Forward Air Corporation Reports Second Quarter 2012 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, 2012.

Operating revenue for the quarter ended June 30, 2012 increased 12.2% to $148.3 million from $132.2 million for the same quarter in 2011. Income from operations was $23.1 million, compared with $19.9 million in the prior-year quarter. As a percent of operating revenue, income from operations increased to 15.6% from 15.1% for the same quarter last year. Net income during the period increased to $14.2 million from $12.0 million in the prior-year quarter. Income per diluted share for the second quarter of 2012 was $0.48 compared with $0.40 in the prior-year quarter.

Operating revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2012 increased 13.1% to $285.4 million from $252.4 million for the same period in 2011. Income from operations was $39.9 million, compared with $33.2 million in the prior-year period. As a percent of operating revenue, income from operations increased to 14.0% for the first six months of 2012 from 13.1% for the same period in 2011. Net income during the period was $24.4 million compared to $19.8 million in the prior-year period. Income per diluted share from operations for the first six months of 2012 was $0.83 compared with $0.67 in the prior-year period.

Bruce A. Campbell, Chairman, President, and CEO, commenting on the second quarter said, “As anticipated, we delivered a solid second quarter operation performance. Additionally, we continued to have strong demand for our Forward Air, Inc. service offerings, which, in turn, drove double digit revenue growth and produced a 20% increase in our income per diluted share.”

Commenting further, Mr. Campbell said, “Our recent positive yield trends did moderate during the quarter as we passed the June anniversary of our 2011 general rate increase and experienced a reduction in the benefit derived from net fuel surcharges as a result of lower diesel prices. We will implement our 2012 general rate increase effective September 2, 2012. The anticipated net benefit on airport to airport revenue is estimated to be approximately 3% on a monthly basis.”

Turning to the Forward Air Solutions business segment, Mr. Campbell said, “Over the course of the second quarter Solutions continued to steadily improve posting essentially a break-even compared to an operating loss of nearly half a million dollars in the second quarter of 2011. Our Solutions team is intensely focused on being profitable for the remainder of the year.”

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. Without them, these results would not have been possible.”

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 2012 revenues will increase in the range of 10% to 14% over the comparable 2011 period, and we expect income per diluted share to be between $0.47 and $0.51 per share. This compares to $0.44 per share in the third quarter of 2011.”

Review of Financial Results

Forward Air will hold a conference call to discuss second quarter 2012 results on Friday, July 20, 2012 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 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 85 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 20 cities within the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Midwest and Southwestern United States.

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

June 30,

2012

 

June 30,

2011

June 30,

2012

June 30,

2011

Operating revenue:
Forward Air
Airport-to-airport $ 102,464 $ 91,493 $ 193,092 $ 173,640
Logistics 21,124 18,005 42,437 34,500
Other 6,769 6,871 12,970 13,274
Forward Air Solutions
Pool distribution 17,969   15,823   36,908   30,980  
Total operating revenue 148,326 132,192 285,407 252,394
 
Operating expenses:
Purchased transportation
Forward Air
Airport-to-airport 42,639 35,675 79,396 68,269
Logistics 16,086 13,373 31,802 26,173
Other 1,832 1,659 3,430 3,132
Forward Air Solutions
Pool distribution 4,686   3,502   9,813   6,958  
Total purchased transportation 65,243 54,209 124,441 104,532
Salaries, wages and employee benefits 32,536 31,439 65,710 61,934
Operating leases 6,824 6,705 13,931 13,411
Depreciation and amortization 5,394 5,222 10,515 10,304
Insurance and claims 2,236 1,845 5,034 4,020
Fuel expense 2,412 2,564 4,953 4,952
Other operating expenses 10,598   10,332   20,951   20,079  
Total operating expenses 125,243   112,316   245,535   219,232  
Income from operations 23,083 19,876 39,872 33,162
 
Other income (expense):
Interest expense (79 ) (141 ) (130 ) (336 )
Other, net (2 ) 31   15   47  
Total other expense (81 ) (110 ) (115 ) (289 )
Income before income taxes 23,002 19,766 39,757 32,873
Income taxes 8,835   7,797   15,317   13,035  
Net income and comprehensive income $ 14,167   $ 11,969   $ 24,440   $ 19,838  
 
