UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2016 or

For the transition period from           to          

Commission file number:  0-27754

 

HUB GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

2000 Clearwater Drive

Oak Brook, Illinois 60523

(Address, including zip code, of principal executive offices)

(630) 271-3600

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 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  ☒    No  ☐

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  ☒    No  ☐

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 definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one):

 

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

On October 25, 2016, the registrant had 33,195,497 outstanding shares of Class A common stock, par value $.01 per share, and 662,296 outstanding shares of Class B common stock, par value $.01 per share.

 

 

 

 

 

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HUB GROUP, INC.

INDEX

 

 

 

 

 

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HUB GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share amounts)

See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

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HUB GROUP, INC.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

 

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HUB GROUP, INC.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

 

See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

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HUB GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

Our accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Hub Group, Inc. (“we”, “us” or “our”) have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements have been omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations.  However, we believe that the disclosures contained herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.

The financial statements reflect, in our opinion, all material adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to fairly present our financial position as of September 30, 2016 and results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.

These unaudited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.  Results of operations in interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for a full year due partially to seasonality.

 

 

We report two distinct business segments.  The first segment is Mode, which includes the Mode Transportation, LLC (“Mode LLC”) business we acquired on April 1, 2011.  The second segment is Hub, which is all business other than Mode.

Hub offers comprehensive intermodal, truck brokerage and logistics services.  Our employees operate the freight through a network of operating centers located in the United States, Canada and Mexico.  Each operating center is strategically located in a market with a significant concentration of shipping customers and one or more railheads.  Hub has full time employees located throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Mode LLC has Independent Business Owners (“IBOs”) who sell and operate the business throughout North America, as well as sales only agents.  Mode LLC also has a company managed operation and corporate offices in Dallas, TX, a temperature protected services division, Temstar, located in Oak Brook, IL and corporate offices in Memphis, TN.

Mode LLC markets and operates its freight transportation services, consisting of intermodal, truck brokerage and logistics, primarily through agents who enter into contractual arrangements with Mode LLC.

The following is a summary of operating results and certain other financial data for our business segments (in thousands):

 

 

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The following tables summarize our revenue by segment and business line (in thousands) for the quarter ended September 30:

 

 

The following is a summary of operating results and certain other financial data for our business segments (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

The following tables summarize our revenue by segment and business line (in thousands) for the nine months ended September 30:

 

 

 

 

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The following is a reconciliation of our earnings per share (in thousands, except for per share data):

 

 

 

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable and long term debt approximated fair value as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 due to their short-term nature.

We consider as cash equivalents all highly liquid instruments with an original maturity of three months or less.  As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, our cash and temporary investments were with high quality financial institutions in Demand Deposit Accounts (DDAs), Short Term Certificates of Deposit and Savings Accounts.

Restricted investments, as of September 30, 2016 of $20.6 million and December 31, 2015 of $21.1 million, included mutual funds which are reported at fair value.  

Our assets and liabilities measured at fair value are based on valuation techniques which consider prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets and liabilities. These valuation methods are based on either quoted market prices (Level 1) or inputs, other than quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly (Level 2). Cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable are defined as “Level 1”, while long term debt is defined as “Level 2” of the fair value hierarchy in the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic of the Codification.  

 

 

We have standby letters of credit that expire at various dates in 2016 and 2017.  As of September 30, 2016, our letters of credit were $8.2 million.

Our unused and available borrowings under our variable rate bank revolving line of credit were $41.8 million as of September 30, 2016 and as of December 31, 2015.  We were in compliance with our debt covenants as of September 30, 2016.

 

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We have entered into various Equipment Notes (“Notes”) for the purchase of tractors and containers.  The Notes are secured by the underlying equipment financed in the agreements.

 

 

 

As a recruiting tool for our owner-operators, we previously guaranteed certain owner-operators’ lease payments for tractors.  The guarantees expire at various dates through 2020.

The potential maximum exposure under these lease guarantees was approximately $2.0 million and $10.3 million as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.  The potential maximum exposure represents the amount of the remaining lease payments on all outstanding guaranteed leases as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.  However, upon default, we have the option to purchase the tractors.  We could then sell the tractors and use the proceeds to recover all or a portion of the amounts paid under the guarantees.  Alternatively, we can contract with another owner-operator who would assume the lease.  There were no material defaults during the quarter ended September 30, 2016 or the year ended December 31, 2015 and no potential material defaults.

We had a liability of approximately $0.1 million as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, representing the fair value for estimated defaults of the guarantees, based on a discounted cash-flow analysis which is included in current and non-current liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We are amortizing the amounts over the remaining lives of the respective guarantees.

