Forward Air Corporation Reports Second Quarter 2013 Results

GREENEVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Forward Air Corporation (NASDAQ:FWRD) today reported revenue, operating income, net income and diluted earnings per share for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2013.

Operating revenue for the quarter ended June 30, 2013 increased 7.8% to $159.8 million from $148.3 million for the same quarter in 2012. Income from operations was $22.5 million, compared with $23.1 million in the prior-year quarter. As a percent of operating revenue, income from operations was 14.1%, compared with 15.6% in the same quarter last year. Net income during the period was $13.8 million compared to $14.2 million in the prior-year quarter. Income per diluted share for the second quarter of 2013 was $0.45 compared with $0.48 in the prior-year quarter.

Operating revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2013 increased 5.6% to $301.4 million from $285.4 million for the same period in 2012. Income from operations was $38.3 million, compared with $39.9 million in the prior-year period. As a percent of operating revenue, income from operations was 12.7% for the first six months of 2013 compared to 14.0% for the same period in 2012. Net income during the period was $24.7 million compared to $24.4 million in the prior-year period. Income per diluted share from operations for the first six months of 2013 was $0.81 compared with $0.83 in the prior-year period.

Bruce A. Campbell, Chairman, President, and CEO, commenting on the second quarter said, “Within our Forward Air, Inc. business segment, the overall tepid macroeconomic environment, the loss of a large customer which created a tough prior year comparison and our continued pricing challenges all conspired to make for a difficult second quarter. Fortunately, we believe that each of these headwinds will be short-lived. With respect to the macroeconomic environment, we have been experiencing increased network volumes. While a few weeks don’t equate to a trend, we are hopeful that it is a positive sign for an improved freight environment. As for the customer loss creating a difficult year-over-year comparison, the third quarter will mark the last full quarter where this is an issue as the former customer exited our services during the fourth quarter of last year. Lastly, we believe the irrational pricing behavior of some of our competitors is not financially sustainable. Those who maintained pricing discipline will ultimately be rewarded.”

Turning to the Forward Air Solutions business segment, Mr. Campbell said, “We mentioned on our first quarter call that Solutions was bringing on our second large customer for 2013. While this did in fact happen, and while most of our effected locations handled this well, three of our terminals struggled with the integration. This resulted in a small loss for the quarter and we are in the process of addressing those challenged locations.”

Commenting on the first full quarter of our newly acquired Total Quality, Inc. (TQI) business segment, Mr. Campbell said, “Our team continued to make substantial progress integrating TQI. We improved our operating margins each month and ended the quarter with a 92.7% operating ratio for June. We believe that our continued integration initiatives, including, most notably, a new operating system due to be online in early fourth quarter, along with a robust new business pipeline should get us to a sub-90 operating ratio in fairly short order.”

In closing, Mr. Campbell said, “As always, I would like to thank the Forward Air team of employees and independent contractors for their dedication and hard work. Their superlative efforts differentiate us from others in the industry.”

Commenting on the Company’s guidance for the third quarter, Rodney L. Bell, Senior Vice President and CFO said, “We anticipate that our third quarter 2013 revenues will increase in the range of 10% to 15% over the comparable 2012 period. We estimate that approximately 8% of that growth will result from the TQI acquisition. We expect income per diluted share to be between $0.43 and $0.48 per share. This compares to $0.41 per share in the third quarter of 2012.”

Review of Financial Results

Forward Air will hold a conference call to discuss second quarter 2013 results on Friday, July 19, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. EDT. The Company’s conference call will be available online at www.forwardair.com or by dialing 800-230-1059. 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 three business segments, Forward Air, Inc., Forward Air Solutions, Inc. and Total Quality, 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 88 terminals located on or near major airports 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 24 terminals within the mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Midwest and Southwestern United States.

Total Quality, Inc. utilizes industry-leading temperature-controlled equipment, 24-hour monitoring and tracking technology and layered security features to provide our customers with the highest level of service. In addition to our core pharmaceutical services, we provide truckload and less-than-truckload brokerage transportation services. Headquartered in central Michigan, we service the United States, Canada and Mexico.

