C.H. Robinson Reports Second Quarter Results

July 19, 2017

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (“C.H. Robinson”) (NASDAQ: CHRW), today reported financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2017. This table of summary results presents our service line net revenues consistent with our historical presentation and is on an enterprise basis. The service line net revenues in the table differ from the segment service line net revenues discussed below as our segments have revenues from multiple service lines. Summarized financial results are set forth in the following table (dollars in thousands, except per share data).

     
Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,

2017

 

2016

 

%
Change

2017

 

2016

 

%
Change

 
Total revenues $ 3,710,018 $ 3,299,741 12.4 % $ 7,125,143 $ 6,373,684 11.8 %
 

Net revenues:

Transportation
Truckload $ 282,718 $ 329,740 -14.3 % $ 586,840 $ 651,424 -9.9 %
LTL 102,213 99,778 2.4 % 199,836 191,071 4.6 %
Intermodal 8,308 9,021 -7.9 % 15,800 18,285 -13.6 %
Ocean 73,438 60,068 22.3 % 136,313 118,737 14.8 %
Air 25,820 20,118 28.3 % 47,637 38,527 23.6 %
Customs 16,311 11,605 40.6 % 32,389 22,329 45.1 %
Other logistics services   29,832   26,171 14.0 %   57,983   50,194 15.5 %
Total transportation 538,640 556,501 -3.2 % 1,076,798 1,090,567 -1.3 %
Sourcing   35,149   37,714 -6.8 %   65,557   66,983 -2.1 %
Total net revenues 573,789 594,215 -3.4 % 1,142,355 1,157,550 -1.3 %
 

Operating expenses

 

391,969

 

360,468

8.7

%

 

772,577

 

724,851

6.6

%

Income from operations 181,820 233,747 -22.2 % 369,778 432,699 -14.5 %
Net income $ 111,071 $ 143,090 -22.4 % $ 233,151 $ 262,053 -11.0 %
Diluted EPS $ 0.78 $ 1.00 -22.0 % $ 1.65 $ 1.83 -9.8 %
 

“We were able to continue to achieve market share gains during the second quarter; however, our income and EPS results were disappointing and finished below our expectations,” said John Wiehoff, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of C.H. Robinson. “Our results were significantly impacted by truckload margin compression. Purchased transportation costs increased significantly during the quarter, while much of our customer pricing is committed at relatively flat prices. We have a strong history of honoring our customer contracts while adjusting to the market conditions, and I’m confident we will adapt and execute those changes in the months to come. We continue to execute against our long-term strategic initiatives to grow and diversify. The Global Forwarding business delivered solid results in the second quarter with both double digit net revenue and operating income growth.”

Our total revenues increased 12.4 percent in the second quarter of 2017 compared to the second quarter of 2016. The increase in total revenues was driven by volume growth across all of our transportation services. Our total net revenues decreased 3.4 percent in the second quarter of 2017 compared to the second quarter of 2016. APC Logistics (“APC”), which was acquired at the close of business on September 30, 2016, represented approximately two percent of our total net revenues in the second quarter of 2017.

For the second quarter of 2017, our total operating expenses increased 8.7 percent. Personnel expenses increased 5.2 percent in the second quarter of 2017 compared to the second quarter of 2016. The increase in personnel expense was the result of an increase in average headcount of 8.1 percent in the second quarter of 2017 compared to the second quarter of 2016, partially offset by decreased expenses related to variable incentive plans. Other selling, general, and administrative expenses increased 19.4 percent. This increase was driven by increases in claims, costs related to the addition of the APC business, the provision for bad debt, and warehouse costs.

Interest and other expenses increased approximately $3.1 million, or 49.5 percent, in the second quarter of 2017 compared to the second quarter of 2016. Interest expense increased due to higher average debt balance during the second quarter of 2017 compared to the second quarter of 2016.

The provision for income taxes decreased 27.3 percent in the second quarter of 2017 compared to the second quarter of 2016. During the first quarter of 2017, we adopted ASU 2016-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718). The adoption of ASU 2016-09 prospectively impacts the recording of income taxes related to share-based payment awards in our consolidated statement of financial position and results of operations, as well as the operating and financing cash flows on the consolidated statements of cash flows. This adoption resulted in a decrease in our provision for income taxes of $1.2 million in the second quarter of 2017.

Results by Segment

Our three reportable segments are: North American Surface Transportation (“NAST”), Global Forwarding, and Robinson Fresh. The balance of our business is reported as “All Other and Corporate.” All Other and Corporate includes our non-reportable segments, including Managed Services and Other Surface Transportation.

