UP “PLEASED” WITH 1ST-QUARTER RESULTS
UP “PLEASED” WITH 1ST-QUARTER RESULTS
Dick Davidson, Union Pacific chairman and chief executive officer, said he is pleased with the largest U.S. railroad's first-quarter performance.
Davidson said Tuesday that the Omaha, Neb.-based railroad is comfortable with analysts' expectations. Despite the slowing economy, UP posted solid volume gains in some commodities, including coal, which was up 12 percent, he said.
While grain and intermodal volumes were flat for the first quarter, “we showed some weakness in chemicals, industrial products — paper, aluminum, steel among others — and autos,” he said.
As for the second quarter, “it's been kind of a roller coaster … and, at this point, we don't see any signs of strengthening,” Davidson said. While the company anticipates facing high fuel prices and a slow economy in the second quarter, Davidson said UP is anticipating a strengthening of the economy in the second half of 2001.