ArcBest (ARCB) 8-K ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION ANNOUNCES 4th QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2007 RESULTS

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION ANNOUNCES
4th QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2007 RESULTS

     (Fort Smith, Arkansas, January 25, 2008) — Arkansas Best Corporation (Nasdaq: ABFS) today announced fourth quarter 2007 net income of $13.5 million, or $0.54 per diluted common share, compared to $14.2 million, or $0.56 per diluted common share, in the fourth quarter of 2006. Arkansas Best’s revenue during the fourth quarter of 2007 was $459.3 million compared to $454.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2006.

     “During a year when ABF operated through a challenging freight environment, Arkansas Best maintained its strong financial position and generated a full year 2007 After-Tax Return on Capital Employed of 9.5%,” said Robert A. Davidson, Arkansas Best President and Chief Executive Officer.

     For the full year of 2007, Arkansas Best reported income of $2.26 per diluted common share compared to income from continuing operations of $3.16 per diluted common share in 2006. Arkansas Best’s 2007 full year revenue was $1.84 billion compared to 2006 full year revenue of $1.88 billion.

ABF Freight System, Inc.^®

     ABF Freight System, Inc., the company’s largest subsidiary, had fourth quarter 2007 revenue of $441.3 million, consistent with fourth quarter 2006 revenue of $441.4 million. ABF’s operating income during the 2007 fourth quarter was $19.8 million compared to $20.8 million in the same period last year. ABF’s fourth quarter 2007 operating ratio was 95.5% compared to its fourth quarter 2006 operating ratio of 95.3%.

     “During the fourth quarter of 2006, we first experienced significant declines in year-over-year tonnage. In the fourth quarter of 2007, ABF’s total weight per day decreased by another 1.5% compared to that period,” said Mr. Davidson. “However, since October, our year-over-year tonnage trends have improved each month, with slight increases in December and January.”

     Total billed revenue per hundredweight was $26.02, an increase of 2.5% over last year’s fourth quarter figure of $25.38. “Although industry pricing remained very competitive, ABF achieved reasonable price increases,” said Mr. Davidson. “Fuel prices in this year’s fourth quarter were significantly higher than the same period last year, and the higher fuel surcharge increased revenue yields. This nominal yield increase was partially offset by continuing shipment profile and freight mix changes. ABF handled a higher-than-normal percentage of spot-priced truckload shipments in order to improve utilization of system capacity. In addition, success in ABF’s regional freight initiative continued to reduce the average length of haul and the nominal yield,” said Mr. Davidson.

     For the full year of 2007, ABF’s revenue was $1.77 billion, a per-day decrease of 3.3% compared to 2006 revenue. After adjusting for pension settlement expense, ABF’s 2007 operating ratio was 95.1% versus an operating ratio of 92.6% in 2006, and ABF’s 2007 operating income was $86.2 million versus $135.3 million during 2006. “The reduction in operating income was primarily associated with the effects of lower tonnage levels throughout the year and the additional costs related to the implementation of ABF’s regional model,” said Mr. Davidson. Total tonnage per day in 2007 decreased by 5.1% compared to 2006. Total billed revenue per hundredweight in 2007 was $25.81, an increase of 1.9% over last year’s figure of $25.32.

     “Though the overall freight environment was weak, ABF continued to gain market traction with its Regional Performance Model (“RPM”). In the fourth quarter, ABF’s investment in RPM stabilized and the impact on year-over-year operating results was minimal,” said Mr. Davidson. “The rate of revenue growth in regional lanes is substantially outpacing that of ABF’s traditional business. We are encouraged by the success we are having, especially in our next-day markets. ABF’s initial success confirms the validity of our low-risk strategy of organic expansion in the growing regional market.”

     “As I have mentioned before, the core principles of ABF’s Quality Process have guided our company since we first incorporated them twenty-five years ago. Over and over again, employees have enthusiastically embraced the supply-chain needs of our customers and have committed to meeting agreed-upon customer requirements correctly the first time. As a direct result, ABF’s distinguished customer service, innovative solutions and attention to detail provide the best value in the LTL industry,” said Mr. Davidson. ABF’s high standards of performance are illustrated by achievements in the recent fourth quarter and throughout 2007:

• ABF’s fourth quarter 2007 cargo claim ratio, a measure of net cash payouts to revenue, was below the fourth quarter of 2006, improving operating income by nearly $1 million. The full year 2007 cargo claim ratio of 0.72% was the lowest ABF has experienced in over twenty-five years.

