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Patriot Transportation Holding, Inc. Announces Results for the First Quarter and Fiscal Year 2021

Wednesday, 03 February 2021 12:30 PM

Patriot Transportation Holding, Inc.

Topic:
Earnings

JACKSONVILLE, FL / ACCESSWIRE / February 3, 2021 / Patriot Transportation Holding, Inc. (NASDAQ:PATI)

First Quarter Operating Results

The Company reported a net loss of ($222,000), or ($.07) per share for the quarter ended December 31, 2020, compared to net loss of ($464,000), or ($.14) per share, in the same quarter last year.

Total revenues for the quarter were $20,228,000, down $4,581,000 from the same quarter last year, approximately $2,700,000 of which resulted from the downsizing of two customer accounts and the closure of our Wilmington terminal in April, 2020. The remainder of the revenue variance is primarily attributable to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and a smaller driver force. Transportation revenues (excluding fuel surcharges) were $19,217,000, down $3,382,000 or 15%. Revenue miles were down 1,510,000 miles, or 19%, over the same quarter last year. Transportation revenue per mile was up $.14, or 4.9%, due to an improved business mix and rate increases. Fuel surcharge revenue was $1,011,000, down $1,199,000, or $.12 per mile, from the same quarter last year.

Compensation and benefits decreased $1,947,000, mainly due to lower company miles, as well as the elimination of minimum driver pay expense and reductions in non-driver support positions. Gross fuel expense decreased $1,365,000, or $.11 per mile, as a result of lower company miles and lower cost per gallon. Repairs and tire expense decreased $370,000 due to lower miles this quarter. Insurance and losses decreased $647,000, primarily from lower health care claims somewhat offset by two significant product mixes and a sizeable wreck repair (~$55,000). Depreciation expense was down $205,000 in the quarter as we continue to reduce our fleet size to meet our business levels. Loss on disposition of assets was $86,000 primarily due to the write off of a late model tractor ($92,000) involved in a non-preventable accident versus a gain of $122,000 in the same quarter last year. SG&A expense was lower by $345,000 resulting from permanent cost reductions.

As a result, operating loss this quarter was ($301,000) compared to ($724,000) in the same quarter last year. Operating ratio was 101.5 this quarter versus 102.9 the same quarter last year.

Summary and Outlook

While most of the revenue declines this quarter were anticipated, there was a portion that was not as we continued to struggle with a lower than expected driver count due primarily to high driver turnover and a tight hiring market. The hiring market has improved in January but it takes six weeks to hire, train and produce a revenue producing driver. We are putting a lot of emphasis on turnover and finding ways to improve. We have implemented some items already such as (i) transitional supplemental pay following a driver coming out of training, (ii) a 3rd party vendor focused specifically on transitioning new hires through their first 6 months, (iii) improved on-boarding and driver communication and (iv) a complete review and several adjustments to driver pay down to the specific lane level by location. The driver shortage is an issue nationwide that will continue to challenge all carriers and their customers both in cost and the ability to provide enough capacity to meet demand.

Depreciation expense was high on a per mile basis this quarter as we completed the downsizing of the final pieces of business with a particular customer and we sold the excess equipment in January which will reduce depreciation by ~$60,000 per quarter. We are continuing to review all aspects of our fixed cost structure and will adjust accordingly.

Our balance sheet remains solid with $7.5 million of cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2020, and no outstanding debt. We will continue to focus on rates and a better business mix, including a continued push to diversify in the chemical, dry bulk and water business. We do not anticipate needing to replace any equipment until at least the fourth quarter putting our current planned capital expenditures at ~$3,000,000 for the fiscal year.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have an impact on demand for oil and petroleum products. Volume declines due to COVID-19 vary by market but management estimates the current range to be ~5-15% below historical demand across our network. As an essential business, we have continued to operate throughout the pandemic in accordance with CDC guidance and orders issued by state and local authorities.

Dividend

In December, we announced that our Board of Directors declared a special cash dividend of $3.00 per share, or approximately $10 million in the aggregate, on the Company's outstanding common stock. This one-time, special dividend was paid on December 30, 2020, to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 17, 2020.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call on February 3, 2021 at 3:00 PM (EST). Analysts, shareholders and other interested parties may access the teleconference live by calling 1-877-407-0778 domestic or international at 1-201-689-8565. Computer audio live streaming is available via the Internet through the Company's website at www.patriottrans.com at the Investor Relations tab or https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/2058/39660. An audio replay will be available for sixty (60) days following the conference call by dialing toll free 1-877-481-4010 domestic or international 1-919-882-2331 then enter pass code 39660. An audio archive can be accessed through the Company's website at www.patriottrans.com on the Investor Relations tab or at https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/2058/39660.

