EX-99 2 exh_991.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 Unassociated Document
Exhibit 99.1

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

MONDOVI, Wis., July 23, 2007  Marten Transport, Ltd. (Nasdaq/GS:MRTN) announced today its financial and operating results for the quarter ended June 30, 2007.

Operating revenue, consisting of revenue from truckload and logistics operations, increased 5.3% to $138.8 million in the second quarter of 2007 from $131.9 million in the 2006 quarter.  For the six-month period of 2007, operating revenue increased 7.5% to $270.2 million from $251.4 million for the 2006 period.  Truckload revenue increased 1.2% to $123.7 million from $122.2 million in the 2006 quarter.  For the six-month period of 2007, truckload revenue increased 2.9% to $241.9 million from $235.1 million for the 2006 period.  Logistics revenue, which consists of revenue from brokerage and intermodal operations, increased 57% to $15.1 million from $9.6 million in the 2006 quarter.  For the six-month period of 2007, logistics revenue increased 74% to $28.4 million from $16.3 million for the 2006 period.

Operating revenue included fuel surcharges of $21.1 million and $38.5 million for the second quarter and six-month period of 2007, compared with $20.9 million and $36.9 million for the second quarter and six-month period of 2006.  Operating revenue, net of fuel surcharges, increased 6.1% to $117.7 million in the 2007 quarter and 8.0% to $231.7 million in the 2007 six-month period.

For the second quarter ended June 30, 2007, net income decreased to $4.3 million, or 20 cents per diluted share, from $7.5 million, or 34 cents per diluted share, for the same quarter of 2006.  For the six-month period of 2007, net income decreased to $8.9 million, or 41 cents per diluted share, from $12.6 million, or 57 cents per diluted share, for the 2006 period.  The second quarter and six-month period of 2006 included a one-time tax benefit of approximately $875,000, or 4 cents per diluted share.

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Randolph L. Marten said, “During the quarter we continued to execute our program of providing excellent service to our customers with moderate fleet growth.  The freight environment was challenging, however, which caused downward pressure on freight rates, fewer miles per tractor and increased non-revenue miles.  As a result, average truckload revenue per tractor per week, net of fuel surcharges, decreased 3.4% to $3,108 from $3,216 in the second quarter of 2006.  Average truckload revenue, net of fuel surcharges, per total mile decreased slightly to $1.470 from $1.472 in the second quarter of 2006 while average miles per tractor decreased 3.2%.

“From a growth perspective, our average truckload tractor fleet increased 5.1% over the 2006 quarter.  Logistics revenue increased $5.5 million, or 57%, 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.

“We continued to closely scrutinize our costs during the quarter.  Even with an increase in revenue, we were able to improve our tractor to non-driver personnel ratio to 5.2 from 5.0 in the second quarter of 2006.  Despite increased personnel efficiency, our overall cost structure increased.  The two main items contributing to the increase were reduced tractor productivity, which less effectively covered fixed costs, and an increase in net fuel expense.

“Our average cost of fuel during the second quarter of 2007 was $2.73 compared with $2.75 in the second quarter of 2006.  Our net fuel expense increased, however, primarily due to increased non-revenue miles, which we are accustomed to seeing in times of challenging freight demand.

“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 4.2% increase in the number of miles driven by company drivers and an increase in health insurance costs of $517,000 versus the second quarter of 2006. Purchased transportation increased as the impact of fewer independent contractors was more than offset by increases associated with the growth in our logistics operations.

“As expected, our gain on sale of revenue equipment was lower in the second quarter of 2007 than in the second quarter of 2006 given our planned decrease in the number of revenue equipment dispositions.  Increases in supplies and maintenance as well as insurance and claims also contributed to increased operating expenses in the second quarter.

“Our operating ratio (operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue) was 94.2% for the second quarter of 2007 compared with 91.0% for the second quarter of 2006.  Netting fuel surcharges against fuel expense, as many of our peers discuss, would have produced an operating ratio of 93.2% for the second quarter of 2007 compared with 89.4% for the second quarter of 2006.

“At June 30, 2007, our balance sheet reflected approximately $230.7 million in stockholders’ equity and $62.8 million in borrowed debt, for a debt-to-capitalization ratio of approximately 21.4%.”

Looking forward at the balance of 2007, Mr. Marten offered the following comments:  “As
previously stated, it remains our long term goal to grow revenue and earnings at approximately a 10% compounded annual rate.  Over the past several years, our revenue has grown somewhat less than 10% and our earnings per share have grown in excess of 13%.  Under the current freight environment, we expect continued growth, yet difficulty for the remainder of 2007 in reaching double-digit revenue growth or improved earnings per share versus the second half of 2006.”

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 our management and are inherently subject to 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 expected growth in revenue and earnings per share. 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 maintaining a new 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; 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.
 
