ArcBest Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results

FORT SMITH, Ark.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ArcBest® (Nasdaq: ARCB), a leader in supply chain logistics, today reported fourth quarter 2024 revenue of $1.0 billion, compared to $1.1 billion in fourth quarter 2023. Net income was $29.0 million, or $1.24 per diluted share, compared to $48.8 million, or $2.01 per diluted share in the prior year. On a non-GAAP basis, fourth quarter 2024 net income was $31.2 million, or $1.33 per diluted share, compared to $60.0 million, or $2.47 per diluted share in the prior year. ArcBest’s full year 2024 revenue totaled $4.2 billion compared to $4.4 billion in 2023. Net income from continuing operations was $173.4 million, or $7.28 per diluted share, including a $67.9 million after-tax benefit from the reduction in the fair value of contingent consideration related to a 2021 acquisition, compared to net income of $142.2 million, or $5.77 per diluted share in 2023. On a non-GAAP basis, full year 2024 net income was $149.7 million, or $6.28 per diluted share, compared to net income of $194.1 million, or $7.88 per diluted share, in 2023. “Throughout 2024, we made significant progress on controlling costs, improving productivity, and enhancing our service quality,” said Judy R. McReynolds, ArcBest Chairman and CEO. “These achievements underscore our commitment to excellent execution and are yielding tangible results. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our dedicated employees, whose hard work and innovation have been pivotal in reaching these milestones. Together, we are well-positioned for continued growth and success.” Results of Operations Comparisons Asset-Based Fourth Quarter 2024 Versus Fourth Quarter 2023 Revenue of $656.2 million compared to $710.0 million, a per-day decrease of 7.6 percent Total tonnage per day decrease of 7.3 percent Total shipments per day decrease of 1.1 percent Total billed revenue per hundredweight increase of 0.6 percent Operating income of $52.3 million and an operating ratio of 92.0 percent, compared to $87.5 million and an operating ratio of 87.7 percent The Asset-Based segment generated $35.2 million less operating income than fourth quarter 2023. Fourth quarter tonnage declines were driven by a 6.3 percent decrease in weight per shipment and a 1.1 percent decrease in daily shipments. Prolonged manufacturing sector weakness continues to negatively impact weight per shipment metrics. Productivity improvements of 2.3 percent and other cost initiatives helped mitigate the impact of the soft market environment, higher insurance costs, and higher labor cost increases related to the annual union contract rate increase, which went into effect during the third quarter of 2024. Contract renewals and deferred pricing agreements saw an average increase of 4.5% during the quarter. Price improvements were offset by declining fuel costs. Excluding fuel surcharges, revenue per hundredweight increased in the mid-single digits, year-over-year. Overall, LTL industry pricing remains rational. Compared sequentially to the third quarter of 2024, fourth quarter 2024 revenue per day decreased 4.5 percent. Weight per shipment improved 0.6 percent and shipments per day declined by 2.6 percent, resulting in a 2.1 percent decrease in tonnage per day. Billed revenue per hundredweight was 2.9 percent lower, impacted by the increase in weight per shipment, reduced fuel prices, and the increase of project-related business. Lower tonnage, offset in part by cost savings, resulted in the operating ratio increase of 100 basis points sequentially, which was on the lower end of the historical seasonality range of a 100 to 200 basis point increase. Asset-Light Fourth Quarter 2024 Versus Fourth Quarter 2023 Revenue of $375.4 million compared to $413.4 million, a per-day decrease of 9.2 percent Operating loss of $1.6 million, compared to operating loss of $7.7 million On a non‑GAAP basis, operating loss of $5.9 million compared to operating loss of $1.3 million Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”), as defined in the attached non-GAAP reconciliation tables, of negative $4.2 million compared to $0.7 million Compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, Asset-Light revenues were impacted by lower revenue per shipment associated with the soft rate environment and a higher mix of managed transportation business, which has smaller shipment sizes and lower revenue per shipment metrics. Shipments per day were lower by 2.1 percent. The segment continues to benefit from productivity initiatives, as shipments per employee per day improved 20.8 percent, on a year-over-year basis, but the soft freight environment and excess truckload capacity continue to impact results. Compared sequentially to third quarter 2024, fourth quarter 2024 shipments per day were down 1.4 percent, yet daily revenue was up by 0.6 percent as revenue per shipment increased 2.0 percent. Shipments per employee per day, improved by 5.8 percent, but purchased transportation costs as a percentage of revenue, increased and compressed margins. The $2.0 million sequential increase in non-GAAP operating loss was due primarily to the current truckload brokerage pricing environment. Full Year Results of Operations Comparisons Asset-Based Full Year 2024 Versus Full Year 2023 Revenue of $2.8 billion, compared to $2.9 billion, a per-day decrease