Epoxy

August 2, 2022

Huntsman Q2 Results

Huntsman Announces Second Quarter 2022 Earnings; $501 million of Buybacks in First Half of 2022

Download as PDF August 02, 2022 6:00am EDT

Audio Earnings WebcastEarnings Slides PDF

Second Quarter Highlights

  • Second quarter 2022 net income of $242 million compared to net income of $172 million in the prior year period; second quarter 2022 diluted earnings per share of $1.10 compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.70 in the prior year period.
  • Second quarter 2022 adjusted net income of $265 million compared to adjusted net income of $191 million in the prior year period; second quarter 2022 adjusted diluted earnings per share of $1.28 compared to adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.86 in the prior year period.
  • Second quarter 2022 adjusted EBITDA of $432 million compared to adjusted EBITDA of $334 million in the prior year period.
  • Second quarter 2022 net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations was $231 million. Free cash flow from continuing operations was $162 million for the second quarter 2022 compared to an outflow of $83 million in the prior year period.
  • Repurchased approximately 8.4 million shares for approximately $291 million in the second quarter 2022.

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Aug. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ —

Three months endedSix months ended
June 30,June 30,
In millions, except per share amounts2022202120222021
Revenues$     2,362$     2,024$     4,751$     3,861
Net income$       242$       172$       482$       272
Adjusted net income (1)$       265$       191$       521$       338
Diluted income per share$      1.10$      0.70$      2.14$      1.07
Adjusted diluted income per share(1)$      1.28$      0.86$      2.47$      1.52
Adjusted EBITDA(1)$       432$       334$       847$       623
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from continuing operations$       231$          (7)$       316$        (23)
Free cash flow from continuing operations(2)$       162$        (83)$       178$      (197)
See end of press release for footnote explanations and reconciliations of non-GAAP measures.

Huntsman Corporation (NYSE: HUN) today reported second quarter 2022 results with revenues of $2,362 million, net income of $242 million, adjusted net income of $265 million and adjusted EBITDA of $432 million. 

Peter R. Huntsman, Chairman, President, and CEO, commented:

“Second quarter EBITDA margins exceeded 18% on the back of our value over volume strategy, improved pricing, and solid cost control.  We remain well ahead or on track to meet the targets that we presented at our Investor Day in November 2021, despite an increasingly challenging economic environment due to extremely high European natural gas prices, headwinds in China associated with government-mandated shutdowns and monetary tightening in the United States. In addition to the positive results, we repurchased approximately $500 million in shares in the first six months of the year and our balance sheet remains extremely strong with a net leverage ratio of 0.6x.

“Regardless of any macro headwinds that may impact the chemical industry in the coming quarters, our priorities around cost control, a focus on downstream businesses and returning capital to shareholders will remain unchanged.  Our balance sheet and cash generation places us in an enviable position to take advantage of opportunities as they present themselves to invest in our core businesses.” Segment Analysis for 2Q22 Compared to 2Q21

Polyurethanes

The increase in revenues in our Polyurethanes segment for the three months ended June 30, 2022 compared to the same period of 2021 was primarily due to higher MDI average selling prices, partially offset by lower sales volumes. MDI average selling prices increased in all our regions. Sales volumes decreased primarily due to the extended government-mandated COVID lockdown in Shanghai, China and lower demand, partially offset by favorable comparisons in Europe due to the scheduled turnaround at our Rotterdam, Netherlands facility in the second quarter of 2021. The increase in segment adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to higher MDI margins and a gain from an insurance settlement, partially offset by lower sales volumes, the negative impact of weaker major international currencies against the U.S. dollar and lower equity earnings from our minority-owned joint venture in China.

