MS CARRIERS INC
10-Q, 2000-08-14
TRUCKING (NO LOCAL)
Previous: NBT BANCORP INC, 10-Q, EX-27, 2000-08-14
Next: MS CARRIERS INC, 10-Q, EX-10.8, 2000-08-14





                         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 June 30, 2000

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 Directors 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 (August 1, 2000):

Common stock, $.01 per share: 11,150,001 shares

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

                             Index to Form 10-Q

                                 Contents


   Part I - Financial Information

   Item 1 - Financial Statements (Unaudited)

   Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2000 and
     December 31, 1999.............................................  3
   Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three Months Ended
     June 30, 2000 and 1999 and the Six Months Ended
     June 30, 2000 and 1999........................................  5
   Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity for the Six
     Months Ended June 30, 2000....................................  6
   Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months
     Ended June 30, 2000 and 1999..................................  7
   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements......................  8

   Item 2 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
     Condition and Results of Operations...........................  10

   Item 3 - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About
     Market Risk...................................................  14


   Part II - Other Information

   Item 1 - Legal Proceedings...................................... 15
   Item 2 - Changes in Securities.................................. 15
   Item 3 - Defaults Upon Senior Securities........................ 15
   Item 4 - Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.... 15
   Item 5 - Other Information...................................... 15
   Item 6 - Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K....................... 15
   Signatures...................................................... 16

                             -2-
   <PAGE>


                   PART I - Financial Information

   Item 1.  Financial Statements (Unaudited)

   <TABLE>
   <CAPTION>


                                 M.S. Carriers, Inc.

                             Consolidated Balance Sheets
                                             June 30             December 31
                                               2000                  1999
                                        -------------------------------------
                                          (Unaudited)

   <S>                                  <C>                     <C>
   Assets
   Current assets:
     Cash and cash equivalents          $    437,072            $    242,606
     Accounts receivable:
       Trade, net                         93,663,746              74,235,169
       Officers and employees              1,628,555               1,372,312
                                        -------------------------------------
                                          95,292,301              75,607,481

     Recoverable income taxes                323,491               4,391,692
     Deferred income taxes                 9,301,000               9,558,000
     Prepaid expenses and other           10,936,533               6,627,602
                                        -------------------------------------
   Total current assets                  116,290,397              96,427,381

   Property and equipment:
     Land and land improvements            8,566,865               8,563,092
     Buildings                            33,859,641              33,853,177
     Revenue equipment                   571,562,303             538,170,367
     Service equipment and other          53,502,343              50,764,814
     Construction in progress             11,017,372               7,051,494
                                        -------------------------------------
                                         678,508,524             638,402,944

     Less accumulated depreciation
      and amortization                   181,847,966             157,129,859
                                        -------------------------------------
                                         496,660,558             481,273,085

   Other assets                           15,542,740              13,832,915
                                        -------------------------------------
   Total assets                         $628,493,695            $591,533,381
                                        =====================================
   See accompanying notes.
   </TABLE>
                                 -3-
   <PAGE>
   <TABLE>
   <CAPTION>
                                 M.S. Carriers, Inc.

                          Consolidated Balance Sheets (continued)
                                            June 30              December 31
                                              2000                  1999
                                       --------------------------------------
                                        (Unaudited)

   <S>                                   <C>                     <C>
   Liabilities and stockholders' equity
   Current liabilities:
     Trade accounts payable              $11,296,905             $  7,300,275
     Accrued compensation and related
      costs                                5,790,157                5,625,679
     Accrued expenses                     16,232,674               16,562,822
     Claims payable                       19,260,597               19,914,990
     Current maturities of
      long-term debt                      48,257,004               39,189,255
                                       --------------------------------------
   Total current liabilities             100,837,337               88,593,021

   Long-term debt, less current
     maturities                          240,582,817              202,404,874

   Deferred income taxes                  67,996,144               65,325,276

   Stockholders' equity:
     Common stock
        Authorized shares - 20,000,000
        Issued and outstanding shares -
        11,031,501 at June 30, 2000 and
        12,301,601 at December 31, 1999      110,315                  123,016
     Additional paid-in capital           59,384,919               66,222,158
     Retained earnings                   161,669,866              170,952,739
     Cumulative other comprehensive loss  (2,087,703)              (2,087,703)
                                       --------------------------------------
   Total stockholders' equity            219,077,397              235,210,210
                                       --------------------------------------

   Total liabilities and stockholders'
     equity                             $628,493,695             $591,533,381
                                       ======================================


