FORT SMITH, Ark., May 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- ArcBest Corporation (Nasdaq: ARCB) today reported first quarter 2015 earnings of $0.03 per share compared to a first quarter 2014 net loss of $0.20 per share, as ABF Freight posted operating income and the emerging businesses, which in total equaled 29 percent of ArcBest's revenue, all grew from the year-ago period.

Excluding pension settlement charges in both periods, ArcBest earned $0.06 per share in first quarter 2015 compared to a net loss of $0.11 per share last year.

ArcBest Corporation

Consolidated Results of Operations

First Quarter 2015


    --  Revenue of $613.3 million, an increase of 6 percent over the prior year
        quarter of $577.9 million
    --  Net income of $0.7 million compared to a net loss of $5.2 million in the
        prior year quarter
    --  Excluding pension settlement charges, net income of $1.4 million
        compared to a net loss of $2.9 million in the prior year quarter

"We were very gratified to see ArcBest post a first-quarter profit for the first time in seven years," said ArcBest President and CEO Judy R. McReynolds. "As productivity and pricing improved, ABF Freight reversed last year's first-quarter losses while maintaining its focus on better serving customers. The emerging businesses contributed their largest revenue portion yet to ArcBest, at 29 percent of total consolidated revenue, as our efforts to provide tailored, customized solutions across the supply chain are resonating well."

Freight Transportation (ABF Freight)

Results of Operations

First Quarter 2015


    --  Revenue of $441.2 million compared to $428.9 million in first quarter
        2014, an increase of 2.9 percent
    --  Tonnage per day decrease of 0.5 percent versus first quarter 2014
    --  Total billed revenue per hundredweight of $28.06 compared to $27.05 the
        prior year, an increase of 3.7 percent
    --  Breakeven operating income compared to an operating loss of $12.2
        million and an operating ratio of 102.8 percent in first quarter 2014
    --  Excluding adjustments for pension settlement charges, operating income
        of $0.9 million and operating ratio of 99.8 percent compared to an
        operating loss of $9.3 million and an operating ratio of 102.1 percent
        in first quarter 2014
    --  Though less of an effect than last year, results include a reduction in
        operating income associated with severe winter weather

ABF Freight experienced first quarter revenue growth on improved pricing despite the effects of a slight reduction in total freight tonnage. By effectively managing its labor and equipment resources during the quarter, ABF Freight sought to maintain consistent service levels to both new and existing LTL customers. Management focus has resulted in improved dock productivity as employees hired last year are more experienced in freight handling and loading. Despite year-over-year reductions in fuel surcharge related to lower fuel prices, ABF Freight continued to experience positive account pricing through its traditional ability to focus on unique, customer-specific solutions.

Emerging, Non-Asset-Based Businesses

Results of Operations

First Quarter 2015


    --  Revenue of $183.7 million compared to $158.4 million in first quarter
        2014, an increase of 16 percent
    --  These businesses equaled 29 percent of total consolidated revenue
        compared to 27 percent during the same period last year
    --  First quarter 2015 earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
        amortization ("EBITDA") of $6.6 million compared to EBITDA in the first
        quarter of 2014 of $7.9 million, impacted by higher than expected
        healthcare and casualty claims

During the first quarter, ArcBest's emerging, non-asset-based businesses continued to experience revenue growth highlighted by strong, double digit increases at ABF Logistics and ABF Moving. ABF Logistics experienced significant growth in the freight brokerage business associated with additional shipments from new and existing customers and the expanding benefits of offering logistics services to customers across the ArcBest enterprise of companies. As previously discussed, continued investments in personnel and resources needed to drive future growth are not yet fully contributing at margin levels expected when the business matures.

