ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
The risks set forth in the following risk factors could have a materially adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations, and liquidity, and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the Company's forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements").
The information set forth in this Item 1A. Risk Factors should be read in conjunction with the rest of the information included in this annual report, including Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Business and Operational Risks
As a common carrier, the Company is required by law to transport dangerous goods and hazardous materials, which could expose the Company to significant costs and claims.Railways, including the Company, are legally required to transport dangerous goods and hazardous materials as part of their common carrier obligations regardless of risk or potential exposure to loss. The Company transports dangerous goods and hazardous materials, including but not limited to crude oil, ethanol, and TIH materials such as chlorine gas and anhydrous ammonia. A train accident involving hazardous materials could result in significant claims against the Company arising from personal injury, property or natural resource damage, environmental penalties, and remediation obligations. Such claims, if insured, could exceed the existing insurance coverage commercially available to the Company, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, operating results, and liquidity. The Company is also required to comply with rules and regulations regarding the handling of dangerous goods and hazardous materials across its network. Noncompliance with these rules and regulations can subject the Company to significant penalties and could factor in litigation arising out of a train accident. Changes to these rules and regulations could also increase operating costs, reduce operating efficiencies and impact service delivery.
The Company faces competition from other transportation providers and failure to compete effectively could adversely affect financial results.The Company faces significant competition for freight transportation across its network, including competition from other railways, motor carriers, ship and barge operators, and pipelines. Competition is based mainly on quality of service, freight rates, and access to markets. Other transportation modes generally use public rights-of-way that are built and maintained by government entities, while the Company and other railways must use internal resources to build and maintain their rail networks. Competition with the trucking industry is generally based on freight rates, flexibility of service, and transit time performance. Any future improvements or expenditures materially increasing the quality or reducing the cost of alternative modes of transportation, or legislation that eliminates or significantly reduces the burden of the size or weight limitations currently applicable to trucking carriers, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial results.
The operations of carriers with which the Company interchanges may adversely affect operations. The Company's ability to provide rail services to customers across its network also depends upon its ability to maintain cooperative relationships with connecting carriers with respect to, among other matters, revenue division, car supply and locomotive availability, data exchange and communications, reciprocal switching, interchange, and trackage rights. Deterioration in the operations or services provided by connecting carriers, or in the Company's relationship with those connecting carriers, could result in the Company's inability to meet customers' demands or require the Company to use alternate train routes, which could result in significant additional costs and network inefficiencies and adversely affect our business, operating results, and financial condition.
The Company may be affected by acts of terrorism, war, or risk of war.The Company plays a critical role in the North American transportation system and therefore could become the target for acts of terrorism or war. The Company is also involved in the transportation of hazardous materials, which could result in the Company's equipment or infrastructure being direct targets or indirect casualties of terrorist attacks. Acts of terrorism, or other similar events, any government response thereto, and war or risk of war could cause significant business interruption to the Company and may adversely affect the Company’s results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.
The Company is affected by fluctuating fuel prices.Fuel expense constitutes a significant portion of the Company’s operating costs. Fuel prices can be subject to dramatic fluctuations and significant price increases could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations. The Company currently employs a fuel cost adjustment program to help reduce volatility in changing fuel prices, but the Company cannot be certain that it will always be able to fully mitigate rising or elevated fuel prices through this program. Factors affecting fuel prices include worldwide oil demand, international geopolitics, weather, refinery capacity, supplier and upstream outages, unplanned infrastructure failures, environmental and sustainability policies, and labour and political instability.
The Company relies on technology and technological improvements to operate its business. Although the Company devotes significant resources to protect its technology systems and proprietary data, there can be no assurance that the systems and processes we have designed to prevent or limit the effects of cyber incidents or attacks will be sufficient in averting such incidents or attacks. (Please see “Item 1C. Cybersecurity” for further discussion). The Company continually evaluates attackers’ techniques, tactics and motives, and strives to be diligent in its monitoring, training, planning, and prevention. However, due to the increasing sophistication of cyber-attacks and greater complexity within our IT supply chain, the Company may be unable to anticipate or implement appropriate preventive measures to detect and respond to a security breach.
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This includes the rising rates of reported ransomware events, human error, or other cyber-attack methods disrupting the Company’s systems or the systems of third parties. If the Company or third parties whose technology systems we rely on were to experience a significant disruption or failure of one or more of their information technology or communications systems (either as a result of an intentional cyber or malicious act, or an unintentional error), it could result in significant service interruptions, safety failures or other operational difficulties such as: unauthorized access to confidential or other critical information or systems, loss of customers, financial losses, regulatory fines, and misuse or corruption of critical data and proprietary information, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity. The Company also may experience security breaches that could remain undetected for an extended period and, therefore, have a greater impact on the services we offer. In addition, if the Company is unable to acquire, develop or implement new technology, the Company may suffer a competitive disadvantage, which could also have an adverse effect on its results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity.
Human Capital Risks
The availability of qualified personnel could adversely affect the Company's operations.Changes in employee demographics, training requirements and the availability of qualified personnel, particularly locomotive engineers and trainpersons, could negatively impact the Company’s ability to meet demand for rail services. Unpredictable increases in the demand for rail services may increase the risk of having insufficient numbers of trained personnel, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. In addition, changes in operations and other technology improvements may significantly impact the number of employees required to meet the demand for rail services.
Strikes or work stoppages adversely affect the Company's operations.Class I railways are party to collective bargaining agreements with various labour unions. The majority of the Company's employees belong to labour unions and are subject to these agreements. Disputes with regard to the terms of these agreements or the Company's potential inability to negotiate mutually acceptable contracts with these unions, have resulted in, and could in the future result in, among other things, strikes, work stoppages, slowdowns, or lockouts, which could cause a significant disruption of the Company's operations and have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity. Additionally, future national labour agreements, or provisions of labour agreements related to health care, could significantly increase the Company's costs for health and welfare benefits, which could have a material adverse impact on its financial condition and liquidity.
Legal and Regulatory Risks
The Company is subject to significant governmental legislation and regulation across different jurisdictions over commercial, operating and environmental, climate, sustainability and other matters. The requirements and expectations of regulators and stakeholders continue to evolve and diverge, and our ability to meet these requirements and expectations may have a material adverse impact on our results of operations.The Company’s railway operations are subject to extensive federal laws, regulations and rules in the countries it operates. Operations are subject to economic and safety regulations in Canada primarily by the Agency and TC. The Company’s U.S. operations are subject to economic and safety regulation by the STB and the FRA. The Company’s Mexican operations are subject to economic and safety regulations by the SICT and ARTF. Any new rules from regulators could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations and liquidity as well as its ability to invest in enhancing and maintaining vital infrastructure. Various other regulators, including the FRA, and the PHMSA, directly and indirectly affect the Company’s operations in areas such as health, safety, security, environmental and other matters. Together, the FRA and the PHMSA have broad jurisdiction over railroad operating standards and practices, including track, freight cars, locomotives, and hazardous materials requirements. In addition, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) has regulatory authority with respect to matters that impact the Company's properties and operations. Additional regulation of the rail industry by these regulators or federal and state or provincial legislative bodies, whether under new or existing laws, may result in increased capital expenditures and operating costs and could have a significant negative impact on the Company’s ability to determine prices for rail services and result in a material adverse effect in the future on the Company’s business, financial position, results of operations, and liquidity in a particular year or quarter. This potential material adverse effect could also result in reduced capital spending on the Company’s rail network or in abandonment of lines.
In addition, these laws and regulations are evolving, and may impose differing or inconsistent requirements on us. For example, environmental, social and sustainability-related topics such as climate change and diversity, as well as companies’ actions and initiatives on such issues, have received significant attention from lawmakers, regulators and other stakeholders. Various governments, including the U.S. and Canadian federal governments, as well as local, regional provincial and state governments, have adopted or are considering legislation, regulation or policies on these topics, which may diverge from, or potentially conflict with, those in other jurisdictions. Compliance with such laws, regulations or policies, including any that may be adopted in the future, could, among other things, increase the costs of operating our businesses, reduce the demand for our products and services and impact the prices we charge our customers, any or all of which could adversely affect our results of operations. Failure to comply with any legislation, regulation or policy, including as a result of making good faith interpretations that may differ from those taken by enforcement authorities in relevant jurisdictions, could potentially result in substantial fines, criminal sanctions, reputational harm or operational changes. Moreover, our customers, shareholders, employees and other stakeholders have diverse and evolving expectations, demands and perspectives on various topics, including environmental, social and sustainability topics. We may not be able to meet the diverse expectations and demands of all of our stakeholders, which could harm our reputation, reduce customer demand for our products and services, and subject us to legal and operational risks.
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The Company is subject to environmental laws and regulations that may result in significant costs. The Company’s operations are subject to extensive federal, state, provincial (Canada) and local environmental laws and regulations, including those governing air pollutants, GHG emissions, management and remediation of historical contaminant sites, discharges to waters and the handling, storage, transportation, and disposal of waste and other materials. (Please see “Environmental Laws, Regulations and Strategies” and “Sustainability-Related Laws, Regulations and Strategies” in Item 1. Business for further discussion). Violation of these laws and regulations can result in significant fines and penalties, as well as other potential impacts on the Company’s operations. These laws can impose strict, and in some circumstances, joint and several liability on both current and former owners, and on operators of facilities. If the Company is found to have violated such laws or regulations or to have acted in a manner that is inconsistent with regulatory expectations, such a finding could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, or operating results.
Such environmental liabilities may also be raised by adjacent landowners or third parties. In addition, in operating a railway, it is possible that releases of hazardous materials during derailments or other accidents may occur that could cause harm to human health or to the environment. Costs of remediation, damages and changes in regulations could materially affect the Company’s operating results and reputation. The Company has been, and may in the future be, subject to allegations or findings to the effect that it has violated, or is strictly liable under, environmental laws or regulations. The Company currently has obligations at existing sites for investigation, remediation and monitoring, and will likely have obligations at other sites in the future. The actual costs associated with both current and long-term liabilities may vary from the Company’s estimates due to a number of factors including, but not limited to changes in: the content or interpretation of environmental laws and regulations; required remedial actions; technology associated with site investigation or remediation; and the involvement and financial viability of other parties that may be responsible for portions of those liabilities. The Company’s Mexican operations are subject to Mexican federal and state laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment concerning, among other matters, emissions to the air, land, and water, and the handling of hazardous materials and wastes, and are also subject to the compliance with standards for water discharge, water supply, emissions, noise pollution, hazardous substances and transportation and handling of hazardous and solid waste. The Mexican government may bring administrative and criminal proceedings, impose economic sanctions against companies that violate environmental laws, and temporarily or even permanently close non-complying facilities.
The Company is subject to claims and litigation that could result in significant expenditures. Due to the nature of its operations, the Company is exposed to the potential for claims and litigation arising out of personal injury, property damage or freight damage, employment, labour contract or other commercial disputes, and environmental, climate or sustainability, or other liability. The Company accrues for potential losses in accordance with applicable accounting standards, based on ongoing assessments of the likelihood of an adverse result in a claim or litigation together with the monetary relief or other damages sought or potentially recoverable. Material changes to litigation trends, a significant rail or other incident or series of incidents involving freight damage or loss, property damage, personal injury, or environmental, climate or sustainability, or other liability, and other significant matters could have a material adverse impact to the Company's operations, reputation, financial position or liquidity.
Supply Chain Risks
Disruptions within the supply chain could negatively affect the Company's operational efficiencies and increase costs.The North American transportation system is integrated. The Company’s operations and service may be negatively impacted by service disruptions of other transportation links, such as ports, handling facilities, customer facilities, and other railways. A prolonged service disruption at one of these entities could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity.
The Company is dependent on certain key suppliers of core railway equipment and materials that could result in increased price volatility or significant shortages of materials, which could adversely affect results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity.Due to the complexity and specialized nature of core railway equipment and infrastructure (including rolling stock equipment, locomotives, rail and ties), there are a limited number of suppliers of rail equipment and materials available. Should these specialized suppliers cease production or experience capacity or supply shortages, this concentration of suppliers could result in the Company experiencing cost increases or difficulty in obtaining rail equipment and materials, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity. Additionally, the Company’s operations are dependent on the availability of diesel fuel. A significant fuel supply shortage arising from production decreases, increased demand in existing or emerging foreign markets, disruption of oil imports, disruption of domestic refinery production, damage to refinery or pipeline infrastructure, political unrest, war or other factors could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations, financial position, and liquidity in a particular year or quarter.
Risks Related to the Kansas City Southern Transaction
The Company may fail to realize the anticipated cost savings, growth opportunities and synergies and other benefits anticipated from the recent acquisition of KCS and is subject to continuing obligations under the STB’s final decision, which could adversely affect the Company’s business. On April 14, 2023, the Company assumed control of KCS. The success of the KCS acquisition will depend on, among other things, the Company’s ability to successfully integrate the business of KCS with the Company's other U.S. rail carrier subsidiaries in a manner that facilitates growth opportunities, realizes anticipated synergies, and achieves the projected cost savings, revenue growth and profitability targets of the combined businesses without adversely affecting current revenues and investments in future growth. There is a significant degree of difficulty and management distraction inherent in the process of integrating an acquisition, which may involve delays or additional and unforeseen expenses. Integration and other disruptions from the KCS acquisition may also disrupt the Company’s ongoing businesses. In connection with the integration of the
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KCS business, the Company has incurred and expects to continue to incur significant costs. These costs may exceed the savings and efficiencies the Company expects to achieve from the integration of the businesses.
