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GATX

gmt · NYSE Communication Services
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Ticker gmt
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Sector Communication Services
Industry Rental & Leasing Services
Employees 1001-5000
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FY2010 Annual Report · GATX
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W W W . G A T X . C O M

GATX CORPORATION

222 West Adams Street

Chicago, IL 60606-5314

312-621-6200

800-428-8161

NYSE:GMT

2 0 1 0   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

  F I N A N C I A L   H I G H L I G H T S

  G A T X   C O R P O R A T I O N   ( N Y S E : G M T )     

provides leasing and related services to customers operating rail, marine  
and other targeted assets. GATX is a leader in leasing transportation assets  
and controls one of the largest railcar fleets in the world. Applying over a  
century of operating experience and strong market and asset expertise, GATX 
provides quality assets and services to customers worldwide. GATX has been 
headquartered in Chicago, Illinois since its founding in 1898 and has traded 
on the New York Stock Exchange since 1916.  

in millions, except per share data

Gross income 
Net income 
Per diluted share net income 

excluding tax benefits and other items(a)

2008

2009

2010

$  1,443.1  
194.8 
3.88 

$ 

$  1,153.9 
81.4 
 1.70 

$ 

$  1,204.9
80.8
 1.72

$ 

Net income 
Per diluted share net income 

$ 
$ 

174.9 
3.49 

$ 
$ 

94.7 
1.97 

$ 
$ 

74.6
1.59

(a) The items for each year noted are referred to as “Tax Benefits and Other Items.”
     -  Results for 2010 included the favorable resolution of a litigation matter, certain tax benefits and negative fair-value    

adjustments of certain interest rate swaps at GATX’s European rail affiliate, AAE Cargo AG (“AAE”).

     -  Results for 2009 included negative fair-value adjustments on the AAE interest rate swaps and realized foreign tax credits. 
     -  Results for 2008 included a benefit from the reversal of tax reserves, a gain on the sale of an office building, the reversal  

of environmental reserves and negative fair-value adjustments on the AAE interest rate swaps. 

Income per Diluted Share

Investment Volume

Excluding tax benefits and other items(a) 

Millions

$3.49

$1.97

$1.59

2008

2009

2010

Return on Equity

$800

600

400

200

0

$781

$480

$585

2008

2009

2010

Cash from Operations  
and Portfolio Proceeds

Excluding tax benefits and other items(a) 

Millions 

15%

9%

7%

2008

2009

2010

$400

300

200

100

0

$364

$156

Cash from
Operations

$265

$242

$68

$84

Portfolio
Proceeds

2008

2009

2010

$4.00

3.00

2.00

1.00

0

20%

15%

10%

5%

0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  G A T X   C O R P O R A T I O N   ( N Y S E : G M T )     

provides leasing and related services to customers operating rail, marine  
and other targeted assets. GATX is a leader in leasing transportation assets  
and controls one of the largest railcar fleets in the world. Applying over a  
century of operating experience and strong market and asset expertise, GATX 
provides quality assets and services to customers worldwide. GATX has been 
headquartered in Chicago, Illinois since its founding in 1898 and has traded 
on the New York Stock Exchange since 1916.  

in millions, except per share data

Gross income 
Net income 
Per diluted share net income 

excluding tax benefits and other items(a)

2008

2009

2010

$  1,443.1  
194.8 
3.88 

$ 

$  1,153.9 
81.4 
 1.70 

$ 

$  1,204.9
80.8
 1.72

$ 

Net income 
Per diluted share net income 

$ 
$ 

174.9 
3.49 

$ 
$ 

94.7 
1.97 

$ 
$ 

74.6
1.59

(a) The items for each year noted are referred to as “Tax Benefits and Other Items.”
     -  Results for 2010 included the favorable resolution of a litigation matter, certain tax benefits and negative fair-value    

adjustments of certain interest rate swaps at GATX’s European rail affiliate, AAE Cargo AG (“AAE”).

     -  Results for 2009 included negative fair-value adjustments on the AAE interest rate swaps and realized foreign tax credits. 
     -  Results for 2008 included a benefit from the reversal of tax reserves, a gain on the sale of an office building, the reversal  

of environmental reserves and negative fair-value adjustments on the AAE interest rate swaps. 

