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Exhibit 99.1

 

 MARTEN TRANSPORT ANNOUNCES FOURTH QUARTER AND YEAR END RESULTS

   Reports highest operating income and operating revenue for any quarter and year in Company history

 

MONDOVI, Wis., January 24, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Marten Transport, Ltd. (Nasdaq/GS:MRTN) today reported the highest operating income and operating revenue for any quarter and year in its history. For the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2018, net income was $15.7 million, or 29 cents per diluted share. Net income for the 2017 fourth quarter was $65.1 million, or $1.18 per diluted share – results that include a deferred income taxes benefit of $56.5 million related to the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Excluding that benefit, net income improved 82.8% from $8.6 million, or 16 cents per diluted share, for the 2017 fourth quarter. Net income was $55.0 million, or $1.00 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2018 and was $90.3 million, or $1.65 per diluted share, for 2017. Excluding the deferred income taxes benefit, 2018 net income improved 62.7% from $33.8 million, or 62 cents per diluted share, for 2017.

 

   

Operating Results Comparison

 
                                                 
                   

Percentage

                   

Percentage

 
                   

Change

                   

Change

 
                   

Three Months

                   

Year

 
   

Three Months

   

Ended

   

Year

   

Ended

 
   

Ended Dec. 31,

   

Dec. 31,

   

Ended Dec. 31,

   

Dec. 31,

 

(Dollars in thousands, except share information)

 

2018

   

2017

   

2018 vs. 2017

   

2018

   

2017

   

2018 vs. 2017

 
                                                 

Operating revenue

  $ 203,961     $ 182,771       11.6

%

  $ 787,594     $ 698,120       12.8

%

                                                 

Operating income

  $ 19,538     $ 14,333       36.3

%

  $ 70,348     $ 56,862       23.7

%

                                                 

Net income (excluding 2017 deferred income taxes benefit)

  $ 15,737     $ 8,609       82.8

%

  $ 55,027     $ 33,819       62.7

%

                                                 

Diluted earnings per common share (excluding 2017 deferred income taxes benefit)

  $ 0.29     $ 0.16       82.7

%

  $ 1.00     $ 0.62       61.8

%

                                                 

 

 

 

Earnings Impact of Deferred Income Taxes Benefit in 2017

                 
   

Three

Months

   

Year

 
   

Ended

   

Ended

 

 

(Dollars in thousands, except share information)

 

Dec. 31,

2017

   

Dec. 31,

2017

 
                 

Net income:

               

Excluding deferred income taxes benefit

  $ 8,609     $ 33,819  

Deferred income taxes benefit

    56,465       56,465  

Net income

  $ 65,074     $ 90,284  

Diluted earnings per common share*:

               

Excluding deferred income taxes benefit

  $ 0.16     $ 0.62  

Deferred income taxes benefit

    1.03       1.03  

Diluted earnings per common share

  $ 1.18     $ 1.65  
                 

*Differences in rounding exist for the diluted earnings per common share

amounts for the three months ended Dec. 31, 2017.

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenue improved 11.6% to a record $204.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2018 from $182.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2017, and improved 12.8% to a record $787.6 million for 2018 from $698.1 million for 2017. Excluding fuel surcharges, operating revenue improved 8.0% to $176.5 million for the 2018 quarter from $163.4 million for the 2017 quarter, and improved 8.0% to $681.4 million for 2018 from $631.0 million for 2017. Fuel surcharge revenue increased to $27.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2018 from $19.3 million for the 2017 quarter, and increased to $106.2 million for 2018 from $67.1 million for 2017.

 

Operating income improved 36.3% to a record $19.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2018 from $14.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2017, and improved 23.7% to a record $70.3 million for 2018 from $56.9 million for 2017.

 

Operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue improved to 90.4% for the fourth quarter of 2018 from 92.2% for the fourth quarter of 2017. Operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue, with both amounts net of fuel surcharges, improved to 88.9% for the fourth quarter of 2018 from 91.2% for the fourth quarter of 2017.

 

Operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue improved to 91.1% for 2018 from 91.9% for 2017. Operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue, with both amounts net of fuel surcharges, improved to 89.7% for 2018 from 91.0% for 2017.

