Forward Air Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Forward Air (NASDAQ:FWRD) reported its fourth quarter and full year 2024 financial results, achieving full-year Consolidated EBITDA of $308 million, near the top end of guidance. The company exceeded its integration synergy targets following the Omni acquisition, delivering over $100 million in annualized savings versus the initially planned $75 million.

Q4 2024 highlights include consolidated revenue of $633 million and income from continuing operations of $76 million, which includes a favorable $79 million goodwill impairment adjustment. The Omni Logistics segment reported its best quarterly EBITDA since acquisition, while Intermodal segment improved year-over-year. The Expedited Freight segment faced challenges due to volume-focused pricing strategies, with corrective actions implemented in Q4.

Quarter-end liquidity stood at $382 million, down from $460 million in Q3, impacted by a $40 million reduction in credit facility size and $60 million in interest payments.

Positive

• Exceeded synergy targets with $100M+ annual savings
• Full year EBITDA near top end of guidance at $308M
• Omni Logistics achieved best quarterly EBITDA since acquisition
• Intermodal segment showed year-over-year improvement
• $20M increase in cash and cash equivalents from Q2 to Q4

Negative

• Expedited Freight segment underperformed due to pricing strategy issues
• Liquidity decreased by $78M quarter-over-quarter
• $60M in interest payments required in Q4
• Credit facility size reduced by $40M

Insights

Financial Analyst

Forward Air's Q4 and full-year 2024 results reveal a company making significant progress in post-acquisition integration while facing segment-specific challenges. The company delivered Consolidated EBITDA of $308 million for 2024, positioning near the top end of guidance and providing a $59 million cushion on debt covenants—a critical metric given their leverage position.

The reported $79 million goodwill impairment adjustment requires careful interpretation. While it technically boosted reported income from continuing operations to $76 million, goodwill impairments typically indicate previous overvaluation of acquired assets. This non-cash accounting adjustment effectively acknowledges that some acquired assets aren't performing as initially projected.

The segment performance divergence is telling: Omni Logistics delivered its strongest quarterly EBITDA since acquisition and Intermodal improved year-over-year, while Expedited Freight—historically Forward Air's core business—underperformed due to a misaligned pricing strategy that prioritized volume over profitability. The corrective pricing actions implemented in Q4 represent a strategic pivot that management expects to fully materialize by February's end.

Liquidity decreased by $78 million quarter-over-quarter to $382 million, impacted by a $40 million credit facility reduction and $60 million in interest payments. The substantial interest burden highlights the importance of maintaining strong operational cash flow to service debt obligations while funding the announced transformation initiatives.

The transition from integration to transformation signals a strategic inflection point. With over $100 million in annualized cost synergies already captured (exceeding the original $75 million target), management is now focusing on technology system rationalization, shared service efficiencies, and expanding cross-selling opportunities. The appointment of a new chief commercial officer underscores this shift toward growth-oriented strategies after a year of integration and stabilization.

For investors, the key question remains whether Forward Air can translate these operational improvements and strategic shifts into sustainable profitability growth while managing its debt obligations in what remains a competitive transportation and logistics market.

Supply Chain Expert

Forward Air's year-end results demonstrate meaningful progress in post-acquisition integration while signaling a pivotal strategic evolution for the company. The achievement of $100+ million in annualized cost synergies—exceeding the initial $75 million target—represents exceptional execution in an industry where merger integrations frequently underdeliver.

The nature of these synergies appears multifaceted, likely encompassing network rationalization, back-office consolidation, and operational streamlining rather than simple headcount reductions. This suggests potential for sustainable operational improvements rather than merely short-term cost-cutting.

The company's transition from integration to transformation marks a significant strategic inflection point. Forward Air is effectively repositioning from a primarily domestic expedited LTL carrier to a global, integrated logistics provider with a comprehensive service portfolio. This positions them to compete more directly with larger integrated logistics providers like XPO and C.H. Robinson, though with a more specialized focus.

