form6k.htm

FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
Report of Foreign Issuer
 
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
For the month of January, 2010
 
Commission File Number: 001-02413
 
Canadian National Railway Company
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)
 
935 de la Gauchetiere Street West
Montreal, Quebec
Canada H3B 2M9
(Address of principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under
cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:

Form 20-F ____                                                      Form 40-F    X                                

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as
permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):

Yes ____                                           No   X

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as
permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):

Yes ____                                           No   X

Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this
Form, the Registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission
pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:

Yes ____                                           No   X

If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): N/A

 
 

 


Canadian National Railway Company

Table of Contents
 
Item

 


 
 

 


 
         Item 1
 CN Logo

North America’s Railroad
 
 
 
NEWS RELEASE
 
CN reports Q4-2009 net income of C$582 million,
or C$1.23 per diluted share
 
Excluding line-sale to Metrolinx and deferred income tax recovery,
 adjusted Q4-2009 net income was C$424 million or C$0.90 per diluted share

MONTREAL, Jan. 26, 2010 — CN (TSX: CNR)(NYSE: CNI) today reported its financial and operating results for the fourth quarter and year ended Dec. 31, 2009.

Fourth-quarter and full-year 2009 highlights
 
·  
Net income and diluted earnings per share for the final quarter of 2009 increased two per cent from the year-earlier period to C$582 million and C$1.23, respectively. The results included an after-tax gain of C$59 million (C$0.12 per diluted share) from a line-sale to Metrolinx, a transit agency in Toronto, and a deferred income tax recovery of C$99 million (C$0.21 per diluted share).
·  
Excluding these items, adjusted fourth-quarter 2009 net income was C$424 million, or C$0.90 per diluted share, compared with adjusted net income of C$531 million, or C$1.12 per diluted share, excluding a deferred income tax recovery, for the year-earlier period. (1)
·  
Fourth-quarter 2009 revenues declined 14 per cent from a year earlier to C$1,882 million.
·  
Fourth-quarter operating ratio was 65.3 per cent, compared with 62.7 per cent for the same quarter of 2008.
·  
Free cash flow for full-year 2009 was C$790 million, compared with 2008’s C$794 million. (1)

Net income for full-year 2009 decreased two per cent from 2008 to C$1,854 million, with diluted earnings per share declining one per cent to C$3.92. The 2009 results included after-tax gains of C$194 million (C$0.41 per diluted share) from two line-sales; a deferred income tax recovery of C$157 million (C$0.33 per diluted share), mainly resulting from the enactment of lower provincial corporate income tax rates; and after-tax acquisition-related costs of C$30 million (C$0.06 per diluted share) related to CN’s purchase of the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway Company. Excluding these items, adjusted 2009 net income was C$1,533 million (C$3.24 per diluted share), compared with adjusted 2008 net income, excluding a deferred income tax recovery, of C$1,778 million, or C$3.71 per diluted share. (1)

 
1

 

Claude Mongeau, president and chief executive officer, said: “CN overcame a number of challenges during the fourth quarter, ranging from weather and operational disruptions in Western Canada to a five-day strike by locomotive engineers in Canada.  In addition, the stronger Canadian dollar adversely affected our earnings. Despite these challenges, the final quarter of 2009 saw continued sequential improvement in CN’s traffic levels and an easing in year-over-year volume comparisons. Carloadings were flat year-over-year, but up four per cent versus the third quarter of 2009.”

Fourth-quarter year-over-year growth was in coal, automotive, grain and fertilizers, and petroleum and chemicals volumes as the economic recovery began taking hold. Intermodal volumes declined three per cent, metals and mineral carloadings were down by two per cent, and forest products markets remain depressed.

Mongeau said: “Throughout the year, the CN team raised the bar on operational execution, tightly controlled costs, and generated solid free cash flow and increased shareholder value through the monetization of underutilized assets. As we go forward, we will build on the improvements in operating metrics we achieved in 2009, including train velocity, lower freight car dwell times in terminals, and improved locomotive fuel efficiency.”

Foreign currency impact on results
The fluctuation of the Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar, which affects the conversion of CN’s U.S.-dollar-denominated revenues and expenses, reduced fourth-quarter 2009 net income by approximately C$35 million (C$0.07 per diluted share), while increasing full-year 2009 net income by C$25 million (C$0.05 per diluted share).

