Form 10-K
Table of Contents


 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

(Mark One)

  [X]

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006

 

OR

 

  [ ]

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from                              to                             

 

Commission File Number 1-6075

 

 

UNION PACIFIC CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

UTAH   13-2626465

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

1400 DOUGLAS STREET, OMAHA, NEBRASKA

(Address of principal executive offices)

68179

(Zip Code)

(402) 544-5000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each Class


 

Name of each exchange on which registered


Common Stock (Par Value $2.50 per share)   New York Stock Exchange, Inc.

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Yes  X       No       

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

Yes            No  X  

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes  X       No       

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.      X  

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act):

Large accelerated filer x    Accelerated filer ¨    Non-accelerated filer ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

Yes            No  X  

 

As of June 30, 2006, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s Common Stock held by non-affiliates (using the New York Stock Exchange closing price) was $24.9 billion.

 

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Common Stock as of January 31, 2007, was 270,752,306.

 




Table of Contents

Documents Incorporated by Reference – Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 3, 2007, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this report. The registrant’s Proxy Statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

UNION PACIFIC CORPORATION

 

       PART I    

Item 1.

    

Business

  3

Item 1A.

    

Risk Factors

  6

Item 1B.

    

Unresolved Staff Comments

  9

Item 2.

    

Properties

  9

Item 3.

    

Legal Proceedings

  10

Item 4.

    

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

  12
      

Executive Officers of the Registrant and Principal Executive Officers of Subsidiaries

  13
       PART II    

Item 5.

    

Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

  14

Item 6.

    

Selected Financial Data

  16

Item 7.

    

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

  17
      

Critical Accounting Policies

  37
      

Cautionary Information

  41

Item 7A.

    

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

  41

Item 8.

    

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

  42
      

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

  43

Item 9.

    

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

  71

Item 9A.

    

Controls and Procedures

  71
      

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

  72
      

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

  73

Item 9B.

    

Other Information

  74
       PART III    

Item 10.

    

Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance

  75

Item 11.

    

Executive Compensation

  75

Item 12.

    

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

  75

Item 13.

    

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

  76

Item 14.

    

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

  76
       PART IV    

Item 15.

    

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

  77
      

Signatures

  78
      

Certifications

   

 

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PART I

 

Item 1. Business

 

GENERAL

 

Union Pacific Corporation owns one of America’s leading transportation companies. Its principal operating company, Union Pacific Railroad Company, links 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country and serves the fastest-growing U.S. population centers. Union Pacific Railroad Company’s diversified business mix includes agricultural products, automotive, chemicals, energy, industrial products, and intermodal. It offers competitive long-haul routes from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways. Union Pacific Railroad Company connects with Canada’s rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major gateways to Mexico, making it North America’s premier rail franchise.

 

Union Pacific Corporation was incorporated in Utah in 1969 and maintains its principal executive offices at 1400 Douglas Street, Omaha, NE 68179. The telephone number at that address is (402) 544-5000. The common stock of Union Pacific Corporation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol "UNP".

 

For purposes of this report, unless the context otherwise requires, all references herein to “UPC”, “Corporation”, “we”, “us”, and “our” shall mean Union Pacific Corporation and its subsidiaries, including Union Pacific Railroad Company, which we separately refer to as “UPRR” or the “Railroad”.

 

Available Information – Our Internet website is www.up.com. We make available free of charge on our website (under the “Investors” caption link) our annual reports on Form 10-K; our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q; our current reports on Form 8-K; our proxy statements; Forms 3, 4, and 5, filed on behalf of directors and executive officers; and amendments to such reports filed or furnished pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). We also make available on our website previously filed SEC reports and exhibits via a link to EDGAR on the SEC’s Internet site at www.sec.gov. Additionally, our corporate governance materials, including By-Laws, Board Committee charters, governance guidelines and policies, and codes of conduct and ethics for directors, officers, and employees are on our website. From time to time, the corporate governance materials on our website may be updated as necessary to comply with rules issued by the SEC and the NYSE or as desirable to promote the effective and efficient governance of our company. Any security holder wishing to receive, without charge, a copy of any of our SEC filings or corporate governance materials should send a written request to: Secretary, Union Pacific Corporation, 1400 Douglas Street, Omaha, NE 68179.

 

We have included the CEO and CFO certifications regarding our public disclosure required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 as Exhibits 31(a) and (b) to this report. Additionally, we filed with the NYSE the CEO’s certification regarding our compliance with the NYSE’s Corporate Governance Listing Standards (Listing Standards) pursuant to Section 303A.12(a) of the Listing Standards, which was dated May 23, 2006, and indicated that the CEO was not aware of any violations of the Listing Standards by the Corporation.

 

References to our website address in this report, including references in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Item 7, are provided as a convenience and do not constitute, and should not be deemed, an incorporation by reference of the information contained on, or available through, the website. Therefore, such information should not be considered part of this report.

 

OPERATIONS

 

The Railroad, along with its subsidiaries and rail affiliates, is our one reportable operating segment. Although revenue is analyzed by commodity group, we analyze the net financial results of the Railroad as one segment due to the integrated nature of our rail network. Additional information regarding our operations is presented in Selected Financial Data, Item 6; Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Item 7; and the Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Item 8.

 

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Operations – UPRR is a Class I railroad operating in the United States. We have 32,339 route miles, linking Pacific Coast and Gulf Coast ports with the Midwest and eastern United States gateways and providing several corridors to key Mexican gateways. We serve the western two-thirds of the country and maintain coordinated schedules with other rail carriers to move freight to and from the Atlantic Coast, the Pacific Coast, the Southeast, the Southwest, Canada, and Mexico. Export and import traffic moves through Gulf Coast and Pacific Coast ports and across the Mexican and Canadian borders. UPRR’s freight traffic consists of bulk, manifest, and premium business. Bulk traffic is primarily coal, grain, rock, or soda ash in unit trains – trains transporting a single commodity from one source to one destination. Manifest traffic is individual carload or less than train-load business, including commodities such as lumber, steel, paper, and food. The transportation of finished vehicles and intermodal containers is part of the Railroad’s premium business. In 2006, the Railroad generated commodity revenue totaling $14.9 billion from the following six commodity groups:

  LOGO

 

Agricultural – Transporting agricultural products, including whole grains, commodities produced from these grains, and food and beverage products, provided 16% of the Railroad’s 2006 commodity revenue. With access to most major grain markets, the Railroad provides a critical link between the Midwest and western producing areas and export terminals in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) and Gulf ports, as well as Mexico. Unit trains of grain efficiently shuttle between producers and export terminals or domestic markets. UPRR also serves significant domestic markets, including grain processors, animal feeders, and ethanol producers in the Midwest, West, South, and Rocky Mountain states. Primary food commodities consist of a variety of fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, dairy products, and beverages, which are moved to major U.S. population centers for consumption. Express Lane and our recently inaugurated Produce Unit Train, our premium perishables services that move fruits and vegetables from the PNW and California with priority service to destinations in the East, compete with the trucking industry. We transport frozen meat and poultry to the West Coast ports for export, while beverages, primarily beer, enter the U.S. from Mexico.

 

Automotive – UPRR is the largest automotive carrier west of the Mississippi River, serving seven vehicle assembly plants and distributing imported vehicles from six West Coast ports and Houston. The Railroad off-loads finished vehicles at 38 vehicle distribution centers for delivery by truck to all major western U.S. cities. In addition to transporting finished vehicles, UPRR provides expedited handling of automotive parts in both boxcars and intermodal containers to several assembly plants. The Railroad carries automotive materials bound for assembly plants in Mexico, the U.S., and Canada and transports finished vehicles from manufacturing facilities in Mexico. In 2006, transportation of finished vehicles and automotive materials accounted for 10% of the Railroad’s commodity revenue.

 

Chemicals – Transporting chemicals provided 14% of the Railroad’s commodity revenue in 2006. The Railroad’s franchise enables it to serve the chemical producing areas along the Gulf Coast, as well as the Rocky Mountain region. Two-thirds of the chemicals business consists of liquid and dry chemicals, plastics, and liquid petroleum products. In addition to transporting plastics, customers also leverage UPRR’s storage-in-transit yards for intermediate storage of plastic resins. Soda ash shipments originate in southwestern Wyoming and California destined primarily for glass producing markets in the East, the West, and abroad. Fertilizer movements originate

 

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primarily in the Gulf Coast region, as well as the West and Canada, bound for major agricultural users in the Midwest and the western U.S.

 

Energy – Coal transportation accounted for 20% of the Railroad’s 2006 commodity revenue. The Railroad’s geographic network allows it to transport coal destined for utilities and industrial facilities in 27 states, as well as to the Gulf and rail/barge/ship facilities on the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers and the Great Lakes. UPRR serves mines located in the Southern Powder River Basin of Wyoming (SPRB), Colorado, Utah, southern Wyoming, and southern Illinois. SPRB coal represents the largest growth segment of the market, as utilities continue to favor its lower cost and low-sulfur content.

 

Industrial Products – The Railroad’s extensive network enables the industrial products group to move numerous commodities between thousands of origin and destination points throughout North America. Lumber shipments originate primarily in the PNW and Canada for destinations throughout the United States for new home construction and repair and remodeling. Commercial and highway construction drives shipments of steel and construction products, consisting of rock, cement, and roofing materials. Paper and consumer goods, including furniture and appliances, are shipped to major metropolitan areas for consumers. Nonferrous metals and industrial minerals are moved for industrial manufacturing. In addition, the Railroad provides efficient and safe transportation for government entities and waste companies. In 2006, transporting industrial products provided 21% of the Railroad’s commodity revenue.

 

Intermodal – UPRR’s intermodal business, which represented 19% of the Railroad’s 2006 commodity revenue, includes international, domestic, and premium shipments. International business consists of imported container traffic that arrives at West Coast ports via steamship for destinations throughout the United States. Domestic business includes domestic container and trailer traffic for intermodal marketing companies (primarily shipper agents and consolidators) and truckload carriers. Less-than-truckload and package carriers with time-sensitive business requirements account for the majority of our premium service.

 

Working Capital – We currently have, and historically have had, a working capital deficit, which is common in our industry and does not indicate a lack of liquidity or financial stability. We maintain adequate resources to meet our daily cash requirements, and we have sufficient financial capacity to satisfy our current liabilities.

 

Competition – We are subject to competition from other railroads, motor carriers, and barge operators. Our main rail competitor is Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation. Its rail subsidiary, BNSF Railway Company (BNSF), operates parallel routes in many of our main traffic corridors. In addition, we operate in corridors served by other railroads and motor carriers. Motor carrier competition is particularly strong for five of our six commodity groups. Because of the proximity of our routes to major inland and Gulf Coast waterways, barge competition can be particularly effective, especially for grain and bulk commodities. In addition to price competition, we face competition with respect to transit times and quality and reliability of service. While we must build or acquire and maintain our rail system, trucks and barges are able to use public rights-of-way maintained by public entities. Any future improvements or expenditures materially increasing the quality or reducing the costs of these alternative modes of transportation, or legislation releasing motor carriers from their size or weight limitations, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity.

 

Equipment Suppliers – We depend on two key domestic suppliers of locomotives. Due to the capital intensive nature and sophistication of this equipment, high barriers to entry face potential new suppliers. Therefore, if one of these domestic suppliers discontinues manufacturing locomotives, we could experience a significant cost increase and risk reduced availability of the locomotives that are necessary to our operations.

 

Employees – Approximately 87% of our 50,739 full-time-equivalent employees are represented by 14 major rail unions. In January 2005, we began the current round of negotiations with the unions. Existing agreements remain in effect and will continue to remain in effect until new agreements are reached or the Railway Labor Act’s

 

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procedures (which include mediation, cooling-off periods, and the possibility of Presidential intervention) are exhausted. Contract negotiations with the various unions generally take place over an extended period of time, and we rarely experience work stoppages during negotiations. The current agreements provide for periodic cost of living wage increases until new agreements are reached.

 

GOVERNMENTAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION

 

Governmental Regulation – Our operations are subject to a variety of federal, state, and local regulations, generally applicable to all businesses (see also the discussion of certain regulatory proceedings in Legal Proceedings, Item 3).

 

The operations of the Railroad are subject to the regulatory jurisdiction of the Surface Transportation Board (STB) of the United States Department of Transportation (DOT). The operations of the Railroad are also subject to the regulations of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) of the DOT and other federal and state agencies. The STB has jurisdiction over rates charged on certain regulated rail traffic; freight car compensation; transfer, extension, or abandonment of rail lines; and acquisition of control of rail common carriers. On January 26, 2007, the STB issued a decision limiting the manner in which U.S. railroads can calculate fuel surcharges on traffic regulated by the STB.

 

DOT and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, along with other federal agencies, have jurisdiction over certain aspects of safety, movement of hazardous materials, movement and disposal of hazardous waste, emissions requirements, and equipment standards. Various state and local agencies have jurisdiction over disposal of hazardous waste and seek to regulate movement of hazardous materials in areas not otherwise preempted by federal law.

 

Environmental Regulation – We are subject to extensive federal and state environmental statutes and regulations pertaining to public health and the environment. The statutes and regulations are administered and monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and by various state environmental agencies. The primary laws affecting our operations are the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, regulating the management and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes; the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, regulating the cleanup of contaminated properties; the Clean Air Act, regulating air emissions; and the Clean Water Act, regulating waste water discharges.

 

Information concerning environmental claims and contingencies and estimated remediation costs is set forth in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Policies – Environmental, Item 7.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

The information set forth in this Item 1A should be read in conjunction with the rest of the information included in this report, including Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

 

We Must Manage Both Significant Demand for Our Services and Network Capacity – Due to continuing demand for rail service and capacity constraints, we may experience network difficulties, including congestion and reduced velocity, which may compromise the level of service we provide to our customers. This level of demand may compound the impact of weather and weather-related events on our operations and velocity. Although we continue to improve our transportation plan, add capacity, and improve operations at our yards and other facilities, we cannot be sure that these measures will fully or adequately address any service shortcomings. Additionally, ongoing maintenance, restoration, and improvements in the SPRB could adversely affect coal shipments during the year. We also cannot be sure that we will not experience other difficulties related to

 

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network capacity, dramatic and unplanned increases of demand for rail service in one or more of our commodity groups, or other events that could have a negative impact on our operational efficiency, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity.

 

We May Be Subject to Various Claims and Lawsuits That Could Result in Significant Expenditures – The nature of our business exposes us to the potential for various claims and litigation related to labor and employment, personal injury, property damage, environmental liability, and other matters. Any material changes to litigation trends or a catastrophic rail accident or series of accidents involving any or all of property damage, personal injury, and environmental liability could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity.

 

We Are Required to Transport Hazardous Materials – Federal laws require railroads, including UPRR, to transport hazardous materials. Any rail accident involving the release of hazardous materials could involve significant costs and claims for personal injury, property damage, and environmental penalties and remediation, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity.

 

The Availability of Qualified Personnel Could Adversely Affect Our Operations – Changes in demographics, training requirements, and the availability of qualified personnel, particularly engineers and trainmen, could negatively impact our ability to meet demand for rail service. Unpredictable increases in demand for rail services and a lack of network fluidity may exacerbate such risks, which could have a negative impact on our operational efficiency and otherwise have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity.

 

We Are Subject to Significant Governmental Regulation – We are subject to governmental regulation by a significant number of federal, state, and local authorities covering a variety of health, safety, labor, environmental (as discussed below), and other matters. Our failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations could have a material adverse effect on us. Governments may change the legislative or regulatory frameworks within which we operate without providing us with any recourse for any adverse effects on our business. Economic re-regulation of the rail industry would negatively impact our ability to determine prices for rail services and reduce capital spending on our rail network, resulting in a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity. Also, some laws and regulations require us to obtain and maintain various licenses, permits, and other authorizations, and we cannot guarantee that we will continue to be able to do so. In addition, one or more consolidations of Class I railroads could lead to future re-regulation of the rail industry.

 

Severe Weather Could Result in Significant Business Interruptions and Expenditures – Severe weather conditions, events, and other natural phenomena, including earthquakes, hurricanes, fires, floods, extreme temperatures, and significant precipitation may cause business interruptions, including line outages on our rail network that can adversely affect our entire rail network, and result in increased costs, increased liabilities, and decreased revenue, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity.

 

Strikes or Work Stoppages Could Adversely Affect Our Operations as the Majority of Our Employees Belong to Labor Unions and Labor Agreements – We are a party to collective bargaining agreements with various labor unions. In January 2005, we began the current round of negotiations with the unions. Disputes with regard to the terms of these agreements or our potential inability to negotiate acceptable contracts with these unions could result in, among other things, strikes, work stoppages, or other slowdowns by the affected workers. If unionized workers were to engage in a strike, work stoppage, or other slowdown, or other employees were to become unionized, we could experience a significant disruption of our operations or higher ongoing labor costs, either of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity. Additionally, future national labor agreements, or renegotiation of labor agreements or provisions of labor agreements, could compromise our service reliability and significantly increase our costs for healthcare, wages, and other benefits, which could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity.

 

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We Rely on Technology and Technology Improvements in Our Business Operations – We rely on information technology in all aspects of our business. If we do not have sufficient capital to acquire new technology or if we are unable to implement new technology, we may suffer a competitive disadvantage within the rail industry and with companies providing other modes of transportation service, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity. Additionally, if we experience significant disruption or failure of one or more of our information technology systems, including computer hardware, software, and communications equipment, we could experience a service interruption, safety failure, security breach, or other operational difficulties, which could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity.

 

We Are Subject to Significant Environmental Laws and Regulations – Our operations are subject to extensive federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations concerning, among other things, emissions to the air; discharges to waters; handling, storage, transportation, and disposal of waste and other materials; and hazardous material or petroleum releases. We generate and transport hazardous and non-hazardous waste in our operations, and we did so in our former operations. Environmental liability can extend to previously owned or operated properties, leased properties, and properties owned by third parties, as well as to properties we currently own. Environmental liabilities have arisen and may also arise from claims asserted by adjacent landowners or other third parties in toxic tort litigation. We have been and may be subject to allegations or findings that we have violated, or are strictly liable under, these laws or regulations. We could incur significant costs as a result of any of the foregoing, and we may be required to incur significant expenses to investigate and remediate known, unknown, or future environmental contamination, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity.

 

Rising or Elevated Fuel Costs and Whether We Are Able to Mitigate These Costs with Fuel Surcharges Could Materially and Adversely Affect Our Business – Fuel costs constitute a significant portion of our transportation expenses. Diesel fuel prices are subject to dramatic fluctuations, and significant price increases could have a material adverse effect on our operating results. Although we currently are able to recover a significant amount of our increased fuel expenses through revenue from fuel surcharges, we cannot be certain that we will always be able to mitigate rising or elevated fuel costs through surcharges. Future market conditions or legislative or regulatory activities could adversely affect our ability to apply fuel surcharges or adequately recover increased fuel costs through fuel surcharges. International, political, and economic circumstances affect fuel prices and supplies. Weather can also affect fuel supplies and limit domestic refining capacity. If a fuel supply shortage were to arise from OPEC production curtailments, a disruption of oil imports, or other causes, higher fuel prices could, despite our fuel surcharge programs, have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity.