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• ABF’s fourth quarter 2007 Department of Transportation (“DOT”) recordable accidents per million road and city miles decreased by 2% versus the same period last year despite more adverse weather conditions.

• As a percent of revenue, ABF’s combined costs associated with workers’ compensation and third-party casualty claims in the fourth quarter and full year of 2007 were below the most recent five-year average.

• Even in a weak business environment, ABF’s fourth quarter 2007 receivables collection results were better than those of the same period last year. In addition, the number of freight bill exceptions was 20% below that of the fourth quarter of 2006.

     “Industry statistics and positive customer feedback show that ABF leads the industry in cargo care, highway safety and billing accuracy, and those best-in-class results continue to improve,” said Mr. Davidson.

Labor Contract Negotiations

     ABF’s existing labor contract with its unionized employees will expire on March 31, 2008. ABF is currently engaged in negotiations with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters regarding a new contract. ABF expects to reach a timely resolution on an agreement. It is ABF’s objective that a new labor agreement will provide business and job growth through additional services to customers.

Capital Expenditures

     Arkansas Best estimates 2008 net capital expenditures will be approximately $60 million to $70 million including road and city equipment replacements totaling approximately $40 million. Total net capital expenditures in 2007 were $85 million. “This year’s range of expected capital expenditures is below those of last year,” said Mr. Davidson. “However, the agreements we have with our equipment suppliers provide the flexibility of purchasing additional equipment later this year if economic conditions improve.“

     Arkansas Best’s depreciation and amortization for 2008 is estimated to be approximately $75 million to $80 million.

Conference Call

     Arkansas Best Corporation will host a conference call with company executives to discuss the 2007 fourth quarter results. The call will be today, Friday, January 25, at 11:00 a.m. ET (10:00 a.m. CT). Interested parties are invited to listen by calling (877) 275-1257 or (706) 634-6529 (for international callers). Following the call, a recorded playback will be

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available through the end of the day on Friday, February 15, 2008. To listen to the playback, dial (800) 642-1687 or (706) 645-9291 (for international callers). The conference call ID for the playback is 29050304. The conference call and playback can also be accessed through Friday, February 15 on Arkansas Best’s Web site atarkbest.com.

Company Description

     Arkansas Best Corporation, headquartered in Fort Smith, Arkansas, is a transportation holding company. ABF Freight System, Inc., Arkansas Best’s largest subsidiary, has been in continuous service since 1923. ABF provides transportation of less-than-truckload (“LTL”) general commodities throughout North America. More information is available at arkbest.com and abf.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

     The following is a “safe harbor” statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements contained in this press release that are not based on historical facts are “forward-looking statements.” Terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “plan,” “predict,” “prospects,” “scheduled,” “should,” “would,” and similar expressions and the negatives of such terms are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are by their nature subject to uncertainties and risk, including, but not limited to, union relations; availability and cost of capital; shifts in market demand; weather conditions; the performance and needs of industries served by Arkansas Best’s subsidiaries; actual future costs of operating expenses such as fuel and related taxes; self-insurance claims; union and nonunion employee wages and benefits; actual costs of continuing investments in technology; the timing and amount of capital expenditures; competitive initiatives and pricing pressures; general economic conditions; and other financial, operational and legal risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in Arkansas Best’s Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) public filings.

     The following tables show financial data and operating statistics on Arkansas Best Corporation and its subsidiary companies.

