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ArcBest® Announces Fourth Quarter 2019 And Full Year 2019 Results

January 30, 2020 4:05 PM

FORT SMITH, Ark., Jan. 30, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- ArcBest® (Nasdaq: ARCB), a leading logistics company with creative problem solvers who deliver innovative solutions, today reported fourth quarter 2019 revenue of $717.4 million compared to fourth quarter 2018 revenue of $774.3 million. ArcBest had a fourth quarter 2019 operating loss of $11.2 million compared to operating income of $37.2 million last year, and a net loss of $5.5 million, or $0.22 per diluted share compared to fourth quarter 2018 net income of $15.3 million, or $0.57 per diluted share. Fourth quarter 2019 results include a previously announced noncash impairment charge of $26.5 million (pre-tax), or $19.8 million (after-tax) and $0.75 per diluted share.

ArcBest Logo (PRNewsFoto/ArcBest Corporation) (PRNewsfoto/ArcBest Corporation)

Excluding certain items in both periods as identified in the attached reconciliation tables, non-GAAP operating income was $20.2 million in fourth quarter 2019 compared to fourth quarter 2018 operating income of $39.9 million. On a non-GAAP basis, net income was $14.8 million, or $0.56 per diluted share, in fourth quarter 2019 compared to fourth quarter 2018 net income of $28.3 million, or $1.06 per diluted share.

"Overall, 2019 represented a solidly profitable year for ArcBest filled with ongoing innovation and customer-centric initiatives," said Chairman, President and CEO Judy R. McReynolds. "While conditions were not as favorable as those seen in 2018, our team succeeded in providing customers with valued expertise, a better experience and the full suite of logistics services they require. As a result of our expansion and investments in recent years, our cross-sold accounts have become larger in size and are growing faster than single-service accounts. Importantly, they also have higher rates of retention, which is a more stable foundation for future growth."

ArcBest's full year 2019 revenue totaled $3.0 billion compared to $3.1 billion in 2018. Net income was $40.0 million, or $1.51 per diluted share, compared to net income of $67.3 million, or $2.51 per diluted share in 2018. On a non-GAAP basis, ArcBest had 2019 net income of $76.3 million, or $2.88 per diluted share compared to net income of $107.4 million, or $4.02 per diluted share in 2018.

McReynolds noted that returning the asset-based business to historic margins has been a stated long-term goal. Payment of a profit-sharing bonus to union-represented employees as provided for in the 2018 collective bargaining agreement by achieving a 95.2 percent ABF Freight operating ratio in 2019 represented a significant milestone. "We thank our ABF employees for their hard work and are proud to distribute this profit-sharing bonus to them," McReynolds said.

1. U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

Fourth Quarter Results of Operations Comparisons

Asset-Based

Fourth Quarter 2019 Versus Fourth Quarter 2018

  • Revenue of $513.3 million compared to $548.9 million, a per-day decrease of 6.5 percent.
  • Total tonnage per day decrease of 8.1 percent, with a double-digit percentage decrease in LTL-rated tonnage partially offset by a double-digit percentage increase in TL-rated spot shipment tonnage moving in the Asset-Based network.
  • Total shipments per day decrease of 7.3 percent. Total weight per shipment decrease of 0.8 percent and a decrease of 6.3 percent in LTL-rated weight per shipment.
  • Total billed revenue per hundredweight increased 2.1 percent and was negatively impacted by lower fuel surcharges versus prior year. Excluding fuel surcharge, the percentage increase on LTL-rated freight was in the high-single digits.
  • Operating income of $20.5 million and an operating ratio of 96.0 percent compared to operating income of $36.9 million and an operating ratio of 93.3 percent. On a non-GAAP basis, operating income of $25.4 million and an operating ratio of 95.0 percent compared to operating income of $37.8 million and an operating ratio of 93.1 percent.

Fourth quarter tonnage and shipment totals in the Asset-Based business were below the same period last year due to weaker customer demand and smaller average sized LTL shipments associated with a tempered economic operating environment. These factors, along with reduced fuel surcharge revenue, and associated reductions in fuel-related expenses, contributed to lower fourth quarter revenue. Reductions in total Asset-Based business levels resulting from fewer LTL-rated shipments were somewhat mitigated by an increase in TL‑rated, spot shipments moving through the ABF Freight network. Efforts to secure adequate Asset-Based yields during the quarter were successful, especially on LTL-rated shipments, amidst a positive pricing marketplace. ABF Freight continues to have success in achieving pricing levels that match the superior customer service it offers.

Fourth quarter Asset-Based linehaul costs improved as a result of the combined impact of lower empty equipment costs and efficient management of outside capacity resources including rail, purchased transportation and cartage. Lower business levels contributed to reduced efficiency in providing dock, city pickup and delivery services, thus impacting operating costs per shipment. During this year's fourth quarter, Asset-Based results also benefitted from asset sales.

Asset-Light

Fourth Quarter 2019 Versus Fourth Quarter 2018

  • Revenue of $237.0 million compared to $243.8 million, a per-day decrease of 2.8 percent.
  • An operating loss of $25.4 million due to a noncash impairment charge compared to operating income of $7.5 million. On a non-GAAP basis, operating income of $1.1 million compared to operating income of $7.8 million.
  • Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("Adjusted EBITDA") of $4.0 million compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $11.3 million.

Reduced fourth quarter revenue in the Asset-Light ArcBest segment versus the prior year reflects a market-driven reduction in total average revenue per shipment, primarily in the expedite and truckload brokerage businesses. Though purchased transportation costs are below the prior year, the rate of decrease in these carrier capacity costs did not match that of the quarter's decline in revenue. This year's more available truckload capacity, compared to the tighter spot market last year, was a factor impacting demand for expedite services and operating margins. Strong demand for ArcBest's managed transportation solutions continues to be a positive contributor to Asset-Light financial results. At FleetNet, an increase in total events resulted in improved operating income over the prior year period.