 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Randolph L. Marten said, “We are pleased to report record operating income and operating revenue for the year, along with our best operating ratio, net of fuel surcharges, over the last 13 years – which we earned by consistently stepping up our profitability throughout the year. We also drove record operating revenue and operating income for the fourth quarter, along with our best operating ratio, net of fuel surcharges, over the last 15 quarters. Marten’s talented people delivered these strong top- and bottom-line results through the continued disciplined execution of our unique multifaceted business model while capitalizing on the strengthened freight environment. In addition, we enhanced our balance sheet position with $56.8 million in cash at December 31, 2018 compared with $15.8 million at the beginning of the year. We expect to produce continued organic growth across all of our operating platforms in 2019 with increasing compensation for our premium services, additional freight with existing and new customers, our emphasis on operating efficiencies and cost controls, and our modern fleet and strong balance sheet.”

 

“A number of our customer agreements included a shift beginning in this year’s first quarter from line haul to fuel surcharge revenue, which reduced our Dedicated and Truckload revenue, net of fuel surcharges, by $201 and $35 per tractor per week in the fourth quarter, and by $179 and $32 per tractor per week in the year. The change reduced our revenue excluding fuel surcharges by $3.6 million for the fourth quarter and by $12.9 million for the year, while increasing our fuel surcharge revenue by the same amounts.”

 

Marten Transport, with headquarters in Mondovi, Wis., is one of the leading temperature-sensitive truckload carriers in the United States, specializing in transporting and distributing food and other consumer packaged goods that require a temperature-controlled or insulated environment. Marten’s dry freight services are expanding, with 1,600 dry trailers operating as of December 31, 2018. Marten offers service in the United States, Canada and Mexico, concentrating on expedited movements for high-volume customers. Marten’s common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol MRTN.

 

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. These statements include a discussion of the Company’s prospects for future growth and by their nature involve substantial risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. Important factors known to the Company that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements are discussed in Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. The Company undertakes no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

CONTACTS: Tim Kohl, President, and Jim Hinnendael, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, of Marten Transport, Ltd., 715-926-4216.

 

 

 

 

 MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

 

   

December 31,

   

December 31,

 

(In thousands, except share information)

 

2018

   

2017

 
   

(Unaudited)

         

ASSETS

               

Current assets:

               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 56,763     $ 15,791  

Receivables:

               

Trade, net

    83,033       74,886  

Other

    3,808       6,131  

Prepaid expenses and other

    19,924       19,810  

Total current assets

    163,528       116,618  
                 

Property and equipment:

               

Revenue equipment, buildings and land, office equipment and other

    816,430       783,648  

Accumulated depreciation

    (228,200

)

    (211,728

)

Net property and equipment

    588,230       571,920  

Other assets

    2,146       1,865  

Total assets

  $ 753,904     $ 690,403  
                 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

               

Current liabilities:

               

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

  $ 43,870     $ 38,100  

Insurance and claims accruals

    28,103       26,177  

Total current liabilities

    71,973       64,277  

Deferred income taxes

    105,977       100,626  

Total liabilities

    177,950       164,903  
                 

Stockholders’ equity:

               

Preferred stock, $.01 par value per share; 2,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding

    -       -  

Common stock, $.01 par value per share; 192,000,000 shares authorized; 54,466,691 shares at December 31, 2018, and 54,533,455 shares at December 31, 2017, issued and outstanding

    545       545  

Additional paid-in capital

    76,814       76,413  

Retained earnings

    498,595       448,542  

Total stockholders’ equity

    575,954       525,500  

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $ 753,904     $ 690,403  

 

 

 

 

MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

   

Three Months

   

Year

 
   

Ended December 31,

   

Ended December 31,

 

(In thousands, except per share information)

 

2018

   

2017

   

2018

   

2017

 
                                 

Operating revenue

  $ 203,961     $ 182,771     $ 787,594     $ 698,120  
                                 

Operating expenses (income):

                               

