Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies

Background

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.

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. The Company's intermodal business, also part of CSXT, links customers to railroads via trucks and terminals.

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 include 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 following:


•	Consolidated income statements for the three months ended March 25, 2016 and March 27, 2015;


•	Consolidated comprehensive income statements for the three months ended March 25, 2016 and March 27, 2015;


•	Consolidated balance sheets at March 25, 2016 and December 25, 2015; and


•	Consolidated cash flow statements for the three months ended March 25, 2016 and March 27, 2015.

Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), certain information and disclosures normally included in the notes to the annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) have been omitted from these interim financial statements. CSX suggests that these financial statements be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and the notes included in CSX's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequently filed current reports on Form 8-K.

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

Fiscal Year

CSX follows a 52/53 week fiscal reporting calendar with the last day of each reporting period ending on a Friday:


•	The first fiscal quarters of 2016 and 2015 consisted of 13 weeks ending on March 25, 2016 and March 27, 2015, respectively.


•	Fiscal year 2016 will consist of 53 weeks ending on December 30, 2016.


•	Fiscal year 2015 consisted of 52 weeks ending on December 25, 2015.

Except as otherwise specified, references to “first quarter(s)” or “three months” indicate CSX's fiscal periods ending March 25, 2016 and March 27, 2015, and references to "year-end" indicate the fiscal year ended December 25, 2015.

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 creditworthiness 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 $32 million and $37 million is included in the consolidated balance sheets as of the end of first quarter 2016 and December 25, 2015, respectively.

New Accounting Pronouncements

On February 25, 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU"), Leases, which will require lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheets as a right-of-use asset with a corresponding lease liability, and lessors to recognize a net lease investment. Additional qualitative and quantitative disclosures will also be required. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. While the Company is still assessing the impact of this standard, CSX does not believe this standard will have a material impact on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.