BNSF SECOND-QUARTER EARNINGS OFF
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. said Tuesday its net income for the second quarter fell 12.6 percent to $195 million, compared with $223 million for the comparable quarter last year.
BNSF, based in Fort Worth, Texas, said its second-quarter operating revenues rose to $2.27 billion, from $2.26 billion a year ago.
Freight revenues for the second quarter of 2001 were $2.24 billion, even with last year on 2 percent higher ton-miles compared to the same time in 2000.
Agricultural commodities revenue increased $13 million. Coal revenues increased $7 million, or 1 percent, to $532 million. However, increases in coal shipments in this year's second quarter could not offset lower rates set several years ago in BNSF's long-running contracts. Industrial products revenues fell $7 million or 1 percent to $587 million, while consumer products decreased $9 million or 1 percent to $844 million.
Fuel costs increased $27 million over the second quarter of 2000, reflecting a 7-cent increase in the price of a gallon of diesel fuel.
For the first six months of 2001, net income fell to $329 million, from $466 million, despite an increase in operating revenue, to $4.56 billion, from $4.43 billion