CN shipments increase, but efficiency takes a hit

MONTREAL• Canadian National Railway Co. is running into challenges in maintaining its status as North America’s most efficient railroad.

A key measure of efficiency dropped in the first quarter even as the Montreal-based company forecast higher volumes for the coming year.

The results spotlighted the task facing Canadian National, the most efficient North American railroad last year, as it strives to keep costs down while tapping into a much- anticipated rebound in volume. The company boosted its 2017 profit target, citing better demand for commodities such as grain and coal. First-quarter earnings met analyst expectations.

“People just expected a much better number,” said Dan Sherman, an analyst at Edward Jones. “The market was hoping they’d get a little bit more. Fuel costs were up a lot and that masked everything else that went well.”

In Toronto, Canadian Na- tional rose 1.3 per cent to close at $ 102.21 before the results were released. It then tumbled nearly 3 per cent to close at $99.15.

The operating ratio, in which a lower number is better, worsened to 59.4 per cent from 58.9 per cent, the Montreal- based company said Monday in a statement. Fuel expenses jumped 46 per cent as equipment rents climbed 6.3 per cent, leading to an 8.9 per cent advance in operating expenses.

Canadian National said adjusted earnings this year will rise at least 7.8 per cent to $4.95 to $5.10 a share. The carrier, like Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd., is benefiting from last year’s bumper crop in western Canada.

Canadian National now expects to devote $2.6 billion to capital expenditures this year, $100 million more than previously planned.