<PAGE> 1
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934 [FEE REQUIRED]
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934 [NO FEE REQUIRED]
For the transition period from __________ to __________
Commission File Number 0-19858
USA TRUCK, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 71-0556971
(State or other jurisdiction of (IRS Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
3108 INDUSTRIAL PARK ROAD 72956
VAN BUREN, ARKANSAS (Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (501) 471-2500
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
NONE
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Title of Class
--------------
COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $.01 PER SHARE
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 by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to
Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained,
to the best of the Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. [X]
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by nonaffiliates
of the Registrant on February 28, 1997 was $34,298,206. (The characterization
of officers and directors of the Registrant as affiliates for purposes of this
computation should not be construed as an admission for any other purpose that
any such person is in fact an affiliate of the Registrant).
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the Registrant's
classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class Outstanding at February 28, 1997
----- --------------------------------
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share 9,322,936 shares
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Part of Form 10-K into Which the
Document Document is Incorporated
-------- ------------------------
Portions of the Proxy Statement to be sent Part III
to stockholders in connection with 1997
Annual Meeting
<PAGE> 2
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
USA TRUCK, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ITEM NO. CAPTION PAGE
- -------- ------- ----
<S> <C>
PART I
1. Business................................................................................ 1
2. Properties............................................................................... 6
3. Legal Proceedings........................................................................ 6
4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders...................................... 6
PART II
5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters.................... 7
6. Selected Financial Data.................................................................. 8
7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations.......................................................................... 9
8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.............................................. 14
9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial
Disclosure.......................................................................... 28
PART III
10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant....................................... 28
11. Executive Compensation................................................................... 28
12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management........................... 28
13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions........................................... 28
PART IV
14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K.......................... 29
Signatures............................................................................... 34
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 3
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
GENERAL
USA Truck, Inc. (the "Company" or "USA Truck") is engaged in the
transportation of general commodity freight in interstate and foreign commerce.
Operations are conducted primarily east of the Rocky Mountains, but the Company
holds authority to transport and does transport freight between all points in
the continental United States, other than intrastate, and between all points in
the U.S., on the one hand, and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec, on
the other. The principal types of freight transported include automotive parts
and materials, tires, paper and paper products, glass, retail store
merchandise, chemicals, aluminum and manufacturing materials and supplies. USA
Truck does not transport Class A or Class B explosives, garbage, radioactive
materials or hazardous wastes. The Company does not operate any flatbed, tanker
or other specialized trailers.
USA Truck transports freight in truckload quantities from individual
shippers to single or multiple destinations on an as-needed basis. Its business
consists primarily of medium haul shipments, more than 700 but less than 1,000
miles. For 1994, 1995 and 1996, the average length of haul for Company tractors
was 948 miles, 900 miles and 878 miles, respectively.
The Company was incorporated in 1983 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Arkansas Best Corporation. In December 1988, the stock of the Company was sold
to management, and the Company completed its initial public offering of Common
Stock in March 1992.
The Company's principal offices are located at 3108 Industrial Park
Road, Van Buren, Arkansas 72956, and its telephone number is (501) 471-2500.
BUSINESS STRATEGY
USA Truck's principal competitive strength is its ability and
commitment to consistently provide superior service to shippers. Although price
is a primary concern to all shippers, many of the Company's customers are
high-volume shippers that require a flexible and dependable source of motor
carrier service tailored to specific needs, including pickup or delivery within
narrow time windows. The Company's strategy is to provide a premium service to
meet these needs and to charge compensating rates for such service. This
approach has found increasing acceptance. See "Business -- Competition".
The Company is committed to prompt freight pickup, consistent on-time
delivery and twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week dispatching. It has
taken a number of steps to meet these commitments. In particular, it (i) uses
only its own tractors and trailers, rather than owner-operators, to provide
greater flexibility and control over quality of service, better work
performance from drivers and better insurance rates; (ii) adheres to strict
maintenance and cleaning schedules to avoid breakdowns and delays; (iii)
provides detailed routing instructions for drivers to expedite delivery; (iv)
maintains trailer pools at strategic locations to minimize the time between
customer order and pickup and (v) provides extra trailers to high volume
shippers for loading and unloading at their convenience.
USA Truck utilizes cost-efficient communications throughout its
operations. The Company has EDI (electronic data interchange) arrangements with
several of its largest customers, providing them with access through their
computer systems to current information on the status of their shipments. It
also has a satellite-based paging system in its tractors, permitting fleet
managers to contact drivers virtually anywhere in its market area. These
capabilities are intended to shorten response time to customers, as well as to
allow drivers rest time while awaiting assignment.
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The Company has designed its own management information software
systems and is on-line with a mainframe computer through a contractual
agreement with a third party. The Company will acquire its own mainframe
computer system during 1997. This system is expected to be operational by the
end of the third quarter of 1997, when the Company's software has been migrated
to the new computer. The use of the third party's system will continue until
the migration is complete. These data processing capabilities enhance operating
efficiency by providing immediate access to detailed information concerning
equipment, cargo, customer's location, credit history, billing arrangements and
specific customer requirements. They also permit the Company to respond quickly
and accurately to customers' requests and assist in balancing equipment
availability throughout the market area. Management believes these information
software systems will be sufficient to support the Company's expansion plans at
least through 1998 without substantial additional expenditures in the data
processing area.
MARKETING AND SALES
The Company focuses its marketing efforts on customers with demanding
requirements and heavy shipping needs within the regions where the Company
operates. This permits the Company to concentrate available equipment in its
primary service area, enabling it to be more responsive to customer needs. USA
Truck's Marketing and Operations Departments have primary responsibility for
developing and implementing the Company's marketing strategy and retaining
customer accounts.
The Marketing Department solicits and responds to customer orders and
maintains close customer contact regarding service requirements and rates. A
high percentage of the Company's business is from repeat customers. For the
year ended December 31, 1996, at least 86% of USA Truck's operating revenues
was derived from customers that were customers of the Company prior to 1996.
USA Truck establishes rates through individual negotiations with
customers and through contracts tailored to the specific needs of shippers.
For the year ended December 31, 1996, the Company's ten largest
customers accounted for 44% of revenues and its three largest customers
accounted for 20% of revenues, with more than 1,000 other customers accounting
for the balance. No customer accounted for more than 10% of revenues.
Customers are generally required to have credit approval before
dispatch. The Company bills customers at or shortly after pickup, and for the
last three years receivables collection has averaged approximately 30 days from
the billing date.
OPERATIONS
The Operations Department consists of two divisions: the Load
Coordinator Group and the Fleet Manager Group.
Load coordinators are responsible for efficiently matching available
equipment with customer needs, and they serve as the contact with customers'
receiving and shipping personnel. Load coordinators also have primary
responsibility for minimizing empty miles, and they work closely with the
Marketing Department to increase equipment utilization.
The average distance between loads as a percentage of total miles
(empty mile factor) is a standard measurement in the truckload industry. The
empty mile factor generally decreases as average length of haul and density of
trucks in an area increase. The Company's commitment to on-time pickup often
requires a tractor to travel farther to complete a pickup than it would have to
travel if the Company delayed the pickup until a tractor became available in
the area. USA Truck's empty mile factor was 10.16% for the year ended December
31, 1996.
Fleet managers supervise fleets of approximately 44 drivers each and
serve as the drivers' primary contacts with the Company. Fleet managers monitor
the location of equipment and direct its movement in the most efficient and
safe manner practicable.
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DRIVERS AND OTHER PERSONNEL
Driver recruitment and retention continue to be difficult. Recruitment
is difficult because Company standards are high and because of declining
enrollment in driving schools. Retention is difficult because of wage and job
fulfillment considerations. Driver turnover, especially in the early months of
employment, is a significant problem, and the competition for qualified drivers
is intense. Although USA Truck has experienced difficulty with driver turnover,
it has been able to attract and retain qualified drivers sufficient to support
its operations. To attract and retain drivers, the Company must continue to
provide safe, attractive and comfortable equipment, direct access to
management, and competitive wages, benefits and financial incentives designed
to encourage longer term employment.
Drivers' pay is calculated on the basis of miles driven and increases
with tenure. In 1996, drivers averaged 460 miles per work day. Drivers are also
paid bonuses based on productivity and tenure. For 1996, the Company's drivers
earned bonuses totaling approximately $1,105,000. During 1996, the Company's
drivers earned wages and bonuses averaging $.30 per mile.
At December 31, 1996, USA Truck employed 1,213 persons, of which 922
were drivers, none of whom was represented by a collective bargaining unit. In
the opinion of management, the Company's relationship with its employees is
satisfactory.
SAFETY
USA Truck's safety program is designed to create an accident-free
working environment and to enforce governmental safety regulations. The Company
controls the maximum speed of its tractors with electronic governing equipment,
and all its tractors are equipped with anti-lock braking systems.
Safety records are one of several hiring criteria used by USA Truck,
and safe equipment handling techniques are an important part of new driver
training. The Company also conducts pre-employment, random and post-accident
drug testing in accordance with Department of Transportation ("DOT")
regulations.
REVENUE EQUIPMENT AND MAINTENANCE
The Company's current policy is to replace most tractors within 42
months from the date of purchase, which permits the Company to maintain
substantial warranty coverage throughout the period of ownership. USA Truck
replaces its tractors and trailers based on various factors, including the used
equipment market, prevailing interest rates, technological improvements, fuel
efficiency and durability. The following table shows the number of units and
age of revenue equipment operated by the Company at December 31, 1996:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TRACTORS TRAILERS
-------------------- -------------------
AVERAGE AVERAGE
MODEL MONTHS MONTHS
YEAR NUMBER IN SERVICE NUMBER IN SERVICE
---- ------ ---------- ------ ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1997 ........................ 174 2 170 3
1996 ........................ 124 13 236 12
1995 ........................ 225 23 265 23
1994 ........................ 281 36 311 35
1993 ........................ 58 43 234 48
1992 ........................ -- -- 118 57
1991 ........................ -- -- 138 72
1990 ........................ -- -- 38 80
--- --- ----- ---
Total ........................ 862 23 1,510 34
=== === ===== ===
</TABLE>
At December 31, 1996, USA Truck operated 862 conventional sleeper
tractors and 1,510 van trailers. To simplify driver and mechanic training,
control the cost of spare parts and tire inventory and provide for a more
efficient vehicle maintenance program, the Company buys tractors and trailers
manufactured to its specifications. In deciding which equipment to buy, it
considers a number of factors, including safety, economy, resale value and
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driver comfort. All of the Company's tractors are equipped with Detroit Diesel
Series 60 engines, air-ride suspension and anti-lock brakes. The Company's
equipment is maintained through a strict preventive maintenance program
designed to minimize equipment downtime and to enhance trade-in value.
