FORT SMITH, Ark., Jan. 30, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- ArcBest® (Nasdaq: ARCB), a leading logistics company with creative problem solvers who deliver innovative solutions, today reported fourth quarter 2019 revenue of $717.4 million compared to fourth quarter 2018 revenue of $774.3 million.  ArcBest had a fourth quarter 2019 operating loss of $11.2 million compared to operating income of $37.2 million last year, and a net loss of $5.5 million, or $0.22 per diluted share compared to fourth quarter 2018 net income of $15.3 million, or $0.57 per diluted share.  Fourth quarter 2019 results include a previously announced noncash impairment charge of $26.5 million (pre-tax), or $19.8 million (after-tax) and $0.75 per diluted share.

ArcBest Logo (PRNewsFoto/ArcBest Corporation) (PRNewsfoto/ArcBest Corporation)

Excluding certain items in both periods as identified in the attached reconciliation tables, non-GAAP operating income was $20.2 million in fourth quarter 2019 compared to fourth quarter 2018 operating income of $39.9 million.  On a non-GAAP basis, net income was $14.8 million, or $0.56 per diluted share, in fourth quarter 2019 compared to fourth quarter 2018 net income of $28.3 million, or $1.06 per diluted share.

"Overall, 2019 represented a solidly profitable year for ArcBest filled with ongoing innovation and customer-centric initiatives," said Chairman, President and CEO Judy R. McReynolds. "While conditions were not as favorable as those seen in 2018, our team succeeded in providing customers with valued expertise, a better experience and the full suite of logistics services they require. As a result of our expansion and investments in recent years, our cross-sold accounts have become larger in size and are growing faster than single-service accounts. Importantly, they also have higher rates of retention, which is a more stable foundation for future growth."

ArcBest's full year 2019 revenue totaled $3.0 billion compared to $3.1 billion in 2018.  Net income was $40.0 million, or $1.51 per diluted share, compared to net income of $67.3 million, or $2.51 per diluted share in 2018.  On a non-GAAP basis, ArcBest had 2019 net income of $76.3 million, or $2.88 per diluted share compared to net income of $107.4 million, or $4.02 per diluted share in 2018. 

McReynolds noted that returning the asset-based business to historic margins has been a stated long-term goal. Payment of a profit-sharing bonus to union-represented employees as provided for in the 2018 collective bargaining agreement by achieving a 95.2 percent ABF Freight operating ratio in 2019 represented a significant milestone. "We thank our ABF employees for their hard work and are proud to distribute this profit-sharing bonus to them," McReynolds said.

1.  U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

Fourth Quarter Results of Operations Comparisons

Asset-Based

Fourth Quarter 2019 Versus Fourth Quarter 2018

  • Revenue of $513.3 million compared to $548.9 million, a per-day decrease of 6.5 percent.
  • Total tonnage per day decrease of 8.1 percent, with a double-digit percentage decrease in LTL-rated tonnage partially offset by a double-digit percentage increase in TL-rated spot shipment tonnage moving in the Asset-Based network.
  • Total shipments per day decrease of 7.3 percent. Total weight per shipment decrease of 0.8 percent and a decrease of 6.3 percent in LTL-rated weight per shipment.
  • Total billed revenue per hundredweight increased 2.1 percent and was negatively impacted by lower fuel surcharges versus prior year. Excluding fuel surcharge, the percentage increase on LTL-rated freight was in the high-single digits.
  • Operating income of $20.5 million and an operating ratio of 96.0 percent compared to operating income of $36.9 million and an operating ratio of 93.3 percent. On a non-GAAP basis, operating income of $25.4 million and an operating ratio of 95.0 percent compared to operating income of $37.8 million and an operating ratio of 93.1 percent.

Fourth quarter tonnage and shipment totals in the Asset-Based business were below the same period last year due to weaker customer demand and smaller average sized LTL shipments associated with a tempered economic operating environment.   These factors, along with reduced fuel surcharge revenue, and associated reductions in fuel-related expenses, contributed to lower fourth quarter revenue.  Reductions in total Asset-Based business levels resulting from fewer LTL-rated shipments were somewhat mitigated by an increase in TL‑rated, spot shipments moving through the ABF Freight network.  Efforts to secure adequate Asset-Based yields during the quarter were successful, especially on LTL-rated shipments, amidst a positive pricing marketplace.  ABF Freight continues to have success in achieving pricing levels that match the superior customer service it offers. 

Fourth quarter Asset-Based linehaul costs improved as a result of the combined impact of lower empty equipment costs and efficient management of outside capacity resources including rail, purchased transportation and cartage.  Lower business levels contributed to reduced efficiency in providing dock, city pickup and delivery services, thus impacting operating costs per shipment. During this year's fourth quarter, Asset-Based results also benefitted from asset sales.   

Asset-Light‡

Fourth Quarter 2019 Versus Fourth Quarter 2018

  • Revenue of $237.0 million compared to $243.8 million, a per-day decrease of 2.8 percent.
  • An operating loss of $25.4 million due to a noncash impairment charge compared to operating income of $7.5 million. On a non-GAAP basis, operating income of $1.1 million compared to operating income of $7.8 million.
  • Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("Adjusted EBITDA") of $4.0 million compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $11.3 million.

Reduced fourth quarter revenue in the Asset-Light ArcBest segment versus the prior year reflects a market-driven reduction in total average revenue per shipment, primarily in the expedite and truckload brokerage businesses.  Though purchased transportation costs are below the prior year, the rate of decrease in these carrier capacity costs did not match that of the quarter's decline in revenue.  This year's more available truckload capacity, compared to the tighter spot market last year, was a factor impacting demand for expedite services and operating margins. Strong demand for ArcBest's managed transportation solutions continues to be a positive contributor to Asset-Light financial results.  At FleetNet, an increase in total events resulted in improved operating income over the prior year period.