NAST provides freight transportation services across North America through a network of offices in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The primary services provided by NAST include truckload, less than truckload (“LTL”), and intermodal. Summarized financial results of our NAST segment are as follows (dollars in thousands):

     
Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,

2017

 

2016

 

%
Change

2017

 

2016

 

%
Change

 
Total revenues(1) $2,381,551 $2,158,615 10.3 % $4,640,803 $4,204,094 10.4 %
Net revenues 359,906 399,203 -9.8 % 732,346 783,001 -6.5 %
Income from operations 140,284 182,721 -23.2 % 296,161 345,072 -14.2 %

(1) Excludes intersegment revenues.

 

NAST total revenues increased 10.3 percent to $2.4 billion in the second quarter of 2017 from $2.2 billion in the second quarter of 2016. This increase was driven by volume increases in all services. NAST net revenues decreased 9.8 percent to $359.9 million in the second quarter of 2017 compared to $399.2 million in the second quarter of 2016, primarily from a decline in truckload net revenues.

NAST truckload net revenues decreased 14.1 percent to $250.0 million in the second quarter of 2017 compared to $291.1 million in the second quarter of 2016, while truckload volumes increased approximately eight percent. NAST truckload net revenue margin decreased in the second quarter of 2017 compared to the second quarter of 2016, due primarily to increased transportation costs.

NAST accounted for approximately 92 percent of our total North America truckload net revenues in the second quarter of both 2017 and 2016. The majority of the remaining North American truckload net revenues is included in Robinson Fresh. Excluding the estimated impacts of the change in fuel prices, our average North America truckload rate per mile charged to our customers was flat in the second quarter of 2017 compared to the second quarter of 2016. However, our truckload transportation costs increased approximately four percent, excluding the estimated impacts of the change in fuel prices.

NAST LTL net revenues increased 2.1 percent to $97.1 million in the second quarter of 2017 compared to $95.1 million in the second quarter of 2016. NAST LTL volumes increased approximately 6.5 percent in the second quarter of 2017 compared to the second quarter of 2016, and net revenue margin decreased slightly.

NAST intermodal net revenues decreased 6.3 percent to $7.8 million in the second quarter of 2017 compared to $8.3 million in the second quarter of 2016. Net revenues decreased while volume increased in the second quarter of 2017 compared to the second quarter of 2016 due to contractual volume growth, partially offset by a decrease in transactional business.

NAST operating expenses increased 1.5 percent in the second quarter of 2017 to $219.6 million compared to $216.5 million in the second quarter of 2016. This increase was due to increases in selling, general, and administrative expenses, partially offset by a small decrease in personnel expenses. The decrease in personnel expense is related to variable incentive plans, partially offset by an increase in average headcount of 3.0 percent. The operating expenses of NAST and all other segments include allocated corporate expenses.

Global Forwarding provides global logistics services through an international network of offices in North America, Asia, Europe, Australia, and South America and also contracts with independent agents worldwide. The primary services provided by Global Forwarding include ocean freight services, airfreight services, and customs brokerage. Summarized financial results of our Global Forwarding segment are as follows (dollars in thousands):

     
Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,

2017

 

2016

 

%
Change

2017

 

2016

 

%
Change

 
Total revenues(1) $528,820 $356,773 48.2 % $997,608 $707,885 40.9 %
Net revenues 121,023 97,224 24.5 % 227,569 190,090 19.7 %
Income from operations 27,675 22,396 23.6 % 43,881 39,253 11.8 %

(1) Excludes intersegment revenues.

 

Global Forwarding total revenues increased 48.2 percent in the second quarter of 2017 to $528.8 million from $356.8 million in the second quarter of 2016. Global Forwarding net revenues increased 24.5 percent to $121.0 million in the second quarter of 2017 compared to $97.2 million in the second quarter of 2016.

Ocean net revenues increased 22.0 percent to $73.2 million in the second quarter of 2017 compared to $60.0 million in the second quarter of 2016. Air net revenues increased 31.0 percent to $24.5 million in the second quarter of 2017 compared to $18.7 million in the second quarter of 2016. Customs net revenues increased 40.6 percent to $16.3 million in the second quarter of 2017 compared to $11.6 million in the second quarter of 2016. These increases were primarily due to volume increases, including those from APC. APC accounted for approximately half of the Global Forwarding net revenue growth.

Global Forwarding operating expenses increased 24.8 percent in the second quarter of 2017 to $93.3 million from $74.8 million in the second quarter of 2016. These increases were driven by an average headcount increase of 14.4 percent and the acquisition amortization related to the acquisition of APC.