Income per Diluted Share

Investment Volume

Excluding tax benefits and other items(a) 

Millions

$3.49

$1.97

$1.59

2008

2009

2010

Return on Equity

$800

600

400

200

0

$781

$480

$585

2008

2009

2010

Cash from Operations  
and Portfolio Proceeds

Excluding tax benefits and other items(a) 

Millions 

15%

9%

7%

2008

2009

2010

$400

300

200

100

0

$364

$156

Cash from
Operations

$265

$242

$68

$84

Portfolio
Proceeds

2008

2009

2010

$4.00

3.00

2.00

1.00

0

20%

15%

10%

5%

0

  F I N A N C I A L   H I G H L I G H T S

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  S T R E N G T H

With a wholly-owned fleet of nearly 132,000 railcars, GATX is a leader in  
railcar leasing in both North America and Europe. The Company controls 
one of the largest privately owned railcar fleets in the world. In North 
America, GATX owns and operates an extensive network of maintenance 
shops and mobile repair units, and benefits from strong relationships  
with third-party maintenance providers.

GATX also has a substantial presence in the marine market. American 
Steamship Company (“ASC”) operates 18 vessels—the largest fleet of U.S.-
flagged vessels on the Great Lakes. Within Specialty, GATX also owns  
almost 500 tugs and barges serving the U.S. inland marine market,  
and through joint-venture investments, it holds an interest in 30  
ocean-going vessels.  

Contributing to GATX’s strength is a 50 percent ownership of  
Rolls-Royce and Partners Finance, one of the largest lessors of spare  
aircraft engines worldwide.    

GATX employees reflect the Company’s rich history: dedicated,  
experienced, service-oriented and extremely knowledgeable. They add 
great value to GATX’s asset base by consistently providing first-rate  
services—including maintenance, engineering, training and asset  
management—to the Company’s 900-plus customers.  

  P E R F O R M A N C E

Asset Mix

$6.4 Billion  
Net Book Value
Including on and off
balance sheet assets

Worldwide
Wholly-Owned Fleet

132,000 Railcars

82% 
Rail

12% 
Specialty

4% 
ASC

2% 
Other

as of 12/31/10

60% 
Tank Cars

24% 
Covered Hoppers

11% 
Open Hoppers &
Gondolas

5% 
Other

as of 12/31/10

RAIL 

While managing through slowly 
improving conditions last year, Rail 
invested $475 million to strengthen its 
asset base. Although lease pricing was 
pressured throughout 2010, utilization 
was solid, ending the year at 97 percent 
in North America and 96 percent in  
Europe.  Additionally, as asset and  
credit markets improved, so did asset 
remarketing income and scrapping gains. 

North American Fleet Utilization

Owned Railcars

99%

98%

98%

96%

97%

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

 
 
 
  O P P O R T U N I T I E S

Before the recent recession, GATX readied itself to take advantage  
of opportunities that a downturn would present. The Company  
capitalized on several opportunities to add attractively-priced assets 
to its portfolio. In 2008, Rail bought the 3,650 railcar fleet of Allco  
Finance Group Limited.  And last year, through two notable transactions, 
Rail acquired an interest in nearly 8,000 railcars. Since the start of the 
economic crisis, GATX has invested more than $1 billion and added  
approximately 18,000 railcars to its owned and managed fleet,  
bolstering its already strong market position.

In addition, Rail established a presence in India in December 2010, 

positioning the Company to be an early participant in that country’s 
emerging railcar-leasing market. GATX has the market position,  
asset knowledge, financial flexibility and desire to pursue more  
growth opportunities.  

Specialty Owned
Portfolio of Assets

$744 Million  
Net Book Value

ASC Commodities 
Carried

28 Million Net Tons

24% 
Marine
21% 
Aircraft Engine  
Leasing 
Joint Ventures
19% 
Marine Joint 
Ventures
14% 
Industrial/Energy
6% 
Energy Joint 
Venture
16% 
Other

as of 12/31/10

52% 
Iron Ore

37% 
Coal

9% 
Limestone 
Aggregates

2% 
Other

2010

SPECIALTY 

ASC

Specialty invested $97 million in 2010, 
capitalizing on opportunities to grow 
its asset base of industrial and marine 
assets. While continued pressure on 
marine charter rates led to a decline  
in income from blue-water joint  
ventures, these investments remain 
well positioned for a long-term recovery.  
Also, Rolls-Royce and Partners Finance 
posted strong results, and this venture 
continues to see growth opportunities 
in the commercial spare aircraft engine 
leasing business.

