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

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2017

☐Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from   to  

Commission file number 000-19969

ARCBEST CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization) 71-0673405 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

3801 Old Greenwood Road

Fort Smith, Arkansas 72903

(479) 785-6000

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including

area code, of the registrant’s principal executive offices)

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.)

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 and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post 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 ☒
Non-accelerated filer ☐    (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company ☐	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 Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).   ☐ Yes  ☒ No

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class	Outstanding at May 4, 2017
Common Stock, $0.01 par value	25,835,826 shares

ARCBEST CORPORATION

INDEX

		Page
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Financial Statements
	Consolidated Balance Sheets — March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016	3
	Consolidated Statements of Operations — For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 and 2016	4
	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income — For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 and 2016	5
	Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity — For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017	6
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 and 2016	7
	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	8
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	29
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	48
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	48
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	49
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	49
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	49
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	49
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	49
Item 5.	Other Information	49
Item 6.	Exhibits	50
SIGNATURES		52

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ARCBEST CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

	March 31		December 31
	2017		2016
	(Unaudited)
	(in thousands, except share data)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	82,253	$	114,280
Short-term investments		56,984		56,838
Restricted cash		962		962
Accounts receivable, less allowances (2017 – $5,283; 2016 – $5,437)		258,931		260,643
Other accounts receivable, less allowances (2017 – $875; 2016 – $849)		18,687		22,041
Prepaid expenses		27,012		22,124
Prepaid and refundable income taxes		11,008		9,909
Other		8,226		4,300
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS		464,063		491,097
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Land and structures		330,909		324,086
Revenue equipment		742,394		743,860
Service, office, and other equipment		155,618		154,119
Software		123,857		120,877
Leasehold improvements		8,993		8,758
		1,361,771		1,351,700
Less allowances for depreciation and amortization		838,147		819,174
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net		523,624		532,526
GOODWILL		108,981		108,875
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net		79,371		80,507
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES		3,064		2,978
OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS		65,380		66,095
TOTAL ASSETS	$	1,244,483	$	1,282,078
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable	$	130,750	$	133,301
Accrued expenses		190,829		198,731
Current portion of long-term debt		59,995		64,143
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES		381,574		396,175
LONG-TERM DEBT, less current portion		167,075		179,530
PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT LIABILITIES		37,541		35,848
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES		15,844		16,790
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES		50,773		54,680
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 70,000,000 shares; issued 2017: 28,193,117 shares; 2016: 28,174,424 shares		282		282
Additional paid-in capital		316,802		315,318
Retained earnings		377,444		386,917
Treasury stock, at cost, 2017: 2,565,399 shares		(80,045)		(80,045)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(22,807)		(23,417)
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY		591,676		599,055
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$	1,244,483	$	1,282,078

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

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ARCBEST CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

	Three Months Ended
	March 31
	2017		2016
	(Unaudited)
	(in thousands, except share and per share data)
REVENUES	$	651,088	$	621,455
OPERATING EXPENSES		663,341		630,720
OPERATING LOSS		(12,253)		(9,265)
OTHER INCOME (COSTS)
Interest and dividend income		274		401
Interest and other related financing costs		(1,315)		(1,247)
Other, net		647		366
TOTAL OTHER INCOME (COSTS)		(394)		(480)
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES		(12,647)		(9,745)
INCOME TAX BENEFIT		(5,240)		(3,642)
NET LOSS	$	(7,407)	$	(6,103)
LOSS PER COMMON SHARE
Basic	$	(0.29)	$	(0.24)
Diluted	$	(0.29)	$	(0.24)
AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING
Basic		25,684,475		25,822,522
Diluted		25,684,475		25,822,522
CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE	$	0.08	$	0.08

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

4

ARCBEST CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

	Three Months Ended
	March 31
	2017		2016
	(Unaudited)
	(in thousands)
NET LOSS	$	(7,407)	$	(6,103)
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), net of tax
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans:
Net actuarial loss, net of tax of: (2017 – $935; 2016 – $2,230)		(1,471)		(3,504)
Pension settlement expense, net of tax of: (2017 – $761; 2016 – $350)		1,196		550
Amortization of unrecognized net periodic benefit costs, net of tax of: (2017 – $401; 2016 – $437)
Net actuarial loss		660		714
Prior service credit		(29)		(29)
Interest rate swap and foreign currency translation:
Change in unrealized income (loss) on interest rate swap, net of tax of: (2017 – $88; 2016 – $353)		135		(546)
Change in foreign currency translation, net of tax of: (2017 – $76 ; 2016 – $371)		119		584
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), net of tax		610		(2,231)
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	$	(6,797)	$	(8,334)

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

5

ARCBEST CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

											Accumulated
				Additional							Other
	Common Stock			Paid-In		Retained		Treasury Stock			Comprehensive		Total
	Shares	Amount		Capital		Earnings		Shares	Amount		Loss		Equity
	(Unaudited)
	(in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2016	28,174	$	282	$	315,318	$	386,917	2,565	$	(80,045)	$	(23,417)	$	599,055
Net loss							(7,407)							(7,407)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax												610		610
Issuance of common stock under share-based compensation plans	19		—		—									—
Tax effect of share-based compensation plans					(247)									(247)
Share-based compensation expense					1,731									1,731
Dividends declared on common stock							(2,066)							(2,066)
Balance at March 31, 2017	28,193	$	282	$	316,802	$	377,444	2,565	$	(80,045)	$	(22,807)	$	591,676

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

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ARCBEST CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

	Three Months Ended
	March 31
	2017		2016
	(in thousands)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net loss	$	(7,407)	$	(6,103)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		24,258		24,164
Amortization of intangibles		1,136		987
Pension settlement expense		1,957		900
Share-based compensation expense		1,731		1,709
Provision for losses on accounts receivable		442		82
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)		(4,197)		5,212
Gain on sale of property and equipment		(613)		(311)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables		3,345		9,569
Prepaid expenses		(5,174)		(3,998)
Other assets		(3,357)		(2,954)
Income taxes		(1,205)		(10,211)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities		(9,155)		(6,706)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES		1,761		12,340
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of property, plant and equipment, net of financings		(12,273)		(13,357)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment		1,692		2,435
Purchases of short-term investments		(6,223)		(15,745)
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments		6,125		7,840
Capitalization of internally developed software		(2,440)		(2,668)
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES		(13,119)		(21,495)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Payments on long-term debt		(17,297)		(11,066)
Net change in book overdrafts		(981)		(5,095)
Payment of common stock dividends		(2,066)		(2,088)
Purchases of treasury stock		—		(2,602)
Payments for tax withheld on share-based compensation		(325)		(178)
NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES		(20,669)		(21,029)
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH		(32,027)		(30,184)
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period		115,242		166,357
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH AT END OF PERIOD	$	83,215	$	136,173
NONCASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Equipment financed	$	694	$	1,947
Accruals for equipment received	$	440	$	8,486

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

7

ARCBEST CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

NOTE A – ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION

ArcBest Corporation® (the “Company”) is the parent holding company of businesses providing integrated logistics solutions. The Company’s operations are conducted through its three reportable operating segments: Asset-Based, which consists of ABF Freight System, Inc. and certain other subsidiaries; ArcBest, the Company’s asset-light logistics operation; and FleetNet. References to the Company in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are primarily to the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

The Asset-Based segment represented approximately 71% of the Company’s total revenues before other revenues and intercompany eliminations for the three months ended March 31, 2017. As of March 2017, approximately 83% of the Asset-Based segment’s employees were covered under a collective bargaining agreement, the ABF National Master Freight Agreement (the “ABF NMFA”), with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (the “IBT”), which extends through March 31, 2018. The ABF NMFA included a 7% wage rate reduction upon the November 3, 2013 implementation date, followed by wage rate increases of 2% on July 1 in each of the next three years, which began in 2014, and a 2.5% increase on July 1, 2017; a one-week reduction in annual compensated vacation effective for employee anniversary dates on or after April 1, 2013; the option to expand the use of purchased transportation; and increased flexibility in labor work rules. The ABF NMFA and the related supplemental agreements provide for continued contributions to various multiemployer health, welfare, and pension plans maintained for the benefit of the Asset-Based segment’s employees who are members of the IBT. The estimated net effect of the November 3, 2013 wage rate reduction and the benefit rate increase which was applied retroactively to August 1, 2013 was an initial reduction of approximately 4% to the combined total contractual wage and benefit rate under the ABF NMFA. Following the initial reduction, the combined contractual wage and benefit contribution rate under the ABF NMFA is estimated to increase approximately 2.5% on a compounded annual basis throughout the contract period which extends through March 31, 2018.

On September 2, 2016, the ArcBest segment acquired Logistics & Distribution Services, LLC (“LDS”), a private logistics and distribution company, in a transaction valued at $25.0 million (subject to post-closing adjustments), reflecting net cash consideration of $17.0 million paid at closing and an additional $8.0 million of contingent consideration to be paid over the two years following the acquisition upon the achievement of certain financial targets. As the LDS acquisition is not significant to the Company’s consolidated operating results and financial condition, pro forma financial information and the purchase price allocations of acquired assets and liabilities have not been presented. The results of the acquired operations subsequent to the acquisition date have been included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.The Company is in the process of making a final determination of the value of acquired assets and liabilities for the LDS transaction and the provisional measurements are subject to change during the measurement period.

Financial Statement Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) pertaining to interim financial information. Accordingly, these interim financial statements do not include all information or footnote disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements and, therefore, should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and accompanying notes included in the Company’s 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K and other current filings with the Commission. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which are of a normal and recurring nature) -considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.

Certain restatements have been made to the prior year’s operating segment data to conform to the current year presentation, reflecting the realignment of the Company’s organizational structure as announced on November 3, 2016. Under the new structure, the segments previously reported as Premium Logistics (Panther), Transportation Management (ABF Logistics), and Household Goods Moving Services (ABF Moving) are consolidated as a single Asset-Light logistics operation under ArcBest. Segment revenues and expenses were adjusted to eliminate certain intercompany charges consistent with the

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manner in which they are reported under the new corporate structure. Certain intercompany charges among the previously reported Panther, ABF Logistics, and ABF Moving segments which were previously eliminated in the “Other and eliminations” line, are now eliminated within the ArcBest segment. There was no impact on the Company’s consolidated revenues, operating expenses, operating income, or earnings per share as a result of the restatements.

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year’s consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year presentation. The insurance receivable for the amount of workers’ compensation and third-party casualty claims in excess of self-insurance retention limits, which was previously offset against the reserve included in accrued expenses, has been reclassed to other accounts receivable, resulting in an $8.7 million increase in other accounts receivable and a corresponding increase in accrued expenses in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2016. Amounts totaling $18.6 million related to certain service centers of the Company’s Asset-Based operations previously recorded in leasehold improvements were reclassed to land and structures in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2016. Other reclassifications were made to the consolidated financial statements to apply the provisions of accounting pronouncements adopted during the first quarter of 2017 related to deferred income taxes, share-based compensation, and cash flow classification (see Adopted Accounting Pronouncements within this Note). The Company’s deferred tax assets were reclassed, by jurisdiction, from current to long-term in the consolidated balance sheets. The net change in restricted cash previously presented in financing activities of the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows was removed and restricted cash was included in the reconciliation of beginning- and end-of-period totals of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash. Cash paid by the Company when directly withholding shares from an employee’s share-based compensation award for tax-withholding purposes was reclassified from an operating activity within changes in income taxes to a financing activity in the consolidated statements of cash flows. There was no impact on the Company’s consolidated revenues, operating expenses, operating income, or earnings per share as a result of the reclassifications.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual amounts may differ from those estimates.

Accounting Policies

The Company’s accounting policies are described in Note B to the consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of the Company’s 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The following policy became effective for the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2017.

Share-Based Compensation: The fair value of restricted stock awards is determined based upon the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The restricted stock units generally vest at the end of a five‑year period following the date of grant, except for certain awards granted to non-employee directors that typically vest at the end of a one-year period for awards granted on or after January 1, 2016 and at the end of a three-year period for previous grants, subject to accelerated vesting due to death, disability, retirement, or change in control provisions. When restricted stock units become vested, the Company issues new shares which are subsequently distributed. Dividends or dividend equivalents are paid on certain restricted stock units during the vesting period. The Company recognizes the income tax benefits of dividends on share-based payment awards as income tax expense or benefit in the consolidated statements of operations when awards vest or are settled.

Share based awards are amortized to compensation expense on a straight line basis over the vesting period of awards or over the period to which the recipient first becomes eligible for retirement, whichever is shorter, with vesting accelerated upon death or disability. The Company recognizes forfeitures as they occur.

Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In the first quarter of 2017, the Company adopted guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) which amended Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) ASC Topic 740 with the addition of Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes.  The amendment was retrospectively adopted and resulted in reclassifications to the consolidated balance sheets to present all deferred tax assets and liabilities as noncurrent by jurisdiction.

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An amendment to ASC Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, was issued to simplify the accounting for share-based compensation, which requires the income tax effects of awards to be recognized in the statement of operations when awards vest or are settled and allows employers to make a policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur. The Company adopted the amendment in the first quarter of 2017. As a result of applying the provisions of the amendment, the Company recognized a $0.2 million cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The Company also made a policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur. The Company may experience volatility in its income tax provision as a result of recording all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies in the income statement upon settlement of awards, which is primarily during the second quarter of each year. This provision of the amendment related to recognition of excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies was adopted prospectively; therefore, the prior period has not been adjusted for this provision. Cash paid by the Company to taxing authorities on the employee’s behalf for withheld shares was reclassified from an operating activity within changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities to a financing activity in the consolidated statements of cash flows. The other provisions of the adopted amendment did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In the first quarter of 2017, the Company also adopted amendments to ASC Topic 230, Statement of Cash Flows, which provide classification guidance for restricted cash and certain cash receipts and cash payments presented in the statement of cash flows. The retrospective adoption of the amendments resulted in reclassification to the consolidated statement of cash flows to include restricted cash in the reconciliation of beginning- and end-of-period totals of cash and cash equivalents. Proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies will be classified as cash provided by investing activities, and cash payments for premiums on such insurance policies will be classified as cash used in operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

ASC Topic 606, which amends the guidance in former ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, provides a single comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers and contains principles to apply to determine the measurement of revenue and timing of when it is recognized. The standard is effective for the Company on January 1, 2018. The Company plans to adopt this standard on the modified retrospective basis and does not expect a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements.

An amendment to ASC Topic 715, Compensation – Retirement Benefits will require the service cost component of net benefit cost related to benefit plans accounted for under ASC Topic 715 to be included in the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the related employees and will allow only the service cost component of the net benefit cost to be eligible for capitalization of internal costs. The amendment will also require the other components of net benefit cost, including pension settlement expense, to be presented in other income (costs) rather than in operating income. The amendment is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2018. The Company is currently assessing the impact this update will have on the consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

ASC Topic 842, Leases, which is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2019, will require leases with a term greater than twelve months to be reflected as liabilities with associated right-of-use assets in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. The Company is evaluating the impact of the new standard on the consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

An amendment to ASC Topic 326, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which changes the impairment model for most financial assets and certain other instruments, is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2020. The Company is currently assessing the impact this update will have on the consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

Management believes that there is no other new accounting guidance issued but not yet effective that is relevant to the Company’s current financial statements.

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NOTE B – FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Financial Instruments

The following table presents the components of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, and restricted funds:

	March 31		December 31
	2017		2016
	(in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash deposits(1)	$	61,067	$	92,520
Variable rate demand notes(1)(2)		578		16,057
Money market funds(3)		20,608		5,703
Total cash and cash equivalents	$	82,253	$	114,280
Short-term investments
Certificates of deposit(1)	$	56,984	$	56,838
Restricted cash(4)
Cash deposits(1)	$	962	$	962

⁽¹⁾ Recorded at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates fair value.

⁽²⁾ Amounts may be redeemed on a daily basis with the original issuer.

⁽³⁾ Recorded at fair value as determined by quoted market prices (see amounts presented in the table of financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value within this Note).

⁽⁴⁾ Amounts restricted for use are subject to change based on the requirements of the Company’s collateralized facilities (see Note E).

The Company’s long-term investment financial instruments are presented in the table of financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value within this Note.

Concentrations of Credit Risk of Financial Instruments

The Company is potentially subject to concentrations of credit risk related to its cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments. The Company reduces credit risk by maintaining its cash deposits primarily in FDIC-insured accounts and placing its unrestricted short-term investments primarily in FDIC-insured certificates of deposit. However, certain cash deposits and certificates of deposit may exceed federally insured limits. At March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, cash and cash equivalents totaling $32.6 million and $39.9 million, respectively, were not FDIC insured.

Fair Value Disclosure of Financial Instruments

Fair value disclosures are made in accordance with the following hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the inputs of market data and market assumptions used to measure fair value are observable or unobservable:

· Level 1 — Quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets.

· Level 2 — Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

· Level 3 — Unobservable inputs (Company’s market assumptions) that are significant to the valuation model.

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Fair value and carrying value disclosures of financial instruments are presented in the following table:

	March 31				December 31
	2017				2016
	(in thousands)
		Carrying		Fair		Carrying		Fair
		Value		Value		Value		Value
Credit Facility(1)	$	70,000	$	70,000	$	70,000	$	70,000
Accounts receivable securitization borrowings(2)		35,000		35,000		35,000		35,000
Notes payable(3)		121,444		120,775		138,032		137,503
	$	226,444	$	225,775	$	243,032	$	242,503

⁽¹⁾ The revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) carries a variable interest rate based on LIBOR, plus a margin, that is considered to be priced at market for debt instruments having similar terms and collateral requirements (Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy).

⁽²⁾ Borrowings under the Company’s accounts receivable securitization program carry a variable interest rate based on LIBOR, plus a margin. The borrowings are considered to be priced at market for debt instruments having similar terms and collateral requirements (Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy).

⁽³⁾ Fair value of the notes payable was determined using a present value income approach based on quoted interest rates from lending institutions with which the Company would enter into similar transactions (Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy).

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Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis

The following table presents the assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

	March 31, 2017
			Fair Value Measurements Using
			Quoted Prices		Significant		Significant
			In Active		Observable		Unobservable
			Markets		Inputs		Inputs
	Total		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	(in thousands)
Assets:
Money market funds(1)	$	20,608	$	20,608	$	—	$	—
Equity, bond, and money market mutual funds held in trust related to the Voluntary Savings Plan(2)		2,271		2,271		—		—
	$	22,879	$	22,879	$	—	$	—
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration(3)	$	6,790	$	—	$	—	$	6,790
Interest rate swap(4)		319		—		319		—
	$	7,109	$	—	$	319	$	6,790

	December 31, 2016
			Fair Value Measurements Using
			Quoted Prices		Significant		Significant
			In Active		Observable		Unobservable
			Markets		Inputs		Inputs
	Total		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	(in thousands)
Assets:
Money market funds(1)	$	5,703	$	5,703	$	—	$	—
Equity, bond, and money market mutual funds held in trust related to the Voluntary Savings Plan(2)		2,220		2,220		—		—
	$	7,923	$	7,923	$	—	$	—
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration(3)	$	6,775	$	—	$	—	$	6,775
Interest rate swap(4)		542		—		542		—
	$	7,317	$	—	$	542	$	6,775

⁽¹⁾ Included in cash and cash equivalents.

⁽²⁾ Nonqualified deferred compensation plan investments consist of U.S. and international equity mutual funds, government and corporate bond mutual funds, and money market funds which are held in a trust with a third-party brokerage firm. Included in other long-term assets, with a corresponding liability reported within other long-term liabilities.

⁽³⁾ Included in accrued expenses and other long-term liabilities, based on when expected payouts become due. The estimated fair value of contingent consideration for an earn-out agreement related to the September 2016 acquisition of LDS was determined by assessing Level 3 inputs with a discounted cash flow approach using various probability-weighted scenarios. The Level 3 assessments utilize a Monte Carlo simulation with inputs including scenarios of estimated revenues and gross margins to be achieved for the applicable performance periods, probability weightings assigned to the performance scenarios, and the discount rate applied, which was 12.3% as of March 31, 2017. Subsequent changes to the fair value as a result of recurring assessments will be recognized in operating income.

⁽⁴⁾ Included in other long-term liabilities. The interest rate swap fair value was determined by discounting future cash flows and receipts based on expected interest rates observed in market interest rate curves adjusted for estimated credit valuation considerations reflecting nonperformance risk of the Company and the counterparty, which are considered to be in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company assessed Level 3 inputs as insignificant to the valuation at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 and considers the interest rate swap valuation in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

13

The following table provides the changes in fair value of the liabilities measured at fair value using inputs categorized in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy:

	Contingent Consideration
	(in thousands)
Balances at December 31, 2016	$	6,775
Change in fair value included in operating expenses		15
Balances at March 31, 2017	$	6,790

NOTE C – GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of net identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired. Goodwill by reportable operating segment consisted of the following:

	Total		ArcBest		FleetNet
	(in thousands)
Balances at December 31, 2016	$	108,875	$	108,245	$	630
Purchase accounting adjustments(1)		106		106		—
Balances at March 31, 2017	$	108,981	$	108,351	$	630

⁽¹⁾ Goodwill related to the September 2, 2016 acquisition of LDS is based on preliminary information as of March 31, 2017.

Intangible assets consisted of the following:

		March 31, 2017						December 31, 2016
	Weighted-Average			Accumulated		Net				Accumulated		Net
	Amortization Period	Cost		Amortization		Value			Cost	Amortization		Value
	(in years)	(in thousands)						(in thousands)
Finite-lived intangible assets
Customer relationships(1)	14	$	60,431	$	16,450	$	43,981	$	60,431	$	15,350	$	45,081
Driver network	3		3,200		3,200		—		3,200		3,200		—
Other	9		1,032		442		590		1,032		406		626
	13		64,663		20,092		44,571		64,663		18,956		45,707
Indefinite-lived intangible assets
Trade name	N/A		32,300		N/A		32,300		32,300		N/A		32,300
Other	N/A		2,500		N/A		2,500		2,500		N/A		2,500
			34,800				34,800		34,800				34,800
Total intangible assets	N/A	$	99,463	$	20,092	$	79,371	$	99,463	$	18,956	$	80,507

⁽¹⁾ Customer relationships of $7.7 million related to the September 2, 2016 acquisition of LDS is based on preliminary information as of March 31, 2017.

14

The future amortization for intangible assets and acquired software as of March 31, 2017 were as follows:

			Intangible		Acquired
	Total		Assets		Software(1)
	(in thousands)
2017	$	5,284	$	3,402	$	1,882
2018		6,654		4,520		2,134
2019		5,469		4,482		987
2020		4,471		4,454		17
2021		4,418		4,412		6
Thereafter		23,301		23,301		—
Total amortization	$	49,597	$	44,571	$	5,026

⁽¹⁾ Acquired software is reported in property, plant and equipment.

NOTE D – INCOME TAXES

The Company’s statutory federal tax rate is 35%. State tax rates vary among states and average approximately 6.0% to 6.5%, although some state rates are higher and a small number of states do not impose an income tax. The effective tax benefit rate was 41.4% and 37.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the difference between the Company’s effective tax rate and the federal statutory rate primarily results from state income taxes, nondeductible expenses, changes in deferred tax valuation allowances, and changes in the cash surrender value of life insurance. The three-month period ended March 31, 2016 reflects a benefit of 2.9% related to the alternative fuel tax credit which expired December 31, 2016.

An amendment to ASC Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation became effective in the first quarter of 2017. The amendment was issued to simplify the accounting for share-based compensation by requiring the income tax effects of awards to be recognized in the statement of operations when awards vest or are settled. As a result of applying the provisions of the amendment in the first quarter of 2017, the tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2017 reflects a benefit of 0.6%. The Company may experience volatility in its income tax provision as a result of recording all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies in the income statement upon settlement of awards, which is primarily during the second quarter of each year.

As of March 31, 2017, the Company’s deferred tax liabilities, which will reverse in future years, exceeded the deferred tax assets. The Company evaluated the total deferred tax assets at March 31, 2017 and concluded that, other than for certain deferred tax assets related to foreign net operating loss and state contribution carryforwards, the assets did not exceed the amount for which realization is more likely than not. In making this determination, the Company considered the future reversal of existing taxable temporary differences, taxable income in carryback years, future taxable income, and tax planning strategies.

The Company paid state income taxes of less than $0.1 million and paid state and foreign income taxes of $1.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 the Company received refunds of less than $0.1 million and $0.7 million, respectively, of federal and state income taxes that were paid in prior years.

15

NOTE E – LONG-TERM DEBT AND FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS

Long-Term Debt Obligations

Long-term debt consisted of borrowings outstanding under the Company’s revolving credit facility and accounts receivable securitization program, both of which are further described in Financing Arrangements within this Note, and notes payable and capital lease obligations related to the financing of revenue equipment (tractors and trailers used primarily in Asset-Based segment operations), real estate, and certain other equipment as follows:

	March 31		December 31
	2017		2016
	(in thousands)
Credit Facility (interest rate of 2.5%(1) at March 31, 2017)	$	70,000	$	70,000
Accounts receivable securitization borrowings (interest rate of 1.7% at March 31, 2017)		35,000		35,000
Notes payable (weighted-average interest rate of 2.2% at March 31, 2017)		121,444		138,032
Capital lease obligations (weighted-average interest rate of 5.7% at March 31, 2017)		626		641
		227,070		243,673
Less current portion		59,995		64,143
Long-term debt, less current portion	$	167,075	$	179,530

⁽¹⁾ The interest rate swap mitigates interest rate risk by effectively converting $50.0 million of borrowings under the Credit Facility from variable-rate interest to fixed-rate interest with a per annum rate of 3.35% based on the margin of the Credit Facility as of March 31, 2017.

Scheduled maturities of long-term debt obligations as of March 31, 2017 were as follows:

					Accounts
					Receivable
			Credit		Securitization		Notes		Capital Lease
	Total		Facility(1)		Program(1)		Payable		Obligations(2)
	(in thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	64,735	$	1,944	$	759	$	61,802	$	230
Due after one year through two years		44,207		2,275		925		40,772		235
Due after two years through three years		122,755		71,886		36,047		14,621		201
Due after three years through four years		5,310		—		—		5,303		7
Due after four years through five years		2,338		—		—		2,331		7
Due after five years		—		—		—		—		—
Total payments		239,345		76,105		37,731		124,829		680
Less amounts representing interest		12,275		6,105		2,731		3,385		54
Long-term debt	$	227,070	$	70,000	$	35,000	$	121,444	$	626

⁽¹⁾ The future interest payments included in the scheduled maturities due are calculated using variable interest rates based on the LIBOR swap curve, plus the anticipated applicable margin.

⁽²⁾ Minimum payments of capital lease obligations include maximum amounts due under rental adjustment clauses contained in the capital lease agreements.

16

Assets securing notes payable or held under capital leases were included in property, plant and equipment as follows:

	March 31		December 31
	2017		2016
	(in thousands)
Revenue equipment	$	220,381	$	220,566
Land and structures (service centers)		1,794		1,794
Software		671		—
Service, office, and other equipment		7		7
Total assets securing notes payable or held under capital leases		222,853		222,367
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization(1)		72,430		61,643
Net assets securing notes payable or held under capital leases	$	150,423	$	160,724

⁽¹⁾ Amortization of assets under capital leases and depreciation of assets securing notes payable are included in depreciation expense.

Financing Arrangements

Credit Facility

The Company has a revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) under its credit agreement which was amended and restated on January 2, 2015 (“the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement”). The Credit Facility, which matures on January 2, 2020, has an initial maximum credit amount of $150.0 million, including a swing line facility and a letter of credit sub-facility providing for the issuance of letters of credit up to an aggregate amount of $20.0 million. The Credit Facility allows the Company to request additional revolving commitments or incremental term loans thereunder up to an aggregate additional amount of $75.0 million, subject to certain additional conditions as provided in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. Principal payments under the Credit Facility are due upon maturity; however, borrowings may be repaid, at the Company’s discretion, in whole or in part at any time, without penalty, subject to required notice periods and compliance with minimum prepayment amounts. Borrowings under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement can either be, at the Company’s election: (i) at an alternate base rate (as defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement) plus a spread; or (ii) at a Eurodollar rate (as defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement) plus a spread. The applicable spread is dependent upon the Company’s adjusted leverage ratio (as defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement). The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement contains conditions, representations and warranties, events of default, and indemnification provisions that are customary for financings of this type, including, but not limited to, a minimum interest coverage ratio, a maximum adjusted leverage ratio, and limitations on incurrence of debt, investments, liens on assets, certain sale and leaseback transactions, transactions with affiliates, mergers, consolidations, purchases and sales of assets, and certain restricted payments. The Company was in compliance with the covenants under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement at March 31, 2017.

Interest Rate Swap

The Company has an interest rate swap agreement with a $50.0 million notional amount maturing on January 2, 2020. The Company receives floating-rate interest amounts based on one-month LIBOR in exchange for fixed-rate interest payments of 1.85% over the life of the interest rate swap agreement. The interest rate swap mitigates interest rate risk by effectively converting $50.0 million of borrowings under the Credit Facility from variable-rate interest to fixed-rate interest with a per annum rate of 3.35% based on the margin of the Credit Facility as of March 31, 2017. The fair value of the interest rate swap of $0.3 million and $0.5 million was recorded in other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. The unrealized loss on the interest rate swap instrument was reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, in stockholders’ equity at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, and the change in the unrealized loss on the interest rate swap for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 was reported in other comprehensive loss, net of tax, in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. The interest rate swap is subject to certain customary provisions that could allow the counterparty to request immediate payment of the fair value liability upon violation of any or all of the provisions. The Company was in compliance with all provisions of the interest rate swap agreement at March 31, 2017.

17

Accounts Receivable Securitization Program

On March 20, 2017, the Company entered into a second amendment to extend the maturity date of its accounts receivable securitization program until April 1, 2020 and increase the amount of cash proceeds provided under the facility from $100.0 million to $125.0 million, with an accordion feature allowing the Company to request additional borrowings up to $25.0 million, subject to certain conditions. Under this program, certain subsidiaries of the Company continuously sell a designated pool of trade accounts receivables to a wholly owned subsidiary which, in turn, may borrow funds on a revolving basis. This wholly owned consolidated subsidiary is a separate bankruptcy-remote entity, and its assets would be available only to satisfy the claims related to the lender’s interest in the trade accounts receivables. Borrowings under the accounts receivable securitization program bear interest based upon LIBOR, plus a margin, and an annual facility fee. The securitization agreement contains representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants, and events of default that are customary for financings of this type, including a maximum adjusted leverage ratio covenant. As of March 31, 2017, $35.0 million was borrowed under the accounts receivable securitization program. The Company was in compliance with the covenants under the accounts receivable securitization program as of March 31, 2017.

