Forward Air Corporation Reports Third Quarter 2024 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Forward Air (NASDAQ:FWRD) reported Q3 2024 financial results with operating revenue of $656 million, up 92.4% year-over-year, and operating income of $23 million. The company reported a net loss of $34.2 million, or $2.62 per diluted share. Cash flow from operations improved to $52.6 million, increasing liquidity to $460 million. The company remains on track to capture $75 million in synergies from the Omni integration by Q1 2025. Management provided 2024 Consolidated EBITDA guidance of $300-310 million, reflecting expectations of continued macro softness.

Positive

• Operating revenue increased 92.4% YoY to $656 million
• Operating income grew 94.2% YoY to $23 million
• Cash flow from operations improved 113.2% to $52.6 million
• Liquidity increased to $460 million
• On track for $75 million in synergies by Q1 2025

Negative

• Net loss of $34.2 million compared to $6.5 million profit last year
• Expedited Freight segment underperformed expectations
• Decreased year-over-year revenue per hundredweight
• Intermodal segment revenue declined
• Consolidated EBITDA decreased 17% YoY to $77 million

Insights

Financial Analyst

The Q3 2024 results reveal significant challenges despite the ongoing Omni integration. Revenue grew 92.4% to $655.9 million, but net income swung to a loss of $34.2 million compared to a profit of $6.5 million last year. The operating margin remains thin at 3.5%.

The company's liquidity position improved with $460 million available and a $32 million cushion under debt covenants. However, management's reduced EBITDA guidance of $300-310 million signals continued market weakness. While synergy targets of $75 million by Q1 2025 remain on track, the core Expedited Freight segment underperformed due to pricing and mix challenges.

Market Research Analyst

The freight market outlook remains challenging, with Forward Air's transformation coming at a difficult time. The addition of a new Chief Commercial Officer and Miami container freight station shows strategic positioning for future growth, but current performance metrics are concerning. The sequential decline in Consolidated EBITDA from $81 million to $77 million reflects ongoing market pressures.

While cash flow improvements are positive, the dramatic decline in earnings per share from $0.25 to -$2.62 raises concerns about near-term profitability. The company's focus on transformation and integration may face headwinds from persistent market softness.

Focus pivoting from completing Omni integration and capturing cost synergies to global transformation

Stronger cash flow from operations led to increase in liquidity

Announces addition of new Chief Commercial Officer

GREENEVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Forward Air Corporation (NASDAQ:FWRD) (the “Company”, “we”, “our”, or “us”) today reported financial results for the three months ended September 30, 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.

“Our team continues to focus on harnessing the power of the combined legacy Forward and Omni companies as we begin the transition from integration to transformation and remain on schedule to capture the previously identified $75 million of synergies by end of the first quarter of 2025,” said Shawn Stewart, Chief Executive Officer. “We also recently enhanced our operations by opening a new certified container freight station in Miami, enabling us to offer direct air and ocean import and export services in and out of South and Central America. Our new breath of end-to-end services has also led to several collective wins since closing the acquisition.

“Beyond the near-term synergy and sales wins, we are beginning to transform for longer-term success; a company that shares a common fabric and a common customer-first DNA. Going forward we will be working to collaborate across legacy entities, eliminate previously unidentified redundancies, automate and digitize repetitive processes and unifying under a new brand with a common goal and mission. Transforming a company of this size, complexity and geographic diversity is not an event and will take time, but I am confident in our strategy.

“Part of that strategy is strengthening our team with industry leading talent. To that end, I am excited to announce that we have hired a new Chief Commercial Officer who is slated to join us in January. He has over 20 years of experience in global logistics and is well prepared to collaborate with our customers. I am excited about his industry expertise and ability to hit the ground running in the first quarter of next year.

“Looking ahead, it is difficult to forecast the next freight cycle, but we remain focused on actively integrating and transforming the Company so we can be prepared to capitalize on the market upturn as a comprehensive vertical global logistics company with ground, air, ocean, contract logistics and customers brokerage services,” concluded Stewart.

Jamie Pierson, Chief Financial Officer added, “For the third quarter of 2024, we reported revenue of $656 million and operating income of $23 million. On a segment basis, Omni Logistics continued to improve and sequentially grew revenue and operating income. However, the Expedited Freight segment did not perform up to our expectations due largely to a decrease in year-over-year revenue per hundredweight, excluding fuel surcharge, which was primarily attributable to customer mix and the associated pricing. Revenue at the Intermodal segment was down but tight cost management strategies kept operating income essentially flat year-over-year.

