Why did CSX's Q2 2024 EPS exactly match forecasts?

The EPS of CSX in Q2 2024 was $0.49, which matches the forecasted EPS. This can be attributed to several factors:

|code|Ticker|Name|Date|Diluted EPS YoY|Diluted EPS|market_code|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|CSX|CSX.O|CSX|2023 Q3|-21.15384615384616|0.41|185|
|CSX|CSX.O|CSX|2023 Q4||0.45|185|
|CSX|CSX.O|CSX|2024 Q1|-4.166666666666659|0.46|185|
|CSX|CSX.O|CSX|2024 Q2|0|0.49|185|

1. **Strategic Adjustments and Intermodal Growth**: Despite challenges, CSX has demonstrated resilience by making strategic adjustments and focusing on robust intermodal growth. This suggests that the company's operational efficiency and strategic initiatives have helped mitigate some of the negative impacts, potentially leading to a stable EPS.
2. **Coal Revenue Dynamics**: While coal revenue was flat year-over-year, there was a 2% volume growth offset by a 2% decline in all-in RPU. This indicates a complex picture where operational factors are balancing out, which could have contributed to the EPS stability.
3. **Financial Discipline**: CSX's focus on cost containment and its history of returning value to shareholders through dividends and buybacks suggest a level of financial discipline that could have helped maintain profitability and EPS levels despite challenges.

In summary, CSX's Q2 2024 EPS matched forecasts due to a combination of strategic adjustments, growth in certain segments like intermodal, operational efficiency, and financial discipline.