Net income per share:
Basic $ 0.49   $ 0.41   $ 0.85   $ 0.68  
Diluted $ 0.48   $ 0.40   $ 0.83   $ 0.67  
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic 28,908 29,337 28,800 29,236
Diluted 29,445 29,851 29,402 29,618
 
Dividends per share: $ 0.07   $ 0.07   $ 0.14   $ 0.14  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forward Air Corporation
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 

June 30,

2012

 

December 31,

2011 (a)

Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 68,832 $ 58,801
Accounts receivable, net 77,557 70,922
Other current assets 15,709   9,994
Total current assets 162,098 139,717
 
Property and equipment 237,256 223,135
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 98,174   93,267
Net property and equipment 139,082 129,868
Goodwill and other acquired intangibles:
Goodwill 43,332 43,332
Other acquired intangibles, net of accumulated amortization 24,373   26,668
Total net goodwill and other acquired intangibles 67,705 70,000
Other assets 1,891   1,566
Total assets $ 370,776   $ 341,151
 
 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 12,278 $ 12,392
Accrued expenses 19,726 20,986
Current portion of debt and capital lease obligations 474   552
Total current liabilities 32,478 33,930
 
Debt and capital lease obligations, less current portion 139 333
Other long-term liabilities 6,883 8,860
Deferred income taxes 12,499 11,126
 
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock 289 285
Additional paid-in capital 54,104 42,212
Retained earnings 264,384   244,405
Total shareholders’ equity 318,777   286,902
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 370,776   $ 341,151
 
(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,

2012

June 30,

2011

Operating activities:
Net income $ 14,167 $ 11,969
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization 5,394 5,222
Share-based compensation 1,517 1,512
Gain on disposal of property and equipment (29 ) (21 )
Provision for loss on receivables 1 22
Provision for revenue adjustments 500 449
Deferred income taxes 2,241 1,919
Tax benefit for stock options exercised (2 ) (131 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Accounts receivable (2,682 ) (1,863 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (2,203 ) (864 )
Accounts payable and accrued expenses (12,939 ) (874 )
Net cash provided by operating activities 5,965 17,340
 
Investing activities:
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment 531 388
Purchases of property and equipment (5,220 ) (8,112 )
Other (41 ) (7 )
Net cash used in investing activities (4,730 ) (7,731 )
 
Financing activities:
Payments of debt and capital lease obligations (136 ) (157 )
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 253 2,793
Payments of cash dividends (2,038 ) (2,066 )
Common stock issued under employee stock purchase plan 119 128
Tax benefit for stock options exercised 2   131  
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (1,800 ) 829  
Net (decrease) increase in cash (565 ) 10,438
Cash at beginning of period 69,397   85,681  
Cash at end of period $ 68,832   $ 96,119  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forward Air Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
   
Six months ended

June 30,

2012

June 30,

2011

Operating activities:
Net income $ 24,440 $ 19,838
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization 10,515 10,304
Share-based compensation 3,123 2,955
Loss on disposal of property and equipment 167
Provision for loss (recovery) on receivables 111 (28 )
Provision for revenue adjustments 927 933
Deferred income taxes 1,437 1,939
Tax benefit for stock options exercised (206 ) (219 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Accounts receivable (5,173 ) (7,921 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (3,128 ) (1,745 )
Accounts payable and accrued expenses (8,293 ) 6,503  
Net cash provided by operating activities 23,920 32,559
 
Investing activities:
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment 736 667
Purchases of property and equipment (18,318 ) (15,441 )
Other (347 ) 301  
Net cash used in investing activities (17,929 ) (14,473 )
 
Financing activities:
Payments of debt and capital lease obligations (272 ) (328 )
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 8,445 7,631
Payments of cash dividends (4,072 ) (4,121 )
Common stock issued under employee stock purchase plan 119 128
Cash settlement of share-based awards for minimum tax withholdings (386 )
Tax benefit for stock options exercised 206   219  
Net cash provided by financing activities 4,040   3,529  
Net increase in cash 10,031 21,615
Cash at beginning of period 58,801   74,504  
Cash at end of period $ 68,832   $ 96,119  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forward Air Corporation
Segment Information
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
 
