HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The quarterly earnings session for companies with connections to Hutchinson got off to a good start as Union Pacific reported quarterly earnings of $2.12 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.06 per share. This compares to earnings of $1.53 per share a year ago.

The nation’s largest railroad posted revenues of $5.76 billion for the quarter that ended December 2018, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.66 percent. This compares to year-ago revenues of $5.45 billion. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates four times over the last four quarters.

Operating revenue of $5.8 billion was up 6 percent in the fourth quarter 2018 compared to the fourth quarter 2017. Fourth quarter business volumes, as measured by total revenue carloads, increased 3 percent compared to 2017. Strong growth in industrial and premium shipments more than offset declines in agricultural products and energy.

UP’s performance on the rails still suffered from congestion problems as average train speed declined by 3 percent, although goods did move out of yards and terminals faster.

Union Pacific employs nearly 3,000 workers in Kansas and runs between 20 and 25 trains per day. The railroad carries a valuation in excess of $7.5 million in Reno County.