Zacks Industry Outlook highlights: CSX Corporation, Union Pacific Corporation and Norfolk Southern Corporation

Business Wire, April 27, 2006

CHICAGO -- Zacks.com releases its latest Industry Outlook. This report identifies the best stocks in the top-ranked industries. Featured in the latest report is the transportation - rail with a focus on the following stocks: CSX Corporation (NYSE:CSX), Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) and Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE:NSC). To read the complete Industry Outlook report and to see all of the top-ranked industries, visit http://at.zacks.com/?id=2177.

Here are details on the stocks featured in the latest Industry Outlook.

CSX Corporation (NYSE:CSX) recently reported first quarter earnings per share from continuing operations of $1.06, which easily surpassed the consensus by almost 22%. The result also improved significantly on a year-over-year basis from 68 cents, excluding a gain on the sale of discontinued operations in the first quarter of 2005. The company attributed its solid first quarter performance to strong Surface Transportation results, which included record revenues of $2.3 billion.

Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) posted first-quarter earnings of $1.15 per share on operating revenue of $3.7 billion. That earnings result significantly improved on a year-over-year basis and exceeded the consensus by approximately 6.5%. It also marked the best first quarter earnings ever posted by the company. Revenue advanced from $3.2 billion last year. Furthermore, commodity revenue in the quarter advanced 18% to an all-time record of $3.5 billion, driven by a 4% increase in volumes and increased fuel surcharge revenue and yields.

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE:NSC) recently reported solid first quarter numbers as strong demand for rail service continued. Earnings reached $305 million, or 72 cents per share, marking an increase of 57% from last year's $194 million, or 47 cents. Analysts were expecting earnings per share of 67 cents. Furthermore, railway operating revenues were the highest for any quarter in the company's history at $2.3 billion, marking an improvement of 17% from $1.96 billion a year earlier.

About Zacks Industry Outlook

These stocks featured above have a Zacks Rank of #1 ("Strong Buy") or #2 ("Buy") and a Zacks Equity Research rating of "Buy". The Zacks Rank is a quantitative indicator designed to cover periods of 1-3 months. Zacks Equity Research recommendations are based on both quantitative and qualitative factors and are intended to cover periods of 3-6 quarters.

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