Yellow Roadway Corporation Reports Highest Quarterly EPS in Company History
OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Oct 27, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Yellow Roadway Corporation (Nasdaq: YELL) today announced third quarter 2005 adjusted diluted earnings per share ("EPS") of $1.53 compared to last year's third quarter of $1.38. Third quarter 2005 EPS includes $.04 per share of dilution from the company's contingent convertible notes based on an average YELL stock price of $48.84 for the quarter. No related dilution was included in the third quarter of 2004. Adjusted diluted EPS for the third quarter 2005 excludes $.04 for executive severance, $.05 of acquisition charges, and $.02 for losses on property disposals. The company excludes these charges when evaluating performance and does not consider them part of core operations. Reported diluted EPS for the third quarter 2005 was $1.42 per share compared to reported third quarter 2004 diluted EPS of $1.15 per share.
"We delivered another solid quarter of financial results," stated Bill Zollars, Chairman, President and CEO of Yellow Roadway. "Synergies from the Roadway acquisition remain on track while synergy initiatives from the USF acquisition are well under way."
Yellow Roadway reported the following consolidated results for the third quarter 2005:
-- Operating revenue of $2.49 billion compared to third quarter 2004 revenue of $1.77 billion. The third quarter of 2005 included the results of the USF companies, which were not included in third quarter 2004.
-- Adjusted operating income of $168 million compared to third quarter 2004 adjusted operating income of $120 million. Adjustments in the third quarter 2005 totaled $11 million and related to executive severance, acquisition charges and property disposals. Reported operating income was $157 million compared to reported operating income of $121 million in the third quarter of 2004.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, Yellow Roadway reported the following consolidated results:
-- Adjusted diluted EPS of $3.88, up 42% compared to $2.73 for the same period last year. Reported diluted EPS of $3.77 compared to $2.50 for the same period in 2004.
-- Operating revenue of $6.26 billion compared to $4.99 billion in the same period last year.
-- Adjusted operating income of $392 million compared to $250 million for the same period in 2004, an increase of $142 million. Adjustments in 2005 totaled $9 million and related to executive severance, acquisition charges and property disposals. Reported operating income was $383 million compared to reported operating income of $250 million for the same period last year.
Selected Segment Highlights for Third Quarter 2005
"Our operating companies are working well as they continue to improve efficiencies and better serve customers," Zollars said.
-- Yellow Transportation
- Record quarterly revenue of $892 million, up 7.7% from third quarter last year.
- Record quarterly operating income of $73 million.
- LTL tonnage growth of 0.1% from third quarter 2004.
- LTL revenue per hundred weight, including fuel surcharge, up 7.2%, and excluding fuel surcharge and adjustments for business mix, up 1.6%, when compared to third quarter 2004.
-- Roadway Express
- Third quarter revenue of $858 million, up 5.7% from third quarter last year.
- Third quarter adjusted operating income of $60 million. Reported operating income of $58 million.
- Adjusted operating ratio of 93.0% and reported operating ratio of 93.2%.
- LTL revenue per hundred weight, including fuel surcharge, up 6.9%, and excluding fuel surcharge and adjustments for business mix, up 1.6%, when compared to third quarter 2004.
-- YRC Regional Transportation
- Third quarter revenue of $607 million.
- Adjusted operating income of $33 million. Reported operating income of $28 million.
- LTL revenue per hundred weight, including fuel surcharge, up 6.0%, and excluding fuel surcharge, up 1.4% when compared to third quarter 2004.*
- LTL tonnage per day up 10.5% from third quarter 2004.*
-- Meridian IQ
- Third quarter revenue of $142 million, up 149% from third quarter last year when including USF Logistics. Third quarter revenue up 37% when excluding USF Logistics.
- Operating income of $6.3 million compared to $1.1 million in third quarter 2004.
*Includes the operating companies of New Penn Motor Express, USF Bestway, USF Holland and USF Reddaway.
For complete statistical information, refer to the company's website at
http://yellowroadway.com under Investor Relations and then select Earnings
Releases & Operating Statistics.
Outlook
The company's expectations for the fourth quarter and full year 2005 include the following:
- Fourth quarter 2005 EPS between $1.30 and $1.35, including $.01 per share of dilution from the contingent convertibles. The estimated dilution is based on the fourth quarter-to-date average YELL stock price of $41.35.
- Full year 2005 EPS in the range of $5.18 to $5.23, including $.19 per share of dilution from the contingent convertibles. The full year estimated dilution is based on the year-to-date average YELL stock price of $51.62.
- 2005 consolidated revenue of $8.7 billion.
- 2005 interest expense of $63 million with $20 million in the fourth quarter.
- A consolidated tax rate of 38.1%.
- Diluted average shares of 59 million for the fourth quarter and 57 million for the full year.
Review of Financial Results
Yellow Roadway Corporation (Nasdaq: YELL) will host a conference call for the investment community on Friday, October 28, 2005, beginning at 9:30 a.m. ET, 8:30 a.m. CT.