Full Year Results of Operations Comparisons

Asset-Based

Full Year 2019 Versus Full Year 2018

  • Revenue of $2.1 billion, compared to $2.2 billion in 2018, an average daily decrease of 1.2 percent.
  • Tonnage per day decrease of 4.8 percent.
  • Shipments per day decrease of 2.4 percent.
  • Total billed revenue per hundredweight increased 3.7 percent. Excluding fuel surcharge, the percentage increase on LTL-rated freight was in the high-single digits.
  • Operating income of $102.1 million compared to $103.9 million in 2018. On a non-GAAP basis, operating income of $118.8 million compared to $145.6 million in 2018.
  • Profit-sharing bonus to union-represented ABF Freight employees of $5.1 million for 2019

Asset-Light‡

Full Year 2019 Versus Full Year 2018

  • Revenue of $950.1 million compared to $976.2 million in 2018, an average daily decrease of 2.5 percent.
  • An operating loss of $15.4 million compared to operating income of $28.0 million. On a non-GAAP basis, operating income of $11.2 million compared to operating income of $26.5 million.
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $23.8 million compared to $43.4 million in 2018.

Capital Expenditures

In 2019, total net capital expenditures, including equipment financed, equaled $147 million which was below previous expectations reflecting shifts in the timing of some expenditures into 2020 and higher sale proceeds.  2019 net capital expenditures included $86 million of revenue equipment, the majority of which was for ArcBest's Asset-Based operation.  Depreciation and amortization costs on property, plant and equipment were $108 million.

For 2020, total net capital expenditures are estimated to range from $135 million to $145 million. This includes revenue equipment purchases of approximately $82 million primarily for ArcBest's Asset-Based operation.  ArcBest's depreciation and amortization costs on property, plant and equipment in 2020 are estimated to range from $110 million to $115 million.

Quarterly Dividends and Share Repurchase Program

During 2019, ArcBest increased shareholder returns through payment of an eight cent per share quarterly dividend and purchase of ArcBest shares valued at approximately $9.1 million, and these are expected to continue at comparable levels in 2020.

Closing Comments

"For the last 10 years, our strategy has evolved purposefully by expanding our logistics offerings and opening up new avenues for growth to address our rapidly changing industry," said McReynolds. "Ease of doing business through multiple channels has become a customer requirement. We are confident that the solutions we have in place, and continue to develop and enhance, provide value in any environment, but especially this environment, as evidenced by the growth seen in our managed transportation and Retail+ solutions.  As we look ahead, we are accelerating our efforts to deepen and broaden our customer relationships and to increase the effectiveness of our efforts to improve supply chain efficiencies."

NOTE

 ‡ - The ArcBest and FleetNet reportable segments, combined, represent Asset-Light operations.

Conference Call

ArcBest will host a conference call with company executives to discuss the 2019 fourth quarter and full year results. The call will be on Friday, January 31st at 9:30 a.m. EST (8:30 a.m. CST). Interested parties are invited to listen by calling (800) 756‑3565. Following the call, a recorded playback will be available through the end of the day on March 15, 2020. To listen to the playback, dial (800) 633-8284 or (402) 977-9140 (for international callers). The conference call ID for the playback is 21950554. The conference call and playback can also be accessed, through March 15, 2020, on ArcBest's website at arcb.com.

Call participants can submit questions this afternoon prior to the conference call by emailing them to ir@arcb.com.  On the call, responses will be provided to as many questions as possible in the time available.

About ArcBest

ArcBest® (Nasdaq: ARCB) is a leading logistics company with creative problem solvers who deliver innovative solutions.  We'll find a way to deliver knowledge, expertise and a can-do attitude with every shipment and supply chain solution, household move or vehicle repair.  At ArcBest, we're More Than LogisticsSM.  For more information, visit arcb.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements and information in this press release concerning results for the three months ended September 30, 2019 may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Terms such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "foresee," "intend," "may," "plan," "predict," "project," "scheduled," "should," "would," and similar expressions and the negatives of such terms are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management's beliefs, assumptions, and expectations based on currently available information, are not guarantees of future performance, and involve certain risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control). Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, we cannot provide assurance that our expectations will prove to be correct. Actual outcomes and results could materially differ from what is expressed, implied, or forecasted in these statements due to a number of factors, including, but not limited to: a failure of our information systems, including disruptions or failures of services essential to our operations or upon which our information technology platforms rely, data breach, and/or cybersecurity incidents; untimely or ineffective development and implementation of new or enhanced technology or processes, including the pilot test program at ABF Freight; failure to realize potential benefits associated with new or enhanced technology or processes, including the pilot test program at ABF Freight, and any write-offs associated therewith; the loss or reduction of business from large customers; competitive initiatives and pricing pressures; relationships with employees, including unions, and our ability to attract and retain employees; unfavorable terms of, or the inability to reach agreement on, future collective bargaining agreements or a workforce stoppage by our employees covered under ABF Freight's collective bargaining agreement; the cost, timing, and performance of growth initiatives; general economic conditions and related shifts in market demand that impact the performance and needs of industries we serve and/or limit our customers' access to adequate financial resources; availability and cost of reliable third-party services; governmental regulations; environmental laws and regulations, including emissions-control regulations; union and nonunion employee wages and benefits, including changes in required contributions to multiemployer plans; our ability to secure independent owner operators and/or operational or regulatory issues related to our use of their services; litigation or claims asserted against us; maintaining our intellectual property rights, brand, and corporate reputation; the loss of key employees or the inability to execute succession planning strategies; default on covenants of financing arrangements and the availability and terms of future financing arrangements; timing and amount of capital expenditures; self-insurance claims and insurance premium costs; the cost, integration, and performance of any recent or future acquisitions; availability of fuel, the effect of volatility in fuel prices and the associated changes in fuel surcharges on securing increases in base freight rates, and the inability to collect fuel surcharges; increased prices for and decreased availability of new revenue equipment, decreases in value of used revenue equipment, and higher costs of equipment-related operating expenses such as maintenance and fuel and related taxes; potential impairment of goodwill and intangible assets; greater than anticipated funding requirements for our nonunion defined benefit pension plan; seasonal fluctuations and adverse weather conditions; regulatory, economic, and other risks arising from our international business; antiterrorism and safety measures; and other financial, operational, and legal risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in ArcBest's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").