   See accompanying notes.
   </TABLE>
                             -4-
   <PAGE>

   <TABLE>
   <CAPTION>
                                M.S. Carriers, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                            Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
                                                    Three Months Ended            Six Months Ended
                                                         June 30                        June 30
                                                  2000            1999              2000          1999
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------

   <S>                                     <C>               <C>              <C>             <C>
   Operating revenues                      $180,002,316      $153,596,736     $344,172,008    $296,411,211

   Operating expenses:
     Salaries, wages and benefits            57,979,715        45,412,447      111,022,236      89,710,562
     Operations and maintenance              30,816,774        23,436,715       59,429,058      46,310,696
     Taxes and licenses                       4,035,237         3,168,266        7,261,195       6,855,587
     Insurance and claims                     5,383,680         5,482,793       10,375,153      10,283,413
     Communications and utilities             2,144,868         2,073,928        4,216,056       3,747,396
     Depreciation and amortization           18,516,028        14,965,941       36,724,513      29,562,807
     Gain on disposals of
       revenue equipment                       (478,959)         (333,460)        (491,893)     (1,146,797)
     Rent and purchased transportation       46,043,323        43,339,037       88,960,349      82,189,814
     Other                                    1,447,401         1,388,888        2,694,592       2,905,574
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------
   Total operating expenses                 165,888,067       138,934,555      320,191,259     270,419,052
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------

   Operating income                          14,114,249        14,662,181       23,980,749      25,992,159

   Other expense (income):
     Interest expense                         5,156,438         2,936,302        8,580,539       5,836,922
     Other                                     (615,948)       (1,248,666)      (1,246,309)     (1,708,322)
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                              4,540,490         1,687,636        7,334,230       4,128,600
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------

   Income before income taxes                 9,573,759        12,974,545       16,646,519      21,863,559

   Income taxes                               3,397,264         4,605,963        5,855,736       7,761,563
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------
   Net income                               $ 6,176,495       $ 8,368,582     $ 10,790,783    $ 14,101,996
                                         =================================================================

   Basic earnings per share                       $0.54             $0.68            $0.72           $1.15
                                         =================================================================

   Diluted earnings per share                     $0.53             $0.65            $0.91           $1.10
                                         =================================================================

   See accompanying notes.
   </TABLE>
                                           -5-
   <PAGE>
   <TABLE>
   <CAPTION>
                                                    M.S. Carriers, Inc.

                                 Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited)
                                              Six Months Ended June 30, 2000

                                                                             Cumulative
                             Common Stock        Paid-In      Retained      Other Compre-
                          Shares     Amount      Capital      Earnings      hensive Loss      Total
                       ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   <S>                  <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>            <C>            <C>
   Balance at January
     1, 2000            12,301,601   $123,016   $66,222,158  $170,952,739   $(2,087,703)   $235,210,210

   Net income                                                  10,790,783                    10,790,783

   Repurchase of common
    stock               (1,270,100)   (12,701)   (6,837,239) (20,073,656)                   (26,923,596)
                       ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Balance at June
     30, 2000           11,031,501   $110,315   $59,384,919   $161,669,866  $(2,087,703)   $219,077,397

                       =================================================================================


   See accompanying notes.
   </TABLE>
                                           -6-
   <PAGE>
   <TABLE>
   <CAPTION>
                               M.S. Carriers, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                         Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
                                                      Six Months Ended
                                                           June 30
                                                2000                      1999
                                      -----------------------------------------
   <S>                                      <C>                     <C>
    Operating activities
    Net income                              $10,790,783             $14,101,996
    Adjustments to reconcile net
     income to net cash provided by
     operating activities:
      Depreciation and amortization          36,724,513              29,562,807
      Gain on disposals of revenue
       equipment                               (491,893)             (1,146,797)
      Deferred income taxes                   2,927,868               3,880,781
      Changes in operating assets and
       liabilities:
        Accounts receivable                 (19,684,820)             (9,845,340)
        Current and other assets             (2,294,742)             (3,821,149)
        Trade accounts payable                3,996,630              (8,626,098)
        Other current liabilities              (820,063)             10,330,832
                                         -----------------------------------------
                                             20,357,493              20,335,036
   Net cash provided by operating
    activities                               31,148,276              34,437,032

   Investing activities
   Purchases of property and
    equipment                               (50,300,318)            (50,443,566)
   Proceeds from disposals of property
    and equipment                            39,320,811              15,307,034
                                         -----------------------------------------

