Marten Transport Announces Fourth Quarter and Year End Results

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MONDOVI, Wis., Jan. 25, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Marten Transport, Ltd. MRTN today reported net income of $65.1 million, or $1.18 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2017 – results that include a deferred income taxes benefit of $56.5 million related to the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.  Excluding that benefit, net income improved 3.7% to $8.6 million, or 16 cents per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2017 from $8.3 million, or 15 cents per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2016.  Net income was $90.3 million, or $1.65 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2017.  Excluding the deferred income taxes benefit, 2017 net income improved 1.1% to $33.8 million, or 62 cents per diluted share, from $33.5 million, or 61 cents per diluted share, for 2016.

     
     
 Earnings Impact of Deferred Income Taxes Benefit 
   
   Three Months   Year  
   Ended  Ended  
 (In thousands, except share information) Dec. 31, 2017  Dec. 31, 2017  
           
 Net income:         
 Excluding deferred income taxes benefit $ 8,609  $33,819  
 Deferred income taxes benefit  56,465   56,465  
 Net income $65,074  $90,284  
 Diluted earnings per common share*:         
 Excluding deferred income taxes benefit $ 0.16  $0.62  
 Deferred income taxes benefit  1.03   1.03  
 Diluted earnings per common share $1.18  $1.65  
   
 *Differences in rounding exist for the diluted earnings per common share amounts for the three months ended Dec. 31, 2017. 
   
   

Operating revenue improved 5.9% to $182.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2017 from $172.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2016, and improved 4.0% to $698.1 million for 2017 from $671.1 million for 2016.  Excluding fuel surcharges, operating revenue improved 3.9% to $163.4 million for the 2017 quarter from $157.4 million for the 2016 quarter, and improved 2.1% to $631.0 million for 2017 from $617.9 million for 2016.  Fuel surcharge revenue increased to $19.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2017 from $15.3 million for the 2016 quarter, and increased to $67.1 million for 2017 from $53.2 million for 2016.

Operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue was 92.2% for the fourth quarter of 2017 and 91.6% for the fourth quarter of 2016.  Operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue, with both amounts net of fuel surcharges, was 91.2% for the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to 90.8% for the fourth quarter of 2016.

Operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue was 91.9% for 2017 and 91.3% for 2016.  Operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue, with both amounts net of fuel surcharges, was 91.0% for 2017 compared to 90.6% for 2016.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Randolph L. Marten said, "We are pleased to report improvements in both our top- and bottom-line results for the quarter and year, results our people achieved while overcoming significantly less gain on disposition of our revenue equipment in 2017.  We fully capitalized on the strengthening freight environment to better our average revenue per tractor by 7.1% in our Truckload operations and by 2.5% in our Dedicated operations from the 2016 to the 2017 quarter, along with revenue increases in both our Intermodal and Brokerage operations.  We continue to earn awards of new Dedicated business and expect our number of Dedicated tractors to increase to over 1,150 by June 2018.  We also improved our balance sheet position with $15.8 million in cash at the end of 2017 from $7.9 million in debt at the beginning of the year.  We expect to further capitalize on profitable growth opportunities with our diversified platform, cost control emphasis, modern fleet, strong balance sheet and the smart, hard work of our people."

Marten Transport, with headquarters in Mondovi, Wis., is one of the leading temperature-sensitive truckload carriers in the United States, specializing in transporting and distributing food and other consumer packaged goods that require a temperature-controlled or insulated environment.  Marten's dry freight services are expanding, with 966 dry trailers operating as of December 31, 2017.  Marten offers service in the United States, Canada and Mexico, concentrating on expedited movements for high-volume customers.  Marten's common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol MRTN.

This press release contains certain statements that may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  These statements include our discussion of the Company's prospects for future growth and by their nature involve substantial risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements.  Important factors known to the Company that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements are discussed in Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.  The Company undertakes no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

CONTACTS: Tim Kohl, President, and Jim Hinnendael, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, of Marten Transport, Ltd., 715-926-4216.