For additional information regarding known material factors that could cause our actual results to differ from our projected results, please see our filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Financial Data and Operating Statistics

The following tables show financial data and operating statistics on ArcBest® and its reportable segments. 

ARCBEST CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS



Three Months Ended 


Year Ended 


December 31


December 31


2019


2018


2019


2018


(Unaudited)


($ thousands, except share and per share data)

REVENUES

$

717,418


$

774,279


$

2,988,310


$

3,093,788













OPERATING EXPENSES(1)(2)


728,647



737,117



2,924,540



2,984,690













OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)


(11,229)



37,162



63,770



109,098













OTHER INCOME (COSTS)












Interest and dividend income


1,591



1,554



6,453



3,914

Interest and other related financing costs


(2,874)



(2,926)



(11,467)



(9,468)

Other, net


485



(15,120)



(7,285)



(19,158)



(798)



(16,492)



(12,299)



(24,712)













INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES


(12,027)



20,670



51,471



84,386













INCOME TAX PROVISION (BENEFIT)


(6,478)



5,371



11,486



17,124













NET INCOME (LOSS)

$

(5,549)


$

15,299


$

39,985


$

67,262













EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE(3)












Basic

$

(0.22)


$

0.59


$

1.56


$

2.61

Diluted

$

(0.22)


$

0.57


$

1.51


$

2.51













AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING












Basic


25,490,393



25,707,335



25,535,529



25,679,736

Diluted


25,490,393



26,682,262



26,450,055



26,698,831













CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE

$

0.08


$

0.08


$

0.32


$

0.32

_________________________

1)

Includes a one-time charge of $37.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 for the multiemployer pension fund withdrawal liability resulting from the transition agreement ABF Freight, Inc. entered into with the New England Teamsters and Trucking Industry Pension Fund.

2)

For the three months and year ended December 31, 2019, includes a noncash impairment charge related to a portion of the goodwill, customer relationship intangible assets, and revenue equipment associated with the acquisition of truckload brokerage and truckload dedicated businesses within the ArcBest segment.

3)

ArcBest uses the two-class method for calculating earnings per share. This method requires an allocation of dividends paid and a portion of undistributed net income (but not losses) to unvested restricted stock for calculating per share amounts.

 

ARCBEST CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS



December 31


December 31


2019


2018


(Unaudited)


Note


($ thousands, except share data)

ASSETS






CURRENT ASSETS






Cash and cash equivalents

$

201,909


$

190,186

Short-term investments


116,579



106,806

Accounts receivable, less allowances (2019 - $5,448; 2018 - $7,380)


282,579



297,051

Other accounts receivable, less allowances (2019 - $476; 2018 - $806)


18,774



19,146

Prepaid expenses


30,377



25,304

Prepaid and refundable income taxes


9,439



1,726

Other


4,745



9,007

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS


664,402



649,226







PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT






Land and structures


342,122



339,640

Revenue equipment


896,020



858,251

Service, office, and other equipment


233,354



199,230

Software


151,068



138,517

Leasehold improvements


10,383



9,365



1,632,947



1,545,003

Less allowances for depreciation and amortization


949,355



913,815



683,592



631,188







GOODWILL


88,320



108,320

INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET


58,832



68,949

OPERATING RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS


68,470



—

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES


7,725



7,468

OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS


79,866



74,080


$

1,651,207


$

1,539,231







LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY












CURRENT LIABILITIES






Accounts payable

$

134,374


$

143,785

Income taxes payable


12



1,688

Accrued expenses


228,749



243,111

Current portion of long-term debt


57,305



54,075

Current portion of operating lease liabilities


20,265



—

Current portion of pension and postretirement liabilities


3,572



8,659

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES


444,277



451,318







LONG-TERM DEBT, less current portion


266,214



237,600

OPERATING LEASE LIABILITIES, less current portion


52,277



—

PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT LIABILITIES, less current portion


20,294



31,504

OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES


38,892



44,686

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES


66,210



56,441







STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY






Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 70,000,000 shares;
issued 2019: 28,810,902 shares; 2018: 28,684,779 shares


288



287

Additional paid-in capital


333,943



325,712

Retained earnings


533,187



501,389

Treasury stock, at cost, 2019: 3,404,639 shares; 2018: 3,097,634 shares


(104,578)



(95,468)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)


203



(14,238)

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY


763,043



717,682


$

1,651,207


$

1,539,231


Note:  The balance sheet at December 31, 2018 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.