Worldwide Wholly-Owned Fleet

Number of Railcars

Due to its significant position on 
the Great Lakes, ASC is able to 
flex its fleet size to meet changing 
demand. During the 2010 sailing 
season, ASC operated 13 of its 18 
vessels while achieving sharply 
higher segment profit versus 
2009. Steel mill capacity utilization 
and production increased from 
the historic low levels of 2009, 
and ASC’s tonnage volumes rose 
accordingly.

128,949

131,880

132,700

130,903

131,821

110,478
18,471

112,445
19,435

112,976
19,724

110,870
20,033

111,389
20,432

140,000

120,000

100,000

80,000

60,000

40,000

20,000

0

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

North America

Europe

 
 
 
  L E T T E R   F R O M   T H E   C H A I R M A N

GATX        operates in the highly cyclical markets of rail, marine and 

industrial equipment. This cyclicality cannot be avoided, 
so we strive to manage our business effectively in the 
current climate while simultaneously preparing for the 

next phase in the business cycle.  Although this strategy may not always maximize earnings 
in the short term, we define success as reducing long-term earnings volatility while ensuring 
that our financial achievement is progressively higher at the peak of each successive business 
cycle. I will explain what we have done in the recent economic downturn to position the 
Company to generate maximum long-term value for our shareholders.

The downturn started in GATX’s underlying markets in 2008. Since that time, we have 
focused on three tactics to protect current earnings while preparing for the eventual upturn 
in the global economy. 

First, we worked to significantly reduce costs in the short term while making certain  
we were not cutting any resources that would impact our ability to serve our customers  
or limit our growth. A measure of our success in this area is that GATX’s SG&A costs were 
reduced by almost 25 percent from the peak of the market, enhancing current earnings 
while preserving our ability to grow.

Second, we priced leases aggressively as the market turned down, sometimes sacrificing  

lease rates in order to keep our assets highly utilized. An example of our success is the fact 
that GATX’s North American rail fleet maintained at least 95.9 percent utilization during 
this entire period. At the same time, we worked to reduce lease renewal terms dramatically. 
We were successful here as well, with our average North American rail lease term dropping 
from 70 months at the peak of the market in 2007 to 31 months in early 2010. This will allow 
us to renew a disproportionate share of our fleet in a strengthening rail market as the  
economic recovery continues in 2011 and beyond.

Lastly, we pushed hard to grow our asset base at the greatly reduced prices available at 
the bottom of the business cycle. From late 2008 through 2010, we invested over $1 billion 
and were able to add over 18,000 cars to our owned and managed fleet. Notably, much 
of this growth was generated by purchasing railcar fleets of financially distressed lessors. 
These fleet acquisitions were completed at advantaged prices and at a time when few other 
industry players were investing in the rail market. The shareholder value added by these 
transactions should become clear in the coming years. 

Turning to our recent financial performance, in 2010 we saw the global rail market begin 

its recovery while most blue-water marine markets continued to experience weak demand 
and an oversupply of vessels. The tonnage carried on the Great Lakes recovered nicely  
due to higher iron ore volumes required by the U.S. steel mills. Importantly, we performed 
financially as we expected entering 2010. While our earnings and returns reflected the 
tough economic environment, we are even more confident in our long-term position.  

Revenue pressure will start to subside in 2011 as the global economy and our underlying 

markets continue to recover. We expect earnings to be up modestly as this recovery takes 
hold and the capital markets remain at attractive levels. In Rail, we will change our focus 
from preserving utilization to increasing lease rates. We will continue to grow our asset base 
in North America and Europe through both new railcar purchases and secondary market 
activity. We also intend to expand our rail presence in select emerging markets, where we 
can take our expertise and apply it to markets with more attractive growth characteristics.  
  GATX’s stock has outperformed the S&P 500 for the last one-, three-, five- and seven-year 
periods. With our recently announced dividend increase, GATX has now paid a dividend for 
92 consecutive years, a long-term record few companies can match. It is an honor to lead a 
company with such a long history of performing for its shareholders. Coupled with a strategy  
that is long-term focused, we plan on continuing this tradition.  

