EX-99.1 2 a07-27253_1ex99d1.htm EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

 

MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD. ANNOUNCES
THIRD QUARTER FINANCIAL AND OPERATING RESULTS

 

MONDOVI, Wis., Oct. 22, 2007 – Marten Transport, Ltd. (Nasdaq/GS:MRTN) announced today its financial and operating results for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2007.

 

Operating revenue, consisting of revenue from truckload and logistics operations, increased 6.7% to $145.0 million in the third quarter of 2007 from $135.8 million in the 2006 quarter. For the nine-month period of 2007, operating revenue increased 7.2% to $415.2 million from $387.2 million for the 2006 period. Truckload revenue increased 1.4% to $125.5 million from $123.8 million in the 2006 quarter. For the nine-month period of 2007, truckload revenue increased 2.4% to $367.4 million from $358.9 million for the 2006 period. Logistics revenue, which consists of revenue from brokerage and intermodal operations, increased 61.9% to $19.5 million from $12.0 million in the 2006 quarter. For the nine-month period of 2007, logistics revenue increased 68.9% to $47.9 million from $28.3 million for the 2006 period.

 

Operating revenue included fuel surcharges of $22.6 million and $61.1 million for the third quarter and nine-month period of 2007, compared with $22.5 million and $59.5 million for the third quarter and nine-month period of 2006. Operating revenue, net of fuel surcharges, increased 8.1% to $122.4 million in the 2007 quarter and 8.0% to $354.1 million in the 2007 nine-month period.

 

For the third quarter ended Sept. 30, 2007, net income decreased to $3.1 million, or 14 cents per diluted share, from $6.7 million, or 31 cents per diluted share, for the same quarter of 2006. For the nine-month period of 2007, net income decreased to $12.0 million, or 55 cents per diluted share, from $19.3 million, or 88 cents per diluted share, for the 2006 period.

 

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Randolph L. Marten said, “Freight demand was less robust than usual during the third quarter, establishing a climate less conducive for volume growth or rate improvement with shippers. Our long-term customer relationships and diligent execution allowed us to overcome this to some extent, but below our expectations. As a result, average truckload revenue per tractor per week, net of fuel surcharges, increased slightly to $3,142 from $3,118 in the third quarter of 2006. Average truckload revenue, net of fuel surcharges, per total mile decreased to $1.482 from $1.492 in the third quarter of 2006 while average miles per tractor increased 1.5%.

 

“From a growth perspective, our average truckload tractor fleet increased slightly over the 2006 quarter. Logistics revenue increased $7.4 million, or 61.9%, on a relatively small base. Logistics revenue consists of revenue from our internal brokerage and intermodal operations and from revenue associated with our 45% interest in MW Logistics, LLC, a third-party provider of logistics services.

 

“Given the tough rate environment we were not able to increase freight rates to cover higher costs. The main line items that affected our results compared with the third quarter of 2006 were fuel expense net of surcharge recovery, supplies and maintenance, insurance and claims, and gain on disposition of revenue equipment. All other material expenses were either controlled or varied with changes between compensation expense and purchased transportation.

 

“Our net fuel expense increased primarily due to an increase in the miles driven by company drivers as compared with independent contractors and an increase in the average cost of fuel during the third quarter to $2.83 per gallon from $2.79 per gallon in the 2006 quarter.

 



 

“The increase in supplies and maintenance was primarily due to a higher percentage of company-owned tractors in our fleet and an increase in the average age of our tractor and trailer fleets.

 

“An increase in physical damage claims with respect to our tractors and trailers primarily caused the increase in insurance and claims during the quarter.

 

“As expected, our gain on disposition of revenue equipment was lower in the third quarter of 2007 than in the third quarter of 2006 given our planned decrease in the number of revenue equipment dispositions. The decrease in gain affected operating income by approximately $1.5 million.

 

“As in recent quarters, the percentage of independent contractors in our fleet declined and our truckload costs continued a shift toward wages, fuel, maintenance, and other expenses associated with company-owned equipment. The increase in salaries, wages and benefits was primarily due to a 3.3% increase in the number of miles driven by company drivers and an increase in health insurance costs of $510,000 versus the third quarter of 2006. Purchased transportation increased as the impact of fewer independent contractors was more than offset by increases in payments to third-party transportation providers associated with the growth in our logistics operations.

