Union Pacific and CSX both deliver solid results while preparing for possible impact of tariffs

— Both Union Pacific and CSX delivered solid results in the fourth quarter as the railroads prepared to deal with whatever challenges President Donald Trump’s administration or the economy might present this year. UP CEO Jim Vena said he hopes tariffs are “a negotiating position by the president because I don’t think anybody — the consumers in the U.S. — would love to have increases in prices because of a dispute, unless there’s some strategic reason that the president needs to do that for the security of the country.” CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs said getting the waivers approved would allow the railroads to shift employees away from finding problems so they can focus on fixing them, but unions have opposed the move. The Omaha, Nebraska-based Union Pacific reported $1.76 billion profit Thursday, or $2.91 per share, to easily top Wall Street expectations. Union Pacific said it is on track to achieve its long-term goals to deliver high single-digit to low double-digit earnings per share growth over the next three years.