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Investment
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(Address of principal executive officers, including zip code)
i952-i937-8500
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
iCommon
Stock, $0.10 par value
iCHRW
iNasdaq Global Select Market
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. iYes☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically
every Interactive Date File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). iYes☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated
filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,”“accelerated filer,”“smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
iLarge
accelerated filer
☒
Accelerated filer
☐
Emerging Growth Company
i☐
Non-accelerated
filer
☐
Smaller reporting company
i☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised
financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes i☐ No ☒
As of October 28, 2020, the number of shares outstanding of the
registrant’s Common Stock, par value $0.10 per share, was i135,946,127.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1. iiBASIS
OF PRESENTATION/
C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc., and our subsidiaries (“the company,”“we,”“us,” or “our”) are a global provider of transportation services and logistics solutions operating through a network of offices located in North America, Europe, Asia, Oceania, and South America. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc., and our majority owned and controlled subsidiaries. Our minority
interests in subsidiaries are not significant. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.
Our reportable segments are NAST and Global Forwarding with all other segments included in All Other and Corporate. The All Other and Corporate reportable segment includes Robinson Fresh, Managed Services, Other Surface Transportation outside of North America, and other miscellaneous revenues and unallocated corporate expenses. For financial information concerning our reportable segments, refer to Note 9, Segment Reporting.
The condensed consolidated financial statements, which are unaudited, have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
(“SEC”). In our opinion, these financial statements include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the financial statements for the interim periods presented. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.
Consistent with SEC rules and regulations, we have condensed or omitted certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. You should read the condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.
i
RECENTLY
ADOPTED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, and in November 2018 issued a subsequent amendment, ASU 2018-19, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses. This update changes how entities measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income. The update replaces the historical “incurred loss” approach with an “expected loss” model for instruments measured at amortized cost. The update affects loans, debt securities, trade receivables, net investments in leases, off balance sheet credit exposures, reinsurance receivables, and any other
financial assets not excluded from the scope of this amendment that have the contractual right to receive cash. We adopted this standard on January 1, 2020. We have updated our allowance for credit losses, formerly described as our allowance for doubtful accounts, significant accounting policy below as a result of adopting the new standard. The impact of adoption was not material to our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, which provides optional practical expedients to simplify accounting for reference rate reform. Amongst other practical expedients, the update
allows for contract modifications due to reference rate reform for certain receivables and debt contracts to be accounted for by prospectively adjusting the effective interest rate. The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities beginning on March 12, 2020, and companies may elect to apply the amendments prospectively through December 31, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating the effects that adoption of this guidance will have on the consolidated financial statements.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Note
1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, includes a summary of the significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. We have updated these policies below to give effect to the adoption of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 326 in the first quarter of 2020.
iALLOWANCE
FOR CREDIT LOSSES. Accounts receivable and contract assets are reduced by an allowance for expected credit losses. We determine our allowance for expected credit losses by evaluating two approaches that consider our past credit loss experience, our customers' credit ratings, and other customer-specific and macroeconomic factors. The first approach is pooling our customers by credit rating and applying an expected loss ratio based upon credit rating and number of days the receivable has been outstanding, (i.e. aging approach). The second approach is to compute an expected loss ratio for each credit rating pool based upon our historical write-off experience and apply it to our accounts receivable, (i.e. loss ratio approach). These two approaches are evaluated in consideration of other known information and customer specific and macroeconomic factors,
including the price of diesel fuel, for purposes of determining the expected credit loss allowance.
NOTE 2. iGOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
i
The
change in carrying amount of goodwill is as follows (in thousands):
iGoodwill
is tested at least annually for impairment on November 30, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. We first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of our reporting units is less than their respective carrying value (“Step Zero Analysis”). If the Step Zero Analysis indicates it is more likely than not that the fair value of our reporting units is less than their respective carrying value, an additional impairment assessment is performed (“Step One Analysis”). We considered whether there were any changes in circumstances indicating that our goodwill might be impaired, including consideration of the impacts of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) on financial markets and our business operations, and determined the more likely than not criteria had not been met, and therefore a Step One Analysis was not required as of September 30,
2020.
i
Identifiable intangible assets consisted of the following (in thousands):
Finite-lived
intangible assets, by reportable segment, as of September 30, 2020, will be amortized over their remaining lives as follows (in thousands):
NAST
Global Forwarding
All Other
and Corporate
Total
Remaining 2020
$
i2,026
$
i5,056
$
i161
$
i7,243
2021
i8,105
i14,603
i638
i23,346
2022
i8,105
i14,603
i638
i23,346
2023
i8,105
i11,977
i638
i20,720
2024
i7,984
i4,174
i638
i12,796
Thereafter
i17,024
i2,891
i900
i20,815
Total
$
i108,266
/
NOTE
3. iiFAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT/
Accounting
guidance on fair value measurements for certain financial assets and liabilities requires that assets and liabilities carried at fair value be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:
•Level 1 — Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
•Level 2 — Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
•Level 3 — Unobservable inputs reflecting the reporting entity’s own assumptions or external inputs from inactive markets.
A financial asset or liability’s classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
We
had iiiino///
Level 3 assets or liabilities as of and during the periods ended September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. There were no transfers between levels during the period.
(1)
Net of unamortized discounts and issuance costs.
/
SENIOR UNSECURED REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY
We have a senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the "Credit Agreement") with a total availability of $i1 billion and a maturity date of October
24, 2023. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement generally bear interest at a variable rate determined by a pricing schedule or the base rate (which is the highest of (a) the administrative agent's prime rate, (b) the federal funds rate plus i0.50 percent, or (c) the sum of applicable LIBOR plus i1.125
percent). In addition, there is a commitment fee on the average daily undrawn stated amount under each letter of credit issued under the facility ranging from i0.075 percent to i0.200
percent. The recorded amount of borrowings outstanding, if any, approximates fair value because of the short maturity period of the debt; therefore, we would consider these borrowings to be a Level 2 financial liability.
The Credit Agreement contains various restrictions and covenants that require us to maintain certain financial ratios, including a maximum leverage ratio of i3.50 to 1.00. The Credit Agreement also contains customary events of default. If an event of default under the Credit Agreement occurs and is continuing, then
the administrative agent may declare any outstanding obligations under the Credit Agreement to be immediately due and payable. In addition, if we become the subject of voluntary or involuntary proceedings under any bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar law, then any outstanding obligations under the Credit Agreement will automatically become immediately due and payable.
NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
On August 23, 2013, we entered into a Note Purchase Agreement with certain institutional investors (the “Purchasers”). On August 27, 2013, the Purchasers purchased an aggregate principal amount of $i500
million of our Senior Notes, Series A, Senior Notes Series B, and Senior Notes Series C (collectively the “Notes”). Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears. The fair value of the Notes approximated $i549.7 million at September 30, 2020. We estimate the fair value of the Notes primarily using an expected present value technique, which is based on observable market inputs using interest rates currently available to companies of similar credit standing for similar terms and remaining maturities, and considering
our own risk. If the Notes were recorded at fair value, they would be classified as a Level 2 financial liability.
The Note Purchase Agreement contains various restrictions and covenants that require us to maintain certain financial ratios, including a maximum leverage ratio of i3.00 to 1.00, a minimum interest coverage ratio of i2.00
to 1.00, and a maximum consolidated priority debt to consolidated total asset ratio of i15 percent.
