10-Q

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

☒ Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

or

☐ Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the Quarter ended March 31, 2023

Commission File Number 0-15010

MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	39-1140809
(State of incorporation)	(I.R.S. employer identification no.)
129 Marten Street
Mondovi, Wisconsin 54755	715-926-4216
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Registrant’s telephone number)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class:	Trading symbol:	Name of each exchange on which registered:
COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE	MRTN	THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET LLC
$.01 PER SHARE		(NASDAQ GLOBAL SELECT MARKET)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒   No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒   No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ☒                     Accelerated filer ☐

Smaller reporting company ☐             Non-accelerated filer ☐

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the Registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2). Yes ☐   No ☒

The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, was 81,233,741 as of April 24, 2023.

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

	March 31,			December 31,
(In thousands, except share information)	2023			2022
	(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	96,288		$	80,600
Receivables:
Trade, net		115,430			120,702
Other		7,988			7,218
Prepaid expenses and other		24,206			27,320
Total current assets		243,912			235,840
Property and equipment:
Revenue equipment, buildings and land, office equipment and other		1,082,361			1,074,832
Accumulated depreciation		(348,641	)		(346,665	)
Net property and equipment		733,720			728,167
Other noncurrent assets		1,641			1,672
Total assets	$	979,273		$	965,679
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	41,558		$	37,299
Insurance and claims accruals		48,967			45,747
Accrued and other current liabilities		29,077			41,264
Total current liabilities		119,602			124,310
Deferred income taxes		137,825			137,041
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities		335			409
Total liabilities		257,762			261,760
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; 192,000,000 shares authorized; 81,233,741 shares at March 31, 2023, and 81,115,132 shares at December 31, 2022, issued and outstanding		812			811
Additional paid-in capital		47,151			47,188
Retained earnings		673,548			655,920
Total stockholders’ equity		721,511			703,919
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	979,273		$	965,679

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated condensed financial statements.

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MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

	Three Months
	Ended March 31,
(In thousands, except per share information)	2023			2022
Operating revenue	$	298,023		$	287,281
Operating expenses (income):
Salaries, wages and benefits		98,516			89,349
Purchased transportation		54,103			57,310
Fuel and fuel taxes		46,796			44,368
Supplies and maintenance		15,987			12,313
Depreciation		29,530			26,143
Operating taxes and licenses		2,768			2,640
Insurance and claims		15,070			12,704
Communications and utilities		2,531			2,265
Gain on disposition of revenue equipment		(5,246	)		(4,540	)
Other		8,958			8,871
Total operating expenses		269,013			251,423
Operating income		29,010			35,858
Other		(844	)		(7	)
Income before income taxes		29,854			35,865
Income taxes expense		7,352			8,332
Net income	$	22,502		$	27,533
Basic earnings per common share	$	0.28		$	0.33
Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.28		$	0.33
Dividends declared per common share	$	0.06		$	0.06

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated condensed financial statements.

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MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Unaudited)

	Common Stock						Additional Paid-In			Retained			Total Stock- holders’
(In thousands)	Shares			Amount			Capital			Earnings			Equity
Balance at December 31, 2021		83,034		$	830		$	85,718		$	565,129		$	651,677
Net income		-			-			-			27,533			27,533
Repurchase and retirement of common stock		(1,307	)		(13	)		(24,987	)		-			(25,000	)
Issuance of common stock from share-based payment arrangement exercises, deferred compensation plan distributions and vesting of performance unit awards		220			2			766			-			768
Employee taxes paid in exchange for shares withheld		-			-			(1,610	)		-			(1,610	)
Share-based payment arrangement compensation expense		-			-			369			-			369
Dividends on common stock		-			-			-			(4,975	)		(4,975	)
Balance at March 31, 2022		81,947			819			60,256			587,687			648,762
Net income		-			-			-			82,821			82,821
Repurchase and retirement of common stock		(963	)		(10	)		(16,743	)		-			(16,753	)
Issuance of common stock from share-based payment arrangement exercises		131			2			1,230			-			1,232
Share-based payment arrangement compensation expense		-			-			2,445			-			2,445
Dividends on common stock		-			-			-			(14,588	)		(14,588	)
Balance at December 31, 2022		81,115			811			47,188			655,920			703,919
Net income		-			-			-			22,502			22,502
Issuance of common stock from share-based payment arrangement exercises and vesting of performance unit awards		119			1			535			-			536
Employee taxes paid in exchange for shares withheld		-			-			(926	)		-			(926	)
Share-based payment arrangement compensation expense		-			-			354			-			354
Dividends on common stock		-			-			-			(4,874	)		(4,874	)
Balance at March 31, 2023		81,234		$	812		$	47,151		$	673,548		$	721,511

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated condensed financial statements.  

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MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

	Three Months
	Ended March 31,
(In thousands)	2023			2022
Cash flows provided by operating activities:
Operations:
Net income	$	22,502		$	27,533
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation		29,530			26,143
Tires in service amortization		1,765			1,562
Gain on disposition of revenue equipment		(5,246	)		(4,540	)
Deferred income taxes		784			1,755
Share-based payment arrangement compensation expense		354			369
Changes in other current operating items:
Receivables		9,135			(26,256	)
Prepaid expenses and other		2,232			886
Accounts payable		(6,691	)		5,572
Insurance and claims accruals		3,220			578
Accrued and other current liabilities		(8,353	)		6,338
Net cash provided by operating activities		49,232			39,940
Cash flows (used for)/provided by investing activities:
Revenue equipment additions		(42,358	)		(9,352	)
Proceeds from revenue equipment dispositions		16,218			12,365
Buildings and land, office equipment and other additions		(2,106	)		(2,566	)
Proceeds from buildings and land, office equipment and other dispositions		11			-
Other		(45	)		(38	)
Net cash (used for)/provided by investing activities		(28,280	)		409
Cash flows used for financing activities:
Dividends on common stock		(4,874	)		(4,975	)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock		-			(25,000	)
Issuance of common stock from share-based payment arrangement exercises, deferred compensation plan distributions and vesting of performance unit awards		536			768
Employee taxes paid in exchange for shares withheld		(926	)		(1,610	)
Net cash used for financing activities		(5,264	)		(30,817	)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		15,688			9,532
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period		80,600			56,995
End of period	$	96,288		$	66,527
Supplemental non-cash disclosure:
Change in property and equipment not yet paid	$	2,561		$	4,392
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for income taxes	$	22		$	872

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated condensed financial statements.

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MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2023

(Unaudited)

(1) Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements

The accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial statements, and therefore do not include all information and disclosures required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, such statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary to fairly present our consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for any interim period do not necessarily indicate the results for the full year. The unaudited interim consolidated condensed financial statements should be read with reference to the consolidated financial statements and notes to consolidated financial statements in our 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

(2) Earnings per Common Share

Basic and diluted earnings per common share were computed as follows:

	Three Months
	Ended March 31,
(In thousands, except per share amounts)	2023		2022
Numerator:
Net income	$	22,502	$	27,533
Denominator:
Basic earnings per common share - weighted-average shares		81,210		82,938
Effect of dilutive stock options		166		308
Diluted earnings per common share - weighted-average shares and assumed conversions		81,376		83,246
Basic earnings per common share	$	0.28	$	0.33
Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.28	$	0.33

Options totaling 122,000 and 452,000 equivalent shares for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, were outstanding but were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share because including the options in the denominator would be antidilutive, or decrease the number of weighted-average shares, due to their exercise prices exceeding the average market price of the common shares, or because inclusion of average unrecognized compensation expense in the calculation would cause the options to be antidilutive.

Unvested performance unit awards totaling 49,560 equivalent shares for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 were considered outstanding but were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share because inclusion of average unrecognized compensation expense in the calculation would cause the performance units to be antidilutive. There were no such equivalent shares for the three-month period ended March 31, 2022.

(3) Long-Term Debt

In August 2022, we entered into a credit agreement that provides for an unsecured committed credit facility with an aggregate principal amount of $30.0 million which matures in August 2027. The credit agreement amends, restates and continues in its entirety our previous credit agreement, as amended. At March 31, 2023, there was no outstanding principal balance on the facility. As of that date, we had outstanding standby letters of credit to guarantee settlement of self-insurance claims of $16.1 million and remaining borrowing availability of $13.9 million. At December 31, 2022, there was also no outstanding principal balance on the facility. As of that date, we had outstanding standby letters of credit of $16.1 million on the facility. This facility bears interest at a variable rate based on the Term SOFR Rate plus applicable margins. The interest rate for the facility that would apply to outstanding principal balances was 8.0% at March 31, 2023.

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Our credit agreement effective in August 2022 prohibits us from paying, in any fiscal year, stock redemptions and dividends in excess of $150 million. Our previous credit agreement prohibited us from making such payments in excess of 25% of our net income from the prior fiscal year. A waiver allowing stock redemptions and dividends in excess of the 25% limitation in total amounts of up to $80 million in 2022 was obtained from the lender in March 2022. The current and previous credit agreements also contain restrictive covenants which, among other matters, require us to maintain compliance with cash flow leverage and fixed charge coverage ratios. We were in compliance with all covenants at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

(4) Related Party Transactions

We purchase fuel and tires and obtain related services from Bauer Built, Inc., or BBI. Jerry M. Bauer, the chairman of the board and chief executive officer of BBI, is one of our directors. We paid BBI $89,000 in the first three months of 2023 and $105,000 in the first three months of 2022 for fuel, tires and related services. In addition, we paid $436,000 in the first three months of 2023 and $269,000 in the first three months of 2022 to tire manufacturers for tires that were provided by BBI. BBI received commissions from the tire manufacturers related to these purchases.