 

 

 

In the second quarter of 2016, we committed to acquire 4,500 53’ containers.  We expect the total purchase price of these containers to be approximately $43 million.  As of September 30, 2016 we have received 3,066 containers and expect to receive the remainder by November 2016.  

 

In the third quarter 2016, we committed to acquire 100 trailers and 50 tractors.  We expect the total purchase price of this equipment to be approximately $9 million.  We expect to receive this equipment in the fourth quarter of 2016.  

 

We will be financing the purchase of the trailers, tractors and containers with secured fixed rate debt.

 

 

 

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Robles

On January 25, 2013, a complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California (Sacramento Division) by Salvador Robles against our subsidiary, Comtrak Logistics, Inc., now known as Hub Group Trucking, Inc.  Mr. Robles drove a truck for Hub Group Trucking in California, first as an independent contractor and then as an employee.  The action was brought on behalf of a class comprised of present and former California-based truck drivers for Hub Group Trucking who were classified as independent contractors, from January 2009 to August 2014.  The complaint alleges Hub Group Trucking has misclassified such drivers as independent contractors and that such drivers were employees.  The complaint asserts various violations of the California Labor Code and claims that Hub Group Trucking has engaged in unfair competition practices.  The complaint seeks, among other things, declaratory and injunctive relief, compensatory damages and attorney’s fees.  In May 2013, the complaint was amended to add similar claims based on Mr. Robles’ status as an employed company driver.  These additional claims are only on behalf of Mr. Robles and not a putative class.  

The Company believes that the California independent contractor truck drivers were properly classified as independent contractors at all times.  Nevertheless, because lawsuits are expensive, time-consuming and could interrupt our business operations, Hub Group Trucking decided to make settlement offers to individual drivers with respect to the claims alleged in this lawsuit, without admitting liability.  As of September 30, 2016, 93% of the California drivers have accepted the settlement offers.  In late 2014, Hub Group Trucking decided to convert its model from independent contractors to employee drivers in California.  In early 2016, Hub Group Trucking closed its operations in Southern California.  

On April 3, 2015, the Robles case was transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee (Western Division) in Memphis.  In May 2015, the plaintiffs in the Robles case filed a Second Amended Complaint (“SAC”) which names 334 current and former Hub Group Trucking drivers as “interested putative class members.”  In addition to reasserting their existing claims, the SAC includes claims post-conversion, added two new plaintiffs and seeks a judicial declaration that the settlement agreements are unenforceable.  In June 2015, Hub Group Trucking filed a motion to dismiss the SAC and on July 19, 2016, Hub Group Trucking’s motion to dismiss was granted in part, and denied in part, by the District Court.  The motion to dismiss was granted for the claims of all purported class members who have signed settlement agreements and on plaintiffs’ claims based on quantum merit and it was denied with respect to federal preemption and choice of law.  On August 11, 2016, Plaintiffs filed a motion to clarify whether the Court’s dismissal of the claims of all purported class members who signed settlement agreements was with or without prejudice and, if the dismissal was with prejudice, Plaintiffs moved the Court to revise and reconsider the order.

Adame

On August 5, 2015, the Plaintiffs’ law firm in the Robles case filed a lawsuit in state court in San Bernardino County, California on behalf of 63 named Plaintiffs against Hub Group Trucking and five Company employees.  The lawsuit alleges claims similar to those being made in Robles and seeks monetary penalties under the Private Attorneys General Act.  Of the 63 named Plaintiffs, at least 58 of them previously accepted the settlement offers referenced above.

On October 29, 2015, Defendants filed a notice of removal to remove the case from state court in San Bernardino to federal court in the Central District of California. On November 19, 2015, Defendants filed a motion to transfer the case to federal court in Memphis, Tennessee and also filed a motion to dismiss the case pursuant to a clause in the independent contractor agreement stating that Tennessee law applies.  Also on November 19, 2015, Plaintiffs filed a motion to remand the case back to state court, claiming that the federal court lacks jurisdiction over the case.  The court granted Plaintiffs’ motion to remand to the state court in San Bernardino County on April 7, 2016, mooting Defendants’ motions to transfer and dismiss.

On July 11, 2016, Defendants filed several motions in state court, asking the court to dismiss and/or stay the Plaintiffs’ suit for various reasons.  At a hearing on October 5, 2016, the judge issued an oral tentative ruling denying Defendants’ motion to dismiss based on choice of forum and asked for supplemental briefing regarding individual liability under PAGA. 