2010 outlook, increased dividend, new share buy-back program (2)
Mongeau said: “CN believes there will be gradual economic recovery in 2010. A number of our markets appear to be improving, and we expect to take advantage of a number of opportunities this year. We are still facing some headwinds, but are aiming for double-digit growth in diluted earnings per share (EPS) in 2010 over adjusted diluted EPS of C$3.24 in 2009, with 2010 free cash flow in the order of C$700 million.” (1)

One of the headwinds CN will face in 2010 is the Canadian-U.S. dollar exchange rate, which averaged C$0.88 in 2009 but is expected to be substantially higher in 2010. In addition, CN anticipates increased expenses in 2010, including higher depreciation expense and substantially lower credits for casualty expense.

Mongeau added: “Given the anticipated economic recovery, CN’s strong balance sheet and its ability to produce solid cash flow, I’m pleased that the Company’s Board of Directors has approved a seven per cent increase in CN’s quarterly common-share dividend, and a new share repurchase program to buy-back up to 15 million CN common shares.”

Fourth-quarter 2009 revenues and expenses
The 14 per cent decline in fourth-quarter revenues largely resulted from the negative translation impact of the year-over-year stronger Canadian dollar on U.S.-dollar-denominated revenues; a reduction in the fuel surcharge resulting from year-over-year decreases in applicable fuel prices, and lower freight volumes in most markets because of economic conditions. These factors were partly offset by freight rate increases.

 
2

 

All commodity groups experienced decreased revenues: forest products (26 per cent), metals and minerals (20 per cent), petroleum and chemicals (16 per cent), intermodal (13 per cent), automotive (13 per cent), coal (eight per cent), and grain and fertilizers (seven per cent).

Operating expenses for fourth-quarter 2009 declined by 11 per cent to C$1,229 million. The decrease was primarily owing to the positive translation impact of the stronger Canadian dollar on U.S.-dollar-denominated expenses, lower fuel costs, and reduced expenses for casualty and other and purchased services and material. These factors were partly offset by higher labor and fringe-benefits expense.

Full-year 2009 revenues and expenses
Revenues for the year decreased by 13 per cent to C$7,367 million, mainly due to significantly lower freight volumes in almost all markets as a result of economic conditions in the North American and global economies, and a reduction in the fuel surcharge resulting from year-over-year decreases in applicable fuel prices and lower volumes. These factors were partly offset by freight rate increases and the positive translation impact of the weaker Canadian dollar on U.S.-dollar-denominated revenues.

All commodity groups saw revenue declines for 2009: automotive (24 per cent), metals and minerals (23 per cent), forest products (20 per cent), intermodal (15 per cent), petroleum and chemicals (six per cent), coal (three per cent), and grain and fertilizers (three per cent). Revenue ton-miles for the year declined 10 per cent from 2008.

Operating expenses for 2009 decreased by 11 per cent to C$4,961 million, mainly due to lower fuel costs and reduced expenses for purchased services and material, partly reflecting the impact of reduced freight volumes as well as management’s cost-reduction initiatives. These factors were partially offset by the negative translation impact of the weaker Canadian dollar on U.S.-dollar-denominated expenses.

CN’s operating ratio for 2009 increased by 1.4 points to 67.3 per cent when compared to 2008.

(1)  
Please see discussion and reconciliation of non-GAAP adjusted performance measures in the attached supplementary schedule, Non-GAAP Measures.
(2)  
See Forward-Looking Statements for a summary of the key assumptions and risks regarding CN’s 2010 outlook.

 

 
3

 

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information included in this news release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and under Canadian securities laws. CN cautions that, by their nature, these forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The Company cautions that its assumptions may not materialize and that current economic conditions render such assumptions, although reasonable at the time they were made, subject to greater uncertainty. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results of performance of the Company or the rail industry to be materially different from the outlook or any future results or performance implied by such statements. Key assumptions used in determining forward-looking information are set forth below.

Key assumptions

CN made a number of economic and market assumptions in preparing its 2010 outlook. The Company is forecasting that North American industrial production for the year will increase in the range of three to four per cent. Of particular importance is that CN expects U.S. housing starts to be about 750,000 units and U.S. motor vehicles sales to be approximately 11.5 million units for the year. In addition, CN is assuming a 2010/2011 Canadian grain crop in line with the five-year average, and that in 2010 the crop will be complemented by a good carryover stock from 2009. With these assumptions, CN is targeting carload growth in the high-single-digit range, along with pricing improvement of about four per cent. CN expects the Canadian-U.S. exchange rate to be in the range of C$0.95 to par, and that the price of crude oil (West Texas Intermediate) to be about US$75 to US$80 per barrel. In 2010, CN plans to invest approximately C$1.5 billion in capital programs, of which more than C$1 billion will be targeted on track infrastructure to maintain a safe railway and improve the productivity and fluidity of the network.

