations, actions by regulators, various events which could disrupt operations, including natural events such as severe weather, droughts, floods and earthquakes, labor negotiations and disruptions, environmental claims, uncertainties of investigations, proceedings or other types of claims and litigation, risks and liabilities arising from derailments, and other risks detailed from time to time in reports filed by CN with securities regulators in Canada and the United States. Reference should be made to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis” in CN’s annual and interim reports, Annual Information Form and Form 40-F filed with Canadian and U.S. securities regulators, available on CN’s website, for a summary of major risk factors.

 
3

 
CN assumes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect future events, changes in circumstances, or changes in beliefs, unless required by applicable Canadian securities laws. In the event CN does update any forward-looking statement, no inference should be made that CN will make additional updates with respect to that statement, related matters, or any other forward-looking statement.

1)  
See discussion and reconciliation of non-GAAP adjusted performance-measures in the attached supplementary schedule, Non-GAAP Measures.
2)  
See Forward-Looking statements for a summary of the key assumptions and risks regarding CN’s 2013 outlook.

CN – Canadian National Railway Company and its operating railway subsidiaries – spans Canada and mid-America, from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to the Gulf of Mexico, serving the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert, B.C., Montreal, Halifax, New Orleans, and Mobile, Ala., and the key metropolitan areas of Toronto, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Duluth, Minn./Superior, Wis., Green Bay, Wis., Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, and Jackson, Miss., with connections to all points in North America. For more information on CN, visit the Company’s website at www.cn.ca.




- 30 -
 
 
Contacts:
Media
Investment Community
Mark Hallman
Janet Drysdale
Director
Communications and Public Affairs
Vice-President
Investor Relations
(905) 669-3384
(514) 399-0052
 


 
4

 
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME (U.S. GAAP) - unaudited
(In millions, except per share data)

Item 2
   
Three months ended
 
Year ended
   
December 31
 
December 31
     
2012 
   
2011 
   
2012 
   
2011 
     
Revenues
$
 2,534 
 
$
 2,377 
 
$
 9,920 
 
$
 9,028 
                         
Operating expenses
                     
 
Labor and fringe benefits
 
 463 
   
 511 
   
 1,952 
   
 1,812 
 
Purchased services and material
 
 340 
   
 295 
   
 1,248 
   
 1,120 
 
Fuel
 
 400 
   
 382 
   
 1,524 
   
 1,412 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
 237 
   
 231 
   
 924 
   
 884 
 
Equipment rents
 
 64 
   
 63 
   
 249 
   
 228 
 
Casualty and other
 
 108 
   
 56 
   
 338 
   
 276 
Total operating expenses
 
 1,612 
   
 1,538 
   
 6,235 
   
 5,732 
                         
Operating income
 
 922 
   
 839 
   
 3,685 
   
 3,296 
                         
Interest expense
 
 (86)
   
 (85)
   
 (342)
   
 (341)
                       
Other income (loss)
 
 (5)
   
 21 
   
 315 
   
 401 
                       
Income before income taxes
 
 831 
   
 775 
   
 3,658 
   
 3,356 
                         
Income tax expense
 
 (221)
   
 (183)
   
 (978)
   
 (899)
Net income
$
 610 
 
$
 592 
 
$
 2,680 
 
$
 2,457 
                         
Earnings per share
                     
 
Basic
$
 1.42 
 
$
 1.33 
 
$
6.15
 
$
 5.45 
 
Diluted
$
 1.41 
 
$
 1.32 
 
$
6.12
 
$
 5.41 
 
                       
Weighted-average number of shares
                     
 
Basic
 
                                           430.3
   
444.3 
   
435.6 
   
451.1 
 
Diluted
 
432.0
   
447.3 
   
437.7 
   
454.4 
                         
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements, expressed in Canadian dollars, and prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP), contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly Canadian National Railway Company's (the Company) financial position as at December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, and its results of operations, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders' equity and cash flows for the three months and years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011. These consolidated financial statements have been prepared using accounting policies consistent with those used in preparing the Company's 2012 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements and should be read in conjunction with such statements, notes thereto and Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A).
 

