Forward Air Corporation Reports First Quarter 2010 Results

GREENEVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Forward Air Corporation (NASDAQ:FWRD) today reported results for the quarter ended March 31, 2010.

Operating revenue for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 increased 10.8% to $107.0 million from $96.6 million for the first quarter of 2009. Income from operations was $6.1 million, compared with a $5.0 million loss from operations for the same quarter of 2009. As a percent of operating revenue, income from operations increased to 5.7%. Net income during the period increased by $6.5 million to $3.4 million from a $3.1 million net loss for the first quarter of 2009. Net income per diluted share for the first quarter of 2010 was $0.12 compared with a $0.11 net loss per share in the same quarter of 2009.

The first quarter of 2009 included a $7.2 million non-cash, pre-tax impairment charge. Excluding the $7.2 million non-cash, pre-tax impairment charge from the results of operations for the first quarter of 2009, income from operations for the first quarter of 2010 increased $4.0 million from $2.1 million for the first quarter of 2009, and net income for the first quarter of 2010 increased $2.2 million from $1.2 million for the first quarter of 2009. Similarly, earnings per diluted share for the first quarter of 2010 increased $0.08 compared to the adjusted earnings per diluted share of $0.04 for the first quarter of 2009.

Bruce A. Campbell, Chairman, President, and CEO, said, "We are pleased to report that the trends of improved freight volumes and resulting profitability we experienced in the fourth quarter of 2009 continued throughout the first quarter of 2010. These continuing trends provide further encouragement that we have entered a period of sustained recovery."

"Our airport-to-airport network, Forward Air Complete pick-up and delivery as well as TLX expedited truckload brokerage were all solid contributors within our Forward Air, Inc. business segment. Our Forward Air Solutions pool distribution segment, while posting a loss for the first quarter, on the strength of better volumes did generate a profit in March. Since the first quarter is traditionally the weakest period, we are hopeful this may be a sign that the consumer is finally returning to retail sales."

In closing Mr. Campbell said, "Again this quarter please allow me to thank our team of employees and independent owner operators for their contributions to our solid quarterly results. It was their efforts that allowed us to weather the economic storm and emerge on the other side a much stronger company."

Commenting on the Company's guidance for the second quarter, Rodney L. Bell, Senior Vice President and CFO, said, "Starting May 1, 2010 we will begin experiencing the benefit of a general rate increase on the linehaul portion of our airport-to-airport network. Inclusive of this partial quarter benefit, we anticipate that our second quarter 2010 revenues will increase in the range of 13 to 18% over the comparable 2009 period, and we expect income per diluted share to be between $0.20 and $0.24 per share."

Review of Financial Results

Forward Air will hold a conference call to discuss first quarter 2010 results on Thursday, April 22, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. EST. The Company's conference call will be available online at www.forwardair.com or by dialing 800.841.9385. A replay of the conference call will be available at www.forwardair.com beginning shortly after the completion of the live call.

About Forward Air Corporation

Forward Air Corporation operates two business segments, Forward Air, Inc. and Forward Air Solutions, Inc.

Forward Air, Inc. is a high-service-level contractor to the air cargo industry providing time-definite ground transportation services through a network of terminals located on or near major airports in 84 cities in the United States and Canada. It provides these services as a cost-effective alternative to air transportation of cargo that must be delivered at a specific time but is relatively less time-sensitive than traditional air freight or when air transportation is not economical.

Forward Air Solutions, Inc. is a provider of pool distribution services. Pool distribution involves the consolidation and shipment of several smaller less-than-truckload shipments to a common area or region. Once at the regional destination, the loads are deconsolidated, then grouped with other shipments with common delivery points, and delivered in a very precise, time-sensitive manner. Our pool distribution network consists of terminals and service locations in 19 cities within the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Midwest and Southwestern United States.


Forward Air Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

                                                    Three months ended

                                                    March 31,    March 31,

                                                    2010         2009

Operating revenue:

Forward Air

Airport-to-airport                                  $ 70,888     $ 63,055

Logistics                                             13,855       13,044

Other                                                 5,875        5,867

Forward Air Solutions

Pool distribution                                     16,359       14,650

Total operating revenue                               106,977      96,616

Operating expenses:

Purchased transportation

Forward Air

Airport-to-airport                                    28,799       26,153

Logistics                                             10,768       10,279

Other                                                 1,492        1,064

Forward Air Solutions

Pool distribution                                     3,442        2,632

Total purchased transportation                        44,501       40,128

Salaries, wages and employee benefits                 30,670       29,056

Operating leases                                      6,629        6,989

Depreciation and amortization                         4,949        4,858

Insurance and claims                                  2,331        2,716

Fuel expense                                          2,058        1,682

Other operating expenses                              9,784        9,056

Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets    --           7,157

Total operating expenses                              100,922      101,642

Income (loss) from operations                         6,055        (5,026  )

Other income (expense):

Interest expense                                      (185    )    (141    )

