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EX-99.2 - EXHIBIT 99.2 - MARTEN TRANSPORT LTDex_103634.htm
8-K - FORM 8-K - MARTEN TRANSPORT LTDmrtn20180125_8k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

Marten Transport Announces Fourth Quarter and Year End Results

 

MONDOVI, Wis., Jan. 25, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Marten Transport, Ltd. (Nasdaq/GS:MRTN) today reported net income of $65.1 million, or $1.18 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2017 – 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 3.7% to $8.6 million, or 16 cents per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2017 from $8.3 million, or 15 cents per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2016.  Net income was $90.3 million, or $1.65 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2017.  Excluding the deferred income taxes benefit, 2017 net income improved 1.1% to $33.8 million, or 62 cents per diluted share, from $33.5 million, or 61 cents per diluted share, for 2016.

 

   

Earnings Impact of Deferred Income Taxes Benefit

 
                 
   

Three Months

   

Year

 
   

Ended

   

Ended

 

(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 5.9% to $182.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2017 from $172.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2016, and improved 4.0% to $698.1 million for 2017 from $671.1 million for 2016.  Excluding fuel surcharges, operating revenue improved 3.9% to $163.4 million for the 2017 quarter from $157.4 million for the 2016 quarter, and improved 2.1% to $631.0 million for 2017 from $617.9 million for 2016.  Fuel surcharge revenue increased to $19.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2017 from $15.3 million for the 2016 quarter, and increased to $67.1 million for 2017 from $53.2 million for 2016.

 

Operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue was 92.2% for the fourth quarter of 2017 and 91.6% for the fourth quarter of 2016.  Operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue, with both amounts net of fuel surcharges, was 91.2% for the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to 90.8% for the fourth quarter of 2016.

 

Operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue was 91.9% for 2017 and 91.3% for 2016.  Operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue, with both amounts net of fuel surcharges, was 91.0% for 2017 compared to 90.6% for 2016.

 

 

 

 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Randolph L. Marten said, “We are pleased to report improvements in both our top- and bottom-line results for the quarter and year, results our people achieved while overcoming significantly less gain on disposition of our revenue equipment in 2017.  We fully capitalized on the strengthening freight environment to better our average revenue per tractor by 7.1% in our Truckload operations and by 2.5% in our Dedicated operations from the 2016 to the 2017 quarter, along with revenue increases in both our Intermodal and Brokerage operations.  We continue to earn awards of new Dedicated business and expect our number of Dedicated tractors to increase to over 1,150 by June 2018.  We also improved our balance sheet position with $15.8 million in cash at the end of 2017 from $7.9 million in debt at the beginning of the year.  We expect to further capitalize on profitable growth opportunities with our diversified platform, cost control emphasis, modern fleet, strong balance sheet and the smart, hard work of our people.”

 

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 966 dry trailers operating as of December 31, 2017.  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 our 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, 2016.  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

(Unaudited)

 

   

December 31,

   

December 31,

 

(In thousands, except share information)

 

2017

   

2016

 
                 

ASSETS

               

Current assets:

               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 15,791     $ 488  

Receivables:

               

Trade, net

    74,886       69,199  

Other

    6,131       4,436  

Prepaid expenses and other

    19,810       19,307  

Total current assets

    116,618       93,430  

Property and equipment:

               

Revenue equipment, buildings and land, office equipment and other

    783,648       759,553  

Accumulated depreciation

    (211,728

)

    (201,728

)

Net property and equipment

    571,920       557,825  

Other assets

    1,865       2,493  

Total assets

  $ 690,403     $ 653,748  
                 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Current liabilities:

               

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

  $ 38,100     $ 41,230  

Insurance and claims accruals

    26,177       19,440  

Total current liabilities

    64,277       60,670  

Long-term debt

    -       7,886  

Deferred income taxes

    100,626       147,854  

Total liabilities

    164,903       216,410  
                 

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; 96,000,000 shares authorized; 54,533,455 shares at December 31, 2017, and 54,391,525 shares at December 31, 2016, issued and outstanding