Beginning with the November 1995 trailer purchases, the Company began
converting its trailer fleet from 48-foot long and 102 inches wide trailers to
53-foot long and 102 inches wide trailers. Because of this conversion process,
the Company's trailer to tractor ratio was 1.75-to-1 at December 31, 1996 and
will probably increase until the conversion process is substantially completed,
before returning to its historical 1.7-to-1 ratio. Management believes the
1.7-to-1 ratio is ideal for the Company's operation, in that it promotes
efficiency and provides the flexibility needed to serve customer needs. As of
December 31, 1996, 305 of the 1,510 trailers in the Company's trailer fleet
were 53-foot models. All future purchases of trailers will be 53-foot models.
The Company is undertaking this conversion in order to meet its customers'
requirements and to continue to provide an efficient balance between trailer
capacity and weight and length limitations in the various states and Canada.
During 1996 the Company financed revenue equipment through its
collateralized, $15.0 million revolving credit agreement (the "General Line of
Credit" or "Line of Credit"), and through conventional financing and
lease-purchase arrangements. See "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Liquidity and Capital
Resources". All of its revenue equipment is pledged to secure its obligations
under such financing arrangements.
REVENUE EQUIPMENT ACQUISITION PROGRAM
During 1997 and 1998, the Company plans to acquire 381 and 435 new
tractors and 255 and 313 new trailers, respectively. This will result in net
increases of 111 and 146 tractors and 179 and 213 trailers, respectively. As of
February 28, 1997, contracts had been executed for the acquisition of all 381
tractors and 255 trailers to be acquired in 1997. Although these contracts fix
the price at which the Company may acquire this equipment, the Company has the
right in its discretion to decrease or increase the number of tractors or
trailers to be purchased during the year at agreed prices. See "Item 7.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources".
During 1996, the Company acquired 203 new tractors (a net increase of
80) and 250 new trailers (a net increase of 110). Management adjusted its new
tractor purchases in order to maintain acceptable equipment utilization rates
in relation to current economic conditions in the truckload industry.
INSURANCE
The primary risk areas in the motor carrier industry are cargo loss
and damage, personal injury, property damage and workers' compensation claims.
Management believes that its insurance coverages are sufficient in each of
these areas. It is qualified as a workers' compensation self-insurer in the
States of Arkansas and Louisiana. In June 1993, the Company received authority
from the Interstate Commerce Commission (now the Federal Highway
Administration) to self-insure for cargo loss and damage claims and up to $1.0
million per occurrence for bodily injury and property damage ("BIPD") claims.
These self-insurance arrangements are secured by $1.01 million in letters of
credit with the Federal Highway Administration. During 1996, the Company's BIPD
self-insurance level was $500,000. The Company's self-insured level was also
$500,000 per occurrence for workers' compensation claims in 1996. The workers'
compensation self-insurance is secured by $300,000 in certificates of deposit.
Effective January 1, 1997, the self-insurance retention levels were revised up
to $1 million for BIPD and workers' compensation claims per occurrence. Also,
effective January 1, 1996, the Company obtained insurance for cargo loss and
damage claims exceeding $100,000 per occurrence. The Company also added
coverage for physical damage to its tractors and trailers with a self insurance
level of $10,000 per occurrence, effective January 1, 1997. The Company has
excess general liability coverage in amounts substantially exceeding minimum
legal requirements and believed to be sufficient to protect the Company against
material loss.
4
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FUEL AVAILABILITY AND COST
The motor carrier industry is dependent upon the availability of
diesel fuel, and fuel shortages or increases in fuel taxes or fuel costs have
adversely affected, and may in the future adversely affect the profitability of
USA Truck. Fuel prices have fluctuated widely and fuel taxes have generally
increased in recent years. The Company has not experienced difficulty in
maintaining necessary fuel supplies, and in the past the Company generally has
been able to recover increases in fuel costs and fuel taxes from customers
through increased freight rates. However, most recently, USA Truck has
experienced a price increase of approximately 12 cents per gallon over a period
of 12 months, which the Company has not been able to fully offset through rate
increases. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to recover
any future increases in fuel costs and fuel taxes through increased rates.
COMPETITION
The trucking industry is highly competitive. It is characterized by
ease of entry and by many small carriers having revenues of less than $1
million per year, with relatively few carriers being able to achieve revenues
exceeding $100 million per year. The principal means of competition in the
truckload segment of the industry are service and price, with rate discounting
being particularly intense during economic downturns. Although the Company
competes primarily on the basis of service rather than rates, rate discounting
continues to be a factor in obtaining and retaining business. Although the
number of firms competing in the truckload segment has increased dramatically
since industry deregulation in 1980, the industry appears to be undergoing a
consolidation phase. Furthermore, a depressed economy tends to increase both
price and service competition from alternative modes such as
less-than-truckload carriers and railroads. Management believes that further
growth in the truckload segment of the industry is likely to be achieved
through a shift in market shares among competitors rather than through an
increase in the size of the market.
USA Truck competes primarily with other truckload carriers and
shipper-owned fleets and, to a lesser extent, with railroads and
less-than-truckload carriers. A number of truckload carriers have much greater
financial resources, own more revenue equipment and carry a larger volume of
freight than does the Company.
The Company also competes with truckload and less-than-truckload
carriers for qualified drivers. See "Business -- Drivers and Other Personnel".
TRADEMARK
The Company's name and logo are registered with the United States
Patent And Trademark Office and the Canadian Trade Marks Office. The Company
believes that its trademark has significant value and is important to its
marketing efforts.
REGULATION
USA Truck is a motor carrier regulated by the DOT and other federal
and state agencies. The Company's business activities in the United States are
subject to broad federal, state and local laws and regulations beyond those
applicable to most business activities. These regulated business activities
include, among other things, service area, routes traveled, equipment
specifications, commodities transported, rates and charges, accounting systems,
financial reporting and insurance coverages. The Company's Canadian business
activities are subject to similar requirements imposed by the laws and
regulations of the Dominion of Canada and provincial laws and regulations.
Motor carrier operations are subject to safety requirements prescribed
by the DOT, governing interstate operation, and by Canadian provincial
authorities. Matters such as weight and equipment dimensions are also subject
to federal, state and provincial regulations.
The Company is subject to federal, state, provincial and local
environmental laws and regulations. Management believes that the Company is in
substantial compliance with such laws and regulations and that costs of such
compliance will not have a material adverse effect on its competitive position,
operations or financial condition or require a material increase in currently
anticipated capital expenditures.
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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The Company owns its headquarters in Van Buren, Arkansas, located on
40 acres with approximately 27,000 square feet of office, training and driver
housing space, a 12,000-square foot maintenance facility and a 2,500-square
foot dock. This facility also contains above-ground fuel tanks with a capacity
of 40,000 gallons.
In August 1995, the Company announced plans to construct a new
57,000-square foot corporate headquarters next to its current headquarters
facility in Van Buren, Arkansas. The project is expected to be completed in the
second quarter of 1997. The existing facility will be refurbished over the next
several years to house additional training, maintenance and support services.
The Company operates a maintenance and driver facility in West
Memphis, Arkansas, situated on roughly 16 acres with 13 acres of paved tractor
and trailer parking behind fence, a 10,000-square foot shop, a four-lane drive
through fueling station containing above ground fuel tanks with a capacity of
37,000 gallons and drivers' sleeping quarters that can house 36 drivers. The
drivers' quarters also include a recruiting office and driver training center
for new drivers. The Company owns 13 of the 16 acres and leases the remainder
under a long-term lease agreement with an initial term ending in November 2044.
Located at the intersection of I-40 and I-55, this facility is an ideal
location for these activities.
In August 1995, the Company began operating its maintenance and driver
facility in Shreveport, Louisiana, with 15 acres of paved tractor and trailer
parking behind fence, a 12,000-square foot shop, a two-lane drive through
fueling station containing above ground fuel tanks with a capacity of 37,000
gallons and a drivers' sleeping quarters that can house 32 drivers. The
drivers' quarters also include a recruiting office and driver training center
for new drivers. The facility is located on 20 acres of land owned by the
Company near I-20 on US Hwy. 80 and is strategically located near several major
customers in the area.
In June 1996 the Company began operating its maintenance and driver
facility in Vandalia, Ohio, with 4 acres of paved tractor and trailer parking
behind fence, a 2,400-square foot shop, a one-lane drive through fueling
station containing a below ground fuel tank with a capacity of 10,000 gallons
and a drivers' sleeping quarters that can house 22 drivers. The drivers'
quarters also include a sales office. The facility is located on approximately
5 acres of land owned by the Company near I-75 & US Hwy. 40 and is
strategically located for these activities.
The Company leases, on a month-to-month basis, parking and office
facilities in East Peoria and Blue Island, Illinois and parking and driver
support facilities in Glendale, Kentucky.
Management believes that its facilities will be sufficient for its
operations at least through 1997.
See "Item 1. Business -- Revenue Equipment and Maintenance" and
"Item 1. Business -- Revenue Equipment Acquisition Program" for information
regarding the Company's revenue equipment.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is a party to routine litigation incidental to its
business, primarily involving claims for personal injury and property damage
incurred in the transportation of freight. It maintains insurance covering
liabilities resulting from personal injury and property damage claims.
Management believes that adverse results in one or more of these cases would
not have a material adverse effect on the financial position of the Company.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
The Company did not submit any matter to a vote of security holders
during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report.
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PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS
The Company's Common Stock trades on The Nasdaq Stock Market under the
symbol: USAK. The following table sets forth the high and low closing sales
prices for the Company's Common Stock as reported by The Nasdaq Stock Market
for 1996 and 1995.
