Attached files

file filename
8-K - 8-K - HEARTLAND EXPRESS INCearningsrelease8k2016q3.htm


Exhibit 99.1

October 20, 2016 For Immediate Release

Press Release

Heartland Express, Inc. Reports Revenues and Earnings for the Third Quarter of 2016

NORTH LIBERTY, IOWA - October 20, 2016 - Heartland Express, Inc. (Nasdaq: HTLD) announced today financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016. Highlights included:

Three months ended September 30, 2016:
Net Income of $12.5 million, Earnings per Share of $0.15, and Operating Revenue of $149.3 million,
Operating Ratio of 86.7% and 85.1% Non-GAAP Adjusted Operating Ratio(1). 

Nine months ended September 30, 2016:
Net Income of $43.3 million, Earnings per Share of $0.52, and Operating Revenue of $472.9 million,
Operating Ratio of 86.3% and 84.9% Non-GAAP Adjusted Operating Ratio(1), 
Cash balance of $100.3 million, a $67.0 million increase since December 31, 2015.

Heartland Express Chief Executive Officer Michael Gerdin, commented on the quarterly operating results and ongoing initiatives of the Company, "The results achieved during the quarter and year-to-date have been hard fought and are a result of us holding fast to the foundational principles that have made us successful over the last thirty years during both good times and challenging times. We have continued to experience downward pressure on freight rates due to the softness in freight volumes resulting from the available capacity in the industry. Through this, our commitment and dedication to on-time service for our customers and their partnership during these challenging times drives our profitable results. We continued to show year over year improvement in our operating ratio, excluding gains on disposal of property and equipment, for both the current quarter and the year to date results. Further, we were able to generate another quarter of solid cash flows from operations, which allowed us to increase our cash reserves and pay for capital expenditures while remaining debt free. This allows us to operate profitably and maintain an efficient fleet of equipment while keeping resources in reserve to capitalize on future investment opportunities that align with our operating strategy and our corporate values."

Financial Results

Heartland Express ended the third quarter of 2016 with net income of $12.5 million, compared to $15.1 million in the third quarter of 2015. Basic earnings per share were $0.15 during the quarter compared to $0.17 earnings per share in the third quarter of 2015. Operating revenues were $149.3 million, compared to $182.5 million in the third quarter of 2015. Operating revenues for the quarter included fuel surcharge revenues of $15.2 million compared to $21.8 million in the same period of 2015, a $6.6 million decrease. Operating revenues decreased 16.6% excluding the impact of fuel surcharge revenues primarily due to lower miles driven due to softer freight volumes in the third quarter compared to the same period in 2015. Operating income for the three-month period decreased $4.9 million mainly due to the current operating environment challenges on freight volume and pricing. The Company posted an adjusted operating ratio(1) of 85.1% and a 8.4% net margin (net income as a percentage of operating revenues) in the third quarter of 2016 compared to 84.5% and 8.3%, respectively in the third quarter of 2015.

For the nine month period ended September 30, 2016 the Company recorded net income of $43.3 million, compared to $56.0 million in the same period of 2015. Basic earnings per share were $0.52 compared to $0.64 earnings per share in the same period of 2015. Operating revenues were $472.9 million, compared to $561.7 million in the same period of 2015. Operating revenues included fuel surcharge revenues of $43.7 million compared to $73.6 million in the same period of 2015, a $29.9 million decrease. Operating revenues





decreased 12.1% excluding the impact of fuel surcharge revenues. Operating income for the nine-month period decreased $24.2 million mainly as a result of the continued operating environment challenges on freight volume and pricing. The Company posted an adjusted operating ratio(1) of 84.9% and a 9.2% net margin (net income as a percentage of operating revenues) in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to 81.8% and 10.0%, respectively in 2015.

