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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q


X           QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012

OR

___           TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ___ to___


COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 1-05046

Con-way Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
94-1444798
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
2211 Old Earhart Road, Suite 100, Ann Arbor, MI
48105
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip code)
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (734) 994-6600

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes  x    No  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes  x    No  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):
                           Large accelerated filer x  Accelerated filer o  Non-accelerated filer o  Smaller reporting company  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes o    No x


Number of shares of Common Stock, $0.625 par value,
outstanding as of April 30, 2012:  55,810,280

 
1

 
 
CON-WAY INC.
FORM 10-Q
Quarter Ended March 31, 2012
           
           
Table of Contents
           
         
Page
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
           
 
Item 1.
Financial Statements
 
           
     
Consolidated Balance Sheets -
 
       
March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011
3
           
     
Statements of Consolidated Income -
 
       
Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 and 2011
5
           
     
Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income -
 
       
Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 and 2011
6
           
     
Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows -
 
       
Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 and 2011
7
           
     
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
8
           
 
Item 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
14
           
 
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
24
           
 
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
25
           
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
           
 
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
26
           
 
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
26
       
 
Item 6.
Exhibits
27
           
 
Signatures
28
           
           
           
 
 
2

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
             
             
             
ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
           
             
             
CON-WAY INC.
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
             
             
             
   
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
ASSETS
 
2012
   
2011
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
Current Assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 402,846     $ 438,010  
Marketable securities
    16,215       13,255  
Trade accounts receivable, net
    644,881       577,522  
Other accounts receivable
    47,797       43,849  
Operating supplies, at lower of average cost or market
    24,029       22,822  
Prepaid expenses
    61,851       48,369  
Deferred income taxes
    37,135       46,563  
Total Current Assets
    1,234,754       1,190,390  
                 
                 
Property, Plant and Equipment
               
Land
    191,515       194,078  
Buildings and leasehold improvements
    827,171       827,910  
Revenue equipment
    1,667,117       1,613,806  
Other equipment
    322,120       318,313  
      3,007,923       2,954,107  
Accumulated depreciation
    (1,482,285 )     (1,458,074 )
Net Property, Plant and Equipment
    1,525,638       1,496,033  
                 
Other Assets
               
Deferred charges and other assets
    37,139       36,743  
Capitalized software, net
    18,902       19,829  
Marketable securities
    5,394       5,354  
Intangible assets, net
    13,150       13,951  
Goodwill
    337,951       337,716  
      412,536       413,593  
                 
Total Assets
  $ 3,172,928     $ 3,100,016  
                 
                 
                 
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
 
 
 
3

 
 
CON-WAY INC.
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)
 
             
             
             
   
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
2012
   
2011
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
Current Liabilities
           
Accounts payable
  $ 385,855     $ 345,489  
Accrued liabilities
    242,850       235,146  
Self-insurance accruals
    104,544       104,328  
Short-term borrowings
    15,804       14,481  
Current maturities of long-term debt and capital leases
    23,086       24,026  
Total Current Liabilities
    772,139       723,470  
                 
Long-Term Liabilities
               
Long-term debt
    718,368       718,336  
Long-term obligations under capital leases
    48,026       51,902  
Self-insurance accruals
    159,682       158,889  
Employee benefits
    601,810       610,850  
Other liabilities and deferred credits
    41,422       39,120  
Deferred income taxes
    46,202       38,195  
Total Liabilities
    2,387,649       2,340,762  
                 
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 8)
               
                 
Shareholders' Equity
               
Common stock, $0.625 par value; authorized 100,000,000 shares;
               
issued 63,363,118 and 63,065,931 shares, respectively
    39,583       39,394  
Additional paid-in capital, common stock
    601,256       595,992  
Retained earnings
    904,821       884,758  
Cost of repurchased common stock
               
(7,569,160 and 7,468,869 shares, respectively)
    (325,696 )     (322,454 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (434,685 )     (438,436 )
Total Shareholders' Equity
    785,279       759,254  
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
  $ 3,172,928     $ 3,100,016  
                 
                 
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
 
 
 
4

 

CON-WAY INC.
 
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME
 
(Unaudited)
 
(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)
 
             
             
             
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
             
Revenues
  $ 1,366,161     $ 1,245,627  
                 
Costs and Expenses
               
Salaries, wages and employee benefits
    522,470       491,640  
Purchased transportation
    368,051       316,990  
Fuel and fuel-related taxes
    143,831       136,027  
Other operating expenses
    136,515       130,682  
Depreciation and amortization
    51,842       50,314  
Maintenance
    31,910       29,472  
Rents and leases
    28,700       27,791  
Purchased labor
    27,152       26,015  
      1,310,471       1,208,931  
                 
Operating Income
    55,690       36,696  
                 
Other Income (Expense)
               
Investment income
    235       322  
Interest expense
    (13,794 )     (13,919 )
Miscellaneous, net
    (709 )     (1,738 )
      (14,268 )     (15,335 )
                 
Income before Income Tax Provision
    41,422       21,361  
Income Tax Provision
    15,776       14,439  
Net Income
  $ 25,646     $ 6,922  
                 
Weighted-Average Common Shares Outstanding
               
Basic
    55,703,722       55,039,751  
Diluted
    56,257,783       55,725,230  
                 
Earnings per Common Share
               
Basic
  $ 0.46     $ 0.13  
Diluted
  $ 0.46     $ 0.12  
                 
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
 
 
 
5

 

CON-WAY INC.
 
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
(Unaudited)
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
             
             
             
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
             
Net Income
  $ 25,646     $ 6,922  
                 
Other Comprehensive Income:
               
Foreign currency translation adjustment
    730       994  
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale security,
               
net of deferred tax of $45 and $24, respectively
    70       37  
Employee benefit plans
               
Amortization of actuarial loss included in expense, net of
               
deferred tax of $1,858 and $1,011, respectively
    2,951       1,582  
      3,751       2,613  
Comprehensive Income
  $ 29,397     $ 9,535  
                 
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
 

 
6

 

CON-WAY INC.
 
