UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

Washington, D.C.  20549

 

Form 10-Q

 

Quarterly Report Under Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the Quarter ended June 30, 2008

 

Commission File Number 0-15010

 

MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

39-1140809

(State of incorporation)

 

(I.R.S. employer

 

 

identification no.)

 

129 Marten Street, Mondovi, Wisconsin 54755

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

715-926-4216

(Registrant’s telephone number)

 

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 x   No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  Large accelerated filer o  Accelerated filer x  Smaller reporting company o  Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).

Yes ¨   No x

 

The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, was 21,765,289 as of August 6, 2008.

 

 

 



 

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  Financial Statements.

 

MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

(In thousands, except share information)

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

1,074

 

$

3,618

 

Marketable securities

 

320

 

350

 

Receivables:

 

 

 

 

 

Trade, net

 

63,477

 

51,539

 

Other

 

11,366

 

6,175

 

Prepaid expenses and other

 

12,646

 

13,823

 

Deferred income taxes

 

5,629

 

4,653

 

Total current assets

 

94,512

 

80,158

 

Property and equipment:

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue equipment, buildings and land, office equipment and other

 

429,350

 

447,430

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

(129,938

)

(122,246

)

Net property and equipment

 

299,412

 

325,184

 

Other assets

 

1,131

 

2,048

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

395,055

 

$

407,390

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Checks issued in excess of cash balances

 

$

11

 

$

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

35,353

 

32,384

 

Insurance and claims accruals

 

19,183

 

17,431

 

Current maturities of long-term debt

 

5,000

 

5,000

 

Total current liabilities

 

59,547

 

54,815

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt, less current maturities

 

13,239

 

39,643

 

Deferred income taxes

 

77,631

 

74,719

 

Total liabilities

 

150,417

 

169,177

 

Minority interest

 

1,849

 

1,283

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $.01 par value per share; 2,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding

 

 

 

Common stock, $.01 par value per share; 48,000,000 shares authorized; 21,765,289 shares at June 30, 2008, and 21,811,837 shares at December 31, 2007, issued and outstanding

 

218

 

218

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

74,307

 

74,570

 

Retained earnings

 

168,264

 

162,142

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

242,789

 

236,930

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

$

395,055

 

$

407,390

 

 

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

 

1



 

MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months

 

Six Months

 

 

 

Ended June 30,

 

Ended June 30,

 

(In thousands, except per share information)

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING REVENUE

 

$

159,994

 

$

138,821

 

$

303,368

 

$

270,237

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES (INCOME):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries, wages and benefits

 

37,755

 

38,565

 

74,437

 

76,978

 

Purchased transportation

 

31,285

 

24,679

 

59,289

 

46,499

 

Fuel and fuel taxes

 

51,785

 

37,126

 

93,714

 

69,938

 

Supplies and maintenance

 

9,378

 

8,966

 

18,710

 

17,916

 

Depreciation

 

12,346

 

11,727

 

24,308

 

23,450

 

Operating taxes and licenses

 

1,762

 

1,726

 

3,474

 

3,425

 

Insurance and claims

 

6,653

 

5,376

 

12,218

 

10,846

 

Communications and utilities

 

909

 

970

 

1,870

 

1,910

 

Gain on disposition of revenue equipment

 

(927

)

(1,268

)

(1,986

)

(2,448

)

Other

 

2,620

 

2,913

 

5,424

 

5,292

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

153,566

 

130,780

 

291,458

 

253,806

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING INCOME

 

6,428

 

8,041

 

11,910

 

16,431

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

302

 

1,042

 

836

 

2,121

 

Interest income and other

 

(37

)

(126

)

(114

)

(345

)

Minority interest

 

225

 

79

 

605

 

229

 

 

 

490

 

995

 

1,327

 

2,005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 

5,938

 

7,046

 

10,583

 

14,426

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

 

2,469

 

2,702

 

4,461

 

5,488

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME

 

$

3,469

 

$

4,344

 

$

6,122

 

$

8,938

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

 

$

0.16

 

$

0.20

 

$

0.28

 

$

0.41

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

 

$

0.16

 

$

0.20

 

$

0.28

 

$

0.41

 

 

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

 

2



 

MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

Stock-

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Paid-In

 

Retained

 

holders’

 

(In thousands)

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Capital

 

Earnings

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2006

 

21,765

 

$

218

 

$

73,601

 

$

147,174

 

$

220,993

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

8,938

 

8,938

 

Issuance of common stock from share-based payment arrangement exercises

 

47

 

 

303

 

 

303

 

Tax benefits from share-based payment arrangement exercises

 

 

 

207

 

 

207

 

Share-based payment arrangement compensation expense

 

 

 

282

 

 

282

 

Balance at June 30, 2007

 

21,812

 

218

 

74,393

 

156,112

 

230,723

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

6,030

 

6,030

 

Tax benefits from share-based payment arrangement exercises

 

 

 

(1

)

 

(1

)

Share-based payment arrangement compensation expense

 

 

 

178

 

 

178

 

Balance at December 31, 2007

 

21,812

 

218

 

74,570

 

162,142

 

236,930

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

6,122

 

6,122

 

Repurchase and retirement of common stock

 

(67

)

 

(810

)

 

(810

)

Issuance of common stock from share-based payment arrangement exercises

 

20

 

 

98

 

 

98

 

Tax benefits from share-based payment arrangement exercises

 

 

 

91

 

 

91

 

Share-based payment arrangement compensation expense

 

 

 

358

 

 

358

 

Balance at June 30, 2008

 

21,765

 

$

218

 

$

74,307

 

$

168,264

 

$

242,789

 

 

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

 

3



 

MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Six Months

 

 

 

Ended June 30,

 

(In thousands)

 

2008

 

2007

 

CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

6,122

 

$

8,938

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

24,308

 

23,450

 

Gain on disposition of revenue equipment

 

(1,986

)

(2,448

)

Deferred income taxes

 

1,936

 

992

 

Tax benefits from share-based payment arrangement exercises

 

91

 

207

 

Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangement exercises

 

(73

)

(168

)

Share-based payment arrangement compensation expense

 

358

 

282

 

Minority interest in earnings of affiliate, net of distributions

 

566

 

139

 

Changes in other current operating items

 

(9,604

)

(1,898

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

21,718

 

29,494

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue equipment additions

 

(14,487

)

(50,208

)

Proceeds from revenue equipment dispositions

 

17,524

 

16,641

 

Buildings and land, office equipment and other additions

 

(1,216

)

(628

)

Proceeds from buildings and land, office equipment and other dispositions

 

2

 

609

 

Net change in other assets

 

917

 

1,239

 

Sales of marketable securities

 

30

 

 

Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities

 

2,770

 

(32,347

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS (USED FOR) PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings under credit facility and long-term debt

 

81,925

 

72,170

 

Repayment of borrowings under credit facility and long-term debt

 

(108,329

)

(68,006

)

Repurchase and retirement of common stock

 

(810

)

 

Issuance of common stock from share-based payment arrangement exercises

 

98

 

303

 

Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangement exercises

 

73

 

168

 

Change in net checks issued in excess of cash balances

 

11

 

(712

)

Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities

 

(27,032

)

3,923

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET CHANGE IN CASH

 

(2,544

)

1,070

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH:

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of period

 

3,618

 

2,988

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

End of period

 

$

1,074

 

$

4,058

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest

 

$

864

 

$

2,164

 

Income taxes

 

$

3,575

 

$

1,643

 

Non-cash investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Change in revenue equipment not yet paid for

 

$

(1,627

)

$

(13,371

)

 

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

 

4



 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2008

(Unaudited)

 

(1)   Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial statements, and therefore do not include all information and disclosures required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, such statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary to fairly present our consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for any interim period do not necessarily indicate the results for the full year. The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read with reference to the consolidated financial statements and notes to consolidated financial statements in our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements include the accounts of Marten Transport, Ltd. and its 45% owned affiliate, MW Logistics, LLC (MWL).  MWL is a third-party provider of logistics services to the transportation industry.  We have applied the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities,” as revised, to our investment in MWL.  All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

(2)  Accounting for Share-based Payment Arrangement Compensation

 

We account for share-based payment arrangements in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment” as interpreted by SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107.  During the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2008, there was no significant activity with our share-based payment arrangements.  Total share-based compensation expense recorded in the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2008 was $257,000 ($163,000 net of income tax benefit) and $358,000 ($231,000 net of income tax benefit).  Total share-based compensation expense recorded in the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2007 was $195,000 ($133,000 net of income tax benefit) and $282,000 ($196,000 net of income tax benefit).  See Note 9 to our consolidated financial statements in our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a detailed description of stock-based awards under our 2005 Stock Incentive Plan and 1995 Stock Incentive Plan.