Robinson Fresh provides sourcing services under the name of Robinson Fresh. Our sourcing services primarily include the buying, selling, and marketing of fresh fruits, vegetables, and other perishable items. Robinson Fresh sources products from around the world and has a physical presence in North America, Europe, Asia, and South America. This segment often provides the logistics and transportation of the products they sell, in addition to temperature controlled transportation services for its customers. Summarized financial results of our Robinson Fresh segment are as follows (dollars in thousands):

     

Three months ended June 30,

Six months ended June 30,

2017

 

2016

 

%
Change

 

2017

 

2016

 

%
Change

 
Total revenues(1) $657,003 $660,204 -0.5 % $1,207,448 $1,224,297 -1.4 %
Net revenues 60,846 67,820 -10.3 % 117,683 126,005 -6.6 %
Income from operations 14,249 27,311 -47.8 % 28,901 45,044 -35.8 %

(1) Excludes intersegment revenues.

 

Robinson Fresh total revenues decreased 0.5 percent to $657.0 million in the second quarter of 2017 from $660.2 million in the second quarter of 2016. Robinson Fresh net revenues decreased 10.3 percent to $60.8 million in the second quarter of 2017 compared to $67.8 million in the second quarter of 2016 as a result of declines in transportation and sourcing net revenues.

Robinson Fresh sourcing net revenues decreased 6.8 percent to $35.1 million in the second quarter of 2017 compared to $37.7 million in the second quarter of 2016. This was primarily the result of lower net revenue per case, as sourcing revenues and costs declined at the same rate. Case volumes were flat in the second quarter of 2017 compared to the second quarter of 2016.

Robinson Fresh transportation net revenues decreased 14.6 percent to $25.7 million in the second quarter of 2017 compared to $30.1 million in the second quarter of 2016, primarily due to decreases in truckload revenue. Robinson Fresh transportation net revenue margin decreased in the second quarter of 2017 compared to the second quarter of 2016.

Robinson Fresh operating expenses increased 15.0 percent in the second quarter of 2017 to $46.6 million from $40.5 million in the second quarter of 2016. This was primarily due to an increase in claims expenses, warehousing expenses related to expanding facilities, and an increase in average headcount.

All Other and Corporate includes our Managed Services segment, as well as Other Surface Transportation outside of North America and other miscellaneous revenues. It also includes any unallocated corporate expenses. Managed Services provides Transportation Management Service, or Managed TMS. Our Europe Surface Transportation business accounted for approximately 90 percent of total Other Surface Transportation net revenues. Europe Surface Transportation provides services similar to NAST across the European continent. Net revenues for Managed Services and Other Surface Transportation are summarized as follows:

     
Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,

Net revenues

2017

 

2016

 

%
Change

2017

 

2016

 

%
Change

 
Managed Services $18,164 $15,775 15.1% $35,357 $30,354 16.5%
Other Surface Transportation 13,850 14,193 -2.4% 29,400 28,100 4.6%
 

Managed Services net revenues increased 15.1 percent in the second quarter of 2017 to $18.2 million compared to $15.8 million the second quarter of 2016. This increase was a result of new business with new and existing customers. Other surface transportation net revenues decreased 2.4 percent in the second quarter of 2017 to $13.9 million compared to $14.2 million in the second quarter of 2016. This decrease is primarily the result of lower margins in the surface transportation business in Europe.

About C.H. Robinson

At C.H. Robinson, we believe in accelerating global trade to seamlessly deliver the products and goods that drive the world’s economy. Using the strengths of our knowledgeable people, proven processes, and global technology, we help our customers work smarter, not harder. As one of the world’s largest third-party logistics providers (3PL), we provide a broad portfolio of logistics services, fresh produce sourcing and managed services for more than 113,000 customers and 107,000 contract carriers through our integrated network of offices and more than 14,000 employees. In addition, the company, our Foundation and our employees contribute millions of dollars annually to a variety of organizations. Headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, C.H. Robinson (CHRW) has been publicly traded on the NASDAQ since 1997. For more information, visit http://www.chrobinson.com or view our company video.

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, including uncertain consumer demand; 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 increasing costs 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 successfully integrate the operations of acquired companies with our historic operations; 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; risks of unexpected or unanticipated events or opportunities that might require additional capital expenditures; the impact of war on the economy; and other risks and uncertainties detailed in our Annual and Quarterly Reports.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and we undertake no obligation to update such statement to reflect events or circumstances arising after such date. All remarks made during our financial results conference call will be current at the time of the call, and we undertake no obligation to update the replay.