The Note Purchase Agreement provides for customary events of default. The occurrence of an event of default would permit certain Purchasers to declare certain Notes then outstanding to be immediately due and payable. Under the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement, the Notes are redeemable, in whole or in part, at i100
percent of the principal amount being redeemed together with a “make-whole amount” (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement), and accrued and unpaid interest with respect to each Note. The obligations of the company under the Note Purchase Agreement and the Notes are guaranteed by C.H. Robinson Company, a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company, and by C.H. Robinson Company, Inc., a Minnesota corporation and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the company.
We have a receivables securitization facility (the “Receivables Securitization Facility”) that currently expires on December 17, 2020, unless extended by the parties. The Receivables Securitization Facility is based on the securitization of certain of our U.S. trade accounts receivable and provides funding of up to $i250
million. The trade accounts receivable under the facility are owned by C.H. Robinson Receivables LLC and are not available to the creditors of C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc., and our subsidiaries. The interest rate on borrowings under the Receivables Securitization Facility is based on one-month LIBOR plus i0.65 percent. There is also a commitment fee we are required to pay on any unused portion of the facility. The recorded amount
of borrowings outstanding on the Receivables Securitization Facility approximates fair value because it can be redeemed on short notice and the interest rate floats, therefore, we consider these borrowings to be a Level 2 financial liability.
The Receivables Securitization Facility contains various customary affirmative and negative covenants, and it also contains customary default and termination provisions which provide for acceleration of amounts owed under the Receivables Securitization Facility upon the occurrence of certain specified events.
SENIOR NOTES
On April 9, 2018, we issued senior unsecured notes ("Senior Notes") through a public offering. The Senior Notes bear an annual interest rate of i4.20
percent payable semi-annually on April 15 and October 15, until maturity on April 15, 2028. Taking into effect the amortization of the original issue discount and all underwriting and issuance expenses, the Senior Notes have an effective yield to maturity of approximately i4.39 percent per annum. The fair value of the Senior Notes, excluding debt discounts and issuance costs, approximated $i703.0
million as of September 30, 2020, based primarily on the market prices quoted from external sources. The carrying value of the Senior Notes was $i593.1 million as of September 30, 2020. If the Senior Notes were measured at fair value in the financial statements, they would be classified as a Level 2 financial liability in the fair value hierarchy.
We may redeem the Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time prior to their maturity
at the applicable redemption prices described in the Senior Notes. Upon the occurrence of a “change of control triggering event” as defined in the Senior Notes (generally, a change of control of us accompanied by a reduction in the credit rating for the Senior Notes), we will generally be required to make an offer to repurchase the Senior Notes from holders at i101 percent of their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of repurchase.
The Senior Notes were
issued under an indenture that contains covenants imposing certain limitations on our ability to incur liens or enter into sales and leaseback transactions above certain limits; and consolidate, or merge or transfer substantially all of our assets and those of our subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. It also provides for customary events of default (subject in certain cases to customary grace and cure periods), which include among other things nonpayment, breach of covenants in the indenture, and certain events of bankruptcy and insolvency. If an event of default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Senior Notes, the trustee or holders of at least i25
percent in principal amount outstanding of the Senior Notes may declare the principal and the accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all of the outstanding Senior Notes to be due and payable. These covenants and events of default are subject to a number of important qualifications, limitations, and exceptions that are described in the indenture. The indenture does not contain any financial ratios or specified levels of net worth or liquidity to which we must adhere.
As of September 30, 2020, we were in compliance with all of the covenants under the Credit Agreement, Note Purchase Agreement, Receivables Securitization Facility, and Senior Notes.
Our effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was i15.1
percent and i21.8 percent, respectively, and our effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was i17.3
percent and i22.5 percent, respectively. The effective income tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 was lower than the statutory federal income tax rate primarily due to the tax impact of share-based payment awards, which reduced the effective tax rate by i3.8
percentage points and i4.1 percentage points, respectively. Foreign tax impacts also contributed to a lower federal income tax rate, reducing our effective tax rate in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 by i5.2
percentage points and i3.1 percentage points, respectively. This impact on the tax rate was partially offset by state income tax expense, which increased the effective income tax rate. The effective income tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 was higher than the statutory federal income tax rate due to state income taxes, net of federal benefit, and foreign income taxes, but was partially offset by the tax
impact of share-based payment awards and the combined tax impact of Global Intangible Low-tax Income ("GILTI") and Foreign Derived Intangible Income ("FDII").
In 2019, we removed our assertion that the unremitted earnings of foreign subsidiaries were permanently reinvested with limited exceptions. If we repatriated all foreign earnings that are still considered to be permanently reinvested, the estimated effect on income taxes payable would be an increase of approximately $i2.3 million
as of September 30, 2020.
On March 27, 2020, the U.S. government enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act allows for a deferral of the employer share of federal payroll taxes otherwise due through December 31, 2020. 50 percent of the deferred amount is due December 31, 2021 and the remaining 50 percent is due December 31, 2022. This provision allows us to defer certain federal payroll deposits and invest this cash back into the business without any interest cost. The CARES Act also provides for a tax credit of up to $5,000 related to wages and health benefits provided
to an employee whose work from March 17, 2020 through December 31, 2020 was impacted by COVID-19. Through September 30, 2020, we have recognized a payroll deferral and tax credit of $i19.3 million and $i0.7 million,
respectively, under the CARES Act. We will continue evaluating the impact of the CARES Act over the remainder of 2020.
On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”). The Tax Act made broad and complex changes to the U.S. tax code, including but not limited to, reducing the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent and adding new rules for GILTI and FDII. We have included the tax impact of both GILTI and FDII in our income tax expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, and 2019. The Treasury Department issued final regulatory guidance related to both GILTI and FDII on July
15, 2020. The effective date of these regulations is generally January 1, 2021, absent an election to apply these rules retroactively to a 2018 effective date. We are reviewing these regulations and the potential to elect a 2018 effective date. The impact of this new guidance is not expected to have a material impact on full-year 2020 results.
On September 29, 2020, the Treasury Department issued final and proposed regulations on determining the foreign tax credit, and allocating and apportioning deductions, under the Internal Revenue Code. We are still completing our review of these regulations, but they did not have a material impact on the third quarter of 2020 and we do not expect them to have a material impact on full-year 2020 results.
As
of September 30, 2020, we have $i39.0 million of unrecognized tax benefits and related interest and penalties. It is possible the amount of unrecognized tax benefit could change in the next 12 months as a result of a lapse of the statute of limitations and settlements with taxing authorities. The total liability for unrecognized tax benefits is expected to decrease by approximately $i2.1
million in the next 12 months due to the lapsing of statutes of limitations. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to audits of U.S. federal, state and local, or non-U.S. income tax returns before 2013. We are currently under an Internal Revenue Service audit for 2015, 2016 and 2017 tax years.
Stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the value of the award and is recognized as expense as it vests. iA summary of our total compensation expense recognized in our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for stock-based compensation is as follows (in thousands):
On
May 9, 2019, our shareholders approved an amendment and restatement of our 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) to increase the number of shares authorized for award by i4,000,000 shares. The Plan allows us to grant certain stock awards, including stock options at fair market value and performance shares and restricted stock units, to our key employees
and outside directors. A maximum of i17,041,803 shares can be granted under this plan following the amendment and restatement. Approximately i2,974,170
shares were available for stock awards under the plan as of September 30, 2020. Shares subject to awards that expire or are canceled without delivery of shares or that are settled in cash generally become available again for issuance under the plan.