 

(3)   Earnings Per Common Share

 

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

 

 

 

Three Months

 

Six Months

 

 

 

Ended June 30,

 

Ended June 30,

 

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

3,469

 

$

4,344

 

$

6,122

 

$

8,938

 

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per common share - weighted-average shares

 

21,764

 

21,789

 

21,760

 

21,778

 

Effect of dilutive stock options

 

154

 

182

 

152

 

184

 

Diluted earnings per common share - weighted-average shares and assumed conversions

 

21,918

 

21,971

 

21,912

 

21,962

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per common share

 

$

0.16

 

$

0.20

 

$

0.28

 

$

0.41

 

Diluted earnings per common share

 

$

0.16

 

$

0.20

 

$

0.28

 

$

0.41

 

 

5



 

Options totaling 404,600 and 231,000 shares were outstanding but were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2008 and June 30, 2007, respectively, primarily because their exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares and, therefore, including the options in the denominator would be antidilutive, or decrease the number of weighted-average shares.  The 404,600 and 231,000 shares above include 90,500 and 78,000 shares, respectively, of performance-based option awards for which the performance condition was not considered probable of achievement.

 

(4)  Income Taxes

 

Our effective income tax rate increased to 42.2% for the first six months of 2008 from 38.0% for the first six months of 2007 primarily because of the nondeductible effect of a per diem pay structure for our drivers adopted in the first quarter of 2008.

 

Our reserves for unrecognized tax benefits were $88,000 as of June 30, 2008 and $69,000 as of December 31, 2007.  The $19,000 increase in the amount reserved in the first six months of 2008 relates to current period tax positions.  If recognized, $57,000 of the unrecognized tax benefits as of June 30, 2008 would impact our effective tax rate.  No potential interest or penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits were recognized in our financial statements as of June 30, 2008.  We do not expect the reserves for unrecognized tax benefits to change significantly within the next twelve months.

 

The federal statute of limitations remains open for 2004 and forward.  We file tax returns in numerous state jurisdictions with varying statutes of limitations.

 

(5)  Share Repurchase Program

 

In December 2007, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program to repurchase up to one million shares of our common stock either through purchases on the open market or through private transactions.  The timing and extent to which we will repurchase shares depends on market conditions and other corporate considerations.  In the first quarter of 2008 we repurchased and retired 67,500 shares of our common stock for $810,000.  We made no purchases in 2007 or in the second quarter of 2008.  The repurchase program does not have an expiration date.

 

(6)  Business Segments

 

Our presentation includes two reportable segments – Truckload and Logistics.  The primary source of our operating revenue is truckload revenue, which we generate by transporting freight for our customers and report within our Truckload segment.  Generally, we are paid by the mile for our services.  We also derive truckload revenue from fuel surcharges, loading and unloading activities, equipment detention and other ancillary services.

 

Our operating revenue also includes revenue reported within our Logistics segment, which consists of revenue from our internal brokerage and intermodal operations, both launched in 2005, and through our 45% interest in MWL, a third-party provider of logistics services to the transportation industry.  Brokerage services involve arranging for another company to transport freight for our customers while we retain the billing, collection and customer management responsibilities.  Intermodal services involve the transport of our trailers on railroad flatcars for a portion of a trip, with the balance of the trip using our tractors or, to a lesser extent, contracted carriers.

 

6



 

The following table sets forth for the periods indicated our operating revenue, operating income and operating ratio by segment.  The table below presents truckload and logistics revenue, net of fuel surcharges.  We provide this additional disclosure because management believes removing fuel surcharge revenue provides a more consistent basis for comparing results of operations from period to period.  This financial measure in the table below has not been determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).  Pursuant to Item 10(e) of Regulation S-K, we have included a reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, operating revenue.  We evaluate the performance of our business segments based on operating income and operating ratio.  We do not prepare separate balance sheets by segment and, as a result, assets are not separately identifiable by segment.

 

 

 

Three Months

 

Six Months

 

 

 

Ended June 30,

 

Ended June 30,

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

Operating revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Truckload revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue

 

$

96,506

 

$

103,354

 

$

191,137

 

$

204,631

 

Truckload fuel surcharge revenue

 

37,568

 

20,357

 

64,066

 

37,227

 

Total Truckload revenue

 

134,074

 

123,711

 

255,203

 

241,858

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Logistics revenue, net of intermodal fuel surcharge revenue(1)

 

23,366

 

14,388

 

44,111

 

27,100

 

Intermodal fuel surcharge revenue

 

2,554

 

722

 

4,054

 

1,279

 

Total Logistics revenue

 

25,920

 

15,110

 

48,165

 

28,379

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating revenue

 

$

159,994

 

$

138,821

 

$

303,368

 

$

270,237

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Truckload

 

$

4,634

 

$

7,065

 

$

8,361

 

$

14,412

 

Logistics

 

1,794

 

976

 

3,549

 

2,019

 

Total operating income

 

$

6,428

 

$

8,041

 

$

11,910

 

$

16,431

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating ratio(2):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Truckload

 

96.5

%

94.3

%

96.7

%

94.0

%

Logistics

 

93.1

 

93.5

 

92.6

 

92.9

 

Consolidated operating ratio

 

96.0

%

94.2

%

96.1

%

93.9

%

 


(1)  Logistics revenue is net of $4.3 million and $8.6 million of inter-segment revenue in the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2008, respectively, for loads transported by our tractors and arranged by MWL that have been eliminated in consolidation.  Inter-segment revenue was $3.5 million and $7.0 million for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2007.

 

(2)    Operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue.

 

7


 


 

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

 

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with the selected consolidated financial data and our consolidated condensed financial statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this report. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including but not limited to those included in our Form 10-K, Part I, Item 1A for the year ended December 31, 2007.  We do not assume, and specifically disclaim, any obligation to update any forward-looking statement contained in this report.

 

Overview

 

The primary source of our operating revenue is truckload revenue, which we generate by transporting freight for our customers and report within our Truckload segment.  Generally, we are paid by the mile for our services.  We also derive truckload revenue from fuel surcharges, loading and unloading activities, equipment detention and other ancillary services.  The main factors that affect our truckload revenue are the rate per mile we receive from our customers, the percentage of miles for which we are compensated and the number of miles we generate with our equipment.  These factors relate, among other things, to the United States economy, inventory levels, the level of truck capacity in the temperature-sensitive market and specific customer demand.  We monitor our revenue production primarily through average truckload revenue, net of fuel surcharges, per tractor per week.  We also analyze our average truckload revenue, net of fuel surcharges, per total mile, non-revenue miles percentage, the miles per tractor we generate, our accessorial revenue and our other sources of operating revenue.

 

Our operating revenue also includes revenue reported within our Logistics segment, which consists of revenue from our internal brokerage and intermodal operations, both launched in 2005, and through our 45% interest in MWL, a third-party provider of logistics services to the transportation industry.  Brokerage services involve arranging for another company to transport freight for our customers while we retain the billing, collection and customer management responsibilities.  Intermodal services involve the transport of our trailers on railroad flatcars for a portion of a trip, with the balance of the trip using our tractors or, to a lesser extent, contracted carriers.  The main factors that affect our logistics revenue are the rate per mile and other charges we receive from our customers and the rates charged by third-party providers.  These factors relate, among other things, to the United States economy, inventory levels, the level of truck and rail capacity in the transportation market and specific customer demand.

