CSX Reports $3.48 Billion in Q1 Revenue as Operating Margins Hit 36%

CSX first-quarter results showed higher revenue and lower expenses. During the quarter, the Class I cited progress on cost-cutting and revenue growth goals. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

A CSX Corporation release issued yesterday put quarterly operating income at $1.25 billion. Net earnings totaled $807 million. In first-quarter 2025, CSX reported operating income of $1.04 billion. Net earnings were $646 million.

Revenue increased 2% to $3.48 billion. Total volume rose 3% to 1.56 million units. CSX officials said the improvement reflected stronger merchandise pricing. Also, they cited intermodal volume growth, higher domestic coal revenue and additional fuel surcharge revenue. Those gains were partly offset by lower export coal revenue.

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CSX first-quarter results by the numbers

Total expenses fell 6% to $2.2 billion. CSX cited steps to improve the railroad’s cost structure and network fluidity. At the same time, the company’s operating margin reached 36%. It was 30.4% in first-quarter 2025.

“As we remain disciplined on costs and take advantage of opportunities for profitable growth, we continue to make progress toward best-in-class performance,” said CSX President and CEO Steve Angel.

Intermodal volume growth and chemical traffic

In the chemical segment, Progressive Railroading reported CSX cited higher frac sand shipments. CSX linked those shipments to data center demand driving natural-gas production. Also, the company pointed to strength in plastics. Domestic producers benefited from disruptions in overseas supply chains.

Separately, CSX’s intermodal business recorded a 5% revenue increase. Volume rose 6%. That growth was attributed mostly to business wins, new service products and tighter trucking supply.

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