COVENANT LOGISTICS GROUP, INC.
10-Ks and 10-Qs
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
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[X]
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QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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For the quarterly period ended
March 31, 2010
or
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[ ]
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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For the transition period from
to
Commission File Number:
0-24960
COVENANT TRANSPORTATION GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Nevada
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88-0320154
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(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
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or organization)
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400 Birmingham Hwy.
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Chattanooga, TN
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37419
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(Address of principal executive offices)
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(Zip Code)
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423-821-1212
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
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.
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Yes [X]
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No [ ]
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
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Yes [ ]
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No [ ]
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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Large accelerated filer [ ]
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Accelerated filer [ ]
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Non-accelerated filer [X] (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
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Smaller reporting company [ ]
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
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Yes [ ]
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No [ X ]
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Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date (May 13, 2010).
Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value: 11,885,434 shares
Class B Common Stock, $.01 par value: 2,350,000 shares
Page 1
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
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PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
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Page Number
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Item 1.
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Financial Statements
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Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2010 and December 31,
2009 (unaudited)
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Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 (unaudited)
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Consolidated Condensed Statement of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Loss for the three months ended March 31, 2010 (unaudited)
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Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (unaudited)
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Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements (unaudited)
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Item 2.
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Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
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Item 3.
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Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
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Item 4.
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Controls and Procedures
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PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
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Page Number
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Item 1.
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Legal Proceedings
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Item 1A.
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Risk Factors
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Item 6.
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Exhibits
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FINANCIAL INFORMATION
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COVENANT TRANSPORTATION
GROUP, INC
. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
(In thousands, except share data)
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ASSETS
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March 31, 2010
(unaudited)
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December 31, 2009
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Current assets:
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||||||||
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Cash and cash equivalents
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$ | 9,931 | $ | 12,221 | ||||
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Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $1,781 in 2010 and $1,845
in 2009
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65,973 | 64,857 | ||||||
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Drivers' advances and other receivables, net of allowance of $2,594 in
2010 and $2,608 in 2009
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3,393 | 3,311 | ||||||
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Inventory and supplies
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3,993 | 4,004 | ||||||
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Prepaid expenses
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6,726 | 7,172 | ||||||
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Assets held for sale
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4,182 | 9,547 | ||||||
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Deferred income taxes
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1,051 | 458 | ||||||
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Income taxes receivable
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1,548 | 257 | ||||||
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Total current assets
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96,797 | 101,827 | ||||||
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Property and equipment, at cost
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408,743 | 399,712 | ||||||
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Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
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(130,152 | ) | (121,377 | ) | ||||
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Net property and equipment
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278,591 | 278,335 | ||||||
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Goodwill
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11,539 | 11,539 | ||||||
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Other assets, net
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5,922 | 6,611 | ||||||
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Total assets
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$ | 392,849 | $ | 398,312 | ||||
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LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
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Current liabilities:
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Checks outstanding in excess of bank balances
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$ | 4,155 | $ | 4,838 | ||||
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Accounts payable
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8,210 | 7,528 | ||||||
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Accrued expenses
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25,714 | 26,789 | ||||||
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Current maturities of long-term debt
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64,291 | 67,365 | ||||||
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Current portion of capital lease obligations
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1,120 | 1,098 | ||||||
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Current portion of insurance and claims accrual
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12,816 | 12,055 | ||||||
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Total current liabilities
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116,306 | 119,673 | ||||||
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Long-term debt
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120,861 | 134,084 | ||||||
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Long-term portion of capital lease obligations
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12,201 | 12,472 | ||||||
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Insurance and claims accrual, net of current portion
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11,759 | 11,082 | ||||||
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Deferred income taxes
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37,027 | 24,525 | ||||||
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Other long-term liabilities
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1,772 | 1,801 | ||||||
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Total liabilities
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299,926 | 303,637 | ||||||
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Commitment and contingent liabilities
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- | - | ||||||
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Stockholders' equity:
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Class A common stock, $.01 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized;
13,469,090 shares issued; and 11,840,568 shares
outstanding as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009
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136 | 136 | ||||||
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Class B common stock, $.01 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized;
2,350,000 shares issued and outstanding
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24 | 24 | ||||||
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Additional paid-in-capital
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90,910 | 90,679 | ||||||
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Treasury stock at cost; 1,628,522 shares as of March 31, 2010 and
December 31, 2009
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(19,195 | ) | (19,195 | ) | ||||
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Accumulated other comprehensive income
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498 | 305 | ||||||
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Retained earnings
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20,550 | 22,726 | ||||||
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Total stockholders' equity
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92,923 | 94,675 | ||||||
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Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
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$ | 392,849 | $ | 398,312 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated condensed financial statements.
COVENANT TRANSPORTATION GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009
(In thousands, except per share data)
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Three months ended
March 31,
(unaudited)
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2010
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2009
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Revenue:
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Freight revenue
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$ | 129,336 | $ | 122,129 | ||||
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Fuel surcharge revenue
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22,675 | 11,647 | ||||||
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Total revenue
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$ | 152,011 | $ | 133,776 | ||||
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Operating expenses:
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Salaries, wages, and related expenses
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52,210 | 54,819 | ||||||
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Fuel expense
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42,158 | 29,132 | ||||||
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Operations and maintenance
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8,708 | 9,115 | ||||||
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Revenue equipment rentals and purchased transportation
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17,639 | 18,401 | ||||||
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Operating taxes and licenses
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2,329 | 3,060 | ||||||
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Insurance and claims
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8,980 | 5,921 | ||||||
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Communications and utilities
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834 | 1,665 | ||||||
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General supplies and expenses
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4,755 | 5,792 | ||||||
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Depreciation and amortization, including gains and losses on
disposition of equipment
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12,582 | 11,016 | ||||||
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Total operating expenses
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150,195 | 138,921 | ||||||
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Operating income (loss)
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1,816 | (5,145 | ) | |||||
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Other (income) expenses:
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Interest expense
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3,954 | 2,876 | ||||||
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Interest income
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(2 | ) | (51 | ) | ||||
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Other income, net
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(47 | ) | (31 | ) | ||||
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Other expenses, net
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3,905 | 2,794 | ||||||
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Loss before income taxes
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(2,089 | ) | (7,939 | ) | ||||
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Income tax expense (benefit)
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87 | (2,396 | ) | |||||
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Net loss
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$ | (2,176 | ) | $ | (5,543 | ) | ||
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Loss per share:
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Basic and diluted loss per share:
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$ | (0.15 | ) | $ | (0.39 | ) | ||
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Basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding
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14,191 | 14,049 | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated condensed financial statements.
COVENANT TRANSPORTATION GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED
STATEMENT OF
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010
(Unaudited and in thousands)
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Common Stock
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Additional
Paid-In
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Treasury
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Accumulated
Other Comprehensive
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Retained
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Total
Stockholders'
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|||||||||||||||||||||||
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Class A
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Class B
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Capital
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Stock
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Income
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Earnings
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Equity
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Balances at December 31, 2009
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$ | 136 | $ | 24 | $ | 90,679 | $ | (19,195 | ) | $ | 305 | $ | 22,726 | $ | 94,675 | |||||||||||||
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Net loss
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(2,176 | ) | (2,176 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Other comprehensive income:
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Unrealized gain on
effective
portion of fuel
hedge, net of
tax of $313
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470 | 470 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Comprehensive loss
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470 | (2,176 | ) | (1,706 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Reclassification of fuel hedge gain into statement of operations, net of income tax of $173
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(277 | ) | (277 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Stock-based employee
compensation cost
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231 | 231 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Balances at March 31, 2010
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$ | 136 | $ | 24 | $ | 90,910 | $ | (19,195 | ) | $ | 498 | $ | 20,550 | $ | 92,923 | |||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated condensed financial statements.
COVENANT TRANSPORTATION GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATE
ME
NTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009
(In thousands)
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Three months ended March 31,
(unaudited)
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2010
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2009
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Cash flows from operating activities:
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Net loss
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$ | (2,176 | ) | $ | (5,543 | ) | ||
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Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by
operating activities:
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Provision for losses on accounts receivable
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166 | 188 | ||||||
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Depreciation and amortization
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13,256 | 10,890 | ||||||
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Amortization of deferred financing fees
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234 | 184 | ||||||
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Deferred income taxes expense (benefit)
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11,700 | (2,856 | ) | |||||
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Deferred gain on fuel hedge
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402 | - | ||||||
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Stock based compensation expense
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231 | 56 | ||||||
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(Gain) loss on disposition of property and equipment
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(674 | ) | 126 | |||||
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Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
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Receivables and advances
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(2,655 | ) | 15,792 | |||||
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Prepaid expenses and other assets
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832 | 1,395 | ||||||
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Inventory and supplies
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11 | 132 | ||||||
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Insurance and claims accrual
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1,438 | (2,424 | ) | |||||
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Accounts payable and accrued expenses
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(589 | ) | (1,937 | ) | ||||
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Net cash flows provided by operating activities
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22,176 | 16,003 | ||||||
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Cash flows from investing activities:
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Acquisition of property and equipment
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(19,389 | ) | (6,065 | ) | ||||
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Proceeds from disposition of property and equipment
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12,258 | 13,373 | ||||||
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Payment of acquisition obligation
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- | (83 | ) | |||||
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Net cash flows (used in)/provided by investing activities
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(7,131 | ) | 7,225 | |||||
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Cash flows from financing activities:
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Change in checks outstanding in excess of bank balances
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(684 | ) | 67 | |||||
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Proceeds from issuance of notes payable
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6,319 | 3,818 | ||||||
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Repayments of notes payable
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(15,090 | ) | (15,790 | ) | ||||
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Repayments of capital lease obligation
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(249 | ) | - | |||||
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Proceeds from borrowings/(repayments) under revolving credit facility, net
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(7,524 | ) | 2,455 | |||||
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Debt refinancing costs
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(107 | ) | (544 | ) | ||||
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Net cash used in financing activities
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(17,335 | ) | (9,994 | ) | ||||
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Net change in cash and cash equivalents
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(2,290 | ) | 13,234 | |||||
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Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
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12,221 | 6,300 | ||||||
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Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
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$ | 9,931 | $ | 19,534 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated condensed financial statements.
