UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q


QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31,September 30, 2019
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File No. 000-22490

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FORWARD AIR CORPORATIONCORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Tennessee 62-1120025
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1915 Snapps Ferry Road
Building N
Greeneville TennesseeTN 37745
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (423) (423) 636-7000
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par valueFWRDThe Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes x No ¨
Yes x No ¨


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

Yes x  No ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company”, and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filerx
x
Accelerated filero
¨
Non-accelerated filero
¨
Smaller reporting companyo
Emerging growth companyo


If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.o


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
 
Yes o No x
 
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock, $0.01 par value, as of April 22,October 21, 2019 was 28,695,985.28,172,110.





Table of Contents
   
Forward Air Corporation
   
  Page
  Number
Part I.Financial Information 
   
Item 1.Financial Statements (Unaudited) 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
Item 2.
   
Item 3.
   
Item 4.
   
Part II.Other Information 
   
Item 1.
   
Item 1A.
   
Item 2.
   
Item 3.
   
Item 4.
   
Item 5.
   
Item 6.
   




Part I.Financial Information
  
Item 1.Financial Statements (Unaudited).
Forward Air CorporationCondensed Consolidated Balance Sheets(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)(Unaudited)
March 31,
2019
 December 31,
2018
September 30,
2019
 December 31,
2018
Assets      
Current assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents$42,165
 $25,657
$34,824
 $25,657
Accounts receivable, less allowance of $2,721 in 2019 and $2,081 in 2018150,623
 156,359
Accounts receivable, less allowance of $2,494 in 2019 and $2,081 in 2018157,494
 156,359
Other current assets9,283
 19,066
23,393
 19,066
Total current assets202,071
 201,082
215,711
 201,082
      
Property and equipment417,606
 413,900
438,656
 413,900
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization210,750
 204,005
217,813
 204,005
Total property and equipment, net206,856
 209,895
220,843
 209,895
Operating lease right-of-use assets133,361
 
158,977
 
Goodwill and other acquired intangibles: 
  
 
  
Goodwill199,092
 199,092
220,423
 199,092
Other acquired intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $83,177 in 2019 and $80,666 in 2018111,150
 113,661
Other acquired intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $88,839 in 2019 and $80,666 in 2018130,038
 113,661
Total goodwill and other acquired intangibles, net310,242
 312,753
350,461
 312,753
Other assets33,047
 36,485
34,641
 36,485
Total assets$885,577
 $760,215
$980,633
 $760,215
      
      
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity      
Current liabilities:      
Accounts payable$31,124
 $34,630
$32,599
 $34,630
Accrued expenses41,434
 39,784
51,412
 39,784
Other current liabilities7,049
 
Current portion of debt and finance lease obligations264
 309
1,578
 309
Current portion of operating lease obligations43,824
 
47,137
 
Total current liabilities116,646
 74,723
139,775
 74,723
      
Debt and finance lease obligations, less current portion47,312
 47,335
72,738
 47,335
Operating lease obligations, less current portion89,915
 
112,553
 
Other long-term liabilities40,257
 47,739
51,316
 47,739
Deferred income taxes38,010
 37,174
43,106
 37,174
      
Shareholders’ equity: 
  
 
  
Preferred stock
 

 
Common stock, $0.01 par value: Authorized shares - 50,000,000, Issued and outstanding shares - 28,415,052 in 2019 and 28,534,935 in 2018284
 285
Common stock, $0.01 par value: Authorized shares - 50,000,000, Issued and outstanding shares - 27,915,057 in 2019 and 28,534,935 in 2018279
 285
Additional paid-in capital214,173
 210,296
221,629
 210,296
Retained earnings338,980
 342,663
339,237
 342,663
Total shareholders’ equity553,437
 553,244
561,145
 553,244
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$885,577
 $760,215
$980,633
 $760,215
      
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.


Forward Air CorporationCondensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income(In thousands, except per share data)(Unaudited)
      
Three months endedThree months ended Nine months ended
March 31,
2019
 March 31,
2018
September 30,
2019
 September 30,
2018
 September 30,
2019
 September 30,
2018
Operating revenue$321,471
 $302,608
$361,663
 $331,375
 $1,028,891
 $964,325
          
Operating expenses:          
Purchased transportation144,014
 139,666
163,606
 155,451
 462,744
 450,833
Salaries, wages and employee benefits76,362
 69,581
87,259
 76,028
 243,899
 217,682
Operating leases19,173
 17,964
20,521
 18,671
 60,021
 54,640
Depreciation and amortization10,827
 10,690
10,528
 10,295
 32,036
 31,346
Insurance and claims9,371
 7,153
10,930
 9,203
 33,531
 26,442
Fuel expense5,608
 5,554
6,105
 5,634
 17,642
 16,786
Other operating expenses31,382
 27,765
32,025
 26,214
 93,045
 79,612
Total operating expenses296,737
 278,373
330,974
 301,496
 942,918
 877,341
Income from operations24,734
 24,235
30,689
 29,879
 85,973
 86,984
          
Other expense:          
Interest expense(575) (371)(761) (472) (1,916) (1,327)
Other, net(1) 
1
 (1) (1) (2)
Total other expense(576) (371)(760) (473) (1,917) (1,329)
Income before income taxes24,158
 23,864
29,929
 29,406
 84,056
 85,655
Income tax expense5,751
 6,123
7,734
 7,077
 21,124
 21,289
Net income and comprehensive income$18,407

$17,741
$22,195

$22,329
 $62,932
 $64,366
          
Net income per share:          
Basic$0.64
 $0.60
$0.78
 $0.76
 $2.20
 $2.18
Diluted$0.64
 $0.60
$0.78
 $0.76
 $2.19
 $2.18
          
Dividends per share:$0.18
 $0.15
$0.18
 $0.15
 $0.54
 $0.45


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.




Forward Air CorporationCondensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows(In thousands)(Unaudited)
  
Three months endedNine months ended
March 31,
2019
 March 31,
2018
September 30, 2019
 September 30,
2018
  
Operating activities:      
Net income$18,407
 $17,741
$62,932
 $64,366
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities      
Depreciation and amortization10,827
 10,690
32,036
 31,346
Change in fair value of earn-out liability890
 (455)
Share-based compensation3,047
 2,261
9,006
 7,525
(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment(61) 82
Provision for loss on receivables629
 134
Loss (gain) on disposal of property and equipment, net1,010
 (14)
Provision for loss (recovery) on receivables828
 (52)
Provision for revenue adjustments540
 817
2,243
 2,921
Deferred income tax expense836
 3,713
5,931
 6,676
Changes in operating assets and liabilities      
Accounts receivable4,567
 805
(4,206) (3,386)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets2,699
 2,715
(4,473) (4,880)
Income taxes4,631
 1,768
(2,556) (3,193)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses(4,596) 87
14,090
 12,991
Net cash provided by operating activities41,526
 40,813
117,731
 113,845
      
Investing activities:      
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment407
 644
2,101
 5,989
Purchases of property and equipment(4,090) (6,221)(27,102) (34,344)
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired(39,000) (3,737)
Other(6) (91)
 (356)
Net cash used in investing activities(3,689) (5,668)(64,001) (32,448)
      
Financing activities:      
Payments of finance lease obligations(68) (74)(528) (228)
Proceeds from senior credit facility20,000
 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options830
 
2,063
 3,682
Payments of cash dividends(5,189) (4,413)(15,421) (13,213)
Repurchase of common stock (repurchase program)(14,181) (19,993)(47,906) (44,985)
Proceeds from common stock issued under employee stock purchase plan261
 237
Cash settlement of share-based awards for tax withholdings(2,721) (1,823)(3,032) (1,872)
Net cash used in financing activities(21,329) (26,303)(44,563) (56,379)
Net increase in cash16,508
 8,842
9,167
 25,018
Cash at beginning of period25,657
 3,893
25,657
 3,893
Cash at end of period$42,165
 $12,735
$34,824
 $28,911
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.




Forward Air Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity
(In thousands)
          
 Common Stock Additional Paid-in
Capital
 Retained Earnings Total Shareholders' Equity
 Shares Amount   
Balance at December 31, 201828,535
 $285
 $210,296
 $342,663
 $553,244
Net income and comprehensive income
 
 
 18,407
 18,407
Other
 2
 
 
 2
Exercise of stock options18
 
 830
 
 830
Share-based compensation
 
 3,047
 
 3,047
Dividends ($0.18 per share)
 
 1
 (5,190) (5,189)
Cash settlement of share-based awards for minimum tax withholdings(44) (1) 
 (2,720) (2,721)
Share repurchases(230) (2) 
 (14,179) (14,181)
Vesting of previously non-vested shares136
 
 
 
 
Balance at March 31, 201928,415
 284
 214,174
 338,981
 553,439
Net income and comprehensive income
 
 
 22,330
 22,330
Other
 
 (2) (2) (4)
Exercise of stock options10
 
 448
 
 448
Common stock issued under employee stock purchase plan5
 
 261
 
 261
Share-based compensation
 
 3,197
 
 3,197
Dividends ($0.18 per share)
 
 2
 (5,146) (5,144)
Cash settlement of share-based awards for minimum tax withholdings(1) 
 
 (49) (49)
Share repurchases(407) (4) 
 (24,432) (24,436)
Vesting of previously non-vested shares18
 
 
 
 
Balance at June 30, 201928,040
 $280
 $218,080
 $331,682
 $550,042
Net income and comprehensive income
 
 
 22,195
 22,195
Exercise of stock options17
 
 785
 
 785
Share-based compensation
 
 2,762
 
 2,762
Dividends ($0.18 per share)
 
 2
 (5,090) (5,088)
Cash settlement of share-based awards for minimum tax withholdings(4) 
 
 (262) (262)
Share repurchases(152) (1) 
 (9,288) (9,289)
Vesting of previously non-vested shares14
 
 
 
 
Balance at September 30, 201927,915
 279
 221,629
 339,237
 561,145
          
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.




Forward Air Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity, continued
(In thousands, except share data)
          
 Common Stock Additional Paid-in
Capital
 Retained Earnings Total Shareholders' Equity
 Shares Amount   
Balance at December 31, 201729,454
 $295
 $195,346
 $337,058
 $532,699
Net income and comprehensive income
 
 
 17,741
 17,741
Other
 (2) 
 (27) (29)
Share-based compensation
 
 2,261
 
 2,261
Dividends ($0.15 per share)
 
 1
 (4,414) (4,413)
Cash settlement of share-based awards for minimum tax withholdings(33) 
 
 (1,823) (1,823)
Share repurchases(364) (4) 
 (19,989) (19,993)
Vesting of previously non-vested shares105
 1
 (1) 
 
Balance at March 31, 201829,162
 290
 197,607
 328,546
 526,443
Net income and comprehensive income
 
 
 24,298
 24,298
Other
 
 
 (2) (2)
Exercise of stock options26
 1
 1,111
 
 1,112
Common stock issued under employee stock purchase plan5
 
 237
 
 237
Share-based compensation
 
 2,418
 
 2,418
Dividends ($0.15 per share)
 
 1
 (4,416) (4,415)
Cash settlement of share-based awards for minimum tax withholdings(1) 
 
 (49) (49)
Share repurchases(133) (1) 
 (8,171) (8,172)
Vesting of previously non-vested shares15
 1
 (1) 
 
Balance at June 30, 201829,074
 291
 201,373
 340,206
 541,870
Net income and comprehensive income
 
 
 22,329
 22,329
Other  
 (1) 
 (1)
Exercise of stock options62
 
 2,570
 
 2,570
Share-based compensation
 
 2,847
 
 2,847
Dividends ($0.15 per share)
 
 1
 (4,386) (4,385)
Share repurchases(267) (3) 
 (16,817) (16,820)
Balance at September 30, 201828,869
 288
 206,790
 341,332
 548,410
          
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.



Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
March 31,September 30, 2019




1.    Description of Business and Basis of Presentation


Forward Air Corporation ("the Company", "We", "Our") is a leading asset-light freight and logistics company. Forward Air Corporation's services can be classified into four reportable segments: Expedited LTL, Intermodal, Truckload Premium Services ("TLS") and Pool Distribution ("Pool") (See Note 13).
 
Through the Expedited LTL segment, we operate a comprehensive national network to provide expedited regional, inter-regional and national less-than-truckload ("LTL") services. Expedited LTL offers customers local pick-up and delivery and other services including shipment consolidation and deconsolidation, warehousing, final mile solutions, customs brokerage and other handling. Because of our roots in serving the deferred air freight market, our terminal network is located at or near airports in the United States and Canada.


Our Intermodal segment provides first- and last-mile high value intermodal container drayage services both to and from seaports and railheads. Intermodal also offers dedicated contract and CFScontainer freight station ("CFS") warehouse and handling services. Today, Intermodal operates primarily in the Midwest and Southeast, with a smaller operational presence in the Southwest and Mid-Atlantic United States.


Through our TLS segment, we provide expedited truckload brokerage, dedicated fleet services, as well as high security and temperature-controlled logistics services in the United States and Canada.


In our Pool segment, we provide high-frequency handling and distribution of time sensitive product to numerous destinations within a specific geographic region. We offer this service throughout the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Midwest and Southwest United States.


The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by United States generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The Company’s operating results are subject to seasonal trends (as described in our 2018 Form 10-K) when measured on a quarterly basis; therefore operating results for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2019. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Forward Air Corporation Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.


The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company include Forward Air Corporation and its subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period financial information to conform to the current year presentation.


2.    Recent Accounting Pronouncements


In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), which replaces the incurred loss methodology previously employed to measure credit losses for most financial assets and requires the use of a forward-looking expected loss model. Under current accounting guidance, credit losses are recognized when it is probable a loss has been incurred. The updated guidance will require financial assets to be measured at amortized costs less a reserve, equal to the net amount expected to be collected. This standard will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the effects that the adoption of this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, which requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset with a corresponding lease liability on their balance sheet for most leases classified as operating leases under previous guidance. Lessors are required to recognize a net lease investment for most leases. Additional qualitative and quantitative disclosures are also required. The Company applied the transition requirements as of January 1, 2019. As of September 30, 2019 which resulted in recordingthe Company recorded right-of-use lease assets and corresponding lease liabilities of $133,361$158,977 and $133,739, respectively, as of March 31, 2019.$159,690, respectively. There was no impact to the Company's Statements of Comprehensive Income or Statements of Cash Flows. In addition, comparative financial statements have not been
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2019

presented as allowed per the guidance. Changes to processes and internal controls to meet the standard’s reporting and disclosure requirements have also been implemented. See Note 9, Leases, for additional discussion over this new standard, including the impact on the Company's financial statements.


Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
March 31, 2019

3.     Revenue


The Company's revenue is generated from providing transportation and related services to customers in accordance with contractual agreements, bill of lading ("BOL") contracts and general tariff provisions. Related services include accessorial charges such as terminal handling, storage, equipment rentals and customs brokerage. These services are distinct and are accounted for as separate performance obligations. Generally, the Company's performance obligations begin when a customer's BOL is received and are satisfied when the delivery of a shipment and related services are completed. The Company generally recognizes revenue for its services over time to coincide with when its customers simultaneously receive and consume the benefits of these services. Performance obligations are short-term with transit days typically less than a week. Upon delivery of a shipment or related service, customers are billed and remit payment according to payment terms.


Our revenue from contracts with customers is disclosed within our four4 reportable segments: Expedited LTL, Intermodal, TLS and Pool. This is consistent with our disclosures in earnings releases and annual reports and with the information regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker for evaluating financial performance. See additional discussion in Note 13, Segment Reporting.


4.    Acquisitions and GoodwillLong-Lived Assets


Expedited LTL Acquisitions

As part of our strategy to expand our final mile pickup and delivery operations, in April 2019, we acquired certain assets and liabilities of FSA Network, Inc., doing business as FSA Logistix (“FSA”), for $27,000 and a potential earnout of up to $15,000. This acquisition provides an opportunity for our Expedited LTL segment to expand its final mile service offering into additional geographic markets, form relationships with new customers, add volumes to our existing locations and generate synergies with our LTL operations. This transaction was funded using cash flows from operations. The assets, liabilities, and operating results of this acquisition have been included in the Company's consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition and have been assigned to the Expedited LTL reportable segment.

The acquisition agreement provides the sellers an earnout opportunity of up to $15,000 based on the achievement of certain revenue milestones over a two year period, beginning May 1, 2019. Upon acquisition the fair value of the earn-out liability was $10,321 and is included in other current and long-term liabilities in the opening condensed consolidated balance sheet. The earn-out liability was classified as level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as defined in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“the FASB Codification”) and the value was determined based on estimated revenues and the probability of achieving them. The fair value was based on the two-year performance of FSA's acquired customer revenue and was estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation. The initial weighted average assumptions used in the Monte Carlo simulation are summarized in the following table:
FSA Earn-out
Risk-free rate2.4%
Revenue discount rate8.5%
Revenue volatility9.0%


During the three months ended September 30, 2019, the earn-out fair value increased $890 to $11,211. The fair value increased due to new final mile business wins after the acquisition date that are included in the revenue used to calculate the earn-out and due to increased probability of paying the earn-out, partly due to the passage of time. The increase in the earn-out was recorded in the other operating expenses line item. As of September 30, 2019, the expected total earn-out to be paid is $12,600.

Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2019

Intermodal Acquisitions


As part of the Company's strategy to expand its Intermodal operations, in July 2018,2019, the Company acquired certain assets and liabilities of Multi-Modal TransportO.S.T. Logistics, Inc. ("MMT"and O.S.T. Trucking Co., Inc. (together referred to as “OST”) for $3,737,$12,000. OST is a drayage company and provides the Intermodal segment with an expanded footprint on the East Coast, with locations in the Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, South Carolina and Georgia markets. Additionally, in October 2018, the Company acquired certain assets of Southwest Freight Distributors (“Southwest”) for $16,250. The MMT acquisition provides Intermodal with an expanded footprint in the Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Wisconsin markets, and the Southwest acquisition provides an expanded footprint in Texas. Both MMTTexas and Southwest also provide access to several strategic customer relationships.
The
These transactions were funded using cash flows from operations.The assets, liabilities, and operating results of these collective acquisitions have been included in the Company's consolidated financial statements from their dates of acquisition and have been included in the Intermodal reportable segment.