 

In the first six months of 2008, we increased our operating revenue by $33.1 million, or 12.3%.  Our operating revenue, net of fuel surcharges, increased $3.5 million, or 1.5%, compared with the first six months of 2007.  Fuel surcharges increased $29.6 million, or 76.9%, in the first six months of 2008 due to the significant increase in the average cost of fuel from the first six months of 2007.  Truckload segment revenue, net of fuel surcharges, decreased 6.6% due to a 7.8% decrease in our weighted average number of tractors, partially offset by slight increases in revenue per total mile and in tractor utilization.  Our average truckload revenue, net of fuel surcharges, per tractor per week increased 0.7% in the first six months of 2008 due to a 0.9% increase in average truckload revenue, net of fuel surcharges, per total mile and a 0.3% increase in average miles per tractor.  The changes in our operating statistics are consistent with the growth of our regional temperature-controlled operations in the first six months of 2008.  By focusing on shorter lengths of haul in certain defined areas, we are addressing customer trends toward regional distribution to lower their transportation expense, furthering our own objectives of reducing fuel consumption per load, and matching some of our drivers’ desires to stay closer to home.  The concentration of a portion of our fleet in these markets is evident in a 5.2% reduction in average length of haul to 878 miles.  In response to a challenging freight environment with industry-wide capacity exceeding freight demand, we decreased our fleet throughout 2007.  As a result, our average fleet size was 199 tractors less in the first six months of 2008 than in the same period of 2007, but remained essentially the same as the end of 2007.  The slight improvement in tractor productivity was more than offset by an increase in our overall cost structure, which resulted in decreased profitability from the first six months of 2007.  Due to the difficult freight environment, we were not able to increase freight rates to cover higher costs.  The 1.5% increase in our operating revenue, net of fuel surcharges, was entirely driven by continued volume growth in each of our internal brokerage and intermodal services and in the logistics services provided by MWL.  Logistics revenue, which represented 15.9% of our operating revenue in the first six months of 2008, increased $19.8 million, or 69.7%, compared with the first six months of 2007.

 

8



 

Our profitability on the expense side is impacted by variable costs of transporting freight for our customers, fixed costs and expenses containing both fixed and variable components.  The variable costs include fuel expense, driver-related expenses, such as wages, benefits, training, and recruitment, and independent contractor costs, which are recorded under purchased transportation.  Expenses that have both fixed and variable components include maintenance and tire expense and our total cost of insurance and claims.  These expenses generally vary with the miles we travel, but also have a controllable component based on safety, fleet age, efficiency and other factors.  Our main fixed costs relate to the acquisition and financing of long-term assets, such as revenue equipment and operating terminals.  We expect our annual cost of tractor and trailer ownership will increase in future periods as a result of higher prices of new equipment.  Although certain factors affecting our expenses are beyond our control, we monitor them closely and attempt to anticipate changes in these factors in managing our business.  For example, fuel prices fluctuated dramatically at various times during the last several years, with the average cost of fuel increasing to $3.79 per gallon in the first six months of 2008 from $2.58 per gallon in the first six months of 2007.  We manage our exposure to changes in fuel prices primarily through fuel surcharge programs with our customers, as well as through volume fuel purchasing arrangements with national fuel centers and bulk purchases of fuel at our terminals.  To help further reduce fuel expense, we began installing auxiliary power units in our tractors in 2007 to provide climate control and electrical power for our drivers without idling the tractor engine.  For our Logistics segment, our profitability on the expense side is impacted by the percentage of logistics revenue we pay to providers for the transportation services we arrange.

 

Our operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue, or “operating ratio,” was 96.1% in the first six months of 2008 compared with 93.9% in the first six months of 2007.  Our earnings per diluted share decreased to $0.28 in the first six months of 2008 from $0.41 in the first six months of 2007.

 

Our business requires substantial, ongoing capital investments, particularly for new tractors and trailers. At June 30, 2008, we had approximately $18.2 million of long-term debt, including current maturities, and $242.8 million in stockholders’ equity.  In the first six months of 2008, our proceeds from revenue equipment dispositions exceeded our expenditures to purchase new revenue equipment by $3.0 million.  We estimate that capital expenditures, net of proceeds from dispositions, will be approximately $35 million for the remainder of 2008.  Our projected net capital expenditures for the remainder of 2008 has increased from previously communicated levels primarily due to new tractor and trailer purchases to update our fleet.  We recently negotiated additional equipment purchases with our tractor and trailer suppliers most of which will be replacement equipment.  We believe our sources of liquidity are adequate to meet our current and anticipated needs for at least the next twelve months.  Based upon anticipated cash flows, current borrowing availability and sources of financing we expect to be available to us, we do not anticipate any significant liquidity constraints in the foreseeable future.

 

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

 

9



 

Results of Operations

 

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

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Truckload Segment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

$

1.497

 

$

1.470

 

$

1.488

 

$

1.474

 

Average miles per tractor(1)

 

27,162

 

27,494

 

54,245

 

54,081

 

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

 

$

3,128

 

$

3,108

 

$

3,105

 

$

3,083

 

Average tractors (1)

 

2,373

 

2,558

 

2,368

 

2,567

 

Average miles per trip

 

865

 

911

 

878

 

926

 

Total miles – company-employed drivers (in thousands)

 

55,587

 

58,361

 

109,897

 

115,529

 

Total miles – independent contractors (in thousands)

 

8,877

 

11,968

 

18,548

 

23,297

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Logistics Segment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brokerage:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue (in thousands)

 

$

16,487

 

$

10,376

 

$

31,711

 

$

19,425

 

Loads

 

7,978

 

5,657

 

15,591

 

10,405

 

Intermodal:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue (in thousands)

 

$

9,433

 

$

4,734

 

$

16,454

 

$

8,954

 

Loads

 

2,773

 

1,528

 

4,926

 

2,914

 

Average tractors

 

51

 

26

 

45

 

25

 

 


(1)          Includes tractors driven by both company-employed drivers and independent contractors.  Independent contractors provided 246 and 368 tractors as of June 30, 2008, and 2007, respectively.

 

10



 

Comparison of Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 to Three Months Ended June 30, 2007

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dollar

 

Percentage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change

 

Change

 

 

 

Three Months

 

Three Months

 

Three Months

 

 

 

Ended

 

Ended

 

Ended

 

 

 

June 30,

 

June 30,

 

June 30,

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008 vs. 2007

 

2008 vs. 2007

 

Operating revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Truckload revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue

 

$

96,506

 

$

103,354

 

$

(6,848

)

(6.6

)%

Truckload fuel surcharge revenue

 

37,568

 

20,357

 

17,211

 

84.5

 

Total Truckload revenue

 

134,074

 

123,711

 

10,363

 

8.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Logistics revenue, net of intermodal fuel surcharge revenue(1)

 

23,366

 

14,388

 

8,978

 

62.4

 

Intermodal fuel surcharge revenue

 

2,554

 

722

 

1,832

 

253.7

 

Total Logistics revenue

 

25,920

 

15,110

 

10,810

 

71.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating revenue

 

$

159,994

 

$

138,821

 

$

21,173

 

15.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Truckload

 

$

4,634

 

$

7,065

 

$

(2,431

)

(34.4

)%

Logistics

 

1,794

 

976

 

818

 

83.8

 

Total operating income

 

$

6,428

 

$

8,041

 

$

(1,613

)

(20.1

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating ratio(2):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Truckload

 

96.5

%

94.3

%

 

 

(2.3

)%

Logistics

 

93.1

 

93.5

 

 

 

0.4

 

Consolidated operating ratio

 

96.0

%

94.2

%

 

 

(1.9

)%

 


(1) Logistics revenue is net of $4.3 million and $3.5 million of inter-segment revenue in the 2008 and 2007 periods, respectively, for loads transported by our tractors and arranged by MWL that have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

(2) Operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue.

 

Our operating revenue increased $21.2 million, or 15.3%, to $160.0 million in the 2008 period from $138.8 million in the 2007 period.  Our operating revenue, net of fuel surcharges, increased $2.1 million, or 1.8%, to $119.9 million in the 2008 period from $117.7 million in the 2007 period.  The increase in operating revenue, net of fuel surcharges, was entirely driven by continued volume growth in each of our internal brokerage and intermodal services and in the logistics services provided by MWL.  Fuel surcharges increased $19.0 million, or 90.3%, in the 2008 period due to the significant increase in the average cost of fuel from the 2007 period.