Three months ended
June 30,   Percent of   June 30,   Percent of     Percent
2012 Revenue 2011 Revenue Change Change
Operating revenue
Forward Air $ 130.5 88.0 % $ 116.5 88.1 % $ 14.0 12.0 %
FASI 18.4 12.4 15.9 12.0 2.5 15.7
Intercompany eliminations (0.6 ) (0.4 ) (0.2 ) (0.1 ) (0.4 ) 200.0  
Total 148.3   100.0   132.2   100.0   16.1   12.2  
 
Purchased transportation
Forward Air 60.9 46.7 50.8 43.6 10.1 19.9
FASI 4.9 26.6 3.6 22.7 1.3 36.1
Intercompany eliminations (0.5 ) 83.3   (0.2 ) 100.0   (0.3 ) 150.0  
Total 65.3   44.0   54.2   41.0   11.1   20.5  
 
Salaries, wages and employee benefits
Forward Air 25.4 19.5 24.7 21.2 0.7 2.8
FASI 7.1   38.6   6.7   42.1   0.4   6.0  
Total 32.5   21.9   31.4   23.7   1.1   3.5  
 
Operating leases
Forward Air 5.0 3.8 5.0 4.3
FASI 1.8   9.8   1.7   10.7   0.1   5.9  
Total 6.8   4.6   6.7   5.1   0.1   1.5  
 
Depreciation and amortization
Forward Air 4.2 3.2 4.1 3.5 0.1 2.4
FASI 1.2   6.5   1.1   6.9   0.1   9.1  
Total 5.4   3.6   5.2   3.9   0.2   3.8  
 
Insurance and claims
Forward Air 1.7 1.3 1.5 1.3 0.2 13.3
FASI 0.5   2.7   0.4   2.5   0.1   25.0  
Total 2.2   1.5   1.9   1.4   0.3   15.8  
 
Fuel expense
Forward Air 1.0 0.7 1.2 1.0 (0.2 ) (16.7 )
FASI 1.4   7.6   1.4   8.8      
Total 2.4   1.6   2.6   2.0   (0.2 ) (7.7 )
 
Other operating expenses
Forward Air 9.1 7.0 8.8 7.6 0.3 3.4
FASI 1.6 8.7 1.5 9.4 0.1 6.7
Intercompany eliminations (0.1 ) 16.7       (0.1 ) (100.0 )
Total 10.6   7.2   10.3   7.8   0.3   2.9  
 
Income (loss) from operations
Forward Air 23.2 17.8 20.4 17.5 2.8 13.7
FASI (0.1 ) (0.5 ) (0.5 ) (3.1 ) 0.4   (80.0 )
Total $ 23.1   15.6 % $ 19.9   15.1 % $ 3.2   16.1 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forward Air Corporation
Segment Information
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
 
Six months ended
June 30,   Percent of   June 30,   Percent of     Percent
2012 Revenue 2011 Revenue Change Change
Operating revenue
Forward Air $ 248.9 87.2 % $ 221.7 87.8 % $ 27.2 12.3 %
FASI 37.6 13.2 31.1 12.3 6.5 20.9
Intercompany eliminations (1.1 ) (0.4 ) (0.4 ) (0.1 ) (0.7 ) 175.0  
Total 285.4   100.0   252.4   100.0   33.0   13.1  
 
Purchased transportation
Forward Air 115.2 46.3 97.7 44.1 17.5 17.9
FASI 10.1 26.9 7.2 23.1 2.9 40.3
Intercompany eliminations (0.9 ) 81.8   (0.4 ) 100.0   (0.5 ) 125.0  
Total 124.4   43.6   104.5   41.4   19.9   19.0  
 
Salaries, wages and employee benefits
Forward Air 51.1 20.5 48.7 22.0 2.4 4.9
FASI 14.6   38.8   13.3   42.8   1.3   9.8  
Total 65.7   23.0   62.0   24.6   3.7   6.0  
 