   Net cash used in investing
    activities                              (10,979,507)            (35,136,532)

   Financing activities
   Net change in revolving line of
    credit obligations                       21,454,546              12,411,455
   Proceeds from issuance of common stock         0                     493,214
   Principal payments on long-term debt
    obligations                             (14,505,293)            (13,057,779)
   Repurchase of common stock               (26,923,596)
                                         -----------------------------------------

   Net cash used in financing activities    (19,974,303)               (153,110)
                                         -----------------------------------------

   Increase (decrease) in cash and cash
    equivalents                                 196,466                (852,610)
   Cash and cash equivalents at
    beginning of period                         242,606               1,465,303
                                         -----------------------------------------

   Cash and cash equivalents at end
    of period                              $    437,072             $   612,693
                                         =========================================

   See accompanying notes.
   </TABLE>
                               -7-
   <PAGE> 
<PAGE>
                        M.S. Carriers, Inc. and Subsidiaries

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

                                  June 30, 2000

   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 six
   month period ended June 30, 2000 are not necessarily indicative of the
   results that may be expected for the year ended December 31, 2000.  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,
   1999.

   2.  Net Income Per Common Share
   <TABLE>
   <CAPTION>
                                  Three Months Ended        Six Months Ended
                                        June 30                  June 30
                                2000           1999         2000        1999
                            -------------------------------------------------
   <S>                       <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>
   Numerator:
    Net income available to
     common shareholders     $6,176,495   $8,368,582  $10,790,783  $14,101,996
                             =================================================

   Denominator:
    Weighted-average shares
     for basic earnings per
     share                   11,448,254   12,285,315   11,698,911   12,283,292
    Dilutive employee stock
     options                    156,065      614,001      197,748      579,242
                             -------------------------------------------------
    Adjusted weighted-
     average shares for
     diluted earnings per
     share                   11,604,319   12,899,316   11,896,659   12,862,534
                             =================================================

    Basic earnings per
     share                        $0.54        $0.68        $0.92        $1.15
                             =================================================

    Diluted earnings per
     share                        $0.53        $0.65        $0.91        $1.10
                             =================================================
   </TABLE>
                             -8-
   <PAGE> 
<PAGE>
   3.  Industry Segments

   The Company's two reportable segments are trucking operations and logistics.
   These segments are classified primarily by the type of services they provide.
   Performance of the segments is generally evaluated by their operating income.
   Summarized segment information is as follows:
   <TABLE>
   <CAPTION>
                          Three Months Ended             Six Months Ended
                                June 30                      June 30
                          2000            1999           2000           1999
                      --------------------------------------------------------
                               (in thousands)              (in thousands)
   <S>                 <C>             <C>             <C>          <C>
   Operating Revenues:
    Trucking            $165,551        $140,819        $316,203     $271,715
    Logistics             18,112          16,300          35,374       31,655
    Intersegment
     eliminations         (3,661)         (3,522)         (7,405)      (6,959)
                      --------------------------------------------------------

                        $180,002        $153,597        $344,172     $296,411
                      ========================================================

   Operating Income:
    Trucking            $ 13,643        $ 14,157         $22,849      $24,979
    Logistics                471             505           1,132        1,013
                      --------------------------------------------------------

                        $ 14,114        $ 14,662         $23,981      $25,992
                      ========================================================

   </TABLE>
   4.  Investment in TransPlace.com

   In April 2000, the Company entered into an Operating Agreement with five
   other trucking companies to form Transplace.com, an internet-based global
   transportation venture that would create a marketplace for shippers and
   carriers.  Pursuant to the agreement, each of the six companies is committed
   to contribute their respective existing logistics operations and cash of up
   to $5 million to fund working capital.  On July 1, 2000, the Company
   contributed its logistics operations to Transplace.com.  The Company's
   logistics operations generated approximately $35.4 million and $18.1 million
   of operating revenues for the six-month and three-month periods ended
   June 30, 2000, and $1.1 million and $0.5 million of operating income during
   these same periods.

