MS CARRIERS INC
10-Q, 1996-05-15
TRUCKING (NO LOCAL)
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                          UNITED STATES  
  
               SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION  
  
                     Washington, D.C. 20549  
  
                            FORM 10-Q  
  
  
Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the   
Securities Exchange Act of 1934  
  
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 1996
  
Commission file Number     0-14781

                            M.S. CARRIERS, INC.

          (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter.)  
  
    Tennessee                          62-1014070      
(State or other jurisdiction of    (I.R.S. Employer  
incorporation or organization)     Identification No.)  
  
3171 Director's Row, Memphis, TN               38131       
(Address of principal executive offices)     (Zip Code)  
  
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (901) 332-2500  
  
     Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed 
all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months 
(or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to 
file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing 
requirements for the past 90 days.  
  
  
                         YES [X]        NO [ ]  
  
     Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the 
issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practical 
date:  
  
Outstanding common shares at March 31, 1996 - 12,350,300  


                                  - 1 -
 
<PAGE>  
                          M.S. Carriers, Inc.

                          Index to Form 10-Q
                          
                              Contents

Part I - Financial Information                          

Item I - Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 1996 and December 31, 1995....  3
Consolidated Statement of Income for the Three Months Ended 
  March 31, 1996 and 1995.................................................  5
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity for the Three 
  Months Ended March 31, 1996.............................................  6
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended
  March 31, 1996 and 1995.................................................  7
Notes to Financial Statements.............................................  8

Item 2 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial 
  Condition and Results of Operations.....................................  9

Part II - Other Information

Item 1 - Legal Proceedings... ............................................ 12
Item 2 - Changes in Securities............................................ 12
Item 3 - Defaults Upon Senior Securities.................................. 12
Item 4 - Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.............. 12
Item 5 - Other Information................................................ 12
Item 6 - Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K................................. 12
Signatures................................................................ 14


                                  - 2 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>


                       M.S. Carriers, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                          Consolidated Balance Sheets

<CAPTION>

                                        March 31                 December 31
                                          1996                       1995
                                     _________________________________________
                                       (Unaudited)
                                        
<S>                                  <C>                        <C>
Assets                             
Current assets:
 Cash and cash equivalents           $  1,169,892               $    486,459 
 Accounts receivable:
   Trade, net                          29,883,494                 27,643,708
   Officers and employees               1,465,034                  1,181,729                                    
                                     ____________               ____________                
                                       31,348,528                 28,825,437

Recoverable income taxes                3,904,894                  4,277,297
Deferred income taxes                   3,658,679                  4,136,679
Prepaid expenses and other              6,703,938                  5,125,254
                                     ____________               ____________    
Total current assets                   46,785,931                 42,851,126

Property, plant and equipment:
  Land and land improvements            5,607,583                  5,568,043
  Buildings                            28,589,080                 28,589,080
  Revenue equipment                   254,848,290                254,132,265
  Service equipment and other          34,266,605                 33,757,292
  Construction in progress              3,742,491                  3,218,800
                                     ____________               ____________   
                                      327,054,049                325,265,480                                    
  Accumulated depreciation and                                       
   amortization                        96,483,530                 91,407,638
                                     ____________               ____________
                                      230,570,519                233,857,842

Other assets                            3,349,899                  3,225,277
                                     ____________               ____________
Total assets                         $280,706,349               $279,934,245
                                     ____________               ____________
                                     ____________               ____________

</TABLE>
                                  - 3 - 
<PAGE>
<TABLE>

                         M.S. Carriers, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                       Consolidated Balance Sheets (continued)

<CAPTION>

                                        March 31                 December 31
                                          1996                     1995
                                     _________________________________________
                                        (Unaudited)

<S>                                  <C>                        <C>

Liabilities and stockholders'
  equity
Current liabilities:
  Trade accounts payable             $  6,484,206               $  4,336,847
  Accrued expenses                      7,783,579                  8,130,784
  Claims payable                       11,816,021                 13,142,682
  Current maturities of                                                     
   long-term debt                      16,319,327                 16,666,155
                                       __________                 __________
Total current liabilities              42,403,133                 42,276,468

Long-term debt, less current
  maturities                           50,015,364                 47,376,558