Full Year Results of Operations Comparisons

Asset-Based

Full Year 2019 Versus Full Year 2018

  • Revenue of $2.1 billion, compared to $2.2 billion in 2018, an average daily decrease of 1.2 percent.
  • Tonnage per day decrease of 4.8 percent.
  • Shipments per day decrease of 2.4 percent.
  • Total billed revenue per hundredweight increased 3.7 percent. Excluding fuel surcharge, the percentage increase on LTL-rated freight was in the high-single digits.
  • Operating income of $102.1 million compared to $103.9 million in 2018. On a non-GAAP basis, operating income of $118.8 million compared to $145.6 million in 2018.
  • Profit-sharing bonus to union-represented ABF Freight employees of $5.1 million for 2019

Asset-Light

Full Year 2019 Versus Full Year 2018

  • Revenue of $950.1 million compared to $976.2 million in 2018, an average daily decrease of 2.5 percent.
  • An operating loss of $15.4 million compared to operating income of $28.0 million. On a non-GAAP basis, operating income of $11.2 million compared to operating income of $26.5 million.
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $23.8 million compared to $43.4 million in 2018.

Capital Expenditures

In 2019, total net capital expenditures, including equipment financed, equaled $147 million which was below previous expectations reflecting shifts in the timing of some expenditures into 2020 and higher sale proceeds. 2019 net capital expenditures included $86 million of revenue equipment, the majority of which was for ArcBest's Asset-Based operation. Depreciation and amortization costs on property, plant and equipment were $108 million.

For 2020, total net capital expenditures are estimated to range from $135 million to $145 million. This includes revenue equipment purchases of approximately $82 million primarily for ArcBest's Asset-Based operation. ArcBest's depreciation and amortization costs on property, plant and equipment in 2020 are estimated to range from $110 million to $115 million.

Quarterly Dividends and Share Repurchase Program

During 2019, ArcBest increased shareholder returns through payment of an eight cent per share quarterly dividend and purchase of ArcBest shares valued at approximately $9.1 million, and these are expected to continue at comparable levels in 2020.

Closing Comments

"For the last 10 years, our strategy has evolved purposefully by expanding our logistics offerings and opening up new avenues for growth to address our rapidly changing industry," said McReynolds. "Ease of doing business through multiple channels has become a customer requirement. We are confident that the solutions we have in place, and continue to develop and enhance, provide value in any environment, but especially this environment, as evidenced by the growth seen in our managed transportation and Retail+ solutions. As we look ahead, we are accelerating our efforts to deepen and broaden our customer relationships and to increase the effectiveness of our efforts to improve supply chain efficiencies."

NOTE

‡ - The ArcBest and FleetNet reportable segments, combined, represent Asset-Light operations.

Conference Call

ArcBest will host a conference call with company executives to discuss the 2019 fourth quarter and full year results. The call will be on Friday, January 31st at 9:30 a.m. EST (8:30 a.m. CST). Interested parties are invited to listen by calling (800) 756‑3565. Following the call, a recorded playback will be available through the end of the day on March 15, 2020. To listen to the playback, dial (800) 633-8284 or (402) 977-9140 (for international callers). The conference call ID for the playback is 21950554. The conference call and playback can also be accessed, through March 15, 2020, on ArcBest's website at arcb.com.

Call participants can submit questions this afternoon prior to the conference call by emailing them to [email protected]. On the call, responses will be provided to as many questions as possible in the time available.

About ArcBest

ArcBest® (Nasdaq: ARCB) is a leading logistics company with creative problem solvers who deliver innovative solutions. We'll find a way to deliver knowledge, expertise and a can-do attitude with every shipment and supply chain solution, household move or vehicle repair. At ArcBest, we're More Than LogisticsSM. For more information, visit arcb.com.

Forward-Looking StatementsCertain statements and information in this press release concerning results for the three months ended September 30, 2019 may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Terms such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "foresee," "intend," "may," "plan," "predict," "project," "scheduled," "should," "would," and similar expressions and the negatives of such terms are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management's beliefs, assumptions, and expectations based on currently available information, are not guarantees of future performance, and involve certain risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control). Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, we cannot provide assurance that our expectations will prove to be correct. Actual outcomes and results could materially differ from what is expressed, implied, or forecasted in these statements due to a number of factors, including, but not limited to: a failure of our information systems, including disruptions or failures of services essential to our operations or upon which our information technology platforms rely, data breach, and/or cybersecurity incidents; untimely or ineffective development and implementation of new or enhanced technology or processes, including the pilot test program at ABF Freight; failure to realize potential benefits associated with new or enhanced technology or processes, including the pilot test program at ABF Freight, and any write-offs associated therewith; the loss or reduction of business from large customers; competitive initiatives and pricing pressures; relationships with employees, including unions, and our ability to attract and retain employees; unfavorable terms of, or the inability to reach agreement on, future collective bargaining agreements or a workforce stoppage by our employees covered under ABF Freight's collective bargaining agreement; the cost, timing, and performance of growth initiatives; general economic conditions and related shifts in market demand that impact the performance and needs of industries we serve and/or limit our customers' access to adequate financial resources; availability and cost of reliable third-party services; governmental regulations; environmental laws and regulations, including emissions-control regulations; union and nonunion employee wages and benefits, including changes in required contributions to multiemployer plans; our ability to secure independent owner operators and/or operational or regulatory issues related to our use of their services; litigation or claims asserted against us; maintaining our intellectual property rights, brand, and corporate reputation; the loss of key employees or the inability to execute succession planning strategies; default on covenants of financing arrangements and the availability and terms of future financing arrangements; timing and amount of capital expenditures; self-insurance claims and insurance premium costs; the cost, integration, and performance of any recent or future acquisitions; availability of fuel, the effect of volatility in fuel prices and the associated changes in fuel surcharges on securing increases in base freight rates, and the inability to collect fuel surcharges; increased prices for and decreased availability of new revenue equipment, decreases in value of used revenue equipment, and higher costs of equipment-related operating expenses such as maintenance and fuel and related taxes; potential impairment of goodwill and intangible assets; greater than anticipated funding requirements for our nonunion defined benefit pension plan; seasonal fluctuations and adverse weather conditions; regulatory, economic, and other risks arising from our international business; antiterrorism and safety measures; and other financial, operational, and legal risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in ArcBest's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").

