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8-K - FORM 8-K (SECOND QUARTER 2017 EARNINGS RELEASE) - KNIGHT TRANSPORTATION INCform8k.htm

Exhibit 99
 
July 26, 2017
Phoenix, Arizona
Knight Transportation Reports Second Quarter 2017 Revenue and Earnings
Knight Transportation, Inc. (NYSE: KNX), one of North America’s largest and most diversified truckload transportation companies, today reported revenue and net income for the second quarter ended June 30, 2017.
Key financial highlights for the second quarter and first six months of 2017 and 2016 were as follows:
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
 
2017
   
2016
   
Chg
   
2017
   
2016
   
Chg
 
Total Revenue
 
$
273,243
   
$
276,318
     
-1.1
%
 
$
544,425
   
$
548,406
     
-0.7
%
Revenue, excluding trucking fuel surcharge
 
$
247,022
   
$
253,859
     
-2.7
%
 
$
492,002
   
$
507,442
     
-3.0
%
Operating Income
 
$
28,410
   
$
38,081
     
-25.4
%
 
$
51,048
   
$
76,808
     
-33.5
%
Adjusted Operating Income(1)
 
$
32,588
   
$
38,081
     
-14.4
%
 
$
55,226
   
$
76,808
     
-28.1
%
Net Income attributable to Knight
 
$
17,970
   
$
24,918
*
   
-27.9
%
 
$
32,847
   
$
47,935
*
   
-31.5
%
Adjusted Net Income, attributable to Knight(2)
 
$
20,577
   
$
24,918
*
   
-17.4
%
 
$
35,454
   
$
47,935
*
   
-26.0
%
Earnings per diluted share
 
$
0.22
   
$
0.31
     
-28.3
%
 
$
0.40
   
$
0.59
     
-31.6
%
Adjusted earnings per diluted share(2)
 
$
0.25
   
$
0.31
     
-17.8
%
 
$
0.44
   
$
0.59
     
-26.1
%
 
                                               
* The second quarter and first six months of 2016 was recast to reflect the impact of the Company’s adoption of ASU 2016-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvement to Employee Share-based Payment Accounting, to simplify several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences. The standard was early adopted in the fourth quarter of 2016, and impacted the income statement by reducing the income tax expense, while reducing additional paid-in capital in the balance sheet for all periods of 2016.
 

The company previously announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.06 per share to shareholders of record on June 2, 2017, which was paid on June 23, 2017.
Dave Jackson, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented on the quarter, “The freight environment began to show signs of improvement as we experienced more non-contract opportunities during the second quarter of 2017 as compared to the same quarter last year. Our revenue per loaded mile increased slightly year over year, which marks the first year over year improvement since the third quarter of 2015. The 2017 bid season has been competitive, similar to 2016, however, we expect the recent capacity tightness and non-contract pricing strength to lead to an improved rate environment.  This quarter our tractor utilization was negatively impacted by a 3.4% decline in average length of haul and a difficult experienced driver recruiting market.  We expect these challenges to continue into the third quarter, however, our leadership remains focused on improving the productivity of our assets, expanding our brokerage business, and enhancing our cost control measures.
 

 
“Our diluted earnings per share for the second quarter were $0.22, which includes $4.2 million ($2.6 million after-tax) of expenses related to the pending merger with Swift Transportation.  Excluding the merger-related expenses, our diluted earnings per share for the second quarter were $0.25, which compares to $0.31 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2016.   A number of factors impacted our results on a year over year basis.  The decline in our miles per tractor negatively impacted our results by $0.02 per diluted share. An increase in driver payroll expenses negatively impacted our results by approximately $0.02 per diluted share, while lower gain on sale and other income year over year also negatively impacted our results by approximately $0.02.”
The following chart reflects our consolidated financial performance and that of our trucking and our logistics segments for the second quarter and first six months of 2017 and 2016.
(dollars in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
 