COVENANT TRANSPORTATION G
ROUP
, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
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Note 1.
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Significant Accounting Policies
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Basis of Presentation
The consolidated condensed financial statements include the accounts of Covenant Transportation Group, Inc., a Nevada holding company, and its wholly owned subsidiaries. References in this report to "we," "us," "our," the "Company," and similar expressions refer to Covenant Transportation Group, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933. In preparing financial statements, it is necessary for management to make assumptions and estimates affecting the amounts reported in the consolidated condensed financial statements and related notes. These estimates and assumptions are developed based upon all information available. Actual results could differ from estimated amounts. In the opinion of management, the accompanying financial statements include all adjustments which are necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented, such adjustments being of a normal recurring nature. Certain information and footnote disclosures have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The December 31, 2009 consolidated condensed balance sheet was derived from the Company's audited balance sheet as of that date. These consolidated condensed financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. Results of operations in interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for a full year.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Improving Disclosures About Fair Value Measurements
– In January 2010, the FASB issued authoritative guidance to clarify certain existing disclosure requirements and require additional disclosures for recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements. These additional disclosures include amounts and reasons for significant transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy; significant transfers in and out of Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy; and information about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements on a gross basis in the reconciliation of recurring Level 3 measurements. Further, the guidance amends employer's disclosures about post-retirement benefit plans to require that disclosures be provided by classes of assets instead of by major categories of assets. The requirements of this guidance are effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2009, with the exception of the requirement of information about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements of Level 3 measurements, which becomes effective for periods ending after December 15, 2010. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
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Note 2.
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(Loss) Earnings Per Share
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Basic loss per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing earnings available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted loss per share reflects the dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the Company. The calculation of diluted loss per share for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, excludes all unexercised options and unvested shares, since the effect of any assumed exercise of the related awards would be anti-dilutive.
The following table sets forth for the periods indicated the calculation of net loss per share included in the consolidated condensed statements of operations:
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(in thousands except per share data)
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Three months ended
March 31,
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2010
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2009
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Numerator:
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Net loss
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$ | (2,176 | ) | $ | (5,543 | ) | ||
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Denominator:
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Denominator for basic earnings per share –
weighted-average shares
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14,191 | 14,049 | ||||||
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Effect of dilutive securities:
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Equivalent shares issuable upon conversion
of unvested restricted stock
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- | - | ||||||
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Equivalent shares issuable upon conversion
of unvested employee stock options
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- | - | ||||||
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Denominator for diluted earnings per share –
adjusted weighted-average shares and
assumed conversions
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14,191 | 14,049 | ||||||
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Net loss per share:
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Basic and diluted loss per share:
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$ | (0.15 | ) | $ | (0.39 | ) | ||
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Note 3.
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Segment Information
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We have two reportable segments: Asset-Based Truckload Services ("Truckload") and our Brokerage Services, also known as Covenant Transport Solutions, Inc. ("Solutions").
The Truckload segment consists of three asset-based operating fleets that are aggregated because they have similar economic characteristics and meet the aggregation criteria. The three operating fleets that comprise our Truckload segment are as follows: (i) Covenant Transport, Inc. ("Covenant Transport"), our historical flagship operation, which provides expedited long haul, dedicated, and regional solo-driver service; (ii) Southern Refrigerated Transportation, Inc. ("SRT"), which provides primarily long-haul and regional temperature-controlled service; and (iii) Star Transportation, Inc. ("Star"), which provides regional solo-driver service.
The Solutions segment provides freight brokerage service directly and through freight brokerage agents who are paid a commission for the freight they provide. The brokerage operation has helped us continue to serve customers when we lacked capacity in a given area or when the load has not met the operating profile of our Truckload segment.
"Unallocated Corporate Overhead" includes expenses that are incidental to our activities and are not specifically allocated to one of the segments.
The following tables summarize our segment information:
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Three months ended
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(in thousands)
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March 31,
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2010
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2009
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Revenues:
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Asset-Based Truckload Services
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$ | 141,763 | $ | 122,996 | ||||
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Brokerage Services
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10,248 | 10,780 | ||||||
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Total
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$ | 152,011 | $ | 133,776 | ||||
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Operating Income (Loss):
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Asset-Based Truckload Services
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$ | 5,047 | $ | (1,684 | ) | |||
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Brokerage Services
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411 | (174 | ) | |||||
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Unallocated Corporate Overhead
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(3,642 | ) | (3,287 | ) | ||||
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Total
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$ | 1,816 | $ | (5,145 | ) | |||
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Note 4.
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Income Taxes
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Income tax expense varies from the amount computed by applying the federal corporate income tax rate of 35% to income before income taxes primarily due to state income taxes, net of federal income tax effect, adjusted for permanent differences, the most significant of which is the effect of the per diem pay structure for drivers. Drivers who meet the requirements to receive per diem are generally required to receive non-taxable per diem pay in lieu of a portion of their taxable wages. This per diem program increases our drivers’ net pay per mile, after taxes, while decreasing gross pay, before taxes. As a result, salaries, wages and employee benefits are slightly lower, and our effective income tax rate is higher than the statutory rate. Generally, as pre-tax income increases, the impact of the driver per diem program on our effective tax rate decreases because aggregate per diem pay becomes smaller in relation to pre-tax income, while in the period where earnings are at or near breakeven the impact of the per diem program on our effective tax rate is significant. Due to the partially nondeductible effect of per diem pay, our tax rate will fluctuate in future periods based on fluctuations in earnings.
The Company's liability recorded for uncertain tax positions as of March 31, 2010 has not changed significantly in amount or composition since December 31, 2009.
The carrying value of the Company's deferred tax assets assumes that it will be able to generate, based on certain estimates and assumptions, sufficient future taxable income in certain tax jurisdictions to utilize these deferred tax benefits. If these estimates and related assumptions change in the future, we may be required to establish a valuation allowance against the carrying value of the deferred tax assets, which would result in additional income tax expense. On a periodic basis, the Company assesses the need for adjustment of the valuation allowance. Based on forecasted taxable income and tax planning strategies available to the Company, no valuation allowance has been established at March 31, 2010, except for $0.3 million related to certain state net operating loss carryforwards and $1.6 million related to the deferred tax asset associated with the Company's capital loss generated by the loss on the sale of its investment in Transplace. These valuation allowances were established because the Company believes that it is more likely than not that certain state net operating loss carryforwards and the capital loss carryforward related to Transplace will not be realized. If these estimates and related assumptions change in the future, we may be required to modify our valuation allowance against the carrying value of the deferred tax assets.
The increase in the deferred tax liabilities of approximately $12.5 million during the first quarter of 2010 primarily relates to the Company carrying back certain prior period net operating losses pursuant to the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 and receipt of a significant portion of the carryback claim in March 2010, noting the remaining refund is recorded as a tax receivable.
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Note 5.
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Fair Value Measurement and Fair Value of Financial Instruments
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Fair value is defined as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Accordingly, fair value is a market-based measurement that is determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. A three-tier fair value hierarchy is used to prioritize the inputs in measuring fair value as follows:
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·
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Level 1. Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets;
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·
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Level 2. Inputs, other than the quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and
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·
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Level 3. Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.
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Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
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(in thousands)
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March 31,
2010
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Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets
(Level 1)
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Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
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Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
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Hedge derivative asset
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$411
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—
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$411
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—
|
The Company's financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, commodity contracts, accounts payable, and debt. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and current debt approximates their fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments. Interest rates that are currently available to the Company for issuance of long-term debt with similar terms and remaining maturities are used to estimate the fair value of the Company's long-term debt, which primarily consists of revenue equipment installment notes. Borrowings under the Company's revolving credit facility approximate fair value due to the variable interest rate on the facility. Additionally, commodity contracts, which are accounted for as hedge derivatives, as discussed in Note 6, are valued based on quotes from the counterparty which were verified by comparing them the forward rate of the specific indices upon which the contract is being settled and adjusted for counterparty credit risk using available market information and valuation methodologies.
|
Note 6.
|
Derivative Instruments
|
The Company engages in activities that expose it to market risks, including the effects of changes in fuel prices. Financial exposures are evaluated as an integral part of the Company's risk management program, which seeks, from time to time, to reduce the potentially adverse effects that the volatility of fuel markets may have on operating results. In an effort to seek to reduce the variability of the ultimate cash flows associated with fluctuations in diesel fuel prices, we periodically enter into various derivative instruments, including forward futures swap contracts. The Company does not engage in speculative transactions, nor does it hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes.
The Company did not enter into any derivatives until the third quarter of 2009; however, in September 2009, we entered into forward futures swap contracts, which pertain to 2.5 million gallons (approximately 0.2 million gallons per month) or approximately 4% percent of our projected 2010 fuel requirements. Additionally, in January and February 2010 the Company entered into additional contracts to hedge approximately 0.5 million gallons of fuel per month for February 2010 through July 2010. Under these contracts, we pay a fixed rate per gallon of heating oil and receive the monthly average price of New York heating oil, noting the retrospective and prospective regression analyses provided that changes in the prices of diesel fuel and heating oil were deemed to be highly effective based on the relevant authoritative guidance.