Compared to strong revenue growth last year, Panther had a moderate first quarter revenue increase on 16 percent growth in shipments, primarily driven by new customers. Gross profit margins were impacted by demand softness and lower rates in the expedited market resulting from more readily available truckload capacity versus last year, and a shorter length of haul on new Panther business. The quarter's results were impacted by unfavorable experience in casualty claims and higher than expected healthcare costs, which in total increased Panther's operating costs versus the same period last year by $1.5 million. Finally, costs associated with investments in additional sales personnel and infrastructure for future business growth also reduced first quarter 2015 profitability.

Conference Call

ArcBest Corporation will host a conference call with company executives to discuss the 2015 first quarter results. The call will be today, Monday, May 4, at 9:30 a.m. ET (8:30 a.m. CT). Interested parties are invited to listen by calling (800) 734-4208. Following the call, a recorded playback will be available through the end of the day on June 15, 2015. To listen to the playback, dial (800) 633-8284 or (402) 977-9140 (for international callers). The conference call ID for the playback is 21766025. The conference call and playback can also be accessed, through June 15, 2015, on ArcBest's website at arcb.com.

About ArcBest

ArcBest Corporation(SM) (Nasdaq: ARCB) solves complex logistics and transportation challenges. Our companies and brands - ABF Freight(SM), ABF Logistics(SM), Panther Premium Logistics(®), FleetNet America(®), U-Pack(®) and ArcBest Technologies - apply the skill and the will with every shipment and supply chain solution, household move or vehicle repair. ArcBest finds a way.

For more information, visit arcb.com, abf.com, pantherpremium.com, fleetnetamerica.com and upack.com. ArcBest Corporation(SM). The Skill & The Will(SM).

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements and information in this press release concerning results for the three months ended March 31, 2015 may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Terms such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "foresee," "intend," "may," "plan," "predict," "project," "scheduled," "should," "would" and similar expressions and the negatives of such terms are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which are generally not historical in nature. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effect on us. Although management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable, as and when made, there can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we anticipate. Our forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and management's present expectations or projections. Important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: costs of continuing investments in technology, a failure of our information systems and the impact of cyber incidents; disruptions or failures of services essential to the operation of our business or the use of information technology platforms in our business; governmental regulations and policies; litigation or claims asserted against us; union and nonunion employee wages and benefits, including changes in required contributions to multiemployer pension plans; competitive initiatives, pricing pressures, the effect of volatility in fuel prices and the associated changes in fuel surcharges on securing increases in base freight rates and the inability to collect fuel surcharges; general economic conditions and related shifts in market demand that impact the performance and needs of industries served by ArcBest Corporation's subsidiaries and/or limit our customers' access to adequate financial resources; unfavorable terms of, or the inability to reach agreement on, future collective bargaining agreements or a workforce stoppage by our employees covered under ABF Freight's collective bargaining agreement; relationships with employees, including unions, and our ability to attract and retain employees and/or independent owner operators; availability of fuel; default on covenants of financing arrangements and the availability and terms of future financing arrangements; availability and cost of reliable third-party services; increased competition from freight transportation service providers outside the motor carrier freight transportation industry; timing and amount of capital expenditures, increased prices for and decreased availability of new revenue equipment and decreases in value of used revenue equipment; future costs of operating expenses such as maintenance and fuel and related taxes; self-insurance claims and insurance premium costs; environmental laws and regulations, including emissions-control regulations; potential impairment of goodwill and intangible assets; the impact of our brands and corporate reputation; the cost, timing and performance of growth initiatives; the cost, integration and performance of any future acquisitions; weather conditions; and other financial, operational and legal risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in ArcBest Corporation's Securities and Exchange Commission public filings.

For additional information regarding known material factors that could cause our actual results to differ from our projected results, please see our filings with SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Financial Data and Operating Statistics

The following tables show financial data and operating statistics on ArcBest Corporation(SM) and its subsidiary companies.