Investors are cautioned that any statements in this press release which relate to the future are, by their nature, subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements. These include the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our revenues, operations and financial condition; general economic conditions; competitive factors; political, economic, regulatory and climatic conditions; driver availability and cost; the impact of future regulations regarding the transportation industry; freight demand for petroleum product and levels of construction activity in the Company's markets; fuel costs; risk insurance markets; pricing; energy costs and technological changes. Additional information regarding these and other risk factors and uncertainties may be found in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Patriot Transportation Holding, Inc. is engaged in the transportation business. The Company's transportation business is conducted through Florida Rock & Tank Lines, Inc. which is a Southeastern transportation company engaged in the hauling of liquid and dry bulk commodities.

PATRIOT TRANSPORTATION HOLDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

 
  THREE MONTHS ENDED  
 
  DECEMBER 31,  
 
  2020     2019  
Revenues:
           
Transportation revenues
  19,217       22,599  
Fuel surcharges
    1,011       2,210  
Total revenues
    20,228       24,809  
 
               
Cost of operations:
               
Compensation and benefits
    9,051       10,998  
Fuel expenses
    2,098       3,463  
Repairs & tires
    1,381       1,751  
Other operating
    813       956  
Insurance and losses
    2,122       2,769  
Depreciation expense
    1,745       1,950  
Rents, tags & utilities
    696       750  
Sales, general & administrative
    2,136       2,481  
Corporate expenses
    401       537  
Loss (gain) on disposition of PP&E
    86       (122)  
Total cost of operations
    20,529       25,533  
 
               
Total operating loss
    (301)       (724)  
 
               
Interest income and other
    2       85  
Interest expense
    (8)       (8)  
 
               
Loss before income taxes
    (307)       (647)  
Benefit from income taxes
    (85)       (183)  
 
               
Net loss
  (222)       (464)  
 
               
Reclassification adjust for net investment gains realized in net income
    -       (5)  
Comprehensive Loss
  (222)       (469)  
 
               
Earnings per common share:
               
Net Loss-
               
Basic
    (0.07)       (0.14)  
Diluted
    (0.07)       (0.14)  
 
               
Number of shares (in thousands) used in computing:
               
-basic earnings per common share
    3,377       3,351  
-diluted earnings per common share
    3,377       3,351  
                 

PATRIOT TRANSPORTATION HOLDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands) (Unaudited)

             
 
 

December
31,

    September
30,
 
Assets
  2020     2020  
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  7,494       15,962  
Accounts receivable (net of allowance for
               
doubtful accounts of $84 and $87, respectively)
    4,633       5,005  
Inventory of parts and supplies
    896       903  
Prepaid tires on equipment
    1,415       1,414  
Prepaid taxes and licenses
    376       522  
Prepaid insurance
    2,120       2,444  
Prepaid expenses, other
    283       291  
Total current assets
    17,217       26,541  
 
               
Property and equipment, at cost
    83,141       83,204  
Less accumulated depreciation
    54,374       52,805  
Net property and equipment
    28,767       30,399  
 
               
Operating lease right-of-use assets
    2,695       2,964  
Goodwill
    3,637       3,637  
Intangible assets, net
    907       957  
Other assets, net
    168       171  
Total assets
  53,391       64,669  
 
               
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  1,648       2,679  
Federal and state taxes payable
    31       284  
Accrued payroll and benefits
    3,187       3,156  
Accrued insurance
    1,209       1,210  
Accrued liabilities, other
    1,671       1,281  
Operating lease labilities, current portion
    1,066       1,065  
Total current liabilities
    8,812       9,675  
 
               
Operating lease liabilities, less current portion
    1,790       2,073  
Deferred income taxes
    5,255       5,087  
Accrued insurance
    1,886       1,886  
Other liabilities
    895       900  
Total liabilities
    18,638       19,621  
Commitments and contingencies
               
Shareholders' Equity:
               
Preferred stock, 5,000,000 shares authorized,
               
of which 250,000 shares are designated Series A
               
Junior Participating Preferred Stock; $0.01 par
               
value; none issued and outstanding
    -       -  
Common stock, $.10 par value; (25,000,000 shares
               
authorized; 3,377,279 and 3,377,279 shares issued
               
and outstanding, respectively)
    338       338  
Capital in excess of par value
    38,729       38,670  
Retained earnings
    (4,419)       5,935  
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net
    105       105  
Total shareholders' equity
    34,753       45,048  
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
  53,391       64,669  
                 

Contact:

Matt McNulty
Chief Financial Officer                                                           
904/858-9100

SOURCE: Patriot Transportation Holding, Inc.

Topic:
Earnings
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