csxtra2011





UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 11-K

[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

OR

[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2011

Commission file number 1-8022


TAX SAVINGS THRIFT PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES OF
CSX CORPORATION
AND AFFILIATED COMPANIES


CSX CORPORATION
A Virginia Corporation
IRS Employer Identification Number 62-1051971
500 Water Street
Jacksonville, Florida 32202
Telephone (904) 359-3200








TAX SAVINGS THRIFT PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES OF CSX CORPORATION
AND AFFILIATED COMPANIES

AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2011 AND 2010
AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011


Contents

 
Page
 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm                                                                                                                               
 
1
 
 
Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits                                                                                                                               
 
2
 
 
Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits                                                                                                                               
 
3
 
 
Notes to Financial Statements                                                                                                                               
 
4
 
 
Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)                                                                                                                               
 
14
 
 
Signature                                                                                                                               
15




TAX SAVINGS THRIFT PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES OF CSX CORPORATION
AND AFFILIATED COMPANIES

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


The Plan Administrator of the Tax Savings Thrift Plan for Employees of CSX Corporation and
Affiliated Companies and the Audit Committee of CSX Corporation
 
We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of the Tax Savings Thrift Plan for Employees of CSX Corporation and Affiliated Companies (“the Plan”) as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related statement of changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2011. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements 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. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Plan's internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Plan's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Plan at December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the changes in its net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2011, in conformity with US generally accepted accounting principles.
 
Our audits were conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on the financial statements taken as a whole. The accompanying supplemental schedule of assets (held at end of year) as of December 31, 2011 is presented for purposes of additional analysis and is not a required part of the financial statements but is supplementary information required by the Department of Labor's Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. Such information is the responsibility of the Plan's management. The information has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in our audits of the financial statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the financial statements taken as a whole.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP 
Certified Public Accountants


Jacksonville, Florida
June 27, 2012






1



TAX SAVINGS THRIFT PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES OF CSX CORPORATION
AND AFFILIATED COMPANIES

STATEMENTS OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
(Dollars in thousands)


 
 
December 31
 
 
2011
 
2010
ASSETS
Investments, at fair value:
 
 
 
 
Investment in Master Trust (Note 3)
 
$
948,676

 
$
974,879

Receivables
 
 
 
 
Member contributions
 
2,457

 
2,170

Employer contributions
 
936

 
843

Notes receivable from participants
 
16,444

 
16,320

Total Assets
 
968,513

 
994,212

 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES
Accrued expenses
 
361

 
325

 
 
 
 
 
Net Assets Available for Benefits, At Fair Value
 
968,152

 
993,887

 
 
 
 
 
Adjustment from fair value to contract value relating to
 
 
 
 
fully benefit-responsive investment contracts (Note 4)
 
(30,826
)
 
(29,539
)
 
 
 
 
 
Net Assets Available for Benefits
 
$
937,326

 
$
964,348


See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements



2



TAX SAVINGS THRIFT PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES OF CSX CORPORATION
AND AFFILIATED COMPANIES

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS



For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
 (Dollars in thousands)
 
 
Additions
 
Net gain from investment in Master Trust (Note 3)
$
7,701

Member contributions
30,016

Employer contributions
10,916

Interest from loans to members
759

Total Additions
49,392

 
 
Deductions
 
Distributions to members
75,766

Fees and expenses
648

Total Deductions
76,414

 
 
Net Decrease
(27,022
)
 
 
Net Assets Available for Benefits at Beginning of Year
964,348

 
 
Net Assets Available for Benefits at End of Year
$
937,326


See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements



















3


TAX SAVINGS THRIFT PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES OF CSX CORPORATION
AND AFFILIATED COMPANIES

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



NOTE 1.                      Description of the Plan
 
The following description of the Tax Savings Thrift Plan for Employees of CSX Corporation and Affiliated Companies (“the Plan”) provides only general information. Members should refer to the Summary Plan Description and the Plan Document for a more complete description of the Plan’s provisions.
 
General: The Plan is a defined contribution plan covering all salaried employees and certain non-union hourly employees of CSX Corporation (“CSX” or “Plan Sponsor”) and adopting affiliated companies (collectively, “the Company”). A portion of the Plan has been established as an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) designed to comply with Section 4975(e)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (“the Code”), as amended. The Plan also contains a cash or deferred arrangement described in Section 401(k) of the Code and is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), as amended. The ESOP component is designed to invest primarily in CSX common stock and may invest 100% in these securities.
 