The accounts receivable securitization program includes a provision under which the Company may request and the letter of credit issuer may issue standby letters of credit, primarily in support of workers’ compensation and third-party casualty claims liabilities in various states in which the Company is self-insured. The outstanding standby letters of credit reduce the availability of borrowings under the program. As of March 31, 2017, standby letters of credit of $18.0 million have been issued under the program, which reduced the available borrowing capacity to $72.0 million.

In April 2017, the Company borrowed an additional $10.0 million under the accounts receivable securitization program further reducing its available borrowing capacity to $62.0 million.

Letter of Credit Agreements and Surety Bond Programs

As of March 31, 2017, the Company had letters of credit outstanding of $19.6 million (including $18.0 million issued under the accounts receivable securitization program), of which $1.0 million were collateralized by restricted cash. The Company has programs in place with multiple surety companies for the issuance of surety bonds in support of its self-insurance program. As of March 31, 2017, surety bonds outstanding related to the self-insurance program totaled $54.4 million.

Notes Payable and Capital Leases

The Company has financed the purchase of certain revenue equipment, other equipment, and software through promissory note arrangements, including $0.7 million for software during the three months ended March 31, 2017.

18

NOTE F – PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

Nonunion Defined Benefit Pension, Supplemental Benefit, and Postretirement Health Benefit Plans

The following is a summary of the components of net periodic benefit cost:

	Three Months Ended March 31
	Nonunion Defined				Supplemental				Postretirement
	Benefit Pension Plan				Benefit Plan				Health Benefit Plan
	2017		2016		2017		2016		2017		2016
	(in thousands)
Service cost	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	122	$	107
Interest cost		1,240		1,305		26		32		265		254
Expected return on plan assets		(2,167)		(1,946)		—		—		—		—
Amortization of prior service credit		—		—		—		—		(47)		(47)
Pension settlement expense		1,957		900		—		—		—		—
Amortization of net actuarial loss(1)		886		955		20		38		173		176
Net periodic benefit cost	$	1,916	$	1,214	$	46	$	70	$	513	$	490

⁽¹⁾ The Company amortizes actuarial losses over the average remaining active service period of the plan participants and does not use a corridor approach.

Nonunion Defined Benefit Pension Plan

The Company’s nonunion defined benefit pension plan covers substantially all noncontractual employees hired before January 1, 2006. In June 2013, the Company amended the nonunion defined benefit pension plan to freeze the participants’ final average compensation and years of credited service as of July 1, 2013. The plan amendment did not impact the vested benefits of retirees or former employees whose benefits have not yet been paid from the plan. Effective July 1, 2013, participants of the nonunion defined benefit pension plan who were active employees of the Company became eligible for the discretionary defined contribution feature of the Company’s nonunion 401(k) and defined contribution plan in which all eligible noncontractual employees hired subsequent to December 31, 2005 also participate.

In first quarter 2017, the nonunion defined benefit pension plan purchased a nonparticipating annuity contract from an insurance company to settle the pension obligation related to the vested benefits of approximately 50 plan participants and beneficiaries receiving monthly benefit payments at the time of the contract purchase. The Company recognized pension settlement expense as a component of net periodic benefit cost for the three months ended March 31, 2017 of $2.0 million (pre-tax), or $1.2 million (after-tax), related to the $7.6 million premium paid by the plan for the annuity contract and $4.8 million of lump-sum benefit distributions from the plan. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, pension settlement expense of $0.9 million (pre-tax), or $0.6 million (after-tax), was recognized related to $4.5 million of lump-sum distributions from the plan. Upon recognition of pension settlement expense, a corresponding reduction in the unrecognized net actuarial loss of the plan is recorded. The remaining pre-tax unrecognized net actuarial loss will continue to be amortized over the average remaining future years of service of the active plan participants. The Company will incur additional quarterly settlement expense related to lump-sum distributions from the nonunion defined benefit pension plan during the remainder of 2017.

19

The following table discloses the changes in benefit obligations and plan assets of the nonunion defined benefit pension plan for the three months ended March 31, 2017:

	Nonunion Defined
	Benefit Pension Plan
	(in thousands)
Change in benefit obligations
Benefit obligations at December 31, 2016	$	152,006
Interest cost		1,240
Actuarial loss(1)		4,290
Benefits paid		(12,532)
Benefit obligations at March 31, 2017		145,004
Change in plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at December 31, 2016		144,805
Actual return on plan assets		4,050
Benefits paid		(12,532)
Fair value of plan assets at March 31, 2017		136,323
Funded status at March 31, 2017(2)	$	(8,681)
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	145,004

⁽¹⁾ Primarily impacted by actuarial increases in the valuation of participant data as of January 1, 2017. The actuarial loss from remeasurement upon settlement was also impacted by a decrease in the discount rate at March 31, 2017 compared to the previous remeasurement at December 31, 2016.

⁽²⁾ Noncurrent liability recognized within pension and postretirement liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2017.

Based upon current actuarial information, the Company does not have a minimum cash contribution requirement to its nonunion defined benefit pension plan for 2017; however, depending on relevant factors, the Company could make a contribution to the plan during 2017. The plan’s preliminary adjusted funding target attainment percentage (“AFTAP”) is projected to be 107.8% as of the January 1, 2017 valuation date. The AFTAP is determined by measurements prescribed by the Internal Revenue Code, which differ from the funding measurements for financial statement reporting purposes.

Multiemployer Plans

ABF Freight System, Inc. and certain other subsidiaries reported in the Company’s Asset-Based operating segment (“ABF Freight”) contribute to multiemployer pension and health and welfare plans, which have been established pursuant to the Taft-Hartley Act, to provide benefits for its contractual employees. ABF Freight’s contributions generally are based on the time worked by its contractual employees, in accordance with the ABF NMFA and other related supplemental agreements. ABF Freight recognizes as expense the contractually required contributions for each period and recognizes as a liability any contributions due and unpaid.

The 25 multiemployer pension plans to which ABF Freight contributes vary greatly in size and in funded status. Contribution obligations to these plans are specified in the ABF NMFA, which will remain in effect through March 31, 2018. The funding obligations to the pension plans are intended to satisfy the requirements imposed by the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (the “PPA”), which was permanently extended by the Multiemployer Pension Reform Act (the “Reform Act”) included in the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2015. Provisions of the Reform Act include, among others, providing qualifying plans the ability to self-correct funding issues, subject to various requirements and restrictions, including applying to the U.S. Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury Department”) for the reduction of certain accrued benefits. Through the term of its current collective bargaining agreement, ABF Freight’s contribution obligations generally will be satisfied by making the specified contributions when due. However, the Company cannot determine with any certainty the contributions that will be required under future collective bargaining agreements for ABF Freight’s contractual employees. If ABF Freight was to completely withdraw from certain multiemployer pension plans, under current law, ABF Freight would have material liabilities for its share of the unfunded vested liabilities of each such plan.

20

Approximately one half of ABF Freight’s total contributions to multiemployer pension plans are made to the Central States, Southeast and Southwest Areas Pension Plan (the “Central States Pension Plan”). ABF Freight received an Actuarial Certification of Plan Status for the Central States Pension Plan dated March 31, 2017, in which the plan’s actuary certified that, as of January 1, 2017, the plan is in critical and declining status, as defined by the Reform Act, with the funded percentage projected to be 40.0% as of the January 1, 2017 valuation date. Critical and declining status is applicable to critical status plans that are projected to become insolvent anytime within the next 14 plan years, or if the plan is projected to become insolvent within the next 19 plan years and either the plan’s ratio of inactive participants to active participants exceeds two to one or the plan’s funded percentage is less than 80%.

As previously disclosed in the Company’s 2016 Form 10-K, ABF Freight received a Notice of Insolvency from the Road Carriers Local 707 Pension Fund (the “707 Pension Fund”) for the plan year beginning February 1, 2016. On March 1, 2017, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (“PBGC”) announced that beginning February 1, 2017 benefits to retirees were reduced to PBGC guarantee limits for insolvent multiemployer plans. The PBGC provides financial assistance to insolvent multiemployer plans to pay retiree benefits not to exceed guaranteed limits. The 707 Pension Fund will continue to administer the fund as the PBGC provides financial assistance. Approximately 1% of ABF Freight’s total multiemployer pension contributions are made to the 707 Pension Fund. Based on currently available information, it is the Company’s understanding that if the 707 Pension Fund becomes insolvent, ABF Freight’s benefit contribution rates under the ABF NMFA will be frozen and ABF Freight will be required to continue making contributions at the frozen rate throughout and after the current ABF NMFA contract period, which extends to March 31, 2018; however, there can be no assurance in this regard.

The multiemployer plan administrators have provided to the Company no other significant changes in information related to multiemployer plans from the information disclosed in the Company’s 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K. 

NOTE G – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows:

	March 31		December 31
	2017		2016
	(in thousands)
Pre-tax amounts:
Unrecognized net periodic benefit costs	$	(28,737)	$	(29,320)
Interest rate swap		(319)		(542)
Foreign currency translation		(1,783)		(1,978)
Total	$	(30,839)	$	(31,840)
After-tax amounts:
Unrecognized net periodic benefit costs	$	(21,530)	$	(21,886)
Interest rate swap		(194)		(329)
Foreign currency translation		(1,083)		(1,202)
Total	$	(22,807)	$	(23,417)

21

The following is a summary of the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by component for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:

			Unrecognized			Interest	Foreign
			Net Periodic			Rate	Currency
	Total		Benefit Costs			Swap	Translation
	(in thousands)
Balances at December 31, 2016	$	(23,417)	$	(21,886)	$	(329)	$	(1,202)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(1,217)		(1,471)		135		119
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss		1,827		1,827		—		—
Net current-period other comprehensive income		610		356		135		119
Balances at March 31, 2017	$	(22,807)	$	(21,530)	$	(194)	$	(1,083)
Balances at December 31, 2015	$	(27,496)	$	(25,497)	$	(545)	$	(1,454)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(3,466)		(3,504)		(546)		584
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss		1,235		1,235		—		—
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)		(2,231)		(2,269)		(546)		584
Balances at March 31, 2016	$	(29,727)	$	(27,766)	$	(1,091)	$	(870)

The following is a summary of the significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss by component:

	Unrecognized Net Periodic
	Benefit Costs(1)(2)
	Three Months Ended March 31
	2017		2016
	(in thousands)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	$	(1,079)	$	(1,169)
Amortization of prior service credit		47		47
Pension settlement expense		(1,957)		(900)
Total, pre-tax		(2,989)		(2,022)
Tax benefit		1,162		787
Total, net of tax	$	(1,827)	$	(1,235)

⁽¹⁾ Amounts in parentheses indicate increases in expense or loss.

⁽²⁾ These components of accumulated other comprehensive loss are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost (see Note F).

Dividends on Common Stock

The following table is a summary of dividends declared during the applicable quarter:

	2017				2016
	Per Share		Amount		Per Share		Amount
	(in thousands, except per share data)
First quarter	$	0.08	$	2,066	$	0.08	$	2,088

On May 2, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.08 per share to stockholders of record as of May 16, 2017, payable on May 30, 2017.

22

Treasury Stock

The Company has a program to repurchase its common stock in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The program has no expiration date but may be terminated at any time at the Board of Directors’ discretion. Repurchases may be made using the Company’s cash reserves or other available sources. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had $37.7 million remaining under the program for repurchases of its common stock. The Company did not make share repurchases during the three months ended March 31, 2017.

NOTE H – SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

Stock Awards

As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company had outstanding restricted stock units granted under the 2005 Ownership Incentive Plan (“the 2005 Plan”). The 2005 Plan, as amended, provides for the granting of 3.1 million shares, which may be awarded as incentive and nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, or restricted stock units (“RSUs”).

Restricted Stock Units

A summary of the Company’s restricted stock unit award program is presented below:

	Units
Outstanding – January 1, 2017	1,477,537
Granted	2,500
Vested	(26,998)
Forfeited(1)	(18,759)
Outstanding – March 31, 2017	1,434,280

⁽¹⁾ Forfeitures are recognized as they occur.

The RSUs granted during the period had a weighted-average grant date fair value of $30.18 per share.

23

NOTE I – EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31
	2017		2016
	(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Basic
Numerator:
Net loss	$	(7,407)	$	(6,103)
Effect of unvested restricted stock awards		(17)		(18)
Adjusted net loss	$	(7,424)	$	(6,121)
Denominator:
Weighted-average shares		25,684,475		25,822,522
Loss per common share	$	(0.29)	$	(0.24)
Diluted
Numerator:
Net loss	$	(7,407)	$	(6,103)
Effect of unvested restricted stock awards		(17)		(18)
Adjusted net loss	$	(7,424)	$	(6,121)
Denominator:
Weighted-average shares		25,684,475		25,822,522
Effect of dilutive securities		—		—
Adjusted weighted-average shares and assumed conversions		25,684,475		25,822,522
Loss per common share	$	(0.29)	$	(0.24)

Under the two-class method of calculating earnings per share, dividends paid and a portion of undistributed net income, but not losses, are allocated to unvested RSUs that receive dividends, which are considered participating securities. Beginning with 2015 grants, the RSU agreements were modified to remove dividend rights; therefore, the RSUs granted subsequent to 2015 are not participating securities. Outstanding stock awards of 0.8 million and 0.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, were not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation because their inclusion would have the effect of decreasing the loss per share.

NOTE J – OPERATING SEGMENT DATA

The Company uses the “management approach” to determine its reportable operating segments, as well as to determine the basis of reporting the operating segment information. The management approach focuses on financial information that the Company’s management uses to make operating decisions. Management uses revenues, operating expense categories, operating ratios, operating income, and key operating statistics to evaluate performance and allocate resources to the Company’s operations.

On November 3, 2016, the Company announced its plan to implement a new corporate structure which unified the Company’s sales, pricing, customer service, marketing, and capacity sourcing functions effective January 1, 2017. As previously reported in the Company’s 2016 Annual Report on Form 10‑K, the operating segments previously reported as Premium Logistics (Panther), Transportation Management (ABF Logistics), and Household Goods Moving Services (ABF Moving) were combined into a single asset‑light logistics operation reported under the ArcBest segment for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2016.

The Company has restated certain prior year operating segment data in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to conform to the current year presentation. Segment revenues and expenses were adjusted to eliminate certain intercompany charges consistent with the manner in which they are reported under the new corporate structure. Certain intercompany charges among the previously reported Panther, ABF Logistics, and ABF Moving segments which were previously eliminated in the “Other and eliminations” line, are now eliminated within the ArcBest segment. There was no impact on the Company’s consolidated revenues, operating expenses, operating income, or earnings per share as a result of the restatements.

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The Company’s reportable operating segments are impacted by seasonal fluctuations which affect tonnage, shipment levels, and demand for services, as described below; therefore, operating results for the interim periods presented may not necessarily be indicative of the results for the fiscal year.

The Company’s reportable operating segments are as follows:

· Asset-Based, which includes the results of operations of ABF Freight System, Inc. and certain other subsidiaries. The operations include national, inter-regional, and regional transportation of general commodities through standard, expedited, and guaranteed LTL services. In addition, the segment operations include freight transportation related to certain consumer household goods self-move services.

Freight shipments and operating costs of the Asset-Based segment can be adversely affected by inclement weather conditions. The second and third calendar quarters of each year usually have the highest tonnage levels while the first quarter generally has the lowest, although other factors, including the state of the U.S. and global economies, may influence quarterly freight tonnage levels.

· The ArcBest segment includes the results of operations of the Company’s Expedite, Truckload, and Truckload-Dedicated businesses as well as its premium logistics services; international freight transportation with air, ocean, and ground service offerings; household goods moving services to consumer, commercial, and government customers; warehousing management and distribution services; and managed transportation solutions.

ArcBest segment operations are influenced by seasonal fluctuations that impact customers’ supply chains and the resulting demand for expedite services. The second and third calendar quarters of each year usually have the highest shipment levels while the first quarter generally has the lowest, although other factors, including the state of the U.S. and global economies, may impact quarterly business levels. Expedite shipments of the ArcBest segment may decline during winter months because of post-holiday slowdowns but can be subject to short-term increases depending on the impact of weather disruptions to customers’ supply chains. Plant shutdowns during summer months may affect shipments for automotive and manufacturing customers of the ArcBest segment, but severe weather events can result in higher demand for expedite services. The household goods moving services of the ArcBest segment are impacted by seasonal fluctuations, generally resulting in higher business levels in the second and third quarters as the demand for moving services is typically stronger in the summer months. Seasonal fluctuations are less apparent in the operating results of the Truckload and Truckload-Dedicated services of the ArcBest segment than in the industry as a whole because of business growth, including acquisitions, in this service offering of the segment.

· FleetNet includes the results of operations of FleetNet America, Inc. and certain other subsidiaries that provide roadside assistance and maintenance management services for commercial vehicles through a network of third-party service providers. FleetNet also provides services to the Asset-Based and ArcBest segments.

Emergency roadside service events of the FleetNet segment are favorably impacted by adverse weather conditions that affect commercial vehicle operations and the segment’s results of operations will be influenced by seasonal variations in service event volume.

The Company’s other business activities and operating segments that are not reportable include ArcBest Corporation and certain other subsidiaries. Certain costs incurred by the parent holding company and the Company’s shared services subsidiary are allocated to the reporting segments. The Company eliminates intercompany transactions in consolidation. However, the information used by the Company’s management with respect to its reportable segments is before intersegment eliminations of revenues and expenses.

Further classifications of operations or revenues by geographic location are impracticable and, therefore, are not provided. The Company’s foreign operations are not significant.

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The following tables reflect reportable operating segment information:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31
	2017		2016(1)
	(in thousands)
REVENUES
Asset-Based	$	464,356	$	439,063
ArcBest(2)		152,876		142,397
FleetNet		40,238		43,564
Other and eliminations		(6,382)		(3,569)
Total consolidated revenues	$	651,088	$	621,455
OPERATING EXPENSES
Asset-Based
Salaries, wages, and benefits	$	304,843	$	296,162
Fuel, supplies, and expenses		75,432		66,689
Operating taxes and licenses		11,869		11,980
Insurance		7,109		6,466
Communications and utilities		4,822		4,372
Depreciation and amortization		20,983		20,392
Rents and purchased transportation		46,608		39,696
Gain on sale of property and equipment		(617)		(172)
Pension settlement expense(3)		1,401		677
Other		1,791		1,800
Restructuring costs(4)		140		—
Total Asset-Based		474,381		448,062
ArcBest(2)
Purchased transportation		121,919		111,831
Salaries, wages, and benefits		16,536		18,581
Supplies and expenses		5,286		4,418
Depreciation and amortization		3,366		3,465
Other		4,058		4,094
Restructuring costs(4)		810		—
Total ArcBest		151,975		142,389
FleetNet		39,264		42,580
Other and eliminations(4)		(2,279)		(2,311)
Total consolidated operating expenses(3)	$	663,341	$	630,720

⁽¹⁾ Certain restatements have been made to the prior year’s operating segment data to conform to the current year presentation, reflecting the realignment of the Company’s corporate structure as previously discussed in this Note.

⁽²⁾ The 2017 period includes the operations of LDS, which was acquired in September 2016.

⁽³⁾ For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, pre-tax pension settlement expense on a consolidated basis totaled $2.0 million and $0.9 million, respectively, of which $1.4 million and $0.7 million, respectively, was reported by the Asset-Based segment.

⁽⁴⁾ Restructuring costs relate to the realignment of the Company’s corporate structure (see Note K). Other and eliminations includes $0.7 million of restructuring costs.

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	Three Months Ended
	March 31
	2017		2016(1)
	(in thousands)
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
Asset-Based	$	(10,025)	$	(8,999)
ArcBest(2)		901		8
FleetNet		974		984
Other and eliminations		(4,103)		(1,258)
Total consolidated operating loss	$	(12,253)	$	(9,265)
OTHER INCOME (COSTS)
Interest and dividend income	$	274	$	401
Interest and other related financing costs		(1,315)		(1,247)
Other, net(3)		647		366
Total other costs		(394)		(480)
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	$	(12,647)	$	(9,745)

⁽¹⁾ Certain restatements have been made to the prior year’s operating segment data to conform to the current year presentation, reflecting the realignment of the Company’s corporate structure as previously discussed in this Note.

⁽²⁾ The 2017 periods include the operations of LDS, which was acquired in September 2016.

⁽³⁾ Includes proceeds and changes in cash surrender value of life insurance policies.

The following table presents operating expenses by category on a consolidated basis:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31
	2017		2016(1)
	(in thousands)
OPERATING EXPENSES
Salaries, wages, and benefits	$	334,829	$	331,137
Rents, purchased transportation, and other costs of services		199,871		184,699
Fuel, supplies, and expenses		72,662		63,135
Depreciation and amortization(2)		25,394		25,151
Other		28,954		26,598
Restructuring(3)		1,631		—
	$	663,341	$	630,720

⁽¹⁾ Certain restatements have been made to the prior year’s operating expense data to conform to the current year presentation, reflecting the realignment of the Company’s corporate structure as previously discussed in this Note.

⁽²⁾ Includes amortization of intangible assets.

⁽³⁾ Restructuring costs relate to the realignment of the Company’s corporate structure.

NOTE K – RESTRUCTURING CHARGES

On November 3, 2016, the Company announced its plan to implement a new corporate structure to better serve its customers. The new corporate structure unified the Company’s sales, pricing, customer service, marketing, and capacity sourcing functions effective January 1, 2017, and allows the Company to operate as one logistics provider under the ArcBest brand. As a result of the restructuring, the Company recorded $1.6 million of restructuring charges in operating expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2017, primarily for employee-related costs.

The Company estimates it will incur restructuring charges of approximately $1.0 million during the remainder of 2017 primarily for employee-related costs associated with the plan announced during 2016.

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NOTE L – LEGAL PROCEEDINGS, ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS, AND OTHER EVENTS

The Company is involved in various legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company maintains liability insurance against certain risks arising out of the normal course of its business, subject to certain self-insured retention limits. The Company routinely establishes and reviews the adequacy of reserves for estimated legal, environmental, and self-insurance exposures. While management believes that amounts accrued in the consolidated financial statements are adequate, estimates of these liabilities may change as circumstances develop. Considering amounts recorded, routine legal matters are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

Environmental Matters

The Company’s subsidiaries store fuel for use in tractors and trucks in 62 underground tanks located in 18 states. Maintenance of such tanks is regulated at the federal and, in most cases, state levels. The Company believes it is in substantial compliance with all such regulations. The Company’s underground storage tanks are required to have leak detection systems. The Company is not aware of any leaks from such tanks that could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

The Company has received notices from the Environmental Protection Agency and others that it has been identified as a potentially responsible party under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act, or other federal or state environmental statutes, at several hazardous waste sites. After investigating the Company’s involvement in waste disposal or waste generation at such sites, the Company has either agreed to de minimis settlements or determined that its obligations, other than those specifically accrued with respect to such sites, would involve immaterial monetary liability, although there can be no assurances in this regard.

At March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company’s reserve, which was reported in accrued expenses, for estimated environmental cleanup costs of properties currently or previously operated by the Company totaled $0.5 million. Amounts accrued reflect management’s best estimate of the future undiscounted exposure related to identified properties based on current environmental regulations, management’s experience with similar environmental matters, and testing performed at certain sites.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITIONAND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

General

ArcBest Corporation® (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our”) provides a comprehensive suite of freight transportation services and integrated logistics solutions. On November 3, 2016, we announced our plan to implement a new corporate structure that unified our sales, pricing, customer service, marketing, and capacity sourcing functions effective January 1, 2017, and allows us to operate as one logistics provider under the ArcBest brand. References to the Company, including “we,” “us,” and “our,” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are primarily to the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

Our operations are conducted through our three reportable operating segments: Asset-Based, which consists of ABF Freight System, Inc. and certain other subsidiaries; ArcBest, our asset-light logistics operation; and FleetNet. The ArcBest and the FleetNet reportable segments combined represent our Asset-Light operations. We have restated certain prior year operating segment data in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to conform to the current year presentation. There was no impact on our consolidated revenues, operating expenses, operating income, or earnings per share as a result of the restatements. See additional descriptions of our segments and the restatements made to certain prior year operating segment data in Note J to our consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) describes the principal factors affecting our results of operations, liquidity and capital resources, and critical accounting policies. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the accompanying quarterly unaudited consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. Our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K includes additional information about significant accounting policies, practices, and the transactions that underlie our financial results, as well as a detailed discussion of the most significant risks and uncertainties to which our financial and operating results are subject.

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Results of Operations

Consolidated Results

	Three Months Ended
	March 31
	2017		2016
	(in thousands, except per share data)
REVENUES
Asset-Based	$	464,356	$	439,063
ArcBest		152,876		142,397
FleetNet		40,238		43,564
Other and eliminations		(6,382)		(3,569)
Total consolidated revenues	$	651,088	$	621,455
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
Asset-Based	$	(10,025)	$	(8,999)
ArcBest		901		8
FleetNet		974		984
Other and eliminations		(4,103)		(1,258)
Total consolidated operating loss	$	(12,253)	$	(9,265)
NET LOSS	$	(7,407)	$	(6,103)
DILUTED LOSS PER SHARE	$	(0.29)	$	(0.24)

Our consolidated revenues, which totaled $651.1 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2017, increased 4.8% compared to the same prior-year period. The year-over-year increase in consolidated revenues reflect a 5.8% increase in our Asset-Based revenues and a 3.8% increase in revenues of our Asset-Light operations, which represent the combined operations of our ArcBest and FleetNet segments. Our Asset-Based revenues reflect increased revenue per hundredweight including fuel surcharges and profile effects, partially offset by lower tonnage on a per day basis. Asset-Light revenue growth was primarily due to incremental revenues from Logistics & Distribution Services, LLC (“LDS”), which was acquired in September 2016. On a combined basis, the Asset-Light operating segments generated approximately 29% of our total revenues before other revenues and intercompany eliminations for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

The decline in our consolidated operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to the same prior-year period, was primarily due to higher pension settlement expense and the restructuring charges related to the realignment of our organizational structure. The consolidated pre-tax pension settlement charge recognized for the nonunion defined benefit pension plan for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 was $2.0 million and $0.9 million, respectively, related to lump-sum benefit distributions from the plan in both periods and an annuity contract purchase for the 2017 period. We expect to continue to recognize pre-tax pension settlement expense related to the nonunion defined benefit pension plan estimated to approximate $0.8 million per quarter; however, the amount of quarterly pension settlement expense will fluctuate based on the amount of lump-sum benefit distributions paid to participants, actual returns on plan assets, and changes in the discount rate used to remeasure the projected benefit obligation of the plan upon settlement. Consolidated operating loss for the three months ended March 31, 2017 was impacted by restructuring charges of $1.6 million pre-tax, or $0.04 per diluted share after-tax, of which $0.7 million were included in the “Other and eliminations” line of consolidated operating loss. “Other and eliminations” also includes personnel and technology expenses related to investments in improving the ArcBest experience and solutions for our customers to provide an improved platform for revenue growth and to enhance our ability to offer our comprehensive transportation and logistics services across multiple operating segments. As a result of these ongoing investments and other corporate costs, we expect the loss reported in “Other and eliminations” to be approximately $4.0 million for second quarter 2017.

In addition to the above items, the year-over-year comparisons of consolidated net loss and loss per share were impacted by the effective tax rates, as further described within the Income Taxes section of MD&A, and by higher income from changes in the cash surrender value of variable life insurance policies, which is reported below the operating income line in the consolidated statements of operations. A portion of these policies have investments, through separate accounts, in equity and fixed income securities and, therefore, are subject to market volatility. Changes in the cash surrender value of

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life insurance policies contributed $0.02 to diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to $0.01 per share in the same period of 2016.

Consolidated Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”)

We report our financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). However, management believes that certain non-GAAP performance measures and ratios, such as Adjusted EBITDA, utilized for internal analysis provide analysts, investors, and others the same information that we use internally for purposes of assessing our core operating performance and provides meaningful comparisons between current and prior period results, as well as important information regarding performance trends. Accordingly, using these measures improves comparability in analyzing our performance because it removes the impact of items from operating results that, in management's opinion, do not reflect our core operating performance. Management uses Adjusted EBITDA as a key measure of performance and for business planning. The measure is particularly meaningful for analysis of our operating performance, because it excludes amortization of acquired intangibles and software of the Asset-Light businesses, which are significant expenses resulting from strategic decisions rather than core daily operations. Additionally, Adjusted EBITDA is a primary component of the financial covenants contained in our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (see Financing Arrangements within the Liquidity and Capital Resources section of MD&A). Other companies may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently; therefore, our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, our reported results. Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as a better measurement than operating income, operating cash flow, net income, or earnings per share, as determined under GAAP.

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA

	Three Months Ended
	March 31
	2017		2016
	($ thousands)
Net loss	$	(7,407)	$	(6,103)
Interest and other related financing costs		1,315		1,247
Income tax benefit		(5,240)		(3,642)
Depreciation and amortization		25,394		25,151
Amortization of share-based compensation		1,731		1,709
Amortization of net actuarial losses of benefit plans and pension settlement expense		3,037		2,069
Restructuring charges		1,631		—
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA	$	20,461	$	20,431

Asset-Based Operations

Asset-Based Segment Overview

The Asset-Based segment consists of ABF Freight System, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of ArcBest Corporation, and certain other subsidiaries (“ABF Freight”). Our Asset-Based operations are affected by general economic conditions, as well as a number of other competitive factors that are more fully described in “Business” in Item 1 and “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10‑K.

The key indicators necessary to understand the operating results of our Asset-Based segment include:

· overall customer demand for Asset-Based transportation services, including the impact of economic factors;

· volume of transportation services provided, primarily measured by average daily shipment weight (“tonnage”), which influences operating leverage as the level of tonnage and number of shipments vary;

· prices obtained for services, primarily measured by yield (“revenue per hundredweight”), including fuel surcharges; and

· ability to manage cost structure, primarily in the area of salaries, wages, and benefits (“labor”), with the total cost structure measured by the percent of operating expenses to revenue levels (“operating ratio”).