(5) Share Repurchase Program

In August 2019, our Board of Directors approved and we announced an increase from current availability in our existing share repurchase program providing for the repurchase of up to $34.0 million, or approximately 1.8 million shares, of our common stock, which was increased by our Board of Directors to 2.7 million shares in August 2020 to reflect the three-for-two stock split effected in the form of a stock dividend on August 13, 2020. On May 3, 2022, our Board of Directors approved and we announced an additional increase from current availability in our existing share repurchase program providing for the repurchase of up to $50.0 million, or approximately 3.1 million shares of our common stock. The share repurchase program allows purchases on the open market or through private transactions in accordance with Rule 10b-18 of the Exchange Act. The timing and extent to which we repurchase shares depends on market conditions and other corporate considerations. The repurchase program does not have an expiration date.

We repurchased and retired 1.3 million shares of common stock for $25.0 million in the first quarter of 2022, and 963,000 shares of common stock for $16.8 million in the second quarter of 2022. We did not repurchase any shares in the third or fourth quarters of 2022 or in the first quarter of 2023. As of March 31, 2023, future repurchases of up to $33.2 million, or approximately 2.2 million shares, were available in the share repurchase program.

(6) Dividends

In 2010, we announced that our Board of Directors approved a regular cash dividend program to our stockholders, subject to approval each quarter. Quarterly cash dividends of $0.06 per share of common stock were paid in each of the first quarters of 2023 and 2022 which totaled $4.9 million and $5.0 million, respectively.

(7) Accounting for Share-based Payment Arrangement Compensation

We account for share-based payment arrangements in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation. During the first three months of 2023, there were no significant changes to the structure of our stock-based award plans. Pre-tax compensation expense related to stock options and performance unit awards recorded in the first three months of 2023 and 2022 was $354,000 and $369,000, respectively.

(8) Termination of Deferred Compensation Plan

In May 2020, our Compensation Committee and Board of Directors approved the termination of our Deferred Compensation Plan. The plan was an unfunded, nonqualified deferred compensation plan designed to allow board elected officers and other select members of our management designated by our Compensation Committee to save for retirement on a tax-deferred basis. The termination was effective in May 2021. All shares of Company common stock within the plan were distributed by March 31, 2022.

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(9) Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts of cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

(10) Commitments and Contingencies

We are committed to new revenue equipment purchases of $154.9 million and building construction obligations of $3.5 million through the remainder of 2023. Operating lease obligation expenditures through 2028 total $691,000.

We self-insure, in part, for losses relating to workers’ compensation, auto liability, general liability, cargo and property damage claims, along with employees’ health insurance with varying risk retention levels. We maintain insurance coverage for per-incident and total losses in excess of these risk retention levels in amounts we consider adequate based upon historical experience and our ongoing review, and reserve currently for the estimated cost of the uninsured portion of pending claims.

We are also involved in other legal actions that arise in the ordinary course of business. A number of trucking companies, including us, have been subject to lawsuits alleging violations of various federal and state wage and hour laws. A number of these lawsuits have resulted in the payment of substantial settlements or damages by the defendants.

The outcome of all litigation is difficult to assess or quantify, and the magnitude of the potential loss relating to such lawsuits may remain unknown for substantial periods of time. The cost to defend litigation may also be significant. Not all claims are covered by our insurance, and there can be no assurance that our coverage limits will be adequate to cover all amounts in dispute. To the extent we experience claims that are uninsured, exceed our coverage limits or cause increases in future premiums, the resulting expense could have a materially adverse effect on our business and operating results. Based on our present knowledge of the facts and, in certain cases, advice of outside counsel, management believes the resolution of open claims and pending litigation, taking into account existing reserves, is not likely to have a materially adverse effect on our consolidated condensed financial statements, however, any future liability claims or adverse developments in existing claims could impact this analysis.

(11) Revenue and Business Segments

We account for our revenue in accordance with FASB ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. We combine our five current operating segments into four reporting segments (Truckload, Dedicated, Intermodal and Brokerage) for financial reporting purposes. These four reporting segments are also the appropriate categories for the disaggregation of our revenue under FASB ASC 606.

We have strategically transitioned from a refrigerated long-haul carrier to a multifaceted business offering a network of refrigerated and dry truck-based transportation capabilities across our five distinct business platforms – Truckload, Dedicated, Intermodal, Brokerage and MRTN de Mexico.

Our Truckload segment provides a combination of regional short-haul and medium-to-long-haul full-load transportation services. We transport food and other consumer packaged goods that require a temperature-controlled or insulated environment, along with dry freight, across the United States and into and out of Mexico and Canada. Our agreements with customers are typically for one year.

Our Dedicated segment provides customized transportation solutions tailored to meet individual customers’ requirements, utilizing temperature-controlled trailers, dry vans and other specialized equipment within the United States. Our agreements with customers range from three to five years and are subject to annual rate reviews.

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Generally, we are paid by the mile for our Truckload and Dedicated services. We also derive Truckload and Dedicated revenue from fuel surcharges, loading and unloading activities, equipment detention and other accessorial services. The main factors that affect our Truckload and Dedicated revenue are the rate per mile we receive from our customers, the percentage of miles for which we are compensated, the number of miles we generate with our equipment and changes in fuel prices. We monitor our revenue production primarily through average Truckload and Dedicated revenue, net of fuel surcharges, per tractor per week. We also analyze our average Truckload and Dedicated revenue, net of fuel surcharges, per total mile, non-revenue miles percentage, the miles per tractor we generate, our fuel surcharge revenue, our accessorial revenue and our other sources of operating revenue.

Our Intermodal segment transports our customers’ freight within the United States utilizing our refrigerated containers and our temperature-controlled trailers, each on railroad flatcars for portions of trips, with the balance of the trips using our tractors or, to a lesser extent, contracted carriers. The main factors that affect our Intermodal revenue are the rate per mile and other charges we receive from our customers.

Our Brokerage segment develops contractual relationships with and arranges for third-party carriers to transport freight for our customers in temperature-controlled trailers and dry vans within the United States and into and out of Mexico through Marten Transport Logistics, LLC, which was established in 2007 and operates pursuant to brokerage authority granted by the United States Department of Transportation, or DOT. We retain the billing, collection and customer management responsibilities. The main factors that affect our Brokerage revenue are the rate per mile and other charges that we receive from our customers.

Operating results of our MRTN de Mexico business which offers our customers door-to-door service between the United States and Mexico with our Mexican partner carriers is reported within our Truckload and Brokerage segments.

Our customer agreements are typically for one-year terms except for our Dedicated agreements which range from three to five years with annual rate reviews. Under FASB ASC 606, the contract date for each individual load within each of our four reporting segments is generally the date that each load is tendered to and accepted by us. For each load transported within each of our four reporting segments, the entire amount of revenue to be recognized is a single performance obligation and our agreements with our customers detail the per-mile charges for line haul and fuel surcharges, along with the rates for loading and unloading, stop offs and drops, equipment detention and other accessorial services, which is the transaction price. There are no discounts that would be a material right or consideration payable to a customer. We are required to recognize revenue and related expenses over time, from load pickup to delivery, for each load within each of our four reporting segments. We base our calculation of the amount of revenue to record in each period for individual loads picking up in one period and delivering in the following period using the number of hours estimated to be incurred within each period applied to each estimated transaction price. Contract assets for this estimated revenue which are classified within prepaid expenses and other within our consolidated condensed balance sheets were $2.5 million and $2.7 million as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. We had no impairment losses on contract assets in the first three months of 2023 or in 2022. We bill our customers for loads after delivery is complete with standard payment terms of 30 days.

We account for revenue of our Intermodal and Brokerage segments and revenue on freight transported by independent contractors within our Truckload and Dedicated segments on a gross basis because we are the principal service provider controlling the promised service before it is transferred to each customer. We are primarily responsible for fulfilling the promise to provide each specified service to each customer. We bear the primary risk of loss in the event of cargo claims by our customers. We also have complete control and discretion in establishing the price for each specified service. Accordingly, all such revenue billed to customers is classified as operating revenue and all corresponding payments to carriers for transportation services we arrange in connection with brokerage and intermodal activities and to independent contractor providers of revenue equipment are classified as purchased transportation expense within our consolidated condensed statements of operations.

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The following table sets forth for the periods indicated our operating revenue and operating income by segment. We do not prepare separate balance sheets by segment and, as a result, assets are not separately identifiable by segment.

	Three Months
	Ended March 31,
(In thousands)	2023		2022
Operating revenue:
Truckload revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue	$	102,320	$	95,170
Truckload fuel surcharge revenue		18,306		17,620
Total Truckload revenue		120,626		112,790
Dedicated revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue		86,831		78,421
Dedicated fuel surcharge revenue		19,618		18,339
Total Dedicated revenue		106,449		96,760
Intermodal revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue		23,401		25,605
Intermodal fuel surcharge revenue		5,188		6,037
Total Intermodal revenue		28,589		31,642
Brokerage revenue		42,359		46,089
Total operating revenue	$	298,023	$	287,281
Operating income:
Truckload	$	10,041	$	15,571
Dedicated		13,684		10,645
Intermodal		787		5,036
Brokerage		4,498		4,606
Total operating income	$	29,010	$	35,858

Truckload segment depreciation expense was $15.3 million and $13.0 million, Dedicated segment depreciation expense was $11.8 million and $11.1 million, Intermodal segment depreciation expense was $1.9 million and $1.7 million, and Brokerage segment depreciation expense was $449,000 and $338,000 in the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

(12) Use of Estimates

We must make estimates and assumptions to prepare the consolidated condensed financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in the consolidated condensed financial statements and the reported amount of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates are primarily related to insurance and claims accruals and depreciation. Ultimate results could differ from these estimates.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with the selected consolidated financial data and our consolidated condensed financial statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this report. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including but not limited to those included in our Form 10-K, Part I, Item 1A for the year ended December 31, 2022. We do not assume, and specifically disclaim, any obligation to update any forward-looking statement contained in this report.

