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8-K - CURRENT REPORT OF MATERIAL EVENTS OR CORPORATE CHANGES - ARCBEST CORP /DE/a11-23220_18k.htm

EXHIBIT 99.1

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION ANNOUNCES

SECOND QUARTER 2011 PROFIT OF $0.20/SHARE

 

(Fort Smith, Arkansas, August 2, 2011) — Arkansas Best Corporation (Nasdaq: ABFS) today announced second quarter 2011 net income of $5.3 million, or $0.20 per share, compared to a net loss of $7.4 million, or $0.30 per share, in the second quarter of 2010.

 

Arkansas Best’s second quarter 2011 return to profitability was primarily a result of ABF’s healthy tonnage levels combined with an emphasis on increased account pricing.  ABF improved its operating ratio by over five operating points versus the same period last year and nearly seven and a half operating points versus the previous quarter.

 

“We are pleased with the improvement in our company’s performance and the steps we have taken toward restoring Arkansas Best’s historical profit margins,” said Judy R. McReynolds, Arkansas Best President and Chief Executive Officer.  “However, the progress made so far does not produce sufficient returns for our shareholders nor does it allow us to adequately recapitalize our business.  Further profitability gains should result from improved pricing on ABF’s existing account base and from continuing efforts to achieve a more competitive cost structure.  Our focus on growing business with customers who value ABF’s high level of service and wide range of logistics offerings should also positively impact our profitability.”

 

Arkansas Best Corporation

 

Second Quarter 2011

 

·                Revenue of $498.6 million, a per day increase of 21.2% from the prior year second quarter revenue of $411.3 million

 

·                Net income of $0.20 per share compared to a net loss of $0.30 per share in the prior year quarter

 



 

ABF Freight System, Inc.®

 

Second Quarter 2011

 

·                  Revenue of $458.5 million compared to $379.4 million in second quarter 2010, a per-day increase of 20.8%

 

·                  Tonnage per day increase of 9.9% versus second quarter 2010

 

·                  Total billed revenue per hundredweight of $25.83 compared to $23.59 in second quarter 2010, an increase of 9.5%, including increases in fuel surcharge

 

·                  Operating income of $8.2 million compared to an operating loss of $12.6 million in second quarter 2010

 

·                  Operating ratio of 98.2% compared to 103.3% in second quarter 2010

 

“Last quarter I described various initiatives that were under way to address inadequate pricing and improve the profitability on a large number of accounts.  Throughout the second quarter, ABF held firm on requests to better match individual customer revenues with the high level of service and superior value that ABF offers.  Though these pricing actions have caused some business to go to other carriers, the success of our efforts is reflected in ABF’s return to profitability,” said Ms. McReynolds.

 

Legal Update

 

On July 6, 2011, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit reversed a lower court’s previous dismissal of a lawsuit ABF filed in November 2010 against the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and various other parties.  The lawsuit was remanded back to the lower court. The lawsuit related to three modifications of the National Master Freight Agreement (“NMFA”) that were exclusively granted to the YRC subsidiaries in 2009 and 2010.  Approximately 76% of ABF’s employees are covered under the NMFA.  ABF believes it is an equal signatory to the NMFA which, as a national collective bargaining agreement, is designed to establish a single national standard for wages and other employment terms for all employer participants.  The intent of ABF’s original lawsuit was to level the playing field relative to the cost structures of all parties to the NMFA.  ABF is very pleased with the Eighth Circuit’s ruling and will work through the next steps of the legal process to validate its rights under the NMFA.

 



 

Final Remarks

 

“We are encouraged by the positive results of the second quarter and we are pleased with the progress ABF has made,” said Ms. McReynolds.  “However, we know we have a lot of work left to do.  Our employees continue to work efficiently and productively to overcome our higher cost structure and to deliver the superior customer service for which ABF is known.  As we move through the remainder of the year, we expect to make further progress toward consistently achieving the historical returns of our company.”