 

We Face Competition from Other Railroads and Other Transportation Providers – We face competition from other railroads, motor carriers and, to a lesser extent, ships, barges, and pipelines. In addition to price competition, we face competition with respect to transit times and quality and reliability of service. While we must build or acquire and maintain our rail system, trucks and barges are able to use public rights-of-way maintained by public entities. Any future improvements or expenditures materially increasing the quality or reducing the cost of alternative modes of transportation, or legislation releasing motor carriers from their size or weight limitations, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity. Additionally, any future consolidation of the rail industry could materially affect the competitive environment in which we operate.

 

We May Be Affected by General Economic Conditions – Prolonged negative changes in domestic and global economic conditions affecting the producers and consumers of the commodities carried by us may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity.

 

We Utilize Capital Markets – We rely on the capital markets to provide some of our capital requirements, including the issuance of commercial paper from time to time and the sale of certain of our receivables. Market instability or deterioration of our financial condition due to internal or external factors could restrict or prohibit

 

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our access to commercial paper and reduce our credit ratings below investment grade, which would prohibit us from utilizing our sale of receivables program and significantly increase the cost of issuing debt.

 

We Are Dependent on Two Key Domestic Suppliers of Locomotives – Due to the capital intensive nature and sophistication of locomotive equipment, high barriers to entry face potential new suppliers. Therefore, if one of these domestic suppliers discontinues manufacturing locomotives, we could experience a significant cost increase and risk reduced availability of the locomotives that are necessary to our operations.

 

We May Be Affected by Acts of Terrorism, War, or Risk of War – Our rail lines, facilities, and equipment, including rail cars carrying hazardous materials, could be direct targets or indirect casualties of terrorist attacks. Terrorist attacks, or other similar events, any government response thereto, and war or risk of war may adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity. In addition, insurance premiums for some or all of our current coverages could increase dramatically, or certain coverages may not be available to us in the future.

 

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

 

None.

 

Item 2. Properties

 

With operations in 23 states, we employ a variety of assets in the management and operation of our rail business. These assets include real estate, track and track structure, equipment, and facilities. We own and lease real estate that we use in our operations, and we also own real estate that is not required for our business, which we sell from time to time. Our equipment includes owned and leased locomotives and rail cars; heavy maintenance equipment and machinery; other equipment and tools in our shops, offices and facilities; and vehicles for maintenance, transportation of crews, and other activities. We operate numerous facilities, including terminals for intermodal and other freight; rail yards for train-building, switching, storage-in-transit (the temporary storage of customer goods in rail cars prior to shipment) and other activities; offices to administer and manage our operations; dispatch centers to direct traffic on our rail network; crew quarters to house train crews along our network; and shops and other facilities for fueling, maintenance, and repair of locomotives and repair and maintenance of rail cars and other equipment. We spent approximately $2.2 billion in cash capital during 2006 for, among other things, building and maintaining track, structures and infrastructure; upgrading and augmenting equipment; and implementing new technologies (see the capital investments table in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources – Financial Condition, Item 7).

 

Certain of our properties are subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing the protection of the environment (see discussion of environmental issues in Business – Governmental and Environmental Regulation, Item 1, and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Policies – Environmental, Item 7).

 

Track – The Railroad operates on 32,339 main line and branch line route miles in 23 states in the western two-thirds of the United States. We own 26,466 route miles, with the remainder of route miles operated pursuant to trackage rights or leases. Route miles as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, were as follows:

 

     
     2006    2005

Main line

   27,318    27,301

Branch line

   5,021    5,125

Yards, sidings and other lines

   19,257    20,241

Total

   51,596    52,667

 

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Rail and ties installed and replaced during the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 were as follows:

 

     
     2006    2005

Track miles of rail:

         

New

   632    661

Used

   361    312

Ties (000)

   4,669    4,690

 

Equipment – Our primary rail equipment consisted of the following as of December 31, 2006 and 2005:

 

     
     2006    2005

Owned or leased at year-end:

         

Locomotives

   8,475    8,226

Freight cars:

         

Covered hoppers

   38,785    38,553

Boxcars

   24,342    26,770

Open-top hoppers

   19,012    19,950

Gondolas

   14,884    15,037

Other

   7,702    6,433

Work equipment and other

   5,263    5,041

 

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

 

From time to time, the Corporation is involved in legal proceedings, claims, and litigation that occur in connection with the Corporation’s business. Management routinely assesses the Corporation’s liabilities and contingencies in connection with these matters based upon the latest information available. Consistent with SEC rules and requirements, the Corporation describes below material pending legal proceedings (other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business of the Corporation), material proceedings known to be contemplated by governmental authorities, other proceedings arising under federal, state, or local environmental laws and regulations (including governmental proceedings involving potential fines, penalties, or other monetary sanctions in excess of $100,000) and such other pending matters that the Corporation may determine to be appropriate.

 

Environmental Matters

 

As we reported in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2003, the San Joaquin County District Attorney filed an action against the Railroad on February 3, 2003, in the San Joaquin County Superior Court alleging claims under the California Business and Professions Code section 17200 (unfair business practices), Fish and Game Code section 5650 and 5650.1, California Health and Safety Code section 25189(d), and Public Nuisance, California Civil Code section 3480. The claims arise from a February 16, 2000, derailment in Stockton, California, in which a locomotive struck an object on the tracks, puncturing a fuel tank. The District Attorney alleged that diesel fuel from this spill entered waters of the State of California. The complaint also asserted claims under the above referenced statutes for any other diesel spill that may have occurred in the State of California between 2000 and 2003, in which diesel may have passed into waters of the State of California. It sought injunctive relief and civil penalties of $25,000 for the alleged February 16, 2000 diesel spill and total penalties of not less than $250,000 for all diesel spills that may have occurred since 2000. The District Attorney filed an amended complaint on April 10, 2003, which narrowed the claims to the incident of February 16, 2000. The amended complaint seeks both injunctive relief and daily penalties for each day that fuel was in the affected waterway, which could exceed $100,000.

 

As we reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2003, the District Attorneys of Merced, Madera, and Stanislaus Counties in California filed a criminal case against the Railroad relating to a series of alleged releases of

 

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calcium oxide (lime). The criminal case was dismissed in the last quarter of 2003 and was subsequently refiled as a civil action by several counties in the San Joaquin County Superior Court. The refiled suit sought civil penalties against the Railroad in connection with the release of lime from an unidentified rail car between Chowchilla and Sacramento, California, on December 27, 2001, and another incident in which lime leaked from a rail car between Chowchilla and Stockton, California, on February 21, 2002. The suit contended that regulatory violations occurred by virtue of the Railroad’s alleged failure to timely report the release of a “hazardous material,” its alleged disposal of hazardous waste, and the alleged release of material into the waters of the State of California. On September 20, 2004, the Court dismissed the suit with prejudice. The State of California appealed this decision. On August 2, 2006, the Court of Appeals issued its decision, reversing the judgment and remanding the case for further proceedings consistent with its opinion. The Court of Appeals held that the State of California’s claims against the Railroad for civil penalties were preempted by the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (HMTA), with the exception of those claims that were based upon the Railroad’s alleged failure to timely report the releases of calcium oxide to state and local authorities. With respect to these claims, the Court held that while they were not preempted by the HMTA on their face, it remained possible that those claims might ultimately be preempted once the trial court developed a record. The Railroad and the State of California requested that the California Supreme Court review the decision of the Court of Appeals. The California Supreme Court denied review, and the case has been remanded to the Superior Court.

 

As we reported in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, the Illinois Attorney General’s office filed an Agreed Order and Complaint and a Complaint for Injunctive and Other Relief on October 7, 2004, in the Circuit Court for the Twentieth Judicial Circuit (St. Clair County) against The Alton & Southern Railway Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Railroad, as a result of a collision and derailment on September 21, 2004. The State of Illinois seeks to enjoin The Alton & Southern Railway Company from further violations, as well as a monetary penalty. The amount of the proposed penalty is uncertain but could exceed $100,000.

 

As we reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2005, we received information in 2001 indicating EPA considered the Railroad a potentially responsible party for the Omaha Lead Site. The Omaha Lead Site consists of approximately 12,800 acres of residential property in the eastern part of Omaha, Nebraska, allegedly impacted by air emissions from two former lead smelters/refineries. One refinery was operated by ASARCO. EPA identified the Railroad as a potentially responsible party because more than 60 years ago the Railroad owned land that was leased to ASARCO. The Railroad disputes both the legal and technical base for EPA’s allegations. It has nonetheless engaged in extensive negotiations with EPA. These negotiations have reached an apparent impasse. EPA issued a Unilateral Administrative Order with an effective date of December 16, 2005, directing the Railroad to implement an interim remedy at the site at an estimated cost of $50 million. Failure to comply with the order without just cause could subject the Railroad to penalties of up to $32,500 per day and triple EPA’s costs in performing the work. The Railroad believes it has just cause not to comply with the order, but it offered to perform some of the work specified in the order as a compromise. EPA rejected this offer. The Railroad will vigorously contest liability and the imposition of any penalties.

 

As we reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2005, the Illinois Attorney General’s office filed a complaint in the Circuit Court for the Twenty-First Judicial Circuit (St. Clair County) seeking injunctive relief and civil penalties against the Railroad relating to a collision between UPRR and Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NS) trains near Momence, Illinois, on November 24, 2005. The collision derailed approximately five locomotives and 30 railcars. Two of the UPRR locomotives and two of the NS locomotives caught fire and four of the locomotives released approximately 16,000 gallons of diesel fuel. Other cars carrying food products derailed and released an unknown amount of product. The Railroad promptly responded and remediation is ongoing. The State of Illinois seeks a permanent injunction against the Railroad ordering UPRR to continue remediation. The State of Illinois seeks to enjoin UPRR from further violations and a monetary penalty. The amount of the proposed penalty is uncertain.

 

As we reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2005, the Illinois Attorney General’s office filed a complaint in the Circuit Court for the Twentieth Judicial Circuit (St. Clair County) for injunctive and other relief

 

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on November 28, 2005, against the Railroad, alleging a diesel fuel spill from an above-ground storage tank in a rail yard in Dupo, St. Clair County, Illinois. The State of Illinois seeks to enjoin UPRR from further violations and a monetary penalty. The amount of the proposed penalty is uncertain.

 

As we reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2003, the United States Attorney for the Central District of California notified the Railroad that the office intended to pursue criminal charges against the Railroad for alleged violations of federal environmental laws, including the federal Clean Water Act, in connection with releases of oil contaminated wastewater from our Taylor Yard in 2001 and 2003. On July 31, 2006, the United States Attorney filed criminal misdemeanor charges against us for these releases in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, and we received the Summons from the Court on August 8, 2006. We will vigorously defend the charges.

 

On October 23, 2006, the California Air Resources Board (ARB) notified the Railroad of its intent to impose civil penalties as a result of the Railroad’s failure to perform and document annual opacity (smoke) testing for its heavy duty diesel vehicle fleet. The ARB proposed that the Railroad pay $135,000 and agree to other non-monetary conditions to settle these violations. Discussions between the Railroad and the ARB are continuing, and the ultimate amount of any penalty remains uncertain.

 

We received notices from EPA and state environmental agencies alleging that we are or may be liable under federal or state environmental laws for remediation costs at various sites throughout the United States, including sites on the Superfund National Priorities List or state superfund lists. We cannot predict the ultimate impact of these proceedings and suits because of the number of potentially responsible parties involved, the degree of contamination by various wastes, the scarcity and quality of volumetric data related to many of the sites, and the speculative nature of remediation costs.

 

Information concerning environmental claims and contingencies and estimated remediation costs is set forth in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Policies – Environmental, Item 7.

 

Other Matters

 

As we reported in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, we were notified that a qui tam, or private citizen, complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California against, among other parties, the City of Long Beach, City of Long Beach Harbor Department, Port of Long Beach (the Port), Union Pacific Corporation, Union Pacific Railroad Company, and Union Pacific Resources Company, also known as Union Pacific Resources Group Inc. (Resources), a former subsidiary of UPC. A private citizen filed the action because the federal government and the State of California elected not to pursue the claims. The complaint alleges that the defendants violated the Federal Civil False Claims Act and the California False Claims Act by conspiring to use public funds to (1) shift environmental cleanup liability to the Port when Resources sold its Terminal Island oil field property to the Port in 1994 and (2) effect the acquisition by the Port of the Terminal Island property in which the Port (or the State of California) allegedly already held certain incidents of title. The complaint, which has not been served on us, seeks damages of $2.4 billion, unspecified costs for remediating groundwater contamination, and triple damages and civil penalties of $10,000 per day. The plaintiff’s extended time to serve the complaint expired on April 4, 2005, and the Corporation filed a motion to dismiss for plaintiff’s failure to make timely service. However, the Court extended the plaintiff’s time to provide service. On December 7, 2005, we learned that a summons for service of the complaint had been issued, and we were served with the complaint during the fourth quarter of 2006. We dispute the factual and legal bases of the complaint. We notified Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (Anadarko), as successor to Resources after its acquisition in 2000, that an indemnification agreement between Resources and the Corporation obligates Anadarko to indemnify us for all damages, costs, and expenses related to the complaint.

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of 2006.

 

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Executive Officers of the Registrant and Principal Executive Officers of Subsidiaries

 

Our executive officers generally are elected and designated annually by the Board of Directors at our first meeting held after the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and they hold office until their successors are elected. Executive officers also may be elected and designated throughout the year, as the Board of Directors considers appropriate. There are no family relationships among the officers, nor any arrangement or understanding between any officer and any other person pursuant to which the officer was selected. The following table sets forth certain information, as of February 16, 2007, relating to the executive officers.

 

Name


  

Position


   Age

   Business
Experience
During Past Five
Years


James R. Young    Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of UPC and the Railroad    54    (1)
Robert M. Knight, Jr.    Executive Vice President – Finance and Chief Financial Officer of UPC and the Railroad    49    (2)
Charles R. Eisele    Senior Vice President – Strategic Planning of UPC and the Railroad    57    Current Position
J. Michael Hemmer    Senior Vice President – Law and General Counsel of UPC and the Railroad    57    (3)
Barbara W. Schaefer    Senior Vice President – Human Resources and Secretary of UPC and the Railroad    53    (4)
Lynden L. Tennison    Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of UPC and the Railroad    47    (5)
Robert W. Turner    Senior Vice President – Corporate Relations of UPC and the Railroad    57    Current Position
Bernard R. Gutschewski    Vice President – Taxes of UPC and Vice President and General Tax Counsel of the Railroad    56    Current Position
Mary E. McAuliffe    Vice President – External Relations of UPC    60    Current Position
Richard J. Putz    Vice President and Controller of UPC and Chief Accounting Officer and Controller of the Railroad    59    Current Position
Mary Sanders Jones    Vice President and Treasurer of UPC and Treasurer of the Railroad    54    Current Position
Dennis J. Duffy    Executive Vice President – Operations of the Railroad    56    Current Position
John J. Koraleski    Executive Vice President – Marketing and Sales of the Railroad    56    Current Position

 

(1)

Mr. Young was elected Chief Executive Officer and President of UPC and the Railroad effective January 1, 2006. He was elected to the additional position of Chairman effective February 1, 2007. He was elected President and Chief Operating Officer of the Railroad, effective February 1, 2004, and he previously was Executive Vice President – Finance of UPC and Chief Financial Officer of the Railroad.

(2)

Mr. Knight was elected to his current position effective February 1, 2004. He was elected Senior Vice President – Finance for UPC and the Railroad effective February 1, 2002, and he previously was Vice President and General Manager Automotive for the Railroad.

(3)

Mr. Hemmer was elected to his current position effective June 1, 2004. Mr. Hemmer was elected Vice President – Law of the Railroad effective September 1, 2002, and previously was a partner at the law firm of Covington & Burling in Washington, D.C.

(4)

Mrs. Schaefer has held the position of Senior Vice President – Human Resources for the past five years. In addition, she was elected Secretary of UPC and the Railroad effective June 1, 2004.

(5)

Mr. Tennison was elected to his current position effective March 1, 2005. He previously was Vice President and Chief Technology Officer.

 

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PART II

 

Item 5. Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

Our common stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol "UNP". The following table presents the dividends declared and the high and low closing prices of our common stock for each of the indicated quarters.

 

         
2006 - Dollars Per Share    Q1    Q2    Q3    Q4

Dividends

   $ 0.30    $ 0.30    $ 0.30    $   0.30

Common stock price:

                           

High

     93.73      97.49      92.96      96.16

Low

     77.62      83.83      78.65      86.27
2005 - Dollars Per Share                    

Dividends

   $ 0.30    $ 0.30    $ 0.30    $ 0.30

Common stock price:

                           

High

     70.10      70.19      72.20      81.26

Low

     58.18      60.85      63.52      66.89

 

At January 31, 2007, there were 270,752,306 shares of outstanding common stock and 34,937 common shareholders of record. At that date, the closing price of the common stock on the NYSE was $101.00. We have paid dividends to our common shareholders during each of the past 107 years. We declared dividends totaling $323 million in 2006 and $316 million in 2005. On January 30, 2007, we increased the quarterly dividend to $0.35 per share, payable beginning on April 2, 2007, to shareholders of record on February 28, 2007. We are subject to certain restrictions regarding retained earnings with respect to the payment of cash dividends to our shareholders. The amount of retained earnings available for dividends increased to $7.8 billion at December 31, 2006, from $6.2 billion at December 31, 2005.

 

Five-Year Performance Comparison – The following graph provides an indicator of cumulative total shareholder returns for the Corporation as compared to a peer group index, comprised of Burlington Northern Sante Fe Corporation, CSX Corporation, and Norfolk Southern Corporation; the Dow Jones Transportation Index (Dow Jones); and the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index (S&P 500). The graph assumes that the value of the investment in Union Pacific Corporation’s common stock and each index was $100 on December 31, 2001, and that all dividends were reinvested.

 

LOGO-

 

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Comparison Over One- and Three-Year Periods – The following table presents the cumulative total shareholder returns, assuming reinvested dividends, over one- and three-year periods for the Corporation, a peer group index (as described above), the Dow Jones, and the S&P 500.

 

Period   UPC     Peer
Group
    Dow
Jones
    S&P 500  

1 Year

  15.9 %   10.8 %   9.7 %   15.8 %

3 Year

  39.4     125.8     56.5     34.8  

 

Purchases of Equity Securities – The purchased shares presented below relate solely to our equity compensation plans described in note 8 to the Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Item 8. During the first nine months of 2006, 307,867 shares of our common stock were repurchased at an average price per share of $89.21. The following table presents common stock repurchases during each month for the fourth quarter of 2006:

 

         

Period

   Total
Number
of Shares
Purchased
   Average
Price
Paid per
Share
   Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of a
Publicly Announced
Plan or Program
   Maximum Number of
Shares That May Yet
Be Purchased Under
the Plan or Program

Oct. 1 through Oct. 31
Employee transactions [a]

   72,599    $90.31    N/A        N/A    

Nov. 1 through Nov. 30
Employee transactions [a]

   34,921    91.87    N/A        N/A    

Dec. 1 through Dec. 31
Employee transactions [a]

   12,699    95.38    N/A        N/A    

Total

   120,219    $91.30    N/A        N/A    
[a]

Includes shares delivered or attested to UPC to pay stock option exercise prices or to satisfy tax withholding obligations for stock option exercises or vesting of retention shares or units.

 

On January 30, 2007, our Board of Directors authorized us to repurchase up to 20 million shares of our common stock through December 31, 2009. We may make these repurchases on the open market or through other transactions. Our management will have sole discretion with respect to determining the timing and amount of these transactions (subject to the restrictions described above).

