NOTE A: BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q10-Q to “P.A.M.,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us” mean P.A.M. Transportation Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In management’s opinion, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2017 2018 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. Operating results for the three-monththree-month period ended March 31, 2018 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2018. 2019. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and the footnotes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.2018.

NOTE B: RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In May 2017, July 2018, the FASBFinancial Accounting Standards Board, (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update, (“ASU”) No. 2018-09, (“ASU No.2017-09, ("ASU 2017-09"2018-09”), Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718) which provides guidance about which changesCodification Improvements. ASU 2018-09 was issued to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718.update codification on multiple topics, and includes updates for technical corrections, clarifications and other minor improvements. ASU 2017-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is permitted, including in an interim period. ASU 2017-09 is to be applied on a prospective basis to an award modified on or after the adoption date. The adoption of this guidance on January 1, 2018 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No.2016-18, (“ASU 2016-18”), Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230). ASU 2016-18 requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. This standard is intended to reduce diversity in practice in how restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. ASU No.2016-182018-09 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The standard requires application using a retrospective transition method. The adoption of this guidance on January 1, 2018 changed the presentation and classification of restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in our consolidated statements of cash flows but did not have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No.2016-15, (“ASU 2016-15”), Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. ASU 2016-15 amends the guidance in ASC 230, Statement of Cash Flows, and clarifies how entities should classify certain cash receipts and cash payments on the statement of cash flows with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice related to eight specific cash flow issues. The amendments in this update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15,2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption was permitted. The adoption of this guidance on January 1, 2018 2019 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

In June 2016, July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No.2016-13, 2018-10, (“ASU 2016-13”2018-10”), Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases. ASU 2018-10 was issued to update codification specific to Topic 842, and includes updates for technical corrections, clarifications and other minor improvements. ASU 2018-10 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this guidance on January 1, 2019 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, (“ASU 2016-13”), Accounting for Credit Losses (Topic 326)326). ASU 2016-132016-13 requires the use of an “expected loss” model on certain types of financial instruments. The standard also amends the impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities and requires estimated credit losses to be recorded as allowances instead of reductions to amortized cost of the securities. ASU 2016-132016-13 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the new guidance, but does not expect it to have a material impact on its financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

In MarchFebruary 2016, the FASB issued ASU No.2016-09, 2016-02, (“ASU 2016-09”2016-02”), Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718). ASU 2016-09 identifies areas for simplification involving several aspects of accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liability, an option to recognize gross stock compensation expense with actual forfeitures recognized as they occur, as well as certain classifications on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15,2016, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this guidance on January 1, 2017, did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No.2016-02, (“ASU 2016-02”), Leases (Topic 842)842). This update seeks to increase the transparency and comparability among entities by requiring public entities to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. To satisfy the standard’s objective, a lessee will recognize a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term and a lease liability for the obligation to make lease payments. Both the right-of-use asset and lease liability will initially be measured at the present value of the lease payments, with subsequent measurement dependent on the classification of the lease as either a finance or an operating lease. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset to not recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. If a lessee makes this election, it should recognize lease expense for such leases generally on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Accounting by lessors will remain mostly unchanged from current U.S. GAAP.

In transition, lessees and lessors will beare required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. The modified retrospective approach includes a number of optional practical expedients that companies may elect to apply. These practical expedients relate to the identification and classification of leases that commenced before the effective date, initial direct costs for leases that commenced before the effective date, and the ability to use hindsight in evaluating lessee options to extend or terminate a lease or to purchase the underlying asset. The transition guidance also provides specific guidance for sale and leaseback transactions, build-to-suit leases, leveraged leases and amounts previously recognized in accordance with the business combinations guidance for leases. The new standard iswas effective for public companies for annual periods beginning after December 15,2018, and interim periods within those years, with early adoption permitted.

The Company has evaluatedcurrently leases shop, office and parking spaces in various locations around the new guidancecountry. The initial term for the majority of these leases is one year, with an option for early cancellation and does not expect itan option to have a material impact on its financial condition, resultsrenew for subsequent one month periods. These leases can be terminated by either party by providing notice to the other party of operations,the intent to cancel or cash flows.

In January 2016, to not extend. Relatively short lease durations for these properties are intended to provide flexibility to the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, (“ASU 2016-01”), Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): RecognitionCompany as changing operational needs and Measurementshifting opportunities often result in cancellation or non-renewal of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The updated guidance enhancesthese leases by the reporting model for financial instruments, which includes amendments to address aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure.Company or the lessor.