 
Forward Air Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
           
Three months ended Six months ended

June 30,
2013

   

June 30,
2012

June 30,
2013

June 30,
2012

Operating revenue:
Airport-to-airport $ 97,120 $ 102,464 $ 187,497 $ 193,092
Logistics 31,941 21,124 54,912 42,437
Other 6,620 6,769 12,762 12,970
Pool distribution 24,123   17,969   46,193   36,908  
Total operating revenue 159,804 148,326 301,364 285,407
 
Operating expenses:
Purchased transportation
Airport-to-airport 39,639 42,639 76,198 79,396
Logistics 21,235 16,086 37,544 31,802
Other 1,937 1,832 3,672 3,430
Pool distribution 7,442   4,686   13,838   9,813  
Total purchased transportation 70,253 65,243 131,252 124,441
Salaries, wages and employee benefits 36,031 32,536 69,983 65,710
Operating leases 6,888 6,824 13,932 13,931
Depreciation and amortization 5,971 5,394 11,157 10,515
Insurance and claims 3,215 2,236 5,874 5,034
Fuel expense 3,656 2,412 6,664 4,953
Other operating expenses 11,285   10,598   24,207   20,951  
Total operating expenses 137,299   125,243   263,069   245,535  
Income from operations 22,505 23,083 38,295 39,872
 
Other income (expense):
Interest expense (128 ) (79 ) (256 ) (130 )
Other, net 14   (2 ) 45   15  
Total other expense (114 ) (81 ) (211 ) (115 )
Income before income taxes 22,391 23,002 38,084 39,757
Income taxes 8,560   8,835   13,399   15,317  
Net income and comprehensive income $ 13,831   $ 14,167   $ 24,685   $ 24,440  
 
Net income per share:
Basic $ 0.46   $ 0.49   $ 0.83   $ 0.85  
Diluted $ 0.45   $ 0.48   $ 0.81   $ 0.83  
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic 30,161 28,908 29,838 28,800
Diluted 30,736 29,445 30,477 29,402
 
Dividends per share: $ 0.10   $ 0.07   $ 0.20   $ 0.14  
 
 
Forward Air Corporation
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
   

June 30,
2013

   

December 31,
2012 (a)

Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 81,101 $ 112,182
Accounts receivable, net 76,280 75,262
Other current assets 19,900   10,952
Total current assets 177,281 198,396
 
Property and equipment 266,811 239,138
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 109,346   105,581
Net property and equipment 157,465 133,557
Goodwill and other acquired intangibles:
Goodwill 87,771 43,332
Other acquired intangibles, net of accumulated amortization 43,138   22,102
Total net goodwill and other acquired intangibles 130,909 65,434
Other assets 2,537   1,800
Total assets $ 468,192   $ 399,187
 
 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 12,189 $ 11,168
Accrued expenses 17,220 16,476
Current portion of debt and capital lease obligations 121   276
Total current liabilities 29,530 27,920
 
Debt and capital lease obligations, less current portion 23 58
Other long-term liabilities 8,985 7,098
Deferred income taxes 25,899 12,440
 
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock 303 292
Additional paid-in capital 98,915 64,644
Retained earnings 304,537   286,735
Total shareholders’ equity 403,755   351,671
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 468,192   $ 399,187
 
(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

June 30,
2013

June 30,
2012

Operating activities:
Net income $ 13,831 $ 14,167
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization 5,971 5,394
Share-based compensation 1,536 1,517
Gain on disposal of property and equipment (368 ) (29 )
Provision for (recovery) loss on receivables (11 ) 1
Provision for revenue adjustments 627 500
Deferred income tax 2,086 2,241
Excess tax benefit for stock options exercised (632 ) (2 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Accounts receivable 1,185 (2,682 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (1,360 ) (2,203 )
Accounts payable and accrued expenses (6,219 ) (12,939 )
Net cash provided by operating activities 16,646 5,965
 