of 4.6 percent Tonnage per day decrease of 14.3 percent Shipments per day decrease of 3.3 percent Total billed revenue per hundredweight increase of 11.7 percent Operating income of $242.6 million and an operating ratio of 91.2 percent, compared to $253.2 million and an operating ratio of 91.2 percent On a non-GAAP basis, operating income of $242.6 million and an operating ratio of 91.2 percent, compared to $275.5 million and an operating ratio of 90.4 percent Asset-Light Full Year 2024 Versus Full Year 2023 Revenue of $1.6 billion compared to $1.7 billion, a per-day decrease of 8.0 percent Operating income of $58.4 million, including the $90.3 million pre-tax change in the fair value of contingent earnout consideration related to an earnout, compared to operating loss of $12.3 million On a non-GAAP basis, operating loss of $17.1 million compared to operating income of $5.3 million Adjusted EBITDA of negative $9.8 million compared to $12.9 million Capital Expenditures In 2024, total net capital expenditures, including equipment financed, were $288 million. This included $160 million of revenue equipment and $85 million in real estate, the majority of which was for ArcBest’s Asset-Based operation. Depreciation and amortization costs on property, plant and equipment were $136 million in 2024. Share Repurchase and Quarterly Dividend Programs ArcBest returned over $85 million to shareholders in 2024 through both share repurchases and dividends, while making significant organic capital investments in the business. As of January 29, 2025, ArcBest had $48.7 million of repurchase authorization remaining under the current stock repurchase program. Management plans to continue acting opportunistically on repurchases based on share price, balanced against prioritizing organic capital investments while maintaining reasonable leverage levels. Conference Call ArcBest will host a conference call with company executives to discuss the quarterly results. The call will be today, Friday, January 31, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. EST (8:30 a.m. CST). Interested parties are invited to listen by calling (800) 715‑9871 or by joining the webcast which can be found on ArcBest’s website at arcb.com. Slides to accompany this call are included in Exhibit 99.3 of the Form 8-K filed on January 31, 2025, will be posted and available to download on the company’s website prior to the scheduled conference time, and will be included in the webcast. Following the call, a recorded playback will be available through the end of the day on February 14, 2025. To listen to the playback, dial (800) 770-2030. The conference call ID for the live conference call and the playback is 7688695. The conference call and playback can also be accessed through February 14, 2025 on ArcBest’s website at arcb.com. About ArcBest ArcBest® (Nasdaq: ARCB) is a multibillion-dollar integrated logistics company that helps keep the global supply chain moving. Founded in 1923 and now with 14,000 employees across 250 campuses and service centers, the company is a logistics powerhouse, using its technology, expertise and scale to connect shippers with the solutions they need — from ground, air and ocean transportation to fully managed supply chains. ArcBest has a long history of innovation that is enriched by deep customer relationships. With a commitment to helping customers navigate supply chain challenges now and in the future, the company is developing ground-breaking technology like Vaux™, one of the TIME Best Inventions of 2023. For more information, visit arcb.com. The following is a “safe harbor” statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain statements and information in this press release may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, among others, statements regarding (i) our expectations about our intrinsic value or our prospects for growth and value creation and (ii) our financial outlook, position, strategies, goals, and expectations. Terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “foresee,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “scheduled,” “should,” “would,” and similar expressions and the negatives of such terms are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management’s beliefs, assumptions, and expectations based on currently available information, are not guarantees of future performance, and involve certain risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control). Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, we cannot provide assurance that our expectations will prove to be correct. Actual outcomes and results could materially differ from what is expressed, implied, or forecasted in these statements due to a number of factors, including, but not limited to: the effects of a widespread outbreak of an illness or disease or any other public health crisis, as well as regulatory measures implemented in response to such events; external events which may adversely affect us or the third parties who provide services for us, for which our business continuity plans may not adequately prepare us, including, but not limited to, acts of war or terrorism, or military conflicts; data privacy breaches, cybersecurity incidents, and/or failures of our information systems, including disruptions or failures of services essential to our operations or upon which our information technology platforms rely; interruption or failure