Important factors that could affect the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the effects of general economic and business conditions, industry competition, inflation, currency and interest rate fluctuations, changes in fuel prices, legislative and/or regulatory developments, compliance with environmental laws and regulations, actions by regulators, various events which could disrupt operations, including natural events such as severe weather, droughts, floods and earthquakes, labor negotiations and disruptions, environmental claims, uncertainties of investigations, proceedings or other types of claims and litigation, risks and liabilities arising from derailments, and other risks detailed from time to time in reports filed by CN with securities regulators in Canada and the United States. Reference should be made to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis” in CN’s annual and interim reports, Annual Information Form and Form 40-F filed with Canadian and U.S. securities regulators, available on CN’s website, for a summary of major risks.

CN assumes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect future events, changes in circumstances, or changes in beliefs, unless required by applicable Canadian securities laws. In the event CN does update any forward-looking statement, no inference should be made that CN will make additional updates with respect to that statement, related maters, or any other forward-looking statement.

CN – Canadian National Railway Company and its operating railway subsidiaries – spans Canada and mid-America, from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to the Gulf of Mexico, serving the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert, B.C., Montreal, Halifax, New Orleans, and Mobile, Ala., and the key metropolitan areas of Toronto, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Duluth, Minn./Superior, Wis., Green Bay, Wis., Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, and Jackson, Miss., with connections to all points in North America. For more information on CN, visit the Company’s website at www.cn.ca.
 

 
- 30 -


Contacts:
Media
Investment Community
Mark Hallman
Robert Noorigian
Director, Communications & Public Affairs
Vice-President, Investor Relations
(905) 669-3384
(514) 399-0052
 
 
4

 

CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME (U.S. GAAP)
(In millions, except per share data)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended
 
Year ended
 
 
December 31
 
December 31
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2009 
 
 
2008 
 
 
2009 
 
 
2008 
 
 
(Unaudited)
Revenues
$
 1,882 
 
$
 2,200 
 
$
 7,367 
 
$
 8,482 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Labor and fringe benefits
 
 413 
 
 
 397 
 
 
 1,696 
 
 
 1,674 
 
Purchased services and material
 
 256 
 
 
 301 
 
 
 1,027 
 
 
 1,137 
 
Fuel
 
 221 
 
 
 304 
 
 
 769 
 
 
 1,403 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
 197 
 
 
 197 
 
 
 790 
 
 
 725 
 
Equipment rents
 
 66 
 
 
 79 
 
 
 284 
 
 
 262 
 
Casualty and other
 
 76 
 
 
 102 
 
 
 395 
 
 
 387 
Total operating expenses
 
 1,229 
 
 
 1,380 
 
 
 4,961 
 
 
 5,588 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
 
 653 
 
 
 820 
 
 
 2,406 
 
 
 2,894 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
 
 (95)
 
 
 (110)
 
 
 (412)
 
 
 (375)
Other income
 
 76 
 
 
 19 
 
 
 267 
 
 
 26 
Income before income taxes
 
 634 
 
 
 729 
 
 
 2,261 
 
 
 2,545 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense
 
 (52)
 
 
 (156)
 
 
 (407)
 
 
 (650)
Net income
$
 582 
 
$
 573 
 
$
 1,854 
 
$
 1,895 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
 1.24 
 
$
 1.22 
 
$
 3.95 
 
$
 3.99 
 
Diluted
$
 1.23 
 
$
 1.21 
 
$
 3.92 
 
$
 3.95 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average number of shares
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
 470.5 
 
 
 468.1 
 
 
 469.2 
 
 
 474.7 
 
Diluted
 
 474.8 
 
 
 472.5 
 
 
 473.5 
 
 
 480.0 
 
These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements, expressed in Canadian dollars, and prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP), contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly Canadian National Railway Company's (the Company) financial position as at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, and its results of operations, changes in shareholders' equity and cash flows for the three months and years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008. These consolidated financial statements have been prepared using accounting policies consistent with those used in preparing the Company's 2009 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements and should be read in conjunction with such statements, notes thereto and Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A).