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS
 
(Unaudited)
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
             
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
             
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period
  $ 438,010     $ 421,420  
                 
Operating Activities
               
Net income
    25,646       6,922  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
               
by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization, net of accretion
    51,593       50,078  
Non-cash compensation and employee benefits
    8,720       6,106  
Increase in deferred income taxes
    15,532       11,702  
Provision for uncollectible accounts
    1,158       1,963  
Gain from sales of property and equipment, net
    (1,450 )     (161 )
Changes in assets and liabilities:
               
Receivables
    (68,093 )     (90,497 )
Prepaid expenses
    (13,482 )     (16,667 )
Accounts payable
    40,366       59,150  
Accrued variable compensation
    (35,459 )     (15,618 )
Accrued liabilities, excluding accrued variable compensation
               
     and employee benefits
    42,359       36,995  
Self-insurance accruals
    1,009       (11,392 )
Accrued income taxes
    (4,509 )     17,240  
Employee benefits
    (8,236 )     3,119  
Deferred charges and credits
    617       5,732  
Other
    (2,942 )     (3,267 )
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
    52,829       61,405  
                 
Investing Activities
               
Capital expenditures
    (82,486 )     (51,485 )
Software expenditures
    (873 )     (1,938 )
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment
    5,759       1,458  
Purchases of marketable securities
    (5,000 )     -  
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities
    2,115       125  
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
    (80,485 )     (51,840 )
                 
Financing Activities
               
Repayment of capital leases
    (4,816 )     (4,618 )
Net proceeds from (repayments of) short-term borrowings
    1,248       (410 )
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    279       2,078  
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation
    1,360       150  
Payments of common dividends
    (5,579 )     (5,510 )
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities
    (7,508 )     (8,310 )
                 
Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
    (35,164 )     1,255  
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period
  $ 402,846     $ 422,675  
                 
Supplemental Disclosure
               
Cash paid (refunded) for income taxes, net
  $ 3,400     $ (18,204 )
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized
  $ 16,200     $ 16,376  
                 
Non-cash Financing Activities
               
Revenue equipment acquired through partial non-monetary exchanges
  $ 6,908     $ 6,933  
Repurchased common stock issued under defined contribution plan
  $ -     $ 8,589  
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
 

 
7

 

CON-WAY INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


1. Principal Accounting Policies

Organization

Con-way Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries (“Con-way”) provide transportation, logistics and supply-chain management services for a wide range of manufacturing, industrial and retail customers. Con-way’s business units operate in regional and transcontinental less-than-truckload and full-truckload freight transportation, contract logistics and supply-chain management, multimodal freight brokerage, and trailer manufacturing. As more fully discussed in Note 3, “Segment Reporting,” for financial reporting purposes, Con-way is divided into four reporting segments: Freight, Logistics, Truckload and Other.

Basis of Presentation

These interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X, and should be read in conjunction with Con-way’s 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Accordingly, significant accounting policies and other disclosures normally provided have been reduced or omitted.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, including normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly Con-way’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. Results for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of annual results.

Earnings per Share (“EPS”)

Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is calculated as follows:

(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
Numerator:
           
Net income
  $ 25,646     $ 6,922  
                 
Denominator:
               
Weighted-average common shares outstanding
    55,703,722       55,039,751  
Stock options and nonvested stock
    554,061       685,479  
      56,257,783       55,725,230  
                 
Diluted Earnings per Share:
  $ 0.46     $ 0.12  
                 
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from the
               
computation of diluted EPS
    1,932,324       1,992,478  

New Accounting Standards

As of March 31, 2012, there are no material new accounting standards that have been issued but not yet adopted by Con-way.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts in the prior-period financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current-period presentation, including the presentation of revenue equipment acquired through partial non-monetary exchanges and the resulting effect on previously reported capital expenditures and proceeds from sales of property and equipment.

 
8

 
 
2. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill

The following table shows the changes in the gross carrying amounts of goodwill attributable to each applicable segment:

(Dollars in thousands)
 
Logistics
   
Truckload
   
Other
   
Total
 
                         
Balance at December 31, 2010
                       
Goodwill
  $ 55,374     $ 464,598     $ 727     $ 520,699  
Accumulated impairment losses
    (48,236 )     (134,813 )     --       (183,049 )
      7,138       329,785       727       337,650  
                                 
Change in foreign currency exchange rates
    66       --       --       66  
Balances at December 31, 2011
                               
Goodwill
    55,440       464,598       727       520,765  
Accumulated impairment losses
    (48,236 )     (134,813 )     --       (183,049 )
      7,204       329,785       727       337,716  
                                 
Change in foreign currency exchange rates
    235       --       --       235  
Balances at March 31, 2012
                               
Goodwill
    55,675       464,598       727       521,000  
Accumulated impairment losses
    (48,236 )     (134,813 )     --       (183,049 )
    $ 7,439     $ 329,785     $ 727     $ 337,951  

Intangible Assets

Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. The first-quarter amortization expense related to intangible assets was $0.8 million for both 2012 and 2011.

Intangible assets consisted of the following:

   
March 31, 2012
   
December 31, 2011
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Gross Carrying Amount
   
Accumulated Amortization
   
Gross Carrying Amount
   
Accumulated Amortization
 
                         
Customer relationships
  $ 27,716     $ 14,566     $ 27,570     $ 13,619  

Estimated amortization expense for the next five years is presented in the following table:

(Dollars in thousands)
     
       
Year ending December 31:
     
Remaining nine months of 2012
  $ 2,154  
2013
    2,356  
2014
    2,356  
2015
    2,356  
2016
    2,356  
2017
    1,571  
 
 
9

 

3. Segment Reporting

Con-way discloses segment information in the manner in which the business units are organized for making operating decisions, assessing performance and allocating resources. For the periods presented, Con-way is divided into the following four reporting segments:

 
·
Freight. The Freight segment consists of the operating results of the Con-way Freight business unit, which provides regional, inter-regional and transcontinental less-than-truckload freight services throughout North America.

 
·
Logistics. The Logistics segment consists of the operating results of the Menlo Worldwide Logistics business unit, which develops contract-logistics solutions, including the management of complex distribution networks and supply-chain engineering and consulting, and also provides multimodal freight-brokerage services.
 
 
·
Truckload. The Truckload segment consists of the operating results of the Con-way Truckload business unit, which provides asset-based full-truckload freight services throughout North America.

 
·
Other. The Other reporting segment consists of the operating results of Road Systems, a trailer manufacturer, and certain corporate activities for which the related income or expense has not been allocated to other reporting segments.
 