Allocations of Purchase Price

The following table presents the allocations of the FSA and OST purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values and resulting residual goodwill (in thousands):

FSAOST

April 21, 2019July 14, 2019
Tangible assets:  
Cash$202
$
Other receivables1,491

Property and equipment40
10,604
Operating lease right-of-use assets3,209
1,672
Total tangible assets4,942
12,276
Intangible assets:  
Non-compete agreements900
850
Customer relationships17,100
5,700
Goodwill19,281
2,050
Total intangible assets37,281
8,600
Total assets acquired42,223
20,876

  
Liabilities assumed:  
Current liabilities7,664

Other liabilities4,350

Debt and finance lease obligations
7,204
Operating lease obligations3,209
1,672
Total liabilities assumed15,223
8,876
Net assets acquired$27,000
$12,000


The above purchase price allocations for FSA and OST is preliminary, as the Company is still in the process of finalizing the valuation of the acquired assets and liabilities assumed. The above estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed for FSA and OST are based on the information that was available as of the acquisition date through the date of this filing. The acquired definite-lived intangible assets have the following useful lives:
 Useful Lives
 FSAOST
Non-compete agreements5 years3 years
Customer relationships15 years10 years


The fair value of the non-compete agreements and customer relationships assets were estimated using an income approach. The Company's inputs into fair value estimates are classified within level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. Under this method, an intangible asset's fair value is equal to the present value of the incremental after-tax cash flows (excess earnings) attributable solely to the
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2019

intangible asset over its remaining useful life. To estimate fair value, the Company used cash flows discounted at rates considered appropriate given the inherent risks associated with each type of asset. The Company believes that the level and timing of cash flows appropriately reflect market participant assumptions. Cash flows were assumed to extend through the remaining economic useful life of each class of intangible asset.

Goodwill


The Company conducted its annual impairment assessments and test of goodwill for each reporting unit as of June 30, 20182019 and
no impairment charges were required at that time. The first step of the goodwill impairment test is the Company's assessment of qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the reporting unit's carrying amount, including goodwill. When performing the qualitative assessment, the Company considers the impact of factors including, but not limited to, macroeconomic and industry conditions, overall financial performance of each reporting unit, litigation and new legislation. If based on the qualitative assessments, the Company believes it more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the reporting unit's carrying amount, or periodically as deemed appropriate by management, the Company will prepare an estimation of the respective reporting unit's fair value utilizing a quantitative approach.

If a quantitative fair value estimation is required, the Company estimates the fair value of the applicable reporting units, using a combination of discounted projected cash flows and market valuations for comparable companies as of the valuation date (level 3). If this estimation of fair value indicates that impairment potentially exists, the Company will then measure the amount of the impairment, if any. Goodwill impairment exists when the estimated implied fair value of goodwill is less than its carrying value. Changes in strategy or market conditions could significantly impact these fair value estimates and require adjustments to recorded asset balances. During the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019, no indicators of goodwill impairment were identified.


The following is a summary of the Company's goodwill as of March 31, 2019. There were no changes to goodwill during the three months ended March 31, 2019.September 30, 2019. Approximately $119,948$141,279 of goodwill is deductible for tax purposes.
 Beginning balance, December 31, 2018 FSA AcquisitionOST Acquisition Ending balance, September 30, 2019
Expedited LTL      
Goodwill$97,593
 $19,281
$
 $116,874
Accumulated Impairment
 

 
       
Intermodal      
Goodwill76,615
 
2,050
 78,665
Accumulated Impairment
 

 
       
TLS      
Goodwill45,164
 

 45,164
Accumulated Impairment(25,686) 

 (25,686)
       
Pool Distribution      
Goodwill12,359
 

 12,359
Accumulated Impairment(6,953) 

 (6,953)
       
Total$199,092
 $19,281
$2,050
 $220,423

  March 31, 2019
Expedited LTL  
Goodwill $97,593
Accumulated Impairment 
   
Intermodal  
Goodwill 76,615
Accumulated Impairment 
TLS  
Goodwill 45,164
Accumulated Impairment (25,686)
   
Pool Distribution  
Goodwill 12,359
Accumulated Impairment (6,953)
   
   
Total $199,092
Other Long-Lived Assets
The Company evaluates the reasonableness of the useful lives and salvage values of its assets on an ongoing basis. During the current quarter, the Company identified indicators that the useful lives of its owned tractors and trailers extended beyond initial expectations. As a result, the Company performed a useful life study ("the study") to conclude if any changes to its tractor and trailer useful lives and salvage values were warranted. The study included reviewing statistical data for its population of owned tractors and trailers, including historical disposition activity, reviewing fair value information and conducting interviews with management to determine the expected future use of assets.
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
March 31,September 30, 2019



As a result of this study, management deemed it appropriate to extend the average useful life of its trailers from 7 to 10 years and its tractors from 5 to 10 years. In addition, management reduced the average salvage value of its tractors from 25% to 10%. No changes were made to trailer salvage values. These changes in estimates were made to assets currently owned and originally purchased new since assets purchased used were assigned individual useful lives and salvage values based on their age and condition at purchase. This change in estimate was made on a prospective basis beginning on July 1, 2019. The impact of this study on the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 was a $1,000 reduction in depreciation.

In addition, management recorded a $900 reserve for tractors during the current quarter. This is recorded in other operating expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

5.    Share-Based Payments


The Company’s general practice has been to make a single annual grant of share-based compensation in the first quarter to key employees and to make other employee grants only in connection with new employment or promotions.  Forms of share-based compensation granted to employees by the Company include stock options, non-vested shares of common stock (“non-vested shares”), and performance shares.  The Company also typically makes a single annual grant of non-vested shares to non-employee directors in conjunction with the annual election of non-employee directors to the Board of Directors. Share-based compensation is based on the grant date fair value of the instrument and is recognized ratably over the requisite service period, or vesting period.  All share-based compensation expense is recognized in salaries, wages and employee benefits.


Employee Activity - Stock Options
 
Stock option grants to employees generally expire seven years from the grant date and typically vest ratably over a three-year period.  The Company historically used the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to estimate the grant-date fair value of options granted.  The Company did not make any stock option grants in the threenine months ended March 31, 2019.September 30, 2019.

The following tables summarize the Company’s employee stock option activity and related information:
      

Three months ended March 31, 2019Nine months ended September 30, 2019







Weighted-





Weighted-



Weighted-
Aggregate
Average

Weighted-


Average



Average
Intrinsic
Remaining

Average
Aggregate
Remaining

Options
Exercise
Value
Contractual

Exercise
Intrinsic
Contractual

(000)
Price
(000)
TermOptions
Price
Value
Term
Outstanding at December 31, 2018538

$51



538

$51




Granted





Exercised(18)
46



(45)
47



Forfeited





(8)
54



Outstanding at March 31, 2019520

$52

$5,031

4.5
Exercisable at March 31, 2019308

$46

$4,598

3.5
Outstanding at September 30, 2019485

$52

$4,638

4.0
Exercisable at September 30, 2019319

$48

$4,163

3.3

   

Three months endedNine months ended

March 31,
2019

March 31,
2018
September 30,
2019

September 30,
2018
Share-based compensation for options$439

$342
$1,209

$1,085
Tax benefit for option compensation$105

$88
$312

$271
Unrecognized compensation cost for options, net of estimated forfeitures$2,768

$2,589
$1,878

$3,621
Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation will be recognized (years)1.9


1.6
  



Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
March 31,September 30, 2019


Employee Activity - Non-vested Shares


Non-vested share grants to employees vest ratably over a three-year period.  The non-vested shares’ fair values were estimated using closing market prices on the day of grant. The following tables summarize the Company’s employee non-vested share activity and related information:
      

Nine months ended September 30, 2019



Weighted-




Average
Aggregate

Non-vested
Grant Date
Grant Date

Shares
Fair Value
Fair Value
Outstanding and non-vested at December 31, 2018315

$55


Granted114

59


Vested(131)
61


Forfeited(15)
56


Outstanding and non-vested at September 30, 2019283

$58

$16,441

Three months ended March 31, 2019



Weighted-
Aggregate

Non-vested
Average
Grant Date

Shares
Grant Date
Fair Value

(000)
Fair Value
(000)
Outstanding and non-vested at December 31, 2018315

$55


Granted108

59


Vested(114)
61


Forfeited(2)
54


Outstanding and non-vested at March 31, 2019307

$58

$17,861

Nine months ended

September 30,
2019

September 30,
2018
Share-based compensation for non-vested shares$6,210

$4,902
Tax benefit for non-vested share compensation$1,581

$1,225
Unrecognized compensation cost for non-vested shares, net of estimated forfeitures$10,705

$13,146
Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation will be recognized (years)1.8
  


Three months ended

March 31,
2019

March 31,
2018
Share-based compensation for non-vested shares$2,042

$1,399
Tax benefit for non-vested share compensation$486

$360
Unrecognized compensation cost for non-vested shares, net of estimated forfeitures$15,251

$11,747
Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation will be recognized (years)2.1


��

Employee Activity - Performance Shares


The Company annually grants performance shares to key employees.  Under the terms of the performance share agreements, following the end of a three-year performance period, the Company will issue to these employees a calculated number of common stock shares based on meeting certain performance targets. For shares granted during the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019, 50% of the performance share issuances will be based on meeting earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") per share targets and the remaining 50% of the performance share issuances will be based on the three year-year performance of the Company’s total shareholder return ("TSR") as compared to the TSR of a selected peer group. All performance shares granted during the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018 were based on achieving total shareholder return targets.


Depending upon the EBITDA per share targets met, 0% to 200% of the granted shares may ultimately be issued. For shares granted based on total shareholder return, 0% of the shares will be issued if the Company's total shareholder return outperforms 25% or less of the peer group, but 200% of the shares will be issued if the Company's total shareholder return performs better than 90% of the peer group.  


The fair value of the performance shares granted based on meeting EBITDA per share targets were estimated using the closing market prices on the day of grant and the probability of meeting these targets as of the date of grant.measurement date.

Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
March 31, 2019


The fair value of the performance shares granted based on the three year performance of the Company’s total shareholder return was estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation. The weighted average assumptions used in the Monte Carlo estimate were as follows:

Three months endedNine months ended

March 31,
2019

March 31,
2018
September 30,
2019

September 30,
2018
Expected stock price volatility23.4%
24.3%23.4%
24.3%
Weighted average risk-free interest rate2.5%
2.2%2.5%
2.2%

Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2019

The following tables summarize the Company’s employee performance share activity, assuming median share awards, and related information:

Nine months ended September 30, 2019



Weighted-




Average
Aggregate

Performance
Grant Date
Grant Date

Shares
Fair Value
Fair Value
Outstanding and non-vested at December 31, 201865

$58


Granted30

61


Vested(23)
64


Forfeited(10)
63


Outstanding and non-vested at September 30, 201962

$62

$3,870

Three months ended March 31, 2019



Weighted-
Aggregate

Performance
Average
Grant Date

Shares
Grant Date
Fair Value

(000)
Fair Value
(000)
Outstanding and non-vested at December 31, 201865

$58


Granted27

61


Additional shares awarded based on performance




Vested(23)
64


Forfeited




Outstanding and non-vested at March 31, 201969

$62

$4,318


Three months endedNine months ended

March 31,
2019

March 31,
2018
September 30,
2019

September 30,
2018
Share-based compensation for performance shares$348

$335
$821

$953
Tax benefit for performance share compensation$83

$86
$212

$238
Unrecognized compensation cost for performance shares, net of estimated forfeitures$2,806

$2,343
$1,884

$1,725
Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation will be recognized (years)2.3


1.9
  


Employee Activity – Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Under the 2005 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”), which has been approved by shareholders, the Company is authorized to issue up to a remaining 357 shares of common stock to employees of the Company. These shares may be issued at a price equal to 90% of the lesser of the market value on the first day or the last day of each six-month purchase period. Common stock purchases are paid for through periodic payroll deductions and/or up to 2 large lump sum contributions. The following table summarizes the Company’s employee stock purchase activity and related information:

Nine months ended

September 30,
2019

September 30,
2018
Shares purchased by participants under plan5

5
Average purchase price$49

$52
Weighted-average fair value of each purchase right under the ESPP granted ¹$10

$7
Share-based compensation for ESPP shares$52

$32
    
¹ Equal to the discount from the market value of the common stock at the end of each six month purchase period



Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
March 31,September 30, 2019


Non-employee Director Activity - Non-vested Shares


Grants of non-vested shares to non-employee directors vest ratably over the elected term to the Board of Directors, or approximately one year. year.  The following tables summarize the Company’s non-employee non-vested share activity and related information:

Nine months ended September 30, 2019



Weighted-




Average
Aggregate

Non-vested
Grant Date
Grant Date

Shares
Fair Value
Fair Value
Outstanding and non-vested at December 31, 201815

$59


Granted15

62


Vested(15)
59


Outstanding and non-vested at September 30, 201915

$62

$920

Three months ended March 31, 2019



Weighted-
Aggregate

Non-vested
Average
Grant Date

Shares
Grant Date
Fair Value

(000)
Fair Value
(000)
Outstanding and non-vested at December 31, 201815

$59


Granted




Vested




Forfeited




Outstanding and non-vested at March 31, 201915

$59

$886


Nine months ended

September 30,
2019

September 30,
2018
Share-based compensation for non-vested shares$714

$553
Tax benefit for non-vested share compensation$184

$138
Unrecognized compensation cost for non-vested shares, net of estimated forfeitures$554

$501
Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation will be recognized (years)0.6
  


Three months ended

March 31,
2019

March 31,
2018
Share-based compensation for non-vested shares$218

$185
Tax benefit for non-vested share compensation$52

$47
Unrecognized compensation cost for non-vested shares, net of estimated forfeitures$142

$65
Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation will be recognized (years)0.2



6.    Senior Credit Facility


On September 29, 2017, the Company entered into a five-year5-year senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) with a maximum aggregate principal amount of $150,000, with a sublimit of $30,000 for letters of credit and a sublimit of $30,000 for swing line loans. The Facility may be increased by up to $100,000 to a maximum aggregate principal amount of $250,000 pursuant to the terms of the credit agreement, subject to the lenders’ agreement to increase their commitments or the addition of new lenders extending such commitments. Such increases to the Facility may be in the form of additional revolving credit loans, term loans or a combination thereof, and are contingent upon there being no events of default under the Facility and satisfaction of other conditions precedent and are subject to the other limitations set forth in the credit agreement. The Facility is scheduled to mature in September 2022 and may be used to refinance existing indebtedness of the Company and for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes.


Unless the Company elects otherwise under the credit agreement, interest on borrowings under the Facility is based on the highest of (a) the federal funds rate (not less than 0%) plus 0.5%, (b) the administrative agent's prime rate and (c) the LIBOR Rate plus 1.0%, in each case plus a margin that can range from 0.3% to 0.8% with respect to the Facility depending on the Company’s ratio of consolidated funded indebtedness to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, as set forth in the credit agreement. Payments of interest for each loan that is based on the LIBOR Rate are due in arrears on the last day of the interest period applicable to such loan (with interest periods of one, two or three months being available, at the Company’s option). Payments of interest on loans that are not based on the LIBOR Rate are due on the last day of each quarter ended March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year. All unpaid amounts of principal and interest are due at maturity. As of March 31,September 30, 2019 we, the Company had $47,500$67,500 in borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility, $12,704$14,020 utilized for outstanding letters of credit and $89,796$68,480 of available borrowing capacity under the revolving credit facility.  The interest rate on the outstanding borrowing under the revolving credit facility was 3.9%3.4% as of March 31,September 30, 2019.

Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
March 31, 2019


The Facility contains customary events of default including, among other things, payment defaults, breach of covenants, cross acceleration to material indebtedness, bankruptcy-related defaults, material judgment defaults, and the occurrence of certain change of control events. The occurrence of an event of default may result in, among other things, the termination of the Facilities, acceleration of repayment obligations and the exercise of remedies by the lenders with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2019

that are party to the Facility. The Facility also contains financial covenants and other covenants that, among other things, restrict the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries, without the approval of the required lenders, to engage in certain mergers, consolidations, asset sales, dividends and stock repurchases, investments, and other transactions or to incur liens or indebtedness in excess of agreed thresholds, as set forth in the credit agreement. As of March 31,September 30, 2019, the Company was in compliance with the aforementioned covenants.


7.    Net Income Per Share


The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per share:
  Three months ended Nine months ended
  September 30,
2019
 September 30,
2018
 September 30,
2019
 September 30,
2018
Numerator:        
Net income and comprehensive income $22,195
 $22,329

$62,932

$64,366
Income allocated to participating securities (236) (239)
(696)
(596)
Numerator for basic and diluted income per share - net income $21,959
 $22,090
 $62,236
 $63,770
Denominator:  
  
    
Denominator for basic income per share - weighted-average shares 27,981
 28,964
 28,286
 29,189
Effect of dilutive stock options 74
 95
 76
 81
Effect of dilutive performance shares 27
 36
 31
 33
Denominator for diluted income per share - adjusted weighted-average shares 28,082
 29,095
 28,393
 29,303
Basic net income per share $0.78
 $0.76
 $2.20
 $2.18
Diluted net income per share $0.78
 $0.76
 $2.19
 $2.18

  Three months ended
  March 31,
2019
 March 31,
2018
Numerator:    
Net income and comprehensive income $18,407
 $17,741
Income allocated to participating securities (208) (145)
Numerator for basic and diluted income per share - net income $18,199
 $17,596
Denominator (in thousands):  
  
Denominator for basic income per share - weighted-average shares 28,530
 29,375
Effect of dilutive stock options 76
 70
Effect of dilutive performance shares 42
 35
Denominator for diluted income per share - adjusted weighted-average shares 28,648
 29,480
Basic net income per share $0.64
 $0.60
Diluted net income per share $0.64
 $0.60


The number of instruments that could potentially dilute net income per basic share in the future, but that were not included in the computation of net income per diluted share because to do so would have been anti-dilutive for the periods presented, are as follows:
 September 30, 2019 September 30, 2018
Anti-dilutive stock options188
 100
Anti-dilutive performance shares
 15
Anti-dilutive non-vested shares and deferred stock units
 3
Total anti-dilutive shares188
 118

 March 31, 2019 March 31, 2018
Anti-dilutive stock options (in thousands)195
 67
Anti-dilutive performance shares (in thousands)8
 11
Anti-dilutive non-vested shares and deferred stock units (in thousands)
 9
Total anti-dilutive shares (in thousands)203
 87


8.    Income Taxes


The Company or one of its subsidiaries files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, various states and Canada. With
a few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local, or Canadian examinations by tax authorities
for years before 2011.