 

“Our operating ratio (operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue) was 96.1% for the third quarter of 2007 compared with 91.4% for the third quarter of 2006.

 

“The third quarter and nine-month period of 2007 included a tax benefit of approximately $205,000, or 1 cent per diluted share, due to a decrease to our deferred income tax liability. The decrease in the income tax liability was primarily due to state income tax law changes and a change in income apportionment for several states. The effect on any future period is not expected to be material.

 

“For the quarter, we generated approximately $15 million in cash flow from operations and invested approximately $10 million in net capital expenditures. A portion of our capital expenditures included auxiliary power units for our tractors that will provide quiet heat, air conditioning, and electrical power for our drivers without idling the tractor engine. We expect these units to generate annual net savings of several thousand dollars per truck as they are deployed in our fleet. Auxiliary power units were installed in 742 of our tractors as of Sept. 30th.

 

“At Sept. 30, 2007, our balance sheet reflected approximately $233.9 million in stockholders’ equity and $57.0 million in borrowed debt, for a debt-to-capitalization ratio of approximately 19.6%.”

 

Looking forward at the balance of 2007, Mr. Marten offered the following comments:  “We expect industry-wide capacity to exceed demand at least into the second quarter of 2008. Against the general background, as well as the normal seasonal slowness of the fourth and first quarters, we plan to decrease our tractor fleet by 100 to 200 units during the fourth quarter, depending upon market conditions. Our goal is to improve average miles per tractor and focus on the best available freight. Along with the tractor fleet reduction we expect to manage our non-driver staffing to remain above five tractors per non-driver, despite the growth of our logistics operations. Even with these profitability improvement measures and the addition of auxiliary power units, we do not expect our net income for the fourth quarter of 2007 to exceed last year’s level.”

 

Marten Transport, with headquarters in Mondovi, Wis., is one of the leading temperature-sensitive truckload carriers in the United States. Marten specializes in transporting food and

 



 

other consumer packaged goods that require a temperature-sensitive or insulated environment. Marten offers nationwide service, 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. Such statements may be identified by their use of terms or phrases such as “expects,” “estimates,” “projects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “intends,” and similar terms and phrases. Forward-looking statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the Company’s management and are inherently subject to significant risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified, which could cause future events and actual results to differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying the forward-looking statements. In this release, forward-looking statements involve, among other things, our expectations concerning freight demand, cost savings of auxiliary power units, fleet reductions and personnel levels, and net income. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements: the risk that our perception of the cyclicality of the markets we primarily serve is incorrect or there are recessionary economic cycles and downturns in customers’ business cycles; increases in the prices paid for new revenue equipment and changes in the resale value of our used equipment causing our gain on disposition to fluctuate; excess tractor or trailer capacity in the trucking industry; decreased demand for our services or loss of one or more of our major customers; our ability to maintain profitability in or continue to grow our logistics business; surplus inventories; strikes, work slow downs, or work stoppages at the company, customers, ports, or other shipping related facilities; increases or rapid fluctuations in fuel prices as well as fluctuations in surcharge collection; the volume and terms of diesel purchase commitments; interest rates, fuel taxes, tolls, and license and registration fees; increased indebtedness, and associated interest expense, arising from upgrading our fleet of equipment; shortages in supply of new equipment from manufacturers; increases in compensation for and difficulty in attracting and retaining qualified drivers and independent contractors; elevated experience in the frequency and severity of claims relating to accident, cargo, workers’ compensation, health, and other claims; changes in management’s estimates of liability based upon such experience and development factors; increases in insurance premiums and deductible amounts; seasonal factors such as harsh weather conditions that increase operating costs; decreases in productivity that may offset or eliminate potential savings from the installation of auxiliary power units or unexpected maintenance or other costs associated with such units; competition from trucking, rail, and intermodal competitors; and regulatory requirements that increase costs or decrease efficiency, including new emissions standards for engines and the adoption of ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel. Readers should review and consider these factors along with the various disclosures by the Company in its press releases, stockholder reports, and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not assume, and specifically disclaims, any obligation to update forward-looking statements.

 

CONTACTS: Randy Marten, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Jim Hinnendael, Chief Financial Officer, of Marten Transport, Ltd., 715-926-4216.

