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

Exhibit 99
 


October 22, 2014
 
Phoenix, Arizona
 
Knight Transportation Reports Third Quarter 2014 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 third quarter ended September 30, 2014.
 
Key financial highlights for the third quarter and nine-month period of 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
 
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
Three Months Ended Sept 30,
   
Nine Months Ended Sept 30,
 
   
2014
   
2013
   
% Chg
   
2014
   
2013
   
% Chg
 
Total revenue
  $ 271,547     $ 239,338       13.5 %   $ 784,865     $ 719,521       9.1 %
Revenue, excluding trucking fuel surcharge
  $ 227,829     $ 195,847       16.3 %   $ 652,333     $ 585,551       11.4 %
Operating income
  $ 39,791     $ 24,274       63.9 %   $ 109,940     $ 81,743       34.5 %
Net income, attributable to Knight
  $ 25,100     $ 15,059       66.7 %   $ 69,924     $ 49,181       42.2 %
Earnings per diluted share
  $ 0.31     $ 0.19       63.2 %   $ 0.86     $ 0.61       39.5 %
 
On October 1, 2014 Knight Transportation announced that it acquired 100% of the outstanding stock of Barr-Nunn Transportation, Inc. and certain affiliates. The reported results of the third quarter do not include any revenue or earnings related to the activities of Barr-Nunn.
 
The company previously announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.06 per share to shareholders of record on September 5, 2014, which was paid on September 26, 2014.
 
Kevin Knight, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented on the quarter, “During the quarter we improved our revenue, excluding fuel surcharge 16.3%, while improving our consolidated operating ratio by 510 basis points.  The overall demand environment remained strong while capacity continues to be tight. We are pleased with the progress made in both our trucking and logistics segments, as these businesses continue to complement each other and have led to profitable growth.  In our trucking business, revenue per tractor, excluding fuel surcharge, increased 7.2%, year over year, with a 6.5% improvement in revenue per loaded mile, a 2.5% increase in our length of haul, an 80 basis point improvement in our non-paid empty mile percentage, and miles per tractor essentially flat. In our logistics business, revenue growth was strong at 55.3% and gross margin percentage improved as well.  We continue to feel well positioned for future growth by our ability to provide capacity for our customers and quality careers for our driving associates.”
 

 
 

 


The following chart reflects the financial performance of our trucking (asset based) and our logistics (non-asset based) businesses for the third quarter of 2014 and 2013.
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended Sept 30,
   
Nine Months Ended Sept 30,
 
   
2014
   
2013
   
Chg
   
2014
   
2013
   
Chg
 
Trucking (Asset based)
                                   
Revenue, excluding trucking fuel surcharge
  $ 174,126     $ 161,273       8.0 %   $ 506,974     $ 479,932       5.6 %
Operating Income
  $ 35,513     $ 23,212       53.0 %   $ 100,490     $ 75,849       32.5 %
Operating Ratio(1)
    79.6 %     85.6 %  
-600 bps
      80.2 %     84.2 %  
-400 bps
 
Logistics (Non-asset based)
                                               
Revenue
  $ 53,703     $ 34,574       55.3 %   $ 145,359     $ 105,619       37.6 %
Operating Income
  $ 4,277     $ 1,062       302.8 %   $ 9,450     $ 5,894       60.3 %
Operating Ratio(1)
    92.0 %     96.9 %  
-490 bps
      93.5 %     94.4 %  
-90 bps
 
Consolidated
                                               
Revenue, excluding trucking fuel surcharge
  $ 227,829     $ 195,847       16.3 %   $ 652,333     $ 585,551       11.4 %
Operating Income
  $ 39,791     $ 24,274       63.9 %   $ 109,940     $ 81,743       34.5 %
Operating Ratio(1)
    82.5 %     87.6 %  
-510 bps
      83.1 %     86.0 %  
-290 bps
 
     
(1)
Operating ratio is defined in our trucking segment as total operating expenses, net of trucking fuel surcharge, as a percentage of revenue before trucking fuel surcharge. Operating ratio is defined in our Logistics segment as total operating expenses as a percentage of total revenue.
  
