MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (“C.H. Robinson”) (NASDAQ: CHRW), today reported financial results for the quarter ended September 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 September 30,												Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2017				2016				% change				2017				2016				% change
Total revenues			$	3,784,451			$	3,355,754			12.8	%			$	10,909,594			$	9,729,438			12.1	%
Net revenues:
Transportation
Truckload			$	301,025			$	309,027			-2.6	%			$	887,865			$	960,451			-7.6	%
LTL				101,870				96,447			5.6	%				301,706				287,518			4.9	%
Intermodal				7,478				7,676			-2.6	%				23,278				25,961			-10.3	%
Ocean				81,182				56,506			43.7	%				217,495				175,243			24.1	%
Air				25,529				19,897			28.3	%				73,166				58,424			25.2	%
Customs				17,421				12,320			41.4	%				49,810				34,649			43.8	%
Other logistics services				29,580				26,771			10.5	%				87,563				76,965			13.8	%
Total transportation				564,085				528,644			6.7	%				1,640,883				1,619,211			1.3	%
Sourcing				29,761				29,818			-0.2	%				95,318				96,801			-1.5	%
Total net revenues				593,846				558,462			6.3	%				1,736,201				1,716,012			1.2	%
Operating expenses				399,381				347,195			15.0	%				1,171,958				1,072,046			9.3	%
Income from operations				194,465				211,267			-8.0	%				564,243				643,966			-12.4	%
Net income			$	119,186			$	129,028			-7.6	%			$	352,337			$	391,081			-9.9	%
Diluted EPS			$	0.85			$	0.90			-5.6	%			$	2.49			$	2.73			-8.8	%

Our total revenues increased 12.8 percent in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the third quarter of 2016. The increase in total revenues was driven by increased pricing and volume growth across all of our transportation services. Our total net revenues increased 6.3 percent in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the third 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 third quarter of 2017. As previously announced, we acquired Milgram & Company Ltd. ("Milgram") on August 31, 2017, for the purpose of expanding our global presence and bringing additional capabilities and expertise to our portfolio.

For the third quarter of 2017, our total operating expenses increased 15.0 percent compared to the third quarter of 2016. Personnel expenses increased 14.1 percent in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the third quarter of 2016. The increase in personnel expenses was the result of an increase in average headcount of 8.7 percent and an increase in variable compensation in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the third quarter of 2016. Other selling, general, and administrative expenses increased 17.6 percent. This increase was driven by costs related to the addition of the APC and Milgram businesses, and increases in the provision for bad debt, claims expenses, and warehouse costs.

Interest and other expenses increased approximately $3.1 million, or 41.2 percent, in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the third quarter of 2016. Interest expense increased due to a higher average debt balance and higher interest rates during the third quarter of 2017 compared to the third quarter of 2016. The higher average debt balance is a result of borrowings for the acquisition of Milgram and increased working capital needs.

The provision for income taxes decreased 13.4 percent in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the third quarter of 2016. During the third quarter of 2017, the provision for income taxes decreased by $2.7 million due to tax credits associated with foreign earnings deemed to be subject to U.S. taxation. 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 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 $1.3 million in the third 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 September 30,												Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2017				2016				% change				2017				2016				% change
Total revenues (1)			$	2,469,420			$	2,252,187			9.6	%			$	7,110,223			$	6,456,281			10.1	%
Net revenues				377,403				378,073			-0.2	%				1,109,749				1,161,074			-4.4	%
Income from operations				151,392				171,733			-11.8	%				447,553				516,805			-13.4	%
(1) Excludes intersegment revenues.

NAST total revenues increased 9.6 percent to $2.5 billion in the third quarter of 2017 from $2.3 billion in the third quarter of 2016. This increase was driven by pricing increases in all services. NAST net revenues decreased 0.2 percent to $377.4 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $378.1 million in the third quarter of 2016, primarily from a decline in truckload net revenues.

NAST truckload net revenues decreased 2.1 percent to $266.6 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $272.4 million in the third quarter of 2016, while truckload volumes were flat. NAST truckload net revenue margin decreased in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the third quarter of 2016, due to transportation costs rising faster than truckload pricing.

NAST accounted for approximately 93 percent of our total North America truckload net revenues in the third quarter of 2017 and 92 percent in the third quarter of 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 increased 6.5 percent in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the third quarter of 2016. Our truckload transportation costs increased approximately 8.5 percent, excluding the estimated impacts of the change in fuel prices.

