Marten Transport Announces First Quarter Results
- Net income decreased to $9.6 million from $22.5 million in the first quarter of 2023.
- Operating revenue dropped to $249.7 million from $298.0 million year-over-year.
- Operating income declined to $12.3 million from $29.0 million compared to the first quarter of 2023.
- Operating expenses as a percentage of revenue increased to 95.1% from 90.3% in the same quarter last year.
- Marten Transport's unique business model showed improvement in dedicated and brokerage operations despite market challenges.
- The company remains focused on minimizing market impact and investing in growth opportunities.
- Marten Transport has not agreed to rate reductions since last August.
- Net income and operating revenue decreased year-over-year.
- Operating income declined significantly compared to the first quarter of 2023.
- Operating expenses as a percentage of revenue increased, impacting earnings.
- Challenges from the freight market recession continue to pressure earnings.
- Inflationary operating costs and freight rate reductions are affecting financial performance.
Insights
Marten Transport's first quarter results present a noteworthy scenario reflecting broader economic trends. A sharp decline in net income from
An investor should take note of the operating expense ratio's increase, from
The freight and transportation sector acts as a barometer for the wider economy. Marten's performance and strategic pivot towards dedicated and brokerage operations reflect agility in a downturn. However, one must consider the competitive landscape and longer-term industry cycles, as the company anticipates a market recovery.
For investors, the shift in strategy towards organic growth opportunities, without compromising on rates since the previous August, could indicate a potential upside when the market recovers. It's essential to analyze peers and broader market trends to understand Marten's position. How they negotiate rates and manage relationships with high-volume customers during a freight market recession could set the tone for their recovery trajectory.
MONDOVI, Wis., April 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Marten Transport, Ltd. (Nasdaq/GS:MRTN) today reported net income of
Operating revenue was
Operating income was
Operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue were
Executive Chairman Randolph L. Marten stated, “The freight market recession’s oversupply and weak demand, inflationary operating costs and cumulative impact of freight rate reductions and related freight network disruptions continue to significantly pressure our earnings. The value of our unique multifaceted business model is highlighted by the operating results for our dedicated and brokerage operations in the first quarter. Our operating results improved throughout the quarter after earning 2 cents per share in January, which was also impacted by widespread harsh winter weather.”
“We remain focused on minimizing the freight market’s impact on our operations while investing in and positioning our operations to capitalize on profitable organic growth opportunities, with fair compensation for our premium services, across each of our business operations for what comes next in the freight cycle as the market necessarily recovers from its current recessionary late stages. To that end, we have not agreed to rate reductions since last August.”
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, 2023. 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, Doug Petit, President, and Jim Hinnendael, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, of Marten Transport, Ltd., 715-926-4216.
| MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD. CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS | |||||||
| March 31, | December 31, | ||||||
| (In thousands, except share information) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| (Unaudited) | |||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||