Stock Options - We have awarded stock options to certain key employees. The fair value of these options is established based on the market price on the date of grant, discounted for post-vesting holding restrictions, calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Changes in measured stock price volatility and interest rates are the primary reasons for changes in the discount. These grants are being expensed based on the terms of the awards. As of September 30, 2020, unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options was $i48.0 million.
The amount of future expense to be recognized will be based on the passage of time and the employees' continued employment.
We granted i1,660,548 stock options on February 5, 2020. These awards had a weighted average exercise price of $i72.74
and a weighted average grant date fair value of $i13.88. These awards are eligible to vest over a ifive-year
period with a first vesting date of December 31, 2020.
Stock Awards - We have awarded performance-based restricted shares and restricted stock units and time-based restricted stock units to certain key employees and non-employee directors. Performance-based awards are subject to certain vesting requirements over a ifive-year period, based on our earnings growth. Time-based awards vest primarily based
on the employee's continued employment. The awards also contain restrictions on the awardees’ ability to sell or transfer vested awards for a specified period of time. The fair value of these awards is established based on the market price on the date of grant, discounted for post-vesting holding restrictions. The discounts on outstanding grants vary from i12 percent
to i22 percent and are calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model-protective put method. Changes in measured stock price volatility and interest rates are the primary reasons for changes in the discount. These grants are being expensed based on the terms of the awards.
We granted i405,776
performance-based restricted shares and restricted stock units and i329,586 time-based restricted shares and restricted stock units on February 5, 2020. These awards had a weighted average grant date fair value of $i59.34
and are eligible to vest over a ifive-year period with a first vesting date of December 31, 2020.
We have also issued restricted stock units to certain key employees and non-employee directors, which are fully vested upon issuance. These units contain restrictions on the awardees’ ability to sell or transfer vested units for a specified period of time. The fair value of these units is established using the same method discussed
above. These grants have been expensed during the year they were earned.
As of September 30, 2020, there was unrecognized compensation expense of $i125.3 million related to previously granted full value awards. The amount of future expense to be recognized will be based on the passage of time, the
company’s earnings growth, and certain other conditions.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan - Our 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP") allows our employees to contribute up to $i10,000
of their annual cash compensation to purchase company stock. Purchase price is determined using the closing price on the last day of each quarter discounted by i15 percent. Shares vest immediately. iThe
following is a summary of the employee stock purchase plan activity:
We are not subject to any pending or threatened litigation other than routine litigation arising in the ordinary course of our business operations, including certain contingent auto liability cases. For some legal proceedings, we have accrued an amount that reflects the aggregate liability deemed probable and estimable, but this amount is not material to our condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. Because of the preliminary nature of many of these proceedings, the difficulty in ascertaining
the applicable facts relating to many of these proceedings, the inconsistent treatment of claims made in many of these proceedings, and the difficulty of predicting the settlement value of many of these proceedings, we are often unable to estimate an amount or range of any reasonably possible losses. However, based upon our historical experience, the resolution of these proceedings is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
On March 2, 2020, we acquired all of the outstanding shares of Prime Distribution Services (“Prime Distribution”), a leading provider of retail consolidation services in North America, for $i222.7
million in cash. This acquisition adds scale and value-added warehouse capabilities to our retail consolidation platform, adding to our global suite of services.
i
The following is a summary of the allocation of purchase consideration to the estimated fair value of net assets for the acquisition of Prime Distribution.
Current
assets
$
i8,879
Property and equipment
i7,356
Right-of-use
lease assets
i35,017
Other intangible assets
i55,000
Goodwill
i176,840
Total
assets
i283,092
Current liabilities
i12,243
Lease
liabilities
i35,017
Deferred tax liabilities
i13,114
Net
assets acquired
$
i222,718
/
i
Identifiable
intangible assets and estimated useful lives are as follows (dollars in thousands):
Estimated Life (years)
Customer relationships
i7
$
i55,000
/
There
was $i176.8 million of goodwill recorded related to the acquisition of Prime Distribution. The Prime Distribution goodwill is a result of acquiring and retaining the Prime Distribution workforce and expected synergies from integrating its business into ours. Purchase accounting is considered substantially complete. The goodwill will not be deductible for tax purposes. The acquisition was effective as of February 29, 2020, and therefore the results of operations of Prime Distribution have been included as part
of the North American Surface Transportation segment in our consolidated financial statements since March 1, 2020.
Dema Service S.p.A
On May 22, 2019, we acquired all of the outstanding shares of Dema Service S.p.A. (“Dema Service”) to strengthen our existing footprint in Italy. Total purchase consideration, net of cash acquired was $i14.2
million, which was paid in cash.
i
Identifiable intangible assets and estimated useful lives are as follows (dollars in thousands):
Estimated Life (years)
Customer
relationships
i7
$
i4,252
/
There
was $i7.8 million of goodwill recorded related to the acquisition of Dema Service. The Dema Service goodwill is a result of acquiring and retaining the Dema Service workforce and expected synergies from integrating its business into ours. Purchase accounting is considered complete. iNo
goodwill was recognized for Italian tax purposes from the acquisition. The results of operations of Dema Service have been included as part of the All Other and Corporate segment in our consolidated financial statements since May 23, 2019.
On February 28, 2019, we acquired all of the outstanding shares of The Space Cargo Group (“Space Cargo”)
for the purpose of expanding our presence and capabilities in Spain and Colombia. Total purchase consideration, net of cash acquired, was $i45.5 million, which was paid in cash.
i
Identifiable
intangible assets and estimated useful lives are as follows (dollars in thousands):
Estimated Life (years)
Customer relationships
i7
$
i16,439
/
There
was $i26.4 million of goodwill recorded related to the acquisition of Space Cargo. The Space Cargo goodwill is a result of acquiring and retaining the Space Cargo workforce and expected synergies from integrating its business into ours. Purchase accounting is considered complete. iNo
goodwill was recognized for Spanish tax purposes from the acquisition. The results of operations of Space Cargo have been included as part of the Global Forwarding segment in our consolidated financial statements since March 1, 2019.
NOTE 9. iSEGMENT REPORTING
Our reportable segments are based on our method of internal
reporting, which generally segregates the segments by service line and the primary services they provide to our customers. We identify itwo reportable segments in addition to All Other and Corporate as summarized below:
•North American Surface Transportation—NAST provides freight transportation services across North America through a network of offices in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The primary services provided by NAST include truckload, less than truckload
(“LTL”), and intermodal.
•Global Forwarding—Global Forwarding provides global logistics services through an international network of offices in North America, Asia, Europe, Oceania, and South America and also contracts with independent agents worldwide. The primary services provided by Global Forwarding include ocean freight services, airfreight services, and customs brokerage.
•All Other and Corporate—All Other and Corporate includes our Robinson Fresh and Managed Services segments, as well as Other Surface Transportation outside of North America and other miscellaneous revenues and unallocated corporate expenses. Robinson Fresh provides sourcing services including the buying, selling,
and marketing of fresh fruits, vegetables, and other perishable items. Managed Services provides Transportation Management Services, or Managed TMS®. Other Surface Transportation revenues are primarily earned by Europe Surface Transportation. Europe Surface Transportation provides services similar to NAST across Europe.