Advanced Materials

The increase in revenues in our Advanced Materials segment for the three months ended June 30, 2022 compared to the same period of 2021 was primarily due to higher average selling prices, partially offset by lower sales volumes. Average selling prices increased largely in response to higher raw material, energy and logistics costs as well as improved sales mix. Sales volumes decreased primarily due to deselection of lower margin base resins business. The increase in segment adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to higher sales prices and improved sales mix.

https://www.huntsman.com/news/media-releases/detail/534/huntsman-announces-second-quarter-2022-earnings-501

July 29, 2022

Olin Epoxy Comments from Investors Call

Olin Corporation (OLN) CEO Scott Sutton on Q2 2022 Results – Earnings Call Transcript

Jul. 29, 2022 12:15 PM ETOlin Corporation (OLN)

Q2: 2022-07-28 Earnings Summary

EPS of $2.78 beats by $0.25 | Revenue of $2.62B (17.77% Y/Y) misses by $41.49M

Olin Corporation (NYSE:OLN) Q2 2022 Earnings Conference Call July 29, 2022 9:00 AM ET

Company Participants

Steve Keenan – Director-Investor Relations

Scott Sutton – Chief Executive Officer

Todd Slater – Chief Financial Officer

Scott SuttonPresident and Chief Executive Officer

Yeah. Thanks, Steve, and good morning to everybody. The Olin team did a great job delivering the highest quarterly EBITDA in our history, and delivering the fourth quarter in a row where EBITDA was $700 million, plus or minus, even though global economic conditions declined. We did what we said we would do.

We ran our model of leadership and accelerated our reduction of Olin share count without adding debt to our investment grade balance sheet. Still many imagine us all the way down in the earnings and free cash flow gutter in the imminent recession. So I will solely focus my remarks on what Olin looks like in a recession, and then on why Olin is a good investment in any event. So let’s go back and revisit the recession, EBITDA and free cash flow slide from our first quarter earnings call shown here as slide number 4.

Starting on the left-hand side of the slide, from our $2.8 billion EBITDA 12-month run rate, it is certainly not impossible that the CAPV business experiences lower, longer-term operating rate reductions as we focus on maintaining the value of our products through a recession. The associated percent drop in CAPV EBITDA could be like what our Epoxy business is experiencing. The combination of the two business performance reductions result in a $1 billion EBITDA drop. The right-hand side of the slide seems to be more interesting to most Olin followers.

Starting from the 2020 EBITDA result of $636 million, the three line items that we don’t expect to repeat in a recession under the new model are low core in pricing, selling cash-negative EDC and Winchester operating in a significantly smaller demand structure. All three line items seem to be well accepted. The fourth upside line item called other structural change needs some clarification though. Included in that upside line item, are the materialized fixed cost reductions for the closure of 865,000 ECU tons of chlor alkali production, an updated epichlorohydrin positioning, maintaining part of the improved epoxy pricing under our new model of value, an improved VCM contract arrangement in gains from multiple alliances.

In this recession scenario, Olin still generates $7 per share or more of levered free cash flow. In fact, we welcome the opportunity to further reduce our share count right through the middle of a recession. Obviously, we’re bullish on Olin. Slide No.

5 shows why. We’re the leader in every one of our businesses, and we run a model that looks around corners so we can position for the future today. So said differently, we take difficult actions early in the cycle. Part of that positioning is to temporarily reduce participation in markets with poor future quality indicators.

Our curtailments in Epoxy and associated upstreams at Freeport and Brazil, as well as an EDC and Freeport continue today. Both Epoxy and EDC represent weakness on the chlorine side of the ECU. Accordingly, we match our market participation to the weak side of the ECU. This is a fundamental change to our positioning from prior periods.

Additionally, we expect to curtail epoxy and associated upstreams again stated Germany late in the third quarter, in part due to the European energy situation. Our complete company strategy changed from heavy volume to nimble value along with the currently understated equity valuation positions us to buy up to 20% of our outstanding shares in a year even in a weak economic cycle. Our new $2 billion share repurchase program reflects our board’s confidence in Olin’s future earnings and cash flow generation. With our solid balance sheet and strong cash flow, the company is well positioned to execute on this attractive opportunity to invest in Olin.

Jeff ZekauskasJ.P. Morgan — Analyst

Thanks very much. Can you talk about the state of the Epoxy market and what your Epoxy volumes were like in the second quarter relative to the first?

