Forward Air Corporation Reports Second Quarter 2025 Results

Business Wire

2 days ago

GREENEVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Forward Air Corporation (NASDAQ:FWRD) (the 'Company', 'we', 'our', or 'us') today reported financial results for the three months ended June 30, 2025, as presented in the tables below.
'We posted yet another solid quarter; even in this challenging environment, our team continues to deliver,' said Shawn Stewart, Chief Executive Officer. 'Operationally, we remained focused on the customer and executed well in our linehaul and terminal operations. By tightly managing costs and improving most of our operating KPIs, we have improved margins in our Expedited Freight segment. Sequentially, on a consolidated basis second quarter income from operations increased by $15 million to $20 million and Consolidated EBITDA increased by $5 million to $74 million compared to the first quarter of the year. Our team has done an exceptional job managing through a very challenging freight recession, and given our expense management discipline and operational improvements, I believe that we are equally well positioned to improve both EBITDA and cash flow from operations once the freight environment normalizes. It takes a lot of discipline, but we are not focused on the next three months or even the next three quarters, but the next three plus years.
'At the Expedited Freight segment, we are seeing the benefits from maintaining rigorous cost controls and addressing pricing actions to more closely align with the quality of service we provide. Following corrective pricing actions completed in February of this year, the second quarter revenue per hundredweight, excluding fuel surcharge, increased sequentially for the second consecutive quarter. The improvements contributed to the highest reported EBITDA margin at the Expedited Freight segment since the fourth quarter of 2023. The Expedited Freight segment encompasses one of the largest expedited LTL networks in North America and is a recognized industry leader in time-critical, high-value freight. We believe our commitment to service excellence is key to sustainable growth and long-term profitability,' concluded Stewart.
Jamie Pierson, Chief Financial Officer added, 'We reported consolidated revenue of $619 million in the second quarter 2025 compared to $644 million in the second quarter of 2024. Sequentially, consolidated revenue increased by $6 million compared to $613 million in the first quarter of this year. Income from operations improved to $20 million in the second quarter compared to a loss from operations of $3 million, excluding an impairment of goodwill, a year ago. On a sequential basis, that same $20 million income from operations improved by $15 million compared to $5 million reported in the first quarter 2025.
'For the second quarter, Consolidated EBITDA ("Consolidated EBITDA"), a non-GAAP measure calculated pursuant to our Senior Secured Term Loan Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement"), was $74 million. Correspondingly, the last twelve months Consolidated EBITDA as of June 30, 2025, was $298 million.
'Liquidity at the end of the second quarter was $368 million compared to $393 million at the end of the first quarter 2025. The $25 million decrease during the quarter includes the $34 million semi-annual interest on the Senior Secured Notes paid every April and October. Year-to-date through June 30, cash provided by operating activities is $14 million which is a $111 million improvement compared to the $97 million used by operations in the first half of 2024,' concluded Pierson.
Review of Financial Results
Forward will hold a conference call to discuss second quarter 2025 results on Monday, August 11, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. ET. The Company's conference call will be available online on the Investor Relations portion of the Company's website at ir.forwardaircorp.com, or by dialing [phone], Access Code: FWRDQ225.
A replay of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations portion of the Company's website at www.forwardaircorp.com, which we use as a primary mechanism to communicate with our investors. Investors are urged to monitor the Investor Relations portion of the Company's website to easily find or navigate to current and pertinent information about us.
About Forward Air Corporation
Forward is a leading asset-light provider of transportation services across the United States, Canada and Mexico. We provide expedited less-than-truckload services, including local pick-up and delivery, shipment consolidation/deconsolidation, warehousing, and customs brokerage by utilizing a comprehensive national network of terminals. In addition, we offer truckload brokerage services, including dedicated fleet services, and intermodal, first- and last-mile, high-value drayage services, both to and from seaports and railheads, dedicated contract and Container Freight Station warehouse and handling services. Forward also operates a full portfolio of multimodal solutions, both domestically and internationally, via Omni Logistics. Omni Logistics is a global provider of air, ocean and ground services for mission-critical freight. We are more than a transportation company. Forward is a single resource for your shipping needs. For more information, visit our website at www.forwardaircorp.com.