 

Truckload segment revenue increased $10.4 million, or 8.4%, to $134.1 million in the 2008 period from $123.7 million in the 2007 period.  Truckload segment revenue, net of fuel surcharges, decreased 6.6% due to a 7.2% decrease in our weighted average number of tractors, partially offset by a 1.8% increase in average truckload revenue, net of fuel surcharges, per total mile.  The increase in average truckload revenue, net of fuel surcharges, per total mile was the result of an improved freight mix, reduced average length of haul and an apparent reduction in overall truckload industry capacity.  Our average truckload revenue, net of fuel surcharges, per tractor per week increased 0.6% in the 2008 period from the 2007 period due to the increase in revenue per total mile, partially offset by a 1.2% decrease in average miles per tractor.  The changes in our operating statistics are consistent with the continued growth of our regional temperature-controlled operations

 

11



 

in the 2008 period.  By focusing on shorter lengths of haul in certain defined areas, we are addressing customer trends toward regional distribution to lower their transportation expense, furthering our own objectives of reducing fuel consumption per load, and matching some of our drivers’ desires to stay closer to home.  The concentration of a portion of our fleet in these markets is evident in a 5.0% reduction in average length of haul to 865 miles.  In response to a challenging freight environment with industry-wide capacity exceeding freight demand, we decreased our fleet throughout 2007.  As a result, our average fleet size was 185 tractors less in the 2008 period than in the 2007 period, but remained essentially the same as the end of 2007.  The slight improvement in tractor productivity was more than offset by an increase in our overall cost structure, which resulted in decreased profitability from the 2007 period.  Due to the difficult freight environment, we were not able to increase freight rates to cover higher costs.

 

Logistics segment revenue increased $10.8 million, or 71.5%, to $25.9 million in the 2008 period from $15.1 million in the 2007 period.  Logistics segment revenue, net of intermodal fuel surcharges, increased 62.4%.  The increase in logistics revenue primarily resulted from continued volume growth in each of our internal brokerage and intermodal services and in the logistics services provided by MWL.  The improvement in the operating ratio for our Logistics segment in the 2008 period was primarily due to an increase of intermodal revenue as a percentage of logistics revenue from the 2007 period.  The operating ratio for our intermodal services is lower than for our brokerage services.

 

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

 

 

 

Dollar

 

Percentage

 

Percentage of

 

 

 

Change

 

Change

 

Operating Revenue

 

 

 

Three Months

 

Three Months

 

Three Months

 

 

 

Ended

 

Ended

 

Ended

 

 

 

June 30,

 

June 30,

 

June 30,

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

2008 vs. 2007

 

2008 vs. 2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenue

 

$

21,173

 

15.3

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

Operating expenses (income):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries, wages and benefits

 

(810

)

(2.1

)

23.6

 

27.8

 

Purchased transportation

 

6,606

 

26.8

 

19.6

 

17.8

 

Fuel and fuel taxes

 

14,659

 

39.5

 

32.4

 

26.7

 

Supplies and maintenance

 

412

 

4.6

 

5.9

 

6.5

 

Depreciation

 

619

 

5.3

 

7.7

 

8.4

 

Operating taxes and licenses

 

36

 

2.1

 

1.1

 

1.2

 

Insurance and claims

 

1,277

 

23.8

 

4.2

 

3.9

 

Communications and utilities

 

(61

)

(6.3

)

0.6

 

0.7

 

Gain on disposition of revenue equipment

 

341

 

26.9

 

(0.6

)

(0.9

)

Other

 

(293

)

(10.1

)

1.6

 

2.1

 

Total operating expenses

 

22,786

 

17.4

 

96.0

 

94.2

 

Operating income

 

(1,613

)

(20.1

)

4.0

 

5.8

 

Other expenses (income):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(740

)

(71.0

)

0.2

 

0.8

 

Interest income and other

 

89

 

70.6

 

 

(0.1

)

Minority interest

 

146

 

184.8

 

0.1

 

0.1

 

 

 

(505

)

(50.8

)

0.3

 

0.7

 

Income before income taxes

 

(1,108

)

(15.7

)

3.7

 

5.1

 

Provision for income taxes

 

(233

)

(8.6

)

1.5

 

1.9

 

Net income

 

$

(875

)

(20.1

)%

2.2

%

3.1

%

 

12



 

Salaries, wages and benefits consist of compensation for our employees, including both driver and non-driver employees, employees’ health insurance, 401(k) plan contributions and other fringe benefits.  These expenses vary depending upon the ratio of company drivers to independent contractors, our efficiency, our experience with employees’ health insurance claims, changes in health care premiums and other factors. The decrease in salaries, wages and benefits resulted primarily from a 4.8% decrease in the total miles driven by company drivers and the adoption in the first quarter of 2008 of a per diem expense reimbursement program for our drivers, which was partially offset by a $746,000 increase in our self-insured medical claims, which increased our employees’ health insurance expense, and a decrease in our ratio of tractors to non-driver personnel associated with growth in our logistics business.

 

Purchased transportation consists of payments to independent contractor providers of revenue equipment and to carriers for transportation services we arrange in connection with brokerage and intermodal activities.  This category will vary depending upon the ratio of company drivers versus independent contractors, the amount of fuel surcharges passed through to independent contractors and the amount and rates we pay to third-party railroad and motor carriers.  Purchased transportation expense increased $6.6 million in total, or 26.8%, in the 2008 period from the 2007 period.  Payments to carriers for transportation services we arranged in our brokerage and intermodal operations increased $8.2 million to $19.5 million in the 2008 period from $11.4 million in the 2007 period, as our Logistics operations significantly increased in size and scope.  The portion of purchased transportation expense related to our independent contractors, including fuel surcharges, decreased $1.6 million in the 2008 period, primarily due to a decrease in the number of independent contractor-owned tractors in our fleet.  We expect that purchased transportation expense will continue to increase as we grow our Logistics segment, but this increase will be partially offset by an expected continuing decline in the number of independent contractor-owned tractors in our fleet due to difficult operating conditions.

 

Net fuel expense (fuel and fuel taxes net of fuel surcharge revenue and surcharges passed through to independent contractors) decreased $3.0 million, or 15.7%, to $16.0 million in the 2008 period from $19.0 million in the 2007 period.  Fuel surcharges passed through to independent contractors were $4.3 million in the 2008 period and $2.9 million in the 2007 period.  The decrease in net fuel expense was primarily due to a 4.8% decrease in the total miles driven by our company-owned fleet and to reduced idling fuel consumption resulting from the installation of auxiliary power units for our tractors that provide climate control and electrical power for our drivers without idling the tractor engine.  Auxiliary power units were installed in approximately 87% of our company-owned tractors as of June 30, 2008.   The impact of decreased miles and reduced idling time was partially offset by a significant increase in the average cost of fuel during the 2008 period to $4.21 per gallon from $2.73 per gallon in the 2007 period.  Net fuel expense represented 15.5% of truckload and intermodal revenue, net of fuel surcharges, in the 2008 period, compared with 17.7% in the 2007 period.  We have fuel surcharge provisions in substantially all of our transportation contracts and attempt to recover a portion of increasing fuel prices through fuel surcharges and higher rates.  We expect our fuel expense to increase in the future because we believe that government-mandated emissions standards that took effect in 2007 will result in further declines in engine efficiency as our fleet is updated with the newer engines.

 

Supplies and maintenance consist of repairs, maintenance, tires, parts, oil and engine fluids, along with load-specific expenses including loading/unloading, tolls, pallets and trailer hostling.  The increase in supplies and maintenance in the 2008 period primarily resulted from the higher percentage of company-owned tractors in our fleet, for which we bear all maintenance expenses, and an increase in the average age of our tractor and trailer fleets.  Our maintenance practices were consistent with the 2007 period.