We perform both a prospective and retrospective assessment of the effectiveness of our hedge contracts at inception and quarterly, including assessing the possibility of counterparty default. If we determine that a derivative is no longer expected to be highly effective, we discontinue hedge accounting prospectively and recognize subsequent changes in the fair value of the hedge in earnings. As a result of our effectiveness assessment at inception and at March 31, 2010, we believe our hedge contracts have been and will continue to be highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows attributable to the hedged risk.
We recognize all derivative instruments at fair value on our consolidated balance sheets. The Company's derivative instruments are designated as cash flow hedges, thus the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income and will be reclassified into earnings in the same period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. The effective portion of the derivative represents the change in fair value of the hedge that offsets the change in fair value of the hedged item. To the extent the change in the fair value of the hedge does not perfectly offset the change in the fair value of the hedged item, the ineffective portion of the hedge is immediately recognized in other income on our consolidated statements of operations.
During the first quarter of 2010, the Company sold certain of its contracts related to the forecasted purchase of diesel fuel in April through June 2010 to lock-in the related gains totaling approximately $0.4 million. These gains along with the fair value of the contracts that were still in place at March 31, 2010, which had a fair value of approximately $0.4 million and are included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets, are included in accumulated other comprehensive income. Additionally, $0.3 million was reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to earnings during the three months ended March 31, 2010 related to gains on contracts that expired or were sold and for which the Company completed the forecasted transaction by purchasing the hedged diesel fuel.
Based on the amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income as of March 31, 2010 and the expected timing of the purchases of the diesel hedged, we expect to reclassify $0.8 million of gains on derivative instruments from accumulated other comprehensive income to earnings during the next twelve months due to the actual diesel fuel purchases. However, the amounts actually realized will be dependent on the fair values as of the date of settlement.
Outstanding financial derivative instruments expose us to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to the agreements. However, we do not expect any of the counterparties to fail to meet their obligations. Our credit exposure related to these financial instruments is represented by the fair value of contracts reported as assets. To manage credit risk, we review each counterparty's audited financial statements and credit ratings and obtain references.
|
Note 7.
|
|
Current and long-term debt consisted of the following at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009:
|
(in thousands)
|
March 31, 2010
|
December
31, 2009
|
||||||||||||||
|
Current
|
Long-Term
|
Current
|
Long-Term
|
|||||||||||||
|
Borrowings under Credit Facility
|
$ | - | $ | 5,162 | $ | - | $ | 12,686 | ||||||||
|
Revenue equipment installment notes with finance companies; weighted average interest rate of 6.6% and 6.5% at March 31, 2010, and December 31, 2009, respectively, due in monthly installments with final maturities at various dates ranging from April 2010 to October 2013, secured by related revenue equipment
|
63,926 | 112,875 | 67,000 | 118,574 | ||||||||||||
|
Real estate note; interest rate of 2.8% and 4.0% at March 31, 2010, and December 31, 2009, respectively, due in monthly installments with fixed maturity at October 2013, secured by related real estate
|
365 | 2,824 | 365 | 2,824 | ||||||||||||
|
Total debt
|
64,291 | 120,861 | 67,365 | 134,084 | ||||||||||||
|
Capital lease obligations, secured by related revenue equipment
|
1,120 | 12,201 | 1,098 | 12,472 | ||||||||||||
|
Total debt and capital lease obligations
|
$ | 65,411 | $ | 133,062 | $ | 68,463 | $ | 146,556 | ||||||||
In September 2008, the Company and substantially all its subsidiaries entered into a Third Amended and Restated Credit Facility with Bank of America, N.A., as agent (the "Agent"), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. ("JPM"), and Textron Financial Corporation ("Textron"); collectively with the Agent, and JPM, the ("Lenders") that matures September 2011 (the "Credit Facility").
The Credit Facility is structured as an $85.0 million revolving credit facility, with an accordion feature that, so long as no event of default exists, allows the Company to request an increase in the revolving credit facility of up to $50.0 million. The Credit Facility includes, within its $85.0 million revolving credit facility, a letter of credit sub facility in an aggregate amount of $85.0 million and a swing line sub facility in an aggregate amount equal to the greater of $10.0 million or 10% of the Lenders' aggregate commitments under the Credit Facility from time to time.
Borrowings under the Credit Facility are classified as either "base rate loans" or "LIBOR loans". Base rate loans accrue interest at a base rate equal to the greater of the agent's prime rate, the federal funds rate plus 0.5%, or LIBOR plus 1.0%, plus an applicable margin that is adjusted quarterly between 2.5% and 3.25% based on average pricing availability. LIBOR loans accrue interest at the greater of 1.5% or LIBOR, plus an applicable margin that is adjusted quarterly between 3.5% and 4.25% based on average pricing availability. The unused line fee is adjusted quarterly between 0.5% and 0.75% of the average daily amount by which the Lenders' aggregate revolving commitments under the Credit Facility exceed the outstanding principal amount of revolver loans and the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding letters of credit issued under the Credit Facility. The obligations under the Credit Facility are guaranteed by the Company and secured by a pledge of substantially all of the Company's assets, with the notable exclusion of any real estate or revenue equipment pledged under other financing agreements, including revenue equipment installment notes and capital leases.
Borrowings under the Credit Facility are subject to a borrowing base limited to the lesser of (A) $85.0 million, minus the sum of the stated amount of all outstanding letters of credit; or (B) the sum of (i) 85% of eligible accounts receivable, plus (ii) the lesser of (a) 85% of the appraised net orderly liquidation value of eligible revenue equipment, (b) 95% of the net book value of eligible revenue equipment, or (c) 35% of the Lenders' aggregate revolving commitments under the Credit Facility, plus (iii) the lesser of (a) $25.0 million or (b) 65% of the appraised fair market value of eligible real estate. The borrowing base is limited by a $15.0 million availability block, plus any other reserves the Agent may establish in its judgment. The Company had approximately $5.2 million in borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility as of March 31, 2010, undrawn letters of credit outstanding of approximately $34.3 million, and available borrowing capacity of $45.5 million. The weighted average interest rate on outstanding borrowings was 6.3%.
The Credit Facility includes usual and customary events of default for a facility of this nature and provides that, upon the occurrence and continuation of an event of default, payment of all amounts payable under the Credit Facility may be accelerated, and the Lenders' commitments may be terminated. The Credit Facility contains certain restrictions and covenants relating to, among other things, dividends, liens, acquisitions and dispositions outside of the ordinary course of business, and affiliate transactions. The Credit Facility contains a single financial covenant, which required the Company to maintain a consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.0 to 1.0. The fixed charge coverage covenant became effective October 31, 2008.
On March 27, 2009, the Company obtained an amendment to its Credit Facility, which, among other things, (i) retroactively to January 1, 2009 amended the fixed charge coverage ratio covenant for January and February 2009 to the actual levels achieved, which cured our default of that covenant for January 2009, (ii) restarted the look back requirements of the fixed charge coverage ratio covenant beginning on March 1, 2009, (iii) increased the EBITDAR portion of the fixed charge coverage ratio definition by $3.0 million for all periods between March 1 to December 31, 2009, (iv) increased the base rate applicable to base rate loans to the greater of the prime rate, the federal funds rate plus 0.5%, or LIBOR plus 1.0%, (v) set a LIBOR floor of 1.5%, (vi) increased the applicable margin for base rate loans to a range between 2.5% and 3.25% and for LIBOR loans to a range between 3.5% and 4.25%, with 3.0% (for base rate loans) and 4.0% (for LIBOR loans) to be used as the applicable margin through September 2009, (vii) increased the Company's letter of credit facility fee by an amount corresponding to the increase in the applicable margin, (viii) increased the unused line fee to a range between 0.5% and 0.75%, and (ix) increased the maximum number of field examinations per year from three to four. In exchange for these amendments, the Company agreed to the increases in interest rates and fees described above and paid fees of approximately $0.5 million.
On February 25, 2010, the Company obtained an additional amendment to its Credit Facility, which, among other things (i) amended certain defined terms in the Credit Facility, (ii) retroactively to January 1, 2010, amended the fixed charge coverage ratio covenant through June 30, 2010, to the levels set forth in the table below, which prevented a default of that covenant for January 2010, (iii) restarted the look back requirements of the fixed coverage ratio covenant beginning on January 1, 2010, and (iv) required the Company to order updated appraisals for certain real estate described in the Credit Facility. In exchange for these amendments, we agreed to pay the Agent, for the pro rata benefit of the Lenders, a fee equal to 0.125% of the Lenders' total commitments under the Credit Facility, or approximately $0.1 million. Following the effectiveness of the amendment, our fixed charge coverage ratio covenant requirement is as follows, noting the Company was in compliance with the covenant as of March 31, 2010:
|
Three months ending March 31, 2010
|
.72 to 1.00
|
|
Four months ending April 30, 2010
|
.80 to 1.00
|
|
Five months ending May 31, 2010
|
.85 to 1.00
|
|
Six months ending June 30, 2010
|
.90 to 1.00
|
|
Seven months ending July 31, 2010
|
1.00 to 1.00
|
|
Eight months ending August 31, 2010
|
1.00 to 1.00
|
|
Nine months ending September 30, 2010
|
1.00 to 1.00
|
|
Ten months ending October 31, 2010
|
1.00 to 1.00
|
|
Eleven months ending November 30, 2010
|
1.00 to 1.00
|
|
Twelve months ending December 31, 2010
|
1.00 to 1.00
|
|
Each rolling twelve-month period thereafter
|
1.00 to 1.00
|
Capital lease obligations are utilized to finance a portion of our revenue equipment and are entered into with certain finance companies who are not parties to our Credit Facility. The leases terminate in September 2014 through January 2015 and contain guarantees of the residual value of the related equipment by the Company, and the residual guarantee's are included in the related debt balance as balloon payment at the end of the related term as well as included in the future minimum lease payments. These lease agreements require us to pay personal property taxes, maintenance
,
and operating expenses.