 
5

 

CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET  (U.S. GAAP)
(In millions)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31
 
December 31
 
 
 
 
 
2009
 
 
2008 
 
 
   
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     Cash and cash equivalents
   
 
$
 352 
 
$
 413 
     Accounts receivable
 
 
 
 
 797 
 
 
 913 
     Material and supplies
 
 
 
 
 170 
 
 
 200 
     Deferred income taxes
 
 
 
 
 105 
 
 
 98 
     Other
 
 
 
 
 66 
 
 
 132 
 
 
 
 
 
 1,490 
 
 
 1,756 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Properties
 
 
 
 
 22,630 
 
 
 23,203 
Intangible and other assets
 
 
 
 
 1,056 
 
 
 1,761 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
   
 
$
 25,176 
 
$
 26,720 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     Accounts payable and other
   
 
$
 1,167 
 
$
 1,386 
     Current portion of long-term debt
 
 
 
 
 70 
 
 
 506 
 
 
 
 
 
 1,237 
 
 
 1,892 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred income taxes
 
 
 
 
 5,119 
 
 
 5,511 
Other liabilities and deferred credits
 
 
 
 
 1,196 
 
 
 1,353 
Long-term debt
 
 
 
 
 6,391 
 
 
 7,405 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shareholders' equity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     Common shares
 
 
 
 
 4,266 
 
 
 4,179 
     Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
 
 
 
 (948)
 
 
 (155)
     Retained earnings
 
 
 
 
 7,915 
 
 
 6,535 
 
 
 
 
 
 11,233 
 
 
 10,559 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
   
 
$
 25,176 
 
$
 26,720 
 
These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements, expressed in Canadian dollars, and prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position as at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, and its results of operations, changes in shareholders' equity and cash flows for the three months and years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008. These consolidated financial statements have been prepared using accounting policies consistent with those used in preparing the Company's 2009 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements and should be read in conjunction with such statements, notes thereto and MD&A.
 
Subsequent event
On January 26, 2010, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a new share repurchase program which allows for the repurchase of up to 15.0 million common shares between January 29, 2010 and December 31, 2010 pursuant to a normal course issuer bid, at prevailing market prices or such other prices as may be permitted by the Toronto Stock Exchange.
 
 
 
 

 
6

 

CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (U.S. GAAP)
(In millions)

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Three months ended
 
Year ended
 
  
December 31
 
December 31
 
  
 
2009 
 
 
2008 
 
 
2009 
 
 
2008 
 
  
         (Unaudited)
 
Common shares (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
$
 4,239 
 
$
 4,171 
 
$
 4,179 
 
$
 4,283 
 
    Stock options exercised and other
 
 27 
 
 
 9 
 
 
 87 
 
 
 68 
 
    Share repurchase programs
 
 - 
 
 
 (1)
 
 
 - 
 
 
 (172)
 
Balance, end of period
$
4,266 
 
$
4,179 
 
$
4,266 
 
$
4,179 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
$
 (288)
 
$
 54
 
$
 (155)
 
$
 (31)
 
Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized foreign exchange gain (loss) on:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Translation of the net investment in foreign operations
 
 (114)
 
 
 860
 
 
 (998)
 
 
 1,259 
 
    Translation of U.S. dollar-denominated long-term debt
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
       designated as a hedge of the net investment in U.S. subsidiaries
 
 113 
 
 
 (877)
 
 
 976 
 
 
 (1,266)
 
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Net actuarial loss arising during the period 
 
(868)
 
 
 (452)
 
 
(868)
 
 
 (452)
 
    Prior service cost arising during the period 
 
(2)
 
 
( 3)
 
 
(2)
 
 
 (3)
 
    Amortization of net actuarial loss (gain) included in net 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
       periodic benefit cost (income) 
 
              1
 
 
 - 
 
 
           2
 
 
 (2)
 
    Amortization of prior service cost included in net 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
       periodic benefit cost (income)   
 
 3 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 5 
 
 
         21
 
Other comprehensive loss before income taxes
 
(867)
 
 
  (469) 
 
 
 (885)
 
 
 (443) 
 
Income tax recovery
 
         207
 
 
      260 
 
 
        92
 
 
      319 
 
Other comprehensive loss
 
 (660)
 
 
 (209) 
 
 
 (793)
 
 
 (124) 
 
Balance, end of period
$
 (948)
 
$
 (155) 
 
$
 (948)
 
$
 (155) 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retained earnings
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
$
 7,452 
 
$
 6,073 
 
$
 6,535 
 
$
 5,925 
 
    Net income
 
 582 
 
 
 573 
 
 
 1,854 
 
 
 1,895 
 
    Share repurchase programs  
 
 - 
 
 
(3)
 
 
 - 
 
 
 (849)
 
    Dividends
 
 (119)
 
 
 (108)
 
 
 (474)
 
 
 (436)
 
Balance, end of period
$
 7,915 
 
$
 6,535 
 
$
 7,915 
 
$
 6,535 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
7

 

CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS  (U.S. GAAP)
(In millions)

 
 
Three months ended
 
 
Year ended
 
 
 
December 31
 
 
December 31
 
 
 
2009
 
 
2008 
 
 
2009 
 
 
2008 
 
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
Operating activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
 582 
 
