Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies

Business

CSX Corporation (“CSX”), together with its subsidiaries (the “Company”), based in Jacksonville, Florida, is one of the nation's leading transportation companies. The Company provides rail-based transportation services including traditional rail service and the transport of intermodal containers and trailers.

The Company’s number of employees was approximately 29,000 as of December 2015, which includes approximately 24,000 union employees. Most of the Company’s employees provide or support transportation services.

CSX Transportation, Inc.

CSX’s principal operating subsidiary, CSX Transportation, Inc. (“CSXT”), provides an important link to the transportation supply chain through its approximately 21,000 route mile rail network, which serves major population centers in 23 states east of the Mississippi River, the District of Columbia and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. It has access to over 70 ocean, river and lake port terminals along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, the Mississippi River, the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway. The Company’s intermodal business, also part of CSXT, links customers to railroads via trucks and terminals. CSXT also serves thousands of production and distribution facilities through track connections to approximately 240 short-line and regional railroads.

Lines of Business

During 2015, the Company services generated $11.8 billion of revenue and served three primary lines of business:


•	The merchandise business shipped nearly 2.9 million carloads and generated 62% of revenue and 42% of volume in 2015. The Company’s merchandise business is comprised of shipments in the following diverse markets: agricultural products, phosphates and fertilizers, food and consumer, chemicals, automotive, metals, forest products, minerals and waste and equipment.

•

The coal business shipped about 1.1 million carloads and accounted for 19% of revenue and 16% of volume in 2015. The Company transports domestic coal, coke and iron ore to electricity-generating power plants, steel manufacturers and industrial plants as well as export coal to deep-water port facilities. Roughly one-third of export coal and the majority of the domestic coal that the Company transports is used for generating electricity.

•

The intermodal business accounted for 15% of revenue and 42% of volume in 2015. The intermodal business combines the superior economics of rail transportation with the short-haul flexibility of trucks and offers a cost advantage over long-haul trucking. Through a network of more than 50 terminals, the intermodal business serves all major markets east of the Mississippi River and transports mainly manufactured consumer goods in containers, providing customers with truck-like service for longer shipments.

Other revenue accounted for 4% of the Company’s total revenue in 2015. This revenue category includes revenue from regional subsidiary railroads, demurrage, revenue for customer volume commitments not met, switching and other incidental charges. Revenue from regional railroads includes shipments by railroads that the Company does not directly operate. Demurrage represents charges assessed when freight cars are held beyond a specified period of time. Switching revenue is primarily generated when CSXT switches cars for a customer or another railroad.

NOTE 1. Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies, continued

Other Entities

In addition to CSXT, the Company’s subsidiaries include CSX Intermodal Terminals, Inc. (“CSX Intermodal Terminals”), Total Distribution Services, Inc. (“TDSI”), Transflo Terminal Services, Inc. (“Transflo”), CSX Technology, Inc. (“CSX Technology”) and other subsidiaries. CSX Intermodal Terminals owns and operates a system of intermodal terminals, predominantly in the eastern United States and also performs drayage services (the pickup and delivery of intermodal shipments) for certain customers and trucking dispatch operations. TDSI serves the automotive industry with distribution centers and storage locations. Transflo connects non-rail served customers to the many benefits of rail by transferring products from rail to trucks. The biggest Transflo markets are chemicals and agriculture, which includes shipments of plastics and ethanol. CSX Technology and other subsidiaries provide support services for the Company.

CSX’s other holdings include CSX Real Property, Inc., a subsidiary responsible for the Company’s operating and non-operating real estate sales, leasing, acquisition and management and development activities. These activities are classified in either operating income or other income - net depending upon the nature of the activity. Results of these activities fluctuate with the timing of real estate transactions.

Basis of Presentation

In the opinion of management, the accompanying consolidated financial statements contain all normal, recurring adjustments necessary to fairly present the financial position of CSX and its subsidiaries at December 25, 2015 and December 26, 2014, and the consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, cash flows and changes in shareholders’ equity for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013. In addition, management has evaluated and disclosed all material events occurring subsequent to the date of the financial statements up to the date this annual report is filed on Form 10-K.

