CSX Corp. Announces Third Quarter 2025 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

CSX (NASDAQ: CSX) reported Q3 2025 GAAP operating income of $1.09B and net earnings of $694M ($0.37/sh) for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2025. Excluding a $164M non-cash goodwill impairment, adjusted operating income was $1.25B and adjusted net earnings were $818M ($0.44/sh).

Revenue was $3.59B, down 1% year-over-year; volume totaled 1.61M units, up 1% vs. Q3 2024 and up 2% sequentially. Management scheduled an investor conference call Oct. 16, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. ET with webcast and replay available on the company investor site.

Positive

• Adjusted operating income of $1.25B
• Adjusted net earnings of $818M ($0.44/sh)
• Volume +1% year-over-year (1.61M units)
• Adjusted operating margin 34.9%

Negative

• GAAP operating income down ~19% YoY to $1.09B
• Net earnings fell ~22% YoY to $694M
• Non-cash goodwill impairment of $164M reduced GAAP EPS
• Revenue declined 1% YoY amid lower export coal prices and weaker merchandise volume

Insights

Corporate Results Analyst

Quarter shows modest operational stability but weaker headline profit and a material goodwill charge, leaving the near-term picture mixed.

CSX generated $1.09 billion GAAP operating income and $694 million net earnings ($0.37 per share) for the quarter, with adjusted operating income of $1.25 billion and adjusted net earnings of $818 million ($0.44 per share) after a $164 million non-cash goodwill impairment. Revenue was $3.59 billion, down 1% year-over-year, while volume rose to 1.61 million units, up 1% versus the prior year and 2% sequentially. These figures show the company maintaining network volumes but facing margin pressure and a one-time non-cash hit that reduced GAAP earnings.

The main dependencies are clearly stated: the goodwill impairment drove the gap between GAAP and adjusted results, and revenue weakness tied to lower export coal prices and merchandise volume offset gains in other revenue, pricing, and intermodal growth. Risks include potential continued commodity-price effects on revenue and the extent to which non-recurring restructuring and advisory costs ($35 million, $0.01 per share effect) persist. Watch near-term disclosures: the management conference call on Oct. 16, 2025 for commentary, the archived quarterly report and Form 8-K for detail, and upcoming quarterly commentary on freight mix and any further impairment indicators over the next several quarters.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Oct. 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CSX Corp. (NASDAQ: CSX) today announced third quarter operating income of $1.09 billion and net earnings of $694 million, or $0.37 per share. Excluding a non-cash goodwill impairment of $164 million in this year’s third quarter results, adjusted operating income was $1.25 billion and adjusted net earnings were $818 million, or $0.44 per share. In the third quarter of 2024, the company reported operating income of $1.35 billion and net earnings of $894 million, or $0.46 per share.

In the quarter, adjusted operating income and adjusted earnings per share included $35 million and $0.01, respectively, in corporate restructuring, severance, and advisory expenses.

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures1 For the Quarter ended Sept. 30, 2025
Dollars in millions, except per share amounts	Operating Income	Operating Margin	Net Earnings	Net Earnings Per Share, Assuming Dilution
GAAP Operating Results	$ 1,087	30.3%	$ 694	$ 0.37
Goodwill Impairment	164	4.6%	124	0.07
Adjusted Operating Results (Non-GAAP)	$ 1,251	34.9%	$ 818	$ 0.44

“This quarter’s operational performance reflects the dedication of our workforce and our commitment to running the best railroad in North America,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Steve Angel. “We are proud that the network is operating well, and we see clear opportunities to leverage that operational strength moving forward. Looking ahead, CSX is well-positioned to build on this momentum to deliver long-term profitable growth and create value for our shareholders.”

Volume totaled 1.61 million units for the quarter, up 1% compared to third quarter 2024 and up 2% sequentially. Revenue totaled $3.59 billion for the quarter, decreasing 1% year-over-year, as the effects of lower export coal prices and a decline in merchandise volume were partially offset by increases in other revenue, higher pricing in merchandise, and intermodal volume growth.

CSX executives will conduct a conference call with the investment community this afternoon, October 16, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Investors, media and the public may listen to the conference call by dialing 1-888-510-2008. For callers outside the U.S., dial 1-646-960-0306. Participants should dial in 10 minutes prior to the call and enter 3368220 as the passcode.