The segment performance divergence reveals integration challenges: while Omni Logistics and Intermodal performed well, the struggles in Expedited Freight—historically Forward Air's core business—indicate potential cultural misalignment in pricing philosophy between the merged entities. The pre-acquisition volume-focused pricing strategy contradicts Forward Air's traditional premium service/premium price positioning. The corrective actions implemented in Q4 suggest a return to Forward Air's historical emphasis on service quality and margin preservation.

The 2025 strategic priorities reveal a sophisticated transformation roadmap:

• Technology system simplification addresses a critical risk in logistics mergers, where incompatible systems often undermine operational efficiency
• Global shared service efficiencies suggest further margin improvement opportunities beyond the initial synergies
• Expanding synergistic service offerings points to cross-selling opportunities across the combined customer base

The international expansion focus represents a particularly significant strategic shift, potentially opening new growth avenues but also introducing execution risks for a historically domestic-focused operator.

While the $308 million Consolidated EBITDA provides a $59 million covenant cushion, the substantial interest payments ($60 million in Q4 alone) highlight the importance of maintaining strong operational cash flow to service debt while funding transformation initiatives. The improving cash flow trends in H2 2024 provide some reassurance, but investors should monitor quarterly cash generation closely as a key indicator of transformation success.

Full year results near the top end of guidance range

Executed more than $100 million in annualized cost synergies in first year following Omni transaction

Transitioning from Integration to Transformation

GREENEVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Forward Air Corporation (NASDAQ:FWRD) (the “Company”, “Forward Air”, “we”, “our”, or “us”) today reported financial results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024 as presented in the tables below on a continuing operations basis, with the Company’s former Final Mile business being reported as discontinued operations.

“As we turn the page on the first year operating as a combined company following the acquisition of Omni, I want to express my gratitude to our associates for their dedication to making our customers their top priority,” said Shawn Stewart, Chief Executive Officer. “We kept our focus on stabilizing the Company and integrating the Forward Air and Omni’s networks, and I am pleased with the pace and rigor of our work. We delivered full year 2024 Consolidated EBITDA results near the top end of our guidance range, and we more than delivered on the previously committed $75 million of integration synergies. Combining the integration synergies with additional cost saving actions and other efficiency initiatives executed throughout the year, we delivered more than $100 million in annualized savings. While we have more work to do, I am proud of what we accomplished and I expect the foundational changes and investments made in 2024, coupled with the broader transformation we are embarking on, to improve our results and benefit the Company for many years to come."

“As a combined company, we are equipped with an enhanced suite of global, vertically-integrated services to meet our customers’ needs. Our integration and continued operational initiatives are creating a more efficient, nimble and unified company, which we believe better enable us to leverage both networks and provide best-in-class solutions and service to our customers."

“The team that we assembled has made significant progress over a very short period and watching how they have worked together gives me a great deal of confidence as we look ahead and with our new chief commercial officer in place we expect to be playing a lot more offense than we have been since the combination. As we move to the growth phase of our evolution, our priorities in 2025 include technology system simplification and rationalization, global shared service efficiencies and expanding synergistic service offerings for our customers both domestically and around the world,” concluded Stewart.

Jamie Pierson, Chief Financial Officer added, “For the fourth quarter 2024, we reported consolidated revenue of $633 million and income from continuing operations of $76 million which includes a goodwill impairment adjustment of $79 million that favorably impacted the quarter. On a segment basis, Omni Logistics’ income from operations was favorably impacted by the goodwill impairment adjustment, and it reported its best quarterly reported EBITDA since the transaction. The Intermodal segment maintained its steady performance and improved income from operations compared to a year ago. However, the Expedited Freight segment was negatively impacted by a pricing strategy put in place prior to the acquisition that focused more on growing volume than profitability. We implemented corrective pricing actions during the fourth quarter and are beginning to see results in line with our expectations. We expect to see the full run rate of these actions by the end of February.

“For the fourth quarter, Consolidated EBITDA ("Consolidated EBITDA"), a non-GAAP measure calculated pursuant to our Senior Secured Term Loan Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement"), was $69 million. For the full year, 2024 Consolidated EBITDA was $308 million, which resulted in an approximate $59 million cushion per the terms of the recently amended Credit Agreement’s consolidated first lien net leverage ratio covenant. While we are proud of our collective accomplishments, there is more to do, and we are by no means satisfied with the results nor are we finished combining and transforming this now global opportunity.