For additional information regarding known material factors that could cause our actual results to differ from our projected results, please see our filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Financial Data and Operating Statistics

The following tables show financial data and operating statistics on ArcBest® and its reportable segments.

ARCBEST CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

Three Months Ended

Year Ended

December 31

December 31

2019

2018

2019

2018

(Unaudited)

($ thousands, except share and per share data)

REVENUES

$

717,418

$

774,279

$

2,988,310

$

3,093,788

OPERATING EXPENSES(1)(2)

728,647

737,117

2,924,540

2,984,690

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)

(11,229)

37,162

63,770

109,098

OTHER INCOME (COSTS)

Interest and dividend income

1,591

1,554

6,453

3,914

Interest and other related financing costs

(2,874)

(2,926)

(11,467)

(9,468)

Other, net

485

(15,120)

(7,285)

(19,158)

(798)

(16,492)

(12,299)

(24,712)

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES

(12,027)

20,670

51,471

84,386

INCOME TAX PROVISION (BENEFIT)

(6,478)

5,371

11,486

17,124

NET INCOME (LOSS)

$

(5,549)

$

15,299

$

39,985

$

67,262

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE(3)

Basic

$

(0.22)

$

0.59

$

1.56

$

2.61

Diluted

$

(0.22)

$

0.57

$

1.51

$

2.51

AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING

Basic

25,490,393

25,707,335

25,535,529

25,679,736

Diluted

25,490,393

26,682,262

26,450,055

26,698,831

CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE

$

0.08

$

0.08

$

0.32

$

0.32

_________________________

1)

Includes a one-time charge of $37.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 for the multiemployer pension fund withdrawal liability resulting from the transition agreement ABF Freight, Inc. entered into with the New England Teamsters and Trucking Industry Pension Fund.

2)

For the three months and year ended December 31, 2019, includes a noncash impairment charge related to a portion of the goodwill, customer relationship intangible assets, and revenue equipment associated with the acquisition of truckload brokerage and truckload dedicated businesses within the ArcBest segment.

3)

ArcBest uses the two-class method for calculating earnings per share. This method requires an allocation of dividends paid and a portion of undistributed net income (but not losses) to unvested restricted stock for calculating per share amounts.

ARCBEST CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

December 31

December 31

2019

2018

(Unaudited)

Note

($ thousands, except share data)

ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents

$

201,909

$

190,186

Short-term investments

116,579

106,806

Accounts receivable, less allowances (2019 - $5,448; 2018 - $7,380)

282,579

297,051

Other accounts receivable, less allowances (2019 - $476; 2018 - $806)

18,774

19,146

Prepaid expenses

30,377

25,304

Prepaid and refundable income taxes

9,439

1,726

Other

4,745

9,007

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

664,402

649,226

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Land and structures

342,122

339,640

Revenue equipment

896,020

858,251

Service, office, and other equipment

233,354

199,230

Software

151,068

138,517

Leasehold improvements

10,383

9,365

1,632,947

1,545,003

Less allowances for depreciation and amortization

949,355

913,815

683,592

631,188

GOODWILL

88,320

108,320

INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

58,832

68,949

OPERATING RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS

68,470

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES

7,725

7,468

OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS

79,866

74,080

$

1,651,207

$

1,539,231

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES

Accounts payable

$

134,374

$

143,785

Income taxes payable

12

1,688

Accrued expenses

228,749

243,111

Current portion of long-term debt

57,305

54,075

Current portion of operating lease liabilities

20,265

Current portion of pension and postretirement liabilities

3,572

8,659

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

444,277

451,318

LONG-TERM DEBT, less current portion

266,214

237,600

OPERATING LEASE LIABILITIES, less current portion

52,277

PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT LIABILITIES, less current portion

20,294

31,504

OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

38,892

44,686

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES

66,210

56,441

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 70,000,000 shares;issued 2019: 28,810,902 shares; 2018: 28,684,779 shares

288

287

Additional paid-in capital

333,943

325,712

Retained earnings

533,187

501,389

Treasury stock, at cost, 2019: 3,404,639 shares; 2018: 3,097,634 shares

(104,578)

(95,468)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

203

(14,238)

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

763,043

717,682

$

1,651,207

$

1,539,231

Note: The balance sheet at December 31, 2018 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.

