Stock Analysis on Net
Stock Analysis on Net

CSX Corp. (NASDAQ:CSX)

This company has been moved to the archive! The financial data has not been updated since April 20, 2023.

Analysis of Profitability Ratios

Microsoft Excel

Profitability Ratios (Summary)

Return on Sales

Return on Investment

CSX Corp., profitability ratios

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018
Return on Sales
Operating profit margin 40.55% 44.67% 41.22% 41.59% 39.75%
Net profit margin 28.05% 30.19% 26.13% 27.90% 27.01%
Return on Investment
Return on equity (ROE) 33.02% 28.03% 21.11% 28.11% 26.34%
Return on assets (ROA) 9.94% 9.33% 6.95% 8.71% 9.01%

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31).


The profitability profile from 2018 to 2022 is characterized by a period of general stability, a noticeable contraction in 2020, and a subsequent recovery. While margins peaked in 2021, the efficiency of capital and asset utilization reached a five-year high by the end of 2022.

Operating and Net Profit Margins
Operating profit margins demonstrated a steady upward trajectory from 39.75% in 2018 to a peak of 44.67% in 2021, before moderating to 40.55% in 2022. Net profit margins followed a similar pattern, reflecting a strong correlation between operational efficiency and bottom-line results. The net margin reached its highest point in 2021 at 30.19%, following a brief dip to 26.13% in 2020, indicating a robust capacity to convert revenue into profit despite temporary volatility.
Return on Equity (ROE)
Return on equity exhibited significant fluctuation, dropping from 28.11% in 2019 to a period low of 21.11% in 2020. However, a strong recovery followed, with ROE ascending to 28.03% in 2021 and reaching a peak of 33.02% in 2022. This upward trend in the final two years suggests an increasing effectiveness in generating profits from shareholders' equity.
Return on Assets (ROA)
Return on assets remained relatively stable between 2018 and 2019, before declining to 6.95% in 2020. A consistent recovery was observed thereafter, with ROA improving to 9.33% in 2021 and further climbing to 9.94% in 2022. The progression from 2020 to 2022 indicates an improved efficiency in utilizing the total asset base to drive earnings.

AI Ask an analyst for more

Hi, I’m an AI-powered financial analyst at Stock Analysis on Net.

How can I help you?


Operating Profit Margin

CSX Corp., operating profit margin calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Operating income 6,023 5,594 4,362 4,965 4,869
Revenue 14,853 12,522 10,583 11,937 12,250
Profitability Ratio
Operating profit margin1 40.55% 44.67% 41.22% 41.59% 39.75%
Benchmarks
Operating Profit Margin, Competitors2
FedEx Corp. 6.68% 6.98% — — —
Uber Technologies Inc. -5.75% -21.97% — — —
Union Pacific Corp. 39.87% 42.83% — — —
United Airlines Holdings Inc. 5.20% -4.15% — — —
United Parcel Service Inc. 13.05% 13.17% — — —
Operating Profit Margin, Sector
Transportation 10.07% 9.44% — — —
Operating Profit Margin, Industry
Industrials 9.06% 9.24% — — —

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31).

1 2022 Calculation
Operating profit margin = 100 × Operating income ÷ Revenue
= 100 × 6,023 ÷ 14,853 = 40.55%

2 Click competitor name to see calculations.


The operational performance from 2018 to 2022 reflects a period of volatility followed by substantial growth in scale, though efficiency peaked prior to the final reporting year.