In connection with the STB's March 15, 2023 final decision, the STB imposed a number of conditions, including among others (i) commitments by the combined company to keep gateways open on commercially reasonable terms and create no new bottlenecks, (ii) environmental-related conditions, (iii) data reporting and retention requirements, and (iv) a seven-year oversight period for the STB to monitor adherence to these conditions. In addition, the Company inherited conditions previously imposed by the STB on KCS in connection with various prior KCS acquisitions, including in relation to KCS’s commitment to keep the Laredo gateway open on commercially reasonable terms in connection with its prior acquisition of The Texas Mexican Railway. Furthermore, the STB has the authority to issue supplemental orders to address issues or concerns that may arise in the future. In addition, the final decision is subject to a pending petition for review in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Colombia Circuit by a coalition of communities in the Chicago area. Compliance with these conditions and orders, or revisions or additions to the conditions imposed by the STB, could impact the Company’s operations and cause the Company to incur significant expenses. If the Company is not able to successfully achieve its objectives from the KCS acquisition within the anticipated time frame, or at all, the anticipated benefits may not be realized fully or at all, or may take longer to realize than expected, which may adversely affect the Company’s business.
Risks related to Operations in Mexico
The Mexican concession of CPKCM is subject to revocation or termination in certain circumstances, which would prevent CPKCM from conducting rail operations under the Concession and would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations. CPKCM operates under the Concession granted by the Mexican government for a period of 50 years which is renewable under certain conditions, for additional periods, each up to 50 years. The Concession gives CPKCM exclusive rights to provide freight transportation services over its rail lines through 2037 (the first 40 years of the 50-year Concession), subject to certain trackage and haulage rights granted to other freight rail concessionaires, and subject to trackage and haulage rights afforded to concessionaires of concessions that may be granted by the SICT to provide passenger rail service in the future.
The SICT and ARTF, which are principally responsible for regulating railroad services in Mexico, have broad powers to monitor CPKCM’s compliance with the Concession, and they can require CPKCM to supply them with any technical, administrative and financial information they request. Among other obligations, CPKCM must comply with the investment commitments established in its business plan, which forms an integral part of the Concession, and must update the plan every three years. The SICT treats CPKCM’s business plans confidentially. The SICT and ARTF also monitor CPKCM’s compliance with efficiency and safety standards established in the Concession. The SICT and ARTF review, and may amend, these standards from time to time. COFECE also has the authority to regulate railroad service in Mexico, having powers to monitor compliance with the antitrust laws as well as to investigate and determine remedies for anticompetitive practices.
Under the Concession, CPKCM has the right to operate its rail lines, but it does not own the land, roadway or associated structures. If the Mexican government legally terminates the Concession, it would own, control, and manage such public domain assets used in the operation of CPKCM’s rail lines. All other property not covered by the Concession, including all locomotives and railcars otherwise acquired, would remain CPKCM’s property. In the event of early termination, or total or partial revocation of the Concession, the Mexican government would have the right to cause the Company to lease all service related assets to it for a term of at least one year, automatically renewable for additional one-year terms for up to five years. The amount of rent would be determined by experts appointed by CPKCM and the Mexican government. The Mexican government must exercise this right within four months after early termination or revocation of the Concession.
In addition, the Mexican government would also have a right of first refusal with respect to certain transfers by CPKCM of railroad equipment within 90 days after revocation of the Concession. The Mexican government may also temporarily seize control of CPKCM’s rail lines and its assets in the event of a natural disaster, war, significant public disturbance or imminent danger to the domestic peace or economy. In such a case, the SICT may restrict CPKCM’s ability to operate under the Concession in such manner as the SICT deems necessary under the circumstances, but only for the duration of any of the foregoing events. Mexican law requires that the Mexican government pay compensation if it effects a statutory appropriation for reasons of the public interest. With respect to a temporary seizure due to any cause other than international war, the Mexican Regulatory Railroad Service Law and regulations provide that the Mexican government will indemnify an affected concessionaire for an amount equal to damages caused and losses suffered. However, these payments may not be sufficient to compensate CPKCM for its losses and may not be made timely.
The SICT may revoke the Concession if CPKCM is sanctioned for the same cause at least three times within a period of five years for any of the following: unjustly interrupting the operation of its rail lines or rendering its public services for charging rates higher than those it has registered with the ARTF; unlawfully restricting the ability of other Mexican rail operators to use its rail lines; failing to make payments for damages caused during the performance of services; failing to comply with any term or condition of the Mexican Regulatory Railroad Service Law and regulations or the Concession; failing to make the capital investments required under its three-year business plan filed with the SICT; or failing to maintain an obligations compliance bond and insurance coverage as specified in the Mexican Regulatory Railroad Service Law and regulations. In addition, the Concession would terminate automatically if CPKCM changes its nationality or assigns or creates any lien on the Concession, or if there is a change in control of CPKCM without the SICT’s approval.
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The SICT may also terminate the Concession as a result of CPKCM’s surrender of its rights under the Concession, or for reasons of public interest or upon CPKCM’s liquidation or bankruptcy. If the Concession is terminated or revoked by the SICT for any reason, CPKCM would receive no compensation and its interest in its rail lines, and all other fixtures covered by the Concession, as well as all improvements made by it, would revert to the Mexican government. Revocation or termination of the Concession could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations.
The Company’s ownership of CPKCM and operations in Mexico subject it to Mexican economic and political risks. The Mexican government has exercised, and continues to exercise, significant influence over the Mexican economy. Accordingly, Mexican governmental actions and policies concerning the economy and state-owned enterprises, including with respect to taxes, salaries, pension, transport and similar services, as well as other political events in Mexico could have a significant impact on Mexican private sector entities in general and on CPKCM’s operations in particular. For example, CPKCM operations could be impacted with the introduction of new legislation or policies to regulate the railway industry, the energy market, or labour and tax conditions. The Company cannot predict the impact that the political landscape, including multiparty rule, social unrest and civil disobedience, will have on the Mexican economy or CPKCM’s operations. For example, from time to time, teachers' protests in Mexico have resulted in service interruptions on CPKCM’s right of ways. The Company’s consolidated financial statements and prospects may be adversely affected by currency fluctuations, inflation, interest rates, regulation, taxation and other political, social and economic developments in or affecting Mexico. For example, the Company has a tax contingency related to an audit assessment, which is currently in litigation, for the CPKCM 2014 Mexico tax return. An adverse resolution of these matters could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements in a particular quarter or period. Tax contingencies are further discussed in Notes 6 and 25 of Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
The social and political situation in Mexico could adversely affect the Mexican economy and CPKCM’s operations, and changes in laws, public policies, regulations and government programs, including measures related to new or increased taxes, could be enacted, each of which could also have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
The Mexican economy in the past has suffered balance of payment deficits and shortages in FX reserves. Although Mexico has imposed foreign exchange controls in the past, there are currently no exchange controls in Mexico. Any restrictive exchange control policy could adversely affect the Company’s ability to obtain U.S. dollars or to convert Mexican pesos into dollars for purposes of making payments. This could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Downturns in the United States economy or in trade between the United States and Asia or Mexico and fluctuations in the peso-dollar exchange rates could have material adverse effects on the Company’s results of operations. The level and timing of the Company’s Mexican business activity is heavily dependent upon the level of United States-Mexican trade and the effects of current or future multinational trade agreements on such trade. The Mexican operations depend on the United States and Mexican markets for the products CPKCM transports, the relative position of Mexico and the United States in these markets at any given time, and tariffs or other barriers to trade. Failure to preserve trade provisions conducive to trade, or any other action imposing import duties or border taxes, could negatively impact our customers and the volume of rail shipments, and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations.
Downturns in the United States or Mexican economies or in trade between the United States and Mexico could have material adverse effects on the Company’s results of operations and the Company’s ability to meet debt service obligations. In addition, the Company has invested significant amounts in developing its intermodal operations, including the Port of Lázaro Cárdenas, in part to provide Asian importers with an alternative to the west coast ports of the United States, and the level of intermodal traffic depends, to an extent, on the volume of Asian shipments routed through Lázaro Cárdenas. Reductions in trading volumes, which may be caused by factors beyond the Company’s control, including increased government regulations regarding the safety and quality of Asian-manufactured products, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations.
Additionally, fluctuations in the peso-dollar exchange rates could lead to shifts in the types and volumes of Mexican imports and exports. Although a decrease in the level of exports of some of the commodities that CPKCM transports to the United States may be offset by a subsequent increase in imports of other commodities CPKCM hauls into Mexico and vice versa, any offsetting increase might not occur on a timely basis, if at all. Future developments in United States-Mexican trade beyond the Company’s control may result in a reduction of freight volumes or in an unfavourable shift in the mix of products and commodities CPKCM carries.
Extreme volatility in the peso-dollar exchange rate may result in disruption of the international foreign exchange markets and may limit the ability to transfer or convert Mexican pesos into U.S. dollars. Although the Mexican government currently does not restrict, and for many years has not restricted, the right or ability of Mexican or foreign persons or entities to convert pesos into U.S. dollars or to transfer foreign currencies out of Mexico, the Mexican government could, as in the past, institute restrictive exchange rate policies that could limit the ability to transfer or convert pesos into U.S. dollars or other currencies for the purpose of making timely payments and meeting contractual commitments. Fluctuations in the peso-dollar exchange rates also have an effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. A weakening of the peso against the U.S. dollar would cause reported peso-denominated revenues and expenses to decrease, and could increase reported foreign exchange loss due to the Company’s net monetary assets that are peso-denominated. Exchange rate variations also affect the calculation of taxes under Mexican income tax law, and a weakening of the peso against the U.S. dollar could cause an increase in the Company’s cash tax obligation and effective income tax rate.
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Climate-Related Risks
Climate change presents both physical and transition risks to our business. A summary of climate-related risks that could adversely affect our business, operations and financial results is discussed below.
Physical Risks
Changing climate conditions, severe weather or natural disasters could result in significant business interruptions and costs to the Company. The Company is exposed to severe weather conditions and natural disasters, including earthquakes, volcanism, hurricanes, tropical storms, tornadoes, floods, fires, avalanches, mudslides, extreme temperatures, and significant precipitation that have caused track outages, severe damage to infrastructure, and business interruptions that have adversely affected the Company’s entire rail network. These events have resulted and can result in substantial costs to respond during the event and recover following the event. Costs can include modifications to existing infrastructure or implementation of new infrastructure to prevent future impacts to our business.
Impacts from these types of events are highly variable based on the severity and length of the event and scope of network impact. Climate-related changes such as rising mean temperatures and severe weather events can increase physical climate risk potentially compounding impacts to the business and operations. Such events have had and in the future could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity.
Insurance maintained by the Company to protect against loss of business and other related consequences resulting from these natural occurrences is subject to coverage limitations, depending on the nature of the risk insured. This insurance may not be sufficient to cover all of the Company's damages or damages to others, and may not continue to be available at commercially reasonable rates. Even with insurance, if any natural occurrence leads to a catastrophic interruption of services, the Company may not be able to restore services without a significant interruption in operations.
Transition Risks
Reputational Risks
The Company has established a GHG emissions reduction target, and may establish updated or new targets in the future to guide the implementation of the Company's carbon reduction efforts. The Company's inability to achieve our sustainability goals, including the current GHG emissions reduction target or any future targets we may establish could negatively impact the Company, including both our reputation and financial results. The Company has established a science-based GHG emissions reduction target (please see “Sustainability-Related Laws, Regulations and Strategies—Climate Change” in Item 1. Business for further discussion). Our current GHG emissions reduction target and any future GHG emissions reduction targets we may establish are subject to a number of risks, assumptions and uncertainties that include, but are not limited to: changes in carbon markets; evolving sustainability strategies and scientific, methodological or technological developments, including future investments in and the availability of GHG emissions-reduction tools and technologies, shifts in the science, data, methodology and legal and financial considerations underlying our climate and sustainability-related analysis and strategy, including those developed and used by organizations such as SBTi, the ability of the Company to successfully implement its climate and sustainability-related strategies and initiatives (including actions and plans undertaken by the Company to reduce GHG emissions), significant changes in the Company's GHG emissions profile as a result of changes to its railway asset base, the Company's ability to work with governments and third parties to mitigate the impacts of climate change, domestic and international economic conditions, including exchange rates, the effects of competition and regulation, uncertainties in the financial markets, capital spending, actions of vendors, the willingness of customers to acquire our services, cost of network expansion, maintenance and retrofits, and physical impact of climate change on our business. In addition, the accuracy, consistency and usefulness of climate or sustainability-related data (including data underlying our current or future targets and their baselines) could be impacted by a number of factors, including the accuracy of the assumptions in the science-based methodology used to calculate this data, improvement in our data collection and measuring systems, activities such as joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions or divestitures, and industry-driven changes to methodologies. Further, as we continue to integrate KCS, we are conducting additional data-gathering and intend to further assess the climate and sustainability strategies and initiatives for the combined company, and may make changes to our existing strategies and initiatives as a result.
As a result of these and other factors, we may not achieve our current GHG emissions reduction target or any future GHG emissions reduction targets we may establish or do so in a manner that meets standards and expectations developed by third parties such as SBTi. We cannot assure that the Company's current or future plans to reduce GHG emissions will be viable or successful. In addition, there can be no assurance that our shareholders and other stakeholders will agree with our goals and strategies or be satisfied with our efforts to attain such goals. Moreover, any perception, whether or not valid, that we have failed to act responsibly with respect to such matters, failed (or may fail) to achieve our goals or to effectively respond to new or additional legal or regulatory requirements, could adversely affect our business, reputation, and exposure to legal risks. As a result, there is no assurance that we will be able to successfully achieve our sustainability goals, which could damage our reputation and customer and other stakeholder relationships and have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
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Policy and Regulatory Risks
An escalating price on carbon emissions could materially increase direct costs related to fuel purchases and indirect expenses related to purchased goods, materials, and electricity required to operate our business. As a fuel-intensive operation, the Company is exposed to both emerging and escalating carbon pricing regulations. The Company is regulated under multiple carbon taxation systems and cap and trade market mechanisms in the Canadian provinces in which we operate. The Company's Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions generated through our operations in Canada and Mexico are impacted by carbon pricing mechanisms.
The Company is further exposed to carbon pricing through electricity purchases, where electric utilities pass on carbon costs to customers. Introduction of, or changes to, regulations by government bodies in response to climate change that increase the cost of carbon emissions could result in a significant increase in expenses and could adversely affect our business performance, results of operations, financial position, and liquidity.
