STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Schedule of total comprehensive loss

	Year Ended December 31
		2012			2011			2010
	(in thousands)
Net income (loss)		$	(7,732	)	$	6,333		$	(32,421	)
Less: Noncontrolling interest in net income of subsidiary		–			(174		)	(272		)
Net income (loss) attributable to Arkansas Best Corporation		(7,732		)	6,159			(32,693		)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Change in foreign currency translation, net of tax of (2012 – $10; 2011 – $69; 2010 – $49)		19			(108		)	76
Unrecognized net actuarial gain (loss), net of tax of (2012 – $3,709; 2011 – $10,804; 2010 – $1,951)		(5,830		)	(27,178		)	3,064
Amortization of unrecognized net periodic benefit costs, net of tax of (2012 – $4,354; 2011 – $2,789; 2010 – $3,119):
Net actuarial loss		6,957			4,497			4,819
Prior service credit		(116		)	(115		)	(4		)
Net transition obligation		–			–			82
Pension settlement expense, net of tax of (2012 – $0; 2011 – $438; 2010 – $69)		–			687			109
Other, net of tax of (2012 – $0; 2011 – $70; 2010 – $7)		–			(132		)	13
Other comprehensive income (loss)		1,030			(22,349		)	8,159
Comprehensive loss attributable to Arkansas Best Corporation		$	(6,702	)	$	(16,190	)	$	(24,534	)

Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss

Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows at December 31:

	2012			2011			2010
	(in thousands)
Pre-tax amounts:
Foreign currency translation	$	(662	)	$	(691	)	$	(514	)
Unrecognized net periodic benefit costs(1)	(86,737		)	(88,393		)	(58,707		)
Other	–			–			202
Total	$	(87,399	)	$	(89,084	)	$	(59,019	)
After-tax amounts:
Foreign currency translation	$	(404	)	$	(423	)	$	(315	)
Unrecognized net periodic benefit costs(1)	(56,968		)	(57,979		)	(35,870		)
Other	–			–			132
Total	$	(57,372	)	$	(58,402	)	$	(36,053	)

(1) The increase in unrecognized net periodic benefit costs for the year ended December 31, 2011 reflected the impact of a $34.4 million ($25.0 million after tax) increase in the unrecognized net actuarial loss related to the nonunion defined benefit pension plan in 2011. The increase in the unrecognized net actuarial loss was primarily attributable to the decrease in the discount rate used to remeasure the plan obligation at December 31, 2011 and the amount required to adjust the assumed return on plan assets to the actual loss experienced in 2011. The nonunion defined benefit pension plan is discussed further in Note J.

Summary of dividends declared

	2012				2011				2010
	Per Share		Amount		Per Share		Amount		Per Share		Amount
	(in thousands, except per share data)
First quarter	$	0.03	$	797	$	0.03	$	788	$	0.03	$	777
Second quarter	$	0.03	$	808	$	0.03	$	797	$	0.03	$	777
Third quarter	$	0.03	$	807	$	0.03	$	798	$	0.03	$	786
Fourth quarter	$	0.03	$	807	$	0.03	$	797	$	0.03	$	786