Expedited Freight Segment Information
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
June 30, 2025
Percent of
Revenue
June 30, 2024
Percent of
Revenue
Change
Percent
Change
Operating revenues:
Network 1
$
193,829
75.2
%
$
223,334
76.7
%
$
(29,505
)
(13.2
)%
Truckload
42,636
16.5
44,678
15.3
(2,042
)
(4.6
)
Other
21,231
8.3
23,270
8.0
(2,039
)
(8.8
)
Total operating revenues
257,696
100.0
291,282
100.0
(33,586
)
(11.5
)
Operating expenses:
Purchased transportation
124,448
48.3
142,512
48.9
(18,064
)
(12.7
)
Salaries, wages and employee benefits
53,938
20.9
63,845
21.9
(9,907
)
(15.5
)
Operating leases
17,355
6.7
14,730
5.1
2,625
17.8
Depreciation and amortization
10,357
4.0
10,692
3.7
(335
)
(3.1
)
Insurance and claims
10,693
4.1
10,969
3.8
(276
)
(2.5
)
Fuel expense
2,518
1.0
2,434
0.8
84
3.5
Other operating expenses
18,892
7.4
24,154
8.3
(5,262
)
(21.8
)
Total operating expenses
238,201
92.4
269,336
92.5
(31,135
)
(11.6
)
Income from operations
$
19,495
7.6
%
$
21,946
7.5
%
$
(2,451
)
(11.2
)%
1 Network revenue is comprised of all revenue, including linehaul, pickup and/or delivery, and fuel surcharge revenue, excluding accessorial and Truckload revenue.
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Omni Logistics Segment Information
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
Operating revenue
$
328,316
100.0
%
311,856
100.0
%
16,460
5.3
%
Operating expenses:
Purchased transportation
185,040
56.4
178,674
57.3
6,366
3.6
Salaries, wages and employee benefits
61,584
18.8
57,536
18.4
4,048
7.0
Operating leases
25,686
7.8
26,751
8.6
(1,065
)
(4.0
)
Depreciation and amortization
22,419
6.8
33,235
10.7
(10,816
)
(32.5
)
Insurance and claims
1,248
0.4
2,845
0.9
(1,597
)
(56.1
)
Fuel expense
888
0.3
1,182
0.4
(294
)
(24.9
)
Other operating expenses
24,265
7.4
24,790
7.9
(525
)
(2.1
)
Impairment of goodwill
—
—
1,092,714
350.4
(1,092,714
)
(100.0
)
Total operating expenses
321,130
97.8
1,417,727
454.6
(1,096,597
)
(77.3
)
Income (loss) from operations
7,186
2.2
%
(1,105,871
)
(354.6
)%
1,113,057
100.6
%
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Intermodal Segment Information
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
Operating revenue
$
59,146
100.0
%
$
59,299
100.0
%
$
(153
)
(0.3
)%
Operating expenses:
Purchased transportation
20,049
33.9
19,173
32.3
876
4.6
Salaries, wages and employee benefits
15,385
26.0
14,899
25.1
486
3.3
Operating leases
5,336
9.0
4,776
8.1
560
11.7
Depreciation and amortization
4,502
7.6
4,712
7.9
(210
)
(4.5
)
Insurance and claims
3,147
5.3
2,619
4.4
528
20.2
Fuel expense
1,857
3.1
2,243
3.8
(386
)
(17.2
)
Other operating expenses
4,455
7.6
5,560
9.4
(1,105
)
(19.9
)
Total operating expenses
54,731
92.5
53,982
91.0
749
1.4
Income from operations
$
4,415
7.5
%
$
5,317
9.0
%
$
(902
)
(17.0
)%
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Intermodal Operating Statistics
Three Months Ended
June 30, 2025
June 30, 2024
Percent Change
Drayage shipments
62,313
64,877
(4.0
)%
Drayage revenue per shipment
$
862
$
826
4.4
%
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Forward Air Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
December 31, 2024
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
95,128
$
104,903
Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents
179
363
Accounts receivable, net
335,716
322,291
Prepaid expenses
33,182
29,053
Other current assets
10,402
15,890
Total current assets
474,607
472,500
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $305,267 in 2025 and $292,855 in 2024
321,329
326,188
Operating lease right-of-use assets
419,531
410,084
Goodwill
522,712
522,712
Other acquired intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $259,154 in 2025 and $212,905 in 2024
952,967
999,216
Other long term assets
70,089
71,941
Total assets
$
2,761,235
$
2,802,641
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
$
115,123
$
105,692
Accrued expenses
115,605
119,836
Other current liabilities
48,072
45,148
Current portion of debt and finance lease obligations
16,877
16,930
Current portion of operating lease liabilities
101,008
96,440
Total current liabilities
396,685
384,046
Finance lease obligations, less current portion
29,191
30,858
Long-term debt, less current portion
1,681,468
1,675,930
Liabilities under tax receivable agreement
20,158
13,295
Operating lease liabilities, less current portion
334,318
325,640
Other long-term liabilities
49,725
48,835
Deferred income taxes
33,449
38,169
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock
—
—
Common stock
306
298
Additional paid-in capital
551,845
542,392
Accumulated deficit
(402,451
)
(338,230
)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
2,094
(2,732
)
Total Forward Air shareholders' equity
151,794
201,728
Noncontrolling interest