 
Financial Data
 
 
Management evaluates segment performance primarily based on revenue and operating income (loss). Accordingly, investment income, interest expense, and other non-operating items are not reported in segment results. Corporate expenses are generally allocated based on measurable services provided to each segment, or for general corporate expenses, based on segment revenue. Inter-segment revenue and related operating income (loss) have been eliminated to reconcile to consolidated revenue and operating income. Transactions between segments are generally based on negotiated prices.
 
 

 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
Revenues before Inter-segment Eliminations
           
Freight
  $ 831,047     $ 767,741  
Logistics
    419,146       369,975  
Truckload
    157,323       145,215  
Other
    14,291       11,997  
Inter-segment Revenue Eliminations
    (55,646 )     (49,301 )
    $ 1,366,161     $ 1,245,627  
                 
Inter-segment Revenue Eliminations
               
Freight
  $ 12,406     $ 11,291  
Logistics
    10,345       6,161  
Truckload
    19,566       20,846  
Other
    13,329       11,003  
    $ 55,646     $ 49,301  
                 
Revenues from External Customers
               
Freight
  $ 818,641     $ 756,450  
Logistics
    408,801       363,814  
Truckload
    137,757       124,369  
Other
    962       994  
    $ 1,366,161     $ 1,245,627  
Operating Income (Loss)
               
Freight
  $ 34,502     $ 20,344  
Logistics
    12,294       8,646  
Truckload
    10,550       7,083  
Other
    (1,656 )     623  
    $ 55,690     $ 36,696  
 
 
10

 
 
4. Fair-Value Measurements

Assets and liabilities reported at fair value are classified in one of the following three levels within the fair-value hierarchy:

Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
Level 2: Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data
Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data

Financial Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The following table summarizes the valuation of financial instruments within the fair-value hierarchy:

   
March 31, 2012
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Total
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
                         
Cash equivalents
  $ 351,020     $ 84,870     $ 266,150     $ --  
Current marketable securities
    16,215       --       16,215       --  
Other marketable securities
    5,394       --       --       5,394  

   
December 31, 2011
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Total
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
                         
Cash equivalents
  $ 398,450     $ 84,872     $ 313,578     $ --  
Current marketable securities
    13,255       --       13,255       --  
Other marketable securities
    5,354       --       --       5,354  

Cash equivalents consist of short-term interest-bearing instruments (primarily commercial paper, certificates of deposit and money-market funds) with maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase. Current marketable securities consist of variable-rate demand notes.

Money-market funds reflect their published net asset value and are classified as Level 1 instruments. Commercial paper, certificates of deposit and variable-rate demand notes are generally valued using published interest rates for instruments with similar terms and maturities, and accordingly, are classified as Level 2 instruments. At March 31, 2012, the weighted-average remaining maturity of the cash equivalents was less than one month. Based on their short maturities, the carrying amount of the cash equivalents approximates their fair value.

Con-way holds one auction-rate security, which is valued with an income approach that utilizes a discounted cash flow model. The following table summarizes the change in fair values of Con-way’s auction-rate security, which was valued using Level 3 inputs:

       
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Auction-rate security
 
Balance at December 31, 2010
  $ 6,039  
Unrealized loss
    (10 )
Partial redemption
    (675 )
Balance at December 31, 2011
  $ 5,354  
Unrealized gain
    115  
Partial redemption
    (75 )
Balance at March 31, 2012
  $ 5,394  

 
11

 

5. Employee Benefit Plans

In the periods presented, employees of Con-way and its subsidiaries in the U.S. were covered under several retirement benefit plans, including defined benefit pension plans, defined contribution retirement plans and a postretirement medical plan. See Note 10, “Employee Benefit Plans,” of Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” in Con-way’s 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information concerning its employee benefit plans, including changes to its defined contribution retirement plans.

Defined Benefit Pension Plans

As a result of plan amendments in previous years, no additional benefits accrue under these plans and already-accrued benefits will not be adjusted for future increases in compensation. The following table summarizes the components of net periodic benefit expense (income) for Con-way’s domestic defined benefit pension plans:

   
Qualified Pension Plans
 
Non-Qualified Pension Plans
 
   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
                         
Interest cost on benefit obligation
  $ 17,502     $ 17,970     $ 856     $ 937  
Expected return on plan assets
    (21,111 )     (21,542 )     --       --  
Amortization of net loss
    4,830       2,739       281       157  
Net periodic benefit expense (income)
  $ 1,221     $ (833 )   $ 1,137     $ 1,094  
       

Con-way expects to make required contributions of $51.4 million to its Qualified Pension Plans in 2012, including $11.9 million contributed through April 2012. Con-way’s estimate of its 2012 contribution is subject to change based on variations in interest rates, asset returns, Pension Protection Act requirements and other factors.

Defined Contribution Retirement Plans

Con-way’s expense for the defined contribution retirement plans was $12.9 million in the first quarter of 2012, compared to $9.0 million in the same period of 2011. In the periods presented, Con-way’s contributions included cash and Con-way common stock. From January 2009 through June 2011, the common stock contributions were made with repurchased common stock (also referred to as treasury stock). In the first three months of 2011, Con-way used 237,184 shares of treasury stock to fund $8.6 million of contributions. Effective in July 2011, Con-way’s contributions were in the form of cash, rather than in treasury stock.

Postretirement Medical Plan

The following table summarizes the components of net periodic benefit expense for the postretirement medical plan:

   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2012
   
2011
 
             
Service cost
  $ 423     $ 405  
Interest cost on benefit obligation
    1,021       1,121  
Amortization of prior service credit
    (302 )     (303 )
Net periodic benefit expense
  $ 1,142     $ 1,223  

6. Share-Based Compensation

Under terms of its share-based compensation plans, Con-way grants various types of share-based compensation awards to employees and directors. The plans provide for awards in the form of stock options, nonvested stock (also known as restricted stock), performance-share plan units (“PSPUs”) and stock appreciation rights (“SARs”). See Note 11, “Share-Based Compensation,” of Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” in Con-way’s 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information concerning its share-based compensation awards.
 
 
12

 
 
A portion of the awards Con-way granted in the first quarter of 2012 included PSPUs. The PSPUs vest three years from the grant date if certain performance criteria are achieved. The number of shares the award recipients ultimately receive depends upon the achievement of certain performance criteria and can range from 0% to 200% of the grant target. PSPUs are subject to forfeiture if an award recipient leaves Con-way during the three-year period. The PSPUs are valued at the market price of Con-way’s common stock at the date of the award, reduced by the present value of the dividends not received during the three-year vesting period. The amount of expense recorded each period is based on Con-way’s current estimate of the number of shares that will ultimately vest.

