Saia Reports Record Second Quarter Earnings per Share of $1.15


JOHNS CREEK, Ga., Aug. 01, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Saia, Inc. (NASDAQ: SAIA), a leading transportation provider offering multi-regional less-than-truckload (LTL), non-asset truckload, expedited and logistics services, today reported second quarter 2018 financial results. Diluted earnings per share were $1.15 for the second quarter compared to $0.68 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2017.

Second Quarter 2018 Compared to Second Quarter 2017 Results

  • Record quarterly revenue of $429 million, an 17.7% increase
  • LTL Shipments and Tonnage rose 4.3% and 7.7%, respectively
  • LTL Revenue per hundredweight increased 9.6%
  • Operating ratio improved by 160 basis points to 90.3%
  • Operating income rose 40% to a record $41.6 million
  • Net income rose 72% to $30.3 million

“I am pleased to announce record quarterly revenue and earnings for the second quarter of 2018”, said Saia President and Chief Executive Officer, Rick O’Dell.  “While the freight environment was robust in the period, our results were primarily driven by our work on mix management and yield improvement initiatives across our customer base.  Contractual renewals were up 9.1% in the quarter, contributing to our overall increase in revenue per hundredweight of 9.6%,” O’Dell continued.

“We have opened three new terminals in 2018 and have plans to open three more by year end.  Our high service levels and expanded geographic reach position us well for continued share gains in the LTL marketplace,” concluded Mr. O’Dell.
                                                                                                               
Financial Position and Capital Expenditures

Total debt was $155.0 million at June 30, 2018 and inclusive of the cash on-hand, net debt to total capital was 19.4%.  This compares to total debt of $148.4 million and net debt to total capital of 22.3% at June 30, 2017.

Net capital expenditures in the first half of 2018 were $140.6 million including equipment acquired with capital leases.  This compares to $155.1 million in net capital expenditures in the first half of 2017.  The Company currently plans net capital expenditures in 2018 of approximately $265 million.

Conference Call

Management will hold a conference call to discuss quarterly results today at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time. To participate in the call, please dial 877-260-1479 or 334-323-0522 referencing conference ID #9757810.  Callers should dial in five to ten minutes in advance of the conference call.  This call will be webcast live via the Company web site at www.saiacorp.com.  A replay of the call will be offered two hours after the completion of the call through Wednesday, August 29, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time.  The replay will be available by dialing 1-888-203-1112 or 719-457-0820.

Saia, Inc. (NASDAQ: SAIA) offers customers a wide range of less-than-truckload, non-asset truckload, expedited and logistics services.  With headquarters in Georgia, Saia LTL Freight operates 157 terminals across 40 states.  For more information on Saia, Inc. visit the Investor Relations section at www.saiacorp.com.

The Securities and Exchange Commission encourages companies to disclose forward-looking information so that investors can better understand the future prospects of a company and make informed investment decisions. This news release may contain these types of statements, which are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “believe,” “should” and similar words or expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements reflect the present expectation of future events of our management as of the date of this news release and are subject to a number of important factors, risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in any forward-looking statements. These factors, risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to, (1) general economic conditions including downturns in the business cycle; (2) effectiveness of Company-specific performance improvement initiatives, including management of the cost structure to match shifts in customer volume levels; (3) the creditworthiness of our customers and their ability to pay for services; (4) failure to achieve acquisition synergies; (5) failure to operate and grow acquired businesses in a manner that supports the value allocated to these acquired businesses, including their goodwill; (6) economic declines in the geographic regions or industries in which our customers operate; (7) competitive initiatives and pricing pressures, including in connection with fuel surcharge; (8) loss of significant customers; (9) the Company’s need for capital and uncertainty of the credit markets; (10) the possibility of defaults under the Company’s debt agreements (including violation of financial covenants); (11) possible issuance of equity which would dilute stock ownership; (12) integration risks; (13) the effect of litigation including class action lawsuits; (14) cost and availability of qualified drivers, fuel, purchased transportation, real property, revenue equipment, technology and other assets; (15) governmental regulations, including but not limited to Hours of Service, engine emissions, the Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) initiative, compliance with legislation requiring companies to evaluate their internal control over financial reporting, Homeland Security, environmental regulations, tax law changes, potential changes to the North American Free Trade Agreement and the Food and Drug Administration; (16) changes in interpretation of accounting principles; (17) dependence on key employees; (18) inclement weather; (19) labor relations, including the adverse impact should a portion of the Company’s workforce become unionized; (20) terrorism risks; (21) self-insurance claims and other expense volatility; (22) cost and availability of insurance coverage; (23) increased costs of healthcare and prescription drugs, including as a result of healthcare reform legislation; (24) social media risks; (25) disruption in or failure of the Company’s technology including services essential to operations of the Company and/or cyber security risk; (26) failure to successfully execute the strategy to expand the Company’s service geography into the Northeastern United States; and (27) other financial, operational and legal risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the Company’s SEC filings.  As a result of these and other factors, no assurance can be given as to our future results and achievements.  A forward-looking statement is neither a prediction nor a guarantee of future events or circumstances and those future events or circumstances may not occur.

CONTACT: 
Saia, Inc.