2017
   
2016
   
Chg
   
2017
   
2016
   
Chg
 
Consolidated
                                   
Revenue, excluding trucking fuel surcharge
 
$
247,022
   
$
253,859
     
-2.7
%
 
$
492,002
   
$
507,442
     
-3.0
%
Operating Income
 
$
28,410
   
$
38,081
     
-25.4
%
 
$
51,048
   
$
76,808
     
-33.5
%
Adjusted Operating Income(1)
 
$
32,588
   
$
38,081
     
-14.4
%
 
$
55,226
   
$
76,808
     
-28.1
%
Adjusted Operating Ratio(1)
   
86.8
%
   
85.0
%
 
180 bps
     
88.8
%
   
84.9
%
 
390 bps
 
 
                                               
Trucking Segment
                                               
Revenue, excluding trucking fuel surcharge
 
$
194,049
   
$
203,930
     
-4.8
%
 
$
386,509
   
$
403,343
     
-4.2
%
Operating Income
 
$
25,762
   
$
35,286
     
-27.0
%
 
$
46,022
   
$
71,208
     
-35.4
%
Adjusted Operating Income(3)
 
$
29,940
   
$
35,286
     
-15.2
%
 
$
50,200
   
$
71,208
     
-29.5
%
Adjusted Operating Ratio(3)
   
84.6
%
   
82.7
%
 
190 bps
     
87.0
%
   
82.3
%
 
470 bps
 
 
                                               
Logistics Segment
                                               
Revenue
 
$
52,973
   
$
49,929
     
6.1
%
 
$
105,493
   
$
104,099
     
1.3
%
Operating Income
 
$
2,648
   
$
2,795
     
-5.3
%
 
$
5,026
   
$
5,600
     
-10.3
%
Operating Ratio
   
95.0
%
   
94.4
%
 
60 bps
     
95.2
%
   
94.6
%
 
60 bps
 

In the second quarter, the trucking segment achieved an adjusted operating ratio of 84.6% compared to 82.7% for the same quarter last year.  The operating ratio was negatively impacted by a decrease in revenue per tractor, excluding fuel surcharge, of 2.9%, year over year, attributable to a 0.3% increase in average revenue per loaded mile, a 3.0% decrease in average miles per tractor, and a 20 basis point increase in our non-paid empty mile percentage.  Driver related costs and lower gain on sale continue to present cost headwinds.  We remain focused on developing our freight network and improving the productivity of our assets.
 

Our logistics segment consists of brokerage, intermodal, and other logistics services.  During the second quarter of 2017, the logistics segment increased revenue 6.1% and produced an operating ratio of 95.0% compared to 94.4% for the same quarter last year.  Brokerage revenue increased 12.1% in the second quarter of 2017 when compared to the same quarter last year as load volume increased 12.4%.  The gross margin percentage decreased to 14.3% in the current quarter compared to 16.8% in the same quarter last year.  We plan to continue to invest in our logistics service offerings, which should continue to improve our return on capital compared with asset-based operations.
The used equipment market remained soft during the quarter and resulted in $0.8 million of gain on sale of revenue equipment in the second quarter of 2017, compared to $2.7 million in the same quarter of 2016. The average age of our tractor fleet is 2.6 years, which has increased from 1.8 years in the second quarter of 2016.  With rising new equipment prices and a weak used equipment market, we extended the expected trade cycle of our tractors and reduced our average tractor count by 2.0% when compared to the second quarter of 2016. Managing our fleet size and age, and resulting capital investments in the trucking segment, will continue to be part of our strategy to maintain investment returns as much as possible through fluctuations  in the supply-demand environment.
Over the last twelve months ended June 30, 2017, we have returned $22.9 million to our shareholders in the form of quarterly dividends and stock repurchases. We ended the quarter with $88.7 million of cash and cash equivalents, no long-term debt, and $816.3 million of shareholders' equity. Our net capital expenditures during the second quarter were $11.0 million, while our cash flow from operations was $52.2 million.
The company will hold a conference call on July 26, 2017, at 4:30 PM EDT, to further discuss its results of operations for the quarter ended June 30, 2017. The dial in number for this conference call is 1-855-733-9163. Slides to accompany this call will be posted on the company’s website and will be available to download prior to the scheduled conference time.  To view the presentation, please visit http://investor.knighttrans.com/events, “Second Quarter 2017 Conference Call Presentation.”
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 in evaluating certain parts of our business.  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 tables at the end of this press release.
Knight Transportation, Inc. is a provider of multiple truckload transportation and logistics services using a nationwide network of business units and service centers in the U.S. to serve customers throughout North America.  In addition to operating one of the country’s largest tractor fleets, Knight also contracts with third-party equipment providers to provide a broad range of truckload services to its customers while creating quality driving jobs for our driving associates and successful business opportunities for independent contractors.
 

INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
                       
                         
   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2017
   
2016
   
2017
   
2016
 
   
(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
REVENUE:
                       
  Revenue, before fuel surcharge
 
$
247,022
   
$
253,859
   
$
492,002
   
$
507,442
 
  Fuel surcharge
   
26,221
     
22,459
     
52,423
     
40,964
 
TOTAL REVENUE
   
273,243
     
276,318
     
544,425
     
548,406
 
                                 
OPERATING  EXPENSES:
                               
    Salaries, wages and benefits
   
79,944
     
84,440
     
162,454
     
168,043
 
    Fuel expense - gross
   
33,719
     
33,429
     
68,952
     
60,200
 
    Operations and maintenance
   
20,596
     
19,094
     
41,249
     
37,104
 
    Insurance and claims
   
8,294
     
8,257
     
16,865
     
17,080
 
    Operating taxes and licenses
   
4,615
     
4,612
     
9,046
     
10,099
 
    Communications
   
1,018
     
1,043
     
2,204
     
2,248
 
    Depreciation and amortization
   
29,371
     
28,955
     
59,053
     
57,357
 
    Purchased transportation
   
58,299
     
53,918
     
116,924
     
111,703
 
    Miscellaneous operating expenses
   
4,799
     
4,489
     
12,452
     
7,764
 
    Merger-related costs
   
4,178
     
-
     
4,178
     
-
 
           Total operating expenses
   
244,833
     
238,237
     
493,377
     
471,598
 
                                 
    Income from operations
   
28,410
     
38,081
     
51,048
     
76,808
 
                                 
    Interest income
   
130
     
82
     
189
     
176
 
    Interest expense
   
(54
)
   
(258
)
   
(136
)
   
(559
)
    Other income
   
601
     
1,927
     
1,322
     
3,213
 
    Income before income taxes
   
29,087
     
39,832
     
52,423
     
79,638
 
INCOME  TAXES
   
10,828
     
14,618
*
   
19,058
     
30,955
*
Net income
   
18,259
     
25,214
*
   
33,365
     
48,683
*
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
   
(289
)
   
(296
)
   
(518
)
   
(748
)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO KNIGHT TRANSPORTATION
 
$
17,970
   
$
24,918
*
 
$
32,847
   
$
47,935
*
                                 
     Basic Earnings Per Share
 
$
0.22
   
$
0.31
   
$
0.41
   
$
0.60
 
     Diluted Earnings Per Share
 
$
0.22
   
$
0.31
   
$
0.40
   
$
0.59
 
                                 
     Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Basic
   
80,520
     
80,105
     
80,416
     
80,407
 
     Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Diluted
   
81,349
     
80,983
     
81,276
     
81,191
 
 
 

 
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
           
   
06/30/17
   
12/31/16
 
ASSETS
 
(Unaudited, in thousands)
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
88,706
   