The internal reporting of segments is defined, based in part, on the reporting and review process used by our chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), our Chief Executive Officer. The accounting policies of our reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. We do not report our intersegment revenues by reportable segment to our CODM and do not believe they are a meaningful metric for evaluating the performance of our reportable segments.
A summary of our total revenues disaggregated by major service line and timing of revenue recognition is presented below for each of our reportable segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 (in thousands):
(1)
Transportation and logistics services performance obligations are completed over time.
(2) Sourcing performance obligations are completed at a point in time.
/
We typically do not receive consideration and amounts are not due from our customer prior to the completion of our performance obligation and as such contract liabilities, as of September 30, 2020, and revenue recognized in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 resulting from contract
liabilities was not significant. Contract assets and accrued expenses-transportation expense fluctuate from period to period primarily based upon shipments in-transit at period end.
NOTE 11. iLEASES
We determine if our contractual agreements contain a lease at inception.
A lease is identified when a contract allows us the right to control an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Our lease agreements consist primarily of operating leases for office space, warehouses, office equipment, and a small number of intermodal containers. We do not have material financing leases. Frequently, we enter into contractual relationships with a wide variety of transportation companies for freight capacity, and utilize those relationships to efficiently and cost-effectively arrange the transport of our customers’ freight. These contracts typically have a term of 12 months or less and do not allow us to direct the use or obtain substantially all of the economic benefits of a specifically identified asset. Accordingly, these agreements are not
considered leases. In addition, we have made a policy election to not apply the guidance of ASC 842 to leases with a term of 12 months or less as allowed by the standard. These leases are recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Our operating leases are included on the consolidated balance sheets as right-of-use lease assets and lease liabilities. A right-of-use lease asset represents our right to use an underlying asset over the term of a lease while a lease liability represents our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Current and noncurrent lease liabilities are recognized at commencement
date at the present value of lease payments, including non-lease components, which consist primarily of common area maintenance charges. Right-of-use lease assets are also recognized at commencement date as the total lease liability plus prepaid rents and less any deferred rent liability that existed under ASC 840, Leases, upon transition. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our fully collateralized incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The incremental borrowing rate is influenced by our credit rating and lease term and as such may differ for individual leases.
Our lease agreements typically do not contain variable lease payments, residual value guarantees, purchase options, or restrictive covenants. Many of our leases include the option
to renew for a period of months to several years. The term of our leases may include the option to renew when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option although these occurrences are seldom. We have lease agreements with lease components (e.g., payments for rent) and non-lease components (e.g., payments for common area maintenance and parking), which are all accounted for as a single lease component.
We do not have material lease agreements that have not yet commenced that are expected to create significant rights or obligations as of September 30, 2020.
i
Information
regarding lease expense, remaining lease term, discount rate, and other select lease information is presented below as of September 30, 2020, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 (dollars in thousands):
Three
Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Lease Costs
2020
2019
2020
2019
Operating lease expense
$
i22,373
$
i16,905
$
i63,855
$
i50,684
Short-term
lease expense
i3,626
i2,605
i10,225
i8,022
Total
lease expense
$
i25,999
$
i19,510
$
i74,080
$
i58,706
Nine
Months Ended September 30,
Other Lease Information
2020
2019
Operating cash flows from operating leases
$
i60,569
$
i49,925
Right-of-use
lease assets obtained in exchange for new lease liabilities
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years)(1)
i6.9
Weighted average discount rate
i3.2
%
____________________________________________
/
(1)
The weighted average remaining lease term is significantly impacted by a i15-year lease related to office space in Chicago, IL, that commenced in 2018. Excluding this lease, the weighted average remaining lease term of our agreements is i4.8
years.
i
The maturities of lease liabilities as of September 30, 2020, were as follows (in thousands):
In addition to minimum lease payments, we are typically responsible under our lease agreements to pay our pro rata share of maintenance expenses, common charges, and real estate taxes of the buildings in which we lease space. Under ASC 842, we have elected to account for non-lease components such as common area maintenance and parking as a single lease component.
NOTE 12. iALLOWANCE
FOR CREDIT LOSSES
We adopted ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments (Topic 326), as of January 1, 2020. Prior period information was not restated and continues to be presented under guidance effective for those periods. This ASU changes how entities measure credit losses for certain financial assets including accounts receivable by replacing the historical “incurred loss” approach with an “expected loss” model. We have updated our significant accounting policy for allowance for credit losses as discussed in Note 1, Basis of Presentation.
Our allowance for credit losses is computed using a number of factors including our past credit loss experience, the aging of amounts due from our customers, and our customers' credit
ratings, in addition to other customer specific factors. We have also assessed the current macroeconomic environment, including the impact of COVID-19, to determine our ending allowance for credit losses for both accounts receivable and contract assets. The allowance for credit losses on contract assets was not significant.
i
A rollforward of our allowance for
credit losses on our accounts receivable balance is presented below for the nine months ended September 30, 2020:
Recoveries of amounts previously written off were not significant for the three and nine months ended September 30,
2020.
NOTE 13. iCHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
Accumulated other comprehensive loss is included in Stockholders' investment on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. The recorded balance at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, was $i70.9
million and $i76.1 million, respectively. Accumulated other comprehensive loss is comprised solely of foreign currency adjustments, net of related income tax effects at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. Other comprehensive income was $i13.2
million and $i5.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively. Other comprehensive income consisted of foreign currency adjustments, including foreign currency translation, net of related income tax effects of $i1.0 million
and $i0.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively.
ITEM
2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
You should read the following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes.
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
Our quarterly report on Form 10-Q, including this discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations and our disclosures about market risk, contains certain “forward-looking statements.” These statements represent our expectations, beliefs, intentions, or strategies concerning future events that, by their nature, involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements
include, among others, statements about our future performance, the continuation of historical trends, the sufficiency of our sources of capital for future needs, the effects of acquisitions or dispositions, the expected impact of recently issued accounting pronouncements, and the outcome or effects of litigation. Risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from our current expectations include, but are not limited to, changes in economic conditions, including uncertain consumer demand; changes in market demand and pressures on the pricing for our services; changes due to catastrophic events including pandemics such as COVID-19; competition and growth rates within the third party logistics industry; freight levels and increasing costs and availability of truck capacity or alternative means of transporting freight; changes in relationships with existing contracted truck, rail, ocean, and air carriers; changes in our customer base due to possible consolidation
among our customers; our ability to successfully integrate the operations of acquired companies with our historic operations; risks associated with litigation, including contingent auto liability and insurance coverage; risks associated with operations outside of the United States; risks associated with the potential impact of changes in government regulations; risks associated with the produce industry, including food safety and contamination issues; fuel price increases or decreases, or fuel shortages; cyber-security related risks; the impact of war on the economy; changes to our capital structure; risks related to the elimination of LIBOR; and other risks and uncertainties detailed in our Annual and Quarterly Reports. Therefore, actual results may differ materially from our expectations based on these and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in Item 1A. Risk Factors of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 2019, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 19, 2020 as well as the updates to these risk factors included in Part II—“Item 1A, Risk Factors,” herein.
Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and we undertake no obligation to update such statement to reflect events or circumstances arising after such date.
