ArcBest Announces First Quarter 2024 Results

FORT SMITH, Arkansas, April 30, 2024 — ArcBest^® (Nasdaq: ARCB), a leader in supply chain logistics, today reported first quarter 2024 revenue from continuing operations of $1.0 billion, compared to $1.1 billion in the first quarter of 2023. First quarter 2024 operating income from continuing operations was $22.4 million, compared to $21.2 million in the prior year period, and net loss from continuing operations was $2.9 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, compared to net income of $18.8 million, or $0.75 per diluted share, in 2023. Included in the first quarter net loss from continuing operations is a $21.6 million after-tax, noncash impairment charge associated with ArcBest’s equity investment in Phantom Auto, which ceased operations during the first quarter of 2024.

Excluding certain items in both periods as identified in the attached reconciliation tables, first quarter 2024 non‑GAAP operating income from continuing operations was $42.6 million, compared to $51.9 million in the prior‑year period. While the non-GAAP operating income for the Asset-Based segment was unchanged versus the prior-year period, Asset-Light non-GAAP operating income declined $8.9 million compared to the prior-year period, reflecting the current macro weakness impacting demand combined with excess capacity serving the full truckload market.

On a non-GAAP basis, net income from continuing operations was $32.3 million, or $1.34 per diluted share, compared to $39.5 million, or $1.58 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2023.

“Reflecting on the past quarter, I am proud of our employees for their commitment to excellence, which resulted in better customer service and operational efficiency gains,” said Judy R. McReynolds, ArcBest Chairman, President and CEO. “This commitment was also evident in our performance in this softer freight environment and the receipt of numerous customer and industry recognitions, including ABF’s recent receipt of the prestigious ATA Excellence in Security Award.”

First Quarter Results of Operations Comparisons

Asset-Based

First Quarter 2024 Versus First Quarter 2023

• Revenue of $671.5 million compared to $697.8 million, a per-day decrease of 3.0 percent.
• Total tonnage per day decrease of 16.8 percent.
• Total shipments per day decrease of 6.2 percent.
• Total billed revenue per hundredweight increase of 15.6 percent.
• Core daily shipments increase of 12 percent and tonnage increase of 9 percent.
• Operating income of $53.5 million and an operating ratio of 92.0 percent, on both a GAAP and non-GAAP basis, compared to prior-year GAAP operating income of $47.5 million and an operating ratio of 93.2 percent and prior-year non-GAAP operating income of $53.5 million and an operating ratio of 92.3 percent.

 

On a non-GAAP basis, the Asset-Based segment generated the same operating income as first quarter 2023 on lower revenue levels, which highlights the Company’s continued focus on serving core customers well and improving efficiencies in our operations.  Total first quarter daily shipment and tonnage levels were below the prior year, as we continued to adjust freight mix, which positively impacted productivity and contributed to an improved operating ratio.

Pricing momentum continued in the quarter, driven by improved freight mix, higher pricing on transactional shipments and contract renewal increases of 5.3 percent. Overall, LTL industry pricing remains rational.

Compared sequentially to the strong fourth quarter of 2023, first quarter 2024 was impacted by weather in January and fewer workdays in March. Revenue per day was down 8.4 percent, tons per day declined 5.7 percent and shipments per day were down 1.8 percent, sequentially. First quarter billed revenue per hundredweight decreased 0.9 percent, compared to fourth quarter 2023. Although union benefit costs were higher in first quarter 2024, continued focus on operational efficiency resulted in improved productivity and lower overall operating expenses. The operating ratio increased 430 basis points sequentially, which was generally in-line with seasonal changes seen during previous soft freight environments.

Asset-Light

First Quarter 2024 Versus First Quarter 2023

• Revenue of $396.4 million compared to $438.1 million, a per-day decrease of 8.8 percent.
• Operating loss of $15.3 million compared to operating loss of $14.1 million. On a non‑GAAP basis, operating loss of $4.7 million compared to operating income of $4.1 million.
• Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”) of negative $2.9 million compared to $6.0 million, as detailed in the attached non-GAAP reconciliation tables.

Compared to the first quarter of 2023, Asset-Light results were impacted by lower revenue per shipment and reduced margins associated with changes in business mix and the soft rate environment. Shipments per day grew by 13.6 percent, as the managed transportation solution successfully partnered with more customers to optimize their logistics spend. Our biggest challenge to profitability resulted from lower rates and margins for truckload solutions. However, increased productivity mitigated market softness as shipments per employee per day and SG&A cost per shipment both significantly improved on a year-over-year basis.