    Investor Relations Contact: David Humphrey Media Contact: Kathy Fieweger

    Title: Vice President - Investor Relations Title: Chief Marketing Officer

    Phone: 479-785-6200                        Phone: 479-719-4358

    Email: dhumphrey@arcb.com                  Email: kfieweger@arcb.com




    ARCBEST CORPORATION

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS


                                                   Three Months Ended

                                                        March 31

                                               2015                         2014
                                               ----                         ----

                                                     (Unaudited)

                                          ($ thousands, except share and per
                                                     share data)


    REVENUES                                               $613,276                  $577,904


    OPERATING EXPENSES                                    611,996                   586,606
    ------------------                                    -------                   -------


    OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)                                 1,280                   (8,702)


    OTHER INCOME (COSTS)

    Interest and dividend
     income                                                   234                       190

    Interest and other
     related financing costs                              (1,002)                    (808)

    Other, net                                                400                       365
    ----------                                                ---                       ---

                                                            (368)                    (253)
                                                             ----                      ----


    INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE
     INCOME TAXES                                             912                   (8,955)


    INCOME TAX PROVISION
     (BENEFIT)                                                167                   (3,762)
    --------------------                                      ---                    ------


    NET INCOME
     (LOSS)                                                    $745                  $(5,193)
    ==========                                                 ====                   =======


    EARNINGS (LOSS) PER
     COMMON SHARE

    Basic                                                     $0.03                   $(0.20)

    Diluted                                                   $0.03                   $(0.20)
    =======                                                   =====                    ======


    AVERAGE COMMON SHARES
     OUTSTANDING

    Basic                                              26,051,038                25,876,928

    Diluted                                            26,588,518                25,876,928
    =======                                            ==========                ==========


    CASH
     DIVIDENDS
     DECLARED PER
     COMMON SHARE                                             $0.06                     $0.03
    =============                                             =====                     =====






    ARCBEST CORPORATION

    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    ---------------------------

                                                      March 31                    December 31

                                                            2015                           2014
                                                            ----                           ----

                                                 (Unaudited)                      Note

                                                   ($ thousands, except share data)


    ASSETS


    CURRENT ASSETS

    Cash and cash equivalents                          $166,022                       $157,042

    Short-term investments                             45,980                         45,909

    Restricted cash                                     1,386                          1,386

    Accounts receivable, less allowances (2015 -
     $5,653; 2014 - $5,731)                           230,715                        228,056

    Other accounts receivable, less allowances
     (2015 - $1,489; 2014 - $1,701)                     6,289                          6,582

    Prepaid expenses                                   22,599                         20,906

    Deferred income taxes                              38,468                         40,220

    Prepaid and refundable income taxes                12,657                          9,920

    Other                                               4,907                          4,968
    -----                                               -----                          -----

            TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS                      529,023                        514,989


    PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

    Land and structures                               264,740                        251,836

    Revenue equipment                                 628,136                        633,455

    Service, office, and other equipment              135,156                        136,145

    Software                                          119,431                        116,112

    Leasehold improvements                             24,496                         24,377
    ----------------------                             ------                         ------

                                                    1,171,959                      1,161,925

    Less allowances for depreciation and
     amortization                                     766,217                        752,075
    ------------------------------------              -------                        -------

                                                      405,742                        409,850

    GOODWILL                                           80,696                         77,078

    INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET                             72,862                         72,809

    OTHER ASSETS                                       53,376                         52,896
    ------------                                       ------                         ------


                                                     $1,141,699                     $1,127,622
                                                     ==========                     ==========


    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY


    CURRENT LIABILITIES

    Bank overdraft and drafts payable                   $14,299                        $16,095

    Accounts payable                                  115,566                        104,230

    Income taxes payable                                  257                            527

    Accrued expenses                                  176,737                        194,674

    Current portion of long-term debt                  22,639                         25,256
    ---------------------------------                  ------                         ------

    TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES                         329,498                        340,782


    LONG-TERM DEBT, less current portion              132,837                        102,474

    PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT LIABILITIES             44,448                         42,418