Lubinski

On September 12, 2014, a complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (Eastern Division) by Christian Lubinski against Hub Group Trucking.  The action was brought on behalf of a class comprised of present and former owner-operators providing delivery services in Illinois for Hub Group Trucking.  The complaint alleged Hub Group Trucking misclassified such drivers as independent contractors and that such drivers were employees.  The complaint also alleged that Hub Group Trucking made illegal deductions from the drivers’ pay and failed to properly compensate the drivers for all hours worked, reimburse business expenses, pay employment taxes, and provide workers’ compensation and other employment benefits.  The

 

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complaint asserted various violations of the Illinois Wage Payment and Collections Act and claimed that Hub Group Trucking was unjustly enriched.  The complaint sought, among other things, monetary damages for the relevant statutory period and attorneys’ fees.  

On October 24, 2014, the Lubinski case was transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee (Western Division), in Memphis.  On September 22, 2015, the court granted Hub Group Trucking’s motion to dismiss Lubinski’s Illinois law claims with prejudice based on the contractual choice of law provision, which provided that Tennessee law governed.  The court denied as moot Hub Group Trucking’s motion to dismiss based on federal preemption.  On October 2, 2015, Lubinski appealed this order to the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in Cincinnati.

On December 17, 2015, Lubinski filed his brief in support of his appeal of the motion to dismiss, asserting for the first time that the federal court did not have jurisdiction over the case due to a lack of diversity of citizenship.  Hub Group Trucking filed its response brief on January 19, 2016, in part arguing that Lubinski had himself alleged diversity of citizenship in his complaint.  Lubinski filed his reply brief on February 5, 2016.  On April 1, 2016, the Sixth Circuit remanded the case to the district court—without ruling on the merits—for the district court “to consider the argument and admit the evidence necessary to determine the question of federal subject-matter jurisdiction.”  

On July 11, 2016, with his federal district court case still pending, Lubinski filed an additional putative class action Complaint, with the same claims, in Illinois state court.  On the same day, Hub Group Trucking filed a declaratory judgment complaint in Tennessee state court, seeking a declaration that Lubinski’s claims must be heard in Tennessee (based on the contractual choice-of-forum provision) and that the claims must be dismissed because Tennessee law controls and Lubinski’s claims are preempted by federal law.  The parties agreed to stay all proceedings in Illinois and Tennessee state court until the federal court jurisdiction question is decided.

We cannot reasonably estimate at this time the possible loss or range of loss, if any, that may arise from the remaining unresolved claims in the above mentioned lawsuits.

We are a party to other litigation incident to our business, including claims for personal injury and/or property damage, bankruptcy preference claims, and claims regarding freight lost or damaged in transit, improperly shipped or improperly billed.  Some of the lawsuits to which we are party are covered by insurance and are being defended by our insurance carriers.  Some of the lawsuits are not covered by insurance and we defend those ourselves.  We do not believe that the outcome of this litigation will have a materially adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.

 

 

 

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Update No. 2014-09—Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).  This Standard provides guidance on how to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.  For public organizations, the guidance in the update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period.  The update provides two transition methods to the new guidance: a retrospective approach and a modified retrospective approach.  Early application is permitted for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016.  We plan to adopt this standard January 1, 2018, as required.  We are currently evaluating the transition method and effect this update will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In November 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Update No. 2015-17—Income Taxes (Topic 740).  This Standard provides guidance on the balance sheet classification of deferred taxes, amending the accounting for income taxes and requiring all deferred tax assets and liabilities to be classified as non-current on the consolidated balance sheet.  For public organizations, the guidance in the update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period.  Early application is permitted.  We elected to early adopt this standard as of March 31, 2016 to simplify the presentation of our deferred income taxes and applied the guidance prospectively.  As a result, we have presented all deferred tax assets and liabilities as non-current on our unaudited consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2016, but have not reclassified deferred tax assets and liabilities as noncurrent on our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2015.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases, which requires lessees to recognize a right-to-use asset and a lease obligation for all leases.  Lessees are permitted to make an accounting policy election to not recognize an asset and liability for leases with a term of twelve months or less.  The new standard will become effective beginning with the first quarter of 2019.  Early adoption of the standard is permitted.  We plan to adopt this standard January 1, 2019, as required.  We are currently evaluating the impacts the adoption of this accounting guidance will have on the consolidated financial statements.

 

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In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification of related amounts within the statement of cash flows. The new standard will become effective beginning with the first quarter of 2017, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impacts the adoption of this accounting guidance will have on the consolidated financial statements.

In 2016, the FASB issued new guidance that requires credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected, not based on incurred losses.  The new standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018 is permitted. We are evaluating the impact of adopting this new accounting guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

In 2016, the FASB issued new guidance which clarifies the classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments in the statement of cash flows, including debt prepayment or extinguishment costs, settlement of contingent consideration arising from a business combination, insurance settlement proceeds, and distributions from certain equity method investees. The new standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. We are evaluating the impact of adopting this new accounting guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

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HUB GROUP, INC.