Compared sequentially to the fourth quarter 2023, first quarter 2024 revenue per day was down 7.1 percent. Weather events in January resulted in significantly higher purchased transportation costs as a percentage of revenue. The non-GAAP operating loss in the first quarter was primarily attributable to performance in the month of January, as the segment saw improvements throughout the rest of the quarter. Total shipments per day were flat compared to fourth quarter 2023, with managed transportation seeing sequential growth.  Operating expenses were slightly lower as employee productivity and cost per shipment metrics improved from fourth quarter levels. With a focus on growth and efficiency, the Company remains well-positioned for an eventual recovery of the full truckload and ground expedite markets.

Conference Call

ArcBest will host a conference call with company executives to discuss the first quarter 2024 results. The call will be today, Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. EDT (8:30 a.m. CDT). Interested parties are invited to listen by calling (800) 715-9871 or by joining the webcast which can be found on ArcBest’s website at arcb.com. Slides to accompany this call are included in Exhibit 99.3 of the Form 8-K filed on April 30, 2024, will be posted and available to download on the company’s website prior to the scheduled conference time, and will be included in the webcast. Following the call, a recorded playback will be available through the end of the day on May 15, 2024. To listen to the playback, dial (800) 770-2030. The conference call ID for the live conference call and the playback is 6865438. The conference call and playback can also be accessed through May 15, 2024 on ArcBest’s website at arcb.com.

About ArcBest

ArcBest^® (Nasdaq: ARCB) is a multibillion-dollar integrated logistics company that helps keep the global supply chain moving. Founded in 1923 and now with 15,000 employees across 250 campuses and service centers, the company is a logistics powerhouse, using its technology, expertise and scale to connect shippers with the solutions they need — from ground, air and ocean transportation to fully managed supply chains. ArcBest has a long history of innovation that is enriched by deep customer relationships. With a commitment to helping customers navigate supply chain challenges now and in the future, the company is developing ground-breaking technology like Vaux™, one of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2023. For more information, visit arcb.com.

The following is a “safe harbor” statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain statements and information in this press release concerning results for the three months ended March 31, 2024 may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, among others, statements regarding (i) our expectations about our intrinsic value or our prospects for growth and value creation and (ii) our financial outlook, position, strategies, goals, and expectations. 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: the effects of a widespread outbreak of an illness or disease or any other public health crisis, as well as regulatory measures implemented in response to such events; external events which may adversely affect us or the third parties who provide services for us, for which our business continuity plans may not adequately prepare us, including, but not limited to, acts of war or terrorism, or military conflicts; data privacy breaches, cybersecurity incidents, and/or failures of our information systems, including disruptions or failures of services essential to our operations or upon which our information technology platforms rely; interruption or failure of third-party software or information technology systems or licenses; untimely or ineffective development and implementation of, or failure to realize the potential benefits associated with, new or enhanced technology or processes, including our customer pilot offering of Vaux; the loss or reduction of business from large customers or an overall reduction in our customer base; the timing and performance of growth initiatives and the ability to manage our cost structure; the cost, integration, and performance of any recent or future acquisitions and the inability to realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition within the expected time period or at all; unsolicited takeover proposals, proxy contests, and other proposals/actions by activist investors; maintaining our corporate reputation and intellectual property rights; nationwide or global disruption in the supply chain resulting in increased volatility in freight volumes; competitive initiatives and pricing pressures; increased prices for and decreased availability of equipment, including new revenue equipment, decreases in value of used revenue equipment, and higher costs of equipment-related operating expenses such as maintenance, fuel, and related taxes; 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; relationships with employees, including unions, and our ability to attract, retain, and upskill 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; union employee wages and benefits, including changes in required contributions to multiemployer plans; availability and cost of reliable third-party services; 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; governmental regulations; environmental laws and regulations, including emissions-control regulations; default on covenants of financing arrangements and the availability and terms of future financing arrangements; our ability to generate sufficient cash from operations to support significant ongoing capital expenditure requirements and other business initiatives; self-insurance claims, insurance premium costs, and loss of our ability to self-insure; potential impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill and intangible assets; 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; increasing costs due to inflation and higher interest rates; seasonal fluctuations, adverse weather conditions, natural disasters, and climate change; and other financial, operational, and legal risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in ArcBest Corporation’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 those expressed in these forward-looking statements, 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 8K.