“Liquidity at the end of the fourth quarter was $382 million compared to $460 million at the end of the third quarter. The quarter-over-quarter change was impacted by a $40 million reduction to the size of the credit facility in conjunction with the recent amendment to the credit agreement and $60 million in interest payments made in the fourth quarter. Overall, I’m encouraged by the trends in cash flow in the second half of the year as we reduced acquisition-related costs and integration expenses compared to the first half of the year. The focus on reducing these items contributed to an increase of $20 million in cash and cash equivalents from the end of the second quarter through the end of the year,” concluded Pierson.

Continuing Operations		Three Months Ended
(in thousands, except per share data)		December 31, 2024				December 31, 2023				Change				Percent Change
Operating revenue		$	632,846			$	338,428			$	294,418			87.0	%
Income from operations			75,855			$	3,000			$	72,855			2,428.5	%
Operating margin			12.0	%			0.9	%		1,110 bps
Net income		$	(35,378	)		$	(14,721	)		$	(20,657	)		140.3	%
Net income per diluted share		$	(1.23	)		$	(0.58	)		$	(0.65	)		112.1	%
Cash provided by operating activities		$	(30,492	)		$	57,092			$	(87,584	)		(153.4	)%
Non-GAAP Financial Measures: 1
Consolidated EBITDA		$	69,259			$	94,022			$	(24,763	)		(26.3	)%
Free cash flow		$	(35,098	)		$	48,913			$	(84,011	)		(171.8	)%
1 Reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures are provided below the financial tables.
Continuing Operations		Twelve Months Ended
(in thousands, except per share data)		December 31, 2024				December 31, 2023				Change				Percent Change
Operating revenue		$	2,474,262			$	1,370,735			$	1,103,527			80.5	%
Income from operations		$	(1,062,936	)		$	88,210			$	(1,151,146	)		(1,305.0	)%
Operating margin			(43.0	)%			6.4	%		(4,940) bps
Net income		$	(1,124,841	)		$	42,803			$	(1,167,644	)		(2,727.9	)%
Net income per diluted share		$	(29.43	)		$	1.64			$	(31.07	)		(1,894.5	)%
Cash provided by operating activities		$	(76,262	)		$	199,212			$	(275,474	)		(138.3	)%
Non-GAAP Financial Measures: 1
Consolidated EBITDA		$	307,711			$	402,100			$	(94,389	)		(23.5	)%
Free cash flow		$	(108,185	)		$	172,228			$	(280,413	)		(162.8	)%
1 Reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures are provided below the financial tables.

Review of Financial Results

Forward Air will hold a conference call to discuss fourth quarter and full year 2024 results on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. ET. The Company's conference call will be available online on the Investor Relations portion of the Company's website at ir.forwardaircorp.com or by dialing (800) 445-7795, Access Code: FWRDQ424.

A replay of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations portion of the Company’s website at ir.forwardaircorp.com, which we use as a primary mechanism to communicate with our investors. Investors are urged to monitor the Investor Relations portion of the Company’s website to easily find or navigate to current and pertinent information about us.

About Forward Air Corporation

Forward Air is a leading asset-light provider of transportation services across the United States, Canada and Mexico. We provide expedited less-than-truckload services, including local pick-up and delivery, shipment consolidation/deconsolidation, warehousing, and customs brokerage by utilizing a comprehensive national network of terminals. In addition, we offer truckload brokerage services, including dedicated fleet services, and intermodal, first- and last-mile, high-value drayage services, both to and from seaports and railheads, dedicated contract and Container Freight Station warehouse and handling services. Forward also operates a full portfolio of multimodal solutions, both domestically and internationally, via Omni Logistics. Omni Logistics is a global provider of air, ocean and ground services for mission-critical freight. We are more than a transportation company. Forward is a single resource for your shipping needs. For more information, visit our website at www.forwardaircorp.com.