 



 

MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

(In thousands, except share information)

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

3,690

 

$

2,988

 

Marketable securities

 

300

 

300

 

Receivables:

 

 

 

 

 

Trade, net

 

59,967

 

48,005

 

Other

 

5,663

 

6,458

 

Prepaid expenses and other

 

11,468

 

14,227

 

Deferred income taxes

 

5,492

 

4,532

 

Total current assets

 

86,580

 

76,510

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment:

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue equipment, buildings and land, office equipment and other

 

452,106

 

428,729

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

(118,886

)

(98,841

)

Net property and equipment

 

333,220

 

329,888

 

Other assets

 

2,672

 

4,424

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

422,472

 

$

410,822

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Checks issued in excess of cash balances

 

$

544

 

$

804

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

36,752

 

37,545

 

Insurance and claims accruals

 

17,061

 

16,073

 

Current maturities of long-term debt

 

5,000

 

5,000

 

Total current liabilities

 

59,357

 

59,422

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt, less current maturities

 

51,986

 

53,659

 

Deferred income taxes

 

75,945

 

75,835

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

187,288

 

188,916

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority interest

 

1,301

 

913

 

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; 48,000,000 shares authorized; 21,811,837 shares at September 30, 2007, and 21,764,773 shares at December 31, 2006, issued and outstanding

 

218

 

218

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

74,488

 

73,601

 

Retained earnings

 

159,177

 

147,174

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

233,883

 

220,993

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

$

422,472

 

$

410,822

 

 



 

MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months

 

Nine Months

 

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

Ended September 30,

 

(In thousands, except per share information)

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING REVENUE

 

$

144,969

 

$

135,812

 

$

415,206

 

$

387,229

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES (INCOME):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries, wages and benefits

 

38,808

 

36,216

 

115,786

 

106,455

 

Purchased transportation

 

27,891

 

22,051

 

74,390

 

62,931

 

Fuel and fuel taxes

 

39,586

 

37,744

 

109,524

 

102,678

 

Supplies and maintenance

 

10,448

 

8,386

 

28,364

 

24,392

 

Depreciation

 

11,867

 

11,257

 

35,317

 

32,823

 

Operating taxes and licenses

 

1,736

 

1,884

 

5,161

 

5,535

 

Insurance and claims

 

5,946

 

4,630

 

16,792

 

14,602

 

Communications and utilities

 

938

 

962

 

2,848

 

2,700

 

Gain on disposition of revenue equipment

 

(435

)

(1,983

)

(2,883

)

(5,723

)

Other

 

2,488

 

2,952

 

7,780

 

8,322

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

139,273

 

124,099

 

393,079

 

354,715

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING INCOME

 

5,696

 

11,713

 

22,127

 

32,514

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

943

 

928

 

3,064

 

2,683

 

Interest income and other

 

(186

)

(260

)

(531

)

(861

)

Minority interest

 

301

 

261

 

530

 

611

 

 

 

1,058

 

929

 

3,063

 

2,433

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 

4,638

 

10,784

 

19,064

 

30,081

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

 

1,573

 

4,048

 

7,061

 

10,752

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME

 

$

3,065

 

$

6,736

 

$

12,003

 

$

19,329

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

 

$

0.14

 

$

0.31

 

$

0.55

 

$

0.89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

 

$

0.14

 

$

0.31

 

$

0.55

 

$

0.88

 

 



 

MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD.

SEGMENT INFORMATION

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dollar
Change

 

Percentage
Change

 

 

 

Three Months
Ended
September 30,

 

Three Months
Ended
September 30,

 

Three Months
Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007 vs. 2006

 

2007 vs. 2006

 

Operating revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Truckload revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue

 

$

103,831

 

$

101,940

 

$

1,891

 

1.9

%

Truckload fuel surcharge revenue

 

21,666

 

21,847

 

(181

)

(0.8

)

Total Truckload revenue

 

125,497

 

123,787

 

1,710

 

1.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Logistics revenue, net of intermodal fuel surcharge revenue

 

18,580

 

11,334

 

7,246

 

63.9

 

Intermodal fuel surcharge revenue

 

892

 

691

 

201

 

29.1

 

Total Logistics revenue

 

19,472

 

12,025

 

7,447

 

61.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating revenue

 

$

144,969

 

$

135,812

 

$

9,157

 

6.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Truckload

 

$

4,108

 

$

10,493

 

$

(6,385

)

(60.9

)%

Logistics

 

1,588

 

1,220

 

368

 

30.2

 

Total operating income

 

$

5,696

 

$

11,713

 

$

(6,017

)

(51.4

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating ratio:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Truckload

 

96.7

%

91.5

%

 

 

(5.7

)%

Logistics

 

91.8

 

89.9

 

 

 

(2.1

)

Consolidated operating ratio

 

96.1

%

91.4

%

 

 

(5.1

)%

 



 

MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD.

