Class action suit targets KCS

Kansas City Southern appears to have become the target of shareholder class action, including from a law firm claiming the Class I railroad “and certain of its executive officers made a series of false and misleading statements in violation of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,” pertaining to the company’s Mexican operations.

KCS: Record revenue, good earnings in 1Q

Kansas City Southern reported net income in its 2014 first quarter of $94 million, or 85 cents per diluted share, slipping from $104 million, or 94 cents per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2013. But excluding the impacts of lease termination costs, foreign exchange rate fluctuations, and debt retirement costs, adjusted diluted earnings per share for first quarter 2014 was $1.05, compared with 89 cents in the first quarter of 2013, an 18% increase, KCS said.

KCS to stockholders: Be prepared

Legislation introduced in late 2013 in Mexico’s House of Deputies to amend certain provisions in the Mexican Regulatory Railroad Service Law could have “a material adverse effect” on Kansas City Southern’s consolidated financial statements if the proposed amendments “are ultimately adopted as introduced,” KSC warns its investors in the company’s 2013 Annual Report.

SPECIAL REPORT: Keeping Railroads Healthy

Railroads are operating at peak safety, profitabilty, and productivity levels. Let’s keep them that way.

Chinese railway interests—in Mexico?

A Mexican legislator who happens to be a member of the nation’s opposition National Action Party (PAN) has said that the Chinese government is interested in participating in the country’s railroad system, should its structure be drastically altered under a bill now being considered in the Senate (upper chamber) of Mexico’s Congress.
Commentary

Mexico to its rail franchisees: “Yanqui go home”

At the turn of the 20th century, seven-term Mexican President Porfirio Diaz is cited as having complained, “Poor Mexico, so far from God and so close to the United States.”

Mexico’s stalking railway horse impacting KCS

A railway reform bill that has been approved by the lower house of Mexico’s Congress and that would impose a form of open access has had a major impact on Kansas City Southern’s share price, according to analysts. KCS derives close to 50% of its revenue from its Mexican operation, KCSM; the company’s share price has declined about 15% in recent weeks, despite record revenues in 2013 and an improved operating ratio.

Mexican proposal threatens KCS bottom line

Shares of Kansas City Southern have been hammered as investors react to actions by Mexico’s legislature which could seriously impact the Class I railroad’s bottom line.

KCS sets 4Q, full-year revenue records

Kansas City Southern reported fourth-quarter net income of $114 million, or $1.03 per diluted share, up 12% from $93 million, or 83 cents per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2012, based on record fourth-quarter revenue of $616 million.

2014 TRAFFIC AND SPENDING OUTLOOK: A capital year for suppliers

2013 has been a record year for the railroads, “a very robust and challenging year for growth and re-investment,” in the words of BNSF chief executive Matt Rose. The indications are that 2014 could be even better—from a shareholder’s standpoint, “a profile of continued steady earnings growth, stock repurchases, and increasing dividends,” in the words of Jason Seidl, Railway Age’s Wall Street contributing editor.
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