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ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

	Three Months Ended						Year Ended
	December 31						December 31
	2007			2006			2007			2006
	(Unaudited)
	($thousands, except share and per share data)
OPERATING REVENUES	$	459,323		$	454,251		$	1,836,878		$	1,881,500
OPERATING EXPENSES AND COSTS		439,758			433,666			1,752,034			1,756,821
OPERATING INCOME		19,565			20,585			84,844			124,679
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Short-term investment income		1,648			1,449			5,671			4,996
Interest expense and other related financing costs		(304	)		(287	)		(1,189	)		(1,119	)
Other, net		(112	)		1,182			1,465			2,963
		1,232			2,344			5,947			6,840
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS, BEFORE INCOME TAXES		20,797			22,929			90,791			131,519
FEDERAL AND STATE INCOME TAXES
Current		1,315			3,858			27,806			50,667
Deferred		5,993			4,904			6,160			351
		7,308			8,762			33,966			51,018
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS		13,489			14,167			56,825			80,501
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET OF TAX
Income from operations		–			–			–			530
Gain from disposal		–			–			–			3,063
		–			–			–			3,593
NET INCOME	$	13,489		$	14,167		$	56,825		$	84,094
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE:
Income from continuing operations	$	0.54		$	0.57		$	2.29		$	3.21
Income from discontinued operations		–			–			–			0.14
NET INCOME	$	0.54		$	0.57		$	2.29		$	3.35
AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING (BASIC)		24,870,847			24,938,196			24,822,673			25,134,308
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE:
Income from continuing operations	$	0.54		$	0.56		$	2.26		$	3.16
Income from discontinued operations		–			–			–			0.14
NET INCOME	$	0.54		$	0.56		$	2.26		$	3.30
AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING (DILUTED)		25,055,495			25,297,848			25,117,597			25,503,799
CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED AND PAID PER COMMON SHARE	$	0.15		$	0.15		$	0.60		$	0.60

Note: Reported revenues include the effect of a reclassification associated with certain shipments involving third-party interline carriers and certain brokerage transactions where ABF retains the primary obligation to provide services to the customer. This revenue will now be recorded on a gross basis, with expenses paid to the third-party carrier recorded in the “purchased transportation” category. Previously, this revenue was reported on a net basis whereby the expense of the third-party carrier was netted against revenue.  This reclassification increases ABF’s fourth quarter and full year 2006 revenues by $5.3 million and $21.0 million, respectively, or approximately 1%, over previously reported levels. The comparable amounts for 2007 were $6.1 million in the fourth quarter and $23.0 million for the full year. These changes had no impact on ABF’s operating income and a minimal impact on ABF’s operating ratio.

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ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

	December 31		December 31
	2007		2006
	(Unaudited)		Note
	($thousands, except share data)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	93,805	$	5,009
Short-term investment securities		79,373		135,317
Accounts receivable, less allowances (2007 – $3,942; 2006 – $4,476)		141,565		143,216
Other accounts receivable, less allowances (2007 – $774; 2006 – $1,272)		8,963		8,912
Prepaid expenses		11,243		11,735
Deferred income taxes		36,585		36,532
Prepaid income taxes		3,699		3,024
Other		7,184		7,212
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS		382,417		350,957
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Land and structures		231,169		228,375
Revenue equipment		509,627		498,844
Service, office and other equipment		142,635		140,516
Leasehold improvements		19,794		17,735
		903,225		885,470
Less allowances for depreciation and amortization		437,087		423,587
		466,138		461,883
OTHER ASSETS		70,803		61,959
GOODWILL		63,991		63,917
	$	983,349	$	938,716

Note: The balance sheet at December 31, 2006 was 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.

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ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS – continued

	December 31			December 31
	2007			2006
	(Unaudited)			Note
	($thousands, except share data)
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Bank overdraft and drafts payable	$	15,248		$	17,423
Accounts payable		60,341			63,477
Income taxes payable		2,414			5,833
Accrued expenses		166,631			171,432
Current portion of long-term debt		171			249
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES		244,805			258,414
LONG-TERM DEBT, less current portion		1,400			1,184
PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT LIABILITIES		48,859			54,616
OTHER LIABILITIES		25,093			25,655
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES		30,806			19,452
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common stock, $.01 par value, authorized 70,000,000 shares; issued 2007: 26,549,038 shares; 2006: 26,407,472 shares		265			264
Additional paid-in capital		258,878			250,469
Retained earnings		457,536			415,876
Treasury stock, at cost, 2007: 1,677,932 shares; 2006: 1,552,932 shares		(57,770	)		(52,825	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(26,523	)		(34,389	)
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY		632,386			579,395
	$	983,349		$	938,716

Note: The balance sheet at December 31, 2006 was 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.