For the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 and 2018, the effective income tax rates varied from the statutory federal income tax rate of 21.0%, primarily as a result of the effect of state income taxes, net of the federal benefit, and permanent differences between book and tax net income. The combined federal and state effective tax rate for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 was 23.8%25.1% compared to a rate of 25.7%24.9%for the same period in 2018. The lowerhigher effective tax rate for the first quarter ofnine months ended September 30, 2019 is was primarily the result of a larger portion of executive compensation exceeding the IRS code section 162M limit, which makes it not deductible for income tax purposes in 2019 and a $300 Tennessee state job tax credit in
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2019

the prior year. This increase was partly offset by increased stock based compensation vesting and exercises when compared to the same period in 2018, which was impacted by forfeited performance shares and no option activity.shares.
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
March 31, 2019

9.     Leases


As of January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU 2016-02, Leases, which required the Company to recognize a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability on its balance sheet for most leases classified as operating leases under previous guidance. The Company adopted the standard using the modified retrospective approach as of January 1, 2019 and comparative financial statements have not been presented as allowed per the guidance.


The Company elected several of the practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard. The package of practical expedients elected allowed the Company to carryforward its conclusions over whether any existing contracts contain a lease, to carryforward historical lease classification, and to carryforward its evaluation of initial direct costs for any existing leases. In addition, the Company elected the practical expedients to combine lease and non-lease components and to keep leases with an initial term of 12 months or less, after the consideration of options, off the balance sheet. For these leases with an initial term of 12 months or less, after the consideration of options, the Company recognized the corresponding lease expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. These practical expedients have been elected for all leases and subleases and will be applied on a go-forward basis.


A contract is or contains a lease if the contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. An entity controls the use of the identified asset if both of the following are true: (1) the entity obtains the right to substantially all of the economic benefits from use of the identified asset and (2) the entity has the right to direct the use of the identified asset. For the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019, the Company leased facilities and equipment under operating and finance leases.


The Company leases some of its facilities under noncancelable operating leases that expire in various years through 2026. Certain leases may be renewed for periods varying from 1 to 10 years.  The Company has entered into or assumed through acquisition several equipment operating leases for assets including tractors, straight trucks and trailers with original lease terms between 2 and 6 years.  These leases expire in various years through 20242025 and certain leases may not be renewed beyond the original term.  for periods varying from 1 to 3 years. 

Primarily through acquisitions, the Company assumed a few equipment leases that met the criteria for classification as a finance lease.  In conjunction with the acquisition of OST during the quarter, discussed further in Note 4, Acquisitions and Long-Lived Assets, the Company assumed finance leases with remaining lease terms between 2 and 7 years. These leases expire in various years through 2025 with no options to renew.  All other finance leases are not considered material to the Company's financial statement for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019. The finance leased equipment is being amortized over the shorter of the lease term or useful life and are not considered material to the Company's financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2019. life.

The Company also subleases certain facility leases to independent third parties; however, as the Company is not relieved of its primary obligation under these leases, these assets are included in the right-of-use lease assets and corresponding lease liabilities as of March 31,September 30, 2019.


For leases and subleases with terms greater than 12 months, the Company recorded the related right-of-use asset as the balance of the related lease liability, adjusted for any prepaid or accrued lease payments. Unamortized initial direct costs and lease incentives were not significant as of March 31,September 30, 2019. The lease liability was recorded at the present value of the lease payments over the term. Many of the Company's leases include rental escalation clauses, renewal options and/or termination options that were contemplated intoin the determination of lease payments when appropriate. As of March 31,September 30, 2019, the Company was not reasonably certain of exercising any renewal options. Further, as of March 31,September 30, 2019, it was reasonably certain that all termination options would not be exercised. As such, there were no adjustments made to its right-of-use lease assets or corresponding liabilities as a result. In addition, the Company does not have any leases with residual value guarantees or material restrictions or covenants as of March 31,September 30, 2019.


The Company did not separate lease and nonlease components of contracts for purposes of determining the right-of use lease asset and corresponding liability. Additionally, variable lease and variable nonlease components were not contemplated in the calculation of the right-of-use asset and corresponding liability. For facility leases, variable lease costs include the costs of common area
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2019

maintenance, taxes, and insurance for which the Company pays its lessors an estimate that is adjusted to actual expense on a quarterly or annual basis depending on the underlying contract terms. For equipment leases, variable lease costs may include additional fees for using equipment in excess of estimated annual mileage thresholds.


In addition, the Company holds contracts with independent owner operators. These contracts explicitly identify the tractors to be operated by the independent owner operators and therefore, the Company concluded that these represent embedded leases. However, the contract compensation is variable based upon a rate per shipment and a rate per mile. As such, these amounts are excluded from the calculation of the right-of useright-of-use lease asset and corresponding liability and are instead disclosed as part of variable lease costs below. Costs incurred for independent owner operators in accordance with these embedded leases are included in purchased
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
March 31, 2019

transportation on the Company's Statements of Comprehensive Income, totaling $73,947$95,444 and $259,317 for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019.


When available, the Company uses the rate implicit in the lease or sublease to discount lease payments to present value; however, most of our leases do not provide a readily determinable implicit rate. Therefore, the Company must estimate its incremental borrowing rate to discount the lease payments based on information available at lease commencement. The incremental borrowing rate is defined as the rate of interest that the Company would have to pay to borrow, on a collateralized basis and over a similar term, an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. If using the Company’s incremental borrowing rate, management has elected to utilize a portfolio approach and applies the rates to a portfolio of leases with similar underlying assets and terms. Upon adoption of the new lease standard, discount rates used for existing leases were established at January 1, 2019.


The following table summarizes the Company's lease costs for the quarterthree and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 and related information:
 Three months ended Nine months ended
 September 30, 2019 September 30, 2019
Lease cost   
Finance lease cost:   
Amortization of right-of-use assets$405
 $571
Interest on lease liabilities53
 61
Operating lease cost15,650
 42,521
Short-term lease cost3,130
 8,635
Variable lease cost97,864
 271,129
Sublease income(535) (1,629)
Total lease cost$116,567
 $321,288
    
Other information   
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:   
Operating cash flows from finance leases$53
 $61
Operating cash flows from operating leases$15,146
 $41,524
Financing cash flows from finance leases$391
 $528
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities$7,204
 $7,204
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities$21,730
 $195,226
Weighted-average remaining lease term - finance leases (in years)4.8
 4.8
Weighted-average remaining lease term - operating leases (in years)3.8
 3.8
Weighted-average discount rate - finance leases3.4% 3.4%
Weighted-average discount rate - operating leases4.2% 4.2%


 Three months ended
 March 31, 2019
Lease cost 
Operating lease cost$13,861
Short-term lease cost2,849
Variable lease cost77,547
Sublease income(535)
Total lease cost$93,722
  
Other information 
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: 
Operating cash flows from operating leases$13,451
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities$146,822
Weighted-average remaining lease term - operating leases (in years)4
Weighted-average discount rate - operating leases4.4%

The table below reconciles the undiscounted cash flows for each of the first five years and total of the remaining years to the operating lease liabilities recorded on the balance sheet as of March 31, 2019:

Payment Due PeriodOperating Leases
2019$37,526
202040,201
202127,619
202218,036
202312,129
Thereafter13,948
Total minimum lease payments149,459
Less: amount of lease payments representing interest(15,720)
Present value of future minimum lease payments133,739
Less: current obligations under leases(43,824)
Long-term lease obligations$89,915


Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
March 31,September 30, 2019


The table below reconciles the undiscounted cash flows for each of the next five years and total of the remaining years to the lease liabilities recorded on the balance sheet as of September 30, 2019:

Payment Due PeriodOperating LeasesFinance Leases
2019$15,651
$419
202058,507
1,676
202143,540
1,676
202228,803
1,407
202319,577
1,265
Thereafter18,995
1,112
Total minimum lease payments185,073
7,555
Less: amount of lease payments representing interest(25,383)(677)
Present value of future minimum lease payments159,690
6,878
Less: current portion of lease obligations(47,137)(1,465)
Long-term lease obligations$112,553
$5,413


As of March 31,September 30, 2019, the Company has certain obligations to lease tractors, which will be delivered throughout the remainder of 2019. These leases are expected to have terms of approximately 3 to 4 years and are not expected to materially impact the Company's right-of-use lease assets or liabilities as of March 31,September 30, 2019.


Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
March 31, 2019

10.    Financial Instruments


Fair Value of Financial Instruments


The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating its fair value disclosures for financial instruments:


Accounts receivable and accounts payable: The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their fair value based on their short-term nature.
 
Revolving credit facility: The Company’s revolving credit facility bears variable interest rates plus additional basis points based upon covenants related to total indebtedness to earnings.  As the revolving credit facility bears a variable interest rate, the carrying value approximates fair value.


The fair value estimates of earn-outs are discussed in Note 4, Acquisitions and Long-Lived Assets.

Using interest rate quotes and discounted cash flows, the Company estimated the fair value of its outstanding finance lease obligations as follows:

  September 30, 2019
  Carrying Value Fair Value
Finance leases $6,991
 $7,103


The Company's fair value estimates for the above financial instruments are classified within level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

11.    Shareholders' Equity


During the first, second and third quarter of 2018, ourthe Company's Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.15 per share of common stock. During the fourth quarter of 2018 and the first quarterthree quarters of 2019, ourthe Company's Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.18 per share of common stock. The Company expects to continue to pay regular quarterly cash dividends, though each subsequent quarterly dividend is subject to review and approval by the Board of Directors.

Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2019


On July 21, 2016, ourthe Company's Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase authorization for up to three million3,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (the "2016 Repurchase Plan"). On February 5, 2019, our Board of Directors cancelled the Company’s 2016 Repurchase Plan and approved a new stock repurchase plan authorizing up to five million5,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “2019 Repurchase Plan”) that shall remain in effect until such time as the shares authorized for repurchase are exhausted or until earlier terminated.the plan is cancelled.  The Company is not obligated to repurchase any specific number of shares and may suspend or cancel the plan at any time.


The following table summarizestables summarize our share repurchases for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 and 2018.

Three months endedThree months ended

March 31, 2019
March 31, 2018September 30, 2019
September 30, 2018

Shares repurchasedCost of shares repurchasedAverage cost per share
Shares repurchasedCost of shares repurchasedAverage cost per shareShares repurchasedCost of shares repurchasedAverage cost per share
Shares repurchasedCost of shares repurchasedAverage cost per share















2016 Repurchase Plan67,572
$3,850
$56.97

364,286
$19,993
$54.88

$
$

267
$16,820
$62.89
2019 Repurchase Plan162,300
10,331
63.66




152
9,289
61.01




Total229,872
$14,181
$61.69

364,286
$19,993
$54.88
152
$9,289
$61.01

267
$16,820
$62.89

 Nine months ended
 September 30, 2019 September 30, 2018
 Shares repurchasedCost of shares repurchasedAverage cost per share Shares repurchasedCost of shares repurchasedAverage cost per share
        
2016 Repurchase Plan68
$3,850
$56.97
 765
$44,985
$58.83
2019 Repurchase Plan721
44,056
61.07
 


Total789
$47,906
$60.72
 765
$44,985
$58.83

As of March 31,September 30, 2019, 4,837,7004,279 shares were available to be purchased under the 2019 Plan.
12.    Commitments and Contingencies


From time to time, the Company is party to ordinary, routine litigation incidental to and arising in the normal course of business.  The Company does not believe that any of these pending actions, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition or results of operations.


The primary claims in the Company’s business relate to workers’ compensation, property damage, vehicle liability and medical benefits. Most of the Company’s insurance coverage provides for self-insurance levels with primary and excess coverage which management believes is sufficient to adequately protect the Company from catastrophic claims. In the opinion of management, adequate provision has been made for all incurred claims up to the self-insured limits, including provision for estimated claims incurred but not reported.
 
The Company estimates its self-insurance loss exposure by evaluating the merits and circumstances surrounding individual known claims and by performing hindsight and actuarial analysis to determine an estimate of probable losses on claims incurred but not reported.  Such losses should be realized immediately as the events underlying the claims have already occurred as of the balance sheet dates. 

The Company is responsible for the first $7,500 per incident until it meets the $6,000 aggregate deductible for incidents resulting in claims between $3,000 and $5,000 and the $2,500 aggregate deductible for incidents resulting in claims between $5,000 and $10,000. During the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company recorded a $2,500 and $7,500 reserve, respectively, for pending vehicular claims related to one incident. Although these claims are still developing, the Company has recorded reserves for the claims up to its self-insured retention limit of $7,500 and therefore, no further impact to the Company’s operating results is expected.
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
March 31,September 30, 2019


sheet dates. 
Because of the uncertainty of the ultimate resolution of outstanding claims, as well as uncertainty regarding claims incurred but not reported, it is possible that management’s provision for these losses could change materially in the near term. However, no estimate can currently be made of the range of additional loss that is at least reasonably possible.


13.    Segment Reporting


The Company operates in four4 reportable segments based on information available to and used by the chief operating decision maker.  Expedited LTL operates a comprehensive national network that provides expedited regional, inter-regional and national LTL and final mile services.  The Intermodal segment primarily provides first- and last-mile high value intermodal container drayage services both to and from seaports and railheads. The TLS segment provides expedited truckload brokerage, dedicated fleet services and high security and temperature-controlled logistics services. Pool Distribution provides high-frequency handling and distribution of time sensitive product to numerous destinations.


Except for certain insurance activity, the accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies disclosed in Note 1 of the Forward Air Corporation Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. For workers compensation and vehicle claims, each segment is charged an insurance premium and is also charged a deductible that corresponds with each segment's individual self-retention limit. However, any losses beyond ourthese deductibles and any loss development factors applied to our outstanding claims as a result of actuarial analysis are not passed to the segments, but reported at the corporate level ("Eliminations & other").


Segment data includes intersegment revenues and shared costs.  Costs of the corporate headquarters, shared services and shared assets, such as trailers, are allocated to the segments based on usage. The cost basis of shared assets are not allocated. The basis for the majority of shared assets, such as trailers, are included in Expedited LTL.  The Company evaluates the performance of its segments based on income from operations.   The Company’s business is conducted in the U.S. and Canada.


Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
March 31, 2019

The following tables summarize segment information about results from operations and assets used by the chief operating decision maker of the Company in making decisions regarding allocation of assets and resources as of and for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 and 2018.
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2019

 Three months ended March 31, 2019 Three months ended September 30, 2019
 Expedited LTL Intermodal Truckload Premium Pool Distribution Eliminations & other Consolidated Expedited LTL Intermodal Truckload Premium Pool Distribution Eliminations & other Consolidated
External revenues $177,355
 $54,097
 $44,923
 $45,096
 $
 $321,471
 $207,423
 $58,317
 $44,999
 $50,924
 $
 $361,663
Intersegment revenues 1,198
 18
 744
 89
 (2,049) 
 2,638
 29
 459
 38
 (3,164) 
Depreciation 4,968
 469
 1,564
 1,315
 
 8,316
 4,006
 1,050
 1,182
 1,296
 
 7,534
Amortization 825
 1,407
 22
 257
 
 2,511
 1,174
 1,542
 21
 257
 
 2,994
Share-based compensation expense 2,021
 531
 148
 182
 165
 3,047
 1,899
 340
 (4) 135
 392
 2,762
Interest expense 
 13
 1
 
 561
 575
 
 67
 2
 
 692
 761
Income (loss) from operations 19,547
 6,181
 841
 1,251
 (3,086) 24,734
 25,896
 6,900
 606
 1,867
 (4,580) 30,689
Total assets 566,887
 182,489
 74,638
 102,678
 (41,115) 885,577
 626,946
 205,444
 75,622
 114,824
 (42,203) 980,633
Capital expenditures 2,081
 73
 156
 1,780
 
 4,090
 8,658
 207
 160
 1,479
 
 10,504
                        
 Three months ended March 31, 2018 Three months ended September 30, 2018
 Expedited LTL Intermodal Truckload Premium Pool Distribution Eliminations & other Consolidated Expedited LTL Intermodal Truckload Premium Pool Distribution Eliminations & other Consolidated
External revenues $168,363
 $48,477
 $43,161
 $42,607
 $
 $302,608
 $186,544
 $50,496
 $47,158
 $47,177
 $
 $331,375
Intersegment revenues 1,581
 91
 2,933
 64
 (4,669) 
 1,963
 49
 784
 103
 (2,899) 
Depreciation 4,623
 509
 1,703
 1,546
 
 8,381
 4,773
 342
 1,522
 1,442
 
 8,079
Amortization 905
 1,092
 55
 257
 
 2,309
 825
 1,113
 21
 257
 
 2,216
Share-based compensation expense 1,675
 290
 180
 116
 
 2,261
 1,961
 262
 178
 114
 332
 2,847
Interest expense 
 13
 1
 
 357
 371
 
 10
 2
 
 460
 472
Income (loss) from operations 20,773
 3,469
 (43) 1,371
 (1,335) 24,235
 23,724
 7,321
 1,673
 735
 (3,574) 29,879
Total assets 442,802
 150,321
 65,263
 57,324
 (25,503) 690,207
 480,389
 159,428
 70,841
 60,672
 (28,189) 743,141
Capital expenditures 6,058
 81
 4
 78
 
 6,221
 15,253
 276
 30
 1,179
 
 16,738
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2019

             
  Nine months ended September 30, 2019
  Expedited LTL Intermodal Truckload Premium Pool Distribution Eliminations & other Consolidated
External revenues $588,766
 $162,936
 $135,467
 $141,722
 $
 $1,028,891
Intersegment revenues 5,570
 64
 1,772
 230
 (7,636) 
Depreciation 13,823
 1,983
 4,225
 3,834
 (1) 23,864
Amortization 3,058
 4,278
 64
 772
 
 8,172
Share-based compensation expense 6,193
 1,313
 261
 470
 769
 9,006
Interest expense 
 69
 6
 
 1,841
 1,916
Income (loss) from operations 72,332
 18,326
 2,137
 4,685
 (11,507) 85,973
Total assets 626,946
 205,444
 75,622
 114,824
 (42,203) 980,633
Capital expenditures 22,330
 422
 488
 3,862
 
 27,102
             
  Nine months ended September 30, 2018
  Expedited LTL Intermodal Truckload Premium Pool Distribution Eliminations & other Consolidated
External revenues $546,066
 $148,058
 $137,221
 $132,980
 $
 $964,325
Intersegment revenues 5,276
 217
 5,761
 276
 (11,530) 
Depreciation 14,127
 1,295
 4,765
 4,436
 
 24,623
Amortization 2,555
 3,298
 98
 772
 
 6,723
Share-based compensation expense 5,595
 776
 524
 342
 288
 7,525
Interest expense 1
 47
 5
 
 1,274
 1,327
Income (loss) from operations 71,023
 16,333
 3,348
 3,695
 (7,415) 86,984
Total assets 480,389
 159,428
 70,841
 60,672
 (28,189) 743,141
Capital expenditures 31,960
 482
 70
 1,832
 
 34,344




14.    Subsequent Events

On April 21, 2019, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of FSA Logistix (“FSA”) for $27,000 plus additional contingent consideration based upon future revenue generation. This transaction was funded using cash flows from operations. FSA specializes in last mile logistics for a wide range of American companies, including national retailers, manufacturers, eTailers, and third party logistics companies. FSA currently has management offices in Ft. Lauderdale, FL and Southlake, TX and has operations in the East, Midwest, Southwest and West regions. The Company anticipates FSA will contribute approximately $75,000 of revenue and $3,000 of operating income on an annualized basis.