NAST LTL net revenues increased 4.8 percent to $97.6 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $93.1 million in the third quarter of 2016. NAST LTL volumes increased approximately 6.5 percent in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the third quarter of 2016, and net revenue margin decreased.

NAST intermodal net revenues decreased 1.4 percent to $7.1 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $7.2 million in the third quarter of 2016. NAST intermodal net revenues and net revenue margin decreased while volume increased in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the third quarter of 2016 due to contractual volume growth, partially offset by a decrease in transactional business.

NAST operating expenses increased 9.5 percent in the third quarter of 2017 to $226.0 million compared to $206.3 million in the third quarter of 2016. This increase was due to increases in selling, general, and administrative expenses and personnel expenses. The increase in selling, general, and administrative expenses is primarily due to an increase in the provision for bad debt and claims expense. The increase in personnel expense is related an increase in average headcount of 1.9 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 September 30,												Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2017				2016				% change				2017				2016				% change
Total revenues (1)			$	552,134			$	390,830			41.3	%			$	1,549,742			$	1,098,715			41.1	%
Net revenues				129,842				93,368			39.1	%				357,411				283,458			26.1	%
Income from operations				31,125				17,047			82.6	%				75,006				56,300			33.2	%
(1) Excludes intersegment revenues.

Global Forwarding total revenues increased 41.3 percent in the third quarter of 2017 to $552.1 million from $390.8 million in the third quarter of 2016. Global Forwarding net revenues increased 39.1 percent to $129.8 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $93.4 million in the third quarter of 2016. The acquisitions of APC and Milgram accounted for approximately 18 percentage points of the net revenue growth in Global Forwarding.

Ocean net revenues increased 44.0 percent to $81.1 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $56.3 million in the third quarter of 2016. Air net revenues increased 32.7 percent to $24.0 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $18.1 million in the third quarter of 2016. Customs net revenues increased 41.4 percent to $17.4 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $12.3 million in the third quarter of 2016. These increases were primarily due to volume increases, including those from acquisitions.

Global Forwarding operating expenses increased 29.3 percent in the third quarter of 2017 to $98.7 million from $76.3 million in the third quarter of 2016. This increase was due to increases in both personnel and selling, general, and administrative expenses. The personnel expense increase was driven by an average headcount increase of 20.8 percent. The acquisitions of APC and Milgram added approximately 18 percent to Global Forwarding average headcount. The selling, general, and administrative expense increase was primarily driven by the acquisition amortization related to APC and Milgram.

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 it sells, 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 September 30,												Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2017				2016				% change				2017				2016				% change
Total revenues (1)			$	613,646			$	590,385			3.9	%			$	1,821,094			$	1,814,682			0.4	%
Net revenues				54,253				57,036			-4.9	%				171,936				183,041			-6.1	%
Income from operations				11,586				17,733			-34.7	%				40,487				62,777			-35.5	%
(1) Excludes intersegment revenues.

Robinson Fresh total revenues increased 3.9 percent to $613.6 million in the third quarter of 2017 from $590.4 million in the third quarter of 2016. Robinson Fresh net revenues decreased 4.9 percent to $54.3 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $57.0 million in the third quarter of 2016 primarily as a result of declines in transportation net revenues.

Robinson Fresh sourcing net revenues were flat at $29.8 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the third quarter of 2016. A slight increase in net revenue margin was offset by a case volume decrease of one percent compared to the third quarter of 2016.

Robinson Fresh transportation net revenues decreased 10.0 percent to $24.5 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $27.2 million in the third quarter of 2016, primarily due to a decrease in truckload revenue. Robinson Fresh transportation net revenue margin decreased in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the third quarter of 2016.

Robinson Fresh operating expenses increased 8.6 percent in the third quarter of 2017 to $42.7 million from $39.3 million in the third quarter of 2016. This was primarily due to an increase in warehousing expenses related to expanding facilities and a 1.5 percent 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. 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 September 30,												Nine Months Ended September 30,
Net revenues			2017				2016				% change				2017				2016				% change
Managed Services			$	18,487			$	16,680			10.8	%			$	53,844			$	47,034			14.5	%
Other Surface Transportation				13,861				13,305			4.2	%				43,261				41,405			4.5	%

Managed Services net revenues increased 10.8 percent in the third quarter of 2017 to $18.5 million compared to $16.7 million the third quarter of 2016. This increase was a result of new business. Other surface transportation net revenues increased 4.2 percent in the third quarter of 2017 to $13.9 million compared to $13.3 million in the third quarter of 2016. This increase is primarily the result of increased volumes, partially offset by margin compression 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 Third Quarter 2017 Earnings Conference Call
Wednesday, November 1, 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 13670605
An audio replay will be available at http://investor.chrobinson.com.
Telephone audio replay available until 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time on November 8, 2017: 877-660-6853;
passcode: 13670605#
International callers dial +1-201-612-7415