Overview

We have strategically transitioned from a refrigerated long-haul carrier to a multifaceted business offering a network of refrigerated and dry truck-based transportation capabilities across our five distinct business platforms – Truckload, Dedicated, Intermodal, Brokerage and MRTN de Mexico.

Our Truckload segment provides a combination of regional short-haul and medium-to-long-haul full-load transportation services. We transport food and other consumer packaged goods that require a temperature-controlled or insulated environment, along with dry freight, across the United States and into and out of Mexico and Canada. Our agreements with customers are typically for one year.

Our Dedicated segment provides customized transportation solutions tailored to meet each individual customer’s requirements, utilizing temperature-controlled trailers, dry vans and other specialized equipment within the United States. Our agreements with customers range from three to five years and are subject to annual rate reviews.

Generally, we are paid by the mile for our Truckload and Dedicated services. We also derive Truckload and Dedicated revenue from fuel surcharges, loading and unloading activities, equipment detention and other accessorial services. The main factors that affect our Truckload and Dedicated revenue are the rate per mile we receive from our customers, the percentage of miles for which we are compensated, the number of miles we generate with our equipment and changes in fuel prices. We monitor our revenue production primarily through average Truckload and Dedicated revenue, net of fuel surcharges, per tractor per week. We also analyze our average Truckload and Dedicated revenue, net of fuel surcharges, per total mile, non-revenue miles percentage, the miles per tractor we generate, our fuel surcharge revenue, our accessorial revenue and our other sources of operating revenue.

Our Intermodal segment transports our customers’ freight within the United States utilizing our refrigerated containers and our temperature-controlled trailers, each on railroad flatcars for portions of trips, with the balance of the trips using our tractors or, to a lesser extent, contracted carriers. The main factors that affect our Intermodal revenue are the rate per mile and other charges we receive from our customers.

Our Brokerage segment develops contractual relationships with and arranges for third-party carriers to transport freight for our customers in temperature-controlled trailers and dry vans within the United States and into and out of Mexico through Marten Transport Logistics, LLC, which was established in 2007 and operates pursuant to brokerage authority granted by the DOT. We retain the billing, collection and customer management responsibilities. The main factors that affect our Brokerage revenue are the rate per mile and other charges that we receive from our customers.

Operating results of our MRTN de Mexico business which offers our customers door-to-door service between the United States and Mexico with our Mexican partner carriers is reported within our Truckload and Brokerage segments.

In addition to the factors discussed above, our operating revenue is also affected by, among other things, the United States economy, inventory levels, the level of truck and rail capacity in the transportation market, a contracting driver market, severe weather conditions and specific customer demand.

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Our operating revenue increased $10.7 million, or 3.7%, in the first three months of 2023 from the first three months of 2022. Our operating revenue, net of fuel surcharges, increased $9.6 million, or 3.9%, compared with the first three months of 2022. Truckload segment revenue, net of fuel surcharges, increased 7.5% from the first three months of 2022, primarily due to an increase in our fleet size, partially offset by a decrease in our average revenue per tractor. Dedicated segment revenue, net of fuel surcharges, increased 10.7% from the first three months of 2022, primarily due to increases in each of our fleet size and average revenue per tractor. Intermodal segment revenue, net of fuel surcharges, decreased 8.6% from the first three months of 2022, primarily due to a decrease in our number of loads, partially offset by an increase in our revenue per load. Brokerage segment revenue decreased 8.1% from the first three months of 2022, primarily due to a decrease in our revenue per load, partially offset by an increase in our number of loads. Fuel surcharge revenue increased to $43.1 million in the first three months of 2023 from $42.0 million in the first three months of 2022.

Our profitability is impacted by the variable costs of transporting freight for our customers, fixed costs, and expenses containing both fixed and variable components. The variable costs include fuel expense, driver-related expenses, such as wages, benefits, training, and recruitment, and independent contractor costs, which are recorded under purchased transportation. Expenses that have both fixed and variable components include maintenance and tire expense and our cost of insurance and claims. These expenses generally vary with the miles we travel, but also have a controllable component based on safety, fleet age, efficiency and other factors. Our main fixed costs relate to the acquisition and subsequent depreciation of long-term assets, such as revenue equipment and operating terminals. We expect our annual cost of tractor and trailer ownership will increase in future periods as a result of higher prices of new equipment, along with any increases in fleet size. Although certain factors affecting our expenses are beyond our control, we monitor them closely and attempt to anticipate changes in these factors in managing our business. For example, fuel prices have significantly fluctuated over the past several years. We manage our exposure to changes in fuel prices primarily through fuel surcharge programs with our customers, as well as through volume fuel purchasing arrangements with national fuel centers and bulk purchases of fuel at our terminals. To help further reduce fuel expense, we have installed and tightly manage the use of auxiliary power units in our tractors to provide climate control and electrical power for our drivers without idling the tractor engine, and also have improved the fuel usage in the temperature-control units on our trailers. For our Intermodal and Brokerage segments, our profitability is impacted by the percentage of revenue which is payable to the providers of the transportation services we arrange. This expense is included within purchased transportation in our consolidated condensed statements of operations.

Our operating income declined 19.1% to $29.0 million in the first three months of 2023 from $35.9 million in the first three months of 2022. Our operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue, or “operating ratio,” was 90.3% in the first three months of 2023 and 87.5% in the first three months of 2022. Operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue, with both amounts net of fuel surcharges, increased to 88.6% in the first three months of 2023 from 85.4% in the first three months of 2022. Our net income declined 18.3% to $22.5 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, in the first three months of 2023 from $27.5 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, in the first three months of 2022.

Our business requires substantial, ongoing capital investments, particularly for new tractors and trailers. At March 31, 2023, we had $96.3 million of cash and cash equivalents, $721.5 million in stockholders’ equity and no long-term debt outstanding. In the first three months of 2023, net cash flows provided by operating activities of $49.2 million were primarily used to purchase new revenue equipment, net of proceeds from dispositions, in the amount of $26.1 million, to pay cash dividends of $4.9 million, and to construct and upgrade regional operating facilities in the amount of $2.1 million, resulting in a $15.7 million increase in cash and cash equivalents. We estimate that capital expenditures, net of proceeds from dispositions, will be approximately $197 million for the remainder of 2023. Quarterly cash dividends of $0.06 per share of common stock were paid in the first three months of 2023 which totaled $4.9 million. We believe our sources of liquidity are adequate to meet our current and anticipated needs for at least the next twelve months. Based upon anticipated cash flows, existing cash and cash equivalents balances, current borrowing availability and other sources of financing we expect to be available to us, we do not anticipate any significant liquidity constraints in the foreseeable future.

We continue to invest considerable time and capital resources to actively implement and promote long-term environmentally sustainable solutions that drive reductions in our fuel and electricity consumption and decrease our carbon footprint. These initiatives include (i) reducing idle time for our tractors by installing and tightly managing the use of auxiliary power units, which are powered by solar panels and provide climate control and electrical power for our drivers without idling the tractor engine, (ii) improving the energy efficiency of our newer, more aerodynamic and well-maintained tractor and trailer fleets by optimizing the equipment’s specifications, weight and tractor speed, equipping our tractors with automatic transmissions, converting the refrigeration units in our refrigerated trailers to the new, more-efficient CARB refrigeration units along with increasing the insulation in the trailer walls and installing trailer skirts, and using ultra-fuel efficient and wide-based tires, and (iii) upgrading all of our facilities to indoor and outdoor LED lighting along with converting all of our facilities to solar power. Additionally, we are an active participant in the United States Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, SmartWay Transport Partnership, in which freight shippers, carriers, logistics companies and other voluntary stakeholders partner with the EPA to measure, benchmark and improve logistics operations to reduce their environmental footprint.

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This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations includes discussions of operating revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue; Truckload, Dedicated and Intermodal revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue; operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue, each net of fuel surcharge revenue; and net fuel expense (fuel and fuel taxes net of fuel surcharge revenue and surcharges passed through to independent contractors, outside drayage carriers and railroads). We provide these additional disclosures because management believes these measures provide a more consistent basis for comparing results of operations from period to period. These financial measures in this report have not been determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Pursuant to Item 10(e) of Regulation S-K, we have included the amounts necessary to reconcile these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures of operating revenue, operating expenses divided by operating revenue, and fuel and fuel taxes.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth for the periods indicated certain operating statistics regarding our revenue and operations:

	Three Months
	Ended March 31,
	2023		2022
Truckload Segment:
Revenue (in thousands)	$	120,626	$	112,790
Average revenue, net of fuel surcharges, per tractor per week(1)	$	4,571	$	4,977
Average tractors(1)		1,741		1,487
Average miles per trip		510		520
Total miles (in thousands)		38,237		35,372
Dedicated Segment:
Revenue (in thousands)	$	106,449	$	96,760
Average revenue, net of fuel surcharges, per tractor per week(1)	$	3,960	$	3,851
Average tractors(1)		1,705		1,584
Average miles per trip		333		341
Total miles (in thousands)		34,076		32,753
Intermodal Segment:
Revenue (in thousands)	$	28,589	$	31,642
Loads		7,277		8,294
Average tractors		180		162
Brokerage Segment:
Revenue (in thousands)	$	42,359	$	46,089
Loads		20,688		19,684

(1) Includes tractors driven by both company-employed drivers and independent contractors. Independent contractors provided 95 and 87 tractors as of March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