Pricing for the revenue equipment installment notes are quoted by the respective financial captives of our primary revenue equipment suppliers at the funding of each group of equipment acquired and include fixed annual rates for new equipment under retail installment contracts. Approximately $176.8 million and $185.6 million was reflected on our balance sheets for these installment notes at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. The notes included in the funding are due in monthly installments with final maturities at various dates ranging from April 2010 to October 2013. The notes contain certain requirements regarding payment, insurance of collateral, and other matters, but do not have any financial or other material covenants or events of default. Additional borrowings from the financial captives of our primary revenue equipment suppliers are available to fund new tractors expected to be delivered in 2010.
Page 12
|
Note 8.
|
Litigation
|
From time to time, the Company is a party to ordinary, routine litigation arising in the ordinary course of business, most of which involves claims for personal injury and property damage incurred in connection with the transportation of freight. The Company maintains insurance to cover liabilities arising from the transportation of freight for amounts in excess of certain self-insured retentions. In management's opinion, the Company's potential exposure under pending legal proceedings is adequately provided for in the accompanying consolidated condensed financial statements.
|
Note 9.
|
Subsequent Events
|
Effective April 1, 2010, we finalized our casualty insurance renewal which resulted in a reduction in our self-insured retention limit for the primary excess layer of casualty claims to no more than $1.0 million from the $4.0 million self-insured retention limit we have had for a number of years. The policy is a three year policy and includes a limit for a single loss of $9 million, an aggregate of $15 million for each policy year and a $27 million aggregate for all three years. The policy includes a policy release refund of up to $4 million, if certain losses are not met and the Company was to commute the policy. Additionally, effective April 1, 2010 we entered into new excess policies for three years that cover up to $30 million per claim, subject to certain aggregate limits.
The Company evaluated subsequent events through the date the consolidated condensed financial statements were issued.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The consolidated condensed financial statements include the accounts of Covenant Transportation Group, Inc., a Nevada holding company, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. References in this report to "we," "us," "our," the "Company," and similar expressions refer to Covenant Transportation Group, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Except for certain historical information contained herein, this report contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended that involve risks, assumptions, and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including without limitation: any projections of earnings, revenues, or other financial items; any statement of plans, strategies, and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning proposed new services or developments; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; and any statements of belief and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Such statements may be identified by the use of terms or phrases such as "expects," "estimates," "projects," "believes," "anticipates," "intends," and "likely," and similar terms and phrases. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified, which could cause future events and actual results to differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying the forward-looking statements. Readers should review and consider the factors that could cause or contribute to such differences including, but not limited to, those discussed in the section entitled "Item 1A. Risk Factors," set forth in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
All such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Form 10-Q. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with regard thereto or any change in the events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
Executive Overview
We focus on targeted markets where we believe our service standards can provide a competitive advantage. We are a major carrier for transportation companies such as freight forwarders, less-than-truckload carriers, and third-party logistics providers that require a high level of service to support their businesses, as well as for traditional truckload customers such as manufacturers, retailers, and food and beverage shippers. We also generate revenue through a subsidiary that provides freight brokerage services.
While we have “miles to go” to achieve our goal of producing a profit for 2010, we are very excited about what the results of the first quarter show us relative to the overall economic and freight environments as well as relative to progress made on our business improvement plan.
Our consolidated operating freight revenues increased to $152.0 million for the first quarter of 2010, a 13.6% increase from $133.8 million in the first quarter of 2009. Higher fuel prices resulted in fuel surcharge revenues of $22.7 million during the first quarter of 2010, compared with $11.6 million for the first quarter of 2009. The remaining $7.8 million related to an increase in average freight revenue per tractor per week due to improved demand and strong economic activity. Freight revenue, which for these purposes excludes fuel surcharges, increased 5.9% in the first quarter of 2010 from the first quarter of 2009. We measure freight revenue because management believes that fuel surcharges tend to be a volatile source of revenue and the removal of such surcharges affords a more consistent basis for comparing results of operations from period to period. Company specific initiatives combined with an improving freight environment, are responsible for the increased level of freight revenue, noting the Company achieved the highest first quarter revenue per tractor since being public in 1994. We experienced an 11.7% increase in average miles per tractor in the first quarter of 2010 versus the 2009 quarter, while freight rates, measured by average freight revenue per total mile, decreased by 2.3% compared with the first quarter of 2009. We were able to reduce our empty miles by approximately 100 basis points quarter-over-quarter. As a result, average freight revenue per tractor per week, our primary measure of asset productivity, increased 9.2% to $3,009 for the quarter ended March 31, 2010, from $2,756 for the same period of 2009.
Our cost reduction efforts continue to improve our results. We produced another solid quarter of cost reductions versus a year ago, highlighted by a new record high ratio of tractors per non-driver employee and the best first quarter DOT reportable accidents per million miles in our history. Even with a $.66 per gallon increase in the gross cost of diesel fuel when compared to year ago, we were able to minimize the effect of that increase through reduced empty miles, reduced broker freight dependency, improved fuel economy, and effective fuel hedge activities, such that net fuel expense only increased $.005 per mile. The asset-based divisions’ operating expenses, net of fuel surcharge revenue, declined $.095 per mile versus the first quarter of 2009. This improvement was achieved in spite of a $.029 per mile increase in insurance expense as the result of a small number of severe accidents. Going forward we believe our new casualty program discussed below will reduce our overall volatility within the insurance area without a significant incremental cost. Additionally, we believe our tractor purchase plan has effectively balanced maintenance costs, driver satisfaction, fuel economy, and capital costs as a result of the additional costs of the new EPA 2010 emissions standards, while maintaining a young fleet that provides us flexibility around the use of our equipment.
Effective April 1, 2010, we finalized our casualty insurance renewal which resulted in a reduction in our self-insured retention limit for the primary excess layer of casualty claims to no more than $1.0 million from the $4.0 million self-insured retention limit we have had for a number of years. The policy is a three year policy and includes a limit for a single loss of $9 million, an aggregate of $15 million for each policy year and a $27 million aggregate for all three years. The policy includes a policy release refund of up to $4 million, if certain losses are not met and the Company was to commute the policy. Additionally, effective April 1, 2010 we entered into new excess policies for three years that cover up to $30 million per claim, subject to certain aggregate limits.
Additional items of note included the following:
|
●
|
Our consolidated operating ratio improved by 560 basis points to 98.6% in the first quarter of 2010 versus the same period in 2009;
|
|
●
|
Since year end 2009, total indebtedness, net of cash and including the present value of off-balance sheet obligations, has decreased by $23.7 million and we have increased our borrowing availability to $45.5 million; and
|
|
●
|
Net loss of $2.2 million, or ($0.15) per basic and diluted share, in the first quarter of 2010, compared with a net loss of $5.5 million, or ($0.39) per basic and diluted share, in the first quarter of 2009.
|
While we are encouraged by our first quarter results, losing money is not an acceptable performance. The utilization improvements over the last couple of quarters are providing the impetus to focus on network refinement, capacity allocation, and yield improvements with our customers, while on the cost side we will continue to scrutinize unnecessary spend, noting the tightening driver market and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010 (“CSA 2010”) implementation provide challenges that we must overcome to accomplish our goal.
Revenue and Expenses
We have two reportable segments: Asset-Based Truckload Services ("Truckload") and our Brokerage Services, also known as Covenant Transport Solutions, Inc. ("Solutions").
The Truckload segment consists of three asset-based operating fleets that are aggregated because they have similar economic characteristics and meet the aggregation criteria. The three operating fleets that comprise our Truckload segment are as follows: (i) Covenant Transport, Inc. ("Covenant Transport"), our historical flagship operation, which provides expedited long haul, dedicated, and regional solo-driver service; (ii) Southern Refrigerated Transportation, Inc. ("SRT"), which provides primarily long-haul and regional temperature-controlled service; and (iii) Star Transportation, Inc. ("Star"), which provides regional solo-driver service.
In our truckload segment, we primarily generate revenue by transporting freight for our customers. Generally, we are paid a predetermined rate per mile for our truckload services. We enhance our truckload revenue by charging for tractor and trailer detention, loading and unloading activities, and other specialized services, as well as through the collection of fuel surcharges to mitigate the impact of increases in the cost of fuel. The main factors that affect our truckload revenue are the revenue per mile we receive from our customers, the percentage of miles for which we are compensated, and the number of shipments and miles we generate. These factors relate, among other things, to the general level of economic activity in the United States, inventory levels, specific customer demand, the level of capacity in the trucking industry, driver availability, the percentage of team-driven tractors in our fleet, and our average length of haul.
Our asset-based truckload services also derive revenue from fuel surcharges, loading and unloading activities, equipment detention, and other accessorial services. We measure revenue before fuel surcharges, or "freight revenue," because we believe that fuel surcharges tend to be a volatile source of revenue. We believe the exclusion of fuel surcharges affords a more consistent basis for comparing the results of operations from period to period.