OVERVIEW
C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (“C.H. Robinson,”“the company,”“we,”“us,” or “our”) is one of the largest third party logistics companies in the world. As a third party logistics provider, we enter into contractual relationships with a wide variety
of transportation companies and utilize those relationships to efficiently and cost-effectively arrange the transport of our customers’ freight. We provide freight transportation services and logistics solutions to companies of all sizes, in a wide variety of industries. We operate through a network of offices in North America, Europe, Asia, Oceania, and South America. We have developed global transportation and distribution networks to provide transportation and supply chain services worldwide. As a result, we have the capability of facilitating most aspects of the supply chain on behalf of our customers.
Our net revenues are a non-GAAP financial measure
calculated as total revenues less the cost of purchased transportation and related services and the cost of purchased products sourced for resale. We believe net revenues are a useful measure of our ability to source, add value, and sell services and products that are provided by third parties, and we consider net revenues to be our primary performance measurement. Accordingly, the discussion of our results of operations often focuses on the changes in our net revenues. The reconciliation of total revenues to net revenues is presented below (in thousands):
The North American surface transportation market experienced increasing sequential demand during the third quarter of 2020 despite many small to mid-sized companies and certain industries continuing to experience demand below historical levels due to
the COVID-19 pandemic. The improving demand during the third quarter of 2020 was most pronounced with large companies and from the retail and food and beverage industries. The impact of increasing consumer demand and production resulted in tighter carrier capacity and led to an increase in purchased transportation pricing. Industry freight volumes, as measured by the Cass Freight Index, declined approximately 8 percent during the third quarter of 2020 compared to the third quarter of 2019 although they did increase sequentially during the third quarter of 2020. One of the metrics we use to measure market conditions is the truckload routing guide depth from our Managed Services business. Routing guide depth represents the number of carriers contacted prior to an acceptance when procuring a transportation provider. The average routing guide depth of tender in the third quarter of 2020 was 1.6, representing that on average, the first or second carrier in a shipper's routing
guide was executing the shipment in most cases. This routing guide penetration compares to 1.2 in both the first and second quarters of 2020 and is reflective of the increasing consumer demand and production and the tightening carrier capacity evident in the third quarter of 2020. This caused routing guides to rapidly degrade and more loads to move to the spot market driving sharp increases in transportation costs.
The global forwarding market also showed signs of improvement during the third quarter of 2020 after multiple quarters of reduced demand and production resulting in decreased volumes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many companies began to replenish low inventory levels amidst continued market uncertainty from the COVID-19 pandemic. Both the airfreight and ocean market experienced significant pricing increases in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the third quarter of 2019 resulting from reduced capacity. In the
airfreight market, a reduction in commercial flights resulted in an increase in charter flights and larger than normal shipment sizes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the ocean freight market, sequential demand accelerated faster than carrier capacity returned to the market, resulting in significant pricing increases.
BUSINESS TRENDS
Our third quarter of 2020 surface transportation results are largely consistent with the overall market trends summarized above, although we did experience volume increases in excess of the industry trends as measured by the Cass Freight Index. Despite industry freight volumes declining approximately 8 percent, our NAST truckload and LTL volumes increased 0.5 percent and 13.5 percent, respectively, which is reflective of our pricing strategies to ensure we are near the top of our customers' routing guides. We continued to work with our customers to
meet our contractual commitments during the third quarter of 2020 while adapting our pricing to reflect the volatile cost of transportation pricing seen since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic while also serving customers' needs in the spot market. This resulted in an increase in average truckload linehaul rates per mile, excluding fuel costs, charged to customers although our truckload transportation costs, excluding fuel prices, increased at a faster rate resulting in margin compression.
In our global forwarding business, we continued to experience significant increases to the price of airfreight due to significant
capacity shortages in the airfreight market. These shortages were caused by a reduction in commercial flights, which have resulted in an increase in charter flights and larger than normal shipment sizes. The increase in airfreight pricing more than offset a 19.0 percent decline in airfreight volumes. Ocean volumes increased 1.5 percent as many industries resumed or increased production. In addition, the accelerating sequential demand for ocean freight grew at a faster rate than ocean carrier capacity, which resulted in significantly higher pricing in the third quarter of 2020.
On March 2, 2020, we acquired all of the outstanding shares of Prime Distribution Services (“Prime Distribution”), a leading provider of retail consolidation services in North America for $222.7 million in cash. This acquisition adds scale and value-added warehouse capabilities to our retail consolidation
platform, adding to our global suite of services. The acquisition was effective as of February 29, 2020, and therefore the results of operations of Prime Distribution have been included as part of the North American Surface Transportation segment in our consolidated financial statements since March 1, 2020.
SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, our financial results and operations were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic described above and discussed throughout Item 2, “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” In addition, see Part II—“Item 1A, Risk Factors,” included herein for an update to the risk factors described in “Item
1A, Risk Factors,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 19, 2020. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacts our financial results and operations for the remainder of 2020 and going forward will depend on future developments which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including fluctuations in the severity of the outbreak and the actions being taken to contain and treat it.
We have taken a variety of measures to ensure the availability, continuity, and security of our critical infrastructure, ensure the health and safety of our employees around the globe, and provide service and supply chain continuity to our customers and contracted carriers in order to deliver critical and essential goods and services. We continue
to follow public and private sector policies and initiatives to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, such as requiring social distancing, wearing a mask, and limiting the number of employees to less than 50 percent capacity when in the office, in addition to the elimination of all non-essential travel. We have also adopted work-from-home arrangements, and as of September 30, 2020, over 80 percent of our employees were working remotely executing their duties and responsibilities. We do not believe these policies and initiatives will adversely impact our operations. In addition, we have taken steps across the organization to reduce costs, including the elimination of all non-essential travel, temporary salary reductions for company executive officers, temporary reductions in cash retainers for board members, temporary suspension of the company
match to retirement plans for U.S. and Canadian employees, accelerating the use of paid time off, and furloughing approximately seven percent of our U.S and Canadian employees in the second quarter of 2020. As we continue to harness the benefits of our technology investment and network transformation, we have eliminated certain positions during the third quarter of 2020, and therefore, a portion of employees did not return from furlough. We recognized $4.4 million in severance during the third quarter of 2020 as a result of these reductions.
Due to the ongoing uncertainty around the severity and duration of the outbreak, we are not able at this time to estimate the impact COVID-19 may have on our financial results and operations for the remainder of 2020 and going forward. However, the impact could be material in all business segments and could be material during any future period affected either directly or indirectly by
this pandemic. Many businesses continue to experience reduced production and output which could result in a decrease in freight volumes across a number of industries which may reduce our contractual and spot-market opportunities. In addition, a significant number of our contracted carriers may reduce their capacity or charge higher prices in light of the volatile market conditions which may reduce our net revenue margins as we honor our contractual freight rates.
SELECTED OPERATING PERFORMANCE AND OTHER SIGNIFICANT ITEMS
The following summarizes select third quarter 2020 year-over-year operating comparisons to third quarter 2019:
•Total revenues increased 9.6 percent to $4.2 billion, driven primarily by higher pricing in most service lines, most notably in ocean and airfreight services, and higher volumes across
most of our service lines.
•Net revenues decreased 7.0 percent to $589.3 million, primarily driven by rising costs and lower margin in truckload services, partially offset by contributions from the acquisition of Prime Distribution and higher pricing in most of our service lines.
•Personnel expenses decreased 5.5 percent to $302.9 million, driven primarily by cost reductions. Average headcount decreased5.6 percent, despite the Prime acquisition contributing approximately two percentage points of growth.