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Comparison of Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 to Three Months Ended March 31, 2022

The following table sets forth for the periods indicated our operating revenue, operating income and operating ratio by segment, along with the change for each component:

							Dollar			Percentage
							Change			Change
	Three Months						Three Months			Three Months
	Ended						Ended			Ended
	March 31,						March 31,			March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2023			2022			2023 vs. 2022			2023 vs. 2022
Operating revenue:
Truckload revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue	$	102,320		$	95,170		$	7,150			7.5	%
Truckload fuel surcharge revenue		18,306			17,620			686			3.9
Total Truckload revenue		120,626			112,790			7,836			6.9
Dedicated revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue		86,831			78,421			8,410			10.7
Dedicated fuel surcharge revenue		19,618			18,339			1,279			7.0
Total Dedicated revenue		106,449			96,760			9,689			10.0
Intermodal revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue		23,401			25,605			(2,204	)		(8.6	)
Intermodal fuel surcharge revenue		5,188			6,037			(849	)		(14.1	)
Total Intermodal revenue		28,589			31,642			(3,053	)		(9.6	)
Brokerage revenue		42,359			46,089			(3,730	)		(8.1	)
Total operating revenue	$	298,023		$	287,281		$	10,742			3.7	%
Operating income:
Truckload	$	10,041		$	15,571		$	(5,530	)		(35.5	)%
Dedicated		13,684			10,645			3,039			28.5
Intermodal		787			5,036			(4,249	)		(84.4	)
Brokerage		4,498			4,606			(108	)		(2.3	)
Total operating income	$	29,010		$	35,858		$	(6,848	)		(19.1	)%
Operating ratio:
Truckload		91.7	%		86.2	%
Dedicated		87.1			89.0
Intermodal		97.2			84.1
Brokerage		89.4			90.0
Consolidated operating ratio		90.3	%		87.5	%
Operating ratio, net of fuel surcharges:
Truckload		90.2	%		83.6	%
Dedicated		84.2			86.4
Intermodal		96.6			80.3
Brokerage		89.4			90.0
Consolidated operating ratio, net of fuel surcharges		88.6	%		85.4	%

Our operating revenue increased $10.7 million, or 3.7%, to $298.0 million in the 2023 period from $287.3 million in the 2022 period. Our operating revenue, net of fuel surcharges, increased $9.6 million, or 3.9%, to $254.9 million in the 2023 period from $245.3 million in the 2022 period. This increase in the 2023 period was due to an $8.4 million increase in Dedicated revenue, net of fuel surcharges, and a $7.2 million increase in Truckload revenue, net of fuel surcharges, partially offset by a $2.2 million decrease in Intermodal revenue, net of fuel surcharges, and a $3.7 million decrease in Brokerage revenue. Fuel surcharge revenue increased to $43.1 million in the 2023 period from $42.0 million in the 2022 period.

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In addition to the factors discussed below, our profitability across each segment in the 2023 period was impacted by widespread severe winter weather and a freight market which has considerably softened from the exceptionally tight conditions during the 2022 period.

Truckload segment revenue increased $7.8 million, or 6.9%, to $120.6 million in the 2023 period from $112.8 million in the 2022 period. Truckload segment revenue, net of fuel surcharges, increased $7.2 million, or 7.5%, to $102.3 million in the 2023 period from $95.2 million in the 2022 period primarily due to an increase in our fleet size, partially offset by a decrease in our average revenue per tractor. The operating ratio increased to 91.7% in the 2023 period from 86.2% in the 2022 period. Impacting the 2023 period operating ratio were higher company driver compensation, depreciation, maintenance and net fuel costs as a percentage of revenue.

Dedicated segment revenue increased $9.7 million, or 10.0%, to $106.4 million in the 2023 period from $96.8 million in the 2022 period. Dedicated segment revenue, net of fuel surcharges, increased 10.7% primarily due to increases in each of our fleet size and average revenue per tractor. The operating ratio in the 2023 period improved to 87.1% from 89.0% in the 2022 period. The 2023 period was positively impacted by the increase in our average revenue per tractor and lower net fuel and driver recruiting and retention costs, partially offset by higher maintenance and insurance and claims costs.

Intermodal segment revenue decreased $3.1 million, or 9.6%, to $28.6 million in the 2023 period from $31.6 million in the 2022 period. Intermodal segment revenue, net of fuel surcharges, decreased 8.6% from the 2022 period primarily due to a decrease in our number of loads, partially offset by an increase in our revenue per load. The operating ratio in the 2023 period increased to 97.2% from 84.1% in the 2022 period. Impacting the 2023 period operating ratio were higher net fuel, company driver compensation, purchased transportation, chassis rental and depreciation costs as a percentage of our revenue.

Brokerage segment revenue decreased $3.7 million, or 8.1%, to $42.4 million in the 2023 period from $46.1 million in the 2022 period primarily due to a decrease in our revenue per load, partially offset by an increase in our number of loads. The improvement in the operating ratio in the 2023 period to 89.4% from 90.0% was primarily due to a decrease in purchased transportation amounts payable to carriers as a percentage of our revenue.

The following table sets forth for the periods indicated the dollar and percentage increase or decrease of the items in our unaudited consolidated condensed statements of operations, and those items as a percentage of operating revenue:

	Dollar Change			Percentage Change			Percentage of Operating Revenue
	Three Months Ended March 31,			Three Months Ended March 31,			Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2023 vs. 2022			2023 vs. 2022			2023			2022
Operating revenue	$	10,742			3.7	%		100.0	%		100.0	%
Operating expenses (income):
Salaries, wages and benefits		9,167			10.3			33.1			31.1
Purchased transportation		(3,207	)		(5.6	)		18.2			19.9
Fuel and fuel taxes		2,428			5.5			15.7			15.4
Supplies and maintenance		3,674			29.8			5.4			4.3
Depreciation		3,387			13.0			9.9			9.1
Operating taxes and licenses		128			4.8			0.9			0.9
Insurance and claims		2,366			18.6			5.1			4.4
Communications and utilities		266			11.7			0.8			0.8
Gain on disposition of revenue equipment		(706	)		(15.6	)		(1.8	)		(1.6	)
Other		87			1.0			3.0			3.1
Total operating expenses		17,590			7.0			90.3			87.5
Operating income		(6,848	)		(19.1	)		9.7			12.5
Other		(837	)		(11,957.1	)		(0.3	)		-
Income before income taxes		(6,011	)		(16.8	)		10.0			12.5
Income taxes expense		(980	)		(11.8	)		2.5			2.9
Net income	$	(5,031	)		(18.3	)%		7.6	%		9.6	%

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Salaries, wages and benefits consist of compensation for our employees, including both driver and non-driver employees, employees’ health insurance, 401(k) plan contributions and other fringe benefits. These expenses vary depending upon the size of our Truckload, Dedicated and Intermodal tractor fleets, the ratio of company drivers to independent contractors, our efficiency, our experience with employees’ health insurance claims, changes in health care premiums and other factors. Salaries, wages and benefits expense increased $9.2 million, or 10.3%, in the 2023 period from the 2022 period. This increase resulted primarily from additional company driver compensation expense of $7.4 million and a $2.4 million increase in non-driver compensation expense, partially offset by a $2.3 million decrease in bonus compensation expense for our non-driver employees.

Purchased transportation consists of amounts payable to railroads and carriers for transportation services we arrange in connection with Brokerage and Intermodal operations and to independent contractor providers of revenue equipment. This category will vary depending upon the amount and rates, including fuel surcharges, we pay to third-party railroad and motor carriers, the ratio of company drivers versus independent contractors and the amount of fuel surcharges passed through to independent contractors. Purchased transportation expense decreased $3.2 million in total, or 5.6%, in the 2023 period from the 2022 period. Amounts payable to carriers for transportation services we arranged in our Brokerage segment decreased $4.0 million to $34.9 million in the 2023 period from $38.8 million in the 2022 period, primarily due to a decrease in the cost per load. Amounts payable to railroads and drayage carriers for transportation services within our Intermodal segment were $15.3 million in the 2023 period and $15.2 million in the 2022 period. The portion of purchased transportation expense related to independent contractors within our Truckload and Dedicated segments, including fuel surcharges, increased $655,000 in the 2023 period. We expect our purchased transportation expense to increase as we grow our Intermodal and Brokerage segments.

Fuel and fuel taxes increased by $2.4 million, or 5.5%, in the 2023 period from the 2022 period. Net fuel expense (fuel and fuel taxes net of fuel surcharge revenue and surcharges passed through to independent contractors, outside drayage carriers and railroads) increased $1.9 million, or 27.5%, to $8.8 million in the 2023 period from $6.9 million in the 2022 period. Fuel surcharges passed through to independent contractors, outside drayage carriers and railroads increased to $5.1 million from $4.5 million in the 2022 period. The United States Department of Energy, or DOE, national average cost of fuel increased to $4.41 per gallon from $4.24 per gallon in the 2022 period. Our net fuel expense increased to 4.1% of Truckload, Dedicated and Intermodal segment revenue, net of fuel surcharges, in the 2023 period from 3.5% in the 2022 period. We have worked diligently to control fuel usage and costs by improving our volume purchasing arrangements and optimizing our drivers’ fuel purchases with national fuel centers, focusing on shorter lengths of haul, installing and tightly managing the use of auxiliary power units in our tractors to minimize engine idling and improving fuel usage in the temperature-control units on our trailers. Auxiliary power units, which we have installed in our company-owned tractors, provide climate control and electrical power for our drivers without idling the tractor engine.

Supplies and maintenance consist of repairs, maintenance, tires, parts, oil and engine fluids, along with load-specific expenses including loading/unloading, tolls, pallets and trailer hostling. Our supplies and maintenance expense increased $3.7 million, or 29.8%, from the 2022 period, primarily due to higher outside repair, parts, tires and loading/unloading costs.