 

Conference Call

 

Arkansas Best Corporation will host a conference call with company executives to discuss the second quarter 2011 results.  The call will be today, Tuesday, August 2, at 9:30 a.m. ET (8:30 a.m. CT).  Interested parties are invited to listen by calling (800) 926-9192.  Following the call, a recorded playback will be available through the end of the day on August 31, 2011.  To listen to the playback, dial (800) 633-8284 or (402) 977-9140 (for international callers).  The conference call ID for the playback is 21532122.  The conference call and playback can also be accessed, through August 31, on Arkansas Best’s website at arkbest.com.

 

Company Description

 

Arkansas Best Corporation, headquartered in Fort Smith, Arkansas, is a transportation holding company.  ABF Freight System, Inc., Arkansas Best’s largest subsidiary, has been in continuous service since 1923.  ABF has evolved from a local less-than-truckload (LTL) motor carrier into a global provider of customizable supply chain solutions.  More information is available at arkbest.com and abf.com.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

The following is a “safe harbor” statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:  Statements contained in this press release that are not based on historical facts are “forward-looking statements.”  Terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “plan,” “predict,” “prospects,” “scheduled,” “should,” “would,” and similar expressions and the negatives of such terms are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  Such statements are by their nature subject to uncertainties and risk including, but not limited to, recessionary economic conditions; competitive initiatives, pricing pressures and effect of volatility in fuel prices and the associated changes in fuel surcharges on securing

 



 

increases in base freight rates; the impact of any limitations on our customers’ access to adequate financial resources; availability and cost of capital; shifts in market demand; weather conditions; the performance and needs of industries served by Arkansas Best Corporation’s subsidiaries; future costs of operating expenses such as fuel and related taxes; self-insurance claims and insurance premium costs; relationships with employees, including unions; union and non-union employee wages and benefits, including changes in required contributions to multiemployer pension plans; governmental regulations and policies; future climate change legislation; costs of continuing investments in technology; the timing and amount of capital expenditures; the cost, integration and performance of any future acquisitions; and other financial, operational and legal risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in Arkansas Best Corporation’s Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) public filings.

 

The following tables show financial data and operating statistics on Arkansas Best Corporation and its subsidiary companies.

 



 

ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30

 

Six Months Ended
June 30

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

($ thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING REVENUES

 

$

498,550

 

$

411,347

 

$

933,481

 

$

771,237

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES AND COSTS

 

489,552

 

422,157

 

946,475

 

817,313

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)

 

8,998

 

(10,810

)

(12,994

)

(46,076

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest and dividend income

 

273

 

274

 

516

 

608

 

Interest expense and other related financing costs

 

(932

)

(434

)

(1,927

)

(999

)

Other, net

 

281

 

(457

)

2,892

 

211

 

 

 

(378

)

(617

)

1,481

 

(180

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 

8,620

 

(11,427

)

(11,513

)

(46,256

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME TAXES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current provision (benefit)

 

3,132

 

(847

)

2,392

 

(9,336

)

Deferred provision (benefit)

 

37

 

(3,232

)

(6,569

)

(8,200

)

 

 

3,169

 

(4,079

)

(4,177

)

(17,536

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS)

 

5,451

 

(7,348

)

(7,336

)

(28,720

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LESS: NONCONTROLLING INTEREST IN NET INCOME OF SUBSIDIARY

 

153

 

96

 

174

 

116

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION

 

$

5,298

 

$

(7,444

)

$

(7,510

)

$

(28,836

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.20

 

$

(0.30

)

$

(0.30

)

$

(1.15

)

Diluted

 

0.20

 

(0.30

)

(0.30

)

(1.15

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

25,411,339

 

25,182,579

 

25,358,130

 

25,137,886

 

Diluted

 

25,411,942

 

25,182,579

 

25,358,130

 

25,137,886

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE

 

$

0.03

 

$

0.03

 

$

0.06

 

$

0.06

 

 


(1)      The Company 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.

