UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-Q (Mark One) [X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2003 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 Number 0-19858 USA TRUCK, INC. (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) DELAWARE 71-0556971 (State or other jurisdiction of (IRS Employer Identification No.) incorporation or organization) 3200 INDUSTRIAL PARK ROAD 72956 VAN BUREN, ARKANSAS (Zip Code) (Address of principal executive offices) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (479) 471-2500 Former name, former address and former fiscal year , if changed since last report: Not applicable. 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 [ ] Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Yes [ ] No [X] The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant's Common Stock, par value $ .01, as of June 30, 2003 is 9,331,232. INDEX USA TRUCK, INC. PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION <Table> <Caption> Page ---- Item 1. Financial Statements Consolidated Balance Sheets - June 30, 2003 (unaudited) and December 31, 2002 3 Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) - Three Months Ended and Six Months Ended June 30, 2003 and 2002 4 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) - Six Months Ended June 30, 2003 and 2002 5 Consolidated Statements of Stockholder's Equity (unaudited) - Six Months Ended June 30, 2003 6 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) - June 30, 2003 7 Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 9 Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 15 Item 4. Controls and Procedures 15 PART II. OTHER INFORMATION Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 16 Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 16 </Table> Page 2 PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION Item 1. Financial Statements USA TRUCK, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS <Table> <Caption> June 30, December 31, 2003 2002(1) -------------- -------------- (unaudited) ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,239,269 $ 1,237,698 Accounts receivable: Trade, less allowance for doubtful accounts (2003 - $334,142; 2002 - $268,862) 33,084,629 26,630,317 Other 881,215 819,259 Inventories 547,847 478,567 Deferred income taxes 2,686,877 2,326,263 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 3,493,559 3,894,984 -------------- -------------- Total current assets 41,933,396 35,387,088 PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT 223,790,018 227,241,609 ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION (73,747,682) (73,984,708) -------------- -------------- 150,042,336 153,256,901 OTHER ASSETS 207,924 207,071 -------------- -------------- Total assets $ 192,183,656 $ 188,851,060 ============== ============== LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES: Bank drafts payable $ 1,881,577 $ 1,609,832 Trade accounts payable 3,963,137 3,274,787 Current portion of insurance and claims accruals 6,953,356 6,662,503 Other accrued expenses 10,974,693 7,572,727 Current maturities of long-term debt 12,843,475 19,143,501 -------------- -------------- Total current liabilities 36,616,238 38,263,350 LONG-TERM DEBT, LESS CURRENT MATURITIES 53,179,214 49,451,248 DEFERRED INCOME TAXES 24,614,878 24,189,413 INSURANCE AND CLAIMS ACCRUALS, LESS CURRENT PORTION 2,984,065 2,855,465 STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: Preferred Stock, $.01 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized: none issued -- -- Common Stock, $.01 par value; 16,000,000 shares authorized; issued 9,331,232 shares in 2003 and 9,324,908 shares in 2002 93,312 93,249 Additional paid-in capital 11,448,155 11,409,738 Retained earnings 63,328,684 62,623,933 Less treasury stock, at cost (2003 - 2,436; 2002 - 6,255) (13,762) (35,336) Accumulated comprehensive income (67,128) -- -------------- -------------- Total stockholders' equity 74,789,261 74,091,584 -------------- -------------- Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 192,183,656 $ 188,851,060 ============== ============== </Table> (1) The balance sheet at December 31, 2002 has been derived from the audited consolidated 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. See notes to consolidated financial statements. Page 3 USA TRUCK, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) <Table> <Caption> Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, -------------------------------- -------------------------------- 2003 2002 2003 2002 -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- REVENUE: Revenue, before fuel surcharge $ 72,265,273 $ 68,924,995 $ 137,979,387 $ 130,570,440 Fuel surcharge 3,131,247 1,067,865 6,803,647 1,264,575 -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Total revenues 75,396,520 69,992,860 144,783,034 131,835,015 OPERATING EXPENSES AND COSTS: Salaries, wages and employee benefits 27,141,915 27,195,500 52,959,950 53,871,488 Fuel and fuel taxes 13,821,371 11,814,124 29,212,385 22,529,475 Purchased transportation 6,556,543 7,363,717 12,090,729 11,478,547 Depreciation and amortization 7,498,621 6,798,107 14,948,671 13,420,889 Operations and maintenance 6,181,556 5,655,077 11,921,303 10,930,497 Insurance and claims 4,893,756 4,169,637 10,295,825 7,852,754 Operating taxes and licenses 1,177,163 1,098,147 2,207,945 2,118,256 Communications and utilities 746,611 690,494 1,423,524 1,387,417 Other 3,402,227 2,513,453 6,292,839 4,584,580 -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- 71,419,763 67,298,256 141,353,171 128,173,903 -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- OPERATING INCOME 3,976,757 2,694,604 3,429,863 3,661,112 OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME): Interest expense 598,523 754,361 1,288,327 1,583,890 Gain on disposal of property and equipment (376,976) (15,969) (381,193) (10,328) Other, net 40,262 (63,156) 52,893 (53,725) -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- 261,809 675,236 960,027 1,519,837 -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 3,714,948 2,019,368 2,469,836 2,141,275 