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Union Pacific Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2016 Results

Omaha, Neb., January 19, 2017

Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP) today reported 2016 fourth quarter net income of $1.1 billion, or $1.39 per diluted share compared to $1.31 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter 2015.

Fourth Quarter Results

  • Diluted earnings per share of $1.39 increased 6 percent.
  • Operating income totaled $2.0 billion, up 2 percent.
  • Operating ratio of 62.0 percent, improved 1.2 points.

Full Year 2016 Results

  • Diluted earnings per share of $5.07 declined 8 percent.
  • Operating income totaled 7.3 billion, down 10 percent.
  • Operating ratio of 63.5 percent, up 0.4 points.

"While full-year volumes were down substantially year over year, we did see declines moderate in the fourth quarter," said Lance Fritz, Union Pacific chairman, president and chief executive officer. "As we worked through the challenges of the year, we remained focused on the strategy we live each day through our six value tracks. Executing on these value tracks enables us to run a safe, efficient, and productive railroad while providing our customers an excellent value proposition."

Fourth Quarter Summary

Operating revenue of $5.2 billion was down 1 percent in the fourth quarter 2016 compared to the fourth quarter 2015. Fourth quarter business volumes, as measured by total revenue carloads, declined 3 percent compared to 2015. While shipments of agricultural products grew 8 percent, volumes declined in the remaining five business groups. In addition:

  • Quarterly freight revenue decreased 1 percent compared to the fourth quarter 2015, as volume declines and lower fuel surcharge revenue more than offset core pricing gains.
  • Union Pacific's 62.0 percent operating ratio improved 1.2 points compared to the fourth quarter 2015.
  • The $1.65 per gallon average quarterly diesel fuel price in the fourth quarter 2016 was 2 percent higher than the fourth quarter 2015.
  • Quarterly train speed, as reported to the Association of American Railroads, was 26.5 mph, 2 percent slower than the fourth quarter 2015.
  • The Company repurchased 9.6 million shares in the fourth quarter 2016 at an aggregate cost of nearly $940 million.
Summary of Fourth Quarter Freight Revenues
  • Agricultural Products up 7 percent
  • Chemicals flat
  • Intermodal flat
  • Industrial Products down 2 percent
  • Automotive down 6 percent
  • Coal down 6 percent
2016 Full Year Summary

For the full year 2016, Union Pacific reported net income of $4.2 billion or $5.07 per diluted share versus $4.8 billion or $5.49 per diluted share in 2015, representing 11 and 8 percent decreases, respectively. Operating revenue totaled $19.9 billion as compared to $21.8 billion in 2015. Operating income totaled $7.3 billion, a 10 percent decrease compared to 2015. In addition:

  • Freight revenue totaled $18.6 billion, a 9 percent decrease when compared to 2015. Carloadings were down 7 percent versus 2015, with declines in the chemicals, coal, industrial products and intermodal business groups.
  • Average diesel fuel prices decreased 20 percent to $1.48 per gallon in 2016 from $1.84 per gallon in 2015.
  • Union Pacific's operating ratio increased to 63.5 percent, 0.4 points higher than the full-year record set in 2015.
  • Train speed, as reported to the Association of American Railroads, was 26.6 mph, 5 percent faster compared to the full year 2015.
  • Union Pacific's reportable personal injury rate of 0.75 incidents per 200,000 employee hours was a full-year record, improving 14 percent compared to 2015.
  • Union Pacific's capital program in 2016 totaled just under $3.5 billion, a decrease of approximately $800 million compared to the full year 2015.
  • The Company repurchased 35.1 million shares in 2016 at an aggregate cost of $3.1 billion.
2017 Outlook

"Looking to 2017, we are fairly optimistic about some of the macro-economic indicators that drive our core business. Higher energy prices, favorable agricultural markets and improving business and consumer confidence all support a return to positive volume growth this year," Fritz said. "We continue to have confidence in the strength and diversity of the Union Pacific franchise, which will position us well to safely and efficiently leverage stronger volumes as our markets begin to rebound. We will continue to execute on our strategic value tracks to provide our customers an excellent service experience while generating strong returns for our shareholders."

Fourth Quarter 2016 Earnings Conference Call

Union Pacific will host its fourth quarter 2016 earnings release presentation live over the Internet and via teleconference on Thursday, January 19, 2017 at 8:45 a.m. Eastern Time. The presentation will be webcast live over the internet on Union Pacific's website at www.up.com/investor. Alternatively, the webcast can be accessed directly through the following link. Participants may join the conference call by dialing 877/407-8293 (or for international participants, 201/689-8349).

ABOUT UNION PACIFIC

Union Pacific Railroad is the principal operating company of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP). One of America's most recognized companies, Union Pacific Railroad connects 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country by rail, providing a critical link in the global supply chain. From 2007-2016, Union Pacific invested approximately $34 billion in its network and operations to support America's transportation infrastructure. The railroad's diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Coal, Industrial Products and Intermodal. Union Pacific serves many of the fastest-growing U.S. population centers, operates from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways, connects with Canada's rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major Mexico gateways. Union Pacific provides value to its roughly 10,000 customers by delivering products in a safe, reliable, fuel-efficient and environmentally responsible manner.

Union Pacific Investor contact: Mike Staffenbeal at 402-544-4227 or mstaffen@up.com

This presentation and related materials contain statements about the Company's future that are not statements of historical fact, including specifically the statements regarding the Company's expectations with respect to economic conditions and demand levels; its ability to generate financial returns, improve network performance and customer service; implementation of corporate strategies; and providing excellent service to its customers and returns to its shareholders. These statements are, or will be, forward-looking statements as defined by the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements also generally include, without limitation, information or statements regarding: projections, predictions, expectations, estimates or forecasts as to the Company's and its subsidiaries' business, financial, and operational results, and future economic performance; and management's beliefs, expectations, goals, and objectives and other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts.

Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times that, or by which, such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking information, including expectations regarding operational and financial improvements and the Company's future performance or results are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in the statement. Important factors, including risk factors, could affect the Company's and its subsidiaries' future results and could cause those results or other outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Information regarding risk factors and other cautionary information are available in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2015, which was filed with the SEC on February 5, 2016. The Company updates information regarding risk factors if circumstances require such updates in its periodic reports on Form 10-Q and its subsequent Annual Reports on Form 10-K (or such other reports that may be filed with the SEC).

Forward-looking statements speak only as of, and are based only upon information available on, the date the statements were made. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking information to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information. If the Company does update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that the Company will make additional updates with respect thereto or with respect to other forward-looking statements. References to our website are provided for convenience and, therefore, information on or available through the website is not, and should not be deemed to be, incorporated by reference herein.

The statements and information contained in the news releases provided by Union Pacific speak only as of the date issued. Such information by its nature may become outdated, and investors should not assume that the statements and information contained in Union Pacific's news releases remain current after the date issued. Union Pacific makes no commitment, and disclaims any duty, to update any of this information.

Media Contact

Calli Hite
402-544-0100
callihite@up.com
@callihite