 

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Item 6. Selected Financial Data

 

The following table presents as of, and for the years ended, December 31, our selected financial data for each of the last five years. The selected financial data should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Item 7, and with the Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Item 8. The information below is not necessarily indicative of the results of future operations.

 

Millions of Dollars, Except per Share Amounts,

Carloads, Employee Statistics, and Ratios

    2006     2005 [a]     2004 [b]     2003 [c]     2002 [d]

For the Year Ended December 31

                                     

Operating revenue [e]

  $ 15,578   $ 13,578     $ 12,215     $ 11,551     $ 11,159  

Operating income

    2,884     1,795       1,295       2,133       2,253  

Income from continuing operations

    1,606     1,026       604       1,056       1,265  

Net income

    1,606     1,026       604       1,585       1,341  

Per share – basic:

                                     

Income from continuing operations

    5.96     3.89       2.33       4.15       5.02  

Net income

    5.96     3.89       2.33       6.23       5.32  

Per share – diluted:

                                     

Income from continuing operations

    5.91     3.85       2.30       4.07       4.78  

Net income

    5.91     3.85       2.30       6.04       5.05  

Dividends declared per share

    1.20     1.20       1.20       0.99       0.83  

Cash provided by operating activities

    2,880     2,595       2,257       2,443       2,237  

At December 31

                                     

Total assets

  $ 36,515   $ 35,620     $ 34,596     $ 33,496     $ 32,772  

Debt due after one year

    6,000     6,760       7,981       7,822       7,428  

Convertible preferred securities

    -     -       -       -       1,500  

Common shareholders’ equity

    15,312     13,707       12,655       12,354       10,651  

Equity per common share [f]

    56.68     51.41       48.58       47.85       41.99  

Additional Data

                                     

Commodity revenue [e]

  $ 14,862   $ 12,957     $ 11,692     $ 11,041     $ 10,663  

Carloads (000)

    9,852     9,544       9,458       9,239       9,131  

Operating margin (%) [g]

    18.5     13.2       10.6       18.5       20.2  

Operating ratio (%) [g]

    81.5     86.8       89.4       81.5       79.8  

Average employees (000)

    50.7     49.7       48.3       46.4       47.3  

Operating revenue per employee (000)

  $ 307.2   $ 273.2     $ 252.9     $ 248.9     $ 235.9  

Financial Ratios (%)

                                     

Debt to capital [h]

    30.7     35.1       39.1       39.3       46.4  

Return on average common shareholders’ equity

    11.1     7.8       4.8       13.8       13.3  
[a]

2005 net income includes a $118 million tax expense reduction to reflect a reduction in the estimated deferred income tax liability.

[b]

2004 operating income and net income includes a $247 million pre-tax ($154 million after-tax) charge for unasserted asbestos-related claims.

[c]

Net income and total assets include the effects of the acquisitions of Motor Cargo as of November 30, 2002, and reflect the disposition of all of our trucking interests in 2003.

[d]

2002 net income includes $214 million pre-tax ($133 million after-tax) gains on asset dispositions. In addition, net income includes a reduction of income tax expense of $67 million related to tax adjustments for prior years’ income tax examinations.

[e]

Includes fuel surcharge revenue of $1,619 million, $963 million, $292 million, $93 million, and $7 million for 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, and 2002, respectively.

[f]

Equity per common share is calculated as follows: common shareholders’ equity divided by common shares issued less treasury shares outstanding.

[g]

Operating margin is defined as operating income divided by operating revenue. Operating ratio is defined as operating expenses divided by operating revenue.

[h]

Debt to capital is determined as follows: total debt plus convertible preferred securities divided by total debt plus convertible preferred securities plus equity.

 

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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and applicable notes to the Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Item 8, and other information in this report, including Risk Factors set forth in Item 1A and Critical Accounting Policies and Cautionary Information at the end of this Item 7.

 

The Railroad, along with its subsidiaries and rail affiliates, is our one reportable operating segment. Although revenue is analyzed by commodity group, we analyze the net financial results of the Railroad as one segment due to the integrated nature of our rail network.

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 

2006 Results

 

·  

Safety – Overall, safety results improved during 2006. The employee injury incident rate per 200,000 man-hours dropped to its lowest level, which also reduced the number of lost workdays. A continued focus on derailment prevention in 2006 resulted in a 17% reduction in incidents with associated costs declining 13%. In the area of public safety, we closed 410 grade crossings to reduce exposure and have video cameras in approximately 1,900, or 30%, of our road locomotive fleet to better analyze grade crossing incidents, thereby increasing safety for our employees and the public. The number of grade crossing incidents, however, increased 5% during the year, driven in part by the combination of increasing highway and rail traffic and urban expansion.

 

·  

Financial Performance – In 2006, we generated record operating income of $2.9 billion. Solid demand, yield increases, and improved operational efficiency drove the 61% increase in operating income. Our operating ratio was 81.5% for the year, a 5 point improvement compared to 2005. Net income of $1.6 billion also topped our previous milestone, translating into $5.91 diluted earnings per share.

 

·  

Commodity Revenue Growth – Our commodity revenue grew 15% year-over-year to $14.9 billion, the highest level in our history. We achieved record revenue levels in all of our six commodity groups, primarily driven by better pricing and fuel surcharges. Since 2004, we repriced approximately two-thirds of our business. Volume increased 3% to record levels in 2006, despite softening markets in some sectors in the second half of 2006.

 

·  

Network Improvement – In 2006, the fluidity and efficiency of our transportation network improved substantially, which allowed us to handle record volume levels. Continued focus on increasing velocity, eliminating work events, improving asset utilization, and expanding capacity were key drivers of our operational improvement. With ongoing enhancements to our Unified Plan and implementation of terminal processing initiatives, productivity improved, as demonstrated by 5% lower average terminal dwell time, a 4% improvement in car utilization, and a 1% increase in average train speed. We continued implementation of an operational productivity initiative called CIMS (Customer Inventory Management System), which complements the Unified Plan by reducing the number of cars in our terminals without adding capacity. By the end of 2006, CIMS managed the flow of almost 80% of the daily interchange of both loaded and empty railcars with our customers. We also expanded capacity and continued to use industrial engineering techniques to further improve network fluidity, ease capacity constraints, and improve asset utilization. Our customers rated us higher on their satisfaction surveys during 2006, an indication that efforts to improve network operations translated into better customer service.

 

·  

Fuel Prices – Fuel prices increased again in 2006 for the fourth consecutive year, raising our average system fuel price by 16% and adding $393 million of operating expenses compared to 2005. After a fairly stable first quarter, fuel prices increased dramatically during the spring and summer months, as crude oil prices averaged over $70 per barrel during the second and third quarters. July and August fuel prices were also affected by high diesel conversion spreads and large, regional spreads mainly driven by new government

 

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regulations that imposed certain usage restrictions on high sulfur diesel fuel. Many refineries ceased producing high sulfur diesel fuel and many pipelines stopped transporting high sulfur diesel fuel in our operating areas, which drove up the conversion and regional spreads. Despite some moderation during the fourth quarter, fuel prices were still higher than the beginning of the year. Our fuel surcharge programs helped offset the impact of these higher fuel prices in the form of higher revenue, recovering approximately 90% of the additional expense incurred above our base fuel price of $0.75 per gallon for the year. In addition, our fuel conservation efforts allowed us to handle a 3% increase in gross ton-miles while improving our consumption rate by 2%. Simulator training, operating practices, and technology are all driving this improvement, saving us roughly 17 million gallons in 2006.

 

·  

Free Cash Flow – Cash generated by operating activities totaled a record $2.9 billion, yielding free cash flow of $516 million in 2006. Free cash flow is defined as cash provided by operating activities, less cash used in investing activities and dividends paid.

 

Free cash flow is not considered a financial measure under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) by SEC Regulation G and Item 10 of SEC Regulation S-K. We believe free cash flow is important in evaluating our financial performance and measures our ability to generate cash without additional external financings. Free cash flow should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, cash provided by operating activities. The following table reconciles cash provided by operating activities (GAAP measure) to free cash flow (non-GAAP measure):

 

       

Millions of Dollars

    2006       2005       2004  

Cash provided by operating activities

  $ 2,880     $ 2,595     $ 2,257  

Cash used in investing activities

    (2,042 )     (2,047 )     (1,732 )

Dividends paid

    (322 )     (314 )     (310 )

Free cash flow

  $ 516     $ 234     $ 215  

 

2007 Outlook

 

·  

Safety – Operating a safe railroad benefits our employees, our customers, our shareholders, and the public. We will continue using a multi-faceted approach to safety, using technology, risk assessment, quality control, and training and education for our new and existing employees. From a public safety standpoint, we will continue our efforts to upgrade and close crossings, install video cameras on locomotives, and educate the public about crossing safety through various internal and industry programs, along with other activities. Additionally, we are working with private and public partners to develop better tank cars for transportation of chemicals.

 

·  

Commodity Revenue Growth – We expect record revenue levels to continue in 2007 based on current economic indicators, forecasted demand, and additional repricing opportunities. We established a target for year-over-year commodity revenue growth of 6% to 7%. We are projecting yield increases in all of our major commodity groups and volume growth ranging from 2% to 3%. We expect volume growth primarily from the energy and intermodal commodity groups. We will continue to monitor the market for changing conditions and adjust our plan accordingly.

 

·  

Transportation Plan – In 2007, we will continue to evaluate traffic flows and network logistic patterns to identify additional opportunities to simplify operations and improve network efficiency. We plan to maintain adequate manpower and locomotives, improve productivity using industrial engineering techniques, and improve our operating margins.

 

·  

Fuel Prices – We expect that fuel prices will remain volatile, with crude oil prices and conversion and regional spreads fluctuating throughout the year. To reduce the impact of fuel price on earnings, we will continue to seek recovery from our customers through our fuel surcharge programs and expand our fuel conservation efforts. As indicated in Item 1 of this report, the STB issued a decision limiting the manner in

 

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which U.S. railroads can calculate fuel surcharges on traffic regulated by the STB. Currently, we do not believe this decision will prevent us from using fuel surcharges or adversely affect our ability to use fuel surcharges to mitigate the impact of rising or elevated fuel prices on most or all of our traffic.

 

·  

Capital Plan – In 2007, we expect to make capital investments of approximately $3.2 billion, which may include long-term leases. These investments will be used to maintain track and structures; continue capacity expansions on our main lines in constrained corridors; remove bottlenecks; upgrade and augment equipment, including locomotives and railcars, to better meet customer needs; build and improve facilities and terminals; and develop and implement new technologies. We designed these investments to maintain infrastructure for safety, enhance customer service, promote growth, and improve operational fluidity. Major capital projects in 2007 include adding more double track on the Sunset Corridor and related line capacity; investing in new and existing facilities and terminals in Phoenix, Tucson, the LA Basin, San Antonio, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Houston; continuing improvements of the SPRB Joint Line; and continuing installation of centralized track control across Iowa and Nebraska, which enables us to increase productivity on these rail lines. We expect to fund our 2007 cash capital investments through cash generated from operations, the sale or lease of various operating and non-operating properties, and cash on hand at December 31, 2006. This focused capital plan is designed to help us improve network velocity and facilitate revenue growth.

 

·  

Financial Expectations – We are somewhat cautious about the economic environment; however, we anticipate revenue growth and continued network improvement in 2007, with financial results exceeding 2006 levels. Our expectations include generating earnings growth of 10% to 15% and an operating ratio below 80%.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Operating Revenue

 

           
Millions of Dollars   2006   2005   2004   % Change
2006 v 2005
    % Change
2005 v 2004
 

Commodity revenue

  $ 14,862   $ 12,957   $ 11,692   15 %   11 %

Other revenue

    716     621     523   15     19  

Total

  $ 15,578   $ 13,578   $ 12,215   15 %   11 %

 

Operating revenue includes commodity revenue and other revenue. Other revenue consists primarily of revenue earned by our subsidiaries, revenue from our commuter rail operations, and accessorial revenue, which we earn when customers retain equipment owned or controlled by us. We recognize commodity revenue on a percentage-of-completion basis as freight moves from origin to destination. We allocate commodity revenue between reporting periods based on the relative transit time in each reporting period and recognize expenses as we incur them. We recognize other revenue as service is performed or contractual obligations are met. Customer incentives, which are primarily provided for shipping a specified cumulative volume or shipping to/from specific locations, are recorded as a reduction to revenue based on actual or projected future customer shipments.

 

All six commodity groups experienced double digit revenue growth during 2006, with particularly strong growth of over 20% in agricultural commodity revenue. Price increases, fuel surcharges, and index-based contract escalators, which are formulas in our shipping contracts that correlate price adjustments to certain economic indices, all contributed to higher average revenue per car (ARC). Our fuel surcharge programs (excluding index-based contract escalators that contain some provision for fuel) generated an additional $656 million in commodity revenue compared to 2005, contributing 5% to commodity revenue growth. Volume increased 3% during the year led by solid growth in intermodal and energy shipments, which was partially offset by lower shipments of industrial products and chemicals. The year-over-year growth was also partially attributable to lower volume in 2005 due to the January West Coast storm, SPRB Joint Line disruptions, Hurricane Rita, and the Kansas washouts.

 

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Commodity revenue improved in all six business groups during 2005, with double-digit growth in the agricultural, industrial products, and intermodal commodity groups. Fuel surcharges, price increases, and index-based contract escalators all contributed to higher ARC. Our fuel surcharge programs (excluding index-based contract escalators that contain some provision for fuel) generated an additional $671 million in commodity revenue compared to 2004, which represents approximately 70% of the additional expense incurred above the base fuel price for our fuel surcharge programs (currently, $0.75 per gallon). Although volume grew 1% for the year, the severe weather and maintenance and restoration on the SPRB Joint Line constrained volume growth.

 

Other revenue increased in 2006, mainly driven by higher volumes. In addition, we generated higher subsidiary revenue from Bay Pacific Financial L.L.C. (Bay Pacific), an intermodal leasing entity, following the acquisition of our joint venture partner’s interest in Bay Pacific during the third quarter of 2005. Subsidiary and accessorial revenue increased other revenue in 2005, mainly driven by higher volumes and the acquisition of Bay Pacific.

 

The following tables summarize the year-over-year changes in commodity revenue, revenue carloads, and average revenue per car by commodity group.

 

           

Commodity Revenue

Millions of Dollars

  2006   2005   2004   % Change
2006 v 2005
    % Change
2005 v 2004
 

Agricultural

  $ 2,395   $ 1,971   $ 1,675   22 %   18 %

Automotive

    1,438     1,273     1,235   13     3  

Chemicals

    2,098     1,848     1,719   13     8  

Energy

    2,953     2,578     2,404   15     7  

Industrial Products

    3,173     2,819     2,419   13     17  

Intermodal

    2,805     2,468     2,240   14     10  

Total

  $ 14,862   $ 12,957   $ 11,692   15 %   11 %

 

           

Revenue Carloads

Thousands

  2006   2005   2004   % Change
2006 v 2005
    % Change
2005 v 2004
 

Agricultural

  923   883   883   5 %   - %

Automotive

  834   797   826   5     (4 )

Chemicals

  896   912   935   (2 )   (2 )

Energy

  2,296   2,178   2,172   5     -  

Industrial Products

  1,451   1,508   1,515   (4 )   -  

Intermodal

  3,452   3,266   3,127   6     4  

Total

  9,852   9,544   9,458   3 %   1 %

 

           

Average Revenue

per Car

  2006   2005   2004   % Change
2006 v 2005
    % Change
2005 v 2004
 

Agricultural

  $ 2,595   $ 2,233   $ 1,895   16 %   18 %

Automotive

    1,724     1,598     1,496   8     7  

Chemicals

    2,342     2,026     1,839   16     10  

Energy

    1,286     1,184     1,107   9     7  

Industrial Products

    2,187     1,868     1,597   17     17  

Intermodal

    813     755     716   8     5  

Total

  $ 1,509   $ 1,358   $ 1,236   11 %   10 %

 

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Agricultural – Price increases, volume growth, and fuel surcharges increased agricultural commodity revenue in 2006 versus 2005. Whole grains increased as strong gulf exports and higher freight charges for barge traffic shifted feed grain shipments to rails. Shipments of ethanol, a grain product used as an alternative fuel and fuel additive, and its co-products (primarily livestock feed) also experienced strong growth, reflecting continued demand in this growing industry. Conversely, wheat shipments declined due to extremely low crop production levels in 2006 primarily due to drought conditions in wheat producing states. Price and fuel surcharge increases improved ARC in 2006.

 

Price increases and fuel surcharges increased agricultural commodity revenue in 2005 compared to 2004. Total carloads were flat compared to 2004. Carloads of grain products increased during 2005 as we shipped more dry feed ingredients to Mexico and more ethanol. Higher demand for ethanol reflected the impact of energy demand, crude oil prices, and limited capacity of domestic refineries. Reduced carloadings of sugar beets partially offset the gains. Declining carloads of feed grain and reduced shipments of wheat both contributed to lower whole grain shipments. ARC improvement in 2005 resulted from price increases, fuel surcharges, and the positive impact of a larger percentage of carloads with longer average lengths of haul.

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Automotive – Price increases, volume growth, and fuel surcharges increased automotive commodity revenue in 2006 over 2005. Shipments of finished vehicles grew as higher manufacturer inventories at the end of 2005 translated into record volume growth for transportation in 2006. Shipments remained relatively strong through the second quarter due to the production ramp-up of new models at plants served by us. Automotive parts shipments also grew due to conversion of traffic from trucks, new business growth, and production increases at several UPRR-served assembly plants. Fuel surcharges and price increases drove the ARC improvement.

 

Revenue increased in 2005 over 2004 primarily due to fuel surcharges and price increases, which also drove ARC improvement. Carloads decreased due to lower shipments of domestically manufactured finished vehicles and automotive parts and materials, reflecting industry weakness during 2005.

 

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Chemicals – Price increases, fuel surcharges, and index-based contract escalators drove the increase in revenue and ARC in 2006 versus 2005. Fewer fertilizer shipments largely drove the volume decrease. Wet weather conditions in the Midwest led to weak demand during the fall fertilizer season. In addition, softer export markets for potash, a fertilizer product, also led to reduced volumes. Business interruptions in the third quarter of 2005, primarily attributable to Hurricane Rita, reduced chemicals shipments leading to favorable volume comparisons in 2006.

 

Price increases, fuel surcharges, and higher shipments of potash from Canada to Portland via the Eastport, Idaho gateway for overseas export all drove revenue growth in 2005 versus 2004. Declines in liquid and dry chemicals, plastics, and petroleum shipments, in part due to the business interruptions caused by Hurricane Rita, reduced volume. In addition, liquid and dry chemical shipments and plastic shipments were lower due to a weak export market, plant closures for maintenance, and the impact of an agreement with the BNSF for access to certain facilities in the Bayport, Texas area. ARC improved in 2005 due to price increases and fuel surcharges.

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Energy – Price increases, fuel surcharges, and index-based contract escalators primarily drove the increases in revenue and ARC in 2006 over 2005. Volume increases also contributed to revenue growth as coal shipments from the SPRB mines improved 8% during the year. These increases in 2006 partially reflect lower volume levels in 2005, as SPRB Joint Line disruptions, network disruptions resulting from Hurricane Rita, and the October Kansas washouts hampered coal shipments in 2005. Conversely, shipments from the Colorado and Utah mines declined 6% in 2006 due to mine shutdowns during the first quarter of 2006, along with the impact of mining production problems and network maintenance throughout the third quarter of 2006.