Fiscal Year

CSX follows a 52/53 week fiscal reporting calendar. This fiscal calendar allows every quarter to consistently end on a Friday and typically, to be of equal duration (13 weeks), resulting in a 52 week fiscal year. To maintain this type of reporting calendar every fifth or sixth year (depending on the Gregorian calendar and when leap year falls), an extra week will be included in the fourth quarter (a 14-week fiscal quarter) and, therefore, that full fiscal year will have 53 weeks. The next 53 week fiscal year will be 2016, which will end on December 30, 2016. Fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013 each consisted of 52 weeks ending on December 25, 2015, December 26, 2014 and December 27, 2013, respectively. Except as otherwise specified, references to full year indicate CSX’s fiscal periods ended on these dates.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include results of operations of CSX and subsidiaries over which CSX has majority ownership or financial control. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Most investments in companies that were not majority-owned were carried at cost (if less than 20% owned and the Company has no significant influence) or were accounted for under the equity method (if the Company has significant influence but does not have control). These investments are reported within Investment in Conrail or Affiliates and Other Investments on the consolidated balance sheets.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

On a daily basis, cash in excess of current operating requirements is invested in various highly liquid investments having a typical maturity date of three months or less at the date of acquisition. These investments are carried at cost, which approximated market value, and are classified as cash equivalents.

NOTE 1. Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies, continued

Investments

Investments in instruments with original maturities greater than three months but will mature in less than one year were classified as short-term investments. Investments with original maturities greater than one year are classified within other long-term assets.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts on uncollectible amounts related to freight receivables, government reimbursement receivables, claims for damages and other various receivables. The allowance is based upon the credit worthiness of customers, historical experience, the age of the receivable and current market and economic conditions. Uncollectible amounts are charged against the allowance account. Allowance for doubtful accounts of $37 million and $41 million is included in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 2015 and December 2014, respectively.

Materials and Supplies

Materials and supplies in the consolidated balance sheets are carried at average costs and consist primarily of fuel and parts used in the repair and maintenance of CSXT’s freight car and locomotive fleets, equipment and track structure.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents purchase price in excess of fair value and is related to affiliates of CSXT, primarily P&L Transportation, Inc. Goodwill of $63 million is recorded in other long-term assets in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 2015 and December 2014, respectively.

Revenue and Expense Recognition

The Company recognizes freight revenue using Free-On-Board Origin pursuant to the Revenue Recognition Topic in the Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC"). Accounting guidance in this topic provides for the allocation of revenue between reporting periods based on relative transit time in each reporting period. Expenses are recognized as incurred.

The certain key estimates included in the recognition and measurement of revenue and related accounts receivable under the policies described above are as follows:


•	revenue associated with shipments in transit is recognized ratably over transit time and is based on average cycle times to move commodities and products from their origin to their final destination or interchange;


•	adjustments to revenue for billing corrections, billing discounts and bad debts or to accounts receivable for allowances for doubtful accounts;


•	adjustments to revenue for overcharge claims filed by customers, which are based on historical cash paid to customers for rate overcharges as a percentage of total billing;


•	incentive-based refunds to customers, which are primarily based on customers achieving certain volume thresholds and are recorded as a reduction to revenue on the basis of management’s best estimate of the projected liability (this estimate is based on historical activity, current volume levels and a forecast of future volume).

NOTE 1. Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies, continued

The Company regularly updates the estimates described above based on historical experience and current conditions. All other revenue, such as demurrage, switching and other incidental charges are recorded upon completion of the service.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU"), Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes, which requires that all deferred income taxes be classified as noncurrent in the balance sheet, rather than being separated into current and noncurrent amounts. This standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and will not have a material effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU, Plan Accounting: Defined Benefit Pension Plans (Topic 960), Defined Contribution Pension Plans (Topic 962) and Health and Welfare Benefit Plans (Topic 965): I. Fully Benefit-Responsive Investment Contracts; II. Plan Investment Disclosures; III. Measurement Date Practical Expedient. This three-part update simplifies current benefit plan accounting and requires benefit plans to disaggregate their investments measured using fair value by general type, among other changes. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and early adoption is permitted. Parts I and III of this update are not applicable to CSX. This update only affects disclosures related to fair value measurement. Adoption does not have an effect on the Company's pension plan net assets available for benefits or its changes in net assets available for benefits.