Other, net                                            30           (22     )

Total other expense                                   (155    )    (163    )

Income (loss) before income taxes                     5,900        (5,189  )

Income taxes                                          2,481        (2,085  )

Net income (loss)                                   $ 3,419      $ (3,104  )

Net income (loss) per share:

Basic                                               $ 0.12       $ (0.11   )

Diluted                                             $ 0.12       $ (0.11   )

Weighted average shares outstanding:

Basic                                                 28,951       28,906

Diluted                                               29,074       28,906

Dividends per share:                                $ 0.07       $ 0.07




Forward Air Corporation

Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP Financial Results to Adjusted Financial Results

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

                                            Three months ended

                                                                       Adjusted

                                            March 31,    Impairment    March 31,

                                            2009 (1)     Charge        2009

(Loss) income from operations               $ (5,026  )  $ 7,157       $ 2,131

Income taxes                                  (2,085  )    (2,875   )    790

Net (loss) income                             (3,104  )    4,282         1,178

Diluted/weighted average shares outstanding   28,906                     28,963

Net (loss) income per share:                $ (0.11   )                $ 0.04

(1) - As reported in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting
principles.




Forward Air Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

                                                       March 31,  December 31,

                                                       2010       2009 (a)

Assets

Current assets:

Cash                                                   $ 44,612   $ 42,035

Accounts receivable, net                                 58,425     55,720

Other current assets                                     7,688      9,471

Total current assets                                     110,725    107,226

Property and equipment                                   208,654    204,716

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization           78,323     75,990

Total property and equipment, net                        130,331    128,726

Goodwill and other acquired intangibles:

Goodwill                                                 43,332     43,332

Other acquired intangibles, net                          34,701     35,849

Total goodwill and other acquired intangibles            78,033     79,181

Other assets                                             1,534      1,597

Total assets                                           $ 320,623  $ 316,730

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable                                       $ 9,837    $ 10,333

Accrued expenses                                         20,745     18,531

Current portion of debt and capital lease obligations    835        919

Total current liabilities                                31,417     29,783

Debt and capital lease obligations, less current         51,992     52,169
portion

Other long-term liabilities                              4,623      4,485

Deferred income taxes                                    4,889      5,786

Shareholders' equity:

Common stock                                             290        290

Additional paid-in capital                               18,436     16,631

Retained earnings                                        208,976    207,586

Total shareholders' equity                               227,702    224,507

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity             $ 320,623  $ 316,730

(a) Taken from audited financial statements, which are not presented in their
entirety.




Forward Air Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

                                                        Three Months Ended

                                                        March 31,    March 31,

                                                        2010         2009

Operating activities:

Net income (loss)                                       $ 3,419      $ (3,104  )

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash
provided by operating activities

Depreciation and amortization                             4,949        4,858

Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets        --           7,157

Share-based compensation                                  1,763        1,780

Loss on disposal of property and equipment                1            9

Provision for loss (recovery) on receivables              90           (35     )

Provision for revenue adjustments                         423          794

Deferred income taxes                                     (873    )    (1,960  )

Tax benefit for stock options exercised                   (4      )    --

Changes in operating assets and liabilities,

Accounts receivable                                       (3,218  )    8,006

Prepaid expenses and other current assets                 1,786        705

Accounts payable and accrued expenses                     1,856        (1,751  )

Net cash provided by operating activities                 10,192       16,459

Investing activities:

Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment          20           127

Purchases of property and equipment                       (5,426  )    (4,737  )

Other                                                     39           (112    )

Net cash used in investing activities                     (5,367  )    (4,722  )

Financing activities:

Payments of debt and capital lease obligations            (261    )    (336    )

Proceeds from exercise of stock options                   38           --

Payments of cash dividends                                (2,029  )    (2,025  )

Cash settlement of share-based awards for minimum tax     --           (228    )
withholdings

Tax benefit for stock options exercised                   4            --

Net cash used in financing activities                     (2,248  )    (2,589  )

Net increase in cash                                      2,577        9,148

Cash at beginning of period                               42,035       22,093

Cash at end of period                                   $ 44,612     $ 31,241





Forward Air Corporation

Segment Information

(In millions)

(Unaudited)

                Three months ended

                March      Percent    March     Percent                Percent
                31,        of         31,       of

                2010       Revenue    2009      Revenue      Change    Change

Operating
revenue

Forward Air     $ 90.9     85.0    %  $ 82.1    85.0      %  $ 8.8     10.7      %

FASI              16.4     15.3         14.8    15.3           1.6     10.8

Intercompany      (0.3  )  (0.3    )    (0.3 )  (0.3    )      --      --
Eliminations

Total             107.0    100.0        96.6    100.0          10.4    10.8

Purchased
transportation

Forward Air       41.1     45.2         37.6    45.8           3.5     9.3

FASI              3.7      22.6         2.8     19.0           0.9     32.1

Intercompany      (0.3  )  100.0        (0.3 )  100.0          --      --
Eliminations