| Current assets: | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 73,730 | $ | 53,213 | |||
| Receivables: | |||||||
| Trade, net | 105,247 | 105,501 | |||||
| Other | 10,380 | 10,356 | |||||
| Prepaid expenses and other | 24,665 | 27,512 | |||||
| Total current assets | 214,022 | 196,582 | |||||
| Property and equipment: | |||||||
| Revenue equipment, buildings and land, office equipment and other | 1,155,649 | 1,162,336 | |||||
| Accumulated depreciation | (378,151 | ) | (370,103 | ) | |||
| Net property and equipment | 777,498 | 792,233 | |||||
| Other noncurrent assets | 1,499 | 1,524 | |||||
| Total assets | $ | 993,019 | $ | 990,339 | |||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |||||||
| Current liabilities: | |||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 37,728 | $ | 36,516 | |||
| Insurance and claims accruals | 44,297 | 47,017 | |||||
| Accrued and other current liabilities | 29,417 | 26,709 | |||||
| Total current liabilities | 111,442 | 110,242 | |||||
| Deferred income taxes | 118,946 | 122,462 | |||||
| Noncurrent operating lease liabilities | 202 | 249 | |||||
| Total liabilities | 230,590 | 232,953 | |||||
| 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; 81,362,709 shares at March 31, 2024, and 81,312,168 shares at December 31, 2023, issued and outstanding | 814 | 813 | |||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 50,066 | 49,789 | |||||
| Retained earnings | 711,549 | 706,784 | |||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | 762,429 | 757,386 | |||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 993,019 | $ | 990,339 | |||
| MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD. CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) | |||||||
| Three Months | |||||||
| Ended March 31, | |||||||
| (In thousands, except per share information) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Operating revenue | $ | 249,672 | $ | 298,023 | |||
| Operating expenses (income): | |||||||
| Salaries, wages and benefits | 88,762 | 98,516 | |||||
| Purchased transportation | 41,814 | 54,103 | |||||
| Fuel and fuel taxes | 39,561 | 46,796 | |||||
| Supplies and maintenance | 16,070 | 15,987 | |||||
| Depreciation | 28,527 | 29,530 | |||||
| Operating taxes and licenses | 2,575 | 2,768 | |||||
| Insurance and claims | 11,657 | 15,070 | |||||
| Communications and utilities | 2,371 | 2,531 | |||||
| Gain on disposition of revenue equipment | (1,171 | ) | (5,246 | ) | |||
| Other | 7,256 | 8,958 | |||||
| Total operating expenses | 237,422 | 269,013 | |||||
| Operating income | 12,250 | 29,010 | |||||
| Other | (796 | ) | (844 | ) | |||
| Income before income taxes | 13,046 | 29,854 | |||||
| Income taxes expense | 3,400 | 7,352 | |||||
| Net income | $ | 9,646 | $ | 22,502 | |||
| Basic earnings per common share | $ | 0.12 | $ | 0.28 | |||
| Diluted earnings per common share | $ | 0.12 | $ | 0.28 | |||
| Dividends declared per common share | $ | 0.06 | $ | 0.06 | |||
| MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD. SEGMENT INFORMATION (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||
| Dollar | Percentage | ||||||||||||||
| Change | Change | ||||||||||||||
| Three Months | Three Months | Three Months | |||||||||||||
| Ended | Ended | Ended | |||||||||||||
| March 31, | March 31, | March 31, | |||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2024 vs. 2023 | |||||||||||
| Operating revenue: | |||||||||||||||
| Truckload revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue | $ | 95,022 | $ | 102,320 | $ | (7,298 | ) | (7.1 | )% | ||||||
| Truckload fuel surcharge revenue | 16,529 | 18,306 | (1,777 | ) | (9.7 | ) | |||||||||
| Total Truckload revenue | 111,551 | 120,626 | (9,075 | ) | (7.5 | ) | |||||||||
| Dedicated revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue | 71,738 | 86,831 | (15,093 | ) | (17.4 | ) | |||||||||
| Dedicated fuel surcharge revenue | 14,722 | 19,618 | (4,896 | ) | (25.0 | ) | |||||||||
| Total Dedicated revenue | 86,460 | 106,449 | (19,989 | ) | (18.8 | ) | |||||||||