Forward Air Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)
	Three Months Ended								Twelve Months Ended
	December 31, 2024				December 31, 2023				December 31, 2024				December 31, 2023
Operating revenue:
Expedited Freight	$	265,879			$	279,070			$	1,115,163			$	1,096,958
Omni		325,609				—				1,196,841				—
Intermodal		59,829				59,440				232,832				274,043
Corporate		164				—				164				—
Eliminations and other operations		(18,635	)			(82	)			(70,738	)			(266	)
Operating revenue		632,846				338,428				2,474,262				1,370,735
Operating expenses:
Purchased transportation		319,498				150,351				1,250,570				586,195
Salaries, wages, and employee benefits		130,024				71,583				536,406				287,566
Operating leases		48,326				20,908				182,197				87,413
Depreciation and amortization		37,657				17,579				143,978				57,405
Insurance and claims		19,721				11,145				64,682				50,133
Fuel expense		5,500				5,271				21,460				22,004
Other operating expenses		75,333				58,591				309,508				191,809
Impairment of goodwill		(79,068	)			—				1,028,397				—
Total operating expenses		556,991				335,428				3,537,198				1,282,525
Income (loss) from continuing operations
Expedited Freight		7,238				26,745				67,951				116,040
Omni		88,520				—				(1,044,803	)			—
Intermodal		5,931				5,068				18,925				25,327
Other operations		(25,834	)			(28,813	)			(105,009	)			(53,157	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations		75,855				3,000				(1,062,936	)			88,210
Other expense:
Interest expense, net		(48,427	)			(23,976	)			(189,215	)			(31,571	)
Foreign exchange gain		3,005				—				1,093				—
Other income (expense), net		1,188				—				1,226				—
Total other expense		(44,234	)			(23,976	)			(186,896	)			(31,571	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes		31,621				(20,976	)			(1,249,832	)			56,639
Income tax expense (benefit)		67,000				(6,255	)			(124,990	)			13,836
Net income (loss) from continuing operations		(35,378	)			(14,721	)			(1,124,841	)			42,803
Income (loss) from discontinued operation, net of tax		(374	)			116,465				(6,387	)			124,548
Net (loss) income	$	(35,752	)		$	101,744			$	(1,131,228	)		$	167,351
Net (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	$	664			$	—			$	(314,259	)		$	—
Net (loss) income attributable to Forward Air	$	(36,416	)		$	101,744			$	(816,969	)		$	167,351
Net income per share:
Basic net (loss) income per share:
Continuing operations	$	(1.23	)		$	(0.58	)		$	(29.43	)		$	1.64
Discontinued operation		(0.01	)			4.51				(0.23	)			4.78
Net income per basic share1	$	(1.24	)		$	3.94			$	(29.66	)		$	6.42
Diluted net (loss) income per share:
Continuing operations	$	(1.23	)		$	(0.58	)		$	(29.43	)		$	1.64
Discontinued operation		(0.01	)			4.51				(0.23	)			4.77
Net income per diluted share1	$	(1.24	)		$	3.93			$	(29.66	)		$	6.40
Dividends per share:	$	—			$	0.24			$	—			$	0.96
1 Rounding may impact summation of amounts.

Expedited Freight Segment Information
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended
	December 31, 2024			Percent of Revenue			December 31, 2023			Percent of Revenue			Change				Percent Change
Operating revenue:
Network 1	$	199,022		74.8	%		$	217,279		77.9	%		$	(18,257	)		(8.4	)%
Truckload		45,087		17.0				38,538		13.8				6,549			17.0
Other		21,770		8.2				23,253		8.3				(1,483	)		(6.4	)
Total operating revenue		265,879		100.0				279,070		100.0				(13,191	)		(4.7	)
Operating expenses:
Purchased transportation		136,151		51.2				132,359		47.4				3,792			2.9
Salaries, wages and employee benefits		56,587		21.3				56,291		20.2				296			0.5
Operating leases		18,130		6.8				15,396		5.5				2,734			17.8
Depreciation and amortization		10,395		3.9				12,328		4.4				(1,933	)		(15.7	)
Insurance and claims		10,423		3.9				9,438		3.4				985			10.4
Fuel expense		2,605		1.0				2,906		1.0				(301	)		(10.4	)
Other operating expenses		24,350		9.2				23,607		8.5				743			3.1
Total operating expenses		258,641		97.3				252,325		90.4				6,316			2.5
Income from operations	$	7,238		2.7	%		$	26,745		9.6	%		$	(19,507	)		(72.9	)%
1 Network revenue is comprised of all revenue, including linehaul, pickup and/or delivery, and fuel surcharge revenue, excluding accessorial and Truckload revenue.