Scott SuttonPresident and Chief Executive Officer

Yes. Hey, Jeff. Yes. I mean in epoxy, our volumes in the second quarter actually declined from the first quarter.

In fact, we ran the lowest volume quarter in the history of the business. The big driver there, Jeff, is China. I mean China is at least 50% of the world’s consumption of epoxy, consumption has declined much more than supply decline. And essentially, China has flipped its trade flows has effectively become a net exporter of epoxy and epichlorohydrin and a lot of that material is moving into Asia.

And consequently, all of that material that is already produced in other parts of Asia, is moving into Europe and into North America. Now we all know this is a temporary situation, but it is incredibly dramatic and effectively, we’re running that business. You can think of it 50% sort of asset utilization and we’re taking those difficult choices and making those asset and market moves to make sure we preserve value through this time. It just really doesn’t get much worse than this.

This is sort of beyond what you would expect out of a recession when you combine the European situation as well.

Arun ViswanathanRBC Capital Markets — Analyst

Great. Thanks. So you also mentioned, I guess, in the release that you’d likely see a reduction in rates at start as well. And so does that mean that you kind of flip back and increase the rates at Freeport? Could you just update on how you’re thinking about managing through this higher energy cost environment, and some of those demand trends that you’re seeing there?

Scott SuttonPresident and Chief Executive Officer

Yes. Sure. I mean, when and if we take that action later here in the third quarter, I mean, we’ll balance some of that with ramping up production at our other sites. But still, in this time period, this third quarter and moving into fourth quarter, I mean you’re going to see us run our overall system in Epoxy still at very, very low rates as we reduce our participation.

Lots of areas of that market are still pretty poor quality.

Arun ViswanathanRBC Capital Markets — Analyst

Thanks. And as a quick follow-up, you mentioned that China has flipped their trade flows in the Epoxy, I think. And just curious, if you’re concerned at all about that as it relates to caustic or other chlorine products just because — if your outlook does call for potentially increased caustic margins, or ECU margins, because of reductions in operating rates due to chlorine weakness, what — do you expect more exports to wind up on the West Coast or the East Coast here because the returns are so great? And — or is that unlikely? And then, I guess, just on that note, are you satisfied, I guess, with the 865,000 tons of closures. Does that kind of take care of all of your high-cost capacity, or would you expect to take more action on that side? Thanks.

Scott SuttonPresident and Chief Executive Officer

Yeah. Sure. I mean, look, what you described has already been happening. I mean, with the slowdown generally in China demand relative to production, we’ve already seen additional caustic exports out of China, just like there’s been a lot of extra PVC exports as well.

So that has been going on. And our model is already adapted to offset that exposure. And we’ve seen those flows come in, and we’re working around flows. And still, we go out in certain cases and purchase some liquidity out of the global market space and maybe move it to a different area.

I mean, look, with regard to the 865,000 ECU tons, and just as a reminder, that 865,000 ECU tons included shutting down the remaining 200,000 tons of ECU capacity that is diaphragm based in McIntosh, Alabama. And we have already accomplished that. In fact, we pulled it forward, so all of the diaphragm capacity is down in McIntosh, Alabama. We’ll have to see we’re satisfied with that.

I mean, certainly, that’s made a difference in our ability to be nimble and drive for value. But that number has taken us to a reasonable point for now. There’s always other options.

Steve ByrneBank of America Merrill Lynch — Analyst

Thank you. Just a couple questions regarding the statement about you’re running — you could run your assets at 50% rates for a year. Where would you estimate your operating rates are likely to be in the third quarter? And can you comment on the significance of the one-year phase? Is that — is there something implicit in running at rate that is really unsustainable beyond just the financial impacts?

Scott SuttonPresident and Chief Executive Officer

Yes. Sure. I mean the only business that we really provided indications on where we’re running is our Epoxy business. And we’ve said we’re running that business pretty close to 50% operating rates.

I would just say in our CAPB business that we’re well above that level and have plenty of room there. The only significance in the one year is we were trying to demonstrate what is the lowest full-year EBITDA that Olin might have in its future. So we picked a pretty long recession scenario. In other words, one year where the global economy declined so much that we had to run at that rate every day for a full year.