Salaries, wages and benefits

    65,924       59,382       252,047       226,091  

Purchased transportation

    38,670       32,803       144,611       118,349  

Fuel and fuel taxes

    29,189       28,284       121,633       105,390  

Supplies and maintenance

    9,592       9,701       40,853       41,613  

Depreciation

    22,305       21,245       88,585       85,120  

Operating taxes and licenses

    2,418       2,180       9,473       8,993  

Insurance and claims

    10,859       9,487       38,657       38,585  

Communications and utilities

    1,641       1,516       6,634       6,047  

Gain on disposition of revenue equipment

    (2,038

)

    (617

)

    (7,244

)

    (5,499

)

Other

    5,863       4,457       21,997       16,569  
                                 

Total operating expenses

    184,423       168,438       717,246       641,258  
                                 

Operating income

    19,538       14,333       70,348       56,862  
                                 

Other

    (234

)

    109       (681

)

    389  
                                 

Income before income taxes

    19,772       14,224       71,029       56,473  
                                 

Income taxes expense (benefit)

    4,035       (50,850

)

    16,002       (33,811

)

                                 

Net income

  $ 15,737     $ 65,074     $ 55,027     $ 90,284  
                                 

Basic earnings per common share

  $ 0.29     $ 1.19     $ 1.01     $ 1.66  
                                 

Diluted earnings per common share

  $ 0.29     $ 1.18     $ 1.00     $ 1.65  
                                 

Dividends declared per common share

  $ 0.025     $ 0.025     $ 0.10     $ 0.08  

 

 

 

 

MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD.

SEGMENT INFORMATION

(Unaudited)

 

                   

Dollar

   

Percentage

 
                   

Change

   

Change

 
   

Three Months

   

Three Months

   

Three Months

 
   

Ended

   

Ended

   

Ended

 
   

December 31,

   

December 31,

   

December 31,

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

2018

   

2017

   

2018 vs. 2017

   

2018 vs. 2017

 

Operating revenue:

                               

Truckload revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue

  $ 81,020     $ 85,469     $ (4,449

)

    (5.2

)%

Truckload fuel surcharge revenue

    12,979       12,161       818       6.7  

Total Truckload revenue

    93,999       97,630       (3,631

)

    (3.7

)

                                 

Dedicated revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue

    49,041       39,037       10,004       25.6  

Dedicated fuel surcharge revenue

    10,216       3,916       6,300       160.9  

Total Dedicated revenue

    59,257       42,953       16,304       38.0  
                                 

Intermodal revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue

    21,738       19,171       2,567       13.4  

Intermodal fuel surcharge revenue

    4,226       3,254       972       29.9  

Total Intermodal revenue

    25,964       22,425       3,539       15.8  
                                 

Brokerage revenue

    24,741       19,763       4,978       25.2  
                                 

Total operating revenue

  $ 203,961     $ 182,771     $ 21,190       11.6

%

                                 

Operating income:

                               

Truckload

  $ 9,537     $ 7,077     $ 2,460       34.8

%

Dedicated

    5,268       2,999       2,269       75.7  

Intermodal

    3,153       2,526       627       24.8  

Brokerage

    1,580       1,731       (151

)

    (8.7

)

Total operating income

  $ 19,538     $ 14,333     $ 5,205       36.3

%

                                 

Operating ratio:

                               

Truckload

    89.9

%

    92.8

%

               

Dedicated

    91.1       93.0                  

Intermodal

    87.9       88.7                  

Brokerage

    93.6       91.2                  

Consolidated operating ratio

    90.4

%

    92.2

%

               

 

 

 

 

MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD.

SEGMENT INFORMATION

(Unaudited)

 

                   

Dollar

   

Percentage

 
                   

Change

   

Change

 
   

Year

   

Year

   

Year

 
   

Ended

   

Ended

   

Ended

 
   

December 31,

   

December 31,

   

December 31,

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

2018

   

2017

   

2018 vs. 2017

   

2018 vs. 2017

 

Operating revenue:

                               

Truckload revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue

  $ 322,324     $ 336,596     $ (14,272

)

    (4.2

)%

Truckload fuel surcharge revenue

    53,016       43,614       9,402       21.6  

Total Truckload revenue

    375,340       380,210       (4,870

)

    (1.3

)

                                 