The initial lease term for certain shop and office locations is for periods ranging from one to five years with early cancellation options. The Company insists on early cancellation provisions of ASU 2016-01 require, among other things,when negotiating leases to prevent becoming locked into long term leases that become operationally unjustified and to allow the Company:

ASU 2016-01 isflexibility to pursue more cost effective options for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15,2017. With certain exceptions, early adoption was not permitted. The adoption of this guidance on January 1, 2018, did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial condition or cash flows, but did impact the Company’s results of operations, as the current guidance requires changes in market value related to equity securities to be recognized in net income, rather than being recognized as other comprehensive income. Upon adoption, approximately $7.4 million in accumulated changes in the fair market value of the Company’s equity securities, net of deferred tax, that were presented at December 31, 2017 as Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income were reclassified to Retained Earnings.

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, (“FASB”), issued Accounting Standards Update, (“ASU”) No.2014-09, (“ASU 2014-09”), Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The objective of ASU 2014-09 and subsequent amendments is to establish a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and will supersede most of the existing revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In applying the new guidance, an entity will (1) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the contract’s performance obligations; and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. ASU 2014-09 applies to all contracts with customers except those that are within the scope of other topics in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification, (“ASC”). The new guidance, as amended, is effective for annual reporting periods (including interim periods within those periods) beginning after December 15,2017 for public companies. Early adoption was not permitted prior to annual periods beginning after December 31, 2016. Entities havesimilar properties if they become available. These leases often include the option of using either a full retrospectiveto extend for additional periods, which may or modified approachmay not be exercised. Based on historical experience, the Company does not always extend these leases, sometimes exercises the option to adopt ASU 2014-09.cancel leases early and sometimes lessors choose to cancel leases or not extend.

The Company has concluded that it is not appropriate to record a right to use asset or liability for the shop, office and parking spaces for lease arrangements as of March 31, 2019 or December 31, 2018. This conclusion is based on the determination that the lease term for the majority of these leases is under one year in duration, and that based on historical experience, it is reasonable to conclude that we may cancel longer term leases or options to extend for periods in excess of one year may not be exercised.

The Company leases trucks to independent contractors under our lease-to-own program. We also lease dock space to a related party at our Laredo, Texas terminal. We have reviewed these leases and determined that the adoption of this guidanceASU 2016-02 did not require a change to our financial statements, as our method of accounting for related assets and lease revenue is consistent with the provisions of the new standard.

Because the Company’s historical method of accounting for leases is consistent with the provisions of ASU 2016-02, the adoption of ASU 2016-02 on January 1, 2018 2019 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows or internal controls.flows.

See Note C, “Revenue Recognition,” for more information.

With the exception of the new standards discussed above, there have been no recent accounting pronouncements or changes in accounting pronouncements during the three months ended March 31, 2018, 2019, as compared to the recent accounting pronouncements described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,2017, 2018, that are of significance or potential significance to the Company.

NOTE C: REVENUE RECOGNITION

The Company has a single performance obligation, to transport our customer’s freight from a specified origin to a specified destination. The Company has the discretion to choose to self-transport or to arrange for alternate transportation to fulfill the performance obligation. Where the Company decides to self-transport the freight, the Company classifies the service as truckload services, and where the Company arranges for alternate transportation of the freight, the Company classifies the service as brokerage and logistics services. In either case, the Company is paid a rate to transport freight from its origin location to a specified destination. Because the primary factors influencing revenue recognition, including performance obligation, customer base, and timing of revenue recognition, are the same for both of its service categories, the Company utilizes the same revenue recognition method throughout its operations.

Company revenue is generated from freight transportation services performed utilizing heavy tractortruck trailer combinations. While various ownership arrangements may exist for the equipment utilized to perform these services, including Company owned or leased, owner-operator owned, and third party carriers, revenue is generated from the same base of customers. Contracts with these customers establish rates for services performed, which are predominantly rates that will be paid to pick up, transport and drop off freight at various locations. In addition to transportation, revenue is also awarded for various accessorial services performed in conjunction with the base transportation service. The Company also has other revenue categories that are not discussed in this note or broken out in our StatementStatements of Operations due to their non-materialimmaterial amounts.

