================================================================================ UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K (Mark One) [X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1997 OR [_] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from __________________ to ___________________ Commission File No. 34-0-17570 AMERICAN FREIGHTWAYS CORPORATION (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Arkansas 74-2391754 (State or other jurisdiction (I.R.S. Employer of incorporation or organization) Identification No.) 2200 Forward Drive, Harrison, Arkansas 72601 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (870) 741-9000 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, $.01 par value (Title of class) 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 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. [X] Yes [_] No Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulations S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [X] Aggregate market value of voting stock held by nonaffiliates of the registrant at March 6, 1998: $335,406,696. Number of shares of common stock outstanding at March 6, 1998: 31,567,689. The Registrant's Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 is incorporated by reference into Parts II and IV. The Proxy Statement for Registrant's April 23, 1998 Annual Meeting is incorporated by reference into Parts III and IV. ================================================================================ TABLE OF CONTENTS Item PAGE - ---- ---- Part I 1. and 2. Business and Properties 1 3. Legal Proceedings 3 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 3 PART II 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters 4 6. Selected Financial Data 5 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 7 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 7 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 7 PART III 10. Directors and Executive Officers of Registrant 8 11. Executive Compensation 8 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management 8 13. Certain Relationships and Transactions 8 PART IV 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K 9 Signatures 13 List of Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules 14 PART I ITEMS 1 AND 2. BUSINESS AND PROPERTIES THE COMPANY American Freightways Corporation (the "Company") is a scheduled common and contract carrier transporting primarily less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments of general commodities. As of January 1, 1998, the Company serves all points in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. American Freightways also provides service to the ten provinces of Canada through an exclusive alliance with Day & Ross, a Canadian less-than-truckload carrier headquartered in Hartland, New Brunswick, Canada and provides service to 92% of the Mexican market through an alliance with Autolineas Mexicanas, S.A. DE C.V. of Monterrey, Mexico. Effective May 1, 1997, AF began an exclusive marketing partnership with X-PRESS Freight Forwarders, Inc. providing service to and from Puerto Rico. Headquartered in Carolina, Puerto Rico, X-PRESS Freight Forwarders, Inc. owns the largest for-hire fleet in Puerto Rico. RECENT EVENTS On January 1, 1998, the Company instituted a general rate increase of approximately 5.5%. This rate increase initially affected approximately 45% of its customers. Rates for other customers are covered by contracts and guarantees and are negotiated throughout the year. EXPANSION The history of American Freightways has been growth. In 1982, the Company began serving all points in one state, Arkansas. Today the Company's all-points service coverage extends to 28 states. Perhaps the most distinguishing feature of the Company's operations is this all-points coverage. Management knows of no other LTL carrier that duplicates this coverage. The Company has expanded geographically each year since its inception, some years adding only a few Customer Centers to its most aggressive expansion undertaken in 1995 of adding seven states. The Company opened one state, New Mexico, in 1997 and on May 1, 1997 opened service to and from Puerto Rico through an exclusive marketing partnership with X-PRESS Freight Forwarders, Inc. On January 1, 1998, the Company opened all-points service to Michigan. There are no additional expansions planned at this time. FLEET The Company's policy is to purchase equipment having uniform specifications that are, to the greatest possible extent, compatible with design improvements and resale values. This standardization enables the Company to simplify mechanic and driver training, to control the cost of spare parts and tire inventory, and in general to provide for a more efficient vehicle maintenance program. American Freightways utilizes twin trailers for movement of almost 100% of the freight among its Customer Centers to gain greater flexibility. The use of twin trailers (which can be operated singly or in tandem) provides more options for the achievement of the Company's service standards. At December 31, 1997, the Company utilized 13,577 van trailers, 11,844 of which were twin trailers, and 5,143 tractors. The average ages of the tractors and trailers were 4.3 and 4.8 years, respectively, at December 31, 1997. 