Wabash National (WNC) Offers Update to Q1 Outlook

In a Form 8-K, Wabash National (NYSE: WNC) disclosed quote and order activity throughout the first quarter remained healthy and in line with seasonal demand trends. As a result, backlog as of March 31, 2012 is estimated to have remained relatively consistent with the December 31, 2011 level of $587 million at approximately $580 million. Previous guidance provided for the first quarter estimated shipments at approximately 11,000 new trailers, whereas actual shipments for the quarter were approximately 10,300. While slightly below our original estimate, new trailer deliveries improved monthly throughout the quarter as customers adjusted to increasing build rates, and year-over-year consolidated revenues for the first quarter are estimated to have been higher by approximately $54 to $56 million, or 24 to 25 percent. In addition, as production for the first quarter was approximately 11,000 trailers, we anticipate the shipment shortfall to be delivered in the second quarter. Our full year guidance for new trailer shipments of 50,000 to 56,000 remains unchanged.

Operationally during the quarter, Wabash continued to experience workforce productivity improvements, as well as an improvement in the mix of backlog built and shipped in the quarter, which reflected higher pricing levels. As a result of these factors, gross margins are expected to improve sequentially resulting in first quarter earnings in the range of $0.09 to $0.10 per diluted share. The Street is currently looking for EPS of $0.09.

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