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8-K - 8-K - HEARTLAND EXPRESS INCearningsrelease8k2017q3.htm


Exhibit 99.1

October 27, 2017 For Immediate Release

Press Release

Heartland Express, Inc. Reports Revenues and Earnings for the Third Quarter of 2017

NORTH LIBERTY, IOWA - October 27, 2017 - Heartland Express, Inc. (Nasdaq: HTLD) announced today financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Three months ended September 30, 2017:
Completed the acquisition of Interstate Distributor Co. ("IDC"),
Cash balance of $51.3 million, after investing $87.6 million to acquire IDC and $23.3 million for debt assumed and repaid,
Net Income of $7.9 million, Basic Earnings per Share of $0.10,
Operating Revenue of $182 million a year-over-year increase of 22.0%,
Operating Ratio of 92.9% and 91.9% Non-GAAP Adjusted Operating Ratio(1).

Nine months ended September 30, 2017:
Net Income of $36.6 million, Basic Earnings per Share of $0.44, and Operating Revenue of $442 million,
Operating Ratio of 87.8% and 86.3% Non-GAAP Adjusted Operating Ratio(1),
Total Stockholders' Equity of $537.5 million and Total Assets of $797.7 million.

Heartland Express Chief Executive Officer Michael Gerdin, commented on the quarterly operating results and ongoing initiatives of the Company, "Although not reflective in our quarterly operating results, we accomplished a great deal as an organization during the quarter.  We started the quarter by announcing and completing our acquisition of IDC on July 6, 2017.  This was our 2nd largest acquisition in the history of the Company and our 2nd acquisition in the past four years.  Immediately after the acquisition we began integrating IDC operations and operating facilities into the legacy Heartland footprint.  By the end of the quarter we had completed a full system integration with IDC that included operations, maintenance, and back office systems.  Further we announced a new driver pay package that aligned our driver pay offerings and provided well deserved raises to our drivers that became effective October 1, 2017.  This was a massive undertaking in one quarter and we were focused with a targeted approach due to IDC’s year-to-date 2017 operating ratio of 105% prior to the acquisition.  We have been diligently working on eliminating unnecessary costs post-acquisition and will continue to evaluate all aspects of the legacy IDC business to return them to profitability at some point in the fourth quarter.  Aside from the focus and challenges of the IDC acquisition integration we were heavily impacted by two hurricanes in Texas and Florida.   

We look forward to expected operational improvements as we navigate the months ahead and progress towards our goal of returning to an operating ratio in the low-80's. Our long-term strategy of efficient operations and generating cash from our operations allowed us to complete the IDC acquisition and pay off all of the acquired debt with our existing cash reserves. We believe that we maintain adequate cash on hand to fully fund our expected operating and capital needs and we already have several deals in place to refresh the IDC fleet of revenue equipment. We expect to continue to own and operate a fleet of revenue producing equipment that is relatively young in average age and updated with the latest technology, which we believe leads to lower operating costs. We remain committed to on-time and just-in-time service for our loyal customers and taking care of our professional drivers along with generating operating cost efficiencies to improve our consolidated financial results."

Financial Results






Heartland Express ended the third quarter of 2017 with net income of $7.9 million, compared to $12.5 million in the third quarter of 2016. Basic earnings per share were $0.10 during the quarter compared to $0.15 earnings per share in the third quarter of 2016. Operating revenues were $182 million, compared to $149.3 million in the third quarter of 2016. Operating revenues for the quarter included fuel surcharge revenues of $21.1 million compared to $15.2 million in the same period of 2016, a $5.9 million increase. Operating revenues increased 20.1%, excluding the impact of fuel surcharge revenues(1), primarily due to higher miles driven following the IDC acquisition during the third quarter as compared to the same period in 2016. Operating income for the three-month period decreased $6.9 million primarily due to the negative operating impacts from the consolidation of IDC financial results when compared to the prior period and lower miles driven across the legacy operations of the Company. The Company posted an operating ratio of 92.9%, adjusted operating ratio(1) of 91.9%, and a 4.3% net margin (net income as a percentage of operating revenues) in the third quarter of 2017 compared to 86.7%, 85.1%, and 8.4%, respectively in the third quarter of 2016.