Depreciation relates to owned tractors, trailers, containers, auxiliary power units, communication units, terminal facilities and other assets. The $3.4 million, or 13.0%, increase in depreciation in the 2023 period was primarily due to an increase in the size of our tractor and trailer fleets along with higher prices of new equipment. We expect our annual cost of tractor and trailer ownership will increase in future periods as a result of continued higher prices of new equipment, which will result in greater depreciation over the useful life.

Insurance and claims consist of the costs of insurance premiums and accruals we make for claims within our self-insured retention amounts, primarily for personal injury, property damage, physical damage to our equipment, cargo claims and workers’ compensation claims. These expenses will vary primarily based upon the frequency and severity of our accident experience, our self-insured retention levels and the market for insurance. The $2.4 million, or 18.6%, increase in insurance and claims in the 2023 period was primarily due to increases in the cost of physical damage claims related to our revenue equipment and in our self-insured auto liability claim costs. Our significant self-insured retention exposes us to the possibility of significant fluctuations in claims expense between periods which could materially impact our financial results depending on the frequency, severity and timing of claims.

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Gain on disposition of revenue equipment was $5.2 million in the 2023 period, up from $4.5 million in the 2022 period primarily due to an increase in the number of units sold, partially offset by a decrease in the average gain for our tractor and trailer sales. Future gains or losses on dispositions of revenue equipment will be impacted by the market for used revenue equipment, which is beyond our control.

Our operating income declined 19.1% to $29.0 million in the 2023 period from $35.9 million in the 2022 period as a result of the foregoing factors. Our operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue, or “operating ratio,” was 90.3% in the 2023 period and 87.5% in the 2022 period. The operating ratio for our Truckload segment was 91.7% in the 2023 period and 86.2% in the 2022 period, for our Dedicated segment was 87.1% in the 2023 period and 89.0% in the 2022 period, for our Intermodal segment was 97.2% in the 2023 period and 84.1% in the 2022 period, and for our Brokerage segment was 89.4% in the 2023 period and 90.0% in the 2022 period. Operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue, with both amounts net of fuel surcharges, was 88.6% in the 2023 period and 85.4% in the 2022 period.

Other non-operating income increased to $844,000 from $7,000 in the 2022 period due to increased interest income earned on our cash and cash equivalents.

Our effective income tax rate increased to 24.6% in the 2023 period from 23.2% in the 2022 period primarily due to increases in per diem and other non-deductible expenses.

As a result of the factors described above, net income declined 18.3% to $22.5 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, in the 2023 period from $27.5 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, in the 2022 period.

Liquidity and Capital Resources 

Our business requires substantial, ongoing capital investments, particularly for new tractors and trailers. Our primary sources of liquidity are funds provided by operations and our revolving credit facility. A portion of our tractor fleet is provided by independent contractors who own and operate their own equipment. We have no capital expenditure requirements relating to those drivers who own their tractors or obtain financing through third parties.

The table below reflects our net cash flows provided by operating activities, net cash flows used for/provided by investing activities and net cash flows used for financing activities for the periods indicated.

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands)	2023			2022
Net cash flows provided by operating activities	$	49,232		$	39,940
Net cash flows (used for)/provided by investing activities		(28,280	)		409
Net cash flows (used for) financing activities		(5,264	)		(30,817	)

In August 2019, our Board of Directors approved and we announced an increase from current availability in our existing share repurchase program providing for the repurchase of up to $34.0 million, or approximately 1.8 million shares, of our common stock, which was increased by our Board of Directors to 2.7 million shares in August 2020 to reflect the three-for-two stock split effected in the form of a stock dividend on August 13, 2020. On May 3, 2022, our Board of Directors approved and we announced an additional increase from current availability in our existing share repurchase program providing for the repurchase of up to $50.0 million, or approximately 3.1 million shares of our common stock. The share repurchase program allows purchases on the open market or through private transactions in accordance with Rule 10b-18 of the Exchange Act. The timing and extent to which we repurchase shares depends on market conditions and other corporate considerations. The repurchase program does not have an expiration date.

We repurchased and retired 1.3 million shares of common stock for $25.0 million in the first quarter of 2022, and 963,000 shares of common stock for $16.8 million in the second quarter of 2022. We did not repurchase any shares in the third or fourth quarters of 2022 or in the first quarter of 2023. As of March 31, 2023, future repurchases of up to $33.2 million, or approximately 2.2 million shares, were available in the share repurchase program.

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In the first three months of 2023, net cash flows provided by operating activities of $49.2 million were primarily used to purchase new revenue equipment, net of proceeds from dispositions, in the amount of $26.1 million, to pay cash dividends of $4.9 million, and to construct and upgrade regional operating facilities in the amount of $2.1 million, resulting in a $15.7 million increase in cash and cash equivalents. In the first three months of 2022, net cash flows provided by operating activities of $39.9 million were primarily used to repurchase and retire 1.3 million shares of our common stock for $25.0 million, to pay cash dividends of $5.0 million, and to construct and upgrade regional operating facilities in the amount of $2.5 million, resulting in a $9.5 million increase in cash and cash equivalents.

We estimate that capital expenditures, net of proceeds from dispositions, will be approximately $197 million for the remainder of 2023. This amount includes commitments to purchase $154.9 million of new revenue equipment and $3.5 million in building construction through the remainder of 2023. Additionally, operating lease obligations total $691,000 through 2028. Quarterly cash dividends of $0.06 per share of common stock were paid in each of the first quarters of 2023 and 2022 which totaled $4.9 million and $5.0 million, respectively. We currently expect to continue to pay quarterly cash dividends in the future. The payment of cash dividends in the future, and the amount of any such dividends, will depend upon our financial condition, results of operations, cash requirements, and certain corporate law requirements, as well as other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors. We believe our sources of liquidity are adequate to meet our current and anticipated needs for at least the next twelve months. Based upon anticipated cash flows, existing cash and cash equivalents balances, current borrowing availability and other sources of financing we expect to be available to us, we do not anticipate any significant liquidity constraints in the foreseeable future.

In August 2022, we entered into a credit agreement that provides for an unsecured committed credit facility with an aggregate principal amount of $30.0 million which matures in August 2027. The credit agreement amends, restates and continues in its entirety our previous credit agreement, as amended. At March 31, 2023, there was no outstanding principal balance on the facility. As of that date, we had outstanding standby letters of credit to guarantee settlement of self-insurance claims of $16.1 million and remaining borrowing availability of $13.9 million. At December 31, 2022, there was also no outstanding principal balance on the facility. As of that date, we had outstanding standby letters of credit of $16.1 million on the facility. This facility bears interest at a variable rate based on the Term SOFR Rate plus applicable margins. The interest rate for the facility that would apply to outstanding principal balances was 8.0% at March 31, 2023.

Our credit agreement effective in August 2022 prohibits us from paying, in any fiscal year, stock redemptions and dividends in excess of $150 million. Our previous credit agreement prohibited us from making such payments in excess of 25% of our net income from the prior fiscal year. A waiver allowing stock redemptions and dividends in excess of the 25% limitation in total amounts of up to $80 million in 2022 was obtained from the lender in March 2022. The current and previous credit agreements also contain restrictive covenants which, among other matters, require us to maintain compliance with cash flow leverage and fixed charge coverage ratios. We were in compliance with all covenants at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

Other than our obligations for revenue equipment and building construction purchases and operating lease expenditures, along with our outstanding standby letters of credit to guarantee settlement of self-insurance claims, which are each mentioned above, we did not have any material off-balance sheet arrangements at March 31, 2023.

Seasonality

Our tractor productivity generally decreases during the winter season because inclement weather impedes operations and some shippers reduce their shipments. At the same time, operating expenses generally increase, with harsh weather creating higher accident frequency, increased claims, lower fuel efficiency and more equipment repairs.

Critical Accounting Estimates

There have been no material changes in the critical accounting estimates disclosed by us under Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Estimates contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk. 

We are exposed to a variety of market risks, most importantly the effects of the price and availability of diesel fuel. We require substantial amounts of diesel fuel to operate our tractors and power the temperature-control units on our trailers. The price and availability of diesel fuel can vary, and are subject to political, economic and market factors that are beyond our control. Significant increases in diesel fuel costs could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. Based upon our fuel consumption in the first three months of 2023, a 5% increase in the average cost of diesel fuel would have increased our fuel expense by $2.3 million.

We have historically been able to pass through a significant portion of long-term increases in diesel fuel prices and related taxes to customers in the form of fuel surcharges. Fuel surcharge programs are widely accepted among our customers, though they can vary somewhat from customer-to-customer. These fuel surcharges, which adjust weekly with the cost of fuel, enable us to recover a substantial portion of the higher cost of fuel as prices increase. These fuel surcharge provisions are not effective in mitigating the fuel price increases related to non-revenue miles or fuel used while the tractor is idling. In addition, we have worked diligently to control fuel usage and costs by improving our volume purchasing arrangements and optimizing our drivers’ fuel purchases with national fuel centers, focusing on shorter lengths of haul, installing and tightly managing the use of auxiliary power units in our tractors to minimize engine idling and improving fuel usage in our trailers’ refrigeration units.

While we do not currently have any outstanding hedging instruments to mitigate this market risk, we may enter into derivatives or other financial instruments to hedge a portion of our fuel costs in the future.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

As required by Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), we have carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. This evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2023. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or that are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. We intend to periodically evaluate our disclosure controls and procedures as required by the Exchange Act Rules.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

There have been no material changes in the risk factors disclosed by us under Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Item 6. Exhibits.

