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8-K - FROZEN FOOD EXPRESS INDUSTRIES, INC. ANNOUNCES THIRD QUARTER 2010 RESULTS - FROZEN FOOD EXPRESS INDUSTRIES INCform8k.htm
Exhibit 99.1
 
Frozen Food Express Industries, Inc.
Announces Third Quarter 2010 Results

DALLAS, October 27, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – Frozen Food Express Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: FFEX) announced its financial and operating results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2010.  Highlights for the quarter include:

 
· Total operating revenue was $93.9 million versus $94.5 million during the third quarter 2009
 
· Net loss improved to $2.3 million versus $2.6 million during the third quarter 2009
 
· Less than truckload (“LTL”) tonnage increased 12.5% on a 10.1% increase in shipment count versus the third quarter 2009
 
· 10.6% improvement in truckload revenue per laden mile versus the third quarter 2009
 
· 4.1% improvement in revenue per truck per week versus the third quarter 2009
 
· No long-term debt outstanding and cash on hand of $2.2 million as of September 30, 2010

For the third quarter ended September 30, 2010, total operating revenue decreased 0.7%, or $0.6 million, to $93.9 million from $94.5 million in the third quarter of 2009.  For the third quarter of 2010, total operating revenue, excluding fuel surcharges, decreased 3.1% to $79.5 million from $82.0 million during the third quarter of 2009, and remained relatively unchanged compared to $80.0 million in the second quarter of 2010.   After recognition of a $4.4 million tax benefit for the third quarter 2010 versus a tax benefit of $2.1 million for the third quarter 2009, the net loss for the third quarter was ($2.3 million), or ($0.13) per diluted share.  This compares with a net loss of ($2.6 million), or ($0.15) per share for the third quarter of 2009

Stoney M. (“Mit”) Stubbs, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer commented, “Our LTL services showed nice year over year and sequential increases of 12.5% and 4%, respectively.  Likewise, LTL revenue increased 7.2% year over year and 6% sequentially.  It is encouraging to see our continued focus on delivering high quality services and focused sales approach are putting our LTL services back on solid ground.  Our truckload services continue to achieve improved pricing yield with a 10.6% improvement, year over year, in revenue per loaded mile.”

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, total operating revenue decreased 2.5%, or $6.9 million, to $274.7 million from $281.6 million during the same period in 2009, while total operating revenue, excluding fuel surcharges, decreased 6.7% to $232.8 million from $249.5 million during the same period in 2009.   The net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was ($10.4 million), an improvement of $3.4 million, or 24.7%, compared to the net loss of ($13.8 million) during the same period in 2009.  On a per share basis, the loss equated to ($0.61) per diluted share in 2010 compared to ($0.81) per diluted share in 2009.

Asset productivity (measured by revenue per truck per week) increased during the third quarter of 2010 by 4.1% to $3,209 from $3,081 in the same period of the last year, primarily due to an improvement in truckload revenue per loaded mile to $1.56 from $1.41 last year, partially offset by a 7.2% decrease in the average weekly trucks in service, or 141 trucks, and an increase in the Company’s empty mile ratio to 11.7% from 11.2%.  At our revenue per truck per week of $3,209 attained in the third quarter, an additional 141 trucks would have allowed us to attain approximately $5.9 million in additional truckload revenue, net of fuel surcharge, which would have enabled us to surpass our third quarter 2009 revenue, net of fuel surcharge, by approximately $3.4 million.

“We saw pricing improve in the second quarter and this trend continued in the third quarter,” commented Russell Stubbs, the Company’s President.  “However, demand was not as robust in the third quarter as we experienced in the second quarter.  Capacity continues to be a challenge due to a driver shortage, but it appears the rebound in the economy that drove demand in the second quarter, moderated in the third quarter.  This, coupled with extreme weather delays created as the remnants of hurricane Alex moved through Texas and the Midwest, presented a challenging quarter.  We are certainly not satisfied with the results of the third quarter and have taken additional strides to reduce our annualized operating costs by approximately $6 million, which includes the reduction of annualized salaried payroll by approximately $1 million.  We expect to see results of these actions in the near future.”