ARCBEST CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Year Ended

December 31

2019

2018

Unaudited

($ thousands)

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Net income

$

39,985

$

67,262

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization

108,099

104,114

Amortization of intangibles

4,367

4,521

Pension settlement expense, including termination expense

8,505

12,925

Share-based compensation expense

9,523

8,413

Provision for losses on accounts receivable

1,223

2,336

Change in deferred income taxes

5,411

1,872

Asset impairment(1)

26,514

Gain on sale of property and equipment

(5,247)

(59)

Gain on sale of subsidiaries

(1,945)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Receivables

13,720

(23,554)

Prepaid expenses

(4,756)

(2,988)

Other assets

(1,365)

(4,341)

Income taxes

(8,720)

12,169

Operating right-of-use assets and lease liabilities, net

728

Multiemployer pension fund withdrawal liability(2)

(584)

22,602

Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities

(27,039)

52,020

NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES

170,364

255,347

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Purchases of property, plant and equipment, net of financings

(90,955)

(43,992)

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

13,490

4,256

Proceeds from sale of subsidiaries

4,680

Purchases of short-term investments

(129,709)

(108,495)

Proceeds from sale of short-term investments

120,409

58,698

Capitalization of internally developed software

(11,476)

(10,097)

NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES

(98,241)

(94,950)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Payments on long-term debt

(58,938)

(71,260)

Proceeds from notes payable

20,410

Net change in book overdrafts

(2,722)

262

Deferred financing costs

(562)

(202)

Payment of common stock dividends

(8,187)

(8,244)

Purchases of treasury stock

(9,110)

(9,404)

Payments for tax withheld on share-based compensation

(1,291)

(2,135)

NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES

(60,400)

(90,983)

NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

11,723

69,414

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

190,186

120,772

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

$

201,909

$

190,186

NONCASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Equipment and other financings

$

70,372

$

94,016

Accruals for equipment received

$

234

$

2,807

Lease liabilities arising from obtaining right-of-use assets

$

32,761

$

_________________________

1)

Noncash impairment charge recognized in the year ended December 31, 2019 relates to a portion of the goodwill, customer relationship intangible assets, and revenue equipment associated with the acquisition of truckload brokerage and truckload dedicated businesses within the ArcBest segment.

2)

The year ended December 31, 2018 includes a one-time charge related to the multiemployer pension plan withdrawal liability.

ARCBEST CORPORATION

FINANCIAL STATEMENT OPERATING SEGMENT DATA AND OPERATING RATIOS

Three Months Ended

Year Ended

December 31

December 31

2019

2018

2019

2018

Unaudited

($ thousands, except percentages)

REVENUES

Asset-Based

$

513,331

$

548,941

$

2,144,679

$

2,175,585

ArcBest

184,257

193,754

738,392

781,123

FleetNet

52,781

50,081

211,738

195,126

Total Asset-Light

237,038

243,835

950,130

976,249

Other and eliminations

(32,951)

(18,497)

(106,499)

(58,046)

Total consolidated revenues

$

717,418

$

774,279

$

2,988,310

$

3,093,788

OPERATING EXPENSES

Asset-Based

Salaries, wages, and benefits

$

274,966

53.6

%

$

279,419

50.9

%

$

1,148,761

53.6

%

$

1,128,030

51.8

%

Fuel, supplies, and expenses(1)

61,631

12.0

64,492

11.8

257,133

12.0

255,655

11.8

Operating taxes and licenses

12,732

2.5

12,865

2.4

50,209

2.3

48,792

2.2

Insurance

9,281

1.8

8,832

1.6

32,516

1.5

32,887

1.5

Communications and utilities

4,433

0.9

4,019

0.7

18,614

0.9

16,983

0.8

Depreciation and amortization(1)

23,428

4.5

21,459

3.9

89,798

4.2

85,951

4.0

Rents and purchased transportation(1)

54,245

10.6

61,915

11.3

221,479

10.3

242,247

11.1

Shared services(1)

51,109

9.9

57,261

10.4

212,773

9.9

215,302

9.9

Multiemployer pension fund withdrawal liability charge(2)

37,922

1.7

Gain on sale of property and equipment

(4,189)

(0.8)

112

(5,892)

(0.3)

(410)

Innovative technology costs(1)(3)

4,539

0.9

862

0.2

13,739

0.6

3,810

0.2

Other

610

0.1

776

0.1

3,488

0.2

4,554

0.2

Total Asset-Based

492,785

96.0

%

512,012

93.3

%

2,042,618

95.2

%

2,071,723

95.2

%

ArcBest

Purchased transportation

153,935

83.5

%

155,887

80.4

%

606,113

82.1

%

631,501

80.8

%

Supplies and expenses

2,377

1.3

3,039

1.6

10,789

1.5

13,329

1.7

Depreciation and amortization(4)

2,531

1.4

3,187

1.6

11,344

1.5

13,750

1.8

Shared services

22,757

12.4

22,409

11.6

93,961

12.7

91,266

11.7

Other

2,636

1.4

2,170

1.1

9,860

1.3

9,143

1.2

Asset impairment(5)

26,514

14.4

26,514

3.6

Restructuring costs

339

0.2

491

0.1

Gain on sale of subsidiaries(6)

(1,945)

(0.3)

210,750

114.4

%

187,031

96.5

%

758,581

102.7

%

757,535

97.0

%

FleetNet

51,660

97.9

%

49,334

98.5

%

206,932

97.7

%

190,741

97.8

%

Total Asset-Light

262,410

236,365

965,513

948,276

Other and eliminations

(26,548)

(11,260)

(83,591)

(35,309)

Total consolidated operating expenses

$

728,647

101.6

%

$

737,117

95.2

%

$

2,924,540

97.9

%

$

2,984,690

96.5

%

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)

Asset-Based

$

20,546

$

36,929

$

102,061

$

103,862

ArcBest

(26,493)

6,723

(20,189)

23,588

FleetNet

1,121

747

4,806

4,385

Total Asset-Light

(25,372)

7,470

(15,383)

27,973

Other and eliminations(7)

(6,403)

(7,237)

(22,908)

(22,737)

Total consolidated operating income (loss)

$

(11,229)

$

37,162

$

63,770

$

109,098

_________________________

1)

Beginning in third quarter 2019, the presentation of Asset-Based segment expenses was modified to present innovative technology costs as a separate operating expense line item. Previously, innovative technology costs incurred directly by the segment or allocated through shared services were categorized in individual segment expense line items. Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period operating segment expenses to conform to the current year presentation. There was no impact on the segment's total expenses as a result of the reclassifications.