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The Asset-Based segment represented approximately 71% of our total revenues before other revenues and intercompany eliminations for the three months ended March 31, 2017. As of March 2017, approximately 83% of Asset-Based employees were covered under a collective bargaining agreement, the ABF National Master Freight Agreement (the “ABF NMFA”), with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (the “IBT”), which extends through March 31, 2018. The ABF NMFA included a 7% wage rate reduction effective on the November 3, 2013 implementation date, followed by wage rate increases of 2% on July 1 in each of the next three years, which began in 2014, and a 2.5% increase on July 1, 2017; a one-week reduction in annual compensated vacation effective for employee anniversary dates on or after April 1, 2013; the option to expand the use of purchased transportation; and increased flexibility in labor work rules. The ABF NMFA and the related supplemental agreements provide for continued contributions to various multiemployer health, welfare, and pension plans maintained for the benefit of Asset-Based employees who are members of the IBT. The estimated net effect of the November 3, 2013 wage rate reduction and the benefit rate increase which was applied retroactively to August 1, 2013 was an initial reduction of approximately 4% to the combined total contractual wage and benefit rate under the ABF NMFA. Following the initial reduction, the combined contractual wage and benefit contribution rate under the ABF NMFA is estimated to increase approximately 2.5% on a compounded annual basis throughout the contract period which extends through March 31, 2018.

Tonnage

The level of tonnage managed by the Asset-Based segment is directly affected by industrial production and manufacturing, distribution, residential and commercial construction, consumer spending, primarily in the North American economy, and capacity in the trucking industry. Operating results are affected by economic cycles, customers’ business cycles, and changes in customers’ business practices. The Asset-Based segment actively competes for freight business based primarily on price, service, and availability of flexible shipping options to customers. The Asset-Based segment seeks to offer value through identifying specific customer needs, then providing operational flexibility and seamless access to its services and those of our Asset-Light operations in order to respond with customized solutions.

Pricing

The industry pricing environment, another key factor to our Asset-Based results, influences the ability to obtain appropriate margins and price increases on customer accounts. Externally, pricing is typically measured by billed revenue per hundredweight, which is a reasonable, although approximate, measure of price change. Generally, freight is rated by a class system, which is established by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. Light, bulky freight typically has a higher class and is priced at a higher revenue per hundredweight than dense, heavy freight. Changes in the rated class and packaging of the freight, along with changes in other freight profile factors such as average shipment size, average length of haul, freight density, and customer and geographic mix, can affect the average billed revenue per hundredweight measure.

Approximately 35% of Asset-Based business is subject to base LTL tariffs, which are affected by general rate increases, combined with individually negotiated discounts. Rates on the other 65% of Asset-Based business, including business priced in the spot market, are subject to individual pricing arrangements that are negotiated at various times throughout the year. The majority of the business that is subject to negotiated pricing arrangements is associated with larger customer accounts with annually negotiated pricing arrangements, and the remaining business is priced on an individual shipment basis considering each shipment’s unique profile, value provided to the customer, and current market conditions. Since pricing is established individually by account, the Asset-Based segment focuses on individual account profitability rather than a single measure of billed revenue per hundredweight when considering customer account or market evaluations. This is due to the difficulty of quantifying, with sufficient accuracy, the impact of changes in freight profile characteristics, which is necessary in estimating true price changes.

Fuel

The transportation industry is dependent upon the availability of adequate fuel supplies. The Asset-Based segment charges a fuel surcharge which is based on the index of national on-highway average diesel fuel prices published weekly by the U.S. Department of Energy. Although revenues from fuel surcharges generally more than offset direct diesel fuel costs, other operating costs have been, and may continue to be, impacted by fluctuating fuel prices. The total impact of energy prices on other nonfuel-related expenses is difficult to ascertain. Management cannot predict, with reasonable certainty, future fuel price fluctuations, the impact of energy prices on other cost elements, recoverability of fuel costs through fuel

32

surcharges, and the effect of fuel surcharges on the overall rate structure or the total price that the segment will receive from its customers. While the fuel surcharge is one of several components in the overall rate structure, the actual rate paid by customers is governed by market forces and the overall value of services provided to the customer.

During periods of changing diesel fuel prices, the fuel surcharge and associated direct diesel fuel costs also vary by different degrees. Depending upon the rates of these changes and the impact on costs in other fuel- and energy-related areas, operating margins could be impacted. Fuel prices have fluctuated significantly in recent years. Whether fuel prices fluctuate or remain constant, operating results may be adversely affected if competitive pressures limit our ability to recover fuel surcharges. Throughout the first three months of 2017, the fuel surcharge mechanism generally continued to have market acceptance among customers; however, certain nonstandard pricing arrangements have limited the amount of fuel surcharge recovered. The negative impact on operating margins of capped fuel surcharge revenue during periods of increasing fuel costs is more evident when fuel prices remain above the maximum levels recovered through the fuel surcharge mechanism on certain accounts.

In periods of declining fuel prices, fuel surcharge percentages also decrease, which negatively impacts the total billed revenue per hundredweight measure and, consequently, revenues, and the revenue decline may be disproportionate to our fuel costs. To better align fuel surcharges to fuel- and energy-related expenses and provide more stability to account profitability as fuel prices change, we may, from time to time, revise our standard fuel surcharge program which impacts approximately 40% of Asset-Based shipments and primarily affects noncontractual customers. The year-over-year Asset-Based revenue comparison for the three months ended March 31, 2017 was impacted by higher fuel surcharge revenue due to an increase in the nominal fuel surcharge rate, while total fuel costs were also higher. The segment’s operating results will continue to be impacted by further changes in fuel prices and the related fuel surcharges.

Labor Costs

Labor costs, including retirement and healthcare benefits for contractual employees that are provided by a number of multiemployer plans, are impacted by contractual obligations under the ABF NMFA and other related supplemental agreements. Salaries, wages, and benefits of the Asset-Based segment amounted to 65.7% and 67.4% of revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The year-over-year decrease as a percentage of revenue was influenced by the effect of higher revenues, including fuel surcharges, as a portion of operating costs are fixed in nature and decrease as a percent of revenue with increases in revenue levels.

ABF Freight operates in a highly competitive industry which consists predominantly of nonunion motor carriers. Nonunion competitors have a lower fringe benefit cost structure and less stringent labor work rules, and certain carriers also have lower wage rates for their freight-handling and driving personnel. Wage and benefit concessions granted to certain union competitors also allow for a lower cost structure. ABF Freight has continued to address with the IBT the effect of the segments wage and benefit cost structure on its operating results.

The combined effect of cost reductions under the ABF NMFA, lower cost increases throughout the contract period, and increased flexibility in labor work rules are important factors in bringing ABF Freight’s labor cost structure closer in line with that of its competitors; however, under its collective bargaining agreement, ABF Freight continues to pay some of the highest benefit contribution rates in the industry. These rates include contributions to multiemployer plans, a portion of which are used to fund benefits for individuals who were never employed by ABF Freight. Information provided by a large multiemployer pension plan to which ABF Freight contributes indicates that approximately 50% of the plan’s benefit payments are made to retirees of companies that are no longer contributing employers to that plan. In consideration of the impact of high multiemployer pension contribution rates, certain funds have not increased ABF Freight’s pension contribution rate for the annual contribution period which began August 1, 2016. Rate freezes for the annual contribution period which began August 1, 2016 impacted multiemployer pension plans to which ABF Freight made approximately 65% of its total multiemployer pension contributions for the year ended December 31, 2016.

The Multiemployer Pension Reform Act of 2014 (the “Reform Act”), which was included in the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2015, includes provisions to address the funding of multiemployer pension plans in critical and declining status, including certain of those in which ABF Freight participates. Provisions of the Reform Act include, among others, providing qualifying plans the ability to self-correct funding issues, subject to various requirements

33

and restrictions, including applying to the U.S. Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury Department”) for the suspension of certain benefits.

In September 2015, the Central States, Southeast and Southwest Areas Pension Plan (the “Central States Pension Plan”) filed an application with the Treasury Department seeking approval under the Reform Act for a pension rescue plan, which included benefit reductions for participants of the Central States Pension Plan in an attempt to avoid the insolvency of the plan that otherwise is projected by the plan to occur. In May 2016, the Treasury Department denied the Central States Pension Plan’s proposed rescue plan. The trustees of the Central States Pension Plan subsequently announced that a new rescue plan would not be submitted and stated that it is not possible to develop and implement a new rescue plan that complies with the final Reform Act regulations issued by the Treasury Department on April 26, 2016. Although the future of the Central States Pension Plan is impacted by a number of factors, without legislative action, the plan is currently projected to become insolvent within 10 years or less. ABF Freight’s current collective bargaining agreement with the IBT provides for contributions to the Central States Pension Plan through March 31, 2018, and it is our understanding that ABF Freight’s benefit contribution rate is not expected to increase during this period (though there are no guarantees). ABF Freight’s contribution rates are made in accordance with its collective bargaining agreements with the IBT and other related supplemental agreements. In consideration of high multiemployer plan contribution rates, several of the plans in addition to Central States Pension Plan have frozen contribution rates at current levels under ABF Freight’s current collective bargaining agreement. Future contribution rates will be determined through the negotiation process for contract periods following the term of the current collective bargaining agreement. The Asset-Based segment pays some of the highest benefit contribution rates in the industry and continues to address the effect of the segment’s wage and benefit cost structure on its operating results in discussions with the IBT.

As previously disclosed in our 2016 Form 10-K, ABF Freight received a Notice of Insolvency from the Road Carriers Local 707 Pension Fund (the “707 Pension Fund”) for the plan year beginning February 1, 2016. On March 1, 2017, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (“PBGC”) announced that beginning February 1, 2017 benefits to retirees were reduced to PBGC guarantee limits for insolvent multiemployer plans. The PBGC provides financial assistance to insolvent multiemployer plans to pay retiree benefits not to exceed guaranteed limits. The 707 Pension Fund will continue to administer the fund as the PBGC provides financial assistance. Approximately 1% of ABF Freight’s total multiemployer pension contributions are made to the 707 Pension Fund. Based on currently available information, it is our understanding that ABF Freight’s benefit contribution rates to the 707 Pension Fund under the ABF NMFA will be frozen and ABF Freight will be required to continue making contributions at the frozen rate throughout and after the current ABF NMFA contract period, which extends to March 31, 2018; however, there can be no assurance in this regard.

Some employer companies that participate in multiemployer plans, in which ABF Freight also participates, have received proposals from, and entered into transition agreements with, certain multiemployer plans to restructure future plan contributions to be more in line with benefit levels. These transition agreements, which require mutual agreement of numerous elements between the multiemployer plan and the contributing employer, may also result in recognition of significant withdrawal liabilities. We monitor and evaluate any such proposals we receive, including the potential economic impact to our business. At the current time, there are no proposals that have been provided to ABF Freight that management considers acceptable.

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Asset-Based Segment Results

The following table sets forth a summary of operating expenses and operating loss as a percentage of revenue for the Asset-Based segment:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31
	2017		2016
Asset-Based Operating Expenses (Operating Ratio)
Salaries, wages, and benefits	65.7	%	67.4	%
Fuel, supplies, and expenses	16.3		15.2
Operating taxes and licenses	2.6		2.7
Insurance	1.5		1.5
Communications and utilities	1.0		1.0
Depreciation and amortization	4.5		4.6
Rents and purchased transportation	10.0		9.0
Gain on sale of property and equipment	(0.1)		—
Pension settlement expense	0.3		0.2
Other	0.4		0.4
Restructuring costs	—		—
	102.2	%	102.0	%
Asset-Based Operating Loss	(2.2)	%	(2.0)	%

The following table provides a comparison of key operating statistics for the Asset-Based segment:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31
	2017		2016		% Change
Workdays		64.0		63.5
Billed revenue(1) per hundredweight, including fuel surcharges	$	29.47	$	27.72	6.3	%
Pounds		1,590,350,243		1,588,943,977	0.1	%
Pounds per day		24,849,223		25,022,740	(0.7)	%
Shipments per day		20,577		19,470	5.7	%
Shipments per DSY(2) hour		0.449		0.446	0.7	%
Pounds per DSY(2) hour		541.83		573.06	(5.4)	%
Pounds per shipment		1,208		1,285	(6.0)	%
Pounds per mile(3)		19.84		19.73	0.6	%

⁽¹⁾ Revenue for undelivered freight is deferred for financial statement purposes in accordance with the revenue recognition policy. Billed revenue used for calculating revenue per hundredweight measurements has not been adjusted for the portion of revenue deferred for financial statement purposes.

⁽²⁾ Dock, street, and yard (“DSY”) measures are further discussed in Asset-Based Operating Expenses within this section of Asset-Based Segment Results. The Asset-Based segment uses shipments per DSY hour to measure labor efficiency in the Asset-Based segment’s local operations, although total pounds per DSY hour is also a relevant measure when the average shipment size is changing.

⁽³⁾ Total pounds per mile is used to measure labor efficiency of its linehaul operations, although this metric is influenced by other factors including freight density, loading efficiency, average length of haul, and the degree to which purchased transportation, including rail service, is used.

Asset-Based Revenues

Asset-Based segment revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2017 totaled $464.4 million compared to $439.1 million for the same period of 2016. Billed revenue (as described in footnote (1) to the key operating statistics table above) increased 5.6% on a per-day basis for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to the same prior-year period, reflecting a 6.3% increase in total billed revenue per hundredweight, including fuel surcharges, partially offset by a 0.7% decrease in tonnage per day. The increase in total billed revenue per hundredweight benefited from freight profile

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effects and higher fuel surcharge revenues associated with increased fuel prices during the three-month period ended March 31, 2017.

The 0.7% decline in tonnage per day for the three months ended March 31, 2017, reflects the impact of mixed freight market conditions during the first three months of 2017. Although total tonnage declined, we experienced strong shipment growth. Average weight per shipment declined 6.0%, compared to the prior year quarter, while daily shipment counts increased 5.7%. The lower weight per shipment in first quarter 2017 reflects a combination of factors, including: growth in e-commerce-related shipments which generally have smaller average shipment sizes, excess spot truckload capacity in the market compared to the prior year quarter which provided alternative carriers for some of our customers’ large-sized shipments, and the impact of the soft freight environment on larger industrial customer shipments. The lower weight per shipment resulted in lower revenue per shipment without a corresponding reduction in cost due to the labor required to handle the higher shipment levels (discussed further in the Operating Income and Operating Expenses paragraphs that follow).

The Asset-Based segment implemented nominal general rate increases on its LTL base rate tariffs of 5.25% effective August 29, 2016, although the rate changes vary by lane and shipment characteristics. Softness in the market due to available truckload capacity, as previously mentioned, applied downward pressure on average price increases as customers solicit bids for contract renewals. Despite the impact of excess capacity and a competitive industry pricing environment, prices on accounts subject to deferred pricing agreements and annually negotiated contracts which were renewed during the period increased approximately 3.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

The increase in total billed revenue per hundredweight, including fuel surcharges, for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to the same period of 2016, benefited from changes in freight profile, the general rate increase, contract renewals, and an increase in the nominal fuel surcharge rate. Compared to the same prior-year period, the average nominal fuel surcharge rate for the three months ended March 31, 2017 increased approximately 280 basis points, from the levels of the same period of 2016. Excluding changes in fuel surcharges, average pricing on the Asset-Based segment’s LTL business for the three months ended March 31, 2017 had a low-single-digit percentage increase when compared to the same prior-year period.

Asset-Based Revenues — April 2017

Asset-Based billed revenues for the month of April 2017 increased approximately 7% from April 2016 on a per-day basis, reflecting an increase in total billed revenue per hundredweight of approximately 6%, which includes higher fuel surcharges. Average daily total tonnage for April 2017 increased approximately 1% compared to April 2016 levels. The Asset-Based segment continued to experience soft freight markets and handled fewer spot volume shipments during April 2017 versus the same prior-year period, which resulted in a lower weight per shipment, offset by a year-over-year increase in total shipments per day of approximately 6% in April 2017. There can be no assurances that the current pricing trend will continue. The competitive environment could limit the Asset-Based segment from securing adequate increases in base LTL freight rates and could limit the amount of fuel surcharge revenue recovered.

Asset-Based Operating Loss

The Asset-Based segment operating ratio for the three-month period ended March 31, 2017 increased by 0.2 percentage points over the same prior-year period. The Asset-Based segment generated an operating loss of $10.0 million and $9.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The operating ratio deterioration and operating loss comparison reflect a $0.7 million increase in nonunion pension settlement expense and $0.1 million of restructuring charges associated with our corporate realignment. Excluding these items, the Asset-Based operating ratio was essentially unchanged compared to the prior year quarter. Improving the Asset-Based operating ratio is dependent upon: managing the segment’s cost structure (as discussed in Labor Costs of the Asset-Based Segment Overview of Results of Operations) and securing price increases to cover contractual wage and benefit rate increases, costs of maintaining customer service levels, and other inflationary increases in cost elements.

The trend we have experienced in recent quarters of growth in shipment levels at a lower average weight per shipment continued in first quarter 2017. Since revenue for each shipment is typically determined by applying a price, which considers profile characteristics of the shipment, to the weight of the shipment, this trend has had a negative impact on revenue per shipment while still requiring operating resources (including labor and, in certain markets, local purchased

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transportation agents) to handle higher numbers of shipments. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, shipments increased 5.7% per day while daily tonnage declined 0.7%, leading to lower weight per shipment and, consequently, lower revenue per shipment. The Asset-Based segment operating ratio was also impacted by changes in the operating expenses discussed in the following paragraphs.

Asset-Based Operating Expenses

Labor costs, which are reported in operating expenses as salaries, wages, and benefits, amounted to 65.7% and 67.4% of Asset-Based segment revenues for the three-month period ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Salaries, wages, and benefits costs increased $8.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to the same prior-year period. The year-over-year increases in labor costs were impacted by increases in contractual wage and benefit contribution rates under the ABF NMFA. The contractual wage rate increased 2.0% effective July 1, 2016, and the average health, welfare, and pension benefit contribution rate increased approximately 3.3% effective primarily on August 1, 2016, including the effect of the multiemployer pension plan rate freezes previously discussed in the Asset-Based Segment Overview section of Results of Operations.

Although the Asset-Based segment manages costs with shipment levels, portions of salaries, wages, and benefits are fixed in nature and the adjustments which would otherwise be necessary to align the labor cost structure throughout the system to corresponding tonnage levels are limited as the segment strives to maintain customer service. Management believes that this service emphasis provides for the opportunity to generate improved yields and business levels. Returning productivity to historical levels is an important priority for the management team in order to reduce costs. The 0.7% improvement in shipments per DSY hour for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to the same prior-year period, was influenced by higher utilization of purchased transportation, as further discussed below. Lower weight per shipment during first quarter 2017, compared to first quarter 2016, contributed to a 5.4% decrease in pounds per DSY hour. The 0.6% increase in pounds per mile reflects a combination of increased utilization of purchased transportation, including rail services, and more efficient linehaul operations.

Fuel, supplies, and expenses as a percentage of revenue increased 1.1 percentage points for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to the same prior-year period, primarily due to an increase in the Asset-Based segment’s average fuel price per gallon (excluding taxes) of approximately 44%. The increase in fuel, supplies, and expenses was partially offset by fewer road miles driven during the 2017 period and improved fuel efficiency.

Rents and purchased transportation as a percentage of revenue increased 1.0 percentage point for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to the same prior-year period. The increase in these costs was primarily related to higher utilization of local purchased transportation agents, an increase in rail miles of approximately 15%, and higher fuel surcharges associated with these purchased transportation services which were needed to handle higher shipment levels.

Asset-Light Operations

Asset-Light Overview

The ArcBest and FleetNet reportable segments, combined, represent our Asset-Light operations. Our Asset-Light operations are a key component of our strategy to offer customers a single source of end-to-end logistics solutions, designed to satisfy the complex supply chain and unique shipping requirements they encounter. Our corporate structure unifies our sales, pricing, customer service, marketing, and capacity sourcing functions to better serve our customers through delivery of integrated logistics solutions.

Our Asset-Light operations are affected by general economic conditions, as well as a number of other competitive factors that are more fully described in “Business” in Item 1 and “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10‑K. The key indicators necessary to understand our Asset-Light operating results include:

· customer demand for logistics and premium transportation services combined with economic factors which influence the number of shipments or service events used to measure changes in business levels;

· prices obtained for services, primarily measured by revenue per shipment or event;

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· net revenue for the ArcBest segment, which is defined as revenues less purchased transportation operating expense; and

· management of operating costs.

As previously disclosed within the General section of MD&A, we have restated certain prior year operating segment data in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to conform to the current year presentation. See descriptions of the Asset-Light operating segments and discussion of the restated prior year operating segment data in Note J to our consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q.

For the three months ended March 31, 2017, the combined revenues of our Asset-Light operations totaled $193.1 million, accounting for approximately 29% of total revenues before other revenues and intercompany eliminations, compared to combined revenues of $186.0 million, or approximately 30% of total revenues before other revenues and intercompany eliminations, for the same period of 2016.

ArcBest Segment

The following table provides a comparison of key operating statics for the ArcBest Segment.

	Year Over Year % Change
	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2017
Expedite(1)
Revenue / Shipment		9.9%
Shipments / Day		(1.8%)
Truckload and Truckload - Dedicated(2)
Revenue / Shipment		2.7%
Shipments / Day		16.5%

⁽¹⁾ Expedite primarily represents the expedited operations which were previously reported in the Premium Logistics (Panther) segment.

⁽²⁾ Truckload represents the brokerage operations and Truckload – Dedicated represents the dedicated operations of LDS, both of which were previously reported in the Transportation Management (ABF Logistics) segment. Comparisons are impacted by the operations of LDS, which was acquired in September 2016.

The ArcBest segment revenues totaled $152.9 million and $142.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The 7.4% increase in revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to the same prior-year period, primarily reflects incremental revenues from Truckload-Dedicated, which represents the acquired operations of LDS. Excluding the impact of revenues from the LDS acquisition, ArcBest segment revenues declined due to decreases in shipment levels, partially offset by higher revenue per shipment which was influenced by higher fuel prices in first quarter 2017 compared to the prior year quarter. The decrease in shipment levels, excluding the impact of the acquired LDS operations, primarily reflects lower demand for our truckload brokerage and household goods moving services.

ArcBest segment net revenue, which is a measure of revenues less costs of purchased transportation, increased 1.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to the same period of 2016, primarily due to higher incremental revenues from LDS. ArcBest’s net revenue margin was 20.3% for first quarter 2017, versus 21.5% for first quarter 2016, with the year-over-year declines reflecting the increased cost of purchased transportation outpacing improvements in customer rates. Net revenue for our Expedite services improved for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to the same prior-year period, reflecting a 9.9% increase in revenue per shipment driven by a longer average length of haul, partially offset by a 1.8% decrease in shipments per day. Net revenue for our Truckload and Truckload-Dedicated business increased for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to the same period of 2016, primarily due to the acquisition of LDS.

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Operating income increased $0.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to the same period of 2016. The ArcBest segment profit improvement was negatively impacted by restructuring charges of $0.8 million in first quarter 2017 related to realignments under our enhanced marketing approach. (See Note J and Note K to our consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q for discussion of our corporate restructuring.) The profit improvement primarily reflects lower salaries, wages, and benefits due to alignment of the segment’s labor structure resulting from our restructuring.

FleetNet Segment

FleetNet’s revenues totaled $40.2 million and $43.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The 7.6% decrease in revenues was primarily due to lower roadside event activity for the three-month period ended March 31, 2017, versus the same period of 2016, partially offset by an increase in preventative maintenance service events and improved pricing for both roadside and preventative maintenance services.

Despite the lower revenues, FleetNet’s first quarter 2017 operating income was relatively consistent with first quarter 2016, reflecting labor efficiencies and alignment of the segment’s cost structure to business levels.

Asset-Light Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”)

We report our financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). However, management believes that certain non-GAAP performance measures and ratios, such as Adjusted EBITDA, utilized for internal analysis provide analysts, investors, and others the same information that we use internally for purposes of assessing our core operating performance and provides meaningful comparisons between current and prior period results, as well as important information regarding performance trends. Accordingly, using these measures improves comparability in analyzing our performance because it removes the impact of items from operating results that, in management's opinion, do not reflect our core operating performance. Management uses EBITDA as a key measure of performance and for business planning. The measure is particularly meaningful for analysis, because it excludes amortization of acquired intangibles and software of the Asset-Light businesses, which are significant expenses resulting from strategic decisions rather than core daily operations. Management also believes Adjusted EBITDA to be relevant and useful information, as EBITDA is a standard measure commonly reported and widely used by analysts, investors, and others to measure financial performance of asset-light businesses and the ability to service debt obligations. Other companies may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently; therefore, our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, our reported results. Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as a better measurement than operating income (loss), operating cash flow, net income (loss), or earnings (loss) per share, as determined under GAAP.

Asset-Light Adjusted EBITDA

	Three Months Ended March 31
	2017								2016
	Operating		Depreciation and		Restructuring		Adjusted		Operating		Depreciation and		Adjusted
	Income(1)(2)		Amortization(3)		Charges(4)		EBITDA		Income(1)(2)		Amortization(3)		EBITDA
	(in thousands)
ArcBest	$	901	$	3,366	$	810	$	5,077	$	8	$	3,465	$	3,473
FleetNet		974		280		—		1,254		984		287		1,271
Asset-Light Adjusted EBITDA	$	1,875	$	3,646	$	810	$	6,331	$	992	$	3,752	$	4,744

⁽¹⁾ The calculation of Adjusted EBITDA as presented in this table begins with operating income, as other income (costs), income taxes, and net income are reported at the consolidated level and not included in the operating segment financial information evaluated by management to make operating decisions. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA is reconciled to consolidated net income in the Consolidated Results section of Results of Operations.

⁽²⁾ Certain restatements have been made to the prior year’s operating segment data to conform to the current year presentation, reflecting the realignment of our corporate structure.

⁽³⁾ For the ArcBest segment, depreciation and amortization includes amortization of acquired intangibles of $1.1 million and $0.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and amortization of acquired software of $0.8 million and $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

⁽⁴⁾ Restructuring costs relate to the realignment of our corporate structure.

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Seasonality

Our operations are impacted by seasonal fluctuations which affect tonnage, shipment levels, and demand for our services and, consequently, revenues and operating results. Freight shipments and operating costs of our Asset-Based and ArcBest segments can be adversely affected by inclement weather conditions. The second and third calendar quarters of each year usually have the highest tonnage levels, while the first quarter generally has the lowest, although other factors, including the state of the U.S. and global economies, may influence quarterly freight tonnage levels.

Expedite shipments of the ArcBest segment may decline during winter months because of post-holiday slowdowns but can be subject to short-term increases depending on the impact of weather disruptions to customers’ supply chains. Plant shutdowns during summer months may affect shipments for automotive and manufacturing customers of the ArcBest segment, but severe weather events can result in higher demand for expedite services. The household goods moving services of the ArcBest segment are impacted by seasonal fluctuations, generally resulting in higher business levels in the second and third quarters as the demand for moving services is typically stronger in the summer months. Seasonal fluctuations are less apparent in the operating results of the Truckload and Truckload-Dedicated services of the ArcBest segment than in the industry as a whole because of business growth, including acquisitions, in this service offering of the segment.

Emergency roadside service events of the FleetNet segment are favorably impacted by severe weather conditions that affect commercial vehicle operations, and the segment’s results of operations will be influenced by seasonal variations in service event volume.

Effects of Inflation

Generally, inflationary increases in labor and fuel costs as they relate to our Asset-Based operations have historically been mostly offset through price increases and fuel surcharges. In periods of increasing fuel prices, the effect of higher associated fuel surcharges on the overall price to the customer influences our ability to obtain increases in base freight rates. In addition, certain nonstandard arrangements with some of our customers have limited the amount of fuel surcharge recovered. The timing and extent of base price increases on our Asset-Based revenues may not correspond with contractual increases in wage rates and other inflationary increases in cost elements and, as a result, could adversely impact our operating results.

In addition, partly as a result of inflationary pressures, our revenue equipment (tractors and trailers) have been and will very likely continue to be replaced at higher per unit costs, which could result in higher depreciation charges on a per-unit basis; however, in recent periods, improved mileage and lower maintenance costs on newer equipment have partially offset increases in depreciation expense. We consider these costs in setting our pricing policies, although the overall freight rate structure is governed by market forces based on value provided to the customer. The Asset-Based segment’s ability to fully offset inflationary and contractual cost increases can be challenging during periods of recessionary and uncertain economic conditions.

Generally, inflationary increases in labor and operating costs regarding our Asset-Light operations have historically been offset through price increases. The pricing environment, however, generally becomes more competitive during economic downturns, which may, as it has in the past, affect the ability to obtain price increases from customers.

In addition to general effects of inflation, the motor carrier freight transportation industry faces rising costs related to compliance with government regulations on safety, equipment design and maintenance, driver utilization, emissions, and fuel economy.

Environmental and Legal Matters

We are subject to federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations relating to, among other things: emissions control, transportation or handling of hazardous materials, underground and aboveground storage tanks, stormwater pollution prevention, contingency planning for spills of petroleum products, and disposal of waste oil. We may transport or arrange for the transportation of hazardous materials and explosives, and we operate in industrial areas where truck

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terminals and other industrial activities are located and where groundwater or other forms of environmental contamination could occur. See Note L to our consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further discussion of the environmental matters to which we are subject and the reserves we currently have recorded in our consolidated financial statements for amounts related to such matters.

We are involved in various legal actions, the majority of which arise in the ordinary course of business. We maintain liability insurance against certain risks arising out of the normal course of our business, subject to certain self-insured retention limits. We routinely establish and review the adequacy of reserves for estimated legal, environmental, and self-insurance exposures. While management believes that amounts accrued in the consolidated financial statements are adequate, estimates of these liabilities may change as circumstances develop. Considering amounts recorded, routine legal matters are not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

Information Technology and Cybersecurity

We depend on the proper functioning and availability of our information systems, including communications and data processing systems and proprietary software programs that are integral to the efficient operation of our business. Cybersecurity attacks and cyber incidents that impact the availability, reliability, speed, accuracy, or other proper functioning of these systems or that result in confidential data being compromised could have a significant impact on our operations. We utilize certain software applications provided by third parties, or provide underlying data which is utilized by third parties who provide certain outsourced administrative functions, either of which may increase the risk of a cybersecurity incident. Our information systems are protected through physical and software safeguards as well as backup systems considered appropriate by management. However, it is not practicable to protect against the possibility of power loss, telecommunications failures, cybersecurity attacks, and other cyber events in every potential circumstance that may arise. To mitigate the potential for such occurrences at our corporate headquarters, we have implemented various systems, including redundant telecommunication facilities; replication of critical data to an offsite location; a fire suppression system to protect our on-site data center; and electrical power protection and generation facilities. We also have a catastrophic disaster recovery plan and alternate processing capability available for our critical data processes in the event of a catastrophe that renders our corporate headquarters unusable.