 

Depreciation relates to owned tractors, trailers, auxiliary power units, communications units, terminal facilities and other assets.  The increase in depreciation was due to our investment in auxiliary power units since mid-2007 and to an increase in the relative percentage of company-owned tractors to independent contractor-owned tractors in the 2008 period.  We expect our annual cost of tractor and trailer ownership will increase in future periods as a result of higher prices of new equipment, which is expected to result in greater depreciation over the useful life.

 

Insurance and claims consist of the costs of insurance premiums and the accruals we make for claims within our self-insured retention amounts, primarily for personal injury, property damage, physical damage to our equipment, cargo claims and workers’ compensation claims.  These expenses will vary primarily based upon

 

13



 

the frequency and severity of our accident experience, our self-insured retention levels and the market for insurance.  The increase in insurance and claims in the 2008 period was primarily the result of an increase in the cost of self-insured accident claims.  We are responsible for the first $1.0 million on each auto liability claim and also responsible for up to $1.0 million in the aggregate for 33% of all auto liability claim amounts in excess of $1.0 million.  We are responsible for the first $750,000 on each workers’ compensation claim.  Our significant self-insured retention exposes us to the possibility of significant fluctuations in claims expense between periods depending on the frequency, severity and timing of claims and to adverse financial results if we incur large or numerous losses.  In the event of an uninsured claim above our insurance coverage, or an increase in the frequency or severity of claims within our self-insured retention, our financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

 

An expected decrease in the market value for used revenue equipment, which we believe was driven by capacity reductions in the industry, caused our gain on disposition of revenue equipment to decrease to $927,000 in the 2008 period from $1.3 million in the 2007 period, despite an increase in the number of tractors sold.  Future gains or losses on disposition of revenue equipment will be impacted by the market for used revenue equipment, which is beyond our control.

 

As a result of the foregoing factors, our operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue, or “operating ratio,” was 96.0% in the 2008 period compared with 94.2% in the 2007 period.

 

Interest expense primarily consists of interest on our unsecured committed credit facility and senior unsecured notes.  The decrease in interest expense of $740,000, or 71.0%, in the 2008 period from the 2007 period was primarily the result of lower average debt balances outstanding.

 

Our effective income tax rate increased to 41.6% in the 2008 period from 38.3% in the 2007 period, primarily because of the nondeductible effect of a per diem pay structure for our drivers adopted in the first quarter of 2008.

 

As a result of the factors described above, net income decreased to $3.5 million in the 2008 period from $4.3 million in the 2007 period. Net earnings decreased to $0.16 per diluted share in the 2008 period from $0.20 per diluted share in the 2007 period.

 

14



 

Comparison of Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 to Six Months Ended June 30, 2007

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dollar

 

Percentage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change

 

Change

 

 

 

Six Months

 

Six Months

 

Six Months

 

 

 

Ended

 

Ended

 

Ended

 

 

 

June 30,

 

June 30,

 

June 30,

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008 vs. 2007

 

2008 vs. 2007

 

Operating revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Truckload revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue

 

$

191,137

 

$

204,631

 

$

(13,494

)

(6.6

)%

Truckload fuel surcharge revenue

 

64,066

 

37,227

 

26,839

 

72.1

 

Total Truckload revenue

 

255,203

 

241,858

 

13,345

 

5.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Logistics revenue, net of intermodal fuel surcharge revenue(1)

 

44,111

 

27,100

 

17,011

 

62.8

 

Intermodal fuel surcharge revenue

 

4,054

 

1,279

 

2,775

 

217.0

 

Total Logistics revenue

 

48,165

 

28,379

 

19,786

 

69.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating revenue

 

$

303,368

 

$

270,237

 

$

33,131

 

12.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Truckload

 

$

8,361

 

$

14,412

 

$

(6,051

)

(42.0

)%

Logistics

 

3,549

 

2,019

 

1,530

 

75.8

 

Total operating income

 

$

11,910

 

$

16,431

 

$

(4,521

)

(27.5

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating ratio(2):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Truckload

 

96.7

%

94.0

%

 

 

(2.9

)%

Logistics

 

92.6

 

92.9

 

 

 

0.3

 

Consolidated operating ratio

 

96.1

%

93.9

%

 

 

(2.3

)%

 


(1) Logistics revenue is net of $8.6 million and $7.0 million of inter-segment revenue in the 2008 and 2007 periods, respectively, for loads transported by our tractors and arranged by MWL that have been eliminated in consolidation.

(2) Operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue.

 

Our operating revenue increased $33.1 million, or 12.3%, to $303.4 million in the 2008 period from $270.2 million in the 2007 period.  Our operating revenue, net of fuel surcharges, increased $3.5 million, or 1.5%, to $235.2 million in the 2008 period from $231.7 million in the 2007 period.  The increase in operating revenue, net of fuel surcharges, was entirely driven by continued volume growth in each of our internal brokerage and intermodal services and in the logistics services provided by MWL.  Fuel surcharges increased $29.6 million, or 76.9%, in the 2008 period due to the significant increase in the average cost of fuel from the 2007 period.

 

Truckload segment revenue increased $13.3 million, or 5.5%, to $255.2 million in the 2008 period from $241.9 million in the 2007 period.  Truckload segment revenue, net of fuel surcharges, decreased 6.6% due to a 7.8% decrease in our weighted average number of tractors, partially offset by slight increases in revenue per total mile and in tractor utilization.  Our average truckload revenue, net of fuel surcharges, per tractor per week increased 0.7% in the 2008 period from the 2007 period due to a 0.9% increase in average truckload revenue, net of fuel surcharges, per total mile and a 0.3% increase in average miles per tractor.  The changes in our operating statistics are consistent with the growth of our regional temperature-controlled operations in the 2008 period.  By focusing on shorter lengths of haul in certain defined areas, we are addressing customer trends toward regional distribution to lower their transportation expense, furthering our own objectives of reducing

 

15



 

fuel consumption per load, and matching some of our drivers’ desires to stay closer to home.  The concentration of a portion of our fleet in these markets is evident in a 5.2% reduction in average length of haul to 878 miles.  In response to a challenging freight environment with industry-wide capacity exceeding freight demand, we decreased our fleet throughout 2007.  As a result, our average fleet size was 199 tractors less in the 2008 period than in the 2007 period, but remained essentially the same as the end of 2007.  The slight improvement in tractor productivity was more than offset by an increase in our overall cost structure, which resulted in decreased profitability from the 2007 period.  Due to the difficult freight environment, we were not able to increase freight rates to cover higher costs.

 

Logistics segment revenue increased $19.8 million, or 69.7%, to $48.2 million in the 2008 period from $28.4 million in the 2007 period.  Logistics segment revenue, net of intermodal fuel surcharges, increased 62.8%.  The increase in logistics revenue primarily resulted from continued volume growth in each of our internal brokerage and intermodal services and in the logistics services provided by MWL.  The improvement in the operating ratio for our Logistics segment in the 2008 period was primarily due to an increase of intermodal revenue as a percentage of logistics revenue from the 2007 period. The operating ratio for our intermodal services is lower than for our brokerage services.