 
 

 
Mit Stubbs concluded, "Driver recruitment and quality service continue to be our highest priorities as we prepare for the future.  The third quarter proved the economy has not totally rebounded, especially in the temperature controlled trucking sector, but we believe we are making progress.  Although third quarter financial improvements were inconsistent with the trends we experienced earlier in the year, we are encouraged by the improvements we’ve made in the last month of the quarter.    By maintaining improved asset utilization and continued growth in our LTL services, we expect to be rewarded with improved operating results in the coming quarters.”
 
About FFEX

Frozen Food Express Industries, Inc. is one of the leading temperature-controlled truckload and less-than-truckload carriers in the United States with core operations in the transport of temperature-controlled products and perishable goods including food, health care and confectionery products. Service is offered in over-the-road and intermodal modes for temperature-controlled truckload and less-than-truckload, as well as dry truckload. We also provide brokerage/logistics and dedicated services to our customers. Additional information about Frozen Food Express Industries, Inc. can be found at http://www.ffeinc.com.  To join our email alert list, please click on the following link: http://financials.ffex.net/alerts.cfm.  The Company’s common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select market under the symbol FFEX.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain statements that may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of 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 include statements relating to plans, strategies, objectives, expectations, intentions, and adequacy of resources, and may be identified by words such as "will", "could", "should", "believe", "expect", "intend", "plan", "schedule", "estimate", "project", and similar expressions. Those statements are based on current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and change.
 
Although our management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will be realized. Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties underlying such expectations not materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expected.

Among the key factors that are not within our management's control and that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements are demand for the company's services and products, and its ability to meet that demand, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, weather conditions and the general economy, the availability and cost of labor and owner-operators, the ability to negotiate favorably with lenders and lessors, the effects of terrorism and war, the availability and cost of equipment, fuel and supplies, the market for previously-owned equipment, the impact of changes in the tax and regulatory environment in which the company operates, operational risks and insurance, risks associated with the technologies and systems used and the other risks and uncertainties described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Given the volatility in fuel prices and the impact fuel surcharge revenues have on total operating revenues, we often make reference to total operating revenue excluding fuel surcharges to provide a more consistent basis for comparison of operating revenue without the impact of fluctuating fuel prices.  Readers should review and consider these factors along with the various disclosures by the Company in its press releases, stockholder reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company does not assume, and specifically disclaims, any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or changes in the factors affecting the forward-looking information.


 
 

 



Frozen Food Express Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets
(Unaudited and in thousands, except per-share amounts)

Assets
 
September 30, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
Current assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
2,158
   
$
3,667
 
Accounts receivable, net
   
42,494
     
41,318
 
Tires on equipment in use, net
   
5,685
     
5,592
 
Deferred income taxes
   
2,169
     
1,532
 
Property held for sale
   
1,019
     
1,019
 
Other current assets
   
5,784
     
12,706
 
Total current assets
   
59,309
     
65,834
 
                 
Property and equipment, net
   
72,627
     
74,845
 
Other assets
   
4,858
     
5,121
 
Total assets
 
$
136,794
   
$
145,800
 
                 
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
               
Current liabilities
               
Accounts payable
 
$
29,739
   
$
23,773
 
Insurance and claims accruals
   
9,816
     
10,119
 
Accrued payroll and deferred compensation
   
5,685
     
3,837
 
Accrued liabilities
   
1,907
     
1,953
 
Total current liabilities
   
47,147
     
39,682
 
                 
Deferred income taxes
   
4,027
     
9,009
 
Insurance and claims accruals
   
5,236
     
7,374
 
Total liabilities
   
56,410
     
56,065
 
                 
Shareholders’ equity
               
Common stock, $1.50 par value per share; 75,000 shares authorized;
               
