Exhibit 99.1
FORWARD AIR CORPORATION REPORTS
THIRD QUARTER 2010 RESULTS

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. - (BUSINESS WIRE) – October 20, 2010 - Forward Air Corporation (NASDAQ:FWRD) today reported revenue, operating income, net income and diluted earnings per share for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2010.

Operating revenue for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 increased 17.8% to $121.5 million from $103.1 million for the same quarter in 2009.  Income from operations was $15.5 million, compared with $6.7 million in the prior-year quarter.  As a percent of operating revenue, income from operations increased to 12.8% from 6.5% for the same quarter last year.  Net income during the period increased to $8.9 million from $3.8 million in the prior-year quarter.  Income per diluted share for the third quarter of 2010 was $0.31 compared with $0.13 in the prior-year quarter.

Operating revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 increased 17.1% to $350.6 million from $299.4 million for the same period in 2009.  Income from operations was $35.1 million, compared with $6.5 million in the prior-year period.  As a percent of operating revenue, income from operations increased to 10.0% for the first nine months of 2010 from 2.2% for the same period in 2009.  Net income during the period was $20.2 million compared to $3.5 million in the prior-year period.  Income per diluted share for the first nine months of 2010 was $0.69 compared with $0.12 in the prior-year period.

Bruce A. Campbell, Chairman, President, and CEO, commenting on the third quarter said, "We are pleased with another strong quarterly performance in our Forward Air, Inc. business segment. We were encouraged that our airport-to-airport tonnages in the third quarter and thus far into the fourth quarter resemble what we typically experience in a normal operating environment. After a midsummer lull, volumes for the balance of the quarter and into October steadily increased in a peak-like fashion. While this gives us cause for optimism, we will monitor our tonnage trends closely in order to be ready to react in the event of a premature pull-back.”

Commenting further, Mr. Campbell said, “We continued to make progress in our Forward Air Solutions segment through better cost control as well as our efforts to diversify our customer base. Operating at near a breakeven for the third quarter we anticipate Solutions to be an earnings contributor in the fourth quarter at least to the same degree as that same quarter in 2009.”

In closing Mr. Campbell said, “The continued efforts of our employees and independent contractors does not go unnoticed. Their consistent commitment to quality and safety allow us to remain a leader in our industry. Thank you to those men and women for their dedication to excellence.”
 
Commenting on the Company’s guidance for the fourth quarter, Rodney L. Bell, Senior Vice President and CFO, said, “We anticipate that our fourth quarter 2010 revenues will increase in the range of 12% to 17% over the comparable 2009 period, and we expect income per diluted share to be between $0.35 and $0.39 per share. This compares to $0.22 per share in the fourth quarter of 2009.”
 
Review of Financial Results

Forward Air will hold a conference call to discuss third quarter 2010 results on Thursday, October 21, 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, pass code 57279270.  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
   
Nine months ended
 
 
September 30,
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Operating revenue:
                     
Forward Air
                     
   Airport-to-airport
$ 81,828     $ 66,667     $ 234,456     $ 194,908  
   Logistics
  16,774       13,172       47,789       38,645  
   Other
  6,481       5,596       18,745       16,975  
Forward Air Solutions
                             
   Pool distribution
  16,439       17,644       49,639       48,864  
Total operating revenue
  121,522       103,079       350,629       299,392  
                               
Operating expenses:
                             
Purchased transportation
                             
Forward Air
                             
   Airport-to-airport
  32,852       28,025       94,152       82,008  
   Logistics
  12,942       10,329       36,780       30,127  
   Other
  1,703       1,387       4,811       3,681  
Forward Air Solutions
                             
   Pool distribution
  3,680       3,747       10,625       9,774  
Total purchased transportation
  51,177       43,488       146,368       125,590  
Salaries, wages and employee benefits
  31,845       28,591       95,682       86,834  
Operating leases
  6,508       6,631       19,388       20,440  
Depreciation and amortization
  5,228       5,006       15,283       14,687  
Insurance and claims
  1,546       2,045       5,983       6,984  
Fuel expense
  1,949       1,880       6,051       5,199  
Other operating expenses
  7,764       8,767       26,813       25,983  
Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets
  --       --       --       7,157  
Total operating expenses
  106,017       96,408       315,568       292,874  
Income from operations
  15,505       6,671       35,061       6,518  
                               
