C.H. Robinson Reports Fourth Quarter Results

December 31, 2009
MINNEAPOLIS, Feb 02, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. ("C.H. Robinson") (NASDAQ: CHRW), today reported financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2009.

Summarized financial results for the quarter ended December 31 are as follows (dollars in thousands, except per share data):

Three months ended Twelve months ended
December 31, December 31,

2009

2008

% change

2009

2008

% change
Total revenues $ 2,008,366 $ 1,955,103 2.7 % $ 7,577,189 $ 8,578,614 -11.7 %

Net revenues:

Transportation
Truck 250,063 256,043 -2.3 % 1,040,703 1,030,070 1.0 %
Intermodal 8,637 11,788 -26.7 % 35,245 43,618 -19.2 %
Ocean 13,610 18,641 -27.0 % 54,188 62,094 -12.7 %
Air 9,268 9,155 1.2 % 32,662 35,390 -7.7 %
Miscellaneous 12,255 10,410 17.7 % 44,784 41,407 8.2 %
Total transportation 293,833 306,037 -4.0 % 1,207,582 1,212,579 -0.4 %
Sourcing 33,105 26,073 27.0 % 128,582 111,634 15.2 %
Information services 12,148 12,050 0.8 % 45,795 50,750 -9.8 %
Total net revenues 339,086 344,160 -1.5 % 1,381,959 1,374,963 0.5 %

Operating expenses

196,328

201,776

-2.7

%

797,148

803,377

-0.8

%

Operating income 142,758 142,384 0.3 % 584,811 571,586 2.3 %
Net income $ 87,734 $ 88,881 -1.3 % $ 360,830 $ 359,177 0.5 %
Diluted EPS $ 0.52 $ 0.52 0.0 % $ 2.13 $ 2.08 2.4 %

"We're proud of our results in 2009. Our focus on gaining market share through sales and account management, our variable-cost business model, and our expanded menu of services enabled us to be flexible and continue to find opportunities in the marketplace," said John P. Wiehoff, chairman and chief executive officer of C.H. Robinson.

Wiehoff continued, "The trends of margin compression and accelerating volume growth in our North American truckload service during the fourth quarter of 2009 have continued into January. On a per business day basis, in January 2010 our total net revenues are roughly flat. Although we're pleased with our continued volume growth, our margin comparisons will continue to be challenging."

Our total revenues increased 2.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to the fourth quarter of 2008. Our Transportation revenue was flat in the fourth quarter of 2009, driven by falling transportation rates offset by volume increases in many of our transportation modes. Transportation rates declined primarily due to decreased pricing to our customers and a reduction in fuel prices.

Our Sourcing revenues increased 16.0 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009 primarily due to the previously announced acquisition of Rosemont Farms, Inc. ("Rosemont") on September 15, 2009 and volume growth. Our Information Services revenues increased 0.8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009 due to an increase in transactions offset by declines in some fees that are impacted by fuel prices.

Total Transportation net revenues decreased 4.0 percent to $293.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2009 from $306.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2008. Our Transportation net revenue margin decreased to 18.3 percent in 2009 from 19.0 percent in 2008 largely driven by decreased customer transportation rates.

Our truck net revenues, which consist of truckload and less-than-truckload ("LTL") services, decreased 2.3 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009. Our truckload volumes increased approximately 13 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to the fourth quarter of 2008. Our truckload net revenue margins decreased due to declining transportation rates compared to the fourth quarter of 2008. Excluding the estimated impacts of the change in fuel, on average our truckload rates to our customers decreased approximately 6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to the fourth quarter of 2008. Our LTL net revenues increased due to volume increases, largely offset by price declines and decreased net revenue margin.

Our intermodal net revenue decrease of 26.7 percent in the fourth quarter was driven by price declines which decreased our net revenue margin. This decline was offset slightly by volume increases.

Our ocean transportation net revenues decreased 27.0 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009 driven by decreased volumes and price declines. Excluding our previously announced acquisition of Walker Logistics Overseas Ltd. ("Walker") on June 12, 2009, our ocean transportation net revenues would have declined approximately 29 percent.

Our air transportation net revenue increased 1.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009. Excluding the Walker acquisition, our air transportation net revenues decreased approximately 10 percent.

Miscellaneous transportation net revenues consist primarily of transportation management fees and customs brokerage fees. The increase of 17.7 percent was driven by an increase in management fees as well as the previously announced acquisition of International Trade & Commerce, Inc. ("ITC") on July 7, 2009, offset partially by a decrease in other customs brokerage activity. Excluding the acquisition of ITC, our miscellaneous transportation net revenues increased approximately nine percent in the fourth quarter of 2009.

For the fourth quarter, Sourcing net revenues increased 27.0 percent to $33.1 million in 2009 from $26.1 million in 2008. Excluding the previously disclosed acquisition of Rosemont, Sourcing net revenues increased approximately 3 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009.

Our Information Services revenues increased 0.8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009, driven by an increase in transactions offset by declines in some fees that are impacted by fuel prices.

For the fourth quarter, operating expenses decreased 2.7 percent to $196.3 million in 2009 from $201.8 million in 2008. This was due to a decrease of 3.6 percent in personnel expenses and a decrease of 0.2 percent in other selling, general, and administrative expenses. As a percentage of net revenues, total operating expenses decreased slightly to 57.9 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009 from 58.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Founded in 1905, C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc., is one of the largest non-asset based third party logistics companies in the world. C.H. Robinson is a global provider of multimodal transportation services and logistics solutions, currently serving over 35,000 customers through a network of 235 offices in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East. C.H. Robinson maintains one of the largest networks of motor carrier capacity in North America and works with over 47,000 transportation providers worldwide.