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)
			Three Months Ended September 30,										Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2017					2016					2017					2016
Revenues:
Transportation			$	3,433,701				$	2,998,583				$	9,855,739				$	8,593,767
Sourcing				350,750					357,171					1,053,855					1,135,671
Total revenues				3,784,451					3,355,754					10,909,594					9,729,438
Costs and expenses:
Purchased transportation and related services				2,869,616					2,469,939					8,214,856					6,974,556
Purchased products sourced for resale				320,989					327,353					958,537					1,038,870
Personnel expenses				293,204					256,883					867,928					804,631
Other selling, general, and administrative expenses				106,177					90,312					304,030					267,415
Total costs and expenses				3,589,986					3,144,487					10,345,351					9,085,472
Income from operations				194,465					211,267					564,243					643,966
Interest and other expense				(10,484	)				(7,426	)				(29,154	)				(22,463	)
Income before provision for income taxes				183,981					203,841					535,089					621,503
Provisions for income taxes				64,795					74,813					182,752					230,422
Net income			$	119,186				$	129,028				$	352,337				$	391,081
Net income per share (basic)			$	0.85				$	0.90				$	2.50				$	2.73
Net income per share (diluted)			$	0.85				$	0.90				$	2.49				$	2.73
Weighted average shares outstanding (basic)				140,422					142,611					140,962					143,040
Weighted average shares outstanding (diluted)				141,022					142,883					141,403					143,245

BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION
(unaudited, dollars in thousands)
															All
							Global				Robinson				Other and
			NAST				Forwarding				Fresh				Corporate				Eliminations					Consolidated
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
Revenues			$	2,469,420			$	552,134			$	613,646			$	149,251			$	—				$	3,784,451
Intersegment revenues (1)				115,796				7,873				43,272				3,228				(170,169	)				—
Total revenues			$	2,585,216			$	560,007			$	656,918			$	152,479			$	(170,169	)			$	3,784,451
Net revenues			$	377,403			$	129,842			$	54,253			$	32,348			$	—				$	593,846
Operating income			$	151,392			$	31,125			$	11,586			$	362			$	—				$	194,465
Depreciation and amortization			$	5,808			$	8,455			$	1,190			$	8,510			$	—				$	23,963
Total Assets			$	2,297,980			$	840,762			$	413,520			$	623,326			$	—				$	4,175,588
Average headcount				6,998				4,301				970				2,634				—					14,903
															All
							Global				Robinson				Other and
			NAST				Forwarding				Fresh				Corporate				Eliminations					Consolidated
Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
Revenues			$	2,252,187			$	390,830			$	590,385			$	122,352			$	—				$	3,355,754
Intersegment revenues (1)				79,728				8,742				32,255				100				(120,825	)				—
Total revenues			$	2,331,915			$	399,572			$	622,640			$	122,452			$	(120,825	)			$	3,355,754
Net revenues			$	378,073			$	93,368			$	57,036			$	29,985			$	—				$	558,462
Operating income			$	171,733			$	17,047			$	17,733			$	4,754			$	—				$	211,267
Depreciation and amortization			$	5,547			$	5,073			$	983			$	6,054			$	—				$	17,657
Total Assets			$	2,115,467			$	625,267			$	405,832			$	517,496			$	—				$	3,664,062
Average headcount (2)				6,869				3,559				956				2,322				—					13,706
(1) Intersegment revenues represent the sales between our segments and are eliminated to reconcile to our consolidated results.
(2) Average headcount does not include employees of APC added on September 30, 2016.

BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION
(unaudited, dollars in thousands)
															All
							Global				Robinson				Other and
			NAST				Forwarding				Fresh				Corporate				Eliminations					Consolidated
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
Revenues			$	7,110,223			$	1,549,742			$	1,821,094			$	428,535			$	—				$	10,909,594
Intersegment revenues (1)				329,193				23,456				116,281				13,776				(482,706	)				—
Total revenues			$	7,439,416			$	1,573,198			$	1,937,375			$	442,311			$	(482,706	)			$	10,909,594
Net revenues			$	1,109,749			$	357,411			$	171,936			$	97,105				—				$	1,736,201
Operating income			$	447,553			$	75,006			$	40,487			$	1,197				—				$	564,243
Depreciation and amortization			$	17,104			$	24,574			$	3,534			$	24,128				—				$	69,340
Total Assets			$	2,297,980			$	840,762			$	413,520			$	623,326				—				$	4,175,588
Average headcount				6,921				4,113				966				2,590				—					14,590
															All
							Global				Robinson				Other and
			NAST				Forwarding				Fresh				Corporate				Eliminations					Consolidated
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
Revenues			$	6,456,281			$	1,098,715			$	1,814,682			$	359,760			$	—				$	9,729,438
Intersegment revenues (1)				211,540				23,585				83,200				642				(318,967	)				—
Total revenues			$	6,667,821			$	1,122,300			$	1,897,882			$	360,402			$	(318,967	)			$	9,729,438
Net revenues			$	1,161,074			$	283,458			$	183,041			$	88,439			$	—				$	1,716,012
Operating income			$	516,805			$	56,300			$	62,777			$	8,084				—				$	643,966
Depreciation and amortization			$	16,551			$	15,231			$	2,590			$	18,344				—				$	52,716
Total Assets			$	2,115,467			$	625,267			$	405,832			$	517,496				—				$	3,664,062
Average headcount (2)				6,767				3,523				939				2,249				—					13,478
(1) Intersegment revenues represent the sales between our segments and are eliminated to reconcile to our consolidated results.
(2) Average headcount does not include employees of APC added on September 30, 2016.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited, in thousands)
			September 30, 2017				December 31, 2016
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents			$	297,307			$	247,666
Receivables, net				2,104,314				1,711,191
Other current assets				53,225				49,245
Total current assets				2,454,846				2,008,102
Property and equipment, net				232,905				232,953
Intangible and other assets				1,487,837				1,446,703
Total assets			$	4,175,588			$	3,687,758
Liabilities and stockholders’ investment
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and outstanding checks			$	1,104,060			$	921,788
Accrued compensation				92,005				98,107
Accrued income taxes				11,477				15,472
Other accrued expenses				59,760				70,351
Current portion of debt				719,000				740,000
Total current liabilities				1,986,302				1,845,718
Long term debt				750,000				500,000
Noncurrent income taxes payable				17,774				18,849
Deferred tax liability				66,396				65,122
Other long-term liabilities				241				222
Total liabilities				2,820,713				2,429,911
Total stockholders’ investment				1,354,875				1,257,847
Total liabilities and stockholders’ investment			$	4,175,588			$	3,687,758

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited, in thousands, except operational data)
			Nine Months Ended
			September 30,
			2017					2016
Operating activities:
Net income			$	352,337				$	391,081
Stock-based compensation				24,509					30,626
Depreciation and amortization				69,340					52,716
Provision for doubtful accounts				11,176					2,738
Deferred income taxes				(6,779	)				21,832
Excess tax benefit on stock-based compensation				(11,908	)				(17,207	)
Other				1,352					566
Changes in operating elements, net of acquisitions:
Receivables				(377,280	)				(137,813	)
Prepaid expenses and other				677					(12,148	)
Other non-current assets				(2,220	)				(2,793	)
Accounts payable and outstanding checks				166,152					93,510
Accrued compensation and profit-sharing contribution				(6,102	)				(50,105	)
Accrued income taxes				7,873					14,048
Other accrued liabilities				(10,778	)				(10,223	)
Net cash provided by operating activities				218,349					376,828
Investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment				(32,132	)				(56,125	)
Purchases and development of software				(14,286	)				(14,986	)
Acquisitions, net of cash				(48,446	)				(220,203	)
Other				204					(735	)
Net cash used for investing activities				(94,660	)				(292,049	)
Financing activities:
Borrowings on accounts receivable securitization facility				250,000					—
Borrowings on line of credit				6,448,000					4,415,000
Repayments on line of credit				(6,469,000	)				(4,140,000	)
Net repurchases of common stock				(127,467	)				(129,302	)
Excess tax benefit on stock-based compensation				—					17,207
Cash dividends				(192,765	)				(191,129	)
Net cash used for financing activities				(91,232	)				(28,224	)
Effect of exchange rates on cash				17,184					(335	)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents				49,641					56,220
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period				247,666					168,229
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period			$	297,307				$	224,449
			As of September 30,
Operational Data:			2017					2016 (1)
Employees				14,998					14,023
(1) Includes 313 APC Logistics employees added on September 30, 2016

Source: C.H. Robinson

CHRW-IR

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171031006413/en/

Source: C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.