SEGMENT INFORMATION

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dollar
Change

 

Percentage
Change

 

 

 

Nine Months
Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months
Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months
Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007 vs. 2006

 

2007 vs. 2006

 

Operating revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Truckload revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue

 

$

308,462

 

$

300,836

 

$

7,626

 

2.5

%

Truckload fuel surcharge revenue

 

58,893

 

58,055

 

838

 

1.4

 

Total Truckload revenue

 

367,355

 

358,891

 

8,464

 

2.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Logistics revenue, net of intermodal fuel surcharge revenue

 

45,680

 

26,936

 

18,744

 

69.6

 

Intermodal fuel surcharge revenue

 

2,171

 

1,402

 

769

 

54.9

 

Total Logistics revenue

 

47,851

 

28,338

 

19,513

 

68.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating revenue

 

$

415,206

 

$

387,229

 

$

27,977

 

7.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Truckload

 

$

18,520

 

$

29,836

 

$

(11,316

)

(37.9

)%

Logistics

 

3,607

 

2,678

 

929

 

34.7

 

Total operating income

 

$

22,127

 

$

32,514

 

$

(10,387

)

(31.9

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating ratio:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Truckload

 

95.0

%

91.7

%

 

 

(3.6

)%

Logistics

 

92.5

 

90.5

 

 

 

(2.2

)

Consolidated operating ratio

 

94.7

%

91.6

%

 

 

(3.4

)%

 



 

MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD.

OPERATING STATISTICS

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months
Ended September 30,

 

Nine Months
Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Truckload Segment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average truckload revenue, net of fuel surcharges, per total mile

 

$

1.482

 

$

1.492

 

$

1.477

 

$

1.471

 

Average miles per tractor(1)

 

27,874

 

27,468

 

81,956

 

82,099

 

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

 

$

3,142

 

$

3,118

 

$

3,103

 

$

3,096

 

Average tractors (1)

 

2,514

 

2,488

 

2,549

 

2,491

 

Average miles per trip

 

900

 

928

 

917

 

936

 

Non-revenue miles percentage(2)

 

7.4

%

7.6

%

7.6

%

7.5

%

Total miles – company-employed drivers (in thousands)

 

58,188

 

56,303

 

173,717

 

165,763

 

Total miles – independent contractors (in thousands)

 

11,891

 

12,029

 

35,188

 

38,771

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Logistics Segment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brokerage:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue (in thousands)

 

$

13,887

 

$

7,988

 

$

33,312

 

$

19,682

 

Loads

 

7,253

 

4,461

 

17,658

 

11,586

 

Intermodal:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue (in thousands)

 

$

5,585

 

$

4,037

 

$

14,539

 

$

8,656

 

Loads

 

1,848

 

1,253

 

4,762

 

2,784

 

Average tractors

 

34

 

23

 

28

 

18

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At September 30, 2007, and September 30, 2006:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total tractors(1)

 

2,532

 

2,543

 

 

 

 

 

Average age of company tractors (in years)

 

1.9

 

1.4

 

 

 

 

 

Total trailers

 

3,986

 

3,718

 

 

 

 

 

Average age of company trailers (in years)

 

2.5

 

2.2

 

 

 

 

 

Ratio of trailers to tractors(1)

 

1.6

 

1.5

 

 

 

 

 

Ratio of tractors to non-driver personnel(1)

 

5.1

 

5.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months
Ended September 30,

 

Nine Months
Ended September 30,

 

(In thousands)

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

14,907

 

$

14,087

 

$

44,401

 

$

44,817

 

Net cash used for investing activities

 

9,888

 

17,624

 

42,235

 

55,480

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

21,812

 

21,756

 

21,789

 

21,726

 

Diluted

 

21,968

 

21,946

 

21,963

 

21,955

 

 


(1)

Includes tractors driven by both company-employed drivers and independent contractors. Independent contractors provided 358 and 366 tractors as of September 30, 2007, and 2006, respectively.

 

 

(2)

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