Please see “Sustainability-Related Laws, Regulations and Strategies” in Item 1. Business for further discussion of climate- and other sustainability-related laws and regulations (including the rulemaking activities of securities regulatory authorities in Canada and the United States) that could materially affect the Company’s operating results, financial condition, and reputation.
Market Risks
A number of the sectors the Company serves have the potential to be significantly impacted by climate-related transitional risks, including increased regulations, technology changes, and shifts in consumer preferences. The Company’s business is based on transporting a wide variety of commodities from suppliers to the marketplace. The Company regularly transports energy commodities that serve refineries, processing locations, and end-users across North America and global markets. The Company’s business lines include thermal and metallurgical coal, petroleum coke, crude oil and petroleum products, including liquefied petroleum gas, fuel oil, asphalt, gasoline, condensate (diluent), and lubricant oils.
Shifting consumer demand to lower-carbon products and increased climate-focused regulations, such as carbon pricing and fuel regulations, may instigate a broad transition in the energy sector. Programs that place a price on carbon emissions or other government restrictions on certain market sectors may further impact current and potential freight rail customers in the energy sector. A comprehensive transition in the energy sector could significantly impact the markets of the Company's energy customers or lead to market differentiation through geographic variation in policies and demand trends. A portion of the Company’s business could be materially affected by potential future changes and instability that may be related to such a transition.
Please see “Sustainability-Related Laws, Regulations and Strategies” in Item 1. Business for further discussion of climate- and other sustainability-related laws, regulations and other legal developments that could materially affect the preferences, activities, and financial conditions of our customers and other stakeholders, as well as the Company’s operating results, financial condition, and reputation.
General Risk Factors
Global Risks
Changes in global economic conditions, international trade policies, and public health conditions could negatively affect demand for commodities and other freight transported by the Company. A decline or disruption in domestic, cross-border, or global economic conditions, including fluctuations in interest rates and changes to international trade policies and tariffs, that affect the supply or demand for commodities that the Company transports may decrease the Company’s freight volumes. This could result in a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial or operating results and liquidity. Economic conditions resulting in bankruptcies of one or more large customers could have a significant impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations, and liquidity in a particular year or quarter.
The Company is also subject to outbreaks of infectious disease, such as risks related to pandemics, which can have adverse impacts on economic and market conditions and the Company's business. Public health crises, including pandemics, have created, and in the future may create, significant volatility, uncertainty, and economic disruption in the regions in which the Company operates and therefore adversely affect the Company's business.
Liquidity Risks
The state of capital markets could adversely affect the Company's liquidity. Weakness in the capital and credit markets could negatively impact the Company’s access to capital. From time to time, the Company relies on the capital markets to provide some of its capital requirements, including the issuance of long-term debt instruments and commercial paper. Significant instability or disruptions of the capital markets and the credit markets, or deterioration of the Company's financial condition due to internal or external factors could restrict or eliminate the Company's access to, and/or significantly increase the cost of, various financing sources, including bank credit facilities and issuance of corporate bonds. Instability or disruptions of the capital markets and deterioration of the Company's financial condition, alone or in combination, could also result in a reduction in the Company's credit rating to below investment grade, which could also further prohibit or restrict the Company from accessing external sources of short-term and long-term debt financing, and/or significantly increase the associated costs.
The Company's indebtedness may pose risks and/or intensify existing risks. As at December 31, 2024, we have $22,623 million of indebtedness.
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The foregoing indebtedness, as well as any additional indebtedness we may incur, could have the effect, among other things, of reducing our liquidity and may limit our flexibility in responding to other business opportunities and increasing our vulnerability to adverse economic and industry conditions.
Our ability to make payments of principal and interest on our indebtedness depends upon our future performance, which will be subject to general economic, financial and business conditions, and other factors affecting our operations, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, we may be required to redeem all of the outstanding 2.450% notes due 2031 and 3.000% notes due 2041 pursuant to a special mandatory redemption requirement of those notes, which could have a significant adverse impact on the business and financial condition of the Company.
Our increased indebtedness could also reduce funds available for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes and may create competitive disadvantages relative to other companies with lower debt levels. If we do not achieve the expected benefits and cost savings from the KCS combination, or if the financial performance of the combined company does not meet current expectations, then our ability to service our indebtedness may be adversely impacted.
The agreements that govern our indebtedness contain various affirmative and negative covenants that may, subject to certain customary exceptions, restrict our ability to, among other things, create liens over our property, change our line of business and/or merge or consolidate with any other person or sell or convey certain of our assets to another person. In addition, some of the agreements that govern our debt financings contain a financial covenant that requires us to maintain certain financial ratios. Various risks, uncertainties and events beyond our control could affect our ability to comply with these covenants and failure to comply with them could result in an event of default, which, if not cured or waived, could accelerate our repayment obligations. Under these circumstances, we may not have sufficient funds or other resources to satisfy all of our obligations.
Moreover, we may be required to raise substantial additional financing to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or other general corporate requirements. Our ability to arrange additional financing or refinancing will depend on, among other factors, our financial position and performance, as well as prevailing market conditions and other factors beyond our control. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain additional financing or refinancing on terms acceptable to us or at all.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 1C. CYBERSECURITY
Risk Management
CPKC’s cybersecurity risk management program is an integrated and essential component of the Company’s overall risk management strategy. Through its Security Management Plan, CPKC maintains a comprehensive, risk-based plan that is modelled on and was developed in conjunction with the security plan prepared by the Association of American Railroads post-September 11, 2001. This plan also covers regulatory requirements such as TSA Cyber Security Directives and auditing requirements. Under this plan, the Company routinely examines and prioritizes cyber vulnerabilities and threats while also testing and revising protective measures for its assets and operations, both physical or cyber. Likewise, the Company’s cybersecurity risk management program entails real-time review and monitoring of CPKC’s cyber-risk exposures and implements strategic processes to manage those risks.
The Company's cybersecurity program utilizes the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework as its foundation. Accordingly, CPKC’s program includes periodic risk assessments, penetration testing by a third-party, audit participation, employee and contractor training, and the implementation of technologies to assist in mitigating cybersecurity risks and harms. Incident response procedures, including escalation procedures, are designed, implemented, and periodically tested to assist the Company in detecting, responding to, and recovering from a potential cybersecurity incident, and making any timely notification or disclosure that may be required under the circumstances. The Company scopes the third-party penetration tests as real-world attacks against perimeter defenses and internal processes such as social engineering and phishing.
The Company's cybersecurity risk management program also includes ongoing threat research and analysis conducted with the assistance of third parties, including on emerging threat attack vectors, tactics, actors and motivations. The Company also engages in ongoing network monitoring and has implemented a vulnerability management and patching program. Further, CPKC employs structured vetting and ongoing risk management processes to identify and mitigate cyber risks associated with the use of third-party service providers, including specifically in the area of technology.
To date, risks arising from cybersecurity threats have not materially affected the Company, its results of its operations, or its financial condition. However, the Company also recognizes the reality of the ever-evolving cyber risk landscape faced by industries and businesses across the world. Depending on their source and nature, cyber incidents could in the future materially affect CPKC and its operations, and financial condition.
See “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of this Form 10-K for further information about information and cybersecurity risk.
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Governance and Oversight
The Board of Directors oversees the work of all its committees, including the Audit and Finance Committee.The Audit and Finance Committee is responsible for, among other things, overseeing the Company’s financial disclosures and its internal and external audit functions, maintaining the integrity of financial reporting and internal controls, and providing stewardship and guidance to management in its approach to the assessment and mitigation of cybersecurity risks.The Chief Information Officer ("CIO") provides annual and periodic updates to the Audit and Finance Committee and the Board of Directors on cybersecurity risks and the Company’s strategy for mitigating such risks. Additionally, the Chief Information Security Officer ("CISO") briefs the Audit and Finance Committee periodically. The Audit and Finance Committee also receives updates on information systems and cybersecurity audit and advisory engagements from the Chief Internal Auditor.
The CISO reports directly to the CIO and is responsible for:
•Overseeing and implementing CPKC's cybersecurity strategy;
•Aligning cybersecurity objectives with the overall business objectives;
•Ensuring compliance with regulatory directives related to cybersecurity;
•Promoting a cybersecurity culture through comprehensive awareness and training programs; and
•Managing and coordinating incident response activities.
The Company's cybersecurity risk management program is supervised by the Managing Director of Enterprise Security who reports directly to the CISO. The CIO and CISO regularly update senior leadership and the executive committee on cybersecurity risks.
The CISO, CIO, and certain members of their management team who are involved in implementing the Company's cybersecurity program possess expertise in cybersecurity risk management. Our CISO and CIO each have many years of experience in designing and implementing cybersecurity frameworks and working to mitigate cyber threats. Among other qualifications, certain members of the CISO's and CIO's management team also have certifications as a CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) and CISM (Certified Information Security Manager).
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Network Geography
The Company operates on a network of approximately 20,000 miles of main track, of which the Company accesses 3,300 miles under trackage rights. The Company's track network represents the size of the Company's operations that connects markets, customers, and other railways. The Company’s network accesses the U.S. markets directly through five wholly-owned subsidiaries: Soo Line Railroad Company (“Soo Line”), a Class I railway operating in the U.S. Midwest; the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad ("DM&E"), which operates in the U.S. Midwest; Delaware & Hudson Railway Company, Inc., which operates between eastern Canada and the U.S. Northeast; the Central Maine & Quebec Railway U.S. Inc., which operates in the U.S. Northeast, and the Kansas City Southern Railway Company, which operates in the central and south-central U.S. KCS indirectly owns CPKCM which operates in northeastern and central Mexico and the port cities of Lázaro Cárdenas, Veracruz, Altamira and Tampico.
The Company’s network in Canada covers approximately 8,400 miles and extends from the Port of Vancouver on Canada’s Pacific Coast to the Port of Montréal, and eastern Québec and to the Port of Saint John via a haulage agreement. The U.S. network covers approximately 8,800 miles and extends through industrial centres of Chicago, Illinois; Detroit, Michigan; Buffalo and Albany, New York; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Kansas City, Missouri; and to the U.S. Gulf Coast with port access at Port Arthur, Texas, New Orleans, Louisiana, and Mobile, Alabama via agreement. The Company’s network in Mexico extends approximately 3,100 miles from the Laredo, Texas border crossing through Mexico City, with port access at Lázaro Cárdenas, Veracruz, Altamira, and Tampico.
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At December 31, 2024, the breakdown of the Company's operated track miles is as follows:
Total
Second and other main track 1,165
Passing sidings and yard track 5,809
Industrial and way track 1,898
Rail Facilities
The Company operates numerous facilities including: terminals for intermodal, transload, automotive and other freight; classification rail yards for train-building and switching, storage-in-transit and other activities; offices to administer and manage operations; dispatch centres to direct traffic on the rail network; crew quarters to house train crews along the rail line; shops and other facilities for fuelling, maintenance and repairs of locomotives; and facilities for maintenance of freight cars and other equipment. The Company continues to invest in terminal upgrades and new facilities to accommodate incremental growth in volumes. Typically in all of our major yards, the Company's Police Services has offices to ensure the safety and security of the yards and operations.
Equipment
The Company's equipment includes: owned and leased locomotives and railcars; 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. In this section, owned equipment includes units acquired by the Company, equipment leased to third parties, units held under finance leases, and equipment leased to the Company under
26 /CPKC 2024 ANNUAL REPORT
short-term or long-term operating leases.
The Company’s locomotive fleet is comprised of largely high-adhesion alternating current line haul locomotives that are more fuel efficient and reliable and have superior hauling capacity as compared with standard direct current locomotives. The Company has entered into locomotive leases in the past to ensure there is appropriate capacity to meet market demand. The Company’s locomotive productivity, defined as the daily average GTMs divided by daily average operating horsepower, for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, was 165 and 171 GTMs per operating horsepower, respectively. Operating horsepower excludes units offline, tied up or in storage, or in use on other railways, and includes foreign units online. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had 257 locomotives in storage. As of December 31, 2024, the Company owned or leased the following locomotive units:
Locomotives Owned Leased Total Average Age (in years)
The Company’s average in-service utilization percentage for freight cars, for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, was 79% and 81%, respectively. As of December 31, 2024, the Company owned and leased the following freight cars:
Freight cars Owned Leased Total Average Age (in years)
As of December 31, 2024, the Company owned and leased the following units of intermodal equipment:
Intermodal equipment Owned Leased Total Average age (in years)
Headquarters Office Building
The Company's global headquarters in Calgary, Alberta is a multi-building campus encompassing the head office building, a data centre, training facility, and other office and operational buildings. The Company’s U.S. headquarters is located in Kansas City while Mexican headquarters are located in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon and Mexico City.
The Company's main dispatch centre is located in Calgary, and is the primary dispatching facility in Canada. Rail traffic controllers coordinate and dispatch crews, and manage the day-to-day locomotive management across the network, 24 hours a day, and seven days a week. The operations centre has a complete backup system in the event of any power disruption.
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In addition to fully operational redundant systems, the Company has a fully integrated Business Continuity Centre, should the Company's operations centre be affected by any natural disaster, fire, cyber-attack, or hostile threat.
The Company also maintains dispatch centres in the U.S. and Mexico, located in Kansas City and Monterrey, respectively, to service the dispatching needs of locomotive and train crews working in the U.S. and Mexico, respectively.
Capital Expenditures
The Company incurs expenditures to expand and enhance its rail network, rolling stock, and other infrastructure. These expenditures are aimed at improving efficiency and safety of our operations. Such investments are also an integral part of the Company's multi-year capital program and support growth initiatives.
In 2024, the Company invested in capital expenditures of $2,825 million (2023 - $2,468 million), up 14% from the prior year mainly as a result of assets acquired as part of the KCS acquisition. For further details, refer to Part II, Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Liquidity and Capital Resources.
Encumbrances
Refer to Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 16 Debt, for information on the Company's finance lease obligations and assets held as collateral under these agreements.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
For further details, refer to Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 25 Commitments and contingencies.