of third-party software or information technology systems or licenses; untimely or ineffective development and implementation of, or failure to realize the potential benefits associated with, new or enhanced technology or processes, including our customer pilot offering of Vaux; the loss or reduction of business from large customers or an overall reduction in our customer base; the timing and performance of growth initiatives and the ability to manage our cost structure; the cost, integration, and performance of any recent or future acquisitions and the inability to realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition within the expected time period or at all; unsolicited takeover proposals, proxy contests, and other proposals/actions by activist investors; maintaining our corporate reputation and intellectual property rights; nationwide or global disruption in the supply chain resulting in increased volatility in freight volumes; competitive initiatives and pricing pressures; increased prices for and decreased availability of equipment, including new revenue equipment, decreases in value of used revenue equipment, and higher costs of equipment-related operating expenses such as maintenance, fuel, and related taxes; availability of fuel, the effect of volatility in fuel prices and the associated changes in fuel surcharges on securing increases in base freight rates, and the inability to collect fuel surcharges; relationships with employees, including unions, and our ability to attract, retain, and upskill employees; unfavorable terms of, or the inability to reach agreement on, future collective bargaining agreements or a workforce stoppage by our employees covered under ABF Freight’s collective bargaining agreement; union employee wages and benefits, including changes in required contributions to multiemployer plans; availability and cost of reliable third-party services; our ability to secure independent owner-operators and/or operational or regulatory issues related to our use of their services; litigation or claims asserted against us; governmental regulations; environmental laws and regulations, including emissions-control regulations; default on covenants of financing arrangements and the availability and terms of future financing arrangements; our ability to generate sufficient cash from operations to support significant ongoing capital expenditure requirements and other business initiatives; self-insurance claims, insurance premium costs, and loss of our ability to self-insure; potential impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill and intangible assets; general economic conditions and related shifts in market demand that impact the performance and needs of industries we serve and/or limit our customers’ access to adequate financial resources; increasing costs due to inflation and higher interest rates; seasonal fluctuations, adverse weather conditions, natural disasters, and climate change; and other financial, operational, and legal risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in ArcBest Corporation’s public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). For additional information regarding known material factors that could cause our actual results to differ from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, please see our filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8K. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Financial Data and Operating Statistics The following tables show financial data and operating statistics on ArcBest® and its reportable segments. ARCBEST CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Three Months Ended Year Ended December 31 December 31 2024 2023 2024 2023 (Unaudited) ($ thousands, except share and per share data) REVENUES $ 1,001,645 $ 1,089,535 $ 4,179,019 $ 4,427,443 OPERATING EXPENSES 963,484 1,025,282 3,934,585 4,254,824 OPERATING INCOME 38,161 64,253 244,434 172,619 OTHER INCOME (COSTS) Interest and dividend income 1,932 4,124 11,618 14,728 Interest and other related financing costs (2,393 ) (2,326 ) (8,980 ) (9,094 ) Other, net (240 ) 1,755 (28,358 ) 8,662 (701 ) 3,553 (25,720 ) 14,296 INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES 37,460 67,806 218,714 186,915 INCOME TAX PROVISION 8,425 19,016 45,353 44,751 NET INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS 29,035 48,790 173,361 142,164 INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, net of tax(1) — — 600 53,269 NET INCOME $ 29,035 $ 48,790 $ 173,961 $ 195,433 BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE(2) Continuing operations $ 1.24 $ 2.06 $ 7.36 $ 5.92 Discontinued operations(1) — — 0.03 2.22 $ 1.24 $ 2.06 $ 7.39 $ 8.14 DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE(2) Continuing operations $ 1.24 $ 2.01 $ 7.28 $ 5.77 Discontinued operations(1) — — 0.03 2.16 $ 1.24 $ 2.01 $ 7.30 $ 7.93 AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING Basic 23,410,038 23,713,434 23,553,410 24,018,801 Diluted 23,491,715 24,248,584 23,820,175 24,634,617 __________________________ 1) Represents the discontinued operations of FleetNet America® (“FleetNet”), which sold on February 28, 2023. The year ended December 31, 2024 represents adjustments related to the prior year gain on sale of FleetNet. The year ended December 31, 2023 includes the net gain on sale of FleetNet of $52.3 million after-tax, or $2.18 basic earnings per share and $2.12 diluted earnings per share. 