$
8,021
 
Trade receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts
   
127,252
     
142,167
 
Notes receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts
   
646
     
560
 
Prepaid expenses
   
11,703
     
13,244
 
Assets held for sale
   
13,845
     
9,634
 
Other current assets
   
8,208
     
8,159
 
Income Tax Receivable
   
11,280
     
8,406
 
     Total Current Assets
   
261,640
     
190,191
 
                 
Property and equipment, net
   
759,896
     
802,858
 
Notes receivable, long-term
   
2,618
     
3,047
 
Goodwill
   
47,021
     
47,031
 
Intangible Assets, net
   
2,325
     
2,575
 
Other assets and restricted cash
   
25,908
     
32,823
 
     Total Long-term Assets
   
837,768
     
888,334
 
                 
     Total Assets
 
$
1,099,408
   
$
1,078,525
 
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Accounts payable
 
$
12,775
   
$
18,006
 
Accrued payroll and purchased transportation
   
27,008
     
25,017
 
Accrued liabilities
   
21,429
     
16,722
 
Claims accrual - current portion
   
19,905
     
18,633
 
Dividend payable - current portion
   
287
     
272
 
     Total Current Liabilities
   
81,404
     
78,650
 
                 
Claims accrual - long-term portion
   
14,167
     
13,290
 
Long-term dividend payable and other liabilities
   
1,781
     
1,854
 
Deferred tax liabilities
   
183,518
     
178,000
 
Long-term debt
   
-
     
18,000
 
     Total Long-term Liabilities
   
199,466
     
211,144
 
                 
     Total Liabilities
   
280,870
     
289,794
 
                 
Common stock
   
806
     
802
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
231,551
     
223,267
 
Retained earnings
   
583,988
     
562,404
 
     Total Knight Transportation Shareholders' Equity
   
816,345
     
786,473
 
     Noncontrolling interest
   
2,193
     
2,258
 
     Total Shareholders' Equity
   
818,538
     
788,731
 
     Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
 
$
1,099,408
   
$
1,078,525
 
 
 

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
         
Six Months Ended June 30,
       
   
2017
   
2016
   
% Change
   
2017
   
2016
   
% Change
 
   
(Unaudited)   
         
(Unaudited)   
       
OPERATING  STATISTICS
                                   
                                     
Average Revenue Per Tractor**
 
$
42,176
   
$
43,414
     
-2.9
%
 
$
83,335
   
$
85,943
     
-3.0
%
                                                 
Non-paid Empty Mile Percent
   
12.5
%
   
12.3
%
   
1.6
%
   
12.5
%
   
12.5
%
   
0.0
%
                                                 
Average Length of Haul
   
488
     
505
     
-3.4
%
   
493
     
500
     
-1.4
%
                                                 
Adjusted Operating Ratio (1)
   
86.8
%
   
85.0
%
           
88.8
%
   
84.9
%
       
                                                 
Average Tractors - Total
   
4,601
     
4,697
             
4,638
     
4,693
         
                                                 
Average Trailers - Total
   
12,310
     
12,289
             
12,377
     
12,128
         
                                                 
Net Capital Expenditures (in thousands)
 
$
11,013
   
$
23,678
           
$
22,588
   
$
35,396
         
                                                 
Cash Flow From Operations (in thousands)
 
$
52,207
   
$
66,183
   
 
   
$
117,691
   
$
135,558
   
 
 
                                                 
* Recast to reflect the impact of the Company’s adoption of ASU 2016-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvement to Employee Share-based Payment Accounting, to simplify several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences. The standard was early adopted in the fourth quarter of 2016, and impacted the income statement by reducing the income tax expense and therefore net income, while reducing additional paid-in capital in the balance sheet for all periods of 2016.
 
                                   
** Includes trucking segment revenue excluding fuel surcharge.
                                 
 
GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation Schedules:
(1)
Non-GAAP reconciliation
                         
Adjusted operating income, operating ratio, and adjusted operating ratio reconciliation (a)
       
                             
       
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
         
2017
     
2016
     
2017
     
2016
 
       
(Unaudited, in thousands)        
 
                                     
Total revenue
   
$
273,243
   
$
276,318
   
$
544,425
   
$
548,406
 
Less: Trucking fuel surcharge
     
26,221
     
22,459
     
52,423
     
40,964
 
Revenue, excluding trucking fuel surcharge
   
$
247,022
   
$
253,859
   
$
492,002
   
$
507,442
 
Operating expense
     
244,833
     
238,237
     
493,377
     
471,598
 
Adjusted for:
                                 
Trucking fuel surcharge
     
(26,221
)
   
(22,459
)
   
(52,423
)
   
(40,964
)
Merger-related costs(b)
     
(4,178
)
   
-
     
(4,178
)
   