Conference Call Information:
C.H. Robinson Worldwide Second Quarter 2017 Earnings Conference Call
Thursday, July 20, 2017; 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time
We invite call participants to submit questions in advance of the conference call, and we will respond to as many of the questions as we can in the time allowed. To submit your question(s) in advance of the call, please email adrienne.brausen@chrobinson.com.

Presentation slides and a simultaneous live audio webcast of the conference call may be accessed through the Investor Relations link on C.H. Robinson’s website at www.chrobinson.com.
To participate in the conference call by telephone, please call ten minutes early by dialing: 877-269-7756
International callers dial +1-201-689-7817
Callers should reference the conference ID, which is 13664562
Telephone audio replay available until 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time on July 27, 2017: 877-660-6853; passcode: 13664562#
International callers dial +1-201-612-7415

 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)
 
 

Three months ended
June 30,

   

Six months ended
June 30,

2017   2016 2017   2016
 
Revenues:
Transportation $ 3,319,995 $ 2,881,496 $ 6,422,038 $ 5,595,184
Sourcing   390,023     418,245     703,105     778,500  
Total revenues   3,710,018     3,299,741     7,125,143     6,373,684  
 
Costs and expenses:
Purchased transportation and related services 2,781,355 2,324,995 5,345,240 4,504,617
Purchased products sourced for resale 354,874 380,531 637,548 711,517
Personnel expenses 284,220 270,251 574,724 547,748
Other selling, general, and administrative expenses   107,749     90,217     197,853     177,103  
Total costs and expenses   3,528,198     3,065,994     6,755,365     5,940,985  
 
Income from operations 181,820 233,747 369,778 432,699
 
Interest and other expense   (9,368 )   (6,265 )   (18,670 )   (15,037 )
 
Income before provision for income taxes 172,452 227,482 351,108 417,662
Provisions for income taxes   61,381     84,392     117,957     155,609  
Net income $ 111,071   $ 143,090   $ 233,151   $ 262,053  
 
Net income per share (basic) $ 0.79 $ 1.00 $ 1.65 $ 1.83
Net income per share (diluted) $ 0.78 $ 1.00 $ 1.65 $ 1.83
 
Weighted average shares outstanding (basic) 141,061 142,998 141,229 143,259
Weighted average shares outstanding (diluted) 141,587 143,216 141,713 143,437
 
 
BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION
(unaudited, dollars in thousands)
 
           

NAST

Global
Forwarding

Robinson
Fresh

All
Other and
Corporate

Eliminations

Consolidated

Three months ended June 30, 2017
 
Revenues $2,381,551 $528,820 $657,003 $142,644 $ - $3,710,018
Intersegment revenues (1) 112,243 7,440 39,669 3,670   (163,022 ) -
Total revenues $2,493,794 $536,260 $696,672 $146,314 $ (163,022 ) $3,710,018
 
Net revenues $359,906 $121,023 $60,846 $32,014 - $573,789
 
Operating income $140,284 $27,675 $14,249 ($388) - $181,820
 
Depreciation and amortization $5,706 $8,099 $1,198 $7,943 - $22,946
 
Total Assets $2,189,711 $741,443 $455,214 $579,521 - $3,965,889
 
Average headcount 7,003 4,021 980 2,616 14,620
 
 

NAST

Global
Forwarding

Robinson
Fresh

All
Other and
Corporate

Eliminations

Consolidated

Three months ended June 30, 2016
 
Revenues $2,158,615 $356,773 $660,204 $124,149 $ - $3,299,741
Intersegment revenues(1) 71,543 8,763 27,049 229   (107,584 ) -
Total revenues $2,230,158 $365,536 $687,253 $124,378 $ (107,584 ) $3,299,741
 
Net revenues $399,203 $97,224 $67,820 $29,968 - $594,215
 
Operating income $182,721 $22,396 $27,311 $1,319 - $233,747
 
Depreciation and amortization $5,502 $5,079 $839 $6,764 - $18,184
 
Total Assets $1,936,149 $505,778 $427,272 $479,871 - $3,349,070
 
Average headcount 6,800 3,514 947 2,261 - 13,522
 
(1) Intersegment revenues represent the sales between our segments and are eliminated to reconcile to our consolidated results.
 