Contributions: Members, as defined in the Plan Document, may contribute from 1% to 50% (in 1% multiples) of eligible compensation, as defined by the Plan, on a pre-tax basis up to the current Code limit. Members who are age 50 or older by the end of the applicable calendar year are eligible to make catch-up contributions in accordance with the Code. Subject to certain limitations, members may rollover distributions from another qualified plan or an individual retirement account (“Rollover Account”). Members may change contribution rates and investment elections daily.
 
Effective May 1, 2010, the Company contributes amounts equal to 100% of the first 1% of a member’s eligible contributions to the Plan as matching contributions. For the next 2% up to 6% of a member’s eligible contributions to the Plan, the Company contributes amounts equal to 50% as matching contributions. Therefore, the total potential employer matching contribution is 3.5%.

Effective January 1, 2011, the ability to contribute on an after-tax basis and from incentive compensation was eliminated.  Accordingly, the Plan complied with the safe-harbor provisions in regards to 401(k) non-discrimination compliance for plan year 2011.

Company matching contributions are invested in the same investment options as the Member elected for member contributions. Additional amounts may be contributed at the option of the Company’s Board of Directors or under the delegation of authority granted by the Board to the appropriate Company officers.
 
Diversification: Members can invest new Company contributions in the same investment options as offered and elected for Member contributions under the Plan.
 
Transfers/Reallocations: CSX does not permit members to repurchase shares of a previously sold fund through investment fund activity for 30 calendar days after the transaction. Members may, however, transfer funds to the Stable Value Fund investment option at any time without restriction.
 
Member Accounts: Each member’s account is credited with the member’s contributions and allocations of (a) Company contributions and (b) Plan earnings and is charged with the member’s disbursements and an allocation of administrative expenses. If made, profit sharing contributions are in proportion to each member’s base compensation paid by the Company. Plan earnings are allocated on a proportionate share of the increase or decrease in the fair market value of each fund in which the member’s accounts are invested on each valuation date. Administrative expense allocations are made on the basis of assets in the individual’s account.
 

4


TAX SAVINGS THRIFT PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES OF CSX CORPORATION
AND AFFILIATED COMPANIES

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


NOTE 1.                      Description of the Plan, continued

Vesting: Members are 100% vested in their accounts.

     Loans: Certain members may borrow from their accounts an amount equal to the lesser of fifty thousand dollars in the aggregate (reduced by the highest outstanding balance during the one year period preceding the loan) or 50% of their account balance (reduced by the outstanding balance of all Plan loans at the time of the loan). Loan terms range from one to five years unless the loan is to be used in conjunction with the purchase of a primary residence, in which case the term is 25 years. Loans are secured by the balance in the member’s account. The loan interest rates are calculated using the prime rate in the Wall Street Journal as of the first business day of the current month in which the loan originates plus 1%. The interest rate in effect when a member applies for the loan will remain in effect for the term of the loan. It will not change even though the interest rate applicable to new loans may change. Principal and interest are paid ratably through payroll deductions.

Dividends: Dividends paid on shares of CSX common stock held in a member’s account are reinvested in shares of CSX common stock. A member or spousal beneficiary may elect to have dividends paid to them in cash. Any change in an election will apply only to ex-dividend dates occurring after the date such election is received. A member who does not make a timely election will have the dividends paid to his or her account and reinvested in shares of CSX common stock.
 
Payment of Benefits: Upon termination of service, a member may receive a lump sum amount equal to the value of his or her account. Upon disability or retirement, a member may elect to receive a lump sum or monthly installments over a period not to exceed the lesser of 240 months or the life expectancy of the last survivor of the member and his or her beneficiary. Surviving spouses of retired or disabled members may also elect monthly installments. A terminated member’s account balance of five thousand dollars or less (excluding the Rollover Account) as of his or her date of termination or the last day of any Plan year shall be rolled over into an individual retirement account at Millennium Trust Company unless the member makes an alternate distribution request.
 
Administrative Expenses: The administrative expenses of the Plan are paid by the Company or from Plan assets as the Plan Sponsor directs. All of the administrative expenses of the Plan during 2011 were paid from Plan funds.
 
Plan Termination: Although it has not expressed any intent to do so, the Company has the right to discontinue its contributions to the Plan at any time and to terminate the Plan subject to the provisions of ERISA. If the Plan were to terminate, members would remain 100% vested in their accounts.

NOTE 2.                      Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
Basis of Presentation: The financial statements have been prepared under the accrual method of accounting in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. All dollar amounts are reported in thousands.
 
Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Investments: The CSX Corporation Master Retirement Savings Plan Trust ("Master Trust") holds all investments of this Plan and the CSX Corporation Capital Builder Plan. Each participating retirement plan has an undivided interest in the Master Trust. For further details, see Note 3, Investment in Master Trust.

5


TAX SAVINGS THRIFT PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES OF CSX CORPORATION
AND AFFILIATED COMPANIES

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


NOTE 2.                      Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, continued

Notes Receivable from Participants: Notes receivable from participants represent participant loans that are recorded at their unpaid principal balance plus any accrued but unpaid interest. Interest income on notes receivable from participants is recorded when it is earned. Related fees are recorded as administrative expenses and are expensed when they are incurred. No allowance for credit losses has been recorded as of December 31, 2011 or 2010. If a participant ceases to make loan repayments and the plan administrator deems the participant loan to be a distribution, the participant loan balance is reduced and a benefit payment is recorded.

New Accounting Pronouncements: In May 2011 the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update 2011-04, Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS. This update clarifies the application of certain existing fair value measurement guidance and expands the disclosures for fair value measurements that are estimated using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs. This update is effective for plan year 2012. The new guidance is to be adopted prospectively and early adoption is not permitted. Plan management is currently evaluating the effect of the provisions of this update. However, Plan management does not expect the new provisions to have a material impact on the Plan's financial statements.

NOTE 3.                      Investment in Master Trust

     All investments of the Master Trust are held by The Northern Trust Company ("Trustee"), the Trustee of the Master Trust. Each participating plan’s interest in the Master Trust is based on account balances of the participants and their elected investment fund options. Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on a trade-date basis. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

6


TAX SAVINGS THRIFT PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES OF CSX CORPORATION
AND AFFILIATED COMPANIES

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


NOTE 3.                      Investment in Master Trust, continued

Summarized financial information of the Master Trust is presented below:

 
 
December 31,
 
Plan's
 
December 31,
 
Plan's
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
2011
 
Interest(a)
 
2010
 
Interest(a)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CSX Stock Fund
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CSX Common Stock
 
$
715,029

 
 

 
$
734,018

 
 
Northern Trust Collective Short-term Investment Fund
 
4,181

 
 
 
5,010

 
 
Total CSX Stock Fund
 
719,210

 
41
%
 
739,028

 
40
%
Mutual Funds
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Vanguard Institutional Index Instl Plus
 
145,365

 
54
%
 
151,521

 
54
%
Fidelity Equity Income Fund
 

 
%
 
62,519

 
77
%
Vanguard Morgan Growth
 
56,511

 
64
%
 
62,871

 
63
%
Vanguard Wellington Fund
 
105,798

 
56
%
 
105,388

 
56
%
Morgan Stanley International Fund
 
51,211

 
62
%
 
61,664

 
62
%
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2005 Fund
 
280

 
39
%
 
645

 
27
%
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2010 Fund
 
4,342

 
80
%
 
4,653

 
75
%
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2015 Fund
 
8,740

 
67
%
 
8,892

 
68
%
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2020 Fund
 
9,665

 
61
%
 
8,513

 
64
%
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2025 Fund
 
4,639

 
61
%
 
4,208

 
64
%
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2030 Fund
 
4,350

 
53
%
 
3,868

 
50
%
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2035 Fund
 
5,802

 
53
%
 
4,977

 
50
%
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2040 Fund
 
5,572

 
60
%
 
4,164

 
59
%
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2045 Fund
 
3,837

 
50
%
 
2,870

 
48
%
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050 Fund
 
1,849

 
48
%
 
1,019

 
58
%
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2055 Fund
 
801

 
67
%
 
573

 
75
%
T. Rowe Price Retirement Income Fund
 
2,922

 
77
%
 
3,342

 
72
%
Total Mutual Funds
 
411,684

 
 

 
491,687

 
 
Stable Value Fund
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Pooled separate accounts and common collective trusts
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
PIMCO Priv U.S. Government Sector Fund
 
92,442

 
 

 
88,355

 
 
PIMCO Priv Investment Grade Corporate Sector Fund
 
60,260

 
 

 
63,957

 
 
PIMCO Priv Mortgage Sector Fund
 

 
 

 
9,273

 
 
Northern Trust Collective Short-term Investment Fund
 
3,219

 
 

 
2,553

 
 
U.S. Government securities
 
193,303

 
 

 
156,391

 
 
Cash equivalents
 
6,346

 
 

 
36,984

 
 