“For the third quarter, Consolidated EBITDA ("Consolidated EBITDA"), a non-GAAP measure calculated pursuant to our Senior Secured Term Loan Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement"), was $77 million compared to $81 million last quarter showing resilience and stability in the face of a challenging macro environment. For the twelve months ending September 30, 2024, Consolidated EBITDA was $307 million which resulted in an approximate $32 million cushion under the Credit Agreement’s consolidated first lien net leverage ratio covenant.

“On the heels of robust operating cash flow, we ended the third quarter in a stronger liquidity position as cash increased $33 million from the previous quarter and liquidity increased $15 million to $460 million. With the third quarter behind us, we expect 2024 Consolidated EBITDA guidance to $300 to $310 million, which reflects our expectation of continued softness in the overall macro environment.” noted Pierson.

		Three Months Ended
(in thousands, except per share data)		September 30, 2024				September 30, 2023				Change				Percent Change
Operating revenue		$	655,937			$	340,976			$	314,961			92.4	%
(Loss) income from operations		$	22,697			$	11,689			$	11,008			94.2	%
Operating margin			3.5	%			3.4	%		10 bps
Net (loss) income		$	(34,198	)		$	6,493			$	(40,691	)		(626.7	)%
Net (loss) income per diluted share		$	(2.62	)		$	0.25			$	(2.87	)		(1,148.0	)%
Cash (used in) provided by operating activities		$	52,597			$	24,666			$	27,931			113.2	%
Non-GAAP Financial Measures: 1
Consolidated EBITDA		$	76,997			$	92,714			$	(15,717	)		(17.0	)%
Free cash flow		$	43,270			$	19,526			$	23,744			121.6	%
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 third quarter 2024 results on Monday, November 4, 2024 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) 225-9448, Access Code: FWRDQ324.

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 (Loss) Income
(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)
	Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2024				September 30, 2023				September 30, 2024				September 30, 2023
Operating revenues:
Expedited Freight	$	284,707			$	278,875			$	849,284			$	817,888
Intermodal		57,412				62,183				173,003				214,603
Omni Logistics		334,538				—				871,232				—
Eliminations and other operations		(20,720	)			(82	)			(52,103	)			(184	)
Operating revenues		655,937				340,976				1,841,416				1,032,307
Operating expenses:
Purchased transportation		332,469				148,706				931,072				435,844
Salaries, wages and employee benefits		133,516				75,373				406,382				215,983
Operating leases		48,810				19,536				133,871				66,505
Depreciation and amortization		25,893				14,209				106,321				39,826
Insurance and claims		17,382				12,969				44,961				38,988
Fuel expense		4,855				5,845				15,960				16,733
Other operating expenses		55,564				52,649				234,175				133,218
Impairment of goodwill		14,751				—				1,107,465				—
Total operating expenses		633,240				329,287				2,980,207				947,097
Income (loss) from continuing operations:
Expedited Freight		19,269				32,547				60,713				89,295
Intermodal		4,091				4,744				12,994				20,259
Omni Logistics		1,136				—				(1,133,323	)			—
Other Operations		(1,799	)			(25,602	)			(79,175	)			(24,344	)
Income from continuing operations		22,697				11,689				(1,138,791	)			85,210
Other expense:
Interest expense, net		(52,770	)			(2,655	)			(140,788	)			(7,595	)
Foreign exchange (loss) gain		(2,812	)			—				(1,912	)			—
Other income (expense), net		(11	)			—				38				—
Total other expense		(55,593	)			(2,655	)			(142,662	)			(7,595	)
(Loss) income before income taxes		(32,896	)			9,034				(1,281,453	)			77,615
Income tax (benefit) expense		1,302				2,541				(191,990	)			20,091
Net (loss) income from continuing operations		(34,198	)			6,493				(1,089,463	)			57,524
(Loss) income from discontinued operation, net of tax		(1,137	)			2,795				(6,013	)			8,083
Net (loss) income		(35,335	)			9,288			$	(1,095,476	)		$	65,607
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest		38,073				—				(314,923	)			—
Net (loss) income attributable to Forward Air	$	(73,408	)		$	9,288			$	(780,553	)		$	65,607
Net income per common share:
Basic net (loss) income per share
Continuing operations	$	(2.62	)		$	0.25			$	(27.98	)		$	2.20
Discontinued operation		(0.04	)			0.11				(0.22	)			0.31
Basic	$	(2.66	)		$	0.36			$	(28.20	)		$	2.51
Diluted net (loss) income per share
Continuing operations	$	(2.62	)		$	0.25			$	(27.98	)		$	2.19
Discontinued operation		(0.04	)			0.11				(0.22	)			0.31
Diluted	$	(2.66	)		$	0.36			$	(28.20	)		$	2.50
Dividends per share:	$	—			$	0.24			$	—			$	0.72
Net (loss) income	$	(35,335	)		$	9,288			$	(1,095,476	)		$	65,607
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments		176				—				(824	)			—
Comprehensive (loss) income	$	(35,159	)		$	9,288			$	(1,094,652	)		$	65,607