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)

   
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
 (In thousands, except share information)
 
2007
   
2006
 
 ASSETS
           
    Current assets:
           
      Cash
   
$4,058
     
$2,988
 
      Marketable securities
   
300
     
300
 
      Receivables:
               
        Trade, net
   
54,779
     
48,005
 
        Other
   
6,442
     
6,458
 
      Prepaid expenses and other
   
12,270
     
14,227
 
      Deferred income taxes
   
5,126
     
4,532
 
          Total current assets
   
82,975
     
76,510
 
                 
    Property and equipment:
               
      Revenue equipment, buildings and land,
               
       office equipment and other
   
438,996
     
428,729
 
      Accumulated depreciation
    (109,895 )     (98,841 )
          Net property and equipment
   
329,101
     
329,888
 
    Other assets
   
3,185
     
4,424
 
            TOTAL ASSETS
   
$415,261
     
$410,822
 
                 
 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
    Current liabilities:
               
      Checks issued in excess of cash balances
   
$92
     
$804
 
      Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
   
26,869
     
37,545
 
      Insurance and claims accruals
   
16,281
     
16,073
 
      Current maturities of long-term debt
   
5,000
     
5,000
 
          Total current liabilities
   
48,242
     
59,422
 
                 
    Long-term debt, less current maturities
   
57,823
     
53,659
 
    Deferred income taxes
   
77,421
     
75,835
 
          Total liabilities
   
183,486
     
188,916
 
                 
    Minority interest
   
1,052
     
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 June 30, 2007, and 21,764,773 shares at
               
       December 31, 2006, issued and outstanding
   
218
     
218
 
      Additional paid-in capital
   
74,393
     
73,601
 
      Retained earnings
   
156,112
     
147,174
 
          Total stockholders' equity
   
230,723
     
220,993
 
            TOTAL LIABILITIES AND
               
            STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
   
$415,261
     
$410,822
 
 
 
 

 

MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
 
   
Three Months
   
Six Months
 
   
Ended June 30,
   
Ended June 30,
 
    (In thousands, except per share information)
 
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
 
                         
    OPERATING REVENUE
   
$138,821
     
$131,862
     
$270,237
     
$251,417
 
                                 
    OPERATING EXPENSES (INCOME):
                               
      Salaries, wages and benefits
   
38,565
     
35,820
     
76,978
     
70,239
 
      Purchased transportation
   
24,679
     
21,712
     
46,499
     
40,880
 
      Fuel and fuel taxes
   
37,126
     
35,350
     
69,938
     
64,934
 
      Supplies and maintenance
   
8,966
     
8,131
     
17,916
     
16,006
 
      Depreciation
   
11,727
     
10,892
     
23,450
     
21,566
 
      Operating taxes and licenses
   
1,726
     
1,832
     
3,425
     
3,651
 
      Insurance and claims
   
5,376
     
4,665
     
10,846
     
9,972
 
      Communications and utilities
   
970
     
857
     
1,910
     
1,738
 
      Gain on disposition of revenue
                               
       equipment
    (1,268 )     (1,699 )     (2,448 )     (3,740 )
      Other
   
2,913
     
2,490
     
5,292
     
5,370
 
                                 
        Total operating expenses
   
130,780
     
120,050
     
253,806
     
230,616
 
                                 
    OPERATING INCOME
   
8,041
     
11,812
     
16,431
     
20,801
 
                                 
    OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME):
                               
      Interest expense
   
1,042
     
913
     
2,121
     
1,755
 
      Interest income and other
    (126 )     (303 )     (345 )     (601 )
      Minority interest
   
79
     
242
     
229
     
350
 
     
995
     
852
     
2,005
     
1,504
 
                                 
    INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
   
7,046
     
10,960
     
14,426
     
19,297
 
                                 
    PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
   
2,702
     
3,420
     
5,488
     
6,704
 
                                 
    NET INCOME
   
$4,344
     
$7,540
     
$8,938
     
$12,593
 
                                 
    BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
   
$0.20
     
$0.35
     
$0.41
     
$0.58
 
                                 
    DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
   
$0.20
     
$0.34
     
$0.41
     
$0.57
 
 
 
 

 

MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD.
SEGMENT INFORMATION
(Dollars in thousands)


               
Dollar
Change
   
Percentage
Change
 
   
Three Months
Ended
June 30,
   
Three Months
Ended
June 30,
   
Three Months
Ended
June 30,
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
2007 vs. 2006
   
2007 vs. 2006
 
Operating revenue:
                       
     Truckload revenue, net of fuel surcharge
           revenue
   
$103,354
     
$101,823
     
$ 1,531
      1.5 %
     Truckload fuel surcharge revenue
   
20,357
     
20,415
      (58 )     (0.3 )
          Total Truckload revenue
   
123,711
     
122,238
     
1,473
     
1.2
 
                                 
     Logistics revenue, net of intermodal fuel
          surcharge revenue
   
14,388
     
9,167
     
5,221
     
57.0
 
     Intermodal fuel surcharge revenue
   
722
     
457
     
265
     
58.0
 
          Total Logistics revenue
   
15,110
     
9,624
     
5,486
     
57.0
 
                                 
          Total operating revenue
   
$138,821
     
$131,862
     
$ 6,959
      5.3 %
                                 
Operating income:
                               
