Knight Transportation Provides Revised Earnings Guidance
Schedules First Quarter Earnings Conference Call
Knight Transportation, Inc. (NYSE:KNX)(“Knight”), one of North America’s largest and most diversified truckload transportation
companies, today provided an update on its guidance for the first and second quarter of 2017.
Based on preliminary results, Knight now expects earnings per diluted share will range from:
- $0.16 to $0.18 for its first quarter ended March 31, 2017, compared with its prior estimates of $0.24
to $0.27; and
- $0.24 to $0.27 for its second quarter ending June 30, 2017 (excluding costs associated with the
recently announced merger transaction), compared with its prior estimates of $0.27 to $0.30.
A number of factors negatively impacted the first quarter of 2017, which has resulted in expected earnings below original
estimates. The quarter started off with a seasonally weak January and February, but began to improve in March. The strength we
experienced in March was not enough to offset the slow start to the quarter. Revenue per loaded mile decreased year over year by
approximately 2.4%, which was more than originally expected. We also experienced a decline in miles per tractor of approximately
1.0%, which negatively impacted results. Rising fuel expense in the first two months of the quarter, lower gain on sale of revenue
equipment, higher insurance and claims expense, rising maintenance costs, and costs associated with the recently announced merger
transaction also negatively impacted the first quarter of 2017.
Dave Jackson, President and Chief Executive Officer stated, “Although we are disappointed in our first quarter results, we are
encouraged by the strength we experienced in March. Our leadership has enhanced our focus on cost control measures and we expect
meaningful improvements in our results in the coming quarters. In what has proven to be a difficult environment, we expect capacity
to continue to exit the market, leading to more favorable dynamics in the coming quarters.”
First Quarter 2017 Earnings Conference Call
Knight expects to release its 2017 first quarter earnings on Wednesday, April 26, 2017, after market close. Knight will be
holding a live conference call with analysts and investors to discuss the earnings release, the results of operations, and other
matters after its earnings press release on Wednesday, April 26, 2017, at 4:30 pm EST. (Please note that, since the call will begin
promptly as scheduled, you will need to join a few minutes prior to that time.) Slides to accompany this call will be posted on the
company’s website and will be available to download just prior to the scheduled conference call. To view the presentation, please
visit http://investor.knighttrans.com/events, “First Quarter 2017 Conference Call Presentation.”
The public will be able to listen and participate in the conference call telephonically by dialing (855) 733-9163. An audio
replay of the conference call will be posted on the Company’s website for at least seven (7) days after the meeting (www.knighttrans.com/shareholders/audio).
The Company assumes no responsibility to update any information posted on its web site.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements generally may be identified by their
use of terms or phrases such as "expects," "estimates," "anticipates," "projects," "believes," "plans," "intends," "may," "will,"
"should," "could," "potential," "continue," "future," and terms or phrases of similar substance. Forward-looking statements are
based upon the current beliefs and expectations of our management and are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of
which cannot be predicted or quantified, which could cause future events and actual results to differ materially from those set
forth in, contemplated by, or underlying the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, actual results may differ from those set
forth in the forward-looking statements. Readers should review and consider the factors that may affect future results and other
disclosures by the Company in its press releases, stockholder reports, Annual Report on Form 10-K, and other filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. We disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual
results or changes in the factors affecting the forward-looking information.
Knight Transportation, Inc.
David Jackson
President and CEO
or
Adam Miller, 602-269-2000
CFO
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