OMAHA, Neb.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Werner Enterprises, Inc. (Nasdaq: WERN), a premier transportation and logistics provider, today reported results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024.

“Freight conditions remained challenging while tightening late in the quarter from hurricane related supply chain disruptions. One-Way Truckload revenue per total mile increased year over year for the first time in seven quarters, and production improved for the sixth consecutive quarter. Our Dedicated fleet grew sequentially, and revenue per truck growth continued,” said Derek Leathers, Chairman and CEO. “Pricing and margin pressures persist in Logistics, and resale equipment values remain low. We continue to make structural changes, driving operating efficiencies, cost savings and advancing our technology roadmap. We continue to adapt to ever-changing conditions and remain focused on positioning Werner for strength and creating long-term value for our shareholders as conditions improve.”

Total revenues for the quarter were $745.7 million, a decrease of $72.0 million compared to the prior-year quarter, due to a $49.4 million, or 9%, decrease in Truckload Transportation Services (“TTS”) revenues and a decline in Logistics revenues of $23.5 million, or 10%. A portion of the TTS revenue decline was due to $20.0 million lower fuel surcharge revenues. Net of trucking fuel surcharge revenues, consolidated total revenues decreased $52.1 million, or 7%, during the quarter.

Operating income of $17.6 million decreased $20.3 million, or 54%, while operating margin of 2.4% decreased 220 basis points. On a non-GAAP basis, adjusted operating income of $21.6 million decreased $20.2 million, or 48%. Adjusted operating margin of 2.9% declined 220 basis points from 5.1% for the same quarter last year.

TTS operating income and adjusted operating income both decreased $17.2 million. Logistics operating loss was $0.3 million compared to $2.0 million operating income prior year. Logistics had adjusted operating income of $0.8 million, a decrease of $2.4 million. Corporate and Other (including driving schools) operating loss increased $0.7 million.

Net interest expense of $9.3 million increased $2.3 million primarily due to the impact of replacing lower-cost debt and interest rate swaps with higher-cost debt and interest rate swaps upon certain maturities in the second quarter, plus higher interest rates for variable-rate debt and an increase in average debt outstanding. The effective income tax rate during the quarter increased to 23.5%, compared to 23.0% in third quarter 2023.

Net income attributable to Werner of $6.6 million decreased 72%. On a non-GAAP basis, adjusted net income attributable to Werner of $9.2 million decreased 65%. Diluted EPS of $0.11 decreased 72%. On a non-GAAP basis, adjusted diluted EPS of $0.15 decreased 64%.

Key Consolidated Financial Metrics

Truckload Transportation Services (TTS) Segment

• Revenues of $522.8 million decreased $49.4 million; trucking revenues, net of fuel surcharge, decreased 6% year over year
• Operating income of $21.6 million decreased $17.2 million; non-GAAP adjusted operating income of $24.5 million decreased $17.2 million due largely to lower gains on the sale of property and equipment (down 69%) plus a smaller fleet size
• Operating margin of 4.1% decreased 270 basis points from 6.8%; non-GAAP adjusted operating margin, net of fuel surcharge, of 5.3% decreased 320 basis points from 8.5%
• Average segment trucks in service totaled 7,414, a decrease of 812 trucks year over year, or 9.9%
• Dedicated unit trucks at quarter end totaled 4,905, or 66% of the total TTS segment fleet, compared to 5,260 trucks, or 64%, a year ago
• Average revenues per truck per week, net of fuel surcharge, increased 3.5% for TTS and increased 1.7% for Dedicated

During third quarter 2024, Dedicated experienced net reduction in average trucks, down 8.5% year over year and down 1.9% sequentially, although quarter-end fleet size was up 1.7% sequentially. Dedicated average revenues per truck per week, net of fuel surcharge, increased 1.7% year over year. Despite a highly competitive environment, pipeline opportunities remain healthy and client retention is over 90%. One-Way Truckload volume during third quarter 2024 was steady, but ongoing excess market capacity results in continued rate pressure. One-Way revenues per total mile, net of fuel surcharge, increased 0.3% year over year. Despite a 12.3% decline in One-Way average trucks, One-Way Truckload miles were only down 6.6%, primarily due to the impact of a 6.6% increase in total miles per truck per week, the sixth consecutive quarter of improvement.

Key Truckload Transportation Services Segment Financial Metrics

Werner Logistics Segment

• Revenues of $206.8 million decreased $23.5 million, or 10%
• Operating loss was $0.3 million compared to $2.0 million operating income prior year; non-GAAP adjusted operating income of $0.8 million decreased $2.4 million
• Operating margin of (0.2)% decreased 110 basis points from 0.9%; non-GAAP adjusted operating margin of 0.4% decreased 100 basis points from 1.4%

Truckload Logistics revenues (75% of Logistics revenues) decreased $20.9 million, or 12%, driven by a decrease in shipments, partially offset by an increase in revenue per shipment. Brokerage volumes decreased year over year while Power Only volume increased over 18%, marking the seventh consecutive quarter of Power Only volume growth.

Intermodal revenues (14% of Logistics revenues) increased $2.0 million, or 7%, due to an increase in shipments, partially offset by lower revenue per shipment year over year.

Final Mile revenues (11% of Logistics revenues) decreased $4.6 million, or 17%, due to lower volume for furniture and appliances, and timing of isolated churn ahead of new customer facilities being implemented.

Logistics operating income and adjusted operating income both decreased $2.4 million year over year in third quarter 2024. An ongoing competitive environment resulting in lower Truckload Logistics volumes and compressed gross margins led to a lower adjusted operating margin. We are focused on revenue quality and lowering cost to serve.