         
  MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
  
 December 31, 
   December 31,
 
(In thousands, except share information)2017   2016
 
  
ASSETS        
Current assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents$15,791   $488 
Receivables:        
Trade, net 74,886    69,199 
Other 6,131    4,436 
Prepaid expenses and other 19,810    19,307 
Total current assets 116,618    93,430 
Property and equipment:        
Revenue equipment, buildings and land, office equipment and other 783,648    759,553 
Accumulated depreciation (211,728)   (201,728)
Net property and equipment 571,920    557,825 
Other assets 1,865    2,493 
Total assets$690,403   $653,748 
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities$38,100   $41,230 
Insurance and claims accruals 26,177    19,440 
Total current liabilities 64,277    60,670 
Long-term debt -    7,886 
Deferred income taxes 100,626    147,854 
Total liabilities 164,903    216,410 
         
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; 96,000,000 shares authorized; 54,533,455 shares at December 31, 2017, and 54,391,525 shares at  December 31, 2016, issued and outstanding 545    544 
Additional paid-in capital 76,413    74,175 
Retained earnings 448,542    362,619 
Total stockholders' equity 525,500    437,338 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$690,403   $653,748 
         


                  
MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
  
   Three Months  Year
 
   Ended December 31,  Ended December 31, 
 
(In thousands, except per share information)  2017  2016  2017  2016 
                  
Operating revenue  $182,771  $172,661  $698,120  $671,144 
Operating expenses (income):                 
Salaries, wages and benefits   59,382   56,711   226,091   224,827 
Purchased transportation   32,803   28,722   118,349   110,719 
Fuel and fuel taxes   28,284   25,670   105,390   94,075 
Supplies and maintenance   9,701   10,887   41,613   43,912 
Depreciation   21,245   21,240   85,120   82,445 
Operating taxes and licenses   2,180   2,367   8,993   9,099 
Insurance and claims   9,487   8,978   38,585   32,223 
Communications and utilities   1,516   1,586   6,047   6,287 
Gain on disposition of revenue equipment   (617)  (3,040)  (5,499)  (10,502)
Other   4,457   5,007   16,569   19,756 
                  
Total operating expenses   168,438   158,128   641,258   612,841 
                  
Operating income   14,333   14,533   56,862   58,303 
                  
Other   109   443   389   1,237 
                  
Income before income taxes   14,224   14,090   56,473   57,066 
                  
Income taxes (benefit) expense   (50,850)  5,787   (33,811)  23,602 
                  
Net income  $65,074  $8,303  $90,284  $33,464 
                  
Basic earnings per common share  $1.19  $0.15  $1.66  $0.62 
                  
Diluted earnings per common share  $1.18  $0.15  $1.65  $0.61 
                  
Dividends declared per common share  $0.025  $0.015  $0.08  $0.06 
                  
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MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD.
SEGMENT INFORMATION
(Unaudited)
  
           Dollar  Percentage
           Change  Change
 Three Months
  Three Months  Three Months
 Ended
  Ended  Ended
 December 31,  December 31,  December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)2017    2016  2017 vs. 2016  2017 vs. 2016
Operating revenue:                
Truckload revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue$85,469    $86,453  $(984) (1.1)%
Truckload fuel surcharge revenue 12,161     10,113   2,048  20.3 
Total Truckload revenue 97,630     96,566   1,064  1.1 
                 
Dedicated revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue 39,037     37,174   1,863  5.0 
Dedicated fuel surcharge revenue 3,916     3,188   728  22.8 
Total Dedicated revenue 42,953     40,362   2,591  6.4 
                 
Intermodal revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue 19,171     16,155   3,016  18.7 
Intermodal fuel surcharge revenue 3,254     1,992   1,262  63.4 
Total Intermodal revenue 22,425     18,147   4,278  23.6 
                 
Brokerage revenue 19,763     17,586   2,177  12.4 
                 
Total operating revenue$182,771    $172,661  $10,110  5.9%
                 
Operating income:                
Truckload$7,077    $7,038  $39  0.6%
Dedicated 2,999     4,587   (1,588) (34.6)
Intermodal 2,526     1,735   791  45.6 
Brokerage 1,731     1,173   558  47.6 
Total operating income$14,333    $14,533  $(200) (1.4)%
                 
Operating ratio:                
Truckload 92.8%    92.7%       
Dedicated 93.0     88.6        
Intermodal 88.7     90.4        
Brokerage 91.2     93.3        
                 
Consolidated operating ratio 92.2%    91.6%       
                 

 