 

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

 

 

 

Dollar

 

Percentage

 

Percentage of

 

 

 

Change

 

Change

 

Operating Revenue

 

 

 

Six Months

 

Six Months

 

Six Months

 

 

 

Ended

 

Ended

 

Ended

 

 

 

June 30,

 

June 30,

 

June 30,

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

2008 vs. 2007

 

2008 vs. 2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenue

 

$

33,131

 

12.3

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

Operating expenses (income):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries, wages and benefits

 

(2,541

)

(3.3

)

24.5

 

28.5

 

Purchased transportation

 

12,790

 

27.5

 

19.5

 

17.2

 

Fuel and fuel taxes

 

23,776

 

34.0

 

30.9

 

25.9

 

Supplies and maintenance

 

794

 

4.4

 

6.2

 

6.6

 

Depreciation

 

858

 

3.7

 

8.0

 

8.7

 

Operating taxes and licenses

 

49

 

1.4

 

1.1

 

1.3

 

Insurance and claims

 

1,372

 

12.6

 

4.0

 

4.0

 

Communications and utilities

 

(40

)

(2.1

)

0.6

 

0.7

 

Gain on disposition of revenue equipment

 

462

 

18.9

 

(0.7

)

(0.9

)

Other

 

132

 

2.5

 

1.8

 

2.0

 

Total operating expenses

 

37,652

 

14.8

 

96.1

 

93.9

 

Operating income

 

(4,521

)

(27.5

)

3.9

 

6.1

 

Other expenses (income):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(1,285

)

(60.6

)

0.3

 

0.8

 

Interest income and other

 

231

 

67.0

 

 

(0.1

)

Minority interest

 

376

 

164.2

 

0.2

 

0.1

 

 

 

(678

)

(33.8

)

0.4

 

0.7

 

Income before income taxes

 

(3,843

)

(26.6

)

3.5

 

5.3

 

Provision for income taxes

 

(1,027

)

(18.7

)

1.5

 

2.0

 

Net income

 

$

(2,816

)

(31.5

)%

2.0

%

3.3

%

 

16



 

The decrease in salaries, wages and benefits resulted primarily from a 4.9% decrease in the total miles driven by company drivers and the adoption in the first quarter of 2008 of a per diem expense reimbursement program for our drivers, which was partially offset by a $1.1 million increase in our self-insured medical claims, which increased our employees’ health insurance expense, and a decrease in our ratio of tractors to non-driver personnel associated with growth in our logistics business.

 

Purchased transportation expense increased $12.8 million in total, or 27.5%, in the 2008 period from the 2007 period.  Payments to carriers for transportation services we arranged in our brokerage and intermodal operations increased $15.1 million to $36.3 million in the 2008 period from $21.2 million in the 2007 period, as our Logistics operations significantly increased in size and scope.  The portion of purchased transportation expense related to our independent contractors, including fuel surcharges, decreased $2.3 million in the 2008 period, primarily due to a decrease in the number of independent contractor-owned tractors in our fleet.

 

Net fuel expense (fuel and fuel taxes net of fuel surcharge revenue and surcharges passed through to independent contractors) decreased $3.5 million, or 9.6%, to $33.1 million in the 2008 period from $36.6 million in the 2007 period. Fuel surcharges passed through to independent contractors were $7.5 million in the 2008 period and $5.2 million in the 2007 period.  The decrease in net fuel expense was primarily due to a 4.9% decrease in the total miles driven by our company-owned fleet and to reduced idling fuel consumption resulting from the installation of auxiliary power units for our tractors that provide climate control and electrical power for our drivers without idling the tractor engine.  Auxiliary power units were installed in approximately 87% of our company-owned tractors as of June 30, 2008.   The impact of decreased miles and reduced idling time was partially offset by a significant increase in the average cost of fuel during the 2008 period to $3.79 per gallon from $2.58 per gallon in the 2007 period.  Net fuel expense represented 16.2% of truckload and intermodal revenue, net of fuel surcharges, in the 2008 period, compared with 17.2% in the 2007 period.

 

The increase in supplies and maintenance in the 2008 period primarily resulted from the higher percentage of company-owned tractors in our fleet, for which we bear all maintenance expenses, and an increase in the average age of our tractor and trailer fleets.

 

The increase in depreciation was due to our investment in auxiliary power units since mid-2007 and to an increase in the relative percentage of company-owned tractors to independent contractor-owned tractors in the 2008 period.

 

The increase in insurance and claims in the 2008 period was primarily the result of an increase in the cost of self-insured accident claims.

 

An expected decrease in the market value for used revenue equipment, which we believe was driven by capacity reductions in the industry, caused our gain on disposition of revenue equipment to decrease to $2.0 million in the 2008 period from $2.5 million in the 2007 period, despite an increase in the number of tractors and trailers sold.

 

As a result of the foregoing factors, our operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue, or “operating ratio,” was 96.1% in the 2008 period compared with 93.9% in the 2007 period.

 

The decrease in interest expense of $1.3 million, or 60.6%, in the 2008 period from the 2007 period was primarily the result of lower average debt balances outstanding.

 

Our effective income tax rate increased to 42.2% in the 2008 period from 38.0% in the 2007 period, primarily because of the nondeductible effect of a per diem pay structure for our drivers adopted in the first quarter of 2008.

 

As a result of the factors described above, net income decreased to $6.1 million in the 2008 period from $8.9 million in the 2007 period. Net earnings decreased to $0.28 per diluted share in the 2008 period from $0.41 per diluted share in the 2007 period.

 

17



 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

Six Months

 

 

 

Ended June 30,

 

(In thousands)

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash flows provided by operating activities

 

$

21,718

 

$

29,494

 

Net cash flows provided by (used for) investing activities

 

2,770

 

(32,347

)

Net cash flows (used for) provided by financing activities

 

(27,032

)

3,923

 

 

In December 2007, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program to repurchase up to one million shares of our common stock either through purchases on the open market or through private transactions.  The timing and extent to which we will repurchase shares depends on market conditions and other corporate considerations.  In the first quarter of 2008 we repurchased and retired 67,500 shares of our common stock for $810,000.  We made no purchases in 2007 or in the second quarter of 2008.  The repurchase program does not have an expiration date.

 

In the first six months of 2008, our proceeds from revenue equipment dispositions exceeded our expenditures to purchase new revenue equipment by $3.0 million.  We estimate that capital expenditures, net of proceeds from dispositions, will be approximately $35 million for the remainder of 2008.  Our projected net capital expenditures for the remainder of 2008 has increased from previously communicated levels primarily due to new tractor and trailer purchases to update our fleet.  We recently negotiated additional equipment purchases with our tractor and trailer suppliers most of which will be replacement equipment.  We believe our sources of liquidity are adequate to meet our current and anticipated needs for at least the next twelve months.  Based upon anticipated cash flows, current borrowing availability and sources of financing we expect to be available to us, we do not anticipate any significant liquidity constraints in the foreseeable future.

 

We have outstanding Series A Senior Unsecured Notes with an aggregate principal balance of $3.6 million at June 30, 2008. These notes mature in October 2008, require annual principal payments of $3.6 million and bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 6.78%. We also have outstanding Series B Senior Unsecured Notes with an aggregate principal balance of $2.9 million at June 30, 2008. These notes mature in April 2010, require annual principal payments of $1.4 million and bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 8.57%.

 

18



 

We maintain a credit agreement that provides for a five-year unsecured committed credit facility maturing in September 2011 in an aggregate principal amount of up to $75 million.  The aggregate principal amount of the credit facility may be increased at our option up to a maximum aggregate principal amount of $100 million.  At June 30, 2008, the credit facility had an outstanding principal balance of $11.8 million, outstanding standby letters of credit of $6.8 million and remaining borrowing availability of $56.4 million. This facility bears interest at a variable rate based on the London Interbank Offered Rate or the agent bank’s Prime Rate, in each case plus/minus applicable margins.  The weighted average interest rate for the credit facility was 3.2% per annum at June 30, 2008.

 

Our credit facility prohibits us from paying, in any fiscal year, dividends in excess of 25% of our net income from the prior fiscal year. The debt agreements discussed above also contain restrictive covenants which, among other matters, require us to maintain certain financial ratios, including debt-to-equity, cash flow leverage, interest coverage and fixed charge coverage. We were in compliance with all of these covenants at June 30, 2008.

 

We had $1.6 million in direct financing receivables from independent contractors under our tractor purchase program as of June 30, 2008, compared with $3.0 million in receivables as of December 31, 2007. These receivables, which are collateralized by the financed tractors, are used to attract and retain qualified independent contractors. We deduct payments from the independent contractors’ settlements weekly and, as a result, have experienced minimal collection issues for these receivables.

 

The following is a summary of our contractual obligations as of June 30, 2008.