•Other
selling, general, and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses increased 5.7 percent to $118.1 million due to the acquisition of Prime Distribution and the prior year period benefiting from a $5.8 million gain on the sale of a facility in Chicago, Illinois. These increases more than offset declines resulting from cost reductions including the elimination of all non-essential travel.
•Income from operations totaled $168.2 million, down 16.3 percent due to declining net revenues.
•Operating margin of 28.6 percent decreased 310 basis points.
•The effective tax rate in the quarter was 15.1 percent compared to 21.8 percent in the third quarter last year. The lower effective tax rate was due primarily to discrete benefits from foreign tax credit utilization and additional
deductions from increased employee stock option activity in the third quarter of 2020.
•Diluted earnings per share (EPS) decreased 6.5 percent to $1.00.
•Cash flow from operations decreased 46.0 percent to $337.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table summarizes our results of operations (dollars in thousands, except per share data):
Other selling, general, and administrative expenses
118,130
111,783
5.7
%
371,606
354,730
4.8
%
Total
costs and expenses
4,056,561
3,655,047
11.0
%
11,191,188
10,863,012
3.0
%
Income from operations
168,239
201,085
(16.3)
%
466,466
653,170
(28.6)
%
Interest
and other expense
(7,465)
(13,180)
(43.4)
%
(32,904)
(36,935)
(10.9)
%
Income before provision for income taxes
160,774
187,905
(14.4)
%
433,562
616,235
(29.6)
%
Provision
for income taxes
24,245
41,011
(40.9)
%
74,948
138,373
(45.8)
%
Net income
$
136,529
$
146,894
(7.1)
%
$
358,614
$
477,862
(25.0)
%
Diluted
net income per share
$
1.00
$
1.07
(6.5)
%
$
2.63
$
3.45
(23.8)
%
Net
revenue margin percentage
Transportation
14.4
%
16.9
%
(2.5) pts
15.6
%
17.9
%
(2.3)
pts
Sourcing
8.2
%
10.1
%
(1.9) pts
9.4
%
10.7
%
(1.3) pts
Total net revenue margin
13.9
%
16.4
%
(2.5)
pts
15.2
%
17.4
%
(2.2) pts
Average headcount
14,904
15,782
(5.6)
%
15,177
15,582
(2.6)
%
A
reconciliation of our reportable segments to our consolidated results can be found in Note 9, Segment Reporting, in Part I, Financial Information of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Total revenues and direct costs. Total transportation revenues increased, driven by increased pricing in the ocean, airfreight
and truckload service lines in addition to increased volumes across most service lines. These increases were partially offset by decreased pricing in LTL services and a decrease in airfreight volumes. Total purchased transportation and related services increased, driven by higher average truckload linehaul costs per mile and higher costs of capacity in the ocean and airfreight service lines, in addition to higher volumes across most service lines, most notably in LTL services. Our sourcing total revenue and purchased products sourced for resale increased due to higher pricing and costs per case, partially offset by lower case volume. Lower case volume was driven by decreased demand in the food service industry which has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Net revenues. Our transportation net revenue decreased due to lower margins in truckload, and to a lesser extent LTL services,
partially offset by an increase in airfreight and ocean margins driven by increased pricing. Truckload and LTL margins declined in the third quarter of 2020 as we continued to meet our customer commitments despite increases for the cost of capacity. Airfreight margins expanded driven by increased pricing caused by significant capacity shortages in the airfreight market due to a reduction in commercial flights resulting in an increase in charter flights and larger than normal shipment sizes. Sourcing net revenue declined due to a decrease in net revenue per case and lower case volumes.
Operating expenses. Personnel expenses decreased primarily due to short-term cost reductions, including the temporary suspension of retirement matching contributions for North American employees, furloughs and reduced work hours. Average headcount decreased 5.6 percent, despite acquisitions contributing approximately
2.0 percentage points of growth. SG&A expenses increased due to increased customer credit losses and the prior year period benefiting from a $5.8 million gain on the sale of a facility in Chicago, Illinois. These increases more than offset declines resulting from short-term cost reductions including the elimination of all non-essential travel.
Interest and other expense. Interest and other expense primarily consisted of interest expense of $11.9 million in the third quarter of 2020, partially offset by a $3.3 million favorable impact of foreign currency revaluation and realized foreign currency gains and losses. Interest expense decreased driven by a lower average debt balance in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the third quarter of 2019. The third quarter of 2019 included a $1.1 million unfavorable impact of foreign currency revaluation and
realized foreign currency gains and losses.
Provision for income taxes. Our effective income tax rate was 15.1 percent for the third quarter of 2020 compared to 21.8 percent for the third quarter of 2019. The effective income tax rate for the third quarter ended September 30, 2020, was lower than the statutory federal income tax rate primarily due to foreign tax impacts and the tax impact of share-based payment awards, which reduced the effective tax rate by 5.2 percentage points and 3.8 percentage points, respectively. The effective income tax rate for the third quarter of 2019 was higher than the statutory federal income tax rate due to state income taxes, net of federal benefit, and foreign income taxes, but was partially offset by the tax impact of share-based payment awards and the combined tax impact
of Global Intangible Low-tax Income (“GILTI”) and Foreign Derived Intangible Income (“FDII”).
Total revenues and direct costs. Total transportation revenues increased driven by higher pricing for airfreight and ocean services due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on capacity. These increases were largely offset by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the truckload market which has experienced lower pricing due to slowdowns of demand and production in many industry verticals.
Despite industry freight volume declines, we achieved volume growth in both NAST truckload and LTL services which is reflective of our pricing strategies to ensure we are near the top of our customers' routing guides. Total purchased transportation and related services increased driven by the high cost for airfreight and ocean capacity in the marketplace due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in addition to increased volume in truckload and LTL services. Our sourcing total revenue and purchased products sourced for resale increased due to higher pricing and costs per case which was partially offset by lower case volume most notably in the food service industry which has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Net revenues. Our transportation net revenue margin decreased driven by margin compression in truckload services due to the tight carrier capacity in the marketplace and the significant transportation cost volatility resulting from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic relative to our contractual customer pricing. We have continued to meet our customer commitments despite moderating declines or, in some instances, increases for the cost of capacity, which has resulted in margin compression. Partially offsetting these declines was an increase in airfreight pricing resulting in margin expansion as we were able to leverage our contractual airfreight capacity despite significant shortages in the airfreight market. Sourcing net revenue margin declined as the costs of purchased products sourced for resale increased at a faster rate than our sourcing total revenues.
Operating
expenses. Personnel expenses decreased primarily due to declines in variable compensation and short-term cost reductions, including furloughs and reduced work hours. Average headcount decreased 2.6 percent. SG&A expenses increased driven primarily by increases in occupancy expenses, including those attributable to acquisitions, and the reserve for credit losses, and an $11.5 million loss on the sale-leaseback of a company-owned data center, partially offset by the elimination of non-essential travel.
Interest and other expense. Interest and other expense primarily consisted of interest expense of $36.6 million partially offset by a $2.2 million favorable impact of foreign currency revaluation and realized foreign currency gains and losses in the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
Interest expense decreased driven by a lower average debt balance and lower interest rates in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The nine months ended September 30, 2019 included a $3.3 million unfavorable impact of foreign currency revaluation and realized foreign currency gains and losses in addition to approximately $5.6 million of miscellaneous other income.