 
5

 
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (U.S. GAAP) - unaudited
(In millions)
 

         
Three months ended
December 31
   
Year ended
December 31
 
   
2012 
 
2011 
   
2012 
 
2011 
                         
 
                 
Net income
$
610 
$
592 
 
$
2,680 
$
2,457 
                         
Other comprehensive income (loss)
                 
 
Foreign exchange gain (loss) on:
                 
   
Translation of the net investment in foreign operations
 
 71 
 
 (185)
   
(128)
 
130 
   
Translation of US dollar-denominated long-term debt designated
                 
     
as a hedge of the net investment in U.S. subsidiaries
 
(66)
 
 180 
   
123 
 
(122)
                         
 
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans
                 
   
Net actuarial loss arising during the year
 
(660)
 
 (1,541)
   
(660)
 
(1,541)
   
Prior service cost arising during the year
 
(6)
 
 (28)
   
(6)
 
(28)
   
Amortization of net actuarial loss included in net periodic
                 
     
benefit cost (income)
 
 27 
 
   
119 
 
   
Amortization of prior service cost included in net periodic
                 
     
benefit cost (income)
 
 2 
 
   
 
                         
 
Derivative instruments
 
 - 
 
 (1)
   
 
(2)
Other comprehensive loss before income taxes
 
(632)
 
(1,571)
   
(545)
 
(1,551)
Income tax recovery
 
 178 
 
 379 
   
 127 
 
421 
Other comprehensive loss
 
(454)
 
(1,192)
   
(418)
 
(1,130)
Comprehensive income (loss)
$
156 
$
(600)
 
$
2,262 
$
1,327 

 
6

 
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (U.S. GAAP) - unaudited
(In millions)
 
             
 
December 31
 
December 31
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
             
Assets
           
             
Current assets:
           
     Cash and cash equivalents
$
155 
 
$
101 
 
     Restricted cash and cash equivalents
 
521 
   
499 
 
     Accounts receivable
 
831 
   
820 
 
     Material and supplies
 
230 
   
201 
 
     Deferred and receivable income taxes
 
43 
   
122 
 
     Other
 
89 
   
105 
 
Total current assets
 
1,869 
   
1,848 
 
             
Properties
 
24,541 
   
23,917 
 
Intangible and other assets
 
249 
   
261 
 
Total assets
$
26,659 
 
$
26,026 
 
             
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
           
             
Current liabilities:
           
     Accounts payable and other
$
1,626 
 
$
1,580 
 
     Current portion of long-term debt
 
577 
   
135 
 
Total current liabilities
 
2,203 
   
1,715 
 
             
Deferred income taxes
 
5,555 
   
5,333 
 
Pension and other postretirement benefits, net of current portion
 
784 
   
1,095 
 
Other liabilities and deferred credits
 
776 
   
762 
 
Long-term debt
 
6,323 
   
6,441 
 
             
Shareholders’ equity:
           
     Common shares
 
4,108 
   
4,141 
 
     Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(3,257)
   
(2,839)
 
     Retained earnings
 
10,167 
   
9,378 
 
Total shareholders’ equity
 
11,018 
   
10,680 
 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
26,659 
 
$
26,026 
 
 
 
           
 
 
 
 
 
 
These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements, expressed in Canadian dollars, and prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position as at December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, and its results of operations, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the three months and years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011. These consolidated financial statements have been prepared using accounting policies consistent with those used in preparing the Company’s 2012 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements and should be read in conjunction with such statements, notes thereto and MD&A.
 

 
7

 
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (U.S. GAAP) - unaudited
(In millions)

                         
 
 
Three months ended
 
Year ended
   
December 31
 
December 31
 
   
2012 
   
2011 
   
2012 
   
2011 
     
Common shares (1)
                     
Balance, beginning of period
$
 4,120 
 
$
 4,149 
 
$
 4,141 
 
$
 4,252 
    Stock options exercised and other
 
 23 
   
 24 
   
 128 
   
 74 
    Share repurchase programs
 
 (35)
   
 (32)
   
 (161)
   
 (185)
Balance, end of period
$
4,108 
 
$
4,141 
 
$
4,108 
 
$
4,141 
                         
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
                     
Balance, beginning of period
$
 (2,803)
 
$
 (1,647)
 
$
 (2,839)
 
$
 (1,709)
     Other comprehensive loss
 
 (454)
   
 (1,192)
   
(418)
   
 (1,130)
Balance, end of period
$
 (3,257)
 
$
 (2,839)
 
$
 (3,257)
 
$
 (2,839)
                         