2)

The year ended December 31, 2018 includes a one-time charge for the multiemployer pension plan withdrawal liability.

3)

Represents costs associated with the previously announced freight handling pilot test program at ABF Freight.

4)

Depreciation and amortization consists primarily of amortization of intangibles, including customer relationships, and software associated with acquired businesses.

5)

Noncash impairment charge recognized in fourth quarter 2019 relates to a portion of the goodwill, customer relationship intangible assets, and revenue equipment associated with the acquisition of truckload brokerage and truckload dedicated businesses within the ArcBest segment.

6)

Gain recognized in 2018 relates to the sale of the ArcBest segment's military moving businesses in December 2017.

7)

"Other and eliminations" includes corporate costs for certain unallocated shared service costs which are not attributable to any segment, additional investments to offer comprehensive transportation and logistics services across multiple operating segments, and other investments in ArcBest technology and innovations, including innovative technology costs.

ARCBEST CORPORATIONRECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

Non-GAAP Financial MeasuresWe report our financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). However, management believes that certain non-GAAP performance measures and ratios utilized for internal analysis provide analysts, investors, and others the same information that we use internally for purposes of assessing our core operating performance and provides meaningful comparisons between current and prior period results, as well as important information regarding performance trends. The use of certain non-GAAP measures improves comparability in analyzing our performance because it removes the impact of items from operating results that, in management's opinion, do not reflect our core operating performance. Other companies may calculate non-GAAP measures differently; therefore, our calculation may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. Certain information discussed in the scheduled conference call could be considered non-GAAP measures. Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, our reported results. These financial measures should not be construed as better measurements than operating income, operating cash flow, net income or earnings per share, as determined under GAAP.

Three Months Ended

Year Ended

December 31

December 31

2019

2018

2019

2018

ArcBest Corporation - Consolidated

(Unaudited)

($ thousands, except per share data)

Operating Income (Loss)

Amounts on GAAP basis

$

(11,229)

$

37,162

$

63,770

$

109,098

Asset impairment, pre-tax(1)

26,514

26,514

Innovative technology costs, pre-tax(2)

4,553

1,800

15,657

5,860

ELD conversion costs, pre-tax(3)

329

2,687

Nonunion pension termination costs, pre-tax(4)

350

Multiemployer pension fund withdrawal liability charge, pre-tax(5)

37,922

Restructuring charges, pre-tax(6)

889

1,655

Gain on sale of subsidiaries, pre-tax(7)

(1,945)

Non-GAAP amounts

$

20,167

$

39,851

$

108,978

$

152,590

Net Income (Loss)

Amounts on GAAP basis

$

(5,549)

$

15,299

$

39,985

$

67,262

Asset impairment, after-tax(1)

19,836

19,836

Innovative technology costs, after-tax (includes related financing costs)(2)

3,501

1,385

11,963

4,401

ELD conversion costs, after-tax(3)

245

1,996

Nonunion pension termination costs, after-tax(4)

260

Multiemployer pension fund withdrawal liability charge, after-tax(5)

28,161

Restructuring charges, after-tax(6)

657

1,223

Gain on sale of subsidiaries, after-tax(7)

(1,437)

Nonunion pension expense, including settlement and termination expense, after-tax(8)

297

9,366

7,972

13,512

Life insurance proceeds and changes in cash surrender value

(979)

2,253

(3,692)

23

Tax expense (benefit) from vested RSUs(9)

17

(386)

481

(711)

Impact of 2017 Tax Reform Act(10)

(311)

(3,824)

Tax credits(11)

(2,526)

(2,526)

(1,203)

Non-GAAP amounts

$

14,842

$

28,263

$

76,275

$

107,407

Diluted Earnings Per Share(12)

Amounts on GAAP basis

$

(0.22)

$

0.57

$

1.51

$

2.51

Asset impairment, after-tax(1)

0.75

0.75

Innovative technology costs, after-tax (includes related financing costs)(2)

0.13

0.05

0.45

0.16

ELD conversion costs, after-tax(3)

0.01

0.08

Nonunion pension termination costs, after-tax(4)

0.01

Multiemployer pension fund withdrawal liability charge, after-tax(5)

1.05

Restructuring charges, after-tax(6)

0.02

0.05

Gain on sale of subsidiaries, after-tax(7)

(0.05)

Nonunion pension expense, including settlement and termination expense, after-tax(8)

0.01

0.35

0.30

0.51

Life insurance proceeds and changes in cash surrender value

(0.04)

0.08

(0.14)

Tax expense (benefit) from vested RSUs(9)

(0.01)

0.02

(0.03)

Impact of 2017 Tax Reform Act(10)

(0.01)

(0.14)

Tax credits(11)

(0.10)

(0.10)

(0.05)

Non-GAAP amounts(13)

$

0.56

$

1.06

$

2.88

$

4.02

_________________________

Note: See "Notes to Non-GAAP Financial Tables" for the footnotes to this ArcBest Corporation – Consolidated non-GAAP table.