Balance Sheet, Liquidity, and Capital Expenditures

At September 30, 2016, the Company had $100.3 million in cash balances and no borrowings under the Company's unsecured line of credit. The Company had $194.5 million in available borrowing capacity on the line of credit at September 30, 2016 after consideration of $5.5 million outstanding letters of credit. The line of credit maximum borrowing capacity will reduce by $25.0 million to $175.0 million on November 1, 2016. The Company continues to be in compliance with associated financial covenants. The Company ended the quarter with total assets of $741.7 million and stockholders' equity of $494.3 million.

Net cash flows from operations for the first nine months of 2016 were $120.2 million. The primary use of cash during the nine month period ended September 30, 2016 was $32.7 million for purchases of property and equipment, net of trades and sale proceeds, $14.7 million for stock repurchases, and $5.0 million for dividends. The average age of the Company's tractor fleet was 1.6 years as of September 30, 2016 compared to 1.6 years at September 30, 2015. The average age of the Company's trailer fleet was 4.7 years at September 30, 2016 compared to 4.4 years at September 30, 2015. The Company currently anticipates a total of approximately $30 to $35 million in net capital expenditures for the calendar year. The Company ended the past twelve months with a return on total assets of 8.2% and a 12.6% return on equity.
            
The Company continues its commitment to stockholders through the payment of cash dividends and repurchase of common stock. A dividend of $0.02 per share was declared and paid during each of the first three quarters of 2016. The Company has now paid cumulative cash dividends of $462.4 million, including three special dividends, ($2.00 in 2007, $1.00 in 2010, and $1.00 in 2012) over the past fifty-three consecutive quarters. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, 0.9 million shares of our common stock were repurchased for $14.7 million reducing outstanding shares at September 30, 2016 to 83.3 million shares. During 2015 and 2016, the Company has repurchased 4.7 million shares of our common stock for $88.7 million. A total of 6.5 million shares of common stock have been repurchased for approximately $112.9 million over the past five years. The Company has the ability to repurchase an additional 3.3 million shares under the current authorization.

Other Information

We continued to deliver award-winning service and safety to our customers. In addition to the ten customer and safety awards previously announced through the second quarter of 2016, we received the following additional awards during the third quarter:

United Sugars - Carrier of the Year
Logistics Management Quest for Quality Award

Adjusted operating ratio is a non-GAAP financial measure and is not intended to replace financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. This non-GAAP financial measure supplements our GAAP results. We believe that using this measure affords a more consistent basis for comparing our results of operations from period to period. The information required by Item 10(e) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Regulation G under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including a reconciliation to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP, is included in the table at the end of this press release.






This press release may contain statements that might be considered as forward-looking statements or predictions of future operations. Such statements are based on management's belief or interpretation of information currently available. These statements and assumptions involve certain risks and uncertainties. Actual events may differ from these expectations as specified from time to time in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
Contact: Heartland Express, Inc.
Mike Gerdin, Chief Executive Officer
John Cosaert, Chief Financial Officer
319-626-3600



HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
OPERATING REVENUE
 
$
149,316

 
$
182,533

 
$
472,893

 
$
561,739

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OPERATING EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries, wages, and benefits
 
$
58,351

 
$
68,987

 
$
185,342

 
$
210,886

Rent and purchased transportation
 
5,472

 
8,238

 
18,353

 
26,775

Fuel
 
22,987

 
29,414

 
68,575

 
97,866

Operations and maintenance
 
6,391

 
9,213

 
19,999

 
25,725

Operating taxes and licenses
 
3,889

 
4,498

 
11,722

 
13,690

Insurance and claims
 
4,536

 
7,379

 
17,607

 
17,491

Communications and utilities
 
1,156

 
1,699

 
3,420

 
4,695

Depreciation and amortization
 
27,271

 
28,415

 
78,823

 
81,266

Other operating expenses
 
824

 
7,230

 
11,655

 
21,734

Gain on disposal of property and equipment
 
(1,474
)
 
(7,401
)
 
(7,273
)
 
