Werner Enterprises Reports Second Quarter 2024 Results

Second Quarter 2024 Highlights (all metrics compared to second quarter 2023)

• Total revenues of $760.8 million, down 6%
• Operating income of $19.6 million, down 58%; non-GAAP adjusted operating income of $21.3 million, down 58%
• Operating margin of 2.6%, down 320 basis points; non-GAAP adjusted operating margin of 2.8%, down 350 basis points
• Diluted EPS of $0.15, down 68%; non-GAAP adjusted diluted EPS of $0.17, down 67%

Werner Enterprises, Inc. (Nasdaq: WERN), a premier transportation and logistics provider, today reported results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024.

“While industry-wide headwinds remain, second quarter earnings improved sequentially, and we made progress on controlling the controllables. One-Way Truckload production increased for the fifth consecutive quarter. Mexico and cross-border related business is growing double-digits. Dedicated revenue per truck was up, and Logistics segment returned to positive operating income,” said Derek Leathers, Chairman and CEO. “We continue to make structural changes to reduce operating cost and advance our technology strategy, and we opportunistically repurchased 1.6 million shares during the quarter. We are positioning Werner for strength when the market turns and remain focused on creating long-term value for our shareholders.”

Total revenues for the quarter were $760.8 million, a decrease of $50.3 million compared to the prior year quarter, due to a $33.1 million, or 6%, decrease in Truckload Transportation Services (“TTS”) revenues and a decline in Logistics revenues of $15.6 million, or 7%. A portion of the TTS revenue decline was due to $6.7 million lower fuel surcharge revenues. Net of trucking fuel surcharge revenues, consolidated total revenues decreased $43.6 million, or 6%, during the quarter.

Operating income of $19.6 million decreased $27.6 million, or 58%, while operating margin of 2.6% decreased 320 basis points. On a non-GAAP basis, adjusted operating income of $21.3 million decreased $29.8 million, or 58%. Adjusted operating margin of 2.8% declined 350 basis points from 6.3% for the same quarter last year.

TTS operating income decreased $24.2 million, and TTS adjusted operating income decreased $24.6 million. Logistics had operating income of $0.5 million, a decrease of $3.8 million, and Logistics had adjusted operating income of $1.7 million, a decrease of $3.8 million. Corporate and Other (including driving schools) operating loss improved $0.4 million, which included a net $1.8 million gain on the sale of two parcels of real estate in second quarter 2024.

Net interest expense of $7.3 million increased $1.0 million primarily due to higher interest rates for variable-rate debt and the impact of replacing lower-cost debt and interest rate swaps with higher-cost debt and interest rate swaps upon maturity. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in average debt outstanding. The effective income tax rate during the quarter decreased to 24.2%, compared to 25.2% in second quarter 2023 due to differences in discrete income tax items.

Net income attributable to Werner of $9.5 million decreased 68%. On a non-GAAP basis, adjusted net income attributable to Werner of $10.7 million decreased 68%. Diluted EPS of $0.15 decreased 68%. On a non-GAAP basis, adjusted diluted EPS of $0.17 decreased 67%.

Key Consolidated Financial Metrics

Truckload Transportation Services (TTS) Segment

• Revenues of $537.1 million decreased $33.1 million; trucking revenues, net of fuel surcharge, decreased 6% year over year
• Operating income of $21.0 million decreased $24.2 million; non-GAAP adjusted operating income of $23.3 million decreased $24.6 million due largely to lower gains on the sale of property and equipment (down 89%), lower fleet size in Dedicated (down 7.1%) and lower One-Way revenue per total mile, net of fuel surcharge (down 2.7%). While One-Way fleet size is smaller (down 11.2%), this is offset by higher One-Way average total miles per truck per week (up 10.8%) and One-Way average revenues per truck per week, net of fuel surcharge (up 7.8%)
• Operating margin of 3.9% decreased 400 basis points from 7.9%; non-GAAP adjusted operating margin, net of fuel surcharge, of 5.0% decreased 470 basis points from 9.7%
• Average segment trucks in service totaled 7,630, a decrease of 721 trucks year over year, or 9%
• Dedicated unit trucks at quarter end totaled 4,825, or 65% of the total TTS segment fleet, compared to 5,260 trucks, or 63%, a year ago
• Average revenues per truck per week, net of fuel surcharge, increased 3.0% for TTS and increased 0.4% for Dedicated