INCOME TAX EXPENSE 1,861,894 1,289,219 1,765,085 1,337,273 -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- NET INCOME $ 1,853,054 $ 730,149 $ 704,751 $ 804,002 ============== ============== ============== ============== PER SHARE INFORMATION: Average shares outstanding (Basic) 9,326,899 9,313,158 9,332,583 9,292,138 ============== ============== ============== ============== Basic net income per share $ 0.20 $ 0.08 $ 0.08 $ 0.09 ============== ============== ============== ============== Average shares outstanding (Diluted) 9,351,853 9,363,262 9,344,222 9,342,242 ============== ============== ============== ============== Diluted net income per share $ 0.20 $ 0.08 $ 0.08 $ 0.09 ============== ============== ============== ============== </Table> See notes to consolidated financial statements. Page 4 USA TRUCK, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) <Table> <Caption> Six Months Ended June 30, ---------------------------- 2003 2002 ------------ ------------ OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income $ 704,751 $ 804,002 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash Provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 14,948,671 13,420,889 Provision for doubtful accounts 123,900 35,800 Deferred income taxes 107,588 1,369,288 Gain on disposal of property and equipment (381,193) (10,328) Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable (6,640,168) (1,123,032) Inventories, prepaid expenses and other current assets 332,145 (2,189,533) Bank drafts payable, trade accounts payable and accrued expenses 4,652,914 3,207,605 Insurance and claims accruals - long-term 128,600 (20,600) ------------ ------------ Net cash provided by operating activities 13,984,708 15,494,091 INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Purchases of property and equipment (9,235,954) (6,173,213) Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment 2,889,210 259,945 (Increase) decrease in other assets (853) 212 ------------ ------------ Net cash used by investing activities (6,355,097) (5,913,056) FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Borrowings under long-term debt 42,072,000 25,172,000 Principal payments on long-term debt (37,399,000) (27,212,000) Principal payments on capitalized lease obligations (12,361,095) (8,190,404) Proceeds from the exercise of stock options 29,927 239,935 Proceeds from sale of treasury stock 30,128 39,202 ------------ ------------ Net cash used by financing activities (7,628,040) (9,951,267) ------------ ------------ INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 1,571 (370,232) Cash and cash equivalents: Beginning of period 1,237,698 1,976,228 ------------ ------------ End of period $ 1,239,269 $ 1,605,996 ============ ============ </Table> See notes to consolidated financial statements. Page 5 USA TRUCK, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (UNAUDITED) <Table> <Caption> Common Stock Accumulated ----------------------- Additional Other Par Paid-In Comprehensive Retained Treasury Shares Value Capital Loss Earnings Stock Total ------------ -------- ------------ ------------- ------------ --------- ------------ Balance at December 31, 2002..... 9,324,908 $ 93,249 $ 11,409,738 $ 0 $ 62,623,933 $ (35,336) $ 74,091,584 Interest rate swap, net of taxes of $42,737.................... -- -- -- (67,128) -- -- (67,128) Exercise of stock options........ 6,324 63 29,864 -- -- -- 29,927 Sale of 3,819 shares of Treasury to employee stock purchase plan.......................... -- -- 8,553 -- -- 21,574 30,127 Net income....................... -- -- -- -- 704,751 -- 704,751 ------------ -------- ------------ ------------ ------------ --------- ------------ Balance at June 30, 2003......... 9,331,232 $ 93,312 $ 11,448,155 $ (67,128) $ 63,328,684 $ (13,762) $ 74,789,261 ============ ======== ============ ============ ============ ========= ============ </Table> Page 6 USA TRUCK, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) JUNE 30, 2003 NOTE A - BASIS OF PRESENTATION The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States 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 footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation) have been included. Operating results for the six-month period ended June 30, 2003, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ended December 31, 2003. For further information, refer to the financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of USA Truck, Inc. (the "Company") for the year ended December 31, 2002. NOTE B - COMMITMENTS As of June 30, 2003, the Company had remaining commitments for purchases of revenue equipment in the aggregate amount of approximately $54.9 million in 2003 and $16.1 million in 2004. As part of these commitments, the Company has remaining contracts for the purchase of 614 tractors and 406 trailers during 2003 and 209 tractors in 2004. Either the Company or the vendor may cancel these contracts within a certain time period before delivery of the equipment if certain conditions are met. The Company extended the useful lives and reduced the salvage value on those groups of tractors that would have traded in 2002 under normal used tractor market conditions. These extended lives (60 months) and reduced salvage values (14 percent of original cost of equipment) yielded an increased depreciation charge to pre-tax earnings in 2002 of approximately $0.4 million. Extending the lives on tractors resulted in an increased charge to net income in 2002 for maintenance costs. The Company has instituted an aggressive trade schedule in 2003 and plans to institute an aggressive trade schedule in 2004 to reduce the average age of its tractor fleet and to resume trading most tractors within 42 months from the date of purchase as it did prior to 2002. As the average age of the tractor fleet decreases, the additional maintenance costs should decrease as well. NOTE C - CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS During the six-month period ended June 30, 2003, the Company did not repurchase any outstanding common stock on the open market pursuant to the repurchase