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this release are forward-looking statements that represent our expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies concerning future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience or our present expectations, including, but not limited to such factors as changes in economic conditions such as the current recession and decreased consumer confidence, changes in market demand and pressures on the pricing for our services; competition and growth rates within the third party logistics industry; freight levels and availability of truck capacity or alternative means of transporting freight, and changes in relationships with existing truck, rail, ocean and air carriers; changes in our customer base due to possible consolidation among our customers; our ability to integrate the operations of acquired companies with our historic operations successfully; risks associated with litigation and insurance coverage; risks associated with operations outside of the U.S.; risks associated with the potential impacts of changes in government regulations; risks associated with the produce industry, including food safety and contamination issues; fuel prices and availability; and the impact of war on the economy; and other risks and uncertainties detailed in our Annual and Quarterly Reports.

Conference Call Information:

C.H. Robinson Worldwide Fourth Quarter 2009 Earnings Conference Call

Tuesday, February 2, 2010 5:00 p.m. Eastern time

Live webcast available through Investor Relations link at www.chrobinson.com

Telephone access: 877-941-6009; conference ID 4200623

Webcast replay available through February 16, 2010; Investor Relations link at www.chrobinson.com

Telephone audio replay available until 12:59 a.m. Eastern Time on February 5, 2010:800-406-7325;

passcode: 4200623#

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)
Three months ended Twelve months ended
December 31, December 31,
2009 2008 2009 2008
Revenues:
Transportation $ 1,606,664 $ 1,607,090 $ 5,976,102 $ 7,129,611
Sourcing 389,554 335,963 1,555,292 1,398,253
Information Services 12,148 12,050 45,795 50,750
Total revenues 2,008,366 1,955,103 7,577,189 8,578,614
Costs and expenses:
Purchased transportation and related services 1,312,831 1,301,053 4,768,520 5,917,032
Purchased products sourced for resale 356,449 309,890 1,426,710 1,286,619
Personnel expenses 143,852 149,216 597,568 601,822
Other selling, general, and administrative
expenses 52,476 52,560 199,580 201,555
Total costs and expenses 1,865,608 1,812,719 6,992,378 8,007,028
Income from operations 142,758 142,384 584,811 571,586
Investment and other income 592 1,023 2,250 6,801
Income before provision for income taxes 143,350 143,407 587,061 578,387
Provision for income taxes 55,616 54,526 226,231 219,210
Net income $ 87,734 $ 88,881 $ 360,830 $ 359,177
Net income per share (basic) $ 0.53 $ 0.53 $ 2.15 $ 2.12
Net income per share (diluted) $ 0.52 $ 0.52 $ 2.13 $ 2.08
Weighted average shares outstanding (basic) 166,258 167,962 167,695 169,056
Weighted average shares outstanding (diluted) 167,729 171,433 169,194 172,733
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited, in thousands)
December 31, December 31,
2009 2008
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 337,308 $ 494,743
Available-for-sale securities 48,310 2,644
Receivables, net 885,543 828,884
Other current assets 36,108 21,600
Total current assets 1,307,269 1,347,871
Property and equipment, net 117,699 104,088
Intangible and other assets 409,280 363,762
Total Assets $ 1,834,248 $ 1,815,721
Liabilities and stockholders' investment
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and outstanding checks $ 606,514 $ 568,758
Accrued compensation 90,855 93,431
Other accrued expenses 34,438 35,464
Total current liabilities 731,807 697,653
Long term liabilities 22,541 10,847
Total liabilities 754,348 708,500
Total stockholders' investment 1,079,900 1,107,221
Total liabilities and stockholders' investment $ 1,834,248 $ 1,815,721
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited, in thousands, except operational data)
Twelve months ended
December 31,
2009 2008
Operating activities:
Net income $ 360,830 $ 359,177
Stock-based compensation 21,267 20,804
Depreciation and amortization 30,514 31,164
Provision for doubtful accounts 16,685 14,329
Other non-cash change, net 267 3,206
Net changes in operating elements (56,992 ) 18,899
Net cash provided by operating activities 372,571 447,579
Investing activities:
Net property additions (34,466 ) (23,748 )
Purchases of available-for-sale securities (52,437 ) (136,954 )
Sales/maturities of available-for-sale securities 3,975 251,074
Cash paid for acquisitions, net (41,145 ) (59,661 )
Other assets, net 185 769
Net cash (used for) provided by investing activities (123,888 ) 31,480
Financing activities:
Repayment of acquired line of credit - (9,383 )
Net repurchases of common stock (249,165 ) (177,519 )
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation plans 9,966 12,057
Cash dividends (162,865 ) (151,195 )
Net cash used for financing activities (402,064 ) (326,040 )
Effect of exchange rates on cash (4,054 ) 2,839
Net change in cash and cash equivalents (157,435 ) 155,858
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 494,743 338,885
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 337,308 $ 494,743
As of December 31,
2009 2008
Operational Data:
Employees 7,347 7,961
Branches 235 228

SOURCE: C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.

C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. Chad Lindbloom, chief financial officer, 1-952-937-7779 Angie Freeman, vice president, 1-952-937-7847

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc's business which are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report or Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year.