The SARs are liability-classified awards and, as a result, Con-way re-measures the fair value of the awards each reporting period until the awards are settled. At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, Con-way had recognized accrued liabilities for cash-settled SARs of $4.2 million and $3.1 million, respectively, using a weighted-average fair value per SAR of $13.33 and $10.85, respectively.

The following expense was recognized for share-based compensation:

   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2012
   
2011
 
             
Salaries, wages and employee benefits
  $ 5,062     $ 4,763  
Deferred income tax benefit
    (1,965 )     (1,844 )
     Net share-based compensation expense
  $ 3,097     $ 2,919  

7. Income Taxes

Con-way recognized a tax provision of $15.8 million in the first quarter of 2012 and $14.4 million in the same quarter of 2011. The first-quarter tax provision in 2011 reflects a $5.9 million charge due to the matter discussed below under “Audit Settlement.” Excluding the effect of various discrete tax adjustments, the first-quarter effective tax rate increased to 38.6% in 2012 from 37.3% in 2011, primarily due to a 2011 benefit associated with a now-expired fuel-related tax credit.

Other accounts receivable in the consolidated balance sheets include income tax receivables of $9.2 million and $4.8 million at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

Audit Settlement

In 2011, Con-way settled a disputed issue with the IRS that arose in the 2005 to 2007 audit cycle. This issue primarily related to the treatment and character of certain payments Con-way made to retirees and former employees of Menlo Worldwide Forwarding, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“MWF”) since the 2004 sale of MWF to United Parcel Service, Inc. Con-way and the IRS agreed in the settlement to re-characterize a portion of these payments as capital losses. The re-characterized portion may not be deducted and may be used only to offset capital gains.

8. Commitments and Contingencies

Purchase Obligations

In connection with its outsourcing initiative, Con-way entered into agreements with third-party service providers in the first quarter of 2010. Payments to the third-party providers are estimated to be $232 million between 2012 and 2016, when the agreements are expected to expire. The payments under the terms of the agreements are subject to change depending on the quantities and types of services consumed. The estimated payments reflect amounts based on projections of services expected to be consumed. The contracts also contain provisions that allow Con-way to terminate the contract at any time; however, Con-way would be required to pay additional fees if termination is for causes other than the failure of the service providers to perform. If Con-way had elected, for convenience, to terminate the contract for the outsourced information-technology services at December 31, 2011, the termination fee would have been approximately $34 million, compared to approximately $28 million if Con-way elects to terminate the contract on December 31, 2012.

Legal Matters

Con-way is a defendant in various legal matters incidental to its businesses. It is the opinion of management that the ultimate outcome of these actions will not have a material effect on Con-way’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 
13

 

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Introduction

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (referred to as “Management’s Discussion and Analysis”) is intended to assist in a historical and prospective understanding of Con-way’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, including a discussion and analysis of the following:

 
·
Overview of Business
 
·
Results of Operations
 
·
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
·
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
·
Forward-Looking Statements

Overview of Business

Con-way provides transportation, logistics and supply-chain management services for a wide range of manufacturing, industrial and retail customers through three primary business units: Con-way Freight, Menlo Worldwide Logistics and Con-way Truckload. These business units operate in regional and transcontinental less-than-truckload and full-truckload freight transportation, contract logistics and supply-chain management, and multimodal freight brokerage. For financial reporting purposes, Con-way is divided into four reporting segments:

 
·
Freight. The Freight segment consists of the operating results of the Con-way Freight business unit, which provides regional, inter-regional and transcontinental less-than-truckload freight services throughout North America.

 
·
Logistics. The Logistics segment consists of the operating results of the Menlo Worldwide Logistics business unit, which develops contract-logistics solutions, including the management of complex distribution networks and supply-chain engineering and consulting, and also provides multimodal freight-brokerage services.
 
 
·
Truckload. The Truckload segment consists of the operating results of the Con-way Truckload business unit, which provides asset-based full-truckload freight services throughout North America.
 
 
·
Other. The Other reporting segment consists of the operating results of Road Systems, a trailer manufacturer, and certain corporate activities for which the related income or expense has not been allocated to other reporting segments.
 
Con-way Freight primarily transports shipments utilizing a network of freight service centers combined with a fleet of company-operated line-haul and pickup-and-delivery tractors and trailers. Menlo Worldwide Logistics manages the logistics functions of its customers and primarily utilizes third-party transportation providers for the movement of customer shipments. Con-way Truckload primarily transports shipments using a fleet of company-operated long-haul tractors and trailers.

Con-way’s primary business-unit results generally depend on the number, weight and distance of shipments transported, the prices received on those shipments or services and the mix of services provided to customers, as well as the fixed and variable costs incurred by Con-way in providing the services and the ability to manage those costs under changing circumstances. Due to Con-way Freight’s cost structure, sudden or severe changes in shipment volumes can have a negative impact on management’s ability to manage costs.

Con-way’s primary business units are affected by the timing and degree of fluctuations in fuel prices and their ability to recover incremental fuel costs through fuel-surcharge programs and/or cost-recovery mechanisms, as more fully discussed in Item 3, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk – Fuel.”
 
 
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Results of Operations

The overview below provides a high-level summary of Con-way’s results of operations for the periods presented and is intended to provide context for the remainder of the discussion on reporting segments. Refer to “Reporting Segment Review” below for more complete and detailed discussion and analysis.


(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
             
Revenues
  $ 1,366,161     $ 1,245,627  
                 
Operating expenses
    1,310,471       1,208,931  
Operating income
    55,690       36,696  
Other non-operating expense
    14,268       15,335  
Income before income tax provision
    41,422       21,361  
Income tax provision
    15,776       14,439  
Net income
  $ 25,646     $ 6,922  
                 
Diluted earnings per share
  $ 0.46     $ 0.12  

Overview

Consolidated revenue for Con-way for the first quarter of 2012 increased 9.7% compared to the first quarter of 2011. The increase in revenue reflects higher revenue at all reporting segments.

Con-way’s 2012 first-quarter consolidated operating income increased 51.8% from the first quarter of 2011 primarily due to increased operating income at Freight. In the first quarter of 2012, Freight’s operating income increased 69.6% from the prior-year period, reflecting higher revenue largely due to increased revenue per hundredweight. Logistics and Truckload also reported increased operating income in the first quarter of 2012.