 
BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION
(unaudited, dollars in thousands)
 
           

NAST

Global
Forwarding

Robinson
Fresh

All
Other and
Corporate

Eliminations

Consolidated

Six months ended June 30, 2017
 
Revenues $4,640,803 $997,608 $1,207,448 $279,284 $ - $7,125,143
Intersegment revenues (1) 213,397 15,583 73,009 10,548   (312,537 ) -
Total revenues $4,854,200 $1,013,191 $1,280,457 $289,832 $ (312,537 ) $7,125,143
 
Net revenues $732,346 $227,569 $117,683 $64,757 - $1,142,355
 
Operating income $296,161 $43,881 $28,901 $835 - $369,778
 
Depreciation and amortization $11,296 $16,119 $2,344 $15,618 - $45,377
 
Total Assets $2,189,711 $741,443 $455,214 $579,521 - $3,965,889
 
Average headcount 6,926 3,977 971 2,580 - 14,454
 
 

NAST

Global
Forwarding

Robinson
Fresh

All
Other and
Corporate

Eliminations

Consolidated

Six months ended June 30, 2016
 
Revenues $4,204,094 $707,885 $1,224,297 $237,408 $ - $6,373,684
Intersegment revenues(1) 131,812 14,843 50,945 542   (198,142 ) -
Total revenues $4,335,906 $722,728 $1,275,242 $237,950 $ (198,142 ) $6,373,684
 
Net revenues $783,001 $190,090 $126,005 $58,454 - $1,157,550
 
Operating income $345,072 $39,253 $45,044 $3,330 - $432,699
 
Depreciation and amortization $11,004 $10,158 $1,607 $12,290 - $35,059
 
Total Assets $1,936,149 $505,778 $427,272 $479,871 - $3,349,070
 
Average headcount 6,749 3,499 937 2,216 - 13,401
 
(1) Intersegment revenues represent the sales between our segments and are eliminated to reconcile to our consolidated results.
 
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited, in thousands)
 
 

June 30,
2017

 

December 31,
2016

Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 273,182 $ 247,666
Receivables, net 1,948,204 1,711,191
Other current assets   63,636   49,245
Total current assets   2,285,022   2,008,102
 
Property and equipment, net 234,312 232,953
Intangible and other assets   1,446,555   1,446,703
Total assets $ 3,965,889 $ 3,687,758
 
Liabilities and stockholders’ investment
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and outstanding checks $ 1,055,295 $ 921,788
Accrued compensation 74,754 98,107
Accrued income taxes 16,004 15,472
Other accrued expenses 59,441 70,351
Current portion of debt   592,000   740,000
Total current liabilities   1,797,494   1,845,718
 
Noncurrent income taxes payable 17,278 18,849
Deferred tax liabilities 63,667 65,122
Long term debt 750,000 500,000
Other long-term liabilities   242   222
Total liabilities   2,628,681   2,429,911
 
Total stockholders’ investment   1,337,208   1,257,847
Total liabilities and stockholders’ investment $ 3,965,889 $ 3,687,758
 
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited, in thousands, except operational data)
 
 

Six months ended
June 30,

2017   2016
Operating activities:
Net income $ 233,151 $ 262,053
Stock-based compensation 16,842 25,785
Depreciation and amortization 45,377 35,059
Provision for doubtful accounts 7,669 2,144
Deferred income taxes (4,988 ) 17,004
Excess tax benefit on stock-based compensation (10,583 ) (15,104 )
Other 536 366
Changes in operating elements, net of acquisitions:
Receivables (244,682 ) (94,030 )
Prepaid expenses and other (9,646 ) (19,066 )
Other non-current assets (1,016 ) (1,615 )
Accounts payable and outstanding checks 135,130 52,843
Accrued compensation and profit-sharing contribution (23,353 ) (61,029 )
Accrued income taxes 10,185 43,606
Other accrued liabilities   (4,611 )   (755 )
Net cash provided by operating activities 150,011 247,261
 
Investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment (24,105 ) (33,483 )
Purchases and development of software (8,865 ) (10,493 )
Acquisitions, net of cash (1,780 ) -
Other   (1,095 )   (405 )
Net cash used for investing activities (35,845 ) (44,381 )
 
Financing activities:
Borrowings on accounts receivable securitization facility 250,000 -
Borrowings on line of credit 4,282,000 2,840,000
Repayments on line of credit (4,430,000 ) (2,825,000 )
Net repurchases of common stock (70,306 ) (66,249 )
Excess tax benefit on stock-based compensation - 15,104
Cash dividends   (128,806 )   (127,520 )
Net cash used for financing activities (97,112 ) (163,665 )
Effect of exchange rates on cash   8,462     (361 )
 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents 25,516 38,854
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   247,666     168,229  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 273,182   $ 207,083  
 
As of June 30,
2017 2016
Operational Data:
Employees 14,807 13,701
            

C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.

Andrew Clarke, 952-683-3474

Chief Financial Officer

or

Tim Gagnon, 952-683-5007

Director, Investor Relations