Our business interruption and cyber insurance would offset losses up to certain coverage limits in the event of a catastrophe or certain cyber incidents; however, losses arising from a catastrophe or significant cyber incident would likely exceed our insurance coverage and could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition. Furthermore, a significant cyber incident, including denial of service, system failure, security breach, intentional or inadvertent acts by employees, disruption by malware, or other damage, could interrupt or delay our operations, damage our reputation, cause a loss of customers, cause errors or delays in financial reporting, expose us to a risk of loss or litigation, and/or cause us to incur significant time and expense to remedy such event. We have experienced incidents involving attempted denial of service attacks, malware attacks, and other events intended to disrupt information systems, wrongfully obtain valuable information, or cause other types of malicious events that could have resulted in harm to our business. To date, the systems employed have been effective in identifying these types of events at a point when the impact on our business could be minimized. We have made and continue to make significant financial investments in technologies and processes to mitigate these risks. Management is not aware of any cybersecurity incident that has had a material effect on our operations, although there can be no assurances that a cyber incident that could have a material impact to our operations could not occur.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our primary sources of liquidity are unrestricted cash,  cash equivalents, and short-term investments, cash generated by operations, and borrowing capacity under our revolving credit facility or accounts receivable securitization program.

Cash Flow and Short-Term Investments

Components of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, and restricted cash were as follows:

	March 31		December 31
	2017		2016
	(in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents(1)	$	82,253	$	114,280
Short-term investments, primarily FDIC-insured certificates of deposit		56,984		56,838
Total unrestricted		139,237		171,118
Restricted cash(2)		962		962
Total(3)	$	140,199	$	172,080

⁽¹⁾ Cash equivalents consist of money market funds and variable rate demand notes.

⁽²⁾ Restricted cash represents cash deposits pledged as collateral for outstanding letters of credit in support of workers’ compensation and third-party casualty claims liabilities (see the Financing Arrangements in this section of MD&A).

⁽³⁾ Cash, variable rate demand notes, and certificates of deposit are recorded at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates fair value. Money market funds are recorded at fair value based on quoted prices. At  March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 cash and cash equivalents totaling $32.6 million and $39.9 million, respectively, were not FDIC insured.

Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments, including amounts restricted, decreased $31.9 million from December 31, 2016 to March 31, 2017. During the three-month period ended March 31, 2017, cash provided by operations of $1.8 million and cash on hand was used to repay $17.3 million of notes payable; fund $10.6 million of capital expenditures, net of proceeds from asset sales; and pay dividends of $2.1 million on common stock. Cash provided by operating activities during the three months ended March 31, 2017 was $10.6 million below the same prior-year period, primarily due to changes in working capital and lower operating results.

Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments, including amounts restricted, decreased $22.2 million from December 31, 2015 to March 31, 2016. During the three-month period ended March 31, 2016, cash provided by operations of $12.3 million and cash on hand was used to fund $10.9 million of capital expenditures net of proceeds from asset sales (and an additional $1.9 million of certain ABF Freight revenue equipment purchases were financed with notes payable); repay $11.1 million of notes payable; purchase $2.6 million of treasury stock; pay $5.1 million of book overdrafts (representing checks issued that are later funded when cleared through banks); and pay dividends of $2.1 million on common stock.

Financing Arrangements

Our financing arrangements are discussed further in Note E to our consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Credit Facility

Under our amended and restated credit agreement (the “Amended and Restated Credit Agreement”), we have a revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) which had an initial maximum credit amount of $150.0 million, including a swing line facility and a letter of credit sub-facility providing for the issuance of letters of credit up to an aggregate amount of $20.0 million. The Credit Facility allows us to request additional revolving commitments or incremental term loans thereunder up to an aggregate additional amount of $75.0 million, subject to certain additional conditions as provided in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. Principal payments under the Credit Facility are due upon maturity of the facility on January 2, 2020; however, borrowings may be repaid at our discretion in whole or in part at any time, without penalty, subject to required notice periods and compliance with minimum prepayment amounts. The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement includes certain conditions including limitations on incurrence of debt.

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Interest Rate Swap

We have a five-year forward-starting interest rate swap agreement with a $50.0 million notional amount maturing on January 2, 2020. Under the interest rate swap agreement, we receive floating-rate interest amounts based on one-month LIBOR in exchange for fixed-rate interest payments of 1.85% over the life of the agreement. The interest rate swap mitigates interest rate risk by effectively converting $50.0 million of borrowings under our Credit Facility from variable-rate interest to fixed-rate interest with a per annum rate of 3.35% based on the margin of the Credit Facility as of March 31, 2017. The fair value of the interest rate swap liability of $0.3 million and $0.5 million was recorded in other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

Accounts Receivable Securitization Program

Our accounts receivable securitization program, which matures on April 1, 2020, provides cash proceeds of $125.0 million and has an accordion feature allowing us to request additional borrowings up to $25.0 million, subject to certain conditions. Under this program, certain of our subsidiaries continuously sell a designated pool of trade accounts receivables to a wholly owned subsidiary which, in turn, may borrow funds on a revolving basis. During 2015, we borrowed $35.0 million and in April 2017, we borrowed an additional $10.0 million under the accounts receivable securitization program to provide additional funds for investing in our subsidiaries’ capital needs and to maintain flexibility for our growth initiatives.

The accounts receivable securitization program includes a provision under which we may request and the letter of credit issuer may issue standby letters of credit, primarily in support of workers’ compensation and third-party casualty claims liabilities in various states in which we are self-insured. The outstanding standby letters of credit reduce the availability of borrowings under the program. As of March 31, 2017, we had available borrowing capacity of $72.0 million under the accounts receivable securitization program. Following the additional borrowing in April 2017, our available borrowing capacity under the program was $62.0 million.

Letter of Credit Agreements and Surety Bond Programs

As of March 31, 2017, we had letters of credit outstanding of $19.6 million (including $18.0 million issued under the accounts receivable securitization program), of which $1.0 million were collateralized by restricted cash. We have programs in place with multiple surety companies for the issuance of surety bonds in support of our self-insurance program. As of March 31, 2017, surety bonds outstanding related to our self-insurance program totaled $54.4 million.

Notes Payable and Capital Leases

We have financed the purchase of certain revenue equipment, other equipment, and software through promissory note arrangements, including $0.7 million for software during the three months ended March 31, 2017. We intend to utilize promissory note arrangements and will consider utilizing capital lease agreements to finance future purchases of certain revenue equipment, provided such financing is available and the terms are acceptable to us.

Contractual Obligations

We have purchase obligations, consisting of authorizations to purchase and binding agreements with vendors, relating to revenue equipment used in our Asset-Based operations, other equipment, certain construction costs associated with our new office and call center facility, software, certain service contracts, and other items for which amounts were not accrued in the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2017. These purchase obligations totaled $102.6 million as of March 31, 2017, with $95.3 million estimated to be paid within the next year, $7.1 million estimated to be paid in the following two-year period, and $0.2 million to be paid within five years, provided that vendors complete their commitments to us. Purchase obligations for revenue equipment, other equipment, and costs associated with our new office and call center facility are included in our 2017 capital expenditure plan.

Our contractual obligations related to our notes payable, which provide financing for revenue equipment purchases, totaled $124.8 million, including interest, as of March 31, 2017, a decrease of $17.3 million from December 31, 2016. The scheduled maturities of our long-term debt obligations as of March 31, 2017, including our contractual obligation to repay the $35.0 million borrowed on our accounts receivable securitization program, are disclosed in Note E to our consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. An additional $10.0 million, which

43

was borrowed subsequent to March 31, 2017, is also scheduled for repayment on the April 1, 2020 maturity date of the accounts receivable securitization program. There have been no other material changes in the contractual obligations disclosed in our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10‑K during the three months ended March 31, 2017.

For 2017, our total net capital expenditures, including amounts financed, are estimated to range from $145.0 million to $170.0 million, net of asset sales. These 2017 estimated net capital expenditures include revenue equipment purchases of $94.0 million, primarily for our Asset-Based operations. Expected real estate expenditures totaling approximately $32.0 million are for expansion opportunities and completion of previously disclosed call center facilities and office buildings, a portion of which will replace leased space. The remainder of 2017 expected capital expenditures includes costs of other facility and handling equipment for our Asset-Based segment and technology investments across the enterprise. We have the flexibility to adjust planned 2017 capital expenditures as business levels dictate. Depreciation and amortization expense is estimated to be in a range of $105.0 million to $115.0 million in 2017.

Based upon current actuarial information, we do not have a minimum cash contribution requirement to our nonunion defined benefit pension plan for 2017; however, depending on relevant factors, we could make contributions to the nonunion pension plan during 2017 (see Note F to our consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q).

Our Asset-Based segment contributes to multiemployer health, welfare, and pension plans based generally on the time worked by its contractual employees, as specified in the collective bargaining agreement and other supporting supplemental agreements (see Note F to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q).

Other Liquidity Information

Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments, including amounts restricted, totaled $140.2 million at March 31, 2017. General economic conditions, along with competitive market factors and the related impact on our business, primarily the tonnage and pricing levels that the Asset-Based segment receives for its services, could affect our ability to generate cash from operations and maintain cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments on hand as operating costs increase.

Our Credit Facility and accounts receivable securitization program provide available sources of liquidity with flexible borrowing and payment options. We believe these agreements will continue to provide borrowing capacity options necessary for growth of our businesses. We believe existing cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments, cash generated by operations, and amounts available under our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement or accounts receivable securitization program will be sufficient to meet our liquidity needs, including financing potential acquisitions and the repayment of amounts due under our financing arrangements, for the foreseeable future. Notes payable, capital leases, and other secured financing may also be used to fund capital expenditures, provided that such arrangements are available and the terms are acceptable to us.

We expect to continue to pay quarterly dividends on our common  stock in the foreseeable future, although there can be no assurances in this regard since future dividends will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors and are dependent upon our future earnings, capital requirements, and financial condition; contractual restrictions applying to the payment of dividends under our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement; and other factors. On May 2, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.08 per share to stockholders of record as of May 16, 2017, payable on May 30, 2017.  

We have a program in place to repurchase our common stock in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The program has no expiration date but may be terminated at any time at the Board of Directors’ discretion. Repurchases may be made using cash reserves or other available sources. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, we did not purchase any shares of our common stock, leaving $37.7 million available for repurchase under the current buyback program.

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Financial Instruments

We have not historically entered into financial instruments for trading purposes, nor have we historically engaged in a program for fuel price hedging. No such instruments were outstanding as of March 31, 2017. We have an interest rate swap agreement in place which is discussed in the Financing Arrangements section of Liquidity and Capital Resources.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

At March 31, 2017, our off-balance sheet arrangements of $170.4 million included purchase obligations, as previously discussed in the Contractual Obligations section of Liquidity and Capital Resources, and future minimum rental commitments, net of noncancelable subleases, under operating lease agreements primarily for our Asset-Based service centers.

We have no investments, loans, or any other known contractual arrangements with unconsolidated special-purpose entities, variable interest entities, or financial partnerships and have no outstanding loans with executive officers or directors.

Income Taxes

Our effective tax benefit rate was 41.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to an effective tax benefit rate of 37.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2016. Our U.S. statutory tax rate is 35% and the average state tax rate, net of the associated federal deduction, is approximately 3%. However, various factors may cause the full-year 2017 tax rate to vary significantly from the statutory rate.

The difference between our effective tax rate and the federal statutory rate for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2017, primarily results from state income taxes, nondeductible expenses, changes in deferred tax valuation allowances, and changes in the cash surrender value of life insurance. The three-month period ended March 31, 2016 reflects a benefit of 2.9% related to the alternative fuel tax credit which expired December 31, 2016.

An amendment to ASC Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, was issued to simplify the accounting for share-based compensation, which requires the income tax effects of awards to be recognized in the statement of operations when awards vest or are settled. We adopted the amendment in the first quarter of 2017. As a result of applying the provisions of the amendment, the tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2017 reflects a benefit of 0.6%. We may experience volatility in our income tax provision as a result of recording all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies in the income statement upon settlement of awards, which is primarily during the second quarter of each year.

At March 31, 2017, we had $47.7 million of net deferred tax liabilities after valuation allowances. Valuation allowances for deferred tax assets totaled $0.2 million and $0.3 million at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. We evaluated the need for a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets at March 31, 2017 by considering the future reversal of existing taxable temporary differences, future taxable income, taxable income in carryback years, and available tax planning strategies. As of March 31, 2017, deferred tax liabilities which will reverse in future years exceeded deferred tax assets.

Financial reporting income differs significantly from taxable income because of such items as revenue recognition, accelerated depreciation for tax purposes, pension accounting rules, and a significant number of liabilities such as vacation pay, workers’ compensation, and other liabilities, which, for tax purposes, are generally deductible only when paid. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, the financial reporting loss exceeded the loss determined under income tax law. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the loss determined under income tax law exceeded the financial reporting loss.

During the three months ended March 31, 2017, we made state tax payments of less than $0.1 million, and received refunds of less than $0.1 million of state income taxes that were paid in prior years. Management does not expect the cash outlays for income taxes will materially exceed reported income tax expense for the foreseeable future.

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Critical Accounting Policies

The accounting policies that are “critical,” or the most important, to understand our financial condition and results of operations and that require management to make the most difficult judgments are described in our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K. There has been no material changes in our critical accounting policies during the three months ended March 31, 2017. New accounting rules and disclosure requirements can significantly impact our reported results and the comparability of financial statements. Accounting pronouncements which have been issued but are not yet effective for our financial statements are disclosed in Note A to our consolidated financial statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued an accounting pronouncement related to revenue recognition (ASC Topic 606), which amends the guidance in former ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition. The new standard provides a single comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers and contains principles to apply to determine the measurement of revenue and timing of when it is recognized. The standard is effective for us on January 1, 2018. We plan to adopt this standard using the modified retrospective approach, which requires the effects of adoption to be reflected in beginning retained earnings, and we do not expect a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

The FASB issued ASC Topic 842, Leases, which will be effective for us on January 1, 2019. The updated accounting guidance will require many operating leases to be reflected as liabilities with associated right-of-use assets in our consolidated balance sheet. We are currently assessing the impact this update will have on our consolidated financial statements.

Management believes that there is no other new accounting guidance issued but not yet effective that will impact our critical accounting policies.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements and information in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “foresee,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “scheduled,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions and the negatives of such terms are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs, assumptions, and expectations based on currently available information, are not guarantees of future performance, and involve certain risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control). Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, we cannot provide assurance that our expectations will prove to be correct. Actual outcomes and results could materially differ from what is expressed, implied, or forecasted in these statements due to a number of factors, including, but not limited to: a failure of our information systems, including disruptions or failures of services essential to our operations or upon which our information technology platforms rely, data breach, and/or cybersecurity incidents; not achieving some or all of the expected financial and operating benefits of our corporate restructuring or incurring additional costs or operational inefficiencies as a result of the restructuring; relationships with employees, including unions, and our ability to attract and retain employees; unfavorable terms of, or the inability to reach agreement on, future collective bargaining agreements or a workforce stoppage by our employees covered under ABF Freight’s collective bargaining agreement; competitive initiatives and pricing pressures; union and nonunion employee wages and benefits, including changes in required contributions to multiemployer plans; the cost, integration, and performance of any recent or future acquisitions; general economic conditions and related shifts in market demand that impact the performance and needs of industries we serve and/or limit our customers’ access to adequate financial resources; governmental regulations; environmental laws and regulations, including emissions-control regulations; the loss or reduction of business from large customers; litigation or claims asserted against us; the cost, timing, and performance of growth initiatives; the loss of key employees or the inability to execute succession planning strategies; availability and cost of reliable third-party services; our ability to secure independent owner operators and/or operational or regulatory issues related to our use of their services; default on covenants of financing arrangements and the availability and terms of future financing arrangements; timing and amount of capital expenditures; self-insurance claims and insurance premium costs; availability of fuel, the effect of volatility in fuel prices and the associated changes in fuel surcharges on securing increases in base

46

freight rates, and the inability to collect fuel surcharges; increased prices for and decreased availability of new revenue equipment, decreases in value of used revenue equipment, and higher costs of equipment-related operating expenses such as maintenance and fuel and related taxes; potential impairment of goodwill and intangible assets; maintaining our intellectual property rights, brand, and corporate reputation; seasonal fluctuations and adverse weather conditions; regulatory, economic, and other risks arising from our international business; antiterrorism and safety measures; and other financial, operational, and legal risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in our public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For additional information regarding known material factors that could cause our actual results to differ from our projected results, refer to “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A in our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made and, other than as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

47

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ARCBEST CORPORATION

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Since December 31, 2016, there have been no other significant changes in the Company’s market risks as reported in the Company’s 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation was performed with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2017.

There were no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

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PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

ARCBEST CORPORATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

For information related to the Company’s legal proceedings, see Note L, Legal Proceedings, Environmental Matters, and Other Events under Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

The Company’s risk factors are fully described in the Company’s 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K. No material changes to the Company’s risk factors have occurred since the Company filed its 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

(a)Recent sales of unregistered securities.

None.

(b)Use of proceeds from registered securities.

None.

(c)Purchases of equity securities by the issuer and affiliated purchasers.

The Company has a program to repurchase its common stock in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The program has no expiration date but may be terminated at any time at the Board of Directors’ discretion. Repurchases may be made either from the Company’s cash reserves or from other available sources. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had $37.7 million remaining under the program for repurchases of its common stock. The Company did not make share repurchases during the three months ended March 31, 2017.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

The following exhibits are filed or furnished with this report or are incorporated by reference to previously filed material:

Exhibit
No.
3.1	Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act of 1933 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on March 17, 1992, Commission File No. 33-46483, and incorporated herein by reference).
3.2	Certificate of Designations of $2.875 Series A Cumulative Convertible Exchangeable Preferred Stock of the Company (previously filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Commission on May 5, 2009, Commission File No. 000-19969, and incorporated herein by reference).
3.3	Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on April 24, 2009, Commission File No. 000-19969, and incorporated herein by reference).
3.4	Fifth Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company dated as of October 31, 2016 (previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on November 4, 2016, Commission File No. 000-19969, and incorporated herein by reference).
3.5	Certificate of Ownership and Merger, effective May 1, 2014, as filed on April 29, 2014 with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on April 30, 2014, Commission File No. 000-19969, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.1#*	The ArcBest 16b Annual Incentive Compensation Plan and form of award.
10.2#*	The ArcBest Long-Term (3-Year) Incentive Compensation Plan and form of award.
10.3#	Amendment Two to the ArcBest Corporation 2012 Change of Control Plan (previously filed as Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Commission on February 28, 2017, Commission File No. 000-19969, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.4#	ArcBest Corporation Voluntary Savings Plan, Amended and Restated Effective as of January 1, 2017 (previously filed as Exhibit 10.15 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Commission on February 28, 2017, Commission File No. 000-19969, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.5#	Consulting Agreement by and between ArcBest Corporation and J. Lavon Morton, dated January 31, 2017 (previously filed as Exhibit 10.28 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Commission on February 28, 2017, Commission File No. 000-19969, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.6	Second Amended and Restated Receivables Loan Agreement dated as of March 20, 2017, by and among ArcBest Funding LLC, as Borrower, ArcBest Corporation, as Servicer, the financial institutions from time to time party thereto, as Lenders, PNC Bank, National Association, as LC Issuer and Agent for the Lenders and their assigns and the LC Issuer and its assigns (previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on March 23, 2017 Commission File No. 000-19969, and incorporated herein by reference).
31.1*	Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2*	Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32**	Certifications Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS*	XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

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101.CAL*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
101.PRE*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

#     Designates a compensation plan or arrangement for directors or executive officers.

*     Filed herewith.

**   Furnished herewith.

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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 hereunto duly authorized.

	ARCBEST CORPORATION
	(Registrant)
Date: May 9, 2017	/s/ Judy R. McReynolds
	Judy R. McReynolds
	Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
	and Principal Executive Officer
Date: May 9, 2017	/s/ David R. Cobb
	David R. Cobb
	Vice President — Chief Financial Officer
	and Principal Financial Officer

52

EX-10.1

Exhibit 10.1

[            ] Schedule – ArcBest 16b Annual Incentive Compensation Plan

Page 1 of 10

[            ] Schedule 

ArcBest 16b Annual Incentive Compensation Plan

Pursuant to the Executive Officer Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Governing Plan”), the Compensation Committee of the ArcBest Corporation Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”) has adopted the following Individual Award Opportunities, Performance Measures, and Participants for ArcBest Corporation and its subsidiaries for the [            ] – ArcBest 16b Annual Incentive Compensation Plan (the “[            ] Plan”). The Compensation Committee has determined that the [            ] Plan incentive will include the following components:

[            ] Operating Income Improvement over  Operating Income Baseline for [            ] (“Operating Income Component”)	50% weighting
ROCE Component	50% weighting

The weighting of the components is determined by the Compensation Committee for each Measurement Period.

I.  Defined Terms

A.  Base Salary for Executive Officers.    Base Salary for Executive Officers (Executive Officer for this purpose is defined as an employee who, as of the last day of the applicable Plan Year, is covered by the compensation limitations of Code Section 162(m) or the regulations issued thereunder)is defined as an Executive Officer’s total base salary earned, while an eligible Participant in the [            ] Plan, for the designated Measurement Period, but in no event shall the Base Salary for an Executive Officer exceed the monthly base salary for the Executive Officer as most recently approved by the Compensation Committee as of the end of the day on which the Plan is approved for the Measurement Period or, if later, the day on which the Participant becomes an Executive Officer with a salary approved by the Compensation Committee, multiplied by twelve, multiplied by 150%.  Base Salary is not reduced by any voluntary salary reductions or any salary reduction contributions made to any salary reduction plan, defined contribution plan or other deferred compensation plans of the Company, but does not include any payments under the Governing Plan, any stock option or other type of equity plan, or any other bonuses, incentive pay or special awards.

B.  Base Salary. Base Salary for Participants other than Executive Officers is defined as a  Participant’s total base salary earned, while an eligible Participant in the [            ] Plan, for the designated Measurement Period.  Base Salary is not reduced by any voluntary salary reductions or any salary reduction contribution made to any salary reduction plan, defined contribution plan or other deferred compensation plans of the Company, but does not include any payments under the Governing Plan, any stock option or other type of equity plan, or any other bonuses, incentive pay or special awards.

C.  Cause.  Cause shall mean (i) Participant’s gross misconduct or fraud in the performance of Participant’s duties to the Company or any Subsidiary; (ii) Participant’s conviction or guilty plea or pleas of nolo contendere with respect to any felony or act of moral turpitude; (iii) Participant’s engaging in any material act of theft or material misappropriation of Company or any Subsidiary’s property, or (iv) Participant’s material breach of the Company’s Code of Conduct, as such Code may be revised from time to time. 

D.  Good Reason. Good Reason shall mean (i) any material adverse diminution in Participant’s title, duties, or responsibilities; (ii) any reduction in Participant’s base salary or employee benefits (including reducing Participant’s level of participation or bonus award opportunity in the Company’s or a Subsidiary’s incentive compensation plans) or (iii) a relocation of Participant’s principal place of employment by more than 50 miles without the prior consent of Participant.

E.  Measurement Period.  The Measurement Period is 1/1/[            ] to 12/31/[            ]. 

1

Exhibit 10.1

[            ] Schedule – ArcBest 16b Annual Incentive Compensation Plan

Page 2 of 10

F.  Qualified Termination. Qualified Termination shall mean, within 24 full calendar months after a Change in Control, as defined in the Executive Officer Incentive Compensation Plan, a participant’s separation from service by the Company (or an Affiliate of the Company) without Cause (and not as a result of the Participant’s death or Disability), or by the Participant for Good Reason.

G.   Retirement. Retirement shall mean Participant’s retirement from active employment at or after age 65 or retirement from the Company or Subsidiary at or after age 55, so long as the Participant has, as of the date of such retirement, at least 10 years of service with the Company or any Subsidiary. Officers and/or Executive Officers must be a Participant in the Plan during the Plan Year for not less than ninety (90) days prior to his or her Retirement to be eligible for an incentive under the [            ] Plan.

II.  Participants

Eligible Participants in the [            ] Plan are listed in Appendix C  and certain employees or positions may be specifically included or excluded by the Compensation Committee.

If you are promoted to an eligible position after November 30, [            ], you will not be eligible to participate in the [            ] Plan.

If an Eligible Participant in the [            ] Plan also participates in the ArcBest Corporation 2012 Change in Control Plan, the terms of the ArcBest Corporation 2012 Change in Control Plan shall govern.

III. Corporate Performance Metrics

Operating Income Component: The Individual Award Opportunities provided by the Operating Income Component are based on (a) achieving certain levels of Operating Income in [            ] that exceed the Operating Income Baseline for [            ] and (b) Your Target Payout Factor Earned. The formula below illustrates how your incentive is computed: 

Your Incentive Payment= [Performance Factor Earned x Your Target Payout Factor x Your Base Salary x the Operating Income Component Weighting]

A. Performance Factor Earned. Performance Factor Earned is shown in Appendix A and depends on the Operating Income improvement achieved.

B. Target Payout Factor.  Your Target Payout Factor is a percentage of your Base Salary. The Target Payout Factors are listed in Appendix C.

ROCE Component: The Individual Award Opportunities provided by the ROCE Component are based on (a) achieving certain levels of performance for ArcBest’s Consolidated Return on Capital Employed (“ROCE”) and (b) your Target Payout Factor. The formula below illustrates how your incentive is computed: 

Your Incentive Payment = [Performance Factor Earned x Your Target Payout Factor x Your Base Salary x the ROCE Component Weighting]

A. Performance Factor Earned. Performance Factor Earned is shown in Appendix B and depends on the ROCE achieved by ArcBest for the year.

B. Target Payout Factor. Your Target Payout Factor is a percentage of your Base Salary. The Target Payout Factors are listed in Appendix C.

2

Exhibit 10.1

[            ] Schedule – ArcBest 16b Annual Incentive Compensation Plan

Page 3 of 10

If the performance result falls between two rows on Appendix A or Appendix B, interpolation is used to determine the factor used in the computation of the incentive.

The Compensation Committee has established maximum incentive amounts based on a maximum Performance Factor Earned of 200%  of your Target Payout Factor for the Operating Income Component and the 300% of your Target Payout Factor for the ROCE Component subject to the applicable weighting for each component as provided in Appendix A and Appendix B.

IV. Effect of a Change in Control

Change in Control. Upon the occurrence of a Qualified Termination following a Change in Control, Participant shall be entitled to immediate payment of the greater of the following:

                   (a)   The amount computed under the Plan based on 100% of the Participant’s “Target Payout Factor” in Appendix C using the date of the Change in Control as the end of the Measurement Period, or

           (b)   The amount computed under the Plan based on the actual percentage of Performance Factor Earned in Appendix A and Appendix B, calculated as if the Measurement Period ended on the date of the Change in Control.

V.  Payment of Award

Payment will be made as soon as practicable following the end of the Measurement Period, and in any event, no later than 2 ½ months after the end of the Measurement Period.

VI. Annual Incentive Compensation Plan

Defined terms in this [            ]  ArcBest 16b Annual Incentive Compensation Plan Schedule shall have the same meaning as in Executive Officer Incentive Compensation Plan and the Annual Incentive Compensation Plan except where the context otherwise requires.

Schedule A

[            ] Plan – Operating Income Component

ArcBest 16b Annual Incentive Compensation Plan

Pursuant to the Executive Officer Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Governing Plan”), the Compensation Committee of the ArcBest Corporation Board of Directors (“Compensation Committee”) has adopted this Operating Income Component as a component of the [            ] Plan, including the following Individual Award Opportunities and Performance Measures for ArcBest Corporation and its subsidiaries. 

3

Exhibit 10.1

[            ] Schedule – ArcBest 16b Annual Incentive Compensation Plan

Page 4 of 10

I. Performance Measure

Operating Income is defined as operating income as shown by the consolidated financial statements and consistent with the historical determination of operating income in ArcBest’s consolidated financial statements after taking into account the Section II Required Adjustments.

[            ] Operating Income Improvement is defined as Operating Income for [            ] in excess of the Operating Income Baseline for [            ] as determined under the terms of the Plan. 

Operating Income Baseline for [            ]is equal to [            ]  ([            ] operating income of [            ]before Required Adjustments listed below).

II. Required Adjustments

The following adjustments shall be made when calculating Operating Income:

(i) add back any annual or long-term incentive compensation accruals for nonunion employees of ArcBest and all subsidiaries when determining Operating Income;

(ii) add back the direct third-party expenses associated with an acquisition by ArcBest or any Subsidiary;

(iii) exclude the operating results (all revenue and expenses) for any business acquired between the beginning of the Measurement Period and the end of the Measurement Period;

(iv) exclude expenses resulting directly from reorganization and restructuring programs for which amounts are publicly disclosed;

(v) exclude increases or decreases in Operating Income resulting from any extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring item as determined by the Compensation Committee in its discretion provided such item is described, at the time the performance goal is established, in a manner that is objectively determinable; 

(vi) exclude increases or decreases in Operating Income resulting from any change in accounting principle as defined in the Accounting Standards Codification topic(s) that replaced or were formerly known as Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement 154, as amended or superseded; 

(vii) exclude any loss from a discontinued operation as described in the Accounting Standards Codification topic(s) as they existed at December 31, 2013, that replaced or were formerly known as FASB Statement 144, as amended or superseded; 

(viii) exclude goodwill impairment charges; and

(ix) exclude settlement accounting charges incurred that relate to the qualified defined benefit pension plan.

III. Discretionary Adjustments

Prior to a Change in  Control, the Compensation Committee may reduce any Participant’s Final Award if the Compensation Committee determines, in its sole discretion, that events have occurred or facts have become known which would make a reduction appropriate and equitable.

4

[            ] Schedule – ArcBest 16b Annual Incentive Compensation Plan

Page 5 of 10

Schedule B

[            ] Plan – ROCE Plan Component

ArcBest 16b Annual Incentive Compensation Plan

Pursuant to the Executive Officer Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Governing Plan”), the Compensation Committee of the ArcBest Corporation Board of Directors (“Compensation Committee”) has adopted this ROCE Component as a component of the [            ] Plan, including the following Individual Award Opportunities and Performance Measures for ArcBest Corporation and its subsidiaries.  

I. Performance Measure

ROCE for ArcBest is calculated as the following ratio:

Net Income + After-tax Effect of Interest Expense

+ After-tax Effect of Imputed Interest Expense +  After-tax Effect of Amortization of intangibles

– After-tax Effect of Income from

Cash and Short-term Investments Attributable to the reduction in Average Debt

Average Equity + Average Debt + Average Imputed Debt

“Net Income” for the ROCE calculation is consolidated net income determined in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles after taking into account the Section II Required Adjustments. 

