BNSF’s Third-Quarter Income Improves

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. said its third-quarter profit, revenue and operating profit all reached records.

Net income rose 8% to $530 million or $1.48, from $489 million or $1.33 a year ago, the Western freight rail line said Tuesday. Freight revenue rose 4% to $3.95 billion.

Consumer products revenue, which includes intermodal, declined 3% to $1.46 billion from a year ago, due to economic softness and reduced trans-Pacific service of a large international customer, BNSF said.
 
The railroad reduced salary and benefit costs to offset a 7% hike in fuel prices, the Associated Press reported.