Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

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 31, 2017 and March 25, 2016;


•	Consolidated comprehensive income statements for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and March 25, 2016;


•	Consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2017 and December 30, 2016; and


•	Consolidated cash flow statements for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and March 25, 2016.

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.

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 2017 and 2016 consisted of 13 weeks ending on March 31, 2017 and March 25, 2016, respectively.


•	Fiscal year 2017 will consist of 52 weeks ending on December 29, 2017.


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

Except as otherwise specified, references to “first quarter(s)” or “three months” indicate CSX's fiscal periods ending March 31, 2017 and March 25, 2016, and references to "year-end" indicate the fiscal year ended December 30, 2016.

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.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost, which requires that only the service cost component of net periodic benefit costs be recorded as compensation cost in the operating expense section of the income statement. All other components of net periodic benefit cost (interest cost, expected return on plan assets and amortization of net loss) will be presented in other income - net. This standard update is effective beginning with the first quarter 2018 and must be applied retrospectively. The Company does not believe this standard update will have a material effect on its financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which eliminates step two, the calculation of the implied fair value of goodwill, from the goodwill impairment test. Impairment will be quantified in step one of the test as the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value. This standard update is effective beginning first quarter 2020 and must be applied prospectively. The Company does not believe this standard will have a material effect on its financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

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. This standard update is 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.

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

The FASB has recently issued several amendments to the revenue standard, including clarification

on accounting for principal versus agent considerations (i.e., reporting gross versus net), licenses of intellectual property and identifying performance obligations. These amendments do not change the core

principle of the standard, but provide clarity and implementation guidance.

The Company is currently finalizing its review of the impact of adopting this new guidance and developing a comprehensive implementation plan. In-depth reviews of a significant portion of commercial

contracts have been completed, additional contracts are presently being reviewed and changes to processes and internal controls have been identified to meet the standard’s reporting and disclosure requirements. At this time, the Company does not believe this standard update will have a material effect on its financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

In February 2016, the FASB issued 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 update is effective for CSX beginning with the first quarter 2019 and will be adopted using a modified retrospective method. Changes to processes and internal controls to meet the standard’s reporting and disclosure requirements have been identified and continue to be implemented. For example, software has been implemented that will assist in recognition of additional assets and liabilities to be included on the balance sheet related to operating leases with durations greater than twelve months, with certain allowable exceptions. The Company continues to evaluate the expected financial impact of this standard update.