Retained earnings
                     
Balance, beginning of period
$
 9,988 
 
$
 9,154 
 
$
 9,378 
 
$
 8,741 
    Net income
 
 610 
   
 592 
   
 2,680 
   
 2,457 
    Share repurchase programs
 
 (270)
   
 (224)
   
 (1,239)
   
 (1,235)
    Dividends
 
 (161)
   
 (144)
   
 (652)
   
 (585)
Balance, end of period
$
 10,167 
 
$
 9,378 
 
$
 10,167 
 
$
 9,378 
 
(1)
During the three months and year ended December 31, 2012, the Company issued 0.5 million and 3.2 million common shares, respectively, as a result of stock options exercised and repurchased 3.6 million and 16.9 million common shares, respectively, under its share repurchase programs. At December 31, 2012, the Company had 428.4 million common shares outstanding.
 

 
8

 
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (U.S. GAAP) - unaudited
(In millions)

       
 
Three months ended
 
Year ended
 
December 31
 
December 31
   
2012 
   
2011 
   
2012 
   
2011 
 
   
Operating activities
                     
Net income
$
 610 
 
$
 592 
 
$
 2,680 
 
$
 2,457 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
                     
   provided by operating activities:
                     
     Depreciation and amortization
 
 237 
   
 231 
   
 924 
   
 884 
     Deferred income taxes
 
 120 
   
 204 
   
 451 
   
 531 
     Gain on disposal of property
 
 - 
   
 - 
   
 (281)
   
 (348)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
                     
     Accounts receivable
 
17 
   
 (34)
   
(20)
   
 (51)
     Material and supplies
 
43 
   
 70 
   
(30)
   
 11 
     Accounts payable and other
 
(11)
   
 (68)
   
 129 
   
 34 
     Other current assets
 
(7)
   
 (11)
   
(13)
   
 (2)
Pensions and other, net
 
(285)
   
(393)
   
(780)
   
(540)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
 724 
   
 591 
   
 3,060 
   
 2,976 
                       
Investing activities
                     
Property additions
 
(610)
   
(613)
   
 (1,731)
   
(1,625)
Disposal of property
 
 - 
   
 - 
   
 311 
   
369 
Change in restricted cash and cash equivalents
 
(3)
   
(10)
   
 (22)
   
(499)
Other, net
 
16 
   
   
 21 
   
26 
Net cash used in investing activities
 
(597)
   
(619)
   
 (1,421)
   
(1,729)
                       
Financing activities
                     
Issuance of debt
 
 493 
   
 1,165 
   
 2,354 
   
 1,361 
Repayment of debt
 
(195)
   
(858)
   
(2,001)
   
(1,083)
Issuance of common shares due to exercise of stock
                     
   options and related excess tax benefits realized
 
 20 
   
 21 
   
 117 
   
 77 
Repurchase of common shares
 
(305)
   
(256)
   
(1,400)
   
(1,420)
Dividends paid
 
(161)
   
(144)
   
(652)
   
(585)
Net cash used in financing activities
 
(148)
   
(72)
   
(1,582)
   
(1,650)
Effect of foreign exchange fluctuations on US
                     
   dollar-denominated cash and cash equivalents
 
   
 9 
   
(3)
   
 14 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 
(20)
   
(91)
   
54 
   
(389)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
 
 175 
   
 192 
   
 101 
   
 490 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
155 
 
$
 101 
 
$
155 
 
$
 101 
                       
Supplemental cash flow information
       
 
           
   Net cash receipts from customers and other
$
2,481 
 
$
 2,336 
 
$
 9,877 
 
$
 8,995 
   Net cash payments for:
 
 
                 
        Employee services, suppliers and other expenses
 
 (1,239)
   
(1,092)
   
(5,241)
   
(4,643)
        Interest
 
 (89)
   
(80)
   
(364)
   
(329)
        Personal injury and other claims
 
 (22)
   
(49)
   
(79)
   
(97)
        Pensions
 
 (257)
   
(365)
   
(844)
   
(468)
        Income taxes
 
 (150)
   
(159)
   
(289)
   
(482)
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
724 
 
$
 591 
 
$
 3,060 
 
$
 2,976 
 

 
9

 
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
SELECTED RAILROAD STATISTICS (U.S. GAAP) - unaudited
 

           
 
