Burlington Northern Inc. of Seattle reported third-quarter...

Burlington Northern Inc. of Seattle reported third-quarter 1986 earnings of $100.3 million, compared to proforma earnings in the 1985 third quarter of $171.6 million. Although below last year’s level, third-quarter 1986 earnings reflected significant improvement from the depressed business conditions encountered during the second quarter of 1986. Third quarter 1986 pretax income was reduced by a non-recurring charge of $22.5 million resulting from an ICC decision relating to coal-rate refunds to Omaha Public Power District. For the first nine months, Burlington Northern reported a net loss of $936.8 million, including the impact of accounting changes and asset writedowns announced earlier in the year. On a proforma basis, excluding the impact of these one-time, non-cash charges, income through nine months totaled $216.9 million. Although third-quarter 1986 operating income of $281.7 million was below that for the same quarter last year, it improved significantly from the $165.7 million reported for the second quarter of 1986.