SEC regulations require the disclosure of any proceeding under environmental laws to which a government authority is a party unless the registrant reasonably believes it will not result in sanctions over a certain threshold. The Company uses a threshold of U.S. $1 million for the purposes of determining proceedings requiring disclosure.
From time to time, the Company or its subsidiaries may be subject to information requests from U.S. State or Federal environmental regulatory authorities inquiring as to the Company’s compliance or remediation practices in the U.S. In September 2020, the Company received an initial request for information from the EPA inquiring into the Company’s compliance with the mobile source provisions of the Clean Air Act (“CAA”). The Company has been providing information in response to the EPA’s initial and follow-up requests, and the EPA has issued Notices of Violations, which preliminarily identify certain categories of alleged non-compliance with civil provisions of the CAA pertaining to locomotives and locomotive engines. In December 2022, the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) sent a communication requesting a meeting with the Company to discuss potentially resolving any alleged noncompliance which included an initial draft consent decree from the DOJ. That initial meeting occurred in January 2023 and communications are ongoing. Neither the EPA nor the DOJ has issued a final compendium of alleged violations, demand for corrective or mitigating actions, or articulated a preliminary civil penalty assessment, and it remains too early to provide a fulsome evaluation of the likely outcome with respect to either the nature of any alleged violations or the amount of any potential civil penalty. The Company will continue to fully cooperate and engage in discussions to resolve the matter.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
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INFORMATION ABOUT OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Our executive officers are appointed by the Board of Directors and they hold office until their successors are appointed, subject to resignation, retirement or removal by the Board of Directors. There are no family relationships among our officers, nor any arrangement or understanding between any officer and any other person pursuant to which the officer was selected. As of the date of this filing, the executive officers’ names, ages, and business experience are:
Name, Age and Position Business Experience
CPKC 2024 ANNUAL REPORT / 29
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CPKC 2024 ANNUAL REPORT / 31
PART II
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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Share Information
The Common Shares are listed on the TSX and on the NYSE under the symbol "CP".
Share Capital
At February 26, 2025, the latest practicable date prior to the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, there were 933,713,487 Common Shares issued and outstanding, which consisted of 13,541 holders of record of the Common Shares, and no preferred shares issued and outstanding. In addition, the Company has a Management Stock Option Incentive Plan (“MSOIP”), under which key officers and employees are granted options to purchase Common Shares. All number of options presented herein are shown on the basis of the number of Common Shares subject to the options. At February 26, 2025, 6,558,443 options were outstanding under the MSOIP and stand-alone option agreements entered into with Mr. Keith Creel. There are 20,088,456 options available to be issued by the Company’s MSOIP in the future. The Company also has a Directors' Stock Option Plan (“DSOP”), under which directors are granted options to purchase Common Shares. There are no outstanding options under the DSOP, which has 1,700,000 options available to be issued in the future.
Stock Performance Graph
The following graph provides an indicator of cumulative total shareholder return on the Common Shares, of an assumed investment of $100, as compared to the TSX 60 Index (“TSX 60”), the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index (“S&P 500”), and the peer group index (comprising Canadian National Railway Company, Union Pacific Corporation, Norfolk Southern Corporation and CSX Corporation) on December 31 for each of the years indicated. The values for the assumed investments depicted on the graph and in the table have been calculated assuming that any dividends are reinvested.
CPKC 2024 ANNUAL REPORT / 33
ITEM 6. [RESERVED]
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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
INDEX TO MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Page
Executive Summary 35
Performance Indicators 35
Results of Operations 36
Operating Revenues 36
Operating Expenses 40
Other Income Statement Items 41
Impact of Foreign Exchange on Earnings and Foreign Exchange Risk 42
Impact of Fuel Price on Earnings 43
Impact of Share Price on Earnings and Stock-based Compensation 43
Liquidity and Capital Resources 43
Non-GAAP Measures 47
Critical Accounting Estimates 54
Forward-Looking Statements 58
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The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is intended to enhance a reader’s understanding of the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. The MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, and other information in this annual report. Except where otherwise indicated, all financial information reflected herein is expressed in Canadian dollars. The following section generally discusses 2024 and 2023 items and comparisons between 2024 and 2023. Discussions of 2022 items and comparisons between 2023 and 2022 that are not included in this Form 10-K can be found in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Part II, Item 7, of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
For purposes of this report, unless the context indicates otherwise, all references herein to “CPKC”, “the Company”, “we”, “our” and “us” refer to Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited ("CPKC") and its subsidiaries, which includes Kansas City Southern ("KCS") as a consolidated subsidiary on and from April 14, 2023 (the "Control Date"). Prior to the Control Date, the Company's 100% interest in KCS was accounted for and reported as an equity-method investment.
Executive Summary
2024 Results
•Total revenues were $14,546 million, an increase of 16% compared to $12,555 million in 2023. The increase was primarily due to the impact of the KCS acquisition, higher volumes as measured by revenue ton-miles ("RTMs"), and higher freight revenue per RTM.
•Diluted earnings per share ("EPS") was $3.98, a decrease of 5% compared to $4.21 in 2023.
•Core adjusted combined diluted EPS was $4.25, an increase of 11% compared to $3.84 in 2023.
•Operating ratio was 64.4%, a 60 basis point improvement from 65.0% in 2023.
•Core adjusted combined operating ratio was 61.3%, a 70 basis point improvement from 62.0% in 2023.
Core adjusted combined diluted EPS and Core adjusted combined operating ratio are defined and reconciled in the "Non-GAAP Measures" section of this Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Performance Indicators
These key measures are used by management in the planning process to facilitate decisions that continue to drive further productivity improvements in the Company's operations. These key measures reflect how effective the Company’s management is at controlling costs and executing the Company’s operating plan and strategy. Continued monitoring of these key measures enables the Company to take appropriate actions to deliver superior service and grow its business at low incremental cost.
A GTM is defined as the movement of one ton of train weight over one mile. GTMs are calculated by multiplying total train weight by the distance the train moved. Total train weight comprises the weight of the freight cars, their contents, and any inactive locomotives. An increase in GTMs indicates additional workload. The increase in GTMs was primarily due to the impact of the KCS acquisition and higher volumes of Grain, Energy, chemicals and plastics, Potash, Automotive, and Intermodal. This increase was partially offset by lower volumes of Metals, minerals and consumer products and Coal.
Train miles are defined as the sum of the distance moved by all trains operated on the network. Train miles provide a measure of the productive utilization of our network. A smaller increase in train miles relative to increases in volumes, as measured by RTMs, and/or workload, as measured by GTMs, indicates improved train productivity. The increase in train miles reflected the impact of a 12% increase in workload (GTMs) and a 2% decrease in average train weights, which was primarily due to the impact of the KCS acquisition.
Fuel efficiencyis defined as U.S. gallons of locomotive fuel consumed per 1,000 GTMs. Fuel consumed includes gallons from freight, yard and commuter service but excludes fuel used in capital projects and other non-freight activities. An improvement in fuel efficiency indicates operational cost savings. The decrease in 2024 fuel efficiency was primarily due to the impact of the KCS acquisition.
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An employee is defined as an individual currently engaged in full-time, part-time, or seasonal employment with the Company. The Company monitors employment and workforce levels in order to efficiently meet service and strategic requirements. The number of employees is a key driver to total compensation and benefits costs. The increase in the average number of total employees was primarily due to the acquisition of KCS.
Results of Operations
Operating Revenues
For the year ended December 31 2024 2023 Total Change % Change
Freight revenue per carload (in dollars) $ 3,255 $ 3,036 $ 219 7
Freight revenue per revenue ton-mile (in cents) 6.73 6.50 0.23 4
The Company’s revenues are primarily derived from transporting freight. Changes in freight volumes generally contribute to corresponding changes in Freight revenues and certain variable expenses such as fuel, equipment rents, and crew costs. Non-freight revenues are generated from leasing certain assets, interline switching, and other arrangements including contracts with passenger service operators, subsurface and mineral rights agreements, and logistical services.
Total Revenues
The increase in Freight revenues wasprimarily due to the impact of the KCS acquisition of $1,375 million, higher volumes as measured by RTMs, and higher freight revenue per RTM.The increase in Non-freight revenues was primarily related to a subsurface fibre optic agreement, the impact of the KCS acquisition of $21 million, and higher leasing revenues.
RTMs
RTMs are defined as the movement of one revenue-producing ton of freight over a distance of one mile. RTMs measure the relative weight and distance of rail freight moved by the Company. The increase in RTMs was primarily due to the impact of the KCS acquisition and higher volumes of Grain, Energy, chemicals and plastics, Potash, Automotive, and Intermodal, partially offset by lower volumes of Metals, minerals and consumer products and Coal.
Freight Revenue per RTM
Freight revenue per RTM is defined as freight revenue per revenue-producing ton of freight over a distance of one mile. This is an indicator of yield. The increase in freight revenue per RTM was primarily due to higher freight rates and the favourable impact of the change in foreign exchange ("FX") of $94 million, partially offset by the unfavourable impact of lower fuel prices on fuel surcharge revenues of $184 million.
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Lines of Business
Grain
For the year ended December 31 2024 2023 Total Change % Change
Freight revenue per carload (in dollars) $ 5,480 $ 5,014 $ 466 9
Freight revenue per revenue ton-mile (in cents) 5.18 5.14 0.04 1
The increase in Grain revenue was primarily due to the impact of the KCS acquisition, higher volumes of U.S. corn to the U.S. Pacific Northwest, higher volumes of U.S. soybeans and wheat and Canadian grain to Mexico, and an increase in freight revenue per RTM. This increase was partially offset by theunfavourable impact of lower fuel prices on fuel surcharge revenue. Freight revenue per RTM increased due to higher freight rates and the favourable impact of the change in FX. RTMs increased more than carloads due to moving higher volumes of U.S. grain from the U.S. Midwest to the U.S. Pacific Northwest and Mexico, which have longer lengths of haul.
Coal
For the year ended December 31 2024 2023 Total Change % Change
Freight revenue per carload (in dollars) $ 2,076 $ 1,911 $ 165 9
Freight revenue per revenue ton-mile (in cents) 4.12 3.89 0.23 6
The increase in Coal revenue was primarily due to the impact of the KCS acquisition, an increase in freight revenue per RTM, and higher volumes of Canadian coal to Thunder Bay, Ontario and Vancouver, British Columbia ("B.C."). This increase was partially offset by lower volumes of U.S. coal, lower volumes of Canadian coal to Kamloops, B.C., and the unfavourable impact of lower fuel prices on fuel surcharge revenue. Freight revenue per RTM increased due to higher freight rates and the favourable impact of the change in FX. RTMs increased more than carloads due to moving higher volumes of Canadian coal to Thunder Bay and Vancouver, which have longer lengths of haul.
Potash
For the year ended December 31 2024 2023 Total Change % Change
Freight revenues (in millions) $ 614 $ 566 $ 48 8
Freight revenue per carload (in dollars) $ 3,627 $ 3,687 $ (60) (2)
Freight revenue per revenue ton-mile (in cents) 3.43 3.35 0.08 2
The increase in Potash revenue was primarily due to higher volumes of export potash to the U.S. Pacific Northwest due to recovery of operations following an equipment failure at the Port of Portland in 2023, higher volumes of export potash to Thunder Bay, and an increase in freight revenue per RTM. This increase was partially offset by lower volumes of export potash to Vancouver as a result of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union's work stoppage in November 2024, lower volumes of domestic potash, lower volumes of export potash to Chicago, Illinois, and the unfavourable impact of lower fuel prices on fuel surcharge revenue. Freight revenue per RTM increased due to higher freight rates and the favourable impact of the change in FX. Carloads increased more than RTMs due to moving higher volumes of export potash to the U.S. Pacific Northwest, which has a shorter length of haul.
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Fertilizers and Sulphur
For the year ended December 31 2024 2023 Total Change % Change
Freight revenues (in millions) $ 406 $ 385 $ 21 5
Freight revenue per carload (in dollars) $ 6,042 $ 5,842 $ 200 3
Freight revenue per revenue ton-mile (in cents) 7.72 7.68 0.04 1
The increase in Fertilizers and sulphur revenue was primarily due to higher volumes of dry fertilizers and sulphur moving between Chicago and Alberta, higher volumes of wet fertilizers, the impact of the KCS acquisition, and an increase in freight revenue per RTM. This increase was partially offset by the unfavourable impact of lower fuel prices on fuel surcharge revenue. Freight revenue per RTM increased due to higher freight rates and the favourable impact of the change in FX. RTMs increased more than carloads due to moving higher volumes of dry fertilizers and sulphur between Chicago and Alberta, which have longer lengths of haul.
Forest Products
For the year ended December 31 2024 2023 Total Change % Change
Freight revenue per carload (in dollars) $ 5,849 $ 5,524 $ 325 6
Freight revenue per revenue ton-mile (in cents) 8.99 8.67 0.32 4
The increase in Forest products revenue was primarily due to the impact of the KCS acquisition, higher volumes of lumber from B.C. and Alberta to Texas and the U.S. Midwest, higher freight rates, and the favourable impact of the change in FX. This increase was partially offset by lower volumes of wood pulp and paperboard and the unfavourable impact of lower fuel prices on fuel surcharge revenue.
Energy, Chemicals and Plastics
For the year ended December 31 2024 2023 Total Change % Change
Freight revenue per carload (in dollars) $ 4,900 $ 4,725 $ 175 4
Freight revenue per revenue ton-mile (in cents) 7.34 6.97 0.37 5
The increase in Energy, chemicals and plastics revenue was primarily due to the impact of the KCS acquisition, higher volumes of fuel oil, conventional crude from Alberta to Chicago, plastics, and ethylene glycol, and an increase in freight revenue per RTM. This increase was partially offset by the unfavourable impact of lower fuel prices on fuel surcharge revenue and lower volumes of DRUbitTM crude to Port Arthur, Texas. Freight revenue per RTM increased due to higher freight rates and the favourable impact of the change in FX.