 



 

ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

 

June 30
2011

 

December 31
2010

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

Note

 

 

 

($ thousands, except share data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

114,834

 

$

102,578

 

Short-term investments

 

37,579

 

39,288

 

Restricted cash equivalents and short-term investments

 

51,681

 

51,661

 

Accounts receivable, less allowances (2011 – $5,737; 2010 – $3,944)

 

170,660

 

145,426

 

Other accounts receivable, less allowances (2011 – $1,214; 2010 – $1,254)

 

7,415

 

8,157

 

Prepaid expenses

 

9,422

 

10,258

 

Deferred income taxes

 

35,596

 

32,681

 

Prepaid and refundable income taxes

 

2,209

 

3,958

 

Other

 

5,221

 

5,677

 

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

 

434,617

 

399,684

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

 

 

 

 

 

Land and structures

 

241,082

 

243,981

 

Revenue equipment

 

551,411

 

530,424

 

Service, office and other equipment

 

167,329

 

163,732

 

Leasehold improvements

 

21,198

 

21,890

 

 

 

981,020

 

960,027

 

Less allowances for depreciation and amortization

 

582,686

 

552,781

 

 

 

398,334

 

407,246

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS

 

54,564

 

54,021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

887,515

 

$

860,951

 

 

Note: The balance sheet at December 31, 2010 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.

 



 

ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS — continued

 

 

 

June 30
2011

 

December 31
2010

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

Note

 

 

 

($ thousands, except share data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Bank overdraft and drafts payable

 

$

15,820

 

$

13,023

 

Accounts payable

 

82,950

 

62,134

 

Income taxes payable

 

348

 

196

 

Accrued expenses

 

157,589

 

144,543

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

15,386

 

14,001

 

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

272,093

 

233,897

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LONG-TERM DEBT, less current portion

 

38,160

 

42,657

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT LIABILITIES

 

65,204

 

65,421

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER LIABILITIES

 

17,713

 

19,827

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES

 

17,878

 

19,405

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 70,000,000 shares; issued 2011: 27,099,819 shares; 2010: 26,934,847 shares

 

271

 

269

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

284,771

 

281,169

 

Retained earnings

 

283,034

 

292,129

 

Treasury stock, at cost, 1,677,932 shares

 

(57,770

)

(57,770

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(33,839

)

(36,053

)

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

476,467

 

479,744

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

887,515

 

$

860,951

 

 

Note: The balance sheet at December 31, 2010 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.

 



 

ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

($ thousands)

 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(7,336

)

$

(28,720

)

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

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

35,971

 

36,096

 

Other amortization

 

123

 

133

 

Pension settlement expense

 

 

178

 

Share-based compensation expense

 

3,699

 

2,158

 

Provision for losses on accounts receivable

 

1,122

 

303

 

Deferred income tax benefit

 

(6,569

)

(8,200

)

Gain on sale of property and equipment

 

(873

)

(72

)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables

 

(25,756

)

(20,857

)

Prepaid expenses

 

836

 

1,399

 

Other assets

 

146

 

706

 

Income taxes

 

2,417

 

21,605

 

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

29,352

 

14,499

 

NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

33,132

 

19,228

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment, net of capital leases and notes payable

 

(18,766

)

(3,399

)

Proceeds from sales of property and equipment

 

3,370

 

2,676

 

Purchases of short-term investments

 

(12,250

)

(27,542

)

Proceeds from sales of short-term investments

 

14,125

 

57,916

 

Capitalization of internally developed software and other

 

(2,183

)

(2,293

)

NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

(15,704

)

27,358

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Payments on long-term debt

 

(6,994

)

(3,011

)

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

 

 

11,416

 

Net change in bank overdraft

 

2,797

 

(11,844

)

Change in restricted cash equivalents and short-term investments

 

(20

)

(983

)

Deferred financing costs

 

(133

)

 

Payment of common stock dividends

 

(1,585

)

(1,554

)

Proceeds from the exercise of stock options and other

 

763

 

515

 

NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

(5,172

)

(5,461

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

12,256

 

41,125

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

102,578

 

39,332

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

 

$

114,834

 

$

80,457

 

 



 

ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION

FINANCIAL STATEMENT OPERATING SEGMENT DATA

AND OPERATING RATIOS

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30

 

Six Months Ended
June 30

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

($ thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABF Freight System, Inc.(1)

 