 

ARCBEST CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS



Year Ended 


December 31


2019


2018


Unaudited


($ thousands)

 OPERATING ACTIVITIES






Net income

$

39,985


$

67,262

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:






Depreciation and amortization


108,099



104,114

Amortization of intangibles


4,367



4,521

Pension settlement expense, including termination expense


8,505



12,925

Share-based compensation expense


9,523



8,413

Provision for losses on accounts receivable


1,223



2,336

Change in deferred income taxes


5,411



1,872

Asset impairment(1)


26,514



—

Gain on sale of property and equipment


(5,247)



(59)

Gain on sale of subsidiaries


—



(1,945)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:






Receivables


13,720



(23,554)

Prepaid expenses


(4,756)



(2,988)

Other assets


(1,365)



(4,341)

Income taxes


(8,720)



12,169

Operating right-of-use assets and lease liabilities, net


728



—

Multiemployer pension fund withdrawal liability(2)


(584)



22,602

Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities


(27,039)



52,020

NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES


170,364



255,347







 INVESTING ACTIVITIES






Purchases of property, plant and equipment, net of financings


(90,955)



(43,992)

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment


13,490



4,256

Proceeds from sale of subsidiaries


—



4,680

Purchases of short-term investments


(129,709)



(108,495)

Proceeds from sale of short-term investments


120,409



58,698

Capitalization of internally developed software


(11,476)



(10,097)

NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES


(98,241)



(94,950)







 FINANCING ACTIVITIES






Payments on long-term debt


(58,938)



(71,260)

Proceeds from notes payable


20,410



—

Net change in book overdrafts


(2,722)



262

Deferred financing costs


(562)



(202)

Payment of common stock dividends


(8,187)



(8,244)

Purchases of treasury stock


(9,110)



(9,404)

Payments for tax withheld on share-based compensation


(1,291)



(2,135)

NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES


(60,400)



(90,983)







NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS


11,723



69,414

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period


190,186



120,772

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

$

201,909


$

190,186







 NONCASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES






Equipment and other financings

$

70,372


$

94,016

Accruals for equipment received

$

234


$

2,807

Lease liabilities arising from obtaining right-of-use assets

$

32,761


$

—

_________________________

1)

Noncash impairment charge recognized in the year ended December 31, 2019 relates to a portion of the goodwill, customer relationship intangible assets, and revenue equipment associated with the acquisition of truckload brokerage and truckload dedicated businesses within the ArcBest segment.

2)

The year ended December 31, 2018 includes a one-time charge related to the multiemployer pension plan withdrawal liability.

 

ARCBEST CORPORATION

FINANCIAL STATEMENT OPERATING SEGMENT DATA AND OPERATING RATIOS



Three Months Ended 



Year Ended 



December 31



December 31



2019



2018



2019



2018



Unaudited



($ thousands, except percentages)


REVENUES
























Asset-Based

$

513,331





$

548,941





$

2,144,679





$

2,175,585




























ArcBest


184,257






193,754






738,392






781,123




FleetNet


52,781






50,081






211,738






195,126




Total Asset-Light


237,038






243,835






950,130






976,249




























Other and eliminations


(32,951)






(18,497)






(106,499)






(58,046)




Total consolidated revenues

$

717,418





$

774,279





$

2,988,310





$

3,093,788




























OPERATING EXPENSES
























Asset-Based
























Salaries, wages, and benefits

$

274,966


53.6

%


$

279,419


50.9

%


$

1,148,761


53.6

%


$

1,128,030


51.8

%

Fuel, supplies, and expenses(1)


61,631


12.0




64,492


11.8




257,133


12.0




255,655


11.8


Operating taxes and licenses


12,732


2.5




12,865


2.4




50,209


2.3




48,792


2.2


Insurance


9,281


1.8




8,832


1.6




32,516


1.5




32,887


1.5


Communications and utilities


4,433


0.9




4,019


0.7




18,614


0.9




16,983


0.8


Depreciation and amortization(1)


23,428


4.5




21,459


3.9




89,798


4.2




85,951


4.0


Rents and purchased transportation(1)


54,245


10.6




61,915


11.3




221,479


10.3




242,247


11.1


Shared services(1)


51,109


9.9




57,261


10.4




212,773


9.9




215,302


9.9


Multiemployer pension fund withdrawal liability charge(2)


—


—




—


—




—


—




37,922


1.7


Gain on sale of property and equipment


(4,189)


(0.8)




112


—




(5,892)


(0.3)




(410)


—


Innovative technology costs(1)(3)


4,539


0.9




862


0.2




13,739


0.6




3,810


0.2


Other


610


0.1




776


0.1




3,488


0.2




4,554


0.2


Total Asset-Based


492,785


96.0

%



512,012


93.3

%



2,042,618


95.2

%



2,071,723


95.2

%

























ArcBest
























Purchased transportation


153,935


83.5

%



155,887


80.4

%



606,113


82.1

%



631,501


80.8

%

Supplies and expenses


2,377


1.3




3,039


1.6




10,789


1.5




13,329


1.7


Depreciation and amortization(4)


2,531


1.4




3,187


1.6




11,344


1.5




13,750


1.8


Shared services


22,757


12.4




22,409


11.6




93,961


12.7




91,266


11.7


Other


2,636


1.4




2,170


1.1




9,860


1.3




9,143


1.2


Asset impairment(5)


26,514


14.4




—


—




26,514


3.6




—


—


Restructuring costs


—


—




339


0.2




—


—




491


0.1


Gain on sale of subsidiaries(6)


—


—




—


—




—


—




(1,945)


(0.3)




210,750


114.4

%



187,031


96.5

%



758,581


102.7

%



757,535


97.0

%

FleetNet


51,660


97.9

%



49,334


98.5

%



206,932


97.7

%



190,741


97.8

%

Total Asset-Light


262,410






236,365






965,513






948,276




























Other and eliminations


(26,548)






(11,260)






(83,591)






(35,309)




Total consolidated operating expenses

$

728,647


101.6

%


$

737,117


95.2

%


$

2,924,540


97.9

%


$

2,984,690


96.5

%

























OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
























Asset-Based

$

20,546





$

36,929





$

102,061





$

103,862




























ArcBest


(26,493)






6,723






(20,189)






23,588




FleetNet


1,121






747






4,806






4,385




Total Asset-Light


(25,372)






7,470






(15,383)






27,973




























Other and eliminations(7)


(6,403)






(7,237)






(22,908)






(22,737)




Total consolidated operating income (loss)

$

(11,229)





$

37,162





$

63,770





$

109,098




_________________________

1)

Beginning in third quarter 2019, the presentation of Asset-Based segment expenses was modified to present innovative technology costs as a separate operating expense line item. Previously, innovative technology costs incurred directly by the segment or allocated through shared services were categorized in individual segment expense line items. Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period operating segment expenses to conform to the current year presentation. There was no impact on the segment's total expenses as a result of the reclassifications.