 

Revenue growth in 2005 over 2004 reflects higher prices, fuel surcharges, and index-based contract escalators. Although volume grew in the first quarter, carloads for 2005 were flat as a result of the extensive maintenance and restoration work on the SPRB Joint Line during the second, third, and fourth quarters, the impact of Hurricane Rita, the Kansas washouts, and temporary outages at mines in Colorado and Utah during the fourth quarter of 2005. ARC was higher due to price increases, higher fuel surcharges, and index-based contract escalators.

 

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Industrial Products – Price increases and fuel surcharges improved revenue and ARC in 2006 over 2005. Volume levels declined due to lower lumber, paper, and newsprint shipments, which were partially offset by higher steel shipments. The softening of the housing market, lower production levels, and general market uncertainty drove the reduction in lumber shipments. Conversely, strong domestic markets throughout most of the year drove the increase in construction-related steel material and pipe, particularly those materials used in oil and gas drilling. Hurricane Rita reduced shipment volumes of industrial products in 2005, which favorably affected volume comparisons with 2006.

 

Price increases and fuel surcharges generated revenue growth in 2005 versus 2004. In particular, lumber shipments contributed to this growth due to solid pricing gains and fuel surcharges. Revenue from stone shipments increased revenue from construction products due to strong construction demand, larger train sizes, and improved car cycle times. Car cycle time is defined as the amount of time that a car spends on our system measured from the origin of the loaded or empty move until arrival at final destination. Overall carloads were flat compared to 2004. Partially offsetting substantial volume growth of stone shipments were reduced paper moves, primarily newsprint and fiber, and fewer shipments of government materials, steel, and cement, resulting from softening markets, cement shortages in certain markets, and higher inventories. Price increases and fuel surcharges drove ARC increases.

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Intermodal – Record volume growth, fuel surcharges, price increases, and index-based contract escalators combined to improve revenue in 2006 over 2005 in addition to the favorable impact from weaker intermodal revenue during 2005 due to the January West Coast storm. Carloadings grew due to strong imports, primarily from Asia, partially offset by decreased domestic traffic. ARC improved due to price increases, fuel surcharges, and contract escalators.

 

Revenue in 2005 improved over 2004 due to strong imports, primarily from China and the rest of Asia. However, business interruptions during the first quarter of 2005 due to the January West Coast storm limited full-year revenue growth. ARC improved due to price increases, fuel surcharges, and contract escalators.

 

Mexico Business – Each commodity group discussed above includes revenue from shipments to and from Mexico. Revenue from Mexico business increased 23% to $1.4 billion in 2006 compared to 2005. Price increases, fuel surcharges, and shipments of finished vehicles, automotive parts, import beer, dry feed ingredients, and

 

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intermodal drove revenue growth in 2006. Volume declines in coal, newsprint, and sulfur shipments partially offset the increases.

 

In 2005, revenue from Mexico grew 15% to $1.1 billion, resulting primarily from price increases and fuel surcharges. Carloads were flat versus 2004, as fewer automotive parts, energy, and intermodal shipments offset higher agricultural and industrial shipments.

 

Operating Expenses

 

           

Millions of Dollars

    2006     2005     2004   % Change
2006 v 2005
 
 
  % Change
2005 v 2004
 
 

Salaries, wages, and employee benefits

  $ 4,599   $ 4,375   $ 4,167   5 %   5 %

Fuel and utilities

    3,012     2,562     1,816   18     41  

Equipment and other rents

    1,455     1,402     1,374   4     2  

Depreciation

    1,237     1,175     1,111   5     6  

Materials and supplies

    691     546     488   27     12  

Casualty costs

    410     411     694   -     (41 )

Purchased services and other costs

    1,290     1,312     1,270   (2 )   3  

Total

  $ 12,694   $ 11,783   $ 10,920   8 %   8 %

 

Operating expenses increased $911 million in 2006. Higher fuel prices, which rose 16% during the period, accounted for $393 million of the increase. Our fuel surcharge programs helped offset these expenses in the form of higher revenue, recovering approximately 90% of the additional expense incurred above our base fuel price of $0.75 per gallon for the year. We base a majority of our fuel surcharges on the average U.S. diesel fuel price effective two months prior. Our recovery percentage improved from the first part of 2006 due to the timing impact of our surcharges. Surcharge revenue began to recover higher fuel costs earlier in the year, and the two-month price lag caught up with declining fuel prices during the fourth quarter of 2006. Conversely, fuel surcharge revenue during the first quarter of 2007 will decline as lower fourth quarter fuel prices will reduce most of our surcharges.

 

Wages, benefits, and materials and supplies inflation; a larger workforce; volume-related expenses; and higher locomotive and freight car maintenance and lease expenses accounted for most of the additional increase in 2006. Settlement of all remaining insurance claims related to the 2005 January West Coast storm, an improved fuel consumption rate, and improved car cycle times (which reduced freight car rental expense) partially offset the cost increases. Additional clean-up and restoration costs for the 2005 January West Coast storm favorably affects comparison of 2005 operating expenses with those in 2006.

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Operating expenses increased $863 million in 2005 versus 2004. Excluding the asbestos charge of $247 million (pre-tax) in 2004, operating expenses increased $1.1 billion, or 10%. Significantly higher locomotive fuel prices accounted for $740 million of this increase (our fuel surcharge programs helped offset these expenses in the form of higher revenue). Inflation in wages, benefits, materials, and services, as well as a larger workforce, resulted in most of the additional increase. Also driving higher operating expenses were increased contract services and clean-up and restoration costs associated with the 2005 January West Coast storm.

 

Salaries, Wages, and Employee Benefits – General wage and benefit inflation increased expenses in 2006, reflecting higher salaries and wages and the impact of higher healthcare costs and other benefit costs. A larger workforce, driven by higher volume levels, and stock option expense required by new accounting rules also contributed to higher expenses. Conversely, reduced protection costs and operational improvements, boosted by network management initiatives and investment in capacity, partially offset these increases. Protection costs represent the differential payment when the wage earned for active employment is lower than an employee’s protected rate of pay. An individual’s protected rate is imposed by the STB for employees adversely affected by a merger or is established by collective bargaining agreements with our labor unions in certain cases. Additionally, we incurred higher labor expenses in 2005 for clean-up and restoration of property damaged by the January West Coast storm.

 

Several factors drove higher employment expenses in 2005. General wage and benefit inflation increased expenses, reflecting higher salaries and wages and the year-over-year impact of higher healthcare and other benefits costs. We also incurred higher expenses for management bonuses in 2005, as executive bonuses were not awarded for 2004 and bonuses for the professional workforce were significantly reduced in 2004. A 3% increase in our workforce and higher demand during 2005 also contributed to the increases. Additionally, labor expenses, in the form of higher train crew costs and labor incurred for repair and clean-up activities, increased due to the hurricanes in the third quarter and the West Coast storm in the first quarter. Reduced severance and relocation costs, increased network efficiency, and reduced training expenses partially offset these increases. Transferring various support personnel to Omaha, Nebraska, resulted in higher severance and relocation costs in 2004.

 

Fuel and Utilities

 

           

Millions of Dollars

    2006     2005     2004    % Change
2006 v 2005
 
 
  % Change
2005 v 2004
 
 

Locomotive fuel expense

  $ 2,821   $ 2,393   $ 1,684    18 %   42 %

Fuel surcharge revenue

    1,619     963     292    68     230  

 

Fuel and utilities include locomotive fuel, utilities other than telephone, and gasoline and other fuels. Higher diesel fuel prices, which averaged $2.06 per gallon (including taxes and transportation costs) in 2006 compared to $1.77 per gallon in 2005, increased expenses by $393 million. A 3% increase in gross ton-miles resulted in $63 million of additional expenses, which was partially offset by a 2% improvement in our fuel consumption rate due to the use of newer, more fuel-efficient locomotives and our fuel conservation programs. As noted above (and described in this Item 7), we offset a significant portion of increased locomotive fuel expenses through revenue from fuel surcharges. Gasoline, utilities, and propane and other fuel expenses increased $20 million in 2006 due to higher prices and increased usage.

 

In 2005, diesel fuel prices averaged $1.77 per gallon compared to $1.22 per gallon in 2004, increasing expenses by $740 million. A 1% increase in gross ton-miles resulted in $8 million of additional expenses. We offset $39 million of these increases with a 2% improvement in our consumption rate in 2005 versus 2004. The Railroad had no fuel hedges in place during 2005, whereas we hedged 120 million gallons of fuel in 2004. Gasoline, utilities, and propane expenses increased $37 million in 2005 versus 2004 due to higher prices.

 

Equipment and Other Rents – Equipment and other rents primarily includes rental expense the Railroad pays for freight cars owned by other railroads or private companies; freight car, intermodal, and locomotive leases; other

 

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specialty equipment leases; and office and other rentals. Lease expense increased in 2006 compared to 2005 as we leased more locomotives and freight cars. Growth in automotive and intermodal shipments also increased our short-term freight car rental expense. Improved car-cycle times driven by network management initiatives partially offset this increase.

 

In 2005, the number of leased locomotives and freight cars increased, resulting in higher lease expense. Carload volume growth also increased 2005 expenses. Improved car-cycle times partially offset these increases which lowered our short-term freight car rental expense.

 

Depreciation – The majority of depreciation relates to track structure, including rail, ties, and other track material. A higher depreciable asset base, reflecting higher capital spending in recent years, and increased usage of our assets combined for higher depreciation expense in 2006 and 2005.

 

Materials and Supplies – Materials used to maintain the Railroad’s lines, structures, and equipment are the principal components of materials and supplies expense. This expense item also includes small tools, office supplies, other materials, and the costs of freight services to ship Railroad supplies and materials. We used more repair materials at higher component costs to repair and maintain freight cars and our fleet of locomotives in 2006, including a growing number of units not covered by warranties. In addition, we performed more maintenance on locomotives that were maintained internally and not subject to maintenance contracts with third-party contractors compared to 2005.

 

During 2005, materials and supplies expense increased, primarily due to locomotive and freight car maintenance. We used more repair materials to maintain a larger fleet of locomotives, including a growing number of units not covered by warranties. Additionally, we incurred higher costs for car wheel sets, traction motors, and lube oil. Conversely, we incurred lower freight charges for shipping Railroad materials, and stationery and office supplies.

 

Casualty Costs – Personal injury costs, freight and property damage, insurance, and environmental expense are the primary components of casualty costs. Costs were flat in 2006 compared to 2005 as lower bad debt expenses, lower freight damage expenses, and lower expenses for destruction of foreign or leased equipment all offset personal injury costs and higher settlement expenses.

 

In 2005, casualty costs were lower than the previous year primarily due to higher expenses incurred in 2004 for an asbestos charge, a costly derailment near San Antonio, and a large jury verdict – affirmed in 2004 – for a 1998 crossing accident. Lower freight and property damage expense and lower costs for destruction of foreign or leased equipment also reduced casualty costs. Conversely, we incurred higher insurance costs and increased costs for third-party personal injuries and damages related to environmental exposures.

 

Purchased Services and Other Costs – Purchased services and other costs include the costs of services purchased from outside contractors, state and local taxes, net costs of operating facilities jointly used by UPRR and other railroads, transportation and lodging for train crew employees, trucking and contracting costs for intermodal containers, leased automobile maintenance expenses, telephone and cellular expense, employee travel expense, and computer and other general expenses. Volume-related expenses, including crew transportation and lodging costs, increased in 2006 driven by 3% growth of carloads. Higher state and local taxes (primarily sales and use taxes related to higher diesel fuel prices) also increased expenses in 2006 compared to 2005. Conversely, lower locomotive contract maintenance costs and lower expenses associated with jointly-owned operating facilities reduced expenses in 2006 compared to 2005. Settlement of all remaining insurance claims related to the 2005 January West Coast storm and the gain from the sale of two airplanes also reduced expenses in 2006. Finally, clean-up and restoration costs related to the January West Coast storm increased expenses in 2005, which also contributed to lower year-over-year expenses in 2006.

 

Expenses increased in 2005 versus 2004 because we experienced higher volume-related costs for freight car and locomotive contract maintenance and crew transportation and lodging. Although our intermodal carloadings

 

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increased over 4% in 2005, costs for trucking services provided by intermodal carriers remained flat as we substantially reduced expenses associated with network inefficiencies. Higher diesel fuel prices increased sales and use taxes in 2005, which resulted in higher state and local taxes. Other contract expenses for equipment maintenance and other services increased in 2005. The 2005 January West Coast storm and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita also contributed to higher expenses in 2005 (net of insurance settlements received). Partially offsetting these increases was a reduction in relocation expenses as we incurred higher relocation costs associated with moving support personnel to Omaha, Nebraska during 2004.

 

Non-Operating Items

 

           

Millions of Dollars

    2006       2005       2004     % Change
2006 v 2005
 
 
  % Change
2005 v 2004
 
 

Other income

  $ 118     $ 145     $ 88     (19 )%   65 %

Interest expense

    (477 )     (504 )     (527 )   (5 )   (4 )

Income taxes

    (919 )     (410 )     (252 )   124     63  

 

Other Income – Lower net gains from non-operating asset sales and higher expenses due to rising interest rates associated with our sale of receivables program resulted in a reduction in other income in 2006, which was partially offset by higher rental income for the use of our right-of-way (including 2006 settlements of rate disputes from prior years) and cash investment returns due to higher interest rates.

 

In 2005, other income increased largely as a result of higher gains from real estate sales partially offset by higher expenses due to rising interest rates associated with our sale of receivables program.

 

Interest Expense – Lower interest expense in 2006 and 2005 was primarily due to declining weighted-average debt levels of $7.1 billion, $7.8 billion, and $8.1 billion in 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively. A higher effective interest rate of 6.7% in 2006, compared to 6.5% in both 2005 and 2004, partially offset the effects of the declining debt level.

 

Income Taxes – Income tax expense was $509 million higher in 2006 than 2005. Higher pre-tax income resulted in additional taxes of $414 million and $118 million of the increase resulted from the one-time reduction in 2005 described below. Our effective tax rate was 36.4% and 28.6% in 2006 and 2005, respectively.

 

Income taxes were greater in 2005 than 2004 due to higher pre-tax income partially offset by a previously reported reduction in income tax expense. In our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005, we reported that the Corporation analyzed the impact that final settlements of pre-1995 tax years had on previously recorded estimates of deferred tax assets and liabilities. The completed analysis of the final settlements for pre-1995 tax years, along with Internal Revenue Service Examination Reports for tax years 1995 through 2002 were considered, among other things, in a review and re-evaluation of the Corporation’s estimated deferred tax assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2005, resulting in an income tax expense reduction of $118 million in 2005.

 

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OPERATING AND FINANCIAL STATISTICS

 

Railroad Performance Measures

 

We report key Railroad performance measures weekly to the Association of American Railroads, including carloads, average daily inventory of rail cars on our system, average train speed, and average terminal dwell time. This operating data is available on our website at www.up.com/investors/reports/index.shtml.

 

Operating Statistics

 

           
    2006   2005   2004    % Change
2006 v 2005
 
 
  % Change
2005 v 2004
 
 

Average train speed (miles per hour)

  21.4   21.1   21.4    1 %   (1 )%

Average terminal dwell time (hours)

  27.2   28.7   30.5    (5 )   (6 )

Gross ton-miles (billions)

  1,072.5   1,043.9   1,037.5    3     1  

Revenue ton-miles (billions)

  565.2   548.8   546.3    3     -  

Average full-time equivalent employees

  50,739   49,747   48,329    2     3  

 

Average Train Speed – Average train speed is calculated by dividing train miles by hours operated on our main lines between terminals. Ongoing network management initiatives and capacity expansion allowed us to move 3% more carloads in 2006 and improve average train speed 1%. In 2005, the January West Coast storm, disruptions on the SPRB Joint Line, business interruptions caused by Hurricane Rita, and the Kansas washouts in October hampered efforts to improve our average train speed.

 

Average Terminal Dwell Time – Average terminal dwell time is the average time that a rail car spends at our terminals. Lower average terminal dwell time is favorable. Average terminal dwell improved 5% and 6% in 2006 and 2005, respectively, as a result of ongoing management initiatives and directed efforts to more timely deliver rail cars offline to our interchange partners and customers.

 

Gross and Revenue Ton-Miles – Gross ton-miles are calculated by multiplying the weight of loaded or empty freight cars by the number of miles hauled. Revenue ton-miles are calculated by multiplying the weight of freight by the number of tariff miles. In 2006, gross and revenue ton-miles grew 3% in relation to the 3% increase in carloadings as volume was balanced between the higher and lower density commodities. In 2005, gross ton-miles grew 1%, in relation to a 1% increase of carloadings. Revenue ton-miles were flat in 2005.

 

Average Full-Time Equivalent Employees – Higher employee levels in 2006 and 2005 included more people to maintain our larger locomotive and freight car fleet, the addition of employees needed to complete increased track repair and replacement programs, the hiring of operations management personnel, including an expanded management training program, and train and engine personnel to manage current demand.

 

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Return on Invested Capital

 

       

Millions of Dollars, Except Percentages

    2006       2005       2004  

Net income

  $ 1,606     $ 1,026     $ 604  

Add: Interest expense

    477       504       527  

Add: Sale of receivables fees

    33       23       11  

Add: Interest on present value of operating leases

    268       218       172  

Less: Taxes on interest and fees

    (283 )     (213 )     (209 )

Net operating profit after taxes as adjusted (a)

  $ 2,101     $ 1,558     $ 1,105  

Average equity

  $ 14,510     $ 13,181     $ 12,505  

Add: Average debt

    7,098       7,774       8,060  

Add: Average value of sold receivables

    600       595       590  

Add: Average present value of operating leases

    3,349       2,729       2,147  

Average invested capital as adjusted (b)

  $ 25,557     $ 24,279     $ 23,302  

Return on invested capital as adjusted (a/b)

    8.2 %     6.4 %     4.7 %

 

Return on invested capital (ROIC) is considered a non-GAAP financial measure by SEC Regulation G and Item 10 of SEC Regulation S-K. We believe this measure is important in evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of the Corporation’s long-term capital investments, and we currently use ROIC as a performance criteria in determining certain elements of compensation for our executive officers and senior management. ROIC should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, other information provided in accordance with GAAP. A comparable GAAP measure is Return on Equity, which is included in Selected Financial Data, Item 6.

 

Debt to Capital/Lease Adjusted Debt to Capital

 

       

Millions of Dollars, Except Percentages

    2006       2005       2004  

Debt (a)

  $ 6,780     $ 7,416     $ 8,131  

Equity

    15,312       13,707       12,655  

Capital (b)

  $ 22,092     $ 21,123     $ 20,786  

Debt to capital (a/b)

    30.7 %     35.1 %     39.1 %

 

       

Millions of Dollars, Except Percentages

    2006       2005       2004  

Debt

  $ 6,780     $ 7,416     $ 8,131  

Net present value of operating leases

    3,513       3,185       2,273  

Lease adjusted debt (a)

  $ 10,293     $ 10,601     $ 10,404  

Equity

    15,312       13,707       12,655  

Lease adjusted capital (b)

  $ 25,605     $ 24,308     $ 23,059  

Lease adjusted debt to capital (a/b)

    40.2 %     43.6 %     45.1 %

 

Lease adjusted debt to capital is considered a non-GAAP financial measure by SEC Regulation G and Item 10 of SEC Regulation S-K. We believe this measure is important in evaluating the total amount of leverage in our capital structure including off-balance sheet lease obligations. We monitor the ratio of lease adjusted debt to capital as we manage our capital structure to balance cost effective and efficient access to the capital markets with the Corporation’s overall cost of capital. Lease adjusted debt to capital should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, debt to capital. The table above provides support for the lease adjusted debt to capital calculation. Our debt to capital ratios improved as a result of a $636 million reduction in debt from December 31, 2005, and an increase in retained earnings due to higher net income in 2006.