$

458,521

 

 

 

$

379,443

 

 

 

$

860,880

 

 

 

$

712,468

 

 

 

Other revenues and eliminations

 

40,029

 

 

 

31,904

 

 

 

72,601

 

 

 

58,769

 

 

 

Total consolidated operating revenues

 

$

498,550

 

 

 

$

411,347

 

 

 

$

933,481

 

 

 

$

771,237

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES AND COSTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABF Freight System, Inc.(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries, wages and benefits

 

$

273,262

 

59.6

%

$

248,985

 

65.6

%

$

535,755

 

62.2

%

$

485,424

 

68.1

%

Fuel, supplies and expenses

 

88,327

 

19.3

 

64,729

 

17.1

 

167,722

 

19.5

 

125,641

 

17.6

 

Operating taxes and licenses

 

11,572

 

2.5

 

10,718

 

2.8

 

22,993

 

2.7

 

21,209

 

3.0

 

Insurance

 

6,513

 

1.4

 

5,929

 

1.6

 

12,993

 

1.5

 

10,111

 

1.4

 

Communications and utilities

 

3,731

 

0.8

 

3,313

 

0.9

 

7,711

 

0.9

 

7,179

 

1.0

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

17,376

 

3.8

 

16,908

 

4.5

 

34,620

 

4.0

 

34,706

 

4.9

 

Rents and purchased transportation

 

48,384

 

10.6

 

39,849

 

10.5

 

90,857

 

10.6

 

73,941

 

10.4

 

Gain on sale of property and equipment

 

(784)

 

(0.2)

 

(126

)

 

(884

)

(0.1

)

(424

)

(0.1

)

Other

 

1,951

 

0.4

 

1,734

 

0.3

 

3,548

 

0.4

 

2,958

 

0.5

 

 

 

450,332

 

98.2

%

392,039

 

103.3

%

875,315

 

101.7

%

760,745

 

106.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other expenses and eliminations

 

39,220

 

 

 

30,118

 

 

 

71,160

 

 

 

56,568

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total consolidated operating expenses and costs

 

$

489,552

 

 

 

$

422,157

 

 

 

$

946,475

 

 

 

$

817,313

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABF Freight System, Inc.(1)

 

$

8,189

 

 

 

$

(12,596

)

 

 

$

(14,435

)

 

 

$

(48,277

)

 

 

Other income (loss) and eliminations

 

809

 

 

 

1,786

 

 

 

1,441

 

 

 

2,201

 

 

 

Total consolidated operating income (loss)

 

$

8,998

 

 

 

$

(10,810

)

 

 

$

(12,994

)

 

 

$

(46,076

)

 

 

 


(1)  Includes U.S., Canadian and Puerto Rican operations of ABF affiliates.

 



 

ABF FREIGHT SYSTEM, INC.

OPERATING STATISTICS

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30

 

Six Months Ended June 30

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

% Change

 

2011

 

2010

 

% Change

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Workdays

 

63.5

 

63.5

 

 

 

127.5

 

126.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Billed Revenue (1) / CWT

 

$

25.83

 

$

23.59

 

9.5

%

$

25.02

 

$

23.60

 

6.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Billed Revenue (1) / Shipment

 

$

368.76

 

$

339.17

 

8.7

%

$

354.68

 

$

331.23

 

7.1

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shipments

 

1,250,896

 

1,130,062

 

10.7

%

2,448,806

 

2,164,916

 

13.1

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shipments / Day

 

19,699

 

17,796

 

10.7

%

19,206

 

17,114

 

12.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tonnage (tons)

 

893,010

 

812,355

 

9.9

%

1,736,005

 

1,519,354

 

14.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tons / Day

 

14,063

 

12,793

 

9.9

%

13,616

 

12,011

 

13.4

%

 


(1)      Billed Revenue does not include revenue deferral required for financial statement purposes under the company’s revenue recognition policy.

 

Includes U.S., Canadian and Puerto Rican operations of ABF affiliates.

 

Contact:

Mr. David Humphrey, Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications

 

Telephone: (479) 785-6200

 

END OF RELEASE