2) Earnings per common share is calculated in total and may not equal the sum of earnings per common share from continuing operations and discontinued operations due to rounding. ARCBEST CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS December 31 December 31 2024 2023 (Unaudited) Note ($ thousands, except share data) ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 127,444 $ 262,226 Short-term investments 29,759 67,842 Accounts receivable, less allowances (2024 - $8,257; 2023 - $10,346) 394,838 430,122 Other accounts receivable, less allowances (2024 - $648; 2023 - $731) 36,055 52,124 Prepaid expenses 47,860 37,034 Prepaid and refundable income taxes 28,641 24,319 Other 11,045 11,116 TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 675,642 884,783 PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT Land and structures 520,119 460,068 Revenue equipment 1,166,161 1,126,055 Service, office, and other equipment 351,907 319,466 Software 182,396 173,354 Leasehold improvements 32,263 24,429 2,252,846 2,103,372 Less allowances for depreciation and amortization 1,186,800 1,188,548 PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net 1,066,046 914,824 GOODWILL 304,753 304,753 INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net 88,615 101,150 OPERATING RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS 192,753 169,999 DEFERRED INCOME TAXES 9,536 8,140 OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS 92,386 101,445 TOTAL ASSETS $ 2,429,731 $ 2,485,094 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES Accounts payable $ 172,763 $ 214,004 Income taxes payable — 10,410 Accrued expenses 394,880 378,029 Current portion of long-term debt 63,978 66,948 Current portion of operating lease liabilities 34,364 32,172 TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 665,985 701,563 LONG-TERM DEBT, less current portion 125,156 161,990 OPERATING LEASE LIABILITIES, less current portion 189,978 176,621 POSTRETIREMENT LIABILITIES, less current portion 13,361 13,319 CONTINGENT CONSIDERATION 2,650 92,900 DEFERRED INCOME TAXES 78,649 55,785 OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES 39,590 40,553 STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 70,000,000 shares; issued 2024: 30,401,768 shares; 2023: 30,024,125 shares 304 300 Additional paid-in capital 329,575 340,961 Retained earnings 1,435,250 1,272,584 Treasury stock, at cost, 2024: 7,114,844 shares; 2023: 6,460,137 shares (451,039 ) (375,806 ) Accumulated other comprehensive income 272 4,324 TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY 1,314,362 1,242,363 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 2,429,731 $ 2,485,094 __________________________ Note: The balance sheet at December 31, 2023 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. ARCBEST CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Year Ended December 31 2024 2023 (Unaudited) ($ thousands) OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income $ 173,961 $ 195,433 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 136,265 132,900 Amortization of intangibles 12,822 12,829 Share-based compensation expense 11,355 11,438 Provision for losses on accounts receivable 4,834 3,630 Change in deferred income taxes 22,437 (5,566 ) (Gain) loss on sale of property and equipment (2,176 ) 4,797 Pre-tax gain on sale of discontinued operations (806 ) (70,201 ) Asset impairment charges 1,700 30,162 Change in fair value of contingent consideration (90,250 ) (19,100 ) Change in fair value of equity investment 28,739 (3,739 ) Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Receivables 45,499 41,189 Prepaid expenses (11,214 ) 2,563 Other assets (4,120 ) 3,830 Income taxes (14,956 ) (10,657 ) Operating right-of-use assets and lease liabilities, net (7,205 ) 2,920 Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities (21,039 ) (10,261 ) NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES 285,846 322,167 INVESTING ACTIVITIES Purchases of property, plant and equipment, net of financings (223,103 ) (219,021 ) Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 15,373 7,763 Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations — 100,949 Purchases of short-term investments (29,236 ) (96,537 ) Proceeds from sale of short-term investments 66,584 198,120 Capitalization of internally developed software (16,897 ) (12,977 ) NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES (187,279 ) (21,703 ) FINANCING ACTIVITIES Payments on long-term debt (120,518 ) (69,180 ) Net change in book overdrafts (3,504 ) (14,101 ) Deferred financing costs (62 ) 55 Payment of common stock dividends (11,295 ) (11,542 ) Purchases of treasury stock (75,233 ) (91,531 ) Payments for tax withheld on share-based compensation (22,737 ) (10,311 ) NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES (233,349 ) (196,610 ) NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (134,782 ) 103,854 Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations at beginning of period 262,226 158,264 Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations at beginning of period — 108 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD $ 127,444 $ 262,226 NONCASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES Equipment financed $ 80,714 $ 33,495 Accruals for equipment received $ 463 $ 1,727 Lease liabilities arising from obtaining right-of-use assets $ 49,452 $ 62,425 __________________________ Note: The statements of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 include cash flows from continuing operations and cash flows from discontinued operations of FleetNet, which sold on February 28, 2023. ARCBEST CORPORATION FINANCIAL STATEMENT OPERATING SEGMENT DATA AND OPERATING RATIOS Three Months Ended Year Ended December 31 December 31 2024 2023 2024 2023 (Unaudited) ($ thousands, except percentages) REVENUES FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS Asset-Based $ 656,220 $ 709,986 $ 2,750,134 $ 2,871,004 Asset-Light 375,432 413,425 1,552,936 1,680,645 Other and eliminations (30,007 ) (33,876 ) (124,051 ) (124,206 ) Total consolidated revenues from continuing operations $ 1,001,645 $ 1,089,535 $ 4,179,019 $ 4,427,443 OPERATING EXPENSES FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS Asset-Based Salaries, wages, and benefits $ 331,345 50.5 % $ 342,031 48.2 % $ 1,387,491 50.5 % $ 1,379,756 48.1 % Fuel, supplies, and expenses 73,374 11.2 84,677 11.9 316,526 11.5 361,355 12.6 Operating taxes and licenses 13,432 2.0 13,980 2.0 54,056 2.0 55,918 1.9 Insurance 21,345 3.3 12,209 1.7 72,610 2.6 52,025 1.8 Communications and utilities 5,332 0.8 4,702 0.6 19,336 0.7 19,288 0.7 Depreciation and amortization 29,401 4.5 27,444 3.9 110,021 4.0 104,165 3.6 Rents and purchased transportation 64,726 9.8 66,676 9.4 274,312 10.0 338,575 11.8 Shared services 63,560 9.7 69,468 9.8 270,182 9.8 279,248 9.7 (Gain) loss on sale of property and equipment and asset impairment charges(1) 827 0.1 77 — (803 ) — 982 — Innovative technology costs(2) — — — — — — 21,711 0.8 Other 543 0.1 1,189 0.2 3,800 0.1 4,829 0.2 Total Asset-Based 603,885 92.0 % 622,453 87.7 % 2,507,531 91.2 % 2,617,852 91.2 % Asset-Light Purchased transportation $ 325,307 86.6 % $ 357,122 86.4 % $ 1,339,783 86.3 % $ 1,435,604 85.4 % Salaries, wages, and benefits(3) 27,493 7.3 30,395 7.4 118,983 7.7 129,083 7.7 Supplies and expenses 1,953 0.5 2,934 0.7 10,232 0.6 12,094 0.7 Depreciation and amortization(4) 4,908 1.3 5,120 1.2 20,062 1.3 20,370 1.2 Shared services(3) 17,228 4.6 16,076 3.9 68,346 4.4 65,308 3.9 Contingent consideration(5) (9,510 ) (2.5 ) (6,300 ) (1.5 ) (90,250 ) (5.8 ) (19,100 ) (1.1 ) Asset impairment charges(6) 1,700 0.5 — — 1,700 0.1 14,407 0.9 Legal settlement(7) 274 0.1 9,500 2.3 274 — 9,500 0.6 Other(3) 7,658 2.0 6,234 1.5 25,362 1.6 25,650 1.4 Total Asset-Light 377,011 100.4 % 421,081 101.9 % 1,494,492 96.2 % 1,692,916 100.7 % Other and eliminations(8) (17,412 ) (18,252 ) (67,438 ) (55,944 ) Total consolidated operating expenses from continuing operations $ 963,484 96.2 % $ 1,025,282 94.1 % $ 3,934,585 94.2 % $ 4,254,824 96.1 % OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS Asset-Based $ 52,335 $ 87,533 $ 242,603 $ 253,152 Asset-Light (1,579 ) (7,656 ) 58,444 (12,271 ) Other and eliminations(8) (12,595 ) (15,624 ) (56,613 ) (68,262 ) Total consolidated operating income from continuing operations $ 38,161 $ 64,253 $ 244,434 $ 172,619 __________________________ 1) The year ended December 31, 2023 include $0.7 million of noncash lease-related impairment charges for a service center. 2) Represents costs associated with the freight handling pilot test program at ABF Freight, for which the decision was made to pause the pilot during third quarter 2023. 3) For the 2023 periods, certain expenses have been reclassed to conform to the current year presentation, including amounts previously reported in “Shared services” that were reclassed to present “Salaries, wages, and benefits” expenses in a separate line item. 4) Includes amortization of intangibles associated with acquired businesses. 5) Represents the change in fair value of the contingent earnout consideration recorded for the MoLo acquisition. The liability for contingent consideration is remeasured at each quarterly reporting date, and any change in fair value as a result of the recurring assessments is recognized in operating income (loss). The contingent consideration for the MoLo acquisition will be paid based on achievement of certain targets of adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, as adjusted for certain items pursuant to the merger agreement, for years 2023 through 2025, including catch-up provisions. 6) The 2024 periods represent noncash asset impairment charges for certain revenue equipment and software recognized during fourth quarter 2024 as part of a strategic decision to adjust capacity within Asset-Light’s operations. The 2023 period represents noncash lease-related impairment charges for certain office spaces that were made available for sublease. 7) Represents settlement expenses related to the classification of certain Asset-Light employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act, which were paid during first quarter 2025. 