“Interest Expense” for the ROCE calculation is (i) interest on all long and short-term indebtedness, including capital leases, and other interest bearing obligations, and (ii) deferred financing cost amortization and other financing costs including letters of credit fees, reduced by the amount of interest expense on debt not included in Average Debt as defined below.

“Imputed Interest Expense” consists of the interest attributable to Average Imputed Debt assuming an interest rate of 7.5%.

“Average Debt” is the average of the beginning of the year and the end of the year current and long-term debt, with beginning of the year and end of the year current and long-term debt reduced by the respective amount of the beginning of the year and end of the year total of unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, and limited to a reduction of debt to zero. 

“Average Equity” is the average of the beginning of the Measurement Period and the end of the Measurement Period stockholder’s equity. 

“Average Imputed Debt” consists of the average of the beginning of the year and the end of the year present value of all payments determined using an interest rate of 7.5% on operating leases of revenue equipment with an initial term of more than two years.

“Amortization of intangibles” consists of amortization of intangibles and depreciation of software related to acquired businesses including any writedown or impairment charge related to those assets.

“Income from Cash and Short-term Investments Attributable to the reduction in Average Debt” consists of income earned on the amount by which Average Debt is reduced at the average interest rate earned in cash and short-term investments for the measurement period.

5

[            ] Schedule – ArcBest 16b Annual Incentive Compensation Plan

Page 6 of 10

II.  Required Adjustments

The following adjustments shall be made when calculating ROCE:

(i) add back the after-tax incentive compensation accruals under any annual or long-term incentive compensation plan for nonunion employees of ArcBest and any of its Subsidiaries when determining Net Income;

(ii) add back after-tax direct third party expenses associated with an acquisition by ArcBest or any Subsidiary;

(iii) exclude the net results (all revenue, expenses and taxes) for any business acquired between the beginning of the Measurement Period and the end of the Measurement Period from the numerator of the ratio and exclude any Acquisition Debt attributable to the business acquired (either directly held by the business or incurred to acquire the business) from the denominator in the ratio calculation;

(iv) exclude decreases in Net Income resulting directly from reorganization and restructuring programs for which amounts are publicly disclosed;

(v) exclude increases or decreases in Net Income resulting from any extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring item as determined by the Compensation Committee in its discretion provided such item is described, at the time the performance goal is established, in a manner that is objectively determinable; 

(vi) exclude increases or decreases in Net Income resulting from any change in accounting principle as defined in the Accounting Standards Codification topic(s) that replaced or were formerly known as Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement 154, as amended or superseded; 

(vii) exclude any loss from a discontinued operation as described in the Accounting Standards Codification topic(s) as they existed as of December 31, 2013 that replaced or were formerly known as FASB Statement 144, as amended or superseded; 

(viii) exclude the effect on ROCE of changes to net income, equity and debt as a result of any change in accounting principle as defined in the Accounting Standards Codification topic(s) that replaced or were formerly known as Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 30, as amended or superseded;

(ix) exclude the effect of changes in federal income tax law or regulations affecting reported results during the Measurement Period including increases or decreases in tax rates, changes in the taxability or deductibility of any item of income or expense or the addition or elimination of tax credits. A change for this purpose will be as compared to the laws and regulations in effect on January 1, [            ], without consideration of any retroactive changes in tax law after January 1, [            ];  

(x) exclude goodwill impairment charges; and

(xi) exclude after-tax settlement accounting charges incurred that relate to the qualified defined benefit pension plan.

III. Discretionary Adjustments

Prior to a Change in  Control, the Compensation Committee may reduce any Participant’s Final Award if the Compensation Committee determines, in its sole discretion, that events have occurred or facts have become known which would make a reduction appropriate and equitable.

6

[            ] Schedule – ArcBest 16b Annual Incentive Compensation Plan

Page 7 of 10

Appendix A

Operating Income Component

	[            ] Operating Income Improvement over Operating Income Baseline for [            ]*	Performance Factor Earned
	Less than $  4,200,000	0%
Threshold	$4,200,000	25%
Target	$20,400,000	100%
Maximum	$43,400,000	200%
	Greater than $ 43,400,000	200%

Operating Income Component Weighting: 50%

* Operating income improvement goals change each plan year. Above goals are for 2017.

7

[            ] Schedule – ArcBest 16b Annual Incentive Compensation Plan

Page 8 of 10

Appendix B

[            ] ROCE Component

	Return on Capital Employed (“ROCE”)	Performance Factor Earned
	Less than 5%	0%
Threshold	5%	50%
Target	10%	100%
Maximum	15%	300%
	Greater than 15%	300%

ROCE Component Weighting: 50%

8

[            ] Schedule – ArcBest 16b Annual Incentive Compensation Plan

Page 9 of 10

Appendix C

Target Payout Factors

Participants/Job Title	Target Payout Factor
ArcBest Chairman, President & CEO	[   ]%
ABF Freight President ArcBest Vice President – CFO	[   ]%
ArcBest, COO, Asset-Light Logistics	[   ]%
AB Tech President and ArcBest SVP - CINO	[   ]%
ArcBest Vice President – General Counsel & Corporate Sec. ArcBest Vice President – Chief Human Resources Officer	[   ]%
ArcBest Vice President – Chief Sales Officer ArcBest Vice President – Chief Yield Officer ArcBest Vice President – Chief Customer Experience Officer	[   ]%
ArcBest Vice President – Controller ArcBest Vice President – Customer Solutions	[   ]%

9

EX-10.2

Exhibit 10.2

ArcBest

Long-Term (3-Year) Incentive Compensation Plan 

Pursuant to the ArcBest Corporation (“ArcBest” or “Company”) Executive Officer Incentive Compensation Plan, the Compensation Committee of the ArcBest Corporation Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”) has adopted the “Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan” (the “Plan”) and has determined that the Plan will include the following components for the three-year period beginning 1/1/[            ] and ending 12/31/[            ]:

ROCE Component	50% weighting
Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) Component	50% weighting

The ROCE Component weighting and TSR Component weighting are determined by the Compensation Committee for each Measurement Period.

I. Defined Terms

Base Salary. Base Salaryfor participants other than Executive Officers is defined as total base salary earned, while an eligible participant in the Plan, for the Measurement Period divided by the number of months in the Measurement Period multiplied by twelve. Base Salary is not reduced by any voluntary salary reductions or any salary reduction contributions made to any salary reduction plan, defined contribution plan or other deferred compensation plans of the Company, but does not include any payments under the Plan, any stock option or other type of equity plan, or any other bonuses, incentive pay or special awards.

Base Salary for Executive Officers.   Base Salary for Executive Officers (Executive Officer for this purpose is defined as an employee who, as of the last day of the applicable Plan Year, is covered by the compensation limitations of Code Section 162(m) or the regulations issued thereunder)is defined as total base salary earned, while an eligible participant in the Plan, for the Measurement Period divided by the number of months in the Measurement Period multiplied by twelve, but in no event shall the Base Salary for an Executive Officer exceed the monthly base salary for the Executive Officer as most recently approved by the Compensation Committee as of the end of the day on which the Plan is approved for the Measurement Period, multiplied by twelve, multiplied by 200%.  Base Salary is not reduced by any voluntary salary reductions or any salary reduction contributions made to any salary reduction plan, defined contribution plan or other deferred compensation plans of the Company, but does not include any payments under the Plan, any stock option or other type of equity plan, or any other bonuses, incentive pay or special awards.

Cause.  Cause shall mean (i) Participant’s gross misconduct or fraud in the performance of Participant’s duties to the Company or any Subsidiary; (ii) Participant’s conviction or guilty plea or pleas of nolo contendere with respect to any felony or act of moral turpitude; (iii) Participant’s engaging in any material act of theft or material misappropriation of Company or any Subsidiary’s property, or (iv) Participant’s material breach of the Company’s Code of Conduct, as such Code may be revised from time to time. 

Disability.  Disability shall mean a condition under which the Participant either (A) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve months, or (B) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than three months under an accident or health plan covering employees of the Company or any Subsidiary.  

Good Reason. Good Reason shall mean (i) any material adverse diminution in Participant’s title, duties, or responsibilities; (ii) any reduction in Participant’s base salary or employee benefits (including reducing Participant’s level of participation or bonus award opportunity in the Company’s or a Subsidiary’s incentive compensation plans) or (iii) a relocation of Participant’s principal place of employment by more than 50 miles without the prior consent of Participant.

ArcBest Corporation.

[            ] Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan

Measurement Period.  The Measurement Period is 1/1/[            ] to 12/31/[            ].

Qualified Termination.  Qualified Termination shall mean, within 24 full calendar months after a Change in Control, as defined in the Executive Officer Incentive Compensation Plan, a participant’s Separation from Service by the Company (or an Affiliate of the Company) without Cause (and not as a result of the Participant’s death or Disability), or by the Participant for Good Reason.

Retirement.  Retirement shall mean Participant’s retirement from active employment at or after age 65 or retirement from the Company or Subsidiary at or after age 55, so long as the Participant has, as of the date of such retirement, at least 10 years of service with the Company or any Subsidiary.

II. Participants

Participants in the Plan (who are not active participants in ArcBest or a Subsidiary’s Supplemental Benefit Plan or Deferred Salary Agreement program or who selected Option 1 for their 12/31/2009 SBP Freeze election)  are listed in Appendix C and certain employees may be specifically included or excluded by the Compensation Committee. For purposes of Appendix C, the term “ArcBest’ refers to both ArcBest Corporation and ArcBest II, Inc.

An employee may not become a Participant after the end of the 12th month of the Measurement Period.

If an Eligible Participant in the Plan also participates in the ArcBest Corporation 2012 Change in Control Plan, the terms of the ArcBest Corporation 2012 Change in Control Plan shall govern.

III.  Corporate Performance Metrics

ROCE Component:The Individual Award Opportunities provided by the ROCE Component are based on (a) achieving certain levels of performance for ArcBest’s consolidated Return on Capital Employed (“ROCE”) and (b) your Target Payout Factor.  The formula below illustrates how your incentive is computed: 

Your Incentive Payment = [Performance Factor Earned x Your Target Payout Factor x Your Base Salary x the ROCE Component Weighting].

If your job position changes during the Measurement Period, your Incentive Payment will be prorated based on the Base Salary you receive while you are in an eligible Job Position listed in the Plan, the applicable Performance Factor Earned and Your Target Payout Factor. If you die, are Disabled or Retire as provided for under Section IV  of the ROCE Component, your Incentive Payment will be prorated based on the Base Salary you receive from the beginning of the Measurement Period until the applicable date of death, Disability or retirement date. 

A. Performance Factor Earned. Performance Factor Earned is shown in Appendix A and depends on the ROCE achieved by ArcBest for the Measurement Period.

B. Target Payout Factor.  Your Target Payout Factor is a percentage of your Base Salary.  The Target Payout Factors are listed in Appendix C.  

TSR Component:The Individual Award Opportunities provided by the TSR Component are based on (a) the percentile rank of the Company’s Compounded Annual Growth Rate (“CAGR”) of Total Shareholder Return relative to the Peer Companies over the Measurement Period and (b) your Target Payout Factor.  At the end of the Measurement Period, the percentile rank of the Company’s CAGR Total Shareholder Return will be calculated. Any Peer Company that is no longer publicly traded shall be excluded from this calculation. The formula below illustrates how this portion of your incentive is computed: 

2

ArcBest Corporation.

[            ] Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan

Your Incentive Payment = [Performance Factor Earned x Your Target Payout Factor x Your Base Salary x TSR Component Weighting].

If your job position changes during the Measurement Period, your Incentive Payment will be prorated based on the Base Salary you receive while you are in an eligible Job Position listed in the Plan, the applicable Performance Factor Earned and Your Target Payout Factor. If you die, are Disabled or Retire as provided for under Section IV of the TSR Component, your Incentive Payment will be prorated based on the Base Salary you receive from the beginning of the Measurement Period until your date of death, Disability or retirement date.

A. Performance Factor Earned.   The Performance Factor Earned is shown in Appendix B and depends on the Company’s Compounded Annual Growth Rate of Total Shareholder Return over the Measurement Period as compared to the Peer Companies.

B. Target Payout Factor. Your Target Payout Factor is a percentage of your Base Salary. The percentage varies for each level of management within the Company.  The Target Payout Factors are listed in Appendix C. 

If the performance result falls between two rows on Appendix A or Appendix B, interpolation is used to determine the factor used in the computation of the incentive.

The Compensation Committee has established maximum incentive amounts based on a maximum Performance Factor Earned of 200% for the TSR Component and 300% for the ROCE Component subject to the applicable weighting for each component as provided in Appendix A and Appendix B.

The terms of the Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan – ROCE Component and the Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan – TSR Component are incorporated into the Plan. 

IV. Payment of Award

Payment will be made as soon as practicable following the end of the Measurement Period, and in any event, no later than 2 ½ months after the end of the Measurement Period.

V.  Executive Officer Incentive Compensation Plan

Defined terms in this Plan shall have the same meaning as in the Executive Officer Incentive Compensation Plan, except where the context otherwise requires.

No term or provision in this Plan may conflict with any term or provision of the Executive Officer Incentive Compensation Plan. It is specifically intended that the Plan, ROCE Component and TSR Component be an “Award Agreement” and the incentives  paid hereunder be an “Award” under the terms of the Executive Officer Incentive Compensation Plan.

VI. Discretionary Adjustments

Prior to a Change in  Control, the Compensation Committee may reduce any Participant’s Final Award if the Compensation Committee determines, in its sole discretion, that events have occurred or facts have become known which would make a reduction appropriate and equitable.

VI. Effect of Termination of Employment; Change in Control

(a) General. Except as provided in subparts (b) or (c), upon a termination of Participant’s employment with the Company or any Subsidiary for any reason prior to the completion of the Measurement Period, the Participant shall not be entitled to any Incentive Payment under the Plan.

3

ArcBest Corporation.

[            ] Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan

(b) Death; Disability; Retirement.  Upon termination of Participant’s employment with the Company or any Subsidiary by reason of Participant’s death, Disability or Retirement (as defined in the Plan), Participant’s Incentive Payment shall be prorated based on the period of participation in the Plan, provided that Participant’s Incentive Payment shall be computed and paid in the normal course of business after the end of the Measurement Period. Provided, however, an employee must have completed at least 12 months of the Measurement Period to be entitled to an Incentive Payment under this Section IV(b).

(c) Change in Control. Upon the occurrence of a Qualified Termination following a Change in Control, Participant shall be entitled to immediate payment of the greater of the following:

                   (A)   The amount computed under the Plan based on 100% of the Participant’s “Target Payout Factor” in Appendix C using the date of the Change in Control as the end of the Measurement Period, or

           (B)   The amount computed under the Plan based on the actual percentage of Performance Factor Earned in Appendix A and Appendix B, calculated as if the Measurement Period ended on the date of the Change in Control and using the Company share price as of the date of the Change in Control to calculate TSR rather than the 60-day average price for the ending of the Measurement Period.

4

ArcBest Corporation.

[            ] Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan

 LTIP - ROCE Component

The Compensation Committee of the ArcBest Corporation Board of Directors has adopted this ROCE Component of the Plan (“ROCE Component”), including the following Individual Award Opportunities, Performance Measures and Participants for ArcBest Corporation and its subsidiaries for the three-year period beginning 1/1/[            ] and ending 12/31/[            ].

I. Performance Measure

ROCE for ArcBest is calculated as the following ratio for the Measurement Period:

Net Income + After-tax Effect of Interest Expense + After-tax Effect of Imputed Interest Expense + After-tax Effect of Amortization of intangibles – After-tax Effect of Income from Cash and Short-term Investments Attributable to the reduction in Avg.  Debt

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________-________________

Average Equity + Average Debt + Average Imputed Debt

Divided by 3

“Net Income” for the ROCE calculation is consolidated net income for the Measurement Period determined in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles after taking into account the Section II Required Adjustments.

“Interest Expense” for the ROCE calculation is (i) interest on all long and short-term indebtedness and other interest bearing obligations and (ii) deferred financing cost amortization and other financing costs, including letters of credit fees for the Measurement Period, reduced by the amount of interest expense on debt not included in Average Debt as defined below.

“Imputed Interest Expense” consists of the interest attributable to Average Imputed Debt assuming an interest rate of 7.5% for the Measurement Period.

“Average Equity” is the average of the beginning of the Measurement Period and the end of the Measurement Period stockholder’s equity.    

“Average Debt” is the average of the beginning of the Measurement Period and the end of the Measurement Period current and long-term debt, with beginning of the Measurement Period and end of the Measurement Period current and long-term debt reduced by the respective amount of the beginning of the Measurement Period and end of the Measurement Period total of unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, and limited to a reduction of debt to zero.   

“Average Imputed Debt” consists of the average of the beginning of the Measurement Period and the end of the Measurement Period present value of all payments determined using an interest rate of 7.5% on operating leases of revenue equipment with an initial term of more than two years.

“Amortization of intangibles” consists of amortization of intangibles and depreciation of software related to acquired businesses including any writedown or impairment charge related to those assets. 

“Income from Cash and Short-term Investments Attributable to the reduction in Average Debt” consists of income earned on the amount by which Average Debt is reduced at the average interest rate earned in cash and short-term investments for the measurement period.

5

ArcBest Corporation.

[            ] Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan

II.Required Adjustments

The following adjustments shall be made when calculating ROCE:

(i) add back the after-tax total long-term incentive compensation accruals during the Measurement Period for any Long-term Incentive Compensation Plan for nonunion employees of ArcBest and any of its Subsidiaries when determining Net Income;

(ii) add back after-tax direct third party expenses associated with an acquisition by ArcBest or any of its Subsidiaries, to the extent the items were added back under the [            ], [            ] and [            ] ArcBest and any of its Subsidiaries Annual Incentive Compensation Plans;

(iii) exclude the operating results (all revenue and expenses) for any business acquired between the beginning of the Measurement Period and the end of the Measurement Period from the calculation of Net Income in the numerator of the ratio for the period from the acquisition date to the next December 31st (operating results of acquired businesses are included thereafter) and exclude any Acquisition Debt attributable to the business acquired (either directly held by the business or incurred to acquire the business) included in the denominator based on the weighted average of the Acquisition Debt for the period for which operating results are excluded from the numerator.

(iv) exclude decreases in Net Income resulting directly from reorganization and restructuring programs for which amounts are publicly disclosed; 

(v) exclude increases or decreases in Net Income resulting from an extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring item as determined by the Compensation Committee in its discretion provided such item is described, at the time the performance goal is established, in a manner that is objectively determinable; 

(vi) exclude increases or decreases in Net Income resulting from any change in accounting principle as defined in the Accounting Standards Codification topic(s) that replaced or were formerly known as Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement 154, as amended or superseded; 

(vii) exclude the effect on ROCE of changes to net income, equity and debt as a result of any change in accounting principle as defined in the Accounting Standards Codification topic(s) that replaced or were formerly known as Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 30, as amended or superseded;

(viii) exclude any loss from a discontinued operation as described in the Accounting Standards Codification topic(s) as they existed at December 31, 2013, that replaced or were formerly known as FASB 144, as amended or superseded; 

(ix) exclude the effect of changes in federal income tax law or regulations affecting reported results during the Measurement Period including increases or decreases in tax rates, changes in the taxability or deductibility of any item of income or expense or the addition or elimination of tax credits. A change for this purpose will be as compared to the laws and regulations in effect on January 1, [            ], without consideration of any retroactive changes in tax law that affect January 1, [            ] tax law;  

(x) exclude goodwill impairment charges; and

(xi) exclude after-tax settlement accounting charges incurred that relate to the qualified defined benefit pension plan.

6

ArcBest Corporation.

[            ] Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan

LTIP - TSR Component

The Compensation Committee of the ArcBest Corporation Board of Directors has adopted this Total Shareholder Return Component of the Total Plan (“TSR Component”), including the following Individual Award Opportunities, Performance Measures, and Participants for ArcBest Corporation and its subsidiaries for the three-year period beginning 1/1/[            ] and ending 12/31/[            ].

I. Performance Measure

Total Shareholder Return. (“TSR”). Total Shareholder Return with respect to the Company and each Peer Company equals the annualized rate of return reflecting price appreciation between the beginning 60-day average share price (ending December 31 of the year immediately prior to the beginning of the Measurement Period) and the ending 60-day average share price (ending December 31 of the final year of the Measurement Period), adjusted for dividends paid and the compounding effect of dividends paid on reinvested dividends (the calculation assumes that all dividends paid are reinvested).Any Peer Company that is no longer publicly traded shall be excluded from this calculation.

Compounded Annual Growth Rate (“CAGR”). Compounded Annual Growth Rate converts the total return into a value that indicates what the return was on an annual basis for the 3-year period.

Peer Companies. The Peer Companies are the following publicly traded companies:  

Company Name	Ticker
Echo Global Logistics, Inc.	ECHO
Forward Air Corporation	FWRD
Hub Group, Inc.	HUBG
JB Hunt Transport Services, Inc.	JBHT
Landstar System, Inc.	LSTR
Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.	ODFL
Roadrunner Transportation Systems, Inc.	RRTS
Saia, Inc.	SAIA
Swift Transportation Company	SWFT
Werner Enterprises, Inc.	WERN
XPO Logistics, Inc.	XPO
YRC Worldwide Inc.	YRCW

II. Adjustments

In the event that there is any change in the common stock of the Company or the Peer Companies as the result of any stock dividend on, dividend of or stock split or stock combination of, or any like change in, stock of the same class or in the event of any change in the capital structure of the Company or the Peer Companies all share amounts and the TSR calculation will be adjusted appropriately.

7

ArcBest Corporation.

[            ] Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan

Appendix A

[            ]-[            ] LTIP – ROCE Component

	Three-Year Average Return on Capital Employed (“ROCE”)	Performance Factor Earned
	Less than 5%	0%
Threshold	5%	50%
Target	10%	100%
Maximum	15%	300%
	Greater than 15%	300%

ROCE Component Weighting:  50%

8

ArcBest Corporation.

[            ] Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan

Appendix B

[            ]-[            ] LTIP – TSR Component

	Percentile ranking of the Company’s Compounded Annual Growth Rate TSR relative to Peer Companies over the Measurement Period	Performance Factor Earned
	Below 25th Percentile	0%
Threshold	25th Percentile	25%
Target	50th Percentile	100%
Maximum	75th Percentile	200%
	Above 75th Percentile	200%

TSR Component Weighting:  50%

9

ArcBest Corporation.

[            ] Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan

Appendix C

LTIP Target Payout Factors

Participants/Job Title	Target Payout Factor
ArcBest – Chairman, President & CEO	[    ]%
ArcBest VP – CFO	[    ]%
ABF – President ArcBest, COO, Asset-Light Logistics	[    ]%
AB Tech – President and ArcBest SVP – CINO ABF SVP - Operations	[    ]%
ArcBest VP – General Counsel & Corporate Secretary ArcBest VP – Chief Yield Officer  ArcBest VP – Chief Customer Experience Officer ArcBest VP – Chief Human Resources Officer ArcBest VP – Chief Sales Officer	[    ]%
ArcBest VP – Controller  ArcBest VP – Customer Solutions ArcBest VP – Financial Services and Risk Mgmt ArcBest VP – Talent and Growth Initiatives AB Tech VP – Business Insight & Analytics AB Tech VP – Chief Technology Officer AB Tech VP – Technology R&D AB Tech VP – CIO ABF Freight VP –  Employee Relations ABF Freight VP –  Terminal Operations ABF Freight VP – Maintenance ArcBest VP – Yield Management	[    ]%
ArcBest VP – Internal Audit ArcBest VP – Sales – East ArcBest VP – Sales – West ABF Freight VP – Pricing, Treasurer & Controller	[    ]%
ArcBest EVP – Asset-Light Expedited Services & Capacity ArcBest VP – Sales – Truckload ArcBest VP – Sales - Expedite ArcBest VP – Sales – Verticals ArcBest VP – Controller, Asset-Light Logistics FleetNet - President	[    ]%

10

EX-31.1

EXHIBIT 31.1

Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Judy R. McReynolds, certify that:

1.I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of ArcBest Corporation;

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 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 9, 2017	/s/ Judy R. McReynolds
	Judy R. McReynolds
	Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer and Principal Executive Officer

EX-31.2

EXHIBIT 31.2

Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, David R. Cobb, certify that:

1.I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of ArcBest Corporation;

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 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 9, 2017	/s/ David R. Cobb
	David R. Cobb
	Vice President — Chief Financial Officer
	and Principal Financial Officer

EX-32

EXHIBIT 32

Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the filing of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, (the “Report”) by ArcBest Corporation (the “Registrant”), each of the undersigned hereby certifies that:

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

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

	ARCBEST CORPORATION
	(Registrant)
Date: May 9, 2017	/s/ Judy R. McReynolds
	Judy R. McReynolds
	Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
	and Principal Executive Officer
	ARCBEST CORPORATION
	(Registrant)
Date: May 9, 2017	/s/ David R. Cobb
	David R. Cobb
	Vice President — Chief Financial Officer
	and Principal Financial Officer

XML

Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	May 04, 2017
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	ARCBEST CORP /DE/
Entity Central Index Key	0000894405
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2017
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		25,835,826
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1

XML

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 82,253	$ 114,280
Short-term investments	56,984	56,838
Restricted cash	962	962
Accounts receivable, less allowances (2017 – $5,283; 2016 – $5,437)	258,931	260,643
Other accounts receivable, less allowances (2017 – $875; 2016 – $849)	18,687	22,041
Prepaid expenses	27,012	22,124
Prepaid and refundable income taxes	11,008	9,909
Other	8,226	4,300
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS	464,063	491,097
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Land and structures	330,909	324,086
Revenue equipment	742,394	743,860
Service, office, and other equipment	155,618	154,119
Software	123,857	120,877
Leasehold improvements	8,993	8,758
TOTAL PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, GROSS	1,361,771	1,351,700
Less allowances for depreciation and amortization	838,147	819,174
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net	523,624	532,526
GOODWILL	108,981	108,875
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net	79,371	80,507
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES	3,064	2,978
OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS	65,380	66,095
TOTAL ASSETS	1,244,483	1,282,078
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable	130,750	133,301
Accrued expenses	190,829	198,731
Current portion of long-term debt	59,995	64,143
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES	381,574	396,175
LONG-TERM DEBT, less current portion	167,075	179,530
PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT LIABILITIES	37,541	35,848
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES	15,844	16,790
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES	50,773	54,680
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 70,000,000 shares; issued 2017: 28,193,117 shares; 2016: 28,174,424 shares	282	282
Additional paid-in capital	316,802	315,318
Retained earnings	377,444	386,917
Treasury stock, at cost, 2017: 2,565,399 shares	(80,045)	(80,045)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(22,807)	(23,417)
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	591,676	599,055
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	$ 1,244,483	$ 1,282,078

XML

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Accounts receivable, allowances (in dollars)	$ 5,283	$ 5,437
Other accounts receivable, allowances (in dollars)	$ 875	$ 849
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, authorized shares	70,000,000	70,000,000
Common stock, issued shares	28,193,117	28,174,424
Treasury stock, at cost, shares	2,565,399	2,565,399

XML

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
REVENUES	$ 651,088	$ 621,455
OPERATING EXPENSES	663,341	630,720
OPERATING LOSS	(12,253)	(9,265)
OTHER INCOME (COSTS)
Interest and dividend income	274	401
Interest and other related financing costs	(1,315)	(1,247)
Other, net	647	366
TOTAL OTHER INCOME (COSTS)	(394)	(480)
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(12,647)	(9,745)
INCOME TAX BENEFIT	(5,240)	(3,642)
NET LOSS	$ (7,407)	$ (6,103)
LOSS PER COMMON SHARE
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.29)	$ (0.24)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.29)	$ (0.24)
AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING
Basic (in shares)	25,684,475	25,822,522
Diluted (in shares)	25,684,475	25,822,522
CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE (in dollars per share)	$ 0.08	$ 0.08

XML

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
NET LOSS	$ (7,407)	$ (6,103)
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans:
Net actuarial loss, net of tax of: (2017 – $935; 2016 – $2,230)	(1,471)	(3,504)
Pension settlement expense, net of tax of: (2017 – $761; 2016 – $350)	1,196	550
Amortization of unrecognized net periodic benefit costs, net of tax of: (2017 – $401; 2016 – $437)
Net actuarial loss	660	714
Prior service credit	(29)	(29)
Interest rate swap and foreign currency translation:
Change in unrealized income (loss) on interest rate swap, net of tax of: (2017 – $88; 2016 – $353)	135	(546)
Change in foreign currency translation, net of tax of: (2017 – $76 ; 2016 – $371)	119	584
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), net of tax	610	(2,231)
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	$ (6,797)	$ (8,334)

XML

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Net actuarial loss, tax expense (benefit)	$ (935)	$ (2,230)
Pension settlement expense, tax	761	350
Amortization of unrecognized net periodic benefit costs, tax	401	437
Change in unrealized income (loss) on interest rate swap, tax expense (benefit)	88	(353)
Change in foreign currency translation, tax expense (benefit)	$ 76	$ 371

XML

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Retained Earnings	Treasury Stock	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Total
Balances at Dec. 31, 2015					$ (27,496)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net loss						$ (6,103)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax					(2,231)	(2,231)
Dividends declared on common stock						(2,088)
Balances at Mar. 31, 2016					(29,727)
Balances at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 282	$ 315,318	$ 386,917	$ (80,045)	(23,417)	599,055
Balances (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016	28,174			2,565
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net loss			(7,407)			(7,407)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax					610	610
Issuance of common stock under share-based compensation plans (in shares)	19
Tax effect of share-based compensation plans		(247)				(247)
Share-based compensation expense		1,731				1,731
Dividends declared on common stock			(2,066)			(2,066)
Balances at Mar. 31, 2017	$ 282	$ 316,802	$ 377,444	$ (80,045)	$ (22,807)	$ 591,676
Balances (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2017	28,193			2,565

XML

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net loss	$ (7,407)	$ (6,103)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	24,258	24,164
Amortization of intangibles	1,136	987
Pension settlement expense	1,957	900
Share-based compensation expense	1,731	1,709
Provision for losses on accounts receivable	442	82
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)	(4,197)	5,212
Gain on sale of property and equipment	(613)	(311)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables	3,345	9,569
Prepaid expenses	(5,174)	(3,998)
Other assets	(3,357)	(2,954)
Income taxes	(1,205)	(10,211)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities	(9,155)	(6,706)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES	1,761	12,340
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of property, plant and equipment, net of financings	(12,273)	(13,357)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	1,692	2,435
Purchases of short-term investments	(6,223)	(15,745)
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments	6,125	7,840
Capitalization of internally developed software	(2,440)	(2,668)
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES	(13,119)	(21,495)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Payments on long-term debt	(17,297)	(11,066)
Net change in book overdrafts	(981)	(5,095)
Payment of common stock dividends	(2,066)	(2,088)
Purchases of treasury stock		(2,602)
Payments for tax withheld on share-based compensation	(325)	(178)
NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES	(20,669)	(21,029)
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH	(32,027)	(30,184)
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	115,242	166,357
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH AT END OF PERIOD	83,215	136,173
NONCASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Equipment financed	694	1,947
Accruals for equipment received	$ 440	$ 8,486

XML

ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION

ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION

NOTE A – ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION

ArcBest Corporation® (the “Company”) is the parent holding company of businesses providing integrated logistics solutions. The Company’s operations are conducted through its three reportable operating segments: Asset-Based, which consists of ABF Freight System, Inc. and certain other subsidiaries; ArcBest, the Company’s asset-light logistics operation; and FleetNet. References to the Company in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are primarily to the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

The Asset-Based segment represented approximately 71% of the Company’s total revenues before other revenues and intercompany eliminations for the three months ended March 31, 2017. As of March 2017, approximately 83% of the Asset-Based segment’s employees were covered under a collective bargaining agreement, the ABF National Master Freight Agreement (the “ABF NMFA”), with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (the “IBT”), which extends through March 31, 2018. The ABF NMFA included a 7% wage rate reduction upon the November 3, 2013 implementation date, followed by wage rate increases of 2% on July 1 in each of the next three years, which began in 2014, and a 2.5% increase on July 1, 2017; a one-week reduction in annual compensated vacation effective for employee anniversary dates on or after April 1, 2013; the option to expand the use of purchased transportation; and increased flexibility in labor work rules. The ABF NMFA and the related supplemental agreements provide for continued contributions to various multiemployer health, welfare, and pension plans maintained for the benefit of the Asset-Based segment’s employees who are members of the IBT. The estimated net effect of the November 3, 2013 wage rate reduction and the benefit rate increase which was applied retroactively to August 1, 2013 was an initial reduction of approximately 4% to the combined total contractual wage and benefit rate under the ABF NMFA. Following the initial reduction, the combined contractual wage and benefit contribution rate under the ABF NMFA is estimated to increase approximately 2.5% on a compounded annual basis throughout the contract period which extends through March 31, 2018.

