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

Exhibit 99

January 30, 2012
 
Phoenix, Arizona
 
Knight Transportation Reports Fourth Quarter and Annual 2012 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 fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2012.
 
Key financial highlights for the fourth quarter and year were as follows:
 
   
Three Months Ended December 31,
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
   
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
% Change
   
2012
   
2011
   
% Change
 
Total revenue
  $ 242,303     $ 224,100       8.1 %   $ 936,036     $ 866,199       8.1 %
GAAP operating income
  $ 28,564     $ 29,235       -2.3 %   $ 108,267     $ 100,021       8.2 %
Adjusted operating income(1)
 
NA
   
NA
   
NA
    $ 112,248     $ 100,021       12.2 %
GAAP net income
  $ 17,698     $ 17,469       1.3 %   $ 64,117     $ 60,248       6.4 %
Adjusted net income(1)
 
NA
   
NA
   
NA
    $ 68,011     $ 60,248       12.9 %
GAAP earning per diluted share
  $ 0.22     $ 0.22       1.0 %   $ 0.80     $ 0.74       8.9 %
Adjusted earnings per diluted share(1)
 
NA
   
NA
   
NA
    $ 0.85     $ 0.74       15.5 %

(1) See GAAP to Non-GAAP reconciliation schedule
 
The company previously announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.06 per share and a special cash dividend of $0.50 to shareholders of record on December 7, 2012, both of which were paid on December 28, 2012.
 
During the fourth quarter of 2012 we were successful in growing revenue in all parts of our business.  Consolidated revenue grew 8.1% for the fourth quarter when compared to the fourth quarter of 2011.    The environment in both 2012 and 2011 were similar in terms of growth.  The economic environment continued in the lukewarm fashion we have become accustomed to.  Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our employees, we were able to produce what we believe to be truckload industry leading revenue growth of 8.1% for the year, which led to 12.2% adjusted operating income growth and 15.5% adjusted earnings per diluted share growth.
 
The following chart reflects the year-over-year operating ratio comparison and revenue growth for our asset based businesses and our non-asset based businesses for the fourth quarter and full year of 2012 and 2011.
 
 
 
 

 

 
   
Three Months Ended December 31,
   
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
 
   
Operating ratios(2)
   
Revenue growth
   
Operating ratios(2)
   
Revenue growth
 
   
2012
   
2011
         
2012
   
2011
       
Asset based
    83.8 %     82.7 %     5.7 %     83.6 %     84.6 %     6.6 %
Non-asset based
    94.1 %     91.7 %     30.0 %     94.7 %     93.7 %     22.2 %
                                                 
Consolidated
    85.4 %     83.8 %     8.1 %     85.1 %     85.7 %     8.1 %
 
(2) Operating ratio is defined as total operating expenses, net of trucking fuel surcharge, as a percentage of revenue before trucking fuel surcharge.
 
We continue to provide our customers with the truckload services their supply chains rely on.  Our investment in providing multiple solutions that are executed with a high level of efficiency and effectiveness has led to, and will continue to lead to, additional revenue opportunities.
 
The DOE national average diesel fuel price increased 3.8% when compared to the fourth quarter last year.  We continue our work towards cost effective, industry leading fuel economy while at the same time meaningfully contributing to environmental improvements.
 
The driver market remains challenging, yet we are succeeding in attracting and retaining high performing driving associates.  We continue to benefit by leveraging our model and the advantages it provides us with our driving associates.  As a result, our driver turnover has trended favorably and is well below what we understand to be the industry average.
 
In July of 2012, Congress passed a bill which included a requirement that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issue a rule mandating that all motor carriers engaged in interstate commerce must use electronic on-board recorders (EOBRs) to monitor compliance with hours-of-service regulations.  All trucking companies will be required to adopt EOBRs by no later than July 2015.  Our entire tractor fleet has been fully equipped with EOBRs for over two years.  We believe this mandate will allow the carriers that have already adopted EOBRs to be more competitive in recruiting and retaining driving associates.
 
Our average tractor count for the quarter increased 5.4%.  We invested $34.9 million of net capital expenditures in the fourth quarter, as our tractor fleet remains one of the most modern fleets in the industry with an average age of 1.9 years.  Included in the fourth quarter net capital expenditures is a real estate investment in a property in Phoenix, Arizona that will serve as our headquarters.  Our gain on sale decreased from $2.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 to $2.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2012, as the used equipment market was less robust.
 