    OTHER LIABILITIES                                  12,740                         16,667

    DEFERRED INCOME TAXES                              64,245                         64,398


    STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

    Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized
     70,000,000 shares; issued 2015: 27,739,223
     shares; 2014: 27,722,010 shares                      277                            277

    Additional paid-in-capital                        304,570                        303,045

    Retained earnings                                 337,971                        338,810

    Treasury stock, at cost, 2015: 1,742,132
     shares; 2014: 1,677,932 shares                  (60,229)                      (57,770)

    Accumulated other comprehensive loss             (24,658)                      (23,479)
    ------------------------------------              -------                        -------

    TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                        557,931                        560,883
    --------------------------                        -------                        -------


                                                     $1,141,699                     $1,127,622
                                                     ==========                     ==========


    Note: The balance sheet at
     December 31, 2014 has been
     derived from the audited
     financial statements at that
     date but does not include all
     of the information and
     footnotes required by
     generally accepted accounting
     principles for complete
     financial statements.




    ARCBEST CORPORATION

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
    -------------------------------------


                                            Three Months Ended

                                               March 31

                                                 2015             2014
                                                 ----             ----

                                             (Unaudited)

                                            ($ thousands)

    OPERATING ACTIVITIES

    Net income (loss)                              $745           $(5,193)

    Adjustments to reconcile net income
     (loss) to net cash
    provided by operating activities:

    Depreciation and amortization              21,084             19,410

    Amortization of intangibles                 1,148              1,043

    Pension settlement expense                  1,119              3,691

    Share-based compensation expense            1,647              1,568

    Provision for losses on accounts
     receivable                                   312                 84

    Deferred income tax provision (benefit)     1,507            (3,493)

    Gain on sale of property and equipment      (310)             (214)

    Changes in operating assets and
     liabilities:

    Receivables                                 (902)          (19,268)

    Prepaid expenses                          (1,689)           (3,163)

    Other assets                                  456            (1,710)

    Income taxes                              (2,426)           (3,610)

    Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and
     other liabilities                       (11,759)            17,065
    ---------------------------------------   -------             ------

    NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING
     ACTIVITIES                                10,932              6,210
    ------------------------------             ------              -----


    INVESTING ACTIVITIES

    Purchases of property, plant and
     equipment, net of financings            (16,546)           (8,654)

    Proceeds from sales of property and
     equipment                                    977                746

    Business acquisition, net of cash
     acquired                                 (5,170)                 -

    Capitalization of internally developed
     software                                 (2,087)           (1,879)
    --------------------------------------     ------             ------

    NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES    (22,826)           (9,787)
    -------------------------------------     -------             ------


    FINANCING ACTIVITIES

    Borrowings under credit facilities         70,000                  -

    Borrowings under accounts receivable
     securitization program                    35,000                  -

    Payments on long-term debt               (77,254)           (7,765)

    Net change in bank overdraft and drafts
     payable                                  (2,005)             1,399

    Deferred financing costs                    (824)                 -

    Payment of common stock dividends         (1,584)             (819)

    Purchase of treasury stock                (2,459)                 -

    Proceeds from the exercise of stock
     options                                        -             1,136

    NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN)
     FINANCING ACTIVITIES                      20,874            (6,049)
    ------------------------------             ------             ------


    NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND
     CASH EQUIVALENTS                           8,980            (9,626)

    Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
     of period                                157,042            105,354
    --------------------------------------    -------            -------

    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF
     PERIOD                                    $166,022            $95,728
    ===================================        ========            =======


    NONCASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES

    Accruals for equipment received                $163               $102
    ===============================                ====               ====





    ARCBEST CORPORATION

    RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
    ------------------------------------------------------

                                                                Three Months Ended

                                                                     March 31

                                                                  2015                    2014
                                                                  ----                    ----

                                                                  (Unaudited)