     18,572 shares issued
   
27,858
     
27,858
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
1,412
  
   
2,923
 
Retained earnings
   
59,741
     
70,172
 
     
89,011
     
100,953
 
Treasury stock (1,143 and 1,477 shares), at cost
   
(8,627
)
   
(11,218
)
Total shareholders’ equity
   
80,384
     
89,735
 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
 
$
136,794
   
$
145,800
 


 
 

 

Frozen Food Express Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations
(Unaudited and in thousands, except per-share amounts)

   
Three Months
Ended September 30,
   
Nine Months
Ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Total operating revenue
 
$
93,870
   
$
94,500
   
$
274,669
   
$
281,602
 
Operating expenses
                               
Salaries, wages and related expenses
   
30,243
     
30,306
     
87,288
     
94,115
 
Purchased transportation
   
18,132
     
20,246
     
55,972
     
61,752
 
Fuel
   
18,469
     
17,132
     
51,782
     
46,251
 
Supplies and maintenance
   
13,447
     
11,486
     
36,010
     
35,874
 
Revenue equipment rent
   
9,353
     
9,431
     
27,116
     
29,386
 
Depreciation
   
4,216
     
4,303
     
12,114
     
13,296
 
Communications and utilities
   
1,287
     
1,323
     
3,658
     
3,898
 
Claims and insurance
   
3,486
     
3,215
     
10,764
     
10,934
 
Operating taxes and licenses
   
1,003
     
1,076
     
3,209
     
3,656
 
(Gain) loss on sale of property and equipment
   
(12
)
   
177
     
(592
)
   
(75
)
Miscellaneous
   
1,109
     
638
     
3,101
     
2,367
 
 Total operating expenses
   
100,733
     
99,333
     
290,422
     
301,454
 
Loss from operations
   
(6,863
)
   
(4,833
)
   
(15,753
)
   
(19,852
)
Interest and other (income) expense
                               
Interest income
   
(15
)
   
(1
)
   
(30
)
   
(5
)
Interest expense
   
105
     
5
     
308
     
9
 
Equity in earnings of limited partnership
   
(246
)
   
(313
)
   
(443
)
   
(472
)
Life insurance and other
   
(43
)
   
106
     
84
     
591
 
 Total interest and other (income) expense
   
(199
)
   
(203
)
   
(81
)
   
123
 
Loss before income taxes
   
(6,664
)
   
(4,630
)
   
(15,672
)
   
(19,975
)
Income tax benefit
   
(4,383
)
   
(2,070
)
   
(5,241
)
   
(6,126
)
Net loss
 
$
(2,281
)
 
$
(2,560
)
 
$
(10,431
)
 
$
(13,849
)
                                 
Net loss per share of common stock
                               
Basic
 
$
(0.13
)
 
$
(0.15
)
 
$
(0.61
)
 
$
(0.81
)
Diluted
 
$
(0.13
)
 
$
(0.15
)
 
$
(0.61
)
 
$
(0.81
)
Weighted average shares outstanding
                               
Basic
   
17,384
     
17,149
     
17,223
     
17,069
 
Diluted
   
17,384
     
17,149
     
17,223
     
17,069
 
Dividends declared per common share
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
0.03
 


 
 

 
 
 
The following table summarizes and compares the significant components of revenue and presents our operating ratio and revenue per truck per week for each of the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30:   

   
Three Months
   
Nine Months
 
Revenue from: (a)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Temperature-controlled fleet
 
$
29,776
   
$
34,684
   
$
85,935
   
$
103,630
 
Dry-freight fleet
   
12,906
     
12,269
     
42,197
     
40,805
 
Total truckload linehaul services
   
42,682
     
46,953
     
128,132
     
144,435
 
Dedicated fleets
   
4,374
     
4,749
     
12,985
     
14,970
 
Total truckload
   
47,056
     
51,702
     
141,117
     
159,405
 
Less-than-truckload linehaul services
   
29,408
     
27,429
     
82,412
     
81,105
 
Fuel surcharges
   
14,382
     
12,492
     
41,886
     
32,065
 
Brokerage
   
1,623
     
1,657
     
5,388
     
5,415
 
Equipment rental  
   
1,401
     
1,220
     
3,866
     
3,612
 
Total operating revenue
   
93,870
     
94,500
     
274,669
     
281,602
 
                                 
Operating expenses
   
100,733
     
99,333
     
290,422
     
301,454
 
Income (loss) from operations
 
$
(6,863
)
 