Notes to Non-GAAP Financial Tables

The following footnotes apply to the non-GAAP financial tables presented in this press release.

1)

Noncash impairment charge recognized in fourth quarter 2019 relates to a portion of the goodwill, customer relationship intangible assets, and revenue equipment associated with the acquisition of truckload brokerage and truckload dedicated businesses within the ArcBest segment.

2)

Represents costs associated with the previously announced freight handling pilot test program at ABF Freight.

3)

The three months and year ended December 31, 2019 include impairment charges related to equipment replacement and other one-time costs incurred to comply with the electronic logging device ("ELD") mandate which was effective December 2019.

4)

The year ended December 31, 2019 includes a one-time consulting fee associated with the termination of the nonunion defined benefit pension plan.

5)

The year ended December 31, 2018 includes a one-time charge for the multiemployer pension plan withdrawal liability.

6)

Restructuring charges relate to the realignment of the Company's organizational structure as announced on November 3, 2016.

7)

Gain recognized in 2018 relates to the sale of the ArcBest segment's military moving businesses in December 2017.

8)

Nonunion pension expense is presented as a non-GAAP adjustment with pension settlement expense, because expenses related to the plan have been excluded from the financial information management uses to make operating decisions, as the nonunion defined benefit pension plan was amended to terminate the plan with a termination date of December 31, 2017. Pension settlements related to benefit distributions for the plan termination began in fourth quarter 2018 and were completed in third quarter 2019. The year ended December 31, 2019 also includes a noncash pension termination expense related to an amount which was stranded in accumulated other comprehensive income until the pension benefit obligation was settled upon plan termination. The three months and year ended December 31, 2019 include pension settlement expense of $0.3 million after-tax, or $0.01 per diluted share, related to the Company's supplemental benefit plan.

9)

The Company recognized the tax impact for the vesting of share-based compensation resulting in excess tax expense (benefit) during the three months and year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

10)

Impact on current or deferred income tax expense as a result of recognizing the tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("2017 Tax Reform Act") that was signed into law on December 22, 2017.

11)

The three months and year ended December 31, 2019 include a $1.4 million research and development tax credit recognized in the tax provision during fourth quarter 2019 which primarily relates to years prior to 2019, and include a $1.2 million alternative fuel tax credit related to the year ended December 31, 2018 which was recorded in fourth quarter 2019 due to the December 2019 retroactive reinstatement. The non-GAAP adjustment for the year ended December 31, 2018 represents the amount of the alternative fuel tax credit related to the year ended December 31, 2017 which was recorded in first quarter 2018 due to the February 2018 retroactive reinstatement.

12)

ArcBest uses the two-class method for calculating earnings per share, which requires an allocation of dividends paid and a portion of undistributed net income (but not losses) to unvested restricted stock for calculating per share amounts. For fourth quarter 2019, ArcBest reported a net loss on a GAAP basis and reported net income on a non-GAAP basis. The average common shares outstanding used to calculate non-GAAP diluted earnings per share for fourth quarter 2019 were adjusted to include unvested restricted stock awards in the calculation of non-GAAP diluted earnings per share under the two-class method as follows:

Three Months Ended December 31, 2019

Average Common Shares Outstanding

Diluted shares on GAAP basis

25,490,393

Effect of unvested restricted stock awards

931,908

Non-GAAP diluted shares

26,422,301

13)

Non-GAAP EPS is calculated in total and may not foot due to rounding.

14)

Tax rate for total "Amounts on GAAP basis" represents the effective tax rate. The tax effects of non-GAAP adjustments are calculated based on the statutory rate applicable to each item based on tax jurisdiction, unless the nature of the item requires the tax effect to be estimated by applying a specific tax treatment.

Three Months Ended

Year Ended

December 31

December 31

2019

2018

2019

2018

Segment Operating Income Reconciliations

(Unaudited)

($ thousands, except percentages)

Asset-Based Segment

Operating Income ($) and Operating Ratio (% of revenues)

Amounts on GAAP basis

$

20,546

96.0

%

$

36,929

93.3

%

$

102,061

95.2

%

$

103,862

95.2

%

Innovative technology costs, pre-tax(2)

4,539

(0.9)

862

(0.2)

13,739

(0.6)

3,810

(0.2)

ELD conversion costs, pre-tax(3)

329

(0.1)

2,687

(0.1)

Nonunion pension termination costs, pre-tax(4)

295

Multiemployer pension fund withdrawal liability charge, pre-tax(5)

37,922

(1.7)

Non-GAAP amounts(12)

$

25,414

95.0

%

$

37,791

93.1

%

$

118,782

94.5

%

$

145,594

93.3

%

Asset-Light

ArcBest Segment

Operating Income (Loss) ($) and Operating Ratio (% of revenues)

Amounts on GAAP basis

$

(26,493)

114.4

%

$

6,723

96.5

%

$

(20,189)

102.7

%

$

23,588

97.0

%

Asset impairment, pre-tax(1)

26,514

(14.4)

26,514

(3.6)

Nonunion pension termination costs, pre-tax(4)

23

Restructuring charges, pre-tax(6)

339

(0.2)

491

(0.1)

Gain on sale of subsidiaries, pre-tax(7)

(1,945)

0.3

Non-GAAP amounts

$

21

100.0

%

$

7,062

96.3

%

$

6,348

99.1

%

$

22,134

97.2

%

FleetNet Segment

Operating Income ($) and Operating Ratio (% of revenues)

Amounts on GAAP basis

$

1,121

97.9

%

$

747

98.5

%

$

4,806

97.7

%

$

4,385

97.8

%

Nonunion pension termination costs, pre-tax(4)