                                                       ($ thousands, except percentages)

    Freight Transportation (ABF Freight)
    -----------------------------------


    Operating Income (Loss) ($) Operating
     Ratio (% of revenues)

    Amounts on a GAAP basis                                          $43        100.0%             $(12,184)  102.8%

    Pension settlement expense                                     840         (0.2)                 2,890    (0.7)
    --------------------------                                     ---          ----                  -----     ----

    Non-GAAP amounts                                                $883         99.8%              $(9,294)  102.1%
    ================                                                ====          ====                =======    =====



                                                              Three Months Ended

                                                                   March 31

                                                                  2015                    2014
                                                                  ----                    ----

                                                                  (Unaudited)

                                                     ($ thousands, except per share data)

    ArcBest Corporation - Consolidated
    ----------------------------------


    Net Income (Loss)

    Amounts on a GAAP basis                                         $745                            $(5,193)

    Pension settlement expense, after-
     tax(1)                                              684                                 2,255
    ----------------------------------                   ---                                 -----

    Non-GAAP amounts                                              $1,429                            $(2,938)
    ================                                              ======                             =======


    Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share

    Amounts on a GAAP basis                                        $0.03                             $(0.20)

    Pension settlement expense, after-
     tax(1)                                             0.03                                  0.09
    ----------------------------------                  ----                                  ----

    Non-GAAP amounts                                               $0.06                             $(0.11)
    ================                                               =====                              ======


             (1)    Consolidated pension settlement
                     expense totaled $1.1 million
                     (pre-tax) and $3.7 million
                     (pre-tax) for the three months
                     ended March 31, 2015 and 2014,
                     respectively.




    ARCBEST CORPORATION

    RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES - Continued
    ------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                              Three Months Ended

                                                                                   March 31

                                                                         2015            2014
                                                                         ----            ----

                                                                                  (Unaudited)

                                                                                 ($ thousands)
     Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes,
      Depreciation, and Amortization (Adjusted
      EBITDA)
     -----------------------------------------


    ArcBest Corporation - Consolidated


    Net income (loss)                                                            $745                   $(5,193)

    Interest and other related financing costs                          1,002                       808

    Income tax provision (benefit)                                        167                   (3,762)

    Depreciation and amortization                                      22,232                    20,453

    Amortization of share-based compensation                            1,647                     1,568

    Amortization of actuarial losses of benefit
     plans and pension settlement expense(1)                            2,193                     4,268
    -------------------------------------------                         -----                     -----

    Adjusted EBITDA                                                           $27,986                    $18,142
    ===============                                                           =======                    =======


             (1)    Consolidated pension settlement
                     expense totaled $1.1 million
                     (pre-tax) and $3.7 million
                     (pre-tax) for the three months
                     ended March 31, 2015 and 2014,
                     respectively.






                                                      Three Months Ended                                     Three Months Ended

                                                           March 31                                               March 31

                                                                               2015                                                2014
                                                                               ----                                                ----

                                             Operating     Depreciation                            Operating     Depreciation and
                                                                and                                  Income        Amortization
                                                           Amortization      EBITDA                                               EBITDA

                                               Income                                               (Loss)

                                               (Loss)
                                                -----

                                                                                     (Unaudited)

                                                                                    ($ thousands)


    Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA)
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------


    Non-Asset-Based Segments


    Premium Logistics
     (Panther)(2)                                                $1,195                     $2,924                $4,119                   $3,364   $2,737     $6,101

    Emergency & Preventative
     Maintenance (FleetNet)                                     1,170                        283                 1,453                    1,401      174      1,575

    Transportation Management (ABF
     Logistics)                                                   775                        284                 1,059                      535      216        751

    Household Goods Moving Services
     (ABF Moving)                                               (363)                       350                  (13)                   (841)     349      (492)
    -------------------------------                              ----                        ---                   ---                     ----      ---       ----

    Total non-asset-
     based segments                                              $2,777                     $3,841                $6,618                   $4,459   $3,476     $7,935
    ================                                             ======                     ======                ======                   ======   ======     ======



             (2)    Depreciation and amortization
                     consists primarily of
                     amortization of intangibles,
                     including customer
                     relationships and software
                     associated with the June 15,
                     2012 acquisition of Panther.