 

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

As of December 31, 2006, our principal sources of liquidity included cash, cash equivalents, the sale of receivables, and our revolving credit facilities, as well as the availability of commercial paper and other sources of financing through the capital markets. We had $2 billion of committed credit facilities available, of which there were no borrowings outstanding as of December 31, 2006, and we did not make any short-term borrowings under these facilities during the year. The value of the outstanding undivided interest held by investors under the sale of receivables program was $600 million as of December 31, 2006. The sale of receivables program is subject to certain requirements, including the maintenance of an investment grade bond rating. If our bond rating were to deteriorate, it could have an adverse impact on our liquidity. Access to commercial paper is dependent on market conditions. Deterioration of our operating results or financial condition due to internal or external factors could negatively impact our ability to utilize commercial paper as a source of liquidity. Liquidity through the capital markets is also dependent on our financial stability.

 

At both December 31, 2006 and 2005, we had a working capital deficit of approximately $1.1 billion. A working capital deficit is common in our industry and does not indicate a lack of liquidity. We maintain adequate resources to meet our daily cash requirements, and we have sufficient financial capacity to satisfy our current liabilities.

 

Financial Condition

 

       

Cash Flows

Millions of Dollars

   2006     2005     2004  

Cash provided by operating activities

   $ 2,880     $ 2,595     $ 2,257  

Cash used in investing activities

     (2,042 )     (2,047 )     (1,732 )

Cash used in financing activities

     (784 )     (752 )     (75 )

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

   $ 54     $ (204 )   $ 450  

 

Cash Provided by Operating Activities – Higher income in 2006 generated the increased cash provided by operating activities, which was partially offset by higher income tax payments, $150 million in voluntary pension contributions, higher material and supply inventories, and higher management incentive payments in 2006. Higher income, lower management incentive payments in 2005 (executive bonuses, which would have been paid to individuals in 2005, were not awarded based on company performance in 2004 and bonuses for the professional workforce that were paid out in 2005 were significantly reduced), and working capital performance generated higher cash from operating activities in 2005. A voluntary pension contribution of $100 million in 2004 also augmented the positive year-over-year variance in 2005 as no pension contribution was made in 2005. This improvement was partially offset by cash received in 2004 for income tax refunds.

 

Cash Used in Investing Activities – An insurance settlement for the 2005 January West Coast storm and lower balances for work in process decreased the amount of cash used in investing activities in 2006. Higher capital investments and lower proceeds from asset sales partially offset this decrease. Increased capital spending, partially offset by higher proceeds from asset sales, increased the amount of cash used in investing activities in 2005 compared to 2004.

 

Cash Used in Financing Activities – The increase in cash used in financing activities primarily resulted from lower net proceeds from equity compensation plans ($189 million in 2006 compared to $262 million in 2005). The increase in 2005 results from debt issuances in 2004 and higher debt repayments in 2005. We did not issue debt in 2005 versus $745 million of debt issuances in 2004, and we repaid $699 million of debt in 2005 compared to $588 million in 2004. The higher outflows in 2005 were partially offset by higher net proceeds from equity compensation plans ($262 million in 2005 compared to $80 million in 2004).

 

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The table below details cash capital investments for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004.

 

       
Millions of Dollars    2006    2005    2004

Track

   $ 1,487    $ 1,472    $ 1,328

Capacity and commercial facilities

     510      509      347

Locomotives and freight cars

     135      98      125

Other

     110      90      76

Total

   $ 2,242    $ 2,169    $ 1,876

 

In 2007, we expect our total capital investments to be approximately $3.2 billion, which may include long-term leases. These investments will be used to maintain track and structures, continue capacity expansions on our main lines in constrained corridors, remove bottlenecks, upgrade and augment equipment to better meet customer needs, build and improve facilities and terminals, and develop and implement new technologies. We designed these investments to maintain infrastructure for safety, enhance customer service, promote growth, and improve operational fluidity. We expect to fund our 2007 cash capital investments through cash generated from operations, the sale or lease of various operating and non-operating properties, and cash on hand at December 31, 2006. We expect that these sources will continue to provide sufficient funds to meet our expected capital requirements for 2007.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004, our ratio of earnings to fixed charges was 4.4, 2.9, and 2.1, respectively. The increases in 2006 and 2005 were driven by higher net income. The ratio of earnings to fixed charges was computed on a consolidated basis. Earnings represent income from continuing operations, less equity earnings net of distributions, plus fixed charges and income taxes. Fixed charges represent interest charges, amortization of debt discount, and the estimated amount representing the interest portion of rental charges. See Exhibit 12 for the calculation of the ratio of earnings to fixed charges.

 

Financing Activities

 

Credit Facilities  – On December 31, 2006, we had $2 billion in revolving credit facilities available, including $1 billion under a five-year facility expiring in March 2009 and $1 billion under a five-year facility expiring in March 2010 (collectively, the "facilities"). The facilities are designated for general corporate purposes and support the issuance of commercial paper. Neither of the facilities were drawn on in 2006. Commitment fees and interest rates payable under the facilities are similar to fees and rates available to comparably rated investment-grade borrowers. These facilities allow for borrowings at floating rates based on London Interbank Offered Rates, plus a spread, depending upon our senior unsecured debt ratings. The facilities require the maintenance of a minimum net worth and a debt to net worth coverage ratio. At December 31, 2006, we were in compliance with these covenants. The facilities do not include any other financial restrictions, credit rating triggers (other than rating-dependent pricing), or any other provision that could require the posting of collateral.

 

In addition to our revolving credit facilities, we had $150 million in uncommitted lines of credit available, including $75 million that expires in March 2007 and $75 million expiring in May 2007. Neither of these lines of credit were used as of December 31, 2006. We must have equivalent credit available under our five-year facilities to draw on these $75 million lines.

 

Dividends – On January 30, 2007, we increased the quarterly dividend to $0.35 per share, payable beginning on April 2, 2007, to shareholders of record on February 28, 2007. We expect to fund the increase in the quarterly dividend through cash generated from operations, the sale or lease of various operating and non-operating properties, and cash on hand at December 31, 2006.

 

Dividend Restrictions – We are subject to certain restrictions related to the payment of cash dividends to our shareholders due to minimum net worth requirements under our credit facilities. Retained earnings available

 

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for dividends increased to $7.8 billion at December 31, 2006, from $6.2 billion at December 31, 2005. We do not expect that these restrictions will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity.

 

Common Stock Repurchases – On January 30, 2007, our Board of Directors authorized us to repurchase up to 20 million shares of our common stock through December 31, 2009. We may make these repurchases on the open market or through other transactions. Our management will have sole discretion with respect to determining the timing and amount of these transactions. We expect to fund our common stock repurchases through cash generated from operations, the sale or lease of various operating and non-operating properties, and cash on hand at December 31, 2006.

 

Shelf Registration Statement – Under a current shelf registration statement, we may issue any combination of debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, or warrants for debt securities or preferred stock in one or more offerings. At December 31, 2006, we had $500 million remaining for issuance under the current shelf registration statement. We have no immediate plans to issue any securities; however, we routinely consider and evaluate opportunities to replace existing debt or access capital through issuances of debt securities under this shelf registration, and, therefore, we may issue debt securities at any time.

 

Operating Lease Activities

 

As of December 31, 2006, our contractual obligations for operating leases totaled approximately $5.5 billion. Discounted at 8%, the present value of this obligation was approximately $3.5 billion. The Railroad, as lessee, entered into long-term operating lease arrangements during 2006 to finance the majority of its new equipment acquisitions. In 2006, the lessors under these lease arrangements purchased 200 locomotives and 2,100 freight cars from the Corporation through various financing transactions with a total equipment cost of approximately $523 million and a present value of $427 million. These new lease arrangements provide for minimum total rental payments of approximately $777 million and are reflected in the contractual obligations table as of December 31, 2006.

 

The lessors financed the purchase of the locomotives and freight cars, in part, by the issuance of equipment notes that are non-recourse to the Railroad and are secured by an assignment of the underlying leases and a security interest in the various types of equipment. Neither the Railroad nor UPC guarantees payment of the equipment notes. The Railroad’s obligations to make operating lease payments under the leases are recourse obligations and are not recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

 

The Railroad has certain renewal and purchase options with respect to the locomotives and freight cars. If the Railroad does not exercise any such options, the equipment will be returned to the lessors at the end of the lease term.

 

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

 

As described in the notes to the Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Item 8, and as referenced in the tables below, we have contractual obligations and commercial commitments that may affect our financial condition. However, based on our assessment of the underlying provisions and circumstances of our contractual obligations and commercial commitments, including material sources of off-balance sheet and structured finance arrangements, there is no known trend, demand, commitment, event, or uncertainty that is reasonably likely to occur that would have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity. In addition, the commercial obligations, financings, and commitments made by us are customary transactions that are similar to those of other comparable corporations, particularly within the transportation industry.

 

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The following tables identify material obligations and commitments as of December 31, 2006:

 

          Payments Due by Period

Contractual Obligations

Millions of Dollars

   Total    2007    2008    2009    2010    2011    After
2011

Debt [a]

   $ 9,102    $ 1,035    $ 880    $ 693    $ 606    $ 656    $ 5,232

Operating leases

     5,457      624      546      498      456      419      2,914

Capital lease obligations [b]

     1,916      180      173      168      148      157      1,090

Purchase obligations [c]

     4,516      1,362      573      502      248      199      1,632

Other post retirement benefits [d]

     298      27      28      29      31      31      152

Total contractual obligations

   $ 21,289    $ 3,228    $ 2,200    $ 1,890    $ 1,489    $ 1,462    $ 11,020

 

[a]

Excludes capital lease obligations of $1,236 million, unamortized discount of $103 million, and market value adjustments of $14 million for debt with qualifying hedges that are recorded as liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. Includes an interest component of $3,441 million.

[b]

Represents total obligations, including interest component of $680 million.

[c]

Purchase obligations include locomotive maintenance contracts; purchase commitments for locomotives, ties, ballast, and track; and agreements to purchase other goods and services.

[d]

Includes estimated other postretirement, medical, and life insurance payments and payments made under the unfunded pension plan for the next ten years. No amounts are included for funded pension as no contributions are currently required.

 

          Amount of Commitment Expiration per Period

Other Commercial Commitments

Millions of Dollars

   Total    2007    2008    2009    2010    2011    After
2011

Credit facilities [a]

   $ 2,000    $ -    $ -    $ 1,000    $ 1,000    $ -    $ -

Sale of receivables [b]

     600      600      -      -      -      -      -

Guarantees [c]

     464      5      6      18      45      75      315

Standby letters of credit [d]

     37      12      25      -      -      -      -

Total commercial commitments

   $ 3,101    $ 617    $ 31    $ 1,018    $ 1,045    $ 75    $ 315

 

[a]

None of the credit facilities were used as of December 31, 2006.

[b]

$600 million of the sale of receivables program was utilized at December 31, 2006.

[c]

Includes guaranteed obligations related to our headquarters building, equipment financings, and affiliated operations.

[d]

None of the letters of credit were drawn upon as of December 31, 2006.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

Sale of Receivables – The Railroad transfers most of its accounts receivable to Union Pacific Receivables, Inc. (UPRI), a bankruptcy-remote subsidiary, as part of a sale of receivables facility. UPRI sells, without recourse on a 364-day revolving basis, an undivided interest in such accounts receivable to investors. The total capacity to sell undivided interests to investors under the facility was $600 million at both December 31, 2006 and 2005. The value of the outstanding undivided interest held by investors under the facility was $600 million at both December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The value of the outstanding undivided interest held by investors is not included in our Consolidated Financial Statements. The value of the undivided interest held by investors was supported by $1,158 million and $1,226 million of accounts receivable held by UPRI at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, the value of the interest retained by UPRI was $558 million and $626 million, respectively. This retained interest is included in accounts receivable in our Consolidated Financial Statements. The interest sold to investors is sold at carrying value, which approximates fair value, and there is no gain or loss recognized from the transaction.

 

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The value of the outstanding undivided interest held by investors could fluctuate based upon the availability of eligible receivables and is directly affected by changing business volumes and credit risks, including default and dilution. If default or dilution percentages were to increase one percentage point, the amount of eligible receivables would decrease by $6 million. Should our credit rating fall below investment grade, the value of the outstanding undivided interest held by investors would be reduced, and, in certain cases, the investors would have the right to discontinue the facility.

 

The Railroad services the sold receivables; however, the Railroad does not recognize any servicing asset or liability as the servicing fees adequately compensate the Railroad for its responsibilities. The Railroad collected approximately $15.5 billion and $13.4 billion during the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. UPRI used certain of these proceeds to purchase new receivables under the facility.

 

The costs of the sale of receivables program are included in other income and were $33 million, $23 million, and $11 million for 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively. The costs include interest, program fees paid to banks, commercial paper issuing costs, and fees for unused commitment availability.

 

The investors have no recourse to the Railroad’s other assets except for customary warranty and indemnity claims. Creditors of the Railroad have no recourse to the assets of UPRI. In August 2006, the sale of receivables program was renewed for an additional 364-day period without any significant changes in terms.

 

Guarantees – At December 31, 2006, we were contingently liable for $464 million in guarantees. We have recognized a $6 million liability for the fair value of these obligations as of December 31, 2006. We entered into these contingent guarantees in the normal course of business, and they include guaranteed obligations related to our headquarters building, equipment financings, and affiliated operations. The final guarantee expires in 2022. We are not aware of any existing event of default that would require us to satisfy these guarantees. We do not expect that these guarantees will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.

 

OTHER MATTERS

 

Inflation – The cumulative effect of long periods of inflation significantly increases asset replacement costs for capital-intensive companies. As a result, assuming that we replace all operating assets at current price levels, depreciation charges (on an inflation-adjusted basis) would be substantially greater than historically reported amounts.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments – We may use derivative financial instruments in limited instances for other than trading purposes to assist in managing our overall exposure to fluctuations in interest rates and fuel prices. We are not a party to leveraged derivatives and, by policy, do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. Derivative financial instruments qualifying for hedge accounting must maintain a specified level of effectiveness between the hedging instrument and the item being hedged, both at inception and throughout the hedged period. We formally document the nature and relationships between the hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as our risk-management objectives, strategies for undertaking the various hedge transactions, and method of assessing hedge effectiveness. Changes in the fair market value of derivative financial instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting are charged to earnings. We may use swaps, collars, futures, and/or forward contracts to mitigate the risk of adverse movements in interest rates and fuel prices; however, the use of these derivative financial instruments may limit future benefits from favorable price movements.

 

Market and Credit Risk – We address market risk related to derivative financial instruments by selecting instruments with value fluctuations that highly correlate with the underlying hedged item. Credit risk related to derivative financial instruments, which is minimal, is managed by requiring high credit standards for counterparties and periodic settlements. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, we were not required to provide collateral, nor had we received collateral, relating to our hedging activities.

 

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Determination of Fair Value – We determined the fair values of our derivative financial instrument positions at December 31, 2006 and 2005 based upon current fair values as quoted by recognized dealers or developed based upon the present value of expected future cash flows.

 

Sensitivity Analyses – The sensitivity analyses that follow illustrate the economic effect that hypothetical changes in interest rates could have on our results of operations and financial condition. These hypothetical changes do not consider other factors that could impact actual results.

 

Interest Rate Fair Value Hedges – We manage our overall exposure to fluctuations in interest rates by adjusting the proportion of fixed and floating rate debt instruments within our debt portfolio over a given period. We generally manage the mix of fixed and floating rate debt through the issuance of targeted amounts of each as debt matures or as we require incremental borrowings. We employ derivatives, primarily swaps, as one of the tools to obtain the targeted mix. In addition, we also obtain flexibility in managing interest costs and the interest rate mix within our debt portfolio by evaluating the issuance of and managing outstanding callable fixed-rate debt securities.

 

Swaps allow us to convert debt from fixed rates to variable rates and thereby hedge the risk of changes in the debt’s fair value attributable to the changes in interest rates. We account for swaps as fair value hedges using the short-cut method pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Statement No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities; therefore, we do not record any ineffectiveness within our Consolidated Financial Statements. As of December 31, 2006 and 2005, we had interest rate swaps hedging debt of $500 million and $750 million, respectively.

 

At December 31, 2006 and 2005, we had variable-rate debt representing approximately 7% and 10%, respectively, of our total debt. If variable interest rates average one percentage point higher in 2007 than our December 31, 2006 variable rate, which was approximately 8%, our interest expense would increase by approximately $5 million. If variable interest rates averaged one percentage point higher in 2006 than our December 31, 2005 variable rate, which was approximately 7%, our interest expense would have increased by approximately $7 million. These amounts were determined by considering the impact of the hypothetical interest rates on the balances of our variable-rate debt at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

 

Market risk for fixed-rate debt is estimated as the potential increase in fair value resulting from a hypothetical one percentage point decrease in interest rates as of December 31, 2006, and amounts to approximately $462 million at December 31, 2006. Market risk resulting from a hypothetical one percentage point decrease in interest rates as of December 31, 2005, amounted to approximately $535 million at December 31, 2005. We estimated the fair values of our fixed-rate debt by considering the impact of the hypothetical interest rates on quoted market prices and current borrowing rates.

 

Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedges – We report changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges in accumulated other comprehensive loss until the hedged item affects earnings. At December 31, 2006, we had a reduction of $5 million recorded as an accumulated other comprehensive loss that is being amortized on a straight-line basis through September 30, 2014. As of December 31, 2006 and 2005, we had no interest rate cash flow hedges outstanding.

 

Fuel Cash Flow Hedges – Fuel costs are a significant portion of our total operating expenses. In 2006 and 2005, our primary means of mitigating the impact of adverse fuel price changes was our fuel surcharge programs. However, we may use swaps, collars, futures and/or forward contracts to further mitigate the impact of adverse fuel price changes. We did not have any fuel hedges in place during 2006 or 2005. We hedged 120 million gallons of fuel during 2004 using collars with average cap, floor, and ceiling prices of $0.74, $0.64, and $0.86 per gallon, respectively.

 

Fuel Swaps – We entered into two fuel basis swaps for the period August 2006 through July 2008, which cover a total of 151 million gallons of diesel fuel. These commodity basis swaps require us to make payments to,

 

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or receive payments from, the counterparty based on the difference between certain price indices. Changes in the fair value of these swaps are reflected in fuel expense. We reported a derivative asset of approximately $2 million at December 31, 2006, which represents the fair value of the swaps. The swaps reduced fuel expense for 2006 by $3 million, which included monthly net settlements with the counterparty and the fair value recognition at December 31, 2006.