On September 2, 2016, the ArcBest segment acquired Logistics & Distribution Services, LLC (“LDS”), a private logistics and distribution company, in a transaction valued at $25.0 million (subject to post-closing adjustments), reflecting net cash consideration of $17.0 million paid at closing and an additional $8.0 million of contingent consideration to be paid over the two years following the acquisition upon the achievement of certain financial targets. As the LDS acquisition is not significant to the Company’s consolidated operating results and financial condition, pro forma financial information and the purchase price allocations of acquired assets and liabilities have not been presented. The results of the acquired operations subsequent to the acquisition date have been included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.The Company is in the process of making a final determination of the value of acquired assets and liabilities for the LDS transaction and the provisional measurements are subject to change during the measurement period.

Financial Statement Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) pertaining to interim financial information. Accordingly, these interim financial statements do not include all information or footnote disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements and, therefore, should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and accompanying notes included in the Company’s 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K and other current filings with the Commission. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which are of a normal and recurring nature) -considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.

Certain restatements have been made to the prior year’s operating segment data to conform to the current year presentation, reflecting the realignment of the Company’s organizational structure as announced on November 3, 2016. Under the new structure, the segments previously reported as Premium Logistics (Panther), Transportation Management (ABF Logistics), and Household Goods Moving Services (ABF Moving) are consolidated as a single Asset-Light logistics operation under ArcBest. Segment revenues and expenses were adjusted to eliminate certain intercompany charges consistent with the manner in which they are reported under the new corporate structure. Certain intercompany charges among the previously reported Panther, ABF Logistics, and ABF Moving segments which were previously eliminated in the “Other and eliminations” line, are now eliminated within the ArcBest segment. There was no impact on the Company’s consolidated revenues, operating expenses, operating income, or earnings per share as a result of the restatements.

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year’s consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year presentation. The insurance receivable for the amount of workers’ compensation and third-party casualty claims in excess of self-insurance retention limits, which was previously offset against the reserve included in accrued expenses, has been reclassed to other accounts receivable, resulting in an $8.7 million increase in other accounts receivable and a corresponding increase in accrued expenses in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2016. Amounts totaling $18.6 million related to certain service centers of the Company’s Asset-Based operations previously recorded in leasehold improvements were reclassed to land and structures in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2016. Other reclassifications were made to the consolidated financial statements to apply the provisions of accounting pronouncements adopted during the first quarter of 2017 related to deferred income taxes, share-based compensation, and cash flow classification (see Adopted Accounting Pronouncements within this Note). The Company’s deferred tax assets were reclassed, by jurisdiction, from current to long-term in the consolidated balance sheets. The net change in restricted cash previously presented in financing activities of the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows was removed and restricted cash was included in the reconciliation of beginning- and end-of-period totals of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash. Cash paid by the Company when directly withholding shares from an employee’s share-based compensation award for tax-withholding purposes was reclassified from an operating activity within changes in income taxes to a financing activity in the consolidated statements of cash flows. There was no impact on the Company’s consolidated revenues, operating expenses, operating income, or earnings per share as a result of the reclassifications.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual amounts may differ from those estimates.

Accounting Policies

The Company’s accounting policies are described in Note B to the consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of the Company’s 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The following policy became effective for the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2017.

Share-Based Compensation: The fair value of restricted stock awards is determined based upon the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The restricted stock units generally vest at the end of a five‑year period following the date of grant, except for certain awards granted to non-employee directors that typically vest at the end of a one-year period for awards granted on or after January 1, 2016 and at the end of a three-year period for previous grants, subject to accelerated vesting due to death, disability, retirement, or change in control provisions. When restricted stock units become vested, the Company issues new shares which are subsequently distributed. Dividends or dividend equivalents are paid on certain restricted stock units during the vesting period. The Company recognizes the income tax benefits of dividends on share-based payment awards as income tax expense or benefit in the consolidated statements of operations when awards vest or are settled.

Share based awards are amortized to compensation expense on a straight line basis over the vesting period of awards or over the period to which the recipient first becomes eligible for retirement, whichever is shorter, with vesting accelerated upon death or disability. The Company recognizes forfeitures as they occur.

Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In the first quarter of 2017, the Company adopted guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) which amended Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) ASC Topic 740 with the addition of Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes.  The amendment was retrospectively adopted and resulted in reclassifications to the consolidated balance sheets to present all deferred tax assets and liabilities as noncurrent by jurisdiction.

An amendment to ASC Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, was issued to simplify the accounting for share-based compensation, which requires the income tax effects of awards to be recognized in the statement of operations when awards vest or are settled and allows employers to make a policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur. The Company adopted the amendment in the first quarter of 2017. As a result of applying the provisions of the amendment, the Company recognized a $0.2 million cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The Company also made a policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur. The Company may experience volatility in its income tax provision as a result of recording all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies in the income statement upon settlement of awards, which is primarily during the second quarter of each year. This provision of the amendment related to recognition of excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies was adopted prospectively; therefore, the prior period has not been adjusted for this provision. Cash paid by the Company to taxing authorities on the employee’s behalf for withheld shares was reclassified from an operating activity within changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities to a financing activity in the consolidated statements of cash flows. The other provisions of the adopted amendment did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In the first quarter of 2017, the Company also adopted amendments to ASC Topic 230, Statement of Cash Flows, which provide classification guidance for restricted cash and certain cash receipts and cash payments presented in the statement of cash flows. The retrospective adoption of the amendments resulted in reclassification to the consolidated statement of cash flows to include restricted cash in the reconciliation of beginning- and end-of-period totals of cash and cash equivalents. Proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies will be classified as cash provided by investing activities, and cash payments for premiums on such insurance policies will be classified as cash used in operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

ASC Topic 606, which amends the guidance in former ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, provides a single comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers and contains principles to apply to determine the measurement of revenue and timing of when it is recognized. The standard is effective for the Company on January 1, 2018. The Company plans to adopt this standard on the modified retrospective basis and does not expect a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements.

An amendment to ASC Topic 715, Compensation – Retirement Benefits will require the service cost component of net benefit cost related to benefit plans accounted for under ASC Topic 715 to be included in the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the related employees and will allow only the service cost component of the net benefit cost to be eligible for capitalization of internal costs. The amendment will also require the other components of net benefit cost, including pension settlement expense, to be presented in other income (costs) rather than in operating income. The amendment is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2018. The Company is currently assessing the impact this update will have on the consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

ASC Topic 842, Leases, which is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2019, will require leases with a term greater than twelve months to be reflected as liabilities with associated right-of-use assets in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. The Company is evaluating the impact of the new standard on the consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

An amendment to ASC Topic 326, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which changes the impairment model for most financial assets and certain other instruments, is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2020. The Company is currently assessing the impact this update will have on the consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

Management believes that there is no other new accounting guidance issued but not yet effective that is relevant to the Company’s current financial statements. 

XML

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

NOTE B – FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Financial Instruments

The following table presents the components of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, and restricted funds:

	March 31		December 31
	2017		2016
	(in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash deposits(1)	$	61,067	$	92,520
Variable rate demand notes(1)(2)		578		16,057
Money market funds(3)		20,608		5,703
Total cash and cash equivalents	$	82,253	$	114,280
Short-term investments
Certificates of deposit(1)	$	56,984	$	56,838
Restricted cash(4)
Cash deposits(1)	$	962	$	962

⁽¹⁾ Recorded at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates fair value.

⁽²⁾ Amounts may be redeemed on a daily basis with the original issuer.

⁽³⁾ Recorded at fair value as determined by quoted market prices (see amounts presented in the table of financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value within this Note).

⁽⁴⁾ Amounts restricted for use are subject to change based on the requirements of the Company’s collateralized facilities (see Note E).

The Company’s long-term investment financial instruments are presented in the table of financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value within this Note.

Concentrations of Credit Risk of Financial Instruments

The Company is potentially subject to concentrations of credit risk related to its cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments. The Company reduces credit risk by maintaining its cash deposits primarily in FDIC-insured accounts and placing its unrestricted short-term investments primarily in FDIC-insured certificates of deposit. However, certain cash deposits and certificates of deposit may exceed federally insured limits. At March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, cash and cash equivalents totaling $32.6 million and $39.9 million, respectively, were not FDIC insured.

Fair Value Disclosure of Financial Instruments

Fair value disclosures are made in accordance with the following hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the inputs of market data and market assumptions used to measure fair value are observable or unobservable:

· Level 1 — Quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets.

· Level 2 — Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

· Level 3 — Unobservable inputs (Company’s market assumptions) that are significant to the valuation model.

Fair value and carrying value disclosures of financial instruments are presented in the following table:

	March 31				December 31
	2017				2016
	(in thousands)
		Carrying		Fair		Carrying		Fair
		Value		Value		Value		Value
Credit Facility(1)	$	70,000	$	70,000	$	70,000	$	70,000
Accounts receivable securitization borrowings(2)		35,000		35,000		35,000		35,000
Notes payable(3)		121,444		120,775		138,032		137,503
	$	226,444	$	225,775	$	243,032	$	242,503

⁽¹⁾ The revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) carries a variable interest rate based on LIBOR, plus a margin, that is considered to be priced at market for debt instruments having similar terms and collateral requirements (Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy).

⁽²⁾ Borrowings under the Company’s accounts receivable securitization program carry a variable interest rate based on LIBOR, plus a margin. The borrowings are considered to be priced at market for debt instruments having similar terms and collateral requirements (Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy).

⁽³⁾ Fair value of the notes payable was determined using a present value income approach based on quoted interest rates from lending institutions with which the Company would enter into similar transactions (Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy).

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis

The following table presents the assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

	March 31, 2017
			Fair Value Measurements Using
			Quoted Prices		Significant		Significant
			In Active		Observable		Unobservable
			Markets		Inputs		Inputs
	Total		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	(in thousands)
Assets:
Money market funds(1)	$	20,608	$	20,608	$	—	$	—
Equity, bond, and money market mutual funds held in trust related to the Voluntary Savings Plan(2)		2,271		2,271		—		—
	$	22,879	$	22,879	$	—	$	—
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration(3)	$	6,790	$	—	$	—	$	6,790
Interest rate swap(4)		319		—		319		—
	$	7,109	$	—	$	319	$	6,790

	December 31, 2016
			Fair Value Measurements Using
			Quoted Prices		Significant		Significant
			In Active		Observable		Unobservable
			Markets		Inputs		Inputs
	Total		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	(in thousands)
Assets:
Money market funds(1)	$	5,703	$	5,703	$	—	$	—
Equity, bond, and money market mutual funds held in trust related to the Voluntary Savings Plan(2)		2,220		2,220		—		—
	$	7,923	$	7,923	$	—	$	—
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration(3)	$	6,775	$	—	$	—	$	6,775
Interest rate swap(4)		542		—		542		—
	$	7,317	$	—	$	542	$	6,775

⁽¹⁾ Included in cash and cash equivalents.

⁽²⁾ Nonqualified deferred compensation plan investments consist of U.S. and international equity mutual funds, government and corporate bond mutual funds, and money market funds which are held in a trust with a third-party brokerage firm. Included in other long-term assets, with a corresponding liability reported within other long-term liabilities.

⁽³⁾ Included in accrued expenses and other long-term liabilities, based on when expected payouts become due. The estimated fair value of contingent consideration for an earn-out agreement related to the September 2016 acquisition of LDS was determined by assessing Level 3 inputs with a discounted cash flow approach using various probability-weighted scenarios. The Level 3 assessments utilize a Monte Carlo simulation with inputs including scenarios of estimated revenues and gross margins to be achieved for the applicable performance periods, probability weightings assigned to the performance scenarios, and the discount rate applied, which was 12.3% as of March 31, 2017. Subsequent changes to the fair value as a result of recurring assessments will be recognized in operating income.

⁽⁴⁾ Included in other long-term liabilities. The interest rate swap fair value was determined by discounting future cash flows and receipts based on expected interest rates observed in market interest rate curves adjusted for estimated credit valuation considerations reflecting nonperformance risk of the Company and the counterparty, which are considered to be in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company assessed Level 3 inputs as insignificant to the valuation at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 and considers the interest rate swap valuation in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

The following table provides the changes in fair value of the liabilities measured at fair value using inputs categorized in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy:

	Contingent Consideration
	(in thousands)
Balances at December 31, 2016	$	6,775
Change in fair value included in operating expenses		15
Balances at March 31, 2017	$	6,790

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GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

NOTE C – GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of net identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired. Goodwill by reportable operating segment consisted of the following:

	Total		ArcBest		FleetNet
	(in thousands)
Balances at December 31, 2016	$	108,875	$	108,245	$	630
Purchase accounting adjustments(1)		106		106		—
Balances at March 31, 2017	$	108,981	$	108,351	$	630

⁽¹⁾ Goodwill related to the September 2, 2016 acquisition of LDS is based on preliminary information as of March 31, 2017.

Intangible assets consisted of the following:

		March 31, 2017						December 31, 2016
	Weighted-Average			Accumulated		Net				Accumulated		Net
	Amortization Period	Cost		Amortization		Value			Cost	Amortization		Value
	(in years)	(in thousands)						(in thousands)
Finite-lived intangible assets
Customer relationships(1)	14	$	60,431	$	16,450	$	43,981	$	60,431	$	15,350	$	45,081
Driver network	3		3,200		3,200		—		3,200		3,200		—
Other	9		1,032		442		590		1,032		406		626
	13		64,663		20,092		44,571		64,663		18,956		45,707
Indefinite-lived intangible assets
Trade name	N/A		32,300		N/A		32,300		32,300		N/A		32,300
Other	N/A		2,500		N/A		2,500		2,500		N/A		2,500
			34,800				34,800		34,800				34,800
Total intangible assets	N/A	$	99,463	$	20,092	$	79,371	$	99,463	$	18,956	$	80,507

⁽¹⁾ Customer relationships of $7.7 million related to the September 2, 2016 acquisition of LDS is based on preliminary information as of March 31, 2017.

The future amortization for intangible assets and acquired software as of March 31, 2017 were as follows:

			Intangible		Acquired
	Total		Assets		Software(1)
	(in thousands)
2017	$	5,284	$	3,402	$	1,882
2018		6,654		4,520		2,134
2019		5,469		4,482		987
2020		4,471		4,454		17
2021		4,418		4,412		6
Thereafter		23,301		23,301		—
Total amortization	$	49,597	$	44,571	$	5,026

⁽¹⁾ Acquired software is reported in property, plant and equipment.

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INCOME TAXES

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES

NOTE D – INCOME TAXES

The Company’s statutory federal tax rate is 35%. State tax rates vary among states and average approximately 6.0% to 6.5%, although some state rates are higher and a small number of states do not impose an income tax. The effective tax benefit rate was 41.4% and 37.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the difference between the Company’s effective tax rate and the federal statutory rate primarily results from state income taxes, nondeductible expenses, changes in deferred tax valuation allowances, and changes in the cash surrender value of life insurance. The three-month period ended March 31, 2016 reflects a benefit of 2.9% related to the alternative fuel tax credit which expired December 31, 2016.

An amendment to ASC Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation became effective in the first quarter of 2017. The amendment was issued to simplify the accounting for share-based compensation by requiring the income tax effects of awards to be recognized in the statement of operations when awards vest or are settled. As a result of applying the provisions of the amendment in the first quarter of 2017, the tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2017 reflects a benefit of 0.6%. The Company may experience volatility in its income tax provision as a result of recording all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies in the income statement upon settlement of awards, which is primarily during the second quarter of each year.

As of March 31, 2017, the Company’s deferred tax liabilities, which will reverse in future years, exceeded the deferred tax assets. The Company evaluated the total deferred tax assets at March 31, 2017 and concluded that, other than for certain deferred tax assets related to foreign net operating loss and state contribution carryforwards, the assets did not exceed the amount for which realization is more likely than not. In making this determination, the Company considered the future reversal of existing taxable temporary differences, taxable income in carryback years, future taxable income, and tax planning strategies.

The Company paid state income taxes of less than $0.1 million and paid state and foreign income taxes of $1.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 the Company received refunds of less than $0.1 million and $0.7 million, respectively, of federal and state income taxes that were paid in prior years.

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LONG-TERM DEBT AND FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

LONG-TERM DEBT AND FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS

LONG-TERM DEBT AND FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS

NOTE E – LONG-TERM DEBT AND FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS

Long-Term Debt Obligations

Long-term debt consisted of borrowings outstanding under the Company’s revolving credit facility and accounts receivable securitization program, both of which are further described in Financing Arrangements within this Note, and notes payable and capital lease obligations related to the financing of revenue equipment (tractors and trailers used primarily in Asset-Based segment operations), real estate, and certain other equipment as follows:

	March 31		December 31
	2017		2016
	(in thousands)
Credit Facility (interest rate of 2.5%(1) at March 31, 2017)	$	70,000	$	70,000
Accounts receivable securitization borrowings (interest rate of 1.7% at March 31, 2017)		35,000		35,000
Notes payable (weighted-average interest rate of 2.2% at March 31, 2017)		121,444		138,032
Capital lease obligations (weighted-average interest rate of 5.7% at March 31, 2017)		626		641
		227,070		243,673
Less current portion		59,995		64,143
Long-term debt, less current portion	$	167,075	$	179,530

⁽¹⁾ The interest rate swap mitigates interest rate risk by effectively converting $50.0 million of borrowings under the Credit Facility from variable-rate interest to fixed-rate interest with a per annum rate of 3.35% based on the margin of the Credit Facility as of March 31, 2017.

Scheduled maturities of long-term debt obligations as of March 31, 2017 were as follows:

					Accounts
					Receivable
			Credit		Securitization		Notes		Capital Lease
	Total		Facility(1)		Program(1)		Payable		Obligations(2)
	(in thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	64,735	$	1,944	$	759	$	61,802	$	230
Due after one year through two years		44,207		2,275		925		40,772		235
Due after two years through three years		122,755		71,886		36,047		14,621		201
Due after three years through four years		5,310		—		—		5,303		7
Due after four years through five years		2,338		—		—		2,331		7
Due after five years		—		—		—		—		—
Total payments		239,345		76,105		37,731		124,829		680
Less amounts representing interest		12,275		6,105		2,731		3,385		54
Long-term debt	$	227,070	$	70,000	$	35,000	$	121,444	$	626

⁽¹⁾ The future interest payments included in the scheduled maturities due are calculated using variable interest rates based on the LIBOR swap curve, plus the anticipated applicable margin.

⁽²⁾ Minimum payments of capital lease obligations include maximum amounts due under rental adjustment clauses contained in the capital lease agreements.

Assets securing notes payable or held under capital leases were included in property, plant and equipment as follows:

	March 31		December 31
	2017		2016
	(in thousands)
Revenue equipment	$	220,381	$	220,566
Land and structures (service centers)		1,794		1,794
Software		671		—
Service, office, and other equipment		7		7
Total assets securing notes payable or held under capital leases		222,853		222,367
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization(1)		72,430		61,643
Net assets securing notes payable or held under capital leases	$	150,423	$	160,724

⁽¹⁾ Amortization of assets under capital leases and depreciation of assets securing notes payable are included in depreciation expense.

Financing Arrangements

Credit Facility

The Company has a revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) under its credit agreement which was amended and restated on January 2, 2015 (“the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement”). The Credit Facility, which matures on January 2, 2020, has an initial maximum credit amount of $150.0 million, including a swing line facility and a letter of credit sub-facility providing for the issuance of letters of credit up to an aggregate amount of $20.0 million. The Credit Facility allows the Company to request additional revolving commitments or incremental term loans thereunder up to an aggregate additional amount of $75.0 million, subject to certain additional conditions as provided in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. Principal payments under the Credit Facility are due upon maturity; however, borrowings may be repaid, at the Company’s discretion, in whole or in part at any time, without penalty, subject to required notice periods and compliance with minimum prepayment amounts. Borrowings under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement can either be, at the Company’s election: (i) at an alternate base rate (as defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement) plus a spread; or (ii) at a Eurodollar rate (as defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement) plus a spread. The applicable spread is dependent upon the Company’s adjusted leverage ratio (as defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement). The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement contains conditions, representations and warranties, events of default, and indemnification provisions that are customary for financings of this type, including, but not limited to, a minimum interest coverage ratio, a maximum adjusted leverage ratio, and limitations on incurrence of debt, investments, liens on assets, certain sale and leaseback transactions, transactions with affiliates, mergers, consolidations, purchases and sales of assets, and certain restricted payments. The Company was in compliance with the covenants under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement at March 31, 2017.

Interest Rate Swap

The Company has an interest rate swap agreement with a $50.0 million notional amount maturing on January 2, 2020. The Company receives floating-rate interest amounts based on one-month LIBOR in exchange for fixed-rate interest payments of 1.85% over the life of the interest rate swap agreement. The interest rate swap mitigates interest rate risk by effectively converting $50.0 million of borrowings under the Credit Facility from variable-rate interest to fixed-rate interest with a per annum rate of 3.35% based on the margin of the Credit Facility as of March 31, 2017. The fair value of the interest rate swap of $0.3 million and $0.5 million was recorded in other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. The unrealized loss on the interest rate swap instrument was reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, in stockholders’ equity at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, and the change in the unrealized loss on the interest rate swap for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 was reported in other comprehensive loss, net of tax, in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. The interest rate swap is subject to certain customary provisions that could allow the counterparty to request immediate payment of the fair value liability upon violation of any or all of the provisions. The Company was in compliance with all provisions of the interest rate swap agreement at March 31, 2017.

Accounts Receivable Securitization Program

On March 20, 2017, the Company entered into a second amendment to extend the maturity date of its accounts receivable securitization program until April 1, 2020 and increase the amount of cash proceeds provided under the facility from $100.0 million to $125.0 million, with an accordion feature allowing the Company to request additional borrowings up to $25.0 million, subject to certain conditions. Under this program, certain subsidiaries of the Company continuously sell a designated pool of trade accounts receivables to a wholly owned subsidiary which, in turn, may borrow funds on a revolving basis. This wholly owned consolidated subsidiary is a separate bankruptcy-remote entity, and its assets would be available only to satisfy the claims related to the lender’s interest in the trade accounts receivables. Borrowings under the accounts receivable securitization program bear interest based upon LIBOR, plus a margin, and an annual facility fee. The securitization agreement contains representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants, and events of default that are customary for financings of this type, including a maximum adjusted leverage ratio covenant. As of March 31, 2017, $35.0 million was borrowed under the accounts receivable securitization program. The Company was in compliance with the covenants under the accounts receivable securitization program as of March 31, 2017.

The accounts receivable securitization program includes a provision under which the Company may request and the letter of credit issuer may issue standby letters of credit, primarily in support of workers’ compensation and third-party casualty claims liabilities in various states in which the Company is self-insured. The outstanding standby letters of credit reduce the availability of borrowings under the program. As of March 31, 2017, standby letters of credit of $18.0 million have been issued under the program, which reduced the available borrowing capacity to $72.0 million.

In April 2017, the Company borrowed an additional $10.0 million under the accounts receivable securitization program further reducing its available borrowing capacity to $62.0 million.

Letter of Credit Agreements and Surety Bond Programs

As of March 31, 2017, the Company had letters of credit outstanding of $19.6 million (including $18.0 million issued under the accounts receivable securitization program), of which $1.0 million were collateralized by restricted cash. The Company has programs in place with multiple surety companies for the issuance of surety bonds in support of its self-insurance program. As of March 31, 2017, surety bonds outstanding related to the self-insurance program totaled $54.4 million.

Notes Payable and Capital Leases

The Company has financed the purchase of certain revenue equipment, other equipment, and software through promissory note arrangements, including $0.7 million for software during the three months ended March 31, 2017.

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PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

NOTE F – PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

Nonunion Defined Benefit Pension, Supplemental Benefit, and Postretirement Health Benefit Plans

The following is a summary of the components of net periodic benefit cost:

	Three Months Ended March 31
	Nonunion Defined				Supplemental				Postretirement
	Benefit Pension Plan				Benefit Plan				Health Benefit Plan
	2017		2016		2017		2016		2017		2016
	(in thousands)
Service cost	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	122	$	107
Interest cost		1,240		1,305		26		32		265		254
Expected return on plan assets		(2,167)		(1,946)		—		—		—		—
Amortization of prior service credit		—		—		—		—		(47)		(47)
Pension settlement expense		1,957		900		—		—		—		—
Amortization of net actuarial loss(1)		886		955		20		38		173		176
Net periodic benefit cost	$	1,916	$	1,214	$	46	$	70	$	513	$	490

⁽¹⁾ The Company amortizes actuarial losses over the average remaining active service period of the plan participants and does not use a corridor approach.

Nonunion Defined Benefit Pension Plan

The Company’s nonunion defined benefit pension plan covers substantially all noncontractual employees hired before January 1, 2006. In June 2013, the Company amended the nonunion defined benefit pension plan to freeze the participants’ final average compensation and years of credited service as of July 1, 2013. The plan amendment did not impact the vested benefits of retirees or former employees whose benefits have not yet been paid from the plan. Effective July 1, 2013, participants of the nonunion defined benefit pension plan who were active employees of the Company became eligible for the discretionary defined contribution feature of the Company’s nonunion 401(k) and defined contribution plan in which all eligible noncontractual employees hired subsequent to December 31, 2005 also participate.

In first quarter 2017, the nonunion defined benefit pension plan purchased a nonparticipating annuity contract from an insurance company to settle the pension obligation related to the vested benefits of approximately 50 plan participants and beneficiaries receiving monthly benefit payments at the time of the contract purchase. The Company recognized pension settlement expense as a component of net periodic benefit cost for the three months ended March 31, 2017 of $2.0 million (pre-tax), or $1.2 million (after-tax), related to the $7.6 million premium paid by the plan for the annuity contract and $4.8 million of lump-sum benefit distributions from the plan. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, pension settlement expense of $0.9 million (pre-tax), or $0.6 million (after-tax), was recognized related to $4.5 million of lump-sum distributions from the plan. Upon recognition of pension settlement expense, a corresponding reduction in the unrecognized net actuarial loss of the plan is recorded. The remaining pre-tax unrecognized net actuarial loss will continue to be amortized over the average remaining future years of service of the active plan participants. The Company will incur additional quarterly settlement expense related to lump-sum distributions from the nonunion defined benefit pension plan during the remainder of 2017.

The following table discloses the changes in benefit obligations and plan assets of the nonunion defined benefit pension plan for the three months ended March 31, 2017:

	Nonunion Defined
	Benefit Pension Plan
	(in thousands)
Change in benefit obligations
Benefit obligations at December 31, 2016	$	152,006
Interest cost		1,240
Actuarial loss(1)		4,290
Benefits paid		(12,532)
Benefit obligations at March 31, 2017		145,004
Change in plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at December 31, 2016		144,805
Actual return on plan assets		4,050
Benefits paid		(12,532)
Fair value of plan assets at March 31, 2017		136,323
Funded status at March 31, 2017(2)	$	(8,681)
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	145,004

⁽¹⁾ Primarily impacted by actuarial increases in the valuation of participant data as of January 1, 2017. The actuarial loss from remeasurement upon settlement was also impacted by a decrease in the discount rate at March 31, 2017 compared to the previous remeasurement at December 31, 2016.

⁽²⁾ Noncurrent liability recognized within pension and postretirement liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2017.

Based upon current actuarial information, the Company does not have a minimum cash contribution requirement to its nonunion defined benefit pension plan for 2017; however, depending on relevant factors, the Company could make a contribution to the plan during 2017. The plan’s preliminary adjusted funding target attainment percentage (“AFTAP”) is projected to be 107.8% as of the January 1, 2017 valuation date. The AFTAP is determined by measurements prescribed by the Internal Revenue Code, which differ from the funding measurements for financial statement reporting purposes.

Multiemployer Plans

ABF Freight System, Inc. and certain other subsidiaries reported in the Company’s Asset-Based operating segment (“ABF Freight”) contribute to multiemployer pension and health and welfare plans, which have been established pursuant to the Taft-Hartley Act, to provide benefits for its contractual employees. ABF Freight’s contributions generally are based on the time worked by its contractual employees, in accordance with the ABF NMFA and other related supplemental agreements. ABF Freight recognizes as expense the contractually required contributions for each period and recognizes as a liability any contributions due and unpaid.