program authorized by the Board of Directors in October 2001. However, the Company sold 3,819 treasury shares, pursuant to the Company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan, to participants in such plan during the six-month period ended June 30, 2003. NOTE D - NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS In June 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 146 ("SFAS 146"), Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities. SFAS 146 supersedes Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") Issue No. 94-3. The principal difference between SFAS 146 and EITF Issue No. 94-3 relates to when an entity can recognize a liability related to exit or disposal activities. SFAS 146 requires that a liability be recognized for a cost associated with an exit or disposal activity when the liability is incurred. EITF Issue No. 94-3 allowed a liability related to an exit or disposal activity to be recognized at the date an entity commits to an exit plan. The provisions of SFAS 146 are effective for all exit or disposal activities initiated after January 1, 2003. This statement did not have an impact on the Company. On December 31, 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 148 ("SFAS 148"), Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure. SFAS 148 amends SFAS 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, to provide alternative methods of transition to the fair value method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. The disclosure requirements of SFAS 148 for interim financial statements containing consolidated financial statements are effective for interim periods beginning in 2003 (See "Note G - Stock Based Compensation"). The Company did not and does not intend to adopt the fair value method of Page 7 accounting for stock-based compensation of SFAS 123 and accordingly SFAS 148 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's reported results of operations or financial position in 2003. NOTE E - CONTINGENCIES The Company is a party to routine litigation incidental to its business, primarily involving claims for personal injury and property damage incurred in the transportation of freight. It maintains insurance covering liabilities in excess of certain self-insured retention levels for bodily injury and property damage claims. Though management believes these claims to be routine and immaterial to the long-term financial position of the Company, adverse results of one or more of these claims could have a material adverse effect on the quarterly financial position or results of operations of the Company. NOTE F - DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS The Company records derivative financial instruments in the balance sheet as either an asset or liability at fair value, with classification as current or long-term depending on the duration of the instrument. Changes in the derivative instrument's fair value must be recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. For hedges which meet the criteria, the derivative instrument's gains and losses, to the extent effective, may be recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income rather than in current earnings. Effective March 27, 2003, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement on a notional amount of $10 million. Under this swap agreement, the Company pays a fixed rate of 1.99%, while receiving a floating rate equal to the "3-month" LIBOR as of the second London Business Day prior to each floating rate reset date. The floating rate is fixed for the three-month period following each reset date. The floating rate for the period from March 27, 2003 through June 26, 2003 is 1.29%. This interest rate swap agreement terminates on March 27, 2005. The Company designated this $10 million interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge of its exposure to variability in future cash flow resulting from the interest payments indexed to the "3-month" LIBOR. Changes in future cash flow from the interest rate swap will offset changes in interest rate payments on the first $10 million of the Company's current Senior Credit Facility (as defined under "Item 2 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources") or future "3-month" LIBOR based borrowings that reset on the second London Business Day prior to the start of the next interest period. The fair value of the swap agreement was a liability of June 30, 2003 was $0.1 million. The Company reported no gain or loss during the three or six months ended June 30, 2003 as a result of hedge ineffectiveness, other derivative instruments' gain or loss or the discontinuance of a cash flow hedge. Future changes in the swap arrangement including termination of the swap agreement, swap notional amount, hedged portion or forecasted Credit Agreement borrowings below $10 million may result in a reclassification of any gain or loss reported in other comprehensive income into earnings. This interest rate swap agreement meets the specific hedge accounting criteria of SFAS 133. The effective portion of the cumulative gain or loss will be reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss in shareholders' equity and will be reclassified into current earnings by March 27, 2005, the termination date for this swap agreement. The measurement of hedge effectiveness is based upon a comparison of the floating-rate component of the swap and the hedged floating-rate cash flows on the underlying liability. This method is based upon the premise that only the floating-rate component of the swap provides the cash flow hedge, and any changes in the swap's fair value attributable to the fixed-rate component is not relevant to the variability of the hedged interest payments on the floating-rate liability. The calculation of ineffectiveness involves a comparison of the present value of the cumulative change in the expected future cash flows on the variable component of the swap and the present value of the cumulative change in the expected future interest cash flows on the floating-rate liability. Page 8 NOTE G - STOCK BASED