We’re trying to be a bit conservative here because clearly Olin’s equity value is driven by the view that under that kind of scenario, our EBITDA must be much lower than where we believe it is. So we’re just trying to present a compelling case that says we are good in a recession. And in fact we can create value via a really good capital allocation right through the middle of that recession. So that’s the idea that’s behind that 12-month window.

Mike LeitheadBarclays — Analyst

Got it. Makes sense. And then maybe just a second, I want to circle back to I think your answer to Jeff’s question about Epoxy and China turning to a net exporter. And just – when you look at other chemical products or cycles when you see that happen, things do tend to get a bit sloppy for a bit of time.

So can you just walk through your comfort that that’s not the case for Epoxy or EPI right now and try as you say?

Scott SuttonPresident and Chief Executive Officer

Well, no, I would just say that it is already it takes for EPI and Epoxy. There is so much material that used to be imported into China that now because of the mismatch of China’s internal consumption versus their production. Now that material that used to move into China does not anymore. Most of that material came from other Asian countries.

Consequently those other Asian countries have been exporting that material to North America and to Europe. And that’s been going on for a number of months. And that is why our Epoxy earnings came down. We’ve elected not to participate in that have our value remain where it is.

And when that reverses, which it will reverse, we’re left where our volumes return but the return at the pricing level that we had notched it up to.

https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/olin-corporation-oln-q2-2022-earnings-call-transcript

July 29, 2022

Olin Epoxy Comments from Investors Call

Olin Corporation (OLN) CEO Scott Sutton on Q2 2022 Results – Earnings Call Transcript

Jul. 29, 2022 12:15 PM ETOlin Corporation (OLN)

Q2: 2022-07-28 Earnings Summary

EPS of $2.78 beats by $0.25 | Revenue of $2.62B (17.77% Y/Y) misses by $41.49M

Olin Corporation (NYSE:OLN) Q2 2022 Earnings Conference Call July 29, 2022 9:00 AM ET

Company Participants

Steve Keenan – Director-Investor Relations

Scott Sutton – Chief Executive Officer

Todd Slater – Chief Financial Officer

Scott SuttonPresident and Chief Executive Officer

Yeah. Thanks, Steve, and good morning to everybody. The Olin team did a great job delivering the highest quarterly EBITDA in our history, and delivering the fourth quarter in a row where EBITDA was $700 million, plus or minus, even though global economic conditions declined. We did what we said we would do.

We ran our model of leadership and accelerated our reduction of Olin share count without adding debt to our investment grade balance sheet. Still many imagine us all the way down in the earnings and free cash flow gutter in the imminent recession. So I will solely focus my remarks on what Olin looks like in a recession, and then on why Olin is a good investment in any event. So let’s go back and revisit the recession, EBITDA and free cash flow slide from our first quarter earnings call shown here as slide number 4.

Starting on the left-hand side of the slide, from our $2.8 billion EBITDA 12-month run rate, it is certainly not impossible that the CAPV business experiences lower, longer-term operating rate reductions as we focus on maintaining the value of our products through a recession. The associated percent drop in CAPV EBITDA could be like what our Epoxy business is experiencing. The combination of the two business performance reductions result in a $1 billion EBITDA drop. The right-hand side of the slide seems to be more interesting to most Olin followers.

Starting from the 2020 EBITDA result of $636 million, the three line items that we don’t expect to repeat in a recession under the new model are low core in pricing, selling cash-negative EDC and Winchester operating in a significantly smaller demand structure. All three line items seem to be well accepted. The fourth upside line item called other structural change needs some clarification though. Included in that upside line item, are the materialized fixed cost reductions for the closure of 865,000 ECU tons of chlor alkali production, an updated epichlorohydrin positioning, maintaining part of the improved epoxy pricing under our new model of value, an improved VCM contract arrangement in gains from multiple alliances.