Credit, loans, and asset-backed securities
 
80,161

 
 

 
96,191

 
 
Riversource Tr Stable Capital II
 
22,226

 
 

 
19,312

 
 
Mortgages
 
8,625

 
 

 
22,364

 
 
Foreign government securities and other
 
781

 
 

 
467

 
 
Synthetic guaranteed investment contract - wrappers
 
2,379

 
 

 
2,600

 
 
Total Stable Value Fund
 
469,742

 
73
%
 
498,447

 
72
%
Small Cap Value Fund
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Other common stock
 
36,904

 
 

 
38,638

 
 

Northern Trust Collective Short-term Investment Fund
 
1,102

 
 

 
1,990

 
 

Total Small Cap Value Fund
 
38,006

 
68
%
 
40,628

 
68
%
Large Cap Value Fund
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other common stock
 
55,350

 
 
 

 
 
Northern Trust Collective Short-term Investment Fund
 
738

 
 
 

 
 
Total Large Cap Value Fund
 
56,088

 
76
%
 

 
%
Total assets available for benefits, at fair value
 
1,694,730

 
 

 
1,769,790

 
 

Adjustment from fair value to contract value for interest in Master
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

Trust relating to fully benefit-responsive investment contracts
 
(42,098
)
 
 

 
(41,131
)
 
 

Net assets
 
$
1,652,632

 
 

 
$
1,728,659

 
 

Plan’s investment in the Master Trust’s assets at contract value
 
$
917,850

 
56
%
 
$
945,340

 
55
%
 
(a) Represents the Tax Savings Thrift Plan’s percentage participation in each individual fund held by the Master Trust.

7


TAX SAVINGS THRIFT PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES OF CSX CORPORATION
AND AFFILIATED COMPANIES

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


NOTE 3.                      Investment in Master Trust, continued

The Master Trust has investments with PIMCO, Riversource and Northern Trust, listed above, that do not have readily determinable fair values and are considered investment companies. The Fair Value Measurements Topic in the Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") requires the Plan to disclose the significant investment strategies of such investments.
 
The investment objective of the PIMCO funds is to maximize total return, which is consistent with prudent investment management. These funds seek to achieve their investment objectives by investing under normal circumstances at least 80% of its assets in a portfolio of the indicated investment sector with investments of varying maturities, which may be represented by options, futures contracts, or swap agreements. Assets not invested in the indicated investment sector may be invested in other types of fixed income instruments. Generally, such investments will be used to cover forward exposure and have an aggregate duration that normally will not exceed one year.  There are currently no redemption restrictions on these investments.
 
The investment objective of the Riversource Trust Stable Capital Fund II is to preserve capital and income while maximizing current income. This fund invests in fixed-income instruments, stable value investment contracts issued by various banks, life insurance companies and other financial institutions and in units of collective investment funds with investment objectives similar to those of this fund. There are currently no redemption restrictions on this investment.

The investment objective of the Northern Trust Collective Short-term Investment Fund is to maximize current income to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity. This fund uses a portfolio of high-grade money market instruments with short maturities to achieve its investment objective. There are currently no redemption restrictions on this investment.
 
Investment income and expenses, other than those related to CSX common stock, are allocated to each plan in a pro-rata fashion based on the member’s average daily investment balances. Investment income and expenses related to CSX common stock are allocated based on actual shares held. Investment income for the Master Trust for 2011 was as follows:
 
Net loss from investments in Master Trust:
 
 
CSX common stock (quoted market price)
$
(14,999
)
 
Mutual funds (quoted market price)
(4,480
)
 
Other common stock (quoted market price)
(6,644
)
 
 
(26,123
)
Interest, dividend, and other income
39,004

Investment gain for the Master Trust
$
12,881

 
 
Plan's investment gain in the Master Trust
$
7,701

 
 
Plan's percentage of investment gain for the Master Trust
60
%


8


TAX SAVINGS THRIFT PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES OF CSX CORPORATION
AND AFFILIATED COMPANIES

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


NOTE 4.                      Synthetic Guaranteed Investment Contracts

The Master Trust holds investments in synthetic guaranteed investment contracts (“GICs”) as part of the Stable Value Fund investment option. Synthetic GICs are investment contracts that allow participants to earn fixed income for a specified period of time. These synthetic GICs are fully benefit-responsive, which allows participants to initiate all permitted transactions, such as withdrawals, loans or transfers to other funds within the Plan. A corresponding contract wrapper with the issuer provides a fixed rate of return on the underlying investments. A contract wrapper is a contractual agreement with a third party that regulates the return on investment. The agreement provides for the third party to compensate the Plan if the return on investment drops below a certain threshold and vice versa. The fair value of the underlying investments of the synthetic GICs and the related contract wrapper are calculated as described in Note 8, Fair Value Measurements.
 