COMPENSATION Stock based compensation to employees is accounted for based on the intrinsic value method under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 ("APB 25"), Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees. Under APB 25, if the exercise price of employee stock options equals the market price of the underlying stock on the grant date, no compensation expense is recorded. The Company has adopted the disclosure-only provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 ("SFAS 123"), Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. Since the Company has adopted the disclosure-only provisions of SFAS 123, no compensation cost has been recognized for the stock option plans. Had compensation cost for the Company's two stock option plans been determined based on the fair value at the grant date for awards in 2003 and 2002 consistent with the provisions of SFAS 123, the Company's pro forma net income would have been as follows: <Table> <Caption> Three Months Ended Six Months ended June 30, June 30, --------------------------- --------------------------- 2003 2002 2003 2002 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Net income $ 1,853,054 $ 730,149 $ 704,751 $ 804,002 Pro forma expense 18,105 26,733 36,165 53,431 Pro forma net income $ 1,834,949 $ 703,416 $ 668,586 $ 750,571 ============ ============ ============ ============ Pro forma basic earnings per share $ 0.20 $ 0.08 $ 0.07 $ 0.08 Pro forma diluted earnings per share $ 0.20 $ 0.08 $ 0.07 $ 0.08 </Table> Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations The following table sets forth the percentage relationship of certain items to operating revenues, before fuel surcharge, for the periods indicated: <Table> <Caption> Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, ---------------------------- ---------------------------- 2003 2002 2003 2002 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ REVENUE, BEFORE FUEL SURCHARGE 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% OPERATING EXPENSES AND COSTS: Salaries, wages and employee benefits 37.6 39.5 38.4 41.3 Fuel and fuel taxes (1) 14.8 15.6 16.2 16.2 Purchased transportation 9.1 10.7 8.8 8.8 Depreciation and amortization 10.4 9.9 10.8 10.3 Operations and maintenance 8.6 8.2 8.6 8.4 Insurance and claims 6.8 6.0 7.5 6.0 Operating taxes and licenses 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 Communications and utilities 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.1 Other 4.6 3.6 4.6 3.5 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ 94.5 96.1 97.5 97.2 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ OPERATING INCOME 5.5 3.9 2.5 2.8 OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME): Interest expense 0.8 1.1 0.9 1.2 Gain on disposal of property and equipment (0.5) -- (0.2) -- Other, net 0.1 (0.1) -- -- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ 0.4 1.0 0.7 1.2 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 5.1 2.9 1.8 1.6 INCOME TAX EXPENSE 2.5 1.9 1.3 1.0 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ NET INCOME 2.6% 1.1% 0.5% 0.6% ============ ============ ============ ============ </Table> (1) Net of fuel surcharge Page 9 By agreement with its customers, and consistent with industry practice, the Company adds a surcharge to its rates as diesel fuel prices increase above an industry-standard baseline price per gallon. The amount of this fuel surcharge increases as fuel costs increase above certain threshold prices. The surcharge is designed to approximately offset increases in fuel costs above the baseline. Because fuel prices are volatile, management believes that comparing operating costs and expenses to total revenue, including the fuel surcharge, could provide a distorted picture of the Company's operating performance, particularly when comparing results for current and prior periods. Therefore, the fuel surcharge is excluded from revenue and, instead, taken as a credit against the fuel and fuel taxes line item in the above table. Management believes that this presentation is a more meaningful measure of the Company's operating performance than a presentation comparing operating costs and expenses to total revenue, including fuel surcharge. Management does not believe that a reconciliation of the information presented in the table above and corresponding information comparing operating costs and expenses to total revenue would be meaningful. Revenue data, on both a total basis and excluding the fuel surcharge, is included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) included in this Form 10-Q. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Quarter Ended June 30, 2003 Compared to Quarter Ended June 30, 2002 Operating revenue, before fuel surcharge, increased 4.8% to $72.3 million in the second quarter of 2003 from $68.9 million for the same quarter of 2002. The Company believes this increase is due to a 3% increase in the average miles per tractor per week to 2,439 in the second quarter of 2003 from 2,367 in the same quarter of 2002, a 19.1% increase in third party logistics ("3PL") and brokerage revenues to $5.1 million in the second quarter of 2003 from $4.3 million for the same quarter of 2002 and an increase in revenue per mile. These effects were partially offset by a decrease in the number of workdays in the quarter. Average revenue per mile, before fuel surcharge, increased to $1.240 in the second quarter of 2003 from $1.208 in the same quarter of 2002 due to the above-mentioned increase in 3PL and brokerage revenues and an increase in the average rate per mile charged to customers. The number of shipments increased 9.2% to 70,644 in the second quarter of 2003 from 64,177 in the same quarter of 2002. The increase in the average miles per tractor per week, as described above, was a result of increased freight demand and a decrease in the percentage of unmanned tractors to 3.9% of the fleet in the second quarter of 2003 from 6.4% of the fleet in the same quarter of 2002. The decrease in the percentage of unmanned tractors was primarily the result of the number of drivers hired exceeding drivers