                               -9-
   <PAGE>
   
<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.
   <TABLE>
   <CAPTION>

                                               Percentage of Operating Revenues
                                                 Three Months         Six Months
                                                Ended June 30       Ended June 30
                                               2000       1999       2000     1999
                                             --------------------------------------
   <S>                                        <C>         <C>       <C>      <C>
   Operating revenues                         100.0%      100.0%    100.0%   100.0%

   Operating expenses:
     Salaries, wages and benefits              32.21%      29.57%    32.26%  30.27%
     Operations and maintenance                17.12%      15.26%    17.27%  15.62%
     Taxes and licenses                         2.24%       2.06%     2.11%   2.31%
     Insurance and claims                       2.99%       3.57%     3.01%   3.47%
     Communications and utilities               1.19%       1.35%     1.22%   1.26%
     Depreciation and amortization             10.29%       9.74%    10.67%   9.97%
     Gain on disposals of
      revenue equipment                         (.26%)      (.22%)    (.14%)  (.38%)
     Rent and purchased transportation         25.58%      28.22%    25.85%  27.73%
     Other                                       .80%        .90%     0.78%    .98%
                                             --------------------------------------

   Total operating expenses                    92.16%      90.45%    93.03%  91.23%
                                             --------------------------------------

   Operating income                             7.84%       9.55%     6.97%   8.77%

   Interest expense                             2.86%       1.91%     2.49%   1.97%
   Other income                                 (.34%)      (.81%)    (.36%)  (.58%)
                                             --------------------------------------
   Income before income taxes                   5.32%       8.45%     4.84%   7.38%

   Income taxes                                 1.89%       3.00%     1.70%   2.62%
                                             --------------------------------------

   Net income                                   3.43%       5.45%     3.14%   4.76%
                                             ======================================

   </TABLE>
                               -10-
   <PAGE> 
<PAGE>
   Results of Operations

   Operating revenues for the first six months of 2000 increased $47.8 million,
   or 16.1%, to $344.2 million compared with $296.4 million for the same period
   in the prior year.  For the quarter ended June 30, 2000, operating revenues
   increased $26.4 million, or 17.2%, to $180.0 million compared with $153.6
   million for the same quarter of 1999.  These increases in revenues were due
   primarily to increased capacity and related trucking revenues.  The Company's
   fleet increased to 4,954 tractors at June 30, 2000 from 4,003 at June 30,
   1999, an increase of 951 tractors.

   The sources of the Company's operating revenues were as follows:
   <TABLE>
   <CAPTION>

                                            Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended
                                                June 30                June 30

                                            2000         1999       2000      1999
                                       -------------------------------------------
                                            (in thousands)          (in thousands)
   <S>                                   <C>          <C>        <C>       <C>
   Trucking Revenues:
     Domestic Irregular Route            $103,047     $ 89,798   $195,419  $172,771
     International Irregular Route(1)      36,514       32,433     70,401    62,143
     Dedicated Route                       25,990       18,588     50,383    36,801
                                        -------------------------------------------

   Total Trucking Revenues               $165,551     $140,819   $316,203  $271,715

   Logistics Revenues                      18,112       16,300     35,374    31,655

   Intersegment Eliminations               (3,661)      (3,522)    (7,405)   (6,959)
                                        -------------------------------------------

   Total Operating Revenues              $180,002     $153,597   $344,172  $296,411
                                        ===========================================

   (1) International Irregular Route Trucking Revenues include loads
   originating or terminating at Laredo, TX, Brownsville, TX, El Paso, TX,
   Nogales, AZ, San Diego, CA, and Calexico, CA.
   </TABLE>

   The operating ratio (operating expenses as a percentage of operating
   revenues) for the trucking and logistics segments and the Company's total
   business were as follows:
   <TABLE>
   <CAPTION>
                                        Three Months Ended         Six Months Ended
                                            June 30                     June 30
                                          2000         1999        2000      1999
                                     ---------------------------------------------


   <S>                                   <C>          <C>         <C>       <C>
   Trucking Segment                       91.8%        89.9%       92.8%     90.8%

   Logistics Segment                      97.4%        96.9%       96.8%     96.8%

   Total Company                          92.2%        90.5%       93.0%     91.2%
   </TABLE>
                               -11-
   <PAGE>
   
<PAGE>
   Salaries, wages and benefits increased to 32.26% and 32.21% of operating
   revenues for the six-month and three-month periods ending June 30, 2000,
   from 30.27% and 29.57% for the same periods in 1999.  These increases were
   due primarily to owner-operator tractors representing a lower percentage of
   the average number of tractors in service during the first two quarters of
   2000 compared to the first two quarters of 1999 and a significant driver pay
   increase implemented in March 2000.  Amounts paid to owner-operators are
   recorded as purchased transportation.  The Company had 1,359 owner-operators
   at June 30, 2000, compared to 1,176 at June 30, 1999.