Expedited Freight Operating Statistics
	Three Months Ended
	December 31, 2024			December 31, 2023			Percent Change
Business days		64			63		1.6	%
Tonnage 1,2
Total pounds		670,168			689,621		(2.8	)
Pounds per day		10,471			10,946		(4.3	)
Shipments 1,2
Total shipments		783			846		(7.4	)
Shipments per day		12.2			13.4		(9.0	)
Weight per shipment		856			815		5.0
Revenue per hundredweight 3	$	29.70		$	31.52		(5.8	)
Revenue per hundredweight, ex fuel 3	$	23.74		$	23.99		(1.0	)
Revenue per shipment 3	$	254.30		$	256.90		(1.0	)
Revenue per shipment, ex fuel 3	$	203.26		$	195.52		4.0
1 In thousands.
2 Excludes accessorial and Truckload products.
3 Includes intercompany revenue between the Network and Truckload revenue streams.

Omni Logistics Segment Information
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended
	December 31, 2024				Percent of Revenue
Operating revenue	$	325,609			100.0	%
Operating expenses:
Purchased transportation		183,084			56.2
Salaries, wages and employee benefits		54,056			16.6
Operating leases		23,036			7.1
Depreciation and amortization		22,605			6.9
Insurance and claims		3,911			1.2
Fuel expense		863			0.3
Other operating expenses		28,602			8.8
Impairment of goodwill		(79,068	)		(24.3	)
Total operating expenses		237,089			72.8
Income from operations	$	88,520			27.2	%

Intermodal Segment Information
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended
	December 31, 2024			Percent of Revenue			December 31, 2023			Percent of Revenue			Change				Percent Change
Operating revenue	$	59,829		100.0	%		$	59,440		100.0	%		$	389			0.7	%
Operating expenses:
Purchased transportation		18,898		31.6				18,073		30.4				825			4.6
Salaries, wages and employee benefits		14,227		23.8				15,243		25.6				(1,016	)		(6.7	)
Operating leases		6,463		10.8				5,512		9.3				951			17.3
Depreciation and amortization		4,519		7.6				5,251		8.8				(732	)		(13.9	)
Insurance and claims		2,498		4.2				2,398		4.0				100			4.2
Fuel expense		2,032		3.4				2,365		4.0				(333	)		(14.1	)
Other operating expenses		5,261		8.8				5,530		9.3				(269	)		(4.9	)
Total operating expenses		53,898		90.1				54,372		91.5				(474	)		(0.9	)
Income from operations	$	5,931		9.9	%		$	5,068		8.5	%		$	863			17.0	%

Intermodal Operating Statistics
	Three Months Ended
	December 31, 2024			December 31, 2023			Percent Change
Drayage shipments		63,920			65,776		(2.8	)%
Drayage revenue per shipment	$	847		$	821		3.2	%