In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU, Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent). This update eliminates the requirement to categorize investments within the fair value hierarchy if their fair value is measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient. This update requires that investments measured using the net asset value per share be disclosed as a reconciling item between the statement of net assets available for benefits and the fair value hierarchy disclosure. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and early adoption is permitted. This update only affects disclosures related to fair value measurement. Adoption does not have an effect on the Company's pension plan net assets available for benefits or its changes in net assets available for benefits.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU, Interest - Imputation of Interest, which changes the financial statement presentation of debt issuance costs to be a direct reduction to long-term debt, rather than presented as a long-term asset. The amortization of debt issuance costs will continue to be included in interest expense. This standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and will not have a material effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

NOTE 1. Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies, continued

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which supersedes previous revenue recognition guidance. The new standard requires that a company recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. Companies will need to use more judgment and estimates than under the guidance currently in effect, including estimating the amount of variable revenue to recognize over each identified performance obligation. Additional disclosures will be required to help users of financial statements understand the nature, amount and timing of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts. In July 2015, the FASB approved a one-year deferral of the effective date. This standard will now become effective for CSX beginning with the first quarter 2018 and can be adopted either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or as a cumulative effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this new guidance on the consolidated financial statements.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires that management make estimates in reporting the amounts of certain assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of certain revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates. Critical accounting estimates using management judgment are made for the following areas:


•	casualty, environmental and legal reserves (see Note 5, Casualty, Environmental and Other Reserves);


•	pension and post-retirement medical plan accounting (see Note 8, Employee Benefit Plans);


•	depreciation policies for assets under the group-life method (see Note 6, Properties); and


•	income taxes (see Note 11, Income Taxes).

Other Items

Share Repurchases

In April 2015, the Company announced a new $2 billion share repurchase program, which is expected to be completed by April 2017. Management's assessment of market conditions and other factors guide the timing and volume of repurchases. Future share repurchases are expected to be funded by cash on hand, cash generated from operations and debt issuances. During 2015, 2014 and 2013, CSX repurchased $804 million, or 26 million shares, $517 million or 17 million shares, and $353 million, or 14 million shares, respectively, of common stock. In accordance with the Equity Topic in the ASC, the Company elected to allocate the excess of repurchase price over par value and record in retained earnings. Generally, retained earnings is only impacted by net earnings and dividends.

Workforce Reduction Plans, Separation & Other Costs

Union agreements

In November 2015, CSX finalized a union agreement that will improve efficiency across the CSX network. This agreement allows certain employees impacted by work transitions to voluntarily separate from the Company with enhanced benefits and will provide relocation benefits for employees not electing to separate. As a result, approximately 300 union employees will be impacted. Separation benefits will be paid from general corporate funds.

NOTE 1. Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies, continued

Facility closures

In October 2015, CSX closed facilities in Erwin, Tennessee and Corbin, Kentucky as a result of the decline in coal movements in these regions. These closures impacted approximately 500 positions. The Company recorded a charge resulting from separation, relocation and furlough costs, as well as asset impairment charges related to the facility closures. Separation benefits will be paid from general corporate funds.

Management streamlining

In 2014, the Company announced a workforce reduction plan to streamline the organization. The initiative reduced management workforce by approximately 300 positions through a voluntary separation program with enhanced benefits as well as a subsequent involuntary severance program during the fourth quarter of 2014 and the first quarter of 2015. The majority of separation benefits were paid from CSX’s qualified pension plans, while the remainder was paid from general corporate funds.

The Company recorded a charge for each of the initiatives above as shown in the table below. These amounts are recognized in labor and fringe and materials, supplies and other on the consolidated statements of income.



Workforce Reduction Plans, Separation & Other Costs

(Dollars in millions)	2015		2014
Union agreements	$	28	$	—
Facility closures	19		—
Management streamlining	4		39
Total costs	$	51	$	39