Provision for income taxes. Our effective income tax rate was 17.3 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 22.5 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The effective income tax rate for the nine months ended
September 30, 2020 was lower than the statutory federal income tax rate primarily due to the tax impact of share-based payment awards, including the tax benefit from the delivery of a one-time deferred stock award that was granted to the company's prior Chief Executive Officer in 2000, which reduced the rate by 4.1 percentage points in addition to foreign tax impacts which reduced the rate by 3.1 percentage points. The effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was higher than the statutory federal income tax rate due to state income taxes, net of federal benefit, and foreign income taxes, but was partially offset by the tax impact of share-based payment awards and the combined tax impact of GILTI and FDII.
Total revenues and direct costs. NAST total revenues and direct costs increased due to increased truckload pricing and increased volumes in LTL and truckload services. These increases were partially offset by lower pricing in LTL services. The increased pricing in truckload was the result of demand and production recovering at a faster rate than carrier capacity returning to the market leading to sharp increases to the cost of purchased transportation. Despite industry freight volume declines, we achieved volume growth in both truckload and LTL services which is reflective of our pricing strategies to ensure we are near the top of our customers' routing guides.
Net
revenues. NAST net revenues decreased driven primarily by margin compression in truckload services due to the tight carrier capacity in the market leading to sharp increases in the cost of purchased transportation relative to our contractual customer pricing as we continued to meet our customer commitments despite increasing purchased transportation costs.
Our average truckload linehaul rate per mile charged to our customers, which excludes fuel surcharges, increased approximately 10.5 percent in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the third quarter of 2019. Previously, we had disclosed the change in average truckload linehaul rates compared to the total average truckload rate per mile, which included fuel surcharges. We believe comparing to average truckload linehaul rate per mile to be preferred because it completely eliminates any impact of fuel charges passed through to our customer. Our truckload
transportation costs, excluding fuel surcharges, increased approximately 16.5 percent.
NAST LTL net revenues decreased primarily due to reduced margins, partially offset by increased volumes. The acquisition of Prime Distribution contributed 4.0 percentage points to LTL net revenue growth in the third quarter of 2020.
NAST intermodal net revenues increased driven by increased volumes and modest improvement in net revenue margins.
NAST other net revenues increased primarily due to incremental warehousing services related to the acquisition of Prime Distribution.
Operating expenses. NAST personnel expense decreased primarily due to short-term cost reductions, including furloughs and reduced work hours, in addition to declines in variable compensation and a decrease
in average headcount. The acquisition of Prime Distribution contributed 4.5 percentage points of growth to NAST average headcount. NAST SG&A expenses increased
primarily due to the acquisition of Prime, which contributed 9.5 percentage points in addition to an increase to the reserve for credit losses. The operating expenses of NAST and all other segments include allocated corporate expenses.
Total revenues and direct costs. NAST revenues decreased due to lower pricing in truckload and, to a lesser extent, LTL services, which were partially offset by increases in truckload and LTL volumes. Despite industry freight volume declines, we achieved volume growth in both truckload and LTL services which is reflective of our pricing strategies to ensure we are near the top of our customers' routing guides. NAST cost of transportation and related services increased driven by increased transportation costs per mile in truckload services.
Net revenues. NAST net revenues decreased driven primarily by margin compression in truckload services due to the significant transportation cost pricing volatility experienced relative to our contractual customer
pricing as we continued to meet our customer commitments despite moderating declines or, in some instances, increases for the cost of capacity. These decreases were partially offset by increased volumes in truckload and LTL. Our average truckload linehaul rate per mile charged to our customers decreased approximately 2.0 percent. Our truckload transportation costs, excluding fuel costs, increased approximately 3.5 percent.
NAST LTL net revenues decreased primarily due to reduced margins, partially offset by an increase in volumes. This decrease was partially offset by the acquisition of Prime Distribution which contributed 3.5 percentage points to LTL net revenue growth.
NAST intermodal net revenues increased primarily due to increased volume and improved net revenue margin.
NAST other net revenues increased primarily due to incremental
warehousing services related to the acquisition of Prime Distribution.
Operating expenses. NAST personnel expense decreased primarily due to declines in performance-based and variable compensation, a decrease in average headcount, and short-term cost reductions, including furloughs and reduced work hours. The acquisition of Prime contributed 3.0 percentage points of growth to NAST average headcount. NAST SG&A expenses increased primarily due to our acquisition of Prime Distribution, which contributed 7.0 percentage points, partially offset by the elimination of non-essential travel and decreased claims.
Total revenues and direct costs. The results of Global Forwarding were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic during the three months ended September 30, 2020 as discussed in the market and business trends sections above. Global Forwarding total revenues and direct costs increased driven by significantly higher pricing and volumes in ocean services. As many industries resumed production in the third quarter of 2020 demand grew at a faster rate than ocean carrier capacity which resulted in significantly higher pricing for ocean services. In addition, airfreight pricing continued to be significantly impacted by reduced cargo capacity due to fewer commercial flights, an increase
in charter flights, and larger than normal shipment sizes which has created an environment with unusually high pricing. These increases were partially offset by volume declines in airfreight.
Net revenues. Ocean transportation net revenues increased driven by higher pricing and an increase in volumes. Air transportation net revenues increased due to higher pricing which more than offset a decline in volumes. Customs net revenues decreased driven primarily by lower volumes.
Operating expenses. Personnel expenses increased slightly driven by an increase in variable compensation due to the strong net revenue growth in the third quarter of 2020. This increase was partially offset by short-term cost reductions and a decrease in average headcount. SG&A expenses decreased driven by the elimination of non-essential travel.
Total revenues and direct costs. Total revenues and direct costs increased driven by the significant increase in airfreight and ocean pricing due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The airfreight market has been significantly impacted by reduced cargo capacity due to fewer commercial flights, an increase in charter flights, and larger than normal shipment sizes which has created an environment with unusually high pricing. The price for ocean services has also increased significantly due to tight ocean carrier capacity. These increases were partially offset by volume declines in all service lines, most notably airfreight.
Net revenues. Ocean transportation
net revenues increased slightly driven by increased pricing which was mostly offset by a decline in volumes. The acquisition of Space Cargo contributed approximately 2.0 percentage points of ocean net revenue growth for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. Air transportation net revenues increased significantly due to higher pricing, which more than offset a decline in volumes as we were able to leverage our contractual airfreight capacity despite
significant shortages in the airfreight market. The acquisition of Space Cargo contributed approximately 3.0 percentage points of net revenue growth in airfreight.
Customs net revenues decreased driven by decreased volumes.
Operating expenses. Personnel expenses decreased driven by short-term cost reductions, including furloughs and reduced work hours, and a slight decrease in average headcount in addition to declines in healthcare costs. SG&A expenses decreased driven by the elimination of non-essential travel.
All Other and Corporate Segment Results of Operations
All Other and Corporate includes our Robinson Fresh and Managed Services segment, as well as Other Surface Transportation outside of North America and other miscellaneous revenues and unallocated corporate expenses.
Total revenues increased driven by increased pricing in our Robinson Fresh business which was partially offset by decreased demand from customers in the food service industry resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Robinson Fresh net revenues declined due to a decrease in net revenue per case and lower case volumes. Managed Services net revenues increased driven by a combination of new customer wins and selling additional services to existing customers. Other Surface Transportation net revenues decreased driven by decreased margin in truckload services in Europe.
