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Marten Transport Announces Fourth Quarter and Year End Results
Source: Nasdaq GlobeNewswire / 24 Jan 2023 16:01:48 America/New_York
Sixteenth consecutive quarter of year-over-year profit growth
Highest operating revenue and operating income for any year in Marten’s history
Best operating ratio, net of fuel surcharges, for any year since Marten became a public companyMONDOVI, Wis., Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Marten Transport, Ltd. (Nasdaq/GS:MRTN) today reported a 3.2% improvement in net income to $25.5 million, or 31 cents per diluted share, for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2022, from $24.7 million, or 30 cents per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2021 – Marten’s sixteenth consecutive year-over-year increase in quarterly profitability. For the year ended December 31, 2022, net income improved 29.2% to $110.4 million, or $1.35 per diluted share, from $85.4 million, or $1.02 per diluted share, for 2021.
Operating Results Comparison Percentage Percentage Percentage Percentage Percentage Increase Increase Increase Increase Increase Three Months Year Year Year Year Ended Ended Ended Ended Ended December 31, December 31, December 31, December 31, December 31, 2022 vs. 2021 2022 vs. 2021 2021 vs. 2020 2020 vs. 2019 2019 vs. 2018 Operating revenue 20.9 % 29.8 % 11.4 % 3.7 % 7.1 % Operating revenue, net of fuel surcharges 15.8 % 23.1 % 8.3 % 6.8 % 8.6 % Operating income 6.9 % 28.3 % 19.8 % 21.9 % 8.7 % Net income 3.2 % 29.2 % 22.9 % 13.8 % 11.0 % Operating revenue improved 20.9% to $322.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2022 from $266.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2021. Excluding fuel surcharges, operating revenue improved 15.8% to $269.7 million for the 2022 quarter from $232.9 million for the 2021 quarter. Fuel surcharge revenue increased to $52.9 million for the 2022 quarter from $34.0 million for the 2021 quarter, reflecting significantly higher fuel prices.
Operating revenue improved 29.8% to $1.264 billion for 2022, the highest amount for any year in Marten’s 77-year history, from $973.6 million for 2021. Excluding fuel surcharges, operating revenue improved 23.1% to $1.053 billion for 2022 from $855.9 million for 2021. Fuel surcharge revenue increased to $210.4 million for 2022 from $117.7 million for 2021.
Operating income improved 6.9% to $32.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2022 from $30.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2021. Operating income improved 28.3% to $143.3 million for 2022, the highest amount for any year in Marten’s 77-year history, from $111.7 million for 2021.
Operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue were 89.8% for the fourth quarter of 2022 and 88.5% for the fourth quarter of 2021. Operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue, with both amounts net of fuel surcharges, were 87.8% for the 2022 quarter and 86.8% for the 2021 quarter.
Operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue were 88.7% for 2022 and 88.5% for 2021. Operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue, with both amounts net of fuel surcharges, improved to 86.4% for 2022, the best ratio for any year since Marten became a public company in 1986, from 87.0%.
Executive Chairman Randolph L. Marten stated, “Consistent. Strong. Profitable. Organic Growth.”
“Our talented, disciplined people earned our sixteenth consecutive quarter of year-over-year profit growth, overcoming a freight environment made more challenging with additional pressure from rail service weakness and severe weather. In 2022, we attained our fifth consecutive year with each of our then-highest operating revenue and operating income – and our third consecutive year with our then-best operating ratio, net of fuel surcharges, since Marten became a public company in 1986.”
“Our organic expansion throughout 2022 also provides momentum for continued profitable growth as we began 2023 with 425 more of the industry’s top drivers than we employed at the beginning of 2022.”
Operating Results Since the Pandemic Began – Percentage Increase Over Same Quarter of Prior Year Q4 2022 Q3 2022 Q2 2022 Q1 2022 Q4 2021 Q3 2021 Q2 2021 Q1 2021 Q4 2020 Q3 2020 Q2 2020 Operating revenue 20.9 % 29.1 % 41.8 % 28.8 % 17.4 % 16.3 % 9.4 % 2.0 % 4.7 % 0.5 % 0.1 % Operating revenue, net of fuel surcharges 15.8 % 21.8 % 32.1 % 23.8 % 12.5 % 12.8 % 5.0 % 2.5 % 8.8 % 3.8 % 4.7 % Operating income 6.9 % 18.5 % 43.5 % 49.4 % 20.0 % 16.8 % 12.9 % 33.1 % 36.0 % 21.8 % 26.6 % Net income 3.2 % 20.6 % 47.8 % 52.9 % 26.1 % 17.9 % 18.1 % 31.3 % 24.5 % 8.8 % 19.4 % Marten Transport, with headquarters in Mondovi, Wis., is a multifaceted business offering a network of refrigerated and dry truck-based transportation capabilities across Marten’s five distinct business platforms - Truckload, Dedicated, Intermodal, Brokerage and MRTN de Mexico. Marten is one of the leading temperature-sensitive truckload carriers in the United States, specializing in transporting and distributing food, beverages and other consumer packaged goods that require a temperature-controlled or insulated environment. The Company offers service in the United States, Mexico and Canada, 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 a discussion of Marten’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 Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. 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, Chief Executive Officer, and Jim Hinnendael, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, of Marten Transport, Ltd., 715-926-4216.
MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETSDecember 31, December 31, (In thousands, except share information) 2022 2021 (Unaudited) ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 80,600 $ 56,995 Receivables: Trade, net 120,702 99,003 Other 7,218 6,971 Prepaid expenses and other 27,320 23,980 Total current assets 235,840 186,949 Property and equipment: Revenue equipment, buildings and land, office equipment and other 1,074,832 956,476 Accumulated depreciation (346,665 ) (274,199 ) Net property and equipment 728,167 682,277 Other noncurrent assets 1,672 1,464 Total assets $ 965,679 $ 870,690 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 37,299 $ 20,150 Insurance and claims accruals 45,747 42,014 Accrued and other current liabilities 41,264 31,395 Total current liabilities 124,310 93,559 Deferred income taxes 137,041 125,163 Noncurrent operating lease liabilities 409 291 Total liabilities 261,760 219,013 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; 192,000,000 shares authorized; 81,115,132 shares at December 31, 2022, and 83,034,404 shares at December 31, 2021, issued and outstanding 811 830 Additional paid-in capital 47,188 85,718 Retained earnings 655,920 565,129 Total stockholders’ equity 703,919 651,677 Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 965,679 $ 870,690 MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)Three Months Year Ended December 31, Ended December 31, (In thousands, except per share information) 2022 2021 2022 2021 Operating revenue $ 322,584 $ 266,876 $ 1,263,878 $ 973,644 Operating expenses (income): Salaries, wages and benefits 104,722 88,577 390,304 317,962 Purchased transportation 60,599 54,592 249,792 193,221 Fuel and fuel taxes 55,567 36,435 218,571 131,288 Supplies and maintenance 15,180 11,592 55,700 45,459 Depreciation 29,625 25,964 111,014 102,562 Operating taxes and licenses 2,712 2,498 10,763 10,534 Insurance and claims 12,417 10,649 50,513 41,987 Communications and utilities 2,538 2,030 9,177 8,350 Gain on disposition of revenue equipment (2,957 ) (4,436 ) (13,379 ) (16,295 ) Other 9,398 8,298 38,079 26,887 Total operating expenses 289,801 236,199 1,120,534 861,955 Operating income 32,783 30,677 143,344 111,689 Other (520 ) (16 ) (827 ) (43 ) Income before income taxes 33,303 30,693 144,171 111,732 Income taxes expense 7,789 5,963 33,817 26,304 Net income $ 25,514 $ 24,730 $ 110,354 $ 85,428 Basic earnings per common share $ 0.31 $ 0.30 $ 1.35 $ 1.03 Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.31 $ 0.30 $ 1.35 $ 1.02 Dividends declared per common share $ 0.06 $ 0.04 $ 0.24 $ 0.66 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) 2022 2021 2022 vs. 2021 2022 vs. 2021 Operating revenue: Truckload revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue $ 108,565 $ 91,848 $ 16,717 18.2 % Truckload fuel surcharge revenue 22,759 14,345 8,414 58.7 Total Truckload revenue 131,324 106,193 25,131 23.7 Dedicated revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue 87,985 73,928 14,057 19.0 Dedicated fuel surcharge revenue 23,775 14,994 8,781 58.6 Total Dedicated revenue 111,760 88,922 22,838 25.7 Intermodal revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue 22,863 23,275 (412 ) (1.8 ) Intermodal fuel surcharge revenue 6,390 4,627 1,763 38.1 Total Intermodal revenue 29,253 27,902 1,351 4.8 Brokerage revenue 50,247 43,859 6,388 14.6 Total operating revenue $ 322,584 $ 266,876 $ 55,708 20.9 % Operating income: Truckload $ 13,414 $ 14,750 $ (1,336 ) (9.1 )% Dedicated 12,877 8,321 4,556 54.8 Intermodal 728 3,328 (2,600 ) (78.1 ) Brokerage 5,764 4,278 1,486 34.7 Total operating income $ 32,783 $ 30,677 $ 2,106 6.9 % Operating ratio: Truckload 89.8 % 86.1 % Dedicated 88.5 90.6 Intermodal 97.5 88.1 Brokerage 88.5 90.2 Consolidated operating ratio 89.8 % 88.5 % Operating ratio, net of fuel surcharges: Truckload 87.6 % 83.9 % Dedicated 85.4 88.7 Intermodal 96.8 85.7 Brokerage 88.5 90.2 Consolidated operating ratio, net of fuel surcharges 87.8 % 86.8 % 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) 2022 2021 2022 vs. 2021 2022 vs. 2021 Operating revenue: Truckload revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue $ 411,448 $ 346,289 $ 65,159 18.8 % Truckload fuel surcharge revenue 89,014 50,377 38,637 76.7 Total Truckload revenue 500,462 396,666 103,796 26.2 Dedicated revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue 336,973 276,883 60,090 21.7 Dedicated fuel surcharge revenue 92,119 52,559 39,560 75.3 Total Dedicated revenue 429,092 329,442 99,650 30.2 Intermodal revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue 100,452 87,468 12,984 14.8 Intermodal fuel surcharge revenue 29,313 14,777 14,536 98.4 Total Intermodal revenue 129,765 102,245 27,520 26.9 Brokerage revenue 204,559 145,291 59,268 40.8 Total operating revenue $ 1,263,878 $ 973,644 $ 290,234 29.8 % Operating income: Truckload $ 59,392 $ 51,032 $ 8,360 16.4 % Dedicated 50,566 36,395 14,171 38.9 Intermodal 10,639 9,479 1,160 12.2 Brokerage 22,747 14,783 7,964 53.9 Total operating income $ 143,344 $ 111,689 $ 31,655 28.3 % Operating ratio: Truckload 88.1 % 87.1 % Dedicated 88.2 89.0 Intermodal 91.8 90.7 Brokerage 88.9 89.8 Consolidated operating ratio 88.7 % 88.5 % Operating ratio, net of fuel surcharges: Truckload 85.6 % 85.3 % Dedicated 85.0 86.9 Intermodal 89.4 89.2 Brokerage 88.9 89.8 Consolidated operating ratio, net of fuel surcharges 86.4 % 87.0 % MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD.
OPERATING STATISTICS
(Unaudited)Three Months Year Ended December 31, Ended December 31, 2022 2021 2022 2021 Truckload Segment: Revenue (in thousands) $ 131,324 $ 106,193 $ 500,462 $ 396,666 Average revenue, net of fuel surcharges, per tractor per week(1) $ 4,683 $ 4,663 $ 4,898 $ 4,315 Average tractors(1) 1,763 1,499 1,611 1,539 Average miles per trip 504 515 510 516 Non-revenue miles percentage(2) 11.9 % 10.4 % 11.1 % 10.1 % Total miles (in thousands) 39,303 35,679 149,868 147,192 Dedicated Segment: Revenue (in thousands) $ 111,760 $ 88,922 $ 429,092 $ 329,442 Average revenue, net of fuel surcharges, per tractor per week(1) $ 3,925 $ 3,592 $ 3,963 $ 3,377 Average tractors(1) 1,706 1,566 1,631 1,572 Average miles per trip 345 330 341 322 Non-revenue miles percentage(2) 1.1 % 1.2 % 1.1 % 1.0 % Total miles (in thousands) 34,910 32,491 136,310 128,256 Intermodal Segment: Revenue (in thousands) $ 29,253 $ 27,902 $ 129,765 $ 102,245 Loads 7,255 8,102 31,862 32,987 Average tractors 181 152 175 143 Brokerage Segment: Revenue (in thousands) $ 50,247 $ 43,859 $ 204,559 $ 145,291 Loads 25,713 19,345 95,615 66,512 At December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021: Total tractors(1) 3,660 3,204 Average age of company tractors (in years) 1.7 1.4 Total trailers 5,753 5,299 Average age of company trailers (in years) 3.9 3.3 Ratio of trailers to tractors(1) 1.6 1.7 Total refrigerated containers 802 634 Three Months Year Ended December 31, Ended December 31, (In thousands) 2022 2021 2022 2021 Net cash provided by operating activities $ 56,268 $ 43,295 $ 219,489 $ 171,204 Net cash (used for) investing activities (42,542 ) (21,592 ) (134,958 ) (123,734 ) Net cash (used for) financing activities (4,618 ) (48,608 ) (60,926 ) (56,602 ) Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic 81,105 82,983 81,692 82,872 Diluted 81,391 83,420 81,959 83,408 (1 ) Includes tractors driven by both company-employed drivers and independent contractors. Independent contractors provided 96 and 93 tractors as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. (2) Represents the percentage of miles for which the company is not compensated. 