 
 
 

 
 
We have returned $155.2 million to our shareholders in the form of quarterly dividends and stock repurchases over the twenty-four-month period ending December 31, 2012.  We ended the quarter with $5.7 million of cash, $80.0 million of borrowing under our unsecured revolving credit agreement, and $490.2 million of shareholders' equity.
 
The company will hold a conference call on January 30, 2013, at 4:30 PM EST, to further discuss its results of operations for the quarter ended December 31, 2012. 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, “Fourth Quarter 2012 Conference Call Presentation.”
 
Knight Transportation, Inc. is a provider of multiple truckload transportation services using a nationwide network of 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 partners 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 owner-operators.
 

 
 
 

 

INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
 
Three Months Ended December 31,
   
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
 
   
(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
                         
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
REVENUE:
                       
  Revenue, before fuel surcharge
  $ 195,164     $ 181,001     $ 752,151     $ 697,286  
  Fuel surcharge
    47,139       43,099       183,885       168,913  
TOTAL REVENUE
    242,303       224,100       936,036       866,199  
                                 
OPERATING  EXPENSES:
                               
    Salaries, wages and benefits
    60,046       56,467       238,266       218,686  
    Fuel expense - gross
    56,781       56,968       230,178       226,471  
    Operations and maintenance
    16,954       13,401       61,875       53,714  
    Insurance and claims
    8,429       7,044       32,138       30,072  
    Operating taxes and licenses
    4,180       3,973       16,184       15,212  
    Communications
    1,299       1,437       5,172       5,534  
    Depreciation and amortization
    21,925       19,891       85,056       75,832  
    Purchased transportation
    41,008       33,600       148,022       129,143  
    Miscellaneous operating expenses
    3,117       2,084       10,878       11,514  
      213,739       194,865       827,769       766,178  
    Income From Operations
    28,564       29,235       108,267       100,021  
                                 
    Interest income
    100       131       417       1,068  
    Interest expense
    (100 )     (131 )     (457 )     (180 )
    Other income
    1,120       271       1,550       279  
    Income before income taxes
    29,684       29,506       109,777       101,188  
INCOME  TAXES
    11,620       11,800       45,014       40,480  
Net Income
    18,064       17,706       64,763       60,708  
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
    (366 )     (237 )     (646 )     (460 )
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO KNIGHT TRANSPORTATION
  $ 17,698     $ 17,469     $ 64,117     $ 60,248  
Net Income Per Share
                               
                                     - Basic
  $ 0.22     $ 0.22     $ 0.80     $ 0.74  
                                     - Diluted
  $ 0.22     $ 0.22     $ 0.80     $ 0.74  
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding
                               
                                     - Basic
    79,746       79,378       79,673       81,439  
                                     - Diluted
    79,987       79,706       80,000       81,872  
 
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
               
   
12/31/12
   
12/31/11
 
ASSETS
 
(Unaudited, in thousands)
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 5,684     $ 9,584  
Accounts receivable, net
    102,553       101,319  
Notes receivable, net
    791       1,034  
Related party notes and interest receivable
    2,814       2,868  
Prepaid expenses
    17,035       10,131  
Assets held for sale
    18,362       19,416  
Other current assets
    12,449       9,605  
Income tax receivable
    -       3,821  
Current deferred tax asset
    3,409       2,319  
     Total Current Assets
    163,097       160,097  
                 
Property and equipment, net
    584,064       547,033  
Notes receivable, long-term
    3,692       3,987  
Goodwill
    10,276       10,295  
Other assets and restricted cash
    21,383       16,171  
     Total Long-term Assets
    619,415       577,486  
                 
     Total Assets
  $ 782,512     $ 737,583  
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Accounts payable
  $ 11,281     $ 14,322  
Accrued payroll and purchased transportation
    10,489       9,096  
Accrued liabilities
    16,020       13,645  
Claims accrual - current portion
    15,892       12,875  
Dividend payable - current portion
    141       77  
     Total Current Liabilities
    53,823       50,015  
                 
Claims accrual - long-term portion
    10,340       8,693  
Long-term dividend payable & other liabilities
    2,638       1,457  
Deferred income taxes
    144,871       145,668  
Long-term debt
    80,000       55,000  
     Total Long-term Liabilities
    237,849       210,818  
                 