The main factors that impact our profitability in terms of expenses are the variable costs of transporting freight for our customers. These costs include fuel expense, driver-related expenses, such as wages, benefits, training, and recruitment, and purchased transportation expenses, which include compensating independent contractors and providers of expedited intermodal rail services. Expenses that have both fixed and variable components include maintenance and tire expense and our total cost of insurance and claims. These expenses generally vary with the miles we travel, but also have a controllable component based on safety, fleet age, efficiency, and other factors. Our main fixed costs include rentals and depreciation of long-term assets, such as revenue equipment and terminal facilities, and the compensation of non-driver personnel.
Our main measure of profitability is operating ratio, which we define as operating expenses, net of fuel surcharge revenue, divided by total revenue, less fuel surcharge revenue.
We operate tractors driven by a single driver and also tractors assigned to two-person driver teams. Our single driver tractors generally operate in shorter lengths of haul, generate fewer miles per tractor, and experience more non-revenue miles, but the lower productive miles are expected to be offset by generally higher revenue per loaded mile and the reduced employee expense of compensating only one driver. We expect operating statistics and expenses to shift with the mix of single and team operations.
The Solutions segment provides freight brokerage service directly and through freight brokerage agents who are paid a commission for the freight they provide. The brokerage operation has helped us continue to serve customers when we lacked capacity in a given area or when the load has not met the operating profile of our Truckload segment.
Revenue Equipment
At March 31, 2010, we operated 3,082 tractors and 7,983 trailers. Of such tractors, 2,800 were owned, 176 were financed under operating leases, and 106 were provided by independent contractors, who provide and drive their own tractors. Of such trailers, 2,205 were owned, 5,478 were financed under operating leases and 300 were financed under capital leases. We finance a portion of our tractor fleet and most of our trailer fleet with off-balance sheet operating leases. These leases generally run for a period of three years for tractors and five to seven years for trailers. At March 31, 2010, our fleet had an average tractor age of 2.0 years and an average trailer age of 5.1 years.
Independent contractors (owner-operators) provide a tractor and a driver and are responsible for all operating expenses in exchange for a fixed payment per mile. We do not have the capital outlay of purchasing or leasing the tractor. The payments to independent contractors and the financing of equipment under operating leases are recorded in revenue equipment rentals and purchased transportation. Expenses associated with owned equipment, such as interest and depreciation, are not incurred, and for independent contractors, driver compensation, fuel, and other expenses are not incurred. Because obtaining equipment from independent contractors and under operating leases effectively shifts financing expenses from interest to "above the line" operating expenses, we evaluate our efficiency using net margin as well as operating ratio.
RESULTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS
COMPARISON OF THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 TO THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2009
The following table sets forth the percentage relationship of certain items to total revenue and freight revenue:
|
Three months ended
March 31,
|
Three months ended
March 31,
|
||||||||||||||||
|
2010
|
2009
|
2010
|
2009
|
||||||||||||||
|
Total revenue
|
100.0 | % | 100.0 | % |
Freight revenue (1)
|
100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | ||||||||
|
Operating expenses:
|
Operating expenses:
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Salaries, wages, and related
expenses
|
34.4 | 41.0 |
Salaries, wages, and related
expenses
|
40.4 | 44.9 | ||||||||||||
|
Fuel expense
|
27.7 | 21.8 |
Fuel expense (1)
|
15.1 | 14.3 | ||||||||||||
|
Operations and maintenance
|
5.7 | 6.8 |
Operations and maintenance
|
6.7 | 7.5 | ||||||||||||
|
Revenue equipment rentals and
purchased transportation
|
11.6 | 13.8 |
Revenue equipment rentals and
purchased transportation
|
13.6 | 15.1 | ||||||||||||
|
Operating taxes and licenses
|
1.5 | 2.3 |
Operating taxes and licenses
|
1.8 | 2.5 | ||||||||||||
|
Insurance and claims
|
5.9 | 4.4 |
Insurance and claims
|
6.9 | 4.8 | ||||||||||||
|
Communications and utilities
|
0.6 | 1.2 |
Communications and utilities
|
0.7 | 1.4 | ||||||||||||
|
General supplies and expenses
|
3.1 | 4.3 |
General supplies and expenses
|
3.7 | 4.7 | ||||||||||||
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
8.3 | 8.2 |
Depreciation and amortization
|
9.7 | 9.0 | ||||||||||||
|
Total operating expenses
|
98.8 | 103.8 |
Total operating expenses
|
98.6 | 104.2 | ||||||||||||
|
Operating income (loss)
|
1.2 | (3.8 | ) |
Operating income (loss)
|
1.4 | (4.2 | ) | ||||||||||
|
Other expense, net
|
2.5 | 2.1 |
Other expense, net
|
3.0 | 2.3 | ||||||||||||
|
Loss before income taxes
|
(1.3 | ) | (5.9 | ) |
Loss before income taxes
|
(1.6 | ) | (6.5 | ) | ||||||||
|
Income tax expense (benefit)
|
0.1 | (1.8 | ) |
Income tax expense (benefit)
|
0.1 | (2.0 | ) | ||||||||||
|
Net loss
|
(1.4 | %) | (4.1 | %) |
Net loss
|
(1.7 | %) | (4.5 | %) | ||||||||
|
(1)
|
Freight revenue is total revenue less fuel surcharge revenue. Fuel surcharge revenue is shown netted against the fuel expense category ($22.7 million and $11.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively).
|
For the quarter ended March 31, 2010, total revenue increased $18.2 million, or 13.6%, to $152.0 million from $133.8 million in the 2009 period. Total revenue includes $22.7 million and $11.6 million of fuel surcharge revenue in the 2010 and 2009 periods, respectively. Freight revenue increased $7.2 million, or 5.9%, to $129.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2010, from $122.1 million in the same period of 2009. For comparison purposes in the discussion below, we use freight revenue (total revenue less fuel surcharge revenue) when discussing changes as a percentage of revenue. We believe removing this sometimes volatile source of revenue affords a more consistent basis for comparing the results of operations from period to period. As previously discussed, the increased level of freight revenue for the quarter was primarily attributable to the improvement in the freight environment and certain Company specific initiatives that provided for increases in asset productivity and utilization compared to the 2009 period.
Salaries, wages, and related expenses decreased $2.6 million, or 4.8%, to $52.2 million in the 2010 period, from $54.8 million in the 2009 period. As a percentage of freight revenue, salaries, wages, and related expenses decreased slightly to 44.4% in the 2010 period from 40.9% in the 2009 period. Driver pay decreased $0.6 million to $34.7 million in the 2010 period, from $35.3 million in the 2009 period. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in driver pay per mile, almost fully offset by an increase in approximately 7.7 million Company miles when comparing the 2010 period to the 2009 period. Our payroll expense for employees, other than over-the-road drivers, decreased $0.4 million to $9.6 million in the 2010 period from $10.0 million in the 2009 period primarily due to non-driver staff reductions and salary reductions. Additionally, workers' compensation costs were $1.8 million lower in the 2010 period than the 2009 period primarily as a result of several large reserve adjustments in the 2009 period. We are starting to sense a modest tightening in the driver market and expect the implementation of the CSA 2010 initiative may reduce the pool of available drivers. Further, if the economy continues to show signs of recovery, our ability to hold in place prior reductions in salaries and wages could be limited. Accordingly, going forward, these expenses could increase in absolute terms (and as a percentage of revenue absent an increase in revenue to offset increased costs).
Fuel expense, net of fuel surcharge revenue, increased $2.0 million, or 11.0%, to $19.4 million in the 2010 period, from $17.4 million in the 2009 period. As a percentage of freight revenue, net fuel expense increased to 15.1% in the 2010 period from 14.3% in the 2009 period.
The Company receives a fuel surcharge on its loaded miles from most shippers; however, this does not cover the entire increase in fuel prices for several reasons, including the following: surcharges cover only loaded miles we operated during the quarter; surcharges do not cover miles driven out-of-route by our drivers; and surcharges typically do not cover refrigeration unit fuel usage or fuel burned by tractors while idling. Moreover, most of our business during the third quarter relating to shipments obtained from freight brokers did not carry a fuel surcharge. Finally, fuel surcharges vary in the percentage of reimbursement offered, and not all surcharges fully compensate for fuel price increases even on loaded miles.
The rate of fuel price increases also can have an impact on results. Most fuel surcharges are based on the average fuel price as published by the U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE") for the week prior to the shipment. In times of rapidly escalating fuel prices, the lag time causes under-recovery. Lag time was not a significant factor during the first quarter of 2010. The DOE's national average cost of diesel fuel increased $0.66 per gallon in the first quarter of 2010 compared with the first quarter of 2009. On a gross basis, the Company's fuel expense increased $13.0 million, or 44.7%, versus the first quarter of 2009, while miles operated by Company-owned trucks increased approximately 8.9%.
The fuel hedges entered into during 2009, along with additional hedges entered into during the first quarter, provided for $0.3 million of gains that were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to a reduction of fuel expense during the first quarter of 2010. In addition, multiple operating changes that improved fuel efficiency contributed to these decreases as the Company’s broker percentage and empty miles were reduced, while fuel surcharge recovery increased. Accordingly, the Company's net cost of fuel only increased by $2.0 million in the first quarter of 2010 versus the first quarter of 2009, or approximately $0.005 per company-owned truck mile.