2)

The year ended December 31, 2018 includes a one-time charge for the multiemployer pension plan withdrawal liability.

3)

Represents costs associated with the previously announced freight handling pilot test program at ABF Freight.

4)

Depreciation and amortization consists primarily of amortization of intangibles, including customer relationships, and software associated with acquired businesses.

5)

Noncash impairment charge recognized in fourth quarter 2019 relates to a portion of the goodwill, customer relationship intangible assets, and revenue equipment associated with the acquisition of truckload brokerage and truckload dedicated businesses within the ArcBest segment.

6)

Gain recognized in 2018 relates to the sale of the ArcBest segment's military moving businesses in December 2017.

7)

"Other and eliminations" includes corporate costs for certain unallocated shared service costs which are not attributable to any segment, additional investments to offer comprehensive transportation and logistics services across multiple operating segments, and other investments in ArcBest technology and innovations, including innovative technology costs.

ARCBEST CORPORATION
RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We report our financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). However, management believes that certain non-GAAP performance measures and ratios utilized for internal analysis provide analysts, investors, and others the same information that we use internally for purposes of assessing our core operating performance and provides meaningful comparisons between current and prior period results, as well as important information regarding performance trends. The use of certain non-GAAP measures improves comparability in analyzing our performance because it removes the impact of items from operating results that, in management's opinion, do not reflect our core operating performance. Other companies may calculate non-GAAP measures differently; therefore, our calculation may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. Certain information discussed in the scheduled conference call could be considered non-GAAP measures. Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, our reported results. These financial measures should not be construed as better measurements than operating income, operating cash flow, net income or earnings per share, as determined under GAAP.


Three Months Ended 


Year Ended 


December 31


December 31


2019


2018


2019


2018

ArcBest Corporation - Consolidated

(Unaudited)


($ thousands, except per share data)

Operating Income (Loss)












Amounts on GAAP basis

$

(11,229)


$

37,162


$

63,770


$

109,098

Asset impairment, pre-tax(1)


26,514



—



26,514



—

Innovative technology costs, pre-tax(2)


4,553



1,800



15,657



5,860

ELD conversion costs, pre-tax(3)


329



—



2,687



—

Nonunion pension termination costs, pre-tax(4)


—



—



350



—

Multiemployer pension fund withdrawal liability charge, pre-tax(5)


—



—



—



37,922

Restructuring charges, pre-tax(6)


—



889



—



1,655

Gain on sale of subsidiaries, pre-tax(7)


—



—



—



(1,945)

Non-GAAP amounts

$

20,167


$

39,851


$

108,978


$

152,590













Net Income (Loss)












Amounts on GAAP basis

$

(5,549)


$

15,299


$

39,985


$

67,262

Asset impairment, after-tax(1)


19,836



—



19,836



—

Innovative technology costs, after-tax (includes related financing costs)(2)


3,501



1,385



11,963



4,401

ELD conversion costs, after-tax(3)


245



—



1,996



—

Nonunion pension termination costs, after-tax(4)


—



—



260



—

Multiemployer pension fund withdrawal liability charge, after-tax(5)


—



—



—



28,161

Restructuring charges, after-tax(6)


—



657



—



1,223

Gain on sale of subsidiaries, after-tax(7)


—



—



—



(1,437)

Nonunion pension expense, including settlement and termination expense, after-tax(8)


297



9,366



7,972



13,512

Life insurance proceeds and changes in cash surrender value


(979)



2,253



(3,692)



23

Tax expense (benefit) from vested RSUs(9)


17



(386)



481



(711)

Impact of 2017 Tax Reform Act(10)


—



(311)



—



(3,824)

Tax credits(11)


(2,526)



—



(2,526)



(1,203)

Non-GAAP amounts

$

14,842


$

28,263


$

76,275


$

107,407













Diluted Earnings Per Share(12)












Amounts on GAAP basis

$

(0.22)


$

0.57


$

1.51


$

2.51

Asset impairment, after-tax(1)


0.75



—



0.75



—

Innovative technology costs, after-tax (includes related financing costs)(2)


0.13



0.05



0.45



0.16

ELD conversion costs, after-tax(3)


0.01



—



0.08



—

Nonunion pension termination costs, after-tax(4)


—



—



0.01



—

Multiemployer pension fund withdrawal liability charge, after-tax(5)


—



—



—



1.05

Restructuring charges, after-tax(6)


—



0.02



—



0.05

Gain on sale of subsidiaries, after-tax(7)


—



—



—



(0.05)

Nonunion pension expense, including settlement and termination expense, after-tax(8)


0.01



0.35



0.30



0.51

Life insurance proceeds and changes in cash surrender value


(0.04)



0.08



(0.14)



—

Tax expense (benefit) from vested RSUs(9)


—



(0.01)



0.02



(0.03)

Impact of 2017 Tax Reform Act(10)


—



(0.01)



—



(0.14)

Tax credits(11)


(0.10)



—



(0.10)



(0.05)

Non-GAAP amounts(13)

$

0.56


$

1.06


$

2.88


$

4.02

_________________________

Note: See "Notes to Non-GAAP Financial Tables" for the footnotes to this ArcBest Corporation – Consolidated non-GAAP table. 

Notes to Non-GAAP Financial Tables

The following footnotes apply to the non-GAAP financial tables presented in this press release.

1)

Noncash impairment charge recognized in fourth quarter 2019 relates to a portion of the goodwill, customer relationship intangible assets, and revenue equipment associated with the acquisition of truckload brokerage and truckload dedicated businesses within the ArcBest segment.