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Metals, Minerals and Consumer Products
For the year ended December 31 2024 2023 Total Change % Change
Freight revenue per carload (in dollars) $ 3,433 $ 3,449 $ (16) —
Freight revenue per revenue ton-mile (in cents) 9.27 8.65 0.62 7
The increase in Metals, minerals and consumer products revenue was primarily due to the impact of the KCS acquisition and an increase in freight revenue per RTM. This increase was partially offset by lower volumes of steel, frac sand to the Bakken and Permian Basin shale formations, and aggregates, and the unfavourable impact of lower fuel prices on fuel surcharge revenue. Freight revenue per RTM increased due to higher freight rates and the favourable impact of the change in FX. Carloads increased more than RTMs due to the impact of the KCS acquisition, as the KCS network has a shorter average length of haul, and moving lower volumes of frac sand to the Bakken shale formation, which has a longer length of haul.
Automotive
For the year ended December 31 2024 2023 Total Change % Change
Freight revenue per revenue ton-mile (in cents) 25.53 26.10 (0.57) (2)
The increase in Automotive revenue was primarily due to higher volumes from Mexico to various locations in North America, from Vancouver to eastern Canada, and from Ontario to the U.S. Midwest, the impact of the KCS acquisition, and higher freight rates. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in freight revenue per RTM due to the unfavourable impact of lower fuel prices on fuel surcharge revenue. RTMs increased more than carloads due to moving higher volumes from Mexico to the U.S. Midwest and from Vancouver to eastern Canada, which have longer lengths of haul.
Intermodal
For the year ended December 31 2024 2023 Total Change % Change
Freight revenue per carload (in dollars) $ 1,536 $ 1,534 $ 2 —
Freight revenue per revenue ton-mile (in cents) 7.17 7.36 (0.19) (3)
The increase in Intermodal revenue was primarily due to the impact of the KCS acquisition, higher international intermodal volumes to and from the Port of Vancouver, including onboarding a new customer, and to and from the Port of Saint John, higher domestic intermodal wholesale volumes, higher freight rates, and the favourable impact of the change in FX. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in freight revenue per RTM, lower domestic intermodal volumes between Mexico and Texas, and lower international intermodal volumes to and from the Port of Montréal. Freight revenue per RTM decreased due to the unfavourable impact of lower fuel prices on fuel surcharge revenue. RTMs increased more than carloads due to moving higher international intermodal volumes to and from the Port of Vancouver, which has a longer length of haul, and moving lower domestic intermodal volumes between Mexico and Texas, which has a shorter length of haul.
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Operating Expenses
Compensation and Benefits
Compensation and benefits expense includes employee wages, salaries, fringe benefits, and stock-based compensation. The increase in Compensation and benefits expense was primarily due to:
•the impact of the KCS acquisition of $243 million;
•the impact of wage and benefit inflation; and
•increased volume variable expense as a result of an increase in workload as measured by GTMs.
This increase was partially offset by:
•lower acquisition-related costs incurred by CPKC primarily due to restructuring charges of $50 million incurred by KCS in 2023;
•a reduction in training costs; and
•a decrease in stock-based compensation (excluding amounts included in the impact of the KCS acquisition, and acquisition-related costs) of $28 million driven by changes in payout rates and the Common Share price.
Fuel
Fuel expense consists mainly of fuel used by locomotives and includes provincial, state, and federal fuel taxes. The increase in Fuel expense in 2024 was primarily due to the impact of the KCS acquisition of $179 million and an increase in workload, as measured by GTMs. This was partially offset by the impact of lower fuel prices of $86 million.
Materials
Materials expense includes the cost of materials used for the maintenance of track, locomotives, freight cars, and buildings, as well as software sustainment. The increase in Materials expense was primarily due to the impact of the KCS acquisition of $33 million and higher locomotive material costs due to a new parts agreement insourcing a subset of maintenance work with favorable offset in purchased services and other effective in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Equipment Rents
Equipment rents expense includes the cost associated with using other railways' freight cars, intermodal equipment, and locomotives, net of recoveries received from other railways for the use of the Company’s equipment. The increase in Equipment rents expense was primarily due to:
•the impact of the KCS acquisition of $37 million;
•the impact of cost inflation; and
•lower recoveries from other railways for their use of the Company's locomotives.
This increase was partially offset by greater recoveries from other railways for their use of the Company's freight cars and reduced payments to other railways for the use of their freight cars.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense is the charge associated with the use of track and roadway, rolling stock, buildings, and other depreciable assets, including assets related to a concession granted by the Mexican government, as well as amortization of finite life intangible assets. The increase in Depreciation and amortization expense was primarily due to:
•the impact of the KCS acquisition of $255 million;
•a higher depreciable asset base as a result of capital program spending in 2024 and 2023; and
•the unfavourable impact of the change in FX of $13 million.
CPKC 2024 ANNUAL REPORT / 41
Purchased Services and Other
Purchased services and other expense encompasses a wide range of third-party costs, including expenses for joint facilities, personal injury and damage claims, provisions for environmental remediation, property taxes, contractor and consulting fees, and insurance premiums. The increase in Purchased services and other expense was primarily due to:
•the impact of the KCS acquisition of $235 million;
•a 2023 business interruption insurance recovery of $51 million;
•the impact of cost inflation;
•higher terminal service costs;
•higher casualty incident costs;
•higher environmental management expenses; and
•the unfavourable impact of the change in FX of $13 million.
This increase was partially offset by:
•a one-time fee of $34 million (U.S. $25 million) received in connection with the Company's agreement to waive a departing executive's non- competition agreement with respect to their employment with Norfolk Southern Corporation;
•lower acquisition-related costs incurred by CPKC, including payments made in 2023 to certain communities across the combined network to address the environmental and societal impacts of increased traffic; and
•lower third-party locomotive costs due to insourcing and a new parts agreement embedded in Materials effective in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Other Income Statement Items
Equity Earnings of Kansas City Southern
On April 14, 2023, the Company assumed control of KCS, and ceased recognizing equity earnings of KCS.
The Company recognized $230 million (U.S. $170 million) of equity earnings of KCS for the period from January 1 to April 13, 2023. This amount was net of amortization of basis differences of $48 million (U.S. $35 million) associated with KCS purchase accounting, and was net of acquisition-related costs (net of tax) incurred by KCS. These basis differences related to depreciable property, plant and equipment, intangible assets with definite lives, and long-term debt, and were amortized over the related assets' remaining useful lives, and the remaining terms to maturity of the debt instruments. Acquisition-related costs (net of tax) incurred by KCS in the period from January 1 to April 13, 2023, were $11 million (U.S. $8 million). KCS U.S. dollar historical results were translated at the average FX rate for the period January 1 to April 13, 2023 of $1.00 USD = $1.35 CAD.
Other (Income) Expense
Other (income) expense consists of gains and losses from the change in FX on cash and working capital, the impact of foreign exchange currency forwards, financing costs, shareholder costs, equity earnings, and other non-operating expenditures. Other income was $42 million, a change of $94 million, or 181%, from Other expense of $52 million in 2023. This change was primarily due to:
•higher equity income of $30 million due to a settlement of a property disposition by an equity investee;
•a lower loss of $35 million on FX forward contracts to sell Mexican pesos and buy U.S.dollars (see Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 17 Financial instruments for details); and
•gains on debt extinguishments of $22 million (see Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 16 Debt for details).
Other Components of Net Periodic Benefit Recovery
Other components of net periodic benefit recovery are related to the Company's pension and other post-retirement and post-employment benefit plans. It includes interest cost on benefit obligation, expected return on plan assets, recognized net actuarial loss, and amortization of prior service costs. Other components of net periodic benefit recovery was $352 million in 2024, an increase of $25 million, or 8%, from $327 million in 2023. The increase was primarily due to a decrease in interest cost on the benefit obligation of $17 million and an increase in the expected return on plan assets of $9 million.
Net Interest Expense
Net interest expense includes interest on long-term debt, short-term debt, and finance leases. Net interest expense was $801 million in 2024, an increase of $30 million, or 4%, from $771 million in 2023. The increase was primarily due to interest of $41 million incurred on debt previously issued by KCS and exchanged with Canadian Pacific Railway Company ("CPRC") following the acquisition of control, and higher interest on commercial paper of $19 million as a result of higher outstanding borrowings. This increase was partially offset by lower interest expense of $39 million following the repayment of maturing long-term debt.
Remeasurement of Kansas City Southern
On April 14, 2023, the Company assumed control of KCS and began accounting for its acquisition as a business combination achieved in stages. Upon assuming control, the carrying value of the previously held equity investment in KCS was remeasured to its fair value and upon derecognition, a loss of
42 /CPKC 2024 ANNUAL REPORT
$7,175 million was recognized in 2023. This loss was primarily due to the outside basis tax initially recognized at the time of the Company's initial investment in KCS.
Income Tax Expense (Recovery)
Income tax expense was $1,059 million in 2024, a change of $8,035 million, or 115%, from an income tax recovery of $6,976 million in 2023. The change was primarily due to:
•a deferred income tax recovery of $7,832 million in 2023 on the derecognition of the deferred income tax liability on the outside basis difference of the investment in KCS upon acquiring control;
•the impact of the KCS acquisition of $103 million;
•higher current income tax expense due to higher taxable earnings;
•a deferred income tax recovery of $58 million, recorded in 2023, on the revaluation of deferred income tax balances on unitary state apportionment changes; and
•an outside basis deferred income tax recovery of $23 million, recorded in 2023, arising from the change in the carrying amount of the investment in KCS for financial reporting.
This change was partially offset by an increase in deferred income tax recovery of $68 million due to state corporate income tax rate changes.
The effective income tax rate for 2024 was 22.19% and 24.14% on a Core adjusted basis. The effective income tax rate for 2023 was 228.50% and 24.01% on a Core adjusted basis. The Company's 2025 Core adjusted effective tax rate is expected to be approximately 24.50%. The Core adjusted effective tax rate is a Non-GAAP measure, calculated as the effective tax rate adjusted for significant items as they are not considered indicative of future financial trends either by nature or amount nor provide comparability to past performance. The Company uses the Core adjusted effective tax rate to evaluate CPKC’s operating performance and for planning and forecasting future profitability. Core adjusted effective tax rate also excludes equity earnings of KCS (net of tax) and KCS purchase accounting to provide financial statement users with additional transparency by isolating the impact of KCS purchase accounting. This Non-GAAP measure does not have a standardized meaning and is not defined by GAAP and, therefore, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Significant items and KCS purchase accounting are discussed further in Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Non-GAAP measures. The outlook for the Company’s 2025 Core adjusted effective income tax rate is based on certain assumptions about events and developments that may or may not materialize, or that may be offset entirely or partially by new events and developments. These assumptions are discussed further in Item 1A. Risk Factors. Refer also to "Forward-Looking Statements" below for further details.
Impact of Foreign Exchange on Earnings and Foreign Exchange Risk
Although the Company is headquartered in Canada and reports in Canadian dollars, a significant portion of its revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities, including debt, are denominated in U.S. dollars and Mexican pesos. In addition, equity earnings of KCS recognized for the period from January 1 to April 13, 2023 are denominated in U.S. dollars. The value of the Canadian dollar is affected by a number of domestic and international factors, including, without limitation, economic performance, commodity prices, and Canadian, U.S., and international monetary policies. Fluctuations in FX affect the Company’s financial results because revenues and expenses denominated in U.S. dollars and Mexican pesos are translated into Canadian dollars. U.S. dollar-denominated revenues and expenses increase (decrease) when the Canadian dollar weakens (strengthens) in relation to the U.S. dollar. Mexican peso-denominated revenues and expenses increase (decrease) when the U.S. dollar weakens (strengthens) in relation to the Mexican peso.
In 2024, the U.S. dollar strengthened to an average rate of $1.37 Canadian/U.S. dollar and the Mexican Peso weakened to an average rate of Ps.13.32 Mexican Peso/Canadian dollar, compared to $1.35 Canadian/U.S. dollar and Ps.13.12Mexican Peso/Canadian dollar in 2023, resulting in an increase in Total revenues of $95 million, an increase in Total operating expenses of $48 million, and an increase in Net interest expense of $11 million.
In 2025, the Company expects that every $0.01 weakening (or strengthening) of the Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar, positively (or negatively) impacts Total revenues by approximately $76 million (2024 - approximately $75 million), negatively (or positively) impacts Operating expenses by approximately $43 million (2024 - approximately $46 million), and negatively (or positively) impacts Net interest expense by approximately $6 million (2024 - approximately $5 million) on an annualized basis.
In 2025, the Company expects that every Ps.0.10 strengthening (or weakening) of the Mexican peso relative to the Canadian dollar, positively (or negatively) impacts Total revenues by approximately $6 million (2024 - approximately $7 million) and negatively (or positively) impacts Operating expenses by approximately $6 million (2024 - approximately $7 million) on an annualized basis.
The Company uses U.S. dollar-denominated debt and operating lease liabilities to hedge its net investment in U.S. operations. As at December 31, 2024, the net investment in U.S. operations is greater than the total U.S. denominated debt and operating lease liabilities. Consequently, FX translation on the Company's unhedged net investment in U.S. operations is recognized in Other comprehensive income. There is no additional impact on earnings in Other (income) expense related to the FX translation on the Company’s debt and operating lease liabilities.
CPKC 2024 ANNUAL REPORT / 43
To manage its exposure to fluctuations in exchange rates between Canadian dollars, U.S. dollars, and or Mexican pesos, the Company may sell or purchase U.S. dollar or Mexican peso forwards at fixed rates in future periods. In addition, changes in the exchange rate between the Canadian dollar and other currencies (including the U.S. dollar and Mexican peso) make the goods transported by the Company more or less competitive in the world marketplace and may in turn positively or negatively affect revenues.
Impact of Fuel Price on Earnings
Fluctuations in fuel prices affect the Company’s results because fuel expense constitutes a significant portion of the Company's operating expenses. As fuel prices fluctuate, there will be an impact on earnings due to the timing of recoveries from the Company's fuel cost adjustment program, as discussed further in Item 1. Business, Operations, Fuel Cost Adjustment Program and Item 1A. Risk Factors, “The Company is affected by fluctuating fuel prices”.