 

The information contained in this quarterly report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Words such as “expects,” “hopes,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “predicts,” “projects,” “potential,” “may,” “could,” “might,” “should,” and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and subject to risks. Such statements should be viewed with caution. Actual results or experience could differ materially from the forward-looking statements as a result of many factors. All forward-looking statements are based upon information available to us on the date of this report.  Except as required by law, we expressly disclaim any obligations to publicly release any revisions to forward-looking statements to reflect events after the date of this report.  Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially include:

 

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Hub Group, Inc.  (“we”, “us” or “our”) reports two distinct business segments.  The first segment is “Mode,” which includes the acquired Mode LLC business only.  The second segment is “Hub,” which is all business other than Mode. Hub Group (as opposed to just Hub), refers to the consolidated results for the whole company, including both the Mode and Hub segments.  For the segment financial results, refer to Note 2 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

We are one of the largest intermodal marketing companies (“IMC”) in the United States and a multi modal transportation provider offering intermodal, truck brokerage and logistics services.  We operate through a nationwide network of operating centers and independent business owners.

As an IMC, we arrange for the movement of our customers’ freight in containers and trailers over long distances.  We contract with railroads to provide transportation for the long-haul portion of the shipment and with local trucking companies, known as “drayage companies,” for local pickup and delivery.  As part of the intermodal services, we negotiate rail and drayage rates, electronically track shipments in transit, consolidate billing and handle claims for freight loss or damage on behalf of our customers.

For the quarter ended September 30, 2016, approximately 54% of Hub’s drayage needs were met by our subsidiary, Hub Group Trucking, Inc., which assists us in providing reliable, cost effective intermodal services to our customers.  Hub Group Trucking has terminals in Atlanta, Birmingham, Charlotte, Chattanooga, Chicago, Columbus (OH), Dallas, Harrisburg, Huntsville, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kalamazoo, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Memphis, Nashville, Newark, Philadelphia, Portland (OR), Salt Lake City, Savannah, Seattle, St. Louis, Stockton and Wilmington (IL) metro areas.  As of September 30, 2016, Hub Group Trucking leased or owned 957 tractors, owned 447 trailers, employed 971 drivers and contracted with 1,783 owner-operators for their services and equipment.  

We also arrange for the transportation of freight by truck, providing customers with another option for their transportation needs.   We match the customers’ needs with carriers’ capacity to provide the most effective service and price combinations.  As part of our truck brokerage services, we negotiate rates, track shipments in transit and handle claims for freight loss or damage on behalf of our customers.

Our logistics service consists of complex transportation management services, including load consolidation, mode optimization and carrier management.  These service offerings are designed to take advantage of the increasing trend for shippers to outsource all or a greater portion of their transportation needs.

Hub has full time marketing representatives throughout North America who service local, regional and national accounts.  We believe that fostering long-term customer relationships is critical to our success and allows us to better understand our customers’ needs and specifically tailor our transportation services to them.

Hub’s yield management group works with pricing, account management and operations to enhance Hub’s customer margins.  We are working on margin enhancement projects including matching up inbound and outbound loads, reducing empty miles, improving our recovery of accessorial costs, reducing our drayage and accessorial costs, and reviewing and improving low contribution freight.

Hub’s top 50 customers represent approximately 63% of the Hub segment revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.  We use various performance indicators to manage our business.  We closely monitor margin and gains and losses for our top 50 customers.  We also evaluate on-time performance, cost per load and daily sales outstanding by customer account.  Vendor cost changes and vendor service issues are also monitored closely.

Mode has approximately 183 agents, consisting of 102 sales/operating agents, known as Independent Business Owners (“IBOs”), who sell and operate the business throughout North America and 81 sales only agents.  Mode also has a company managed operation and corporate offices in Dallas, a temperature protected services division, Temstar, located in Oak Brook, IL and corporate offices in Memphis.  Mode’s top 20 customers represent approximately 39% of the Mode segment revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.  We closely monitor revenue and margin for these customers.  We believe Mode brings us highly complementary service offerings, more scale and a talented sales channel that allows us to better reach small and midsize customers.  

 

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2015

The following table summarizes our revenue by segment and business line (in thousands) for the three months ended September 30:

Revenue

Hub Group’s revenue increased 3.7% to $932.8 million in 2016 from $899.9 million in 2015.

The Hub segment revenue increased 5.3% to $716.7 million.   Intermodal revenue increased 1.4% to $466.3 million due to 5% higher volume partially offset by lower fuel revenue and a price decrease.  Truck brokerage revenue increased 15.6% to $96.9 million due to a 17% increase in volume.  Logistics revenue increased 12.2% to $153.5 million due to growth with new customers on-boarded this year.

