Forward Air says strategic review, potential sale still on track

Core Viewpoint - Forward Air's shares surged 16% in after-hours trading due to ongoing strategic review discussions, which may include a potential sale of the company [1] Financial Performance - The company reported a net loss of $16.3 million, or 52 cents per share, for the third quarter, with consolidated revenue of $632 million, reflecting a 4% year-over-year decline [3] - Consolidated EBITDA was $78 million, down 10% year-over-year but up 5% sequentially [3] - Last 12 months' consolidated adjusted EBITDA reached $299 million, showing a slight increase of $1 million from the second quarter [8] Operational Insights - The expedited segment, which includes less-than-truckload operations, generated revenue of $259 million, a 9% year-over-year decline, with tonnage per day down 14% [4] - The decline in tonnage was attributed to a 12% drop in shipments and a 2% decrease in weight per shipment [5] - The expedited unit reported a 7.5% operating margin, which was 70 basis points higher year-over-year but 10 basis points lower sequentially [5] Cost Management - Salaries, wages, and benefits expenses as a percentage of revenue increased by 20 basis points year-over-year, while purchased transportation expenses decreased by 70 basis points [6] - The company has reduced its workforce by over 300 full-time employees in the past year and improved labor utilization by flexing drivers across different modes [6] - A broader cost-saving plan has resulted in $12 million in annual cost reductions [7] Strategic Developments - The company is continuing discussions with interested parties regarding its strategic review, which was initiated following investor criticism over a contested merger with Omni Logistics [2] - The integration of expedited operations in the U.S. and Canada is expected to drive further cost savings and efficiencies [7] - Omni reported revenue of $340 million, a 2% year-over-year increase, with adjusted EBITDA of $33 million, which is 22% higher year-over-year [7] Debt and Leverage - The company's net debt stood at $1.65 billion, with a leverage ratio of 5.5 times LTM adjusted EBITDA, down from 5.7 times at the end of the second quarter [8] - The debt leverage covenant is set to decrease by 25 basis points each quarter to 5.5 times by the fourth quarter of 2026 [8]