USA Truck, Inc. Announces Quarterly Operating Revenues

    Business Editors/Transportation Writers

    VAN BUREN, Ark.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 27, 2005--USA Truck, Inc. (NASDAQ NMS: USAK) today announced quarterly operating revenues, before fuel surcharge, of $85.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2004, an increase of 14.8% from $74.2 million for the same quarter of 2003. Net income increased 167.3% from $1.1 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2003 to $3.0 million for the same quarter of 2004. Diluted net income per share increased 166.7% from $0.12 for the quarter ended December 31, 2003 to $0.32 for the same quarter of 2004.
    Operating revenues, before fuel surcharge, increased 17.4% from $286.1 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2003 to $335.9 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2004. Net income increased 121.5% from $3.4 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2003 to $7.4 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2004. Diluted net income per share increased 119.4% from $0.36 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2003 to $0.79 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2004.
    The following table summarizes the earnings information of USA Truck, Inc. ("Company"):

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended December 31, December 31, ------------------ ------------------- 2004 2003 2004 2003 --------- -------- --------- --------- Revenue: Revenue, before fuel surcharge $85,154 $74,185 $335,880 $286,080 Fuel surcharge 10,346 2,927 27,225 12,583 --------- -------- --------- --------- Total revenue 95,500 77,112 363,105 298,663 Operating expenses and costs: Salaries, wages and employee benefits 31,794 28,250 125,953 109,616 Fuel and fuel taxes 23,559 15,240 81,722 58,740 Depreciation and amortization 9,327 7,896 35,871 30,611 Insurance and claims 7,319 4,571 26,224 18,390 Purchased transportation 6,298 5,650 28,317 24,183 Operations and maintenance 5,302 6,999 24,736 26,518 Operating taxes and licenses 1,404 1,311 5,653 4,682 Communications and utilities 743 716 3,039 2,967 Gain on disposal of revenue equipment, net (251) (48) (1,040) (743) Other 3,970 3,277 14,831 12,849 --------- -------- --------- --------- Total operating expenses 89,465 73,862 345,306 287,813 --------- -------- --------- --------- Operating income 6,035 3,250 17,799 10,850 Other expenses (income): Interest expense 1,096 678 3,539 2,557 Other, net 23 (6) 33 65 --------- -------- --------- --------- Total other expenses, net 1,119 672 3,572 2,622 --------- -------- --------- --------- Income before income taxes 4,916 2,578 14,227 8,228 Income tax expense 1,869 1,438 6,795 4,873 --------- -------- --------- --------- Net income $ 3,047 $ 1,140 $ 7,432 $ 3,355 --------- -------- --------- --------- Per share information: Average shares outstanding (Basic) 9,236 9,331 9,268 9,327 --------- -------- --------- --------- Basic net income per share $ 0.33 $ 0.12 $ 0.80 $ 0.36 --------- -------- --------- --------- Average shares outstanding (Diluted) 9,433 9,384 9,398 9,370 --------- -------- --------- --------- Diluted net income per share $ 0.32 $ 0.12 $ 0.79 $ 0.36 --------- -------- --------- ---------

Key Operating Statistics:

Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended December 31, December 31, ------------------------- --------------------------- 2004 2003 2004 2003 ------------ ------------ ------------- ------------- Total miles (loaded & empty) 65,862,044 59,746,724 259,725,262 231,389,162

Empty mile factor 8.60% 8.60% 8.39% 8.97%

Revenue per mile(1) $ 1.293 $ 1.242 $ 1.293 $ 1.236

Average number of tractors 2,191 2,040 2,174 1,961

Miles per tractor 30,060 29,288 119,469 117,995

Average miles per tractor per week 2,424 2,362 2,361 2,341

Average miles per trip(2) 836 837 839 851

Number of shipments(3) 80,942 73,439 329,210 281,336

Operating ratio(4) 92.9% 95.6% 94.7% 96.2%

(1) Revenue per mile is based upon revenue, before fuel surcharge.

(2) Average miles per trip is based upon shipments for which we use our own tractors to transport our customers' freight.