In this recession scenario, Olin still generates $7 per share or more of levered free cash flow. In fact, we welcome the opportunity to further reduce our share count right through the middle of a recession. Obviously, we’re bullish on Olin. Slide No.

5 shows why. We’re the leader in every one of our businesses, and we run a model that looks around corners so we can position for the future today. So said differently, we take difficult actions early in the cycle. Part of that positioning is to temporarily reduce participation in markets with poor future quality indicators.

Our curtailments in Epoxy and associated upstreams at Freeport and Brazil, as well as an EDC and Freeport continue today. Both Epoxy and EDC represent weakness on the chlorine side of the ECU. Accordingly, we match our market participation to the weak side of the ECU. This is a fundamental change to our positioning from prior periods.

Additionally, we expect to curtail epoxy and associated upstreams again stated Germany late in the third quarter, in part due to the European energy situation. Our complete company strategy changed from heavy volume to nimble value along with the currently understated equity valuation positions us to buy up to 20% of our outstanding shares in a year even in a weak economic cycle. Our new $2 billion share repurchase program reflects our board’s confidence in Olin’s future earnings and cash flow generation. With our solid balance sheet and strong cash flow, the company is well positioned to execute on this attractive opportunity to invest in Olin.

Jeff ZekauskasJ.P. Morgan — Analyst

Thanks very much. Can you talk about the state of the Epoxy market and what your Epoxy volumes were like in the second quarter relative to the first?

Scott SuttonPresident and Chief Executive Officer

Yes. Hey, Jeff. Yes. I mean in epoxy, our volumes in the second quarter actually declined from the first quarter.

In fact, we ran the lowest volume quarter in the history of the business. The big driver there, Jeff, is China. I mean China is at least 50% of the world’s consumption of epoxy, consumption has declined much more than supply decline. And essentially, China has flipped its trade flows has effectively become a net exporter of epoxy and epichlorohydrin and a lot of that material is moving into Asia.

And consequently, all of that material that is already produced in other parts of Asia, is moving into Europe and into North America. Now we all know this is a temporary situation, but it is incredibly dramatic and effectively, we’re running that business. You can think of it 50% sort of asset utilization and we’re taking those difficult choices and making those asset and market moves to make sure we preserve value through this time. It just really doesn’t get much worse than this.

This is sort of beyond what you would expect out of a recession when you combine the European situation as well.

Arun ViswanathanRBC Capital Markets — Analyst

Great. Thanks. So you also mentioned, I guess, in the release that you’d likely see a reduction in rates at start as well. And so does that mean that you kind of flip back and increase the rates at Freeport? Could you just update on how you’re thinking about managing through this higher energy cost environment, and some of those demand trends that you’re seeing there?

Scott SuttonPresident and Chief Executive Officer

Yes. Sure. I mean, when and if we take that action later here in the third quarter, I mean, we’ll balance some of that with ramping up production at our other sites. But still, in this time period, this third quarter and moving into fourth quarter, I mean you’re going to see us run our overall system in Epoxy still at very, very low rates as we reduce our participation.

Lots of areas of that market are still pretty poor quality.

Arun ViswanathanRBC Capital Markets — Analyst

Thanks. And as a quick follow-up, you mentioned that China has flipped their trade flows in the Epoxy, I think. And just curious, if you’re concerned at all about that as it relates to caustic or other chlorine products just because — if your outlook does call for potentially increased caustic margins, or ECU margins, because of reductions in operating rates due to chlorine weakness, what — do you expect more exports to wind up on the West Coast or the East Coast here because the returns are so great? And — or is that unlikely? And then, I guess, just on that note, are you satisfied, I guess, with the 865,000 tons of closures. Does that kind of take care of all of your high-cost capacity, or would you expect to take more action on that side? Thanks.

Scott SuttonPresident and Chief Executive Officer

Yeah. Sure. I mean, look, what you described has already been happening. I mean, with the slowdown generally in China demand relative to production, we’ve already seen additional caustic exports out of China, just like there’s been a lot of extra PVC exports as well.