The 25 multiemployer pension plans to which ABF Freight contributes vary greatly in size and in funded status. Contribution obligations to these plans are specified in the ABF NMFA, which will remain in effect through March 31, 2018. The funding obligations to the pension plans are intended to satisfy the requirements imposed by the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (the “PPA”), which was permanently extended by the Multiemployer Pension Reform Act (the “Reform Act”) included in the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2015. Provisions of the Reform Act include, among others, providing qualifying plans the ability to self-correct funding issues, subject to various requirements and restrictions, including applying to the U.S. Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury Department”) for the reduction of certain accrued benefits. Through the term of its current collective bargaining agreement, ABF Freight’s contribution obligations generally will be satisfied by making the specified contributions when due. However, the Company cannot determine with any certainty the contributions that will be required under future collective bargaining agreements for ABF Freight’s contractual employees. If ABF Freight was to completely withdraw from certain multiemployer pension plans, under current law, ABF Freight would have material liabilities for its share of the unfunded vested liabilities of each such plan.

Approximately one half of ABF Freight’s total contributions to multiemployer pension plans are made to the Central States, Southeast and Southwest Areas Pension Plan (the “Central States Pension Plan”). ABF Freight received an Actuarial Certification of Plan Status for the Central States Pension Plan dated March 31, 2017, in which the plan’s actuary certified that, as of January 1, 2017, the plan is in critical and declining status, as defined by the Reform Act, with the funded percentage projected to be 40.0% as of the January 1, 2017 valuation date. Critical and declining status is applicable to critical status plans that are projected to become insolvent anytime within the next 14 plan years, or if the plan is projected to become insolvent within the next 19 plan years and either the plan’s ratio of inactive participants to active participants exceeds two to one or the plan’s funded percentage is less than 80%.

As previously disclosed in the Company’s 2016 Form 10-K, ABF Freight received a Notice of Insolvency from the Road Carriers Local 707 Pension Fund (the “707 Pension Fund”) for the plan year beginning February 1, 2016. On March 1, 2017, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (“PBGC”) announced that beginning February 1, 2017 benefits to retirees were reduced to PBGC guarantee limits for insolvent multiemployer plans. The PBGC provides financial assistance to insolvent multiemployer plans to pay retiree benefits not to exceed guaranteed limits. The 707 Pension Fund will continue to administer the fund as the PBGC provides financial assistance. Approximately 1% of ABF Freight’s total multiemployer pension contributions are made to the 707 Pension Fund. Based on currently available information, it is the Company’s understanding that if the 707 Pension Fund becomes insolvent, ABF Freight’s benefit contribution rates under the ABF NMFA will be frozen and ABF Freight will be required to continue making contributions at the frozen rate throughout and after the current ABF NMFA contract period, which extends to March 31, 2018; however, there can be no assurance in this regard.

The multiemployer plan administrators have provided to the Company no other significant changes in information related to multiemployer plans from the information disclosed in the Company’s 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K. 

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STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

NOTE G – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows:

	March 31		December 31
	2017		2016
	(in thousands)
Pre-tax amounts:
Unrecognized net periodic benefit costs	$	(28,737)	$	(29,320)
Interest rate swap		(319)		(542)
Foreign currency translation		(1,783)		(1,978)
Total	$	(30,839)	$	(31,840)
After-tax amounts:
Unrecognized net periodic benefit costs	$	(21,530)	$	(21,886)
Interest rate swap		(194)		(329)
Foreign currency translation		(1,083)		(1,202)
Total	$	(22,807)	$	(23,417)

The following is a summary of the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by component for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:

			Unrecognized			Interest	Foreign
			Net Periodic			Rate	Currency
	Total		Benefit Costs			Swap	Translation
	(in thousands)
Balances at December 31, 2016	$	(23,417)	$	(21,886)	$	(329)	$	(1,202)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(1,217)		(1,471)		135		119
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss		1,827		1,827		—		—
Net current-period other comprehensive income		610		356		135		119
Balances at March 31, 2017	$	(22,807)	$	(21,530)	$	(194)	$	(1,083)
Balances at December 31, 2015	$	(27,496)	$	(25,497)	$	(545)	$	(1,454)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(3,466)		(3,504)		(546)		584
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss		1,235		1,235		—		—
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)		(2,231)		(2,269)		(546)		584
Balances at March 31, 2016	$	(29,727)	$	(27,766)	$	(1,091)	$	(870)

The following is a summary of the significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss by component:

	Unrecognized Net Periodic
	Benefit Costs(1)(2)
	Three Months Ended March 31
	2017		2016
	(in thousands)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	$	(1,079)	$	(1,169)
Amortization of prior service credit		47		47
Pension settlement expense		(1,957)		(900)
Total, pre-tax		(2,989)		(2,022)
Tax benefit		1,162		787
Total, net of tax	$	(1,827)	$	(1,235)

⁽¹⁾ Amounts in parentheses indicate increases in expense or loss.

⁽²⁾ These components of accumulated other comprehensive loss are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost (see Note F).

Dividends on Common Stock

The following table is a summary of dividends declared during the applicable quarter:

	2017				2016
	Per Share		Amount		Per Share		Amount
	(in thousands, except per share data)
First quarter	$	0.08	$	2,066	$	0.08	$	2,088

On May 2, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.08 per share to stockholders of record as of May 16, 2017, payable on May 30, 2017.

Treasury Stock

The Company has a program to repurchase its common stock in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The program has no expiration date but may be terminated at any time at the Board of Directors’ discretion. Repurchases may be made using the Company’s cash reserves or other available sources. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had $37.7 million remaining under the program for repurchases of its common stock. The Company did not make share repurchases during the three months ended March 31, 2017.

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SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

NOTE H – SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

Stock Awards

As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company had outstanding restricted stock units granted under the 2005 Ownership Incentive Plan (“the 2005 Plan”). The 2005 Plan, as amended, provides for the granting of 3.1 million shares, which may be awarded as incentive and nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, or restricted stock units (“RSUs”).

Restricted Stock Units

A summary of the Company’s restricted stock unit award program is presented below:

	Units
Outstanding – January 1, 2017	1,477,537
Granted	2,500
Vested	(26,998)
Forfeited(1)	(18,759)
Outstanding – March 31, 2017	1,434,280

⁽¹⁾ Forfeitures are recognized as they occur.

The RSUs granted during the period had a weighted-average grant date fair value of $30.18 per share.

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EARNINGS PER SHARE

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

EARNINGS PER SHARE

EARNINGS PER SHARE

NOTE I – EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31
	2017		2016
	(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Basic
Numerator:
Net loss	$	(7,407)	$	(6,103)
Effect of unvested restricted stock awards		(17)		(18)
Adjusted net loss	$	(7,424)	$	(6,121)
Denominator:
Weighted-average shares		25,684,475		25,822,522
Loss per common share	$	(0.29)	$	(0.24)
Diluted
Numerator:
Net loss	$	(7,407)	$	(6,103)
Effect of unvested restricted stock awards		(17)		(18)
Adjusted net loss	$	(7,424)	$	(6,121)
Denominator:
Weighted-average shares		25,684,475		25,822,522
Effect of dilutive securities		—		—
Adjusted weighted-average shares and assumed conversions		25,684,475		25,822,522
Loss per common share	$	(0.29)	$	(0.24)

Under the two-class method of calculating earnings per share, dividends paid and a portion of undistributed net income, but not losses, are allocated to unvested RSUs that receive dividends, which are considered participating securities. Beginning with 2015 grants, the RSU agreements were modified to remove dividend rights; therefore, the RSUs granted subsequent to 2015 are not participating securities. Outstanding stock awards of 0.8 million and 0.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, were not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation because their inclusion would have the effect of decreasing the loss per share.

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OPERATING SEGMENT DATA

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

OPERATING SEGMENT DATA

OPERATING SEGMENT DATA

NOTE J – OPERATING SEGMENT DATA

The Company uses the “management approach” to determine its reportable operating segments, as well as to determine the basis of reporting the operating segment information. The management approach focuses on financial information that the Company’s management uses to make operating decisions. Management uses revenues, operating expense categories, operating ratios, operating income, and key operating statistics to evaluate performance and allocate resources to the Company’s operations.

On November 3, 2016, the Company announced its plan to implement a new corporate structure which unified the Company’s sales, pricing, customer service, marketing, and capacity sourcing functions effective January 1, 2017. As previously reported in the Company’s 2016 Annual Report on Form 10‑K, the operating segments previously reported as Premium Logistics (Panther), Transportation Management (ABF Logistics), and Household Goods Moving Services (ABF Moving) were combined into a single asset‑light logistics operation reported under the ArcBest segment for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2016.

The Company has restated certain prior year operating segment data in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to conform to the current year presentation. Segment revenues and expenses were adjusted to eliminate certain intercompany charges consistent with the manner in which they are reported under the new corporate structure. Certain intercompany charges among the previously reported Panther, ABF Logistics, and ABF Moving segments which were previously eliminated in the “Other and eliminations” line, are now eliminated within the ArcBest segment. There was no impact on the Company’s consolidated revenues, operating expenses, operating income, or earnings per share as a result of the restatements.

The Company’s reportable operating segments are impacted by seasonal fluctuations which affect tonnage, shipment levels, and demand for services, as described below; therefore, operating results for the interim periods presented may not necessarily be indicative of the results for the fiscal year.

The Company’s reportable operating segments are as follows:

· Asset-Based, which includes the results of operations of ABF Freight System, Inc. and certain other subsidiaries. The operations include national, inter-regional, and regional transportation of general commodities through standard, expedited, and guaranteed LTL services. In addition, the segment operations include freight transportation related to certain consumer household goods self-move services.

Freight shipments and operating costs of the Asset-Based segment can be adversely affected by inclement weather conditions. The second and third calendar quarters of each year usually have the highest tonnage levels while the first quarter generally has the lowest, although other factors, including the state of the U.S. and global economies, may influence quarterly freight tonnage levels.

· The ArcBest segment includes the results of operations of the Company’s Expedite, Truckload, and Truckload-Dedicated businesses as well as its premium logistics services; international freight transportation with air, ocean, and ground service offerings; household goods moving services to consumer, commercial, and government customers; warehousing management and distribution services; and managed transportation solutions.

ArcBest segment operations are influenced by seasonal fluctuations that impact customers’ supply chains and the resulting demand for expedite services. The second and third calendar quarters of each year usually have the highest shipment levels while the first quarter generally has the lowest, although other factors, including the state of the U.S. and global economies, may impact quarterly business levels. Expedite shipments of the ArcBest segment may decline during winter months because of post-holiday slowdowns but can be subject to short-term increases depending on the impact of weather disruptions to customers’ supply chains. Plant shutdowns during summer months may affect shipments for automotive and manufacturing customers of the ArcBest segment, but severe weather events can result in higher demand for expedite services. The household goods moving services of the ArcBest segment are impacted by seasonal fluctuations, generally resulting in higher business levels in the second and third quarters as the demand for moving services is typically stronger in the summer months. Seasonal fluctuations are less apparent in the operating results of the Truckload and Truckload-Dedicated services of the ArcBest segment than in the industry as a whole because of business growth, including acquisitions, in this service offering of the segment.

· FleetNet includes the results of operations of FleetNet America, Inc. and certain other subsidiaries that provide roadside assistance and maintenance management services for commercial vehicles through a network of third-party service providers. FleetNet also provides services to the Asset-Based and ArcBest segments.

Emergency roadside service events of the FleetNet segment are favorably impacted by adverse weather conditions that affect commercial vehicle operations and the segment’s results of operations will be influenced by seasonal variations in service event volume.

The Company’s other business activities and operating segments that are not reportable include ArcBest Corporation and certain other subsidiaries. Certain costs incurred by the parent holding company and the Company’s shared services subsidiary are allocated to the reporting segments. The Company eliminates intercompany transactions in consolidation. However, the information used by the Company’s management with respect to its reportable segments is before intersegment eliminations of revenues and expenses.

Further classifications of operations or revenues by geographic location are impracticable and, therefore, are not provided. The Company’s foreign operations are not significant.

The following tables reflect reportable operating segment information:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31
	2017		2016(1)
	(in thousands)
REVENUES
Asset-Based	$	464,356	$	439,063
ArcBest(2)		152,876		142,397
FleetNet		40,238		43,564
Other and eliminations		(6,382)		(3,569)
Total consolidated revenues	$	651,088	$	621,455
OPERATING EXPENSES
Asset-Based
Salaries, wages, and benefits	$	304,843	$	296,162
Fuel, supplies, and expenses		75,432		66,689
Operating taxes and licenses		11,869		11,980
Insurance		7,109		6,466
Communications and utilities		4,822		4,372
Depreciation and amortization		20,983		20,392
Rents and purchased transportation		46,608		39,696
Gain on sale of property and equipment		(617)		(172)
Pension settlement expense(3)		1,401		677
Other		1,791		1,800
Restructuring costs(4)		140		—
Total Asset-Based		474,381		448,062
ArcBest(2)
Purchased transportation		121,919		111,831
Salaries, wages, and benefits		16,536		18,581
Supplies and expenses		5,286		4,418
Depreciation and amortization		3,366		3,465
Other		4,058		4,094
Restructuring costs(4)		810		—
Total ArcBest		151,975		142,389
FleetNet		39,264		42,580
Other and eliminations(4)		(2,279)		(2,311)
Total consolidated operating expenses(3)	$	663,341	$	630,720

⁽¹⁾ Certain restatements have been made to the prior year’s operating segment data to conform to the current year presentation, reflecting the realignment of the Company’s corporate structure as previously discussed in this Note.

⁽²⁾ The 2017 period includes the operations of LDS, which was acquired in September 2016.

⁽³⁾ For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, pre-tax pension settlement expense on a consolidated basis totaled $2.0 million and $0.9 million, respectively, of which $1.4 million and $0.7 million, respectively, was reported by the Asset-Based segment.

⁽⁴⁾ Restructuring costs relate to the realignment of the Company’s corporate structure (see Note K). Other and eliminations includes $0.7 million of restructuring costs.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31
	2017		2016(1)
	(in thousands)
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
Asset-Based	$	(10,025)	$	(8,999)
ArcBest(2)		901		8
FleetNet		974		984
Other and eliminations		(4,103)		(1,258)
Total consolidated operating loss	$	(12,253)	$	(9,265)
OTHER INCOME (COSTS)
Interest and dividend income	$	274	$	401
Interest and other related financing costs		(1,315)		(1,247)
Other, net(3)		647		366
Total other costs		(394)		(480)
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	$	(12,647)	$	(9,745)

⁽¹⁾ Certain restatements have been made to the prior year’s operating segment data to conform to the current year presentation, reflecting the realignment of the Company’s corporate structure as previously discussed in this Note.

⁽²⁾ The 2017 periods include the operations of LDS, which was acquired in September 2016.

⁽³⁾ Includes proceeds and changes in cash surrender value of life insurance policies.

The following table presents operating expenses by category on a consolidated basis:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31
	2017		2016(1)
	(in thousands)
OPERATING EXPENSES
Salaries, wages, and benefits	$	334,829	$	331,137
Rents, purchased transportation, and other costs of services		199,871		184,699
Fuel, supplies, and expenses		72,662		63,135
Depreciation and amortization(2)		25,394		25,151
Other		28,954		26,598
Restructuring(3)		1,631		—
	$	663,341	$	630,720

⁽¹⁾ Certain restatements have been made to the prior year’s operating expense data to conform to the current year presentation, reflecting the realignment of the Company’s corporate structure as previously discussed in this Note.

⁽²⁾ Includes amortization of intangible assets.

⁽³⁾ Restructuring costs relate to the realignment of the Company’s corporate structure.

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RESTRUCTURING CHARGES

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

RESTRUCTURING CHARGES

RESTRUCTURING CHARGES AND IMPAIRMENT

NOTE K – RESTRUCTURING CHARGES

On November 3, 2016, the Company announced its plan to implement a new corporate structure to better serve its customers. The new corporate structure unified the Company’s sales, pricing, customer service, marketing, and capacity sourcing functions effective January 1, 2017, and allows the Company to operate as one logistics provider under the ArcBest brand. As a result of the restructuring, the Company recorded $1.6 million of restructuring charges in operating expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2017, primarily for employee-related costs.

The Company estimates it will incur restructuring charges of approximately $1.0 million during the remainder of 2017 primarily for employee-related costs associated with the plan announced during 2016.

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LEGAL PROCEEDINGS, ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS, AND OTHER EVENTS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS, ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS, AND OTHER EVENTS

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS, ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS, AND OTHER EVENTS

NOTE L – LEGAL PROCEEDINGS, ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS, AND OTHER EVENTS

The Company is involved in various legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company maintains liability insurance against certain risks arising out of the normal course of its business, subject to certain self-insured retention limits. The Company routinely establishes and reviews the adequacy of reserves for estimated legal, environmental, and self-insurance exposures. While management believes that amounts accrued in the consolidated financial statements are adequate, estimates of these liabilities may change as circumstances develop. Considering amounts recorded, routine legal matters are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

Environmental Matters

The Company’s subsidiaries store fuel for use in tractors and trucks in 62 underground tanks located in 18 states. Maintenance of such tanks is regulated at the federal and, in most cases, state levels. The Company believes it is in substantial compliance with all such regulations. The Company’s underground storage tanks are required to have leak detection systems. The Company is not aware of any leaks from such tanks that could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

The Company has received notices from the Environmental Protection Agency and others that it has been identified as a potentially responsible party under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act, or other federal or state environmental statutes, at several hazardous waste sites. After investigating the Company’s involvement in waste disposal or waste generation at such sites, the Company has either agreed to de minimis settlements or determined that its obligations, other than those specifically accrued with respect to such sites, would involve immaterial monetary liability, although there can be no assurances in this regard.

At March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company’s reserve, which was reported in accrued expenses, for estimated environmental cleanup costs of properties currently or previously operated by the Company totaled $0.5 million. Amounts accrued reflect management’s best estimate of the future undiscounted exposure related to identified properties based on current environmental regulations, management’s experience with similar environmental matters, and testing performed at certain sites.

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ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION

Financial Statement Presentation - Basis of accounting

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) pertaining to interim financial information. Accordingly, these interim financial statements do not include all information or footnote disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements and, therefore, should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and accompanying notes included in the Company’s 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K and other current filings with the Commission. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which are of a normal and recurring nature) -considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.

Financial Statement Presentation - Restatements and reclassifications

Certain restatements have been made to the prior year’s operating segment data to conform to the current year presentation, reflecting the realignment of the Company’s organizational structure as announced on November 3, 2016. Under the new structure, the segments previously reported as Premium Logistics (Panther), Transportation Management (ABF Logistics), and Household Goods Moving Services (ABF Moving) are consolidated as a single Asset-Light logistics operation under ArcBest. Segment revenues and expenses were adjusted to eliminate certain intercompany charges consistent with the manner in which they are reported under the new corporate structure. Certain intercompany charges among the previously reported Panther, ABF Logistics, and ABF Moving segments which were previously eliminated in the “Other and eliminations” line, are now eliminated within the ArcBest segment. There was no impact on the Company’s consolidated revenues, operating expenses, operating income, or earnings per share as a result of the restatements.

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year’s consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year presentation. The insurance receivable for the amount of workers’ compensation and third-party casualty claims in excess of self-insurance retention limits, which was previously offset against the reserve included in accrued expenses, has been reclassed to other accounts receivable, resulting in an $8.7 million increase in other accounts receivable and a corresponding increase in accrued expenses in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2016. Amounts totaling $18.6 million related to certain service centers of the Company’s Asset-Based operations previously recorded in leasehold improvements were reclassed to land and structures in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2016. Other reclassifications were made to the consolidated financial statements to apply the provisions of accounting pronouncements adopted during the first quarter of 2017 related to deferred income taxes, share-based compensation, and cash flow classification (see Adopted Accounting Pronouncements within this Note). The Company’s deferred tax assets were reclassed, by jurisdiction, from current to long-term in the consolidated balance sheets. The net change in restricted cash previously presented in financing activities of the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows was removed and restricted cash was included in the reconciliation of beginning- and end-of-period totals of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash. Cash paid by the Company when directly withholding shares from an employee’s share-based compensation award for tax-withholding purposes was reclassified from an operating activity within changes in income taxes to a financing activity in the consolidated statements of cash flows. There was no impact on the Company’s consolidated revenues, operating expenses, operating income, or earnings per share as a result of the reclassifications.

Financial Statement Presentation - Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual amounts may differ from those estimates.

Share-Based Compensation

Share-Based Compensation: The fair value of restricted stock awards is determined based upon the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The restricted stock units generally vest at the end of a five‑year period following the date of grant, except for certain awards granted to non-employee directors that typically vest at the end of a one-year period for awards granted on or after January 1, 2016 and at the end of a three-year period for previous grants, subject to accelerated vesting due to death, disability, retirement, or change in control provisions. When restricted stock units become vested, the Company issues new shares which are subsequently distributed. Dividends or dividend equivalents are paid on certain restricted stock units during the vesting period. The Company recognizes the income tax benefits of dividends on share-based payment awards as income tax expense or benefit in the consolidated statements of operations when awards vest or are settled.

Share based awards are amortized to compensation expense on a straight line basis over the vesting period of awards or over the period to which the recipient first becomes eligible for retirement, whichever is shorter, with vesting accelerated upon death or disability. The Company recognizes forfeitures as they occur.

Adopted Accounting Pronouncements and Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In the first quarter of 2017, the Company adopted guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) which amended Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) ASC Topic 740 with the addition of Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes.  The amendment was retrospectively adopted and resulted in reclassifications to the consolidated balance sheets to present all deferred tax assets and liabilities as noncurrent by jurisdiction.

An amendment to ASC Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, was issued to simplify the accounting for share-based compensation, which requires the income tax effects of awards to be recognized in the statement of operations when awards vest or are settled and allows employers to make a policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur. The Company adopted the amendment in the first quarter of 2017. As a result of applying the provisions of the amendment, the Company recognized a $0.2 million cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The Company also made a policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur. The Company may experience volatility in its income tax provision as a result of recording all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies in the income statement upon settlement of awards, which is primarily during the second quarter of each year. This provision of the amendment related to recognition of excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies was adopted prospectively; therefore, the prior period has not been adjusted for this provision. Cash paid by the Company to taxing authorities on the employee’s behalf for withheld shares was reclassified from an operating activity within changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities to a financing activity in the consolidated statements of cash flows. The other provisions of the adopted amendment did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In the first quarter of 2017, the Company also adopted amendments to ASC Topic 230, Statement of Cash Flows, which provide classification guidance for restricted cash and certain cash receipts and cash payments presented in the statement of cash flows. The retrospective adoption of the amendments resulted in reclassification to the consolidated statement of cash flows to include restricted cash in the reconciliation of beginning- and end-of-period totals of cash and cash equivalents. Proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies will be classified as cash provided by investing activities, and cash payments for premiums on such insurance policies will be classified as cash used in operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

ASC Topic 606, which amends the guidance in former ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, provides a single comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers and contains principles to apply to determine the measurement of revenue and timing of when it is recognized. The standard is effective for the Company on January 1, 2018. The Company plans to adopt this standard on the modified retrospective basis and does not expect a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements.

An amendment to ASC Topic 715, Compensation – Retirement Benefits will require the service cost component of net benefit cost related to benefit plans accounted for under ASC Topic 715 to be included in the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the related employees and will allow only the service cost component of the net benefit cost to be eligible for capitalization of internal costs. The amendment will also require the other components of net benefit cost, including pension settlement expense, to be presented in other income (costs) rather than in operating income. The amendment is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2018. The Company is currently assessing the impact this update will have on the consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

ASC Topic 842, Leases, which is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2019, will require leases with a term greater than twelve months to be reflected as liabilities with associated right-of-use assets in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. The Company is evaluating the impact of the new standard on the consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

An amendment to ASC Topic 326, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which changes the impairment model for most financial assets and certain other instruments, is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2020. The Company is currently assessing the impact this update will have on the consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

Management believes that there is no other new accounting guidance issued but not yet effective that is relevant to the Company’s current financial statements.

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FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Schedule components of cash and cash equivalents, short term investments, and restricted funds

	March 31		December 31
	2017		2016
	(in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash deposits(1)	$	61,067	$	92,520
Variable rate demand notes(1)(2)		578		16,057
Money market funds(3)		20,608		5,703
Total cash and cash equivalents	$	82,253	$	114,280
Short-term investments
Certificates of deposit(1)	$	56,984	$	56,838
Restricted cash(4)
Cash deposits(1)	$	962	$	962

⁽¹⁾ Recorded at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates fair value.

⁽²⁾ Amounts may be redeemed on a daily basis with the original issuer.

⁽³⁾ Recorded at fair value as determined by quoted market prices (see amounts presented in the table of financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value within this Note).

⁽⁴⁾ Amounts restricted for use are subject to change based on the requirements of the Company’s collateralized facilities (see Note E).

Schedule of fair value and carrying value disclosures of financial instruments

	March 31				December 31
	2017				2016
	(in thousands)
		Carrying		Fair		Carrying		Fair
		Value		Value		Value		Value
Credit Facility(1)	$	70,000	$	70,000	$	70,000	$	70,000
Accounts receivable securitization borrowings(2)		35,000		35,000		35,000		35,000
Notes payable(3)		121,444		120,775		138,032		137,503
	$	226,444	$	225,775	$	243,032	$	242,503

⁽¹⁾ The revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) carries a variable interest rate based on LIBOR, plus a margin, that is considered to be priced at market for debt instruments having similar terms and collateral requirements (Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy).

⁽²⁾ Borrowings under the Company’s accounts receivable securitization program carry a variable interest rate based on LIBOR, plus a margin. The borrowings are considered to be priced at market for debt instruments having similar terms and collateral requirements (Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy).

⁽³⁾ Fair value of the notes payable was determined using a present value income approach based on quoted interest rates from lending institutions with which the Company would enter into similar transactions (Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy).

Schedule of financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis

	March 31, 2017
			Fair Value Measurements Using
			Quoted Prices		Significant		Significant
			In Active		Observable		Unobservable
			Markets		Inputs		Inputs
	Total		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	(in thousands)
Assets:
Money market funds(1)	$	20,608	$	20,608	$	—	$	—
Equity, bond, and money market mutual funds held in trust related to the Voluntary Savings Plan(2)		2,271		2,271		—		—
	$	22,879	$	22,879	$	—	$	—
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration(3)	$	6,790	$	—	$	—	$	6,790
Interest rate swap(4)		319		—		319		—
	$	7,109	$	—	$	319	$	6,790

	December 31, 2016
			Fair Value Measurements Using
			Quoted Prices		Significant		Significant
			In Active		Observable		Unobservable
			Markets		Inputs		Inputs
	Total		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	(in thousands)
Assets:
Money market funds(1)	$	5,703	$	5,703	$	—	$	—
Equity, bond, and money market mutual funds held in trust related to the Voluntary Savings Plan(2)		2,220		2,220		—		—
	$	7,923	$	7,923	$	—	$	—
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration(3)	$	6,775	$	—	$	—	$	6,775
Interest rate swap(4)		542		—		542		—
	$	7,317	$	—	$	542	$	6,775

⁽¹⁾ Included in cash and cash equivalents.

⁽²⁾ Nonqualified deferred compensation plan investments consist of U.S. and international equity mutual funds, government and corporate bond mutual funds, and money market funds which are held in a trust with a third-party brokerage firm. Included in other long-term assets, with a corresponding liability reported within other long-term liabilities.

⁽³⁾ Included in accrued expenses and other long-term liabilities, based on when expected payouts become due. The estimated fair value of contingent consideration for an earn-out agreement related to the September 2016 acquisition of LDS was determined by assessing Level 3 inputs with a discounted cash flow approach using various probability-weighted scenarios. The Level 3 assessments utilize a Monte Carlo simulation with inputs including scenarios of estimated revenues and gross margins to be achieved for the applicable performance periods, probability weightings assigned to the performance scenarios, and the discount rate applied, which was 12.3% as of March 31, 2017. Subsequent changes to the fair value as a result of recurring assessments will be recognized in operating income.

⁽⁴⁾ Included in other long-term liabilities. The interest rate swap fair value was determined by discounting future cash flows and receipts based on expected interest rates observed in market interest rate curves adjusted for estimated credit valuation considerations reflecting nonperformance risk of the Company and the counterparty, which are considered to be in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company assessed Level 3 inputs as insignificant to the valuation at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 and considers the interest rate swap valuation in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Schedule of changes in fair value of the liabilities

	Contingent Consideration
	(in thousands)
Balances at December 31, 2016	$	6,775
Change in fair value included in operating expenses		15
Balances at March 31, 2017	$	6,790

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GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Schedule of goodwill by reportable operating segment

	Total		ArcBest		FleetNet
	(in thousands)
Balances at December 31, 2016	$	108,875	$	108,245	$	630
Purchase accounting adjustments(1)		106		106		—
Balances at March 31, 2017	$	108,981	$	108,351	$	630

⁽¹⁾ Goodwill related to the September 2, 2016 acquisition of LDS is based on preliminary information as of March 31, 2017.

Schedule of intangible assets

		March 31, 2017						December 31, 2016
	Weighted-Average			Accumulated		Net				Accumulated		Net
	Amortization Period	Cost		Amortization		Value			Cost	Amortization		Value
	(in years)	(in thousands)						(in thousands)
Finite-lived intangible assets
Customer relationships(1)	14	$	60,431	$	16,450	$	43,981	$	60,431	$	15,350	$	45,081
Driver network	3		3,200		3,200		—		3,200		3,200		—
Other	9		1,032		442		590		1,032		406		626
	13		64,663		20,092		44,571		64,663		18,956		45,707
Indefinite-lived intangible assets
Trade name	N/A		32,300		N/A		32,300		32,300		N/A		32,300
Other	N/A		2,500		N/A		2,500		2,500		N/A		2,500
			34,800				34,800		34,800				34,800
Total intangible assets	N/A	$	99,463	$	20,092	$	79,371	$	99,463	$	18,956	$	80,507

⁽¹⁾ Customer relationships of $7.7 million related to the September 2, 2016 acquisition of LDS is based on preliminary information as of March 31, 2017.

Schedule of future amortization for intangible assets and acquired software

			Intangible		Acquired
	Total		Assets		Software(1)
	(in thousands)
2017	$	5,284	$	3,402	$	1,882
2018		6,654		4,520		2,134
2019		5,469		4,482		987
2020		4,471		4,454		17
2021		4,418		4,412		6
Thereafter		23,301		23,301		—
Total amortization	$	49,597	$	44,571	$	5,026

⁽¹⁾ Acquired software is reported in property, plant and equipment.

