YRC takes steps in right direction with second quarter earnings results

Based on today’s second quarter earnings announcement from less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation services provider YRC Worldwide, business conditions are continuing to gradually improve for the Overland Park, Kan.-based carrier.

YRC reported that its quarterly consolidated operating revenue—at $1.251 billion—was down 0.5 percent annually. And consolidated operating income came in at $15.5 million and included a $6.5 million gain on asset disposals. YRC officials said this is the first time since the third quarter of 2008 the company has reported income from operations—except for the second quarter of 2010, which included an $83 million non-cash reduction to its equity-based compensation expense—which is another step in the right direction for the company, which has lost more than 2.6 billion in the last five years.

Quarterly EBITDA at $70.1 million was up $5.6 million over $64.5 million in the second quarter of 2011.

“Our focused approach to pricing discipline, customer mix management and cost initiatives has driven year-over-year improvement in our business, which is reflected in our operating income,” said James Welch, chief executive officer of YRC Worldwide, in a statement. “We are producing results slightly ahead of our forecast, despite the recently softening economy, and remain focused on executing our operations and sales strategies at all operating companies.  We continue to be committed to delivering consistent, high-quality and cost-effective service for our customers and value for our stakeholders.”

Operating revenue for YRC Regional Transportation, improved by 7.0 percent to $429.8 million. Tonnage per day was up 4.4 percent year-over-year, shipments per day were up 2.5 percent, revenue per hundredweight was up 2.4 percent, and revenue per shipment was up 4.3 percent.

At YRC Freight, which was re-named from YRC National Transportation in early February, operating revenue dipped 0.7 percent to $821.1 million. Daily tonnage was up 3.3 percent and revenue per hundredweight was up 2.9 percent. Daily shipments were up 4.3 percent, and revenue per shipment was up 1.7 percent.

Welch said that YRC Freight is actively managing its customer mix with improved pricing discipline, which is paying off in both sequential and annual improvements even though operating revenue was down slightly. He added that the unit is increasing efficiencies in its network and improving customer service through significant enhancements to increase the speed in its more than 24,000 lanes within its North America-based LTL network.

Pricing discipline is continuing to take hold in the LTL sector. As LM has reported, a common theme for LTL carriers during earnings season is revenue per shipment is on the rise in tandem with pricing gains.