Marten Transport Announces First Quarter Results

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Marten Transport reported a decrease in net income and operating revenue for the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. The company's operating income also declined, with operating expenses as a percentage of revenue increasing. Despite challenges from the freight market recession, Marten Transport remains focused on minimizing the impact and investing in growth opportunities.

Positive

• 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.

Negative

• 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.

Financial Analyst

Marten Transport's first quarter results present a noteworthy scenario reflecting broader economic trends. A sharp decline in net income from $22.5 million to $9.6 million year-over-year, alongside reduced operating revenue from $298.0 million to $249.7 million, signifies a contraction. This suggests a challenging freight market, corroborated by the executive chairman's comments on oversupply, weak demand and inflationary costs.

An investor should take note of the operating expense ratio's increase, from 90.3% to 95.1%. This metric indicates that expenses are consuming a larger portion of revenues, which can erode profit margins. For a retail investor, this highlights the importance of monitoring cost control within a company, especially in a downturn. Moreover, Marten's resolution to avoid rate reductions and focus on high-quality service suggests a strategy to maintain profitability, which requires scrutiny in subsequent quarters to gauge efficacy.

Market Research Analyst

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 $9.6 million, or 12 cents per diluted share, for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared with $22.5 million, or 28 cents per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2023.

Operating revenue was $249.7 million for the first quarter of 2024 compared with $298.0 million for the first quarter of 2023. Excluding fuel surcharges, operating revenue was $215.7 million for the 2024 quarter compared with $254.9 million for the 2023 quarter. Fuel surcharge revenue decreased to $33.9 million for the 2024 quarter from $43.1 million for the 2023 quarter.

Operating income was $12.3 million for the first quarter of 2024 compared with $29.0 million for the first quarter of 2023.

Operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue were 95.1% for the 2024 quarter and 90.3% for the 2023 quarter. Operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue, with both amounts net of fuel surcharges, were 94.3% for the 2024 quarter and 88.6% for the 2023 quarter.

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.”

Current Investor Presentation

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?

Marten Transport reported a net income of $9.6 million for the first quarter of 2024.

How did Marten Transport's operating revenue change in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023?

Operating revenue decreased to $249.7 million in the first quarter of 2024 from $298.0 million in the first quarter of 2023.

What is Marten Transport's stock symbol?

Marten Transport's common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol MRTN.

Has Marten Transport agreed to rate reductions since last August?

Marten Transport has not agreed to rate reductions since last August.