8) “Other and eliminations” includes corporate costs for certain unallocated shared service costs which are not attributable to any segment, additional investments to offer comprehensive transportation and logistics services across multiple operating segments, costs related to our customer pilot offering of Vaux, and other investments in ArcBest technology and innovations. The 2023 period also includes $15.1 million of noncash lease-related impairment charges for a freight handling pilot facility. ARCBEST CORPORATION RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES Non-GAAP Financial Measures We report our financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). However, management believes that certain non-GAAP performance measures and ratios utilized for internal analysis provide analysts, investors, and others the same information that we use internally for purposes of assessing our core operating performance and provides meaningful comparisons between current and prior period results, as well as important information regarding performance trends. Accordingly, non-GAAP results are presented on a continuing operations basis, excluding the discontinued operations of FleetNet, which sold on February 28, 2023. The use of certain non-GAAP measures improves comparability in analyzing our performance because it removes the impact of items from operating results that, in management's opinion, do not reflect our core operating performance. Other companies may calculate non-GAAP measures differently; therefore, our calculation may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. Certain information discussed in the scheduled conference call could be considered non-GAAP measures. Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, our reported results. These financial measures should not be construed as better measurements than operating income, net income or earnings per share, as determined under GAAP. Three Months Ended Year Ended December 31 December 31 2024 2023 2024 2023 ArcBest Corporation - Consolidated (Unaudited) ($ thousands, except per share data) Operating Income from Continuing Operations Amounts on GAAP basis $ 38,161 $ 64,253 $ 244,434 $ 172,619 Innovative technology costs, pre-tax(1) 7,560 11,005 34,081 52,363 Purchase accounting amortization, pre-tax(2) 3,192 3,192 12,768 12,768 Change in fair value of contingent consideration, pre-tax(3) (9,510 ) (6,300 ) (90,250 ) (19,100 ) Asset impairment charges, pre-tax(4) 1,700 — 1,700 30,162 Legal settlement, pre-tax(5) 274 9,500 274 9,500 Non-GAAP amounts $ 41,377 $ 81,650 $ 203,007 $ 258,312 Net Income from Continuing Operations Amounts on GAAP basis $ 29,035 $ 48,790 $ 173,361 $ 142,164 Innovative technology costs, after-tax (includes related financing costs)(1) 5,780 8,364 26,111 39,680 Purchase accounting amortization, after-tax(2) 2,401 2,399 9,603 9,593 Change in fair value of contingent consideration, after-tax(3) (7,152 ) (4,733 ) (67,875 ) (14,350 ) Asset impairment charges, after-tax(4) 1,278 — 1,278 22,571 Legal settlement, after-tax(5) 206 7,137 206 7,137 Change in fair value of equity investment, after-tax(6) — — 21,603 (2,786 ) Life insurance proceeds and changes in cash surrender value (311 ) (1,787 ) (3,317 ) (4,581 ) Tax benefit from vested RSUs(7) (38 ) (187 ) (11,311 ) (5,290 ) Non-GAAP amounts $ 31,199 $ 59,983 $ 149,659 $ 194,138 Diluted Earnings Per Share from Continuing Operations Amounts on GAAP basis $ 1.24 $ 2.01 $ 7.28 $ 5.77 Innovative technology costs, after-tax (includes related financing costs)(1) 0.25 0.34 1.10 1.61 Purchase accounting amortization, after-tax(2) 0.10 0.10 0.40 0.39 Change in fair value of contingent consideration, after-tax(3) (0.30 ) (0.20 ) (2.85 ) (0.58 ) Asset impairment charges, after-tax(4) 0.05 — 0.05 0.92 Legal settlement, after-tax(5) 0.01 0.29 0.01 0.29 Change in fair value of equity investment, after-tax(6) — — 0.91 (0.11 ) Life insurance proceeds and changes in cash surrender value (0.01 ) (0.07 ) (0.14 ) (0.19 ) Tax benefit from vested RSUs(7) — (0.01 ) (0.47 ) (0.21 ) Non-GAAP amounts(8) $ 1.33 $ 2.47 $ 6.28 $ 7.88 __________________________ See “Notes to Non-GAAP Financial Tables” for footnotes to this ArcBest Corporation – Consolidated non-GAAP table. ARCBEST CORPORATION RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES – Continued Three Months Ended Year Ended December 31 December 31 2024 2023 2024 2023 Segment Operating Income (Loss) Reconciliations (Unaudited) ($ thousands, except percentages) Asset-Based Segment Operating Income ($) and Operating Ratio (% of revenues) Amounts on GAAP basis $ 52,335 92.0 % $ 87,533 87.7 % $ 242,603 91.2 % $ 253,152 91.2 % Innovative technology costs, pre-tax(9) — — — — — — 21,711 (0.8 ) Asset impairment charges, pre-tax(4) — — — — — — 684 — Non-GAAP amounts(8) $ 52,335 92.0 % $ 87,533 87.7 % $ 242,603 91.2 % $ 275,547 90.4 % Asset-Light Segment Operating Income (Loss) ($) and Operating Ratio (% of revenues) Amounts on GAAP basis $ (1,579 ) 100.4 % $ (7,656 ) 101.9 % $ 58,444 96.2 % $ (12,271 ) 100.7 % Purchase accounting amortization, pre-tax(2) 3,192 (0.9 ) 3,192 (0.8 ) 12,768 (0.8 ) 12,768 (0.8 ) Change in fair value of contingent consideration, pre-tax(3) (9,510 ) 2.5 (6,300 ) 1.5 (90,250 ) 5.8 (19,100 ) 1.1 Asset impairment charges, pre-tax(4) 1,700 (0.5 ) — — 1,700 (0.1 ) 14,407 (0.9 ) Legal settlement, pre-tax(5) 274 (0.1 ) 9,500 (2.3 ) 274 — 9,500 (0.6 ) Non-GAAP amounts(8) $ (5,923 ) 101.6 % $ (1,264 ) 100.3 % $ (17,064 ) 101.1 % $ 5,304 99.7 % Other and Eliminations Operating Income (Loss) ($) Amounts on GAAP basis $ (12,595 ) $ (15,624 ) $ (56,613 ) $ (68,262 ) Innovative technology costs, pre-tax(1) 7,560 11,005 34,081 30,652 Asset impairment charges, pre-tax(4) — — — 15,071 Non-GAAP amounts $ (5,035 ) $ (4,619 ) $ (22,532 ) $ (22,539 ) __________________________ Note: See “Notes to Non-GAAP Financial Tables” for footnotes to this Segment Operating Income (Loss) Reconciliations non-GAAP table. ARCBEST CORPORATION RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES – Continued Effective Tax Rate Reconciliation ArcBest Corporation - Consolidated (Unaudited) ($ thousands, except percentages) Three Months Ended December 31, 2024 Other Income Income CONTINUING OPERATIONS Operating Income Before Income Tax Net Income (Costs) Taxes Provision Income Tax Rate(10) Amounts on GAAP basis $ 38,161 $ (701 ) $ 37,460 $ 8,425 $ 29,035 22.5 % Innovative technology costs(1) 7,560 126 7,686 1,906 5,780 24.8 Purchase accounting amortization(2) 3,192 — 3,192 791 2,401 24.8 Change in fair value of contingent consideration(3) (9,510 ) — (9,510 ) (2,358 ) (7,152 ) (24.8 ) Asset impairment charges(4) 1,700 — 1,700 422 1,278 24.8 Legal settlement(5) 274 — 274 68 206 24.8 Life insurance proceeds and changes in cash surrender value — (311 ) (311 ) — (311 ) — Tax benefit from vested RSUs(7) — — — 38 (38 ) — Non-GAAP amounts $ 41,377 $ (886 ) $ 40,491 $ 9,292 $ 31,199 22.9 % Year Ended December 31, 2024 Other Income Income Operating Income Before Income Tax Net Income (Costs) Taxes Provision Income Tax Rate(10) Amounts on GAAP basis $ 244,434 $ (25,720 ) $ 218,714 $ 45,353 $ 173,361 20.7 % Innovative technology costs(1) 34,081 637 34,718 8,607 26,111 24.8 Purchase accounting amortization(2) 12,768 — 12,768 3,165 9,603 24.8 Change in fair value of contingent consideration(3) (90,250 ) — (90,250 ) (22,375 ) (67,875 ) (24.8 ) Asset impairment charges(4) 1,700 — 1,700 422 1,278 24.8 Legal settlement(5) 274 — 274 68 206 24.8 Change in fair value of equity investment(6) — 28,739 28,739 7,136 21,603 24.8 Life insurance proceeds and changes in cash surrender value — (3,317 ) (3,317 ) — (3,317 ) — Tax benefit from vested RSUs(7) — — — 11,311 (11,311 ) — Non-GAAP amounts $ 203,007 $ 339 $ 203,346 $ 53,687 $ 149,659 26.4 % Three Months Ended December 31, 2023 Other Income Income CONTINUING OPERATIONS Operating Income Before Income Tax Net Income (Costs) Taxes Provision Income Tax Rate(10) Amounts on GAAP basis $ 64,253 $ 3,553 $ 67,806 $ 19,016 $ 48,790 28.0 % Innovative technology costs(1) 11,005 211 11,216 2,852 8,364 25.4 Purchase accounting amortization(2) 3,192 — 3,192 793 2,399 24.9 Change in fair value of contingent consideration(3) (6,300 ) — (6,300 ) (1,567 ) (4,733 ) (24.9 ) Legal settlement(5) 9,500 — 9,500 2,363 7,137 24.9 Life insurance proceeds and changes in cash surrender value — (1,787 ) (1,787 ) — (1,787 ) — Tax benefit from vested RSUs(7) — — — 187 (187 ) — Non-GAAP amounts $ 81,650 $ 1,977 $ 83,627 $ 23,644 $ 59,983 28.3 % Year Ended December 31, 2023 Other Income Income Operating Income Before Income Tax Net Income (Costs) Taxes Provision Income Tax Rate(10) Amounts on GAAP basis $ 172,619 $ 14,296 $ 186,915 $ 44,751 $ 142,164 23.9 % Innovative technology costs(1) 52,363 937 53,300 13,620 39,680 25.6 Purchase accounting amortization(2) 12,768 — 12,768 3,175 9,593 24.9 Change in fair value of contingent consideration(3) (19,100 ) — (19,100 ) (4,750 ) (14,350 ) (24.9 ) Asset impairment charges(4) 30,162 — 30,162 7,591 22,571 25.2 Legal settlement(5) 9,500 — 9,500 2,363 7,137 24.9 Change in fair value of equity investment(6) — (3,739 ) (3,739 ) (953 ) (2,786 ) (25.5 ) Life insurance proceeds and changes in cash surrender value — (4,581 ) (4,581 ) — (4,581 ) — Tax benefit from vested RSUs(7) — — — 5,290 (5,290 ) — Non-GAAP amounts $ 258,312 $ 6,913 $ 265,225 $ 71,087 $ 194,138 26.8 % __________________________ Note: See “Notes to Non-GAAP Financial Tables” for footnotes to this Effective Tax Rate Reconciliation non-GAAP table. ARCBEST CORPORATION RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES – Continued Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (Adjusted EBITDA) Management uses Adjusted EBITDA as a key measure of performance and for business planning. The measure is particularly meaningful for analysis of operating performance because it excludes amortization of acquired intangibles and software of the Asset-Light segment, changes in the fair values of contingent consideration and equity investment, and asset impairment charges, which are significant expenses or gains resulting from strategic decisions or other factors rather than core daily operations. Additionally, Adjusted EBITDA is a primary component of the financial covenants contained in our credit agreement. The calculation of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA as presented below begins with net income from continuing operations, which is the most directly comparable GAAP measure. The calculation of Asset-Light Adjusted EBITDA as presented below begins with operating income (loss), as other income (costs), income taxes, and net income from continuing operations are reported at the consolidated level and not included in the operating segment financial information evaluated by management to make operating decisions. Three Months Ended Year Ended December 31 December 31 2024 2023 2024 2023 (Unaudited) ($ thousands) ArcBest Corporation - Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA from Continuing Operations Net Income from Continuing Operations $ 29,035 $ 48,790 $ 173,361 $ 142,164 Interest and other related financing costs 2,393 2,326 8,980 9,094 Income tax provision 8,425 19,016 45,353 44,751 Depreciation and amortization(11) 39,367 37,387 149,087 145,349 Amortization of share-based compensation 2,315 2,848 11,355 11,385 Change in fair value of contingent consideration(3) (9,510 ) (6,300 ) (90,250 ) (19,100 ) Asset impairment