$
 573 
 
$
 1,854 
 
$
 1,895 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
provided from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     Depreciation and amortization
 
 197 
 
 
 197 
 
 
 790 
 
 
 725 
     Deferred income taxes
 
 (8)
 
 
 43 
 
 
 138 
 
 
 230 
     Gain on disposal of property
 
 (69)
 
 
 - 
 
 
 (226)
 
 
 - 
     Other changes in:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
        Accounts receivable
 
 41 
 
 
 (173)
 
 
 39 
 
 
 (432)
        Material and supplies
 
 65 
 
 
 25 
 
 
 32 
 
 
 (23)
        Accounts payable and other
 
 (12)
 
 
 (28)
 
 
 (204)
 
 
 (127)
        Other current assets
 
 (9)
 
 
 2 
 
 
 77 
 
 
 37 
     Other
 
 (108)
 
 
 (139)
 
 
 (221)
 
 
 (274)
Cash provided from operating activities
 
 679 
 
 
 500 
 
 
 2,279 
 
 
 2,031 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investing activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property additions
 
 (564)
 
 
 (480)
 
 
 (1,402)
 
 
(1,424)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
 
 - 
 
 
 (50)
 
 
 (373)
 
 
 (50)
Disposal of property
 
 74 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 231 
 
 
 - 
Other, net
 
 57 
 
 
 32 
 
 
 107 
 
 
 74 
Cash used by investing activities
 
 (433)
 
 
 (498)
 
 
 (1,437)
 
 
(1,400)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financing activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Issuance of long-term debt
 
 1 
 
 
 1,003 
 
 
 1,626 
 
 
 4,433 
Reduction of long-term debt
 
 (39)
 
 
 (793)
 
 
 (2,109)
 
 
(3,589)
Issuance of common shares due to exercise of stock
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   options and related excess tax benefits realized
 
 24 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 73 
 
 
 54 
Repurchase of common shares
 
 - 
 
 
 (4)
 
 
 - 
 
 
(1,021)
Dividends paid
 
 (119)
 
 
 (108)
 
 
 (474)
 
 
 (436)
Cash provided from (used by) financing activities
 
 (133)
 
 
 104 
 
 
 (884)
 
 
 (559)
Effect of foreign exchange fluctuations on U.S.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   dollar-denominated cash and cash equivalents
 
 6 
 
 
 19 
 
 
 (19)
 
 
 31 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 
 119 
 
 
 125 
 
 
 (61)
 
 
 103 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
 
 233 
 
 
 288 
 
 
 413 
 
 
 310 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
 352 
 
$
 413 
 
$
 352 
 
$
 413 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Supplemental cash flow information
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash receipts from customers and other
$
 1,965 
 
$
 1,987 
 
$
 7,505 
 
$
 8,012 
Net cash payments for:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     Employee services, suppliers and other expenses
 
(1,057)
 
 
 (1,171)
 
 
 (4,314)
 
 
(4,920)
     Interest
 
 (101)
 
 
 (124)
 
 
 (407)
 
 
 (396)
     Workforce reductions
 
 (4)
 
 
 (5)
 
 
 (17)
 
 
 (22)
     Personal injury and other claims
 
 (26)
 
 
 (29)
 
 
 (112)
 
 
 (91)
     Pensions
 
 (46)
 
 
 (50)
 
 
 (131)
 
 
 (127)
     Income taxes
 
 (52)
 
 
 (108)
 
 
 (245)
 
 
 (425)
Cash provided from operating activities
$
 679 
 
$
 500 
 
$
 2,279 
 
$
 2,031 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   

 
8

 

CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
SELECTED RAILROAD STATISTICS (1) (U.S. GAAP)
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended
 
Year ended
 
December 31
 
December 31
 
2009 
2008 
 
2009 
2008 
 
(Unaudited)
Statistical operating data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rail freight revenues ($ millions)
1,679 
1,977 
 
6,632 
7,641 
Gross ton miles (GTM) (millions)
78,760 
81,871 
 
304,690 
339,854 
Revenue ton miles (RTM) (millions)
41,819 
42,382 
 
159,862 
177,951 
Carloads (thousands)
1,077 
1,078 
 
3,991 
4,615 
Route miles (includes Canada and the U.S.)
21,094 
20,961 
 
21,094 
20,961 
Employees (end of period)
21,501 
22,227 
 
21,501 
22,227 
Employees (average for the period)
21,478 
22,461 
 
21,793 
22,695 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Productivity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating ratio (%)
65.3 
62.7 
 