Item 2.Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.


Overview and Executive Summary
 
Forward Air Corporation is a leading asset-light freight and logistics company. Our services are classified into four reportable segments: Expedited LTL, Intermodal, Truckload Premium Services ("TLS") and Pool Distribution ("Pool").Distribution.
 
Through the Expedited LTL segment, we operate a comprehensive national network to provide expedited regional, inter-regional and national LTL services. Expedited LTL offers customers local pick-up and delivery and other services including shipment consolidation and deconsolidation, warehousing, final mile solutions, customs brokerage and other handling. Because of our roots in serving the deferred air freight market, our terminal network is located at or near airports in the United States and Canada.


Our Intermodal segment provides first- and last-mile high value intermodal container drayage services both to and from seaports and railheads. Intermodal also offers dedicated contract and CFS warehouse and handling services. Intermodal operates primarily in the Midwest and Southeast, with a smaller operational presence in the Southwest. We plan to grow Intermodal’s geographic footprint through acquisitions as well as greenfield start-ups where we do not have an acceptable acquisition target.


Through our TLS segment, we provide expedited truckload brokerage, dedicated fleet services, as well as high security and temperature-controlled logistics services in the United States and Canada.


In our Pool Distribution segment, we provide high-frequency handling and distribution of time sensitive product to numerous destinations within a specific geographic region. We offer this service throughout the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Midwest and Southwest United States.


Our operations, particularly our network of hubs and terminals, represent substantial fixed costs. Consequently, our ability to increase our earnings depends in significant part on our ability to increase the amount of freight and the revenue per pound for the freight shipped through our networks and to grow other lines of businesses, such as TLS, Intermodal and Pool Distribution, which will allow us to maintain revenue growth in challenging shipping environments. In addition, we are continuing to evaluate synergies across our businesses, particularly between the Expedited LTL and TLS segments. Synergistic opportunities include the ability to share resources, particularly our fleet resources.


Trends and Developments


AppointmentExpedited LTL Acquisitions

As part of New Presidentour strategy to expand our final mile pickup and Chief Executive Officer

Effectivedelivery operations, in April 2019, we acquired certain assets of FSA for $27.0 million in cash and additional contingent consideration ("earnout") based upon future revenue generation. The earnout opportunity is $15.0 million and had a fair value of $11.2 million as of September 1, 2018 ("Effective Date"), Thomas Schmitt was named30, 2019. This acquisition provides an opportunity for our Expedited LTL segment to expand its final mile service offering into additional geographic markets, form relationships with new customers, and add volumes to our existing locations. The assets, liabilities, and operating results of this acquisition have been included in the Company's Presidentconsolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition and Chief Executive Officer and Bruce A. Campbell, our then President and Chief Executive Officer, assumed the position of Executive Chairman. The Company's Board of Directors (the "Board") appointed Mr. Schmitthave been assigned to the Board as of the Effective Date. On February 5, 2019, Mr. Campbell informed the Board of his intentExpedited LTL reportable segment. See additional discussion in Note 4, Acquisitions and Long-Lived Assets, to retire from his position as Executive Chairman of the Company and decision not to stand for re-election to the Board immediately preceding the Company’s 2019 annual meeting of shareholders (the “2019 Annual Meeting”) which is expected to occur on May 7, 2019. The Board and Mr. Campbell agreed that he will continue to serve the Company as a consultant for 24 months following his retirement. Following Mr. Campbell’s retirement, Mr. Schmitt is expected to become the Chairman of the Board and Craig Carlock is expected to become the Company’s Lead Independent Director, subject to their reelection to the Board at the Company’s 2019 Annual Meeting.our Consolidated Financial Statements.


Intermodal Acquisitions


As part of our strategy to expand our Intermodal operations, in July 2018, we acquired certain assets of MMT for $3.7 million, and in October 2018 we acquired certain assets of Southwest for $16.3 million and in July 2019 we acquired certain assets and liabilities of OST for $12.0 million. OST is a drayage company and provides the Intermodal segment with an expanded footprint on the East Coast, with locations in the Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, South Carolina and Georgia markets.

These acquisitionstransactions were funded using cash flows from operations and provide an opportunity for our Intermodal segment to expand into additional geographic markets and add volumes to our existing locations. The assets, liabilities, and operating results of these acquisitions have been included in the Company's consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition and have been assigned to the Intermodal reportable segment.





Results from Fixed Asset Useful Life and Salvage Value Study

The Company evaluates the reasonableness of the useful lives and salvage values of its assets on an ongoing basis. During the current quarter, the Company identified indicators that the useful lives of its owned tractors and trailers extended beyond initial expectations. As a result, management deemed it appropriate to extend the average useful life of its trailers from seven to ten years and its tractors from five to ten years. In addition, management reduced the salvage value of its tractors from 25% to 10%. No changes were made to trailer salvage values. See additional discussion in Note 4, Acquisitions and Long-Lived Assets, to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

These changes in estimates were made to assets currently owned and originally purchased new since assets purchased used were assigned individual useful lives and salvage values based on their age and condition at purchase. This change in estimate was made on a prospective basis beginning on July 1, 2019. The impact of this study on the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 was a $1.0 million reduction in depreciation.

In addition, management recorded a $0.9 million reserve against tractors during the current quarter, which reflects tractors where the expected carrying value exceeded its fair value at September 30, 2019. This was recorded in other operating expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

Environmental and Social Protection Efforts


Forward Air is committed to protecting the environment and we have taken a variety of steps to improve the sustainability of our operations. We are implementing new practices and technologies, improving our training, and incorporating sustainability objectives in our growth strategies. Our initiatives will be focused on reducing overall waste, electricity consumption and carbon emissions, while working to increase employee engagement and community involvement.




As a partner of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SmartWay program since 2008, Forward Air has continued to adopt new environmentally safe policies and innovations to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. For example, we actively seek to utilize equipment with reduced environmental impact. We utilize trailers with light weight composites and employ trailer skirts to decrease aerodynamic drag, both of which improve fuel efficiency. We are also increasing our use of electronic forklifts and transitioning to automatic transmission tractors, which will decrease our fuel consumption.


Through vendor partnerships, we are implementing new solutions to manage waste and improve recycling across our facilities. Annually, we recycle tons of dunnage and thousands of aluminum load bars. Forward Air also participates in ReCaps, providing and purchasing recycled trailer tires.


In addition, we are a corporate partner of Truckers Against Trafficking, a nonprofit organization that educates, equips, empowers and mobilizes members of the trucking and busing industries to combat human trafficking.












Results from Operations
The following table sets forth our consolidated historical financial data for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 and 2018 (in millions):
Three months ended March 31Three months ended September 30,
2019 2018 Change Percent Change2019 2018 Change Percent Change
Operating revenue:              
Expedited LTL$178.6
 $169.9
 $8.7
 5.1 %$210.1
 $188.5
 $21.6
 11.5 %
Intermodal54.1
 48.6
 5.5
 11.3
58.3
 50.5
 7.8
 15.4
Truckload Premium Services45.7
 46.1
 (0.4) (0.9)45.5
 47.9
 (2.4) (5.0)
Pool Distribution45.2
 42.7
 2.5
 5.9
51.0
 47.3
 3.7
 7.8
Eliminations and other operations(2.1) (4.7) 2.6
 (55.3)(3.2) (2.8) (0.4) 14.3
Operating revenue321.5
 302.6
 18.9
 6.2
361.7
 331.4
 30.3
 9.1
Operating expenses:       
 
    
Purchased transportation144.0
 139.7
 4.3
 3.1
163.6
 155.5
 8.1
 5.2
Salaries, wages, and employee benefits76.4
 69.6
 6.8
 9.8
87.3
 76.0
 11.3
 14.9
Operating leases19.2
 18.0
 1.2
 6.7
20.5
 18.7
 1.8
 9.6
Depreciation and amortization10.8
 10.7
 0.1
 0.9
10.5
 10.3
 0.2
 1.9
Insurance and claims9.4
 7.1
 2.3
 32.4
11.0
 9.2
 1.8
 19.6
Fuel expense5.6
 5.5
 0.1
 1.8
6.1
 5.6
 0.5
 8.9
Other operating expenses31.4
 27.8
 3.6
 12.9
32.0
 26.2
 5.8
 22.1
Total operating expenses296.8
 278.4
 18.4
 6.6
331.0
 301.5
 29.5
 9.8
Income (loss) from operations:              
Expedited LTL19.6
 20.8
 (1.2) (5.8)25.9
 23.7
 2.2
 9.3
Intermodal6.2
 3.5
 2.7
 77.1
6.9
 7.3
 (0.4) (5.5)
Truckload Premium Services0.9
 
 0.9
 100.0
0.6
 1.7
 (1.1) (64.7)
Pool Distribution1.3
 1.4
 (0.1) (7.1)1.9
 0.7
 1.2
 171.4
Other operations(3.3) (1.5) (1.8) 120.0
(4.6) (3.5) (1.1) 31.4
Income from operations24.7
 24.2
 0.5
 2.1
30.7
 29.9
 0.8
 2.7
Other expense:              
Interest expense(0.6) (0.4) (0.2) 50.0
(0.8) (0.5) (0.3) 60.0
Total other expense(0.6) (0.4) (0.2) 50.0
(0.8) (0.5) (0.3) 60.0
Income before income taxes24.1
 23.8
 0.3
 1.3
29.9
 29.4
 0.5
 1.7
Income tax expense5.7
 6.1
 (0.4) (6.6)7.7
 7.1
 0.6
 8.5
Net income and comprehensive income$18.4
 $17.7
 $0.7
 4.0 %$22.2
 $22.3
 $(0.1) (0.4)%
Revenues


During the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2019, revenue increased 6.2%9.1% compared to the yearthree months ended March 31,September 30, 2018. The revenue increase was primarily driven by increased revenue from our Expedited LTL Expedited segment of $8.7$21.6 million driven by increased network revenue, fuel surcharge revenue and final mile revenue overfrom the prior year.acquisition of FSA in April 2019. The Company's other segments also had revenue growth over prior year with the exception of the TLS Segmentsegment where revenue decreased due to deliberate shedding of lower margin business.a softening in revenue per mile driven by rate pressures from both spot market and contract rate customers.


Operating Expenses
Operating expenses increased $18.4$29.5 million primarily driven by salaries, wages and employee benefits increases of $6.8$11.3 million and purchased transportation increases of $4.3$8.1 million. Company-employed drivers are included in salaries, wages and benefits, while purchased transportation includes owner operators and third party carriers. Salaries, wages and employee benefits increased primarily due to additional salaries from acquisitions and increased Company-employed drivers and personnel needs to support the additional volumes. Purchaseddrivers. Although purchased transportation increased primarilyin total dollars, it decreased as a percentage of revenue from 46.9% to 45.2%. The decrease in purchased transportation as a percentage of revenue was mostly due to increased volumes partly offset byan increased utilization of owner-operators during the first quarter of 2019 instead of and Company-employed drivers over


more costly third-partythird party transportation providers.


In addition, other operating expenses increased by $5.8 million primarily due to activity in the Expedited LTL segment. See additional discussion below.
Operating Income and Segment Operations


Operating income increased $0.5$0.8 million, or 2.1%2.7%, from 2018 to $24.7$30.7 million for the yearthree months ended March 31, 2019.September 30, 2019 from the same period in 2018 primarily driven by a $2.2 million increase from our Expedited LTL segment due to increased revenue and improvements in purchased transportation on increased utilization of owner-operators and Company-employed drivers. Our Pool segment also saw increases, partly offset by slight declines in our TLS and Intermodal segments. The results for our four reportable segments are discussed in detail in the following sections.


Interest Expense


Interest expense was $0.6$0.8 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 compared to $0.4$0.5 million for the same period ofin 2018. The increase in interest expense was attributable to additional borrowings on our revolving credit facility.


Income Taxes


The combined federal and state effective tax rate for the first quarter ofthree months ended September 30, 2019 was 23.8%25.8% compared to a rate of 25.7%24.1% for the same period in 2018. The lowerhigher effective tax rate for the first quarter ofthree months ended September 30, 2019 iswas primarily the result of a $0.3 million Tennessee state job tax credit in the prior year and increased stock basedexecutive compensation vesting and exercises when compared toin the same period in 2018,current year, which was impacted by forfeited performance shares and no option activity.not deductible for income tax purposes.




Expedited LTL - Three Months Ended March 31,September 30, 2019 compared to Three Months Ended March 31,September 30, 2018


The following table sets forth the historical financial data of our Expedited LTL segment for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 and 2018 (in millions):
Expedited LTL Segment Information(In millions)(Unaudited)
                      
Three months endedThree months ended
March 31, Percent of March 31, Percent of   PercentSeptember 30, Percent of September 30, Percent of   Percent
2019 Revenue 2018 Revenue Change Change2019 Revenue 2018 Revenue Change Change
Operating revenue$178.6
 100.0% $169.9
 100.0% $8.7
 5.1 %$210.1
 100.0% $188.5
 100.0% $21.6
 11.5 %
                      
Operating expenses:           
          
Purchased transportation79.6
 44.6
 78.4
 46.2
 1.2
 1.5
95.5
 45.5
 88.6
 47.0
 6.9
 7.8
Salaries, wages and employee benefits41.1
 23.0
 37.7
 22.2
 3.4
 9.0
47.9
 22.8
 41.6
 22.1
 6.3
 15.1
Operating leases10.9
 6.1
 9.9
 5.8
 1.0
 10.1
11.1
 5.3
 10.3
 5.5
 0.8
 7.8
Depreciation and amortization5.8
 3.2
 5.5
 3.2
 0.3
 5.5
5.2
 2.5
 5.6
 3.0
 (0.4) (7.1)
Insurance and claims3.9
 2.2
 3.2
 1.9
 0.7
 21.9
4.0
 1.9
 3.9
 2.1
 0.1
 2.6
Fuel expense1.8
 1.0
 1.3
 0.8
 0.5
 38.5
1.8
 0.9
 1.6
 0.8
 0.2
 12.5
Other operating expenses15.9
 8.9
 13.1
 7.7
 2.8
 21.4
18.7
 8.9
 13.2
 7.0
 5.5
 41.7
Total operating expenses159.0
 89.0
 149.1
 87.8
 9.9
 6.6
184.2
 87.7
 164.8
 87.4
 19.4
 11.8
Income from operations$19.6
 11.0% $20.8
 12.2% $(1.2) (5.8)%$25.9
 12.3% $23.7
 12.6% $2.2
 9.3 %
Expedited LTL Operating Statistics
          
Three months endedThree months ended
March 31, March 31, PercentSeptember 30, September 30, Percent
2019 2018 Change2019 2018 Change
          
Business days63
 64
 (1.6)%64
 63
 1.6 %
          
Tonnage          
Total pounds ¹596,640
 608,822
 (2.0)613,812
 636,831
 (3.6)
Pounds per day ¹9,470
 9,513
 (0.5)9,591
 10,108
 (5.1)
          
Shipments          
Total shipments ¹929.6
 970.8
 (4.2)977
 1,003
 (2.6)
Shipments per day ¹14.8
 15.2
 (2.6)15.3
 15.9
 (4.1)
          
Weight per shipment642
 627
 2.4
628
 635
 (1.1)
          
Revenue per hundredweight$26.78
 $25.27
 6.0
$27.65
 $26.56
 4.1
Revenue per hundredweight, ex fuel22.74
 21.75
 4.6
23.23
 22.31
 4.1
          
Revenue per shipment$174
 $161
 8.1
$176
 $171
 2.9
Revenue per shipment, ex fuel148
 139
 6.5
148
 144
 2.8
          
Network revenue from door-to-door shipments as a percentage of network revenue 2,3
38.3% 34.1% 12.3 %40.7% 35.3% 15.3 %
          
¹ In thousands          
2 Door-to-door shipments include all shipments with a pickup and/or delivery
2 Door-to-door shipments include all shipments with a pickup and/or delivery
2 Door-to-door shipments include all shipments with a pickup and/or delivery
3 Network revenue is comprised of all revenue, including linehaul, pickup and/or delivery, and fuel surcharge revenue, excluding accessorial and final mile revenue
3 Network revenue is comprised of all revenue, including linehaul, pickup and/or delivery, and fuel surcharge revenue, excluding accessorial and final mile revenue
3 Network revenue is comprised of all revenue, including linehaul, pickup and/or delivery, and fuel surcharge revenue, excluding accessorial and final mile revenue





