Forward Air Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results
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
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,
|
|
December 31,
|
|
December 31,
|
|
December 31,
|
||||||||
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,
|
|
Percent of
|
|
December 31,
|
|
Percent of
|
|
Change |
|
Percent
|
|||||||
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,
|
|
December 31,
|
|
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,
|
|
Percent of
|
|||
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,
|
|
Percent of
|
|
December 31,
|
|
Percent of Revenue |
|
Change |
|
Percent
|
|||||||
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,
|
|
December 31,
|
|
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,
|
|
December 31,
|
|||
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,
|
|
December 31,
|
|
December 31,
|
|
December 31,
|
|||||||
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,
|
|
December 31,
|
|
December 31,
|
|
December 31,
|
||||||||
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
[email protected]
Media:
Justin Moss
(404) 362-8933
[email protected]