1 ASSOCIATES At December 31, 1997, the Company utilized 12,201 associates. All drivers of American Freightways are selected in accordance with specific Company guidelines relating primarily to safety records and driving experience. All associates are required to pass drug tests upon employment, randomly and for cause. State and federal regulations require drug testing of drivers and require drivers to comply with commercial driver's licensing requirements. Management believes that the Company is substantially in compliance with these regulations. The Company has not experienced a shortage of qualified drivers in the past, and management does not expect a significant shortage in the near future. None of the Company's personnel are currently represented by a collective bargaining unit. From time to time, associates of a particular Customer Center or facility may vote on representation by a collective bargaining unit. Management of the Company cannot predict the outcome of future elections. However, it believes any outcome will not have a material adverse affect on the Company's competitive position, operations or financial condition. In the opinion of management, the Company's relationship with its drivers, other associates and independent contractors is excellent. The Company's policy is to share its success with its associates through increased wages and benefits. TECHNOLOGY American Freightways is a leader in the use of advanced technology to increase the value of service to its customers and to lower the cost of providing this service. The Company uses computer and electronic technology to compress time in the performance of operating and other processes and to compress the number of levels within the organization necessary to complete tasks. From the customer's call for a pickup to delivery of the freight at its destination, the Company's information technology captures information on the status of each shipment. In most cases the accumulation of the data is achieved automatically as the freight is moved. The Company has assessed the impact of the Year 2000 issues on its computer software systems and applications, and determined that although many of its applications are already compliant, the Company will have to modify or replace other applications. The Company expects to have all remaining applications fully compliant by the end of 1998. The Company also has initiated discussions with its significant customers and suppliers to determine the extent to which the Company's interface systems would be vulnerable to those third parties' failure to remediate their own Year 2000 issues. There is no assurance that the systems of other companies on which the Company's systems rely will be timely converted and would not have an adverse effect on the Company's systems. Expenditures related to the Company's Year 2000 initiatives have not been and are not expected to be material to the Company's results of operations or financial position. FACILITIES At the end of 1996, American Freightways changed the name of its terminal facilities to Customer Centers. This name change reflects AF's commitment to its customers. Associates at the local level are empowered to make decisions that are in the best interest of customers' service issues. The Company owns its general office located in Harrison, Arkansas and 97 Customer Center facilities in 22 states. At December 31, 1997, 113 of the Company's Customer Centers were leased. The terms of the leases on the facilities range from month-to-month to fifteen years. The availability of suitable facilities determines whether the Company leases or constructs a Company-owned facility. 2 One of the principal features distinguishing American Freightways from its competitors is its extensive Customer Center network, placing Customer Centers nearer to the customer. During 1997, the Company completed construction of a 64 door facility in Jacksonville, FL; a 40 door facility in Ft. Smith, AR; a 48 door facility in Greenville, SC; a 40 door facility in Columbia, SC; a 20 door facility in Quincy, IL; and a 48 door facility in Lexington, KY. In addition, the Company added capacity through the purchase of existing facilities or additions to existing Customer Centers in several strategic locations such as Albuquerque, NM; Chattanooga, TN; Chicago, IL; Farmington, NM; Fort Wayne, IN; Goodland, KS; Grand Island, NE; Greensboro, NC; Roswell, NM; San Angelo, TX; Amarillo, TX; El Paso, TX; Odessa, TX; Victoria, TX; Wichita Falls, TX; Canton, OH; Mansfield, OH; and Memphis, TN. The Company has plans to either expand or construct several additional Customer Centers in 1998. At December 31, 1997, the Company's Customer Center network consisted of 210 Customer Centers. Of these Customer Centers, 206 were managed by Company associates and 4 were operated and managed by independent contractors. Company- operated Customer Centers involve costs such as operating taxes, salaries and wages and depreciation, whereas costs of independent contractor-operated Customer Centers generally are variable as a flat percentage of revenue. It is American Freightways' intent to primarily utilize Company-operated Customer Centers in future expansions. ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS The Company is a party to routine litigation incidental to its business, primarily involving claims for personal injuries and property damage incurred in the transportation of freight. The Company believes adverse results in one or more of these cases would not have a material adverse effect on its competitive position, financial position or its results of operations. The Company maintains insurance in an amount which management believes is currently sufficient to cover its risks. ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS None. 3 PART II ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS American Freightways Corporation's common stock is traded under the symbol "AFWY" on the National Market System of the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System (NASDAQ). The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the range of high and low prices for the Company's common stock as reported by NASDAQ through March 6, 1998. The latest price for the Company's common stock on March 6, 1998, as reported by the NASDAQ was $10.625 per share. At March 6, 1998, there were approximately 3,184 holders of record of the Company's common stock. PERIOD HIGH Low - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FISCAL YEAR 1996: First Quarter $ 14-1/2 $ 9-1/2 Second Quarter 16-7/8 11 Third Quarter 12-1/2 8-1/2 Fourth Quarter 11-3/4 8-1/2 FISCAL YEAR 1997: First Quarter $ 14-1/4 $ 10-7/8 Second Quarter 16-1/4 10-1/2 Third Quarter 19-1/2 14 Fourth Quarter 20 7-7/8 FISCAL YEAR 1998: First Quarter (through March 6, 1998) $ 11 $ 9 The Company has not paid cash dividends in the past and does not intend to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Under certain of the Company's loan agreements, the Company is subject to certain restrictions on its ability to pay dividends. See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements incorporated by reference herein. 4 ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA The following selected financial data is derived from consolidated financial statements of the Company. The data should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the Consolidated Financial Statements, related notes and other financial information included elsewhere herein. YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- INCOME STATEMENT DATA: Operating revenue.....................................$328,464 $465,588 $572,100 $729,042 $870,319 Operating expenses and costs: Salaries, wages and benefits......................... 168,770 247,049 335,167 444,041 528,695 Operating supplies and expenses...................... 22,099 30,710 38,667 59,640 75,085 Operating taxes and licenses......................... 12,340 19,251 24,434 31,827 35,339 Insurance............................................ 7,891 15,360 21,595 27,113 26,327 Communications and utilities......................... 6,907 9,117 11,040 12,840 14,114 Depreciation and amortization........................ 21,519 27,888 37,560 46,918 52,596 Rents and purchased transportation................... 42,250 45,633 46,405 45,826 56,008 Other................................................ 15,782 20,880 26,469 33,728 36,899 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Total operating expenses............................ 297,558 415,888 541,337 701,933 825,063 ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Operating income...................................... 30,906 49,700 30,763 27,109 45,256 Interest expense...................................... (4,246) (6,832) (10,198) (14,708) (16,256) Other income, net..................................... 329 442 415 303 330 Gain (loss) on disposal of assets..................... 1 292 329 90 (52) -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Income before income taxes and extraordinary charge.................................. 26,990 43,602 21,309 12,794 29,278 Income taxes.......................................... 10,238 16,571 8,226 4,938 11,477 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Income before extraordinary charge.................... 16,752 27,031 13,083 7,856 17,801 Extraordinary charge for early retirement of debt, net of tax benefit of $205................... - (335) - - - -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Net income............................................$ 16,752 $ 26,696 $ 13,083 $ 7,856 $ 17,801 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Per share: Income before extraordinary charge: Basic...............................................$ 0.60 $ 0.92 $ 0.43 $ 0.25 $ 0.57 Diluted.............................................$ 0.59 $ 0.89 $ 0.42 $ 0.25 $ 0.56 Extraordinary charge (basic and diluted)............. - (0.01) - - - -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Net income: Basic...............................................$ 0.60 $ 0.91 $ 0.43 $ 0.25 $ 0.57 Diluted.............................................$ 0.59 $ 0.88 $ 0.42 $ 0.25 $ 0.56 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Average shares outstanding (000's): Basic............................................... 