We are obligatedIn fulfilling the Company’s obligation to pick uptransport freight from shippers, transport, and deliver the freight in good condition in a timely manner. Controlspecified origin to a specified destination, control of freight is transferred to us at the point it has been loaded into ourthe driver’s trailer, the doors are sealed and we havethe driver has signed a bill of lading, which is the basic transportation agreement that establishes the nature, quantity and condition of the freight loaded, responsibility for invoice payment, of our invoice, and pickup and delivery locations. Our revenue is generated, and our customer receives benefit, as the freight progresses towards delivery locations. In the event our customer cancels the shipment at some point prior to the final delivery location and re-consigns the shipment to an alternate delivery location, we are entitled to receive payment for services performed for the partial shipment. Shipments are generally conducted over a relatively short time span, generally one to three days; however, freight is sometimes stored temporarily in our trailer at one of our drop yard locations or at a location designated by a customer. Our revenue is categorized as either Freight Revenue or Fuel Surcharge Revenue, and both are both earned by performing the same freight transportation services, discussed further below.

Freight Revenue – revenue generated by the performance of the freight transportation service, including any accessorial service, provided to customers.

Fuel Surcharge Revenue – revenue designed to adjust freight revenue rates to an agreed upon base cost for diesel fuel. Diesel fuel prices can fluctuate widely during the term of a contract with a customer. At the point that freight revenue rates are negotiated with customers, a sliding scale is agreed upon that approximately adjusts diesel fuel costs to an agreed upon base amount. In general, as fuel prices increase, revenue from fuel surcharge increases, so that diesel fuel cost is adjusted to the approximate base amount agreed upon.

Revenue is recognized in full upon completion of delivery toover time as the receiver's location.freight progresses towards its destination and the transportation service obligation is fulfilled. For freight in transit atloads picked up during the end of a reporting period, the Company recognizesbut delivered in a subsequent reporting period, revenue on a pro rata basis that is allocated to each period based on relativethe transit time completedin each period as a portionpercentage of the estimated total transit time. Expenses are recognized as incurred. There are no assets or liabilities recorded in conjunction with revenue recognized, other than Accounts Receivable and Allowance for doubtful accounts.

NOTE D: MARKETABLE EQUITY SECURITIES

The Company accounts for its marketable equity securities in accordance with ASC Topic 321, (“ASC Topic 321”), Investments- Equity Securities. ASC Topic 321 requires companies to measure equity investments at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in net income. The Company’s investments in marketable securities consist of equity securities with readily determinable fair values. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method, and interest and dividends on securities are included in non-operating income (expense).

Marketable equity securities are carried at fair value, with gains and losses in fair market value included in the determination of net income. The fair value of marketable equity securities is determined based on quoted market prices in active markets, as described in Note J, below.

The following table sets forth market value, cost, and unrealized gains on equity securities as of March 31, 2018 2019 and December 31, 2017.2018.

NOTE E: STOCK BASED COMPENSATION

The Company maintains a stock incentive plan (the “Plan”) under which incentive and nonqualified stock options and other stock awards may be granted. On March 2, 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) adopted, and shareholders later approved, the 2006 Stock Option Plan (the “2006 Plan”). Under the 2006Plan, 750,000 shares were reserved for the issuance of stock options to directors, officers, key employees, and others. The option exercise price under the 2006 Plan is the fair market value of the stock on the date the option is granted. The fair market value is determined by the average of the highest and lowest sales prices for a share of the Company’s common stock, on its primary exchange, on the same date that the option is granted. On March 13, 2014, the Board adopted, and on May 29, 2014 our shareholders approved, the 2014 Amended and Restated Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”) which replaced the 2006 Plan. The shares which remained reserved under the 2006 Plan were carried over to the 2014 Plan and are reserved for the issuance of stock awards to directors, officers, key employees, and others. The stock option exercise price and the restricted stock purchase price under the 2014Plan shall not be less than 85% of the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date the award is granted. The fair market value is determined by the closing price of the Company’s common stock, on its primary exchange, on the same date that the option or award is granted.

Outstanding nonqualified stock options at On March 31, 2018, must be exercised within either five or ten years from the date of grant. Outstanding nonqualified stock options granted to members of the Company’s Board vested immediately while outstanding nonqualified stock options issued to employees vest in increments of 20% to 25% each year.

On March 31, 2018, 2019, each non-employee director accrued 276205 shares of common stock under the2014 Plan. The shares were issued by the Company in the subsequent periodApril 2019 and had a grant date fair value of $36.35$48.94 per share, based on the closing price of the Company’s stock on the date of grant, and vested immediately.