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
		March 31
		2024			2023
		(Unaudited)
		($ thousands, except share and per share data)
REVENUES		$	1,036,419		$	1,106,094
OPERATING EXPENSES			1,013,984			1,084,935
OPERATING INCOME			22,435			21,159
OTHER INCOME (COSTS)
Interest and dividend income			3,315			2,933
Interest and other related financing costs			(2,228)			(2,327)
Other, net			(28,199)			1,780
			(27,112)			2,386
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES			(4,677)			23,545
INCOME TAX PROVISION (BENEFIT)			(1,765)			4,698
NET INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS			(2,912)			18,847
INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET OF TAX(1)			600			52,436
NET INCOME (LOSS)		$	(2,312)		$	71,283
BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE(2)
Continuing operations		$	(0.12)		$	0.78
Discontinued operations(1)			0.03			2.16
		$	(0.10)		$	2.93
DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE(2)
Continuing operations		$	(0.12)		$	0.75
Discontinued operations(1)			0.03			2.09
		$	(0.10)		$	2.84
AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING
Basic			23,561,309			24,288,138
Diluted			23,561,309			25,057,726

1. Represents the discontinued operations of FleetNet America^® (“FleetNet”), which sold on February 28, 2023. The 2024 period represents adjustments related to the prior year gain on sale of FleetNet. The 2023 period includes the net gain on sale of FleetNet of $51.4 million after-tax, or $2.12 basic earnings per share and $2.05 diluted earnings per share, recognized in the first quarter of 2023.
2. Earnings per common share is calculated in total and may not equal the sum of earnings per common share from continuing operations and discontinued operations due to rounding.

 

ARCBEST CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

		March 31			December 31
		2024			2023
		(Unaudited)			Note
		($ thousands, except share data)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents		$	172,855		$	262,226
Short-term investments			68,065			67,842
Accounts receivable, less allowances (2024 - $9,184; 2023 - $10,346)			433,717			430,122
Other accounts receivable, less allowances (2024 - $733; 2023 - $731)			11,389			52,124
Prepaid expenses			39,232			37,034
Prepaid and refundable income taxes			22,084			24,319
Other			11,136			11,116
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS			758,478			884,783
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Land and structures			491,555			460,068
Revenue equipment			1,119,446			1,126,055
Service, office, and other equipment			318,252			319,466
Software			176,988			173,354
Leasehold improvements			25,173			24,429
			2,131,414			2,103,372
Less allowances for depreciation and amortization			1,193,584			1,188,548
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET			937,830			914,824
GOODWILL			304,753			304,753
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET			97,940			101,150
OPERATING RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS			174,987			169,999
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES			10,032			8,140
OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS			73,123			101,445
TOTAL ASSETS		$	2,357,143		$	2,485,094
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable		$	209,908		$	214,004
Income taxes payable			8			10,410
Accrued expenses			313,494			378,029
Current portion of long-term debt			63,179			66,948
Current portion of operating lease liabilities			31,986			32,172
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES			618,575			701,563
LONG-TERM DEBT, less current portion			148,992			161,990
OPERATING LEASE LIABILITIES, less current portion			174,085			176,621
POSTRETIREMENT LIABILITIES, less current portion			13,318			13,319
CONTINGENT CONSIDERATION			100,220			92,900
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES			34,422			40,553
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES			44,798			55,785
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 70,000,000 shares; issued 2024: 30,038,556 shares; 2023: 30,024,125 shares			300			300
Additional paid-in capital			343,102			340,961
Retained earnings			1,267,444			1,272,584
Treasury stock, at cost, 2024: 6,580,818 shares; 2023: 6,460,137 shares			(391,458)			(375,806)
Accumulated other comprehensive income			3,345			4,324
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY			1,222,733			1,242,363
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY		$	2,357,143		$	2,485,094

Note: The balance sheet at December 31, 2023 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

 

