Matson (NYSE: MATX) reported Q1 EPS of $0.57, $0.02 better than the analyst estimate of $0.55. Revenue for the quarter came in at $398.2 million versus the consensus estimate of $427.7 million.

2015 Outlook

The Company expects to close the pending transaction with Horizon Lines, Inc. by the end of the second quarter. However, the closing remains dependent upon a number of conditions, including the closing of Pasha's acquisition of Horizon's Hawaii business. The Company's 2015 outlook continues to exclude any future effects of the pending transaction. Assuming the pending transaction closes by the end of the second quarter, the Company expects to update its outlook for the effects of the acquisition during its second quarter 2015 earnings conference call, currently scheduled for early August 2015.

Ocean Transportation: The Company believes that the Hawaii economy is in a multi-year recovery and is anticipating modest market growth in the trade in 2015. However, containership capacity is projected to increase in the second quarter of 2015 as a competitor has announced plans to launch an additional new vessel into the trade in May. As a result, the Company expects its 2015 Hawaii container volume to approximate the 2014 level.

During the first quarter 2015, the Company continued to realize significantly higher freight rates in its China trade, reflecting the high demand for its expedited transpacific service, which was amplified by cargo availability delays experienced by other ocean carriers associated with port congestion on the U.S. West Coast. International vessel overcapacity is expected to continue in 2015 with vessel deliveries outpacing demand growth. The Company expects strong demand for its expedited service to continue in 2015 resulting in high vessel utilization levels and premium freight rates. In 2015, the Company expects market growth in Guam to result in flat to modestly higher container volume compared to 2014, assuming no new competitors enter the market.

Notwithstanding the productivity challenges resulting from the port congestion on the U.S. West Coast, the Company expects modest profit at the Company's terminal joint venture, SSAT, for 2015.

For the full year 2015, Ocean Transportation operating income is expected to be moderately higher than 2014.

The Company's outlook for 2015 also excludes any future effects from the September 2013 molasses incident.

Logistics: The Company expects full year 2015 operating income to exceed the 2014 level of $8.9 million, driven by volume growth, expense control and improvements in warehouse operations.

Interest Expense: The Company expects its interest expense in 2015 to decrease slightly from the 2014 amount of $17.3 million.

Income Tax Expense: The Company expects its 2015 effective tax rate to be approximately 38.5 percent.

Other: The Company expects maintenance capital expenditures for 2015 to be approximately $40.0 million and, in addition, has scheduled contract payments of $33.4 million in 2015 relating to its two vessels under construction. The Company also expects to make additional contributions to its CCF in 2015, which are expected to exceed the $65.5 million net contribution made in 2014

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