Other income (expense):
                             
   Interest expense
  (191 )     (177 )     (557 )     (469 )
   Other, net
  26       51       38       50  
Total other expense
  (165 )     (126 )     (519 )     (419 )
Income before income taxes
  15,340       6,545       34,542       6,099  
Income taxes
  6,452       2,766       14,323       2,581  
Net income
$ 8,888     $ 3,779     $ 20,219     $ 3,518  
                               
Net income per share:
                             
Basic
$ 0.31     $ 0.13     $ 0.70     $ 0.12  
Diluted
$ 0.31     $ 0.13     $ 0.69     $ 0.12  
Weighted average shares outstanding:
                             
Basic
  29,000       28,942       28,975       28,924  
Diluted
  29,129       29,026       29,101       28,978  
                               
Dividends per share:
$ 0.07     $ 0.07     $ 0.21     $ 0.21  
 
 
2

 

 
Forward Air Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
       
 
September 30,
 
December 31,
 
2010
 
2009 (a)
Assets
     
Current assets:
     
   Cash
$ 63,219   $ 42,035
   Accounts receivable, net
  62,438     55,720
   Other current assets
  11,484     9,471
Total current assets
  137,141     107,226
           
Property and equipment
  210,954     204,716
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
  83,615     75,990
Total property and equipment, net
  127,339     128,726
Goodwill and other acquired intangibles:
         
   Goodwill
  43,332     43,332
   Other acquired intangibles, net
  32,406     35,849
Total goodwill and other acquired intangibles
  75,738     79,181
Other assets
  1,595     1,597
Total assets
$ 341,813   $ 316,730
           
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
         
Current liabilities:
         
   Accounts payable
$ 11,383   $ 10,333
   Accrued expenses
  23,326     18,531
   Current portion of debt and capital lease obligations
  672     919
Total current liabilities
  35,381     29,783
           
Debt and capital lease obligations, less current portion
  51,023     52,169
Other long-term liabilities
  6,159     4,485
Deferred income taxes
  5,116     5,786
           
Shareholders’ equity:
         
   Common stock
  290     290
   Additional paid-in capital
  22,130     16,631
   Retained earnings
  221,714     207,586
Total shareholders’ equity
  244,134     224,507
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$ 341,813   $ 316,730
 
(a) Taken from audited financial statements, which are not presented in their entirety.
 
 
3

 

 
Forward Air Corporation
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
(In thousands)
 
(Unaudited)
 
           
 
Three months ended
 
 
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
 
2010
   
2009
 
Operating activities:
         
Net income
$ 8,888     $ 3,779  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
             
   Depreciation and amortization
  5,228       5,006  
   Share-based compensation
  1,506       1,607  
   Gain on disposal of property and equipment
  (641 )     (1 )
   Provision for (recovery) loss on receivables
  (22 )     217  
   Provision for revenue adjustments
  625       548  
   Deferred income taxes
  40       (466 )
   Tax benefit for stock options exercised
  (19 )     (1 )
   Changes in operating assets and liabilities
             
      Accounts receivable
  500       (3,721 )
      Prepaid expenses and other current assets
  (415 )     (1,208 )
      Accounts payable and accrued expenses
  3,260       3,552  
Net cash provided by operating activities
  18,950       9,312  
               
Investing activities:
             
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment
  1,371       14  
Purchases of property and equipment
  (3,150 )     (3,803 )
Other
  30       49  
Net cash used in investing activities
  (1,749 )     (3,740 )
               
Financing activities:
             
Payments of debt and capital lease obligations
  (232 )     (390 )
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
  346       8  
Payments of cash dividends
  (2,031 )     (2,028 )
Cash settlement of share-based awards for minimum tax withholdings
  --       (5 )
Tax benefit for stock options exercised
  19       1  
Net cash used in financing activities
  (1,898 )     (2,414 )
Net increase in cash
  15,303       3,158  
Cash at beginning of period
  47,916       24,072  
Cash at end of period
$ 63,219     $ 27,230  