For the nine month period ended September 30, 2017, the Company recorded net income of $36.6 million, compared to $43.3 million in the same period of 2016. Basic earnings per share were $0.44 compared to $0.52 earnings per share in the same period of 2016. Operating revenues were $442 million, compared to $472.9 million in the same period of 2016. Operating revenues included fuel surcharge revenues of $50.7 million compared to $43.7 million in the same period of 2016, a $7.0 million increase. Operating revenues decreased 8.9% excluding the impact of fuel surcharge revenues(1). Operating income for the nine month period decreased $11.0 million primarily due to lower miles driven. The Company posted an operating ratio of 87.8%, adjusted operating ratio(1) of 86.3% and a 8.3% net margin (net income as a percentage of operating revenues) in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to 86.3%, 84.9%, and 9.2%, respectively in 2016.

Balance Sheet, Liquidity, and Capital Expenditures

At September 30, 2017, the Company had $51.3 million in cash balances and no borrowings under the Company's unsecured line of credit. The Company had $171.3 million in available borrowing capacity on the line of credit at September 30, 2017 after consideration of $3.7 million outstanding letters of credit. The Company continues to be in compliance with associated financial covenants. The Company ended the quarter with total assets of $797.7 million and stockholders' equity of $537.5 million.

Net cash flows from operations for the first nine months of 2017 were $77.2 million, 17.5% of operating revenue. The primary use of net cash generated from operations during the nine month period ended September 30, 2017 was $87.6 million net cash for the acquisition of IDC, $23.3 million to pay off debt assumed as part of the acquisition, $26.8 million for net equipment transactions, and $5.0 million for dividends. The average age of the Company's tractor fleet including IDC was 2.1 years as of September 30, 2017 compared to 1.6 years at September 30, 2016. The average age of the Company's trailer fleet including IDC was 5.3 years at September 30, 2017 compared to 4.7 years at September 30, 2016. The Company currently anticipates a total of approximately $45 to $50 million in net capital expenditures for the calendar year. The Company ended the past twelve months with a return on total assets of 6.5% and a 9.5% return on equity.
            
The Company continues its commitment to stockholders through the payment of cash dividends and repurchase of common stock. A dividend of $0.02 per share was declared and paid during the third quarter of 2017. The Company has now paid cumulative cash dividends of $469.1 million, including three special dividends, ($2.00 in 2007, $1.00 in 2010, and $1.00 in 2012) over the past fifty-seven consecutive quarters. During the three months ended September 30, 2017, the Company did not purchase any shares of our common stock. Our outstanding shares at September 30, 2017 were 83.3 million shares. A total of 5.4 million shares of common stock have been repurchased for approximately $98.4 million over the past five years. The Company has the ability to repurchase an additional 3.3 million shares under the current authorization.








Other Information

During the third quarter of 2017, we continued to deliver award-winning service and safety to our customers, we were recognized as an industry-leading operator in regards to minimizing our impact on the environment, and we were recognized for technological innovation and digital transformation, as evidenced by the following awards received:

United Sugars - Carrier of the Year
Winegard - Truckload Carrier of the Year
Whirlpool - National Truckload Carrier of the Year
Logistics Management Quest for Quality
US EPA SmartWay Excellence Award
Cisco - Technology Innovation Award

Operating revenue excluding fuel surcharge revenue and adjusted operating ratio are non-GAAP financial measures and are not intended to replace financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures supplement our GAAP results. We believe that using these measures 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 table at the end of this press release.

This press release may contain statements that might be considered as forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended.  Such statements are based on management's belief or interpretation of information currently available. These statements and assumptions involve certain risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Actual events may differ from these expectations as a result of numerous factors, including, without limitation, those specified in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, which speak as of their respective dates.

 
Contact: Heartland Express, Inc.
Mike Gerdin, Chief Executive Officer
John Cosaert, Chief Financial Officer
319-626-3600







HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
OPERATING REVENUE
 
$
182,114

 
$
149,316

 
$
441,632

 
$
472,893

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OPERATING EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries, wages, and benefits
 
$
71,399

 
$
58,351

 
$
169,020

 
$
185,342

Rent and purchased transportation
 
16,619

 
5,472

 
21,301

 
18,353

Fuel
 
29,739

 
22,987

 
73,731

 
68,575

Operations and maintenance
 
9,122

 
6,391

 
21,951

 
19,999

Operating taxes and licenses
 
5,410

 
3,889

 
11,845

 
11,722

Insurance and claims
 
5,979

 
4,536

 
13,339

 
17,607

Communications and utilities
 
1,487

 
1,156

 
3,623

 
3,420

Depreciation and amortization
 
28,784

 
27,271

 
74,318

 
78,823

Other operating expenses
 
8,047

 
824

 
18,674

 
11,655

Gain on disposal of property and equipment
 
(7,471
)
 
