Fourth Quarter Tradelane Volume (Forty-foot equivalent units (FEU)) (1)(2):
For the three months ended December 31, 2023 compared to the three months ended December 31, 2022 and on a FEU basis:
| ● | Hawaii container volume decreased 1.9 percent primarily due to lower general demand; |
| ● | Alaska container volume decreased 0.6 percent due to lower export seafood volume from the Alaska-Asia Express service (“AAX”), partially offset by higher northbound volume due to an additional sailing and higher southbound volume due to higher domestic seafood volume; |
| ● | China container volume was 23.3 percent higher primarily due to higher demand for our China service resulting in higher volumes for both CLX and CLX+; |
| ● | Guam container volume was 2.0 percent higher primarily due to higher general demand; and |
| ● | Other container volume decreased 6.0 percent. |
(1) | Approximate volumes included for the period are based on the voyage departure date, but revenue and operating income are adjusted to reflect the percentage of revenue and operating income earned during the reporting period for voyages in transit at the end of each reporting period. |
(2) | Other containers includes containers from services in various islands in Micronesia and the South Pacific, and Okinawa, Japan. |
Effective Income Tax Rate, Liquidity, Debt and Share Repurchases
The effective income tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2023 is estimated to be approximately 26.0 percent, which is higher than the approximately 23 percent previously forecast primarily due to discrete tax adjustments.
Matson’s cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2023 was approximately $134.0 million, which excludes $599.4 million in cash on deposit within the Capital Construction Fund (“CCF”). Total debt as of December 31, 2023 was $440.6 million.(3)
During the fourth quarter of 2023, Matson repurchased approximately 0.5 million shares for a total cost of $47.9 million. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had approximately 2.5 million shares remaining in its share repurchase program.
A slide presentation that accompanies this press release is available on the Company's website at www.matson.com, under Investors.
(3) | Total debt is presented before any reduction for deferred loan fees as required by GAAP. |
Teleconference and Webcast
A conference call is scheduled on February 20, 2024 at 4:30 p.m. ET when Matt Cox, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Joel Wine, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will discuss Matson’s fourth quarter results.
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Date of Conference Call: | Tuesday, February 20, 2024 |
Scheduled Time: | 4:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. PT / 11:30 a.m. HT |
The conference call will be broadcast live along with an additional slide presentation on the Company’s website at www.matson.com, under Investors.
Participants may register for the conference call at:
https://register.vevent.com/register/BI699bc0b39e6a47fc97bb30c15cb03937
Registered participants will receive the conference call dial-in number and a unique PIN code to access the live event. While not required, it is recommended you join 10 minutes prior to the event starting time. A replay of the conference call will be available approximately two hours after the event by accessing the webcast link at www.matson.com, under Investors.