Operations and maintenance, consisting primarily of vehicle maintenance, repairs, and driver recruitment expenses, decreased $0.4 million, or 4.5%, to $8.7 million in the 2010 period from $9.1 million in the 2009 period. As a percentage of freight revenue, operations and maintenance decreased to 6.7% in the 2010 period from 7.5% in the 2009 period. With the adverse economic environment in 2009 and early 2010, we had less difficulty recruiting and retaining drivers which resulted in a period over period decrease in driver recruitment expenses. If the economy improves, we could face more difficulty recruiting and retaining drivers, which could impact this expense category going forward. Further, the new CSA 2010 initiative could limit the pool of available drivers and increase these costs. Our operating and maintenance expense could be volatile going forward.
Revenue equipment rentals and purchased transportation decreased $0.8 million, or 4.1%, to $17.6 million in the 2010 period, from $18.4 million in the 2009 period. The decrease was a result of a decrease in tractor and trailer equipment rental and other related expenses of $2.0 million to $5.2 million in the 2010 period, compared with $7.2 million in the 2009 period. We had financed approximately 176 tractors and 5,478 trailers under operating leases at March 31, 2010, compared with 596 tractors and 5,694 trailers under operating leases at March 31, 2009. Additionally, payments to third-party transportation providers associated with our Solutions subsidiary increased to $0.4 million in the 2010 period from $9.1 million in the 2009 period, primarily due to decreased loads partially offset by higher fuel costs passed on to those providers. In addition, we had a $1.6 million increase in payments to independent contractors, which increased to $3.7 million in the 2010 period, from $2.1 million in the 2009 period, mainly due to an increase in the size of the independent contractor fleet and the increase in fuel surcharges passed through that are a component of the related expense. As a percentage of freight revenue, revenue equipment rentals and purchased transportation expense decreased to13.6% in 2010 from 15.1% in 2009, primarily as the result of the aforementioned fluctuations. This expense category will fluctuate with the number of loads hauled by independent contractors and handled by Solutions and the percentage of our fleet financed with operating leases, as well as the amount of fuel surcharge revenue passed through to the independent contractors and third-party carriers. Because we anticipate adding new equipment over the next twelve months through on-balance sheet financing, the percentage of our tractor fleet financed with operating leases is expected to decrease in the near term. If the economy continues to improve, we may need to increase the amounts we pay to independent contractors and third-party transportation providers, which could increase this expense category absent an offsetting increase in revenue.
Operating taxes and licenses decreased $0.7 million, or 23.9%, to $2.3 million in the 2010 period from $3.0 million in the 2009 period as a result of fewer licensed tractors and approximately $0.6 million in credits on property taxes related to appeals of certain real estate valuations by taxing authorities. As a percentage of freight revenue, operating taxes and licenses decreased slightly to 1.8% in the 2010 period from 2.5% in the 2009 period.
Insurance and claims, consisting primarily of premiums and deductible amounts for liability, physical damage, and cargo damage insurance and claims, increased $3.1 million, or 51.7%, to $9.0 million in the 2010 period, from $5.9 million in the 2009 period. As a percentage of freight revenue, insurance and claims increased to 6.9% in 2010 from 4.8% in 2009. The costs on a per mile basis were approximately 2.9 cents per mile higher when comparing the 2010 period to the 2009 period. Although our driver and safety teams achieved historically low reportable accidents per million miles for the first quarter of 2010, we experienced a small number of severe accidents. With our significant self-insured retention, insurance and claims expense may fluctuate significantly from period to period, and any increase in frequency or severity of claims could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. We also finalized our insurance renewal effective April 1st that resulted in a reduction in our self-insured retention limit for the primary layer of casualty claims to no more than $1.0 million from the $4.0 million self-insured retention limit we have had for a number of years. We expect this new structure to have a minimal impact on our insurance and claims expense with less volatility in the primary layers, assuming the same level of average historical claims.
Communications and utilities expense decreased to $0.8 million, or 49.9%, in the 2010 period from $1.7 million in the 2009 period. As a percentage of freight revenue, communications and utilities expense decreased slightly to 0.7% in the 2010 period and 1.4% in the 2009 period. The decreases were the result of $0.4 million in vendor credits and the reduced number of tractors.
General supplies and expenses, consisting primarily of headquarters and other terminal facilities expenses, decreased $1.0 million, or 17.9%, to $4.7 million in the 2010 period from $5.8 million in the 2009 period. As a percentage of freight revenue, general supplies and expenses decreased to 3.7% in 2010 from 4.7% in 2009. The decreases were the result of a $0.2 million reduction from no longer leasing a server as a result of equipment purchased to support the new information system and $0.2 million in reduced agent fees as a result of rationalizing the Solutions operations along with various cost savings initiatives in an effort to manage non-essential spending.
Depreciation and amortization, consisting primarily of depreciation of revenue equipment, increased $1.6 million, or 14.2%, to $12.6 million in the 2010 period from $11.0 million in the 2009 period. As a percentage of freight revenue, depreciation and amortization increased to 9.7% in 2010 from 9.0% in 2009. The increases were the result of having more owned tractors on our balance sheet as opposed to leased, as we owned 2,800 and 2,414 tractors at March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and the increased cost of new tractors. We anticipate purchasing additional equipment through on-balance sheet financing over the next twelve months, which will likely cause an increase in depreciation and amortization in the near term.
The other expense category includes interest expense, interest income, and other miscellaneous non-operating items. Other expense, net, increased $1.1 million, or 39.8%, to $3.9 million in the 2010 period from $2.8 million in the 2009 period. As a percentage of freight revenue, other expense, net, increased to 3.0% in the 2010 period from 2.3% in the 2009 period. The increases were primarily attributable to higher interest costs in the 2010 period, compared to the 2009 period, resulting from a period-over-period increase in debt and the increase in our average interest rate on our Credit Facility, as amended, compared to the average interest rates in the 2009 period.
Our income tax expense was approximately $0.1 million for the 2010 period versus the $2.4 income tax benefit for the 2009 period. The effective tax rate is different from the expected combined tax rate due to permanent differences related to a per diem pay structure for drivers. Due to the partial nondeductible effect of the per diem payments, our tax rate will fluctuate in future periods as income fluctuates.
Primarily as a result of the factors described above, we experienced a net loss of $2.2 million and $5.5 million in the 2010 and 2009 periods, respectively. As a result of the foregoing, our net loss as a percentage of freight revenue was (1.7%) in the 2010 period compared to (4.5%) in the 2009 period.
RESULTS OF SEGMENT OPERATIONS
COMPARISON OF THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 TO THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2009
The following table summarizes financial and operating data by reportable segment:
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Three months ended
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(in thousands)
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March 31,
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2010
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2009
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Revenues:
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Asset-Based Truckload Services
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$ | 141,763 | $ | 122,996 | ||||
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Brokerage Services
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10,248 | 10,780 | ||||||
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Total
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$ | 152,011 | $ | 133,776 | ||||
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Operating Income (Loss):
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Asset-Based Truckload Services
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$ | 5,047 | $ | (1,684 | ) | |||
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Brokerage Services
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411 | (174 | ) | |||||
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Unallocated Corporate Overhead
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(3,642 | ) | (3,287 | ) | ||||
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Total
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$ | 1,816 | $ | (5,145 | ) | |||
Our asset-based truckload services segment revenue increased 15.3%, to $141.8 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2010, compared to $123.0 million for the comparable period in 2009. Fuel price increases and related increases in fuel surcharge revenue provided for $11.0 million of the change. The remaining $7.8 million related to an approximately 9.2% increase in average freight revenue per tractor per week due to improved demand and strong economic activity. Increased utilization was partially offset by a 2.5% reduction in average tractors in our fleet versus the 2009 quarter. Our average miles per tractor increased 11.7% compared with the first quarter of 2009, despite adverse weather conditions, while average freight revenue per total mile decreased 2.3% compared with the first quarter of 2009, primarily due to a 10.0% increase in our average length of haul. Through reduced empty miles, reduced broker freight dependency, improved miles per gallon, and effective fuel hedge activities, we were able to largely mitigate the rising cost of fuel, resulting in a and $.005 cent per mile increase in our cost of fuel. Additionally, the asset-based divisions’ operating expenses, net of fuel surcharge revenue, declined $.095 per mile versus the first quarter of 2009, in spite of a $.029 per mile increase in insurance and aforementioned increase in fuel costs. As a result of the aforementioned increases in utilization and overall reduction in costs the segment generated an operating income of $5.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared to an operating loss of $1.7 million for the same 2009 period, excluding unallocated corporate overhead.
Our brokerage segment revenue decreased 4.9%, to $10.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010, from $10.8 million for the comparable period in 2009. Net revenue (total revenue less purchased transportation) for the quarter decreased 3.6% compared to the 2009 quarter, while gross margin improved as purchased transportation was 84.5% of total revenue in the current quarter, down slightly from 84.7% of total revenue in the prior year quarter. Solutions’ other operating expenses as a percentage of revenue decreased to 11.5% of total revenue in the first quarter from 16.9% of total revenue in the first quarter of 2009. The decreases in expenses with relatively flat revenue provided for operating income of $0.4 million in the 2010 period compared to an operating loss of $0.2 million in the 2009 period, excluding unallocated corporate overhead.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our business requires significant capital investments over the short-term and the long-term. Recently, we have financed our capital requirements with borrowings under our Credit Facility, cash flows from operations, long-term operating leases, capital leases, and secured installment notes with finance companies. Our primary sources of liquidity at March 31, 2010, were funds provided by operations, proceeds from the sale of used revenue equipment, borrowings under our Credit Facility, borrowings from secured installment notes, capital leases, operating leases of revenue equipment, and cash and cash equivalents. We had a working capital (total current assets less total current liabilities) deficit of $19.5 million and $17.8 million at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. Working capital deficits are common to many trucking companies that expand by financing revenue equipment purchases through borrowing or capitalized leases. When we finance revenue equipment through borrowing or capitalized leases, the principal amortization scheduled for the next twelve months is categorized as a current liability, although the revenue equipment is classified as a long-term asset. Consequently, each purchase of revenue equipment financed with borrowing or capitalized leases decreases working capital. We believe our working capital deficit had little impact on our liquidity. Based on our expected financial condition, results of operations, net capital expenditures, a material refund of previously paid federal income taxes as a result of net operating loss carry backs pursuant to the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009, and net cash flows during the next twelve months, which contemplate an improvement compared with the past twelve months, we believe our working capital and sources of liquidity will be adequate to meet our current and projected needs for at least the next twelve months. On a longer-term basis, based on our anticipated financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows, and continued availability of our Credit Facility, secured installment notes, and other sources of financing that we expect will be available to us, we do not expect to experience material liquidity constraints in the foreseeable future.