Revenue and Operating Income Trends
A contraction in revenue is observed from 2018 through 2020, reaching a low of 10,583 million US dollars. This trend reversed sharply in 2021 and 2022, with revenue climbing to 14,853 million US dollars by the end of the period. Operating income followed a similar trajectory, dipping in 2020 to 4,362 million US dollars before ascending to a peak of 6,023 million US dollars in 2022.
Operating Profit Margin Analysis
The operating profit margin demonstrated an upward trend for the first four years, rising from 39.75% in 2018 to a maximum of 44.67% in 2021. This indicates a period of increasing operational efficiency and cost management relative to revenue growth. However, a reversal occurred in 2022, where the margin declined to 40.55%.
Correlation Between Growth and Efficiency
A divergence is noted in the 2022 fiscal year. Despite achieving the highest revenue and operating income in the five-year sequence, the operating profit margin decreased by approximately 4.12 percentage points from the previous year. This suggests that the costs associated with generating the increased revenue grew at a faster rate than the revenue itself during this period.

AI Ask an analyst for more

Hi, I’m an AI-powered financial analyst at Stock Analysis on Net.

How can I help you?


Net Profit Margin

CSX Corp., net profit margin calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Net earnings 4,166 3,781 2,765 3,331 3,309
Revenue 14,853 12,522 10,583 11,937 12,250
Profitability Ratio
Net profit margin1 28.05% 30.19% 26.13% 27.90% 27.01%
Benchmarks
Net Profit Margin, Competitors2
FedEx Corp. 4.09% 6.23% — — —
Uber Technologies Inc. -28.68% -2.84% — — —
Union Pacific Corp. 28.13% 29.92% — — —
United Airlines Holdings Inc. 1.64% -7.97% — — —
United Parcel Service Inc. 11.51% 13.25% — — —
Net Profit Margin, Sector
Transportation 4.73% 9.05% — — —
Net Profit Margin, Industry
Industrials 5.04% 5.85% — — —

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31).

1 2022 Calculation
Net profit margin = 100 × Net earnings ÷ Revenue
= 100 × 4,166 ÷ 14,853 = 28.05%

2 Click competitor name to see calculations.


The financial performance from 2018 to 2022 is characterized by a period of moderate volatility followed by significant growth in absolute earnings and revenue. Net profit margins remained resilient throughout this period, fluctuating within a narrow range between 26.13% and 30.19%.

Revenue and Net Earnings Trends
A contraction in both revenue and net earnings was observed through 2020, with revenue falling to a period low of US$ 10,583 million and net earnings dropping to US$ 2,765 million. This downturn was followed by a strong recovery phase; by 2022, revenue reached a peak of US$ 14,853 million and net earnings climbed to US$ 4,166 million, representing a substantial increase from the 2020 lows.
Net Profit Margin Analysis
The net profit margin exhibited a fluctuating but generally stable trend. After a dip to 26.13% in 2020, profitability surged to a five-year peak of 30.19% in 2021. Although the margin normalized to 28.05% in 2022, this figure remains higher than the 2018 baseline of 27.01%. The decrease in margin in 2022, despite record-high revenue and earnings, indicates that expenses grew at a slightly faster rate than net income during that fiscal year.

AI Ask an analyst for more

Hi, I’m an AI-powered financial analyst at Stock Analysis on Net.

How can I help you?


Return on Equity (ROE)

CSX Corp., ROE calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Net earnings 4,166 3,781 2,765 3,331 3,309
Shareholders’ equity, attributable to CSX 12,615 13,490 13,101 11,848 12,563
Profitability Ratio
ROE1 33.02% 28.03% 21.11% 28.11% 26.34%
Benchmarks
ROE, Competitors2
FedEx Corp. 15.34% 21.64% — — —
Uber Technologies Inc. -124.54% -3.43% — — —
Union Pacific Corp. 57.54% 46.06% — — —
United Airlines Holdings Inc. 10.69% -39.05% — — —
United Parcel Service Inc. 58.36% 90.44% — — —
ROE, Sector
Transportation 19.64% 30.78% — — —
ROE, Industry
Industrials 15.38% 15.38% — — —

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31).