So that has been going on. And our model is already adapted to offset that exposure. And we’ve seen those flows come in, and we’re working around flows. And still, we go out in certain cases and purchase some liquidity out of the global market space and maybe move it to a different area.

I mean, look, with regard to the 865,000 ECU tons, and just as a reminder, that 865,000 ECU tons included shutting down the remaining 200,000 tons of ECU capacity that is diaphragm based in McIntosh, Alabama. And we have already accomplished that. In fact, we pulled it forward, so all of the diaphragm capacity is down in McIntosh, Alabama. We’ll have to see we’re satisfied with that.

I mean, certainly, that’s made a difference in our ability to be nimble and drive for value. But that number has taken us to a reasonable point for now. There’s always other options.

Steve ByrneBank of America Merrill Lynch — Analyst

Thank you. Just a couple questions regarding the statement about you’re running — you could run your assets at 50% rates for a year. Where would you estimate your operating rates are likely to be in the third quarter? And can you comment on the significance of the one-year phase? Is that — is there something implicit in running at rate that is really unsustainable beyond just the financial impacts?

Scott SuttonPresident and Chief Executive Officer

Yes. Sure. I mean the only business that we really provided indications on where we’re running is our Epoxy business. And we’ve said we’re running that business pretty close to 50% operating rates.

I would just say in our CAPB business that we’re well above that level and have plenty of room there. The only significance in the one year is we were trying to demonstrate what is the lowest full-year EBITDA that Olin might have in its future. So we picked a pretty long recession scenario. In other words, one year where the global economy declined so much that we had to run at that rate every day for a full year.

We’re trying to be a bit conservative here because clearly Olin’s equity value is driven by the view that under that kind of scenario, our EBITDA must be much lower than where we believe it is. So we’re just trying to present a compelling case that says we are good in a recession. And in fact we can create value via a really good capital allocation right through the middle of that recession. So that’s the idea that’s behind that 12-month window.

Mike LeitheadBarclays — Analyst

Got it. Makes sense. And then maybe just a second, I want to circle back to I think your answer to Jeff’s question about Epoxy and China turning to a net exporter. And just – when you look at other chemical products or cycles when you see that happen, things do tend to get a bit sloppy for a bit of time.

So can you just walk through your comfort that that’s not the case for Epoxy or EPI right now and try as you say?

Scott SuttonPresident and Chief Executive Officer

Well, no, I would just say that it is already it takes for EPI and Epoxy. There is so much material that used to be imported into China that now because of the mismatch of China’s internal consumption versus their production. Now that material that used to move into China does not anymore. Most of that material came from other Asian countries.

Consequently those other Asian countries have been exporting that material to North America and to Europe. And that’s been going on for a number of months. And that is why our Epoxy earnings came down. We’ve elected not to participate in that have our value remain where it is.

And when that reverses, which it will reverse, we’re left where our volumes return but the return at the pricing level that we had notched it up to.

https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/olin-corporation-oln-q2-2022-earnings-call-transcript

July 28, 2022

C.H. Robinson Results

C.H. Robinson surpasses profitability expectations

Earnings per share for 3PL rose 85.4% year over year to $2.67

Tony MulveyWednesday, July 27, 2022 3 minutes read

(Photo: C.H. Robinson)

Listen to this article 0:00 / 5:25 BeyondWords

C.H. Robinson released financial results for the second quarter Wednesday, and North America’s largest pure play 3PL blew past Wall Street’s expectations for profitability.

The company reported diluted earnings per share of $2.67 compared to consensus estimates of $1.99, good for an 85.4% increase on a year-over-year (y/y) basis.

C.H. Robinson’s total revenue came in at $6.8 billion, in line with market expectations and an increase of 22.9% compared to the year-ago period. The company’s adjusted gross profit increased by 37.7% y/y, citing higher adjusted gross profits across all of its segments. 

The company’s profitability benefited from its ability to purchase capacity both domestically and internationally, combined with a complex and volatile freight environment. 

“Our second quarter was another quarter of record profits, as our business model performed as we would expect it to in this part of the cycle,” Bob Biesterfeld, president and CEO of C.H. Robinson, said in the news release.