    545       544  

Additional paid-in capital

    76,413       74,175  

Retained earnings

    448,542       362,619  

Total stockholders’ equity

    525,500       437,338  

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $ 690,403     $ 653,748  

 

 

 

 

MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

   

Three Months

   

Year

 
   

Ended December 31,

   

Ended December 31,

 

(In thousands, except per share information)

 

2017

   

2016

   

2017

   

2016

 
                                 

Operating revenue

  $ 182,771     $ 172,661     $ 698,120     $ 671,144  

Operating expenses (income):

                               

Salaries, wages and benefits

    59,382       56,711       226,091       224,827  

Purchased transportation

    32,803       28,722       118,349       110,719  

Fuel and fuel taxes

    28,284       25,670       105,390       94,075  

Supplies and maintenance

    9,701       10,887       41,613       43,912  

Depreciation

    21,245       21,240       85,120       82,445  

Operating taxes and licenses

    2,180       2,367       8,993       9,099  

Insurance and claims

    9,487       8,978       38,585       32,223  

Communications and utilities

    1,516       1,586       6,047       6,287  

Gain on disposition of revenue equipment

    (617

)

    (3,040

)

    (5,499

)

    (10,502

)

Other

    4,457       5,007       16,569       19,756  
                                 

Total operating expenses

    168,438       158,128       641,258       612,841  
                                 

Operating income

    14,333       14,533       56,862       58,303  
                                 

Other

    109       443       389       1,237  
                                 

Income before income taxes

    14,224       14,090       56,473       57,066  
                                 

Income taxes (benefit) expense

    (50,850

)

    5,787       (33,811

)

    23,602  
                                 

Net income

  $ 65,074     $ 8,303     $ 90,284     $ 33,464  
                                 

Basic earnings per common share

  $ 1.19     $ 0.15     $ 1.66     $ 0.62  
                                 

Diluted earnings per common share

  $ 1.18     $ 0.15     $ 1.65     $ 0.61  
                                 

Dividends declared per common share

  $ 0.025     $ 0.015     $ 0.08     $ 0.06  

 

 

 

 

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)

 

2017

   

2016

   

2017 vs. 2016

   

2017 vs. 2016

 

Operating revenue:

                               

Truckload revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue

  $ 85,469     $ 86,453     $ (984

)

    (1.1

)%

Truckload fuel surcharge revenue

    12,161       10,113       2,048       20.3  

Total Truckload revenue

    97,630       96,566       1,064       1.1  
                                 

Dedicated revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue

    39,037       37,174       1,863       5.0  

Dedicated fuel surcharge revenue

    3,916       3,188       728       22.8  

Total Dedicated revenue

    42,953       40,362       2,591       6.4  
                                 

Intermodal revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue

    19,171       16,155       3,016       18.7  

Intermodal fuel surcharge revenue

    3,254       1,992       1,262       63.4  

Total Intermodal revenue

    22,425       18,147       4,278       23.6  
                                 

Brokerage revenue

    19,763       17,586       2,177       12.4  
                                 

Total operating revenue

  $ 182,771     $ 172,661     $ 10,110       5.9

%

                                 

Operating income:

                               

Truckload

  $ 7,077     $ 7,038     $ 39       0.6

%

Dedicated

    2,999       4,587       (1,588

)

    (34.6

)

Intermodal

    2,526       1,735       791       45.6  

Brokerage

    1,731       1,173       558       47.6  

Total operating income

  $ 14,333     $ 14,533     $ (200

)

    (1.4

)%

                                 

Operating ratio:

                               

Truckload

    92.8

%

    92.7

%

               

Dedicated

    93.0       88.6                  

Intermodal

    88.7       90.4                  

Brokerage

    91.2       93.3                  
                                 

Consolidated operating ratio

    92.2

%

    91.6

%

               

 

 

 

 

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)

 

2017

   

2016

   

2017 vs. 2016

   

2017 vs. 2016

 

Operating revenue:

                               

Truckload revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue

  $ 336,596     $ 339,967     $ (3,371

)