Mode’s revenue increased 5.1% to $251.6 million in 2016 from $239.4 million in 2015.  Mode’s intermodal revenue increased 1.6% primarily due to a 3% increase in loads.  Mode’s truck brokerage revenue decreased 1.2% primarily due to lower revenue per unit due to lower fuel revenue and a price decrease.  Mode’s logistics revenue increased 32.2% due to new business.

The following is a summary of operating results for our business segments (in thousands):

 

 

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Transportation Costs

Hub Group’s transportation costs increased 3.3% to $821.4 million in 2016 from $794.8 million in 2015.  Transportation costs in 2016 consisted of purchased transportation costs of $728.7 million and equipment and driver related costs of $92.7 million compared to 2015 costs of purchased transportation of $697.4 million and equipment and driver related costs of $97.4 million.

The Hub segment transportation costs increased 5.3% to $638.2 million in 2016 from $606.1 million in 2015.  Hub segment transportation costs in 2016 included $546.5 million in purchased transportation, up from $509.7 million in 2015. The 7.2% increase in purchased transportation costs was due primarily to higher volumes in intermodal and truck brokerage, growth in logistics and an increase in rail costs, partially offset by a 0.3 day improvement in utilization and lower fuel costs.  Equipment and driver related costs decreased 4.8% to $91.7 million in 2016 from $96.4 million in 2015 due primarily to a decrease in fuel costs and shutting down our Southern California drayage operation in the first quarter of 2016.

The Mode segment transportation costs increased 4.7% to $218.7 million in 2016 from $208.8 million in 2015.  Mode segment transportation costs are primarily purchased transportation costs which increased due primarily to growth in logistics.  

Gross Margin

Hub Group’s gross margin increased 6.1% to $111.5 million in 2016 from $105.1 million in 2015.  Hub Group’s gross margin as a percentage of sales increased to 11.9% as compared to last year’s 11.7% margin.

The Hub segment gross margin increased 5.5% to $78.5 million.  The Hub segment margin increase of $4.1 million resulted from an increase in margin in logistics and truck brokerage partially offset by a decrease in intermodal margin.  Logistics gross margin increased due to growth with new customers on-boarded this year. Truck brokerage margin increased because of growth with targeted customer accounts.  Intermodal margin decreased because of lower prices and rail cost increases.  Higher volume, improved accessorial management, lower drayage costs and better utilization partially offset this decline.  As a percentage of revenue, the Hub segment gross margin increased slightly to 11.0% in 2016 from 10.9% in 2015.  Logistics gross margin as a percentage of sales was up 80 basis points due to improved customer mix, operational efficiencies and more cost effective purchasing.  Truck brokerage gross margin as a percentage of sales was up 50 basis points due to more value added services and better purchasing.  Intermodal gross margin as a percentage of sales decreased 40 basis points because of lower prices and rail cost increases.   

Mode’s gross margin increased to $32.9 million in 2016 from $30.6 million in 2015 due to an increase in margin in all three service lines.  Mode’s gross margin as a percentage of revenue increased to 13.1% in 2016 from 12.8% in 2015 due primarily to a 90 basis point improvement in intermodal yield.

 

CONSOLIDATED OPERATING EXPENSES

The following table includes certain items in the consolidated statements of income as a percentage of revenue:

 

 

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Salaries and Benefits

Hub Group’s salaries and benefits increased to $42.6 million in 2016 from $36.4 million in 2015.  As a percentage of revenue, Hub Group’s salaries and benefits increased to 4.6% in 2016 from 4.1% in 2015.

The Hub segment salaries and benefits increase of $5.9 million was primarily due to increases of $2.5 million related to higher headcount and annual merit increases, $2.2 million of employee bonus expense, $0.5 million of employee benefits, $0.3 million of compensation related to restricted stock awards, $0.2 million related to payroll taxes and $0.2 million of commissions.

Mode’s salaries and benefits expense increased to $3.8 million from $3.4 million in 2015 due primarily to increases of $0.3 million related to headcount and annual merit increases and $0.1 million of employee bonus expense.

Hub Group’s headcount as of September 30, 2016 and 2015 was 1,746 and 1,582, respectively, which excludes drivers, as driver costs are included in transportation costs.  As of September 30, 2016 and 2015, Mode had 129 and 117 employees, respectively.

Agent Fees and Commissions

Hub Group’s agent fees and commissions increased to $19.1 million in 2016 from $17.9 million in 2015.  As a percentage of revenue, these expenses remained consistent at 2.0% in both 2016 and 2015.