Item No.	Item	Method of Filing
31.1	Certification pursuant to Item 601(b)(31) of Regulation S-K, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, by Timothy M. Kohl, the Registrant’s Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)	Filed with this Report.
31.2	Certification pursuant to Item 601(b)(31) of Regulation S-K, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, by James J. Hinnendael, the Registrant’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)	Filed with this Report.
32.1	Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002	Filed with this Report.
101	The following financial information from Marten Transport, Ltd.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on May 5, 2023, formatted in iXBRL, or Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language: (i) Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations, (iii) Consolidated Condensed Statements of Stockholders’ Equity, (iv)  Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows, and (v) Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements	Filed with this Report.
104	The cover page from Marten Transport, Ltd.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2023, formatted in iXBRL, included in Exhibit 101	Filed with this Report.

19

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

	MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD.
Dated: May 5, 2023	By:	/s/ Timothy M. Kohl
		Timothy M. Kohl
		Chief Executive Officer
		(Principal Executive Officer)
Dated: May 5, 2023	By:	/s/ James J. Hinnendael
		James J. Hinnendael
		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
		(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

20

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, Timothy M. Kohl, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Marten Transport, Ltd.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:      May 5, 2023

/s/ Timothy M. Kohl               

Timothy M. Kohl

Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, James J. Hinnendael, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Marten Transport, Ltd.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:      May 5, 2023

/s/ James J. Hinnendael               

James J. Hinnendael

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. §1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Marten Transport, Ltd. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2023, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), each of the undersigned certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best knowledge of the undersigned:

(1)     The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)     The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: May 5, 2023	/s/ Timothy M. Kohl
	Timothy M. Kohl
	Chief Executive Officer
	/s/ James J. Hinnendael
	James J. Hinnendael
	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

XML

Document And Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	Apr. 24, 2023
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2023
Entity File Number	0-15010
Entity Registrant Name	MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	39-1140809
Entity Address, Address Line One	129 Marten Street
Entity Address, City or Town	Mondovi
Entity Address, State or Province	WI
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	54755
City Area Code	715
Local Phone Number	926-4216
Title of 12(b) Security	COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE
Trading Symbol	MRTN
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		81,233,741
Entity Central Index Key	0000799167
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2023
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false

XML

Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets (Current Period Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 96,288	$ 80,600
Receivables:
Trade, net	115,430	120,702
Other	7,988	7,218
Prepaid expenses and other	24,206	27,320
Total current assets	243,912	235,840
Property and equipment:
Revenue equipment, buildings and land, office equipment and other	1,082,361	1,074,832
Accumulated depreciation	(348,641)	(346,665)
Net property and equipment	733,720	728,167
Other noncurrent assets	1,641	1,672
Total assets	979,273	965,679
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	41,558	37,299
Insurance and claims accruals	48,967	45,747
Accrued and other current liabilities	29,077	41,264
Total current liabilities	119,602	124,310
Deferred income taxes	137,825	137,041
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities	335	409
Total liabilities	257,762	261,760
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value per share; 2,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding	0	0
Common stock, $.01 par value per share; 192,000,000 shares authorized; 81,233,741 shares at March 31, 2023, and 81,115,132 shares at December 31, 2022, issued and outstanding	812	811
Additional paid-in capital	47,151	47,188
Retained earnings	673,548	655,920
Total stockholders’ equity	721,511	703,919
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 979,273	$ 965,679

XML

Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets (Current Period Unaudited) (Parentheticals) - $ / shares	Mar. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized (in shares)	2,000,000	2,000,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued (in shares)	0	0
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding, Ending Balance (in shares)	0	0
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common Stock, Shares Authorized (in shares)	192,000,000	192,000,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued (in shares)	81,233,741	81,115,132
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding (in shares)	81,233,741	81,115,132

XML

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2022
Operating revenue	$ 298,023	$ 287,281
Operating expenses (income):
Salaries, wages and benefits	98,516	89,349
Purchased transportation	54,103	57,310
Fuel and fuel taxes	46,796	44,368
Supplies and maintenance	15,987	12,313
Depreciation	29,530	26,143
Operating taxes and licenses	2,768	2,640
Insurance and claims	15,070	12,704
Communications and utilities	2,531	2,265
Other	8,958	8,871
Total operating expenses	269,013	251,423
Operating income	29,010	35,858
Other	(844)	(7)
Income before income taxes	29,854	35,865
Income taxes expense	7,352	8,332
Net income	$ 22,502	$ 27,533
Basic earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.28	$ 0.33
Diluted earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	0.28	0.33
Dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.06	$ 0.06
Revenue Equipment [Member]
Operating expenses (income):
Gain on disposition of revenue equipment	$ (5,246)	$ (4,540)

XML

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Total
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2021	83,034
Balance at Dec. 31, 2021	$ 830	$ 85,718	$ 565,129	$ 651,677
Net income	$ 0	0	27,533	$ 27,533
Repurchase and retirement of common stock (in shares)	(1,307)			(1,307)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock	$ (13)	(24,987)	0	$ (25,000)
Issuance of common stock from share-based payment arrangement exercises, deferred compensation plan distributions and vesting of performance unit awards (in shares)	220
Issuance of common stock from share-based payment arrangement exercises, deferred compensation plan distributions and vesting of performance unit awards	$ 2	766	0	768
Employee taxes paid in exchange for shares withheld		(1,610)		(1,610)
Share-based payment arrangement compensation expense		369		369
Dividends on common stock	$ 0	0	(4,975)	(4,975)
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2022	81,947
Balance at Mar. 31, 2022	$ 819	60,256	587,687	648,762
Net income	$ 0	0	82,821	82,821
Repurchase and retirement of common stock (in shares)	(963)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock	$ (10)	(16,743)	0	(16,753)
Issuance of common stock from share-based payment arrangement exercises, deferred compensation plan distributions and vesting of performance unit awards (in shares)	131
Issuance of common stock from share-based payment arrangement exercises, deferred compensation plan distributions and vesting of performance unit awards	$ 2	1,230	0	1,232
Share-based payment arrangement compensation expense		2,445		2,445
Dividends on common stock	$ 0	0	(14,588)	(14,588)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2022	81,115
Balance at Dec. 31, 2022	$ 811	47,188	655,920	703,919
Net income	$ 0	0	22,502	$ 22,502
Repurchase and retirement of common stock (in shares)				0
Issuance of common stock from share-based payment arrangement exercises, deferred compensation plan distributions and vesting of performance unit awards (in shares)	119
Issuance of common stock from share-based payment arrangement exercises, deferred compensation plan distributions and vesting of performance unit awards	$ 1	535	0	$ 536
Employee taxes paid in exchange for shares withheld	0	(926)	0	(926)
Share-based payment arrangement compensation expense	0	354	0	354
Dividends on common stock	$ 0	0	(4,874)	(4,874)
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2023	81,234
Balance at Mar. 31, 2023	$ 812	$ 47,151	$ 673,548	$ 721,511

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Consolidated condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2022
Cash flows provided by operating activities:
Net income	$ 22,502	$ 27,533	$ 82,821
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	29,530	26,143
Tires in service amortization	1,765	1,562
Deferred income taxes	784	1,755
Share-based payment arrangement compensation expense	354	369
Changes in other current operating items:
Receivables	9,135	(26,256)
Prepaid expenses and other	2,232	886
Accounts payable	(6,691)	5,572
Insurance and claims accruals	3,220	578
Accrued and other current liabilities	(8,353)	6,338
Net cash provided by operating activities	49,232	39,940
Cash flows (used for)/provided by investing activities:
Other	(45)	(38)
Net cash (used for)/provided by investing activities	(28,280)	409
Cash flows used for financing activities:
Dividends on common stock	(4,874)	(4,975)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock	(0)	25,000
Issuance of common stock from share-based payment arrangement exercises, deferred compensation plan distributions and vesting of performance unit awards	536	768
Employee taxes paid in exchange for shares withheld	(926)	(1,610)
Net cash used for financing activities	(5,264)	(30,817)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	15,688	9,532
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period	80,600	56,995	66,527
End of period	96,288	66,527	$ 80,600
Supplemental non-cash disclosure:
Change in property and equipment not yet paid	2,561	4,392
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for income taxes	22	872
Revenue Equipment [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Gain on disposition of revenue equipment	(5,246)	(4,540)
Cash flows (used for)/provided by investing activities:
Property, plant, and equipment additions	(42,358)	(9,352)
Proceeds from Property, plant, and equipment dispositions	16,218	12,365
Buildings And Land Office Equipment And Other [Member]
Cash flows (used for)/provided by investing activities:
Property, plant, and equipment additions	(2,106)	(2,566)
Proceeds from Property, plant, and equipment dispositions	$ 11	$ 0

XML

Note 1 - Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]

(1) Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements

The accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial statements, and therefore do not include all information and disclosures required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, such statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary to fairly present our consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for any interim period do not necessarily indicate the results for the full year. The unaudited interim consolidated condensed financial statements should be read with reference to the consolidated financial statements and notes to consolidated financial statements in our 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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Note 2 - Earnings Per Common Share

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements

Earnings Per Share [Text Block]

(2) Earnings per Common Share

Basic and diluted earnings per common share were computed as follows:

	Three Months
	Ended March 31,
(In thousands, except per share amounts)	2023		2022
Numerator:
Net income	$	22,502	$	27,533
Denominator:
Basic earnings per common share - weighted-average shares		81,210		82,938
Effect of dilutive stock options		166		308
Diluted earnings per common share - weighted-average shares and assumed conversions		81,376		83,246
Basic earnings per common share	$	0.28	$	0.33
Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.28	$	0.33

Options totaling 122,000 and 452,000 equivalent shares for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, were outstanding but were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share because including the options in the denominator would be antidilutive, or decrease the number of weighted-average shares, due to their exercise prices exceeding the average market price of the common shares, or because inclusion of average unrecognized compensation expense in the calculation would cause the options to be antidilutive.