2)

Represents costs associated with the previously announced freight handling pilot test program at ABF Freight.

3)

The three months and year ended December 31, 2019 include impairment charges related to equipment replacement and other one-time costs incurred to comply with the electronic logging device ("ELD") mandate which was effective December 2019.

4)

The year ended December 31, 2019 includes a one-time consulting fee associated with the termination of the nonunion defined benefit pension plan.

5)

The year ended December 31, 2018 includes a one-time charge for the multiemployer pension plan withdrawal liability.

6)

Restructuring charges relate to the realignment of the Company's organizational structure as announced on November 3, 2016.

7)

Gain recognized in 2018 relates to the sale of the ArcBest segment's military moving businesses in December 2017.

8)

Nonunion pension expense is presented as a non-GAAP adjustment with pension settlement expense, because expenses related to the plan have been excluded from the financial information management uses to make operating decisions, as the nonunion defined benefit pension plan was amended to terminate the plan with a termination date of December 31, 2017. Pension settlements related to benefit distributions for the plan termination began in fourth quarter 2018 and were completed in third quarter 2019. The year ended December 31, 2019 also includes a noncash pension termination expense related to an amount which was stranded in accumulated other comprehensive income until the pension benefit obligation was settled upon plan termination. The three months and year ended December 31, 2019 include pension settlement expense of $0.3 million after-tax, or $0.01 per diluted share, related to the Company's supplemental benefit plan.

9)

The Company recognized the tax impact for the vesting of share-based compensation resulting in excess tax expense (benefit) during the three months and year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

10)

Impact on current or deferred income tax expense as a result of recognizing the tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("2017 Tax Reform Act") that was signed into law on December 22, 2017.

11)

The three months and year ended December 31, 2019 include a $1.4 million research and development tax credit recognized in the tax provision during fourth quarter 2019 which primarily relates to years prior to 2019, and include a $1.2 million alternative fuel tax credit related to the year ended December 31, 2018 which was recorded in fourth quarter 2019 due to the December 2019 retroactive reinstatement. The non-GAAP adjustment for the year ended December 31, 2018 represents the amount of the alternative fuel tax credit related to the year ended December 31, 2017 which was recorded in first quarter 2018 due to the February 2018 retroactive reinstatement.

12)

ArcBest uses the two-class method for calculating earnings per share, which requires an allocation of dividends paid and a portion of undistributed net income (but not losses) to unvested restricted stock for calculating per share amounts. For fourth quarter 2019, ArcBest reported a net loss on a GAAP basis and reported net income on a non-GAAP basis. The average common shares outstanding used to calculate non-GAAP diluted earnings per share for fourth quarter 2019 were adjusted to include unvested restricted stock awards in the calculation of non-GAAP diluted earnings per share under the two-class method as follows:









Three Months Ended December 31, 2019






Average Common Shares Outstanding







Diluted shares on GAAP basis

25,490,393






Effect of unvested restricted stock awards

931,908






Non-GAAP diluted shares

26,422,301






13)

Non-GAAP EPS is calculated in total and may not foot due to rounding.

14)

Tax rate for total "Amounts on GAAP basis" represents the effective tax rate. The tax effects of non-GAAP adjustments are calculated based on the statutory rate applicable to each item based on tax jurisdiction, unless the nature of the item requires the tax effect to be estimated by applying a specific tax treatment.

 


Three Months Ended 


Year Ended 


December 31


December 31


2019


2018


2019


2018

Segment Operating Income Reconciliations

(Unaudited)


($ thousands, except percentages)

Asset-Based Segment

Operating Income ($) and Operating Ratio (% of revenues)















Amounts on GAAP basis

$

20,546


96.0

%


$

36,929


93.3

%


$

102,061


95.2

%


$

103,862


95.2

%

Innovative technology costs, pre-tax(2)


4,539


(0.9)




862


(0.2)




13,739


(0.6)




3,810


(0.2)


ELD conversion costs, pre-tax(3)


329


(0.1)




—


—




2,687


(0.1)




—


—


Nonunion pension termination costs, pre-tax(4)


—


—




—


—




295


—




—


—


Multiemployer pension fund withdrawal liability charge, pre-tax(5)


—


—




—


—




—


—




37,922


(1.7)


Non-GAAP amounts(12)

$

25,414


95.0

%


$

37,791


93.1

%


$

118,782


94.5

%


$

145,594


93.3

%





Asset-Light




ArcBest Segment

Operating Income (Loss) ($) and Operating Ratio (% of revenues)















Amounts on GAAP basis

$

(26,493)


114.4

%


$

6,723


96.5

%


$

(20,189)


102.7

%


$

23,588


97.0

%

Asset impairment, pre-tax(1)


26,514


(14.4)




—


—




26,514


(3.6)




—


—


Nonunion pension termination costs, pre-tax(4)


—


—




—


—




23


—




—


—


Restructuring charges, pre-tax(6)


—


—




339


(0.2)




—


—




491


(0.1)


Gain on sale of subsidiaries, pre-tax(7)


—


—




—


—




—


—




(1,945)


0.3


Non-GAAP amounts

$

21


100.0

%


$

7,062


96.3

%


$

6,348


99.1

%


$

22,134


97.2

%





FleetNet Segment

Operating Income ($) and Operating Ratio (% of revenues)















Amounts on GAAP basis

$

1,121


97.9

%


$

747


98.5

%


$

4,806


97.7

%


$

4,385


97.8

%

Nonunion pension termination costs, pre-tax(4)


—


—




—


—




12


—




—


—


Non-GAAP amounts

$

1,121


97.9

%


$

747


98.5

%


$

4,818


97.7

%


$

4,385


97.8

%





Total Asset-Light

Operating Income (Loss) ($) and Operating Ratio (% of revenues)















Amounts on GAAP basis

$

(25,372)