The company’s North American Surface Transportation (NAST) segment reported revenue growth of 15.7% compared to a year ago, up to $4.1 billion. The company cited higher pricing for both truckload and less-than-truckload customers as well as an increase in truckload volumes. NAST revenues accounted for 61% of C.H. Robinson’s total revenue, down nearly 4 percentage points from last year. 

NAST’s adjusted gross profit increased by 43.1% y/y to $624.6 million, the highest level on record, surpassing even the fourth quarter of 2018. Adjusted gross profit for the truckload segment of NAST increased by 50.8% y/y due to a 48% rise in adjusted gross profit per shipment and a 2% increase in truckload volumes. 

“Our strong results were again driven by significant operating margin expansion in our North American Surface Transportation business, as we further improved the profitability of our truckload and less-than truckload businesses and grew our truckload volume in a declining market,” Biesterfeld said.

Average dry van truckload contract rates remained elevated through Q2 while spot rates declined rapidly:
SONAR: VCRPM1.USA (blue, right axis) and NTIL.USA (green, left axis)
To learn more about FreightWaves SONAR,click here.

The company’s average truckload rate per mile, excluding fuel surcharge, increased by 1.5% compared to the same period a year ago. Conversely, the truckload linehaul costs, or the company’s buy rate, declined by 5%, resulting in a 46.5% increase in adjusted gross profit per mile.

LTL adjusted gross profit increased by 30.2% y/y despite a 5% decline in LTL volumes during Q2.

The segment also experienced inflationary pressures as operating expenses — increased salaries, incentive compensation and technology — increased by 21.9% y/y, according to C.H. Robinson. The company increased NAST headcount by 14.8% y/y during the quarter.

C.H. Robinson NAST gross margin percentage since 2010
Source: Company earnings, FreightWaves analysis

The segment’s adjusted gross margin percentage did expand by 290 basis points y/y to 15.1%, a 280 bps increase sequentially.

Global Forwarding, another segment of C.H. Robinson, took a slight breather in Q2 as revenues increased by 44.3% y/y, compared to the 89.8% growth in Q2, to $2.1 billion. Sequentially, Global Forwarding revenue declined by 4.6%. The segment’s adjusted gross profit increased by 35.9% to $324.4 million.

The company expanded adjusted gross profit on the ocean and in the air. Ocean adjusted gross profit increased by 51.1%, thanks to a 47.5% increase in adjusted gross profit per shipment and a 2.5% rise in shipments. Adjusted gross profit in the air increased by 7.5%, benefiting from a 14% jump in adjusted gross profit per metric ton shipped, offsetting the 6% decline in metric tons shipped.

Global Forwarding followed a similar pattern to NAST when it came to operating expenses. The segment’s operating expense increased by 20.2%, driven by the most of the same factors: increased salaries, incentive compensation, technology and travel expenses. The company continues to hire, growing the Global Forwarding headcount by 17.3% in the quarter.

All other corporate results, which include Robinson Fresh, Managed Services and Other Surface Transportation, experienced revenue growth of 12.4% to $558.2 million. Adjusted gross profit for Robinson Fresh increased 16.8% to $35 million; Managed Services rose 5.3% to $27.6 million, a sequential decline of $500,000; and Other Surface Transportation jumped 13.4% to $20 million.

Biesterfeld noted that amid lingering questions about the global economy, inflationary pressures and consumer spending, C.H. Robinson’s business model puts the company in position to provide continued strong financial results.

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/ch-robinson-surpasses-profitability-expectations?sfmc_id=63552105

July 28, 2022

C.H. Robinson Results

C.H. Robinson surpasses profitability expectations

Earnings per share for 3PL rose 85.4% year over year to $2.67

Tony MulveyWednesday, July 27, 2022 3 minutes read

(Photo: C.H. Robinson)

Listen to this article 0:00 / 5:25 BeyondWords

C.H. Robinson released financial results for the second quarter Wednesday, and North America’s largest pure play 3PL blew past Wall Street’s expectations for profitability.