-
 
Adjusted operating expenses
     
214,434
     
215,778
     
436,776
     
430,634
 
Adjusted operating income
   
$
32,588
   
$
38,081
   
$
55,226
   
$
76,808
 
Operating ratio
     
89.6
%
   
86.2
%
   
90.6
%
   
86.0
%
Adjusted operating ratio
     
86.8
%
   
85.0
%
   
88.8
%
   
84.9
%
                                     
(2)
Non-GAAP reconciliation
                       
Adjusted net income attributable to Knight and adjusted earnings per diluted share reconciliation:
       
                         
                         
   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2017
   
2016
   
2017
   
2016
 
   
(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share amounts)   
 
                         
Net Income attributable to Knight
 
$
17,970
   
$
24,918
   
$
32,847
   
$
47,935
 
Adjusted for:
                               
Merger-related costs (net of tax)(b)
   
2,607
     
-
     
2,607
     
-
 
Adjusted net income attributable to Knight
 
$
20,577
   
$
24,918
   
$
35,454
   
$
47,935
 
                                 
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Diluted
   
81,349
     
80,983
     
81,276
     
81,191
 
                                 
Earnings per diluted share
 
$
0.22
   
$
0.31
   
$
0.40
   
$
0.59
 
Adjusted for:
                               
Merger-related costs(b)
   
0.03
     
-
   
$
0.03
     
-
 
Adjusted earnings per diluted  share
 
$
0.25
   
$
0.31
   
$
0.44
   
$
0.59
 
                                 
 
 

 
(3)
Non-GAAP reconciliation
                       
Operating ratio and adjusted operating ratio for trucking segment (a)
             
                         
   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2017
   
2016
   
2017
   
2016
 
   
(Unaudited, in thousands)      
 
Trucking
                       
Total revenue
 
$
220,270
   
$
226,389
   
$
438,932
   
$
444,307
 
Less: Trucking fuel surcharge
   
26,221
     
22,459
     
52,423
     
40,964
 
Revenue, excluding trucking fuel surcharge
 
$
194,049
   
$
203,930
   
$
386,509
   
$
403,343
 
Operating expense
   
194,508
     
191,103
     
392,910
     
373,099
 
Adjusted for:
                               
Trucking fuel surcharge
   
(26,221
)
   
(22,459
)
   
(52,423
)
   
(40,964
)
Merger-related costs(b)
   
(4,178
)
   
-
     
(4,178
)
   
-
 
Adjusted operating expenses
   
164,109
     
168,644
     
336,309
     
332,135
 
Adjusted operating income
 
$
29,940
   
$
35,286
   
$
50,200
   
$
71,208
 
Operating ratio
   
88.3
%
   
84.4
%
   
89.5
%
   
84.0
%
Adjusted operating ratio
   
84.6
%
   
82.7
%
   
87.0
%
   
82.3
%
                                 
 
(a) Adjusted operating ratio as reported in this press release is based upon total operating expenses, net of fuel surcharge, as a percentage of revenue before fuel surcharge.  We measure our revenue, before fuel surcharge, and our operating expenses, net of fuel surcharge, because we believe that eliminating this sometimes volatile source of revenue affords a more consistent basis for comparing our results of operations from period to period.
             
(b) During the second quarter of 2017, we recorded approximately $4.2 million of direct and incremental costs ($2.6 million after-tax) related to the proposed merger with Swift. These costs were primarily incurred for legal and professional fees associated with the transaction.
 
This press release contains 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. These statements generally may be identified by their use of terms or phrases such as "expects," "estimates," "anticipates," "projects," "believes," "plans," "intends," "may," "will," "should," "could," "potential," "continue," "future," and terms or phrases of similar substance.  Forward-looking statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of our management and are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified, which could cause future events and actual results to differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying the forward-looking statements.  Accordingly, actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.  Readers should review and consider the factors that may affect future results and other disclosures by the Company in its press releases, stockholder reports, Annual Report on Form 10-K, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or changes in the factors affecting the forward-looking information.
 
Contact:  David A. Jackson, President and CEO, or Adam W. Miller, CFO at (602) 606-6315