 

 

 

Payments Due by Period

 

 

 

Remainder

 

2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

of

 

and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

2008

 

2010

 

2011

 

Thereafter

 

Total

 

Long-term debt obligations

 

$

3,571

 

$

2,857

 

$

11,811

 

$

 

$

18,239

 

Purchase obligations for revenue equipment

 

10,524

 

 

 

 

10,524

 

Operating lease obligations

 

109

 

284

 

71

 

 

464

 

Total

 

$

14,204

 

$

3,141

 

$

11,882

 

$

 

$

29,227

 

 

Related Parties

 

We purchase fuel and obtain tires and related services from Bauer Built, Inc., or BBI. Jerry M. Bauer, one of our directors, is the president and a stockholder of BBI.  We paid BBI $758,000 in the first six months of 2008 and $538,000 in the first six months of 2007 for fuel and tire services. In addition, we paid $1.3 million in the first six months of 2008 and $859,000 in the first six months of 2007 to tire manufacturers for tires that we purchased from the tire manufacturers which were provided by BBI. BBI received commissions from the tire manufacturers related to these purchases.  Other than any benefit received from his ownership interest, Mr. Bauer receives no compensation or other benefits from our business with BBI.

 

We paid Durand Builders Service, Inc. $285,000 in the first six months of 2008 for various construction projects.  Larry B. Hagness, one of our directors, is the president and owner of Durand Builders Service, Inc.  Other than any benefit received from his ownership interest, Mr. Hagness receives no compensation or other benefits from these transactions.

 

Off-balance Sheet Arrangements

 

Other than standby letters of credit maintained in connection with our self-insurance programs in the amount of $6.8 million and operating leases summarized above in our summary of contractual obligations, we did not have any other material off-balance sheet arrangements at June 30, 2008.

 

19



 

Inflation and Fuel Costs

 

Most of our operating expenses are inflation-sensitive, with inflation generally producing increased costs of operations. During the last two years, the most significant effects of inflation have been on revenue equipment prices, accident claims, health insurance and employee compensation. We attempt to limit the effects of inflation through increases in freight rates and cost control efforts.

 

In addition to inflation, fluctuations in fuel prices can affect our profitability. We require substantial amounts of fuel to operate our tractors and power the temperature-control units on our trailers. Substantially all of our contracts with customers contain fuel surcharge provisions. Although we historically have been able to pass through most long-term increases in fuel prices and related taxes to customers in the form of surcharges and higher rates, such increases usually are not fully recovered. Fuel prices were high throughout the last two years, which has increased our cost of operating.

 

Seasonality

 

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

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events, and apply judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses in our consolidated condensed financial statements and related notes.  We base our estimates, assumptions and judgments on historical experience, current trends and other factors believed to be relevant at the time our consolidated condensed financial statements are prepared.  However, because future events and their effects cannot be determined with certainty, actual results could differ from our estimates and assumptions, and such differences could be material.  We believe that the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant estimates, assumptions and judgments used in the preparation of our consolidated condensed financial statements.

 

Revenue Recognition. We recognize revenue, including fuel surcharges, at the time shipment of freight is completed.

 

Accounts Receivable.  We are dependent on a limited number of customers, and as a result, our trade accounts receivable are highly concentrated. Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amounts, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts.  A considerable amount of judgment is required in assessing the realization of these receivables including the current creditworthiness of each customer and related aging of the past-due balances, including any billing disputes.  In order to assess the collectibility of these receivables, we perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers’ financial condition.  Through these evaluations, we may become aware of a situation where a customer may not be able to meet its financial obligations due to deterioration of its financial viability, credit ratings or bankruptcy.  The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on the best information available to us and is reevaluated and adjusted as additional information is received.  We evaluate the allowance based on historical write-off experience, the size of the individual customer balances, past-due amounts and the overall national economy.  We review the adequacy of our allowance for doubtful accounts monthly.

 

Property and Equipment. The transportation industry requires significant capital investments. Our net property and equipment was $299.4 million as of June 30, 2008 and $325.2 million as of December 31, 2007. Our depreciation expense was $24.3 million for the first six months of 2008 and $23.5 million for the first six months of 2007.  We compute depreciation of our property and equipment for financial reporting purposes based on the cost of each asset, reduced by its estimated salvage value, using the straight-line method over its estimated useful life. We determine and periodically evaluate our estimate of the projected salvage values and useful lives primarily by considering the market for used equipment, prior useful lives and changes in technology. We have not changed our policy regarding salvage values as a percentage of initial cost or useful

 

20



 

lives of tractors and trailers within the last ten years. We believe that our policies and past estimates have been reasonable. Actual results could differ from these estimates. A 5% decrease in estimated salvage values would have decreased our net property and equipment as of June 30, 2008 by approximately $7.7 million, or 2.6%.

 

In the first six months of 2008, we replaced most of our company-owned tractors within approximately 3.5 years and our trailers within approximately 5.5 years after purchase.  Our useful lives for depreciating tractors is five years and trailers is seven years, with a 25% salvage value for tractors and a 35% salvage value for trailers.  These salvage values are based upon the expected market values of the equipment after five years for tractors and seven years for trailers.  Depreciation expense calculated in this manner approximates the continuing declining value of the revenue equipment, and continues at a consistent straight-line rate for units held beyond the normal replacement cycle.  Calculating tractor depreciation expense with a five-year useful life and a 25% salvage value results in the same depreciation rate of 15% of cost per year and the same net book value of 47.5% of cost at the 3.5-year replacement date as using a 3.5-year useful life and 47.5% salvage value.  As a result, there is no difference in recorded depreciation expense on a quarterly or annual basis with our five-year useful life and 25% salvage value compared with a 3.5-year useful life and 47.5% salvage value.  Similarly, calculating trailer depreciation expense with seven-year useful life and a 35% salvage value results in the same depreciation rate of 9.3% of cost per year and the same net book value of 48.9% of cost at the 5.5-year replacement date as using a 5.5-year useful life and 48.9% salvage value.  As a result, there is no difference in recorded depreciation expense on a quarterly or annual basis with our seven-year useful life and 35% salvage value compared with a 5.5-year useful life and 48.9% salvage value.

 

Impairment of Assets. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less the costs to sell.

 

Insurance and Claims. We self-insure, in part, for losses relating to workers’ compensation, auto liability, general liability, cargo and property damage claims, along with employees’ health insurance with varying risk retention levels. We maintain insurance coverage for per-incident and total losses in excess of these risk retention levels in amounts we consider adequate based upon historical experience and our ongoing review. However, we could suffer a series of losses within our self-insured retention limits or losses over our policy limits, which could negatively affect our financial condition and operating results. We are responsible for the first $1.0 million on each auto liability claim and also responsible for up to $1.0 million in the aggregate for 33% of all auto liability claim amounts in excess of $1.0 million.  We are responsible for the first $750,000 on each workers’ compensation claim.  We have $6.8 million in standby letters of credit to guarantee settlement of claims under agreements with our insurance carriers and regulatory authorities. The insurance and claims accruals in our consolidated condensed balance sheets were $19.2 million as of June 30, 2008, and $17.4 million as of December 31, 2007. We reserve currently for the estimated cost of the uninsured portion of pending claims. We periodically evaluate and adjust these reserves based on our evaluation of the nature and severity of outstanding individual claims and our estimate of future claims development based on historical claims development factors. We believe that our claims development factors have historically been reasonable, as indicated by the adequacy of our insurance and claims accruals compared to settled claims. Actual results could differ from these current estimates.  In addition, to the extent that claims are litigated and not settled, jury awards are difficult to predict.  If our claims settlement experience worsened causing our historical claims development factors to increase by 5%, our estimated outstanding loss reserves as of June 30, 2008 would have needed to increase by approximately $2.9 million.

 

21



 

Share-based Payment Arrangement Compensation.  We have granted stock options to certain employees and non-employee directors.  We recognize compensation expense for all share-based payment arrangements granted after December 31, 2005 and prior to but not yet vested as of December 31, 2005, in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment” (SFAS 123R).  Under the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123R, we record share-based compensation expense net of an estimated forfeiture rate and only record compensation expense for those shares expected to vest on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for service-based awards (normally the vesting period).  Compensation expense will be recorded for performance-based awards in the periods in which the performance condition is probable of achievement.  Determining the appropriate fair value model and calculating the fair value of share-based payment arrangements require the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected life of the share-based payment arrangements and stock price volatility.  We use the Black-Scholes model to value our stock option awards.  We believe that future volatility will not materially differ from our historical volatility.  Thus, we use the historical volatility of our common stock over the expected life of the award.  The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of share-based payment awards represent our best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of judgment.  As a result, if factors change and we use different assumptions, share-based compensation expense could be materially different in the future.  In addition, we are required to estimate the expected forfeiture rate and only recognize expense for those shares expected to vest.  If the actual forfeiture rate is materially different from the estimate, share-based compensation expense could be significantly different from what has been recorded in the current period.