1996 High Low
---- ---- ---
First Quarter ................ $ 13.50 $ 10.75
Second Quarter ............... $ 13.25 $ 10.50
Third Quarter ................ $ 10.88 $ 8.75
Fourth Quarter ............... $ 9.50 $ 8.00
1995 High Low
---- ---- ---
First Quarter ................ $ 17.25 $ 14.25
Second Quarter ............... $ 17.75 $ 14.50
Third Quarter ................ $ 16.75 $ 13.00
Fourth Quarter ............... $ 13.50 $ 10.50
As of February 28, 1997, there were 345 holders of record (including
brokerage firms and other nominees) of the Company's Common Stock. The Company
estimates that there were approximately 2,175 beneficial owners of the Common
Stock as of that date.
The Company has never paid a cash dividend on its Common Stock. It is
the current intention of the Company's Board of Directors to continue to retain
earnings to finance the growth of the Company rather than to pay cash
dividends. Any future payments of cash dividends will depend upon the financial
condition, results of operations and capital commitments of the Company as well
as other factors deemed relevant by the Board of Directors. Covenants contained
in the Company's General Line of Credit may limit the Company's ability to pay
dividends.
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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table sets forth, for the periods and at the dates
indicated, selected financial data of the Company. The data should be read in
conjunction with the financial statements and related notes contained in Item 8
of this Annual Report and "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations".
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
---------------------------------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Operating revenues ............................ $ 108,313 $ 102,400 $ 92,511 $ 75,875 $ 63,038
Operating expenses and costs:
Salaries, wages and employee benefits ....... 45,122 42,860 38,094 31,346 25,842
Operations and maintenance .................. 31,064 26,909 23,144 19,927 16,650
Operating taxes and licenses ................ 1,964 1,822 1,575 1,374 1,059
Insurance and claims ........................ 6,422 5,146 3,632 3,061 2,426
Communications and utilities ................ 1,612 1,285 980 1,012 915
Depreciation and amortization ............... 11,839 11,145 9,125 7,472 6,837
Other ....................................... 4,038 2,794 2,075 1,661 1,438
---------------------------------------------------------------------
102,061 91,961 78,625 65,853 55,167
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income .............................. 6,252 10,439 13,886 10,022 7,871
Other (income) expenses:
Interest expense ............................ 730 799 781 709 1,243
Gain on disposal of assets .................. (9) (1) (118) (1) (55)
Other, net .................................. (4) (152) 138 (29) (95)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
717 646 801 679 1,093
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes .................... 5,535 9,793 13,085 9,343 6,778
Income taxes .................................. 2,153 3,756 5,018 3,764 2,724
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income .................................... $ 3,382 $ 6,037 $ 8,067 $ 5,579 $ 4,054
=====================================================================
Net income per share(1) ...................... $ 0.35 $ 0.60 $ 0.80 $ 0.56 $ 0.44
=====================================================================
Average shares outstanding(1) ................ 9,626 10,030 10,104 10,016 9,150
Cash dividends per share ...................... -- -- -- -- --
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT END OF YEAR):
Current assets ................................ $ 16,825 $ 16,008 $ 12,516 $ 11,371 $ 8,860
Current liabilities ........................... 15,193 13,295 10,764 8,627 7,829
Total assets .................................. 86,330 78,980 66,435 54,711 41,846
Long-term debt, less current maturities ....... 15,867 13,361 9,427 10,898 7,023
Stockholders' equity .......................... 44,424 43,157 38,645 30,478 24,699
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) On December 3, 1993, the Company effected a 2 for 1 stock split in the form
of a 100% stock dividend on outstanding shares of the Company's Common
Stock. All references to share and per share data in this table have been
retroactively restated to give effect to the stock split.
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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table sets forth the percentage relationship of certain items to
operating revenues for the years indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------------
1996 1995 1994
-----------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Operating revenues .......................... 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Operating expenses and costs:
Salaries, wages and employee benefits .... 41.7 41.9 41.2
Operations and maintenance ............... 28.7 26.3 25.0
Operating taxes and licenses ............. 1.8 1.8 1.7
Insurance and claims ..................... 5.9 5.0 3.9
Communications and utilities ............. 1.5 1.2 1.1
Depreciation and amortization ............ 10.9 10.9 9.9
Other .................................... 3.7 2.7 2.2
-----------------------------
94.2 89.8 85.0
-----------------------------
Operating income ............................ 5.8 10.2 15.0
Other (income) expenses:
Interest expense ......................... 0.7 0.8 0.8
Gain on disposal of assets ............... -- -- (0.1)
Other, net ............................... -- (0.2) 0.2
-----------------------------
0.7 0.6 0.9
-----------------------------
Income before income taxes .................. 5.1 9.6 14.1
Income taxes ................................ 2.0 3.7 5.4
-----------------------------
Net income .................................. 3.1% 5.9% 8.7%
=============================
</TABLE>
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Year Ended December 31, 1996 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 1995
Operating revenues increased 5.8% to $108.3 million in 1996 from
$102.4 million in 1995, resulting from increased business with existing
customers and additional business from new customers. Average revenue per mile
remained relatively unchanged at $1.11 in both 1996 and 1995. The empty mile
factor decreased to 10.16% in 1996 from 10.69% of paid miles in 1995. There was
a 9.3% increase in the number of shipments to 99,979 in 1996 from 91,460 in
1995. This volume improvement was made possible by an increase of 4.0% in the
average number of tractors operated from 771 in 1995 to 802 in 1996. The net
effect of the volume improvement and the Company's continuing fleet expansion
was an increase of 1.0% in miles per tractor per week to 2,407 in 1996 from
2,382 in 1995.
Operating expenses and costs as a percentage of revenues increased to
94.2% in 1996 from 89.8% in 1995. This change resulted primarily from an
increase, on a percentage of revenue basis, in operations and maintenance
costs, in insurance and claims expenses, in communications and utilities and in
other expenses. These increases were partially offset by decreases, on a
percentage of revenue basis, in salaries, wages, and employee benefits. The
decrease in salaries, wages, and employee benefits was due to the fact that the
increase in aggregate driver pay was offset by a decrease in incentives earned
by employees due to a decrease in the operational and financial performance of
the Company. The percentage increase, relative to revenues, in operations and
maintenance was primarily the result of an increase of 12.1 cents per gallon in
the average cost of fuel this year compared to the prior year, partially offset
by an increase in fuel efficiency to 6.12 average miles per gallon in 1996 from
6.08 in 1995. The percentage increase, relative to revenues, in insurance and
claims expense was due to an increase in the number and severity of accidents
in 1996 as compared to prior year. The number and severity of accidents
decreased in the second half of the year as driver retention improved from the
unusually low levels the Company experienced in the first half of 1996.
Communications and utilities increased, on a percentage of revenue basis, due
to the aggregate effect of a slight increase in service costs and the
expiration of usage incentives that were available in the
9
<PAGE> 12
telecommunications industry in 1995. Other expenses increased, relative to
revenues, due to a variety of factors, no single one of which accounted for
more than half of the increase. One such factor was an increase of
approximately $389,000 in information system programming and processing costs.
As a result of the foregoing factors, operating income decreased 40.1%
to $6.3 million, or 5.8% of revenues, in 1996 from $10.4 million, or 10.2% of
revenues, in 1995.
Interest expense decreased 8.6% to $730,000 in 1996 from $799,000 in
1995, resulting primarily from a decrease in interest rates, in the aggregate,
on both short-term and long-term debt.
Other, net expenses remained unchanged, on a percentage of revenue
basis, between 1996 and 1995. This was due to the fact that the decrease in
interest expense was offset by the decrease in interest income and gains on
disposal of assets.
As a result of the above, income before income taxes decreased 43.5%
to $5.5 million, or 5.1% of revenues, in 1996 from $9.8 million, or 9.6% of
revenues, in 1995.
The Company's effective tax rate increased to 38.9% in 1996 from 38.4%
in 1995. The effective rates varied from the statutory Federal tax rate of 34%
primarily due to state income taxes and certain non-deductible expenses.
As a result of the aforementioned factors, net income decreased 44.0%
to $3.4 million, or 3.1% of revenues, in 1996 from $6.0 million, or 5.9% of
revenues, in 1995, a decrease of 41.7% in net income per share to $.35 from
$.60. The number of shares used in the calculation of net income per share for
1996 and 1995 were 9,626,127 and 10,030,312, respectively.
Year Ended December 31, 1995 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 1994
Operating revenues increased 10.7% to $102.4 million in 1995 from
$92.5 million in 1994, resulting from increased business with existing
customers and additional business from new customers, partially offset by a
0.8% decrease in average revenue per mile. Average revenue per mile decreased
to $1.11 in 1995 from $1.12 in 1994 as the result of a 7.1% decline in the
tractor utilization rate and an increase in the empty mile factor to 10.69% of
paid miles in 1995 from 9.23% in 1994. The increase in empty miles was the
result of the decreased demand for truckload service, which caused the Company
to have to travel farther for new loads. There was a 15.2% increase in the
number of shipments to 91,460 in 1995 from 79,422 in 1994. This volume
improvement was made possible by an increase of 20.1% in the average number of
tractors operated to 771 in 1995 from 642 in 1994. The net effect of the volume
improvement and the Company's continuing fleet expansion was a decrease of 7.1%
in miles per tractor per week to 2,382 in 1995 from 2,565 in 1994. The Company
adjusted the trade and purchase schedules of revenue equipment to reflect
market conditions.
Operating expenses and costs as a percentage of revenues increased to
89.8% in 1995 from 85.0% in 1994. This change resulted primarily from an
increase, on a percentage of revenue basis, in salaries, wages and employee
benefits, in operations and maintenance costs, in insurance and claims expense
and in depreciation and amortization expense. The increase in salaries, wages
and employee benefits was primarily due to increased aggregate driver pay.
Because driver pay is generally fixed on a per mile basis, driver compensation
costs associated with increased business and fleet expansion are often offset
with corresponding increases in revenues. However, in the fourth quarter of
1994, the Company gave a general pay increase to drivers of one cent per mile
and initiated a "pay-for-experience" program that rewards newly hired drivers
for their experience, up to three years. Because average revenue per mile
decreased in 1995, as discussed above, the effect of the drivers' pay increase
was an increase in salaries, wages and employee benefits as a percentage of
revenues. The percentage increase, relative to revenues, in operations and
maintenance cost was primarily the result of an increase in costs to maintain
and repair road equipment and a decrease in fuel efficiency to 6.08 average
miles per gallon in 1995 from 6.28 in 1994, with a slight increase in average
cost of fuel. The percentage increase, relative to revenues, in insurance and
claims expense was due to an increase in the dollar amount per occurrence of
collision claims filed in 1995 as compared to 1994 and one prior year claim
reserve adjustment in excess of $500,000. The increase in depreciation and
amortization expense reflects the effects of timing differences between trade-
in cycles and purchasing schedules along with an increase in the cost of
tractors and trailers when compared to those units being retired.