Expedited Freight Segment Information
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended
	September 30, 2024			Percent of Revenue			September 30, 2023			Percent of Revenue			Change				Percent Change
Operating revenues:
Network 1	$	217,289		76.3	%		$	216,977		77.8	%		$	312			0.1	%
Truckload		43,635		15.3				38,800		13.9				4,835			12.5
Other		23,783		8.4				23,098		8.3				685			3.0
Total operating revenues		284,707		100.0				278,875		100.0				5,832			2.1
Operating expenses:
Purchased transportation		140,035		49.2				129,850		46.6				10,185			7.8
Salaries, wages and employee benefits		59,426		20.9				56,682		20.3				2,744			4.8
Operating leases		15,556		5.5				14,392		5.2				1,164			8.1
Depreciation and amortization		10,481		3.7				9,022		3.2				1,459			16.2
Insurance and claims		11,672		4.1				9,533		3.4				2,139			22.4
Fuel expense		2,113		0.7				2,954		1.1				(841	)		(28.5	)
Other operating expenses		26,155		9.1				23,895		8.5				2,260			9.5
Total operating expenses		265,438		93.2				246,328		88.3				19,110			7.8
Income from operations	$	19,269		6.8	%		$	32,547		11.7	%		$	(13,278	)		(40.8	)%
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
	September 30, 2024		September 30, 2023		Percent Change
Business days	64		63		1.6 %
Tonnage 1,2
Total pounds	713,212		685,756		4.0
Pounds per day	11,144		10,885		2.4
Shipments 1,2
Total shipments	831		835		(0.5)
Shipments per day	13.0		13.3		(2.3)
Weight per shipment	858		821		4.5
Revenue per hundredweight 3	$ 30.47		$ 31.66		(3.8)
Revenue per hundredweight, ex fuel 3	$ 24.09		$ 24.20		(0.5)
Revenue per shipment 3	$ 261.55		$ 259.94		0.6
Revenue per shipment, ex fuel 3	$ 206.73		$ 198.71		4.0
1 In thousands
2 Excludes accessorial and Truckload and products
3 Includes intercompany revenue between the Network and Truckload revenue streams

Intermodal Segment Information
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended
	September 30, 2024		Percent of Revenue		September 30, 2023		Percent of Revenue		Change		Percent Change
Operating revenue	$ 57,412		100.0 %		$ 62,183		100.0 %		$ (4,771)		(7.7) %
Operating expenses:
Purchased transportation	18,300		31.9		18,945		30.5		(645)		(3.4)
Salaries, wages and employee benefits	14,506		25.3		16,118		25.9		(1,612)		(10.0)
Operating leases	5,668		9.9		5,144		8.3		524		10.2
Depreciation and amortization	4,582		8.0		5,187		8.3		(605)		(11.7)
Insurance and claims	2,528		4.4		2,758		4.4		(230)		(8.3)
Fuel expense	1,942		3.4		2,892		4.7		(950)		(32.8)
Other operating expenses	5,795		10.0		6,395		10.3		(600)		(9.4)
Total operating expenses	53,321		92.9		57,439		92.4		(4,118)		(7.2)
Income from operations	$ 4,091		7.1 %		$ 4,744		7.6 %		$ (653)		(13.8) %

Intermodal Operating Statistics
	Three Months Ended
	September 30, 2024		September 30, 2023		Percent Change
Drayage shipments	62,616		68,576		(8.7) %
Drayage revenue per shipment	$ 824		$ 823		0.1 %

Omni Logistics Segment Information
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended
	September 30, 2024		Percent of Revenue
Operating revenue	$ 334,538		100.0 %
Operating expenses:
Purchased transportation	194,853		58.2
Salaries, wages and employee benefits	55,151		16.5
Operating leases	27,586		8.2
Depreciation and amortization	10,830		3.2
Insurance and claims	3,488		1.0
Fuel expense	800		0.2
Other operating expenses	25,943		7.8
Impairment of goodwill	14,751		4.4
Total operating expenses	333,402		99.7
Income from operations	$ 1,136		0.3 %