Dedicated revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue

    187,137       153,691       33,446       21.8  

Dedicated fuel surcharge revenue

    36,715       13,190       23,525       178.4  

Total Dedicated revenue

    223,852       166,881       56,971       34.1  
                                 

Intermodal revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue

    85,572       70,282       15,290       21.8  

Intermodal fuel surcharge revenue

    16,453       10,339       6,114       59.1  

Total Intermodal revenue

    102,025       80,621       21,404       26.5  
                                 

Brokerage revenue

    86,377       70,408       15,969       22.7  
                                 

Total operating revenue

  $ 787,594     $ 698,120     $ 89,474       12.8

%

                                 

Operating income:

                               

Truckload

  $ 35,067     $ 26,326     $ 8,741       33.2

%

Dedicated

    18,589       17,074       1,515       8.9  

Intermodal

    11,150       8,303       2,847       34.3  

Brokerage

    5,542       5,159       383       7.4  

Total operating income

  $ 70,348     $ 56,862     $ 13,486       23.7

%

                                 

Operating ratio:

                               

Truckload

    90.7

%

    93.1

%

               

Dedicated

    91.7       89.8                  

Intermodal

    89.1       89.7                  

Brokerage

    93.6       92.7                  

Consolidated operating ratio

    91.1

%

    91.9

%

               

 

 

 

 

MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD.

OPERATING STATISTICS

(Unaudited)

 

   

Three Months

   

Year

 
   

Ended December 31,

   

Ended December 31,

 
   

2018

   

2017

   

2018

   

2017

 

Truckload Segment:

                               

Revenue (in thousands)

  $ 93,999     $ 97,630     $ 375,340     $ 380,210  

Average revenue, net of fuel surcharges, per tractor per week(1)

  $ 3,941     $ 3,700     $ 3,833     $ 3,514  

Average tractors(1)

    1,564       1,758       1,613       1,837  

Average miles per trip

    558       601       573       599  

Non-revenue miles percentage(2)

    11.4

%

    6.2

%

    9.5

%

    8.3

%

Total miles (in thousands)

    36,171       43,624       153,514       178,760  
                                 

Dedicated Segment:

                               

Revenue (in thousands)

  $ 59,257     $ 42,953     $ 223,852     $ 166,881  

Average revenue, net of fuel surcharges, per tractor per week(1)

  $ 3,360     $ 3,535     $ 3,300     $ 3,481  

Average tractors(1)

    1,111       840       1,088       847  

Average miles per trip

    321       296       309       297  

Non-revenue miles percentage(2)

    0.5

%

    1.1

%

    0.7

%

    0.8

%

Total miles (in thousands)

    24,025       19,461       93,269       77,102  
                                 

Intermodal Segment:

                               

Revenue (in thousands)

  $ 25,964     $ 22,425     $ 102,025     $ 80,621  

Loads

    10,493       10,554       42,425       40,196  

Average tractors

    91       78       88       79  
                                 

Brokerage Segment:

                               

Revenue (in thousands)

  $ 24,741     $ 19,763     $ 86,377     $ 70,408  

Loads

    14,314       11,667       51,104       48,271  
                                 

At December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:

                               

Total tractors(1)

    2,755       2,738                  

Average age of company tractors (in years)

    1.7       1.5                  

Total trailers

    5,347       4,909                  

Average age of company trailers (in years)

    2.5       2.8                  

Ratio of trailers to tractors(1)

    1.9       1.8                  

 

   

Three Months

   

Year

 
   

Ended December 31,

   

Ended December 31,

 

(In thousands)

 

2018

   

2017

   

2018

   

2017

 
                                 

Net cash provided by operating activities

  $ 38,526     $ 27,169     $ 150,623     $ 121,879  

Net cash (used for) investing activities

    (12,428

)

    (11,303

)

    (101,270

)

    (95,318

)

Net cash (used for) financing activities

    (5,074

)

    (1,234

)

    (8,381

)

    (11,258

)

                                 

Weighted average shares outstanding:

                               

Basic

    54,514       54,529       54,590       54,492  

Diluted

    55,014       54,979       55,149       54,850  

  

(1) 

Includes tractors driven by both company-employed drivers and independent contractors. Independent contractors provided 46 and 60 tractors as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. 

 

 

(2)

Represents the percentage of miles for which the company is not compensated.