10
<PAGE> 13
As a result of the foregoing factors, operating income decreased 24.8%
to $10.4 million, or 10.2% of revenues, in 1995 from $13.9 million, or 15.0% of
revenues, in 1994.
Interest expense increased 2.3% to $799,000 in 1995 from $781,000 in
1994, resulting primarily from an increase in borrowings to fund the purchase
of new revenue equipment, partially offset by a reduction, in the aggregate, of
interest rates on both short-term and long-term debt.
As a result of the above, income before income taxes decreased 25.2%
to $9.8 million, or 9.6% of revenues, in 1995 from $13.1 million, or 14.1% of
revenues, in 1994.
The Company's effective income tax rate slightly increased to 38.4% in
1995, from 38.3% in 1994. The effective rates varied from the statutory Federal
tax rate of 34% primarily due to state income taxes and certain nondeductible
expenses.
As a result of the aforementioned factors, net income decreased 25.2%
to $6.0 million, or 5.9% of revenues, in 1995 from $8.1 million, or 8.7% of
revenues, in 1994, a decrease of 25.0% in net income per share to $.60 from
$.80. The number of shares used in the calculation of net income per share for
1995 and 1994 were 10,030,312 and 10,103,976, respectively.
INFLATION
The effect of inflation on operating costs has been minimal in recent
years. Most of the Company's operating expenses are inflation sensitive, with
increases in inflation generally resulting in increased operating costs and
expenses. The effect of inflation-driven cost increases on the Company's
overall operating costs would not be expected to be greater for the Company
than for its competitors.
SEASONALITY
In the trucking industry generally, revenues decrease as customers
reduce shipments during the winter holiday season and as inclement weather
impedes operations. At the same time, operating expenses increase, due
primarily to decreased fuel efficiency and increased maintenance costs. Future
revenues could be impacted if customers reduce shipments due to temporary plant
closings, which historically have occurred during July and December.
FUEL AVAILABILITY AND COST
The motor carrier industry is dependent upon the availability of
diesel fuel, and fuel shortages or increases in fuel taxes or fuel costs have
adversely affected, and may in the future adversely affect the profitability of
USA Truck. Fuel prices have fluctuated widely and fuel taxes have generally
increased in recent years. The Company has not experienced difficulty in
maintaining necessary fuel supplies, and in the past the Company generally has
been able to recover increases in fuel costs and fuel taxes from customers
through increased freight rates. However, most recently, USA Truck has
experienced a price increase of approximately 12 cents per gallon over a period
of 12 months, which the Company has not been able to fully offset through rate
increases. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to recover
any future increases in fuel costs and fuel taxes through increased rates.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The continued growth of the Company's business has required
significant investments in new revenue equipment. USA Truck has financed
revenue equipment purchases with cash flows from operations and through
borrowings, including borrowings under the General Line of Credit, and
capitalized lease obligations. Working capital needs have generally been met
with cash flows from operations and occasionally with borrowings under the
General Line of Credit. Although the Company has not relied significantly on
the General Line of Credit to meet working capital requirements, it does
experience cyclical cash flow needs common to the industry. The Company uses
the General Line of Credit to minimize these fluctuations and to provide
flexibility in financing revenue equipment. Cash flows from operations were
$14.9 million for 1996 and $17.9 million for 1995.
11
<PAGE> 14
The Company's General Line of Credit provides for available borrowings
of up to $15.0 million, including letters of credit not exceeding $5.0 million.
As of December 31, 1996, approximately $5.6 million was available under the
General Line of Credit. The General Line of Credit matures on April 30, 1999,
prior to which time, subject to certain conditions, the amount outstanding can
be converted at any time, at the Company's option, to a four-year term loan
requiring 48 equal monthly principal payments plus interest. The interest rate
on the General Line of Credit (8.25% at December 31, 1996) fluctuates between
the lender's prime rate and prime plus 1/2% or LIBOR, depending upon the ratio
of the Company's debt to tangible net worth. Under the General Line of Credit,
the Company has the right to borrow at a rate related to the Eurodollar rate
when this rate is less than the lender's prime rate. A quarterly commitment
fee of 1/4% per annum is payable on the unused amount. The principal maturity
can be accelerated if the borrowing base (based on percentages of receivables
and otherwise unsecured equipment) does not support the principal balance
outstanding. The General Line of Credit is collateralized by accounts
receivable and all otherwise unencumbered equipment. The Company has the option
under certain conditions and at certain rates to fix the rate and term on
portions of the outstanding balance of the General Line of Credit. See Note 4
to the Financial Statements.
On January 24, 1996, the Company entered into a lease commitment
agreement (the "TRAC Lease Commitment"), with a second financial institution to
facilitate the leasing of tractors. The TRAC Lease Commitment provides for the
leasing of equipment not exceeding an acquisition cost of $10.0 million in the
aggregate. The commitment term ends on December 31, 1997. Each capital lease
will have a repayment period of 42 months. Lease amounts are limited based on
the amounts outstanding under capital leases entered into under this agreement.
The interest rate on the capital leases under the TRAC Lease Commitment
fluctuates in relation to the weekly average interest rate for 2-year Constant
Maturity Treasury Securities as published by the Federal Reserve and is fixed
upon execution of lease.
The Company's long-term debt, excluding current portion, increased by
18.8% to $15.9 million at December 31, 1996 from $13.4 million at December 31,
1995. This increase was primarily the result of borrowings under the General
Line of Credit for revenue equipment purchases and repurchase of common stock
of the Company.
During the years 1997 and 1998, the Company plans to make
approximately $70.8 million in capital expenditures. At December 31, 1996, USA
Truck was committed to spend $30.6 million of this amount for revenue equipment
in 1997, and $36.6 million of this amount is currently budgeted for revenue
equipment in 1998. The commitments to purchase revenue equipment are cancelable
by the Company if certain conditions are met. Also, the Company has a remaining
commitment for $3.1 million relating to the construction of a new corporate
headquarters in Van Buren, Arkansas. See "Item 2. Properties". The balance of
the expected capital expenditures will be used for maintenance and office
equipment and facility improvements.
The General Line of Credit, the TRAC Lease Commitment, equipment
leases and cash flows from operations should be adequate to fund the Company's
operations and expansion plans through the end of 1997. There can be no
assurance, however, that such sources will be sufficient to fund Company
operations and all expansion plans through such date, or that any necessary
additional financing will be available, if at all, in amounts required or on
terms satisfactory to the Company. The Company expects to continue to fund its
operations with cash flows from operations, equipment leases, the General Line
of Credit, and the TRAC Lease Commitment for the foreseeable future.
In September 1995, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to
repurchase up to 500,000 shares of its outstanding common stock, on the open
market or in privately negotiated transactions, from time to time over a period
of three years. As of February 28, 1997, the Company had purchased 413,500
shares pursuant to this authorization at an aggregate purchase price of $4.2
million, including 247,000 shares purchased in 1996 at an aggregate purchase
price of $2.4 million. On May 8, 1996, the Board of Directors authorized the
retirement of all shares purchased prior to May 7, 1996, which resulted in the
retirement of 254,000 shares of treasury stock that had been purchased at an
aggregate cost of $2.8 million. The Company may continue to purchase shares in
the future if, in the view of management, the common stock is undervalued
relative to the Company's performance and prospects for continued growth. Any
such purchases would be funded with cash flows from operations or the General
Line of Credit.
12
<PAGE> 15
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In March 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued
Statement No. 121, Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for
Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of, which requires impairment of losses to be
recorded on long-lived assets used in operations when indicators of impairment
are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those
assets are less than the assets' carrying amount. Statement No. 121 also
addresses the accounting for long-lived assets that are expected to be disposed
of. The Company adopted Statement No. 121 in the first quarter of 1996 and
realized no material effect from the adoption.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains forward-looking statements and information that
are based on management's belief as well as assumptions made by, and
information currently available to management. Although the Company believes
that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are
reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will be realized.
Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties underlying such expectations
materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results
may vary materially from those expected. Among the key factors that are not
within the Company's control and that may have a direct bearing on operating
results are further increases in diesel prices, adverse weather conditions or
driver turnover and the impact of increased rate competition or competition for
qualified drivers. The Company's results may also be significantly affected by
fluctuations in general economic conditions, as the Company's utilization rates
are directly related to business levels of shippers in a variety of industries.
Results for any specific period could also be affected by various unforeseen
events, such as unusual levels of equipment failure or accident claims.
13
<PAGE> 16
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
USA TRUCK, INC.
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
<S> <C>
Report of Independent Auditors ......................................................................... 15
Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1996 and 1995......................................................... 16
Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994............................... 17
Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994................. 18
Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994........................... 19
Notes to Financial Statements........................................................................... 20
</TABLE>
14
<PAGE> 17
REPORT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
USA Truck, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of USA Truck, Inc. as of
December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the related statements of income, stockholders'
equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December
31, 1996. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in
the Index at Item 14(a). These financial statements and schedule are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of USA Truck, Inc. at December
31, 1996 and 1995, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1996, in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the
related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic
financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects
the information set forth therein.
ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Little Rock, Arkansas
January 24, 1997
15
<PAGE> 18
USA TRUCK, INC.