(3) Number of shipments includes both shipments for which we use our own tractors and brokerage and third party logistics services where we engage other carriers to transport our customers' freight.

(4) Operating ratio is based upon total operating expenses, net of fuel surcharge, as a percentage of revenue, before fuel surcharge.

    In comparing the financial results of the three months ended December 31, 2004 to the three months ended December 31, 2003, Robert M. Powell, Chairman and CEO of the Company, made the following statement:

    Solid freight demand throughout the quarter helped us post strong revenue growth of 14.8% on just 7.4% growth in our tractor fleet. The revenue growth beyond fleet growth was due to higher revenue per mile (+4.1%) and increased average miles per tractor per week (+2.6%).
    We also made progress on our cost management initiatives. In particular, we substantially completed our seven-quarter plan to reduce the average ages of our tractor and trailer fleets, which was the primary reason for the 24.3% reduction in operations and maintenance expenses. Lower diesel fuel prices and our internal efforts to improve the efficiency of our fuel surcharge revenue program also aided in expanding our margins. That margin expansion was hindered by higher insurance and claims costs, which were up 60.1% due to our continued efforts to settle and litigate certain older claims. We are encouraged, however, by the progress that we've made in both accident prevention and claims management. Our accident frequency was down 14.6%, our volume of open liability claims was down 28.6% and our volume of liability claims in litigation was down 27.0%. Overall, the operating ratio of 92.9% improved 2.7 percentage points and represents our best operating margin since the fourth quarter of 1999.
    The results of our efforts to improve revenues and reduce expenses is evident on the bottom line where we posted our highest net income ($3.0 million) and diluted earnings per share ($0.32) since our initial public offering in 1992. Over the past several years, we have meticulously benchmarked our current operating statistics against those of 1998, which is the year that produced the strongest operating statistics in our public history. Our focus on improving revenue per mile and equipment utilization while controlling key expense items enabled us to improve our performance against those benchmarks.
    During 2005, we will continue to work toward our benchmarks.

    This press release contains forward-looking statements and information that are based on our current beliefs and expectations and assumptions we have made based upon information currently available. Forward-looking statements include statements relating to our plans, strategies, objectives, expectations, intentions and adequacy of resources, and may be identified by words such as "will," "could," "should," "may," "believe," "expect," "intend," "plan," "schedule," "estimate," "project" and similar expressions. These statements are based on current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and change. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that such expectations will be realized. If one or more of the risks or uncertainties underlying such expectations materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expected. Among the key factors that are not within our control and that have a direct bearing on operating results are increases in fuel prices, adverse weather conditions, increased regulatory burdens and the impact of increased rate competition. Our results have also been, and will continue to be, significantly affected by fluctuations in general economic conditions, as our tractor utilization is directly related to business levels of shippers in a variety of industries. In addition, shortages of qualified drivers and intense or increased competition for drivers have adversely impacted our operating results and our ability to grow and will continue to do so. Results for any specific period could also be affected by various unforeseen events, such as unusual levels of equipment failure or vehicle accident claims. Additional risks associated with our operations are discussed in our SEC filings, including our annual report on Form 10-K and our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.
    All forward-looking statements attributable to us, or persons acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.
    We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. In light of these risks and uncertainties, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this press release might not occur.
    References to the "Company," "we," "us," "our" and words of similar import refer to USA Truck, Inc. and its subsidiary.
    USA Truck is a medium haul, dry van truckload carrier transporting general commodities throughout the continental United States and between locations in the United States and Canada. We transport general commodities into Mexico by allowing through-trailer service on our trailers through our facility in the gateway city of Laredo, Texas. We also provide third-party logistics and freight brokerage services.

--30--TLM/na*

CONTACT: USA Truck, Inc., Van Buren Cliff Beckham, 479-471-2633

KEYWORD: ARKANSAS TEXAS MEXICO INTERNATIONAL CANADA LATIN AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TRANSPORTATION EARNINGS SOURCE: USA Truck, Inc.

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