67.3 
65.9 
Rail freight revenue per RTM (cents)
4.01 
4.66 
 
4.15 
4.29 
Rail freight revenue per carload ($)
1,559 
1,834 
 
1,662 
1,656 
Operating expenses per GTM (cents)
1.56 
1.69 
 
1.63 
1.64 
Labor and fringe benefits expense per GTM (cents)
0.52 
0.48 
 
0.56 
0.49 
GTMs per average number of employees (thousands)
3,667 
3,645 
 
13,981 
14,975 
Diesel fuel consumed (U.S. gallons in millions)
83 
93 
 
327 
380 
Average fuel price ($/U.S. gallon)
2.33 
2.88 
 
2.12 
3.39 
GTMs per U.S. gallon of fuel consumed
949 
880 
 
932 
894 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Safety indicators
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Injury frequency rate per 200,000 person hours (2)
2.09 
1.72 
 
1.78 
1.78 
Accident rate per million train miles (2)
3.30 
2.83 
 
2.27 
2.58 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial ratio
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt to total capitalization ratio (% at end of period)
36.5 
42.8 
 
36.5 
42.8 
(1) Includes data relating to companies acquired as of the date of acquisition.
(2) Based on Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) reporting criteria.














Certain statistical data and related productivity measures are based on estimated data available at such time and are subject to
change as more complete information becomes available.

 
9

 

CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION (U.S. GAAP)
 

 
Three months ended December 31
 
Year ended December 31
 
 
 
Variance
 
 
 
Variance
 
2009 
2008 
Fav (Unfav)
 
2009 
2008 
Fav (Unfav)
 
(Unaudited)
Revenues (millions of dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Petroleum and chemicals
 302 
 359 
(16%)
 
 1,260 
 1,346 
(6%)
Metals and minerals
 189 
 237 
(20%)
 
 728 
 950 
(23%)
Forest products
 271 
 366 
(26%)
 
 1,147 
 1,436 
(20%)
Coal
 122 
 132 
(8%)
 
 464 
 478 
(3%)
Grain and fertilizers
 356 
 381 
(7%)
 
 1,341 
 1,382 
(3%)
Intermodal
 341 
 390 
(13%)
 
 1,337 
 1,580 
(15%)
Automotive
 98 
 112 
(13%)
 
 355 
 469 
(24%)
Total rail freight revenue
 1,679 
 1,977 
(15%)
 
 6,632 
 7,641 
(13%)
Other revenues
 203 
 223 
(9%)
 
 735 
 841 
(13%)
Total revenues
 1,882 
 2,200 
(14%)
 
 7,367 
 8,482 
(13%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue ton miles (millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Petroleum and chemicals
 7,270 
 7,678 
(5%)
 
 29,381 
 32,346 
(9%)
Metals and minerals
 3,507 
 3,982 
(12%)
 
 12,994 
 17,953 
(28%)
Forest products
 6,910 
 7,848 
(12%)
 
 27,594 
 33,847 
(18%)
Coal
 4,176 
 3,697 
13%
 
 14,805 
 14,886 
(1%)
Grain and fertilizers
 11,281 
 10,592 
7%
 
 40,859 
 42,507 
(4%)
Intermodal
 8,095 
 8,027 
1%
 
 32,159 
 33,822 
(5%)
Automotive
 580 
 558 
4%
 
 2,070 
 2,590 
(20%)
 
 41,819 
 42,382 
(1%)
 
 159,862 
 177,951 
(10%)
Rail freight revenue / RTM (cents)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total rail freight revenue per RTM
 4.01 
 4.66 
(14%)
 
 4.15 
 4.29 
(3%)
Commodity groups:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Petroleum and chemicals
 4.15 
 4.68 
(11%)
 
 4.29 
 4.16 
3%
Metals and minerals
 5.39 
 5.95 
(9%)
 
 5.60 
 5.29 
6%
Forest products
 3.92 
 4.66 
(16%)
 
 4.16 
 4.24 
(2%)
Coal
 2.92 
 3.57 
(18%)
 
 3.13 
 3.21 
(2%)
Grain and fertilizers
 3.16 
 3.60 
(12%)
 
 3.28 
 3.25 
1%
Intermodal
 4.21 
 4.86 
(13%)
 
 4.16 
 4.67 
(11%)
Automotive
 16.90 
 20.07 
(16%)
 
 17.15 
 18.11 
(5%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Carloads (thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Petroleum and chemicals
 126 
 123 
2%
 
 511 
 547 
(7%)
Metals and minerals
 224 
 228 
(2%)
 
 721 
 1,025 
(30%)
Forest products
 100 
 116 
(14%)
 