27,854 29,485 30,750 31,070 31,372 Diluted............................................. 28,581 30,357 31,334 31,266 31,672 The per share amounts prior to 1997 have been restated as required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, Earnings Per Share. See Note 1 to Consolidated Financial Statements. 5 YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- BALANCE SHEET DATA: (Dollars in thousands) Current assets...............................$ 37,660 $ 54,247 $ 77,213 $ 91,954 $105,315 Current liabilities.......................... 35,083 44,378 52,514 66,166 78,521 Total assets................................. 251,130 355,348 477,762 549,875 575,573 Long-term debt (including current portion)............................. 97,537 111,181 197,631 238,239 221,908 Shareholders' equity......................... 109,460 177,180 195,434 206,298 227,416 Working capital..............................$ 2,577 $ 9,869 $ 24,699 $ 25,788 $ 26,794 Debt to equity ratio......................... 0.89 0.63 1.01 1.15 0.98 Return on average shareholders' equity....... 16.8% 18.6% 7.0% 3.9% 8.2% KEY OPERATING STATISTICS: Operating ratio.............................. 90.6% 89.3% 94.6% 96.3% 94.8% Total tractors............................... 2,453 3,344 4,521 4,985 5,143 Customer Centers............................. 132 144 186 203 210 Number of associates......................... 4,964 6,506 8,867 9,947 12,201 Gross tonnage hauled (000's)................. 2,051 2,759 3,380 4,149 4,635 Shipments (000's)............................ 3,237 4,267 5,486 7,016 8,044 Average length of haul....................... 550 567 588 595 587 Line haul load factor (tons)................. 10.90 10.96 10.91 10.40 9.94 Revenue per hundred weight...................$ 8.01 $ 8.46 $ 8.48 $ 8.80 $ 9.40 6 ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS This Item is incorporated by this reference to Registrant's Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, pages 18 through 21. ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA The report of independent auditors and consolidated financial statements included on pages 22 through 32 of the Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 1997, are incorporated herein by reference. Quarterly Results of Operations on page 30 of the Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 1997, is incorporated herein by reference. ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE None. 7 PART III Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of Registrant The directors and executive officers of American Freightways as of March 6, 1998, are as follows: Name AGE POSITION ---- --- -------- F. S. (Sheridan) Garrison 63 Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer Frank Conner 48 Executive Vice President-Accounting & Finance; Chief Financial Officer; Director Tom Garrison 38 Corporate Vice President; Secretary/Treasurer; Director Will Garrison 34 Executive Vice President-Operations; Director Ben A. Garrison 66 Director John Paul Hammerschmidt 75 Director T. J. Jones 61 Director Ken Reeves 50 Director Doyle Z. Williams 58 Director Dennis Beal 49 Vice President-Physical Assets John Berry 44 Vice President-Risk Management Terry Higginbotham 51 Vice President-Sales Terry Stambaugh 44 Executive Vice President-Human Resources The remainder of this Item 10, Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant, is incorporated by this reference to Registrant's Notice and Proxy Statement for its 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on Thursday, April 23, 1998. ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION This Item is incorporated by this reference to applicable portions of the Registrant's Notice and Proxy Statement for its 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on Thursday, April 23, 1998. ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT This Item is incorporated by this reference to applicable portions of the Registrant's Notice and Proxy Statement for its 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on Thursday, April 23, 1998. ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND TRANSACTIONS This Item is incorporated by this reference to applicable portions of the Registrant's Notice and Proxy Statement for its 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on Thursday, April 23, 1998. 8 PART IV Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K (a) (l) and (2) The response to this portion of Item 14 is submitted as a separate section of this report. (3) The exhibits as listed in the Exhibit Index, are submitted as a separate section of this report. (b) Current Reports on Form 8-K: None. (c) See Item 14(a)(3) above. (d) The response to this portion of Item 14 is submitted as a separate section of this report. 9 INDEX TO EXHIBITS 3(a) Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation incorporated by reference to Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ending March 31, 1995. 3(b) Amended and Restated Bylaws of American Freightways Corporation incorporated by reference to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992. 