charges(4) 1,700 — 1,700 30,162 Legal settlement(5) 274 9,500 274 9,500 Change in fair value of equity investment(6) — — 28,739 (3,739 ) Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA from Continuing Operations $ 73,999 $ 113,567 $ 328,599 $ 369,566 __________________________ Note: See “Notes to Non-GAAP Financial Tables” for footnotes to this ArcBest Corporation – Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA from Continuing Operations non-GAAP table. Three Months Ended Year Ended December 31 December 31 2024 2023 2024 2023 (Unaudited) ($ thousands) Asset-Light Adjusted EBITDA Operating Income (Loss) $ (1,579 ) $ (7,656 ) $ 58,444 $ (12,271 ) Depreciation and amortization(11) 4,908 5,120 20,062 20,370 Change in fair value of contingent consideration(3) (9,510 ) (6,300 ) (90,250 ) (19,100 ) Asset impairment charges(4) 1,700 — 1,700 14,407 Legal settlement(5) 274 9,500 274 9,500 Asset-Light Adjusted EBITDA $ (4,207 ) $ 664 $ (9,770 ) $ 12,906 __________________________ Note: See “Notes to Non-GAAP Financial Tables” for footnotes to this Asset-Light Adjusted EBITDA non-GAAP table. ARCBEST CORPORATION RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES – Continued Notes to Non-GAAP Financial Tables The following footnotes apply to the non-GAAP financial tables presented in this press release. 1) Represents costs related to our customer pilot offering of Vaux and initiatives to optimize our performance through technological innovation. The 2023 period also includes costs associated with the freight handling pilot test program at ABF Freight, for which the decision was made to pause the pilot during third quarter 2023. 2) Represents the amortization of acquired intangible assets in the Asset-Light segment. 3) Represents change in fair value of the contingent earnout consideration recorded for the MoLo acquisition, as previously described in the footnotes to the Financial Statement Operating Segment Data and Operating Ratios table. As of December 31, 2024, the decrease in fair value reflects the reduction in payout assumptions projected for the earnout in 2025, due to the continued soft truckload environment and the latest industry expectations for a truckload market recovery being pushed further into 2025 than previously estimated. 4) The 2024 periods represent noncash asset impairment charges for certain revenue equipment and software recognized during fourth quarter 2024 as part of a strategic decision to adjust capacity within Asset-Light’s operations. The 2023 period represents noncash lease-related impairment charges for a freight handling pilot facility reported in “Other”, an Asset‑Based service center, and Asset-Light office spaces that were made available for sublease. 5) Represents settlement expenses related to the classification of certain Asset-Light employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act, which were paid during first quarter 2025. 6) For the year ended December 31, 2024, represents a noncash impairment charge to write off an equity investment in Phantom Auto, a provider of human-centered remote operation software, which ceased operations during first quarter 2024. For the year ended December 31, 2023, represents the increase in fair value of an investment in Phantom Auto based on observable price changes during second quarter 2023. 7) Represents recognition of the tax impact for the vesting of share-based compensation. 8) Non-GAAP amounts are calculated in total and may not equal the sum of GAAP amounts and non-GAAP adjustments due to rounding. 9) Represents costs associated with the freight handling pilot test program at ABF Freight, for which the decision was made to pause the pilot during third quarter 2023. 10) Tax rate for total “Amounts on GAAP basis” represents the effective tax rate. The tax effects of non-GAAP adjustments are calculated based on the statutory rate applicable to each item based on tax jurisdiction unless the nature of the item requires the tax effect to be estimated by applying a specific tax treatment. 11) Includes amortization of intangibles associated with acquired businesses. ARCBEST CORPORATION OPERATING STATISTICS Three Months Ended Year Ended December 31 December 31 2024 2023 % Change 2024 2023 % Change (Unaudited) Asset-Based Workdays 61.5 61.5 252.5 251.5 Billed Revenue(1) / CWT $ 49.27 $ 48.98 0.6 % $ 49.68 $ 44.46 11.7 % Billed Revenue(1) / Shipment $ 538.20 $ 570.64 (5.7 %) $ 548.81 $ 554.53 (1.0 %) Tonnage / Day 10,758 11,602 (7.3 %) 10,968 12,803 (14.3 %) Shipments / Day 19,698 19,915 (1.1 %) 19,856 20,529 (3.3 %) Shipments / DSY hour 0.441 0.431 2.3 % 0.444 0.425 4.5 % Weight / Shipment 1,092 1,165 (6.3 %) 1,105 1,247 (11.4 %) Average Length of Haul (Miles) 1,116 1,078 3.5 % 1,126 1,092 3.1 % __________________________ 1) Revenue for undelivered freight is deferred for financial statement purposes in accordance with the Asset-Based segment revenue recognition policy. Billed revenue used for calculating revenue per hundredweight measurements has not been adjusted for the portion of revenue deferred for financial statement purposes. Year Over Year % Change Three Months Ended Year Ended December 31, 2024 December 31, 2024 (Unaudited) Asset-Light Revenue / Shipment (7.2%) (12.8%) Shipments / Day (2.1%) 5.5% Shipments / Employee / Day 20.8% 24.2%

ArcBest Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results

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