Other non-operating expense for the first quarter of 2012 decreased $1.1 million from the first quarter of 2011, primarily due to lower fees associated with Con-way’s revolving credit facility and positive variations in foreign exchange gains and losses.

Con-way recognized a tax provision of $15.8 million in the first quarter of 2012 and $14.4 million in the same quarter of 2011. The first-quarter tax provision in 2011 reflects a $5.9 million charge due to the matter more fully discussed in Note 7, “Income Taxes,” of Item 1, “Financial Statements.” Excluding this item and other less material discrete adjustments, the first-quarter 2012 effective tax rate was 38.6%, compared with 37.3% for the first quarter of 2011.

Cost-Reduction Actions

In response to economic conditions, in March 2009 Con-way announced several employee-related measures to reduce costs and conserve cash, as detailed in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis – Results of Operations – Overview,” in Con-way’s 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K. For the comparative periods presented, Con-way’s estimated cost savings related to the suspended contributions to the defined contribution retirement plan were approximately $8 million in the first quarter of 2012 compared to approximately $14 million in the first quarter of 2011. In the fourth quarter of 2011, Con-way reinstated certain contributions to the defined contribution retirement plan; however, the matching contributions have not been reinstated. Any potential reinstatement of Con-way’s matching contributions to the defined contribution retirement plan is based on a number of considerations. The predominant amount of the reported cost savings relate to the Freight segment. Actual results may differ from the estimated amounts depending on factors such as employee count and turnover, and assumptions related to employee retirement plan contributions.

 
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Reporting Segment Review
 
For the discussion and analysis of segment operating results, management utilizes revenue before inter-segment eliminations. Management believes that revenue before inter-segment eliminations, combined with the detailed operating expense information, provides the most meaningful analysis of segment results. Revenue before inter-segment eliminations is reconciled to revenue from external customers in Note 3, “Segment Reporting,” of Item 1, “Financial Statements.”

Freight

The following table compares operating results, operating margins, and the percentage change in selected operating statistics of the Freight reporting segment:

(Dollars in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
         
Revenue before inter-segment eliminations
  $ 831,047     $ 767,741  
                 
Salaries, wages and employee benefits
    380,496       361,742  
Purchased transportation
    138,275       121,523  
Fuel and fuel-related taxes
    98,305       92,732  
Other operating expenses
    109,371       107,747  
Depreciation and amortization
    29,972       27,576  
Maintenance
    23,596       21,298  
Rents and leases
    12,096       10,862  
Purchased labor
    4,434       3,917  
Total operating expenses
    796,545       747,397  
Operating income
  $ 34,502     $ 20,344  
                 
Operating margin
    4.2 %     2.6 %
                 
   
2012 vs. 2011
         
Selected Operating Statistics
               
Weight per day
    +1.5 %        
Revenue per hundredweight (“yield”)
    +6.1 %        
Shipments per day (“volume”)
    +1.1 %        
Weight per shipment
    +0.4 %        

Freight’s revenue increased 8.2% in the first quarter of 2012 compared with the prior year due to a 6.1% increase in yield and a 1.5% increase in weight per day. The increase in yield was primarily due to increases in base freight rates and fuel-surcharge revenue. The increase in weight per day was due to a 1.1% increase in shipments per day and a 0.4% increase in weight per shipment.

Excluding fuel surcharges, yield in the first quarter of 2012 increased 4.1% as the result of negotiated contractual rate increases as well as a general rate increase that went into effect in August 2011. In the first quarter, fuel-surcharge revenue increased to 17.5% of revenue in 2012 from 16.0% in 2011. The fuel surcharge is intended to compensate Con-way Freight for the adverse effects of higher fuel costs and fuel-related increases in purchased transportation. Fuel surcharges are only one part of Con-way Freight’s overall rate structure, and the total price that Con-way Freight receives from customers for its services is governed by market forces, as more fully discussed below in Item 3, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk – Fuel.”

In the first quarter, Freight’s operating income increased 69.6% to $34.5 million in 2012 from $20.3 million in 2011, reflecting higher revenue and improved margin. In addition to the effect from higher yield, the improved margin in 2012 reflects improved productivity and cost controls, which benefited from steady shipment volumes.

Expenses for salaries, wages and employee benefits increased 5.2% in the first quarter of 2012, reflecting a 17.1% increase in employee benefits and a 1.0% increase in salaries and wages, including variable compensation. Higher expense for employee benefits was primarily due to higher costs for employee medical claims, and increased expenses for holiday pay and defined contribution retirement plans. Higher costs for employee medical claims were primarily due to an increase in expense per claim. Higher expense for holiday pay reflects one paid holiday in the first quarter of 2012 compared to no paid holiday in the first quarter of 2011. The increase in defined contribution retirement plan expense was primarily due to the restoration of certain benefits in the fourth quarter of 2011, as more fully discussed above in “Overview.”

 
16

 
 
Purchased transportation expense increased 13.8% in the first quarter due to higher rates, including fuel-related cost increases, and increased third-party carrier miles.

In the first quarter of 2012, expenses for fuel and fuel-related taxes increased 6.0% primarily due to an increase in the cost per gallon of diesel fuel, partially offset by lower fuel consumption due to fewer miles driven by company-operated tractors.

Logistics

The table below compares operating results and operating margins of the Logistics reporting segment. The table summarizes Logistics’ revenue as well as net revenue (revenue less purchased transportation expense). Carrier-management revenue is attributable to contracts for which Menlo Worldwide Logistics manages the transportation of freight but subcontracts to carriers the actual transportation and delivery of products, which Menlo Worldwide Logistics refers to as purchased transportation. Menlo Worldwide Logistics’ management places emphasis on net revenue as a meaningful measure of the relative importance of its principal services since revenue earned on most carrier-management services includes the carriers’ charges to Menlo Worldwide Logistics for transporting the shipments.

(Dollars in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended
 March 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
             
Revenue before inter-segment eliminations
  $ 419,146     $ 369,975  
Purchased transportation expense
    (263,423 )     (227,654 )
Net revenue
    155,723       142,321  
                 
Salaries, wages and employee benefits
    63,022       53,349  
Fuel and fuel-related taxes
    237       256  
Other operating expense
    38,715       39,459  
Depreciation and amortization
    2,628       2,841  
Maintenance
    976       702  
Rents and leases
    15,847       15,708  
Purchased labor
    22,004       21,360  
Total operating expenses excluding
               
purchased transportation
    143,429       133,675  
Operating income
  $ 12,294     $ 8,646  
                 
Operating margin on revenue
    2.9 %     2.3 %
Operating margin on net revenue
    7.9 %     6.1 %

In the first quarter of 2012, Logistics’ revenue increased 13.3% due to increases in revenue from both carrier-management and warehouse-management services. In 2012, revenue from carrier-management services in the first quarter increased 16.8% while revenue from warehouse-management services increased 4.9%. Higher revenue from carrier-management services was due to new customers, growth at existing logistics customers and increased freight-brokerage volumes and, to a lesser extent, fuel-related increases in purchased transportation. Increased revenue from warehouse-management services was due to the addition of new customers and growth at existing customers.

Logistics’ net revenue in the first quarter of 2012 increased 9.4%, as revenue growth was partially offset by purchased transportation expense that grew at a higher percentage than revenue. Purchased transportation expense increased 15.7% in the first quarter of 2012 primarily due to increased carrier-management volumes and, to a lesser extent, fuel-related rate increases.

In the first quarter, Logistics’ operating income increased 42.2% to $12.3 million in 2012 from $8.6 million in 2011. Higher operating income was primarily due to the growth in net revenue and improved margins from both warehouse-management services and carrier-management services. Higher margins on warehouse-management services reflect costs incurred in the first quarter of 2011 as the result of warehouse relocations. Higher margins on carrier-management services reflect improved operating results related to freight-brokerage services.

 
17

 
 
Salaries, wages and employee benefits increased 18.1% in the first quarter of 2012. In the first quarter, salaries and wages, excluding variable compensation, rose 16.7% primarily due to increased average employee counts. Variable compensation expense increased $1.1 million or 39.7% in the first quarter of 2012 based on variations in performance measures relative to variable-compensation plan targets. Employee benefits expense increased 17.7% in the first quarter of 2012 primarily due to increased costs associated with payroll taxes and employee medical claims. Increased expense for payroll taxes was primarily due to the increase in salaries and wages. Higher costs for employee medical claims were primarily due to an increase in expense per claim.

Other operating expenses decreased 1.9% in the first quarter of 2012, primarily due to lower first-quarter costs for information-technology projects (including administrative corporate allocations).

Purchased labor expense increased 3.0% in the first quarter of 2012 due to increased labor demands for new customers, partially offset by a decline in expense as a result of costs incurred in the first quarter of 2011 for warehouse relocations.

Truckload

The table below compares operating results, operating margins and the percentage change in selected operating statistics of the Truckload reporting segment. The table summarizes the segment’s revenue before inter-segment eliminations, including freight revenue, fuel-surcharge revenue and other non-freight revenue. Truckload’s management believes these measures are relevant to evaluate its on-going operations.

(Dollars in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended
 March 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
             
Freight revenue
  $ 116,253     $ 110,613  
Fuel-surcharge revenue
    36,406       30,317  
Other revenue
    4,664       4,285  
Revenue before inter-segment eliminations
    157,323       145,215  
                 
Salaries, wages and employee benefits
    52,910       50,367  
Purchased transportation
    8,398       5,830  
Fuel and fuel-related taxes
    45,164       42,994  
Other operating expenses
    15,854       14,349  
Depreciation and amortization
    16,595       16,684  
Maintenance
    7,251       7,371  
Rents and leases
    324       269  
Purchased labor
    277       268  
Total operating expenses
    146,773       138,132  
Operating income
  $ 10,550     $ 7,083  
                 
Operating margin on revenue
    6.7 %     4.9 %
Operating margin on revenue
               
excluding fuel-surcharge revenue
    8.7 %     6.2 %
                 
                 
   
2012 vs. 2011
         
Selected Operating Statistics
               
Freight revenue per loaded mile
    +3.3 %        
Loaded  miles
    +1.8 %        

Truckload’s revenue increased 8.3% in the first quarter of 2012 from the same period of 2011, primarily due to a 20.1% increase in fuel-surcharge revenue and a 5.1% increase in freight revenue. The 5.1% increase in freight revenue reflects a 3.3% increase in revenue per loaded mile, and a 1.8% increase in loaded miles. In the periods presented, higher fuel-surcharge revenue was primarily due to higher fuel prices in 2012 compared to 2011. The increase in loaded miles was primarily due to an increase in the size of the tractor fleet, including owner-operated units, in the first quarter of 2012 from the same period of 2011.
 
For the first quarter, Truckload’s operating income increased 48.9% to $10.6 million in 2012 from $7.1 million in 2011. Higher operating income was primarily due to an increase in the rate per loaded mile and an improved fuel-surcharge recovery rate.
 
 
18

 
 
Salaries, wages and employee benefits increased 5.0% in the first quarter of 2012. Employee benefits expense increased 15.2% in the first quarter of 2012 primarily due to increased costs for employee medical and workers’ compensation claims, which reflect increases in expense per claim. In the first quarter, salaries and wages, excluding variable compensation, rose 1.3% primarily due to an increase in miles driven.

Purchased transportation increased 44.0% in 2012, primarily due to increased miles and fuel-related increases related to Truckload’s owner-operator fleet.

Expenses for fuel and fuel-related taxes increased 5.0% in the first quarter of 2012, reflecting a higher fuel cost per gallon.
 
 
Other operating expenses increased 10.5% in the first quarter of 2012, primarily due to a $1.6 million increase in vehicular self-insurance expense. Despite a decline in the number of accidents, vehicular self-insurance expense increased primarily due to an increase in expense per claim. Other increases in other operating expenses were offset by a $1.0 million increase in gains resulting from the disposition of equipment, which reflect improved conditions in the used-tractor market. The estimated salvage values for Con-way Truckload’s tractors have been increased, which is expected to moderate the amount of gains recognized in the remainder of 2012. The increase in estimated salvage values will also result in lower depreciation; however, that change is expected to be more than offset by increases in depreciation associated with trailer and tractor purchases.

Other

The Other reporting segment consists of the operating results of Road Systems, a trailer manufacturer, and certain corporate activities for which the related income or expense has not been allocated to other reporting segments. The table below summarizes the operating results for the Other reporting segment:

(Dollars in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
             
Revenue
           
Road Systems
  $ 14,291     $ 11,997  
                 
Operating income (loss)
               
Road Systems
  $ (76 )   $ (85 )
Con-way re-insurance activities
    (1,219 )     1,325  
Con-way corporate properties
    (349 )     (359 )
Other
    (12 )     (258 )
    $ (1,656 )   $ 623  
 
 
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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash and cash equivalents decreased to $402.8 million at March 31, 2012 from $438.0 million at December 31, 2011, as $80.5 million used in investing activities and $7.5 million used in financing activities exceeded $52.8 million provided by operating activities. Cash used in investing activities primarily reflects capital expenditures for the acquisition of revenue equipment. Cash used in financing activities primarily reflects the payment of common dividends and repayment of capital leases. Cash provided by operating activities came primarily from net income after adjustment for non-cash items.

 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
Operating Activities
           
Net income
  $ 25,646     $ 6,922  
Non-cash adjustments (1)
    75,553       69,688  
Changes in assets and liabilities
    (48,370 )     (15,205 )
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
    52,829       61,405  
                 
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
    (80,485 )     (51,840 )
                 
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities
    (7,508 )     (8,310 )
                 
Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
  $ (35,164 )   $ 1,255  
                 
(1) “Non-cash adjustments” refer to depreciation, amortization, deferred income taxes, provision for uncollectible
 
accounts, and other non-cash income and expenses.
 

Operating Activities

The most significant items affecting the comparison of Con-way’s operating cash flows for the periods presented are summarized below:

In the first three months of 2012, net income and non-cash adjustments collectively increased operating cash flows $24.6 million from the same period of 2011. Changes in assets and liabilities lowered operating cash flow by $33.2 million in the first three months of 2012 compared to the same period of 2011. Changes in accrued income taxes and accrued variable compensation decreased operating cash flows in the first three months of 2012 when compared to the same period of last year, while changes in receivables and self-insurance accruals increased operating cash flows.

Accrued income taxes used $4.5 million in the first three months of 2012, compared to $17.2 million provided in the same prior-year period primarily due to variations in income tax refunds and payments. In the first three months of 2012, Con-way made net payments of $3.4 million and in the first three months of 2011 Con-way received $18.2 million of net refunds.

Accrued variable compensation used $35.5 million in the first quarter of 2012, compared to $15.6 million used in the first quarter of 2011. Variations in performance measures relative to variable-compensation plan targets resulted in a higher level of payments in the first quarter of 2012 when compared to the prior-year period.

In the first three months of 2012, receivables used $68.1 million, compared to $90.5 million used in the first three months of 2011. Changes in receivables reflect variations in revenue and average collection periods.

The change in self-insurance accruals provided $1.0 million in the first three months of 2012, compared to $11.4 million used in the first three months of 2011. The cash provided in the first three months of 2012 was primarily due to increases in cargo claims. The cash used in the first three months of 2011 was primarily due to decreases in the liabilities for vehicular and workers compensation claims.
 
 
20

 

Investing Activities

The most significant item affecting the comparison of Con-way’s investing cash flows for the periods presented was the change in capital expenditures. In the first three months, capital expenditures were $82.5 million in 2012, compared to $51.5 million in 2011. Increased capital expenditures in 2012 were primarily due to the acquisition of tractor equipment at Con-way Freight.

Financing Activities

There were no significant financing transactions that affected the comparison of Con-way’s financing cash flows for the periods presented.

Contractual Cash Obligations

Con-way’s contractual cash obligations as of December 31, 2011 are summarized in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis – Liquidity and Capital Resources – Contractual Cash Obligations,” of Con-way’s 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K. In the first three months of 2012, there have been no material changes in Con-way’s contractual obligations outside the ordinary course of business.

Capital Resources and Liquidity Outlook

Con-way’s capital requirements relate primarily to the acquisition of revenue equipment to support growth and/or replacement of older equipment with newer equipment. In funding these capital expenditures and meeting working-capital requirements, Con-way utilizes various sources of liquidity and capital, including cash and cash equivalents, cash flow from operations, credit facilities and access to capital markets. Con-way may also manage its liquidity requirements and cash-flow generation by varying the timing and amount of capital expenditures.

Con-way has a $325 million unsecured revolving credit facility that matures on August 2, 2016. The revolving facility is available for cash borrowings and issuance of letters of credit. At March 31, 2012, no cash borrowings were outstanding under the credit facility; however, $171.6 million of letters of credit were outstanding, leaving $153.4 million of available capacity for additional letters of credit or cash borrowings. The revolving facility is guaranteed by certain of Con-way’s material domestic subsidiaries and contains two financial covenants: (i) a leverage ratio and (ii) a fixed-charge coverage ratio. At March 31, 2012, Con-way was in compliance with the revolving credit facility’s financial covenants and expects to remain in compliance.

Con-way had other uncommitted unsecured credit facilities totaling $63.4 million at March 31, 2012, which are available to support short-term borrowings, letters of credit, bank guarantees and overdraft facilities. At March 31, 2012, $15.8 million of cash borrowings and $26.8 million of other credit commitments were outstanding leaving $20.8 million of available capacity.

See “– Forward-Looking Statements” below and Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” and Note 6, “Debt and Other Financing Arrangements,” of Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” in Con-way’s 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information concerning Con-way’s $325 million credit facility and its other debt instruments.

In 2012, Con-way anticipates capital and software expenditures of approximately $300 million, net of asset dispositions, primarily for the acquisition of tractor equipment. Con-way’s actual 2012 capital expenditures may differ from the estimated amount depending on factors such as availability and timing of delivery of equipment.

In the first three months of 2011, Con-way used repurchased common stock (also referred to as treasury stock) to fund $8.6 million of contributions to the defined contribution retirement plan. Effective in July 2011, the contributions were in the form of cash contributed by Con-way, rather than in treasury stock.

At March 31, 2012, Con-way’s senior unsecured debt was rated as investment grade by Standard and Poor’s (BBB-), Fitch Ratings (BBB-), and Moody’s (Baa3). Moody’s assigned an outlook of “negative,” while Standard and Poor’s and Fitch Ratings assigned an outlook of “stable.”
 
 
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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to adopt accounting policies and make significant judgments and estimates. In many cases, there are alternative policies or estimation techniques that could be used. Con-way maintains a process to evaluate the appropriateness of its accounting policies and estimation techniques, including discussion with and review by the Audit Committee of its Board of Directors and its independent auditors. Accounting policies and estimates may require adjustment based on changing facts and circumstances and actual results could differ from estimates. Con-way believes that the accounting policies that are most judgmental and material to the financial statements are those related to the following:

 
·
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
 
·
Goodwill
 
·
Income Taxes
 
·
Property, Plant and Equipment and Other Long-Lived Assets
 
·
Revenue Recognition
 
·
Self-Insurance Accruals

There have been no significant changes to the critical accounting policies and estimates disclosed in Con-way’s 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 
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Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements included herein constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, and should not be relied upon as predictions of future events. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including:

 
·
any projections of earnings, revenues, weight, yield, volumes, income or other financial or operating items;

 
·
any statements of the plans, strategies, expectations or objectives of Con-way’s management for future operations or other future items;

 
·
any statements concerning proposed new products or services;

 
·
any statements regarding Con-way’s estimated future contributions to pension plans;

 
·
any statements as to the adequacy of reserves;

 
·
any statements regarding the outcome of any legal and other claims and proceedings that may be brought against Con-way;

 
·
any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance;

 
·
any statements regarding strategic acquisitions; and

 
·
any statements of estimates or belief and any statements or assumptions underlying the foregoing.

Certain such forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates” or “anticipates” or the negative of those terms or other variations of those terms or comparable terminology or by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily dependent on assumptions, data and methods that may be incorrect or imprecise and there can be no assurance that they will be realized. In that regard, certain important factors, among others and in addition to the matters discussed elsewhere in this document and other reports and documents filed by Con-way with the Securities and Exchange Commission, could cause actual results and other matters to differ materially from those discussed in such forward-looking statements. A detailed description of certain of these risk factors is included in Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of Con-way’s 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statement is made, and Con-way does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise  required by law.
 
 
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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Con-way is exposed to a variety of market risks, including the effects of interest rates, fuel prices and foreign currency exchange rates.

Con-way enters into derivative financial instruments only in circumstances that warrant the hedge of an underlying asset, liability or future cash flow against exposure to some form of interest rate, commodity or currency-related risk. Additionally, the designated hedges should have high correlation to the underlying exposure such that fluctuations in the value of the derivatives offset reciprocal changes in the underlying exposure. For the periods presented, Con-way held no material derivative financial instruments.

Interest Rates

Con-way’s exposure to interest-rate fluctuations is more fully discussed in Item 7, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” of Con-way’s 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Fuel

Con-way is subject to risks associated with the price and availability of fuel, which are subject to political, economic and market factors that are outside of Con-way’s control.

Con-way would be adversely affected by an inability to obtain fuel in the future. Although historically Con-way has been able to obtain fuel from various sources and in the desired quantities, there can be no assurance that this will continue to be the case in the future.

Con-way may also be adversely affected by the timing and degree of fluctuations in fuel prices. Currently, Con-way’s business units have fuel-surcharge revenue programs or cost-recovery mechanisms in place with a majority of customers. Con-way Freight and Con-way Truckload maintain fuel-surcharge programs designed to offset or mitigate the adverse effect of rising fuel prices. Menlo Worldwide Logistics has cost-recovery mechanisms incorporated into most of its customer contracts under which it recognizes fuel-surcharge revenue designed to eliminate the adverse effect of rising fuel prices on purchased transportation.

Con-way’s competitors in the less-than-truckload (“LTL”) and truckload markets also impose fuel surcharges. Although fuel surcharges are generally based on a published national index, there is no industry-standard fuel- surcharge formula. As a result, fuel-surcharge revenue constitutes only part of the overall rate structure. Revenue excluding fuel surcharges (sometimes referred to as base freight rates) represents the collective pricing elements that exclude fuel surcharges. Ultimately, the total amount that Con-way Freight and Con-way Truckload can charge for their services is determined by competitive pricing pressures and market factors.

Historically, Con-way Freight’s fuel-surcharge program has enabled it to more than recover increases in fuel costs and fuel-related increases in purchased transportation. As a result, Con-way Freight may be adversely affected if fuel prices fall and the resulting decrease in fuel-surcharge revenue is not offset by an equivalent increase in base freight-rate revenue. Although lower fuel surcharges may improve Con-way Freight’s ability to increase the freight rates that it would otherwise charge, there can be no assurance in this regard. Con-way Freight may also be adversely affected if fuel prices increase. Customers faced with fuel-related increases in transportation costs often seek to negotiate lower rates through reductions in the base freight rates and/or limitations on the fuel surcharges charged by Con-way Freight, which adversely affect Con-way Freight’s ability to offset higher fuel costs with higher revenue.

Con-way Truckload’s fuel-surcharge program mitigates the effect of rising fuel prices but does not always result in Con-way Truckload fully recovering increases in its cost of fuel. The extent of recovery may vary depending on the amount of customer-negotiated adjustments and the degree to which Con-way Truckload is not compensated due to empty and out-of-route miles or from engine idling during cold or warm weather.

Con-way would be adversely affected if, due to competitive and market factors, its business units are unable to continue their current fuel-surcharge programs and/or cost-recovery mechanisms. In addition, there can be no assurance that these programs, as currently maintained or as modified in the future, will be sufficiently effective to offset increases in the price of fuel.

 
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Foreign Currency

The assets and liabilities of Con-way’s foreign subsidiaries are denominated in foreign currencies, which create exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. However, the market risk related to foreign currency exchange rates is not material to Con-way’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. For the periods presented, Con-way used no material derivative financial instruments to manage foreign currency risk.


ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a)    Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Con-way's management, with the participation of Con-way's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of Con-way's disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, Con-way's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that Con-way’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of the end of such period.
 
(b)   Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There have not been any changes in Con-way's internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Con-way’s internal control over financial reporting.

 
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Certain legal proceedings of Con-way are discussed in Note 8, “Commitments and Contingencies,” of Item 1, “Financial Statements.”

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There are no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of Con-way’s 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 
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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS


 Exhibit No.
     
(10)
Material Contracts:
     
 
10.1
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Grant Agreement#.
     
 
10.2
Form of Performance Share Plan Unit Grant Agreement (portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment)#.
     
(31)
Certification of Officers pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002:
     
 
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
 
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
(32)
Certification of Officers pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
(101)
The following financial statements from Con-way’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, filed on May 4, 2012, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language):  (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Statements of Consolidated Income, (iii) Statement of Consolidated Comprehensive Income, (iv) Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows, and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
     
     
# Designates a contract or compensation Plan for Management or Directors.
 

 
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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


 
Con-way Inc.
 
(Registrant)
   
May 4, 2012
/s/ Stephen L. Bruffett
 
Stephen L. Bruffett
 
Executive Vice President and
 
Chief Financial Officer

 
 
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