Revenues
Expedited LTL operating revenue increased $8.7$21.6 million, or 5.1%11.5%, to $178.6$210.1 million from $169.9$188.5 million, accounting for 55.5%58.1% of consolidated operating revenue for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 compared to 56.2%56.9% for the same period in 2018. ThisThe increase was due to increased network revenue anda $21.7 million increase in final mile revenue overprimarily due to the prior year.acquisition of FSA in April 2019 and new business wins in the final mile service offering. Network revenue, which is comprised of all revenue, including linehaul, pickup and/or delivery, and fuel surcharge revenue, excluding accessorial and final mile revenue.revenue, also increased. Network revenue, excluding fuel increased $2.8$0.4 million due to a 4.6%4.1% increase in revenue per hundredweight, ex fuel, partlymostly offset by a 2.0%3.6% decrease in tonnage compared to prior year.tonnage. The increase in revenue per hundredweight was primarily due to rate increases and higher pickup and delivery revenue. The decrease in tonnage was due to one less business day and lower volumes from traditional linehaul. In addition, fuel surcharge revenue increased $2.6 million largelywas flat due to rate increases to our fuel surcharges and final mile revenue increased $2.7 million primarily due tooffset by the addition of new service locations following business wins. The remaining increase is due to otherdecrease in tonnage. Other terminal based revenue, which includes terminal handling and warehousing, and terminal handling.decreased $0.5 million.
Purchased Transportation
Expedited LTL purchased transportation increased by $1.2$6.9 million, or 1.5%7.8%, to $79.6$95.5 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 from $78.4$88.6 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2018. As a percentage of segment operating revenue, Expedited LTL purchased transportation was 44.6%45.5% during the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 compared to 46.2%47.0% for the same period in 2018. Expedited LTL purchased transportation includes owner operators and third party carriers, while Company-employed drivers are included in salaries, wages and benefits. The decrease in purchased transportation as a percentage of revenue iswas mostly due to an increased utilization of owner-operators and Company-employed drivers over more costly third party transportation providers. Purchased transportation decreased as a percentage of revenue due to a 10.5% decrease in linehaul cost per mile due to an increased utilization of owner-operators and Company-employed driver pay is includeddrivers. This decrease was offset primarily by an increase in final mile purchased transportation due to the salaries, wagesacquisition of FSA and benefits line item.increased network revenue with a pickup and/or delivery.
Salaries, Wages, and Benefits
Expedited LTL salaries, wages and employee benefits increased $3.4$6.3 million, or 9.0%15.1%, to $41.1$47.9 million infor the first quarter ofthree months ended September 30, 2019 from $37.7$41.6 million for the same period in 2018.  Salaries, wages and employee benefits were 23.0%22.8% of Expedited LTL’s operating revenue infor the first quarter ofthree months ended September 30, 2019 compared to 22.2%22.1% for the same period ofin 2018.  The increase in salaries, wagestotal dollars and employee benefits as a percentage of revenue was primarily attributabledue to a 0.8%$5.2 million for additional headcount and employee wages, of which $4.4 million was due to the acquisition of FSA. An additional $1.8 million increase as a percentagewas due to increased utilization of revenue in Company-employed drivers to servicefulfill linehaul and local pickup and delivery services. These increases were partly offset by a $0.7 million decrease of employee incentives.
Operating Leases
Expedited LTL operating leases increased $1.0$0.8 million, or 10.1%7.8%, to $10.9$11.1 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 from $9.9$10.3 million for the same period in 2018.  Operating leases were 6.1%5.3% of Expedited LTL operating revenue for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 compared to 5.8%5.5% for the same period ofin 2018. The increase in cost iswas primarily due to a $0.9$0.8 million increase in facility leases mostly from additional facilities acquired from FSA and a $0.2 million increase in tractor rentals and leases to correspond with the increase in Company-employed driver usage mentioned above. These increases were partly offset by a $0.2 million decrease in trailer rentals and leases, as old leases were replaced with purchased trailers.
Depreciation and Amortization
Expedited LTL depreciation and amortization increased $0.3decreased $0.4 million, or 5.5%7.1%, to $5.8$5.2 million infor the first quarter ofthree months ended September 30, 2019 from $5.5$5.6 million in the same period ofin 2018.  Depreciation and amortization expense as a percentage of Expedited LTL operating revenue was 3.2%2.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to 3.0% for the same period in the first quarter of 2019 and 2018.  The increasedecrease in total dollars was primarily due to a $0.9 million decrease in trailer depreciation for the purchasethree months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018 primarily related to extending the useful lives of newits trailers sincefrom seven to ten years as discussed above. Tractor depreciation increased $0.1 million for the first quarterthree months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018 primarily due to decreasing the salvage value of 2018tractors from 25% to 10% as discussed above, partly offset by lowera decrease in tractor depreciation, as we utilized leased tractorsolder units were replaced with tractor leases mentioned above. The net decrease of trailer and tractor depreciation of $0.8 million was partly offset by a $0.4 million of increased amortization of acquired intangibles from FSA.



Insurance and Claims
Expedited LTL insurance and claims expense increased $0.7$0.1 million, or 21.9%2.6%, to $3.9$4.0 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 from $3.2$3.9 million for the same period ofin 2018.  Insurance and claims was 2.2%were 1.9% of operating revenue for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 compared to 2.1% in the same period in 2018. The increase in expense was attributable to a $0.5 million increase in vehicle insurance premiums, partly offset by lower vehicle liability and cargo claims. See additional discussion over the consolidated increase in self-insurance reserves related to vehicle claims in the "Other operations" section below.
Fuel Expense
Expedited LTL fuel expense increased $0.2 million, or 12.5%, to $1.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 from $1.6 million in the same period in 2018.  Fuel expenses were 0.9% of Expedited LTL operating revenue in the third quarter of 2019 compared to 0.8% in the same period in 2018.  Expedited LTL fuel expenses increased due to higher Company-employed driver miles.
Other Operating Expenses
Expedited LTL other operating expenses increased $5.5 million, or 41.7%, to $18.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 from $13.2 million in the same period in 2018.  Other operating expenses were 8.9% of Expedited LTL operating revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to 7.0% in the same period in 2018. Other operating expenses included equipment maintenance, terminal and office expenses, legal and professional fees and other over-the-road costs. The increase in total dollars and as a percentage of revenue was primarily attributable to a $1.1 million increase in loss on operating assets due to a $0.6 million reserve for tractors and a $0.5 million increase in net losses on sale of tractors. See additional discussion regarding the fixed asset useful life study above. The increase was also attributable to a $0.9 million increase in the earn-out liability from the FSA acquisition because of changes in fair value since acquisition. The remaining increase was attributable to a $0.8 million increase in parts costs for final mile installations due to the acquisition of FSA and $0.5 million in higher travel-related expenses. Additionally, receivables allowance increased $0.7 million due to the third quarter of 2018 including a recovery of a previously reserved receivable. The remaining increase was due to increased terminal and office expenses and other over-the-road costs, including tolls.
Income from Operations
Expedited LTL income from operations increased by $2.2 million, or 9.3%, to $25.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to $23.7 million for the same period in 2018.  Income from operations as a percentage of Expedited LTL operating revenue was 12.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to 12.6% in the same period in 2018. The increase in income from operations was due to increased revenue and improvements in purchased transportation on increased utilization of owner-operators and Company-employed drivers. The deterioration in income as a percentage of revenue was due to lower linehaul tonnage and the write-down of old owned tractors. The deterioration was also due to the increase in the FSA earn-out liability and the acquisition of FSA, as it continues to be integrated into the LTL segment. These margin deteriorations were partly offset by increased utilization of owner-operators and Company-employed drivers.




Intermodal - Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2018

The following table sets forth the historical financial data of our Intermodal segment for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (in millions):
Intermodal Segment Information
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
            
 Three months ended
 September 30, Percent of September 30, Percent of   Percent
 2019 Revenue 2018 Revenue Change Change
Operating revenue$58.3
 100.0% $50.5
 100.0% $7.8
 15.4 %
            
Operating expenses:
   
      
Purchased transportation21.0
 36.0
 19.3
 38.2
 1.7
 8.8
Salaries, wages and employee benefits14.2
 24.4
 10.9
 21.6
 3.3
 30.3
Operating leases4.3
 7.4
 4.0
 7.9
 0.3
 7.5
Depreciation and amortization2.6
 4.5
 1.5
 3.0
 1.1
 73.3
Insurance and claims1.8
 3.1
 1.4
 2.8
 0.4
 28.6
Fuel expense2.2
 3.8
 1.6
 3.2
 0.6
 37.5
Other operating expenses5.3
 9.1
 4.5
 8.9
 0.8
 17.8
Total operating expenses51.4
 88.2
 43.2
 85.5
 8.2
 19.0
Income from operations$6.9
 11.8% $7.3
 14.5% $(0.4) (5.5)%

Intermodal Operating Statistics
  
 Three months ended
 September 30, September 30, Percent
 2019 2018 Change
Drayage shipments84,230
 75,981
 10.9%
Drayage revenue per shipment$597
 $574
 4.0
Number of locations21
 19
 10.5%

Revenues

Intermodal operating revenue increased $7.8 million, or 15.4%, to $58.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 from $50.5 million for the same period in 2018.  The increases in operating revenue were primarily attributable to the increase in drayage shipments from the acquisition of OST that occurred in July 2019 and the acquisition of Southwest that occurred in November 2018. Fuel surcharge revenue also increased on higher drayage shipments and higher fuel surcharge rates. These increases were partly offset by decreased storage revenue.

Purchased Transportation

Intermodal purchased transportation increased $1.7 million, or 8.8%, to $21.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 from $19.3 million for the same period in 2018.   Intermodal purchased transportation as a percentage of revenue was 36.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to 38.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2018. Intermodal purchased transportation includes owner operators and third party carriers, while Company-employed drivers are included in salaries, wages and benefits. The decrease in Intermodal purchased transportation as a percentage of revenue was attributable to operating efficiencies and increased utilization of Company-employed drivers mostly acquired from OST compared to the same period in 2018.



Salaries, Wages, and Benefits

Intermodal salaries, wages and employee benefits increased $3.3 million, or 30.3%, to $14.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to $10.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018.  As a percentage of Intermodal operating revenue, salaries, wages and benefits increased to 24.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to 21.6% for the same period in 2018. The 2.8% increase in salaries, wages and employee benefits as a percentage of revenue was attributable to a 2.0% increase from utilization of Company-employed drivers and a 1.3% increase from higher administrative salaries, wages and benefits as a percentage of revenue. These increases as a percentage of revenue were partly offset by 0.4% decrease in dock pay as a percentage of revenue. The increase in administrative salaries, wages and benefits as a percentage of revenue was due to additional headcount from the acquisitions of OST, Southwest and MMT.

Operating Leases

Intermodal operating leases increased $0.3 million, or 7.5%, to $4.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to $4.0 million for the same period in 2018.  Operating leases were 7.4% of Intermodal operating revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to 7.9% for the same period in 2018.  The decrease as a percentage of revenue was attributable to a 0.8% decrease in trailer rental charges as a percentage of revenue. This decrease as a percentage of revenue was partly offset by increases in facility rent from acquired companies and tractor leases to support the increased utilization of Company-employed drivers.

Depreciation and Amortization

Intermodal depreciation and amortization increased $1.1 million, or 73.3%, to $2.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 from $1.5 million for the same period in 2018. Depreciation and amortization expense as a percentage of Intermodal operating revenue was 4.5% in the third quarter of 2019 compared to 3.0% in the same period in 2018. The increase in depreciation and amortization was due to a $0.8 million increase in depreciation of acquired equipment partly due to the equipment acquired from OST. The increase was also attributable to a $0.4 million increase in amortization of acquired intangibles. These increases were slightly offset by the $0.1 million impact of the useful life study discussion above.

Insurance and Claims

Intermodal insurance and claims increased $0.4 million, or 28.6%, to $1.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 from $1.4 million for the same period in 2018. Intermodal insurance and claims were 3.1% of operating revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to 2.8% for the same period in 2018. The increase in Intermodal insurance and claims as a percentage of revenue was attributable to a 0.3% increase in vehicle insurance premiums as a percentage of revenue. See additional discussion over the consolidated increase in self-insurance reserves related to vehicle claims in the "Other operations" section below.

Fuel Expense

Intermodal fuel expense increased $0.6 million, or 37.5%, to $2.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 from $1.6 million for the same period in 2018.  Fuel expenses were 3.8% of Intermodal operating revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to 3.2% for the same period in 2018.  Intermodal fuel expenses increased due to increased Company-employed driver activity.
Other Operating Expenses
Intermodal other operating expenses increased $0.8 million, or 17.8%, to $5.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 from $4.5 million for the same period in 2018.  Intermodal other operating expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2019 were 9.1% compared to 8.9% for the same period in 2018.  The increase in Intermodal other operating expenses in total dollars and as a percentage of revenue was due a $0.5 million, or 0.9% as a percentage of revenue, reduction in the earn-out liability for the Atlantic acquisition in the three months ended September 30, 2018. The increase was also attributable to 0.3% increase as a percentage of revenue from acquisition related legal and professional fees. These increases were mostly offset by a 0.8% decrease as a percentage of revenue in container related storage charges associated with revenue decreases discussed previously and a 0.2% decrease as a percentage of revenue in equipment maintenance.




Income from Operations
Intermodal’s income from operations decreased by $0.4 million, or 5.5%, to $6.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to $7.3 million for the same period in 2018.  Income from operations as a percentage of Intermodal operating revenue was 11.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to 14.5% in the same period in 2018.  The deterioration in operating income in total dollars and as a percentage of revenue was primarily attributable to losing leverage on fixed costs such as salaries, wages and benefits, amortization and insurance and a decrease in high-margin storage revenue. In addition, the prior period included a $0.5 million benefit from the reduction of an earn-out liability. The deterioration was partly offset by the contributions from the acquisitions of Southwest and MMT.


Truckload Premium Services - Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2018

The following table sets forth our historical financial data of the Truckload Premium Services segment for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (in millions):
Truckload Premium Services Segment Information
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
            
 Three months ended
 September 30, Percent of September 30, Percent of   Percent
 2019 Revenue 2018 Revenue Change Change
Operating revenue$45.5
 100.0% $47.9
 100.0% $(2.4) (5.0)%
            
Operating expenses:
          
Purchased transportation34.5
 75.8
 35.8
 74.7
 (1.3) (3.6)
Salaries, wages and employee benefits4.3
 9.5
 4.7
 9.8
 (0.4) (8.5)
Operating leases0.4
 0.9
 0.1
 0.2
 0.3
 300.0
Depreciation and amortization1.2
 2.6
 1.5
 3.1
 (0.3) (20.0)
Insurance and claims1.3
 2.9
 1.2
 2.5
 0.1
 8.3
Fuel expense0.7
 1.5
 0.7
 1.5
 
 
Other operating expenses2.5
 5.5
 2.2
 4.6
 0.3
 13.6
Total operating expenses44.9
 98.7
 46.2
 96.5
 (1.3) (2.8)
Income from operations$0.6
 1.3% $1.7
 3.5% $(1.1) (64.7)%

Truckload Premium Services Operating Statistics
  
 Three months ended
 September 30, September 30, Percent
 2019 2018 Change
      
Total Miles ¹19,813
 19,197
 3.2 %
Empty Miles Percentage7.7% 8.5% (9.4)
Tractors (avg)391
 291
 34.4
Miles per tractor per week 2
2,006
 2,317
 (13.4)
      
Revenue per mile$2.21
 $2.37
 (6.8)
Cost per mile$1.79
 $1.88
 (4.8)%
      
¹ In thousands     
2 Calculated using Company-employed driver and owner-operator miles


Revenues
TLS revenue decreased $2.4 million, or 5.0%, to $45.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 from $47.9 million in the same period in 2018.  TLS revenue decreased due to a 6.8% decrease in average revenue per mile, partly offset by a 3.2% increase in overall miles. The decreased revenue per mile was primarily driven by rate pressures from both spot market and contract rate customers.



Purchased Transportation

TLS purchased transportation costs decreased $1.3 million, or 3.6%, to $34.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 from $35.8 million for the same period in 2018. For the three months ended September 30, 2019, purchased transportation costs as a percentage of revenue represented 75.8% compared to 74.7% for the same period in 2018.  TLS purchased transportation includes owner operators and third party carriers, while Company-employed drivers are included in salaries, wages and benefits. The decrease in purchased transportation was attributable to a 5.6% decrease in cost per mile due to the increased utilization of owner operators, partly offset by a 3.7% increase in miles driven by owner operators and third party carriers during the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018. The increase in purchased transportation as a percentage of revenue was due to revenue per mile decreasing at a faster pace than cost per mile.

Salaries, Wages, and Benefits

TLS salaries, wages and employee benefits decreased $0.4 million, or 8.5%, to $4.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 from $4.7 million for the same period in 2018.  Salaries, wages and employee benefits were 9.5% of TLS’s operating revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to 9.8% for the same period in 2018.  The decrease in salaries, wages and employee benefits as a percentage of revenue was mostly attributable to a 0.8% decrease in employee incentives and share based compensation as a percentage of revenue. The decrease was partly offset by the decrease in revenue reducing leverage on fixed employee salaries, wages and benefits.
Operating Leases
TLS operating leases increased $0.3 million to $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 from $0.1 million for the same period in 2018.  Operating leases were 0.9% of TLS operating revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to 0.2% for the same period in 2018. The increase was due to an increase in tractor leases to replace older owned equipment.
Depreciation and Amortization

TLS depreciation and amortization decreased $0.3 million, or 20.0%, to $1.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 from $1.5 million for the same period in 2018.  Depreciation and amortization expense as a percentage of TLS operating revenue was 2.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to 3.1% for the same period in 2018.  Trailer depreciation decreased $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018 primarily due to extending the useful life of trailers from seven to ten years as discussed above. Tractor depreciation increased $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018 primarily due to decreasing the salvage value of tractors from 25% to 10% as discussed above. The increase in tractor depreciation from the useful life study was partly offset by a $0.1 million decrease in tractor depreciation, as older units were replaced with tractor leases mentioned above.
Insurance and Claims

TLS insurance and claims expense increased $0.1 million to $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 from $1.2 million for the same period in 2018.  Insurance and claims were 2.9% of operating revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to 2.5% for the same period in 2018. The increase was primarily due to higher vehicle claims reserves. See additional discussion over the consolidated increase in self-insurance reserves related to vehicle claims in the "Other operations" section below.
Fuel Expense

TLS fuel expense was $0.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018. Fuel expense was relatively consistent as a percentage of TLS operating revenue at 1.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018. Fuel expense was primarily comprised of fuel for Company-employed drivers.
Other Operating Expenses

TLS other operating expenses increased $0.3 million, or 13.6%, to $2.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 from $2.2 million for the same period in 2018.  Other operating expenses were 5.5% of TLS operating revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to 4.6% for the same period in 2018.  Other operating expenses included equipment maintenance, terminal and office expenses, professional fees and other costs of transiting shipments. The increase in total dollars and as a percentage of revenue was primarily attributable to a $0.1 million increase in loss on operating assets due to a reserve for tractors and a $0.1 million increase in tolls. The remaining increase was due to higher recruiting costs.


Income from Operations
TLS income from operations decreased $1.1 million to $0.6 million during the third quarter of 2019 from $1.7 million for the same period in 2018. The deterioration in income from operations was due to lower revenue per mile partly offset by operating efficiencies that have lowered the overall cost per mile.