 
4

 


Forward Air Corporation
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
(In thousands)
 
(Unaudited)
 
           
 
Nine months ended
 
 
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
 
2010
   
2009
 
Operating activities:
         
Net income
$ 20,219     $ 3,518  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
             
   Depreciation and amortization
  15,283       14,687  
   Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets
  --       7,157  
   Share-based compensation
  4,887       5,022  
   Gain on disposal of property and equipment
  (648 )     (13 )
   Provision for loss (recovery) on receivables
  202       (74 )
   Provision for revenue adjustments
  1,462       1,916  
   Deferred income taxes
  (1,624 )     (3,009 )
   Tax benefit for stock options exercised
  (28 )     (1 )
   Changes in operating assets and liabilities
             
      Accounts receivable
  (8,382 )     2,370  
      Prepaid expenses and other current assets
  (1,029 )     (1,567 )
      Accounts payable and accrued expenses
  7,519       701  
Net cash provided by operating activities
  37,861       30,707  
               
Investing activities:
             
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment
  1,413       231  
Purchases of property and equipment
  (11,889 )     (18,828 )
Other
  --       405  
Net cash used in investing activities
  (10,476 )     (18,192 )
               
Financing activities:
             
Payments of debt and capital lease obligations
  (722 )     (1,163 )
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
  490       8  
Payments of cash dividends
  (6,088 )     (6,081 )
Common stock issued under employee stock purchase plan
  91       99  
Cash settlement of share-based awards for minimum tax withholdings
  --       (242 )
Tax benefit for stock options exercised
  28       1  
Net cash used in financing activities
  (6,201 )     (7,378 )
Net increase in cash
  21,184       5,137  
Cash at beginning of period
  42,035       22,093  
Cash at end of period
$ 63,219     $ 27,230  
 
 
5

 

 
Forward Air Corporation
 
Segment Information
 
(In millions)
 
(Unaudited)
 
   
 
Three months ended
 
 
September 30,
   
Percent of
   
September 30,
   
Percent of
         
Percent
 
 
2010
   
Revenue
   
2009
   
Revenue
   
Change
   
Change
 
Operating revenue
                                 
      Forward Air
$ 105.3     86.7 %   $ 85.7     83.1   $ 19.6     22.9 %
      FASI
  16.5     13.6       17.8     17.3       (1.3 )   (7.3 )
      Intercompany Eliminations
  (0.3 )   (0.3 )     (0.4 )   (0.4 )     0.1     (25.0 )
            Total
  121.5     100.0       103.1     100.0       18.4     17.8  
                                         
Purchased transportation
                                       
      Forward Air
  47.5     45.1       39.8     46.4       7.7     19.3  
      FASI
  3.9     23.6       4.0     22.5       (0.1 )   (2.5 )
      Intercompany Eliminations
  (0.3 )   100.0       (0.3 )   75.0       --     --  
            Total
  51.1     42.1       43.5     42.2       7.6     17.5  
                                         
Salaries, wages and employee benefits
                                       
      Forward Air
  24.7     23.4       20.6     24.0       4.1     19.9  
      FASI
  7.2     43.6       8.0     44.9       (0.8 )   (10.0 )
            Total
  31.9     26.3       28.6     27.7       3.3     11.5  
                                         
Operating leases
                                       
      Forward Air
  4.7     4.5       4.6     5.4       0.1     2.2  
      FASI
  1.8     10.9       2.0     11.2       (0.2 )   (10.0 )
            Total
  6.5     5.3       6.6     6.4       (0.1 )   (1.5 )
                                         
Depreciation and amortization
                                       
      Forward Air
  4.2     4.0       4.1     4.8       0.1     2.4  
      FASI
  1.0     6.1       0.9     5.1       0.1     11.1  
            Total
  5.2     4.3       5.0     4.9       0.2     4.0  
                                         
Insurance and claims
                                       
      Forward Air
  1.2     1.1       1.6     1.9       (0.4 )   (25.0 )
      FASI
  0.3     1.8       0.4     2.2       (0.1 )   (25.0 )
            Total
  1.5     1.2       2.0     1.9       (0.5 )   (25.0 )
                                         