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ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

	Year Ended
	December 31
	2007			2006
	(Unaudited)
	($ thousands)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$	56,825		$	84,094
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		77,318			67,727
Other amortization		261			211
Pension settlement expense		1,665			10,192
Share-based compensation expense		4,911			4,708
Provision for losses on accounts receivable		1,056			1,023
Deferred income tax provision		6,160			351
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of taxes		—			(3,063	)
Gain on sales of assets and other		(4,351	)		(3,547	)
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation		(683	)		(1,710	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables		533			6,108
Prepaid expenses		491			2,058
Other assets		(676	)		18,631
Accounts payable, taxes payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities(1,2)		(377	)		(18,327	)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES		143,133			168,456
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of property, plant and equipment, net of capital leases(2)		(96,670	)		(147,463	)
Proceeds from asset sales		12,067			11,913
Proceeds from disposal of discontinued operations		—			21,450
Purchases of short-term investment securities		(292,064	)		(386,358	)
Proceeds from sales of short-term investment securities		348,008			372,280
Capitalization of internally developed software and other		(4,599	)		(4,117	)
NET CASH USED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES		(33,258	)		(132,295	)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Payments on long-term debt		(1,360	)		(317	)
Net change in bank overdraft		(2,175	)		(2,050	)
Payment of common stock dividends		(15,165	)		(15,269	)
Purchases of treasury stock		(4,945	)		(26,870	)
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation		683			1,710
Deferred financing costs		(800	)		—
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options and other		2,683			5,877
NET CASH USED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES		(21,079	)		(36,919	)
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS		88,796			(758	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		5,009			5,767
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	$	93,805		$	5,009

(1)	Includes payments to retiring officers under the company’s unfunded Supplemental Benefit Plan of $5.3 million in 2007 and $26.5 million in 2006.
(2)	Does not include $0.7 million and $6.5 million of equipment which was received but not yet paid for at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

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ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION
FINANCIAL STATEMENT OPERATING SEGMENT DATA,
OPERATING RATIOS AND FINANCIAL STATISTICS

	Three Months Ended										Year Ended
	December 31										December 31
	2007					2006					2007					2006
	(Unaudited)
	($ thousands)
OPERATING REVENUES
ABF Freight System, Inc.(1)(2)	$	441,326				$	441,369				$	1,770,749				$	1,831,351
Other revenues and eliminations		17,997					12,882					66,129					50,149
Total consolidated operating revenues	$	459,323				$	454,251				$	1,836,878				$	1,881,500
OPERATING EXPENSES AND COSTS
ABF Freight System, Inc.(1)
Salaries, wages and benefits	$	262,841		59.6	%	$	263,216		59.6	%	$	1,070,708		60.5	%	$	1,067,174		58.3	%
Supplies and expenses		77,101		17.5			72,472		16.4			293,056		16.5			293,203		16.0
Operating taxes and licenses		11,635		2.6			12,645		2.9			47,682		2.7			48,116		2.6
Insurance		5,819		1.3			6,792		1.5			22,230		1.3			28,584		1.6
Communications and utilities		3,760		0.9			3,728		0.8			15,334		0.9			15,269		0.8
Depreciation and amortization		18,802		4.3			16,916		3.8			74,231		4.2			63,519		3.5
Rents and purchased transportation(2)		41,495		9.4			43,941		10.0			160,062		9.0			179,587		9.8
Other		1,373		0.2			1,280		0.3			5,607		0.2			4,007		0.2
Pension settlement expense		329		0.1			88		—			1,665		0.1			10,192		0.6
Gain on sale of property and equipment		(1,607	)	(0.4	)		(541	)	—			(4,347	)	(0.2	)		(3,416	)	(0.2	)
		421,548		95.5	%		420,537		95.3	%		1,686,228		95.2	%		1,706,235		93.2	%
Other expenses and eliminations		18,210					13,129					65,806					50,586
Total consolidated operating expenses and costs	$	439,758				$	433,666				$	1,752,034				$	1,756,821
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
ABF Freight System, Inc.(1)	$	19,778				$	20,832				$	84,521				$	125,116
Other income and eliminations		(213	)				(247	)				323					(437	)
Total consolidated operating income	$	19,565				$	20,585				$	84,844				$	124,679

(1)	Includes U.S., Canadian, and Puerto Rican operations of ABF affiliates.
(2)	See note to Consolidated Statements of Income on page 5.