Pool Distribution - Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2018

The following table sets forth the historical financial data of our Pool Distribution segment for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (in millions):
Pool Distribution Segment Information
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
            
 Three months ended
 September 30, Percent of September 30, Percent of   Percent
 2019 Revenue 2018 Revenue Change Change
Operating revenue$51.0
 100.0% $47.3
 100.0% $3.7
 7.8 %
            
Operating expenses:
   
      
Purchased transportation15.5
 30.4
 14.3
 30.2
 1.2
 8.4
Salaries, wages and employee benefits19.0
 37.3
 17.5
 37.0
 1.5
 8.6
Operating leases4.7
 9.2
 4.2
 8.9
 0.5
 11.9
Depreciation and amortization1.5
 2.9
 1.7
 3.6
 (0.2) (11.8)
Insurance and claims1.3
 2.5
 1.3
 2.7
 
 
Fuel expense1.5
 2.9
 1.6
 3.4
 (0.1) (6.3)
Other operating expenses5.6
 11.0
 6.0
 12.7
 (0.4) (6.7)
Total operating expenses49.1
 96.3
 46.6
 98.5
 2.5
 5.4
Income from operations$1.9
 3.7% $0.7
 1.5% $1.2
 171.4 %

Pool Operating Statistics
  
 Three months ended
 September 30, September 30, Percent
 2019 2018 Change
Cartons ¹25,692
 22,218
 15.6 %
Revenue per carton$1.98
 $2.13
 (7.0)
Terminals30
 28
 7.1 %
      
¹ In thousands     

Revenues

Pool Distribution ("Pool") operating revenue increased $3.7 million, or 7.8%, to $51.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 from $47.3 million for the same period in 2018.  The increase was due to new location wins, which included additional volumes from existing customers and new customer wins. The increase was also attributable to other new business wins and revenue rate increases since the third quarter of 2018.
Purchased Transportation

Pool purchased transportation increased $1.2 million, or 8.4%, to $15.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to $14.3 million for the same period in 2018.  Pool purchased transportation as a percentage of revenue was 30.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to 30.2% for the same period in 2018.  Pool purchased transportation includes owner operators and third party carriers, while Company-employed drivers are included in salaries, wages and benefits. The increase in Pool purchased transportation was due an increase in third party carriers to cover the additional revenue discussed above.


Salaries, Wages, and Benefits

Pool salaries, wages and employee benefits increased $1.5 million, or 8.6%, to $19.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to $17.5 million for the same period in 2018.  As a percentage of Pool operating revenue, salaries, wages and benefits was 37.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to 37.0% for the same period in 2018.   The increase as a percentage of revenue was due to additional staffing required to service business in new locations, partly offset by decreases in group health insurance and workers compensation as a percentage of revenue.
Operating Leases

Pool operating leases increased $0.5 million, or 11.9%, to $4.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to $4.2 million for the same period in 2018.  Operating leases were 9.2% of Pool operating revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to 8.9% in the same period in 2018.  Operating leases increased as a percentage of revenue due to increases in tractor leases and rentals for the additional revenue discussed above and the use of leased tractors to replace old purchased equipment. The increase as a percentage of revenue was also due to increased facility rent from expanding our locations with new facilities for the new business wins mentioned above.
Depreciation and Amortization

Pool depreciation and amortization decreased $0.2 million, or 11.8%, to $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 from $1.7 million for the same period in 2018. Depreciation and amortization expense as a percentage of Pool operating revenue was 2.9% in the third quarter of 2019 compared to 3.6% in the same period in 2018. Trailer depreciation decreased $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018 primarily due to extending the useful life of trailers from seven to ten years as discussed above. Tractor depreciation increased $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018 primarily due to decreasing the salvage value of tractors from 25% to 10% as discussed above. The net increase in depreciation from the useful life study was partly offset by a $0.3 million decrease in tractor depreciation, as older units were replaced with tractor leases mentioned above.
Insurance and Claims

Pool insurance and claims expense was $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018.  Insurance and claims were 2.5% of operating revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to 2.7% in the same period in 2018. The decrease as a percentage of revenue was primarily due to lower vehicle liability claims, mostly offset by higher vehicle insurance premiums. See additional discussion over the consolidated increase in self-insurance reserves related to vehicle claims in the "Other operations" section below.
Fuel Expense

Pool fuel expense decreased $0.1 million, or 6.3%, to $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 from $1.6 million in the same period in 2018.  Fuel expenses were 2.9% of Pool operating revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to 3.4% for the same period in 2018.  Pool fuel expenses decreased due to slightly lower fuel prices.
Other Operating Expenses

Pool other operating expenses decreased $0.4 million, or 6.7%, to $5.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 from $6.0 million in the same period in 2018.  Pool other operating expenses as a percentage of revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2019 were 11.0% compared to 12.7% for the same period in 2018.  Other operating expenses included equipment maintenance, terminal and office expenses, professional fees and other over-the-road costs.  As a percentage of revenue the decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in agent station handling costs due to lower agent station revenue volumes and a decrease in equipment maintenance costs as a percentage of revenue due to the increased usage of leased equipment instead of purchased equipment. These decreases were slightly offset in total dollars and as a percentage of revenue due to a $0.1 million increase in loss on operating assets due to a reserve for tractors.
Income from Operations

Pool income from operations increased $1.2 million to $1.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 from $0.7 million for the same period in 2018.  Income from operations as a percentage of Pool operating revenue was 3.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to 1.5% for the same period in 2018.  The improvement in Pool operating income in total dollars and as a percentage of revenue was due to increased revenue from new location wins, which included additional volumes from existing customers, new business wins and revenue rate increases.


Other Operations - Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2018

Other operating activity declined from a $3.5 million operating loss during the three months ended September 30, 2018 to a $4.6 million operating loss during the three months ended September 30, 2019. The $4.5 million operating loss for the three months ended September 30, 2019 was primarily due to a $2.5 million vehicular reserve for unfavorable development of prior quarter claims and $1.6 million in costs related to the CEO transition. The remaining loss was due to increases to our loss development factors for workers' compensation claims of $0.6 million.

The $3.5 million operating loss included in other operations and corporate activities for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was primarily due to a $1.4 million increase in self-insurance reserves related to existing vehicular claims and a $0.6 increase to our loss development factors for workers' compensation claims. The loss was also attributable to $1.1 million in costs related to the CEO transition.



Results from Operations
The following table sets forth our consolidated historical financial data for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (in millions):
 Nine months ended September 30,
 2019 2018 Change Percent Change
Operating revenue:       
Expedited LTL$594.3
 $551.3
 $43.0
 7.8 %
Intermodal163.0
 148.3
 14.7
 9.9
Truckload Premium Services137.2
 143.0
 (5.8) (4.1)
Pool Distribution142.0
 133.3
 8.7
 6.5
Eliminations and other operations(7.6) (11.6) 4.0
 (34.5)
Operating revenue1,028.9
 964.3
 64.6
 6.7
Operating expenses:
 
    
   Purchased transportation462.8
 450.8
 12.0
 2.7
   Salaries, wages, and employee benefits243.9
 217.7
 26.2
 12.0
   Operating leases60.0
 54.6
 5.4
 9.9
   Depreciation and amortization32.0
 31.4
 0.6
 1.9
   Insurance and claims33.5
 26.4
 7.1
 26.9
   Fuel expense17.6
 16.8
 0.8
 4.8
   Other operating expenses93.1
 79.6
 13.5
 17.0
      Total operating expenses942.9
 877.3
 65.6
 7.5
Income (loss) from operations:       
Expedited LTL72.4
 71.0
 1.4
 2.0
Intermodal18.3
 16.3
 2.0
 12.3
Truckload Premium Services2.1
 3.4
 (1.3) (38.2)
Pool Distribution4.7
 3.7
 1.0
 27.0
Other operations(11.5) (7.4) (4.1) 55.4
Income from operations86.0
 87.0
 (1.0) (1.1)
Other expense:       
   Interest expense(1.9) (1.3) (0.6) 46.2
      Total other expense(1.9) (1.3) (0.6) 46.2
Income before income taxes84.1
 85.7
 (1.6) (1.9)
Income tax expense21.2
 21.3
 (0.1) (0.5)
Net income and comprehensive income$62.9
 $64.4
 $(1.5) (2.3)%
Revenues

During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, revenue increased 6.7% compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The revenue increase was primarily driven by increased revenue from our Expedited LTL segment of $43.0 million driven by increased final mile revenue primarily from the acquisition of FSA in April 2019 and increased network and fuel surcharge revenue over the prior year. The Company's other segments also had revenue growth over the prior year with the exception of the TLS segment where revenue decreased due a softening in revenue per mile driven by rate pressures from both spot market and contract rate customers and the deliberate shedding of lower margin business.

Operating Expenses
Operating expenses increased $65.6 million primarily driven by salaries, wages and employee benefits increases of $26.2 million and purchased transportation increases of $12.0 million. Company-employed drivers are included in salaries, wages and benefits,


while purchased transportation includes owner operators and third party carriers. Salaries, wages and employee benefits increased primarily due to additional salaries from acquisitions and increased Company-employed drivers. Although purchased transportation increased in total dollars, it decreased as a percentage of revenue from 46.7% to 45.0%. The decrease in purchased transportation as a percentage of revenue was mostly due to an increased utilization of owner-operators and Company-employed drivers over more costly third party transportation providers. In addition, other operating expenses also contributed to the increase by $13.5 million primarily due to activity in the Expedited LTL segment. See additional discussion below.
Operating Income and Segment Operations

Operating income decreased $1.0 million, or 1.1%, to $86.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 from the same period in 2018 driven by increased insurance reserves recorded in Other Operations and a slight decline in our TLS segment. These decreases were partly offset by operating income increases in our Intermodal, LTL and Pool segments. The results for our four reportable segments and Other Operations are discussed in detail in the following sections.

Interest Expense

Interest expense was $1.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to $1.3 million for the same period in 2018. The increase in interest expense was attributable to additional borrowings on our revolving credit facility.

Income Taxes

The combined federal and state effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was 25.1% compared to a rate of 24.9% for the same period in 2018. The higher effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was primarily the result of a $0.3 million Tennessee state job tax credit in the prior year and increased executive compensation in the current year, which was not deductible for income tax purposes. This was partly offset by the result of increased stock based compensation vesting when compared to the same period in 2018, which was impacted by forfeited performance shares.



Expedited LTL - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018

The following table sets forth our historical financial data of the Expedited LTL segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (in millions):
Expedited LTL Segment Information
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
            
 Nine months ended
 September 30, Percent of September 30, Percent of   Percent
 2019 Revenue 2018 Revenue Change Change
Operating revenue$594.3
 100.0% $551.3
 100.0% $43.0
 7.8%
            
Operating expenses:           
Purchased transportation265.7
 44.7
 257.5
 46.7
 8.2
 3.2
Salaries, wages and employee benefits135.2
 22.7
 120.6
 21.9
 14.6
 12.1
Operating leases33.8
 5.7
 30.4
 5.5
 3.4
 11.2
Depreciation and amortization16.9
 2.8
 16.7
 3.0
 0.2
 1.2
Insurance and claims13.2
 2.2
 10.7
 1.9
 2.5
 23.4
Fuel expense5.5
 0.9
 4.4
 0.8
 1.1
 25.0
Other operating expenses51.6
 8.7
 40.0
 7.3
 11.6
 29.0
Total operating expenses521.9
 87.8
 480.3
 87.1
 41.6
 8.7
Income from operations$72.4
 12.2% $71.0
 12.9% $1.4
 2.0%

Expedited LTL Operating Statistics
      
 Nine months ended
 September 30, September 30, Percent
 2019 2018 Change
      
Business days191
 191
  %
      
Tonnage     
    Total pounds ¹1,837,200
 1,913,782
 (4.0)
    Pounds per day ¹9,619
 10,020
 (4.0)
      
Shipments     
    Total shipments ¹2,921
 3,069
 (4.8)
    Shipments per day ¹15.3
 16.1
 (4.8)
      
Weight per shipment629
 624
 0.8
      
Revenue per hundredweight$27.28
 $25.92
 5.2
Revenue per hundredweight, ex fuel$22.96
 $21.98
 4.5
      
Revenue per shipment$174
 $164
 6.0 %
Revenue per shipment, ex fuel$147
 $139
 5.2 %
      
Network revenue from door-to-door shipments as a percentage of network revenue 2,3
39.7% 35.2% 12.8 %
      
¹ In thousands     
2 Door-to-door shipments include all shipments with a pickup and/or delivery
3 Network revenue is comprised of all revenue, including linehaul, pickup and/or delivery, and fuel surcharge revenue, excluding accessorial and final mile revenue


Revenues
Expedited LTL operating revenue increased $43.0 million, or 7.8%, to $594.3 million from $551.3 million, accounting for 57.8% of consolidated operating revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to 57.2% for the same period in 2018. The increase was due to increased final mile revenue and fuel surcharge revenue while network revenue, excluding fuel had a modest increase compared to the prior year. Final mile revenue increased $39.4 million primarily due to the acquisition of FSA in April 2019 and the addition of new service locations following business wins. Fuel surcharge revenue increased $3.9 million largely due to rate increases to our fuel surcharges. Network revenue is comprised of linehaul, pickup and/or delivery, and fuel surcharge revenue, excluding accessorial and final mile revenue. Network revenue, excluding fuel increased $0.1 million due to a 4.0% decrease in tonnage, mostly offset by a 4.5% increase in revenue per hundredweight, ex fuel. The decrease in tonnage was due to lower volumes from traditional linehaul. The increase in revenue per hundredweight was primarily due to rate increases and higher pickup and delivery revenue. Other terminal based revenue, which includes terminal handling and warehousing, decreased $0.4 million.

Purchased Transportation
Expedited LTL purchased transportation increased by $8.2 million, or 3.2%, to $265.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 from $257.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. As a percentage of segment operating revenue, Expedited LTL purchased transportation was 44.7% during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to 46.7% for the same period in 2018. Expedited LTL purchased transportation includes owner operators and third party carriers, while Company-employed drivers are included in salaries, wages and benefits. The decrease in purchased transportation as a percentage of revenue was mostly due to an increased utilization of owner-operators and Company-employed drivers over more costly third party transportation providers. Purchased transportation decreased as a percentage of revenue due to a 7.3% decrease in linehaul cost per mile due to an increased utilization of owner-operators and Company-employed drivers. This decrease was offset primarily by an increase in final mile purchased transportation due to the acquisition of FSA and increased network revenue with a pickup and/or delivery.
Salaries, Wages, and Benefits
Expedited LTL salaries, wages and employee benefits increased by $14.6 million, or 12.1%, to $135.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 from $120.6 million in the same period in 2018. Salaries, wages and employee benefits were 22.7% of Expedited LTL’s operating revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to 21.9% for the same period in 2018.  The increase in total dollars and as a percentage of revenue was primarily due to $10.4 million for additional headcount and employee wages, of which $7.5 million was due to the acquisition of FSA, and a $5.3 million increase due to utilization of Company-employed drivers to fulfill linehaul and local pickup and delivery services. An additional $0.9 million increase was due to group health insurance. These increases were partly offset by a $2.0 million decrease in employee incentives.
Operating Leases
Expedited LTL operating leases increased $3.4 million, or 11.2%, to $33.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 from $30.4 million for the same period in 2018.  Operating leases were 5.7% of Expedited LTL operating revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to 5.5% for the same period in 2018. The increase in cost was primarily due to a $2.4 million increase in facility leases mostly from additional facilities acquired from FSA and a $1.8 million increase in tractor rentals and leases to correspond with the increase in Company-employed driver usage mentioned above. These increases were partly offset by a $0.8 million decrease in trailer rentals and leases, as old leases were replaced with purchased trailers.
Depreciation and Amortization
Expedited LTL depreciation and amortization increased $0.2 million, or 1.2%, to $16.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 from $16.7 million for the same period in 2018.  Depreciation and amortization expense as a percentage of Expedited LTL operating revenue was 2.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to 3.0% for the same period in 2018.  The increase in total dollars was due $0.5 million of increased amortization of acquired intangibles from FSA. This increase was partly offset by a decrease in trailer depreciation due to the impact of a useful life study discussed in the quarter over quarter management, discussions and analysis section of the LTL results of operations. The impact of the life study on the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was partly offset by new trailers purchased since the third quarter of 2018 and the conversion of Company tractors to leased and rental units.




Insurance and Claims
Expedited LTL insurance and claims expense increased $2.5 million, or 23.4%, to $13.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 from $10.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.  Insurance and claims were 2.2% of operating revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to 1.9% infor the same period ofin 2018. The increase was attributable to ana $1.0 million vehicle claim reserve recorded in the second quarter of 2019 for pending vehicular claims and a $0.9 million increase in vehicle claim reserves andinsurance premiums. The increase was also attributable to higher accident related vehicle damage repairs, cargo claims and claims related fees. See additional discussion over the consolidated increase in self-insurance reserves related to vehicle claims in the "Other operations" section below.
Fuel Expense
Expedited LTL fuel expense increased $0.5$1.1 million, or 38.5%25.0%, to $1.8$5.5 million for the first quarter ofnine months ended September 30, 2019 from $1.3$4.4 million in the same period ofin 2018.  Fuel expenses were 1.0%0.9% of Expedited LTL operating revenue infor the first quarter ofnine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to 0.8% infor the same period ofin 2018.  Expedited LTL fuel expenses increased due to higherincreased Company-employed driver miles.


Other Operating Expenses
Expedited LTL other operating expenses increased $2.8$11.6 million, or 21.4%29.0%, to $15.9$51.6 million duringfor the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 from $13.1$40.0 million in the same period ofin 2018.  Other operating expenses were 8.9%8.7% of Expedited LTL operating revenue in the first quarter ofnine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to 7.7%7.3% in the same period ofin 2018. Other operating expenses includesincluded equipment maintenance, terminal and office expenses, legal and professional fees and other over-the-road costs. The increase in total dollars and as a percentage of revenue was primarily attributable to ana $1.1 million increase in receivables allowanceloss on operating assets due to a $0.6 million reserve for tractors and a $0.5 million increase in net losses on sale of tractors. The increase was also attributable to a $1.9 million increase in parts costs for final mile installations due to the acquisition of FSA and $1.1 million in higher travel-related expenses. A $1.3 million increase in legal and professional fees relatedand a $0.9 million increase in the earn-out liability from the FSA acquisition due improved revenue since acquisition also contributed to the acquisition. The increase as a percentageincrease. Additionally, receivables allowance increased $0.8 million due to the third quarter of revenue was also the result of the prior year2018 including a fuel tax credit thatrecovery of a previously reserved receivable. The remaining increase was no longer available in 2019.due to increased terminal and office expenses and other over-the-road costs, including tolls.
Income from Operations
Expedited LTL income from operations decreasedincreased by $1.2$1.4 million, or 5.8%2.0%, to $19.6$72.4 million for the first quarter ofnine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to $20.8$71.0 million for the same period in 2018.  Income from operations as a percentage of Expedited LTL operating revenue was 11.0%12.2% for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 compared with 12.2%to 12.9% in the same period ofin 2018. The decreaseincrease in income from operations was due to sluggishincreased revenue and improvements in purchased transportation on increased utilization of owner-operators and Company-employed drivers. The deterioration in income as a percentage of revenue was due to lower linehaul tonnage, higher vehicle claim reserves, cargo claims, legala reserve for owned tractors and professional fees and anloss on sale of old owned tractors. The deterioration was also due to the increase in receivables allowance.the FSA earn-out liability and the acquisition of FSA, as it continues to be integrated into the LTL segment. These deteriorations were partly offset by increased utilization of owner-operators and Company-employed drivers.