The total grant date fair value of stock vested during the firstthree months of 20182019 was approximately $39,000.$39,000. Total pre-tax stock-based compensation expense, recognized in Salaries, wages and benefits during the firstthree months of 20182019 was approximately $233,000$306,000 and includes approximately $70,000$90,000 recognized as a result of the accrual of 276205 shares to each non-employee director during the first quarter of 2018.2019. The recognition of stock-based compensation expense decreased both diluted and basic earnings per common share by approximately $0.03$0.04 during the first quarter of 2018.2019. As of March 31, 2018, 2019, the Company had stock-based compensation plans with total unvested stock-based compensation expense of approximately $1,171,000$1,648,000 which is being amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining vesting period. As a result, the Company expects to recognize approximately $482,000$630,000 in additional compensation expense related to unvested option awards during the remainder of 20182019 and to recognize approximately $552,000$430,000, $294,000 and $137,000$294,000 in additional compensation expense related to unvested option awards during the years 20192020, 2021 and 2020,2022, respectively.

The total grant date fair value of stock and stock options vested during the firstthree months of 20172018 was approximately $109,000.$39,000. Total pre-tax stock-based compensation expense, recognized in Salaries, wages and benefits during the firstthree months of 20172018 was approximately $115,000,$233,000, and included approximately $70,000$70,000 recognized as a result of the grant of 614276 shares to each non-employee director during the first quarter of 2017.2018. The recognition of stock-based compensation expense decreased both diluted and basic earnings per common share by approximately $0.01$0.03 during the three months ended first quarter 2018. As of March 31, 2017. As of March 31, 2017, 2018, the Company had stock-based compensation plans with total unvested stock-based compensation expense of approximately $194,000$1,171,000 which was being amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining vesting period.

Information related to stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2018 is as follows:

A summary of the status of the Company’s non-vested options and restricted stock as of March 31, 2018 2019 and changes during the three months ended March 31, 2018, 2019, is as follows:

NOTE F: SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company follows the guidance provided by ASC Topic 280, Segment Reporting, in its identification of operating segments. The Company has determined that it has a total of two operating segments whose primary operations can be characterized as either Truckload Services or Brokerage and Logistics Services; however, in accordance with the aggregation criteria provided by FASB ASC Topic 280, the Company has determined that the operations of the two operating segments can be aggregated into a single reporting segment, motor carrier operations. Truckload Services revenues and Brokerage and Logistics Services revenues, each before fuel surcharges, were as follows:

NOTE G: TREASURY STOCK

The Company’s stock repurchase program has been extended and expanded several times, most recently in April 2017, when the Board of Directors reauthorized 500,000 shares of common stock for repurchase under the initial September 2011 authorization. During the three months ended March 31, 2018 2019, the Company repurchased 1,00039,648 shares of its common stock at an aggregate cost of approximately $36,000$1.6 million under this program.

The Company accounts for Treasury stock using the cost method and as of March 31, 2018, 5,369,2352019, 5,695,234 shares were held in the treasury at an aggregate cost of approximately $129,219,000.$144.2 million.

NOTE H: EARNINGSNET INCOME PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share is computed based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by adjusting the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding by common stock equivalents attributable to dilutive stock options. The computation of diluted earnings per share does not assume conversion, exercise, or contingent issuance of securities that would have an anti-dilutive effect on earnings per share. The computations of basic and diluted earnings per share were as follows:

NOTE I: INCOME TAXES

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. and Canadian federal income tax laws as well as the income tax laws of multiple state jurisdictions. The major tax jurisdictions in which the Company operates generally provide for a deficiency assessment statute of limitation period of three years, and as a result, the Company’s tax years 20142015 and forward remain open to examination in those jurisdictions.

In determining whether a tax asset valuation allowance is necessary, management, in accordance with the provisions of ASC 740-10-30,740-10-30, weighs all available evidence, both positive and negative, to determine whether, based on the weight of that evidence, a valuation allowance is necessary. If negative conditions exist which indicate a valuation allowance might be necessary, consideration is then given to what effect the future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences and the availability of tax strategies might have on future taxable income to determine the amount, if any, of the required valuation allowance. As of March 31, 2018, 2019, management determined that the future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences and available tax strategies would generate sufficient future taxable income to realize its tax assets and therefore a valuation allowance was not necessary.