The Company has had significant losses from 2007 through the first quarter of 2010, attributable to operations, impairments, and other charges. The Company has managed its liquidity during this time through a series of cost reduction initiatives, refinancing, amendments to credit facilities, and sales of assets. We have had difficulty meeting budgeted results in the past. If we are unable to meet budgeted results or otherwise comply with our Credit Facility, we may be unable to obtain a further amendment or waiver under our Credit Facility, or we may incur additional fees.
Cash Flows
Net cash provided by operating activities was $22.2 million in the 2010 period compared to $16.0 million in the 2009 period. Our cash from operating activities was higher in the 2010 period than the 2009 period
,
primarily due to a $3.4 million decrease in net loss, receipt of an $8.7 million refund of income taxes, and $0.4 million of cash received related to fuel hedge contracts terminated whereby the related gain has been deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income. Additionally, as a result of an increase in our acquisition of revenue equipment using balance sheet debt as opposed to operating leases, the adjustment to net loss for the related non-cash activity was $13.3 million in the 2010 period versus $10.9 million in the corresponding 2009 period. Further, we experienced a $3.9 million decrease in insurance and claims payments in 2010 as a result the payment for several large accidents in the 2009 period. These improvements were offset partially by a decrease in our collections of receivables of $18.4 million, primarily resulting from the impact of fuel prices on revenue and accounts receivable.
Net cash used in investing activities was $7.1 million in the 2010 period compared to net cash provided of $7.2 million in the 2009 period. The increase in net cash used in investing activities was primarily the result of an increase in our acquisition of revenue equipment when comparing the two periods as we were reducing the fleet size in the 2009 period by disposing of equipment and not replacing it while we maintained a relatively consistent fleet size in the 2010 period. Our annual tractor fleet plan for 2010 now includes the purchase and disposal of approximately 900 tractors for expected full-year net capital expenditures of approximately $60 million to $70 million. With an average fleet age of only 24 months, we have significant flexibility to manage our fleet and we plan to regularly evaluate our tractor replacement cycle and new tractor purchase requirements. We have the ability to cancel tractor orders within specified notice periods, although any cancellations would affect the availability of trade slots to dispose of used tractors, which could affect expected proceeds of disposition.
Net cash used in financing activities was $17.3 million in the 2010 period compared to $10.0 million in the 2009 period. The changes in cash flows were a function of the Company’s revolving credit facility being reduced by $7.5 million in the 2010 period, compared to increasing $2.5 million in the 2009 period. This fluctuation is primarily a function of the tax refund received in 2010 and the improvement in results of operations and operating cash flow such that the revolver was not utilized as much in the 2010 period to support operating needs. This use of cash was partially off-set by a $2.5 million increase on proceeds from notes, which were used to fund the aforementioned increased tractor purchases in the 2010 period when compared to the 2009 period.
Material Debt Agreements
In September 2008, the Company and substantially all its subsidiaries entered into a Third Amended and Restated Credit Facility with Bank of America, N.A., as agent (the "Agent"), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. ("JPM"), and Textron Financial Corporation ("Textron"); collectively with the Agent, and JPM, the ("Lenders") that matures September 2011 (the "Credit Facility").
The Credit Facility is structured as an $85.0 million revolving credit facility, with an accordion feature that, so long as no event of default exists, allows the Company to request an increase in the revolving credit facility of up to $50.0 million. The Credit Facility includes, within its $85.0 million revolving credit facility, a letter of credit sub facility in an aggregate amount of $85.0 million and a swing line sub facility in an aggregate amount equal to the greater of $10.0 million or 10% of the Lenders' aggregate commitments under the Credit Facility from time to time.
Borrowings under the Credit Facility are classified as either "base rate loans" or "LIBOR loans". Base rate loans accrue interest at a base rate equal to the greater of the prime rate, the federal funds rate plus 0.5%, or LIBOR plus 1.0%, plus an applicable margin that is adjusted quarterly between 2.5% and 3.25% based on average pricing availability. LIBOR loans accrue interest at the greater of 1.5% or LIBOR, plus an applicable margin that is adjusted quarterly between 3.5% and 4.25% based on average pricing availability. The unused line fee is adjusted quarterly between 0.5% and 0.75% of the average daily amount by which the Lenders' aggregate revolving commitments under the Credit Facility exceed the outstanding principal amount of revolver loans and the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding letters of credit issued under the Credit Facility. The obligations under the Credit Facility are guaranteed by the Company and secured by a pledge of substantially all of the Company's assets, with the notable exclusion of any real estate or revenue equipment pledged under other financing agreements, including revenue equipment installment notes and capital leases.
Borrowings under the Credit Facility are subject to a borrowing base limited to the lesser of (A) $85.0 million, minus the sum of the stated amount of all outstanding letters of credit; or (B) the sum of (i) 85% of eligible accounts receivable, plus (ii) the lesser of (a) 85% of the appraised net orderly liquidation value of eligible revenue equipment, (b) 95% of the net book value of eligible revenue equipment, or (c) 35% of the Lenders' aggregate revolving commitments under the Credit Facility, plus (iii) the lesser of (a) $25.0 million or (b) 65% of the appraised fair market value of eligible real estate. The borrowing base is limited by a $15.0 million availability block, plus any other reserves the Agent may establish in its judgment. The Company had approximately $5.2 million in borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility as of March 31, 2010, undrawn letters of credit outstanding of approximately $34.3million, and available borrowing capacity of $45.5 million. The weighted average interest rate on outstanding borrowings was 6.3%.
On March 27, 2009, the Company obtained an amendment to its Credit Facility, which, among other things, (i) retroactively to January 1, 2009 amended the fixed charge coverage ratio covenant for January and February 2009 to the actual levels achieved, which cured our default of that covenant for January 2009, (ii) restarted the look back requirements of the fixed charge coverage ratio covenant beginning on March 1, 2009, (iii) increased the EBITDAR portion of the fixed charge coverage ratio definition by $3.0 million for all periods between March 1 to December 31, 2009, (iv) increased the base rate applicable to base rate loans to the greater of the prime rate, the federal funds rate plus 0.5%, or LIBOR plus 1.0%, (v) sets a LIBOR floor of 1.5%, (vi) increased the applicable margin for base rate loans to a range between 2.5% and 3.25% and for LIBOR loans to a range between 3.5% and 4.25%, with 3.0% (for base rate loans) and 4.0% (for LIBOR loans) to be used as the applicable margin through September 2009, (vii) increased the Company's letter of credit facility fee by an amount corresponding to the increase in the applicable margin, (viii) increased the unused line fee to a range between 0.5% and 0.75%, and (ix) increased the maximum number of field examinations per year from three to four. In exchange for these amendments, the Company agreed to the increases in interest rates and fees described above and paid fees of approximately $0.5 million.
The Credit Facility includes usual and customary events of default for a facility of this nature and provides that, upon the occurrence and continuation of an event of default, payment of all amounts payable under the Credit Facility may be accelerated, and the Lenders' commitments may be terminated. The Credit Facility contains certain restrictions and covenants relating to, among other things, dividends, liens, acquisitions and dispositions outside of the ordinary course of business, and affiliate transactions. The Credit Facility contains a single financial covenant, which required the Company to maintain a consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.0 to 1.0. The fixed charge coverage covenant became effective October 31, 2008.
On February 25, 2010, the Company obtained an additional amendment to its Credit Facility, which, among other things (i) amended certain defined terms in the Credit Facility, (ii) retroactively to January 1, 2010, amended the fixed charge coverage ratio covenant through June 30, 2010, to the levels set forth in the table below, which prevented a default of that covenant for January 2010, (iii) restarted the look back requirements of the fixed coverage ratio covenant beginning on January 1, 2010, and (iv) required the Company to order updated appraisals for certain real estate described in the Credit Facility. In exchange for these amendments, we agreed to pay the Agent, for the pro rata benefit of the Lenders, a fee equal to 0.125% of the Lenders' total commitments under the Credit Facility, or approximately $0.1 million. Following the effectiveness of the amendment, our fixed charge coverage ratio covenant requirement is as follows, noting the Company was in compliance with the covenant as of March 31, 2010:
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Three months ending March 31, 2010
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.72 to 1.00
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Four months ending April 30, 2010
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.80 to 1.00
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Five months ending May 31, 2010
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.85 to 1.00
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Six months ending June 30, 2010
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.90 to 1.00
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Seven months ending July 31, 2010
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1.00 to 1.00
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Eight months ending August 31, 2010
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1.00 to 1.00
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Nine months ending September 30, 2010
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1.00 to 1.00
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Ten months ending October 31, 2010
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1.00 to 1.00
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Eleven months ending November 30, 2010
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1.00 to 1.00
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Twelve months ending December 31, 2010
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1.00 to 1.00
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Each rolling twelve-month period thereafter
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1.00 to 1.00
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Capital lease obligations are utilized to finance a portion of our revenue equipment and are entered into with certain finance companies who are not parties to our Credit Facility. The leases terminate in September 2014 through January 2015 and contain guarantees of the residual value of the related equipment by the Company, and the residual guarantee's are included in the related debt balance as balloon payment at the end of the related term as well as included in the future minimum lease payments. These lease agreements require us to pay personal property taxes, maintenance and operating expenses.