In conjunction with the call, a live webcast will be accessible and presentation materials will be posted on the company's website at http://investors.csx.com. Following the earnings call, a webcast replay of the presentation will be archived on the company website.

This earnings announcement, as well as additional detailed financial information, is contained in the CSX Quarterly Financial Report available through the company’s website at http://investors.csx.com and on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

¹See the Non-GAAP Measures section of the quarterly financial report for additional information.

About CSX and its Disclosures

CSX, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier transportation company. It provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural, and consumer products. For nearly 200 years, CSX has played a critical role in the nation's economic expansion and industrial development. Its network connects every major metropolitan area in the eastern United States, where nearly two-thirds of the nation's population resides. It also links more than 240 short-line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports with major population centers and farming towns alike.

This announcement, as well as additional financial information, is available on the company's website at http://investors.csx.com. CSX also uses social media channels to communicate information about the company. Although social media channels are not intended to be the primary method of disclosure for material information, it is possible that certain information CSX posts on social media could be deemed to be material. Therefore, we encourage investors, the media, and others interested in the company to review the information we post on X, formerly known as Twitter, (http://twitter.com/CSX) and on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/OfficialCSX). The social media channels used by CSX may be updated from time to time. More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at www.csx.com.

Non-GAAP Disclosure

CSX reports its financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). CSX also uses certain non-GAAP measures that fall within the meaning of Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation G and Regulation S-K Item 10(e), which may provide users of the financial information with additional meaningful comparison to prior reported results. Non-GAAP measures do not have standardized definitions and are not defined by U.S. GAAP. Therefore, CSX’s non-GAAP measures are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. The presentation of these non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or as superior to the financial information presented in accordance with GAAP.

Forward-looking Statements

This information and other statements by the company may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act with respect to, among other items: projections and estimates of earnings, revenues, margins, volumes, rates, cost-savings, expenses, taxes, liquidity, capital expenditures, dividends, share repurchases or other financial items, statements of management's plans, strategies and objectives for future operations, and management's expectations as to future performance and operations and the time by which objectives will be achieved, statements concerning proposed new services, and statements regarding future economic, industry or market conditions or performance. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as “will,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “estimate,” “preliminary” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement. If the company updates any forward-looking statement, no inference should be drawn that the company will make additional updates with respect to that statement or any other forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, and actual performance or results could differ materially from that anticipated by any forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by any forward-looking statements include, among others: (i) the company's success in implementing its financial and operational initiatives; (ii) changes in domestic or international economic, political or business conditions, including those affecting the transportation industry (such as the impact of industry competition, conditions, performance and consolidation); (iii) legislative or regulatory changes; (iv) the inherent business risks associated with safety and security; (v) the outcome of claims and litigation involving or affecting the company; (vi) natural events such as severe weather conditions or pandemic health crises; and (vii) the inherent uncertainty associated with projecting economic and business conditions.

Other important assumptions and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are specified in the company's SEC reports, accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and the company's website at www.csx.com.

Contact:
Matthew Korn, CFA, Investor Relations
904-366-4515

Austin Staton, Corporate Communications
855-955-6397

FAQ

What were CSX Q3 2025 GAAP operating income and EPS (NASDAQ: CSX)?

CSX reported GAAP operating income of $1.09B and net earnings of $694M, or $0.37 per share for Q3 2025.

What is CSX's Q3 2025 adjusted operating income and adjusted EPS?

Excluding a $164M goodwill impairment, adjusted operating income was $1.25B and adjusted EPS was $0.44 for Q3 2025.

How did CSX revenue and volume perform in Q3 2025 (CSX)?

Revenue was $3.59B (down 1% YoY) while volume totaled 1.61M units, up 1% versus Q3 2024.

Why did CSX GAAP results fall in Q3 2025?

A $164M non-cash goodwill impairment and declines in export coal prices and merchandise volume reduced GAAP results.

When is CSX's Q3 2025 earnings conference call and how can investors listen?

The call is Oct. 16, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. ET; dial the provided numbers or listen via live webcast at the company's investor website.