In the third quarter, the operating ratio of our trucking segment improved to 79.6% from 85.6% in the same quarter last year.  In the third quarter, operating income in our trucking segment improved 53.0% while revenue, excluding trucking fuel surcharge, grew 8.0%.  We ended the third quarter with 100 additional tractors when compared to the end of the second quarter, a 2.5% increase.  We expect to  continue to grow our fleet as we bring on additional capacity to meet the supply chain needs of our customers.  We continue to see positive results from our efforts to improve yield and drive operational efficiencies.  The used equipment market also remained strong and has led to improved gain on sale of revenue equipment.  Although market conditions are favorable for truckload carriers, the industry continues to be faced with multiple challenges that have led to higher costs, including rising driver pay, increased regulation, additional maintenance cost associated with the 2010 EPA emission engines, and rising equipment cost.  In order to effectively manage these inflationary pressures, cost control remains an integral part of our strategy.
 
Our logistics segment continues to show meaningful growth and complements our trucking segment by enabling us to source more capacity and offer more solutions for our customers.  Our brokerage business increased revenue 91.1% and operating income 311.3%, when compared to the same quarter last year.    Our intermodal business has now been profitable for two consecutive quarters and operated at a 93.7% operating ratio, which represents an improvement of 530 basis points sequentially from the second quarter of 2014 and a 970 basis points improvement when compared to the third quarter of 2013.
 
 
 
 

 
 
Attracting and retaining high quality driving associates to the industry remains a significant challenge.  Despite a strong freight environment, the current shortage of qualified driving associates has been a headwind for adding additional capacity.  Our driver development and training programs remain a primary focus area for our management team, and we feel well positioned to continue to make progress in the coming quarters.
 
Our tractor fleet remains one of the most modern fleets in the industry with an average age of 1.7 years.  The used equipment market remained strong during the quarter and resulted in gain on sale of revenue equipment in the third quarter of 2014 of $4.3 million, compared to $2.0 million in the third quarter of 2013.
 
We have returned $78.8 million to our shareholders in the form of quarterly dividends over the two years ended September 30, 2014.  We ended the quarter with $37.0 million of long term debt, and $626.7 million of shareholders' equity. Our net capital expenditures for the first three quarters were $121.3 million, while our cash flow from operations was $117.1 million.  The long term debt and cash flow information excludes the October 1 acquisition of Barr-Nunn Transportation and affiliates.
 
On October 1, 2014 Knight Transportation announced that it acquired 100% of the outstanding stock of Barr-Nunn Transportation, Inc. and certain affiliates. Barr-Nunn provides dry van truckload transportation services from its headquarters near Des Moines, Iowa, and leased facilities located in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. The company's primary operating territory is the eastern United States. Barr-Nunn has a strong niche in the expedited and service-sensitive marketplace.  We expect the current management team to remain in place and continue to operate the business under the Barr-Nunn name and with Barr-Nunn personnel, policies, and culture.  During the third quarter Knight incurred approximately $396,000 of acquisition cost related to the transaction.
 
On October 7, 2014 Knight Transportation was awarded the 2014 SmartWay Excellence Award for the third consecutive year for outstanding environmental performance and leadership.  The SmartWay Excellence Award, reserved for the top performing SmartWay Partners, is EPA’s highest recognition for demonstrated leadership in freight supply chain energy and environmental performance.  Knight has been a recipient of the SmartWay Excellence Award in 2007, 2009, 2012, 2013, and 2014.
 
The company will hold a conference call on October 22, 2014, at 4:30 PM EDT, to further discuss its results of operations for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. 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, “Third Quarter 2014 Conference Call Presentation.”
 
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 owner-operators.
 

 
 

 

INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
       
Three Months Ended September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
         
(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
                                     
         
2014
   
2013
   
2014
   
2013
       
REVENUE:
                                   
  Revenue, before fuel surcharge
        $ 227,829     $ 195,847     $ 652,333     $ 585,551        
  Fuel surcharge
          43,718       43,491       132,532       133,970        
TOTAL REVENUE
          271,547       239,338       784,865       719,521        
                                             
OPERATING  EXPENSES:
                                           
    Salaries, wages and benefits
          65,296       60,097       190,779       174,558        
    Fuel expense - gross
          51,221       54,338       155,422       162,770        
    Operations and maintenance
          17,305       17,088       51,481       48,916        
    Insurance and claims
          7,530       7,190       22,414       21,640        
    Operating taxes and licenses
          4,338       3,752       12,265       11,645        
    Communications
          1,164       1,244       3,621       3,616        
    Depreciation and amortization
          22,684       21,981       66,422       64,578        
    Purchased transportation
          60,017       45,603       168,305       138,278        
    Miscellaneous operating expenses
          2,201       3,771       4,216       11,777        
           Total operating expenses
          231,756       215,064       674,925       637,778        
                                             