	Rolling Twelve Months
	Ended
	December 31, 2007
FINANCIAL STATISTICS
After-Tax Return on Capital Employed(3)		9.5	%

(3) (net income + interest after tax) / (average total debt + average equity)

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ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION
RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP EARNINGS AND EARNINGS PER SHARE

	Three Months Ended						Year Ended
	December 31						December 31
	2007			2006			2007			2006
	(Unaudited)
	($ thousands, except per share data)
ABF Freight System, Inc.
Operating Income
Amounts from continuing operations, on a GAAP basis	$	19,778		$	20,832		$	84,521		$	125,116
Pension settlement expense, pre-tax		329			88			1,665			10,192
Non-GAAP amounts	$	20,107		$	20,920		$	86,186		$	135,308
Operating Ratio*
Amounts from continuing operations, on a GAAP basis		95.5	%		95.3	%		95.2	%		93.2	%
Pension settlement expense, pre-tax		(0.1	)		–			(0.1	)		(0.6	)
Non-GAAP amounts		95.4	%		95.3	%		95.1	%		92.6	%
Arkansas Best Corporation — Consolidated
Operating Income
Amounts from continuing operations, on a GAAP basis	$	19,565		$	20,585		$	84,844		$	124,679
Pension settlement expense, pre-tax		329			88			1,665			10,192
Non-GAAP amounts	$	19,894		$	20,673		$	86,509		$	134,871
Income from Continuing Operations
Amounts from continuing operations, on a GAAP basis	$	13,489		$	14,167		$	56,825		$	80,501
Pension settlement expense, after-tax		200			53			1,012			6,194
Non-GAAP amounts	$	13,689		$	14,220		$	57,837		$	86,695
Diluted Earnings Per Share
Amounts from continuing operations, on a GAAP basis	$	0.54		$	0.56		$	2.26		$	3.16
Pension settlement expense, after-tax		0.01			–			0.04			0.24
Non-GAAP amounts	$	0.55		$	0.56		$	2.30		$	3.40

Non-GAAP Financial Measures.The company reports its financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). However, management believes that certain non-GAAP performance measures and ratios utilized for internal analysis provide financial statement users meaningful comparisons between current and prior period results, as well as important information regarding performance trends. Certain information discussed in the scheduled conference call could be considered non-GAAP measures. Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, the company’s reported results.

* See note to Consolidated Statements of Income on page 5.

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ABF FREIGHT SYSTEM, INC.
OPERATING STATISTICS

	Three Months Ended December 31							Year Ended December 31
	2007		2006		% Change			2007		2006		% Change
Workdays		61		61					252		252
Billed Revenue(1)(2) / CWT	$	26.02	$	25.38		2.5	%	$	25.81	$	25.32		1.9	%
Billed Revenue(1)(2) / Shipment	$	331.08	$	317.71		4.2	%	$	328.24	$	321.42		2.1	%
Shipments		1,326,268		1,368,842		(3.1	)%		5,393,689		5,692,275		(5.2	)%
Tonnage (tons)		843,811		856,816		(1.5	)%		3,430,363		3,613,471		(5.1	)%

(1)	Billed Revenue does not include revenue deferral required for financial statement purposes under the company’s revenue recognition policy.
(2)	See note to Consolidated Statements of Income on page 5.

Includes U.S., Canadian and Puerto Rican operations of ABF affiliates.

Contact:	Ms. Judy R. McReynolds, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Telephone: (479) 785-6281
	Mr. David Humphrey, Director of Investor Relations Telephone: (479) 785-6200

END OF RELEASE

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