Fuel expense
                                       
      Forward Air
  0.9     0.9       0.8     0.9       0.1     12.5  
      FASI
  1.1     6.7       1.1     6.2       --     --  
            Total
  2.0     1.6       1.9     1.8       0.1     5.3  
                                         
Other operating expenses
                                       
      Forward Air
  6.4     6.1       7.0     8.2       (0.6 )   (8.6 )
      FASI
  1.4     8.5       1.9     10.7       (0.5 )   (26.3 )
      Intercompany Eliminations
  -     -       (0.1 )   25.0       0.1     (100.0 )
            Total
  7.8     6.4       8.8     8.6       (1.0 )   (11.4 )
                                         
Income (loss) from operations
                                       
      Forward Air
  15.7     14.9       7.2     8.4       8.5     118.1  
      FASI
  (0.2 )   (1.2 )     (0.5 )   (2.8 )     0.3     (60.0 )
            Total
$ 15.5     12.8 %   $ 6.7     6.5   $ 8.8     131.3 %

 
6

 
 
 
Forward Air Corporation
 
Segment Information
 
(In millions)
 
(Unaudited)
 
   
 
Nine months ended
 
 
September 30,
   
Percent of
   
September 30,
   
Percent of
         
Percent
 
 
2010
   
Revenue
   
2009
   
Revenue
   
Change
   
Change
 
Operating revenue
                                 
      Forward Air
$ 301.8     86.1 %   $ 251.2     83.9   $ 50.6     20.1 %
      FASI
  49.8     14.2       49.2     16.4       0.6     1.2  
      Intercompany Eliminations
  (1.0 )   (0.3 )     (1.0 )   (0.3 )     --     --  
            Total
  350.6     100.0       299.4     100.0       51.2     17.1  
                                         
Purchased transportation
                                       
      Forward Air
  135.9     45.0       116.1     46.2       19.8     17.1  
      FASI
  11.4     22.9       10.4     21.1       1.0     9.6  
      Intercompany Eliminations
  (0.9 )   90.0       (0.9 )   90.0       --     --  
            Total
  146.4     41.8       125.6     42.0       20.8     16.6  
                                         
Salaries, wages and employee benefits
                                       
      Forward Air
  73.4     24.3       63.1     25.1       10.3     16.3  
      FASI
  22.3     44.8       23.7     48.2       (1.4 )   (5.9 )
            Total
  95.7     27.3       86.8     29.0       8.9     10.3  
                                         
Operating leases
                                       
      Forward Air
  13.6     4.5       14.1     5.6       (0.5 )   (3.5 )
      FASI
  5.8     11.7       6.3     12.8       (0.5 )   (7.9 )
            Total
  19.4     5.5       20.4     6.8       (1.0 )   (4.9 )
                                         
Depreciation and amortization
                                       
      Forward Air
  12.3     4.1       12.0     4.8       0.3     2.5  
      FASI
  2.9     5.8       2.7     5.5       0.2     7.4  
            Total
  15.2     4.3       14.7     4.9       0.5     3.4  
                                         
Insurance and claims
                                       
      Forward Air
  4.7     1.6       5.6     2.2       (0.9 )   (16.1 )
      FASI
  1.3     2.6       1.4     2.8       (0.1 )   (7.1 )
            Total
  6.0     1.7       7.0     2.3       (1.0 )   (14.3 )
                                         
Fuel expense
                                       
      Forward Air
  2.7     0.9       2.3     0.9       0.4     17.4  
      FASI
  3.3     6.6       2.9     5.9       0.4     13.8  
            Total
  6.0     1.7       5.2     1.7       0.8     15.4  
                                         
Other operating expenses
                                       
      Forward Air
  22.1     7.3       21.0     8.4       1.1     5.2  
      FASI
  4.8     9.6       5.1     10.4       (0.3 )   (5.9 )
      Intercompany Eliminations
  (0.1 )   10.0       (0.1 )   10.0       --     --  
            Total
  26.8     7.7       26.0     8.7       0.8     3.1  
                                         
Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets
                                       
      Forward Air
  --     --       0.2     0.1       (0.2 )   (100.0 )
      FASI
  --     --       7.0     14.2       (7.0 )   (100.0 )
            Total
  --     --       7.2     2.4       (7.2 )   (100.0 )
                                         
Income (loss) from operations
                                       
      Forward Air
  37.1     12.3       16.8     6.7       20.3     120.8  
      FASI
  (2.0 )   (4.0 )     (10.3 )   (20.9 )     8.3     (80.6 )
            Total
$ 35.1     10.0 %   $ 6.5     2.2   $ 28.6     440.0 %

 
7

 


Forward Air Corporation
Forward Air Inc. Operating Statistics
                   
 
Three months ended
   
 
September 30,
   
September 30,
   
Percent
   
 
2010
   
2009
   
Change
   
                   
Operating ratio
  85.1 %     91.6 %   (7.1 ) %
                       
Business days
  64.0       64.0     --    
Business weeks
  12.8       12.8     --    
                       
                       
Airport-to-airport:
                     
Tonnage
                     
    Total pounds ¹
  414,508       357,768     15.9    
    Average weekly pounds ¹
  32,383       27,951     15.9    
                       
Linehaul shipments
                     
    Total linehaul
  563,448       511,959     10.1    
    Average weekly
  44,019       39,997     10.1    
                       
Forward Air Complete shipments
  80,684       73,696     9.5    
As a percentage of linehaul shipments
  14.3 %     14.4 %   (0.7 )  
                       
Average linehaul shipment size
  736       699     5.3    
                       
Revenue per pound ²
                     
    Linehaul yield
$ 16.64     $ 15.91     3.9    
    Fuel surcharge impact
  1.20       0.93     1.4    
    Forward Air Complete impact
  1.93       1.83     0.5    
Total airport-to-airport yield
$ 19.77     $ 18.67     5.9    
                       
                       
Logistics:
                     
Miles
                     
    Owner operator ¹
  6,964       6,111     14.0    
    Third party ¹
  3,212       2,288     40.4    
Total Miles
  10,176       8,399     21.2    
                       
Revenue per mile
$ 1.66     $ 1.58     5.1    
 
                     
Cost per mile
$ 1.27     $ 1.23     3.3   %
                       
¹ - In thousands
² - In cents per pound; percentage change is expressed as a percent of total yield.
 
 
8

 

 
Forward Air Corporation
Forward Air Inc. Operating Statistics
                   
 
Nine months ended
   
 
September 30,
   
September 30,
   
Percent
   
 
2010
   
2009
   
Change
   
                   
Operating ratio
  87.7 %     93.3 %   (6.0 ) %
                       
Business days
  191.0       191.0     --    
Business weeks
  38.2       38.2     --    
                       
                       
Airport-to-airport:
                     
Tonnage
                     
    Total pounds ¹
  1,217,097       1,054,048     15.5    
    Average weekly pounds ¹
  31,861       27,593     15.5    
                       
Linehaul shipments
                     
    Total linehaul
  1,685,257       1,529,301     10.2    
    Average weekly
  44,117       40,034     10.2    
                       
Forward Air Complete shipments
  228,286       194,694     17.3    
As a percentage of linehaul shipments
  13.5 %     12.7 %   6.4    
                       
Average linehaul shipment size
  722       689     4.8    
                       
Revenue per pound ²
                     
    Linehaul yield
$ 16.29     $ 16.14     0.8    
    Fuel surcharge impact
  1.18       0.79     2.1    
    Forward Air Complete impact
  1.82       1.60     1.2    
Total airport-to-airport yield
$ 19.29     $ 18.53     4.1    
                       
                       
Logistics:
                     
Miles
                     
    Owner operator ¹
  19,907       17,916     8.1    
    Third party ¹
  9,326       6,709     10.6    
Total Miles
  29,233       24,625     18.7    
                       
Revenue per mile
$ 1.65     $ 1.58     4.4    
 
                     
Cost per mile
$ 1.26     $ 1.22     3.3   %
                       
¹ - In thousands
² - In cents per pound; percentage change is expressed as a percent of total yield.
 
 
9

 

 
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.

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