$
(4,833
)
 
$
(15,753
)
 
$
(19,852
)
Operating ratio (b)
   
107.3
%
   
105.1
%
   
105.7
%
   
107.0
%
                                 
Total truckload revenue
 
$
47,056
   
$
51,702
   
$
141,117
   
$
159,405
 
Less-than-truckload  revenue
   
29,408
     
27,429
     
82,412
     
81,105
 
Total linehaul and dedicated fleet revenue 
 
$
76,464
   
$
79,131
   
$
223,529
   
$
240,510
 
                                 
Weekly average trucks
   
1,813
     
1,954
     
1,779
     
1,978
 
Revenue per truck per week (c)
 
$
3,209
   
$
3,081
   
$
3,222
   
$
3,118
 
 
  Computational notes:
(a)
Revenue and expense amounts are stated in thousands of dollars.
(b)
Operating expenses divided by total operating revenue.
(c)
Average daily revenue, times seven, divided by weekly average trucks.
 

 
 

 

The following table summarizes and compares selected statistical data relating to our freight operations for each of the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30:
 
   
Three Months
   
Nine Months
 
Truckload
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
    Total linehaul miles (a)
   
30,923
     
37,549
     
94,843
     
115,628
 
    Loaded miles (a)
   
27,294
     
33,352
     
83,805
     
104,040
 
    Empty mile ratio (b)
   
11.7
%
   
11.2
%
   
11.6
%
   
10.0
%
    Linehaul revenue per total mile (c)
 
$
1.38
   
$
1.25
   
$
1.35
   
$
1.25
 
    Linehaul revenue per loaded mile (d)
 
$
1.56
   
$
1.41
   
$
1.53
   
$
1.39
 
    Linehaul shipments (a)
   
31.0
     
39.8
     
93.5
     
117.4
 
    Loaded miles per shipment (e)
   
882
     
838
     
896
     
886
 
LTL
                               
    Hundredweight
   
2,126,278
     
1,890,510
     
5,990,371
     
5,630,191
 
    Shipments (a)
   
68.6
     
62.3
     
191.6
     
184.0
 
    Linehaul revenue per hundredweight (f)
 
$
13.83
   
$
14.51
   
$
13.76
   
$
14.41
 
    Linehaul revenue per shipment (g)
 
$
429
   
$
440
   
$
430
   
$
441
 
    Average weight per shipment (h)
   
3,098
     
3,035
     
3,126
     
3,060
 
 
Computational notes:
(a)
Amounts are stated in thousands.
(b)
Total truckload linehaul miles less truckload loaded miles, divided by total truckload linehaul miles.
(c)
Revenue from truckload linehaul services divided by total truckload linehaul miles.
(d)
Revenue from truckload linehaul services divided by truckload loaded miles.
(e)
Total truckload loaded miles divided by number of truckload linehaul shipments.
(f)
LTL revenue divided by LTL hundredweight.
(g)
LTL revenue divided by number of LTL shipments.
(h)
LTL hundredweight times one hundred divided by number of shipments. 
 
The following table summarizes and compares the makeup of our fleets between company-provided tractors and tractors provided by independent contractors as of September 30:

   
2010
   
2009
 
Total company tractors available
    1,507       1,591  
Total independent contractor tractors available
    312       409  
Total tractors available
    1,819       2,000  
Total trailers available
    3,600       3,780  

CONTACT:
Frozen Food Express Industries, Inc.
Stoney M. "Mit" Stubbs, Jr., Chairman and CEO
              Russell Stubbs, President
              John Hickerson, Executive VP and COO
              John McManama, Senior VP and CFO
              (214) 630-8090
              ir@ffex.net