Investors and analysts should dial 1.888.609.3912 at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. The conference call will be open to listeners through a live webcast via StreetEvents at http://streetevents.com and via the Yellow Roadway Internet site http://yellowroadway.com .
An audio playback will be available beginning two hours after the call ends until midnight on November 11, 2005 by calling 1.800.642.1687 and then entering the access code 8410636. An audio playback also will be available for 30 days after the call via the StreetEvents and Yellow Roadway web sites.
The preceding disclosures contain references to 'reported' and 'adjusted' operating income and operating ratios. Reported numbers include property gains and losses, one-time charges related to the acquisition of USF Corporation, and executive severance, while adjusted numbers exclude these items. Management adjusts for these items when evaluating operating performance to more accurately compare the results among periods. Refer to the attached "Supplemental Financial Information" for more details.
This news release contains 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. The words "expect" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. It is important to note that the company's actual future results could differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements because of a number of factors, including (without limitation), inflation, inclement weather, price and availability of fuel, sudden changes in the cost of fuel or the index upon which the company bases its fuel surcharge, competitor pricing activity, expense volatility, ability to capture cost synergies, the company's ability to improve productivity results at its Roadway Express subsidiary and its resulting effects on efficiencies, service and yield, a downturn in general or regional economic activity, changes in equity and debt markets, effects of a terrorist attack, and labor relations, including (without limitation), the impact of work rules, any obligations to multi-employer health, welfare and pension plans, wage requirements and employee satisfaction.
Yellow Roadway Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is one of the largest transportation service providers in the world. Through its brands including Yellow Transportation, Roadway Express, Reimer Express, USF, New Penn Motor Express and Meridian IQ, Yellow Roadway provides a wide range of asset and non-asset-based transportation services. The portfolio of brands represents a comprehensive array of services for the shipment of industrial, commercial and retail goods domestically and internationally. Headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, Yellow Roadway Corporation employs approximately 70,000 people.
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS Yellow Roadway Corporation and Subsidiaries For the Three Months and Nine Months Ended September 30 (Amounts in thousands except per share data) (Unaudited) Three Months Nine Months 2005 2004 2005 2004 OPERATING REVENUE $2,491,650 $1,767,082 $6,258,457 $4,993,348 OPERATING EXPENSES: Salaries, wages and employees' benefits 1,450,548 1,083,027 3,721,462 3,107,697 Operating expenses and supplies 412,949 251,261 1,002,998 738,746 Purchased transportation 274,568 196,070 686,552 546,718 Depreciation and amortization 75,800 43,158 180,848 126,746 Other operating expenses 110,147 73,833 274,272 223,880 (Gains) losses on property disposals, net 1,638 (859) (346) (590) Acquisition and executive severance charges 9,213 - 10,077 - Total operating expenses 2,334,863 1,646,490 5,875,863 4,743,197 OPERATING INCOME 156,787 120,592 382,594 250,151 NONOPERATING (INCOME) EXPENSES: Interest expense 19,949 11,041 42,753 34,448 Write off of deferred debt issuance costs - 18,279 - 18,279 Other (943) 364 (1,488) 706 Nonoperating expenses, net 19,006 29,684 41,265 53,433 INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 137,781 90,908 341,329 196,718 INCOME TAX PROVISION 52,496 34,999 130,046 75,736 NET INCOME $85,285 $55,909 $211,283 $120,982 AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING-BASIC 57,994 48,204 53,177 47,993 AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING-DILUTED 60,194 48,778 56,018 48,492 BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE $1.47 $1.16 $3.97 $2.52 DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE $1.42 $1.15 $3.77 $2.50 SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION Yellow Roadway Corporation and Subsidiaries For the Three Months Ended September 30 (Amounts in thousands except per share data) (Unaudited) Three Months 2005 2004 % Operating revenue: Yellow Transportation $892,451 $828,993 7.7 Roadway Express 858,353 812,359 5.7 YRC Regional Transportation 606,543 70,680 n/m Meridian IQ 142,027 57,028 n/m Corporate and other (7,724) (1,978) Consolidated 2,491,650 1,767,082 Reported operating income (loss): Yellow Transportation 73,464 63,678 15.4 Roadway Express 58,255 52,097 11.8 YRC Regional Transportation 27,766 10,284 n/m Meridian IQ 6,314 1,092 n/m Corporate and other (9,012) (6,559) Consolidated 156,787 120,592 Adjustments to operating income by segment (a): Yellow Transportation (321) (1,236) Roadway Express 1,855 340 YRC Regional Transportation 5,104 39 Meridian IQ (11) (2) Corporate and other 4,224 - Consolidated 10,851 (859) Adjusted operating income (loss) (a): Yellow Transportation 73,143 62,442 17.1 Roadway Express 60,110 52,437 14.6 YRC Regional Transportation 32,870 10,323 n/m Meridian IQ 6,303 1,090 n/m Corporate and other (4,788) (6,559) Consolidated $167,638 $119,733 Reported operating ratio: Yellow Transportation 91.8% 92.3% Roadway Express 93.2% 93.6% YRC Regional Transportation 95.4% 85.4% Consolidated 93.7% 93.2% Adjusted operating ratio: Yellow Transportation 91.8% 92.5% Roadway Express 93.0% 93.5% YRC Regional Transportation 94.6% 85.4% Consolidated 93.3% 93.2% Reconciliation of reported diluted earnings per share (EPS) to adjusted diluted EPS: Reported diluted EPS $1.42 $1.15 (Gains) losses on property disposals 0.02 (0.01) Acquisition charges 0.05 - Executive severance 0.04 - Write off debt issuance costs - nonoperating - 0.24 Adjusted diluted EPS $1.53 $1.38 SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION Yellow Roadway Corporation and Subsidiaries For the Nine Months Ended September 30 (Amounts in thousands except per share data) (Unaudited) Nine Months 2005 2004 % Operating revenue: Yellow Transportation $2,534,769 $2,356,099 7.6 Roadway Express 2,455,992 2,297,700 6.9 YRC Regional Transportation 986,447 (b) 191,102 n/m Meridian IQ 294,078 (b) 153,338 n/m Corporate and other (12,829) (4,891) Consolidated 6,258,457 4,993,348 Reported operating income (loss): Yellow Transportation 190,782 135,818 40.5 Roadway Express 146,522 103,494 41.6 YRC Regional Transportation 55,656 (b) 25,229 n/m Meridian IQ 10,922 (b) 2,254 n/m Corporate and other (21,288) (16,644) Consolidated 382,594 250,151 Adjustments to operating income by segment (a): Yellow Transportation (2,833) (784) Roadway Express 2,352 202 YRC Regional Transportation 5,475 (8) Meridian IQ (11) - Corporate and other 4,748 - Consolidated 9,731 (590) Adjusted operating income (loss) (a): Yellow Transportation 187,949 135,034 39.2 Roadway Express 148,874 103,696 43.6 YRC Regional Transportation 61,131 25,221 n/m Meridian IQ 10,911 2,254 n/m Corporate and other (16,540) (16,644) Consolidated $392,325 $249,561 Reported operating ratio: Yellow Transportation 92.5% 94.2% Roadway Express 94.0% 95.5% YRC Regional Transportation 94.4% 86.8% Consolidated 93.9% 95.0% Adjusted operating ratio: Yellow Transportation 92.6% 94.3% Roadway Express 93.9% 95.5% YRC Regional Transportation 93.8% 86.8% Consolidated 93.7% 95.0% Reconciliation of reported diluted EPS to adjusted diluted EPS: Reported diluted EPS $3.77 $2.50 Gains on property disposals - (0.01) Acquisition charges 0.07 Executive severance 0.04 - Write off debt issuance costs - nonoperating - 0.24 Adjusted diluted EPS $3.88 $2.73 (a) Management excludes these items when evaluating operating income and segment performance to more accurately compare the results of our core operations among periods. This measurement should not be construed as a better measurement than operating income as defined by generally accepted accounting principles. Adjustments presented in the 2005 period herein consist of property gains and losses, acquisition related charges and executive severance charges. Adjustments presented in the 2004 period herein consist entirely of property gains and losses. (b) Includes the revenue and operating income of USF operating companies since May 25, 2005, the date of acquisition. Selected Financial Data Yellow Roadway Corporation and Subsidiaries (Amounts in thousands unless otherwise noted) (Unaudited) For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005 2004 Net cash from operating activities $256,336 $274,663 Net cash used in investing activities (1,011,366) (152,761) Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 706,015 (171,066) Gross capital expenditures (231,644) (155,165) Net capital expenditures (213,278) (142,298) Proceeds from exercise of stock options 4,293 9,321 Free cash flow (a) 47,351 141,686 September 30, December 31, 2005 2004 Cash and cash equivalents $57,474 $106,489 Accounts receivable, net 1,249,604 778,596 Net property and equipment 2,258,792 1,422,718 Total assets 5,796,654 3,627,169 Asset backed securitization borrowings 456,000 - Current maturities of contingently convertible notes - 250,000 Long-term debt, less current portion 1,170,483 403,535 Total debt 1,630,922 657,935 Total shareholders' equity 1,894,916 1,214,191 Debt to capitalization (b) 46.3% 35.1% Debt to capitalization, less available cash 45.4% 31.2% (a) Management uses free cash flow as an indication of the cash available to fund additional capital expenditures, to reduce outstanding debt (including current maturities), or to invest in our growth strategies. Free cash flow is calculated as net cash from operating activities plus stock option proceeds less net capital expenditures. This measurement is used for internal management purposes and should not be construed as a better measurement than net cash from operating activities as defined by generally accepted accounting principles. (b) We calculate debt to capitalization as total debt divided by total debt plus total shareholders' equity.
SOURCE: Yellow Roadway Corporation
Investors, Phil Gaines of Yellow Roadway Corporation, +1-913-696-6108,
phil.gaines@yellowroadway.com , or Media, Suzanne Dawson of Linden Alschuler &
Kaplan, +1-212-329-1420, sdawson@lakpr.com