K.C. Southern profit doubles, chemicals a boost

BOSTON, July 31 (Reuters) - U.S. regional railroad Kansas City Southern (KSU.N) said on Thursday quarterly profit about doubled, as it raised prices in the face of growing volumes of chemicals and metals shipments.

The company reported second-quarter net income of $50.5 million, or 56 cents per diluted share, up from $25.3 million, or 30 cents per diluted share, a year earlier.

Analysts, on average, had expected earnings of 44 cents per share, according to Reuters Estimates.

Revenue came to $486.2 million, up 13.8 percent from $427.1 million.

"KCS recorded volume growth despite a U.S. economy that has provided a downward pressure on traffic related to building materials, appliances and automobiles," said Chief Executive Michael Haverty.

Kansas City Southern shares are up about 53.9 percent so far this year, outpacing the 39 percent rise of the Dow Jones U.S. railroad index .DJUSRR. (Reporting by Scott Malone, editing by Gerald E. McCormick)