(27,250
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
129,403

 
157,672

 
408,223

 
472,878

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
 
19,913

 
24,861

 
64,670

 
88,861

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income
 
124

 
64

 
308

 
156

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
 

 

 

 
(19
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income before income taxes
 
20,037

 
24,925

 
64,978

 
88,998

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal and state income taxes
 
7,510

 
9,812

 
21,706

 
32,957

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
12,527

 
$
15,113

 
$
43,272

 
$
56,041

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
0.15

 
$
0.17

 
$
0.52

 
$
0.64

Diluted
 
$
0.15

 
$
0.17

 
$
0.52

 
$
0.64

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
83,286

 
87,387

 
83,301

 
87,663

Diluted
 
83,342

 
87,492

 
83,373

 
87,806

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends declared per share
 
$
0.02

 
$
0.02

 
$
0.06

 
$
0.06







HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
 
 
September 30,
 
December 31,
ASSETS
 
2016
 
2015
CURRENT ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
100,264

 
$
33,232

Trade receivables, net
 
51,704

 
61,009

Prepaid tires
 
8,747

 
9,584

Other current assets
 
9,395

 
8,316

Income tax receivable
 
6,555

 
7,641

Deferred income taxes, net
 

 
16,662

Total current assets
 
176,665

 
136,444

 
 
 
 
 
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
679,743

 
671,946

Less accumulated depreciation
 
242,987

 
197,948

 
 
436,756

 
473,998

GOODWILL
 
100,212

 
100,212

OTHER INTANGIBLES, NET
 
12,570

 
14,013

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES, NET
 
4,156

 

OTHER ASSETS
 
11,353

 
11,363

 
 
$
741,712

 
$
736,030

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
 
$
16,755

 
$
7,516

Compensation and benefits
 
23,748

 
24,636

Insurance accruals
 
22,494

 
21,573

Other accruals
 
13,747

 
12,443

Total current liabilities
 
76,744

 
66,168

LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
 
 
 
 
Income taxes payable
 
12,668

 
16,228

Deferred income taxes, net
 
93,933

 
112,118

Insurance accruals less current portion
 
60,104

 
59,435

Other long-term liabilities
 
4,000

 
12,153

Total long-term liabilities
 
170,705

 
199,934

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
 
 
 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Capital stock, common, $.01 par value; authorized 395,000 shares; issued 90,689 in 2016 and 2015; outstanding 83,287 in 2016 and 84,115 in 2015, respectively
 
907

 
907

Additional paid-in capital
 
3,323

 
4,126

Retained earnings
 
614,221

 
575,948

Treasury stock, at cost; 7,402 in 2016 and 6,574 in 2015, respectively
 
(124,188
)
 
(111,053
)
 
 
494,263

 
469,928

 
 
$
741,712

 
$
736,030

 







(1)
GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation Schedule:
 
 
 
 
Operating income, operating ratio, and adjusted operating ratio reconciliation (a)
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
(unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating revenue
 
$
149,316

 
$
182,533

 
$
472,893

 
$
561,739

Less: Fuel surcharge revenue
 
15,229

 
21,800

 
43,664

 
73,609

Operating revenue, excluding fuel surcharge revenue
 
134,087

 
160,733

 
429,229

 
488,130

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses
 
129,403

 
157,672

 
408,223

 
472,878

Less: Fuel surcharge revenue
 
15,229

 
21,800

 
43,664

 
73,609

Adjusted operating expenses
 
114,174

 
135,872

 
364,559

 
399,269

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
 
$
19,913

 
$
24,861

 
$
64,670

 
$
88,861

Operating ratio
 
86.7
%
 
86.4
%
 
86.3
%
 
84.2
%
Adjusted operating ratio
 
85.1
%
 
84.5
%
 
84.9
%
 
81.8
%

(a) Adjusted operating ratio as reported in this press release is based upon total operating expenses, net of fuel surcharge, as a percentage of operating revenue excluding fuel surcharge revenue.