Unvested performance unit awards totaling 49,560 equivalent shares for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 were considered outstanding but were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share because inclusion of average unrecognized compensation expense in the calculation would cause the performance units to be antidilutive. There were no such equivalent shares for the three-month period ended March 31, 2022.

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Note 3 - Long-term Debt

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements

Debt Disclosure [Text Block]

(3) Long-Term Debt

In August 2022, we entered into a credit agreement that provides for an unsecured committed credit facility with an aggregate principal amount of $30.0 million which matures in August 2027. The credit agreement amends, restates and continues in its entirety our previous credit agreement, as amended. At March 31, 2023, there was no outstanding principal balance on the facility. As of that date, we had outstanding standby letters of credit to guarantee settlement of self-insurance claims of $16.1 million and remaining borrowing availability of $13.9 million. At December 31, 2022, there was also no outstanding principal balance on the facility. As of that date, we had outstanding standby letters of credit of $16.1 million on the facility. This facility bears interest at a variable rate based on the Term SOFR Rate plus applicable margins. The interest rate for the facility that would apply to outstanding principal balances was 8.0% at March 31, 2023.

Our credit agreement effective in August 2022 prohibits us from paying, in any fiscal year, stock redemptions and dividends in excess of $150 million. Our previous credit agreement prohibited us from making such payments in excess of 25% of our net income from the prior fiscal year. A waiver allowing stock redemptions and dividends in excess of the 25% limitation in total amounts of up to $80 million in 2022 was obtained from the lender in March 2022. The current and previous credit agreements also contain restrictive covenants which, among other matters, require us to maintain compliance with cash flow leverage and fixed charge coverage ratios. We were in compliance with all covenants at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

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Note 4 - Related Party Transactions

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements

Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]

(4) Related Party Transactions

We purchase fuel and tires and obtain related services from Bauer Built, Inc., or BBI. Jerry M. Bauer, the chairman of the board and chief executive officer of BBI, is one of our directors. We paid BBI $89,000 in the first three months of 2023 and $105,000 in the first three months of 2022 for fuel, tires and related services. In addition, we paid $436,000 in the first three months of 2023 and $269,000 in the first three months of 2022 to tire manufacturers for tires that were provided by BBI. BBI received commissions from the tire manufacturers related to these purchases.

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Note 5 - Share Repurchase Program

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements

Treasury Stock [Text Block]

(5) Share Repurchase Program

In August 2019, our Board of Directors approved and we announced an increase from current availability in our existing share repurchase program providing for the repurchase of up to $34.0 million, or approximately 1.8 million shares, of our common stock, which was increased by our Board of Directors to 2.7 million shares in August 2020 to reflect the three-for-two stock split effected in the form of a stock dividend on August 13, 2020. On May 3, 2022, our Board of Directors approved and we announced an additional increase from current availability in our existing share repurchase program providing for the repurchase of up to $50.0 million, or approximately 3.1 million shares of our common stock. The share repurchase program allows purchases on the open market or through private transactions in accordance with Rule 10b-18 of the Exchange Act. The timing and extent to which we repurchase shares depends on market conditions and other corporate considerations. The repurchase program does not have an expiration date.

We repurchased and retired 1.3 million shares of common stock for $25.0 million in the first quarter of 2022, and 963,000 shares of common stock for $16.8 million in the second quarter of 2022. We did not repurchase any shares in the third or fourth quarters of 2022 or in the first quarter of 2023. As of March 31, 2023, future repurchases of up to $33.2 million, or approximately 2.2 million shares, were available in the share repurchase program.

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Note 6 - Dividends

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements

Dividends [Text Block]

(6) Dividends

In 2010, we announced that our Board of Directors approved a regular cash dividend program to our stockholders, subject to approval each quarter. Quarterly cash dividends of $0.06 per share of common stock were paid in each of the first quarters of 2023 and 2022 which totaled $4.9 million and $5.0 million, respectively.

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Note 7 - Accounting for Share-based Payment Arrangement Compensation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements

Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Text Block]

(7) Accounting for Share-based Payment Arrangement Compensation

We account for share-based payment arrangements in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation. During the first three months of 2023, there were no significant changes to the structure of our stock-based award plans. Pre-tax compensation expense related to stock options and performance unit awards recorded in the first three months of 2023 and 2022 was $354,000 and $369,000, respectively.

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Note 8 - Termination of Deferred Compensation Plan

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements

Compensation Related Costs, General [Text Block]

(8) Termination of Deferred Compensation Plan

In May 2020, our Compensation Committee and Board of Directors approved the termination of our Deferred Compensation Plan. The plan was an unfunded, nonqualified deferred compensation plan designed to allow board elected officers and other select members of our management designated by our Compensation Committee to save for retirement on a tax-deferred basis. The termination was effective in May 2021. All shares of Company common stock within the plan were distributed by March 31, 2022.

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Note 9 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements

Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]

(9) Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts of cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

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Note 10 - Commitments and Contingencies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]

(10) Commitments and Contingencies

We are committed to new revenue equipment purchases of $154.9 million and building construction obligations of $3.5 million through the remainder of 2023. Operating lease obligation expenditures through 2028 total $691,000.

We self-insure, in part, for losses relating to workers’ compensation, auto liability, general liability, cargo and property damage claims, along with employees’ health insurance with varying risk retention levels. We maintain insurance coverage for per-incident and total losses in excess of these risk retention levels in amounts we consider adequate based upon historical experience and our ongoing review, and reserve currently for the estimated cost of the uninsured portion of pending claims.

We are also involved in other legal actions that arise in the ordinary course of business. A number of trucking companies, including us, have been subject to lawsuits alleging violations of various federal and state wage and hour laws. A number of these lawsuits have resulted in the payment of substantial settlements or damages by the defendants.

The outcome of all litigation is difficult to assess or quantify, and the magnitude of the potential loss relating to such lawsuits may remain unknown for substantial periods of time. The cost to defend litigation may also be significant. Not all claims are covered by our insurance, and there can be no assurance that our coverage limits will be adequate to cover all amounts in dispute. To the extent we experience claims that are uninsured, exceed our coverage limits or cause increases in future premiums, the resulting expense could have a materially adverse effect on our business and operating results. Based on our present knowledge of the facts and, in certain cases, advice of outside counsel, management believes the resolution of open claims and pending litigation, taking into account existing reserves, is not likely to have a materially adverse effect on our consolidated condensed financial statements, however, any future liability claims or adverse developments in existing claims could impact this analysis.

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Note 11 - Revenue and Business Segments

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements

Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]

(11) Revenue and Business Segments

We account for our revenue in accordance with FASB ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. We combine our five current operating segments into four reporting segments (Truckload, Dedicated, Intermodal and Brokerage) for financial reporting purposes. These four reporting segments are also the appropriate categories for the disaggregation of our revenue under FASB ASC 606.

We have strategically transitioned from a refrigerated long-haul carrier to a multifaceted business offering a network of refrigerated and dry truck-based transportation capabilities across our five distinct business platforms – Truckload, Dedicated, Intermodal, Brokerage and MRTN de Mexico.

Our Truckload segment provides a combination of regional short-haul and medium-to-long-haul full-load transportation services. We transport food and other consumer packaged goods that require a temperature-controlled or insulated environment, along with dry freight, across the United States and into and out of Mexico and Canada. Our agreements with customers are typically for one year.

Our Dedicated segment provides customized transportation solutions tailored to meet individual customers’ requirements, utilizing temperature-controlled trailers, dry vans and other specialized equipment within the United States. Our agreements with customers range from three to five years and are subject to annual rate reviews.

Generally, we are paid by the mile for our Truckload and Dedicated services. We also derive Truckload and Dedicated revenue from fuel surcharges, loading and unloading activities, equipment detention and other accessorial services. The main factors that affect our Truckload and Dedicated revenue are the rate per mile we receive from our customers, the percentage of miles for which we are compensated, the number of miles we generate with our equipment and changes in fuel prices. We monitor our revenue production primarily through average Truckload and Dedicated revenue, net of fuel surcharges, per tractor per week. We also analyze our average Truckload and Dedicated revenue, net of fuel surcharges, per total mile, non-revenue miles percentage, the miles per tractor we generate, our fuel surcharge revenue, our accessorial revenue and our other sources of operating revenue.

Our Intermodal segment transports our customers’ freight within the United States utilizing our refrigerated containers and our temperature-controlled trailers, each on railroad flatcars for portions of trips, with the balance of the trips using our tractors or, to a lesser extent, contracted carriers. The main factors that affect our Intermodal revenue are the rate per mile and other charges we receive from our customers.

Our Brokerage segment develops contractual relationships with and arranges for third-party carriers to transport freight for our customers in temperature-controlled trailers and dry vans within the United States and into and out of Mexico through Marten Transport Logistics, LLC, which was established in 2007 and operates pursuant to brokerage authority granted by the United States Department of Transportation, or DOT. We retain the billing, collection and customer management responsibilities. The main factors that affect our Brokerage revenue are the rate per mile and other charges that we receive from our customers.

Operating results of our MRTN de Mexico business which offers our customers door-to-door service between the United States and Mexico with our Mexican partner carriers is reported within our Truckload and Brokerage segments.