Certain events limit the ability of the Plan to transact at contract value with the issuer. These events include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) amendments to the Plan Document, (2) bankruptcy of the Plan Sponsor or other Plan Sponsor events which cause a significant withdrawal from the Plan or (3) the failure of the Master Trust to qualify for exemption from federal income taxes or any required prohibited transaction exemption under ERISA. CSX does not believe that the occurrence of any event limiting the Plan’s ability to transact at contract value with members is probable.

The contract value of the synthetic GICs represents contributions plus earnings, less participant withdrawals and administrative expenses. The synthetic GIC issuers can only terminate the contract under very limited circumstances such as CSX or the investment fund managers breaching any of their obligations under the agreement. CSX does not believe it is likely that the synthetic GICs will be terminated.

The average yield of the synthetic GICs based on actual earnings was approximately 2.32% and 2.95% at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The average yield of the synthetic GICs based on interest rate credited to members was approximately 3.23% and 3.41% during 2011 and 2010, respectively. The crediting interest rate is based on a mutually agreed upon formula that resets on a quarterly basis depending on the portfolio yield, market value and duration along with the book value of the contract. The minimum crediting rate is 0%.

NOTE 5.                      Related Party Transactions
 
During 2011, the Master Trust received cash dividends from investments in CSX common stock of $14,887. The Plan’s share of these dividends was $6,116.
 
The Trustee routinely invests assets in its Collective Short-Term Investment Fund. During 2011, the Master Trust earned interest of $23 for transactions with this fund, a portion of which is allocated to the Plan based upon the Plan’s pro-rata share in the net assets of the Master Trust and is included in net gain from investment in Master Trust in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits.

NOTE 6.                      Income Tax Status
 
The Plan has received a determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), dated January 18, 2008, stating that the Plan is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code and, therefore, the related trust is exempt from taxation. Subsequent to this determination by the IRS, the Plan was amended. Once qualified, the Plan is required to operate in conformity with the Code to maintain its qualified status. In January 2012, the Plan was re-submitted to the IRS as part of the cyclical determination letter application process. The Plan administrator has indicated that it will take the necessary steps, if any, to bring the Plan’s operations into compliance with the Code.

9


TAX SAVINGS THRIFT PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES OF CSX CORPORATION
AND AFFILIATED COMPANIES

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


 NOTE 6.                      Income Tax Status, continued

Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States require Plan management to evaluate uncertain tax positions taken by the Plan. The financial statement effects of a tax position are recognized when the position is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, to be sustained upon examination by the IRS. Management has analyzed the tax positions taken by the Plan, and has concluded that as of December 31, 2011, there are no uncertain positions taken or expected to be taken. The Plan has recognized no interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions. The Plan is subject to routine audits by taxing jurisdictions; however, there are currently no audits for any tax periods in progress. Management believes the Plan is no longer subject to income tax examinations for years prior to 2008.
 
NOTE 7.                      Risks and Uncertainties
 
The Plan invests in various investment securities. Investment securities are exposed to various risks such as interest rate, market and credit risks. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is possible that changes in the values of investment securities will occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect the amounts reported in the Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits.

NOTE 8.                      Fair Value Measurements
 
The Financial Instruments Topic in the ASC requires disclosures about fair value of financial instruments. Also, the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic in the ASC clarifies the definition of fair value for financial reporting, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires additional disclosures about the use of fair value measurements.

Various inputs are considered when determining the value of the Plan's investments. The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in these securities. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below.

Level 1 – observable market inputs that are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, credit risk, etc.)

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Plan’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)
 
The valuation methods described below may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, while the Plan believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in different fair value measurement at the reporting date.








10


TAX SAVINGS THRIFT PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES OF CSX CORPORATION
AND AFFILIATED COMPANIES

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


NOTE 8.                      Fair Value Measurements, continued

The asset’s or liability’s fair value measurement level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Valuation techniques used need to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.

Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for Plan assets measured at fair value:
 
Common stock (Level 1):  Valued at the closing price reported on the active market on which the individual securities are traded on the last day of the plan year.

Mutual funds (Level 1): Valued at the net asset value of shares held by the Master Trust at year end based on quoted market prices determined in an active market.