     Total Liabilities
    291,672       260,833  
                 
                 
                 
Common stock
    798       794  
Additional paid-in capital
    142,837       132,723  
Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)
    (302 )     (448 )
Retained earnings
    346,899       343,290  
     Total Knight Transportation Shareholders' Equity
    490,232       476,359  
     Noncontrolling interest
    608       391  
     Total Shareholders' Equity
    490,840       476,750  
     Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
  $ 782,512     $ 737,583  

 
 

 
 
 OPERATING STATISTICS:   Three Months Ended December 31,       Twelve Months Ended December 31,    
   
2012
   
2011
         
2012
   
2011
       
   
(Unaudited)
         
(Unaudited)
       
                                     
 
             
%
               
%
 
               
Change
               
Change
 
Average Revenue Per Tractor*
  $ 39,653     $ 39,974       -0.8 %   $ 158,978     $ 157,076       1.2 %
                                                 
Non-paid Empty Mile Percent
    11.0 %     10.8 %     1.9 %     10.6 %     10.6 %     0.0 %
                                                 
Average Length of Haul
    480       468       2.6 %     482       483       -0.2 %
                                                 
Operating Ratio**
    85.4 %     83.8 %             85.1 %     85.7 %        
                                                 
Average Tractors - Total
    4,178       3,963               4,096       3,908          
                                                 
Trailers - End of Quarter
    9,564       8,986               9,564       8,986          
                                                 
Net Capital Expenditures (in thousands)
  $ 34,942     $ 40,327             $ 120,844     $ 138,308          
                                                 
Adjusted Cash Flow From Operations Excluding Change in Short-term Investments (in thousands) ***
  $ 44,142     $ 38,341             $ 150,820     $ 136,318          
 
* Includes dry van, refrigerated, and port services revenue excluding fuel surcharge, brokerage revenue, intermodal revenue, and other revenue.
               
** 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.  Operating ratio reported for the twelve months ending December 31, 2012 is based upon total operating expenses, excluding the first quarter 2012 one time non-cash stock compensation charge of $4 million related to the accelerated vesting of certain stock options issued prior to 2009, and 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.
               
*** No adjustment was made to the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2012 adjusted cash flow from operations of $150,820 as there was no change in short-term trading investments. Adjusted cash flow from operations of $136,318 for the prior year twelve-month period ended December 31, 2011 does not include $24,379 decrease in short-term trading investments. This reconciling item is needed to tie back to cash flow from operations.
               
In the press release, we provided adjusted cash flow from operations excluding changes in short-term investments.  The exclusion of the change in short-term investments is not in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP").  This non-GAAP financial measure is intended to supplement, but not substitute for, the most directly comparable GAAP measure.  We believe that the non-GAAP financial measure provides meaningful information to assist investors and analysts in understanding our financial results because it excludes an item that may not be indicative or is unrelated to our core operating results.  However, because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, investors are strongly encouraged to review our financial statements and publicly filed reports in their entirety and not rely on any single financial measure.  A reconciliation to the most closely-related GAAP measure is provided in the preceding paragraph.
 
The following is a reconciliation of 2012 YTD GAAP Income to Non-GAAP Income:
 
Reconciliation:
 
(GAAP) YTD
12-31-12
   
* Option Acceleration Expense Recorded in Q1
   
(Non-GAAP)
Adjusted YTD
12-31-12
 
Total Revenue
    936,036             936,036  
Total Operating Expense
    827,769       (3,981 )     823,788  
      108,267               112,248  
                         
Other Income
    1,510               1,510  
Income before income taxes
    109,777               113,758  
Income taxes
    45,014       87       45,101  
Net Income
    64,763               68,657  
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
    (646 )             (646 )
Net income attributable to Knight Transportation
  $ 64,117             $ 68,011  
Net Income Per Share
                       
                                     - Basic
  $ 0.80             $ 0.85  
                                     - Diluted
  $ 0.80             $ 0.85  
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding
                       
                                     - Basic
    79,673               79,673  
                                     - Diluted
    80,000               80,000  

* The first quarter of 2012 included a $4.0 million pretax non-cash stock compensation charge ($3.9 million after tax) relating to the accelerated vesting of certain stock options that had been issued prior to 2009.
 
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 or Adam Miller, CFO 602-269-2000