During second quarter 2024, Dedicated experienced net reduction in average trucks, down 7.1% year over year and down 4.8% sequentially. Dedicated average revenues per truck per week, net of fuel surcharge, increased 0.4% year over year. Despite a highly competitive environment and isolated fleet losses, pipeline opportunities remain healthy, and client retention is over 90%. One-Way Truckload volume during second quarter 2024 was steady and seasonally consistent, but ongoing excess capacity in the freight market continues to reflect ongoing rate pressure. One-Way revenues per total mile was down 2.7%, although a lesser degree of year-over-year decline compared to prior quarters. One-Way fleet size was smaller year over year (down 11.2%), offset with the fifth consecutive quarter of higher total miles per truck per week (up 10.8%). As a result, One-Way Truckload miles were down only 1.6%.

Key Truckload Transportation Services Segment Financial Metrics

Werner Logistics Segment

• Revenues of $208.9 million decreased $15.6 million, or 7%
• Operating income of $0.5 million decreased $3.8 million; non-GAAP adjusted operating income of $1.7 million decreased $3.8 million
• Operating margin of 0.3% decreased 160 basis points from 1.9%; non-GAAP adjusted operating margin of 0.8% decreased 160 basis points from 2.4%

Truckload Logistics revenues (75% of Logistics revenues) decreased $17.3 million, or 10%, driven by a decline in revenue per shipment and a decrease in shipments. Brokerage volumes decreased year over year while Power Only volume was up over 30%, marking the sixth consecutive sequential quarter of Power Only volume growth.

Intermodal revenues (13% of Logistics revenues) increased $4.1 million, or 17%, due to an increase in shipments, partially offset by lower revenue per shipment year over year.

Final Mile revenues (12% of Logistics revenues) decreased $2.5 million, or 9%.

Logistics operating income and adjusted operating income decreased $3.8 million year over year in second quarter 2024 but improved $2.9 million sequentially. We are focused on revenue quality and managing yield, evidenced by achieving a consistent 15% margin for four consecutive quarters of revenues less purchased transportation expense, and achieving operating expense reductions, including an 11% year-over-year decrease in salaries, wages and benefits.

Key Werner Logistics Segment Financial Metrics

Cash Flow and Capital Allocation

Cash flow from operations in second quarter 2024 was $109.1 million compared to $114.9 million in second quarter 2023, a decrease of 5%.

Net capital expenditures in second quarter 2024 were $99.2 million compared to $151.4 million in second quarter 2023, a decrease of 35%. 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 2.1 years and 4.9 years, respectively, as of June 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 second quarter 2024 were $2.7 million, or $0.03 per share, compared to $11.9 million, or $0.14 per share, in second quarter 2023. Year over year, we sold 24% fewer trucks and 132% more trailers and realized lower average gains per truck and trailer. In second quarter 2024, we also sold two parcels of real estate for a net $1.8 million gain, which is adjusted out of income for purposes of the non-GAAP measures. Gains on sales of property and equipment are reflected as a reduction of Other Operating Expenses in our income statement.

During the quarter, we repurchased 1.6 million shares of common stock for a total cost of $60.0 million, excluding excise taxes, or an average price of $37.04 per share. As of June 30, 2024, we had 3.9 million shares remaining under our new share repurchase authorization approved by the Board of Directors in May 2024.

As of June 30, 2024, we had $70 million of cash and cash equivalents and nearly $1.5 billion of stockholders’ equity. Total debt outstanding was $670 million at June 30, 2024. After considering letters of credit issued, we had available liquidity consisting of cash and cash equivalents and available borrowing capacity as of June 30, 2024 of $470 million.

2024 Guidance Metrics and Assumptions

The following table summarizes our updated 2024 guidance assumptions:

Assumptions

• Effective income tax rate of 24.2% in 2Q24 compared to 25.2% in 2Q23. Expect annual effective tax rate in the range of 24.5% to 25.5%.
• Average truck age of 2.1 years and average trailer age of 4.9 years as of 6/30/24. Expect average truck and trailer ages of 2.0 years and 5.0 years, respectively, as of 12/31/24.

Call Information

Werner Enterprises, Inc. will conduct a conference call to discuss second 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 July 30, 2024 at approximately 6:00 p.m. CT through August 31, 2024 by dialing (877) 344-7529 (domestic) or (412) 317-0088 (international) and using the access code 5388433. 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.