Deferred income taxes                  37,781,263                 37,757,200

Stockholders' equity:    
  Common stock, $.01 par value,           123,503                    124,644
   Authorized shares - 20,000,000                                           
   Issued and outstanding shares -
    12,350,300 at March 31, 1996 and
    12,464,400 at December 31, 1995 
  Additional paid-in capital           61,534,113                 62,076,687
  Retained earnings                    90,824,039                 92,301,919
  Equity adjustment from foreign
   currency translation                (1,975,066)                (1,979,231)
                                     ____________               ____________
Total stockholders' equity            150,506,589                152,524,019
Total liabilities and stockholders'    
  equity                             $280,706,349               $279,934,245
                                     ____________               ____________
                                     ____________               ____________
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes.


                                  - 4 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
                            M.S. Carriers, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                         Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
<CAPTION>

                                                     Three Months Ended
                                                          March 31
                                               1996                      1995
                                        ___________________________________________

<S>                                        <C>                       <C>

Operating revenues                         $ 79,690,228              $ 81,701,370      
  
Operating expenses:
   Salaries, wages and benefits              31,272,571                31,391,759
   Operations and maintenance                16,411,632                17,066,895
   Taxes and licenses                         2,394,767                 2,472,076                  
   Insurance and claims                       4,297,390                 3,625,582                 
   Communications and utilities               1,357,231                 1,480,057                   
   Depreciation and amortization              9,459,154                 9,345,133 
   Gain on disposal of revenue equipment       (459,016)
   Rent and purchased transportation         10,588,490                 8,946,626                    
   Other                                        489,458                   645,445                    
                                           ____________              ____________
                                             75,811,677                74,973,573              
                                           ____________              ____________
Operating income                              3,878,551                 6,727,797

Other expense (income):
  Interest expense                            1,288,474                   914,285                    
  Other                                        (155,620)                  (65,177)                   
                                           ____________               ____________
                                              1,132,854                   849,108                    
                                           ____________               ____________
Income before income taxes                    2,745,697                 5,878,689  
 
Income taxes                                  1,020,626                 2,115,000
                                           ____________               ____________
Net income                                 $  1,725,071              $  3,763,689
                                           ____________               ____________
                                           ____________               ____________

Common shares and common stock                                      
  equivalents                                12,456,183                13,102,634
                                           ____________               ____________
                                           ____________               ____________

Earnings per share                                $0.14                     $0.29
                                           ____________               ____________
                                           ____________               ____________

</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.

                                  - 5 - 
<PAGE>
<TABLE>

                            M.S. Carriers, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                    Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited)

                             Three Months Ended March 31, 1996
<CAPTION>

                                                                   Equity
                                                                 Adjustment
                                                                     From  
                                         Additional                 Foreign  
                         Common Stock     Paid-In      Retained    Currency
                      Shares    Amount    Capital      Earnings   Translation        Total
                    __________________________________________________________________________

<S>                 <C>        <C>       <C>          <C>           <C>           <C>
Balance at January
  1, 1996           12,464,400 $124,644  $62,076,687  $92,301,919   $ (1,979,231) $152,524,019

Net Income                                              1,725,071                    1,725,071

Repurchase of                                                                       
 Common Stock         (220,100) (2,201)   (1,096,098)  (3,202,951)                  (4,301,250)

Issuance of Common 
 Stock upon Exercise
 of Stock Options      106,000   1,060       553,524                                   554,584

Equity Adjustment   
 from Foreign
 Currency                                                                  4,165         4,165
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Balance at March              
  31, 1996          12,350,300 $123,503  $61,534,113  $90,824,039   $ (1,975,066) $150,506,589
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

</TABLE>

See accompanying notes.