Forward Air Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands) (Unaudited)
	December 31, 2024				December 31, 2023
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	104,903			$	121,969
Restricted cash equivalents		363				39,604
Accounts receivable, less allowance of $2,633 in 2024 and $2,206 in 2023		310,185				153,267
Other receivables		205				5,408
Prepaid expenses		29,053				25,682
Other current assets		15,685				1,098
Total current assets		460,394				347,028
Noncurrent restricted cash equivalents		—				1,790,500
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $292,855 in 2024 and $250,185 in 2023		326,188				258,095
Operating lease right-of-use assets		410,084				111,552
Goodwill		564,948				278,706
Other acquired intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $144,845 in 2024 and $127,032 in 2023		999,216				134,789
Other assets		71,940				58,863
Total assets	$	2,832,770			$	2,979,533
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	96,059			$	45,430
Accrued expenses		121,836				62,948
Other current liabilities		43,147				71,727
Current portion of debt and finance lease obligations		16,930				12,645
Current portion of operating lease liabilities		96,440				44,344
Total current liabilities		374,412				237,094
Finance lease obligations, less current portion		30,858				26,736
Long-term debt, less current portion and debt issuance costs		1,675,930				—
Long-term debt held in escrow		—				1,790,500
Liability from tax receivable agreement		13,295				—
Operating lease liabilities, less current portion		325,640				71,598
Other long-term liabilities		48,835				47,144
Deferred income taxes		38,169				42,200
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value: Authorized shares - 5,000,000; no shares issued or outstanding in 2024 and 2023		—				—
Preferred stock, Class B, $0.01 par value: Authorized shares - 15,000; issued and outstanding shares - 10,096 in 2024 and none in 2023		—				—
Common stock, $0.01 par value: Authorized shares - 50,000,000; issued and outstanding shares - 29,761,197 in 2024 and 25,670,663 in 2023		298				257
Additional paid-in capital		582,153				283,684
Retained (deficit) earnings		(338,228	)			480,320
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(2,732	)			—
Total Forward Air shareholders equity		241,491				764,261
Noncontrolling interest		84,140				—
Total shareholders’ equity		325,631				764,261
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	2,832,770			$	2,979,533

Forward Air Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended
	December 31, 2024				December 31, 2023
Operating activities:
Net (loss) income from continuing operations	$	(35,378	)		$	(14,721	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income of continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations:
Depreciation and amortization		37,657				17,579
Impairment of goodwill		(79,068	)			—
Share-based compensation expense		2,100				2,938
Provision for revenue adjustments		874				1,065
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)		108,276				(11,092	)
Other		3,014				(135	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from the purchase of acquired companies:
Accounts receivable		36,050				9,588
Other receivables		2,034				(5,408	)
Other current and noncurrent assets		2,004				27,061
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		(108,055	)			30,217
Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations		(30,492	)			57,092
Investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment		2,644				466
Purchases of property and equipment		(7,250	)			(8,645	)
Purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired		623				—
Other		(125	)			—
Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations		(4,108	)			(8,179	)
Financing activities:
Repayments of finance lease obligations		(3,086	)			(2,660	)
Proceeds from credit facility		75,000				25,000
Repayments on credit facility		(75,000	)			(147,375	)
Proceeds from long-term debt held in escrow		—				1,790,500
Payments of dividends to shareholders		—				(6,197	)
Proceeds from common stock issued under employee stock purchase plan		398				379
Payment of minimum tax withholdings on share-based awards		—				(25	)
Contributions from subsidiary held for sale		—				224,695
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities of continuing operations		(2,688	)			1,884,317
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash		874				—
Net increase (decrease) in cash of continuing operations		(36,414	)			1,933,230
Cash from discontinued operation:
Net cash used in operating activities of discontinued operations		(374	)			(35,135	)
Net cash provided by investing activities of discontinued operations		—				259,863
Net cash used in financing activities of discontinued operations		—				(224,728	)
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents		(36,788	)			1,933,230
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash equivalents at beginning of period of continuing operations		138,156				18,843
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash equivalents		(32,890	)			1,933,230
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash equivalents at end of period of continuing operations	$	105,266			$	1,952,073

Forward Air Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
	Year Ended
	December 31, 2024				December 31, 2023
Operating activities:
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	$	(1,124,841	)		$	42,803
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) of continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations:
Depreciation and amortization		143,978				57,405
Impairment of goodwill		1,028,397				—
Share-based compensation expense		10,188				11,495
Provision for revenue adjustments		3,635				5,091
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)		(88,880	)			(8,893	)
Other		7,310				(1,180	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from the purchase of acquired companies:
Accounts receivable		2,000				30,555
Other receivables		8,193				(5,408	)
Other current and noncurrent assets		(16,211	)			30,683
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		(50,031	)			36,661
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities of continuing operations		(76,262	)			199,212
Investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment		5,137				3,741
Purchases of property and equipment		(37,060	)			(30,725	)
Purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired		(1,564,619	)			(56,703	)
Other		(444	)			—
Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations		(1,596,986	)			(83,687	)
Financing activities:
Repayments of finance lease obligations		(18,425	)			(9,500	)
Proceeds from credit facility		75,000				70,000
Payments on credit facility		(155,000	)			(178,500	)
Proceeds from long-term debt held in escrow		—				1,790,500
Payment of debt issuance costs		(60,591	)			—
Payment of earn-out liability		(12,247	)			—
Payments of dividends to shareholders		—				(24,995	)
Repurchases and retirement of common stock		—				(93,811	)
Proceeds from common stock issued under employee stock purchase plan		753				800
Payment of minimum tax withholdings on share-based awards		(1,572	)			(4,340	)
Contributions from subsidiary held for sale		—				240,572
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities of continuing operations		(172,082	)			1,790,726
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash		1,012				—
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents from continuing operations		(1,844,318	)			1,906,251
Cash from discontinued operation:
Net cash used in operating activities of discontinued operations		(6,387	)			(17,824	)
Net cash provided by investing activities of discontinued operation		—				258,525
Net cash used in financing activities of discontinued operation		—				(240,701	)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		(1,850,705	)			1,906,251
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash equivalents at beginning of period of continuing operations		1,952,073				45,822
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash equivalents		(1,846,807	)			1,906,251
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash equivalents at end of period of continuing operations	$	105,266			$	1,952,073

Forward Air Corporation Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In this press release, the Company uses non-GAAP financial measures that are derived on the basis of methodologies other than in accordance with GAAP. The Company believes that meaningful analysis of its financial performance requires an understanding of the factors underlying that performance, including an understanding of items that are non-operational. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in making financial, operating, compensation and planning decisions as well as evaluating the Company’s performance.

For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, this press release contains the following non-GAAP financial measures: earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), adjusted EBITDA, free cash flow, adjusted income from continuing operations, adjusted net income, and adjusted net income per diluted share. All non-GAAP financial measures are presented on a continuing operations basis.

The Company believes that EBITDA improves comparability from period to period by removing the impact of its capital structure (interest and financing expenses), asset base (depreciation and amortization) and tax impacts. The Company believes that free cash flow is an important measure of its ability to repay maturing debt or fund other uses of capital that it believes will enhance shareholder value. The Company believes providing adjusted EBITDA, adjusted income from operations, adjusted net income and adjusted net income per diluted share allows investors to compare Company performance consistently over various periods without regard to the impact of unusual, nonrecurring or nonoperational items.

Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, the Company’s financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP financial information does not represent a comprehensive basis of accounting. As required by the Securities and Exchange Act of 1933 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, the Company has included, for the periods indicated, a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

The following is a reconciliation of net income to adjusted EBITDA for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):

		Three Months Ended								Year Ended
		December 31, 2024				December 31, 2023				December 31, 2024				December 31, 2023
Income (loss) from continuing operations		$	(35,378	)		$	(14,721	)		$	(1,124,841	)		$	42,803
Interest expense			48,427				23,976				189,215				31,571
Income tax (benefit) expense			67,000				(6,255	)			(124,990	)			13,836
Depreciation and amortization			37,657				17,579				143,978				57,405
Reported EBITDA			117,706				20,579				(916,638	)			145,615
Impairment of goodwill			(79,068	)			—				1,028,397				—
Transaction and integration costs			10,074				29,619				81,467				57,490
Severance costs			1,923				198				16,337				517
Optimization project costs			9,873				—				9,873				—
Pro forma synergies			1,353				—				22,239				—
Pro forma savings			5,048				5,649				32,622				21,524
Other			2,351				1,485				33,414				7,085
Pro forma -Omni adjusted EBITDA			—				36,492				—				169,869
Consolidated EBITDA		$	69,260			$	94,022			$	307,711			$	402,100

The following is a reconciliation of net cash provided (used in) by operating activities to free cash flow for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):

		Three Months Ended								Twelve Months Ended
Continuing Operations		December 31, 2024				December 31, 2023				December 31, 2024				December 31, 2023
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		$	(30,492	)		$	57,092			$	(76,262	)		$	199,212
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment			2,644				466				5,137				3,741
Purchases of property and equipment			(7,250	)			(8,645	)			(37,060	)			(30,725	)
Free cash flow		$	(35,098	)		$	48,913			$	(108,185	)		$	172,228

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “goal,” “seek,” “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “expect,” “strategy,” “future,” “likely,” “may,” “should,” “will” and similar references to future periods. Forward-looking statements included in this press release relate to the Company’s expectations for long-term growth; ability to achieve and expand synergistic service offerings; expectations regarding the corrective pricing actions that the Company has taken as well as the impact that may have on the business and the Company’s expectations regarding the Company’s financial performance, including Consolidated EBITDA, and the impact it may have on the business and results of operations.

Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not unduly rely on any of these forward-looking statements. The following is a list of factors, among others, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements: economic factors such as recessions, inflation, higher interest rates and downturns in customer business cycles, the Company's ability to achieve the expected strategic, financial and other benefits of the acquisition of Omni Logistics, the risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully or that integration may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected, the risk that operating costs, customer loss, management and employee retention and business disruption (including, without limitation, difficulties in maintaining relationships with employees, customers, clients or suppliers) as a result of the acquisition of Omni Logistics may be greater than expected, continued weakening of the freight environment, future debt and financing levels, our ability to deleverage, including, without limitation, through capital allocation or divestitures of non-core businesses, our ability to secure terminal facilities in desirable locations at reasonable rates, more limited liquidity than expected which limits our ability to make key investments, the creditworthiness of our customers and their ability to pay for services rendered, our inability to maintain our historical growth rate because of a decreased volume of freight or decreased average revenue per pound of freight moving through our network, the availability and compensation of qualified Leased Capacity Providers and freight handlers as well as contracted, third-party carriers needed to serve our customers’ transportation needs, our inability to manage our information systems and inability of our information systems to handle an increased volume of freight moving through our network, the occurrence of cybersecurity risks and events, market acceptance of our service offerings, claims for property damage, personal injuries or workers’ compensation, enforcement of and changes in governmental regulations, environmental, tax, insurance and accounting matters, the handling of hazardous materials, changes in fuel prices, loss of a major customer, increasing competition, and pricing pressure, our dependence on our senior management team and the potential effects of changes in employee status, seasonal trends, the occurrence of certain weather events, restrictions in our charter and bylaws and the risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and as may be identified in our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.

We caution readers that any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release is based only on information currently available to us and they should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management's opinion as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward- looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise unless required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250226945038/en/

Investors:

Tony Carreño

investorrelations@forwardair.com

Media:

Justin Moss

(404) 362-8933

jmoss@forwardair.com

Source: Forward Air Corporation

FAQ

What was Forward Air's (FWRD) Consolidated EBITDA for full year 2024?

Forward Air reported Consolidated EBITDA of $308 million for full year 2024, performing near the top end of their guidance range.

How much did Forward Air (FWRD) save in synergies from the Omni acquisition in 2024?

Forward Air achieved over $100 million in annualized cost synergies, exceeding their initial target of $75 million following the Omni transaction.

What were Forward Air's (FWRD) Q4 2024 revenue and operating income?

Forward Air reported Q4 2024 consolidated revenue of $633 million and income from continuing operations of $76 million, including a $79 million favorable goodwill impairment adjustment.

How much liquidity did Forward Air (FWRD) have at the end of Q4 2024?

Forward Air ended Q4 2024 with $382 million in liquidity, down from $460 million in Q3 due to credit facility reduction and interest payments.