Our customer agreements are typically for one-year terms except for our Dedicated agreements which range from three to five years with annual rate reviews. Under FASB ASC 606, the contract date for each individual load within each of our four reporting segments is generally the date that each load is tendered to and accepted by us. For each load transported within each of our four reporting segments, the entire amount of revenue to be recognized is a single performance obligation and our agreements with our customers detail the per-mile charges for line haul and fuel surcharges, along with the rates for loading and unloading, stop offs and drops, equipment detention and other accessorial services, which is the transaction price. There are no discounts that would be a material right or consideration payable to a customer. We are required to recognize revenue and related expenses over time, from load pickup to delivery, for each load within each of our four reporting segments. We base our calculation of the amount of revenue to record in each period for individual loads picking up in one period and delivering in the following period using the number of hours estimated to be incurred within each period applied to each estimated transaction price. Contract assets for this estimated revenue which are classified within prepaid expenses and other within our consolidated condensed balance sheets were $2.5 million and $2.7 million as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. We had no impairment losses on contract assets in the first three months of 2023 or in 2022. We bill our customers for loads after delivery is complete with standard payment terms of 30 days.

We account for revenue of our Intermodal and Brokerage segments and revenue on freight transported by independent contractors within our Truckload and Dedicated segments on a gross basis because we are the principal service provider controlling the promised service before it is transferred to each customer. We are primarily responsible for fulfilling the promise to provide each specified service to each customer. We bear the primary risk of loss in the event of cargo claims by our customers. We also have complete control and discretion in establishing the price for each specified service. Accordingly, all such revenue billed to customers is classified as operating revenue and all corresponding payments to carriers for transportation services we arrange in connection with brokerage and intermodal activities and to independent contractor providers of revenue equipment are classified as purchased transportation expense within our consolidated condensed statements of operations.

The following table sets forth for the periods indicated our operating revenue and operating income by segment. We do not prepare separate balance sheets by segment and, as a result, assets are not separately identifiable by segment.

	Three Months
	Ended March 31,
(In thousands)	2023		2022
Operating revenue:
Truckload revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue	$	102,320	$	95,170
Truckload fuel surcharge revenue		18,306		17,620
Total Truckload revenue		120,626		112,790
Dedicated revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue		86,831		78,421
Dedicated fuel surcharge revenue		19,618		18,339
Total Dedicated revenue		106,449		96,760
Intermodal revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue		23,401		25,605
Intermodal fuel surcharge revenue		5,188		6,037
Total Intermodal revenue		28,589		31,642
Brokerage revenue		42,359		46,089
Total operating revenue	$	298,023	$	287,281
Operating income:
Truckload	$	10,041	$	15,571
Dedicated		13,684		10,645
Intermodal		787		5,036
Brokerage		4,498		4,606
Total operating income	$	29,010	$	35,858

Truckload segment depreciation expense was $15.3 million and $13.0 million, Dedicated segment depreciation expense was $11.8 million and $11.1 million, Intermodal segment depreciation expense was $1.9 million and $1.7 million, and Brokerage segment depreciation expense was $449,000 and $338,000 in the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

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Note 12 - Use of Estimates

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements

Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

(12) Use of Estimates

We must make estimates and assumptions to prepare the consolidated condensed financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in the consolidated condensed financial statements and the reported amount of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates are primarily related to insurance and claims accruals and depreciation. Ultimate results could differ from these estimates.

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Note 2 - Earnings Per Common Share (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Notes Tables

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]

	Three Months
	Ended March 31,
(In thousands, except per share amounts)	2023		2022
Numerator:
Net income	$	22,502	$	27,533
Denominator:
Basic earnings per common share - weighted-average shares		81,210		82,938
Effect of dilutive stock options		166		308
Diluted earnings per common share - weighted-average shares and assumed conversions		81,376		83,246
Basic earnings per common share	$	0.28	$	0.33
Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.28	$	0.33

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Note 11 - Revenue and Business Segments (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Notes Tables

Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]

	Three Months
	Ended March 31,
(In thousands)	2023		2022
Operating revenue:
Truckload revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue	$	102,320	$	95,170
Truckload fuel surcharge revenue		18,306		17,620
Total Truckload revenue		120,626		112,790
Dedicated revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue		86,831		78,421
Dedicated fuel surcharge revenue		19,618		18,339
Total Dedicated revenue		106,449		96,760
Intermodal revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue		23,401		25,605
Intermodal fuel surcharge revenue		5,188		6,037
Total Intermodal revenue		28,589		31,642
Brokerage revenue		42,359		46,089
Total operating revenue	$	298,023	$	287,281
Operating income:
Truckload	$	10,041	$	15,571
Dedicated		13,684		10,645
Intermodal		787		5,036
Brokerage		4,498		4,606
Total operating income	$	29,010	$	35,858

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Note 2 - Earnings Per Common Share (Details Textual) - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2022
Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	122,000	452,000
Unvested Performance Unit Awards [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	49,560

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Note 2 - Earnings per Common Share - Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Common Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2022
Numerator:
Net income	$ 22,502	$ 27,533	$ 82,821
Denominator:
Basic earnings per common share - weighted-average shares (in shares)	81,210	82,938
Effect of dilutive stock options (in shares)	166	308
Diluted earnings per common share - weighted-average shares and assumed conversions (in shares)	81,376	83,246
Basic earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.28	$ 0.33
Diluted earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.28	$ 0.33

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Note 3 - Long-term Debt (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 30.0
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	16.1	$ 16.1
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	13.9
Line of Credit Facility, Dividends Payment, Maximum	$ 150.0
Line Of Credit Facility Dividend Restrictions Percentage Of Net Income Limit	25.00%
Line of Credit Facility Dividend Restrictions Percentage of Net Income Limit1	25.00%
Line of Credit Facility, Waiver to Pay Dividends, Maximum	$ 80.0
Credit Facility [Member]
Long-Term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time	8.00%

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Note 4 - Related Party Transactions (Details Textual) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2022
Purchase of Fuel, Tires and Related Services [Member]
Related Party Transaction, Amounts of Transaction	$ 89,000	$ 105,000
Tire Purchases [Member]
Related Party Transaction, Amounts of Transaction	$ 436,000	$ 269,000

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Note 5 - Share Repurchase Program (Details Textual) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended					9 Months Ended
	Aug. 13, 2020	Mar. 31, 2023 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2022 shares	Sep. 30, 2022 shares	Jun. 30, 2022 USD ($) shares	Mar. 31, 2022 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($)	May 03, 2022 USD ($) shares	Aug. 31, 2020 shares	Aug. 31, 2019 USD ($) shares
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount | $								$ 50,000		$ 34,000
Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased (in shares) | shares								3,100,000	2,700,000	1,800,000
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Shares (in shares) | shares		0	0	0	963,000	1,307,000
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value | $					$ 16,800	$ 25,000	$ 16,753
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount | $		$ 33,200
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased (in shares) | shares		2,200,000
Stock Split To [Member]
Stockholders' Equity Note, Stock Split, Conversion Ratio	3
Stock Split from [Member]
Stockholders' Equity Note, Stock Split, Conversion Ratio	2

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Note 6 - Dividends (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2022
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$ 0.06	$ 0.06
Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Common Stock	$ 4,874	$ 4,975
Paid Quarterly [Member]
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$ 0.06	$ 0.06
Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Common Stock	$ 4,900	$ 5,000

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Note 7 - Accounting for Share-based Payment Arrangement Compensation (Details Textual) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2022
Stock or Unit Option Plan Expense	$ 354,000	$ 369,000

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Note 10 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual)	Mar. 31, 2023 USD ($)
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Total	$ 691,000
Capital Addition Purchase Commitments [Member] | Revenue Equipment [Member]
Purchase Obligation, to be Paid, Remainder of Fiscal Year	154,900,000
Capital Addition Purchase Commitments [Member] | Building Construction [Member]
Purchase Obligation, to be Paid, Remainder of Fiscal Year	$ 3,500,000

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Note 11 - Revenue and Business Segments (Details Textual)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2022 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($)
Number of Operating Segments	5
Number of Reportable Segments	4
Customer Contract Term (Year)	1 year
Capitalized Contract Cost, Impairment Loss	$ 0	$ 0
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member]
Contract with Customer, Asset, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Total	2,500,000		$ 2,700,000
Dedicated [Member]
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Total	$ 11,800,000	11,100,000
Dedicated [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Customer Contract Term (Year)	3 years
Dedicated [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Customer Contract Term (Year)	5 years
Truckload [Member]
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Total	$ 15,300,000	13,000,000.0
Intermodal [Member]
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Total	1,900,000	1,700,000
Brokerage [Member]
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Total	$ 449,000	$ 338,000

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Note 11 - Revenue and Business Segments - Operating Revenue and Operating Income by Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2022
Revenues	$ 298,023	$ 287,281
Operating income:
Operating income	29,010	35,858
Truckload [Member]
Revenues	120,626	112,790
Operating income:
Operating income	10,041	15,571
Truckload [Member] | Revenue, Net of Fuel Surcharge [Member]
Revenues	102,320	95,170
Truckload [Member] | Fuel Surcharge Revenue [Member]
Revenues	18,306	17,620
Dedicated [Member]
Revenues	106,449	96,760
Operating income:
Operating income	13,684	10,645
Dedicated [Member] | Revenue, Net of Fuel Surcharge [Member]
Revenues	86,831	78,421
Dedicated [Member] | Fuel Surcharge Revenue [Member]
Revenues	19,618	18,339
Intermodal [Member]
Revenues	28,589	31,642
Operating income:
Operating income	787	5,036
Intermodal [Member] | Revenue, Net of Fuel Surcharge [Member]
Revenues	23,401	25,605
Intermodal [Member] | Fuel Surcharge Revenue [Member]
Revenues	5,188	6,037
Brokerage [Member]
Revenues	42,359	46,089
Operating income:
Operating income	$ 4,498	$ 4,606