Total             44.5     41.6         40.1    41.5           4.4     11.0

Salaries,
wages and
employee
benefits

Forward Air       23.4     25.7         21.5    26.2           1.9     8.8

FASI              7.3      44.5         7.6     51.3           (0.3 )  (3.9    )

Total             30.7     28.7         29.1    30.1           1.6     5.5

Operating
leases

Forward Air       4.5      5.0          4.8     5.8            (0.3 )  (6.3    )

FASI              2.1      12.8         2.2     14.8           (0.1 )  (4.5    )

Total             6.6      6.2          7.0     7.2            (0.4 )  (5.7    )

Depreciation
and
amortization

Forward Air       4.0      4.4          3.9     4.8            0.1     2.6

FASI              0.9      5.5          0.9     6.1            --      --

Total             4.9      4.6          4.8     5.0            0.1     2.1

Insurance and
claims

Forward Air       1.8      2.0          2.2     2.7            (0.4 )  (18.2   )

FASI              0.5      3.0          0.5     3.4            --      --

Total             2.3      2.1          2.7     2.8            (0.4 )  (14.8   )

Fuel expense

Forward Air       0.9      1.0          0.7     0.9            0.2     28.6

FASI              1.2      7.3          1.0     6.8            0.2     20.0

Total             2.1      2.0          1.7     1.8            0.4     23.5

Other
operating
expenses

Forward Air       8.0      8.8          7.4     9.0            0.6     8.1

FASI              1.8      11.0         1.6     10.8           0.2     12.5

Total             9.8      9.1          9.0     9.3            0.8     8.9

Impairment of
goodwill

and other
intangible
assets

Forward Air       --       --           0.2     0.2            (0.2 )  (100.0  )

FASI              --       --           7.0     47.3           (7.0 )  (100.0  )

Total             --       --           7.2     7.5            (7.2 )  (100.0  )

Income (loss)
from
operations

Forward Air       7.2      7.9          3.8     4.6            3.4     89.5

FASI              (1.1  )  (6.7    )    (8.8 )  (59.5   )      7.7     (87.5   )

Total           $ 6.1      5.7     %  $ (5.0 )  (5.2    ) %  $ 11.1    (222.0  ) %




Forward Air Corporation

Forward Air Inc. Operating Statistics

                                         Three months ended

                                         March 31,    March 31,  Percent

                                         2010         2009       Change

Operating ratio                          92.1    %    95.4    %  (3.5 )  %

Business days                            63.0         63.0       --

Business weeks                           12.6         12.6       --

Airport-to-airport:

Tonnage

Total pounds (1)                         378,625      338,602    11.8

Average weekly pounds (1)                30,050       26,873     11.8

Linehaul shipments

Total linehaul                           546,313      502,890    8.6

Average weekly                           43,358       39,912     8.6

Forward Air Complete shipments           69,106       53,889     28.2

As a percentage of linehaul shipments    12.6    %    10.7    %  17.8

Average linehaul shipment size           693          673        3.0

Revenue per pound (2)

Linehaul yield                         $ 15.93      $ 16.61      (3.6 )

Fuel surcharge impact                    1.09         0.73       1.9

Forward Air Complete impact              1.74         1.32       2.2

Total airport-to-airport yield         $ 18.76      $ 18.66      0.5

Logistics:

Miles

Owner operator (1)                       5,937        5,594      6.1

Third party (1)                          2,738        2,621      4.5

Total Miles                              8,675        8,215      5.6

Revenue per mile                       $ 1.61       $ 1.61       --

Cost per mile                          $ 1.24       $ 1.25       (0.8 )  %

(1) - In thousands

(2) - In cents per pound; percentage change is expressed as a percent of
total yield.



Important Information

This press release contains "forward-looking statements," as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are statements other than historical information or statements of current condition and relate to future events or our future financial performance. Some forward-looking statements may be identified by use of such terms as "believes," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "estimates," "projects" or "expects." Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The following is a list of factors, among others, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements: economic factors such as recessions, inflation, higher interest rates and downturns in customer business cycles, our inability to maintain our historical growth rate because of a decreased volume of freight moving through our network or decreased average revenue per pound of freight moving through our network, increasing competition and pricing pressure, surplus inventories, loss of a major customer, the creditworthiness of our customers and their ability to pay for services rendered, our ability to secure terminal facilities in desirable locations at reasonable rates, the inability of our information systems to handle an increased volume of freight moving through our network, changes in fuel prices, claims for property damage, personal injuries or workers' compensation, employment matters including rising health care costs, enforcement of and changes in governmental regulations, environmental and tax matters, the handling of hazardous materials, the availability and compensation of qualified independent owner-operators and freight handlers needed to serve our transportation needs and our inability to successfully integrate acquisitions. As a result of the foregoing, no assurance can be given as to future financial condition, cash flows or results of operations. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


    Source: Forward Air Corporation