Three months ended
 
Year ended
 
December 31
 
December 31
 
2012 
2011 
 
2012 
2011 
   
Statistical operating data
         
           
Rail freight revenues ($ millions)
2,280 
2,132 
 
8,938 
8,111 
Gross ton miles (GTM) (millions)
97,873 
92,128 
 
383,754 
357,927 
Revenue ton miles (RTM) (millions)
52,124 
48,156 
 
201,496 
187,753 
Carloads (thousands)
1,270 
1,232 
 
5,059 
4,873 
Route miles (includes Canada and the U.S.) (1)
20,100 
20,000 
 
20,100 
20,000 
Employees (end of period)
23,430 
23,339 
 
23,430 
23,339 
Employees (average for the period)
23,532 
23,433 
 
23,466 
23,079 
           
Productivity
         
           
Operating ratio (%)
63.6 
64.7 
 
62.9 
63.5 
Rail freight revenue per RTM (cents)
4.37 
4.43 
 
4.44 
4.32 
Rail freight revenue per carload ($)
1,795 
1,731 
 
1,767 
1,664 
Operating expenses per GTM (cents)
1.65 
1.67 
 
1.62 
1.60 
Labor and fringe benefits expense per GTM (cents)
0.47 
0.55 
 
0.51 
0.51 
GTMs per average number of employees (thousands)
4,159 
3,932 
 
16,354 
15,509 
Diesel fuel consumed (US gallons in millions)
99.9 
94.3 
 
388.7 
367.7 
Average fuel price ($/US gallon)
3.53 
3.55 
 
3.47 
3.39 
GTMs per US gallon of fuel consumed
980 
977 
 
987 
973 
           
Safety indicators
         
           
Injury frequency rate per 200,000 person hours (2)
1.34 
1.32 
 
1.31 
1.55 
Accident rate per million train miles (2)
1.77 
1.96 
 
2.10 
2.25 
           
Financial ratio
         
           
Debt-to-total capitalization ratio (% at end of period) (3)
38.5 
38.1 
 
38.5 
38.1 
(1) Rounded to the nearest hundred miles.
(2) Based on Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) reporting criteria.
(3) Debt-to-total capitalization is calculated as total long-term debt plus current portion of long-term debt, divided by the sum of total debt plus total shareholders’ equity.













 

 

 

 

 
Certain of the 2011 comparative figures have been restated to conform with the 2012 presentation. Such statistical data and related productivity measures are based on estimated data available at such time and are subject to change as more complete information becomes available.

 
10

 
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION (U.S. GAAP) - unaudited
 

 
Three months ended December 31
 
Year ended December 31
                       
 
2012 
2011 
% Change
 Fav (Unfav)
 
% Change at constant currency
Fav (Unfav) (1)
 
2012 
2011 
% Change
Fav (Unfav)
 
% Change at constant currency
Fav (Unfav) (1)
   
Revenues (millions of dollars)
                     
Petroleum and chemicals
 427 
 377 
13%
 
16%
 
 1,640 
 1,420 
15%
 
15%
Metals and minerals
 274 
 278 
(1%)
 
1%
 
 1,133 
 1,006 
13%
 
12%
Forest products
 323 
 329 
(2%)
 
-
 
 1,331 
 1,270 
5%
 
4%
Coal
 171 
 149 
15%
 
17%
 
 712 
 618 
15%
 
15%
Grain and fertilizers
 459 
 413 
11%
 
13%
 
 1,590 
 1,523 
4%
 
4%
Intermodal
 498 
 464 
7%
 
8%
 
 1,994 
 1,790 
11%
 
11%
Automotive
 128 
 122 
5%
 
7%
 
 538 
 484 
11%
 
10%
Total rail freight revenues
 2,280 
 2,132 
7%
 
9%
 
 8,938 
 8,111 
10%
 
10%
Other revenues
 254 
 245 
4%
 
5%
 
 982 
 917 
7%
 
6%
Total revenues
 2,534 
 2,377 
7%
 
8%
 
 9,920 
 9,028 
10%
 
9%
                       
Revenue ton miles (millions)
                     
Petroleum and chemicals
 10,154 
 8,532 
19%
 
19%
 
 37,449 
 32,962 
14%
 
14%
Metals and minerals
 5,000 
 5,119 
(2%)
 
(2%)
 
 20,236 
 18,899 
7%
 
7%
Forest products
 7,141 
 7,345 
(3%)
 
(3%)
 