64,447
84,140
Total shareholders' equity
216,241
285,868
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$
2,761,235
$
2,802,641
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Forward Air Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
June 30, 2025
June 30, 2024
Operating activities:
Net loss from continuing operations
$
(20,364
)
$
(966,471
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
36,806
48,639
Impairment of goodwill
—
1,092,714
Share-based compensation expense
4,711
3,620
Provision for revenue adjustments
990
1,121
Deferred income tax benefit
(1,933
)
(166,549
)
Other
10,673
2,300
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from the purchase of acquired businesses:
Accounts receivable
4,200
(21,770
)
Other receivables
743
164
Other current and noncurrent assets
8,952
(49,528
)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
(57,995
)
10,560
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of continuing operations
(13,217
)
(45,200
)
Investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
804
557
Purchases of property and equipment
(4,744
)
(14,426
)
Other
55
(85
)
Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations
(3,885
)
(13,954
)
Financing activities:
Repayments of finance lease obligations
(4,945
)
(4,567
)
Proceeds from credit facility
60,000
—
Payments on credit facility
(60,000
)
—
Proceeds from common stock issued under employee stock purchase plan
434
369
Payment of minimum tax withholdings on share-based awards
(107
)
(33
)
Net cash used in financing activities of continuing operations
(4,618
)
(4,231
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
353
646
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents from continuing operations
(21,367
)
(62,739
)
Cash from discontinued operations:
Net cash used in operating activities of discontinued operations
—
(4,876
)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents
(21,367
)
(67,615
)
Expand
Forward Air Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended
June 30, 2025
June 30, 2024
Operating activities:
Net loss from continuing operations
$
(81,555
)
$
(1,055,265
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
74,166
80,425
Impairment of goodwill
—
1,092,714
Share-based compensation expense
7,669
5,187
Provision for revenue adjustments
1,637
2,159
Deferred income tax benefit
(4,725
)
(163,604
)
Other
14,472
6,469
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from the purchase of acquired businesses:
Accounts receivable
(16,945
)
(42,265
)
Other receivables
309
5,531
Other current and noncurrent assets
9,719
(56,637
)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
9,651
28,362
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of continuing operations
14,398
(96,924
)
Investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
1,495
1,406
Purchases of property and equipment
(16,650
)
(19,396
)
Purchase of a business, net of cash acquired
—
(1,565,242
)
Other
31
(174
)
Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations
(15,124
)
(1,583,406
)
Financing activities:
Repayments of finance lease obligations
(9,376
)
(9,127
)
Proceeds from credit facility
85,000
—
Payments on credit facility
(85,000
)
(80,000
)
Payment of debt issuance costs
—
(60,591
)
Payment of earn-out liability
—
(12,247
)
Proceeds from common stock issued under employee stock purchase plan
434
369
Payment of minimum tax withholdings on share-based awards
(1,001
)
(1,361
)
Net cash used in financing activities of continuing operations
(9,943
)
(162,957
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
710
745
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents from continuing operations
(9,959
)
(1,842,542
)
Cash from discontinued operation:
Net cash used in operating activities of discontinued operation
—
(4,876
)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents
(9,959
)
(1,847,418
)
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents at beginning of period
105,266
1,952,073
Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents at end of period
$
95,307
$
104,655
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Forward Air Corporation Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In this press release, the Company includes financial measures that are derived on the basis of methodologies other than in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). The Company believes that meaningful analysis of its financial performance requires an understanding of the factors underlying that performance, including an understanding of items that are non-operational. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in making financial, operating, compensation and planning decisions as well as evaluating the Company's performance.