Doug Col
dcol@saia.com
678.542.3910

Saia, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
     
  June 30,
2018
 December 31,
2017
ASSETS    
     
CURRENT ASSETS:    
Cash and cash equivalents $1,189  $4,720 
Accounts receivable, net (1)  200,644   170,278 
Prepaid expenses and other  30,854   28,251 
Total current assets  232,687   203,249 
     
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:    
Cost  1,419,359   1,289,994 
Less: accumulated depreciation  594,678   554,214 
Net property and equipment  824,681   735,780 
OTHER ASSETS  28,590   28,286 
Total assets $1,085,958  $967,315 
     
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY    
     
CURRENT LIABILITIES:    
Accounts payable (1) $71,045  $57,438 
Wages and employees' benefits  46,739   39,748 
Other current liabilities  70,954   55,657 
Current portion of long-term debt  16,839   14,083 
Total current liabilities  205,577   166,926 
     
OTHER LIABILITIES:    
Long-term debt, less current portion  138,161   118,833 
Deferred income taxes  63,419   59,423 
Claims, insurance and other  38,827   39,639 
Total other liabilities  240,407   217,895 
     
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:    
Common stock  26   26 
Additional paid-in capital  252,536   246,454 
Deferred compensation trust  (3,494)  (3,486)
Retained earnings (1)  390,906   339,500 
Total stockholders' equity  639,974   582,494 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $1,085,958  $967,315 
     
     
(1) - These accounts have been retrospectively adjusted for the January 1, 2018 adoption of the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.

 

Saia, Inc. and Subsidiaries 
Consolidated Statements of Operations 
For the Quarters and Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data) 
(Unaudited) 
      
  Second Quarter Six Months 
   2018  2017 (1)  2018  2017 (1) 
OPERATING REVENUE $  428,732  $  364,404 $  821,537  $  687,494 
          
OPERATING EXPENSES:         
Salaries, wages and employees' benefits     220,406   196,388    431,530   377,291 
Purchased transportation    34,113   28,639    64,029   49,459 
Fuel, operating expenses and supplies    84,745   66,092    163,539   130,082 
Operating taxes and licenses     12,794   10,875    24,944   21,457 
Claims and insurance     9,910   10,426    20,101   19,475 
Depreciation and amortization    25,241   22,182    48,271   42,269 
Loss (gain) from property disposals, net    (42)  116    (21)  248 
Total operating expenses     387,167     334,718    752,393     640,281 
          
OPERATING INCOME     41,565     29,686    69,144     47,213 
          
NONOPERATING EXPENSES (INCOME):         
Interest expense    1,454     1,538    2,680     2,449 
Other, net    (142)    90    (245)    188 
Nonoperating expenses, net    1,312     1,628    2,435     2,637 
          
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES    40,253     28,058    66,709     44,576 
Income tax expense    9,972     10,487    15,303     15,610 
NET INCOME  $  30,281  $  17,571 $  51,406  $  28,966 
          
Average common shares outstanding - basic    25,766     25,501    25,732     25,477 
Average common shares outstanding - diluted    26,354     26,000    26,326     25,982 
          
Basic earnings per share $  1.18  $  0.69 $  2.00  $  1.14 
Diluted earnings per share $  1.15  $  0.68 $  1.95  $  1.12 
          
(1) - Second quarter and six months 2017 amounts have been retrospectively adjusted for the January 1, 2018 adoption of the FASB ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.

 

Saia, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 and 2017
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
  Six Months
   2018   2017 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:    
Net cash provided by operating activities $  112,118  $  79,317 
Net cash provided by operating activities    112,118     79,317 
     
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:    
Acquisition of property and equipment    (118,573)    (127,330)
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment    418     923 
Net cash used in investing activities    (118,155)    (126,407)
     
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:    
Repayment of long-term debt    –     (3,571)
Borrowing of revolving credit agreement, net    7,000     55,014 
Proceeds from stock option exercises    4,165     1,288 
Shares withheld for taxes    (1,321)    (1,211)
Other financing activity    (7,338)    (5,570)
Net cash provided by financing activities    2,506     45,950 
     
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS    (3,531)    (1,140)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD    4,720     1,539 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD $  1,189  $  399 
     
NON-CASH ITEMS:    
Equipment financed with capital leases $  22,422  $  28,691 
     

 

Saia, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Financial  Information
For the Quarters Ended June 30, 2018 and 2017
(Unaudited)
             
        Second Quarter  
  Second Quarter  %  Amount/Workday  % 
   2018   2017  Change 2018 2017 Change
Workdays      64 64  
Operating ratio (1) 90.3%  91.9%        
LTL tonnage (2) 1,278   1,187    7.7 19.97 18.54   7.7
LTL shipments (2) 1,866   1,788    4.3 29.15 27.94   4.3
LTL revenue/cwt.$  16.44  $  14.99    9.6      
LTL revenue/shipment$  225.24  $  199.00    13.2      
LTL pounds/shipment 1,370   1,327    3.2      
LTL length of haul (3) 837   806    3.8      


(1)Second quarter 2017 operating ratio has been retrospectively adjusted for the January 1, 2018 adoption of the FASB ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.
(2)In thousands.
(3)In miles.
Note:LTL operating statistics exclude transportation and logistics services where pricing is generally not determined by weight. The LTL operating statistics also exclude the adjustment required for financial statement purposes in accordance with the Company's revenue recognition policy. 2017 LTL operating statistics have been restated to reflect this presentation.