 29,674 
 29,336 
1%
 
1%
Coal
 5,754 
 4,685 
23%
 
23%
 
 23,570 
 19,980 
18%
 
18%
Grain and fertilizers
 12,826 
 11,900 
8%
 
8%
 
 45,417 
 45,468 
 
Intermodal
 10,614 
 9,950 
7%
 
7%
 
 42,396 
 38,563 
10%
 
10%
Automotive
 635 
 625 
2%
 
2%
 
 2,754 
 2,545 
8%
 
8%
 
 52,124 
 48,156 
8%
 
8%
 
 201,496 
 187,753 
7%
 
7%
Rail freight revenue / RTM (cents)
                     
Total rail freight revenue per RTM
 4.37 
 4.43 
(1%)
 
-
 
 4.44 
 4.32 
3%
 
2%
Commodity groups:
           
 
 
     
Petroleum and chemicals
 4.21 
 4.42 
(5%)
 
(3%)
 
 4.38 
 4.31 
2%
 
1%
Metals and minerals
 5.48 
 5.43 
1%
 
3%
 
 5.60 
 5.32 
5%
 
4%
Forest products
 4.52 
 4.48 
1%
 
3%
 
 4.49 
 4.33 
4%
 
3%
Coal
 2.97 
 3.18 
(7%)
 
(5%)
 
 3.02 
 3.09 
(2%)
 
(3%)
Grain and fertilizers
 3.58 
 3.47 
3%
 
5%
 
 3.50 
 3.35 
4%
 
4%
Intermodal
 4.69 
 4.66 
1%
 
2%
 
 4.70 
 4.64 
1%
 
1%
Automotive
 20.16 
 19.52 
3%
 
6%
 
 19.54 
 19.02 
3%
 
2%
                       
Carloads (thousands)
                     
Petroleum and chemicals
 150 
 139 
8%
 
8%
 
 594 
 560 
6%
 
6%
Metals and minerals
 246 
 261 
(6%)
 
(6%)
 
 1,024 
 1,013 
1%
 
1%
Forest products
 109 
 109 
 
 
 445 
 443 
 
Coal
 103 
 110 
(6%)
 
(6%)
 
 435 
 464 
(6%)
 
(6%)
Grain and fertilizers
 171 
 152 
13%
 
13%
 
 597 
 592 
1%
 
1%
Intermodal
 437 
 408 
7%
 
7%
 
 1,742 
 1,584 
10%
 
10%
Automotive
 54 
 53 
2%
 
2%
 
 222 
 217 
2%
 
2%
 
 1,270 
 1,232 
3%
 
3%
 
 5,059 
 4,873 
4%
 
4%
Rail freight revenue / carload (dollars)
                   
Total rail freight revenue per carload
 1,795 
 1,731 
4%
 
6%
 
 1,767 
 1,664 
6%
 
6%
Commodity groups:
                     
Petroleum and chemicals
 2,847 
 2,712 
5%
 
7%
 
 2,761 
 2,536 
9%
 
8%
Metals and minerals
 1,114 
 1,065 
5%
 
7%
 
 1,106 
 993 
11%
 
10%
Forest products
 2,963 
 3,018 
(2%)
 
-
 
 2,991 
 2,867 
4%
 
4%
Coal
 1,660 
 1,355 
23%
 
25%
 
 1,637 
 1,332 
23%
 
22%
Grain and fertilizers
 2,684 
 2,717 
(1%)
 
1%
 
 2,663 
 2,573 
3%
 
3%
Intermodal
 1,140 
 1,137 
 
1%
 
 1,145 
 1,130 
1%
 
1%
Automotive
 2,370 
 2,302 
3%
 
5%
 
 2,423 
 2,230 
9%
 
8%
                       
(1) See supplementary schedule entitled Non-GAAP Measures for an explanation of this Non-GAAP measure.
 
Such statistical data and related productivity measures are based on estimated data available at such time and are subject to change as more complete information becomes available.