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LONG-TERM DEBT AND FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

LONG-TERM DEBT AND FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS

Schedule of long-term debt

	March 31		December 31
	2017		2016
	(in thousands)
Credit Facility (interest rate of 2.5%(1) at March 31, 2017)	$	70,000	$	70,000
Accounts receivable securitization borrowings (interest rate of 1.7% at March 31, 2017)		35,000		35,000
Notes payable (weighted-average interest rate of 2.2% at March 31, 2017)		121,444		138,032
Capital lease obligations (weighted-average interest rate of 5.7% at March 31, 2017)		626		641
		227,070		243,673
Less current portion		59,995		64,143
Long-term debt, less current portion	$	167,075	$	179,530

⁽¹⁾ The interest rate swap mitigates interest rate risk by effectively converting $50.0 million of borrowings under the Credit Facility from variable-rate interest to fixed-rate interest with a per annum rate of 3.35% based on the margin of the Credit Facility as of March 31, 2017.

Scheduled maturities of long-term debt obligations

					Accounts
					Receivable
			Credit		Securitization		Notes		Capital Lease
	Total		Facility(1)		Program(1)		Payable		Obligations(2)
	(in thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	64,735	$	1,944	$	759	$	61,802	$	230
Due after one year through two years		44,207		2,275		925		40,772		235
Due after two years through three years		122,755		71,886		36,047		14,621		201
Due after three years through four years		5,310		—		—		5,303		7
Due after four years through five years		2,338		—		—		2,331		7
Due after five years		—		—		—		—		—
Total payments		239,345		76,105		37,731		124,829		680
Less amounts representing interest		12,275		6,105		2,731		3,385		54
Long-term debt	$	227,070	$	70,000	$	35,000	$	121,444	$	626

⁽¹⁾ The future interest payments included in the scheduled maturities due are calculated using variable interest rates based on the LIBOR swap curve, plus the anticipated applicable margin.

⁽²⁾ Minimum payments of capital lease obligations include maximum amounts due under rental adjustment clauses contained in the capital lease agreements.

Schedule of assets securing notes payable or held under capital leases

	March 31		December 31
	2017		2016
	(in thousands)
Revenue equipment	$	220,381	$	220,566
Land and structures (service centers)		1,794		1,794
Software		671		—
Service, office, and other equipment		7		7
Total assets securing notes payable or held under capital leases		222,853		222,367
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization(1)		72,430		61,643
Net assets securing notes payable or held under capital leases	$	150,423	$	160,724

⁽¹⁾ Amortization of assets under capital leases and depreciation of assets securing notes payable are included in depreciation expense.

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PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

Summary of the components of net periodic benefit cost

	Three Months Ended March 31
	Nonunion Defined				Supplemental				Postretirement
	Benefit Pension Plan				Benefit Plan				Health Benefit Plan
	2017		2016		2017		2016		2017		2016
	(in thousands)
Service cost	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	122	$	107
Interest cost		1,240		1,305		26		32		265		254
Expected return on plan assets		(2,167)		(1,946)		—		—		—		—
Amortization of prior service credit		—		—		—		—		(47)		(47)
Pension settlement expense		1,957		900		—		—		—		—
Amortization of net actuarial loss(1)		886		955		20		38		173		176
Net periodic benefit cost	$	1,916	$	1,214	$	46	$	70	$	513	$	490

⁽¹⁾ The Company amortizes actuarial losses over the average remaining active service period of the plan participants and does not use a corridor approach.

Schedule of changes in the projected benefit obligation and plan assets of the nonunion defined benefit pension plan

	Nonunion Defined
	Benefit Pension Plan
	(in thousands)
Change in benefit obligations
Benefit obligations at December 31, 2016	$	152,006
Interest cost		1,240
Actuarial loss(1)		4,290
Benefits paid		(12,532)
Benefit obligations at March 31, 2017		145,004
Change in plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at December 31, 2016		144,805
Actual return on plan assets		4,050
Benefits paid		(12,532)
Fair value of plan assets at March 31, 2017		136,323
Funded status at March 31, 2017(2)	$	(8,681)
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	145,004

⁽¹⁾ Primarily impacted by actuarial increases in the valuation of participant data as of January 1, 2017. The actuarial loss from remeasurement upon settlement was also impacted by a decrease in the discount rate at March 31, 2017 compared to the previous remeasurement at December 31, 2016.

⁽²⁾ Noncurrent liability recognized within pension and postretirement liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2017.

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STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss

	March 31		December 31
	2017		2016
	(in thousands)
Pre-tax amounts:
Unrecognized net periodic benefit costs	$	(28,737)	$	(29,320)
Interest rate swap		(319)		(542)
Foreign currency translation		(1,783)		(1,978)
Total	$	(30,839)	$	(31,840)
After-tax amounts:
Unrecognized net periodic benefit costs	$	(21,530)	$	(21,886)
Interest rate swap		(194)		(329)
Foreign currency translation		(1,083)		(1,202)
Total	$	(22,807)	$	(23,417)

Summary of changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by component

			Unrecognized			Interest	Foreign
			Net Periodic			Rate	Currency
	Total		Benefit Costs			Swap	Translation
	(in thousands)
Balances at December 31, 2016	$	(23,417)	$	(21,886)	$	(329)	$	(1,202)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(1,217)		(1,471)		135		119
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss		1,827		1,827		—		—
Net current-period other comprehensive income		610		356		135		119
Balances at March 31, 2017	$	(22,807)	$	(21,530)	$	(194)	$	(1,083)
Balances at December 31, 2015	$	(27,496)	$	(25,497)	$	(545)	$	(1,454)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(3,466)		(3,504)		(546)		584
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss		1,235		1,235		—		—
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)		(2,231)		(2,269)		(546)		584
Balances at March 31, 2016	$	(29,727)	$	(27,766)	$	(1,091)	$	(870)

Summary of the significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss by component

	Unrecognized Net Periodic
	Benefit Costs(1)(2)
	Three Months Ended March 31
	2017		2016
	(in thousands)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	$	(1,079)	$	(1,169)
Amortization of prior service credit		47		47
Pension settlement expense		(1,957)		(900)
Total, pre-tax		(2,989)		(2,022)
Tax benefit		1,162		787
Total, net of tax	$	(1,827)	$	(1,235)

⁽¹⁾ Amounts in parentheses indicate increases in expense or loss.

⁽²⁾ These components of accumulated other comprehensive loss are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost (see Note F).

Summary of dividends declared

	2017				2016
	Per Share		Amount		Per Share		Amount
	(in thousands, except per share data)
First quarter	$	0.08	$	2,066	$	0.08	$	2,088

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SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

Summary of the Company's restricted stock unit award program

	Units
Outstanding – January 1, 2017	1,477,537
Granted	2,500
Vested	(26,998)
Forfeited(1)	(18,759)
Outstanding – March 31, 2017	1,434,280

⁽¹⁾ Forfeitures are recognized as they occur.

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EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

EARNINGS PER SHARE

Schedule of computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share

	Three Months Ended
	March 31
	2017		2016
	(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Basic
Numerator:
Net loss	$	(7,407)	$	(6,103)
Effect of unvested restricted stock awards		(17)		(18)
Adjusted net loss	$	(7,424)	$	(6,121)
Denominator:
Weighted-average shares		25,684,475		25,822,522
Loss per common share	$	(0.29)	$	(0.24)
Diluted
Numerator:
Net loss	$	(7,407)	$	(6,103)
Effect of unvested restricted stock awards		(17)		(18)
Adjusted net loss	$	(7,424)	$	(6,121)
Denominator:
Weighted-average shares		25,684,475		25,822,522
Effect of dilutive securities		—		—
Adjusted weighted-average shares and assumed conversions		25,684,475		25,822,522
Loss per common share	$	(0.29)	$	(0.24)

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ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION (Organization) (Details) - segment		3 Months Ended
	Nov. 03, 2013	Mar. 31, 2017
Organization and description of business
Number of reportable operating segments		3
Asset-Based
Organization and description of business
Percentage of the Company's revenues, before other revenues and intercompany eliminations, represented by the Asset-Based segment		71.00%
Wage rate reduction under collective bargaining agreement upon implementation date (as a percent)	7.00%
Wage rate increase for next three years of collective bargaining agreement (as a percent)	2.00%
Wage rate increase in fifth year of collective bargaining agreement (as a percent)	2.50%
Reduction in compensated vacation under collective bargaining agreement	5 days
Approximate initial reduction in combined total contractual wage and benefit rate under collective bargaining agreement (as a percent)	4.00%
Estimated increase in compounded annual contractual wage and benefit contribution rates in second through fifth years (as a percent)		2.50%
Asset-Based | Unionized employees concentration risk | Number of employees
Organization and description of business
Percentage of Asset-Based segment employees covered under collective bargaining agreement with the IBT		83.00%

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ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION (Acquisitions) (Details) - LDS - ArcBest $ in Millions	Sep. 02, 2016 USD ($)
Acquisitions
Total consideration	$ 25.0
Cash consideration	17.0
Contingent consideration	$ 8.0
Contingent consideration period	2 years

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ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION (Adopted Pronouncements) (Details) $ in Millions	Jan. 01, 2017 USD ($)
ASC Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation | Retained Earnings
Cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings	$ 0.2

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ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION (Reclassifications) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Other accounts receivable	$ 18,687	$ 22,041
Accrued expenses	190,829	198,731
Leasehold improvements	8,993	8,758
Land and structures	330,909	324,086
Other assets	65,380	66,095
Other liabilities	$ 15,844	16,790
Reclassification adjustment
Other accounts receivable		8,700
Accrued expenses		8,700
Leasehold improvements		(18,600)
Land and structures		$ 18,600

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ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION (Share-Based Compensation) (Details) - Restricted Stock Units	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	15 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2017
Share-Based Compensation
Vesting period	5 years
Nonemployee director
Share-Based Compensation
Vesting period		3 years	1 year

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FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Cash, Investments and Restricted Funds) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair value disclosure
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 82,253	$ 114,280
Short-term investments	56,984	56,838
Restricted cash	962	962
Concentrations of Credit Risk of Financial Instruments
Cash and cash equivalents which are not FDIC-insured	32,600	39,900
Cash deposits
Fair value disclosure
Cash and cash equivalents	61,067	92,520
Restricted cash	962	962
Variable rate demand notes
Fair value disclosure
Cash and cash equivalents	578	16,057
Money market funds
Fair value disclosure
Cash and cash equivalents	20,608	5,703
Certificates of deposit
Fair value disclosure
Short-term investments	$ 56,984	$ 56,838

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FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Debt) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Carrying Value
Fair value disclosure
Debt obligations	$ 226,444	$ 243,032
Fair Value
Fair value disclosure
Debt obligations	225,775	242,503
Level 2 | Credit Facility | Carrying Value
Fair value disclosure
Debt obligations	70,000	70,000
Level 2 | Credit Facility | Fair Value
Fair value disclosure
Debt obligations	70,000	70,000
Level 2 | Accounts receivable securitization program | Carrying Value
Fair value disclosure
Debt obligations	35,000	35,000
Level 2 | Accounts receivable securitization program | Fair Value
Fair value disclosure
Debt obligations	35,000	35,000
Level 2 | Notes payable | Carrying Value
Fair value disclosure
Debt obligations	121,444	138,032
Level 2 | Notes payable | Fair Value
Fair value disclosure
Debt obligations	$ 120,775	$ 137,503

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FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Assets and Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Interest rate swap agreement | Other long-term liabilities
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Interest rate swap	$ 300	$ 500
Recurring basis
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Assets	22,879	7,923
Liabilities	7,109	7,317
Recurring basis | Accrued and other long term liabilities
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Contingent consideration	6,790	6,775
Recurring basis | Interest rate swap agreement | Other long-term liabilities
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Interest rate swap	319	542
Recurring basis | Money market funds | Cash and cash equivalents
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Assets	20,608	5,703
Recurring basis | Voluntary Savings Plan - mutual funds held in trust | Other long-term assets
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Assets	2,271	2,220
Recurring basis | Level 1
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Assets	22,879	7,923
Recurring basis | Level 1 | Money market funds | Cash and cash equivalents
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Assets	20,608	5,703
Recurring basis | Level 1 | Voluntary Savings Plan - mutual funds held in trust | Other long-term assets
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Assets	2,271	2,220
Recurring basis | Level 2
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Liabilities	319	542
Recurring basis | Level 2 | Interest rate swap agreement | Other long-term liabilities
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Interest rate swap	319	542
Recurring basis | Level 3
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Liabilities	$ 6,790	6,775
Recurring basis | Level 3 | LDS
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Discount rate (as a percent)	12.30%
Recurring basis | Level 3 | Accrued and other long term liabilities
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Contingent consideration	$ 6,790	$ 6,775

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FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (FV - Level 3) (Details) - Contingent Consideration $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Fair Value of liabilities level 3 hierarchy
Balance beginning of period	$ 6,775
Change in fair value included in operating expenses	15
Balance at end of period	$ 6,790

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GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Goodwill) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Goodwill by reportable operating segment
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ 108,875
Purchase accounting adjustments	106
Balance at the end of the period	108,981
ArcBest
Goodwill by reportable operating segment
Balance at the beginning of the period	108,245
Purchase accounting adjustments	106
Balance at the end of the period	108,351
FleetNet
Goodwill by reportable operating segment
Balance at the beginning of the period	630
Balance at the end of the period	$ 630

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GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Intangible) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Finite-lived intangible assets
Weighted Average Amortization Period	13 years
Cost	$ 64,663	$ 64,663
Accumulated Amortization	20,092	18,956
Net Value	44,571	45,707
Indefinite-lived intangible assets
Net Value	34,800	34,800
Total intangible assets
Cost	99,463	99,463
Net Value	79,371	80,507
Trade name
Indefinite-lived intangible assets
Net Value	32,300	32,300
Other
Indefinite-lived intangible assets
Net Value	$ 2,500	2,500
Customer relationships
Finite-lived intangible assets
Weighted Average Amortization Period	14 years
Cost	$ 60,431	60,431
Accumulated Amortization	16,450	15,350
Net Value	43,981	45,081
Customer relationships | LDS
Finite-lived intangible assets
Cost	$ 7,700
Driver network
Finite-lived intangible assets
Weighted Average Amortization Period	3 years
Cost	$ 3,200	3,200
Accumulated Amortization	$ 3,200	3,200
Other
Finite-lived intangible assets
Weighted Average Amortization Period	9 years
Cost	$ 1,032	1,032
Accumulated Amortization	442	406
Net Value	$ 590	$ 626

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GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Amortization) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Future amortization for intangible assets and acquired software
2017	$ 5,284
2018	6,654
2019	5,469
2020	4,471
2021	4,418
Thereafter	23,301
Total amortization	49,597
Future amortization for intangible assets
2017	3,402
2018	4,520
2019	4,482
2020	4,454
2021	4,412
Thereafter	23,301
Net Value	44,571	$ 45,707
Future amortization for acquired software
2017	1,882
2018	2,134
2019	987
2020	17
2021	6
Total amortization, Acquired software	$ 5,026

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INCOME TAXES (Tax rate) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
INCOME TAXES
Statutory federal tax rate (as a percent)	35.00%
State tax, low end of range of rate (as a percent)	6.00%
State tax, high end of range of rate (as a percent)	6.50%
Effective tax rate (as a percent)	41.40%	37.40%
Alternative fuel tax credit (as a percent)		2.90%

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INCOME TAXES (New Accounting Pronouncements) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
ASC Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation
New Accounting Pronouncements
Tax benefit as a result of applying provisions of new accounting policy	0.60%

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INCOME TAXES (Taxes Paid) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Income taxes
Income taxes paid (in dollars)		$ 1.6
Income tax refunds received (in dollars)		$ 0.7
Maximum
Income taxes
Income taxes paid (in dollars)	$ 0.1
Income tax refunds received (in dollars)	$ 0.1

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LONG-TERM DEBT AND FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS (Summary) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Long-term debt obligations
Long-term debt	$ 227,070	$ 243,673
Less current portion	59,995	64,143
Long-term debt, less current portion	167,075	179,530
Payments under long-term debt obligations
Due in one year or less	64,735
Due after one year through two years	44,207
Due after two years through three years	122,755
Due after three years through four years	5,310
Due after four years through five years	2,338
Total payments	239,345
Less amounts representing interest	12,275
Long-term debt	227,070	243,673
Credit Facility
Long-term debt obligations
Long-term debt	$ 70,000	70,000
Interest rate (as a percent)	2.50%
Payments under long-term debt obligations
Due in one year or less	$ 1,944
Due after one year through two years	2,275
Due after two years through three years	71,886
Total payments	76,105
Less amounts representing interest	6,105
Long-term debt	70,000	70,000
Credit Facility | Interest rate swap agreement
Long-term debt obligations
Amount of borrowings covered by the interest rate swap	$ 50,000
Effective fixed interest rate on hedged borrowings (as a percent)	3.35%
Accounts receivable securitization program
Long-term debt obligations
Long-term debt	$ 35,000	35,000
Interest rate (as a percent)	1.70%
Payments under long-term debt obligations
Due in one year or less	$ 759
Due after one year through two years	925
Due after two years through three years	36,047
Total payments	37,731
Less amounts representing interest	2,731
Long-term debt	35,000	35,000
Notes payable
Long-term debt obligations
Long-term debt	$ 121,444	138,032
Weighted-average interest rate (as a percent)	2.20%
Payments under long-term debt obligations
Due in one year or less	$ 61,802
Due after one year through two years	40,772
Due after two years through three years	14,621
Due after three years through four years	5,303
Due after four years through five years	2,331
Total payments	124,829
Less amounts representing interest	3,385
Long-term debt	121,444	138,032
Capital lease obligations
Long-term debt obligations
Long-term debt	$ 626	641
Weighted-average interest rate (as a percent)	5.70%
Payments under long-term debt obligations
Due in one year or less	$ 230
Due after one year through two years	235
Due after two years through three years	201
Due after three years through four years	7
Due after four years through five years	7
Total payments	680
Less amounts representing interest	54
Long-term debt	$ 626	$ 641

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LONG-TERM DEBT AND FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS (Assets Sec) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Financing Arrangements
Total assets securing notes payable or held under capital leases	$ 222,853	$ 222,367
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	72,430	61,643
Net assets securing notes payable or held under capital leases	150,423	160,724
Revenue equipment
Financing Arrangements
Total assets securing notes payable or held under capital leases	220,381	220,566
Land and structures (service centers)
Financing Arrangements
Total assets securing notes payable or held under capital leases	1,794	1,794
Software
Financing Arrangements
Total assets securing notes payable or held under capital leases	671
Service, office, and other equipment
Financing Arrangements
Total assets securing notes payable or held under capital leases	$ 7	$ 7

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LONG-TERM DEBT AND FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS (Financing arrangements - Credit Facility) (Details) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Credit Facility
Financing Arrangements
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 150.0
Additional borrowing capacity that may be requested	75.0
Letters of Credit, Sub-Facility
Financing Arrangements
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 20.0

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LONG-TERM DEBT AND FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS (Financing arrangements - Interest rate swap) (Details) - Interest rate swap agreement - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Financing Arrangements
Notional amount	$ 50.0
Fixed interest rate payments (as a percent)	1.85%
Other long-term liabilities
Financing Arrangements
Fair value	$ 0.3	$ 0.5
Credit Facility
Financing Arrangements
Amount of borrowings covered by the interest rate swap	$ 50.0
Effective fixed interest rate on hedged borrowings (as a percent)	3.35%

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LONG-TERM DEBT AND FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS (Financing arrangements - Securitization program) (Details) - Accounts receivable securitization program - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 20, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Financing Arrangements
Maximum borrowing capacity			$ 125.0	$ 100.0
Additional borrowing capacity that may be requested			$ 25.0
Amount outstanding		$ 35.0
Outstanding letters of credit		18.0
Remaining borrowing capacity		$ 72.0
Subsequent Event
Financing Arrangements
Remaining borrowing capacity	$ 62.0
Borrowings under accounts receivable securitization program	$ 10.0

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LONG-TERM DEBT AND FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS (Financing arrangements - Leterrs of credit & Surety bonds (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Financing Arrangements
Amounts collateralized by restricted funds	$ 962	$ 962
Accounts receivable securitization program
Financing Arrangements
Outstanding letters of credit	18,000
Letter of Credit Agreements
Financing Arrangements
Outstanding letters of credit	19,600
Amounts collateralized by restricted funds	1,000
Surety bonds
Financing Arrangements
Outstanding surety bonds under uncollateralized bond programs	$ 54,400

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LONG-TERM DEBT AND FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS (Financing arrangements - Notes payable & Capital leases) (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Software | Notes payable
Financing Arrangements
Equipment financed during the period under notes payable	$ 0.7

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PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS (Components of cost) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Components of net periodic benefit cost
Pension settlement expense	$ 1,957	$ 900
Nonunion Defined Benefit Pension Plan
Components of net periodic benefit cost
Interest cost	1,240	1,305
Expected return on plan assets	(2,167)	(1,946)
Pension settlement expense	1,957	900
Amortization of net actuarial loss	886	955
Net periodic benefit cost	1,916	1,214
Supplemental Benefit Plan
Components of net periodic benefit cost
Interest cost	26	32
Amortization of net actuarial loss	20	38
Net periodic benefit cost	46	70
Postretirement Health Benefit Plan
Components of net periodic benefit cost
Service cost	122	107
Interest cost	265	254
Amortization of prior service credit	(47)	(47)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	173	176
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 513	$ 490

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PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS (Nonunion) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($) person	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans
Pension settlement expense, pre-tax	$ 1,957	$ 900
Pension settlement expense, net of tax	$ 1,196	550
Nonunion Defined Benefit Pension Plan
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans
Number of plan participants for which vested pension benefits were settled | person	50
Pension settlement expense, pre-tax	$ 1,957	900
Pension settlement expense, net of tax	1,200	600
Premium paid to purchase nonparticipating annuity contract	7,600
Lump-sum distributions	$ 4,800	$ 4,500

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PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS (Funded status) (Details) - Nonunion Defined Benefit Pension Plan - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Jan. 01, 2017
Change in benefit obligations
Benefit obligations at beginning of period	$ 152,006
Interest cost	1,240	$ 1,305
Actuarial (gain) loss	4,290
Benefits paid	(12,532)
Benefit obligations at end of period	145,004
Change in plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period	144,805
Actual return on plan assets	4,050
Benefits paid	(12,532)
Fair value of plan assets at end of period	136,323
Funded status	(8,681)
Accumulated benefit obligation	$ 145,004
Adjusted funding target attainment percentage			107.80%

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PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS (Multiemployer Plans) (Details) - Multiemployer pension plans - Asset-Based - plan	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Jan. 01, 2017
Multiemployer Plans
Number of multiemployer plans to which ABF Freight currently contributes	25
Maximum projected time to insolvency for plans in "critical and declining" status	14 years
Maximum projected time to insolvency for plans in "critical and declining" status if additional criteria apply	19 years
Threshold ratio of inactive to active participants for greater insolvency period to determine "critical and declining" status	2
Threshold funded percentage for greater insolvency period to determine "critical and declining" status	80.00%
Central States Pension Plan
Multiemployer Plans
Approximate proportion of multiemployer pension plan contributions (as a percent)	50.00%
Actuarially certified projected funded percentage of multiemployer pension plan		40.00%
707 Pension Fund
Multiemployer Plans
Approximate proportion of multiemployer pension plan contributions (as a percent)	1.00%

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STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (AOCI) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Total after-tax amount	$ 591,676		$ 599,055
Impact on unrecognized net actuarial loss
Change in the unrecognized net actuarial loss, after tax	(1,471)	$ (3,504)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Total pre-tax amount	(30,839)		(31,840)
Total after-tax amount	(22,807)	(29,727)	(23,417)	$ (27,496)
Unrecognized Net Periodic Benefit Costs
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Total pre-tax amount	(28,737)		(29,320)
Total after-tax amount	(21,530)	(27,766)	(21,886)	(25,497)
Interest Rate Swap
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Total pre-tax amount	(319)		(542)
Total after-tax amount	(194)	(1,091)	(329)	(545)
Foreign Currency Translation
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Total pre-tax amount	(1,783)		(1,978)
Total after-tax amount	$ (1,083)	$ (870)	$ (1,202)	$ (1,454)

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STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (AOCI comp) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by component
Balances	$ 599,055
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), net of tax	610	$ (2,231)
Balances	591,676
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by component
Balances	(23,417)	(27,496)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(1,217)	(3,466)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	1,827	1,235
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), net of tax	610	(2,231)
Balances	(22,807)	(29,727)
Unrecognized Net Periodic Benefit Costs
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by component
Balances	(21,886)	(25,497)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(1,471)	(3,504)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	1,827	1,235
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), net of tax	356	(2,269)
Balances	(21,530)	(27,766)
Interest Rate Swap
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by component
Balances	(329)	(545)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	135	(546)
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), net of tax	135	(546)
Balances	(194)	(1,091)
Foreign Currency Translation
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by component
Balances	(1,202)	(1,454)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	119	584
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), net of tax	119	584
Balances	$ (1,083)	$ (870)

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STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Reclass) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Unrecognized Net Periodic Benefit Costs
Significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss by component
Total, pre-tax	$ (2,989)	$ (2,022)
Tax benefit	1,162	787
Total, net of tax	(1,827)	(1,235)
Amortization of net actuarial loss
Significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss by component
Total, pre-tax	(1,079)	(1,169)
Amortization of prior service credit
Significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss by component
Total, pre-tax	47	47
Pension settlement expense
Significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss by component
Total, pre-tax	$ (1,957)	$ (900)

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STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Dividends) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
	May 02, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Dividends on Common Stock
Dividends declared (in dollars per share)		$ 0.08	$ 0.08
Dividend Amount		$ 2,066	$ 2,088
Subsequent Event
Dividends on Common Stock
Dividends declared (in dollars per share)	$ 0.08

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STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Treasury Stock) (Details) - Stock Repurchase Program - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Treasury Stock
Amount available for repurchase		$ 37.7
Number of shares repurchased during the period	0

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SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017 $ / shares shares
Share-based compensation
Number of shares authorized	3,100,000
Restricted Stock Units
Award activity
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in shares)	1,477,537
Granted (in shares)	2,500
Vested (in shares)	(26,998)
Forfeited (in shares)	(18,759)
Outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	1,434,280
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Granted (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 30.18

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EARNINGS PER SHARE (Basic and Diluted) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Basic, numerator:
Net loss	$ (7,407)	$ (6,103)
Effect of unvested restricted stock unit awards	(17)	(18)
Adjusted net loss	$ (7,424)	$ (6,121)
Basic, denominator:
Weighted-average shares	25,684,475	25,822,522
Loss per common share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.29)	$ (0.24)
Diluted, numerator:
Net loss	$ (7,407)	$ (6,103)
Effect of unvested restricted stock unit awards	(17)	(18)
Adjusted net loss	$ (7,424)	$ (6,121)
Diluted, denominator:
Weighted-average shares	25,684,475	25,822,522
Adjusted weighted-average shares and assumed conversions	25,684,475	25,822,522
Loss per common share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.29)	$ (0.24)

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EARNINGS PER SHARE (AntiDil) (Details) - shares shares in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Stock awards
Antidilutive securities
Outstanding stock awards not included in calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share (in shares)	0.8	0.9

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OPERATING SEGMENT DATA - (Rev and Expenses) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
REVENUES
Revenues	$ 651,088	$ 621,455
OPERATING EXPENSES
Salaries, wages, and benefits	334,829	331,137
Fuel, supplies, and expenses	72,662	63,135
Depreciation and amortization	25,394	25,151
Gain on sale of property and equipment	(613)	(311)
Pension settlement expense	1,957	900
Other	28,954	26,598
Restructuring costs	1,631
Total consolidated operating expenses	663,341	630,720
OPERATING INCOME
OPERATING LOSS	(12,253)	(9,265)
OTHER INCOME (COSTS)
Interest and dividend income	274	401
Interest and other related financing costs	(1,315)	(1,247)
Other, net	647	366
TOTAL OTHER INCOME (COSTS)	(394)	(480)
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(12,647)	(9,745)
Operating Segments | Asset-Based
REVENUES
Revenues	464,356	439,063
OPERATING EXPENSES
Salaries, wages, and benefits	304,843	296,162
Fuel, supplies, and expenses	75,432	66,689
Operating taxes and licenses	11,869	11,980
Insurance	7,109	6,466
Communications and utilities	4,822	4,372
Depreciation and amortization	20,983	20,392
Rents and purchased transportation	46,608	39,696
Gain on sale of property and equipment	(617)	(172)
Pension settlement expense	1,401	677
Other	1,791	1,800
Restructuring costs	140
Total consolidated operating expenses	474,381	448,062
OPERATING INCOME
OPERATING LOSS	(10,025)	(8,999)
Operating Segments | ArcBest
REVENUES
Revenues	152,876	142,397
OPERATING EXPENSES
Purchased transportation	121,919	111,831
Salaries, wages, and benefits	16,536	18,581
Supplies and expenses	5,286	4,418
Depreciation and amortization	3,366	3,465
Other	4,058	4,094
Restructuring costs	810
Total consolidated operating expenses	151,975	142,389
OPERATING INCOME
OPERATING LOSS	901	8
Operating Segments | FleetNet
REVENUES
Revenues	40,238	43,564
OPERATING EXPENSES
Total consolidated operating expenses	39,264	42,580
OPERATING INCOME
OPERATING LOSS	974	984
Other and eliminations
REVENUES
Revenues	(6,382)	(3,569)
OPERATING EXPENSES
Restructuring costs	(700)
Total consolidated operating expenses	(2,279)	(2,311)
OPERATING INCOME
OPERATING LOSS	$ (4,103)	$ (1,258)

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OPERATING SEGMENT DATA - (Operating Expenses) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
OPERATING EXPENSES
Salaries, wages, and benefits	$ 334,829	$ 331,137
Rents, purchased transportation, and other costs of services	199,871	184,699
Fuel, supplies, and expenses	72,662	63,135
Depreciation and amortization	25,394	25,151
Other	28,954	26,598
Restructuring costs	1,631
Total consolidated operating expenses	$ 663,341	$ 630,720

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RESTRUCTURING CHARGES (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)
RESTRUCTURING CHARGES
Restructuring charges	$ 1,631
Expected restructuring charges during remainder of 2017	$ 1,000

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LEGAL PROCEEDINGS, ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS, AND OTHER EVENTS (Environmental Matters) (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($) tank state
Underground fuel storage tanks
Environmental Matters
Number of underground tanks where the company's subsidiaries store fuel for use in tractors and trucks | tank	62
Number of states in which underground tanks are located | state	18
Environmental cleanup costs | Accrued expenses
Environmental Matters
Reserve for environmental contingencies | $	$ 0.5