The company reported diluted earnings per share of $2.67 compared to consensus estimates of $1.99, good for an 85.4% increase on a year-over-year (y/y) basis.

C.H. Robinson’s total revenue came in at $6.8 billion, in line with market expectations and an increase of 22.9% compared to the year-ago period. The company’s adjusted gross profit increased by 37.7% y/y, citing higher adjusted gross profits across all of its segments. 

The company’s profitability benefited from its ability to purchase capacity both domestically and internationally, combined with a complex and volatile freight environment. 

“Our second quarter was another quarter of record profits, as our business model performed as we would expect it to in this part of the cycle,” Bob Biesterfeld, president and CEO of C.H. Robinson, said in the news release.

The company’s North American Surface Transportation (NAST) segment reported revenue growth of 15.7% compared to a year ago, up to $4.1 billion. The company cited higher pricing for both truckload and less-than-truckload customers as well as an increase in truckload volumes. NAST revenues accounted for 61% of C.H. Robinson’s total revenue, down nearly 4 percentage points from last year. 

NAST’s adjusted gross profit increased by 43.1% y/y to $624.6 million, the highest level on record, surpassing even the fourth quarter of 2018. Adjusted gross profit for the truckload segment of NAST increased by 50.8% y/y due to a 48% rise in adjusted gross profit per shipment and a 2% increase in truckload volumes. 

“Our strong results were again driven by significant operating margin expansion in our North American Surface Transportation business, as we further improved the profitability of our truckload and less-than truckload businesses and grew our truckload volume in a declining market,” Biesterfeld said.

Average dry van truckload contract rates remained elevated through Q2 while spot rates declined rapidly:
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The company’s average truckload rate per mile, excluding fuel surcharge, increased by 1.5% compared to the same period a year ago. Conversely, the truckload linehaul costs, or the company’s buy rate, declined by 5%, resulting in a 46.5% increase in adjusted gross profit per mile.

LTL adjusted gross profit increased by 30.2% y/y despite a 5% decline in LTL volumes during Q2.

The segment also experienced inflationary pressures as operating expenses — increased salaries, incentive compensation and technology — increased by 21.9% y/y, according to C.H. Robinson. The company increased NAST headcount by 14.8% y/y during the quarter.

C.H. Robinson NAST gross margin percentage since 2010
Source: Company earnings, FreightWaves analysis

The segment’s adjusted gross margin percentage did expand by 290 basis points y/y to 15.1%, a 280 bps increase sequentially.

Global Forwarding, another segment of C.H. Robinson, took a slight breather in Q2 as revenues increased by 44.3% y/y, compared to the 89.8% growth in Q2, to $2.1 billion. Sequentially, Global Forwarding revenue declined by 4.6%. The segment’s adjusted gross profit increased by 35.9% to $324.4 million.

The company expanded adjusted gross profit on the ocean and in the air. Ocean adjusted gross profit increased by 51.1%, thanks to a 47.5% increase in adjusted gross profit per shipment and a 2.5% rise in shipments. Adjusted gross profit in the air increased by 7.5%, benefiting from a 14% jump in adjusted gross profit per metric ton shipped, offsetting the 6% decline in metric tons shipped.

Global Forwarding followed a similar pattern to NAST when it came to operating expenses. The segment’s operating expense increased by 20.2%, driven by the most of the same factors: increased salaries, incentive compensation, technology and travel expenses. The company continues to hire, growing the Global Forwarding headcount by 17.3% in the quarter.

All other corporate results, which include Robinson Fresh, Managed Services and Other Surface Transportation, experienced revenue growth of 12.4% to $558.2 million. Adjusted gross profit for Robinson Fresh increased 16.8% to $35 million; Managed Services rose 5.3% to $27.6 million, a sequential decline of $500,000; and Other Surface Transportation jumped 13.4% to $20 million.

Biesterfeld noted that amid lingering questions about the global economy, inflationary pressures and consumer spending, C.H. Robinson’s business model puts the company in position to provide continued strong financial results.

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/ch-robinson-surpasses-profitability-expectations?sfmc_id=63552105