Key Werner Logistics Segment Financial Metrics

Cash Flow and Capital Allocation

Cash flow from operations in third quarter 2024 was $61.0 million compared to $74.2 million in third quarter 2023, a decrease of 18%.

Net capital expenditures in third quarter 2024 were $87.9 million compared to $120.0 million in third quarter 2023, a decrease of 27%. We continue to prioritize business reinvestment in safe and modern equipment, including trucks and trailers, as well as in technology, our terminal network and our talent. The average ages of our truck and trailer fleets were 2.0 years and 5.2 years, respectively, as of September 30, 2024. Maintaining an industry-leading low-age, modern fleet improves our driver experience and results in more effective equipment maintenance, safety and fuel efficiency.

Gains on sales of property and equipment in third quarter 2024 were $2.6 million, or $0.03 per share, compared to $9.1 million, or $0.11 per share, in third quarter 2023. Year over year, we sold 22% fewer trucks and 76% more trailers and realized lower average gains per truck and trailer. Gains on sales of property and equipment are reflected as a reduction of other operating expenses in our income statement.

We did not repurchase shares of our common stock in third quarter 2024. As of September 30, 2024, we had 3.9 million shares remaining under our share repurchase authorization.

As of September 30, 2024, we had $55 million of cash and cash equivalents and $1.4 billion of stockholders’ equity. Total debt outstanding was $690 million at September 30, 2024, flat year over year. After considering letters of credit issued, we had available liquidity consisting of cash and cash equivalents and available borrowing capacity as of September 30, 2024 of $434 million.

2024 Guidance Metrics and Assumptions

The following table summarizes our updated 2024 guidance assumptions:

Assumptions

• Effective income tax rate of 23.5% in third quarter 2024 compared to 23.0% in third quarter 2023. Expect annual effective tax rate in the range of 25.5% to 26.5%.
• Average truck age of 2.0 years and average trailer age of 5.2 years as of September 30, 2024. Expect average truck and trailer ages of 2.1 years and 5.4 years, respectively, as of December 31, 2024.

Call Information

Werner Enterprises, Inc. will conduct a conference call to discuss third quarter 2024 earnings today beginning at 4:00 p.m. CT. The news release, live webcast of the earnings conference call, and accompanying slide presentation will be available at werner.com in the “Investors” section under “News & Events” and then “Events Calendar.” To participate in the conference call, please dial (844) 701-1165 (domestic) or (412) 317-5498 (international). Please mention to the operator that you are dialing in for the Werner Enterprises call.

A replay of the conference call will be available on October 29, 2024 at approximately 6:00 p.m. CT through November 29, 2024 by dialing (877) 344-7529 (domestic) or (412) 317-0088 (international) and using the access code 8096197. A replay of the webcast will also be available at werner.com in the “Investors” section under “News & Events” and then “Events Calendar.”

About Werner Enterprises

Werner Enterprises, Inc. (Nasdaq: WERN) delivers superior truckload transportation and logistics services to customers across the United States, Mexico and Canada. With 2023 revenues of $3.3 billion, an industry-leading modern truck and trailer fleet, over 13,000 talented associates and our innovative Werner EDGE^® technology, we are an essential solutions provider for customers who value the integrity of their supply chain and require safe and exceptional on-time service. Werner® provides Dedicated and One-Way Truckload services as well as Logistics services that include truckload brokerage, freight management, intermodal and final mile. As an industry leader, Werner is deeply committed to promoting sustainability and supporting diversity, equity and inclusion.

This press release may contain 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, and made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Such forward-looking statements are based on information presently available to the Company’s management and are current only as of the date made. Actual results could also differ materially from those anticipated as a result of a number of factors, including, but not limited to, those discussed in the Company’s latest available Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

For those reasons, undue reliance should not be placed on any forward-looking statement. The Company assumes no duty or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, although it may do so from time to time as management believes is warranted or as may be required by applicable securities law. Any such updates or revisions may be made by filing reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), through the issuance of press releases or by other methods of public disclosure.

Consolidated Financial Information

Segment Financial and Operating Statistics Information

Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Reconciliations

To supplement our financial results presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”), we provide certain non-GAAP financial measures as defined by the SEC Regulation G, including non-GAAP adjusted operating income; non-GAAP adjusted operating margin; non-GAAP adjusted operating margin, net of fuel surcharge; non-GAAP adjusted net income attributable to Werner; non-GAAP adjusted diluted earnings per share; non-GAAP adjusted operating revenues, net of fuel surcharge; non-GAAP adjusted operating revenues, less purchased transportation expense; non-GAAP adjusted operating expenses; non-GAAP adjusted operating expenses, net of fuel surcharge; non-GAAP adjusted operating ratio; and non-GAAP adjusted operating ratio, net of fuel surcharge. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures provide a more useful comparison of our performance from period to period because they exclude the effect of items that, in our opinion, do not reflect our core operating performance. Our non-GAAP financial measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as substitutes for their comparable GAAP measures and should be read only in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. There are limitations to using non-GAAP financial measures. Although we believe that they improve comparability in analyzing our period to period performance, they could limit comparability to other companies in our industry if those companies define these measures differently. Because of these limitations, our non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered measures of income generated by our business. Management compensates for these limitations by primarily relying on GAAP results and using non-GAAP financial measures on a supplemental basis.

The following tables present reconciliations of each non-GAAP financial measure to its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure as required by SEC Regulation G. In addition, information regarding each of the excluded items as well as our reasons for excluding them from our non-GAAP results is provided below.