   From time-to-time, the industry has experienced shortages of qualified
   drivers. If such a shortage were to occur over a prolonged period and
   increases in driver pay raise were to occur in order to attract and retain
   drivers, the Company's results from operations would be negatively impacted
   to the extent that corresponding rate increases were not obtained.
   Management expects the driver pay increase implemented in March 2000 to be
   substantially offset through rate increases implemented during the second
   quarter of 2000.

   Operations and maintenance expenses increased to 17.27% and 17.12% of
   operating revenues for the six-month and three-month periods ending June 30,
   2000 from 15.62% and 15.26% for the same periods in 1999.  These increases
   were due primarily to higher fuel costs during 2000.  Increases in fuel
   costs, to the extent not offset by rate increases or fuel surcharges, could
   have an adverse effect on the operations and profitability of the Company.

   Insurance and claims decreased to 3.01% and 2.99% of operating revenues for
   the six-month and three-month periods ended June 30, 2000 from 3.47% and
   3.57% for the same periods ended June 30, 1999.  These decreases were due
   primarily to improved accident claims experience during 2000.

   Depreciation and amortization was 10.67% of operating revenues for the first
   six months of 2000 compared to 9.97% for the same period in 1999 and 10.29%
   of operating revenues for the quarter ended June 30, 2000, compared to 9.74%
   for the same quarter of 1999.  These increases were attributable primarily
   to the expansion of the Company's leased owner-operator program.

   Rent and purchased transportation decreased to 25.85% and 25.58% of
   operating revenues in the six-month and three-month periods ending June 30,
   2000 from 27.73% and 28.22% for the same periods ending June 30, 1999.
   These decreases were due primarily to owner-operator tractors representing
   a lower percentage of the average number of total tractors in service during
   2000.

   Interest expense was $8,580,539 and $5,156,438 for the six-month and
   three-month periods ended June 30, 2000 compared to $5,836,922 and
   $2,936,302 for the same periods in 1999.  These increases in interest
   expense were due primarily from average debt outstanding being
   significantly higher during 2000 as compared to 1999.

   Liquidity and Capital Resources

   The Company's business has required significant investment in new
   equipment and office and terminal facilities.  The Company has financed
   these investments largely from cash provided by operating activities,
   secured and unsecured borrowings, and unsecured credit facilities during
   the past three years.
                               -12-
   <PAGE>


   During the six month period ending June 30, 2000, the Company had
   expenditures, net of equipment sales, of $11.0 million for purchases of
   property and equipment.  The Company funded these purchases of property and
   equipment through cash provided by operating activities and borrowings
   under existing credit facilities.  Net cash provided by operating activities
   was $31.1 million.

   The Company has bank lines of credit providing for borrowings of up to $110
   million, with interest at the lower of the bank's corporate prime rate or
   the 30-day LIBOR rate plus .45%.  At June 30, 2000 there was $80.2 million
   outstanding under these lines of credit.  The amounts outstanding under
   these lines of credit are classified as long-term obligations in the
   Company's balance sheet because the Company is in the process of
   refinancing the lines of credit on a long-term basis.

   The Company expects to finance its normal operating requirements and planned
   revenue equipment purchases through cash provided by operating activities,
   the Company's bank lines of credit and secured borrowings.  In the future,
   the Company will continue to have significant capital requirements, which may
   require the Company to seek additional borrowings or to access capital
   markets. The availability of debt financing or equity capital will depend
   upon the Company's financial condition and results of operations as well as
   prevailing market conditions and other factors over which the Company has
   little or no control.

   In December 1999, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase
   of up to 1 million shares of the Company's common stock.  In June 2000, the
   Company's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to an additional
   2 million shares of the Company's common stock.  The Company purchased
   1,270,100 shares for approximately $26.9 million during the first six months
   of 2000.

   Recently Issued Accounting Standards

   During 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement
   No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (SFAS
   No. 133).  This statement requires companies to record derivative
   instruments on the balance sheet as assets or liabilities, measured at fair
   value.  Gains or losses resulting from changes in the values of a
   derivative would be accounted for depending on the use of a derivative and
   whether it qualifies for hedge accounting.  In June 1999, the FASB issued
   Statement No. 137, which delayed the effective date of SFAS No 133 to the
   Company's fiscal year 2001.  Because of the Company's minimal historical
   use of derivatives, management anticipates that the adoption of SFAS No.
   133 will not have a significant effect on earnings or on the financial
   position of the Company.