BALANCE SHEETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,
------------------------------
1996 1995
------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents ...................................... $ 1,486,946 $ 1,656,392
Receivables (Note 4):
Trade, less allowance for doubtful accounts of
$113,000 in 1996 and $104,000 in 1995 ...................... 10,972,451 10,475,215
Other ........................................................ 1,766,443 1,448,283
Inventories .................................................... 176,759 282,588
Deferred income taxes (Note 6) ................................. 933,091 750,408
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (Note 2) ............. 1,489,555 1,394,769
------------------------------
Total current assets .............................................. 16,825,245 16,007,655
Property and equipment (Notes 4 and 5):
Land and structures ............................................ 13,096,686 8,924,031
Revenue equipment .............................................. 79,086,248 72,137,268
Service, office and other equipment ............................ 2,675,028 2,224,232
------------------------------
94,857,962 83,285,531
Accumulated depreciation and amortization ...................... (28,089,739) (22,932,039)
------------------------------
66,768,223 60,353,492
Security deposits (Note 4) ........................................ 1,745,478 1,745,478
Other assets ...................................................... 990,901 873,124
------------------------------
Total assets ...................................................... $ 86,329,847 $ 78,979,749
==============================
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Bank drafts payable ............................................ $ 606,371 $ 611,946
Trade accounts payable ......................................... 1,378,551 2,041,985
Accrued expenses (Note 3) ...................................... 7,190,198 7,320,859
Current maturities of long-term debt (Notes 4 and 5) ........... 6,018,289 3,320,650
------------------------------
Total current liabilities ......................................... 15,193,409 13,295,440
Long-term debt, less current maturities (Notes 4 and 5) ........... 15,867,365 13,360,579
Deferred income taxes (Note 6) .................................... 9,568,464 8,452,472
Insurance and claims accruals ..................................... 1,276,614 714,537
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 4, 5 and 10)
Stockholders' equity (Notes 4 and 8):
Preferred Stock, $.01 par value; 1,000,000 shares
authorized, none issued ...................................... -- --
Common Stock, $.01 par value; 16,000,000 shares
authorized; issued 9,499,636 shares in 1996
and 9,714,728 shares in 1995 ................................. 94,996 97,147
Additional paid-in capital ..................................... 13,837,785 16,320,361
Retained earnings .............................................. 31,798,704 28,416,526
Less treasury stock, at cost (145,000 shares in 1996 and
152,000 shares in 1995) ...................................... (1,307,490) (1,677,313)
------------------------------
Total stockholders' equity ........................................ 44,423,995 43,156,721
------------------------------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity ........................ $ 86,329,847 $ 78,979,749
==============================
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes
16
<PAGE> 19
USA TRUCK, INC.
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31,
---------------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994
---------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Operating revenues .................................... $ 108,312,633 $ 102,400,353 $ 92,511,364
Operating expenses and costs:
Salaries, wages and employee benefits (Note 7) ..... 45,122,323 42,859,567 38,093,614
Operations and maintenance ......................... 31,064,185 26,908,540 23,143,655
Operating taxes and licenses ....................... 1,963,888 1,822,295 1,574,844
Insurance and claims ............................... 6,422,064 5,146,409 3,631,768
Communications and utilities ....................... 1,612,030 1,284,957 980,590
Depreciation and amortization ...................... 11,839,187 11,144,969 9,125,533
Other .............................................. 4,037,196 2,794,443 2,075,267
---------------------------------------------------
102,060,873 91,961,180 78,625,271
---------------------------------------------------
Operating income ...................................... 6,251,760 10,439,173 13,886,093
Other (income) expenses:
Interest expense ................................... 729,885 798,633 780,710
Gain on disposal of assets ......................... (9,770) (933) (118,450)
Other, net ......................................... (3,835) (151,566) 138,140
---------------------------------------------------
716,280 646,134 800,400
---------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes ............................ 5,535,480 9,793,039 13,085,693
Income taxes (Note 6):
Current ............................................ 1,219,993 2,518,831 2,726,110
Deferred ........................................... 933,309 1,236,800 2,292,254
---------------------------------------------------
2,153,302 3,755,631 5,018,364
---------------------------------------------------
Net income ............................................ $ 3,382,178 $ 6,037,408 $ 8,067,329
===================================================
Per share information (Note 8):
Average shares outstanding during the year ......... 9,626,127 10,030,312 10,103,976
===================================================
Net income per share ............................... $ .35 $ .60 $ .80
===================================================
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
17
<PAGE> 20
USA TRUCK, INC.
STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ADDITIONAL
COMMON PAID-IN RETAINED TREASURY
STOCK CAPITAL EARNINGS STOCK TOTAL
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at January 1, 1994 .............. $ 96,502 $ 16,069,228 $ 14,311,789 $ -- $ 30,477,519
Exercise of stock options, net
(Note 8) .......................... 402 99,626 -- -- 100,028
Net income for 1994 ................. -- -- 8,067,329 -- 8,067,329
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 1994 ............ 96,904 16,168,854 22,379,118 -- 38,644,876
Exercise of stock options
(Note 8) .......................... 243 151,507 -- -- 151,750
Purchases of 152,000 shares of
Common Stock into treasury ........ -- -- -- (1,677,313) (1,677,313)
Net income for 1995 ................. -- -- 6,037,408 -- 6,037,408
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 1995 ............ 97,147 16,320,361 28,416,526 (1,677,313) 43,156,721
Exercise of stock options, net
(Note 8) .......................... 389 271,725 -- -- 272,114
Tax benefit of stock options
(Note 6) .......................... -- 35,856 -- -- 35,856
Purchases of 247,000 shares of
Common Stock into treasury ........ -- -- -- (2,422,874) (2,422,874)
Retirement of 254,000 shares of
treasury stock .................... (2,540) (2,790,157) -- 2,792,697 --
Net income for 1996 ................. -- -- 3,382,178 -- 3,382,178
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 1996 ............ $ 94,996 $ 13,837,785 $ 31,798,704 $ (1,307,490) $ 44,423,995
===================================================================================
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
18
<PAGE> 21
USA TRUCK, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31,
------------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994
------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income ..................................................... $ 3,382,178 $ 6,037,408 $ 8,067,329
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization ............................. 11,839,187 11,144,969 9,125,533
Provision for doubtful accounts ........................... 148,713 12,572 17,865
Deferred income taxes ..................................... 933,309 1,236,800 2,292,254
Gain on disposal of assets ................................ (9,770) (933) (118,450)
Gain on sale of investments ............................... -- (39,441) --
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables ............................................. (964,109) (2,309,946) (1,212,682)
Inventories, prepaid expenses and other
current assets ........................................ 11,043 (247,920) 233,581
Bank drafts payable, trade accounts payable and
accrued expenses ...................................... (1,031,939) 1,971,130 2,301,062
Insurance and claims accruals -- long-term .............. 562,077 114,537 300,000
------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities ...................... 14,870,689 17,919,176 21,006,492
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of property and equipment ............................ (16,996,876) (18,656,581) (18,625,103)
Purchases of investments ....................................... (138,002) (2,397,997) --
Proceeds from sale of equipment ................................ 4,894,329 4,480,733 4,475,130
Proceeds from sale of investments .............................. -- 2,437,438 --
Increase in other assets ....................................... 20,225 (168,683) (70,799)
------------------------------------------------
Net cash used by investing activities .......................... (12,220,324) (14,305,090) (14,220,772)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Borrowings under long-term debt ................................ 14,280,000 9,000,000 4,850,000
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options .................... 272,114 151,750 100,028
Payments to repurchase common stock ............................ (2,154,749) (1,677,313) --
Principal payments on long-term debt ........................... (11,880,000) (5,750,000) (9,129,290)
Principal payments on capitalized lease obligations ............ (3,337,176) (2,862,728) (2,722,807)
Security deposits on capitalized lease obligations ............. -- (1,745,478) --
------------------------------------------------
Net cash used by financing activities .......................... (2,819,811) (2,883,769) (6,902,069)
------------------------------------------------
(Decrease) Increase in cash and cash equivalents ............... (169,446) 730,317 (116,349)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of year ........................................... 1,656,392 926,075 1,042,424
------------------------------------------------
End of year ................................................. $ 1,486,946 $ 1,656,392 $ 926,075
================================================
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
19
<PAGE> 22
USA TRUCK, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1996
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
USA Truck, Inc. (the "Company"), operates as a truckload motor carrier with
operating authority to provide service throughout the continental United States
and parts of Canada.
USE OF ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions
that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying
notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
CASH EQUIVALENTS
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three
months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The carrying amount
reported in the balance sheet for cash and cash equivalents approximates its
fair value.
CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations and generally does not require
collateral. The Company maintains reserves for potential credit losses. Such
losses have been within management's expectations.
As of December 31, 1996, one customer represented approximately 10% of net
trade accounts receivables. A different customer represented approximately 18%
of net trade receivables and 12% of revenues as of and for the year ended
December 31, 1995.
INVENTORIES
Inventories consist primarily of supplies and are stated at the lower of cost
(first-in, first-out basis) or market.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment is recorded at cost. For financial reporting purposes,
the cost of such property is depreciated principally by the straight-line
method using the following estimated useful lives: structures - 5 to 31.5
years; revenue equipment - 3 to 7 years; and service, office and other
equipment - 3 to 7 years. Gains and losses on asset sales are reflected in the
year of disposal. Trade-in allowances in excess of book value of revenue
equipment are accounted for by adjusting the cost of assets acquired. Tires
purchased with revenue equipment are capitalized as a part of the cost of such
equipment, with replacement tires being inventoried and expensed when placed in
service.
20
<PAGE> 23
USA TRUCK, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
CLAIMS LIABILITIES
The Company is self-insured up to certain limits for bodily injury, property
damage, workers' compensation, and cargo loss and damage claims. Provisions are
made for both the estimated liabilities for known claims as incurred and
estimates for those incurred but not reported. In 1996 the Company was
self-insured up to $500,000 ($1,000,000 for 1997) per occurrence for bodily
injury, property damage and workers' compensation claims, and up to $100,000
per occurrence for cargo loss and damage claims. These self-insurance
arrangements are secured by $1,010,000 in letters of credit.
The workers' compensation self-insurance is secured by $300,000 in certificates
of deposit maturing during 1997. The certificates of deposit are included in
other assets on the balance sheet as of December 31, 1996 and 1995.
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Revenues are recognized based on a method whereby revenue is allocated between
reporting periods based on relative transit time in each period and direct
expenses are allocated on the same basis.
INCOME TAXES
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences
between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting
purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components
of the Company's deferred tax liabilities and assets include temporary
differences relating to depreciation, capitalized leases and certain revenues
and expenses.
EARNINGS PER SHARE
Earnings per share is computed based on the weighted average number of shares
of common stock outstanding during the year, adjusted to include common stock
equivalents attributable to dilutive options.
COMPENSATION TO EMPLOYEES
Stock based compensation to employees is accounted for based on the intrinsic
value method under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for
Stock Issued to Employees.