 403 
 511 
(21%)
Coal
 113 
 95 
19%
 
 426 
 375 
14%
Grain and fertilizers
 147 
 143 
3%
 
 530 
 579 
(8%)
Intermodal
 321 
 332 
(3%)
 
 1,246 
 1,377 
(10%)
Automotive
 46 
 41 
12%
 
 154 
 201 
(23%)
 
 1,077 
 1,078 
 
 3,991 
 4,615 
(14%)
Rail freight revenue / carload (dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total rail freight revenue per carload
 1,559 
 1,834 
(15%)
 
 1,662 
 1,656 
Commodity groups:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Petroleum and chemicals
 2,397 
 2,919 
(18%)
 
 2,466 
 2,461 
Metals and minerals
 844 
 1,039 
(19%)
 
 1,010 
 927 
9%
Forest products
 2,710 
 3,155 
(14%)
 
 2,846 
 2,810 
1%
Coal
 1,080 
 1,389 
(22%)
 
 1,089 
 1,275 
(15%)
Grain and fertilizers
 2,422 
 2,664 
(9%)
 
 2,530 
 2,387 
6%
Intermodal
 1,062 
 1,175 
(10%)
 
 1,073 
 1,147 
(6%)
Automotive
 2,130 
 2,732 
(22%)
 
 2,305 
 2,333 
(1%)

Such statistical data and related productivity measures are based on estimated data available at such time and are subject to
change as more complete information becomes available.

 
10

 

CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
NON-GAAP MEASURES - unaudited


Adjusted performance measures
For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2009, the Company reported adjusted net income of $424 million, or $0.90 per diluted share and $1,533 million or $3.24 per diluted share, respectively. The adjusted figures for the three months ended December 31, 2009 exclude the gain on sale of the Lower Newmarket subdivision of $69 million or $59 million after-tax ($0.12 per diluted share) and a deferred income tax recovery of $99 million ($0.21 per diluted share), resulting from the enactment of a lower provincial corporate income tax rate. The adjusted figures for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 exclude the gain on sale of the Lower Newmarket subdivision of $69 million or $59 million after-tax ($0.12 per diluted share); the gain on sale of the Weston subdivision of $157 million or $135 million after-tax ($0.29 per diluted share); EJ&E acquisition-related costs of $49 million or $30 million after-tax ($0.06 per diluted share); and a deferred income tax recovery of $157 million ($0.33 per diluted share), of which $126 million ($0.27 per diluted share) resulted from the enactment of lower provincial corporate income tax rates, $16 million ($0.03 per diluted share) resulted from the recapitalization of a foreign investment and $15 million ($0.03 per diluted share) resulted from the resolution of various income tax matters and adjustments related to tax filings of prior years.
     For the three months and year ended December 31, 2008, the Company reported adjusted net income of $531 million, or $1.12 per diluted share and $1,778 million, or $3.71 per diluted share, respectively. The fourth quarter adjusted figures exclude the impact of a net deferred income tax recovery of $42 million ($0.09 per diluted share) resulting from the resolution of various income tax matters and adjustments related to tax filings of prior years. The year-to-date December 31, 2008 adjusted figures exclude a deferred income tax recovery of $117 million ($0.24 per diluted share), of which $83 million ($0.17 per diluted share) was due to the resolution of various income tax matters and adjustments related to tax filings of prior years, $23 million ($0.05 per diluted share) was due to the enactment of  corporate income tax rate changes in Canada and $11 million ($0.02 per diluted share) was due to net capital losses arising from the reorganization of a subsidiary.
Management believes that adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share are useful measures of performance that can facilitate period-to-period comparisons, as they exclude items that do not necessarily arise as part of the normal day-to-day operations of the Company and could distort the analysis of trends in business performance. The exclusion of such items in adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share does not, however, imply that such items are necessarily non-recurring. These adjusted measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and may, therefore, not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. The reader is advised to read all information provided in the Company’s 2009 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements, Notes thereto and Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A). The following tables provide a reconciliation of net income and earnings per share, as reported for the three months and year ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, to the adjusted performance measures presented herein.