lost through turnover. The empty mile factor increased to 9.24% of paid miles in the second quarter of 2003 from 9.17% of paid miles in the same quarter of 2002 primarily due to re-positioning of revenue equipment to match the inconsistent freight demand among the various geographic regions in the Company's operating area. Operating expenses and costs, as a percentage of revenue, before fuel surcharge, decreased to 94.5% in the second quarter of 2003 from 96.1% in the same quarter of 2002. The decrease in salaries, wages and employee benefits costs, as a percentage of revenue, before fuel surcharge, was primarily the result of a reduction in the driver's pay rate per mile in December 2002, increases in 3PL and brokerage revenues, the above-mentioned increases in the average revenue per mile, before fuel surcharge, and a decrease in employee medical benefit expenses. These effects were partially offset by a decrease in the average number of owner-operators in the Company's fleet to 35 in the second quarter of 2003 from 95 in the second quarter of 2002, which increased the percentage of employee drivers comprising the fleet. The decrease in fuel and fuel taxes costs, as a percentage of revenue, before fuel surcharge, was due to a 7.2% decrease in the price paid for diesel fuel per gallon, net of fuel surcharge recovery, in the second quarter of 2003 compared to the same period a year ago, and to a lesser extent, the above-mentioned increases in 3PL and brokerage revenues. These effects were partially offset by the above-mentioned decrease in the Company's owner-operator fleet. Direct expenses associated with 3PL and brokerage revenues and owner-operator fees comprise purchased transportation expense. Owner-operators are independent contractors who provide their own tractors (including tractor maintenance), fuel and most insurance and drive for the Company on a contract basis for a fixed rate per mile Page 10 that is higher than that paid to Company drivers, who are not directly responsible for these expenses. The decrease in purchased transportation costs, as a percentage of revenue, before fuel surcharge, was primarily due to the decrease in the Company's owner-operator fleet described above. This effect was partially offset by an increase in carrier expense. Carrier expense represents the fees paid to direct providers of transportation services engaged in the Company's 3PL and brokerage services. The increase in depreciation and amortization expense, as a percentage of revenue, before fuel surcharge, was due to slightly higher depreciation expense on extended lived tractors (See "Note B--Commitments"), an increase in the Company's ratio of trailers to tractors and the above-mentioned decrease in average number of owner-operators. These effects were partially offset by the above-mentioned increase in 3PL and brokerage revenues, increased tractor utilization and increased revenue per mile. The increase in insurance and claims was primarily due to an increase in adverse claims accruals, and, to a lesser extent, the increase in liability, cargo and workers' compensation insurance premiums in the second quarter of 2003 compared to the same quarter of 2002 and the above-mentioned decrease in the Company's owner-operator fleet. These effects were partially offset by the above-mentioned increase in 3PL and brokerage revenues and a reduction in costs associated with collisions. The increase in other costs was due primarily to an increase in driver recruiting expense required to reduce the number of unmanned tractors as described above. As a result of the foregoing factors, operating income increased 47.6% to $4.0 million, or 5.5% of revenue, before fuel surcharge, in 2003 from $2.7 million or 3.9% of revenue, before fuel surcharge, in 2002. As a result of the above, income before income taxes increased 84.0% to $3.7 million, or 5.1% of revenue, before fuel surcharge, in 2003 from $2.0 million or 2.9% of revenue, before fuel surcharge, in 2002. The Company's effective tax rate decreased to 50.1% in the second quarter of 2003 compared to 63.8% in the same quarter of 2002. The effective rates varied from the statutory federal tax rate of 34% primarily due to state income taxes and certain non-deductible expenses including a per diem pay structure implemented by the Company during the second quarter of 2002. Due to the nondeductible effect of per diem, the Company's tax rate will fluctuate in future periods as earnings fluctuate. As a result of the foregoing factors, net income increased 153.8% to $1.9 million in the second quarter of 2003 from $0.7 million in the same quarter of 2002. Diluted net income per share increased 150.0% to $0.20 for the second quarter of 2003 from $0.08 per share in the same quarter of 2002. Six Months Ended June 30, 2003 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2002 Operating revenue, before fuel surcharge, increased 5.7% to $138.0 million in 2003 from $130.6 million in 2002. The Company believes this increase is due primarily to an increase of 3.1% in the average number of tractors operated to 1,897 (including 36 owner-operators) in 2003 from 1,839 (including 77 owner-operators) in 2002 and to a 38.0% increase in 3PL and brokerage revenues to $9.0 million in 2003 from $6.5 million for 2002. Average revenue per mile, before fuel surcharge, increased to $1.228 in 2003 from $1.186 in 2002 due to the above-mentioned increase in 3PL and brokerage revenues and an increase in average rate per mile charged to customers. The number of shipments increased 10.9% to 135,926 in 2003 from 122,548 in 2002. The empty mile factor decreased to 9.20% of paid miles in 2003 from 9.66% of paid miles in 2002. The decreased empty mile factor was primarily the result of improved freight demand in the Company's operating areas and, to a lesser extent, reduced quantities of inbound loads into areas where there are few available outbound loads. Operating expenses and costs, as a percentage of revenue, before fuel surcharge, increased to 97.5% in 2003 from 97.2% in 2002. The decrease in salaries, wages and employee benefits costs, as