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement No. 121,
Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to
be Disposed Of. This statement was adopted in the first quarter of 1996 and did
not have a significant impact on the Company's financial position or results of
operations.
21
<PAGE> 24
USA TRUCK, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
2. PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,
-------------------------
1996 1995
-------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Prepaid licenses and taxes .............. $ 432,239 $ 463,566
Prepaid insurance ....................... 865,087 892,745
Other ................................... 192,229 38,458
-------------------------
$1,489,555 $1,394,769
=========================
</TABLE>
3. ACCRUED EXPENSES
Accrued expenses consist of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,
-------------------------
1996 1995
-------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Salaries, wages, bonuses and employee benefits .. $3,001,152 $3,575,818
Insurance and claims accruals ................... 2,799,864 2,659,697
Other ........................................... 1,389,182 1,085,344
-------------------------
$7,190,198 $7,320,859
=========================
</TABLE>
4. LONG-TERM DEBT
Long-term debt consists of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,
------------------------------
1996 1995
------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Revolving credit agreement(1) ........... $ 5,650,000 $ 3,250,000
Capitalized lease obligations(2) ........ 16,235,654 13,431,229
------------------------------
21,885,654 16,681,229
Less current maturities .................. (6,018,289) (3,320,650)
------------------------------
$ 15,867,365 $ 13,360,579
==============================
</TABLE>
22
<PAGE> 25
USA TRUCK, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
4. LONG-TERM DEBT (CONTINUED)
(1) The Company's revolving credit agreement (the "Line of Credit")
provides for available borrowings of $15,000,000, including letters of
credit not exceeding $5,000,000. The Line of Credit matures on April
30, 1999, prior to which time, subject to certain conditions, the
remaining balance may be converted at any time at the Company's option
to a term loan requiring forty-eight equal monthly principal payments
plus interest. The Company has outstanding letters of credit of
approximately $1,110,000 at December 31, 1996. The credit facility
bears variable interest (8.25% at December 31, 1996) based on the
lenders prime rate, prime plus 1/2% or LIBOR. A quarterly commitment
fee of 1/4% per annum is payable on the unused credit line. The Line
of Credit is collateralized by accounts receivable and all otherwise
unencumbered equipment.
The Line of Credit requires the Company to meet certain financial
covenants and to maintain a minimum tangible net worth of
approximately $29,500,000 at December 31, 1996. The Company was in
compliance with these covenants at December 31, 1996. The covenants
would prohibit the payment of dividends by the Company if such payment
would cause the Company to be in violation of any of the covenants.
The carrying amount reported in the balance sheet for borrowings under
the Line of Credit approximates its fair value since the interest rate
is variable.
(2) The leases have 42 month lives and contain renewal or fixed price
purchase options. The effective interest rates on the leases range
from 3.6% to 7.5% at December 31, 1996. The lease agreements require
the Company to pay property taxes, maintenance and operating expenses.
In 1995 the Company made security deposits of $1,745,478 relating to
these leases.
The Company made interest payments of approximately $793,000, $837,000 and
$777,000 during 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. In 1996, the Company
capitalized $85,800 in interest as a result of construction of its new
corporate office building.
5. LEASES AND COMMITMENTS
Capital lease obligations of $6,141,601, $4,107,008 and $5,365,950 were
incurred during the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
At December 31, 1996 the future minimum payments under capitalized leases with
initial terms of one year or more are $6,613,943 for 1997, $4,556,849 for 1998,
$3,179,118 for 1999 and $3,059,789 for 2000. The present value of net minimum
lease payments was $16,235,654 which includes the current portion of the
capital leases of $6,018,289 and excludes amounts representing interest of
$1,174,045.
At December 31, 1996 property and equipment included capitalized leases for
revenue equipment which had capitalized costs of $22,278,560, accumulated
amortization of $6,856,908 and a net book value of $15,421,652. At December 31,
1995 property and equipment included capitalized leases for revenue equipment
which had capitalized costs of $18,517,236, accumulated amortization of
$5,522,936 and a net book value of $12,994,300. Amortization of leased assets
is included in depreciation and amortization expense.
Commitments to purchase revenue equipment, which are cancelable by the Company
if certain conditions are met, aggregated $30,649,000 at December 31, 1996.
Commitments related to construction of the Company's new corporate office
building and related expenditures aggregated $3,073,000 at December 31, 1996.
23
<PAGE> 26
USA TRUCK, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
6. FEDERAL AND STATE INCOME TAXES
Significant components of the Company's deferred tax liabilities and assets as
of December 31, 1996 and 1995 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,
----------------------------
1996 1995
----------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Noncurrent deferred tax liabilities:
Tax over book depreciation ............... $ 9,624,818 $ 8,572,592
Noncurrent deferred tax assets:
Capitalized leases ....................... (56,354) (120,120)
----------------------------
Net noncurrent deferred tax liabilities ..... $ 9,568,464 $ 8,452,472
============================
Current deferred tax assets:
Revenue recognition ...................... $ (85,007) $ (54,144)
Accrued expenses not deductible until
paid ................................... (1,367,699) (1,183,724)
Allowance for doubtful accounts .......... (41,947) (38,368)
----------------------------
Total current deferred tax assets ........... (1,494,653) (1,276,236)
Current deferred tax liabilities:
Prepaid expenses deductible when paid .... 561,562 525,828
----------------------------
Net current deferred tax assets ............. $ (933,091) $ (750,408)
============================
</TABLE>
Significant components of the provision for income taxes are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,
----------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994
----------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Current
- -------
Federal ......................... $1,009,834 $2,163,006 $2,316,583
State ........................... 210,159 355,825 409,527
----------------------------------------
Total current ................... 1,219,993 2,518,831 2,726,110
========================================
Deferred
- --------
Federal ......................... 830,388 1,045,583 1,971,829
State ........................... 102,921 191,217 320,425
----------------------------------------
Total deferred .................. 933,309 1,236,800 2,292,254
----------------------------------------
Total income tax expense ........ $2,153,302 $3,755,631 $5,018,364
========================================
</TABLE>
During 1996, 1995 and 1994, the Company made income tax payments of
approximately $1,255,000, $2,490,000, and $2,456,000, respectively.
During 1996, the Company recognized a tax benefit of $35,856 related to stock
options. This amount was added to additional paid-in capital.
24
<PAGE> 27
USA TRUCK, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
6. FEDERAL AND STATE INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
A reconciliation between the effective income tax rate and the statutory
federal income tax rate is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31,
-----------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994
-----------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Income tax at 34% statutory federal rate ...... $ 1,882,063 $ 3,329,633 $ 4,449,136
Federal income tax effects of:
State income taxes ......................... (106,447) (185,994) (248,184)
Nondeductible expenses ..................... 47,566 39,828 46,947
Other ...................................... 17,040 25,122 40,513
-----------------------------------------------
Federal income taxes ....................... 1,840,222 3,208,589 4,288,412
State income taxes ............................ 313,080 547,042 729,952
-----------------------------------------------
Total income tax expense ...................... $ 2,153,302 $ 3,755,631 $ 5,018,364
===============================================
Effective tax rate ............................ 38.9% 38.4% 38.3%
===============================================
</TABLE>
7. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
The Company sponsors the USA Truck, Inc. Employees' Investment Plan, a tax
deferred savings plan under section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code, that
covers substantially all employees. Employees can contribute up to 15% of their
compensation, with the Company matching 50% of the first 4% of compensation
contributed by each employee. Company matching contributions totaled $491,000,
$485,000 and $421,000 for 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
8. COMMON STOCK TRANSACTIONS
The Company has a stock option plan which provides for the granting of
incentive or nonqualified options to purchase up to 800,000 shares of Common
Stock to officers and other key employees. No options may be granted under this
plan for less than the fair market value of the Common Stock at the date of the
grant. Although the exercise period is determined when options are actually
granted, no option will be exercised later than 10 years after it is granted.
25
<PAGE> 28
USA TRUCK, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
8. COMMON STOCK TRANSACTIONS (CONTINUED)
The Company also has a nonqualified stock option plan for directors who are not
officers or employees of the Company, which provides for the granting of
options to purchase up to 50,000 shares of Common Stock. The exercise period
for options granted under the plan will begin three years after the date of
grant and end five years after such date, provided that an option will
terminate upon the termination of a holder's service as a director of the
Company, subject to certain grace periods if such termination of service occurs
after the option has vested.
A summary of the Company's stock option activity, and related information for
the years ended December 31, follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995 1994
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WEIGHTED-AVERAGE Weighted-Average Weighted-Average
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPTIONS EXERCISE PRICE Options Exercise price Options Exercise Price
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Outstanding beginning
of year 533,520 $ 6.61 676,400 $ 6.78 736,100 $ 6.55
Granted 62,400 10.67 -- -- 12,000 19.50
Exercised (41,400) 7.05 (24,280) 6.25 (60,900) 6.57
Canceled (129,200) 7.57 (118,600) 7.67 (10,800) 6.25
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding-end of year 425,320 $ 6.87 533,520 $ 6.61 676,400 $ 6.78
=======================================================================================
Exercisable at end of year 134,120 $ 1.25 102,320 $ 6.58 6,200 $ 7.75
</TABLE>
Exercise prices for options outstanding as of December 31, 1996 ranged from
$6.25 to $10.75. The weighted-average fair value of options granted during the
year was $3.86. The weighted-average remaining contractual life of these
options is 5.18 years.
In 1996, 1995 and 1994, 38,210, 24,280 and 16,000 options, respectively, were
exercised for cash. In 1996 and 1994, additional options of 3,190 and 44,900,
respectively, were exercised by the exchange of 2,492 and 20,686 shares of
stock, respectively (with a market value equal to the exercise price of the
options). The exchanged shares were then canceled.
The Company has adopted the disclosure-only provisions of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation. Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for the
stock option plans. Had compensation cost for the Company's two stock option
plans been determined based on the fair value at the grant date for awards in
1996 consistent with the provisions of SFAS No. 123, the Company's pro forma
net income would have been $3,361,616 and pro forma earnings per share would
have been $.35. There were no options granted in 1995.
The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the
Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average
assumptions used for grants in 1996: dividend yield of 0%; expected volatility
of 0.266%; risk-free interest rates range from 5.24% to 6.65% and expected
lives range from 3 to 6 years.