                                                      - 6 - 
  
<PAGE>
<TABLE>

                            M.S. Carriers, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
<CAPTION>

                                                Three Months Ended
                                                     March 31
                                          1996                      1995
                                   ___________________________________________
<S>                                     <C>                       <C>

 Operating activities                                           
 Net income                             $  1,725,071              $  3,763,689               
 Adjustments to reconcile net
  income to net cash provided by 
  operating activities:             
   Depreciation and amortization           9,000,138                 9,345,133
   Other                                      79,249                    56,028
   Provision for deferred income taxes       502,063                 1,280,000
   Changes in operating assets and    
   liabilities:
     Accounts receivable                  (2,523,091)                2,686,886 
     Current and other assets             (1,405,987)               (2,969,274)   
     Accounts payable                      2,147,359                (4,584,468)
     Other current liabilities            (1,673,866)                  (29,059)
                                       _____________              ____________
                                           6,125,865                 5,785,246

Net cash provided by operating         
  activities                               7,850,936                 9,548,935

Investing activities
  Purchases of property, plant and      
   equipment                              (7,606,375)              (18,987,825)           
  Proceeds from disposals of property
   and equipment                           1,893,560                 2,228,965                    
                                       _____________              ____________
Net cash used in investing
  activities                              (5,712,815)              (16,758,860)              

Financing activities
Proceeds from revolving line of
  credit and long-term debt               29,375,769                         0              
Proceeds from exercise of stock options      554,584                         0
Decrease in equity due to repurchase
 of Common Stock                          (4,301,250)                        0
Principal payments on revolving 
  line of credit and long-term debt      (27,083,791)               (4,110,246)             
                                       _____________              _____________
Net cash used in                                    
  financing activities                    (1,454,688)               (4,110,246)                
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash
  equivalents                                683,433               (11,320,171)                   
Cash and cash equivalents at 
  beginning of period                        486,459                30,806,731                     
                                       _____________              _____________
Cash and cash equivalents at end
  of period                            $   1,169,892              $ 19,486,560                    
                                       _____________              _____________
                                       _____________              _____________


</TABLE>

See accompanying notes.
                                   
                                  - 7 -
<PAGE>


                     M.S. Carriers, Inc. and Subsidiaries
          
          Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

                               March 31, 1996

1.  Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in 
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim 
financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 
of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information 
and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for 
complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments
(consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a 
fair presentation have been included.  Operating results for the three 
month period ended March 31, 1996 are not necessarily indicative of the 
results that may be expected for the year ended December 31, 1996.
For further information and a listing of the Company's significant accounting 
policies, refer to the financial statements and footnotes thereto included 
in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 
1995.

2.  Net Income Per Common Share

                                                       Three Months Ended
                                       
                                                            March 31
                                                      1996           1995
                                        _______________________________________

Average common shares outstanding                 12,295,149     12,878,300
Common stock equivalents                             161,034        224,334
                                        _______________________________________
Average common shares and                         
 common stock equivalents                         12,456,183     13,102,634
                                        _______________________________________
                                        _______________________________________
Net income                                      $  1,725,071     $3,763,689
                                        _______________________________________
                                        _______________________________________
Net income per common and 
 equivalent share                                $      0.14     $     0.29
                                        _______________________________________
                                        _______________________________________


3.  Change of Accounting Estimate

Effective February 1, 1996, the Company changed the estimated salvage value
of substantially all of its trailers to more accurately reflect market
conditions.  This change in accounting estimate resulted in a decrease
in depreciation expense of $640,000 and an increase in net income of 
$402,000 or $.03 per share in the first quarter of 1996.

                                  - 8 -
<PAGE>

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and 
         Results of Operations

The following table sets forth the percentage relationship of revenue and 
expense items to operating revenues for the periods indicated.


                                             Percentage of Operating Revenues
                                                  
                                               Three Months Ended March 31

                                                      1996        1995
                                            ___________________________________

Operating revenues                                   100.0%      100.0%

Operating expenses:                                           
 Salaries, wages and benefits                         39.2%       38.4%
 Operations and maintenance                           20.6%       20.9%
 Taxes and licenses                                    3.0%        3.1%
 Insurance and claims                                  5.4%        4.4%
 Communications and utilities                          1.7%        1.8%
 Depreciation and amortization                        11.9%       11.4%
 Gain on disposal of revenue equipment                (0.6%)
 Rent and purchased transportation                    13.3%       11.0%
 Other                                                 0.6%        0.8%
                                             __________________________________

Total operating expenses                              95.1%       91.8%
                                             __________________________________

Operating income                                       4.9%        8.2%

Interest expense                                       1.6%        1.1%
Other expense (income)                                (0.2%)      (0.1%)
                                             __________________________________

Income before income taxes                             3.5%        7.2%

Income Taxes                                           1.3%        2.6%
                                             __________________________________
Net income                                             2.2%        4.6%
                                             __________________________________
                                             __________________________________


                                  - 9 -
<PAGE>

Results of Operations

Operating revenues for the first three months of 1996 
decreased 2.5% compared with the same period in the prior year.  The
Company's decline in revenues was due primarily from over capacity
of equipment, continued soft market conditions, and the
effect of adverse weather throughout the Company's service area.