 

Accounting Pronouncements – In June 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (FIN 48). Under the interpretation, we will recognize tax benefits only for tax positions that are more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. The amount recognized will be measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The interpretation is effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2007. The cumulative effect of adopting FIN 48 will be a one-time reduction in the January 1, 2007 balance of retained earnings. Future changes in uncertain tax positions will be included in income tax expense. We do not expect that the cumulative effect of adopting FIN 48 will have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 157, Fair Value Measurement (FAS 157). While this statement does not require new fair value measurements, it provides guidance on applying fair value and expands required disclosures. FAS 157 is effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2008. We are currently assessing the impact FAS 157 may have on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans (FAS 158). FAS 158 required us to recognize the funded status of our pension and postretirement plans in the balance sheet, along with a corresponding noncash, after-tax adjustment to shareholders’ equity. Funded status is determined as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the benefit obligation. Changes in the funded status will be recognized in other comprehensive loss. We adopted FAS 158 at the end of 2006 and have disclosed the impact of the adoption in note 7 of the Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Item 8.

 

In September 2006, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements (SAB 108). SAB 108 provides interpretive guidance on how the effects of prior-year uncorrected misstatements should be considered when quantifying misstatements in the current-year financial statements. SAB 108 requires registrants to quantify misstatements using both an income statement and balance sheet approach and then evaluate whether either approach results in a misstatement that, when all relevant quantitative and qualitative factors are considered, is material. If prior-year errors that had been previously considered immaterial are now considered material based on either approach, no restatement is required so long as management properly applied its previous approach and all relevant facts and circumstances were considered. If prior-year’s financial statements are not restated, the cumulative effect adjustment is recorded in opening accumulated earnings (deficit) as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. SAB 108 was effective for us at the end of 2006. The adoption of SAB 108 did not have any impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (FAS 159). This statement, which is expected to expand fair value measurement, permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. FAS 159 is effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2008. We are currently assessing the impact FAS 159 may have on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Asserted and Unasserted Claims – Various claims and lawsuits are pending against us and certain of our subsidiaries. It is not possible at this time for us to determine fully the effect of all unasserted claims on our consolidated results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity; however, to the extent possible, where unasserted claims are considered probable and where such claims can be reasonably estimated, we have recorded

 

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a liability. We do not expect that any known lawsuits, claims, environmental costs, commitments, contingent liabilities, or guarantees will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity after taking into account liabilities previously recorded for these matters.

 

Indemnities – Our maximum potential exposure under indemnification arrangements, including certain tax indemnifications, can range from a specified dollar amount to an unlimited amount, depending on the nature of the transactions and the agreements. Due to uncertainty as to whether claims will be made or how they will be resolved, we cannot reasonably determine the probability of an adverse claim or reasonably estimate any adverse liability or the total maximum exposure under these indemnification arrangements. We do not have any reason to believe that we will be required to make any material payments under these indemnity provisions.

 

Insurance Subsidiaries – We have two consolidated, wholly-owned subsidiaries that provide insurance coverage for certain risks, including physical loss or property damage and certain other claims that are subject to reinsurance.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Our Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires estimation and judgment that affect the reported amounts of revenue, expenses, assets, and liabilities. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The following critical accounting policies are a subset of our significant accounting policies described in note 1 to the Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Item 8. These critical accounting policies affect significant areas of our financial statements and involve judgment and estimates. If these estimates differ significantly from actual results, the impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements may be material.

 

Asbestos – We are a defendant in a number of lawsuits in which current and former employees allege exposure to asbestos. During 2004, we engaged a third party with extensive experience in estimating resolution costs for asbestos-related claims to assist us in assessing our potential liability. As a result of this assessment, we increased our liability in 2004 for resolving both asserted and unasserted asbestos-related claims through 2034. This liability excludes future defense and processing costs. The liability for resolving both asserted and unasserted claims was based on the following assumptions:

 

   

The number of future claims received would be consistent with historical averages.

 

   

The number of claims filed against us will decline each year.

 

   

The average settlement values for asserted and unasserted claims will be equivalent to historical averages.

 

   

The percentage of claims dismissed in the future will be equivalent to historical averages.

 

Our asbestos-related liabilities were $302 million and $311 million at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The current portion of asbestos-related liabilities was $13 million and $16 million, respectively. Approximately 16% of the recorded liability related to asserted claims and approximately 84% related to unasserted claims. These claims are expected to be paid out over the next 28 years. We have insurance coverage for a portion of the costs incurred to resolve asbestos-related claims, and, as a result of the 2004 assessment, we increased our receivable for insurance recoveries related to asbestos during 2004. We have recognized an asset for estimated insurance recoveries at December 31, 2006 and 2005.

 

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Our asbestos-related claims activity was as follows:

 

       
Claims Activity   2006     2005     2004  

Open claims, beginning balance

  2,435     2,316     2,560  

New claims

  316     741     474  

Settled or dismissed claims

  (474 )   (622 )   (718 )

Open claims, ending balance at December 31

  2,277     2,435     2,316  

 

During 2006 and 2005 our third-party consultants assisted us in reviewing our actual asbestos claim experience compared to the assumptions used in the 2004 estimate, and we determined that no adjustment was necessary. We will continue to review actual experience and adjust our estimate as warranted.

 

We believe that our liability for asbestos-related claims and the estimated insurance recoveries reflect reasonable and probable estimates. The amounts recorded for asbestos-related liabilities and related insurance recoveries were based on currently known facts. However, future events, such as the number of new claims to be filed each year, average settlement costs, and insurance coverage issues could cause the actual costs and insurance recoveries to be higher or lower than the projected amounts. Estimates may also vary due to changes to strategies, activities, and outcomes of asbestos litigation, federal and state law governing litigation and compensation of asbestos claimants, and the level of payments made to claimants by other defendants.

 

Environmental – We are subject to federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations. We identified 367 sites at which we are or may be liable for remediation costs associated with alleged contamination or for violations of environmental requirements. This includes 44 sites that are the subject of actions taken by the U.S. government, 25 of which are currently on the Superfund National Priorities List. Certain federal legislation imposes joint and several liability for the remediation of identified sites; consequently, our ultimate environmental liability may include costs relating to activities of other parties, in addition to costs relating to our own activities at each site.

 

Our environmental site activity was as follows:

 

       
Site Activity   2006     2005     2004  

Open sites, beginning balance

  370     384     417  

New sites

  50     56     59  

Closed sites

  (53 )   (70 )   (92 )

Open sites, ending balance at December 31

  367     370     384  

 

When we identify an environmental issue with respect to property owned, leased, or otherwise used in the conduct of our business, we and our consultants perform environmental assessments on the property. We expense the cost of the assessments as incurred. We accrue the cost of remediation where our obligation is probable and we can reasonably estimate such costs. We do not discount our environmental liabilities when the timing of the anticipated cash payments is not fixed or readily determinable.

 

Environmental expense for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004 were $39 million, $45 million, and $46 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2006 and 2005, we had a liability of $210 million and $213 million, respectively, accrued for future environmental costs, of which $54 million and $46 million, respectively, were recorded in current liabilities as accrued casualty costs. The liability includes future costs for remediation and restoration of sites, as well as ongoing monitoring costs, but excludes any anticipated recoveries from third parties. Cost estimates are based on information available for each site, financial viability of other

 

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potentially responsible parties, and existing technology, laws, and regulations. The ultimate liability for remediation is difficult to determine because of the number of potentially responsible parties involved, site-specific cost sharing arrangements with other potentially responsible parties, the degree of contamination by various wastes, the scarcity and quality of volumetric data related to many of the sites, and the speculative nature of remediation costs. Current obligations are not expected to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity.

 

Personal Injury – The cost of personal injuries to employees and others related to our activities is charged to expense based on estimates of the ultimate cost and number of incidents each year. We use third-party actuaries to assist us with measuring the expense and liability, including unasserted claims. The Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) governs compensation for work-related accidents. Under FELA, damages are assessed based on a finding of fault through litigation or out-of-court settlements. We offer a comprehensive variety of services and rehabilitation programs for employees who are injured at work. Annual expenses for personal injury-related events were $240 million in 2006, $247 million in 2005, and $288 million in 2004. As of December 31, 2006 and 2005, we had accrued liabilities of $631 million and $619 million for future personal injury costs, respectively, of which $233 million and $274 million was recorded in current liabilities as accrued casualty costs, respectively. Our personal injury liability is discounted to present value using applicable U.S. Treasury rates. Approximately 87% of the recorded liability related to asserted claims, and approximately 13% related to unasserted claims. Estimates can vary over time due to evolving trends in litigation.

 

Our personal injury claims activity was as follows:

 

       
Claims Activity   2006     2005     2004  

Open claims, beginning balance

  4,197     4,028     4,085  

New claims

  4,190     4,584     4,366  

Settled or dismissed claims

  (4,261 )   (4,415 )   (4,423 )

Open claims, ending balance at December 31

  4,126     4,197     4,028  

 

Depreciation – The railroad industry is capital intensive. Properties are carried at cost. Provisions for depreciation are computed principally on the straight-line method based on estimated service lives of depreciable property. The lives are calculated using a separate composite annual percentage rate for each depreciable property group, based on the results of internal depreciation studies. We are required to submit a report on depreciation studies and proposed depreciation rates to the STB for review and approval every three years for equipment property and every six years for road property. The cost (net of salvage) of depreciable railroad property retired or replaced in the ordinary course of business is charged to accumulated depreciation, and no gain or loss is recognized. A gain or loss is recognized in other income for all other property upon disposition because the gain or loss is not part of rail operations. The cost of internally developed software is capitalized and amortized over a five-year period.

 

Significant capital spending in recent years increased the total value of our depreciable assets. Cash capital spending totaled $2.2 billion for the year ended December 31, 2006. For the year ended December 31, 2006, depreciation expense was $1.2 billion. We use various methods to estimate useful lives for each group of depreciable property. Due to the capital intensive nature of the business and the large base of depreciable assets, variances to those estimates could have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements. If the estimated useful lives of all depreciable assets were increased by one year, annual depreciation expense would decrease by approximately $43 million. If the estimated useful lives of all assets to be depreciated were decreased by one year, annual depreciation expense would increase by approximately $45 million.

 

Income Taxes – As required under FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, we account for income taxes by recording taxes payable or refundable for the current year and deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. These

 

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expected future tax consequences are measured based on provisions of tax law as currently enacted; the effects of future changes in tax laws are not anticipated. Future tax law changes, such as a change in the corporate tax rate, could have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. For example, a 1% increase in the federal income tax rate would increase our deferred tax liability by approximately $245 million.

 

When appropriate, we record a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets to offset future tax benefits that may not be realized. In determining whether a valuation allowance is appropriate, we consider whether it is more likely than not that all or some portion of our deferred tax assets will not be realized, based in part on management’s judgments regarding the best available evidence about future events. Based on that analysis, we recorded a valuation allowance of $5 million against certain deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2005. There was no valuation allowance as of December 31, 2006.

 

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits – We use third-party actuaries to assist us in properly measuring the liabilities and expenses associated with providing pension and defined contribution medical and life insurance benefits (OPEB) to eligible employees. In order to use actuarial methods to value the liabilities and expenses we must make several assumptions. The critical assumptions used to measure pension obligations and expenses are the discount rate and expected rate of return on pension assets. For OPEB, the critical assumptions are the discount rate and healthcare cost trend rate.

 

We evaluate our critical assumptions at least annually, and selected assumptions are based on the following factors:

 

   

Discount rate is based on a hypothetical portfolio of high quality corporate bonds (rated AA by a recognized rating agency) for which the timing and amount of cash flows matches our plan’s expected benefit payments.

 

   

Expected return on plan assets is based on our asset allocation mix and our historical return, taking into consideration current and expected market conditions.

 

   

Healthcare cost trend rate is based on our historical rates of inflation and expected market conditions.

 

The following tables present the key assumptions used to measure pension and OPEB expense for 2006 and the estimated impact on 2006 pension and OPEB expense relative to a change in those assumptions:

 

Assumptions   Pension     OPEB  

Discount rate

  5.75 %   5.75 %

Salary increase

  2.75 %   N/A  

Expected return on plan assets

  8.00 %   N/A  

Healthcare cost trend rate:

           

Current

  N/A     9.00 %

Level in 2010

  N/A     5.00 %

 

Sensitivities

  Increase
in Expense


Millions of Dollars

    Pension     OPEB

0.25% decrease in discount rate

  $     6   $

0.25% increase in salary scale

  $ 1     N/A

0.25% decrease in expected return on plan assets

  $ 4     N/A

1% increase in healthcare cost trend rate

    N/A   $     5

 

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CAUTIONARY INFORMATION

 

Certain statements in this report, and statements in other reports or information filed or to be filed with the SEC (as well as information included in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by us), are, or will be, forward-looking statements as defined by the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements and information set forth under the caption “2007 Outlook” in this Item 7, and any other statements or information in this report (including information incorporated herein by reference) regarding: expectations as to operational or service improvements; expectations regarding the effectiveness of steps taken or to be taken to improve operations, service, infrastructure improvements, transportation plan modifications, and management of customer traffic on the system to meet demand; expectations as to cost savings, revenue growth, and earnings; the time by which goals, targets, or objectives will be achieved; projections, predictions, expectations, estimates, or forecasts as to our business, financial and operational results, future economic performance, and general economic conditions; proposed new products and services; estimates of costs relating to environmental remediation and restoration; expectations that claims, litigation, environmental costs, commitments, contingent liabilities, labor negotiations or agreements, or other matters will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity and any other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts.

 

Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times that, or by which, such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking information is subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in the statements.

 

Forward-looking statements and information reflect the good faith consideration by management of currently available information, and may be based on underlying assumptions believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. However, such information and assumptions (and, therefore, such forward-looking statements and information) are or may be subject to variables or unknown or unforeseeable events or circumstances over which management has little or no influence or control. The Risk Factors in Item 1A of this report could affect our future results and could cause those results or other outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements.

 

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statement was made. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking information to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information. If we do update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect thereto or with respect to other forward-looking statements.

 

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Information concerning market risk sensitive instruments is set forth under Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Other Matters, Item 7.

 

****************************************

 

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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements    Page

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   43

Consolidated Statements of Income
For the Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004

   44

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
At December 31, 2006 and 2005

   45

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004

   46

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Common Shareholders’ Equity
For the Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004

   47

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

   48

 

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R EPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

Union Pacific Corporation, its Directors, and Shareholders:

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of Union Pacific Corporation and Subsidiary Companies (the Corporation) as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in common shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Table of Contents at Part IV, Item 15. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Corporation’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Union Pacific Corporation and Subsidiary Companies as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

 

As discussed in Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements, in 2006 the Corporation adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans.

 

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on the criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 16, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion on management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting and an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

LOGO

 

Omaha, Nebraska

February 16, 2007

 

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

Union Pacific Corporation and Subsidiary Companies

 

       

Millions, Except Per Share Amounts,

for the Years Ended December 31,

   2006      2005      2004  

Operating revenue

   $ 15,578      $ 13,578      $ 12,215  

Operating expenses:

                          

Salaries, wages, and employee benefits

     4,599        4,375        4,167  

Fuel and utilities

     3,012        2,562        1,816  

Equipment and other rents

     1,455        1,402        1,374  

Depreciation

     1,237        1,175        1,111  

Materials and supplies

     691        546        488  

Casualty costs

     410        411        694  

Purchased services and other costs

     1,290        1,312        1,270  

Total operating expenses

     12,694        11,783        10,920  

Operating income

     2,884        1,795        1,295  

Other income

     118        145        88  

Interest expense

     (477 )      (504 )      (527 )

Income before income taxes

     2,525        1,436        856  

Income taxes

     (919 )      (410 )      (252 )

Net income

   $ 1,606      $ 1,026      $ 604  

Share and Per Share:

                          

Earnings per share – basic

   $ 5.96      $ 3.89      $ 2.33  

Earnings per share – diluted

   $ 5.91      $ 3.85      $ 2.30  

Weighted average number of shares – basic

     269.4        263.4        259.1  

Weighted average number of shares – diluted

     272.0        266.5        262.2  

Dividends declared per share

   $ 1.20      $ 1.20      $ 1.20  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

Union Pacific Corporation and Subsidiary Companies

 

     
Millions of Dollars, as of December 31,    2006      2005  

Assets

                 

Current assets:

                 

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 827      $ 773  

Accounts receivable, net

     679        747  

Materials and supplies

     395        331  

Current deferred income taxes

     319        304  

Other current assets

     191        170  

Total current assets

     2,411        2,325  

Investments:

                 

Investments in and advances to affiliated companies

     865        789  

Other investments

     12        17  

Total investments

     877        806  

Properties:

                 

Road

     35,634        33,812  

Equipment

     7,637        7,675  

Other

     177        210  

Total cost

     43,448        41,697  

Accumulated depreciation

     (10,575 )      (9,722 )

Net properties

     32,873        31,975  

Other assets

     354        514  

Total assets

   $ 36,515      $ 35,620  

Liabilities and Common Shareholders’ Equity

                 

Current liabilities:

                 

Accounts payable

   $ 684      $ 783  

Accrued wages and vacation

     412        415  

Accrued casualty costs

     409        478  

Income and other taxes

     279        212  

Dividends and interest

     238        252  

Debt due within one year

     780        656  

Equipment rents payable

     108        130  

Other current liabilities

     629        458  

Total current liabilities

     3,539        3,384  

Debt due after one year

     6,000        6,760  

Deferred income taxes

     9,696        9,482  

Accrued casualty costs

     868        876  

Retiree benefits obligation

     504        855  

Other long-term liabilities

     596        556  

Commitments and contingencies (note 10)

                 

Total liabilities

     21,203        21,913  

Common shareholders’ equity:

                 

Common shares, par value $2.50 per share, 500,000,000 shares authorized; 275,962,411 and 275,798,611 shares issued, respectively

     690        689  

Paid-in-surplus

     3,943        3,915  

Retained earnings

     11,215        9,932  

Treasury stock

     (394 )      (599 )

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (142 )      (230 )

Total common shareholders’ equity

     15,312        13,707  

Total liabilities and common shareholders’ equity

   $ 36,515      $ 35,620  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Union Pacific Corporation and Subsidiary Companies

 

       
Millions of Dollars, for the Years Ended December 31,   2006     2005     2004  

Operating Activities

                       

Net income

  $ 1,606     $ 1,026     $ 604  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:

                       

Depreciation

    1,237       1,175       1,111  

Deferred income taxes

    235       320       359  

Stock-based compensation expense

    35       21       21  

Net gain from asset sales

    (72 )     (135 )     (69 )

Other operating activities, net

    (175 )     37       135  

Changes in current assets and liabilities, net

    14       151       96  

Cash provided by operating activities

    2,880       2,595       2,257  

Investing Activities

                       

Capital investments

    (2,242 )     (2,169 )     (1,876 )

Proceeds from asset sales

    133       185       145  

Acquisition of equipment pending financing

    (536 )     (872 )     (674 )

Proceeds from completed equipment financings

    536       872       674  

Other investing activities, net

    67       (63 )     (1 )

Cash used in investing activities

    (2,042 )     (2,047 )     (1,732 )

Financing Activities

                       

Dividends paid

    (322 )     (314 )     (310 )

Debt repaid

    (657 )     (699 )     (588 )

Debt issued

    -       -       745  

Net proceeds from equity compensation plans

    160       262       80  

Excess tax benefits from equity compensation plans

    29       -       -  

Other financing activities, net

    6       (1 )     (2 )

Cash used in financing activities

    (784 )     (752 )     (75 )

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

    54       (204 )     450  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

    773       977       527  

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

  $ 827     $ 773     $ 977  

Changes in Current Assets and Liabilities, Net of Acquisitions

                       

Accounts receivable, net

  $ 68     $ (201 )   $ (40 )

Materials and supplies

    (64 )     (22 )     (42 )

Other current assets

    (21 )     12       101  

Accounts, wages, and vacation payable

    (102 )     224       100  

Other current liabilities

    133       138       (23 )

Total

  $ 14     $ 151     $ 96  

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

                       

Non-cash investing activities:

                       

Capital investments accrued but not yet paid

  $ 106     $ 103     $ 82  

Non-cash financing activity, cash dividends declared but not yet paid

    80       78       76  

Cash (paid) received during the year for:

                       

Interest

    (492 )     (510 )     (517 )

Income taxes, net

    (549 )     (29 )     187  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN COMMON SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Union Pacific Corporation and Subsidiary Companies

 

                 
                                   

Accumulated Other

Comp Income/(Loss)

       
   

Millions of Dollars

Thousands of Shares

 

Common

Shares

 

Treasury

Shares

   

Common

Shares

 

Paid-in-

Surplus

   

Retained

Earnings

   

Treasury

Stock

   

Defined

Benefit

Plans

   

Foreign

Curr.