26
<PAGE> 29
USA TRUCK, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
9. QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
The tables below present quarterly financial information for 1996 and 1995:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996
THREE MONTHS ENDED
-----------------------------------------------------------
MARCH 31, JUNE 30, SEPTEMBER 30, DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Operating revenues ................................. $25,914,003 $26,751,038 $27,292,778 $28,354,814
Operating expenses and costs ....................... 24,443,739 25,292,272 25,326,484 26,998,378
-----------------------------------------------------------
Operating income ................................... 1,470,264 1,458,766 1,966,294 1,356,436
Other expenses, net ................................ 228,906 196,589 140,550 150,235
-----------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes ......................... 1,241,358 1,262,177 1,825,744 1,206,201
Income taxes ....................................... 483,110 494,031 710,214 465,947
-----------------------------------------------------------
Net income ......................................... $ 758,248 $ 768,146 $ 1,115,530 $ 740,254
===========================================================
Average shares outstanding ......................... 9,723,537 9,732,003 9,599,680 9,510,172
===========================================================
Net income per share ............................... $ .08 $ .08 $ .12 $ .08
===========================================================
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1995
Three Months Ended
-----------------------------------------------------------
March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31,
-----------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Operating revenues ................................. $26,001,831 $26,129,072 $24,844,070 $25,425,380
Operating expenses and costs ....................... 22,791,773 22,912,457 22,753,831 23,503,119
-----------------------------------------------------------
Operating income ................................... 3,210,058 3,216,615 2,090,239 1,922,261
Other expenses, net ................................ 166,312 152,396 171,259 156,167
-----------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes ......................... 3,043,746 3,064,219 1,918,980 1,766,094
Income taxes ....................................... 1,167,277 1,175,128 735,929 677,297
-----------------------------------------------------------
Net income ......................................... $ 1,876,469 $ 1,889,091 $ 1,183,051 $ 1,088,797
===========================================================
Average shares outstanding ......................... 10,076,828 10,074,317 10,054,117 9,912,660
===========================================================
Net income per share ............................... $ .19 $ .19 $ .12 $ .11
===========================================================
</TABLE>
10. LITIGATION
The Company is not a party to any pending legal proceedings which management
believes to be material to the financial condition of the Company. The Company
maintains liability insurance against risks arising out of the normal course of
its business.
27
<PAGE> 30
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON
ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
There were no changes in or disagreements with accountants on
accounting and financial disclosure matters during any period covered by the
financial statements filed herein or any period subsequent thereto.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The sections entitled "Election of Directors", "Executive Officers"
and "Section 16(a) Compliance" in the Company's proxy statement for the annual
meeting of stockholders to be held on May 7, 1997, set forth certain
information with respect to the directors, nominees for election as directors
and executive officers of the Company and are incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The section entitled "Executive Compensation" in the Company's proxy
statement for the annual meeting of stockholders to be held on May 7, 1997,
sets forth certain information with respect to the compensation of management
of the Company and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
MANAGEMENT
The sections entitled "Outstanding Stock and Voting Rights" and
"Election of Directors" in the Company's proxy statement for the annual meeting
of stockholders to be held on May 7, 1997, set forth certain information with
respect to the ownership of the Company's voting securities and are
incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The section entitled "Certain Transactions" in the Company's proxy
statement for the annual meeting of stockholders to be held on May 7, 1997,
sets forth certain information with respect to relations of and transactions by
management of the Company and is incorporated herein by reference.
28
<PAGE> 31
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS ARE FILED AS A PART OF THIS REPORT:
1. Financial statements.
The following financial statements of the Company are included in Part II,
Item 8 of this report:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1996 and 1995 .............................16
Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 ...17
Statements of Stockholders' Equity for years ended December 31,
1996, 1995 and 1994 ......................................................18
Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 1996,
1995 and 1994 ...............................................................19
Notes to Financial Statements ...............................................20
2. The following financial statement schedule of the Company is included in
Item 14(d):
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts.............................33
</TABLE>
Schedules other than the schedule listed above have been omitted since the
required information is not present or not present in amounts sufficient to
require submission of the schedule, or because the information required is
included in the financial statements or the notes thereto.
3. Listing of exhibits.
Exhibit No. Exhibit.
----------- --------
3.1 Restated and Amended Certificate of Incorporation
of the Company (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-45682,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on February 13, 1992 [the "Form S-1"]).
3.2 Bylaws of the Company as currently in effect
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to
Amendment No. 1 to the Form S-1 filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on March 19,
1992 ["Amendment No. 1"]).
3.3 Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of
Incorporation of the Company filed March 17, 1992
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to
Amendment No. 1).
4.1 Specimen certificate evidencing shares of the
Common Stock, $.01 par value, of the Company
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the
Form S-1).
4.2 Fourth Amended and Restated Revolving Credit
Agreement dated December 30, 1992, between the
Company and Deposit Guaranty National Bank, as
Lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2
to the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1992).
29
<PAGE> 32
4.3 Fourth Amended and Restated Revolving Note of the
Company dated December 30, 1992, in the maximum
principal amount of $12,000,000 payable to Deposit
Guaranty National Bank, executed in connection
with the credit facility filed as Exhibit 4.2
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the
Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1992).
4.4 Fourth Amendment to Fourth Amended and Restated
Revolving Credit Agreement dated December 28,
1995, between the Company and Deposit Guaranty
National Bank, as Lender (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Company's annual
report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1995).
4.5* Fifth Amendment to Fourth Amended and Restated
Revolving Credit Agreement dated December 30,
1996, between the Company and Deposit Guaranty
National Bank, as Lender.
4.6* Fifth Amended and Restated Revolving Note of the
Company dated December 30, 1996, in the maximum
principal amount of $15,000,000 payable to Deposit
Guaranty National Bank, executed in connection
with the credit facility filed as Exhibit 4.5.
4.7 Credit Agreement dated July 13, 1993, between the
Company and Bank One, Texas, N.A. and related
forms of Promissory Note and Master Lease
Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
4.1 to the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended September 30, 1993).
4.8 First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated July 9,
1994, between the Company and Bank One, Texas,
N.A., as Lender (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's quarterly report on
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1994)
4.9 Second Amendment to Credit Agreement dated July
19, 1995, between the Company and Bank One, Texas,
N.A., as Lender (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's quarterly report on
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1995).
4.10 TRAC Lease Commitment Agreement dated January
24,1996, between the Company and Fleet Credit
Corporation, as Lender. (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 4.9 to the Company's annual report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995).
4.11 Instruments with respect to long-term debt not
exceeding 10% of the total assets of the Company
have not been filed. The Company agrees to furnish
a copy of such instruments to the Securities and
Exchange Commission upon request.
30
<PAGE> 33
10.1 Employee Stock Option Plan of the Company
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the
Form S-1).
10.2 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan for Nonemployee
Directors of the Company (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Form S-1)
(terminated in January 1997, except with respect to
outstanding options).
10.3 Description of Incentive Compensation Plan for
executive officers of the Company (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Form S-1).
10.4 Memorandum of Agreement dated November 1, 1988,
between the Company and Data-Tronics Corp. and
supplement thereto dated October 30, 1991
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the
Form S-1).
10.5 Supplement dated December 9, 1993, to Memorandum
of Agreement dated November 1, 1988, between the
Company and Data-Tronics Corp. filed as Exhibit
10.5 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to
the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1993).
10.6 1997 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan for
Nonemployee Directors of the Company (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration
No. 333-20721, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on January 30, 1997).
11* Statement Re: Computation of Earnings Per Share.
21 The Company has no subsidiaries.
23* Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent
Auditors.
27 * Financial Data Schedule
- ---------------
* Filed herewith.
Management Compensatory Plans:
-Employee Stock Option Plan (Exhibit 10.1)
-Nonqualified Stock Option Plan for Nonemployee Directors (Exhibit 10.2)
-Incentive Compensation Plan (Exhibit 10.3)
-1997 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan for Nonemployee Directors (Exhibit 10.6)
(b) REPORTS ON FORM 8-K:
No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the last quarter of the fiscal year
covered by this Annual Report.
31
<PAGE> 34
USA TRUCK, INC.
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
ITEM 14 (d)
FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE
32
<PAGE> 35
SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
USA TRUCK, INC.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COLUMN A COLUMN B COLUMN C COLUMN D COLUMN E
----------------------------------------------------
(1)
BALANCE AT CHARGED BALANCE
BEGINNING TO COST DEDUCTIONS END
DESCRIPTION OF PERIOD AND EXPENSES -OTHER OF PERIOD
----------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Year ended December 31, 1996:
Deducted from asset accounts:
Allowance for doubtful accounts ................... $104,000 $148,713 $ (139,713)(a) $113,000
====================================================
Year ended December, 1995: Deducted from asset accounts:
Allowance for doubtful accounts ................... $ 95,500 $ 12,572 $ (4,072)(a) $104,000
====================================================
Year ended December, 1994: Deducted from asset accounts:
Allowance for doubtful accounts ................... $ 80,000 $ 17,865 $ (2,365)(a) $ 95,500
====================================================
</TABLE>
(a) Uncollectible accounts written off, net recoveries.
33
<PAGE> 36
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15 (d) 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.
USA TRUCK, INC.
(Registrant)
By: /s/ ROBERT M. POWELL By: /s/ JERRY D. ORLER
----------------------------- ------------------------------
Robert M. Powell Jerry D. Orler
President and Chief Executive Vice President - Finance, Chief
Officer Financial Officer and Secretary
Date: March 26, 1997 Date: March 26, 1997
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Signature Title Date
--------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ ROBERT M. POWELL President, Chief Executive Officer March 26, 1997
- ---------------------------------- and Director
Robert M. Powell
/s/ JERRY D. ORLER Vice President - Finance, March 26, 1997
- ---------------------------------- Chief Financial Officer, Secretary
Jerry D. Orler and Director
/s/ J.B. SPEED Director March 26, 1997
- ----------------------------------
James B. Speed
/s/ GEORGE R. JACOBS Director March 26, 1997
- ----------------------------------
George R. Jacobs
/s/ JIM L. HANNA Director March 26, 1997
- ----------------------------------
Jim L. Hanna
/s/ ROLAND S. BOREHAM Director March 26, 1997
- ----------------------------------
Roland S. Boreham, Jr.