10(a) Amended and Restated 1993 Chairman Stock Option Plan, incorporated by reference to Registrant's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995. 10(b) Amended and Restated 1993 Stock Option Plan for Key Employees as amended January 23, 1996, incorporated by reference to Registrant's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995. 10(c) Amended and Restated Elected Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan, incorporated by reference to Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 1997. 10(d) Appointed Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan, incorporated by reference to Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 1997. 10(e) Amended and Restated Stock Purchase Plan for Certain Employees of Registrant and subsidiaries as amended January 9, 1997, incorporated by reference to Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 31, 1997. 10(f) Amended and Restated American Freightways Corporation Excess Benefit Plan as amended January 23, 1996, incorporated by reference to Registrant's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995. 10(g) $50,000,000 Master Shelf Agreement ($10,000,000 Note attached) with The Prudential Insurance Company of America dated September 3, 1993, incorporated by reference to Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 1993. 10(h) $10,000,000 Note dated February 2, 1994, issued under the $50,000,000 Master Shelf Agreement with The Prudential Insurance Company of America dated September 3, 1993, incorporated by reference to Registrant's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993. 10(i) $10,000,000 Note dated April 13, 1994, issued under the $50,000,000 Master Shelf Agreement with The Prudential Insurance Company of America dated September 3, 1993, incorporated by reference to Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 1994. 10(j) $15,000,000 Note dated January 30, 1995, issued under the $90,000,000 Master Shelf Agreement with the Prudential Insurance Company of America dated September 3, 1993, incorporated by reference to Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 1995. 10(k) $20,000,000 Note dated June 15, 1995, issued under the $90,000,000 Master Shelf Agreement with the Prudential Insurance Company of America dated September 3, 1993, incorporated by reference to Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 1995. 10(l) $25,000,000 Note dated May 1, 1996, issued under the $90,000,000 Master Shelf Agreement with the Prudential Insurance Company of America dated September 3, 1993, incorporated by reference to Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 1996. 10 10(m) $50,000,000 Note dated April 18, 1997, issued under the $140,000,000 Master Shelf Agreement with The Prudential Insurance Company of America dated September 3, 1993, incorporated by reference to Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 1997. 10(n) Letter Amendment No. 1 to Master Shelf Agreement with The Prudential Insurance Company of America dated October 19, 1994, incorporated by reference to Registrant's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994. 10(o) Letter Amendment No. 2 to Master Shelf Agreement with The Prudential Insurance Company of America dated December 14, 1994, incorporated by reference to Registrant's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994. 10(p) Letter Amendment No. 3 to Master Shelf Agreement with The Prudential Insurance Company of America dated March 29, 1996, incorporated by reference to Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 1996. 10(q) Letter Amendment No. 4 to Master Shelf Agreement with The Prudential Insurance Company of America dated April 18, 1997, incorporated by reference to Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 1997. 10(r) Note Agreement among Prudential Capital Corporation, the Registrant and certain subsidiaries dated December 5, 1991, incorporated by reference to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1991. 10(s) Letter Amendment No. 1 to Note Agreement with The Prudential Insurance Company of America dated January 15, 1992, incorporated by reference to Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 1992. 10(t) Letter Amendment No. 3 to Note Agreement with The Prudential Insurance Company of America dated October 19, 1994, incorporated by reference to Registrant's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994. 10(u) Letter Amendment No. 4 to Note Agreement with The Prudential Insurance Company of America dated March 29, 1996, incorporated by reference to Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 1996. 10(v) Letter Amendment No. 5 to Note Agreement with The Prudential Insurance Company of America dated April 18, 1997, incorporated by reference to Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 1997. 10(w) Amended and Restated Credit Agreement among NationsBank of Texas, N.A., as Agent, the Registrant and certain subsidiaries dated October 20, 1994, incorporated by reference to Registrant's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994. 10(x) First Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement among NationsBank of Texas, N.A., as agent, the Registrant and its Subsidiary dated May 31, 1995, incorporated by reference to Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 1995. 