Trans.

   

FAS

133

    Total  

Balance at Jan. 1, 2004

  275,693   (17,532 )       $ 689   $ 3,936     $ 8,930     $ (1,077 )   $ (109 )   $ (18 )   $ 3     $ 12,354  

Comprehensive income/(loss):

                                                                       

Net income

              -     -       604       -       -       -       -       604  

Other comp. income/(loss) [a]

              -     -       -       -       (103 )     -       (10 )     (113 )

Total comprehensive income/(loss)

              -     -       604       -       (103 )     -       (10 )     491  

Conversion, exercises of stock options, forfeitures, and other

  2   2,357       -     (19 )     -       141       -       -       -       122  

Dividends declared ($1.20 per share)

  -   -       -     -       (312 )     -       -       -       -       (312 )

Balance at Dec. 31, 2004

  275,695   (15,175 )   $ 689   $ 3,917     $ 9,222     $ (936 )   $ (212 )   $ (18 )   $ (7 )   $ 12,655  

Comprehensive income/(loss):

                                                                       

Net income

              -     -       1,026       -       -       -       -       1,026  

Other comp. income/(loss) [a]

              -     -       -       -       1       5       1       7  

Total comprehensive income/(loss)

              -     -       1,026       -       1       5       1       1,033  

Conversion, exercises of stock options, forfeitures, and other

  104   6,011       -     (2 )     -       337       -       -       -       335  

Dividends declared ($1.20 per share)

  -   -       -     -       (316 )     -       -       -       -       (316 )

Balance at Dec. 31, 2005

  275,799   (9,164 )   $ 689   $ 3,915     $ 9,932     $ (599 )   $ (211 )   $ (13 )   $ (6 )   $ 13,707  

Comprehensive income/(loss):

                                                                       

Net income

              -     -       1,606       -       -       -       -       1,606  

Other comp. income/(loss) [a]

              -     -       -       -       170       (4 )     1       167  

Total comprehensive income/(loss)

              -     -       1,606       -       170       (4 )     1       1,773  

FAS 158 adoption (note 7) [b]

              -     -       -       -       (79 )     -       -       (79 )

Conversion, exercises of stock options, forfeitures, and other

  163   3,374       1     28       -       205       -       -       -       234  

Dividends declared ($1.20 per share)

  -   -       -     -       (323 )     -       -       -       -       (323 )

Balance at Dec. 31, 2006

  275,962   (5,790 )   $ 690   $ 3,943     $ 11,215     $ (394 )   $ (120 )   $ (17 )   $ (5 )   $ 15,312  
[a]

Net of deferred taxes of $102, $5, and $(69) in 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively.

[b]

Net of deferred taxes of $(94).

 


 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Union Pacific Corporation and Subsidiary Companies

 

For purposes of this report, unless the context otherwise requires, all references herein to the “Corporation”, “UPC”, “we”, “us”, and “our” mean Union Pacific Corporation and its subsidiaries, including Union Pacific Railroad Company, which will be separately referred to herein as “UPRR” or the “Railroad”.

 

1. Significant Accounting Policies

 

Principles of Consolidation – The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Union Pacific Corporation and all of its subsidiaries. Investments in affiliated companies (20% to 50% owned) are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. All significant intercompany transactions are eliminated. The Corporation evaluates its less than majority-owned investments for consolidation pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 46 (Revised 2003), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51 (FIN 46(R)). We currently have no less than majority-owned investments that require consolidation under FIN 46(R).

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents – Cash equivalents consist of investments with original maturities of three months or less.

 

Materials and Supplies – Materials and supplies are carried at the lower of average cost or market.

 

Property and Depreciation – Properties are carried at cost. Provisions for depreciation are computed principally on the straight-line method based on estimated service lives of depreciable property. The cost (net of salvage) of depreciable rail property retired or replaced in the ordinary course of business is charged to accumulated depreciation, and no gain or loss is recognized. A gain or loss is recognized in other income for all other property upon disposition because the gain or loss is not part of rail operations. The cost of internally developed software is capitalized and amortized over a five-year period.

 

Impairment of Long-lived Assets – We review long-lived assets, including identifiable intangibles, for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If impairment indicators are present and the estimated future undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of the long-lived assets, the carrying value is reduced to the estimated fair value as measured by the discounted cash flows.

 

Revenue Recognition – We recognize commodity revenue on a percentage-of-completion basis as freight moves from origin to destination. The allocation of revenue between reporting periods is based on the relative transit time in each reporting period with expenses recognized as incurred. Other revenue is recognized as service is performed or contractual obligations are met. Customer incentives, which are primarily provided for shipping a specified cumulative volume or shipping to/from specific locations, are recorded as a reduction to revenue based on actual or projected future customer shipments.

 

Translation of Foreign Currency – Our portion of the assets and liabilities related to foreign investments are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenue and expenses are translated at the average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. Unrealized adjustments are reflected within common shareholders’ equity as accumulated other comprehensive income or loss.

 

Financial Instruments – The carrying value of our non-derivative financial instruments approximates fair value. The fair value of financial instruments is generally determined by reference to market values as quoted by recognized dealers or developed based upon the present value of expected future cash flows.

 

We periodically use derivative financial instruments, for other than trading purposes, to manage risk related to changes in fuel prices and interest rates.

 

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Stock-Based Compensation – We have several stock-based compensation plans under which employees and non-employee directors receive stock options, nonvested retention shares, and nonvested stock units. We refer to the nonvested shares and stock units collectively as “retention awards”. We issue treasury shares to cover option exercises and stock unit vestings, while new shares are issued when retention shares vest.

 

We adopted FASB Statement No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment (FAS 123(R)), on January 1, 2006. FAS 123(R) requires us to measure and recognize compensation expense for all stock-based awards made to employees and directors, including stock options. Compensation expense is based on the calculated fair value of the awards as measured at the grant date and is expensed ratably over the service period of the awards (generally the vesting period). The fair value of retention awards is the stock price on the date of grant, while the fair value of stock options is determined by using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. We elected to use the modified prospective transition method as permitted by FAS 123(R) and did not restate financial results for prior periods. We did not make an adjustment for the cumulative effect of these estimated forfeitures, as the impact was not material.

 

As a result of the adoption of FAS 123(R), we recognized expense for stock options in 2006, in addition to retention awards, which were expensed prior to 2006. Stock-based compensation expense for the year ended December 31, 2006 was $22 million, after tax, or $0.08 per basic and diluted share. This includes $9 million for stock options and $13 million for retention awards for 2006. Before taxes, stock-based compensation expense included $14 million for stock options and $21 million for retention awards for 2006. We recorded $29 million of excess tax benefits as an inflow of financing activities in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

Prior to the adoption of FAS 123(R), we applied the recognition and measurement principles of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations. No stock-based employee compensation expense related to stock option grants was reflected in net income, as all options granted under those plans had a grant price equal to the market value of our common stock on the date of grant. Stock-based compensation expense related to retention shares, stock units, and other incentive plans was reflected in net income. The following table details the effect on net income and earnings per share had compensation expense for all of our stock-based awards, including stock options, been recorded in the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 based on the fair value method under FASB Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.

 

   
Pro Forma Stock-Based Compensation Expense    Year Ended December 31,  
Millions of Dollars, Except Per Share Amounts    2005     2004  

Net income, as reported

   $ 1,026     $ 604  

Stock-based employee compensation expense, reported in net income, net of tax

     13       13  

Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value–based method for all awards, net of tax [a]

     (50 )     (35 )

Pro forma net income

   $ 989     $ 582  

Earnings per share – basic, as reported

   $ 3.89     $ 2.33  

Earnings per share – basic, pro forma

   $ 3.75     $ 2.25  

Earnings per share – diluted, as reported

   $ 3.85     $ 2.30  

Earnings per share – diluted, pro forma

   $ 3.71     $ 2.22  

 

[a]

Stock options for executives granted in 2003 and 2002 included a reload feature. This reload feature allowed executives to exercise their options using shares of Union Pacific Corporation common stock that they already owned and obtain a new grant of options in the amount of the shares used for exercise plus any shares withheld for tax purposes. The reload feature of these option grants could only be exercised if the

 

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price of our common stock increased at least 20% from the price at the time of the reload grant. During the year ended December 31, 2005, reload option grants represented $19 million of the pro forma expense noted above. There were no reload options exercised during 2004 and no pro forma expense for reload option grants in 2004. There were no reload option grants during 2006 as stock options exercised after January 1, 2006 are not eligible for the reload feature.

 

Earnings Per Share – Basic earnings per share are calculated on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings per share include shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options and stock-based awards where the conversion of such instruments would be dilutive.

 

Use of Estimates – Our Consolidated Financial Statements include estimates and assumptions regarding certain assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses and the disclosure of certain contingent assets and liabilities. Actual future results may differ from such estimates.

 

Income Taxes – As required under FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, we account for income taxes by recording taxes payable or refundable for the current year and deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. These expected future tax consequences are measured based on provisions of tax law as currently enacted; the effects of future changes in tax laws are not anticipated. Future tax law changes, such as a change in the corporate tax rate, could have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.

 

When appropriate, we record a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets to offset future tax benefits that may not be realized. In determining whether a valuation allowance is appropriate, we consider whether it is more likely than not that all or some portion of our deferred tax assets will not be realized, based in part on management’s judgments regarding the best available evidence about future events.

 

Pension and Postretirement Benefits – We incur certain employment-related expenses associated with pensions and postretirement health benefits. In order to measure the expense associated with these benefits, we must make various assumptions including discount rates used to value certain liabilities, expected return on plan assets used to fund these expenses, salary increases, employee turnover rates, anticipated mortality rates, and expected future healthcare costs. The assumptions used by us are based on our historical experience as well as current facts and circumstances. We use third-party actuaries to assist us in properly measuring the expense and liability associated with these benefits.

 

Personal Injury – The cost of injuries to employees and others on our property is charged to expense based on estimates of the ultimate cost and number of incidents each year. We use third-party actuaries to assist us in properly measuring the expense and liability. Our personal injury liability is discounted to present value using applicable U.S. Treasury rates. Legal fees and incidental costs are expensed as incurred.

 

Environmental – When environmental issues have been identified with respect to property currently or formerly owned, leased, or otherwise used in the conduct of our business, we and our consultants perform environmental assessments on such property. We expense the cost of the assessments as incurred. We accrue the cost of remediation where our obligation is probable and such costs can be reasonably estimated. We do not discount our environmental liabilities when the timing of the anticipated cash payments is not fixed or readily determinable. Legal fees and incidental costs are expensed as incurred.

 

Asbestos – We estimate a liability for asserted and unasserted asbestos-related claims based on an assessment of the number and value of those claims. We use an external consulting firm to assist us in properly measuring the expense and liability. Our liability for asbestos-related claims is not discounted to present value due to the uncertainty surrounding the timing of future payments. Legal fees and incidental costs are expensed as incurred.

 

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2. Operations and Segmentation

 

The Railroad, along with its subsidiaries and rail affiliates, is our one reportable operating segment. Although revenue is analyzed by commodity group, we analyze the net financial results of the Railroad as one segment due to the integrated nature of our rail network.

 

UPRR is a Class I railroad that operates in the United States. We have 32,339 route miles, linking Pacific Coast and Gulf Coast ports with the Midwest and eastern United States gateways and providing several corridors to key Mexican gateways. We serve the western two-thirds of the country and maintain coordinated schedules with other rail carriers for the handling of freight to and from the Atlantic Coast, the Pacific Coast, the Southeast, the Southwest, Canada, and Mexico. Export and import traffic is moved through Gulf Coast and Pacific Coast ports and across the Mexican and Canadian borders.

 

3. Financial Instruments

 

Strategy and Risk – We may use derivative financial instruments in limited instances for other than trading purposes to assist in managing our overall exposure to fluctuations in interest rates and fuel prices. We are not a party to leveraged derivatives and, by policy, do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. Derivative financial instruments qualifying for hedge accounting must maintain a specified level of effectiveness between the hedging instrument and the item being hedged, both at inception and throughout the hedged period. We formally document the nature and relationships between the hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as our risk-management objectives, strategies for undertaking the various hedge transactions, and method of assessing hedge effectiveness. Changes in the fair market value of derivative financial instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting are charged to earnings. We may use swaps, collars, futures, and/or forward contracts to mitigate the risk of adverse movements in interest rates and fuel prices; however, the use of these derivative financial instruments may limit future benefits from favorable price movements.

 

Market and Credit Risk – We address market risk related to derivative financial instruments by selecting instruments with value fluctuations that highly correlate with the underlying hedged item. Credit risk related to derivative financial instruments, which is minimal, is managed by requiring high credit standards for counterparties and periodic settlements. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, we were not required to provide collateral, nor had we received collateral, relating to our hedging activities.

 

Determination of Fair Value – We determined the fair values of our derivative financial instrument positions at December 31, 2006 and 2005 based upon current fair values as quoted by recognized dealers or developed based upon the present value of expected future cash flows.

 

Interest Rate Fair Value Hedges – We manage our overall exposure to fluctuations in interest rates by adjusting the proportion of fixed and floating rate debt instruments within our debt portfolio over a given period. We generally manage the mix of fixed and floating rate debt through the issuance of targeted amounts of each as debt matures or as we require incremental borrowings. We employ derivatives, primarily swaps, as one of the tools to obtain the targeted mix. In addition, we also obtain flexibility in managing interest costs and the interest rate mix within our debt portfolio by evaluating the issuance of and managing outstanding callable fixed-rate debt securities.

 

Swaps allow us to convert debt from fixed rates to variable rates and thereby hedge the risk of changes in the debt’s fair value attributable to the changes in interest rates. We account for swaps as fair value hedges using the short-cut method pursuant to FASB Statement No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities; therefore, we do not record any ineffectiveness within our Consolidated Financial Statements. As of December 31, 2006 and 2005, we had interest rate swaps hedging debt of $500 million and $750 million, respectively.

 

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The following is a summary of our interest rate derivatives qualifying as fair value hedges:

 

     

Interest Rate Fair Value Hedges

Millions of Dollars, Except Percentages

  2006     2005  

Amount of debt hedged

  $ 500     $ 750  

Percentage of total debt portfolio

    7 %     10 %

Gross fair value liability position

  $ (16 )   $ (17 )

 

Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedges – We report changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges in accumulated other comprehensive loss until the hedged item affects earnings. At December 31, 2006, we had a reduction of $5 million recorded as an accumulated other comprehensive loss that is being amortized on a straight-line basis through September 30, 2014. As of December 31, 2006 and 2005, we had no interest rate cash flow hedges outstanding.

 

Fuel Cash Flow Hedges – Fuel costs are a significant portion of our total operating expenses. In 2006 and 2005, our primary means of mitigating the impact of adverse fuel price changes were our fuel surcharge programs. However, we may use swaps, collars, futures and/or forward contracts to further mitigate the impact of adverse fuel price changes. We did not have any fuel hedges in place during 2006 or 2005. We hedged 120 million gallons of fuel during 2004 using collars with average cap, floor, and ceiling prices of $0.74, $0.64, and $0.86 per gallon, respectively.

 

Fuel Swaps – We entered into two fuel basis swaps for the period August 2006 through July 2008, which cover a total of 151 million gallons of diesel fuel. These commodity basis swaps require us to make payments to, or receive payments from, the counterparty based on the difference between certain price indices. Changes in the fair value of these swaps are reflected in fuel expense. We reported a derivative asset of approximately $2 million at December 31, 2006, which represents the fair value of the swaps. The swaps reduced fuel expense for 2006 by $3 million, which included monthly net settlements with the counterparty and the fair value recognition at December 31, 2006.

 

Earnings Impact – Our use of derivative financial instruments had the following impact on pre-tax income for the years ended December 31:

 

       
Millions of Dollars   2006     2005   2004

(Increase)/decrease in interest expense from interest rate hedging

  $ (8 )   $ 5   $ 24

Decrease in fuel expense from fuel derivatives

    3       -     14

Increase/(decrease) in pre-tax income

  $ (5 )   $ 5   $ 38

 

Fair Value of Debt Instruments – The fair value of our short- and long-term debt was estimated using quoted market prices, where available, or current borrowing rates. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, the fair value of total debt exceeded the carrying value by approximately $273 million and $460 million, respectively. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, approximately $165 million and $169 million, respectively, of fixed-rate debt securities contained call provisions that allowed us to retire the debt instruments prior to final maturity, with the payment of fixed call premiums, or in certain cases, at par.

 

Sale of Receivables – The Railroad transfers most of its accounts receivable to Union Pacific Receivables, Inc. (UPRI), a bankruptcy-remote subsidiary, as part of a sale of receivables facility. UPRI sells, without recourse on a 364-day revolving basis, an undivided interest in such accounts receivable to investors. The total capacity to sell undivided interests to investors under the facility was $600 million at both December 31, 2006 and 2005. The value of the outstanding undivided interest held by investors under the facility was $600 million at both

 

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December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The value of the outstanding undivided interest held by investors is not included in our Consolidated Financial Statements. The value of the undivided interest held by investors was supported by $1,158 million and $1,226 million of accounts receivable held by UPRI at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, the value of the interest retained by UPRI was $558 million and $626 million, respectively. This retained interest is included in accounts receivable in our Consolidated Financial Statements. The interest sold to investors is sold at carrying value, which approximates fair value, and there is no gain or loss recognized from the transaction.

 

The value of the outstanding undivided interest held by investors could fluctuate based upon the availability of eligible receivables and is directly affected by changing business volumes and credit risks, including default and dilution. If default or dilution percentages were to increase one percentage point, the amount of eligible receivables would decrease by $6 million. Should our credit rating fall below investment grade, the value of the outstanding undivided interest held by investors would be reduced, and, in certain cases, the investors would have the right to discontinue the facility.

 

The Railroad services the sold receivables; however, the Railroad does not recognize any servicing asset or liability as the servicing fees adequately compensate the Railroad for its responsibilities. The Railroad collected approximately $15.5 billion and $13.4 billion during the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. UPRI used certain of these proceeds to purchase new receivables under the facility.