 
11

 
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
NON-GAAP MEASURES - unaudited


Adjusted performance measures

For the three months and year ended December 31, 2012, the Company reported adjusted net income of $610 million, or $1.41 per diluted share and $2,456 million, or $5.61 per diluted share, respectively. The adjusted figures for the year ended December 31, 2012 exclude a gain on disposal of a segment of the Bala and a segment of the Oakville subdivisions, together with the rail fixtures and certain passenger agreements, of $281 million, or $252 million after-tax ($0.57 per diluted share); and a net income tax expense of $28 million ($0.06 per diluted share) consisting of a $35 million income tax expense resulting from the enactment of higher provincial corporate income tax rates that was partly offset by a $7 million income tax recovery resulting from the recapitalization of a foreign investment.
For the three months and year ended December 31, 2011, the Company reported adjusted net income of $581 million, or $1.30 per diluted share and $2,194 million, or $4.84 per diluted share, respectively. The adjusted figures for the three months and year ended December 31, 2011 exclude an income tax recovery of $11 million ($0.02 per diluted share) relating to certain fuel costs attributed to various wholly owned subsidiaries in prior periods. The adjusted figures for the year ended December 31, 2011 also exclude a net income tax expense of $40 million ($0.08 per diluted share) resulting from the enactment of state corporate income tax rate changes and other legislated state tax revisions; a gain on disposal of a segment of the Company’s Kingston subdivision, together with the rail fixtures and certain passenger agreements, of $288 million, or $254 million after-tax ($0.55 per diluted share); and a gain on disposal of substantially all of the assets of IC RailMarine Terminal Company of $60 million, or $38 million after-tax ($0.08 per diluted share).
Management believes that adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share are useful measures of performance that can facilitate period-to-period comparisons, as they exclude items that do not necessarily arise as part of the normal day-to-day operations of the Company and could distort the analysis of trends in business performance. The exclusion of such items in adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share does not, however, imply that such items are necessarily non-recurring. These adjusted measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and may, therefore, not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. The reader is advised to read all information provided in the Company’s 2012 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements, Notes thereto and Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A). The following tables provide a reconciliation of net income and earnings per share, as reported for the three months and year ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, to the adjusted performance measures presented herein.


   
Three months ended
   
Year ended
   
December 31, 2012
   
December 31, 2012
                           
In millions, except per share data
Reported
 
Adjustments
 
Adjusted
   
Reported
 
Adjustments
 
Adjusted
                           
Revenues
$
 2,534 
$
 - 
$
 2,534 
 
$
 9,920 
$
 - 
$
 9,920 
Operating expenses
 
 1,612 
 
 - 
 
 1,612 
   
 6,235 
 
 - 
 
 6,235 
Operating income
 
 922 
 
 - 
 
 922 
   
 3,685 
 
 - 
 
 3,685 
Interest expense
 
 (86)
 
 - 
 
 (86)
   
 (342)
 
 - 
 
 (342)
Other income (loss)
 
 (5)
 
 - 
 
 (5)
   
 315 
 
 (281)
 
 34 
Income before income taxes
 
 831 
 
 - 
 
 831 
   
 3,658 
 
 (281)
 
 3,377 
Income tax expense
 
 (221)
 
 - 
 
 (221)
   
 (978)
 
 57 
 
 (921)
Net income
$
 610 
$
 - 
$
 610 
 
$
 2,680 
$
 (224)
$
 2,456 
Operating ratio
 
63.6%
     
63.6%
   
62.9%
     
62.9%
Effective tax rate
 
26.6%
     
26.6%
   
26.7%
     
27.3%
Basic earnings per share
$
 1.42 
$
 - 
$
 1.42 
 
$
 6.15 
$
 (0.51)
$
 5.64 
Diluted earnings per share
$
 1.41 
$
 - 
$
 1.41 
 
$
 6.12 
$
 (0.51)
$
 5.61 
                           

 
12

 
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
NON-GAAP MEASURES - unaudited



                           
   
Three months ended
   
Year ended
   
December 31, 2011
   
December 31, 2011
                           
In millions, except per share data
Reported
 
Adjustments
 
Adjusted
   
Reported
 
Adjustments
 
Adjusted
                           
Revenues
$
 2,377 
$
 - 
$
 2,377 
 
$
 9,028 
$
 - 
$
 9,028 
Operating expenses
 
 1,538 
 
 - 
 
 1,538 
   
 5,732 
 
 - 
 
 5,732 
Operating income
 
 839 
 
 - 
 
 839 
   
 3,296 
 
 - 
 
 3,296 
Interest expense
 
 (85)
 
 - 
 
 (85)
   
 (341)
 
 - 
 
 (341)
Other income
 
 21 
 
 - 
 
 21 
   
 401 
 
 (348)
 