Intermodal - ThreeNine Months Ended March 31,September 30, 2019 compared to ThreeNine Months Ended March 31,September 30, 2018


The following table sets forth the historical financial data of our Intermodal segment for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 and 2018 (in millions):



Intermodal Segment Information(In millions)(Unaudited)
                      
Three months endedNine months ended
March 31, Percent of March 31, Percent of   PercentSeptember 30, Percent of September 30, Percent of   Percent
2019 Revenue 2018 Revenue Change Change2019 Revenue 2018 Revenue Change Change
Operating revenue$54.1
 100.0% $48.6
 100.0% $5.5
 11.3 %$163.0
 100.0% $148.3
 100.0% $14.7
 9.9%
                      
Operating expenses:
   
                 
Purchased transportation18.4
 34.0
 18.7
 38.5
 (0.3) (1.6)57.5
 35.3
 57.4
 38.7
 0.1
 0.2
Salaries, wages and employee benefits12.7
 23.5
 10.3
 21.2
 2.4
 23.3
39.4
 24.2
 31.7
 21.4
 7.7
 24.3
Operating leases3.8
 7.0
 4.0
 8.2
 (0.2) (5.0)12.1
 7.4
 12.0
 8.1
 0.1
 0.8
Depreciation and amortization1.9
 3.5
 1.6
 3.3
 0.3
 18.8
6.3
 3.9
 4.6
 3.1
 1.7
 37.0
Insurance and claims1.4
 2.6
 1.4
 2.9
 
 
4.9
 3.0
 4.3
 2.9
 0.6
 14.0
Fuel expense1.6
 3.0
 1.6
 3.3
 
 
5.6
 3.4
 4.9
 3.3
 0.7
 14.3
Other operating expenses8.1
 15.0
 7.5
 15.4
 0.6
 8.0
18.9
 11.6
 17.1
 11.5
 1.8
 10.5
Total operating expenses47.9
 88.5
 45.1
 92.8
 2.8
 6.2
144.7
 88.8
 132.0
 89.0
 12.7
 9.6
Income from operations$6.2
 11.5% $3.5
 7.2% $2.7
 77.1 %$18.3
 11.2% $16.3
 11.0% $2.0
 12.3%


Intermodal Operating Statistics
Intermodal Operating Statistics
Intermodal Operating Statistics
  
Three months endedNine months ended
March 31, March 31, PercentSeptember 30, September 30, Percent
2019 2018 Change2019 2018 Change
Drayage shipments75,607
 73,671
 2.6%235,911
 223,673
 5.5%
Drayage revenue per shipment$625
 $571
 9.5
Number of locations21
 19
 10.5%
Drayage revenue per Shipment$598
 $570
 4.9
Number of Locations21
 19
 10.5%


Revenues


Intermodal operating revenue increased $5.5$14.7 million, or 11.3%9.9%, to $54.1$163.0 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 from $48.6$148.3 million for the same period in 2018. The increases in operating revenue were primarily attributable to revenue rate increases and the MMTincrease in drayage shipments from the acquisition of OST that occurred in July 2019 and the acquisition of Southwest acquisitions.that occurred in November 2018. Fuel surcharge revenue also increased on higher drayage shipments and higher fuel surcharge rates.


Purchased Transportation


Intermodal purchased transportation decreased $0.3increased $0.1 million, or 1.6%0.2%, to $18.4$57.5 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 from $18.7$57.4 million for the same period in 2018.  Intermodal purchased transportation as a percentage of revenue was 34.0%35.3% for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 compared to 38.5%38.7% for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018.  Intermodal purchased transportation includes owner operators and third party carriers, while Company-employed drivers are included in salaries, wages and benefits. The decrease in Intermodal purchased transportation as a percentage of revenue was attributable to operating efficiencies and increased utilization of Company-employed drivers compared to the same period in 2018 and the impact of improved pricing on intermodal shipments.2018.






Salaries, Wages, and Benefits


Intermodal salaries, wages and employee benefits increased $2.4$7.7 million, or 23.3%24.3%, to $12.7$39.4 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 compared to $10.3$31.7 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018.  As a percentage of Intermodal operating revenue, salaries, wages and benefits increased to 23.5%24.2% for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 compared to 21.2%21.4% for the same period in 2018.   The 2.8% increase in salaries, wages and employee benefits as a percentage of revenue was attributable to higher employee incentive and share-based compensation, increaseda 1.3% increase from utilization of Company-employed drivers and increaseda 1.2% increase from higher administrative salaries, wages and benefits as a percentage of revenue. The increase as a percentage of revenue was also attributable to a 0.4% increase in group health insurance and workers compensation as a percentage of revenue. The increase in administrative salaries, wages and benefits as a percentage of revenue was due to additional headcount from the acquisitions of OST, Southwest and MMT.


Operating Leases


Intermodal operating leases decreased $0.2increased $0.1 million, or 5.0%0.8%, to $3.8$12.1 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 compared to $4.0from $12.0 million for the same period ofin 2018.  Operating leases were 7.0%7.4% of Intermodal operating revenue for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 compared with 8.2%to 8.1% in the same period ofin 2018.  Operating leases decreased in total dollars andThe decrease as a percentage of revenue duewas attributable to decreases toa 0.8% decrease in trailer rental charges.charges as a percentage of revenue. This decrease as a percentage of revenue was partly offset by increases in facility rent from acquired companies.


Depreciation and Amortization


Intermodal depreciation and amortization increased $0.3$1.7 million, or 18.8%37.0%, to $1.9$6.3 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 from $1.6$4.6 million for the same period in 2018. Depreciation and amortization expense as a percentage of Intermodal operating revenue was 3.5% in3.9% for the first quarter ofnine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to 3.3% in3.1% for the same period in 2018. The increase was due to $1.0 million increase in amortization of 2018. acquired intangibles.The increase in depreciation and amortization was also attributable to a $0.8 million increase in depreciation of acquired equipment partly due to increased amortizationthe equipment acquired from OST. These increases were slightly offset by the $0.1 million impact of acquired intangibles.the useful life study discussion above.


Insurance and Claims


Intermodal insurance and claims was $1.4expense increased $0.6 million, or 14.0%, to $4.9 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 andfrom $4.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.   Intermodal insurance and claims were 2.6%3.0% of operating revenue for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 compared withto 2.9% for the same period in 2018. The decreaseincrease in Intermodal insurance and claims as a percentage of revenue was attributable to decreasesa 0.1% increase in vehicle insurance premiums and cargo claims.as a percentage of revenue. See additional discussion over the consolidated increase in self-insurance reserves related to vehicle claims in the "Other operations" section below.


Fuel Expense


Intermodal fuel expense was $1.6increased $0.7 million, or 14.3%, to $5.6 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 andfrom $4.9 million in the same period in 2018.  Fuel expenses were 3.0%3.4% of Intermodal operating revenue infor the first quarter ofnine months ended September 30, 2019 compared withto 3.3% forin the same period ofin 2018.  Intermodal fuel expenses were flatincreased due to increased Company-employed driver activity offset by lower fuel prices.activity.

Other Operating Expenses

Intermodal other operating expenses increased $0.6$1.8 million, or 8.0%10.5%, to $8.1$18.9 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 from $7.5compared to $17.1 million for the same period in 2018.  Intermodal other operating expenses for the first quarter ofnine months ended September 30, 2019 were 15.0%11.6% of Intermodal operating revenue compared to 15.4% for11.5% from the same period ofin 2018. The decreaseincrease in Intermodal other operating expenses as a percentage of revenueexpense was due mostly to lower equipment maintenance.a $0.6 million increase in acquisition related legal and professional fees and a $0.5 million increase in container related rental and storage charges. The increase was also due to the nine months ended September 30, 2018 including a $0.5 million reduction in the earn-out liability for the Atlantic acquisition. The remaining increase was due to increased losses on sales of old equipment.







Income from Operations
Intermodal’s
Intermodal income from operations increased by $2.7$2.0 million, or 77.1%12.3%, to $6.2$18.3 million for the first quarter ofnine months ended September 30, 2019 compared with $3.5to $16.3 million for the same period in 2018.  Income from operations as a percentage of Intermodal operating revenue was 11.5%11.2% for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 compared to 7.2%11.0% in the same period ofin 2018.  The increase in operating income in total dollars and as a percentage of revenue was primarily attributable to revenue rate increases and the acquisitions of Southwest and MMT. These increases were partly offset by higher amortization and professional fees related to acquisitions and the prior period including a $0.5 million benefit from the reduction of an earn-out liability.




Truckload Premium Services - ThreeNine Months Ended March 31,September 30, 2019 compared to ThreeNine Months Ended March 31,September 30, 2018


The following table sets forth our historical financial data of the Truckload Premium Services segment for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 and 2018 (in millions):
Truckload Premium Services Segment Information(In millions)(Unaudited)
                      
Three months endedNine months ended
March 31, Percent of March 31, Percent of   PercentSeptember 30, Percent of September 30, Percent of   Percent
2019 Revenue 2018 Revenue Change Change2019 Revenue 2018 Revenue Change Change
Operating revenue$45.7
 100.0% $46.1
 100.0% $(0.4) (0.9)%$137.2
 100.0% $143.0
 100.0% $(5.8) (4.1)%
                      
Operating expenses:
                     
Purchased transportation34.5
 75.5
 34.8
 75.5
 (0.3) (0.9)103.5
 75.4
 107.6
 75.2
 (4.1) (3.8)
Salaries, wages and employee benefits4.6
 10.1
 5.1
 11.1
 (0.5) (9.8)13.6
 9.9
 14.5
 10.1
 (0.9) (6.2)
Operating leases0.1
 0.2
 0.2
 0.4
 (0.1) (50.0)0.8
 0.6
 0.4
 0.3
 0.4
 100.0
Depreciation and amortization1.6
 3.5
 1.8
 3.9
 (0.2) (11.1)4.3
 3.1
 4.8
 3.4
 (0.5) (10.4)
Insurance and claims1.0
 2.2
 1.0
 2.2
 
 
3.6
 2.6
 3.2
 2.2
 0.4
 12.5
Fuel expense0.7
 1.5
 1.1
 2.4
 (0.4) (36.4)2.1
 1.5
 2.5
 1.7
 (0.4) (16.0)
Other operating expenses2.3
 5.0
 2.1
 4.5
 0.2
 9.5
7.2
 5.2
 6.6
 4.6
 0.6
 9.1
Total operating expenses44.8
 98.0
 46.1
 100.0
 (1.3) (2.8)135.1
 98.5
 139.6
 97.6
 (4.5) (3.2)
Income from operations$0.9
 2.0% $
 % $0.9
 100.0 %$2.1
 1.5% $3.4
 2.4% $(1.3) (38.2)%


Truckload Premium Services Operating Statistics
Truckload Premium Services Operating Statistics
Truckload Premium Services Operating Statistics
  
Three months endedNine months ended
March 31, March 31, PercentSeptember 30, September 30, Percent
2019 2018 Change2019 2018 Change
          
Total Miles ¹18,757
 20,072
 (6.6)%57,829
 59,404
 (2.7)%
Empty Miles Percentage7.9% 9.7% (18.6)7.4% 9.2% (19.6)
Tractors (avg)306
 335
 (8.7)345
 315
 9.5
Miles per tractor per week 2
1,932
 2,229
 (13.3)1,955
 2,275
 (14.1)
          
Revenue per mile$2.33
 $2.19
 6.4
$2.27
 $2.29
 (0.9)
Cost per mile$1.86
 $1.81
 2.8 %$1.83
 $1.85
 (1.1)%
          
¹ In thousands     
2 Calculated using Company-employed driver and owner-operator miles
¹ - In thousands     
2 - Calculated using Company driver and owner operator miles
2 - Calculated using Company driver and owner operator miles



Revenues
    
TLS revenue decreased $0.4$5.8 million, or 0.9%4.1%, to $45.7$137.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 from $143.0 million in the first quarter of 2019 from $46.1 millionsame period in the first quarter of 2018.  TLS revenue decreased due to a 6.6%2.7% decrease in overall miles mostly offset byand a 6.4% increase0.9% decrease in average revenue per mile. The decrease in overall miles was due to deliberate shedding of lower margin business as well as reduced fleet capacity compared to the first quarter of last year. The increased revenue per mile was primarily driven by rate increases to existing customerspressures from both spot market and to a lesser extent, the aforementioned shedding of lower margin business.



contract rate customers.
Purchased Transportation

TLS purchased transportation costs decreased $0.3$4.1 million, or 0.9%3.8%, to $34.5$103.5 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 from $34.8$107.6 million for the same period in 2018. For the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019, and 2018,TLS purchased transportation costs represented 75.5%.75.4% of TLS revenue compared to 75.2% for the same period in 2018.  TLS purchased transportation includes owner operators and third party carriers, while Company-employedcompany-employed drivers are included in salaries, wages and benefits. The decrease


in purchased transportation was attributable to a 3.9%2.0% decrease in purchased transportation miles driven by owner operators and third party carriers partly offset by a 3.6% increase1.1% decrease in cost per mile during the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018. The decrease in TLS purchased transportation miles was attributable to the revenue activity discussed above. The increasedecrease in cost per mile was due to higherincreased utilization of owner operators and improved purchasing discipline for third party carriers, which are more costly than owner operators.

carriers.
Salaries, Wages, and Benefits


TLS salaries, wages and employee benefits decreased by $0.5$0.9 million, or 9.8%6.2%, to $4.6$13.6 million infor the first quarter ofnine months ended September 30, 2019 from $5.1$14.5 million in the same period ofin 2018.  Salaries, wages and employee benefits were 10.1%9.9% of TLS’s operating revenue in the first quarter ofnine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to 11.1%10.1% for the same period in 2018.  The slight decrease in salaries, wages and employee benefits as a percentage of revenue was mostly attributable to a decrease in Company-employed driver pay due tomiles and lower employee incentives and share based compensation as a percentage of revenue. The decrease was partly offset by the decrease in miles driven.revenue reducing leverage on fixed employee salaries, wages and benefits.
Operating Leases
TLS operating leases decreased $0.1increased $0.4 million, or 100.0%, to $0.1$0.8 million for the first quarter ofnine months ended September 30, 2019 from $0.2$0.4 million for the same period in 2018.  Operating leases were 0.2%0.6% of TLS operating revenue for the first quarter ofnine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to 0.4%0.3% for the same period in 2018. The decreaseincrease was due to a $0.5 million increase in tractor leases to replace older owned equipment partly offset by a $0.1 million decrease in trailer rentals, as TLS utilized more purchased trailers in first quarter of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018.rentals.
Depreciation and Amortization


TLS depreciation and amortization decreased $0.2$0.5 million, or 11.1%10.4%, to $1.6$4.3 million infor the first quarter ofnine months ended September 30, 2019 from $1.8$4.8 million forin the same period in 2018.  Depreciation and amortization expense as a percentage of TLS operating revenue was 3.5%3.1% for the first quarter ofnine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to 3.9% for3.4% in the same period in 2018. The decrease was due to lower tractora decrease in trailer depreciation as older units were not replaced due to lower Company-employed driver miles.the impact of a useful life study discussed in the quarter over quarter management, discussions and analysis section of the TLS results of operations. The impact of the life study on the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was partly offset by new trailers purchased since the third quarter of 2018 and the conversion of Company tractors to leased and rental units.
Insurance and Claims


TLS insurance and claims expense was $1.0increased $0.4 million, or 12.5%, to $3.6 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 andfrom $3.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.  Insurance and claims were 2.2%2.6% of operating revenue for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 andcompared to 2.2% in the same period in 2018. LowerThe increase was primarily due to higher vehicle insurance premiums, and vehicle claims reserves were offset by higher cargo claims. At aand claims related fees. See additional discussion over the consolidated level,increase in self-insurance reserves related to vehicle claims reserves increased; see discussion in the "Other operations" section below.
Fuel Expense


TLS fuel expense decreased $0.4 million, or 36.4%16.0%, to $0.7$2.1 million for the first quarter ofnine months ended September 30, 2019 from $1.1$2.5 million for the same period in 2018.  Fuel expense as a percentage of TLS operating revenue was 1.5% infor the first quarter ofnine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to 2.4% for1.7% in the same period ofin 2018. The decrease was mostly attributable to a decrease inlower year-over-year Company-employed driver miles.
Other Operating Expenses


TLS other operating expenses increased $0.2$0.6 million, or 9.5%9.1%, to $2.3$7.2 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 from $2.1$6.6 million forin the same period in 2018.  Other operating expenses were 5.0%5.2% of TLS operating revenue in the first quarter ofnine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to 4.5% for4.6% in the same period ofin 2018.  Other operating expenses includesincluded equipment maintenance, terminal and office expenses, professional fees and other costs of transiting shipments. The increase as a percentage of revenue was mostly due to an increase in receivables allowance and increased spending on information technology.technology, over-the-road costs, such as tolls and increased receivables allowance.
Income from Operations
TLS income from operations increaseddecreased by $1.3 million, or 38.2%, to $0.9$2.1 million duringfor the first quarter ofnine months ended September 30, 2019 from breakevencompared to $3.4 million for the same period in 2018.  The improvementdeterioration in income from operations was due to rate increases and higher fuel surcharges to existing customers, andlower revenue per mile partly offset by operating efficiencies that have lowered the deliberate shedding of lower margin business.overall cost per mile.