    Non-GAAP Financial Measures. The
     Company reports its financial
     results in accordance with
     generally accepted accounting
     principles ("GAAP"). However,
     management believes that certain
     non-GAAP performance measures and
     ratios utilized for internal
     analysis provide financial
     statement users meaningful
     comparisons between current and
     prior period results, as well as
     important information regarding
     performance trends. Certain
     information discussed in the
     scheduled conference call could be
     considered non-GAAP measures. Non-
     GAAP financial measures should be
     viewed in addition to, and not as
     an alternative for, the Company's
     reported results. Management
     believes EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
     to be relevant and useful
     information as EBITDA is a standard
     measure commonly reported and
     widely used by analysts, investors
     and others to measure financial
     performance and ability to service
     debt obligations. However, these
     financial measures should not be
     construed as better measurements
     than operating income, operating
     cash flow, net income or earnings
     per share, as defined by generally
     accepted accounting principles.
     Other companies may calculate
     EBITDA differently, and therefore
     the Company's EBITDA and Adjusted
     EBITDA may not be comparable to
     similarly titled measures of other
     companies.




    ARCBEST CORPORATION

    FINANCIAL STATEMENT OPERATING SEGMENT DATA AND OPERATING RATIOS
    ---------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                      Three Months Ended

                                                                           March 31

                                                                        2015                      2014
                                                                        ----                      ----

                                                                        (Unaudited)

                                                                       ($ thousands)

    REVENUES

    Freight Transportation (ABF
     Freight)                                                         $441,207                           $428,871


    Premium Logistics (Panther)                                       75,292                             72,226

    Emergency & Preventative Maintenance
     (FleetNet)                                                       42,489                             41,699

    Transportation Management (ABF Logistics)                         47,372                             29,717

    Household Goods Moving Services (ABF
     Moving)                                                          18,568                             14,750
    ------------------------------------                              ------                             ------

    Total non-asset-based segments                                   183,721                            158,392
    ------------------------------                                   -------                            -------


    Other and eliminations                                          (11,652)                           (9,359)

    Total consolidated revenues                                       $613,276                           $577,904
    ===========================                                       ========                           ========


    OPERATING EXPENSES

    Freight Transportation (ABF Freight)

                                                                      $278,371              63.1%        $261,154    60.9%
    Salaries, wages, and benefits

    Fuel, supplies, and expenses                                      79,026               17.9           90,791     21.2

    Operating taxes and licenses                                      11,996                2.7           11,493      2.7

    Insurance                                                          5,785                1.3            5,395      1.2

    Communications and utilities                                       3,985                0.9            4,242      1.0

    Depreciation and amortization                                     17,400                3.9           16,338      3.8

    Rents and purchased transportation                                41,844                9.5           47,420     11.0

    Gain on sale of property and equipment                             (244)                 -           (203)       -

    Pension settlement expense(1)                                        840                0.2            2,890      0.7

    Other                                                              2,161                0.5            1,535      0.3

                                                                     441,164             100.0%         441,055   102.8%
                                                                     -------              -----          -------    -----


    Premium Logistics (Panther)

                                                                       $56,044              74.4%         $54,573    75.5%
    Purchased transportation

    Depreciation and amortization(2)                                   2,924                3.9            2,737      3.8

    Salaries, benefits, insurance, and other                          15,129               20.1           11,552     16.0
    ----------------------------------------                          ------               ----           ------     ----

                                                                      74,097              98.4%          68,862    95.3%


    Emergency & Preventative Maintenance
     (FleetNet)                                                       41,319                             40,298