    Income From Operations
          39,791       24,274       109,940       81,743        
                                             
                                             
    Interest income
          104       89       326       294        
    Interest expense
          (135 )     (91 )     (339 )     (310 )      
    Other income (expense)
          2,399       971       5,856       1,024        
    Income before income taxes
          42,159       25,243       115,783       82,751        
INCOME  TAXES
          16,786       10,090       45,062       33,100        
Net Income
          25,373       15,153       70,721       49,651        
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
      (273 )     (94 )     (797 )     (470 )      
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO KNIGHT TRANSPORTATION
    $ 25,100     $ 15,059     $ 69,924     $ 49,181        
 
                                           
     Basic Earnings Per Share
        $ 0.31     $ 0.19     $ 0.87     $ 0.62        
     Diluted Earnings Per Share
        $ 0.31     $ 0.19     $ 0.86     $ 0.61        
 
                                           
 Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Basic
      81,035       80,048       80,802       79,948        
 Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Diluted
      82,097       80,395       81,776       80,250        
                                             
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
                                           
                         
09/30/14
   
12/31/13
       
ASSETS
                       
(Unaudited, in thousands)
 
Cash and cash equivalents
                        $ 1,608     $ 992        
Trade receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts
                      125,815       116,391        
Notes receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts
                      701       774        
Related party notes and interest receivable
                          0       748        
Prepaid expenses
                          17,845       15,026        
Assets held for sale
                          17,719       16,476        
Other current assets
                          12,389       11,066        
Current deferred tax assets
                          2,381       3,359        
     Total Current Assets
                          178,458       164,832        
                                             
Property and equipment, net
                          667,026       591,791        
Notes receivable, long-term
                          4,029       4,047        
Goodwill
                          10,242       10,257        
Other assets and restricted cash
                          37,813       36,194        
     Total Long-term Assets
                          719,110       642,289        
                                             
     Total Assets
                        $ 897,568     $ 807,121        
                                             
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                           
Accounts payable
                        $ 29,086     $ 14,354        
Accrued payroll and purchased transportation
                          25,232       13,864        
Accrued liabilities
                          20,445       19,062        
Claims accrual - current portion
                          17,415       15,616        
Dividend payable - current portion
                          188       168        
     Total Current Liabilities
                          92,366       63,064        
                                             
Claims accrual - long-term portion
                          10,023       8,889        
Long-term dividend payable and other liabilities
                          2,438       2,486        
Deferred tax liabilities
                          127,896       140,149        
Long-term debt
                          37,000       38,000        
     Total Long-term Liabilities
                          177,357       189,524        
                                             
     Total Liabilities
                          269,723       252,588        
                                             
Common stock
                          811       802        
Additional paid-in capital
                          167,649       150,858        
Accumulated other comprehensive income
                          6,526       4,582        
Retained earnings
                          451,706       397,346        
  Total Knight Transportation Shareholders' Equity
                      626,692       553,588        
     Noncontrolling interest
                          1,153       945        
     Total Shareholders' Equity
                          627,845       554,533        
     Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
                        $ 897,568     $ 807,121        
 
 
 

 
   
Three Months Ended September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2014
      2013    
% Change
      2014       2013    
% Change
 
   
(Unaudited)
           
(Unaudited)
       
                                             
OPERATING  STATISTICS
                                           
                                             
Average Revenue Per Tractor*
  $ 43,100     $ 40,199       7.2 %   $ 126,648     $ 119,266       6.2 %
                                                 
Non-paid Empty Mile Percent
    9.8 %     10.6 %     -7.5 %     9.6 %     10.8 %     -11.1 %
                                                 
Average Length of Haul
    492       480       2.5 %     497       480       3.5 %
                                                 
Operating Ratio**
    82.5 %     87.6 %             83.1 %     86.0 %        
                                                 
Average Tractors - Total
    4,040       4,007               4,003       4,015          
                                                 
Average Trailers - Total
    9,381       9,372               9,163       9,417          
                                                 
Net Capital Expenditures (in thousands)
  $ 59,950     $ 39,329             $ 121,308     $ 57,151          
                                                 
Cash Flow From Operations (in thousands)
  $ 39,215     $ 28,458             $ 117,067     $ 100,715          
                                                 
* Includes asset segment revenue excluding fuel surcharge.
                                 
                                                 
** 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.
 
 
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 W. Miller, CFO at (602) 606-6315


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