Total revenues increased due to increased pricing in our Robinson Fresh business related to elevated demand at large grocers and retailers especially near the end of the first quarter of 2020. This increase was partially offset by decreased demand from customers in the food service industry resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, total revenues increased in Other Surface Transportation driven by the impact of the Dema Service acquisition.
Robinson Fresh net revenues decreased driven by reduced case volumes partially offset by increased net revenue per case. Managed Services net revenues increased driven by a combination of new customer wins and selling additional services to existing customers. Other Surface Transportation net revenues increased driven by
the acquisition of Dema Service, which contributed 4.5 percentage points of growth.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
Refer to the company's 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a complete discussion regarding our critical accounting policies and estimates. As of September 30, 2020, there were no material changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Refer
to the company’s 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a complete discussion on the company’s market risk. As of September 30, 2020 there were no material changes in market risk from those disclosed in the company’s 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We have historically generated substantial cash from operations, which has enabled us to fund our organic growth while paying cash dividends and repurchasing stock. In addition, we maintain the following debt facilities as described in Note 4, Financing Arrangements (dollars in thousands):
(1)
Net of unamortized discounts and issuance costs.
We expect to use our current debt facilities and potentially other indebtedness incurred in the future to assist us in continuing to fund working capital, capital expenditures, possible acquisitions, dividends, and share repurchases, although we temporarily suspended share repurchase activity as described below.
We prioritize our investments to grow the business, as we require some working capital and a relatively small amount of capital expenditures to grow. We are continually looking for acquisitions, but those acquisitions must fit our culture and enhance our growth opportunities.
The following table summarizes our major sources and uses of cash and cash equivalents (dollars in thousands):
Cash flow from operating activities. Cash flow from operating activities decreased significantly during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019 due to unfavorable changes in working capital. The unfavorable changes in working capital were primarily related to a sequential increase in accounts receivable associated with increasing pricing in a number of service lines during the third quarter of 2020. Given the COVID-19 pandemic, we are closely monitoring credit and collections activities to minimize risk as well as working with our customers to facilitate the movement of goods across their supply chains while also ensuring timely payment.
Cash used for investing
activities. We used $222.7 million for the acquisition of Prime Distribution during the nine months ended September 30, 2020. We used $45.0 million for the acquisition of Space Cargo and $14.2 million for the acquisition of Dema Service during the nine months ended September 30, 2019. Capital expenditures consisted primarily of investments in information technology, which are intended to increase employee productivity, automate interactions with our customers and contracted carriers, and improve our internal workflows to help expand our operating margins and grow the business. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, we sold a facility we owned in Chicago, Illinois for approximately $17.0 million.
Cash used for financing activities.
Net repayments on debt in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 were to reduce the outstanding balance of the Receivables Securitization Facility. The slight decrease in cash dividends was due to a decrease in shares outstanding during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and timing of dividends processed related to employee benefit plans, mostly offset by a $0.01 per share dividend increase in 2020 compared to 2019. The decrease in cash used for share repurchases was due to a decrease in the number of shares repurchased during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as we temporarily suspended our share repurchase activity near the end of the first quarter of 2020 as we continue to assess the impacts of COVID-19. In addition, the
average price paid per share decreased compared to the same period of 2019. The number of shares we repurchase, if any, during future periods will vary based on our cash position, other potential uses of our cash, and market conditions. Over the long term, we remain committed to our quarterly dividend and share repurchases to enhance shareholder value, and we expect to resume our opportunistic share repurchase program in the fourth quarter of this year. Such repurchases, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. We may seek to retire or purchase our outstanding Senior Notes through open market cash purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise.
Although there is uncertainty related to the anticipated impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our future results, we believe that, assuming no change in our current business plan, our available
cash, together with expected future cash generated from operations, the amount available under our credit facilities, and credit available in the market, will be sufficient to satisfy our anticipated needs for working capital, capital expenditures, and cash dividends for at least the next 12 months. We also believe we could obtain funds under lines of credit or other forms of indebtedness on short notice, if needed.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to Note 1, Basis of Presentation, contained in this quarterly report and in the company's 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of recently issued accounting pronouncements.
ITEM
4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)) or our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of the controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems,
no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error and mistake. Controls can also be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls is based in part on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness of controls and procedures to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls and procedures may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the controls
and procedures may have deteriorated.
As of September 30, 2020, our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Our management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives, and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded based upon the evaluation described above that, as of September 30, 2020, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.
(b) Changes in internal controls over financial reporting.
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) that occurred during the three months ended September 30, 2020, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
We are not subject to any pending or threatened litigation other than routine litigation arising in the ordinary course of our business operations. For some legal proceedings, we have accrued an amount that reflects the aggregate liability deemed probable and estimable, but this amount is not material to our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. Because of the preliminary nature of many of these proceedings, the difficulty in ascertaining the applicable facts relating to many of these proceedings, the inconsistent treatment of claims made in many of these proceedings, and the difficulty of predicting
the settlement value of many of these proceedings, we are often unable to estimate an amount or range of any reasonably possible additional losses. However, based upon our historical experience, the resolution of these proceedings is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors disclosed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, which could materially affect
our business, financial condition, or future results. We have updated our existing risk factor on catastrophic events below to include information associated with the current events related to COVID-19 that has significantly impacted global markets due to outbreaks occurring across the globe beginning in early 2020. Except for the updates to this risk factor set forth below, there have not been material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing our company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem
to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and/or operating results.
We may be subject to negative impacts of catastrophic events. A disruption or failure of our systems or operations in the event of a major earthquake, weather event, cyber-attack, heightened security measures, actual or threatened terrorist attack, strike, civil unrest, pandemic, or other catastrophic event could cause delays in providing services or performing other critical functions. A catastrophic event that results in the destruction or disruption of any of our critical business or information systems could harm our ability to conduct normal business operations and adversely impact our operating results.
In addition, the company is monitoring the ongoing
COVID-19 pandemic, which has already caused a significant disruption to global financial markets and supply chains and has resulted in increased travel restrictions and extended shutdown of certain businesses across the globe. We have already experienced changes in demand, including declines in certain verticals and regions, that exacerbate the conditions we experienced in 2019, along with volatile pricing. The significance of the operational and financial impact to our business will likely depend on how long and widespread this outbreak proves to be. The extent to which COVID-19 impacts our results will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of the outbreak and the international actions that are being taken to contain and treat it. While we currently expect this business disruption to be temporary, there is uncertainty around the duration and its broader impact
on the economy, and therefore the effects it will have on our operations and financial results. If economic or market conditions in key global markets deteriorate further, we expect to continue experiencing material adverse effects on our business and results of operations and may experience material adverse effects on our financial positions.
(1)
The total number of shares purchased consists of 17,276 shares of common stock surrendered to satisfy minimum statutory tax obligations under our stock incentive plans.
(2) In May 2018, the Board of Directors increased the number of shares authorized for repurchase by 15,000,000 shares. As of September 30, 2020, there were 9,022,073 shares remaining for future repurchases. Purchases can be made in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, including Rule 10b5-1 plans and accelerated repurchase programs.
Financial statements from the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the company for the period ended September 30, 2020 formatted in Inline XBRL (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)
104
The cover page from the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the company for the period
ended September 30, 2020 formatted in Inline XBRL (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized on October 30, 2020.