               
MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD.
SEGMENT INFORMATION
(Unaudited)
  
         Dollar 
  Percentage
         Change  Change
   Year
 Year  Year
   Ended
 Ended  Ended
     December 31,
 December 31,  December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)   2017
  2016 2017 vs. 2016
  2017 vs. 2016
Operating revenue:              
Truckload revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue  $336,596 $339,967 $(3,371) (1.0)%
Truckload fuel surcharge revenue   43,614  35,884  7,730  21.5 
Total Truckload revenue   380,210  375,851  4,359  1.2 
               
Dedicated revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue   153,691  147,007  6,684  4.5 
Dedicated fuel surcharge revenue   13,190  10,363  2,827  27.3 
Total Dedicated revenue   166,881  157,370  9,511  6.0 
               
Intermodal revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue   70,282  64,508  5,774  9.0 
Intermodal fuel surcharge revenue   10,339  6,982  3,357  48.1 
Total Intermodal revenue   80,621  71,490  9,131  12.8 
               
Brokerage revenue   70,408  66,433  3,975  6.0 
               
Total operating revenue  $698,120 $671,144 $26,976  4.0%
               
Operating income:              
Truckload  $26,326 $27,438 $(1,112) (4.1)%
Dedicated   17,074  19,550  (2,476) (12.7)
Intermodal   8,303  7,131  1,172  16.4 
Brokerage   5,159  4,184  975  23.3 
Total operating income  $56,862 $58,303 $(1,441) (2.5)%
               
Operating ratio:              
Truckload   93.1% 92.7%      
Dedicated   89.8  87.6       
Intermodal   89.7  90.0       
Brokerage   92.7  93.7       
               
Consolidated operating ratio   91.9% 91.3%      
               


                 
MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD.
OPERATING STATISTICS
(Unaudited)
                 
  Three Months
 Year
  Ended December 31,
 Ended December 31,
  2017 2016 2017 2016
Truckload Segment:                
Revenue (in thousands) $97,630  $96,566  $380,210  $375,851 
Average revenue, net of fuel surcharges, per tractor per week(1) $3,700  $3,456  $3,514  $3,427 
Average tractors(1)  1,758   1,903   1,837   1,898 
Average miles per trip  601   608   599   623 
Non-revenue miles percentage(2)  6.2%  9.1%  8.3%  9.2%
Total miles (in thousands)  43,624   46,786   178,760   184,281 
                 
Dedicated Segment:                
Revenue (in thousands) $42,953  $40,362  $166,881  $157,370 
Average revenue, net of fuel surcharges, per tractor per week(1) $3,535  $3,448  $3,481  $3,432 
Average tractors(1)  840   820   847   819 
Average miles per trip  296   295   297   301 
Non-revenue miles percentage(2)  1.1%  0.8%  0.8%  0.8%
Total miles (in thousands)  19,461   18,826   77,102   75,333 
                 
Intermodal Segment:                
Revenue (in thousands) $22,425  $18,147  $80,621  $71,490 
Loads  10,554   9,273   40,196   35,947 
Average tractors  78   76   79   76 
                 
Brokerage Segment:                
Revenue (in thousands) $19,763  $17,586  $70,408  $66,433 
Loads  11,667   12,926   48,271   49,721 
                 
At December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016:                
Total tractors(1)  2,738   2,785         
Average age of company tractors (in years)  1.5   1.4         
Total trailers  4,909   4,854         
Average age of company trailers (in years)  2.8   2.7         
Ratio of trailers to tractors(1)  1.8   1.7         
                 
                 
  Three Months
  Year
 
  Ended December 31,
  Ended December 31,
 
(In thousands) 2017  2016  2017  2016 
                 
Net cash provided by operating activities $27,169  $29,531  $121,879  $133,801 
Net cash (used for) investing activities  (11,303)  (28,448)  (95,318)  (97,290)
Net cash (used for) financing activities  (1,234)  (770)  (11,258)  (36,457)
                 
Weighted average shares outstanding:                
Basic  54,529   54,329   54,492   54,177 
Diluted  54,979   54,616   54,850   54,461 
                 
(1) Includes tractors driven by both company-employed drivers and independent contractors.  Independent contractors provided 60 and 68 tractors as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
                 
(2) Represents the percentage of miles for which the company is not compensated.
                 


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