     Truckload
   
$ 7,065
     
$ 10,921
      $(3,856 )     (35.3 )%
     Logistics
   
976
     
891
     
85
     
9.5
 
          Total operating income
   
$ 8,041
     
$ 11,812
      $(3,771 )     (31.9 )%
                                 
Operating ratio:
                               
     Truckload
    94.3 %     91.1 %             (3.5 )%
     Logistics
   
93.5
     
90.7
              (3.1 )
          Consolidated operating ratio
    94.2 %     91.0 %             (3.5 )%

 
 

 

MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD.
SEGMENT INFORMATION
(Dollars in thousands)


               
Dollar
Change
   
Percentage
Change
 
   
Six Months
Ended
June 30,
   
Six Months
Ended
June 30,
   
Six Months
Ended
June 30,
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
2007 vs. 2006
   
2007 vs. 2006
 
Operating revenue:
                       
     Truckload revenue, net of fuel surcharge
           revenue
   
$204,631
     
$198,896
     
$ 5,735
      2.9 %
     Truckload fuel surcharge revenue
   
37,227
     
36,208
     
1,019
     
2.8
 
          Total Truckload revenue
   
241,858
     
235,104
     
6,754
     
2.9
 
                                 
     Logistics revenue, net of intermodal fuel
          surcharge revenue
   
27,100
     
15,602
     
11,498
     
73.7
 
     Intermodal fuel surcharge revenue
   
1,279
     
711
     
568
     
80.0
 
          Total Logistics revenue
   
28,379
     
16,313
     
12,066
     
74.0
 
                                 
          Total operating revenue
   
$270,237
     
$251,417
     
$ 18,820
      7.5 %
                                 
Operating income:
                               
     Truckload
   
$ 14,412
     
$ 19,343
      $(4,931 )     (25.5 )%
     Logistics
   
2,019
     
1,458
     
561
     
38.5
 
          Total operating income
   
$ 16,431
     
$ 20,801
      $(4,370 )     (21.0 )%
                                 
Operating ratio:
                               
     Truckload
    94.0 %     91.8 %             (2.4 )%
     Logistics
   
92.9
     
91.1
              (2.0 )
          Consolidated operating ratio
    93.9 %     91.7 %             (2.4 )%

 
 

 

MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD.
OPERATING STATISTICS
(Unaudited)

   
Three Months
Ended June 30,
   
Six Months
Ended June 30,
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
 
                         
Truckload Segment:
                       
  Average truckload revenue, net of fuel surcharges, per
       total mile
   
$ 1.470
     
$ 1.472
     
$ 1.474
     
$ 1.460
 
  Average miles per tractor(1)
   
27,494
     
28,407
     
54,081
     
54,631
 
  Average truckload revenue, net of fuel surcharges, per
   tractor per week(1)
   
$ 3,108
     
$ 3,216
     
$ 3,083
     
$ 3,085
 
  Average tractors (1)
   
2,558
     
2,435
     
2,567
     
2,493
 
  Average miles per trip
   
911
     
927
     
926
     
940
 
  Non-revenue miles percentage(2)
    7.8 %     7.4 %     7.7 %     7.5 %
  Total miles – company-employed drivers (in thousands)
   
58,361
     
56,016
     
115,529
     
109,460
 
  Total miles – independent contractors (in thousands)
   
11,968
     
13,164
     
23,297
     
26,742
 
                   
`
         
Logistics Segment:
                               
     Brokerage:
                               
          Revenue (in thousands)
   
$10,376
     
$ 6,632
     
$19,425
     
$11,694
 
          Loads
   
5,657
     
4,007
     
10,405
     
7,125
 
     Intermodal:
                               
          Revenue (in thousands)
   
$ 4,734
     
$ 2,992
     
$ 8,954
     
$ 4,619
 
          Loads
   
1,528
     
994
     
2,914
     
1,531
 
          Average tractors
   
26
     
20
     
25
     
15
 
                                 
At June 30, 2007, and June 30, 2006:
                               
  Total tractors(1)
   
2,552
     
2,501
                 
  Average age of company tractors (in years)
   
1.7
     
1.4
                 
  Total trailers
   
3,934
     
3,708
                 
  Average age of company trailers (in years)
   
2.3
     
2.3
                 
  Ratio of trailers to tractors(1)
   
1.5
     
1.5
                 
  Ratio of tractors to non-driver personnel(1)
   
5.2
     
5.0
                 
                                 

   
Three Months
Ended June 30,
   
Six Months
Ended June 30,
 
(In thousands)
 
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
 
                         
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
$12,656
     
$18,298
     
$29,494
     
$30,730
 
Net cash used for investing activities
   
4,447
     
12,429
     
32,347
     
37,856
 
                                 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
                               
  Basic
   
21,789
     
21,747
     
21,778
     
21,711
 
  Diluted
   
21,971
     
21,963
     
21,962
     
21,958
 
___________________________

(1)
Includes tractors driven by both company-employed drivers and independent contractors. Independent contractors provided 368 and 388 tractors as of June 30, 2007, and 2006, respectively.
   
(2)
Represents the percentage of miles for which the company is not compensated.