 
 
Three months ended
 
 
Year ended
 
 
December 31, 2009
 
 
December 31, 2009
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In millions, except per share data
Reported
 
Adjustments
 
Adjusted
 
 
Reported
 
Adjustments
 
Adjusted
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$
 1,882 
$
 - 
$
 1,882 
 
$
 7,367 
$
 - 
$
 7,367 
Operating expenses
 
 1,229 
 
 - 
 
 1,229 
 
 
 4,961 
 
 (49)
 
 4,912 
Operating income
 
 653 
 
 - 
 
 653 
 
 
 2,406 
 
 49 
 
 2,455 
Interest expense
 
 (95)
 
 - 
 
 (95)
 
 
 (412)
 
 - 
 
 (412)
Other income
 
 76 
 
 (69)
 
 7 
 
 
 267 
 
 (226)
 
 41 
Income before income taxes
 
 634 
 
 (69)
 
 565 
 
 
 2,261 
 
 (177)
 
 2,084 
Income tax expense
 
 (52)
 
 (89)
 
 (141)
 
 
 (407)
 
 (144)
 
 (551)
Net income
$
 582 
$
 (158)
$
 424 
 
$
 1,854 
$
 (321)
$
 1,533 
Operating ratio
 
65.3%
 
 
 
65.3%
 
 
67.3%
 
 
 
66.7%
Basic earnings per share
$
 1.24 
$
 (0.33)
$
 0.91 
 
$
 3.95 
$
 (0.68)
$
 3.27 
Diluted earnings per share
$
 1.23 
$
 (0.33)
$
 0.90 
 
$
 3.92 
$
 (0.68)
$
 3.24 



 
11

 

CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
NON-GAAP MEASURES - unaudited

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended
 
 
Year ended
 
 
December 31, 2008
 
 
December 31, 2008
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In millions, except per share data
 
Reported
 
Adjustments
 
Adjusted
 
 
Reported
 
Adjustments
 
Adjusted
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$
 2,200 
$
 - 
$
 2,200 
 
$
 8,482 
$
 - 
$
 8,482 
Operating expenses
 
 1,380 
 
 - 
 
 1,380 
 
 
 5,588 
 
 - 
 
 5,588 
Operating income
 
 820 
 
 - 
 
 820 
 
 
 2,894 
 
 - 
 
 2,894 
Interest expense
 
 (110)
 
 - 
 
 (110)
 
 
 (375)
 
 - 
 
 (375)
Other income
 
 19 
 
 - 
 
 19 
 
 
 26 
 
 - 
 
 26 
Income before income taxes
 
 729 
 
 - 
 
 729 
 
 
 2,545 
 
 - 
 
 2,545 
Income tax expense
 
 (156)
 
 (42)
 
 (198)
 
 
 (650)
 
 (117)
 
 (767)
Net income
$
 573 
$
 (42)
$
 531 
 
$
 1,895 
$
 (117)
$
 1,778 
Operating ratio
 
62.7%
 
 
 
62.7%
 
 
65.9%
 
 
 
65.9%
Basic earnings per share
$
 1.22 
$
 (0.09)
$
 1.13 
 
$
 3.99 
$
 (0.24)
$
 3.75 
Diluted earnings per share
$
 1.21 
$
 (0.09)
$
 1.12 
 
$
 3.95 
$
 (0.24)
$
 3.71 

Free cash flow
The Company generated $133 million and $790 million of free cash flow for the three months and year ended December 31, 2009, respectively, compared to $311 million and $794 million for the same periods in 2008. Free cash flow does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and may, therefore, not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. The Company believes that free cash flow is a useful measure of performance as it demonstrates the Company’s ability to generate cash after the payment of capital expenditures and dividends. The Company defines free cash flow as cash provided from operating activities, adjusted for changes in the accounts receivable securitization program and in cash and cash equivalents resulting from foreign exchange fluctuations, less cash used by investing activities, adjusted for the impact of major acquisitions, and the payment of dividends, calculated as follows:

   
Three months ended
 
Year ended
   
December 31
 
December 31
In millions
   
2009 
   
2008 
   
2009 
 
 
2008 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
Cash provided from operating activities
 
$
          679
 
$
 500 
 
$
 2,279 
 
$
 2,031 
Cash used by investing activities
   
   (433)
   
(498)
   
 (1,437)
 
 
 (1,400)
Cash provided before financing activities
   
         246
   
 2 
   
 842 
 
 
 631 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
Adjustments:
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
    Change in accounts receivable securitization
   
-
   
 398 
   
 68 
 
 
 568 
    Dividends paid
   
(119)
   
 (108)
   
 (474)
 
 
 (436)
    Acquisition of EJ&E
   
-
   
 - 
   
 373 
 
 
 - 
    Effect of foreign exchange fluctuations on U.S. dollar-denominated cash and cash equivalents
 
              6
   
 19
   
 (19)
 
 
 31 
Free cash flow
 
$
133
 
$
311 
 
$
 790 
 
$
 794 


 
12

 

SIGNATURES
 
        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
   
Canadian National Railway Company
 
           
Date: January 26, 2010 
By:
/s/ Cristina Circelli
 
     
Name:
Cristina Circelli
 
     
Title:
Deputy Corporate Secretary and
General Counsel