		Three Months Ended
		March 31
		2024			2023
		(Unaudited)
		($ thousands)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss)		$	(2,312)		$	71,283
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			33,616			32,187
Amortization of intangibles			3,217			3,203
Share-based compensation expense			2,889			2,235
Provision for losses on accounts receivable			1,055			1,427
Change in deferred income taxes			(12,548)			(9,814)
(Gain) loss on sale of property and equipment			217			(9)
Pre-tax gain on sale of discontinued operations			(806)			(69,083)
Change in fair value of contingent consideration			7,320			15,040
Change in fair value of equity investment			28,739			—
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables			35,059			43,977
Prepaid expenses			(2,198)			(1,464)
Other assets			(1,218)			3,874
Income taxes			(8,305)			6,221
Operating right-of-use assets and lease liabilities, net			(7,710)			1,570
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities			(70,548)			(79,984)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES			6,467			20,663
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of property, plant and equipment, net of financings			(55,049)			(34,657)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment			1,292			1,833
Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations			—			101,138
Purchases of short-term investments			(5,236)			(35,588)
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments			5,635			41,865
Capitalization of internally developed software			(3,635)			(3,631)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES			(56,993)			70,960
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Payments on long-term debt			(16,767)			(17,649)
Net change in book overdrafts			(2,850)			(10,493)
Deferred financing costs			—			63
Payment of common stock dividends			(2,828)			(2,915)
Purchases of treasury stock			(15,652)			(14,092)
Payments for tax withheld on share-based compensation			(748)			(1,590)
NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES			(38,845)			(46,676)
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS			(89,371)			44,947
Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations at beginning of period			262,226			158,264
Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations at beginning of period			—			108
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD		$	172,855		$	203,319
NONCASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Equipment financed		$	—		$	3,478
Accruals for equipment received		$	915		$	1,453
Lease liabilities arising from obtaining right-of-use assets		$	5,694		$	30,581

Note: The statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 include cash flows from continuing operations and cash flows from discontinued operations of FleetNet, which sold on February 28, 2023.

 

ARCBEST CORPORATION

FINANCIAL STATEMENT OPERATING SEGMENT DATA AND OPERATING RATIOS

 

	Three Months Ended
	March 31
	2024						2023
	(Unaudited)
	($ thousands, except percentages)
REVENUES FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Asset-Based	$	671,467					$	697,817
Asset-Light		396,363						438,092
Other and eliminations		(31,411)						(29,815)
Total consolidated revenues from continuing operations	$	1,036,419					$	1,106,094
OPERATING EXPENSES FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Asset-Based
Salaries, wages, and benefits	$	344,999		51.4	%		$	335,605		48.1	%
Fuel, supplies, and expenses		81,044		12.1				94,288		13.5
Operating taxes and licenses		13,529		2.0				13,979		2.0
Insurance		14,482		2.1				13,273		1.9
Communications and utilities		4,799		0.7				5,304		0.8
Depreciation and amortization		27,007		4.0				24,911		3.6
Rents and purchased transportation		65,671		9.8				90,744		13.0
Shared services		64,914		9.7				64,613		9.2
(Gain) loss on sale of property and equipment		149		—				(51)		—
Innovative technology costs(1)		—		—				6,068		0.9
Other		1,417		0.2				1,612		0.2
Total Asset-Based		618,011		92.0	%			650,346		93.2	%
Asset-Light
Purchased transportation	$	344,122		86.8	%		$	370,163		84.5	%
Salaries, wages, and benefits(2)		30,304		7.6				34,894		8.0
Supplies and expenses(2)		2,809		0.7				3,629		0.8
Depreciation and amortization(3)		5,078		1.3				5,068		1.2
Shared services(2)		16,274		4.1				16,535		3.8
Contingent consideration(4)		7,320		1.8				15,040		3.4
Other(2)		5,714		1.5				6,854		1.5
Total Asset-Light		411,621		103.8	%			452,183		103.2	%
Other and eliminations(5)		(15,648)						(17,594)
Total consolidated operating expenses from continuing operations	$	1,013,984		97.8	%		$	1,084,935		98.1	%
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Asset-Based	$	53,456					$	47,471
Asset-Light		(15,258)						(14,091)
Other and eliminations(5)		(15,763)						(12,221)
Total consolidated operating income from continuing operations	$	22,435					$	21,159

1. Represents costs associated with the freight handling pilot test program at ABF Freight, for which the decision was made to pause the pilot during third quarter 2023.
2. For the 2023 period, certain expenses have been reclassed to conform to the current year presentation, including amounts previously reported in “Shared services” that were reclassed to present “Salaries, wages, and benefits” expenses in a separate line item.
3. Depreciation and amortization includes amortization of intangibles associated with acquired businesses.
4. Represents the change in fair value of the contingent earnout consideration recorded for the MoLo acquisition. The liability for contingent consideration is remeasured at each quarterly reporting date, and any change in fair value as a result of the recurring assessments is recognized in operating loss. The contingent consideration for the MoLo acquisition will be paid based on achievement of certain targets of adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, as adjusted for certain items pursuant to the merger agreement, for years 2023 through 2025, including catch-up provisions.
5. “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, costs related to our customer pilot offering of Vaux, and other investments in ArcBest technology and innovations.