Brian A. Kenney, Chairman, President and CEO of GATX Corporation

 
 
 
 
 
 
Brian A. Kenney 
Chairman, President and 
Chief Executive Officer

Robert C. Lyons 
Senior Vice President and 
Chief Financial Officer

James F. Earl 
Executive Vice President 
and Chief Operating Officer

Deborah A. Golden 
Senior Vice President, 
General Counsel and Secretary

Michael T. Brooks 
Senior Vice President and 
Chief Information Officer

William J. Hasek 
Senior Vice President 
and Treasurer

Curt F. Glenn 
Senior Vice President, 
Portfolio Management

Mary K. Lawler 
Senior Vice President, 
Human Resources

William M. Muckian 
Senior Vice President, 
Controller and 
Chief Accounting Officer

Clifford J. Porzenheim 
Senior Vice President, 
Strategic Growth

  Officers

Anne L. Arvia (1,3)
President, Nationwide Retirement Plans

Richard Fairbanks (3) 
Chairman, Layalina Productions, Inc.

Deborah M. Fretz (2,3) 
Retired; Former President and Chief Executive Officer,  
Sunoco Logistics Partners, L.P.

Ernst A. Häberli (1) 
Retired; Former President,  
Commercial Operations International,  
The Gillette Company

Mark G. McGrath (2,3) 
Retired; Former Director, 
McKinsey & Company

James B. Ream (1,2) 
Senior Vice President, Maintenance  
and Engineering, American Airlines

David S. Sutherland (1,2) 
Retired; Former President and 
Chief Executive Officer, IPSCO Inc.

Casey J. Sylla (A) 
Retired; Former Chairman  
and Chief Executive Officer,  
Allstate Life Insurance Company

Brian A. Kenney 
Chairman, President and 
Chief Executive Officer, GATX Corporation

  Board of Directors

(A) Lead Director
(1) Member, Audit Committee
(2) Member, Compensation Committee
(3) Member, Governance Committee

For more information about GATX’s Corporate Governance, see www.gatx.com > Investor Relations > Corporate Governance.

  C O R P O R A T E   I N F O R M A T I O N

S H A R E H O L D E R   I N Q U I R I E S
Inquiries regarding dividend checks, the dividend re-investment  
plan, stock certificates, replacement of lost certificates, address  
changes, account consolidation, transfer procedures and year-end  
tax information should be addressed to GATX Corporation’s Transfer 
Agent and Registrar:

BNY Mellon Shareowner Services
480 Washington Boulevard
Jersey City, New Jersey 07310
Telephone: (866) 767-6259
TDD for Hearing Impaired: (800) 231-5469
Foreign Shareholders: (201) 680-6578
TDD Foreign Shareholders: (201) 680-6610
Internet: http://www.bnymellon.com/shareowner/isd

I N F O R M AT I O N   R E L AT I N G  TO   S H A R E H O L D E R   O W N E R S H I P, 
D I V I D E N D   PAYM E N T S   O R   S H A R E  T R A N S F E R S
Lisa M. Ibarra, Assistant Secretary
Telephone: (312) 621-6603
Fax: (312) 621-6647
E-mail: lisa.ibarra@gatx.com

F I N A N C I A L   I N F O R M AT I O N   A N D   P R E S S   R E L E A S E S
A copy of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2010 and 
selected other information are available without charge. Corporate 
information and press releases may be found at GATX’s website,  
www.gatx.com. Requests for information or brochures may be made 
through the site, and many GATX publications may be directly viewed 
or downloaded. A variety of current and historical financial information, 
press releases and photographs are also available at this site. GATX  
Corporation welcomes and encourages questions and comments from 
its shareholders, potential investors, financial professionals and the 
public at large. To better serve interested parties, the following GATX 
personnel may be contacted by letter, telephone, e-mail and/or fax.

TO   R E Q U E S T   P U B L I S H E D   F I N A N C I A L   I N F O R M AT I O N   
A N D   F I N A N C I A L   R E P O R T S
GATX Corporation
Investor Relations Department
222 West Adams Street
Chicago, Illinois 60606-5314
Telephone: (800) 428-8161
Fax: (312) 621-6648
E-mail: ir@gatx.com

R E Q U E S T   L I N E   F O R   M AT E R I A L S
(312) 621-6300

A N A LYS T S ,  I N S T I T U T I O N A L   S H A R E H O L D E R S   A N D   
F I N A N C I A L   CO M M U N I T Y   I N Q U I R I E S
Jennifer Van Aken, Director, Investor Relations
Telephone: (312) 621-6689
Fax: (312) 621-6648
E-mail: jennifer.vanaken@gatx.com

I N D I V I D UA L   I N V E S TO R S’  I N Q U I R I E S
Irma Dominguez, Investor Relations Coordinator
Telephone: (312) 621-8799
Fax: (312) 621-6648
E-mail: irma.dominguez@gatx.com