Pooled separate accounts and common collective trust funds (Level 2): This class consists of private funds that invest in government and corporate securities and various short-term debt instruments.  The net asset value of the investments is determined by reference to the fair value of the underlying securities, which are valued primarily through the use of directly or indirectly observable inputs.

Government securities, credit, loans, asset-backed securities, mortgages and other (Level 2): Valued using price evaluations reflecting the bid and/or ask sides of the market for an investment as of the last day of the calendar plan year.

Cash equivalents (Level 2): This class consists primarily of U.S. Government securities with a maturity period of less than 90 days.  This class is valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.

Synthetic GICs – wrappers (Level 3): The fair value of the wrapper contract is calculated as the present value of the difference between the current wrap fees charged and the replacement cost of the wrap fees, discounted using the current yields of similar instruments with comparable durations.




11


TAX SAVINGS THRIFT PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES OF CSX CORPORATION
AND AFFILIATED COMPANIES

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


NOTE 8.                      Fair Value Measurements, continued

The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Master Trust’s assets at fair value as of December 31, 2011:
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Common stock
 
$
807,283

 
$

 
$

 
$
807,283

Mutual funds - U.S
 
360,473

 

 

 
360,473

Pooled separate accounts and
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


common collective trust funds
 

 
184,168

 

 
184,168

U.S. Government securities
 

 
193,303

 

 
193,303

Credit, loans, and asset backed securities
 

 
80,161

 

 
80,161

Mutual funds - foreign
 
51,211

 

 

 
51,211

Cash equivalents
 

 
6,346

 

 
6,346

Mortgages
 

 
8,625

 

 
8,625

Synthetic GICs - wrappers
 

 

 
2,379

 
2,379

Foreign government securities and other
 

 
781

 

 
781

Total assets at fair value
 
$
1,218,967

 
$
473,384

 
$
2,379

 
$
1,694,730


The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Master Trust’s assets at fair value as of December 31, 2010:
 
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Common stock
 
$
772,656

 
$

 
$

 
$
772,656

Mutual funds - U.S.
 
430,023

 

 

 
430,023

Pooled separate accounts and
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
common collective trust funds
 

 
190,450

 

 
190,450

U.S. Government securities
 

 
156,391

 

 
156,391

Credit, loans, and asset backed securities
 

 
96,191

 

 
96,191

Mutual funds - foreign
 
61,664

 

 

 
61,664

Cash equivalents
 

 
36,984

 

 
36,984

Mortgages
 

 
22,364

 

 
22,364

Synthetic GICs - wrappers
 

 

 
2,600

 
2,600

Foreign government securities and other
 

 
467

 

 
467

Total assets at fair value
 
$
1,264,343

 
$
502,847

 
$
2,600

 
$
1,769,790


Level 3 Gains and Losses

The table below sets forth a summary of changes in the fair value of the Master Trust’s level 3 assets for the year ended December 31, 2011. The changes in fair value are included in the net gain from investment in Master Trust on the Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits.
(Dollars in Thousands)
Synthetic GICs - wrappers (a)
Balance, beginning of year
$
2,600

Unrealized losses relating to instruments
 

still held at the reporting date
(221
)
 
 
Balance, end of year
$
2,379

          (a) Represents amounts for the Master Trust, a portion of which is allocable to the Plan.

12






Supplemental Schedule





13




TAX SAVINGS THRIFT PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES OF CSX CORPORATION
AND AFFILIATED COMPANIES
 
 
 
 
EIN: 62-1051971 Plan Number: 003
 
 
 
 
SCHEDULE H, LINE 4i
SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR)
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
(a)
(b)
Identity of Issue, Borrower, Lessor, or Similar Party
(c)
Description of Investment Including Maturity Date, Rate of Interest, Collateral, Par or Maturity Value
(e)
Current Value
 
 
 
 
*
Members
Loans with interest rates of 4% to 10.5%, maturing through 2036
$
16,444,150

 
 
 
 
*Indicates a party-in-interest to the Plan.
 
 
 
 
Note: Cost information has not been included, because all investments are member directed.


14



SIGNATURE
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the CSX Plan Administrator has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
  
 
TAX SAVINGS THRIFT PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES OF CSX CORPORATION AND AFFILIATED COMPANIES
 
 
 
 
 
By: /s/ Michele Mastrean
 
 
 
 
 
Michele Mastrean, Plan Administrator
 
 
Vice President
Compensation & Benefits
CSX Corporation
 
Date: June 27, 2012
 
 

15




AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2011 AND 2010
AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011


23
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
I-1


16