The Mode segment agent fees and commissions increase of $1.2 million was due primarily to the increase in Mode’s gross margin.

General and Administrative

Hub Group’s general and administrative expenses increased to $17.6 million in 2016 from $15.5 million in 2015.  These expenses, as a percentage of revenue, increased to 1.9% in 2016 from 1.7% in 2015.

The Hub segment increase of $2.3 million was due primarily to increases in IT consulting and legal expense of $1.7 million, IT maintenance expense of $0.4 million, travel and entertainment expense of $0.3 million and office expense of $0.2 million. These increases were partially offset by decreases in bad debt expense of $0.2 million and equipment leases of $0.1 million.

Mode’s general and administrative expenses decreased to $1.7 million 2016 from $1.8 million in 2015 due to decreased consulting and professional services.

Depreciation and Amortization

Hub Group’s depreciation and amortization increased to $2.3 million in 2016 from $2.0 million in 2015.  This expense as a percentage of revenue remained consistent at 0.2% in both 2016 and 2015.

The Hub segment depreciation expense increased to $2.0 million in 2016 from $1.6 million in 2015.  This increase was related primarily to amortization expense related to additional computer software.

Mode’s depreciation expense remained consistent at $0.3 million in both 2016 and 2015.

Other Income (Expense)

Total other expense decreased to $0.8 million of expense in 2016 from $1.7 million of expense in 2015 due primarily to fewer  foreign currency translation losses in 2016 compared to 2015, partially offset by increases in interest expense in 2016 related to our tractor and container debt.

Provision for Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes decreased to $11.2 million in 2016 from $11.9 million in 2015.  We provided for income taxes using an effective rate of 38.4% in 2016 and an effective rate of 37.5% in 2015.  The 2016 effective tax rate was higher primarily due to the effects of income tax changes enacted by the state of Connecticut on June 2, 2016 which raised our 2016 rate and income tax changes enacted by the state of Missouri on May 6, 2015 lowered our 2015 rate.  We expect our effective tax rate for the remainder of 2016 to be approximately 38.4%.

 

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Net Income

Net income decreased to $17.9 million in 2016 from $19.8 million in 2015 due primarily to increased margin offset by higher operating expenses in 2016.

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015

 

The following table summarizes our revenue by segment and business line (in thousands) for the nine months ended September 30:

 

Revenue

Hub Group’s revenue remained consistent at $2.6 billion in both 2016 and 2015.  

 

The Hub segment revenue remained consistent at $2.0 billion in both 2016 and 2015.  Intermodal revenue decreased 2.0% primarily due to lower fuel revenue.  This decrease was partially offset by 1.4% higher volume and an increase in price.  Truck brokerage revenue decreased 1.8% to $261.5 million due to an 8% volume increase partially offset by a 6% decline for price, fuel and mix combined.  Logistics revenue increased 0.6% to $400.8 million related primarily to growth with new customers.  

 

Mode’s revenue increased 0.8% to $692.4 million in 2016 from $686.7 million in 2015.  Mode’s intermodal revenue increased 0.7% primarily due to a 3% increase in volume partially offset by lower fuel revenue.  Truck brokerage revenue decreased 3.9% and logistics revenue increased 12.8%.

 

The following is a summary of operating results for our business segments (in thousands):

 

 

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Transportation Costs

Hub Group’s transportation costs remained consistent at $2.3 billion in both 2016 and 2015.  Transportation costs in 2016 consisted of purchased transportation costs of $2.0 billion and equipment and driver related costs of $271.4 million compared to 2015 costs of purchased transportation of $2.0 billion and equipment and driver related costs of $292.5 million.  

The Hub segment transportation cost decreased by 3.4% to $1.7 billion in 2016 from $1.8 billion in 2015.  Hub segment purchased transportation cost decreased 2.7% to $1.47 billion in 2016 from $1.51 billion in 2015 due primarily to lower fuel costs, partially offset by rail cost increases.  Equipment and driver related costs decreased 7.1% to $269.1 million in 2016 from $289.8 million in 2015 due primarily to a decrease in fuel costs and shutting down our Southern California drayage operation in the first quarter of 2016.

The Mode segment transportation costs decreased 0.3% to $598.8 million in 2016 from $600.6 million in 2015.  Mode segment transportation costs are primarily purchased transportation costs which decreased due primarily to lower fuel costs.

Gross Margin

 

Hub Group’s gross margin increased 13.0% to $334.3 million in 2016 from $295.9 million in 2015.  

 

The Hub segment gross margin increased 14.8% to $240.8 million.  Hub’s $31.0 million gross margin increase resulted from an increase in margin in all three business lines.  Intermodal gross margin increased because of price increases, improved accessorial management, better utilization and lower dray costs. Rail cost increases partially offset some of this improvement.  Truck brokerage margin increased because of growth with targeted customer accounts.  Logistics gross margin increased due to growth with new and existing customers.