12

Non-GAAP amounts

$

1,121

97.9

%

$

747

98.5

%

$

4,818

97.7

%

$

4,385

97.8

%

Total Asset-Light

Operating Income (Loss) ($) and Operating Ratio (% of revenues)

Amounts on GAAP basis

$

(25,372)

110.7

%

$

7,470

96.9

%

$

(15,383)

101.6

%

$

27,973

97.1

%

Asset impairment, pre-tax(1)

26,514

(11.2)

26,514

(2.8)

Nonunion pension termination costs, pre-tax(4)

35

Restructuring charges, pre-tax(6)

339

(0.1)

491

(0.1)

Gain on sale of subsidiaries, pre-tax(7)

(1,945)

0.2

Non-GAAP amounts

$

1,142

99.5

%

$

7,809

96.8

%

$

11,166

98.8

%

$

26,519

97.2

%

Other and Eliminations

Operating Loss ($)

Amounts on GAAP basis

$

(6,403)

$

(7,237)

$

(22,908)

$

(22,737)

Innovative technology costs, pre-tax(2)

14

938

1,918

2,051

Nonunion pension termination costs, pre-tax(4)

20

Restructuring charges, pre-tax(6)

550

1,164

Non-GAAP amounts

$

(6,389)

$

(5,749)

$

(20,970)

$

(19,522)

_________________________

Note: See "Notes to Non-GAAP Financial Tables" for the footnotes to this ArcBest Corporation – Segment Operating Income Reconciliations non-GAAP table.

Effective Tax Rate Reconciliation

ArcBest Corporation - Consolidated

(Unaudited)

($ thousands, except percentages)

Three Months Ended December 31, 2019

Operating

Other

Income (Loss)

Income

Net

Income

Income

Before Income

Tax Provision

Income

(Loss)

(Costs)

Taxes

(Benefit)

(Loss)

Tax Rate(14)

Amounts on GAAP basis

$

(11,229)

$

(798)

$

(12,027)

$

(6,478)

$

(5,549)

(53.9)

%

Asset impairment, pre-tax(1)

26,514

26,514

6,678

19,836

25.2

Innovative technology costs(2)

4,553

162

4,715

1,214

3,501

25.7

ELD conversion costs(3)

329

329

84

245

25.5

Nonunion pension expense, including settlement and termination expense(8)

399

399

102

297

25.6

Life insurance proceeds and changes in cash surrender value

(979)

(979)

(979)

Tax expense from vested RSUs(9)

(17)

17

Tax credits(11)

2,526

(2,526)

Non-GAAP amounts

$

20,167

$

(1,216)

$

18,951

$

4,109

$

14,842

21.7

%

Three Months Ended December 31, 2018

Other

Income Before

Income

Operating

Income

Income

Tax

Net

Income

(Costs)

Taxes

Provision

Income

Tax Rate(14)

Amounts on GAAP basis

$

37,162

$

(16,492)

$

20,670

$

5,371

$

15,299

26.0

%

Innovative technology costs(2)

1,800

65

1,865

480

1,385

25.7

Restructuring charges(6)

889

889

232

657

26.1

Nonunion pension expense, including settlement(8)

12,612

12,612

3,246

9,366

25.7

Life insurance proceeds and changes in cash surrender value

2,253

2,253

2,253

Tax benefit from vested RSUs(9)

386

(386)

Impact of 2017 Tax Reform Act(10)

311

(311)

Non-GAAP amounts

$

39,851

$

(1,562)

$

38,289

$

10,026

$

28,263

26.2

%

Year Ended December 31, 2019

Other

Income Before

Income

Operating

Income

Income

Tax

Net

Income

(Costs)

Taxes

Provision

Income

Tax Rate(14)

Amounts on GAAP basis

$

63,770

$

(12,299)

$

51,471

$

11,486

$

39,985

22.3

%

Asset impairment, pre-tax(1)

26,514

26,514

6,678

19,836

25.2

Innovative technology costs(2)

15,657

453

16,110

4,147

11,963

25.7

ELD conversion costs(3)

2,687

2,687

691

1,996

25.7

Nonunion pension termination costs(4)

350

350

90

260

25.7

Nonunion pension expense, including settlement and termination expense(8)

9,358

9,358

1,386

7,972

14.8

Life insurance proceeds and changes in cash surrender value

(3,692)

(3,692)

(3,692)

Tax expense from vested RSUs(9)

(481)

481

Tax credits(11)

2,526

(2,526)

Non-GAAP amounts

$

108,978

$

(6,180)

$

102,798

$

26,523

$

76,275

25.8

%

Year Ended December 31, 2018

Other

Income Before

Income

Operating

Income

Income

Tax

Net

Income

(Costs)

Taxes

Provision

Income

Tax Rate(14)

Amounts on GAAP basis

$

109,098

$

(24,712)

$

84,386

$

17,124

$

67,262

20.3

%

Innovative technology costs(2)

5,860

67

5,927

1,526

4,401

25.7

Multiemployer pension fund withdrawal liability charge(5)

37,922

37,922

9,761

28,161

25.7

Restructuring charges(6)

1,655

1,655

432

1,223

26.1

Gain on sale of subsidiaries(7)

(1,945)

(1,945)

(508)

(1,437)

(26.1)

Nonunion pension expense, including settlement(8)

18,195

18,195

4,683

13,512

25.7

Life insurance proceeds and changes in cash surrender value

23

23

23

Tax benefit from vested RSUs(9)

711

(711)

Impact of 2017 Tax Reform Act(10)

3,824

(3,824)

Tax credits(11)

1,203

(1,203)

Non-GAAP amounts

$

152,590

$

(6,427)

$

146,163

$

38,756

$

107,407

26.5

%

_________________________

Note: See "Notes to Non-GAAP Financial Tables" for the footnotes to this ArcBest Corporation – Consolidated Effective Tax Rate Reconciliation table.

Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (Adjusted EBITDA)Management uses Adjusted EBITDA as a key measure of performance and for business planning. The measure is particularly meaningful for analysis of operating performance, because it excludes amortization of acquired intangibles and software of the Asset-Light businesses, which are significant expenses resulting from strategic decisions rather than core daily operations. Additionally, Adjusted EBITDA is a primary component of the financial covenants contained in our credit agreement.

Three Months Ended

Year Ended

December 31

December 31

2019

2018

2019

2018

(Unaudited)

ArcBest Corporation - Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA

($ thousands)

Net Income (Loss)

$

(5,549)

$

15,299

$

39,985

$

67,262

Interest and other related financing costs

2,874

2,926

11,467

9,468

Income tax provision (benefit)

(6,478)

5,371

11,486

17,124

Depreciation and amortization

29,134

26,936

112,466

108,635

Amortization of share-based compensation

2,255

2,228

9,523

8,413

Amortization of net actuarial losses of benefit plans and pension settlement expense, including termination expense(1)

618

12,138

9,758

15,893

Asset impairment(2)

26,514

26,514

Multiemployer pension fund withdrawal liability charge(3)

37,922

Restructuring charges(4)

889

1,655

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA

$

49,368

$

65,787

$

221,199

$

266,372

_________________________

1)

The year ended December 31, 2019 includes a noncash pension termination expense related to an amount which was stranded in accumulated other comprehensive income until the pension benefit obligation was settled upon plan termination.

2)

Impairment charge recognized in fourth quarter 2019 relates to a portion of the goodwill, customer relationship intangible assets, and revenue equipment associated with the acquisition of truckload brokerage and truckload dedicated businesses within the ArcBest segment.

3)

The year ended December 31, 2018 include a one-time charge for the multiemployer pension plan withdrawal liability.

4)

Restructuring charges relate to the realignment of the Company's organizational structure as announced on November 3, 2016.

Three Months Ended

Year Ended

December 31

December 31

2019

2018

2019

2018

Asset-Light Adjusted EBITDA

(Unaudited)

($ thousands, except percentages)

ArcBest

Operating Income (Loss)

$

(26,493)

$

6,723

$

(20,189)

$

23,588

Depreciation and amortization(5)

2,531

3,187

11,344

13,750

Asset impairment(6)

26,514

26,514

Restructuring charges(7)

339

491

Adjusted EBITDA

$

2,552

$

10,249

$

17,669

$

37,829

FleetNet

Operating Income

$

1,121

$

747

$

4,806

$

4,385

Depreciation and amortization

359

306

1,341

1,140

Adjusted EBITDA

$

1,480

$

1,053

$

6,147

$

5,525

Total Asset-Light

Operating Income (Loss)

$

(25,372)

$

7,470

$

(15,383)

$

27,973

Depreciation and amortization(5)

2,890

3,493

12,685

14,890

Asset impairment(6)

26,514

26,514

Restructuring charges(7)

339

491

Adjusted EBITDA

$

4,032

$

11,302

$

23,816

$

43,354

_________________________

5)

Depreciation and amortization consists primarily of amortization of intangibles and software associated with acquired businesses.

6)

Noncash impairment charge recognized in fourth quarter 2019 relates to a portion of the goodwill, customer relationship intangible assets, and revenue equipment associated with the acquisition of truckload brokerage and truckload dedicated businesses within the ArcBest segment.

7)

Restructuring charges relate to the realignment of the Company's organizational structure as announced on November 3, 2016.

Three Months Ended

Year Ended

December 31

December 31

2019

2018

% Change

2019

2018

% Change

(Unaudited)

Asset-Based

Workdays

61.5

61.5

251.5

252.0

Billed Revenue(1) / CWT

$

35.62

$

34.90

2.1%

$

35.44

$

34.16

3.7%

Billed Revenue(1) / Shipment

$

435.59

$

430.36

1.2%

$

435.60

$

430.34

1.2%

Shipments

1,173,949

1,266,334

(7.3%)

4,928,750

5,059,610

(2.6%)

Shipments / Day

19,089

20,591

(7.3%)

19,597

20,078

(2.4%)

Tonnage (Tons)

717,708

780,838

(8.1%)

3,028,974

3,187,088

(5.0%)

Tons / Day

11,670

12,697

(8.1%)

12,044

12,647

(4.8%)

Pounds / Shipment

1,223

1,233

(0.8%)

1,229

1,260

(2.5%)

Average Length of Haul (Miles)

1,032

1,029

0.3%

1,034

1,039

(0.5%)

_________________________

1)

Revenue for undelivered freight is deferred for financial statement purposes in accordance with the Asset-Based segment revenue recognition policy. Billed revenue used for calculating revenue per hundredweight measurements has not been adjusted for the portion of revenue deferred for financial statement purposes.

Year Over Year % Change

Three Months Ended

Year Ended

December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019

(Unaudited)

ArcBest(2)

Revenue / Shipment

(10.0%)

(8.6%)

Shipments / Day

(3.5%)

(2.0%)

_________________________

2)

Statistical data related to managed transportation solutions transactions are not included in the presentation of operating statistics for the ArcBest segment.

Investor Relations Contact: David Humphrey Title: Vice President – Investor Relations Phone: 479-785-6200 Email: [email protected]

Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/arcbest-announces-fourth-quarter-2019-and-full-year-2019-results-300996440.html

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