The impact of fuel price on earnings includes the impacts of carbon taxes, levies, and obligations under cap-and-trade programs recovered and paid, on revenues and expenses, respectively.
In 2024, the unfavourable impact of fuel prices on Operating income was $98 million. Lower fuel prices and the unfavourable impact from the timing of recoveries under the Company's fuel cost adjustment program, partially offset by increased carbon levy surcharge revenues, resulted in a decrease in Total revenues of $184 million from 2023. Lower fuel prices resulted in a decrease in Total operating expenses of $86 million from 2023.
Impact of Share Price on Earnings and Stock-Based Compensation
Fluctuations in the Common Share price affect the Company's Operating expense because stock-based compensation liabilities are measured at fair value. The Company's Common Shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") and the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") with ticker symbol "CP".
In 2024, the change in the Company's Common Share price resulted in a stock-based compensation expense recovery of $13 million, a variance of $17 million from $4 million expense in 2023.
Based on information available at December 31, 2024 and expectations for 2025 share-based grants, for every $1.00 change in the Company's Common Share price, stock-based compensation expense has a corresponding change of approximately $1.9 million to $2.7 million. This excludes the impact of changes in Common Share price relative to the S&P/TSX 60 Index, S&P 500 Industrials Index, and to other Class I railways, which may trigger different performance share unit payouts. Stock-based compensation expense may also be impacted by non-market performance conditions.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company's primary sources of liquidity include its Cash and cash equivalents, commercial paper program, bilateral letter of credit facilities, and revolving credit facility. The Company believes that these sources as well as cash flow generated from operations and existing debt capacity are adequate to meet its short-term and long-term cash requirements. The Company is not aware of any material trends, events, or uncertainties that would create any deficiencies in the Company's liquidity.
As at December 31, 2024, the Company had $739 million of Cash and cash equivalents compared to $464 million at December 31, 2023.
During 2024, the Company repaid the remaining balance of U.S. $1,429 million ($2,002 million) on its 1.35% 3-year Notes. The Company also repaid U.S. $48 million ($66 million) on its 5.41% Senior Secured Notes and repurchased, on the open market, certain of its Senior Notes with principal values of U.S. $176 million ($241 million).
Effective June 25, 2024, the Company entered into a third amended and restated revolving credit facility (the "facility") agreement to extend the maturity dates under the facility. The amendment extended the maturity date of the five-year U.S. $1.1 billion tranche from May 11, 2028 to June 25, 2029. The amendment also extended the maturity date of the two-year U.S. $1.1 billion tranche from May 11, 2025 to June 25, 2026. As at December 31, 2024, the Company had U.S. $200 million ($288 million) drawn on the two-year U.S. $1.1 billiontranche of its revolving credit facility (December 31, 2023 - undrawn) and was undrawn on the five-year U.S. $1.1 billion tranche (December 31, 2023 - undrawn).
The Company has a commercial paper program that enables it to issue commercial paper in the form of unsecured promissory notes. The Company's existing commercial paper program is backed by the revolving credit facility. As at December 31, 2024, the Company had total commercial paper borrowings outstanding of U.S. $1,102 million ($1,586 million) (December 31, 2023 - U.S. $800 million ($1,058 million)).
The Company has bilateral letter of credit facilities with six financial institutions to support its requirement to post letters of credit in the ordinary course of business. Under these agreements, the Company has the option to post collateral in the form of cash or cash equivalents, equal at least to the face value of the letter of credit issued. These agreements permit the Company to withdraw amounts posted as collateral at any time; therefore, the amounts posted as collateral are presented as “Cash and cash equivalents” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. As at December 31, 2024, the Company did not have any collateral posted on its bilateral letter of credit facilities (December 31, 2023 - $nil) and had letters of credit drawn of $95 million (December 31, 2023 - $93 million) from a total available amount of $300 million.
44 /CPKC 2024 ANNUAL REPORT
Contractual Commitments
The Company’s material cash requirements from known contractual obligations and commitments to make future payments primarily consist of long-term debt and related interest, capital commitments, supplier purchases, leases, and other long term liabilities. Outstanding obligations related to debt and leases can be found in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 16 Debt and Note 19 Leases. Interest obligations related to debt and finance leases amount to $783 million within the next 12 months, with the remaining amount committed thereafter of $17,054 million.
Supplier purchase agreements and other long-term liabilities due in the next 12 months are $971 million and $73 million, respectively. The remaining amounts committed thereafter are $2,944 million and $632 million, respectively. Other long-term liabilities include expected cash payments for environmental remediation, post-retirement benefits, worker’s compensation benefits, long-term disability benefits, pension benefit payments for the Company’s non-registered supplemental pension plan, and certain other long-term liabilities. Capital commitments are discussed further in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 25 Commitments and contingencies.
Concession Duty
The Company's subsidiary, Kansas City Southern de México, S.A. de C.V. ("CPKCM") has a fifty-year concession (the "Concession"), which will expire in 2047 but is renewable under certain conditions, for additional periods, each up to 50 years. Under the Concession, CPKCM pays annual concession duties equal to 1.25% of its gross revenues. Capital commitments under the Concession are described in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 25 Commitments and contingencies.
Guarantees
Refer to Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 26 Guarantees for details.
Operating Activities
Cash provided by operating activities increased $1,132 million in 2024 compared to 2023. The increase was primarily due to an increase in cash generating income, including the impact of the acquisition of KCS, and an unfavourable change in working capital in 2023.
Investing Activities
Cash used in investing activities increased $634 million in 2024 compared to 2023. The increase was primarily due to higher additions to properties, including the impact of the acquisition of KCS, and cash acquired on control of KCS in 2023.
Capital Programs
Additions to capital
Less:
Non-cash transactions 29 23
Cash invested in additions to properties $ 2,825 $ 2,468
Track installation capital programs
Track miles of rail laid 328 323
Track miles of rail capacity expansion 18 24
Crossties installed (thousands) 1,484 1,617
Track and roadway expenditures include the replacement and enhancement of the Company’s track infrastructure. Of the $1,997 million additions to capital in 2024 (2023 - $1,623 million), approximately $1,610 million (2023 - $1,373 million) was invested in the renewal of depleted assets, namely rail, ties, ballast, signals, and bridges. Approximately $387 million (2023 - $250 million) was invested in network improvements and growth initiatives.
CPKC 2024 ANNUAL REPORT / 45
Rolling stock investments encompass locomotives and railcars. In 2024, expenditures on locomotives were approximately $335 million (2023 - $186 million) which were focused on the continued investment in the Company's locomotive fleets. Railcar investment of approximately $11 million (2023 - $87 million) was largely focused on the renewal of depleted assets.
In 2024, investments in buildings were approximately $140 million (2023 - $112 million) and included the new operations building in Kansas City, facility upgrades, renovations, and shop equipment. Other investments were $371 million (2023 - $483 million) and included investments in intermodal equipment, information systems, work equipment, and vehicles.
For 2025, the Company expects to invest approximately $2.9 billion in its capital programs. Capital programs are expected to be financed with cash generated from operations. Of the planned capital programs, approximately:
•55% to 60% is expected to be allocated to track and roadway;
•30% to 35% is expected to be allocated to rolling stock, including railcars and locomotives; and
•5% to 15% is expected to be allocated to buildings and other investments.
Additional discussion of capital commitments can be found in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 25 Commitments and contingencies.
Financing Activities
The Company remains focused on returning to its long-term leverage ratio, following the acquisition of KCS, with repayments and repurchases of long-term debt remaining stable across the comparative period. Cash used in financing activities increased $297 million in 2024 compared to 2023. The increase was primarily due to a decrease in net issuances of commercial paper of $656 million, driven by net issuances of $439 million in 2024 compared to $1,095 million in 2023. This was partially offset by an increase of $274 million in short term borrowings in 2024, driven by drawings on the Company's revolving credit facility.
Credit Measures
Credit ratings provide information relating to the Company’s operations and liquidity, and affect the Company’s ability to obtain short-term and long-term financing and/or the cost of such financing. The margin that applies to outstanding loans under the Company’s revolving credit facility is based on the credit rating assigned to the Company’s senior unsecured and unsubordinated debt. If the Company’s credit ratings were to decline to below investment-grade levels, the Company could experience a significant increase in its interest cost for new debt along with a negative effect on its ability to readily issue new debt.
Credit ratings and outlooks are based on the rating agencies’ methodologies and can change from time to time to reflect their views of the Company. Their views are affected by numerous factors including, but not limited to, the Company’s financial position and liquidity along with external factors beyond the Company’s control.
As at December 31, 2024, the Company's credit ratings from Standard & Poor's Rating Services ("Standard & Poor's") remain unchanged from December 31, 2023. During the first quarter of 2024, Moody's Investor Service ("Moody's") upgraded the Company's outlook from stable to positive. The following table shows the ratings issued for the Company by the rating agencies noted as at December 31, 2024 and is being presented as it relates to the Company’s cost of funds and liquidity. During the first quarter of 2025, Moody's upgraded the Company's Long-term debt rating to Baa1.
Credit ratings as at December 31, 2024(1)
Long-term debt Outlook
Standard & Poor's BBB+ stable
Moody's Baa2 positive
Commercial paper program
Standard & Poor's A-2 N/A
Moody's P-2 N/A
(1) Credit ratings are not recommendations to purchase, hold, or sell securities and do not address the market price or suitability of a specific security for a particular investor. Credit ratings are based on the rating agencies' methodologies and may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the rating agencies.
46 /CPKC 2024 ANNUAL REPORT
Supplemental Guarantor Financial Information
CPRC a 100%-owned subsidiary of CPKC, is the issuer of certain securities, which are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by CPKC on an unsecured basis. The other subsidiaries of CPRC do not guarantee the securities and are referred to below as the “Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries”.
As of the date of the filing of the Form 10-K, CPRC had U.S. $12,466 million principal amount of SEC-registered debt securities outstanding due through 2115 issued in the U.S. pursuant to a trust indenture, and U.S. $30 million and GBP £3 million in perpetual 4% consolidated debenture stock, for all of which CPKC is the guarantor subject to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), as amended. As of the same date, CPRC also had $2,300 million principal amount of debt securities outstanding due through 2050 issued in Canada under our Canadian base shelf prospectus for which CPKC is the guarantor and not subject to the Exchange Act.
CPKC fully and unconditionally guarantees the payment of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest on the debt securities and consolidated debenture stock issued by CPRC, any sinking fund or analogous payments payable with respect to such securities, and any additional amounts payable when they become due, whether at maturity or otherwise. The guarantee is CPKC’s unsubordinated and unsecured obligation and ranks equally with all of CPKC’s other unsecured, unsubordinated obligations. CPKC will be released and relieved of its obligations under the guarantees after obligations to the holders are satisfied in accordance with the terms of the respective instruments. More information on the securities under this guarantee structure can be found in Exhibit 22.1 List of Issuers and Guarantor Subsidiaries of this annual report.
Pursuant to Rules 3-01 and 13-01 of the Securities Exchange Commission ("SEC")'s Regulation S-X, the Company provides summarized financial and non-financial information of CPRC in lieu of providing separate financial statements of CPRC.
Summarized Financial Information
The following tables present summarized financial information for CPRC (Subsidiary Issuer) and CPKC (Parent Guarantor) on a combined basis after elimination of (i) intercompany transactions and balances among CPRC and CPKC; (ii) equity in earnings from and investments in the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries; and (iii) intercompany dividend income.
Statement of Income Information
CPRC (Subsidiary Issuer) and CPKC (Parent Guarantor)
For the year ended December 31 (in millions of Canadian dollars) 2024 2023
Income before income tax expense 2,061 2,035
(1) Includes net lease costs incurred from Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 2024, and 2023 of $462 million and $463 million, respectively.
(2) Includes Other (income) expense, Other components of net periodic benefit recovery, and Net interest expense.
Balance Sheet Information
CPRC (Subsidiary Issuer) and CPKC (Parent Guarantor)
As at December 31 (in millions of Canadian dollars) 2024 2023
Assets
Liabilities
Other non-current liabilities 3,832 3,412
CPKC 2024 ANNUAL REPORT / 47
Excluded from the Income Statement and Balance Sheet information above are the following significant intercompany transactions and balances that CPRC and CPKC have with the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries:
Transactions with Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
CPRC (Subsidiary Issuer) and CPKC (Parent Guarantor)
For the year ended December 31 (in millions of Canadian dollars) 2024 2023
Dividend income from Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries $ 622 $ 309
Capital contributions to Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries — (4,324)
Return of capital from Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries 422 —
Balances with Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
CPRC (Subsidiary Issuer) and CPKC (Parent Guarantor)
As at December 31 (in millions of Canadian dollars) 2024 2023
Assets
Accounts receivable, intercompany $ 263 $ 455
Short-term advances to affiliates 197 1,788
Liabilities
Accounts payable, intercompany $ 230 $ 347
Short-term advances from affiliates 130 2,783
Long-term advances from affiliates 3,968 —
Non-GAAP Measures
The Company presents Non-GAAP measures, namely Core adjusted combined operating ratio and Core adjusted combined diluted EPS, to provide an additional basis for evaluating underlying earnings trends in the Company's current period's financial results that can be compared with the results of operations in prior periods. Management believes these Non-GAAP measures facilitate a multi-period assessment of long-term profitability.
These Non-GAAP measures have no standardized meanings and are not defined by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") and, therefore, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. The presentation of these Non-GAAP measures is not intended to be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or as superior to the financial information presented in accordance with GAAP.
