Kansas City Southern’s KSU second-quarter 2018 adjusted earnings per share of $1.54 surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.52. The bottom line also improved 16% on a year-over-year basis, buoyed by volume growth. Overall carload volumes inched up 1% in the reported quarter.Kansas City Southern recorded revenues of $682.4 million, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $688.1 million. However, it compared favorably with the year-ago number of $656.4 million. Strong performance at the Chemical & Petroleum and Automotive units led to this year-over-year improvement in top line.Meanwhile, operating income increased 3% (on a reported basis) to $245.8 million. This Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) company’s operating ratio (operating expenses as a percentage of revenues) deteriorated to 64% from 63.5% a year ago. Operating expenses rose 5% in the quarter under review. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.The company expects volume growth to accelerate in the latter half of 2018 and 2019, backed by a strong economy and network capacity investments.Kansas City Southern Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Kansas City Southern Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Kansas City Southern QuoteSegmental ResultsChemical & Petroleum segment generated revenues of $157.8 million, up 14% year over year. Volumes improved 3% year over year. Revenues per carload also increased 10% from the year-ago figure.The Industrial & Consumer Products segment raked in revenues of $152.7 million, up 3% year over year. Business volumes expanded 3% while revenues per carload remained flat year over year.Total revenues at the Agriculture & Minerals segment inched up 1% to $125.1 million. Business volumes remained unchanged while revenues per carload were up 1%, both on a year-over-year basis.The Energy segment generated revenues of $61.3 million, down 20% year over year. This downside was due to low utility coal volumes from a Texas utility closure this January. While business volumes dropped 18% year over year, revenues per carload contracted 3%.Intermodal revenues totaled $93.7 million, up 3% year over year. While business volumes rose 3%, revenues per carload were flat in the reported quarter.Revenues at the Automotive segment came in at $67.3 million, up 17% year over year. While business volumes grew 12%, revenues per carload gained 4%.Other revenues totaled $29.3 million, up 9% year over year.Upcoming ReleasesInvestors interested in the broader Transportation sector are keenly awaiting second-quarter earnings reports from key players, namely Canadian National Railway Company CNI, Norfolk Southern Corporation NSC and United Parcel Service, Inc. UPS. While Canadian National will report second-quarter earnings on Jul 24, Norfolk Southern and UPS will announce the same on Jul 25.Will You Make a Fortune on the Shift to Electric Cars?Here's another stock idea to consider. Much like petroleum 150 years ago, lithium power may soon shake the world, creating millionaires and reshaping geo-politics. Soon electric vehicles (EVs) may be cheaper than gas guzzlers. Some are already reaching 265 miles on a single charge.With battery prices plummeting and charging stations set to multiply, one company stands out as the #1 stock to buy according to Zacks research.It's not the one you think.See This Ticker Free >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Kansas City Southern (KSU): Free Stock Analysis Report Canadian National Railway Company (CNI): Free Stock Analysis Report Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC): Free Stock Analysis Report United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research