 

Income Taxes.  We account for income taxes in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes” and FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109.”  As part of the process of preparing our consolidated condensed financial statements, we are required to estimate our income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate.  This process involves estimating our current tax exposure together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and financial reporting purposes.  These temporary differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included in our accompanying consolidated condensed balance sheets.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which the temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.  To the extent it is determined that it is not likely that our deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income, a valuation allowance must be established for the amount of the deferred tax assets determined not to be realizable.  A valuation allowance for deferred tax assets has not been deemed necessary due to our profitable operations.  However, if the facts or our financial results were to change, thereby impacting the likelihood of realizing the deferred tax assets, judgment would have to be applied to determine the amount of any valuation allowance required in any given period.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” (SFAS 157).  SFAS 157 provides enhanced guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities.  The statement provides a common definition of fair value and establishes a framework to make the measurement of fair value in generally accepted accounting principles more consistent and comparable.  SFAS 157 also requires expanded disclosures to provide information about the extent to which fair value is used to measure assets and liabilities, the methods and assumptions used to measure fair value, and the effect of fair value measures on earnings.  SFAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007.  However, SFAS 157 as it relates to fair value measurement requirements for non-financial assets and liabilities that are not remeasured at fair value on a recurring basis is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008.  The adoption of SFAS 157 did not and is not expected to have a significant impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

22



 

In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – an amendment of ARB No. 51” (SFAS 160).  SFAS 160 requires that accounting and reporting for minority interests will be recharacterized as noncontrolling interests and classified as a component of equity.  SFAS 160 also establishes reporting requirements that provide sufficient disclosures that clearly identify and distinguish between the interests of the parent and the interests of the noncontrolling owners.  SFAS 160 applies to all entities that prepare consolidated financial statements, except not-for-profit organizations, but will affect only those entities that have an outstanding noncontrolling interest in one or more subsidiaries or that deconsolidate a subsidiary.  This statement is effective as of the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after December 15, 2008.  We continue to evaluate the impact of this new pronouncement, but currently believe the only impact of adopting SFAS 160 would be to reclassify $1.8 million in minority interest to a separate component of stockholders’ equity.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (SFAS 141R), which replaces FASB Statement No. 141.  SFAS 141R establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, any non-controlling interest in the acquiree and the goodwill acquired.  The statement also establishes disclosure requirements that will enable users to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination.  SFAS 141R is effective as of the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after December 15, 2008.  The adoption of SFAS 141R could have a significant impact on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows if we should enter into a business combination after that date.

 

23



 

Item 3.  Quantitative And Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

 

We are exposed to a variety of market risks, most importantly the effects of the price and availability of diesel fuel and changes in interest rates.

 

Commodity Price Risk

 

Our operations are heavily dependent upon the use of diesel fuel. The price and availability of diesel fuel can vary and are subject to political, economic and market factors that are beyond our control. Significant increases in diesel fuel costs could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. Historically, we have been able to recover a portion of diesel fuel price increases from customers in the form of fuel surcharges.

 

We presently use fuel surcharges to address the risk of high fuel prices. Fuel surcharge programs are widely accepted among our customers, though they can vary somewhat from customer-to-customer. We believe fuel surcharges are effective at mitigating the risk of high fuel prices, although we do not recover the full amount of fuel price increases.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

Our market risk is also affected by changes in interest rates. We have historically maintained a combination of fixed rate and variable rate obligations to manage our interest rate exposure. Fixed rate obligations expose us to the risk that interest rates might fall. Variable rate obligations expose us to the risk that interest rates might rise.

 

Our fixed rate obligations consist of amounts outstanding under our unsecured senior notes. The $3.6 million outstanding at June 30, 2008 under our Series A Senior Notes bears interest at a fixed annual rate of 6.78%. The $2.9 million outstanding at June 30, 2008 under our Series B Senior Notes bears interest at a fixed annual rate of 8.57%. Based on such outstanding amounts, a one percentage point decline in market interest rates would have the effect of increasing the premium we pay over market interest rates by approximately $65,000 annually.

 

Our variable rate obligations consist of borrowings under our revolving credit facility. Our revolving credit facility carries a variable interest rate based on the London Interbank Offered Rate or the agent bank’s Prime Rate, in each case plus/minus applicable margins. The weighted average interest rate for the facility was 3.2% per annum at June 30, 2008. As of June 30, 2008, we had borrowed $11.8 million under the credit facility. Based on such outstanding amount, a one percentage point increase in market interest rates would cost us $118,000 in additional gross interest cost on an annual basis.

 

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures.

 

As required by Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), we have carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this report.  This evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer.  Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of June 30, 2008.  There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or that are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.  We intend to periodically evaluate our disclosure controls and procedures as required by the Exchange Act Rules.

 

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PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1A.          Risk Factors.

 

We do not believe there are any material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in Item 1A. to Part I of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

Item 2.                   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

 

On December 4, 2007, our Board of Directors approved and we announced a share repurchase program to repurchase up to one million shares of our common stock either through purchases on the open market or through private transactions and in accordance with Rule 10b-18 of the Exchange Act.  The timing and extent to which we will repurchase shares depends on market conditions and other corporate considerations.  The repurchase program does not have an expiration date.

 

In the first quarter of 2008 we repurchased and retired 67,500 shares of our common stock for $810,000.  We made no purchases in 2007 or in the second quarter of 2008.

 

Item 4.                   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

 

Our annual meeting of stockholders was held on May 6, 2008.  The following items were voted upon at the meeting:

 

(a) Six incumbent directors were elected to serve one-year terms expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2009.  The following summarizes the votes cast for, votes withheld and broker non-votes for each nominee:

 

Nominee

 

Votes For

 

Votes Withheld

 

Broker Non-Votes

 

Randolph L. Marten

 

21,063,580

 

19,748

 

 

Larry B. Hagness

 

14,791,921

 

6,291,407

 

 

Thomas J. Winkel

 

20,962,703

 

120,625

 

 

Jerry M. Bauer

 

20,498,396

 

584,932

 

 

Robert L. Demorest

 

21,064,598

 

18,730

 

 

G. Larry Owens

 

21,083,328

 

 

 

 

(b) The stockholders also voted to confirm the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent public accountants for the year ending December 31, 2008 by a vote of 20,247,962 shares in favor, 855,882 shares against and 3,589 shares abstaining.

 

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Item 6.                   Exhibits.

 

Item No.

 

Item

 

Method of Filing

 

 

 

 

 

10.17

 

Named Executive Officers’ Compensation Summary

 

Filed with this Report.

 

 

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification pursuant to Item 601(b)(31) of Regulation S-K, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, by Randolph L. Marten, the Registrant’s Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

 

Filed with this Report.

 

 

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification pursuant to Item 601(b)(31) of Regulation S-K, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, by James J. Hinnendael, the Registrant’s Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

 

Filed with this Report.

 

 

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

Filed with this Report.

 

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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, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

Dated:  August 11, 2008

By:

/s/ Randolph L. Marten

 

 

Randolph L. Marten

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dated:  August 11, 2008

By:

/s/ James J. Hinnendael

 

 

James J. Hinnendael

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

For the Quarter Ended June 30, 2008

 

Item No.

 

Item

 

Method of Filing

 

 

 

 

 

10.17

 

Named Executive Officers’ Compensation Summary

 

Filed with this Report.

 

 

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification pursuant to Item 601(b)(31) of Regulation S-K, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, by Randolph L. Marten, the Registrant’s Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

 

Filed with this Report.

 

 

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification pursuant to Item 601(b)(31) of Regulation S-K, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, by James J. Hinnendael, the Registrant’s Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

 

Filed with this Report.

 

 

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

Filed with this Report.

 

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