Non-GAAP Performance Measures
On the Control Date, Canadian Pacific Railway Limited obtained control of KCS and CPKC began consolidating KCS, which had been accounted for under the equity method of accounting between December 14, 2021 and April 13, 2023. On the Control Date, CPKC’s previously-held interest in KCS was remeasured to its Control Date fair value. CPKC presents Core adjusted combined measures to provide a comparison to prior period financial information as adjusted to exclude certain significant items and KCS purchase accounting. The most directly comparable GAAP measures to certain Non-GAAP measures already include KCS's net income attributable to shareholders as a result of applying the equity method of accounting following the acquisition of shares of KCS on December 14, 2021. For example, CPKC's year ended December 31, 2023 diluted EPS, which included equity earnings of KCS for the period January 1 through April 13, 2023, is used to reconcile to Core adjusted combined diluted EPS. Conversely, the most directly comparable GAAP measures to the other Non-GAAP measures do not include KCS's equity earnings. For example, the operating ratio, which is used to reconcile to Core adjusted combined operating ratio, did not include KCS's operating ratio for the period January 1 through April 13, 2023, as equity income was recognized within non-operating earnings. These measures are calculated by (1) adding KCS historical GAAP results and giving effect to transaction accounting adjustments in a manner consistent with Regulation S-X Article 11 ("Article 11"), where applicable, and (2) adjusting for KCS purchase accounting and significant items that management believes affect the comparability between periods.
48 /CPKC 2024 ANNUAL REPORT
Management believes these Non-GAAP measures provide meaningful supplemental information about our operating results because they exclude certain significant items that are not considered indicative of future financial trends either by nature or amount or provide improved comparability to past performance. As a result, these items are excluded for management's assessment of operational performance, allocation of resources, and preparation of annual budgets. These significant items may include, but are not limited to, restructuring and asset impairment charges, individually significant gains and losses from sales of assets, acquisition-related costs, adjustments to provisions and settlements of Mexican taxes, KCS's gain on unwinding of interest rate hedges (net of CPKC's associated purchase accounting basis differences and tax), as recognized within "Equity earnings of Kansas City Southern" in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income, loss on derecognition of CPKC’s previously held equity method investment in KCS, discrete tax items, changes in the outside basis tax difference between the carrying amount of CPKC's equity investment in KCS and its tax basis of this investment, a deferred income tax recovery related to the elimination of the deferred income tax liability on the outside basis difference of the investment, changes in income tax rates, changes to an uncertain tax item, and certain items outside the control of management. Acquisition-related costs include legal, consulting, integration costs including third-party services and system migration, debt exchange transaction costs, community investments, fair value gain or loss on FX forward contracts and interest rate hedges, FX gain on U.S. dollar-denominated cash on hand from the issuances of long-term debt to fund the KCS acquisition, restructuring, employee retention and synergy incentive costs, and transaction and integration costs incurred by KCS. These items may not be non-recurring, and may include items that are settled in cash. Specifically, due to the magnitude of the acquisition, its significant impact to the Company’s business and complexity of integrating the acquired business and operations, the Company expects to incur acquisition-related costs beyond the year of acquisition. Management believes excluding these significant items from GAAP results provides an additional viewpoint which may give users a consistent understanding of CPKC's financial performance when performing a multi-period assessment including assessing the likelihood of future results. Accordingly, these Non-GAAP financial measures may provide additional insight to investors and other external users of CPKC's financial information.
In addition, Core adjusted combined operating ratio and Core adjusted combined diluted EPS exclude KCS purchase accounting. KCS purchase accounting represents the amortization of basis differences being the incremental depreciation and amortization in relation to fair value adjustments to properties and intangible assets, incremental amortization in relation to fair value adjustments to KCS’s investments, amortization of the change in fair value of debt of KCS assumed on the Control Date, and depreciation and amortization of fair value adjustments that are attributable to the non-controlling interest, as recognized within "Depreciation and amortization", "Other (income) expense", "Net interest expense", and "Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest", respectively, in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income. During the periods prior to the Control Date, KCS purchase accounting represents the amortization of basis differences, being the difference in value between the consideration paid to acquire KCS and the underlying carrying value of the net assets of KCS immediately prior to its acquisition by the Company, net of tax, as recognized within "Equity earnings of Kansas City Southern" in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income. All assets subject to KCS purchase accounting contribute to income generation and will continue to amortize over their estimated useful lives. Excluding KCS purchase accounting from GAAP results provides financial statement users with additional transparency by isolating the impact of KCS purchase accounting.
Reconciliation of GAAP Performance Measures to Non-GAAP Performance Measures
Core Adjusted Combined Diluted Earnings per Share
Core adjusted combined diluted EPS is calculated using Diluted EPS reported on a GAAP basis adjusted for significant items less KCS purchase accounting. Prior to the Control Date, KCS was accounted for in CPKC's diluted EPS reported on a GAAP basis using the equity method of accounting and on a consolidated basis beginning April 14, 2023. As the equity method of accounting and consolidation both provide the same diluted EPS for CPKC, no adjustment is required to pre-control diluted EPS to be comparable on a consolidated basis.
In 2024, there were three significant items included in the Net income attributable to controlling shareholders as reported on a GAAP basis as follows:
•during the course of the year, a deferred income tax recovery of $81 million on account of changes in tax rates, that favourably impacted Diluted EPS by 9 cents as follows:
–in the fourth quarter, a deferred income tax recovery of $78 million due to a decrease in the Louisiana state corporate income tax rate, that favourably impacted Diluted EPS by 9 cents; and
–in the second quarter, a deferred income tax recovery of $3 million due to a decrease in the Arkansas state corporate income tax rate, that had minimal impact on Diluted EPS;
•during the course of the year, adjustments to provisions and settlements of Mexican taxes of $4 million recovery ($2 million after deferred income tax expense of $2 million) recognized in "Compensation and benefits", that had minimal impact on Diluted EPS as follows:
–in the fourth quarter, adjustments to provisions and settlements of Mexican taxes of $7 million recovery ($6 million after deferred income tax expense of $1 million) recognized in "Compensation and benefits", that had minimal impact on Diluted EPS;
–in the third quarter, adjustments to provisions and settlements of Mexican taxes of $7 million recovery ($6 million after deferred income tax expense of $1 million) recognized in "Compensation and benefits", that favourably impacted Diluted EPS by 1 cent; and
–in the first quarter, adjustments to provisions and settlements of Mexican taxes of $10 million expense ($10 million after deferred income tax recovery) recognized in "Compensation and benefits", that unfavourably impacted Diluted EPS by 1 cent; and
CPKC 2024 ANNUAL REPORT / 49
•during the course of the year, acquisition-related costs of $112 million in connection with the KCS acquisition ($82 million after current income tax recovery of $30 million), including an expense of $18 million recognized in "Compensation and benefits", $6 million recognized in "Materials", and $88 million recognized in "Purchased services and other", that unfavourably impacted Diluted EPS by 9 cents as follows:
–in the fourth quarter, acquisition-related costs of $22 million in connection with the KCS acquisition ($17 million after current income tax recovery of $5 million) including costs of $1 million recognized in "Compensation and benefits", $1 million recognized in "Materials", and $20 million recognized in "Purchased services and other", that unfavourably impacted Diluted EPS by 2 cents;
–in the third quarter, acquisition-related costs of $36 million in connection with the KCS acquisition ($26 million after current income tax recovery of $10 million) including costs of $11 million recognized in "Compensation and benefits", $1 million recognized in "Materials", and $24 million recognized in "Purchased services and other", that unfavourably impacted Diluted EPS by 3 cents;
–in the second quarter, acquisition-related costs of $28 million in connection with the KCS acquisition ($19 million after current income tax recovery of $9 million) including costs of $2 million recognized in "Compensation and benefits", $2 million recognized in "Materials", and $24 million recognized in "Purchased services and other", that unfavourably impacted Diluted EPS by 2 cents; and
–in the first quarter, acquisition-related costs of $26 million in connection with the KCS acquisition ($20 million after current income tax recovery of $6 million) including costs of $4 million recognized in "Compensation and benefits", $2 million recognized in "Materials", and $20 million recognized in "Purchased services and other", that unfavourably impacted Diluted EPS by 2 cents.
In 2023, there were five significant items included in Net income attributable to controlling shareholders as reported on a GAAP basis as follows:
•in the second quarter, a remeasurement loss of KCS of $7,175 million recognized in "Remeasurement loss of Kansas City Southern" due to the derecognition of CPKC’s previously held equity method investment in KCS and remeasurement at its Control Date fair value, that unfavourably impacted Diluted EPS by $7.68;
•during the course of the year, a total current tax expense of $16 million related to a tax settlement with the Servicio de Administracion Tributaria ("SAT") of $13 million and a reserve for the estimated impact of potential future audit settlements of $3 million, that unfavourably impacted Diluted EPS by 2 cents as follows:
–in the fourth quarter, a current tax expense of $1 million related to a tax settlement with the SAT that had minimal impact on Diluted EPS; and
–in the third quarter, a total current tax expense of $15 million related to a tax settlement with the SAT of $9 million and reserves for the estimated impact of potential future audit settlements of $6 million of which $3 million was settled in the fourth quarter, that unfavourably impacted Diluted EPS by 2 cents;
•during the course of the year, a deferred income tax recovery of $72 million on account of changes in tax rates and apportionment, that favourably impacted Diluted EPS by 7 cents as follows:
–in the fourth quarter, a deferred income tax recovery of $7 million due to CPKC unitary state apportionment changes, that favourably impacted Diluted EPS by 1 cent;
–in the third quarter, a deferred income tax recovery of $14 million due to decreases in the Iowa and Arkansas state corporate income tax rates, that favourably impacted Diluted EPS by 2 cents; and
–in the second quarter, a deferred income tax recovery of $51 million due to CPKC unitary state apportionment changes, that favourably impacted Diluted EPS by 5 cents;
•during the course of the year, deferred income tax recovery of $7,855 million on changes in the outside basis difference on the equity investment in KCS, that favourably impacted Diluted EPS by $8.42 as follows:
–in the second quarter, a deferred income tax recovery of $7,832 million related to the elimination of the deferred income tax liability on the outside basis difference of the investment in KCS, that favourably impacted Diluted EPS by $8.39; and
–in the first quarter, a deferred income tax recovery of $23 million on changes in the outside basis difference of the equity investment in KCS that favourably impacted Diluted EPS by 3 cents; and
•during the course of the year, acquisition-related costs of $201 million in connection with the KCS acquisition ($164 million after current income tax recovery of $37 million), including an expense of $71 million recognized in "Compensation and benefits", $2 million recognized in "Materials", $111 million recognized in "Purchased services and other", $6 million recognized in "Other (income) expense", and $11 million recognized in "Equity earnings of Kansas City Southern", that unfavourably impacted Diluted EPS by 17 cents as follows:
–in the fourth quarter, acquisition-related costs of $32 million ($24 million after current income tax recovery of $8 million), including costs of $7 million recognized in "Compensation and benefits", $1 million recognized in "Materials", and $24 million recognized in "Purchased services and other", that unfavourably impacted Diluted EPS by 2 cents;
–in the third quarter, acquisition-related costs of $24 million ($18 million after current income tax recovery of $6 million), including costs of $1 million recognized in "Compensation and benefits", $1 million recognized in "Materials", and $22 million recognized in "Purchased services and other", that unfavourably impacted Diluted EPS by 2 cents;
–in the second quarter, acquisition-related costs of $120 million ($101 million after current income tax recovery of $19 million), including costs of $63 million recognized in "Compensation and benefits", $53 million recognized in "Purchased services and other", $3 million recognized in "Other (income) expense", and $1 million recognized in "Equity earnings of Kansas City Southern", that unfavourably impacted Diluted EPS by 11 cents; and
–in the first quarter, acquisition-related costs of $25 million ($21 million after current income tax recovery of $4 million), including costs of $12 million recognized in "Purchased services and other", $3 million recognized in "Other (income) expense", and $10 million recognized in "Equity earnings of Kansas City Southern", that unfavourably impacted Diluted EPS by 2 cents.
50 /CPKC 2024 ANNUAL REPORT
KCS purchase accounting included in Net income attributable to controlling shareholders as reported on a GAAP basis was as follows:
2024:
•during the course of the year, KCS purchase accounting of $352 million ($256 million after deferred income tax recovery of $96 million), including costs of $333 million recognized in "Depreciation and amortization", $3 million recognized in "Purchased services and other" related to the amortization of equity investments, $20 million recognized in "Net interest expense", $3 million recognized in "Other (income) expense", and a recovery of $7 million recognized in "Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest", that unfavourably impacted Diluted EPS by 27 cents as follows:
–in the fourth quarter, KCS purchase accounting of $93 million ($68 million after deferred income tax recovery of $25 million), including costs of $87 million recognized in "Depreciation and amortization", $1 million recognized in "Purchased services and other" related to the amortization of equity investments, $6 million recognized in "Net interest expense", $1 million recognized in "Other (income) expense", and a recovery of $2 million recognized in "Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest", that unfavourably impacted Diluted EPS by 8 cents;
–in the third quarter, KCS purchase accounting of $89 million ($65 million after deferred income tax recovery of $24 million), including costs of $85 million recognized in "Depreciation and amortization", $4 million recognized in "Net interest expense", $1 million recognized in "Other (income) expense", and a recovery of $1 million recognized in "Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest", that unfavourably impacted Diluted EPS by 7 cents;
–in the second quarter, KCS purchase accounting of $86 million ($62 million after deferred income tax recovery of $24 million), including costs of $82 million recognized in "Depreciation and amortization", $1 million recognized in "Purchased services and other" related to the amortization of equity investments, $5 million recognized in "Net interest expense", and a recovery of $2 million recognized in "Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest", that unfavourably impacted Diluted EPS by 6 cents; and
–in the first quarter, KCS purchase accounting of $84 million ($61 million after deferred income tax recovery of $23 million), including costs of $79 million recognized in "Depreciation and amortization", $1 million recognized in "Purchased services and other" related to the amortization of equity investments, $5 million recognized in "Net interest expense", $1 million recognized in "Other (income) expense", and a recovery of $2 million recognized in "Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest", that unfavourably impacted Diluted EPS by 7 cents.