(1,474
)
 
(19,845
)
 
(7,273
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
169,115

 
129,403

 
387,957

 
408,223

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
 
12,999

 
19,913

 
53,675

 
64,670

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income
 
238

 
124

 
950

 
308

Interest expense
 
(175
)
 

 
(175
)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income before income taxes
 
13,062

 
20,037

 
54,450

 
64,978

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal and state income taxes
 
5,146

 
7,510

 
17,882

 
21,706

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
7,916

 
$
12,527

 
$
36,568

 
$
43,272

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
0.10

 
$
0.15

 
$
0.44

 
$
0.52

Diluted
 
$
0.09

 
$
0.15

 
$
0.44

 
$
0.52

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
83,303

 
83,286

 
83,296

 
83,301

Diluted
 
83,333

 
83,342

 
83,336

 
83,373

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends declared per share
 
$
0.02

 
$
0.02

 
$
0.06

 
$
0.06







HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
 
 
September 30,
 
December 31,
ASSETS
 
2017
 
2016
CURRENT ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
51,291

 
$
128,507

Trade receivables, net
 
70,755

 
46,844

Prepaid tires
 
11,462

 
8,181

Other current assets
 
30,656

 
13,841

Income tax receivable
 
7,558

 
4,738

Total current assets
 
171,722

 
202,111

 
 
 
 
 
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
696,459

 
659,053

Less accumulated depreciation
 
242,181

 
251,405

 
 
454,278

 
407,648

GOODWILL
 
132,185

 
100,212

OTHER INTANGIBLES, NET
 
15,030

 
12,090

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES, NET
 
1,658

 
3,785

OTHER ASSETS
 
22,821

 
12,382

 
 
$
797,694

 
$
738,228

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
 
$
26,411

 
$
12,355

Compensation and benefits
 
28,194

 
23,320

Insurance accruals
 
24,141

 
19,132

Other accruals
 
13,647

 
10,727

Total current liabilities
 
92,393

 
65,534

LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
 
 
 
 
Income taxes payable
 
7,739

 
11,954

Deferred income taxes, net
 
95,695

 
94,657

Insurance accruals less current portion
 
64,331

 
60,257

Total long-term liabilities
 
167,765

 
166,868

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
 
 
 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Capital stock, common, $.01 par value; authorized 395,000 shares; issued 90,689 in 2017 and 2016; outstanding 83,303 in 2017 and 83,287 in 2016, respectively
 
907

 
907

Additional paid-in capital
 
3,347

 
3,433

Retained earnings
 
657,236

 
625,668

Treasury stock, at cost; 7,386 in 2017 and 7,402 in 2016, respectively
 
(123,954
)
 
(124,182
)
 
 
537,536

 
505,826

 
 
$
797,694

 
$
738,228







(1)
GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation Schedule:
 
 
 
 
Operating revenue, operating revenue excluding fuel surcharge revenue, operating income, operating ratio, and adjusted operating ratio reconciliation (a)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended Sept 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
Sept 30,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
(Unaudited, in thousands)
 
(Unaudited, in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating revenue
 
$
182,114

 
$
149,316

 
$
441,632

 
$
472,893

Less: Fuel surcharge revenue
 
21,082

 
15,229

 
50,706

 
43,664

Operating revenue, excluding fuel surcharge revenue
 
161,032

 
134,087

 
390,926

 
429,229

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses
 
169,115

 
129,403

 
387,957

 
408,223

Less: Fuel surcharge revenue
 
21,082

 
15,229

 
50,706

 
43,664

Adjusted operating expenses
 
148,033

 
114,174

 
337,251

 
364,559

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
 
$
12,999

 
$
19,913

 
$
53,675

 
$
64,670

Operating ratio
 
92.9
%
 
86.7
%
 
87.8
%
 
86.3
%
Adjusted operating ratio
 
91.9
%
 
85.1
%
 
86.3
%
 
84.9
%


(a) Operating revenue excluding fuel surcharge revenue and adjusted operating ratio as reported in this press release are based upon operating expenses, net of fuel surcharge revenue, as a percentage of operating revenue excluding fuel surcharge revenue.