 

As a percentage of Hub segment revenue, gross margin increased to 12.2% in 2016 from 10.4% in 2015.  Intermodal gross margin as a percentage of sales increased 170 basis points because of price increases, improved accessorial management, better utilization and lower dray costs.  Truck brokerage gross margin as a percentage of sales was up 230 basis points due to more value added services, improved customer mix and better purchasing.  Logistics gross margin as a percentage of sales was up 160 basis points due to improved customer mix, operational efficiencies and more cost effective purchasing.

 

Mode’s gross margin increased 8.7% to $93.6 million in 2016 from $86.1 million in 2015 due to growth in all three business lines.  Mode’s gross margin as a percentage of revenue increased to 13.5% in 2016 from 12.5% in 2015.  Intermodal gross margin as a percentage of sales increased 80 basis points.  Truck brokerage gross margin as a percentage of sales increased 210 basis points.

 

CONSOLIDATED OPERATING EXPENSES

 

The following table includes certain items in the consolidated statements of income as a percentage of revenue:

 

 

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Salaries and Benefits

 

Hub Group’s salaries and benefits increased to $130.1 million in 2016 from $114.7 million in 2015.  As a percentage of revenue, salaries and benefits increased to 5.0% in 2016 from 4.3% in 2015.

 

The Hub segment increase of $14.8 million to $118.7 million in 2016 from $103.9 million in 2015 was primarily due to increases of $6.5 million related to higher headcount and annual merit increases, $4.8 million of employee bonus expense, $1.3 million of commissions, $1.0 million of employee benefits and increases related to severance, payroll tax expense and compensation related to restricted stock awards, of $0.4 million each.

Mode’s salaries and benefits expense increased to $11.4 million in 2016 from $10.8 million in 2015.  The increase was primarily due to increases of $0.4 million related to salaries expense and $0.1 million related to both compensation related to restricted stock awards and employee bonus expense.

Agent Fees and Commissions

 

Hub Group’s agent fees and commissions expenses increased to $54.3 million in 2016 from $49.4 million in 2015.  As a percentage of revenue, these expenses increased to 2.1% in 2016 from 1.9% in 2015.

The Mode segment agent fees and commissions increase of $4.9 million was due primarily to the increase in Mode’s gross margin.

General and Administrative

Hub Group’s general and administrative expenses increased to $50.4 million in 2016 from $44.3 million in 2015.  As a percentage of revenue, these expenses increased to 1.9% in 2016 from 1.7% in 2015.  

The Hub segment increase in general and administrative expense to $44.9 million in 2016 from $39.1 million in 2015 was due primarily to increases in IT consulting and other professional services expense of $3.6 million, IT maintenance expense of $1.0 million, office expense of $0.7 million, such as computer equipment and personal computers, travel and entertainment expense of $0.5 million, rent expense of $0.3 million and general insurance expense of $0.2 million. These increases were partially offset by additional gains of the sales of fixed assets in 2016 of $0.3 million as well as a decrease in bad debt expense of $0.2 million.

Mode’s general and administrative expenses increased to $5.5 million in 2016 from $5.2 million in 2015.  The increase was primarily due to an increase in IT consulting expense.

Depreciation and Amortization

Hub Group’s depreciation and amortization increased to $6.6 million in 2016 from $5.9 million in 2015.  This expense as a percentage of revenue increased to 0.3% in 2016 from 0.2% in 2015.  

The Hub segment’s depreciation expense increased to $5.6 million in 2016 from $4.9 million in 2015.  This increase was related primarily to amortization for additional computer software.

Mode’s depreciation remained consistent at $1.0 million in both 2016 and 2015.  

Other Income (Expense)

 

Total other expense decreased to $1.2 million in 2016 from $4.3 million in 2015 due primarily to gains on foreign currency translation in 2016 as compared to losses in 2015, partially offset by increases in interest expense in 2016 related to our tractor and container debt.

 

Provision for Income Taxes

 

The provision for income taxes increased to $35.2 million in 2016 from $28.8 million in 2015.  Our effective rate was 38.4% in 2016 and 37.3% in 2015.  The 2016 effective tax rate was higher primarily due to the effect of income tax changes enacted by the state of Connecticut on June 2, 2016 which raised our 2016 rate.  Income tax changes enacted by the state of Missouri on May 6, 2015 lowered our 2015 rate.  We expect our effective tax rate for the 2016 year to be approximately 38.4%.