 

The costs of the sale of receivables program are included in other income and were $33 million, $23 million, and $11 million for 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively. The costs include interest, program fees paid to banks, commercial paper issuing costs, and fees for unused commitment availability.

 

The investors have no recourse to the Railroad’s other assets except for customary warranty and indemnity claims. Creditors of the Railroad have no recourse to the assets of UPRI. In August 2006, the sale of receivables program was renewed for an additional 364-day period without any significant changes in terms.

 

4.    Income Taxes

 

Components of income tax expense were as follows for the years ended December 31:

 

       
Millions of Dollars   2006   2005   2004  

Current income tax expense (benefit):

                   

Federal

  $ 630   $ 57   $ (99 )

State

    54     33     (8 )

Total current income tax expense (benefit)

    684     90     (107 )

Deferred income tax expense (benefit):

                   

Federal

    205     293     407  

State

    30     27     (48 )

Total deferred income tax expense

    235     320     359  

Total

  $ 919   $ 410   $ 252  

 

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For the years ended December 31, reconciliation between statutory and effective tax rates is as follows:

 

       
Tax Rate Percentages   2006     2005     2004  

Federal statutory tax rate

  35.0 %   35.0 %   35.0 %

State statutory rates, net of federal benefits

  2.9     2.9     2.9  

Deferred tax adjustments

  (0.5 )   (8.2 )   (2.9 )

Tax credits

  (1.0 )   (1.2 )   (5.6 )

Other

  -     0.1     -  

Effective tax rate

  36.4 %   28.6 %   29.4 %

 

Deferred income tax liabilities (assets) were comprised of the following at December 31:

 

     
Millions of Dollars   2006     2005  

Net current deferred income tax asset

  $ (319 )   $ (304 )

Property

    9,356       9,216  

State taxes, net

    617       592  

Other

    (277 )     (326 )

Net long-term deferred income tax liability

    9,696       9,482  

Net deferred income tax liability

  $ 9,377     $ 9,178  

 

All federal income tax years prior to 1995 are closed. Federal income tax liabilities for tax years 1986 through 1994 have been resolved. Interest calculations for these years are in process and may take several years to resolve with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The IRS is examining the Corporation’s federal income tax returns for tax years 2003 and 2004 and should complete their exam in 2007. The IRS has completed its examinations and issued notices of deficiency for tax years 1995 through 2002, and we are in the IRS Appeals process for these years. As previously reported, among their proposed adjustments is the disallowance of tax deductions claimed in connection with certain donations of property. In the fourth quarter of 2005, the IRS National Office issued a Technical Advice Memorandum that left unresolved whether the deductions were proper, pending further factual development. We continue to dispute the donation issue, as well as many of the other proposed adjustments, and will contest the associated tax deficiencies through the IRS Appeals process, and, if necessary, litigation. We do not expect that the ultimate resolution of these examinations will have a material adverse effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

As reported in the Corporation’s Forms 10-Q for the quarters ended June 30, 2005, and September 30, 2005, the final settlements for pre-1995 tax years, along with the IRS Examination Reports for tax years 1995 through 2002, among other things, were considered in a review and re-evaluation of the Corporation’s estimated deferred tax assets and liabilities. This review resulted in a reduction of deferred income tax liabilities and income tax expense of $118 million in the third quarter of 2005.

 

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5. Debt

 

Total debt as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, including interest rate swaps designated as hedges, is summarized below:

 

     
Millions of Dollars    2006     2005  

Notes and debentures, 3.0% to 7.4% due through 2054 [a]

   $ 4,803     $ 5,303  

Capitalized leases, 4.7% to 9.3% due through 2026

     1,236       1,318  

Medium-term notes, 6.8% to 10.0% due through 2020

     362       372  

Equipment obligations, 6.6% to 10.2% due through 2019

     232       270  

Mortgage bonds, 4.8% due through 2030

     59       60  

Tax-exempt financings, 4.4% to 5.7% due through 2026

     191       197  

Unamortized discount

     (103 )     (104 )

Total debt [a]

     6,780       7,416  

Less current portion [b]

     (780 )     (656 )

Total long-term debt

   $ 6,000     $ 6,760  
[a]

2006 and 2005 include a collective write-down of $14 million and $16 million, respectively, due to market value adjustments for debt with qualifying hedges that are recorded on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

[b]

2006 includes a write-down of $4 million due to short-term market value adjustments for debt with qualifying hedges that are recorded on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

 

Debt Maturities – The following table presents aggregate debt maturities as of December 31, 2006, excluding market value adjustments.

 

   
Millions of Dollars     

2007

   $ 784

2008

     683

2009

     532

2010

     453

2011

     542

Thereafter

     3,800

Total debt

   $ 6,794

 

Mortgaged Properties – Equipment with a carrying value of approximately $2.8 billion and $3.0 billion at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, serves as collateral for capital leases and other types of equipment obligations in accordance with the secured financing arrangements utilized to acquire such railroad equipment.

 

As a result of the merger of Missouri Pacific Railroad Company (MPRR) with and into UPRR on January 1, 1997, and pursuant to the underlying indentures for the MPRR mortgage bonds, UPRR must maintain the same value of assets after the merger in order to comply with the security requirements of the mortgage bonds. As of the merger date, the value of the MPRR assets that secured the mortgage bonds was approximately $6.0 billion. In accordance with the terms of the indentures, this collateral value must be maintained during the entire term of the mortgage bonds irrespective of the outstanding balance of such bonds.

 

Credit Facilities – On December 31, 2006, we had $2 billion in revolving credit facilities available, including $1 billion under a five-year facility expiring in March 2009 and $1 billion under a five-year facility expiring in March 2010 (collectively, the “facilities”). The facilities are designated for general corporate purposes and support the issuance of commercial paper. Neither of the facilities were drawn on in 2006. Commitment fees and interest rates payable under the facilities are similar to fees and rates available to comparably rated investment-grade borrowers. These facilities allow for borrowings at floating rates based on London Interbank Offered Rates, plus a spread,

 

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depending upon our senior unsecured debt ratings. The facilities require the maintenance of a minimum net worth and a debt to net worth coverage ratio. At December 31, 2006, we were in compliance with these covenants. The facilities do not include any other financial restrictions, credit rating triggers (other than rating-dependent pricing), or any other provision that could require the posting of collateral.

 

In addition to our revolving credit facilities, we had $150 million in uncommitted lines of credit available, including $75 million that expires in March 2007 and $75 million expiring in May 2007. Neither of these lines of credit were used as of December 31, 2006. We must have equivalent credit available under our five-year facilities to draw on these $75 million lines.

 

Dividend Restrictions – We are subject to certain restrictions related to the payment of cash dividends to our shareholders due to minimum net worth requirements under the credit facilities referred to above. The amount of retained earnings available for dividends was $7.8 billion and $6.2 billion at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. We do not expect that these restrictions will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity. We declared dividends of $323 million in 2006 and $316 million in 2005.

 

Shelf Registration Statement – Under a current shelf registration statement, we may issue any combination of debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, or warrants for debt securities or preferred stock in one or more offerings. At December 31, 2006, we had $500 million remaining for issuance under the current shelf registration statement. We have no immediate plans to issue any securities; however, we routinely consider and evaluate opportunities to replace existing debt or access capital through issuances of debt securities under this shelf registration, and, therefore, we may issue debt securities at any time.

 

6. Leases

 

We lease certain locomotives, freight cars, and other property. Future minimum lease payments for operating and capital leases with initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2006 were as follows:

 

     
Millions of Dollars   Operating
Leases
  Capital
Leases
 

2007

  $ 624   $ 180  

2008

    546     173  

2009

    498     168  

2010

    456     148  

2011

    419     157  

Later Years

    2,914     1,090  

Total minimum lease payments

  $ 5,457   $ 1,916  

Amount representing interest

    N/A     (680 )

Present value of minimum lease payments

    N/A   $ 1,236  

 

Rent expense for operating leases with terms exceeding one month was $798 million in 2006, $728 million in 2005, and $651 million in 2004. When cash rental payments are not made on a straight-line basis, we recognize variable rental expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Contingent rentals and sub-rentals are not significant.

 

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7. Retirement Plans

 

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

 

Pension Plans – We provide defined benefit retirement income to eligible non-union employees through qualified and non-qualified (supplemental) pension plans. Qualified and non-qualified pension benefits are based on years of service and the highest compensation during the latest years of employment, with specific reductions made for early retirements.

 

Other Postretirement Benefits (OPEB) – We provide defined contribution medical and life insurance benefits for eligible retirees. These benefits are funded as medical claims and life insurance premiums are paid.

 

New Accounting Standard

 

We adopted FASB Statement No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans (FAS 158), at the end of 2006, which required us to separately recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of our pension and OPEB plans as an asset or liability. The funded status is measured as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and our projected benefit obligations to current and retired employees.

 

The adoption of FAS 158 at December 31, 2006 decreased other assets and total assets by $207 million, decreased retiree benefits obligation by $34 million, decreased deferred income tax liabilities by $94 million, decreased total liabilities by $128 million, and resulted in an accumulated other comprehensive loss and reduction in total common shareholders’ equity of $79 million. These changes to our financial statements were non-cash and will have no impact on existing debt covenants, credit ratings, or financial flexibility.

 

The adoption of FAS 158 had no impact on years prior to 2006, as retrospective application was not allowed. This new standard does not change how pension or OPEB expense is computed, nor does it have any impact on cash funding requirements. The impact of the adoption of FAS 158 noted above does not include our equity method investees, which are not required to adopt FAS 158 until 2007 because they do not have publicly traded securities. The impact of this adoption in 2007 by our equity method investees is not expected to be significant.

 

Funded Status

 

The funded status represents the difference between the projected benefit obligation (PBO) and the fair value of the plan assets. The PBO is the present value of benefits earned to date by plan participants, including the effect of assumed future salary increases. The PBO of the OPEB plan is equal to the accumulated benefit obligation, as the present value of the OPEB liabilities is not affected by salary increases. Plan assets are measured at fair value. We use a December 31 measurement date for plan assets and obligations for all our retirement plans.

 

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Changes in our PBO and plan assets are as follows for the years ended December 31:

 

       

Millions of Dollars

  Pension            OPEB  
  2006     2005            2006     2005  

Projected Benefit Obligation

                                      

Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year

  $ 2,065     $ 2,058            $ 476     $ 453  

Service cost

    35       28              4       4  

Interest cost

    117       115              21       25  

Plan amendments

    -       -              (38 )     (42 )

Actuarial loss (gain)

    16       (18 )            (58 )     70  

Gross benefits paid

    (120 )     (118 )            (31 )     (34 )

Projected benefit obligation at end of year

  $ 2,113     $ 2,065            $ 374     $ 476  

Plan Assets

                                      

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

  $ 1,707     $ 1,693            $ -     $ -  

Actual return on plan assets

    243       123              -       -  

Voluntary funded pension plan contributions

    150       -              -       -  

Non-qualified plan benefit payments

    9       9              31       34  

Gross benefits paid

    (120 )     (118 )            (31 )     (34 )

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

  $ 1,989     $ 1,707            $ -     $ -  

Funded status at end of year

  $ (124 )   $ (358 )          $ (374 )   $ (476 )

Unrecognized net actuarial losses

    N/A       362              N/A       194  

Unrecognized prior service cost (credit)

    N/A       31              N/A       (156 )

Net amounts recognized at end of year

  $ (124 )   $ 35            $ (374 )   $ (438 )

 

Amounts recognized in the statement of financial position as of December 31, 2006 and 2005 consist of:

 

       

Amounts Recognized at December 31, 2006

Millions of Dollars

  Pension            OPEB  
  2006     2005            2006     2005  

Other assets

  $ 45       N/A            $ -       N/A  

Other current liabilities

    (12 )     N/A              (27 )     N/A  

Retiree benefits obligation

    (157 )     N/A              (347 )     N/A  

Net amounts recognized at end of year

  $ (124 )     N/A            $ (374 )     N/A  
Amounts Recognized at December 31, 2005                               

Prepaid benefit cost

    N/A     $ 122              N/A     $ -  

Accrued benefit cost

    N/A       (86 )            N/A       (438 )

Additional minimum liability

    N/A       (369 )            N/A       -  

Intangible assets

    N/A       31              N/A       -  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

    N/A       337              N/A       -  

Net amounts recognized at end of year

    N/A     $ 35              N/A     $ (438 )

 

After-tax amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as of December 31, 2006 consist of:

 

       
Millions of Dollars   Pension     OPEB     Total  

Prior service (cost) credit

  $ (15 )   $ 99     $ 84  

Net actuarial (loss)

    (154 )     (50 )     (204 )

Total

  $ (169 )   $ 49     $ (120 )

 

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Underfunded Accumulated Benefit Obligation – The accumulated benefit obligation (ABO) is the present value of benefits earned to date, assuming no future salary growth. The underfunded accumulated benefit obligation represents the difference between the ABO and the fair value of plan assets. At December 31, 2006, the only pension plan that was underfunded was our non-qualified (supplemental) plan, which is not funded by design. The non-qualified (supplemental) plan is funded with cash from operations as benefits are paid to plan participants. Each of our qualified plans was fully funded at December 31, 2006. The PBO, ABO, and fair value of plan assets for pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of the fair value of the plan assets were as follows for the years ended December 31:

 

     

Underfunded Accumulated Benefit Obligation

Millions of Dollars

  2006     2005  

Projected benefit obligation

  $ (169 )   $ (2,044 )

Accumulated benefit obligation

  $ (168 )   $ (2,026 )

Fair value of plan assets

    -       1,685  

Underfunded accumulated benefit obligation

  $ (168 )   $ (341 )

 

The ABO for all defined benefit pension plans was $2.1 billion at December 31, 2006 and $2.0 billion at December 31, 2005.

 

Assumptions – The weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31:

 

       
    Pension         OPEB  
Percentages   2006     2005     2004         2006     2005     2004  

Discount rate

  6.00 %   5.75 %   6.00 %       6.00 %   5.75 %   6.00 %

Salary increase

  3.00     2.75     3.00         N/A     N/A     N/A  

 

The following table presents assumed health care cost trend rates used to determine benefit obligations and OPEB expense:

 

       
Percentages   2006     2005     2004  

Assumed health care cost trend rate for next year

  8.0 %   9.0 %   10.0 %

Rate to which health care cost trend rate is expected to decline and remain

  5.0 %   5.0 %   5.0 %

Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate

  2010     2010     2010  

 

Expense

 

Both pension and OPEB expense are determined based upon the annual service cost of benefits (the actuarial cost of benefits earned during a period) and the interest cost on those liabilities, less the expected return on plan assets. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is applied to a calculated value of plan assets that recognizes changes in fair value over a five-year period. This practice is intended to reduce year-to-year volatility in pension expense, but it can have the effect of delaying the recognition of differences between actual returns on assets and expected returns based on long-term rate of return assumptions. Differences in actual experience in relation to assumptions are not recognized in net income immediately, but are deferred and, if necessary, amortized as pension or OPEB expense.

 

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The components of our net periodic pension and OPEB costs were as follows for the years ended December 31:

 

       
    Pension            OPEB  
Millions of Dollars   2006     2005     2004            2006     2005     2004  

Net Periodic Benefit Cost:

                                                      

Service cost

  $ 35     $ 28     $ 30            $ 4     $ 4     $ 5  

Interest cost

    117       115       120              21       25       31  

Expected return on plan assets

    (134 )     (134 )     (137 )            -       -       -  

Amortization of:

                                                      

Transition obligation

    -       -       (2 )            -       -       -  

Prior service cost (credit)

    7       7       8              (33 )     (30 )     (24 )

Actuarial loss

    21       5       3              13       14       18  

Net periodic benefit cost

  $ 46     $ 21     $ 22            $ 5     $ 13     $ 30  

 

The estimated actuarial loss and prior service cost for the pension plans that will be amortized, on a pre-tax basis, from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit cost during 2007 will be $17 million and $6 million, respectively. The estimated actuarial loss and prior service credit for the OPEB plans that will be amortized, on a pre-tax basis, from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit cost during 2007 will be $10 million and $32 million, respectively.

 

Assumptions – The weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine expense were as follows for the years ended December 31:

 

       
    Pension          OPEB  
Percentages   2006     2005     2004          2006     2005     2004  

Discount rate

  5.75 %   6.00 %   6.50 %        5.75 %   6.00 %   6.50 %

Expected return on plan assets

  8.00     8.00     8.00          N/A     N/A     N/A  

Salary increase

  2.75     3.00     3.50          N/A     N/A     N/A  

 

The discount rate is based on a hypothetical portfolio of high quality corporate bonds with cash flows matching our plans’ expected benefit payments. The expected return on plan assets is based on our asset allocation mix and our historical return, taking into account current and expected market conditions. The actual return on pension plan assets, net of fees, was approximately 14% in 2006, 7% in 2005, and 12% in 2004. Our historical annualized ten-year rate of return on plan assets is approximately 9%.

 

Assumed healthcare cost trend rates have a significant effect on the expense and liabilities reported for healthcare plans. The assumed healthcare cost trend rate is based on historical rates and expected market conditions. A one-percentage point change in the assumed healthcare cost trend rates would have the following effects on OPEB:

 

     
Millions of Dollars   One % pt.
Increase
  One % pt.
Decrease
 

Effect on total service and interest cost components

  $ 3   $ (2 )

Effect on accumulated benefit obligation

    31     (26 )

 

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Cash Contributions

 

The following table details our cash contributions for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the expected contributions for 2007:

 

     
    Pension    
Millions of Dollars   Qualified   Non-qualified   OPEB

2005

  $ -   $ 9   $ 34

2006

    150     9     31

2007

    -     12     27

 

In 2006, the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (the Act) was signed into law. The Act changes the method of valuing assets and liabilities for funding purposes, as well as the timing of required contributions. Our pension plans continue to meet all funding requirements and we do not expect the Act to significantly impact our results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity.

 

Our policy with respect to funding the qualified plans is to fund at least the minimum required by the Act and not more than the maximum amount deductible for tax purposes. All contributions made to the qualified pension plans in 2006 were voluntary and were made with cash generated from operations. In 2006, we voluntarily contributed $50 million in January and $100 million in December to the qualified pension plan. At December 31, 2006, our qualified pension plans were fully funded. No required contributions are expected in 2007.

 

The OPEB plans are not funded and are not subject to any minimum regulatory funding requirements. Benefit payments for each year represent claims paid for medical and life insurance, and we anticipate our 2007 OPEB payments will be made from cash generated from operations.

 

Benefit Payments

 

The following table details expected benefit payments for the years 2007 though 2016:

 

     
Millions of Dollars   Pension   OPEB

2007

  $ 124   $ 27

2008

    126     28

2009

    129     29

2010

    133     30

2011

    139     31

Years 2012 – 2016

    776     152

 

Asset Allocation Strategy

 

Our pension plan asset allocation at December 31, 2006 and 2005, and target allocation for 2007, are as follows:

 

     
   

Target

Allocation

2007

  Percentage of
Plan Assets
December 31,
 
      2006     2005  

Equity securities

  60% to 70%   70 %   75 %

Debt securities

  20% to 30%   26     24  

Real estate

  4% to 6%   2     1  

Commodities

  4% to 6%   2     -  

Total

      100 %   100 %

 

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