Pricing for the revenue equipment installment notes are quoted by the respective financial captives of our primary revenue equipment suppliers at the funding of each group of equipment acquired and include fixed annual rates for new equipment under retail installment contracts. Approximately $176.8 million and $185.6 million was reflected on our balance sheet for these installment notes at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. The notes included in the funding are due in monthly installments with final maturities at various dates ranging from April 2010 to October 2013. The notes contain certain requirements regarding payment, insurance of collateral, and other matters, but do not have any financial or other material covenants or events of default. Additional borrowings from the financial captives of our primary revenue equipment suppliers are available to fund new tractors expected to be delivered in 2010.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
Operating leases have been an important source of financing for our revenue equipment, computer equipment, and certain real estate. At March 31, 2010, we had financed 176 tractors and 5,478 trailers under operating leases. Vehicles held under operating leases are not carried on our consolidated condensed balance sheets, and lease payments, in respect of such vehicles, are reflected in our consolidated condensed statements of operations in the line item "Revenue equipment rentals and purchased transportation." Our revenue equipment rental expense in the first quarter decreased to $5.2 million in 2010 from $7.2 million in the 2009 period, as we moved to financing new revenue equipment purchases with on-balance sheet financing. The total amount of remaining payments under operating leases as of March 31, 2010 was approximately $69.7 million. In connection with various operating leases, we issued residual value guarantees, which provide that if we do not purchase the leased equipment from the lessor at the end of the lease term, we are liable to the lessor for an amount equal to the shortage (if any) between the proceeds from the sale of the equipment and an agreed value. As of March 31, 2010, the maximum amount of the residual value guarantees under the operating leases was approximately $21.4 million. The present value of these future lease payments and their residual value guarantees was approximately $63.7 million at March 31, 2010. To the extent the expected value at the lease termination date on our operating leases is lower than the residual value guarantee; we would accrue for the difference over the remaining lease term. We believe that proceeds from the sale of equipment under operating leases would exceed the payment obligation on substantially all operating leases.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
During the three months ended March 31, 2010, there were no material changes in our commitments or contractual liabilities.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires that management make a number of assumptions and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions believed to be reasonable. Although these estimates are based on management's best knowledge of current events and actions that may impact us in the future, actual results may differ from these estimates and assumptions. Our critical accounting policies are those that affect, or could affect our financial statements materially and involve a significant level of judgment by management. There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates during the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared to those disclosed in Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation," included in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, except for the changes to the Company’s self insurance retention effective April 1, 2101 as discussed in Note 9 to the consolidated condensed financial statements.
SEASONALITY
In
the trucking industry, revenue generally decreases as customers reduce shipments during the winter holiday season and as inclement weather impedes operations. At the same time, operating expenses generally increase, with fuel efficiency declining because of engine idling and weather, creating more equipment repairs. For the reasons stated, first quarter results historically have been lower than results in each of the other three quarters of the year excluding charges. Our equipment utilization typically improves substantially between May and October of each year because of the trucking industry's seasonal shortage of equipment on traffic originating in California and because of general increases in shipping demand during those months. The seasonal shortage typically occurs between May and August because California produce carriers' equipment is fully utilized for produce during those months and does not compete for shipments hauled by our dry van operation. During September and October, business generally increases as a result of increased retail merchandise shipped in anticipation of the holidays.
We experience various market risks, including changes in interest rates and fuel prices. We do not enter into derivatives or other financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes, or when there are no underlying related exposures.
COMMODITY PRICE RISK
The Company is subject to risks associated with the availability and price of fuel, which are subject to political, economic, and market factors that are outside of the Company's control. We also may be adversely affected by the timing and degree of fluctuations in fuel prices. The Company's fuel-surcharge program mitigates the effect of rising fuel prices but does not always result in fully recovering the increase in its cost of fuel. In part, this is due to fuel costs that cannot be billed to customers, including costs such as those incurred in connection with empty and out-of-route miles or when engines are being idled during cold or warm weather and due to fluctuations in the price of fuel between the fuel surcharge's benchmark index reset.
The Company did not enter into any derivatives until the third quarter of 2009; however, in September 2009, we entered into forward futures swap contracts, which pertain to 2.5 million gallons (approximately 0.2 million gallons per month) or approximately 4% percent of our projected 2010 fuel requirements. Additionally, in January and February 2010 the Company entered into additional contracts to hedge approximately 0.5 million gallons of fuel per month for February 2010 through July 2010. Under these contracts, we pay a fixed rate per gallon of heating oil and receive the monthly average price of New York heating oil, noting the retrospective and prospective regression analyses provided that changes in the prices of diesel fuel and heating oil were deemed to be highly effective based on the relevant authoritative guidance. Given that the forward futures swap contracts are not significant, a one dollar change in the related price of heating oil or diesel would not have a material impact on the Company's results of operations.
INTEREST RATE RISK
Our market risk is also affected by changes in interest rates. Historically, we have used a combination of fixed-rate and variable-rate obligations to manage our interest rate exposure. Fixed-rate obligations expose us to the risk that interest rates might fall. Variable-rate obligations expose us to the risk that interest rates might rise. Of our total $198.5 million of debt, we had $8.4 million of variable rate debt outstanding at March 31, 2010, including both our Credit Facility and a real estate note. The interest rates applicable to these agreements are based on either the prime rate, federal funds rate, or LIBOR. Our earnings would be affected by changes in these short-term interest rates. Risk can be quantified by measuring the financial impact of a near-term adverse increase in short-term interest rates. At our current level of borrowing, a 1% increase in our applicable rate would reduce annual pretax earnings by approximately $0.1 million. Our remaining debt is effectively fixed rate debt, and therefore changes in market interest rates do not directly impact our interest expense.
As required by Rule 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act, we have carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. This evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected or that are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.
Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding disclosures.
We have confidence in our internal controls and procedures. Nevertheless, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure procedures and controls or our internal controls will prevent all errors or intentional fraud. An internal control system, no matter how well-conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of such internal controls are met. Further, the design of an internal control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all internal control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all our control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected.
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OTHER INFORMATION
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ITEM 1.
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From time to time, the Company is a party to ordinary, routine litigation arising in the ordinary course of business, most of which involves claims for personal injury and property damage incurred in connection with the transportation of freight. The Company maintains insurance to cover liabilities arising from the transportation of freight for amounts in excess of certain self-insured retentions. In management's opinion, the Company's potential exposure under pending legal proceedings is adequately provided for in the accompanying consolidated condensed financial statements.
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ITEM 1A.
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While we attempt to identify, manage, and mitigate risks and uncertainties associated with our business, some level of risk and uncertainty will always be present. Our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, in the section entitled Item 1A. Risk Factors, describes some of the risks and uncertainties associated with our business. These risks and uncertainties have the potential to materially affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, projected results, and future prospects.
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ITEM 6.
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EX
H
IBITS
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Exhibit
Number
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Reference
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Description
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3.1
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(1)
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Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation
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3.2
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(1)
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Amended and Restated Bylaws dated December 6, 2007
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4.1
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(1)
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Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation
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4.2
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(1)
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Amended and Restated Bylaws dated December 6, 2007
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10.1
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#
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Second Amendment to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated February 25, 2010, among Covenant Transportation Group, Inc., Covenant Transport, Inc., CTG Leasing Company, Covenant Asset Management, Inc., Southern Refrigerated Transport, Inc., Covenant Transport Solutions, Inc., Star Transportation, Inc., Bank of America, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., and Textron Financial Corporation
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31.1
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#
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Certification pursuant to Item 601(b)(31) of Regulation S-K, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, by David R. Parker, the Company's Chief Executive Officer
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31.2
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#
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Certification pursuant to Item 601(b)(31) of Regulation S-K, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, by Richard B. Cribbs, the Company's Chief Financial Officer
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32.1
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#
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Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, by David R. Parker, the Company's Chief Executive Officer
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32.2
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#
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Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, by Richard B. Cribbs, the Company's Chief Financial Officer
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References:
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(1)
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Incorporated by reference to Form 10-K, filed March 17, 2008 (SEC Commission File No. 000-24960).
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#
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Filed herewith.
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
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COVENANT TRANSPORTATION GROUP, INC.
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Date: May 17, 2010
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By:
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/s/ Richard B. Cribbs
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Richard B. Cribbs
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Chief Financial Officer
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in his capacity as such and on behalf of the issuer.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part IItem 1. Financial StatementsNote 1. Significant Accounting PoliciesNote 2. (loss) Earnings Per ShareNote 3. Segment InformationNote 4. Income TaxesNote 5. Fair Value Measurement and Fair Value Of Financial InstrumentsNote 6. Derivative InstrumentsNote 7. DebtNote 8. LitigationNote 9. Subsequent EventsItem 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis Of Financial Condition andItem 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market RiskItem 4. Controls and ProceduresPart II Other InformationPart IIItem 6. Ex H Ibits