Investing activities:
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment 884 531
Purchases of property and equipment (15,812 ) (5,220 )
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired (109 )
Other (4 ) (41 )
Net cash used in investing activities (15,041 ) (4,730 )
 
Financing activities:
Payments of debt and capital lease obligations (75 ) (136 )
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 10,219 253
Payments of cash dividends (3,047 ) (2,038 )
Common stock issued under employee stock purchase plan 137 119
Excess tax benefit for stock options exercised 632   2  
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 7,866   (1,800 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash 9,471 (565 )
Cash at beginning of period 71,630   69,397  
Cash at end of period $ 81,101   $ 68,832  
 
 
Forward Air Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
       
Six months ended

June 30,
2013

June 30,
2012

Operating activities:
Net income $ 24,685 $ 24,440
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization 11,157 10,515
Share-based compensation 3,094 3,123
(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment (283 ) 167
Provision for loss on receivables 290 111
Provision for revenue adjustments 1,126 927
Deferred income tax 2,936 1,437
Excess tax benefit for stock options exercised (2,870 ) (206 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Accounts receivable 3,196 (5,173 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (2,090 ) (3,128 )
Accounts payable and accrued expenses (3,991 ) (8,293 )
Net cash provided by operating activities 37,250 23,920
 
Investing activities:
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment 1,048 736
Purchases of property and equipment (27,994 ) (18,318 )
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired (45,328 )
Other (60 ) (347 )
Net cash used in investing activities (72,334 ) (17,929 )
 
Financing activities:
Payments of debt and capital lease obligations (20,303 ) (272 )
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 28,179 8,445
Payments of cash dividends (6,014 ) (4,072 )
Common stock issued under employee stock purchase plan 137 119
Cash settlement of share-based awards for minimum tax withholdings (866 ) (386 )
Excess tax benefit for stock options exercised 2,870   206  
Net cash provided by financing activities 4,003   4,040  
Net (decrease) increase in cash (31,081 ) 10,031
Cash at beginning of period 112,182   58,801  
Cash at end of period $ 81,101   $ 68,832  
 
 
Forward Air Corporation
Segment Information
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
 
    Three months ended
June 30,     Percent of     June 30,     Percent of         Percent
2013 Revenue 2012 Revenue Change Change
Operating revenue
Forward Air $ 124.1 77.7 % $ 130.5 88.0 % $ (6.4 ) (4.9 )%
FASI 24.3 15.2 18.4 12.4 5.9 32.1
TQI 12.2 7.6 12.2 100.0
Intercompany eliminations (0.8 ) (0.5 ) (0.6 ) (0.4 ) (0.2 ) 33.3  
Total 159.8   100.0   148.3   100.0   11.5   7.8  
 
Purchased transportation
Forward Air 56.5 45.5 60.9 46.7 (4.4 ) (7.2 )
FASI 7.7 31.7 4.9 26.6 2.8 57.1
TQI 6.7 54.9 6.7 100.0
Intercompany eliminations (0.6 ) 75.0   (0.5 ) 83.3   (0.1 ) 20.0  
Total 70.3   44.0   65.3   44.0   5.0   7.7  
 
Salaries, wages and employee benefits
Forward Air 25.6 20.6 25.4 19.5 0.2 0.8
FASI 8.5 35.0 7.1 38.6 1.4 19.7
TQI 1.9   15.6       1.9   100.0  
Total 36.0   22.5   32.5   21.9   3.5   10.8  
 
Operating leases
Forward Air 4.9 4.0 5.0 3.8 (0.1 ) (2.0 )
FASI 1.9 7.8 1.8 9.8 0.1 5.6
TQI 0.1   0.8       0.1   100.0  
Total 6.9   4.3   6.8   4.6   0.1   1.5  
 
Depreciation and amortization
Forward Air 4.1 3.3 4.2 3.2 (0.1 ) (2.4 )
FASI 1.2 4.9 1.2 6.5
TQI 0.7   5.7       0.7   100.0  
Total 6.0   3.8   5.4   3.6   0.6   11.1  
 