2023:
•during the course of the year, KCS purchase accounting of $297 million ($228 million after deferred income tax recovery of $69 million), including costs of $234 million recognized in "Depreciation and amortization", $1 million recognized in "Purchased services and other" related to the amortization of equity investments, $17 million recognized in "Net interest expense", $2 million recognized in "Other (income) expense", $48 million recognized in "Equity earnings of Kansas City Southern", and a recovery of $5 million recognized in "Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest", that unfavourably impacted Diluted EPS by 25 cents as follows:
–in the fourth quarter, KCS purchase accounting of $87 million ($62 million after deferred income tax recovery of $25 million), including costs of $85 million recognized in "Depreciation and amortization", $1 million recognized in "Purchased services and other" related to the amortization of equity investments, $6 million recognized in "Net interest expense", and a recovery of $5 million recognized in "Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest", that unfavourably impacted Diluted EPS by 7 cents;
–in the third quarter, KCS purchase accounting of $87 million ($63 million after deferred income tax recovery of $24 million), including costs of $81 million recognized in "Depreciation and amortization", $5 million recognized in "Net interest expense", and $1 million in recognized in "Other (income) expense", that unfavourably impacted Diluted EPS by 7 cents;
–in the second quarter, KCS purchase accounting of $81 million ($61 million after deferred income tax recovery of $20 million), including costs of $68 million recognized in "Depreciation and amortization", $6 million recognized in "Net interest expense", $1 million recognized in "Other (income) expense", and $6 million recognized in "Equity earnings of Kansas City Southern", that unfavourably impacted Diluted EPS by 6 cents; and
–in the first quarter, KCS purchase accounting of $42 million recognized in "Equity earnings of Kansas City Southern", that unfavourably impacted Diluted EPS by 5 cents.
CPKC 2024 ANNUAL REPORT / 51
For the year ended December 31
CPKC diluted earnings per share as reported $ 3.98 $ 4.21
Less:
Significant items (pre-tax):
Remeasurement loss of Kansas City Southern — (7.68)
Acquisition-related costs (0.12) (0.21)
KCS purchase accounting (0.38) (0.32)
Add:
Tax effect of adjustments(1) (0.14) (0.11)
Adjustments to provisions and settlements of Mexican taxes — 0.02
Income tax rate changes (0.09) (0.07)
Core adjusted combined diluted earnings per share $ 4.25 $ 3.84
(1) The tax effect of adjustments was calculated as the pre-tax effect of the significant items and KCS purchase accounting listed above multiplied by the applicable tax rate for the above items of 27.13% for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 1.37% for the year ended December 31, 2023. The applicable tax rates reflect the taxable jurisdictions and nature, being on account of capital or income, of the adjustments.
Core Adjusted Combined Operating Ratio
Core adjusted combined operating ratio is calculated from reported GAAP revenue and operating expenses adjusted for (1) KCS operating income prior to the Control Date and giving effect to transaction accounting adjustments in a manner consistent with Article 11, where applicable, (2) significant items (acquisition-related costs and adjustments to provisions and settlement of Mexican taxes) that are reported within Operating income, and (3) KCS purchase accounting recognized in "Depreciation and amortization" and "Purchased services and other".
This combined measure does not purport to represent what the actual consolidated results of operations would have been had the Company obtained control of KCS and consolidation actually occurred on January 1, 2022, nor is it indicative of future results. This information is based upon assumptions that CPKC believes reasonably reflect the impact to CPKC's historical financial information, on a supplemental basis, of obtaining control of KCS had it occurred as of January 1, 2022. This information does not include anticipated costs related to integration activities, cost savings or synergies that may be achieved by the combined company.
In 2024:
•during the course of the year, adjustments to provisions and settlements of Mexican taxes of $4 million recovery recognized in "Compensation and benefits", that had minimal impact on operating ratio as follows:
–in the fourth quarter, adjustments to provisions and settlements of Mexican taxes of $7 million recovery recognized in "Compensation and benefits", that favourably impacted operating ratio by 0.2%;
–in the third quarter, adjustments to provisions and settlements of Mexican taxes of $7 million recovery recognized in "Compensation and benefits", that favourably impacted operating ratio by 0.2%; and
–in the first quarter, adjustments to provisions and settlements of Mexican taxes of $10 million expense recognized in "Compensation and benefits", that unfavourably impacted operating ratio by 0.3%; and
•during the course of the year, acquisition-related costs were $112 million in connection with the KCS acquisition including costs of $18 million recognized in "Compensation and benefits", $6 million recognized in"Materials", and $88 million recognized in "Purchased services and other", that unfavourably impacted operating ratio on a combined basis by 0.8%:
–in the fourth quarter, acquisition-related costs of $22 million including costs of $1 million recognized in "Compensation and benefits", $1 million recognized in "Materials", and $20 million recognized in "Purchased services and other", that unfavourably impacted operating ratio by 0.5%;
–in the third quarter, acquisition-related costs of $36 million including costs of $11 million recognized in "Compensation and benefits", $1 million recognized in "Materials", and $24 million recognized in "Purchased services and other", that unfavourably impacted operating ratio by 1.0%;
–in the second quarter, acquisition-related costs of $28 million including costs of $2 million recognized in "Compensation and benefits", $2 million recognized in "Materials", and $24 million recognized in "Purchased services and other", that unfavourably impacted operating ratio by 0.7%; and
–in the first quarter, acquisition-related costs of $26 million including costs of $4 million recognized in "Compensation and benefits", $2 million recognized in "Materials", and $20 million recognized in "Purchased services and other", that unfavourably impacted operating ratio by 0.8%.
52 /CPKC 2024 ANNUAL REPORT
In 2023, acquisition-related costs were $197 million in connection with the KCS acquisition including costs of $82 million recognized in "Compensation and benefits", $2 million recognized in "Materials", and $113 million recognized in "Purchased services and other", that unfavourably impacted operating ratio on a combined basis, calculated in a manner consistent with Article 11, by 1.4%:
•in the fourth quarter, acquisition-related costs of $32 million including costs of $7 million recognized in "Compensation and benefits", $1 million recognized in "Materials", and $24 million recognized in "Purchased services and other", that unfavourably impacted operating ratio by 0.8%;
•in the third quarter, acquisition-related costs of $24 million including costs of $1 million recognized in "Compensation and benefits", $1 million recognized in "Materials", and $22 million recognized in "Purchased services and other", that unfavourably impacted operating ratio by 0.8%;
•in the second quarter, acquisition-related costs of $116 million including costs of $63 million recognized in "Compensation and benefits", and $53 million recognized in "Purchased services and other", that unfavourably impacted operating ratio by 3.5%; and
•in the first quarter, acquisition-related costs of $25 million including costs of $11 million recognized in "Compensation and benefits", and $14 million recognized in "Purchased services and other", that unfavourably impacted operating ratio by 0.7%.
KCS purchase accounting included in Operating income on a combined basis calculated in a manner consistent with Article 11, where applicable, was as follows:
2024:
•during the course of the year, KCS purchase accounting of $336 million including $333 million recognized in "Depreciation and amortization" and $3 million recognized in "Purchased services and other" related to the amortization of equity investments, that unfavourably impacted operating ratio by 2.3% as follows:
–in the fourth quarter, KCS purchase accounting of $88 million including $87 million recognized in "Depreciation and amortization" and $1 million recognized in "Purchased services and other" related to the amortization of equity investments, that unfavourably impacted operating ratio by 2.3%;
–in the third quarter, KCS purchase accounting of $85 million recognized in "Depreciation and amortization", that unfavourably impacted operating ratio by 2.4%;
–in the second quarter, KCS purchase accounting of $83 million including $82 million recognized in "Depreciation and amortization" and $1 million recognized in "Purchased services and other" related to the amortization of equity investments, that unfavourably impacted operating ratio by 2.3%; and
–in the first quarter, KCS purchase accounting of $80 million including $79 million recognized in "Depreciation and amortization" and $1 million recognized in "Purchased services and other" related to the amortization of equity investments, that unfavourably impacted operating ratio by 2.3%.
2023:
•during the course of the year, KCS purchase accounting of $327 million including $326 million recognized in "Depreciation and amortization" and $1 million recognized in "Purchased services and other" related to the amortization of equity investments, that unfavourably impacted operating ratio by 2.4% as follows:
–in the fourth quarter, KCS purchase accounting of $86 million including $85 million recognized in "Depreciation and amortization" and $1 million recognized in "Purchased services and other" related to the amortization of equity investments, that unfavourably impacted operating ratio by 2.3%;
–in the third quarter, KCS purchase accounting of $81 million recognized in "Depreciation and amortization" that unfavourably impacted operating ratio by 2.4%;
–in the second quarter, KCS purchase accounting of $80 million recognized in "Depreciation and amortization" that unfavourably impacted operating ratio by 2.4%; and
–in the first quarter, KCS purchase accounting of $80 million recognized in "Depreciation and amortization" that unfavourably impacted operating ratio by 2.3%.
CPKC 2024 ANNUAL REPORT / 53
For the year ended December 31
CPKC operating ratio as reported 64.4 % 65.0 %
Add:
KCS operating income as reported prior to Control Date(1) — % — %
Pro forma Article 11 transaction accounting adjustments(2) — % 0.8 %
Less:
Acquisition-related costs 0.8 % 1.4 %
KCS purchase accounting in Operating expenses 2.3 % 2.4 %
Core adjusted combined operating ratio 61.3 % 62.0 %
(1) KCS's historical amounts in U.S. dollars were translated into Canadian dollars at the Bank of Canada average exchange rate for the period from January 1 to April 13, 2023 with an effective exchange rate of $1.35.
(2) Pro forma Article 11 transaction accounting adjustments for January 1 through April 13, 2023 represent adjustments made in a manner consistent with Article 11. For January 1 through April 13, 2023, depreciation and amortization of differences between the historical carrying values and the fair values of KCS's tangible and intangible assets and investments prior to the Control Date that unfavourably impacted operating ratio by 0.8% and miscellaneous immaterial amounts that have been reclassified across revenue, operating expenses, and non-operating income or expense, consistent with CPKC's financial statement captions.
For more information about these pro forma transaction accounting adjustments for the three months ended March 31, 2023, please see Exhibit 99.1 “Selected Unaudited Combined Summary of Historical Financial Data” of CPKC’s Current Report on Form 8-K furnished with the SEC on May 15, 2023.
54 /CPKC 2024 ANNUAL REPORT
Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates, assumptions and judgements that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements; and the reported amounts and classification of revenues, expenses and other income items during the reporting period. Using the most current information available, the Company reviews estimates on an ongoing basis.
Business Acquisition
As described in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 10 Business acquisition and Note 11 Investment in Kansas City Southern, the Company assumed control of KCS and commenced consolidation of KCS on the Control Date, accounting for the acquisition as a business combination achieved in stages.
In accounting for the business combination, the Company’s previously held interest in KCS was remeasured to its Control Date fair value. The identifiable assets acquired, and liabilities and non-controlling interest assumed were measured at their provisional fair values at the Control Date, with certain exceptions, including income taxes and contract liabilities. The results from operations and cash flows have been consolidated prospectively from the Control Date.
A provisional purchase price allocation was determined at the Control Date using the best available information at that time, and the accounting for the acquisition of KCS was completed on April 13, 2024, with the end of the measurement period and the final validation of the fair values assigned to acquired assets and assumed liabilities and non-controlling interest. During the measurement period the provisional purchase price allocation was subject to adjustment as a result of the recognition of additional assets and liabilities reflecting new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the Control Date that, if known, would have affected the amounts recognized as at that date. Goodwill is the residual value after allocating the fair value of KCS to the assets acquired and liabilities and non-controlling interest assumed, i.e. it represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the identifiable net assets.
Accounting for a business acquisition requires significant judgement to determine the estimated fair value of long-lived assets, intangible assets and assumed liabilities as at the acquisition date. The estimated fair values assigned to tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed were based on management's estimates and assumptions, as well as other information compiled by management, including valuations that utilized customary valuation procedures and techniques. Estimates and assumptions included, but were not limited to, the cash flows an asset was expected to generate in the future and the appropriate weighted average cost of capital as at the Control Date, including market data, historical and future cash flow estimates, growth rates and discount rates.
The Company believes the fair value of KCS and the fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities and non-controlling interest assumed were based on reasonable assumptions and known information and estimates as of the Control Date. Characteristics of the assumptions and facts used to generate these estimates include measurement uncertainties. Alternative estimates or assumptions could have been used in the establishment of the fair value of KCS and the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including goodwill.
The table below outlines the sensitivities of key estimates. The table includes estimates of the related impacts to the fair values:
Previously held equity investment in KCS $ 37.2
Revenue growth rate -1 % 1 % $ 36.2 $ 38.3
Intangible assets including Mexican Concession(1) $ 12.2
Mexican Concession(1) $ 9.2
Renewal probability of Mexican Concession(1) -10 % 10 % $ 8.9 $ 9.4
(1)Concession land rights and related assets held under the terms of a concession from the Mexican government are presented with acquired Properties.
CPKC 2024 ANNUAL REPORT / 55
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
The Company evaluates goodwill and indefinite life intangible assets for impairment at least annually, or sooner if indicators of impairment exist. For intangible assets with finite lives impairment is assessed whenever events or circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. In determining if events or circumstances indicate the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the Company considers relevant events and conditions, including, but not limited to:
•macroeconomic trends;
•industry and market conditions;
•overall financial performance;
•company-specific events; and
•legal and regulatory factors.
When qualitative assessments suggest that the fair value of the Company’s reporting unit is more likely than not to be lower than its carrying amount, the Company performs a quantitative impairment test. Measurement of the fair value of a reporting unit requires the use of estimates and assumptions. The fair value of the Company’s reporting unit is estimated using a combination of:
•discounted cash flows and earnings multiples which represent amounts at which the reporting unit as a whole could be bought or sold in a current transaction between willing parties;
•present value techniques of estimated future cash flows; and
•valuation techniques based on multiples of earnings or revenue.
Specifically, the determination of fair value using the discounted cash flow technique requires the use of estimates and assumptions and the sensitivities of these estimates and assumptions used in the valuation of KCS are provided in the Business Acquisition section above.
At December 31, 2024, the Company had recorded goodwill of $19,350 million, all of which is allocated to a single reporting unit represented by the Company’s rail transportation operating segment, and intangible assets of $3,146 million. In addition to these amounts, the Concession rights and related assets held under a concession from the Mexican government, which are recognized within Properties, totalled $9,836 million at December 31, 2024.
Pensions and Other Benefits