Q U E S T I O N S   R E G A R D I N G   S A L E S ,  S E R V I C E ,   
L E A S E   I N F O R M AT I O N   O R   C U S TO M E R   S O LU T I O N S
Rail: (312) 621-6200
Specialty: (415) 955-3200
American Steamship Company: (716) 635-0222

I N D E P E N D E N T   R E G I S T E R E D   P U B L I C   ACCO U N T I N G   F I R M
Ernst & Young LLP

Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains statements that may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 
and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are subject to the safe harbor provisions of those sections and the Private Securities 
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Some of these statements may be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “predict,” 
“project” or other words and terms of similar meaning. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future 
performance and involve risks and uncertainties, including those described in GATX’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 
and other filings with the SEC, and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Specific  
factors that might cause actual results to differ from expectations include, but are not limited to, general economic, market, regulatory and political 
conditions in the rail, marine, industrial and other industries served by GATX and its customers; lease rates, utilization levels and operating costs in 
GATX’s primary operating segments; conditions in the capital markets; changes in GATX’s credit ratings and financing costs; regulatory rulings that may 
impact the economic value and operating costs of assets; costs associated with maintenance initiatives; competitive factors in GATX’s primary markets 
including lease pricing and asset availability; changes in loss provision levels within GATX’s portfolio; impaired asset charges that may result from 
changing market conditions or portfolio management decisions implemented by GATX; the opportunity for remarketing income; and the outcome 
of pending or threatened litigation. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking 
statements, which reflect management’s analysis, judgment, belief or expectation only as of the date hereof. GATX has based these forward-looking 
statements on information currently available and disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements to reflect 
subsequent events or circumstances.

Annual Meeting

Friday, April 22, 2011

9:00 a.m. Central Time

Northern Trust Company

Assembly Room, Sixth Floor

50 South LaSalle Street

Chicago, Illinois 60675

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W W W . G A T X . C O M

GATX CORPORATION

222 West Adams Street

Chicago, IL 60606-5314

312-621-6200

800-428-8161

NYSE:GMT

2 0 1 0   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

  F I N A N C I A L   H I G H L I G H T S

  G A T X   C O R P O R A T I O N   ( N Y S E : G M T )     

provides leasing and related services to customers operating rail, marine  
and other targeted assets. GATX is a leader in leasing transportation assets  
and controls one of the largest railcar fleets in the world. Applying over a  
century of operating experience and strong market and asset expertise, GATX 
provides quality assets and services to customers worldwide. GATX has been 
headquartered in Chicago, Illinois since its founding in 1898 and has traded 
on the New York Stock Exchange since 1916.  

in millions, except per share data

Gross income 
Net income 
Per diluted share net income 

excluding tax benefits and other items(a)

2008

2009

2010

$  1,443.1  
194.8 
3.88 

$ 

$  1,153.9 
81.4 
 1.70 

$ 

$  1,204.9
80.8
 1.72

$ 

Net income 
Per diluted share net income 

$ 
$ 

174.9 
3.49 

$ 
$ 

94.7 
1.97 

$ 
$ 

74.6
1.59

(a) The items for each year noted are referred to as “Tax Benefits and Other Items.”
     -  Results for 2010 included the favorable resolution of a litigation matter, certain tax benefits and negative fair-value    

adjustments of certain interest rate swaps at GATX’s European rail affiliate, AAE Cargo AG (“AAE”).

     -  Results for 2009 included negative fair-value adjustments on the AAE interest rate swaps and realized foreign tax credits. 
     -  Results for 2008 included a benefit from the reversal of tax reserves, a gain on the sale of an office building, the reversal  

of environmental reserves and negative fair-value adjustments on the AAE interest rate swaps. 

Income per Diluted Share

Investment Volume

Excluding tax benefits and other items(a) 

Millions

$3.49

$1.97

$1.59

2008

2009

2010

Return on Equity

$800

600

400

200

0

$781

$480

$585

2008

2009

2010

Cash from Operations  
and Portfolio Proceeds

Excluding tax benefits and other items(a) 

Millions 

15%

9%

7%

2008

2009

2010

$400

300

200

100

0

$364

$156

Cash from
Operations

$265

$242

$68

$84

Portfolio
Proceeds

2008

2009

2010

$4.00

3.00

2.00

1.00

0

20%

15%

10%

5%

0