Insurance and claims
Forward Air 2.2 1.8 1.7 1.3 0.5 29.4
FASI 0.8 3.3 0.5 2.7 0.3 60.0
TQI 0.2   1.7       0.2   100.0  
Total 3.2   2.0   2.2   1.5   1.0   45.5  
 
Fuel expense
Forward Air 1.0 0.8 1.0 0.7
FASI 1.5 6.2 1.4 7.6 0.1 7.1
TQI 1.2   9.8       1.2   100.0  
Total 3.7   2.3   2.4   1.6   1.3   54.2  
 
Other operating expenses
Forward Air 7.9 6.4 9.1 7.0 (1.2 ) (13.2 )
FASI 2.9 11.9 1.6 8.7 1.3 81.3
TQI 0.6 4.9 0.6 100.0
Intercompany eliminations (0.2 ) 25.0   (0.1 ) 16.7   (0.1 ) 100.0  
Total 11.2   7.0   10.6   7.2   0.6   5.7  
 
Income (loss) from operations
Forward Air 21.9 17.6 23.2 17.8 (1.3 ) (5.6 )
FASI (0.2 ) (0.8 ) (0.1 ) (0.5 ) (0.1 ) 100.0
TQI 0.8   6.6       0.8   100.0  
Total $ 22.5   14.1 % $ 23.1   15.6 % $ (0.6 ) (2.6 )%
 
 
Forward Air Corporation
Segment Information
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
 
    Six months ended
June 30,     Percent of     June 30,     Percent of         Percent
2013 Revenue 2012 Revenue Change Change
Operating revenue
Forward Air $ 240.2 79.7 % $ 248.9 87.2 % $ (8.7 ) (3.5 )%
FASI 46.6 15.5 37.6 13.2 9.0 23.9
TQI 16.1 5.3 16.1 100.0
Intercompany eliminations (1.5 ) (0.5 ) (1.1 ) (0.4 ) (0.4 ) 36.4  
Total 301.4   100.0   285.4   100.0   16.0   5.6  
 
Purchased transportation
Forward Air 109.0 45.4 115.2 46.3 (6.2 ) (5.4 )
FASI 14.5 31.1 10.1 26.9 4.4 43.6
TQI 8.9 55.3 8.9 100.0
Intercompany eliminations (1.2 ) 80.0   (0.9 ) 81.8   (0.3 ) 33.3  
Total 131.2   43.6   124.4   43.6   6.8   5.5  
 
Salaries, wages and employee benefits
Forward Air 50.7 21.1 51.1 20.5 (0.4 ) (0.8 )
FASI 16.7 35.8 14.6 38.8 2.1 14.4
TQI 2.6   16.1       2.6   100.0  
Total 70.0   23.2   65.7   23.0   4.3   6.5  
 
Operating leases
Forward Air 10.0 4.2 10.1 4.1 (0.1 ) (1.0 )
FASI 3.9 8.4 3.8 10.1 0.1 2.6
TQI 0.1   0.6       0.1   100.0  
Total 14.0   4.7   13.9   4.9   0.1   0.7  
 
Depreciation and amortization
Forward Air 7.9 3.3 8.2 3.3 (0.3 ) (3.7 )
FASI 2.4 5.1 2.3 6.1 0.1 4.3
TQI 0.9   5.6       0.9   100.0  
Total 11.2   3.7   10.5   3.7   0.7   6.7  
 
Insurance and claims
Forward Air 4.1 1.7 3.8 1.5 0.3 7.9
FASI 1.5 3.2 1.2 3.2 0.3 25.0
TQI 0.2   1.3       0.2   100.0  
Total 5.8   1.9   5.0   1.7   0.8   16.0  
 
Fuel expense
Forward Air 2.0 0.8 2.2 0.9 (0.2 ) (9.1 )
FASI 3.1 6.7 2.8 7.5 0.3 10.7
TQI 1.6   9.9       1.6   100.0  
Total 6.7   2.2   5.0   1.7   1.7   34.0  
 