    (1.0

)%

Truckload fuel surcharge revenue

    43,614       35,884       7,730       21.5  

Total Truckload revenue

    380,210       375,851       4,359       1.2  
                                 

Dedicated revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue

    153,691       147,007       6,684       4.5  

Dedicated fuel surcharge revenue

    13,190       10,363       2,827       27.3  

Total Dedicated revenue

    166,881       157,370       9,511       6.0  
                                 

Intermodal revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue

    70,282       64,508       5,774       9.0  

Intermodal fuel surcharge revenue

    10,339       6,982       3,357       48.1  

Total Intermodal revenue

    80,621       71,490       9,131       12.8  
                                 

Brokerage revenue

    70,408       66,433       3,975       6.0  
                                 

Total operating revenue

  $ 698,120     $ 671,144     $ 26,976       4.0

%

                                 

Operating income:

                               

Truckload

  $ 26,326     $ 27,438     $ (1,112

)

    (4.1

)%

Dedicated

    17,074       19,550       (2,476

)

    (12.7

)

Intermodal

    8,303       7,131       1,172       16.4  

Brokerage

    5,159       4,184       975       23.3  

Total operating income

  $ 56,862     $ 58,303     $ (1,441

)

    (2.5

)%

                                 

Operating ratio:

                               

Truckload

    93.1

%

    92.7

%

               

Dedicated

    89.8       87.6                  

Intermodal

    89.7       90.0                  

Brokerage

    92.7       93.7                  
                                 

Consolidated operating ratio

    91.9

%

    91.3

%

               

 

 

 

 

MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD.

OPERATING STATISTICS

(Unaudited)

 

   

Three Months

   

Year

 
   

Ended December 31,

   

Ended December 31,

 
   

2017

   

2016

   

2017

   

2016

 

Truckload Segment:

                               

Revenue (in thousands)

  $ 97,630     $ 96,566     $ 380,210     $ 375,851  

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

  $ 3,700     $ 3,456     $ 3,514     $ 3,427  

Average tractors(1)

    1,758       1,903       1,837       1,898  

Average miles per trip

    601       608       599       623  

Non-revenue miles percentage(2)

    6.2

%

    9.1

%

    8.3

%

    9.2

%

Total miles (in thousands)

    43,624       46,786       178,760       184,281  
                                 

Dedicated Segment:

                               

Revenue (in thousands)

  $ 42,953     $ 40,362     $ 166,881     $ 157,370  

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

  $ 3,535     $ 3,448     $ 3,481     $ 3,432  

Average tractors(1)

    840       820       847       819  

Average miles per trip

    296       295       297       301  

Non-revenue miles percentage(2)

    1.1

%

    0.8

%

    0.8

%

    0.8

%

Total miles (in thousands)

    19,461       18,826       77,102       75,333  
                                 

Intermodal Segment:

                               

Revenue (in thousands)

  $ 22,425     $ 18,147     $ 80,621     $ 71,490  

Loads

    10,554       9,273       40,196       35,947  

Average tractors

    78       76       79       76  
                                 

Brokerage Segment:

                               

Revenue (in thousands)

  $ 19,763     $ 17,586     $ 70,408     $ 66,433  

Loads

    11,667       12,926       48,271       49,721  
                                 

At December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016:

                               

Total tractors(1)

    2,738       2,785                  

Average age of company tractors (in years)

    1.5       1.4                  

Total trailers

    4,909       4,854                  

Average age of company trailers (in years)

    2.8       2.7                  

Ratio of trailers to tractors(1)

    1.8       1.7                  

 

   

Three Months

   

Year

 
   

Ended December 31,

   

Ended December 31,

 

(In thousands)

 

2017

   

2016

   

2017

   

2016

 
                                 

Net cash provided by operating activities

  $ 27,169     $ 29,531     $ 121,879     $ 133,801  

Net cash (used for) investing activities

    (11,303

)

    (28,448

)

    (95,318

)

    (97,290

)

Net cash (used for) financing activities

    (1,234

)

    (770

)

    (11,258

)

    (36,457

)

                                 

Weighted average shares outstanding:

                               

Basic

    54,529       54,329       54,492       54,177  

Diluted

    54,979       54,616       54,850       54,461  
                                 

 

(1) Includes tractors driven by both company-employed drivers and independent contractors. Independent contractors provided 60 and 68 tractors as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

 

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