a percentage of revenue, net of fuel surcharge, was primarily the result of the Company implementing a reduction in the driver's pay rate per mile in December 2002, increases in 3PL and brokerage revenues, the above-mentioned increases in the average revenue per mile, Page 11 before fuel surcharge, and a decrease in employee medical benefit expenses. These effects were partially offset by a decrease in the average number of owner-operators in the Company's fleet to 36 in 2003 from 77 in 2002. The increase in depreciation and amortization expense, as a percentage of revenue, before fuel surcharge, was due to slightly higher depreciation expense on extended lived tractors (See "Note B--Commitments"), an increase in the Company's ratio of trailers to tractors and the above-mentioned decrease in average number of owner-operators. These effects were partially offset by the above-mentioned increase in 3PL and brokerage revenues and increased revenue per mile. The increase in insurance and claims was primarily due to an increase in adverse claims accruals, and, to a lesser extent, the increase in liability, cargo and workers' compensation insurance premiums in the six months ended June 30, 2003 compared to the same period of 2002 and the above-mentioned decrease in the Company's owner-operator fleet. These effects were partially offset by the above-mentioned increase in 3PL and brokerage revenues and a reduction in costs associated with collisions. The increase in other costs was due primarily to an increase in recruiting expense to reduce the number of unmanned tractors as described above. As a result of the foregoing factors, operating income decreased 6.3% to $3.4 million, or 2.5% of revenue, before fuel surcharge, in 2003 from $3.7 million, or 2.8% of revenue, before fuel surcharge, in 2002. As a result of the above, income before income taxes increased 15.3% to $2.5 million, or 1.8% of revenue, before fuel surcharge, in 2003 from $2.1 million, or 1.6% of revenue, before fuel surcharge, in 2002. The Company's effective tax rate increased to 71.5% in 2003 compared to 62.5% in 2002. The effective rates varied from the statutory federal tax rate of 34% primarily due to state income taxes and certain non-deductible expenses including a per diem pay structure implemented by the Company during the second quarter of 2002. Due to the nondeductible effect of per diem, the Company's tax rate will fluctuate in future periods as earnings fluctuate. As a result of the foregoing factors, net income decreased 12.3% to $0.7 million in 2003 from $0.8 million in 2002. Diluted net income per share decreased 11.1% to $0.08 per share for 2003 from $0.09 per share in 2002. SEASONALITY In the motor carrier industry generally, revenues are lower in the first and fourth quarters as customers decrease shipments during the winter holiday season and as inclement weather impedes operations. These factors historically have tended to decrease net income in the first and fourth quarters. Future revenues could be impacted if customers reduce shipments due to temporary plant closings, which historically have occurred during July and December. FUEL AVAILABILITY AND COST The motor carrier industry depends upon the availability of fuel, and fuel shortages or increases in fuel taxes or fuel costs have adversely affected, and may in the future adversely affect, the profitability of the Company. Fuel prices have fluctuated greatly and fuel taxes have generally increased in recent years. The Company has not experienced difficulty in maintaining necessary fuel supplies, and in the past the Company generally has been able to partially offset significant increases in fuel costs and fuel taxes through increased freight rates and through a fuel surcharge which increases incrementally as the price of fuel increases. Typically, the Company is not able to fully recover increases in fuel prices through fuel surcharges. Fuel prices decreased during the second quarter of 2003. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to recover any future increases in fuel costs and fuel taxes through increased rates. LIQUIDITY & CAPITAL RESOURCES On April 28, 2000, the Company signed a senior credit facility (the "Senior Credit Facility"), and amended the Senior Credit Facility on March 30, 2001 and June 17, 2003. The Senior Credit Facility, as amended, provides a working capital line of credit of $60.0 million, including letters of credit not exceeding $5.0 million. Bank of America, N.A. is the agent bank and SunTrust Bank and U.S. Bank (formerly Firstar Bank, N.A.) are participants in the Senior Credit Facility. As of June 30, 2003, approximately $28.3 million was available under the Senior Credit Page 12 Facility. The Senior Credit Facility matures on April 28, 2005. At any time prior to April 28, 2005, subject to certain conditions, the balance outstanding on the Senior Credit Facility may be converted, at the Company's option, to a four-year term loan requiring 48 equal monthly principal payments plus interest. The Senior Credit Facility bears variable interest based on the lender's prime rate, or federal funds rate plus a certain incremental percentage or LIBOR plus a certain incremental percentage, which is determined based on the Company's attainment of certain financial ratios. The effective interest rate on the Company's borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility for the quarter ended June 30, 2003 was 2.8%. A quarterly commitment fee is payable on the unused credit line at a rate determined based on the Company's attainment of certain financial ratios. As of June 30, 2003, the rate was 0.20%. This credit facility is collateralized by accounts receivable and all otherwise unencumbered equipment. The continued growth of the Company's business has required significant investments in new equipment. The Company has financed revenue equipment purchases with cash flows from operations and through borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility and capital lease-purchase arrangements. The Company has historically met its working capital needs with cash