Forward Air Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
	September 30, 2024		December 31, 2023
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 136,616		$ 121,969
Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents	1,540		39,604
Accounts receivable, net	361,003		153,267
Other receivables	1,695		5,408
Prepaid expenses	31,174		25,682
Other current assets	13,053		1,098
Total current assets	545,081		347,028
Noncurrent restricted cash equivalents	—		1,790,500
Property and equipment	606,418		508,280
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	281,636		250,185
Property and equipment, net	324,782		258,095
Operating lease right-of-use assets	355,139		111,552
Goodwill	716,071		278,706
Other acquired intangibles, net	1,033,352		134,789
Other assets	81,415		58,863
Total assets	$ 3,055,840		$ 2,979,533
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$ 157,230		$ 45,430
Accrued expenses	135,590		62,948
Other current liabilities	49,571		71,727
Current portion of debt and finance lease obligations	16,741		12,645
Current portion of operating lease liabilities	89,566		44,344
Total current liabilities	448,698		237,094
Finance lease obligations, less current portion	32,731		26,736
Long-term debt, less current portion	1,673,292		—
Long-term debt held in escrow	—		1,790,500
Operating lease liabilities, less current portion	275,843		71,598
Liabilities under tax receivable agreement	36,797		—
Other long-term liabilities	42,423		47,144
Deferred income taxes	209,522		42,200
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock	—		—
Common stock	287		257
Additional paid-in capital	528,255		283,684
Retained (deficit) earnings	(301,634)		480,320
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(824)		—
Total Forward Air shareholders' equity	226,084		764,261
Noncontrolling interest	110,450		—
Total shareholders' equity	336,534		764,261
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 3,055,840		$ 2,979,533

Forward Air Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended
	September 30, 2024		September 30, 2023
Operating activities:
Net (loss) income from continuing operations	$ (34,198)		$ 6,493
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income of continuing operations to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities of continuing operations
Depreciation and amortization	25,893		14,209
Impairment of goodwill	14,751		—
Share-based compensation expense	2,901		2,774
Provision for revenue adjustments	602		1,214
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense	(33,552)		17
Other	(730)		688
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from the purchase of acquired businesses:
Accounts receivable	8,215		(17,723)
Other receivables	628		—
Other current and noncurrent assets	38,422		(7,000)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	29,665		23,994
Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations	52,597		24,666
Investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	1,087		104
Purchases of property and equipment	(10,414)		(5,244)
Other	(145)		—
Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations	(9,472)		(5,140)
Financing activities:
Repayments of finance lease obligations	(6,212)		(2,917)
Payments on credit facility	—		(375)
Payment of debt issuance costs	(1,443)		—
Payments of dividends to shareholders	—		(6,198)
Repurchases and retirement of common stock	—		(14,019)
Proceeds from common stock issued under employee stock purchase plan	(14)		—
Payment of minimum tax withholdings on share-based awards	(211)		(23)
Contributions from subsidiary held for sale	—		4,568
Net cash used in financing activities of continuing operations	(7,880)		(18,964)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(607)		—
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents from continuing operations	34,638		562
Cash from discontinued operation:
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities of discontinued operation	(1,137)		5,199
Net cash used in investing activities of discontinued operation	—		(599)
Net cash used in financing activities of discontinued operation	—		(4,600)
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents	33,501		562
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents at beginning of period of continuing operations	104,655		18,281
Cash at beginning of period of discontinued operation	—		—
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents	33,501		562
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents at end of period of continuing operations	$ 138,156		$ 18,843

Forward Air Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
	Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2024		September 30, 2023
Operating activities:
Net (loss) income from operations	$ (1,089,463)		$ 57,524
Adjustments to reconcile net income of operations to net cash provided by operating activities of operations
Depreciation and amortization	106,321		39,826
Impairment of goodwill	1,107,465		—
Share-based compensation expense	8,088		8,570
Provision for revenue adjustments	2,761		4,026
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense	(197,156)		2,199
Other	5,739		(1,045)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from the purchase of acquired businesses:
Accounts receivable	(34,050)		20,967
Other receivables	6,159		—
Other current and noncurrent assets	(18,215)		3,609
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	58,024		6,444
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(44,327)		142,120
Investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	2,493		3,275
Purchases of property and equipment	(29,810)		(22,080)
Purchase of a business, net of cash acquired	(1,565,242)		(56,703)
Other	(319)		—
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,592,878)		(75,508)
Financing activities:
Repayments of finance lease obligations	(15,339)		(6,840)
Proceeds from credit facility	—		45,000
Payments on credit facility	(80,000)		(31,125)
Payment of debt issuance costs	(62,034)		—
Payment of earn-out liability	(12,247)		—
Payments of dividends to shareholders	—		(18,798)
Repurchases and retirement of common stock	—		(93,811)
Proceeds from common stock issued under employee stock purchase plan	355		421
Payment of minimum tax withholdings on share-based awards	(1,572)		(4,315)
Contributions from (distributions to) subsidiary held for sale	—		15,877
Net cash used in financing activities	(170,837)		(93,591)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	138		—
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(1,807,904)		(26,979)
Cash from discontinued operation:
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities of discontinued operation	(6,013)		17,311
Net cash used in investing activities of discontinued operation	—		(1,338)
Net cash used in financing activities of discontinued operation	—		(15,973)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(1,813,917)		(26,979)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,952,073		45,822
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 138,156		$ 18,843