Operating leases
Forward Air 10.1 4.1 9.8 4.4 0.3 3.1
FASI 3.8   10.1   3.6   11.6   0.2   5.6  
Total 13.9   4.9   13.4   5.3   0.5   3.7  
 
Depreciation and amortization
Forward Air 8.2 3.3 8.2 3.7
FASI 2.3   6.1   2.1   6.7   0.2   9.5  
Total 10.5   3.7   10.3   4.1   0.2   1.9  
 
Insurance and claims
Forward Air 3.8 1.5 3.1 1.4 0.7 22.6
FASI 1.2   3.2   0.9   2.9   0.3   33.3  
Total 5.0   1.7   4.0   1.6   1.0   25.0  
 
Fuel expense
Forward Air 2.2 0.9 2.3 1.0 (0.1 ) (4.3 )
FASI 2.8   7.5   2.6   8.4   0.2   7.7  
Total 5.0   1.7   4.9   1.9   0.1   2.0  
 
Other operating expenses
Forward Air 17.8 7.1 17.2 7.8 0.6 3.5
FASI 3.4 9.0 2.9 9.3 0.5 17.2
Intercompany eliminations (0.2 ) 18.2       (0.2 ) (100.0 )
Total 21.0   7.4   20.1   8.0   0.9   4.5  
 
Income (loss) from operations
Forward Air 40.5 16.3 34.7 15.6 5.8 16.7
FASI (0.6 ) (1.6 ) (1.5 ) (4.8 ) 0.9   (60.0 )
Total $ 39.9   14.0 % $ 33.2   13.1 % $ 6.7   20.2 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forward Air Corporation
Forward Air Inc. Operating Statistics
     
Three months ended
June 30, June 30, Percent
2012 2011 Change
 
Operating ratio

82.2

% 82.5 %

(0.4

%)

 
Business days 64.0 64.0
Business weeks 12.8 12.8
 
 
Airport-to-airport:
Tonnage

Total pounds 1

461,986 438,208 5.4

Average weekly pounds 1

36,093 34,235 5.4
 
Linehaul shipments
Total linehaul 735,657 596,592 23.3
Average weekly 57,473 46,609 23.3
 
Forward Air Complete shipments 208,945 89,710 132.9
As a percentage of linehaul shipments 28.4 % 15.0 % 89.3
 
Average linehaul shipment size 628 735 (14.6 )
 

Revenue per pound 2

Linehaul yield $ 17.07 $ 16.74 1.6
Fuel surcharge impact 1.93 1.94
Forward Air Complete impact 3.21   2.22   4.7  
Total airport-to-airport yield $ 22.21 $ 20.90 6.3
 
 
Logistics:
Miles

Owner operator 1

9,185 7,567 21.4

Third party 1

3,823   3,113   22.8  
Total Miles 13,008 10,680 21.8
 
Revenue per mile $ 1.62 $ 1.69 (4.1 )
 
Cost per mile $ 1.25 $ 1.25 %
 
 

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
2012 2011 Change
 
Operating ratio 83.7 % 84.4 % (0.8 )%
 
Business days 128.0 128.0
Business weeks 25.6 25.6
 
 
Airport-to-airport:
Tonnage

Total pounds 1

884,124 838,766 5.4

Average weekly pounds 1

34,536 32,764 5.4
 
Linehaul shipments
Total linehaul 1,373,095 1,169,048 17.5
Average weekly 53,637 45,666 17.5
 
Forward Air Complete shipments 332,311 172,716 92.4
As a percentage of linehaul shipments 24.2 % 14.8 % 63.5
 
Average linehaul shipment size 644 717 (10.2 )
 

Revenue per pound 2

Linehaul yield $ 16.99 $ 16.72 1.3
Fuel surcharge impact 1.92 1.81 0.5
Forward Air Complete impact 2.96   2.20   3.7  
Total airport-to-airport yield $ 21.87 $ 20.73 5.5
 
 
Logistics:
Miles

Owner operator 1

18,105 14,547 24.5

Third party 1

7,510   6,372   17.9  
Total Miles 25,615 20,919 22.4
 
Revenue per mile $ 1.66 $ 1.65 0.6
 
Cost per mile $ 1.25 $ 1.25 %
 
 

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