    Transportation Management (ABF Logistics)                         46,597                             29,182

    Household Goods Moving Services (ABF
     Moving)                                                          18,931                             15,591
    ------------------------------------                              ------                             ------

    Total non-asset-based segments                                   180,944                            153,933
    ------------------------------                                   -------                            -------


    Other expenses and eliminations(1)                              (10,112)                           (8,382)
    ---------------------------------                                -------                             ------

    Total consolidated operating
     expenses and costs(1)                                            $611,996                           $586,606
    ============================                                      ========                           ========



             (1)    Pension settlement expense
                     totaled $1.1 million (pre-tax)
                     and $3.7 million (pre-tax) on
                     a consolidated basis for the
                     three months ended March 31,
                     2015 and 2014, respectively.
                     For the three months ended
                     March 31, 2015, pre-tax
                     pension settlement expense of
                     $0.8 million was reported by
                     ABF Freight, $0.2 million was
                     reported in Other and
                     eliminations, and $0.1 million
                     was reported by the non-asset-
                     based segments. For the three
                     months ended March 31, 2014,
                     pre-tax pension settlement
                     expense of $2.9 million was
                     reported by ABF Freight, $0.7
                     million was reported in Other
                     and eliminations, and $0.1
                     million was reported by the
                     non-asset-based segments.


             (2)    Depreciation and amortization
                     consists primarily of
                     amortization of intangibles,
                     including customer
                     relationships and software
                     associated with the June 15,
                     2012 acquisition of Panther.






    ARCBEST CORPORATION

    FINANCIAL STATEMENT OPERATING SEGMENT DATA AND OPERATING RATIOS - Continued
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                   Three Months Ended
                                                        March 31

                                                 2015                     2014
                                                 ----                     ----

                                                     (Unaudited)

                                                    ($ thousands)

    OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)

    Freight
     Transportation
     (ABF Freight)                                            $43               $(12,184)


    Premium Logistics (Panther)                           1,195                   3,364

    Emergency & Preventative
     Maintenance (FleetNet)                               1,170                   1,401

    Transportation Management
     (ABF Logistics)                                        775                     535

    Household Goods Moving
     Services (ABF Moving)                                (363)                  (841)
    ----------------------                                 ----                    ----

    Total non-asset-based
     segments                                             2,777                   4,459
    ---------------------                                 -----                   -----


    Other loss and eliminations                         (1,540)                  (977)
    ---------------------------                          ------                    ----

      Total consolidated
       operating income
       (loss)                                              $1,280                $(8,702)
      ==================                                   ======                 =======


    ARCBEST CORPORATION

    OPERATING STATISTICS
    --------------------


                                                Three Months Ended

                                                     March 31

                                         2015                      2014 % Change
                                         ----                      ---- --------

                                                 (Unaudited)


    Freight Transportation (ABF Freight)


    Workdays                                       62.5                               63.0


    Billed Revenue(1) / CWT                        $28.06                             $27.05     3.7%


    Billed Revenue(1) / Shipment                  $372.56                            $381.84   (2.4)%


    Shipments                                 1,188,797                          1,133,332     4.9%


    Shipments / Day                              19,021                             17,989     5.7%


    Tonnage (tons)                              789,331                            799,811   (1.3)%


    Tons / Day                                   12,629                             12,695   (0.5)%



    (1)              Revenue for undelivered freight is
                     deferred for financial statement
                     purposes in accordance with ABF
                     Freight's revenue recognition
                     policy. Billed revenue used for
                     calculating revenue per
                     hundredweight measurements has not
                     been adjusted for the portion of
                     revenue deferred for financial
                     statement purposes. Billed revenue
                     has been adjusted to exclude
                     intercompany revenue that is not
                     related to freight transportation
                     services.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/arcbest-corporation-announces-first-quarter-2015-results-300076219.html

SOURCE ArcBest Corporation