 53 
Income before income taxes
 
 775 
 
 - 
 
 775 
   
 3,356 
 
 (348)
 
 3,008 
Income tax expense
 
 (183)
 
 (11)
 
 (194)
   
 (899)
 
 85 
 
 (814)
Net income
$
 592 
$
 (11)
$
 581 
 
$
 2,457 
$
 (263)
$
 2,194 
Operating ratio
 
64.7%
     
64.7%
   
63.5%
     
63.5%
Effective tax rate
 
23.6%
     
25.0%
   
26.8%
     
27.1%
Basic earnings per share
$
 1.33 
$
 (0.02)
$
 1.31 
 
$
 5.45 
$
 (0.57)
$
 4.88 
Diluted earnings per share
$
 1.32 
$
 (0.02)
$
 1.30 
 
$
 5.41 
$
 (0.57)
$
 4.84 


Constant currency

Although CN conducts its business and reports its earnings in Canadian dollars, a large portion of revenues and expenses is denominated in US dollars. As such, the Company’s results are affected by exchange-rate fluctuations.
Financial results at “constant currency” allow results to be viewed without the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, thereby facilitating period-to-period comparisons in the analysis of trends in business performance. Measures at constant currency are considered non-GAAP measures and do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and may, therefore, not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Financial results at constant currency are obtained by translating the current period results denominated in US dollars at the foreign exchange rates of the comparable period of the prior year. The average foreign exchange rates were $0.99 and $1.00 per US$1.00, respectively, for the three months and year ended December 31, 2012, and $1.02 and $0.99 per US$1.00, respectively, for the three months and year ended December 31, 2011.
On a constant currency basis, the Company’s 2012 fourth quarter net income would have been higher by $11 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, and the 2012 twelve-month net income would have been lower by $14 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, respectively. The following table presents a reconciliation of 2012 net income as reported to net income on a constant currency basis:
 
 
   
Three months ended
Year ended
In millions
December 31, 2012
December 31, 2012
       
Net income, as reported
$
610 
$
2,680 
           
Add back:
       
 
Negative (positive) impact due to the strengthening (weakening) Canadian dollar included in net income
 
 
(11)
Add:
       
 
Increase (decrease) due to the strengthening (weakening) Canadian dollar on additional year-over-year US$ net income
 
 
(3)
Impact of foreign exchange using constant currency rates
 
11 
 
(14)
Net income, on a constant currency basis
$
621 
$
2,666 
     


 
13

 
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
NON-GAAP MEASURES - unaudited


Free cash flow

The Company utilized $30 million and generated $1,006 million of free cash flow for the three months and year ended December 31, 2012, respectively, compared to utilized $153 million and generated $1,175 million for the same periods in 2011, respectively. Free cash flow does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and may, therefore, not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. The Company believes that free cash flow is a useful measure of performance as it demonstrates the Company’s ability to generate cash after the payment of capital expenditures and dividends. The Company defines free cash flow as the sum of net cash provided by operating activities, adjusted for changes in cash and cash equivalents resulting from foreign exchange fluctuations; and net cash used in investing activities, adjusted for changes in restricted cash and cash equivalents, if any, the impact of major acquisitions, if any; and the payment of dividends, calculated as follows:


 
Three months ended
 
Year ended
 
December 31
 
December 31
In millions
 
2012 
   
2011 
   
2012 
   
2011 
                 
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
 724 
 
$
 591 
 
$
 3,060 
 
$
 2,976 
Net cash used in investing activities
 
(597)
   
(619)
   
(1,421)
   
(1,729)
Net cash provided (utilized) before financing activities
 
 127 
   
(28)
   
 1,639 
   
 1,247 
                       
Adjustments:
                     
   Dividends paid
 
(161)
   
(144)
   
(652)
   
(585)
   Change in restricted cash and cash equivalents
 
   
10 
   
22 
   
499 
   Effect of foreign exchange fluctuations on US dollar-denominated
                     
        cash and cash equivalents
 
   
   
(3)
   
14 
Free cash flow
$
(30)
 
$
(153)
 
$
 1,006 
 
$
 1,175 


 
14

 
SIGNATURES
 
        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
   
Canadian National Railway Company
 
           
Date: January 22, 2013 
By:
/s/ Cristina Circelli
 
     
Name:
Cristina Circelli
 
     
Title:
Deputy Corporate Secretary and
General Counsel