The sources of the Company's revenues were as follows:

                                                    Three Months Ended 
                                                         March 31

                                                    1996         1995
                                           ___________________________________
                                                     (in thousands)

Domestic Linehaul                                $ 40,037     $ 38,260    

Interline Service - Mexico                          7,657        7,094

Dedicated                                           6,324        4,031

Regional                                           21,341       28,330

Logistics                                           4,331        3,986
                                                  ________     ________

Total                                            $ 79,690     $ 81,701 
                                                  ________     ________
                                                  ________     ________


The decrease in revenues from regional operations was attributable to 
continued soft demand and over capacity of equipment in these markets.  
The Company transferred some of the tractors and trailers which had been
utilized in the regional markets into its domestic linehaul and dedicated
operations which resulted in increased revenues from those operations.

The operating ratio (operating expenses as a percentage of 
revenues) for the first three months of 1996 was 95.1% compared
to 91.8% for the same period of 1995.

Salaries, wages and benefits increased to 39.2% of operating
revenues for the three month period ending March 31, 1996 from 
38.4% for the same period in 1995, due primarily to a slight 
decrease in revenue per mile which causes the expense ratios to 
increase. 

Operations and maintenance expenses decreased to 20.6% of operating
revenues for the three month period ending March 31, 1996 from
20.9% for the same period in 1995.  This decrease resulted from the 
increased use of owner-operators by the Company.  This decrease would
have been larger except for a rise in fuel costs experienced 
by the Company during the first quarter of 1996.

Insurance and claims increased to 5.4% of operating revenues
for the three month period ending March 31, 1996 from 4.4% for
the same period of 1995 due primarily to adjustments to reflect
increased liability related to claims incurred in prior periods.

                                  - 10 -
<PAGE>

Depreciation and amortization was 11.9% and 11.4% of operating revenues 
for the first three months of 1996 and 1995, respectively.  The increase
resulted primarily from the shorter trade-in cycle of tractors 
implemented by the Company during 1995.  The effect of the shorter 
trade-in cycle was partially offset by an increased use of owner-operators, 
a change in accounting estimate to increase the estimated salvage 
value of substantially all of the Company's trailers to more accurately 
reflect market conditions and the Company's election to recognize
gain from the disposal of revenue equipment rather than to reduce basis 
of new additions of revenue equipment.

Rent and purchased transportation increased to 13.3% of operating revenues in
the first three months of 1996 compared to 11.0% for the same
period in 1995 primarily as a result of the increased use of owner-operators
by the Company and increased expense relating to logistic operations.

Interest expense was $1,288,474 for the first quarter of 1996 compared to
$914,285 for the same period in 1995.  The increase in interest expense
was due to an increase in average outstanding debt.


Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company's business has required significant investment in new equipment 
and office and terminal facilities, historically financed through cash from 
operations, secured borrowings, unsecured credit facilities and capital
markets.  During the three month period ending March 31, 1996, the Company 
expended (net of trade-ins and equipment sales) in excess of $5.7 million 
for purchases of property, plant and equipment. 

From time to time, the Company has and may continue to repurchase shares
of its common stock.  The timing and amount of such repurchases depend
on the market conditions and other factors.  During the first three months
of 1996, the Company repurchased 220,100 of its shares at an aggregate cost
of $4.3 million.

The Company funded these purchases of property, plant and equipment and
the repurchase of its common shares through cash from operations and the 
Company's bank line of credit.  The Company has a bank line of credit
providing for borrowings of up to $30,000,000, with interest at the
lower of the bank's corporate prime rate or the 30-day LIBOR rate plus 
 .45%.  At March 31, 1996 there was $19.4 million outstanding under this
line of credit.  Management expects to maintain this line of
credit for an indefinite period.

The Company expects to finance its normal operating
requirements and future revenue equipment purchases through cash
from operations and the Company's bank line of credit.