   Year 2000 Issues

   In prior years, the Company discussed the nature and progress of its plans to
   become Year 2000 ready.  In late 1999, the Company completed its remediation
   and testing of systems.  As a result of those planning and implementation
   efforts, the Company experienced no significant disruptions in mission
   critical information technology and non-information technology systems and
   believes those systems successfully responded to the Year 2000 date change.
   The Company is not aware of any material problems resulting from Year 2000
   issues, either with its products and services, its internal systems, or the
   products and services of third parties.  The Company will continue to monitor
   its mission critical computer applications and those of its suppliers and
   vendors throughout the Year 2000 to ensure that any latent Year 2000 matters
   that may arise are addressed properly.
                               -13-
   <PAGE>


   Transplace.com

   In April 2000, the Company entered into an Operating Agreement with five
   other trucking companies to form Transplace.com, an internet-based global
   transportation venture that would create a marketplace for shippers and
   carriers.  Pursuant to the agreement, each of the six companies is committed
   to contribute their respective existing logistics operations and cash of up
   to $5 million to fund working capital.  On July 1, 2000, the Company
   contributed its logistics operations to Transplace.com.  The Company's
   logistics operations generated approximately $35.4 million and $18.1 million
   of operating revenues for the six-month and three-month periods ended
   June 30, 2000, and $1.1 million and $0.5 million of operating income during
   these same periods.

   Forward-Looking Statements

   Certain statements and information included herein constitute "forward-
   looking statements" within the meaning of the Federal Private Securities
   Litigation Reform Act of 1995.   Such forward-looking statements involve
   known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause
   the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be
   materially different from any future results, performance or achievements
   expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Such factors
   include, among other things, the ability to develop and implement operational
   and financial systems to manage growing operations; the ability to acquire
   and integrate businesses and the risks associated with such businesses; the
   ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms to finance the Company's
   operations and growth; competition within the industry; the ability to
   attract and retain quality drivers, and other factors contained in the
   Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

   Item 3.  Quantitative And Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

   Interest Rate Risk

   The Company has market risk exposure to changing interest rates.  The
   Company's policy is to manage interest rates through the use of a
   combination of fixed and floating rate debt.  Interest rate swaps may be
   used to adjust interest rate exposure based on market conditions.  These
   swaps are entered into with a group of financial institutions with
   investment grade credit ratings, thereby minimizing the risk of credit loss.
   At June 30, 2000, the fair value of the Company's total long-term debt is
   approximately $288.8 million, using yields obtained for similar types of
   borrowing arrangements and taking into consideration the underlying terms
   of the debt.  Market risk is estimated as the potential change in fair value
   resulting from a hypothetical ten percent decrease in interest rates and
   amounts to $262,000 at June 30, 2000.

   At June 30, 2000, the Company had $239.2 million of variable-rate debt.  The
   Company has entered into interest rate swaps which convert floating rates to
   fixed rates for a total notional amount of $70 million.  If interest rates on
   the Company's variable-rate debt, after considering interest rate swaps, were
   to increase by ten percent from their June 30, 2000 rates for the next twelve
   months, the increase in interest expense would be approximately $1,202,000.
   The potential change in fair value of the Company's interest rate swaps
   resulting from a hypothetical ten percent decrease in interest rates would
   not be material to the Company's financial position at June 30, 2000.

                               -14-
   <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

   At the Company's annual meeting of shareholders on May 5, 2000, Michael S.
   Starnes, James W. Welch, M.J. Barrow, Morris H. Fair, Jack H. Morris, III and
   Edward A. Labry, III were re-elected as directors upon the following vote:

                                       For            Against      Abstaining

        Michael S. Starnes            9,672,707       1,365,313      66,379
        James W. Welch                9,672,707       1,365,313      66,379
        M.J. Barrow                   9,672,707       1,365,313      66,379
        Morris H. Fair               11,038,020           0          66,379
        Jack H. Morris, III          11,038,020           0          66,379
        Edward A. Labry, III         11,038,020           0          66,379


   No other matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the
   second quarter of 2000.


   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 10.8      Operating Agreement of Transplace.com, LLC

        Exhibit 10.9      Initial Subscription Agreement of Transplace.com, LLC

        Exhibit 27        Financial Data Schedule

   (b)  The Company filed a report on Form 8-k on June 8, 2000 announcing that
   its Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to 2,000,000
   shares of its common stock.
                                  -15-
   <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)

   Date:  August 14, 2000
                                             /s/ M.J. Barrow



                                             M.J. Barrow
                                             Senior Vice President and
                                             Chief Executive Officer

                                   -16-
   <PAGE>



© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission