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8-K - Q3 2012 EARNINGS RELEASE - FROZEN FOOD EXPRESS INDUSTRIES INCform8k.htm
Exhibit 99.1
Frozen Food Express Industries, Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2012 Financial Results
DALLAS, November 14, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Frozen Food Express Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: FFEX) today announced its financial and operating results for the quarter ended September 30, 2012.  A summary of third quarter of 2012 financial results include:
·
Total operating revenue decreased 7.0% to $95.6 million versus the same period of 2011, primarily due to the expected decline in dry freight services revenue, related to our decision to exit dry van services in the third quarter of 2011.
·
Continued improvement in operating ratio versus the same period of 2011 despite significant economic headwinds.
·
Revenue per truck per week increased 8.4% to $3,499 compared to $3,229 in the same period of 2011.
·
Improved operating loss of $5.3 million versus a loss of $13.5 million in the same period of 2011.
·
Net loss per share of diluted common stock was ($0.32), compared to a net loss per diluted common share of ($0.77) in the same period of 2011.
"We are excited to show strong improvement over the third quarter of 2011, led by continued tonnage and yield growth in our LTL services," said Russell Stubbs, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer.  "Nevertheless, after the strong operating results of the second quarter, we expected a better third quarter.  Our third quarter results were negatively impacted by increasing fuel prices, reduced truckload volumes caused by a weak economy, higher insurance and claims expenses, and a decline in oil drilling activity that cut our water transport revenue significantly versus the second quarter.  As was the case with many of our competitors, the steadily increasing fuel prices in the third quarter didn't allow our fuel surcharge revenue to offset the increases, which had a negative impact of $1.9 million versus the second quarter of this year.  Additionally, insurance and claims expenses increased $1.9 million versus the second quarter, but we are having an improved year in this area and we are pleased our insurance and claims expenses are trending better than we have experienced in the prior five years," Stubbs said.
Mr. Stubbs continued, stating, "I was disappointed with the decline in our water transport revenue, but it has proven to be somewhat volatile and difficult to track on a quarterly basis.  However, drilling activity has picked up in the first few weeks of the fourth quarter, and on an annual basis we are satisfied with the return we are achieving from this investment.  Truckload volume is also showing improvement which is a positive sign for the fourth quarter. We feel that our improvement plan for 2012 is proceeding despite the challenges we have outlined above.  Our truckload fleet age has dropped from 2.7 years old to 1.8 years old over the last 12 months.  We have decreased non-driver headcount by 12%, we continue to improve our yield and equipment productivity, and we are continuing to seek out and grow higher margin revenue accounts.  As we continue on this path we should see improvement in the fourth quarter of this year."
Outlook
"As a result of multiple factors, our results for the third quarter and forecasted results for the remainder of 2012 are below the expectations we set earlier in the year.  In the third quarter, we experienced an unexpected steep decline in activity in our water transport business and a sharp increase in fuel prices.  Also, while we continue to experience a significant improvement in our LTL business, the truckload market has softened somewhat.  While we are confident that the structural changes we have made will restore the Company to profitability and we continue to expect significant improvement in year-over-year results, near-term market pressures have slowed the pace of our recovery," concluded Mr. Stubbs.









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 on a non-dedicated fleet basis. We also provide bulk tank water transportation, 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.
The Frozen Food Express Industries, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3209
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 continued growth of hydraulic fracturing techniques for oil and gas drilling in West Texas, 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, 2012
   
December 31, 2011
 
Current assets
 
   
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
1,448
   
$
1,048
 
Accounts receivable, net
   
42,410
     
43,450
 
Tires on equipment in use, net
   
7,705
     
5,968
 
Equipment held for sale
   
1,898
     
3,437
 
Other current assets
   
7,970
     
7,868
 
Total current assets
   
61,431
     
61,771
 
 
               
Property and equipment, net
   
46,630
     
57,757
 
Deferred income taxes
   
1,009
     
1,009
 
Other assets
   
5,862
     
5,867
 
Total assets
 
$
114,932
   
$
126,404
 
 
               
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
               
Current liabilities
               
Accounts payable
 
$
27,898
   
$
30,339
 
Insurance and claims accruals
   
9,125
     
10,667
 
Accrued payroll and deferred compensation
   
4,711
     
4,047
 
Accrued liabilities
   
1,428
     
1,251
 
Current maturities of notes payable and capital lease obligations
   
2,060
     
1,936
 
Deferred income taxes
   
690
     
690
 
Total current liabilities
   
45,912
     
48,930
 
 
               
                  Borrowings under credit facility
   
23,899
     
19,888
 
Long-term notes payable and capital lease obligations
   
7,362
     
8,901
 
Insurance and claims accruals
   
4,848
     
5,783
 
Total liabilities
   
82,021
     
83,502
 
 
               
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
   
914
     
427
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
   
(62
)
   
(67
)
Retained earnings
   
11,331
     
21,572
 
Total common shareholders' equity
   
40,041
     
49,790
 
Treasury stock (1,013 and 980 shares), at cost
   
(7,130
)
   
(6,888
)
Total shareholders' equity
   
32,911
     
42,902
 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
 
$
114,932
   
$
126,404
 












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,
 
 
 
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Total operating revenue
 
$
95,624
   
$
102,834
   
$
279,264
   
$
296,270
 
Operating expenses
                               
Salaries, wages and related expenses
   
29,515
     
31,766
     
86,818
     
90,868
 
Purchased transportation
   
17,952
     
18,357
     
50,272
     
51,856
 
Fuel
   
21,247
     
25,854
     
60,016
     
73,654
 
Supplies and maintenance
   
14,340
     
15,710
     
39,106
     
42,561
 
Revenue equipment rent
   
10,691
     
9,200
     
31,205
     
26,553
 
Depreciation
   
2,701
     
4,827
     
8,668
     
13,875
 
Communications and utilities
   
1,123
     
1,171
     
3,299
     
3,518
 
Claims and insurance
   
3,734
     
7,476
     
7,503
     
13,204
 
Operating taxes and licenses
   
924
     
985
     
3,076
     
3,089
 
Gain on sale of property and equipment
   
(2,402
)
   
(661
)
   
(4,939
)
   
(1,234
)
Miscellaneous
   
1,095
     
1,626
     
3,192
     
4,352
 
 Total operating expenses
   
100,920
     
116,311
     
288,216
     
322,296
 
Loss from operations
   
(5,296
)
   
(13,477
)
   
(8,952
)
   
(26,026
)
 
                               
Interest and other expense (income)
                               
Interest expense
   
388
     
247
     
1,157
     
479
 
Equity in earnings of limited partnership
   
(211
)
   
(192
)
   
(543
)
   
(551
)
Life insurance and other
   
149
     
63
     
520
     
432
 
 Total interest and other expense (income)
   
326
     
118
     
1,134
     
360
 
Loss before income taxes
   
(5,622
)
   
(13,595
)
   
(10,086
)
   
(26,386
)
Income tax expense (benefit)
   
41
     
73
     
155
     
(1,476
)
Net loss
 
$
(5,663
)
 
$
(13,668
)
 
$
(10,241
)
 
$
(24,910
)
 
                               
Net loss per share of common stock
                               
Basic
 
$
(0.32
)
 
$
(0.77
)
 
$
(0.57
)
 
$
(1.42
)
Diluted
 
$
(0.32
)
 
$
(0.77
)
 
$
(0.57
)
 
$
(1.42
)
Weighted average shares outstanding
                               
Basic
   
17,917
     
17,663
     
17,839
     
17,557
 
Diluted
   
17,917
     
17,663
     
17,839
     
17,557
 







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)
 
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Temperature-controlled services
 
$
25,999
   
$
29,875
   
$
77,821
   
$
90,231
 
Dry-freight services
   
5,569
     
10,444
     
16,631
     
33,567
 
Total truckload linehaul services
   
31,568
     
40,319
     
94,452
     
123,798
 
Dedicated services
   
4,610
     
4,140
     
14,165
     
13,051
 
Total truckload
   
36,178
     
44,459
     
108,617
     
136,849
 
Less-than-truckload linehaul services
   
34,463
     
30,740
     
93,917
     
85,908
 
Fuel surcharges
   
18,968
     
21,298
     
56,124
     
62,683
 
Brokerage and logistics services
   
4,874
     
5,585
     
17,578
     
8,269
 
Equipment rental  
   
1,141
     
752
     
3,028
     
2,561
 
Total operating revenue
   
95,624
     
102,834
     
279,264
     
296,270
 
 
                               
Operating expenses
   
100,920
     
116,311
     
288,216
     
322,296
 
Loss from operations
 
$
(5,296
)
 
$
(13,477
)
 
$
(8,952
)
 
$
(26,026
)
Operating ratio (b)
   
105.5
%
   
113.1
%
   
103.2
%
   
108.8
%
 
                               
Total truckload revenue
 
$
36,178
   
$
44,459
   
$
108,617
   
$
136,849
 
Less-than-truckload  linehaul revenue
   
34,463
     
30,740
     
93,917
     
85,908
 
Total linehaul and dedicated services revenue 
 
$
70,641
   
$
75,199
   
$
202,534
   
$
222,757
 
 
                               
Weekly average trucks in service
   
1,536
     
1,772
     
1,504
     
1,772
 
Revenue per truck per week (c)
 
$
3,499
   
$
3,229
   
$
3,440
   
$
3,223
 
 
  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 in service.
 






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
 
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Total linehaul miles (a)
   
21,219
     
27,994
     
63,561
     
87,748
 
Loaded miles (a)
   
18,549
     
24,809
     
55,890
     
77,889
 
Empty mile ratio (b)
   
12.6
%
   
11.4
%
   
12.1
%
   
11.2
%
Linehaul revenue per total mile (c)
 
$
1.49
   
$
1.44
   
$
1.49
   
$
1.41
 
Linehaul revenue per loaded mile (d)
 
$
1.70
   
$
1.63
   
$
1.69
   
$
1.59
 
Linehaul shipments (a)
   
20.3
     
27.8
     
60.9
     
86.4
 
Loaded miles per shipment (e)
   
914
     
891
     
918
     
902
 
LTL  
                               
Hundredweight
   
2,341,662
     
2,128,575
     
6,525,164
     
6,194,980
 
Shipments (a)
   
78.1
     
70.3
     
216.9
     
198.3
 
Linehaul revenue per hundredweight (f)
 
$
14.72
   
$
14.44
   
$
14.39
   
$
13.87
 
Linehaul revenue per shipment (g)
 
$
441
   
$
437
   
$
433
   
$
433
 
Average weight per shipment (h)
   
2,998
     
3,026
     
3,008
     
3,124
 
 
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 owner-operators as of September 30:

 
 
2012
   
2011
 
Total company tractors available for freight operations
   
1,360
     
1,613
 
Total owner-operator tractors available for freight operations
   
275
     
286
 
Total tractors available for freight operations
   
1,635
     
1,899
 
Total trailers available for freight operations
   
3,100
     
3,826
 


CONTACT: Frozen Food Express Industries, Inc.

         Russell Stubbs, President and CEO
         John Hickerson, EVP and COO
         John McManama, SVP and CFO
         (214) 630-8090
         Dave Mossberg, Investor Relations
         Three Part Advisors, LLC
         817 310-0051