</TABLE>
34
<PAGE> 37
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
------- -----------
4.5 Fifth Amendment to Fourth Amended and Restated
Revolving Credit Agreement dated December 30,
1996, between the Company and Deposit Guaranty
National Bank, as Lender.
4.6 Fifth Amended and Restated Revolving Note of the
Company dated December 30, 1996, in the maximum
principal amount of $15,000,000 payable to Deposit
Guaranty National Bank, executed in connection
with the credit facility filed as Exhibit 4.5.
11 Statement Re: Computation of Earnings Per Share.
23 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent
Auditors.
27 Financial Data Schedule
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 4.5
FIFTH AMENDMENT TO FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED
REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT
THIS FIFTH AMENDMENT TO FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED REVOLVING CREDIT
AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made and entered into as of the 30th day of
December, 1996, by and between USA TRUCK, INC., a Delaware corporation (the
"Borrower"), and DEPOSIT GUARANTY NATIONAL BANK, a national banking association
(the "Lender").
WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Fourth Amended and Restated
Revolving Credit Agreement, dated December 30, 1992, as amended July 21, 1993,
December 12, 1993, December 22, 1994, and December 28, 1995 (as further
amended, modified and supplemented from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"),
between Borrower and Lender, Borrower and Lender entered into certain
agreements regarding certain indebtedness and obligations of Borrower to
Lender;
WHEREAS, Borrower has requested, and Lender has agreed to make,
certain amendments to the Credit Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof,
and
WHEREAS, Borrower and Lender desire to amend the Credit Agreement in
accordance with the terms hereof;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the mutual covenants
herein contained, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Borrower and Lender hereby agree
as follows:
1. Defined Terms. All capitalized terms used and not otherwise
defined (including, without limitation, in the language amendatory to the Credit
Agreement contained herein) shall have the respective meanings given such terms
in the Credit Agreement.
2. Amendments to Section 1 of the Credit Agreement.
A. The second paragraph of subsection 1(i) of the
Credit Agreement is hereby amended, in its
entirety, to read as follows:
"The Revolving Note shall (a) be dated the
date of the Fifth Amendment to this Credit
Agreement, (b) be payable to the order of Lender,
(c) be in the stated principal amount equal to the
Revolving Loan Commitment, (d) be payable on the
Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date, (e) bear
interest with respect to the principal amount from
time to time outstanding at the rate per annum
specified in subsection 1(iii) hereof, and (f) be
substantially in the form of Exhibit "A" hereto,
with blanks completed in conformity herewith."
B. Subsection 1(ix) of the Credit Agreement is hereby
amended, in its entirety, to read as follows:
(ix) Revolving Loan Commitment Termination
Date. As used in the Agreement, the term "Revolving
Loan Commitment Termination Date" shall mean the
earlier of April 30, 1999 or such date as the
Revolving Loan Commitment is terminated pursuant to
subsection 1(v) hereof."
C. Subsection 1(ix) of the Credit Agreement is
hereby amended to add the following
sentence at the end thereof:
"In order to more fully secure all of the Borrower's
obligations under this Credit Agreement, the
Revolving Note, and if applicable, the Term Note,
Borrower shall execute and deliver to Lender that
certain Fifth Amendment to Security Agreement in the
form attached hereto as Exhibit "C" (the "Security
Agreement Fifth Amendment")."
<PAGE> 2
3. Amendments to Section 9 of the Credit Agreement.
A. The defined term "Loan Documents" is hereby
amended to add at the end thereof the following
document in the definition thereof:
". . . the Security Agreement Fifth Amendment."
B. The defined term "Revolving Loan Commitment" is
hereby amended, in its entirety, to read as
follows:
"`Revolving Loan Commitment' means $15,000,000 at
all times during the term of this Agreement."
C. The defined term "Revolving Loan Commitment
Termination Date" is hereby amended, by substituting
the date "April 30, 1999" in the place and stead of
the date "April 30, 1998".
4. Representations and Warranties. In order to induce
Guaranty to enter into this Second Amendment, the Borrower represents and
warrants to Guaranty as follows:
A. All the representations and warranties contained in Section
6 of the Credit Agreement, expect to the extent they
specifically relate to an earlier date, are true and correct
on and as of the date of this Agreement and on the date of
execution of this Agreement, as fully as if made on each of
such dates; and immediately on and after the execution of
this Agreement, the Borrower shall be in compliance with all
the terms and provisions set forth in the Credit Agreement,
as amended by this Agreement, on its part to be observed or
performed and no Event of Default specified in Section 5 of
the Credit Agreement, as amended hereby, or any event that
upon notice or lapse of time or both would constitute such
an Event of Default, has occurred and is continuing.
B. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement,
The Revolving Note and the Security Agreement Fifth
Amendment (i) have been duly authorized by all requisite
corporate action, and (ii) will not violate any provision of
law, any order of any court or other agency of government,
the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the Borrower, or
any indenture, agreement or other instrument to which the
Borrower is a party or by which the borrower or any of its
properties or assets are bound, or be in conflict with, or
result in a breech of or constitute (with due notice or
lapse of time or both) a default under, any such indenture,
agreement or other instrument, or result in the creation or
imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance of any nature
whatsoever upon any of the properties or assets of the
Borrower. Borrower shall deliver to Lender concurrently with
the execution of this Agreement a Corporate Certificate
substantially in the form of Exhibit "G" attached hereto.
C. Except as is expressly modified and amended hereby, the
Credit Agreement shall remain in full force and effect in
accordance with its terms.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower and Guaranty have caused this
Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their
authorized representatives, as of the day and year first
above written, but in each case actually on the date
appearing beneath the signature of each party hereto.
USA TRUCK, INC.
By: /s/ JERRY D. ORLER
Title: CFO
Execution Date: 12/30/96
DEPOSIT GUARANTY NATIONAL BANK
By: /s/ STEVEN C. KROHN
Title: Senior Vice President
Execution Date: 12/30/96
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 4.6
FIFTH AMENDED AND RESTATED REVOLVING NOTE
$15,000,000 December 30, 1996
---------- -----------------
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, USA TRUCK, INC., a corporation organized and
existing under the laws of the State of Delaware ("Borrower"), hereby promises
to pay to the order of DEPOSIT GUARANTY NATIONAL BANK ("Lender") the principal
sum of FIFTEEN MILLION AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($15,000,000.00) or, if less, the
outstanding aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Loans (as defined in
the Revolving Credit Agreement referred to below) made by Lender to Borrower,
on the Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date (as defined in the Revolving
Credit Agreement), and to pay interest on the unpaid principal balance of each
Revolving Loan from the date of such Revolving Loan until said principal amount
is paid in full, at the times and at the rate or rates specified in the
Revolving Credit Agreement. During the term of this Revolving Note the Borrower
may borrow, repay and reborrow hereunder.
This Note shall be deemed to be a contract made under the law of the
State of Mississippi and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Mississippi.
Borrower expressly waives any presentment, demand, protest or notice
of any kind in connection with this Note, now or hereafter, required by
applicable law.
Borrower agrees to pay and save Lender harmless from and against
liability for payment of all expenses (including, but not limited to,
attorneys' fees and costs) arising in connection with the enforcement by Lender
of its rights under this Note.
Payments of principal and interest are to be made in immediately
available funds to, Deposit Guaranty National Bank, as Agent, at its main
office in Jackson, Mississippi, in lawful money of the United States of
America.
This Note is the Revolving Note issued pursuant to that certain Fourth
Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of December 30, 1992,
as amended July 21, 1993, December 13, 1993, December 22, 1994, December 28,
1995, and of even date herewith, between Borrower and Lender (as amended,
modified and restated from time to time, the "Revolving Credit Agreement") and
is entitled to the benefits and subject to the terms thereof. This Note
constitutes an amendment, extension and restatement of that certain Fourth
Amended and Restated Revolving Note from Borrower to Lender dated December 30,
1992 in the original stated principal amount of $12,000,000. This Note is
subject to prepayment on the terms and in the manner set forth in the Revolving
Credit Agreement, and this Note may be declared due and payable prior to its
date of maturity in accordance with the terms thereof. The Revolving Credit
Agreement also provides for the making by Lender to Borrower of revolving loan
advance from time to time in an amount not to exceed the U. S. Dollar amount
above written and contains provisions for the acceleration of the maturity
hereof upon the terms and conditions therein specified. This note is subject to
conversion to a term note in accordance with the terms and provisions of the
Revolving Credit Agreement.
"Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or
other day on which banking institutions in the State of Mississippi are
authorized to close.
USA TRUCK, INC., a Delaware Corporation
By: /s/ JERRY D. ORLER
Title: C.F.O.
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 11
STATEMENT RE: COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE
USA TRUCK, INC.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995 1994
-------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Average shares outstanding ...................................... 9,463,411 9,684,478 9,650,675
Net effect of dilutive options - based on the treasury
stock method using average market price ....................... 162,716 345,834 453,301
-------------------------------------------
Totals .......................................................... 9,626,127 10,030,312 10,103,976
===========================================
Net Income ...................................................... $ 3,382,178 $ 6,037,408 $ 8,067,329
===========================================
Net income per share ............................................ $ .35 $ .60 $ .80
===========================================
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 23
CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements
(Form S-8 Nos. 33-48027 and 333-20721) pertaining to the Employee Stock Option
Plan and the 1997 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan for Nonemployee Directors of
USA Truck, Inc. of our report dated January 24, 1997, with respect to the
financial statements and schedule of USA Truck, Inc. included in this Annual
Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1996.
ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Little Rock, Arkansas
March 24, 1997
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
REGISTRANT'S REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1996
<CASH> 1,486,946
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 10,972,451
<ALLOWANCES> 113,000
<INVENTORY> 176,759
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 16,825,245
<PP&E> 94,857,962
<DEPRECIATION> 28,089,739
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 86,329,847
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 15,193,409
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 94,996
<OTHER-SE> 44,328,999
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 86,329,847
<SALES> 108,312,633
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 108,312,633
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 102,060,873
<OTHER-EXPENSES> (13,605)
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 729,885
<INCOME-PRETAX> 5,535,480
<INCOME-TAX> 2,153,302
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 0
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 3,382,178
<EPS-PRIMARY> .35
<EPS-DILUTED> 0
</TABLE>
