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CSX (CSX) investor relations material

CSX Q4 2025 earnings summary

Complete event summary combining all related documents: earnings call transcript, report, and slide presentation.
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Q4 2025 earnings summary22 Jan, 2026

Executive summary

  • Fourth quarter 2025 volume increased 1% year-over-year, but total revenue declined 1% and operating income decreased 1% on a GAAP basis, with $50 million in severance and technology rationalization expenses.

  • Adjusted operating income for Q4 2025 fell 9% year-over-year, and adjusted earnings per share dropped 7%.

  • Full year 2025 revenue reached $14.09 billion, with adjusted operating income of $4.69 billion and adjusted EPS of $1.61, excluding a $164 million goodwill impairment charge.

  • Leadership renewal and disciplined execution have stabilized service and improved productivity, positioning the company for future growth.

Financial highlights

  • Q4 2025 revenue was $3.51 billion (down 1% YoY); operating income was $1.11 billion; net earnings were $720 million; adjusted operating margin was 31.6% (down 270 bps YoY); adjusted EPS was $0.39 (down 7% YoY).

  • Full year 2025 revenue was $14.09 billion (down 3% YoY); adjusted operating income was $4.69 billion (down 12% YoY); adjusted EPS was $1.61 (down 12% YoY).

  • Free cash flow before dividends for 2025 was $1.789 billion, down from $2.784 billion in 2024, impacted by $900 million in Blue Ridge spending and postponed tax payments.

  • Expenses rose $73 million (3%) excluding Goodwill Impairment, with $31 million in separation costs and $21 million in technology impairments.

  • Ending headcount decreased over 3% year-over-year.

Outlook and guidance

  • 2026 guidance calls for low single-digit revenue growth, 200–300 bps operating margin expansion from adjusted FY25, capital expenditures below $2.4 billion, and at least 50% free cash flow growth.

  • Operating margin expected to improve to the 64-65 range in 2026.

  • Labor inflation expected at 3.75% for 2026, with overall inflation in the 3-3.5% range.

  • Depreciation expense expected to remain flat year-over-year.

  • Multi-year targets replaced with 2026 guidance only, with ongoing evaluation of longer-term outlook.

Impact of Q4 cost structure adjustments on 2026?
Which revenue drivers will dominate in 2026?
What caused the Q3 goodwill impairment?
Quantify 2026 OR improvement from new initiatives
Detail 2026 pricing strategy and yield targets
What is the long-term OR target for CSX?
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Frequently asked questions

Rail Transportation

CSX Corporation is an American holding company that is active in rail transportation and related infrastructure and real estate. The company primarily focuses on rail-based freight transportation and through its expensive network of railways, it plays a crucial role in the North American supply chain, connecting raw materials, finished goods, and import/export markets. CSX is active across the United States, as well as in parts of Canada, and corporate headquarters are located in Jacksonville, Florida. Its shares are listed on the Nasdaq.

Mergers and Consolidation

CSX Corporation has a rich history rooted in the amalgamation of numerous railroads throughout more than a century. Its origins trace back to the early 1800s with a number of small formations of small rail companies, which gradually evolved and grew through mergers. The modern entity of CSX was established in 1980, following the merger of Chessie System and Seaboard Coast Line Industries. These parent companies themselves were products of earlier mergers involving notable railroads like the Baltimore and Ohio, the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway, and the Seaboard Air Line Railroad. This consolidation was part of a broader trend in the industry to streamline operations and improve efficiency in response to the competitive pressures and regulatory changes in the transportation sector. Today, CSX is a major player in railbound freight, playing a significant role in North America's transportation infrastructure.

The Business

CSX Corporation operates under a business model primarily focused on freight rail transportation and logistics services. At the core of its operations is a vast rail network spanning thousands of miles across the eastern United States, which facilitates the movement of various commodities including industrial goods, agricultural products, and consumer items. CSX generates revenue by charging customers for transporting these goods, with pricing based on factors like cargo type, distance, and service levels. Additionally, the company offers intermodal services, combining rail and truck transport, to provide all-encompassing supply chain solutions. CSX also engages in real estate transactions, including leasing and property management, in order to generate alternative sources of revenue.

Being publicly traded is relatively common for North American railway companies. Some examples of publicly traded industry peers are Union Pacific, Canadian National, and Norfolk Southern.

East and West

CSX Corporation's organizational structure is strategically divided into two main geographic regions: East and West.

The Eastern region, managed by one subsidiary, covers a vast area including major hubs and routes in the eastern United States. This division is responsible for freight movements in densely populated and industrially significant areas, handling a variety of commodities and intermodal traffic. Conversely, the Western region, overseen by another subsidiary, focuses on areas west of the Mississippi River. This division typically handles freight specific to the agricultural, industrial, and energy sectors predominant in these regions.

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