Forward Air Corporation Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In this press release, the Company includes financial measures that are derived on the basis of methodologies other than in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (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 months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, this press release contains the following non-GAAP financial measures: earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), and free cash flow.

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 is also providing Consolidated EBITDA calculated in accordance with our credit agreement as we believe it provides investors with important information regarding our financial condition and compliance with our obligations under our credit agreement.

Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative to or substitute for, the Company’s financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Company has included, for the periods indicated, a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Investors and other readers are encouraged to review the related U.S. GAAP financial measures and the reconciliations of the non-GAAP measures to their most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures set forth below.

With respect to the 2024 Consolidated EBITDA guidance, please note that the Company is not providing a quantitative reconciliation of Consolidated EBITDA to Net Income because it is not available without unreasonable efforts. The Company does not currently have sufficient data to accurately estimate the variables and individual adjustments for such reconciliation, or to quantify the probable significance of these items. The adjustments required for any such reconciliation of the Company’s forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures cannot be accurately forecast by the Company, and therefore the reconciliation has been omitted.

The following is a reconciliation of net income to Consolidated EBITDA for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):

		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2024		September 30, 2023		September 30, 2024		September 30, 2023
Income (loss) from continuing operations		$ (34,198)		$ 6,493		$ (1,089,463)		$ 57,524
Interest expense		52,770		2,655		140,788		7,595
Income tax (benefit) expense		1,302		2,541		(191,990)		20,091
Depreciation and amortization		25,893		14,209		106,321		39,826
Reported EBITDA		45,767		25,898		(1,034,344)		125,036
Impairment of goodwill		14,751		—		1,107,465		—
Transaction and integration costs		(549)		22,371		71,393		27,871
Severance costs		2,829		158		14,414		319
Cost synergies		7,267		—		23,518		—
RIF cost savings		—		5,509		10,576		15,875
Other		6,932		1,485		19,858		2,328
Pro forma -Omni adjusted EBITDA		—		37,293		—		128,574
Consolidated EBITDA		$ 76,997		$ 92,714		$ 212,880		$ 300,003

The following is a reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities to free cash flow for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):

		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2024		September 30, 2023		September 30, 2024		September 30, 2023
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of continuing operations		$ 52,597		$ 24,666		$ (44,327)		$ 142,120
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment		1,087		104		2,493		3,275
Purchases of property and equipment		(10,414)		(5,244)		(29,810)		(22,080)
Free cash flow		$ 43,270		$ 19,526		$ (71,644)		$ 123,315

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 expectations regarding the Company’s long-term growth; ability to achieve and accelerate synergy capture and eliminate costs from our structure; expectations regarding the Company’s expedited freight business; ability to achieve the intended benefits of the acquisition of Omni Logistics, including any revenue and cost synergies; 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; and expectations regarding the Company's revenue growth strategies, including with respect to operational efficiency and cost control.

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, including the realization of expected synergies and the achievement of deleveraging targets within the expected timeframes or at all, 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/20241104743197/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) revenue in Q3 2024?

Forward Air reported operating revenue of $655.9 million in Q3 2024, representing a 92.4% increase from the same period last year.

What was Forward Air's (FWRD) EPS in Q3 2024?

Forward Air reported a net loss per diluted share of $2.62 in Q3 2024, compared to earnings of $0.25 per share in Q3 2023.

What is Forward Air's (FWRD) EBITDA guidance for 2024?

Forward Air expects Consolidated EBITDA for 2024 to be between $300 million and $310 million.

How much synergy does Forward Air (FWRD) expect from the Omni integration?

Forward Air expects to capture $75 million in synergies from the Omni integration by the end of the first quarter of 2025.