110.7

%


$

7,470


96.9

%


$

(15,383)


101.6

%


$

27,973


97.1

%

Asset impairment, pre-tax(1)


26,514


(11.2)




—


—




26,514


(2.8)




—


—


Nonunion pension termination costs, pre-tax(4)


—


—




—


—




35


—




—


—


Restructuring charges, pre-tax(6)


—


—




339


(0.1)




—


—




491


(0.1)


Gain on sale of subsidiaries, pre-tax(7)


—


—




—


—




—


—




(1,945)


0.2


Non-GAAP amounts

$

1,142


99.5

%


$

7,809


96.8

%


$

11,166


98.8

%


$

26,519


97.2

%





Other and Eliminations

Operating Loss ($)















Amounts on GAAP basis

$

(6,403)





$

(7,237)





$

(22,908)





$

(22,737)




Innovative technology costs, pre-tax(2)


14






938






1,918






2,051




Nonunion pension termination costs, pre-tax(4)


—






—






20






—




Restructuring charges, pre-tax(6)


—






550






—






1,164




Non-GAAP amounts

$

(6,389)





$

(5,749)





$

(20,970)





$

(19,522)




_________________________

Note: See "Notes to Non-GAAP Financial Tables" for the footnotes to this ArcBest Corporation – Segment Operating Income Reconciliations non-GAAP table.

 

Effective Tax Rate Reconciliation

ArcBest Corporation - Consolidated



















(Unaudited)


















($ thousands, except percentages)

Three Months Ended December 31, 2019


Operating


Other


Income (Loss)


Income


Net





Income


Income


Before Income


Tax Provision


Income




(Loss)


(Costs)


Taxes


(Benefit)


(Loss)


Tax Rate(14)

Amounts on GAAP basis

$

(11,229)


$

(798)


$

(12,027)


$

(6,478)


$

(5,549)


(53.9)

%

Asset impairment, pre-tax(1)


26,514



—



26,514



6,678



19,836


25.2


Innovative technology costs(2)


4,553



162



4,715



1,214



3,501


25.7


ELD conversion costs(3)


329



—



329



84



245


25.5


Nonunion pension expense, including settlement and termination expense(8)


—



399



399



102



297


25.6


Life insurance proceeds and changes in cash surrender value


—



(979)



(979)



—



(979)


—


Tax expense from vested RSUs(9)


—



—



—



(17)



17


—


Tax credits(11)


—



—



—



2,526



(2,526)


—


Non-GAAP amounts

$

20,167


$

(1,216)


$

18,951


$

4,109


$

14,842


21.7

%





















Three Months Ended December 31, 2018




Other


Income Before


Income








Operating


Income


Income


Tax


Net




Income


(Costs)


Taxes


Provision


Income


Tax Rate(14)

Amounts on GAAP basis

$

37,162


$

(16,492)


$

20,670


$

5,371


$

15,299


26.0

%

Innovative technology costs(2)


1,800



65



1,865



480



1,385


25.7


Restructuring charges(6)


889



—



889



232



657


26.1


Nonunion pension expense, including settlement(8)


—



12,612



12,612



3,246



9,366


25.7


Life insurance proceeds and changes in cash surrender value


—



2,253



2,253



—



2,253


—


Tax benefit from vested RSUs(9)


—



—



—



386



(386)


—


Impact of 2017 Tax Reform Act(10)


—



—



—



311



(311)


—


Non-GAAP amounts

$

39,851


$

(1,562)


$

38,289


$

10,026


$

28,263


26.2

%





















Year Ended December 31, 2019



















Other


Income Before


Income








Operating


Income


Income


Tax


Net




Income


(Costs)


Taxes


Provision


Income


Tax Rate(14)

Amounts on GAAP basis

$

63,770


$

(12,299)


$

51,471


$

11,486


$

39,985


22.3

%

Asset impairment, pre-tax(1)


26,514



—



26,514



6,678



19,836


25.2


Innovative technology costs(2)


15,657



453



16,110



4,147



11,963


25.7


ELD conversion costs(3)


2,687



—



2,687



691



1,996


25.7


Nonunion pension termination costs(4)


350



—



350



90



260


25.7


Nonunion pension expense, including settlement and termination expense(8)


—



9,358



9,358



1,386



7,972


14.8


Life insurance proceeds and changes in cash surrender value


—



(3,692)



(3,692)



—



(3,692)


—


Tax expense from vested RSUs(9)


—



—



—



(481)



481


—


Tax credits(11)


—



—



—



2,526



(2,526)


—


Non-GAAP amounts

$

108,978


$

(6,180)


$

102,798


$

26,523


$

76,275


25.8

%





















Year Ended December 31, 2018


















Other


Income Before


Income








Operating


Income


Income


Tax


Net




Income


(Costs)


Taxes


Provision


Income


Tax Rate(14)

Amounts on GAAP basis

$

109,098


$

(24,712)


$

84,386


$

17,124


$

67,262


20.3

%

Innovative technology costs(2)


5,860



67



5,927



1,526



4,401


25.7


Multiemployer pension fund withdrawal liability charge(5)


37,922



—



37,922



9,761



28,161


25.7


Restructuring charges(6)


1,655



—



1,655



432



1,223


26.1


Gain on sale of subsidiaries(7)


(1,945)



—



(1,945)



(508)



(1,437)


(26.1)


Nonunion pension expense, including settlement(8)


—



18,195



18,195



4,683



13,512


25.7


Life insurance proceeds and changes in cash surrender value


—



23



23



—



23


—


Tax benefit from vested RSUs(9)


—



—



—



711



(711)


—


Impact of 2017 Tax Reform Act(10)


—



—



—



3,824



(3,824)


—


Tax credits(11)


—



—



—



1,203



(1,203)


—


Non-GAAP amounts

$

152,590


$

(6,427)


$

146,163


$

38,756


$

107,407


26.5

%

_________________________

Note: See "Notes to Non-GAAP Financial Tables" for the footnotes to this ArcBest Corporation – Consolidated Effective Tax Rate Reconciliation table.

Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (Adjusted EBITDA)
Management uses Adjusted EBITDA as a key measure of performance and for business planning. The measure is particularly meaningful for analysis of operating performance, because it excludes amortization of acquired intangibles and software of the Asset-Light businesses, which are significant expenses resulting from strategic decisions rather than core daily operations. Additionally, Adjusted EBITDA is a primary component of the financial covenants contained in our credit agreement.


Three Months Ended 


Year Ended 


December 31



December 31


2019


2018


2019


2018


(Unaudited)

ArcBest Corporation - Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA

($ thousands)



Net Income (Loss)

$

(5,549)


$

15,299


$

39,985


$

67,262

Interest and other related financing costs


2,874



2,926



11,467



9,468

Income tax provision (benefit)


(6,478)



5,371



11,486



17,124

Depreciation and amortization


29,134



26,936



112,466



108,635

Amortization of share-based compensation


2,255



2,228



9,523



8,413

Amortization of net actuarial losses of benefit plans and pension settlement expense, including termination expense(1)


618



12,138



9,758



15,893

Asset impairment(2)


26,514



—



26,514



—

Multiemployer pension fund withdrawal liability charge(3)


—



—



—



37,922

Restructuring charges(4)


—



889



—



1,655

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA

$

49,368


$

65,787


$

221,199


$

266,372

_________________________

1)

The year ended December 31, 2019 includes a noncash pension termination expense related to an amount which was stranded in accumulated other comprehensive income until the pension benefit obligation was settled upon plan termination.

2)

Impairment charge recognized in fourth quarter 2019 relates to a portion of the goodwill, customer relationship intangible assets, and revenue equipment associated with the acquisition of truckload brokerage and truckload dedicated businesses within the ArcBest segment.

3)

The year ended December 31, 2018 include a one-time charge for the multiemployer pension plan withdrawal liability.

4)

Restructuring charges relate to the realignment of the Company's organizational structure as announced on November 3, 2016.

 


Three Months Ended 


Year Ended 


December 31


December 31


2019


2018


2019


2018

Asset-Light Adjusted EBITDA

(Unaudited)


($ thousands, except percentages)




ArcBest












Operating Income (Loss)

$

(26,493)


$

6,723


$

(20,189)


$

23,588

Depreciation and amortization(5)


2,531



3,187



11,344



13,750

Asset impairment(6)


26,514



—



26,514



—

Restructuring charges(7)


—



339



—



491

Adjusted EBITDA

$

2,552


$

10,249


$

17,669


$

37,829




FleetNet



Operating Income

$

1,121


$

747


$

4,806


$

4,385

Depreciation and amortization


359



306



1,341



1,140

Adjusted EBITDA

$

1,480


$

1,053


$

6,147


$

5,525




Total Asset-Light












Operating Income (Loss)

$

(25,372)


$

7,470


$

(15,383)


$

27,973

Depreciation and amortization(5)


2,890



3,493



12,685



14,890

Asset impairment(6)


26,514



—



26,514



—

Restructuring charges(7)


—



339



—



491

Adjusted EBITDA

$

4,032


$

11,302


$

23,816


$

43,354

_________________________

5)

Depreciation and amortization consists primarily of amortization of intangibles and software associated with acquired businesses.

6)

Noncash impairment charge recognized in fourth quarter 2019 relates to a portion of the goodwill, customer relationship intangible assets, and revenue equipment associated with the acquisition of truckload brokerage and truckload dedicated businesses within the ArcBest segment.

7)

Restructuring charges relate to the realignment of the Company's organizational structure as announced on November 3, 2016.

 


Three Months Ended 


Year Ended 


December 31


December 31


2019


2018


% Change


2019


2018


% Change


(Unaudited)

Asset-Based
































Workdays


61.5



61.5





251.5



252.0



















Billed Revenue(1) / CWT

$

35.62


$

34.90


2.1%


$

35.44


$

34.16


3.7%

















Billed Revenue(1) / Shipment

$

435.59


$

430.36


1.2%


$

435.60


$

430.34


1.2%

















Shipments


1,173,949



1,266,334


(7.3%)



4,928,750



5,059,610


(2.6%)

















Shipments / Day


19,089



20,591


(7.3%)



19,597



20,078


(2.4%)

















Tonnage (Tons)


717,708



780,838


(8.1%)



3,028,974



3,187,088


(5.0%)

















Tons / Day


11,670



12,697


(8.1%)



12,044



12,647


(4.8%)

















Pounds / Shipment


1,223



1,233


(0.8%)



1,229



1,260


(2.5%)

















Average Length of Haul (Miles)


1,032



1,029


0.3%



1,034



1,039


(0.5%)

_________________________

1)

Revenue for undelivered freight is deferred for financial statement purposes in accordance with the Asset-Based segment revenue recognition policy. Billed revenue used for calculating revenue per hundredweight measurements has not been adjusted for the portion of revenue deferred for financial statement purposes.

 


Year Over Year % Change


Three Months Ended 


Year Ended 


December 31, 2019


December 31, 2019


(Unaudited)

ArcBest(2)








Revenue / Shipment

(10.0%)


(8.6%)





Shipments / Day

(3.5%)


(2.0%)

_________________________

2)

Statistical data related to managed transportation solutions transactions are not included in the presentation of operating statistics for the ArcBest segment.

Investor Relations Contact: David Humphrey
Title: Vice President – Investor Relations
Phone: 479-785-6200
Email: dhumphrey@arcb.com

Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/arcbest-announces-fourth-quarter-2019-and-full-year-2019-results-300996440.html

SOURCE ArcBest