 

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Net Income

 

Net income increased to $56.6 million in 2016 from $48.6 million in 2015 due primarily to increased margin and lower other expenses, partially offset by higher operating expenses and higher income tax expense in 2016.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

During the first nine months of 2016, we funded operations, capital expenditures, capital leases, purchase of treasury stock, repayments of debt and stock buy backs related to employee withholding upon vesting of restricted stock through cash flows from operations, proceeds from debt and cash on hand.  We believe that our cash, cash flows from operations and borrowings available under our Credit Agreement will be sufficient to meet our cash needs for at least the next twelve months.

Cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was approximately $79.0 million, which resulted primarily from income of $56.6 million adjusted for non-cash charges of $51.3 million and a decrease in operating assets and liabilities of $28.9 million.

Cash provided by operating activities decreased $53.8 million in 2016 versus 2015.  The decrease was due primarily to the change in operating assets and liabilities of $75.0 million in 2016 which primarily resulted from the timing of customer payments in 2016 versus 2015.  This decrease was partially offset by increases in net income of $8.0 million and higher non-cash charges of $13.2 million in 2016.

Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $58.3 million.  Capital expenditures of $59.9 million related primarily to containers of $39.3 million, transportation equipment of $9.5 million, technology investments of $9.0 million and the remainder for leasehold improvements.

In 2016 we expect to purchase 6,000 containers which will be financed with debt.  As of September 30, 2016, we had already received 4,566 of the containers.  We are also investing in technology projects including transportation management systems, human resources systems and satellite tracking.  We estimate our capital expenditures will range from $95 million to $105 million for the year.  

Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $40.0 million.  The net cash used in investing activities increased $18.3 million in 2016 from 2015. This increase was mainly due to additional containers purchased in 2016.

The net cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $93.2 million, which resulted from the purchase of treasury stock of $100.0 million, repayment of long-term debt of $25.1 million, stock tendered for payments of withholding taxes of $2.5 million, capital lease payments of $1.9 million, partially offset by proceeds from the issuance of debt of $36.1 million and excess tax benefits from share-based compensation of $0.2 million.

The increase in net cash used in financing activities of $74.3 million from 2016 versus 2015 is primarily due to a $71.2 million increase in the purchases of treasury stock, additional debt payments of $8.2 million and additional payments of capital leases of $0.1 million. These increases were partially offset by additional proceeds from the issuance of debt of $4.7 million as well as changes in stock tendered for payments of withholding taxes of $0.4 million.

In 2016, we expect our cash paid for taxes to be greater than 2015 and closer to our income tax expense because we do not have a material prepaid tax carry over from 2015 to use in 2016.

We have standby letters of credit that expire at various dates in 2016 and 2017.  As of September 30, 2016, our letters of credit were $8.2 million.

 

Our unused and available borrowings under our bank revolving line of credit were $41.8 million as of September 30, 2016 and as of December 31, 2015.  We were in compliance with our debt covenants as of September 30, 2016.

 

 

We are exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates on our bank line of credit which may adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.  Although we conduct business in foreign countries, international operations are not material to our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. Additionally, foreign currency transaction gains

 

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and losses were not material to our results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. Accordingly, we are not currently subject to material foreign currency exchange rate risks from the effects that exchange rate movements of foreign currencies would have on our future costs or on future cash flows we would receive from our foreign investment. To date, we have not entered into any foreign currency forward exchange contracts or other derivative financial instruments to hedge the effects of adverse fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.   We do not use financial instruments for trading purposes.

We have both fixed and variable rate debt as described in Note 5 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.  Any material increase in market interest rates would not have a material impact on the results of operations for the quarter ended September 30, 2016.

As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, other than our outstanding letters of credit, we had no outstanding obligations under our bank line of credit arrangement.

 

 

As of September 30, 2016, an evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2016.  There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with such evaluation that occurred during the last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

 

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, there have been no material developments from the legal proceedings disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, except those disclosed in Note 8 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements under “Legal Matters,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, there have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our year ended December 31, 2015.

 

On February 2, 2016 our Board of Directors authorized the purchases of up to $100 million of our Class A Common Stock.  This authorization expires December 31, 2016.  We purchased 2,672,227 shares under this authorization during the nine months ended September 30, 2016.  There were 366,353 shares purchased during the third quarter of 2016, completing the share repurchase authorization.

 

The following table displays the number of shares purchased during the quarter and the maximum value of shares that may yet be purchased under the plan:

 

 

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This table excludes 2,581 shares we purchased for $0.1 million during the three months ended September 30, 2016 related to employee withholding upon vesting of restricted stock.

 

The exhibits included as part of the Form 10-Q are set forth in the Exhibit Index immediately preceding such Exhibits and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

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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 hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

 

 

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