10(y) Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement among NationsBank of Texas, N.A., as Agent, the Registrant and its Subsidiary dated March 26, 1996, incorporated by reference to Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 1996. 11 10(z) Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement among NationsBank of Texas, N.A., as agent, the Registrant and its subsidiary dated May 31, 1996, incorporated by reference to Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 1996. 10(aa) Fourth Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement among NationsBank of Texas, N.A., as Agent, the Registrant and its Subsidiary dated March 31,1997, incorporated by reference to Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 1997. 10(bb) Lease Agreement among VT Finance, Inc., the Registrant and its Subsidiary dated January 5, 1996, incorporated by reference to Registrant's Form 10- K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996. 10(cc) Master Lease Agreement with Volvo Truck Finance North America, Inc. dated August 18, 1997, incorporated by reference to Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 31, 1997. 13 Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 21 Subsidiaries of Registrant 23 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors 27 Financial Data Schedule 12 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15 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. Dated this 6th day of March, 1998. American Freightways Corporation By: /s/Frank Conner ----------------------------- Frank Conner Chief Financial Officer; Director (Principal Accounting Officer) Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. /s/F. S. Garrison March 6, 1998 - ------------------------------------------------------------- ------------- F. S. Garrison Date Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) /s/Frank Conner March 6, 1998 - ------------------------------------------------------------- ------------- Frank Conner Date Chief Financial Officer; Director (Principal Accounting Officer) /s/Tom Garrison March 6, 1998 - ------------------------------------------------------------- ------------- Tom Garrison Date Director /s/Will Garrison March 6, 1998 - ------------------------------------------------------------- ------------- Will Garrison Date Director /s/Ben A. Garrison March 6, 1998 - ------------------------------------------------------------- ------------- Ben A. Garrison Date Director /s/John Paul Hammerschmidt March 6, 1998 - ------------------------------------------------------------- ------------- John Paul Hammerschmidt Date Director /s/T. J. Jones March 6, 1998 - ------------------------------------------------------------- ------------- T. J. Jones Date Director /s/Ken Reeves March 6, 1998 - ------------------------------------------------------------- ------------- Ken Reeves Date Director /s/Doyle Z. Williams March 6, 1998 - ------------------------------------------------------------- ------------- Doyle Z. Williams Date Director 13 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K--ITEM 8, ITEM 14(a)(1) AND (2), (c) AND (d) AMERICAN FREIGHTWAYS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES LIST OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES The following consolidated financial statements of American Freightways Corporation and subsidiaries included in the Registrant's Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 are incorporated by reference in Item 8: Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1997 and 1996. Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995. Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995. Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements--December 31, 1997. The following consolidated financial statement schedule of American Freightways Corporation and subsidiaries is included in Item 14(d): AMERICAN FREIGHTWAYS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Financial Statement Schedule: Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable, and therefore have been omitted. 14 SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AMERICAN FREIGHTWAYS CORPORATION Column A Column B Column C Column D Column E ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Additions ------------------------- Balance at Charged to Charged to Balance Beginning Costs and Other Account Deductions at End Description of Period Expenses -Describe -Describe of Period - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Year ended December 31, 1995: Allowance for Doubtful Accounts $638,806 $928,974 $264,867(1) $988,116(2) $844,531 ========== ========== ============ ============= ========== Year ended December 31, 1996: Allowance for Doubtful Accounts $844,531 $1,720,873 $225,618(1) $1,413,063(2) $1,377,959 ========== ========== ============ ============= ========== Year ended December 31, 1997: Allowance for Doubtful Accounts $1,377,959 $1,633,070 $371,577(1) $1,608,564(2) $1,774,042 ========== ========== ============ ============= ========== (1) - Recoveries of amounts previously written off. (2) - Uncollectible accounts written off.