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Jun 30, 2024

Knight-Swift Q2 2024 Earnings Report

Knight-Swift's Q2 2024 performance was impacted by a challenging truckload market, offset by strong LTL growth and strategic cost management.

Key Takeaways

Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings reported a mixed Q2 2024, with consolidated total revenue increasing by 18.9% to $1.8 billion, driven by the U.S. Xpress acquisition. However, net income attributable to Knight-Swift decreased to $20.3 million, and operating income fell by 32.5% to $63.5 million. Adjusted EPS was $0.24, including a $0.06 negative impact from a $12.5 million charge for an auto liability claim settlement.

Consolidated total revenue increased by 18.9% year-over-year to $1.8 billion, primarily due to the acquisition of U.S. Xpress.

GAAP earnings per diluted share were $0.13, while Adjusted EPS was $0.24, which includes a $0.06 negative impact from an auto liability claim settlement.

The LTL segment saw a 15.1% increase in revenues, excluding fuel surcharge, and an Adjusted Operating Ratio of 85.9%.

The company opened 11 new LTL locations during the quarter and plans to open 20 more by the end of the year.

Total Revenue
$1.85B
Previous year: $1.55B
+18.9%
EPS
$0.24
Previous year: $0.49
-51.0%
Miles per Tractor
20.52K
Previous year: 18.9K
+8.5%
LTL Shipments per Day
20.48K
Previous year: 18.9K
+8.4%
LTL Revenue xFSR per Shipment
$202
Previous year: $161
+26.0%
Gross Profit
$204M
Previous year: $303M
-32.5%
Cash and Equivalents
$336M
Previous year: $229M
+46.8%
Free Cash Flow
$207M
Total Assets
$12.6B
Previous year: $11.4B
+9.9%

Knight-Swift

Knight-Swift

Knight-Swift Revenue by Segment

Forward Guidance

Knight-Swift anticipates Adjusted EPS to range from $0.31 to $0.35 for Q3 2024 and $0.32 to $0.36 for Q4 2024, based on current market conditions and expected seasonality without factoring in a market inflection.

Positive Outlook

  • Truckload segment revenue is expected to increase slightly sequentially in both Q3 and Q4.
  • Truckload operating margins are projected to improve sequentially each quarter, leading to adjusted operating ratios in the low to mid-90s.
  • LTL revenue, excluding fuel surcharge, is anticipated to grow by a low double-digit percentage year-over-year.
  • LTL shipment count is expected to improve by a mid-single-digit percentage year-over-year in both Q3 and Q4.
  • Logistics load count is projected to grow sequentially by a mid-single-digit percentage in Q3 and stabilize in Q4.

Challenges Ahead

  • Truckload tractor count is expected to decrease modestly sequentially into Q3 before stabilizing in Q4.
  • All Other segments operating income, excluding intangible asset amortization, is projected to be approximately $10-15 million for Q3 but modestly negative for Q4 due to seasonal slowdown.
  • Net interest expense is expected to increase modestly sequentially in both Q3 and Q4.
  • Intermodal operating ratio modestly below breakeven by the fourth quarter.
  • The timing of an inflection in market conditions has proven especially difficult to predict during this cycle

Revenue & Expenses

Visualization of income flow from segment revenue to net income