1 2022 Calculation
ROE = 100 × Net earnings ÷ Shareholders’ equity, attributable to CSX
= 100 × 4,166 ÷ 12,615 = 33.02%

2 Click competitor name to see calculations.


The profitability profile of the organization between 2018 and 2022 is characterized by a general upward trajectory in return on equity, despite a notable contraction in 2020. Net earnings demonstrated volatility during the mid-period but ended the five-year span at their highest level, while shareholders' equity remained relatively stable, fluctuating within a narrow range.

Net Earnings Trend
Net earnings experienced a slight increase from 2018 to 2019, followed by a significant decline in 2020, where earnings dropped to 2,765 million US$. This downturn was followed by a strong recovery in 2021 and continued growth into 2022, reaching a peak of 4,166 million US$. This represents a cumulative increase in annual net income of approximately 26% from the 2018 baseline.
Shareholders' Equity Dynamics
Equity attributable to the company showed inconsistent movement. A decrease occurred in 2019, followed by two years of growth peaking at 13,490 million US$ in 2021. By the end of 2022, equity decreased to 12,615 million US$. The reduction in the equity base in 2022, occurring simultaneously with peak earnings, contributed to the acceleration of the return on equity.
Return on Equity (ROE) Analysis
The ROE exhibited a V-shaped recovery pattern. After rising to 28.11% in 2019, the ratio fell to its lowest point of 21.11% in 2020, correlating with the dip in net earnings. However, the ratio rebounded to 28.03% in 2021 and surged to 33.02% in 2022. The expansion of ROE in the final year indicates improved capital efficiency, as the company generated its highest net earnings with a reduced equity base compared to the previous year.

AI Ask an analyst for more

Hi, I’m an AI-powered financial analyst at Stock Analysis on Net.

How can I help you?


Return on Assets (ROA)

CSX Corp., ROA calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Net earnings 4,166 3,781 2,765 3,331 3,309
Total assets 41,912 40,531 39,793 38,257 36,729
Profitability Ratio
ROA1 9.94% 9.33% 6.95% 8.71% 9.01%
Benchmarks
ROA, Competitors2
FedEx Corp. 4.45% 6.32% — — —
Uber Technologies Inc. -28.47% -1.28% — — —
Union Pacific Corp. 10.69% 10.27% — — —
United Airlines Holdings Inc. 1.09% -2.88% — — —
United Parcel Service Inc. 16.24% 18.57% — — —
ROA, Sector
Transportation 4.34% 6.88% — — —
ROA, Industry
Industrials 3.31% 3.40% — — —

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31).

1 2022 Calculation
ROA = 100 × Net earnings ÷ Total assets
= 100 × 4,166 ÷ 41,912 = 9.94%

2 Click competitor name to see calculations.


The financial performance from 2018 to 2022 is characterized by a period of volatility in earnings followed by a strong recovery, set against a backdrop of steady asset growth.

Net Earnings Trend
Net earnings experienced a period of instability, with a slight increase in 2019 followed by a significant contraction in 2020, where earnings dropped to US$ 2,765 million. This decline was succeeded by a robust recovery phase, with earnings rising to US$ 3,781 million in 2021 and reaching a peak of US$ 4,166 million by December 31, 2022.
Asset Base Expansion
Total assets demonstrated a consistent and linear upward trajectory throughout the five-year period. The asset base grew from US$ 36,729 million in 2018 to US$ 41,912 million in 2022, indicating a steady increase in the company's total resource investment.
Return on Assets (ROA) Efficiency
The ROA mirrored the fluctuations in net earnings, decreasing from 9.01% in 2018 to a low of 6.95% in 2020. This decline suggests a period of diminished asset productivity. However, a strong rebound occurred in the subsequent two years, with the ratio climbing to 9.33% in 2021 and concluding the period at 9.94% in 2022. This final increase indicates that earnings growth outpaced asset growth, resulting in improved operational efficiency and a higher rate of return on the invested asset base.

AI Ask an analyst for more

Hi, I’m an AI-powered financial analyst at Stock Analysis on Net.

How can I help you?