Other operating expenses
Forward Air 18.2 7.6 17.8 7.1 0.4 2.2
FASI 5.5 11.8 3.4 9.0 2.1 61.8
TQI 0.8 5.0 0.8 100.0
Intercompany eliminations (0.3 ) 20.0   (0.2 ) 18.2   (0.1 ) 50.0  
Total 24.2   8.0   21.0   7.4   3.2   15.2  
 
Income (loss) from operations
Forward Air 38.3 15.9 40.5 16.3 (2.2 ) (5.4 )
FASI (1.0 ) (2.1 ) (0.6 ) (1.6 ) (0.4 ) 66.7
TQI 1.0   6.2       1.0   100.0  
Total $ 38.3   12.7 % $ 39.9   14.0 % $ (1.6 ) (4.0 )%
 
 
Forward Air Corporation
Forward Air Inc. Operating Statistics
           
Three months ended
June 30, June 30, Percent
2013 2012 Change
 
Operating ratio 82.4 % 82.2 % 0.2 %
 
Business days 64.0 64.0
Business weeks 12.8 12.8
 
 
Airport-to-airport:
Tonnage
Total pounds ¹ 452,171 461,986 (2.1 )
Average weekly pounds ¹ 35,326 36,093 (2.1 )
 
Linehaul shipments
Total linehaul 714,677 735,657 (2.9 )
Average weekly 55,834 57,473 (2.9 )
 
Forward Air Complete shipments 115,001 208,945 (45.0 )
As a percentage of linehaul shipments 16.1 % 28.4 % (43.3 )
 
Average linehaul shipment size 633 628 0.8
 
Revenue per pound ²
Linehaul yield $ 16.98 $ 17.07 (0.4 )
Fuel surcharge impact 1.87 1.93 (0.3 )
Forward Air Complete impact 2.68   3.21   (2.4 )
Total airport-to-airport yield $ 21.53 $ 22.21 (3.1 )
 
 
Logistics:
Miles
Owner operator ¹ 9,147 9,185 (0.4 )
Third party ¹ 3,328   3,823   (12.9 )
Total Miles 12,475 13,008 (4.1 )
 
Revenue per mile $ 1.60 $ 1.62 (1.2 )
 
Cost per mile $ 1.18 $ 1.25 (5.6 )%
 
¹ - In thousands
² - In cents per pound; percentage change is expressed as a percent of total yield.
 
 
Forward Air Corporation
Forward Air Inc. Operating Statistics
           
Six months ended
June 30, June 30, Percent
2013 2012 Change
 
Operating ratio 84.1 % 83.7 % 0.5 %
 
Business days 127.0 128.0 (0.8 )
Business weeks 25.4 25.6 (0.8 )
 
 
Airport-to-airport:
Tonnage
Total pounds ¹ 858,085 884,124 (2.9 )
Average weekly pounds ¹ 33,783 34,536 (2.2 )
 
Linehaul shipments
Total linehaul 1,350,342 1,373,095 (1.7 )
Average weekly 53,163 53,637 (0.9 )
 
Forward Air Complete shipments 229,086 332,311 (31.1 )
As a percentage of linehaul shipments 17.0 % 24.2 % (29.8 )
 
Average linehaul shipment size 635 644 (1.4 )
 
Revenue per pound ²
Linehaul yield $ 17.14 $ 16.99 0.7
Fuel surcharge impact 1.95 1.92 0.1
Forward Air Complete impact 2.81   2.96   (0.7 )
Total airport-to-airport yield $ 21.90 $ 21.87 0.1
 
 
Logistics:
Miles
Owner operator ¹ 17,484 18,105 (3.4 )
Third party ¹ 6,848   7,510   (8.8 )
Total Miles 24,332 25,615 (5.0 )
 
Revenue per mile $ 1.61 $ 1.66 (3.0 )
 
Cost per mile $ 1.19 $ 1.25 (4.8 )%
 
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.

Forward Air Corporation
Rodney L. Bell, 423-636-7000
rbell@forwardair.com

Source: Forward Air Corporation