| Intermodal revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue | 13,281 | 23,401 | (10,120 | ) | (43.2 | ) | |||||||||
| Intermodal fuel surcharge revenue | 2,691 | 5,188 | (2,497 | ) | (48.1 | ) | |||||||||
| Total Intermodal revenue | 15,972 | 28,589 | (12,617 | ) | (44.1 | ) | |||||||||
| Brokerage revenue | 35,689 | 42,359 | (6,670 | ) | (15.7 | ) | |||||||||
| Total operating revenue | $ | 249,672 | $ | 298,023 | $ | (48,351 | ) | (16.2 | )% | ||||||
| Operating income/(loss): | |||||||||||||||
| Truckload | $ | 489 | $ | 10,041 | $ | (9,552 | ) | (95.1 | )% | ||||||
| Dedicated | 9,258 | 13,684 | (4,426 | ) | (32.3 | ) | |||||||||
| Intermodal | (194 | ) | 787 | (981 | ) | (124.7 | ) | ||||||||
| Brokerage | 2,697 | 4,498 | (1,801 | ) | (40.0 | ) | |||||||||
| Total operating income | $ | 12,250 | $ | 29,010 | $ | (16,760 | ) | (57.8 | )% | ||||||
| Operating ratio: | |||||||||||||||
| Truckload | 99.6 | % | 91.7 | % | |||||||||||
| Dedicated | 89.3 | 87.1 | |||||||||||||
| Intermodal | 101.2 | 97.2 | |||||||||||||
| Brokerage | 92.4 | 89.4 | |||||||||||||
| Consolidated operating ratio | 95.1 | % | 90.3 | % | |||||||||||
| Operating ratio, net of fuel surcharges: | |||||||||||||||
| Truckload | 99.5 | % | 90.2 | % | |||||||||||
| Dedicated | 87.1 | 84.2 | |||||||||||||
| Intermodal | 101.5 | 96.6 | |||||||||||||
| Brokerage | 92.4 | 89.4 | |||||||||||||
| Consolidated operating ratio, net of fuel surcharges | 94.3 | % | 88.6 | % | |||||||||||
| MARTEN TRANSPORT, LTD. OPERATING STATISTICS (Unaudited) | |||||||
| Three Months | |||||||
| Ended March 31, | |||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||
| Truckload Segment: | |||||||
| Revenue (in thousands) | $ | 111,551 | $ | 120,626 | |||
| Average revenue, net of fuel surcharges, per tractor per week(1) | $ | 3,996 | $ | 4,571 | |||
| Average tractors(1) | 1,830 | 1,741 | |||||
| Average miles per trip | 537 | 510 | |||||
| Non-revenue miles percentage(2) | 12.6 | % | 12.7 | % | |||
| Total miles (in thousands) | 39,703 | 38,237 | |||||
| Dedicated Segment: | |||||||
| Revenue (in thousands) | $ | 86,460 | $ | 106,449 | |||
| Average revenue, net of fuel surcharges, per tractor per week(1) | $ | 3,781 | $ | 3,960 | |||
| Average tractors(1) | 1,459 | 1,705 | |||||
| Average miles per trip | 329 | 333 | |||||
| Non-revenue miles percentage(2) | 1.1 | % | 1.1 | % | |||
| Total miles (in thousands) | 29,080 | 34,076 | |||||
| Intermodal Segment: | |||||||
| Revenue (in thousands) | $ | 15,972 | $ | 28,589 | |||
| Loads | 4,589 | 7,277 | |||||
| Average tractors | 126 | 180 | |||||
| Brokerage Segment: | |||||||
| Revenue (in thousands) | $ | 35,689 | $ | 42,359 | |||
| Loads | 20,061 | 20,688 | |||||
| At March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023: | |||||||
| Total tractors(1) | 3,406 | 3,571 | |||||
| Average age of company tractors (in years) | 1.9 | 1.7 | |||||
| Total trailers | 5,619 | 5,741 | |||||
| Average age of company trailers (in years) | 4.8 | 4.1 | |||||
| Ratio of trailers to tractors(1) | 1.6 | 1.6 | |||||
| Total refrigerated containers | 787 | 802 | |||||
| Three Months | |||||||
| Ended March 31, | |||||||
| (In thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 45,722 | $ | 49,232 | |||
| Net cash (used for) investing activities | (20,249 | ) | (28,280 | ) | |||
| Net cash (used for) financing activities | (4,956 | ) | (5,264 | ) | |||
| Weighted average shares outstanding: | |||||||
| Basic | 81,350 | 81,210 | |||||
| Diluted | 81,437 | 81,376 | |||||
| (1) | Includes tractors driven by both company-employed drivers and independent contractors. Independent contractors provided 96 and 95 tractors as of March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. | |
| (2) | Represents the percentage of miles for which the company is not compensated. | |
FAQ
What was Marten Transport's net income for the first quarter of 2024?
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Has Marten Transport agreed to rate reductions since last August?