flows from operations and occasionally with borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility. The Company uses the Senior Credit Facility to minimize fluctuations in cash flow needs and to provide flexibility in financing revenue equipment purchases. Cash flows from operations were $14.0 million for the six-month period ended June 30, 2003 and $15.5 million for the six-month period ended June 30, 2002. As of June 30, 2003, the Company had capital lease obligations in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $36.3 million, with an average interest rate of 4.2% per annum. For 2003, the Company has capital lease commitments providing up to $37.0 million of available borrowings, at variable interest rates based on the three-year Treasury Note rate, LIBOR or lessor's cost of funds plus a pricing spread, which rates are fixed upon lease execution. During the second quarter of 2003, the Company borrowed $5.0 million under these lease commitments at an effective interest rate of 2.6%. As of June 30, 2003, the Company had debt obligations of approximately $65.9 million, including amounts borrowed under the Senior Credit Facility and lease commitments, of which approximately $12.8 million were current obligations. During the six-month period ended June 30, 2003, the Company made borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility and lease commitments of $42.1 million, while retiring $49.8 million in debt under these facilities. The borrowings had an average interest rate of approximately 3.1% while the retired debt had an average interest rate of approximately 3.8%. During the six-month period ended June 30, 2003, the Company made $14.5 million in capital expenditures including equipment purchases under capital lease arrangements as described above. $13.9 million of this amount was used for revenue equipment and the balance of $0.6 million was used for maintenance and office equipment, facility improvements and the purchase of a maintenance facility in Laredo, Texas by International Freight Services, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of USA Truck. During the remainder of 2003 and in 2004, the Company plans to make approximately $164.6 million in capital expenditures. At June 30, 2003, the Company was committed to spend $54.9 million and budgeted to spend an additional $0.4 million of this amount for revenue equipment in 2003, and the Company was committed to spend $16.1 million and budgeted to spend an additional $93.0 million of this amount for revenue equipment in 2004. The commitments to purchase revenue equipment are cancelable by the Company if certain conditions are met. The balance of the expected capital expenditures of $0.2 million will be used for maintenance and office equipment and facility improvements. The Senior Credit Facility, capital leases and cash flows from operations should be adequate to fund the Company's operations and expansion plans through the end of 2003. There can be no assurance, however, that such sources will be sufficient to fund Company operations and all expansion plans through such date, or that any necessary additional financing will be available, if at all, in amounts required or on terms satisfactory to the Company. The Company expects to continue to fund its operations with cash flows from operations, the Senior Credit Facility and capital leases for the foreseeable future. Through the Senior Credit Facility the Company can elect to borrow at LIBOR rates, plus a pricing spread. Therefore, the Company's forecasted future cash flow is exposed to interest rate risk related to variability in LIBOR rates. For this reason, the Company has hedged its exposure to the volatility in variable interest rates. In March 2003 the Company entered into an interest rate swap effective March 27, 2003, on a notional amount of $10 million (See "Note F - Derivative Financial Instruments"). The transaction entered into is intended to provide interest rate protection by creating an interest rate neutral position by specifically matching notional amounts, maturity dates and interest rate indices, and does not provide any additional borrowing capacity to the Company. Page 13 On October 17, 2001, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the Company to purchase up to 500,000 shares of its outstanding common stock over a three-year period ending October 16, 2004 dependent upon market conditions. Common stock purchases under the authorization may be made from time to time on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions at prices determined by the Chairman of the Board or President of the Company. The Company may purchase shares in the future if, in the view of management, the common stock is undervalued relative to the Company's performance and prospects for continued growth. Any such purchases would be funded with cash flows from operations or the Senior Credit Facility. As of June 30, 2003, the Company had purchased no shares pursuant to this authorization. The following table represents the Company's outstanding contractual obligations at June 30, 2003, excluding letters of credit. <Table> <Caption> PAYMENTS DUE BY PERIOD (IN THOUSANDS) CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS TOTAL 2003 2004 - 2005 2006 - 2007 THEREAFTER - ----------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Long-Term Debt Obligations(1) $ 29,587 $ -- $ 29,587 $ -- $ -- Capital Lease Obligations(2) 38,110 8,068 22,833 7,209 -- Operating Lease Obligations 225 107 85 33 -- Purchase Obligations(3) 70,997 54,900 16,097 -- -- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ TOTAL $ 138,919 $ 63,075 $ 68,602 $ 7,242 $ -- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ </Table> (1) Long-Term Debt Obligations consist of the Company's Senior Credit Facility that matures on April 28, 2005 as described above. (2) Capital Lease Obligations in this table include interest payments not included in the balance sheet. (3) Purchase Obligations are cancelable if certain criteria are met. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS See Note D to the financial statements included in this Form 10-Q for a description of the most recent accounting pronouncements and their effect, if any, on the Company. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This report contains forward-looking statements and information that are based on management's current beliefs and expectations and assumptions made by it based upon information currently available. Forward-looking statements include statements relating to the Company's plans, strategies, objectives, expectations, intentions, and adequacy of resources, may be identified by words such as "will", "could", "should", "may", "believe", "expect", "intend", "plan", "schedule", "estimate", "project" and similar expressions. These statements are based on current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and change. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will be realized. Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties underlying such expectations materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expected. Among the key factors that are not within the Company's control and that have a direct bearing on operating results are increases in diesel prices, adverse weather conditions and the impact of increased rate competition. The Company's results have also been, and will continue to be, significantly affected by fluctuations in general economic conditions, as the Company's utilization rates are directly related to business levels of shippers in a variety of industries. In addition, shortages of qualified drivers and intense or increased competition for drivers have adversely impacted the Company's operating results and its ability to grow, and will continue to do so. Results for any specific period may also be affected by various unforeseen events, such as unusual levels of equipment failure or vehicle accident claims. Page 14 Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk As reported in the notes to the financial statements and in the Liquidity and Capital Resources section of this Form 10-Q, the Company entered into the Senior Credit Facility with a multi-bank group on April 28, 2000 and amended the Senior Credit Facility on March 30, 2001 and June 17, 2003. The Senior Credit Facility agreement, as amended, provides for borrowings that bear interest at variable rates based on either a prime rate or the LIBOR. At June 30, 2003, the Company had $29.6 million outstanding pursuant to the Senior Credit Facility. In an effort to manage the risks associated with changing interest rates the Company entered into an interest rate swap effective March 27, 2003, on a notional amount of $10 million (See "Note F - Derivative Financial Instruments"). The Company believes that the effect, if any, of reasonably possible near-term changes in interest rates on the Company's financial position, results of operations, and cash flows should not be material. All customers are required to pay for the Company's services in U.S. dollars. Although the Canadian Government makes certain payments, such as tax refunds, to the Company in Canadian dollars, any foreign currency exchange risk associated with such payments is not material. Item 4. Controls and Procedures As of the end of each fiscal quarter, an evaluation is performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's management, including the Chief Executive Officer (the "CEO") and the Chief Financial Officer (the "CFO"), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, the Company's management, including the CEO and CFO, concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered in this report. There have been no significant changes in the Company's internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to June 30, 2003. Page 15 FORM 10-Q USA TRUCK, INC. PART II. OTHER INFORMATION Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. The annual meeting of stockholders of the Company was held on May 7, 2003. At the meeting, the stockholders elected the people set forth in the table below to serve as directors for a term expiring at the 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders: <Table> <Caption> Votes Votes Broker Nominee For Withheld Non-Votes ------------------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ Roland S. Boreham, Jr. 8,685,728 33,007 -0- Terry A. Elliott 8,685,728 33,007 -0- Jerry D. Orler 8,585,248 133,487 -0- </Table> Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on FORM 8-K. (A) Exhibits 10.1 Second Amendment to Senior Credit Facility dated as of June 17, 2003 amending the Senior Credit Facility dated as of April 28, 2000 11.1 Statement Re: Computation of Earnings Per Share 31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 32.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (B) Reports on Form 8-K The Company filed a report on Form 8-K on April 17, 2003 attaching as an exhibit the Company's press release dated that date announcing revenues and earnings for the first quarter of 2003, and reporting related information under Item 12, Results of Operations and Financial Condition. Page 16 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. USA TRUCK, INC. (Registrant) Date: July 18, 2003 /s/ ROBERT M. POWELL ------------------- ---------------------------------- ROBERT M. POWELL Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Date: July 18, 2003 /s/ JERRY D. ORLER ------------------- ---------------------------------- JERRY D. ORLER President Date: July 18, 2003 /s/ CLIFTON R. BECKHAM ------------------- ---------------------------------- CLIFTON R. BECKHAM Vice President - Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary Page 17 FORM 10-Q INDEX TO EXHIBITS USA TRUCK, INC. <Table> <Caption> Exhibit Number Exhibit - ------- -------------------------------------------------------------------- 10.1 Second Amendment to Senior Credit Facility dated as of June 17, 2003 amending the Senior Credit Facility dated as of April 28, 2000 11.1 Statement Re: Computation of Earnings Per Share 31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 32.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 </Table> Page 18