Pool Distribution - ThreeNine Months Ended March 31,September 30, 2019 compared to ThreeNine Months Ended March 31,September 30, 2018


The following table sets forth the historical financial data of our Pool Distribution segment for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 and 2018 (in millions):

Pool Distribution Segment Information
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
            
 Nine months ended
 September 30, Percent of September 30, Percent of   Percent
 2019 Revenue 2018 Revenue Change Change
Operating revenue$142.0
 100.0% $133.3
 100.0% $8.7
 6.5 %
            
Operating expenses:           
Purchased transportation42.7
 30.1
 38.9
 29.2
 3.8
 9.8
Salaries, wages and employee benefits52.6
 37.0
 49.2
 36.9
 3.4
 6.9
Operating leases13.3
 9.4
 11.6
 8.7
 1.7
 14.7
Depreciation and amortization4.6
 3.2
 5.2
 3.9
 (0.6) (11.5)
Insurance and claims4.0
 2.8
 3.2
 2.4
 0.8
 25.0
Fuel expense4.4
 3.1
 4.9
 3.7
 (0.5) (10.2)
Other operating expenses15.7
 11.1
 16.6
 12.5
 (0.9) (5.4)
Total operating expenses137.3
 96.7
 129.6
 97.2
 7.7
 5.9
Income (loss) from operations$4.7
 3.3% $3.7
 2.8% $1.0
 27.0 %

Pool Distribution Segment Information
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
   ��        
 Three months ended
 March 31, Percent of March 31, Percent of   Percent
 2019 Revenue 2018 Revenue Change Change
Operating revenue$45.2
 100.0% $42.7
 100.0% $2.5
 5.9 %
            
Operating expenses:    
      
Purchased transportation13.4
 29.6
 12.1
 28.3
 1.3
 10.7
Salaries, wages and employee benefits16.7
 36.9
 15.9
 37.2
 0.8
 5.0
Operating leases4.3
 9.5
 3.7
 8.7
 0.6
 16.2
Depreciation and amortization1.6
 3.5
 1.8
 4.2
 (0.2) (11.1)
Insurance and claims1.2
 2.7
 0.9
 2.1
 0.3
 33.3
Fuel expense1.5
 3.3
 1.6
 3.8
 (0.1) (6.3)
Other operating expenses5.2
 11.5
 5.3
 12.4
 (0.1) (1.9)
Total operating expenses43.9
 97.1
 41.3
 96.7
 2.6
 6.3
Income from operations$1.3
 2.9% $1.4
 3.3% $(0.1) (7.1)%
Pool Operating Statistics
  
 Nine months ended
 September 30, September 30, Percent
 2019 2018 Change
Cartons¹71,039
 62,542
 13.6 %
Revenue per Carton$2.00
 $2.13
 (6.1)
Terminals30
 28
 7.1 %
      
¹ In thousands     

Pool Operating Statistics
  
 Three months ended
 March 31, March 31, Percent
 2019 2018 Change
Cartons ¹22,316
 20,223
 10.3 %
Revenue per carton$2.02
 $2.11
 (4.3)
Terminals28
 28
  %
      
¹ In thousands     


Revenues


Pool Distribution ("Pool") operating revenue increased $2.5$8.7 million, or 5.9%6.5%, to $45.2$142.0 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 from $42.7$133.3 million for the same period in 2018.  The increase was due to new business wins and revenue rate increases increasedsince the third quarter of 2018. The increase was also attributable to new location wins, which included additional volumes from existing customers and new businesscustomer wins.
Purchased Transportation

Pool purchased transportation increased $1.3$3.8 million, or 10.7%9.8%, to $13.4$42.7 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 compared to $12.1$38.9 million for the same period ofin 2018.  Pool purchased transportation as a percentage of revenue was 29.6%30.1% for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 compared to 28.3%29.2% for the same period ofin 2018.  Pool purchased transportation includes owner operators and third party carriers, while Company-employed drivers are included in salaries, wages and benefits. The increase in Pool purchased transportation as a percentage of revenue was attributable to increased rates charged by, and increased utilization of, third party carriers.





Salaries, Wages, and Benefits


Pool salaries, wages and employee benefits increased $0.8$3.4 million, or 5.0%6.9%, to $16.7$52.6 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 compared to $15.9$49.2 million for the same period ofin 2018.  As a percentage of Pool operating revenue, salaries, wages and benefits decreased to 36.9%was 37.0% for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 compared to 37.2%36.9% for the same period in 2018.  The decrease in salaries, wages and benefits as a percentage of revenueincrease was the result of decreases in group health insurance costs and Company-employed driver pay partly offset bydue to higher dock pay as a percentage of revenue.and office and administrative pay. Dock pay deteriorated as a percentage of revenue as increasingincreased due to increased dedicated revenue volumes, which required the use of more costly contract labor. Office and administrative pay increased due to additional staffing required to service business in new locations.
Operating Leases


Pool operating leases increased $0.6$1.7 million, or 16.2%14.7%, to $4.3$13.3 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 compared to $3.7from $11.6 million for the same period ofin 2018.  Operating leases were 9.5%9.4% of Pool operating revenue for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 compared withto 8.7% in the same period ofin 2018.  Operating leases increased as a percentage of revenue due to increases in tractor leases for the additional revenue discussed above and the use of leased tractors to replace old purchased equipment. The increase as a percentage of revenue was also due to increased facility rent due to terminal expansions and new terminals to handle increased revenue volumes.described above.
Depreciation and Amortization


Pool depreciation and amortization decreased $0.2$0.6 million, or 11.1%11.5%, to $1.6$4.6 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 from $1.8$5.2 million for the same period in 2018. Depreciation and amortization expense as a percentage of Pool operating revenue was 3.5% in3.2% for the first quarter ofnine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to 4.2% in3.9% for the same period in 2018. Trailer depreciation decreased $0.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018 primarily due to extending the useful life of 2018.trailers from seven to ten years as discussed above. Tractor depreciation increased $0.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018 primarily due to decreasing the salvage value of tractors from 25% to 10% as discussed above. The net increase in depreciation from the useful life study was partly offset by a $0.7 million decrease in Pooltractor depreciation and amortization as a percentage of revenue was due to the increase in leased equipmentolder units were replaced with tractor leases mentioned above instead of purchased equipment.above.
Insurance and Claims


Pool insurance and claims expense increased $0.3$0.8 million, or 33.3%25.0%, to $1.2$4.0 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 from $0.9$3.2 million for the same period ofin 2018.  Insurance and claims were 2.7%2.8% of operating revenue for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 compared to 2.1%2.4% in the same period ofin 2018. The increase in total dollars and as a percentage of revenue was primarily due to the prior period including a $0.3$0.5 million reimbursement for claims related legal fees. At aThe remaining increase was due to increased vehicle insurance premiums. See additional discussion over the consolidated level,increase in self-insurance reserves related to vehicle claims reserves increased; see discussion in the "Other operations" section below.
Fuel Expense


Pool fuel expense decreased $0.1$0.5 million, or 6.3%10.2%, to $1.5$4.4 million for the first quarter ofnine months ended September 30, 2019 from $1.6$4.9 million in the same period ofin 2018.  Fuel expenses were 3.3%3.1% of Pool operating revenue induring the first quarter ofnine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to 3.8% for3.7% in the same period ofin 2018.  Pool fuel expenses decreased due to slightly lower year-over-year Company-employed driver usage.miles.
Other Operating Expenses


Pool other operating expenses decreased $0.1$0.9 million, or 1.9%5.4%, to $5.2$15.7 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 from $5.3compared to $16.6 million infor the same period ofin 2018.  Pool other operating expenses as a percentage of revenue for the first quarter ofnine months ended September 30, 2019 were 11.5%11.1% of operating revenue compared to 12.4%12.5% for the same period ofin 2018.  Other operating expenses includesincluded equipment maintenance, terminal and office expenses, professional fees and other over-the-road costs.  As a percentage of revenue, the decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in agent station handling costs due to lower agent station revenue volumes and a decrease in equipment maintenance costs as a percentage of revenue due to the increased usage of leased equipment instead of purchased equipment and a decrease in agent station volumes.equipment.


Income from Operations

Pool income from operations decreased $0.1increased $1.0 million, or 7.1%27.0%, to $1.3$4.7 million for the first quarter ofnine months ended September 30, 2019 from $1.4$3.7 million for the same period in 2018.  Income from operations as a percentage of Pool operating revenue was 2.9%3.3% for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 compared to 3.3% fora 2.8% in the same period ofin 2018. The deteriorationimprovement in Pool operating income in total dollars and as a percentage of revenue was primarily the result ofdue to increased utilization ofrevenue from new location wins, which included additional volumes from existing customers and higher rates charged by third party carriersnew business wins and increasing revenue volumes required the use of more costly contract labor. These decreases were partly offset by current year revenue rate increases.




Other Operations - ThreeNine Months Ended March 31,September 30, 2019 compared to ThreeNine Months Ended March 31,September 30, 2018


Other operating activity declined from a $1.5$7.4 million operating loss during the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018 to a $3.3an $11.5 million operating loss during the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019. The $3.3 million operating loss for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 is primarily due to a $1.8included $6.5 million increase in self-insurancevehicular reserves related to existing vehicularfor unfavorable development of second quarter 2019 claims and $0.6 in self-insurance reserves resulting from analysis ofincreases to our loss development factors for vehicle and workers' compensation claims.claims of $1.4 million and $0.7 million, respectively. The loss was also attributableattributed to $0.7$2.9 million in costs related to the CEO transition.


The $1.5$7.4 million operating loss included in other operations and corporate activities for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018 was the result ofincluded a $1.3$5.2 million increase in self-insurance reserves related to existing vehicular claims activity during 2018and $0.8 million in self-insurance reserves resulting in increases to our loss development factors forfrom workers' compensation and vehicle claims and $0.2claims. The loss was also attributable to $1.1 million of turn in costs from old equipment.related to the CEO transition.



Critical Accounting Policies


Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).  The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes.  Our estimates and assumptions are based on historical experience and changes in the business environment.  However, actual results may differ from estimates under different conditions, sometimes materially.  Critical accounting policies and estimates are defined as those that are both most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results and require management’s most subjective judgments. Management considers our policies on Self-Insurance Loss Reserves, Business Combinations and Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets to be critical. A summary of significant accounting policies is disclosed in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our critical accounting policies are further described under the caption “Discussion of Critical Accounting Policies” in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K.


Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements


In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, which requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset with a corresponding lease liability on their balance sheet for most leases classified as operating leases under previous guidance. Lessors are required to recognize a net lease investment for most leases. Additional qualitative and quantitative disclosures are also required. The Company applied the transition requirements as of January 1, 2019, which resulted in recording right-of-use lease assets and corresponding lease liabilities of $133.4$159.0 million and $133.7$159.7 million, respectively, as of March 31,September 30, 2019. There was no impact to the Company's Statements of Comprehensive Income or Statements of Cash Flows. In addition, comparative financial statements have not been presented as allowed per the guidance. Changes to processes and internal controls to meet the standard’s reporting and disclosure requirements have also been implemented. See Note 9, Leases, for additional discussion over this new standard, including the impact on the Company's financial statements.


Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
We have historically financed our working capital needs, including capital expenditures, with cash flows from operations and borrowings under our bank lines of credit.


ThreeNine Months Ended March 31,September 30, 2019 Cash Flows compared to March 31,Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Cash Flows


Net cash provided by operating activities totaled approximately $41.5$117.7 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 compared to approximately $40.8$113.8 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018. The $0.7$3.9 million increase in cash provided by operating activities iswas mainly attributable to a $3.8 million increase in collection of receivables and a $1.6$2.6 million increase in net earnings after consideration of non-cash items, a $1.1 million increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses, a $0.6 million decrease in income taxes.tax receivables and a $0.4 million decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets. These increases were partly offset by a $4.7$0.8 million increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses.receivables.


Net cash used in investing activities was approximately $3.7$64.0 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 compared withto approximately $5.7$32.4 million during the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018. Investing activities during the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 consisted of the acquisition of FSA for $27.0 million, OST for $12.0 million and net capital expenditures of $3.7$25.0 million primarily for new trailers, information technology and facility equipment and new trailers.equipment.  Investing activities during the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018 consisted primarily of net capital expenditures of $5.6$28.4 million primarily for new trailers,


forklifts and information technology. The proceeds from disposal of property and equipment during the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 and 2018 were primarily from sales of older tractors and trailers.
  
Net cash used in financing activities totaled approximately $21.3$44.6 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 compared withto net cash used in financing activities of $26.3$56.4 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018.  The $5.0$11.8 million decrease in cash used in financing activities was attributable to a $5.8$20.0 million decreaseincrease in borrowings on the senior credit facility line, partly offset by a $2.9 million increase in the repurchase of common stock. This decrease in cash used was partially offset bystock and a $0.8$2.2 million increase in payments of cash dividends due to an increase in first quarterthe quarterly dividend per share from $0.15 per share in the first nine months of 2018 to $0.18 per share partlyfor the first nine months of 2019. The remaining offset bywas due to a $2.2 million decrease in the outstanding share count during the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the same periodcash from employee stock transactions and related tax benefits and a $0.3 increase in 2018.cash payments for debt and capital lease obligations.


Credit Facility


See Note 6, Senior Credit Facility, to our Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of the senior credit facility.


Share Repurchases


See Note 11, Shareholders' Equity, to our Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of our share repurchases and dividends during during the period.


Forward-Looking Statements


This report contains “forward-looking statements,” as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  Forward-looking statements are statements other than historical information or statements of current condition and relate to future events or our future financial performance. In this Form 10-Q, forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, any projections of earnings, revenues, dividends, or other financial items or methods of interpretation or measurement; any statement of plans, strategies, and objectives of management for future operations; any statements regarding future performance; any statement regarding future insurance, claims and claims;litigation and any associated estimates or projections; any statements concerning proposed or intended new services or developments; any statements regarding intended expansion through acquisition or greenfield startups;developments and related integration costs; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance based on our business strategy, relianceincluding acquisitions; any statement related our sustainability initiatives and operations; any statement regarding certain tax and account matters, including the impact on our financial instruments or otherwise;statements; and any statements of belief and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Some forward-looking statements may be identified by use of such terms as “believes,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “projects” or “expects.”  Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  The following is a list of factors, among others, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements: economic factors such as recessions, inflation, higher interest rates and downturns in customer business cycles, the creditworthiness of our customers and their ability to pay for services rendered, the availability and compensation of qualified independent owner-operators and freight handlers as well as contracted, third-party carriers needed to serve our customers’ transportation needs, the inability of our information systems to handle an increased volume of freight moving through our network, changes in fuel prices, our inability to maintain our historical growth rate because of a decreased volume of freight or decreased average revenue per pound of freight moving through our network, loss of a major customer, increasing competition and pricing pressure, our ability to secure terminal facilities in desirable locations at reasonable rates, our inability to successfully integrate acquisitions, claims for property damage, personal injuries or workers’ compensation, enforcement of and changes in governmental regulations, environmental and tax matters, insurance matters, the handling of hazardous materials and the risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. As a result of the foregoing, no assurance can be given as to future financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.  We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.


Our exposure to market risk related to our outstanding debt is not significant and has not changed materially from the information provided in our 2018 Form 10-K.


Item 4.Controls and Procedures.


Disclosure Controls and Procedures


We maintain controls and procedures designed to ensure that we are able to collect the information required to be disclosed in the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and to process, summarize and disclose this information within the time periods specified in the rules of the SEC. Based on an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report conducted by management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and


Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer believe that these controls and procedures are effective to ensure that we are able to collect, process and disclose the information we are required to disclose in the reports we file with the SEC within the required time periods.


Changes in Internal Control


As part of the implementation of ASU 2016-02, Leases, as of January 1, 2019, the Company implemented changes to internal controls to meet the standard's reporting and disclosure requirements. Management believes that these controls were effective as of March 31,September 30, 2019. There were no other changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2019 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


Part II.Other Information
  
Item 1.Legal Proceedings.


From time to time, we are a party to ordinary, routine litigation incidental to and arising in the normal course of our business, most of which involve claims for personal injury and property damage related to the transportation and handling of freight, or workers’ compensation. We do not believe that any of these pending actions, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.


Item 1A.Risk Factors.


A summary of factors which could affect results and cause results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by us, or on our behalf, are further described under the caption “Risk Factors” in the Business portion of our 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K. There have been no changes in the nature of these factors since December 31, 2018.



Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.


Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities


Information regarding repurchases of our shares during the firstthird quarter of 2019 is as follows:
Period Total Number of Shares Purchased Average Price Paid per Share Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced 2016 Program (1) Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced 2019 Program (2) Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Program (1) (2)
January 1-31, 2019 58,716
 $56.73
 58,716
 
 650,679
February 1-28, 2019 39,756
 64.84
 8,856
 30,900
 4,969,100
March 1-31, 2019 131,400
 62.96
 
 131,400
 4,837,700
Total 229,872
 $61.69
 67,572
 162,300
 4,837,700
           
(1) On July 21, 2016, the Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program for up to 3.0 million shares of the Company's common stock.
(2) On February 5, 2019, the Board of Directors canceled the Company’s remaining 2016 share repurchase authorization and approved a stock repurchase authorization for up to 5.0 million shares of the Company’s common stock that shall remain in effect until such time as the shares authorized for repurchase are exhausted or until earlier terminated.
Period Total Number of Shares Purchased Average Price Paid per Share Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (1) Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (1)
July 1-31, 2019 54,918
 $59.54
 54,918
 4,375,888
August 1-31, 2019 51,332
 60.56
 51,332
 4,324,556
September 1-30, 2019 46,000
 63.28
 46,000
 4,278,556
Total 152,250
 $61.01
 152,250
 4,278,556
         
(1) On February 5, 2019, the Board of Directors canceled the Company’s remaining 2016 share repurchase authorization and approved a share repurchase authorization for up to 5.0 million shares of the Company’s common shares that shall remain in effect until such time as the shares authorized for repurchase are exhausted or until earlier terminated.


Item 3.Defaults Upon Senior Securities.


Not applicable.



Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures.


Not applicable.


Item 5.Other Information.


Not applicable.




Item 6.Exhibits.


In accordance with SEC Release No. 33-8212, Exhibits 32.1 and 32.2 are to be treated as “accompanying” this report rather than “filed” as part of the report.
 
No. Exhibit
3.1 
3.2 
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4
31.1 
31.2 
32.1 
32.2 
101.INS The instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL Instance Document tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document.
101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema 
101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase 
101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase 
101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase 
101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase 
104Cover Page Interactive File (formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).







Signatures


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


  Forward Air Corporation
Date: AprilOctober 25, 2019By: /s/ Michael J. Morris
  
Michael J. Morris
Chief Financial Officer Senior Vice President and Treasurer
(Principal Financial Officer and Duly Authorized Officer)




Forward Air Corporation
Date: October 25, 2019By: /s/ Christina W. Bottomley
Christina W. Bottomley
Chief Accounting Officer, Vice President and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer and Duly Authorized Officer)




EXHIBIT INDEX


No. Exhibit
3.1 
3.2 
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4
31.1 
31.2 
32.1 
32.2 
101.INS The instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL Instance Document tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document.
101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema 
101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase 
101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase 
101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase 
101.PRE��XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase 
104Cover Page Interactive File (formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).




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