                                  - 11 -
<PAGE>
                   PART II - Other Information

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

The Company is involved in certain ordinary routine litigation incidental
to its business.  The Company does not expect that the outcome of any of 
these proceedings will have a material adverse effect upon the Company's 
operations or its financial position.


Item 2.  Changes in Securities

None


Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None


Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the 
first quarter of 1996.


Item 5.  Other Information

None


Item 6 - Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a)  The exhibits filed as a part of this report are listed below:

Exhibit                                         Page Number or Incorporation
Number    Description                            By Reference  
            
3(i).1    Restated Charter of M.S. Carriers,    Incorporated by reference from
           Inc.                                  exhibits to the registrant's
                                                 Registration Statement on Form
                                                 S-1 (Registration Number 
                                                 33-12070).

3(i).2    Articles of Amendment to Charter      Incorporated by reference from
           of M.S. Carriers, Inc.                exhibits to the registrant's
                                                 Registration Statement on Form
                                                 S-3 (Registration Number
                                                 33-63280).

3(ii)     Amended and Restated By-Laws of M.S.  Incorporated by reference from
           Carriers, Inc.                        exhibits to the registrant's
                                                 Registration Statement on 
                                                 Form S-3 (Registration Number
                                                 33-63280).

10.1      Incentive Stock Option Plan           Incorporated by reference from
                                                 exhibits to the registrant's
                                                 Registration Statement on
                                                 Form S-1 (Registration Number
                                                 33-12070).

                                  - 12 -
<PAGE>

10.2     Amendment to Incentive Stock Option    Incorporated by reference from
           Plan                                  exhibits to the registrant's
                                                 Registration Statement on 
                                                 Form S-1 (Registration Number 
                                                 33-12070).

10.3     1993 Stock Option Plan                 Incorporated by reference from
                                                 exhibits to the registrant's
                                                 Registration Statement on 
                                                 Form S-3 (Registration Number
                                                 33-63280).

10.4     Non-Employee Directors Stock Option    Incorporated by reference 
           Plan                                  from registrant's Proxy
                                                 Statement dated March 31, 1995.

10.5     Employment Agreements with James W.    Incorporated by reference
           Welch, M.J. Barrow and Robert P.      from exhibits to the
           Hurt                                  registrant's Statement on
                                                 Form S-1 (Registration 
                                                 Number 33-12070).

10.6     Employment Agreement with Michael S.   Incorporated by reference
          Starnes                                from exhibits to the
                                                 registrant's 2nd Quarter
                                                 1995 Form 10-Q.

10.7     Employment Agreement with Carl J.      Incorporated by reference
           Mungenast                             from exhibits to the
                                                 registrant's 2nd Quarter
                                                 1995 Form 10-Q.
 
10.8     1993 Incentive Plan for Designated     Incorporated by reference
           Key Employees                         from exhibits to the
                                                 registrant's 2nd Quarter
                                                 1995 Form 10-Q.

11       Statement regarding computation of     9 
           per share earnings

27       Financial Data Schedule                NOT INCLUDED WITH PAPER FILING


(b)  The Company did not file any reports on Form 8-K during the three months
     ended March 31, 1996.


                                  - 13 -
<PAGE>

                            Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                                           M.S. Carriers, Inc.
                                           (Registrant)


May 15, 1996                               s/ Dwight M. Bassett
Date
                                           Dwight M. Bassett, Controller
                                           (Chief Accounting Officer of the
                                            Company)


                                  - 14 -

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>  5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM THE BALANCE SHEET AS OF MARCH 31, 1996, AND 
THE RELATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996, 
AND THE NOTES RELATED THERETO AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                                        <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                              3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                       1,169,892
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               30,509,722
<ALLOWANCES>                                   626,288
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            46,785,931
<PP&E>                                     327,054,049
<DEPRECIATION>                              96,483,530
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             280,706,349
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       42,403,133
<BONDS>                                     50,015,364
<COMMON>                                       123,503
                                0
                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                 150,383,086
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               280,706,349
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            79,690,228
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               75,811,677
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           1,288,474
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              2,745,697
<INCOME-TAX>                                 1,020,626
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          1,725,071
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 1,725,071
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .14
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .14
        

</TABLE>


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