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, this press release contains the following non-GAAP financial measures: earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ('EBITDA'), and free cash flow.
All non-GAAP financial measures are presented on a continuing operations basis.
The Company believes that EBITDA improves comparability from period to period by removing the impact of its capital structure (interest and financing expenses), asset base (depreciation and amortization) and tax impacts. The Company believes that free cash flow is an important measure of its ability to repay maturing debt or fund other uses of capital that it believes will enhance shareholder value.
The Company is also providing Consolidated EBITDA calculated in accordance with our credit agreement as we believe it provides investors with important information regarding our financial condition and compliance with our obligations under our credit agreement.
Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative to or substitute for, the Company's financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Company has included, for the periods indicated, a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Investors and other readers are encouraged to review the related U.S. GAAP financial measures and the reconciliations of the non-GAAP measures to their most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures set forth below.
With respect to the 2025 Consolidated EBITDA guidance, please note that the Company is not providing a quantitative reconciliation of Consolidated EBITDA to Net Income because it is not available without unreasonable efforts. The Company does not currently have sufficient data to accurately estimate the variables and individual adjustments for such reconciliation, or to quantify the probable significance of these items. The adjustments required for any such reconciliation of the Company's forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures cannot be accurately forecast by the Company, and therefore the reconciliation has been omitted.
The following is a reconciliation of net income to Consolidated EBITDA for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 (in thousands):
The following is a reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities to free cash flow for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 (in thousands):
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: 'anticipate,' 'intend,' 'plan,' 'goal,' 'seek,' 'believe,' 'project,' 'estimate,' 'expect,' 'strategy,' 'future,' 'likely,' 'may,' 'should,' 'will' and similar references to future periods. Forward-looking statements included in this press release relate to expectations regarding the Company's long-term growth; ability to achieve and accelerate synergy capture and eliminate costs from our structure; expectations regarding the Company's expedited freight business; ability to achieve the intended benefits of the acquisition of Omni Logistics, including any revenue and cost synergies; the Company's expectations regarding the Company's financial performance, including Consolidated EBITDA, and the impact it may have on the business and results of operations; the Company's beliefs regarding the key drivers of sustainable growth and long-term profitability and expectations regarding the Company's revenue growth strategies, including with respect to operational efficiency and cost control.
Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not unduly rely on any of these forward-looking statements. The following is a list of factors, among others, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements: economic factors such as tariffs, recessions, inflation, higher interest rates and downturns in customer business cycles, the Company's ability to achieve the expected strategic, financial and other benefits of the acquisition of Omni Logistics, including the realization of expected synergies and the achievement of deleveraging targets within the expected timeframes or at all, the risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully or that integration may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected, the risk that operating costs, customer loss, management and employee retention and business disruption (including, without limitation, difficulties in maintaining relationships with employees, customers, clients or suppliers) as a result of the acquisition of Omni Logistics may be greater than expected, continued weakening of the freight environment, future debt and financing levels, our ability to deleverage, including, without limitation, through capital allocation or divestitures of non-core businesses, our ability to secure terminal facilities in desirable locations at reasonable rates, more limited liquidity than expected which limits our ability to make key investments, the creditworthiness of our customers and their ability to pay for services rendered, our inability to maintain our historical growth rate because of a decreased volume of freight or decreased average revenue per pound of freight moving through our network, the availability and compensation of qualified Leased Capacity Providers and freight handlers as well as contracted, third-party carriers needed to serve our customers' transportation needs, our inability to manage our information systems and inability of our information systems to handle an increased volume of freight moving through our network, the occurrence of cybersecurity risks and events, market acceptance of our service offerings, claims for property damage, personal injuries or workers' compensation, enforcement of and changes in governmental regulations, environmental, tax, insurance and accounting matters, the handling of hazardous materials, changes in fuel prices, loss of a major customer, increasing competition, and pricing pressure, our dependence on our senior management team and the potential effects of changes in employee status, seasonal trends, the occurrence of certain weather events, restrictions in our charter and bylaws and the risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and as may be identified in our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.
We caution readers that any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release is based only on information currently available to us and they should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management's opinion as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward- looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise unless required by law.