Q2 2025 ArcBest Corp Earnings Call

Operator: Ladies and gentlemen, good morning, and thank you for standing by. Welcome to the ArcBest second quarter 2025 earnings conference call. During the presentation, all participants will be in a listen-only mode. Afterwards, we will conduct a question and answer session. As a reminder, this call is being recorded. I will now turn it over to Ms. Amy Mendenhall, Vice President, Treasury and Investor Relations. Please go ahead.

Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. And thank you for standing by. Welcome to the arc. The second quarter 2025 earnings conference call.

During the presentation, all participants will be in a listen-only mode afterwards. We will conduct a question and answer session.

As a reminder, this call is being recorded.

And I will now turn it over to Miss Amy, mendenhal vice president Treasury and investor relations. Please go ahead.

Amy Mendenhall: Good morning, everyone. I'm pleased to be here today with Judy McReynolds, our Chairman and CEO, Seth Runser, our President, and Matt Beasley, our Chief Financial Officer. Other members of our executive leadership team will also be available during the Q&A session. Before we begin, please note that some of the comments we make today will be forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which are detailed in the forward-looking statement section of our earnings release and SEC filing. To provide meaningful comparisons, we will also discuss certain non-GAAP financial measures that are outlined and described in the tables of our earnings release. Reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP measures are provided in the additional information section of the presentation slide. You can access the conference call slide deck on our website at arcb.com in our 8K filed earlier this morning or follow along on the webcast.

Good morning, everyone. I'm pleased to be here today, with Judy MC Reynolds our chairman and CEO, Seth runser, our president, and Matt Beasley our Chief Financial Officer other members of our executive leadership team will also be available during the Q&A session. Before we begin, please note that some of the comments we make today will be forward-looking statements.

These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which are detailed in the forward-looking statement section of our earnings, release and secc filings.

To provide meaningful comparisons. We will also discuss certain non-gaap Financial measures that are outlined and described in the tables of our earnings release.

Reconciliations of gaps to non-gaap measures are provided in the additional information section of the presentation, slides.

you can access the conference call slide deck on our website at arcb.com

Amy Mendenhall: Now, I will turn the call over to Judy.

Judy Mcreynolds: Thank you, Amy Mendenhall, and good morning, everyone. I would like to begin by expressing my sincere appreciation to our employees. Your unwavering commitment to our customers, your pursuit of excellence, and your ability to lead through change continue to distinguish ArcBest in a dynamic and competitive industry. Before we dive into the quarter's results, I want to take a moment to reflect on how we think about our business and how we lead through uncertainty. We are now three years into a soft-grade environment. When I compare today's challenges to those of 2008, a time many of us remember well, the strength and resilience of ArcBest's strategy are clear. Our forward-thinking, customer-centric approach, combined with disciplined execution, is delivering results. We remain focused on growth, efficiency, and innovation. These priorities guide our decisions and investment, enabling us to build agility into our operations and drive meaningful productivity gains.

In our 8-K filed earlier this morning, or follow along on the webcast. And now I will turn the call over to Judy.

Thank you, Amy and good morning, everyone.

I'd like to begin by expressing my sincere, appreciation to our employees, your unwavering commitment to our customers, your pursuit of excellence, and your ability to lead through change, continue to distinguish our best in a dynamic and competitive industry.

Quarters results. I want to take a moment to reflect on how we think about our business and how we lead through uncertainty.

We are now 3 years into a soft grade environment.

When I compare today's challenges to, those of 2008 a Time, many of us remember, well, the strength and resilience of Arc Beth strategy are clear.

Our Forward Thinking customer Centric approach. Combined with disciplined execution is delivering results.

We remain focused on growth, efficiency and innovation.

Judy Mcreynolds: Every dollar we invest, whether in technology, talent, or infrastructure, is aligned with our strategy and aimed at creating long-term value for our customers, our employees, and our shareholders. This strong foundation has positioned us well to navigate continued headwinds. In the second quarter, the freight environment remained challenging, with softness in manufacturing, a sluggish housing market, and added uncertainty around the future path of interest rates and tariffs. Despite these pressures, ArcBest executed with discipline and served our customers with excellence through our integrated logistics solutions. We generated just over $1 billion in revenue and $45 million in non-GAAP operating income for the quarter. Our investments in innovation and technology continue to pay off. For example, in our ABF Freight business, we are leveraging AI and predictive analytics to optimize labor planning, delivery routing, and dock operations in real time.

These priorities guide, our decisions and Investments enabling us to build agility and to our operations and drive meaningful productivity. Gains.

every dollar we invest whether in technology, Talent OR infrastructure is aligned with our strategy and aimed at creating long-term value for our customers, our employees, and our shareholders,

this strong Foundation has positioned us well to navigate continued, headwinds

In the second quarter, the freight environment remained challenging with softness and Manufacturing, a sluggish housing market and added uncertainty around the future. Path of interest rates and terrorists.

Despite these pressures arcbest executed with discipline and served, our customers with Excellence through our integrated Logistics Solutions.

We generated just over 1 billion dollars in revenue, and 45 million in non-gaap operating income for the quarter.

Our investments in Innovation and Technology continue to pay off.

For example, in our ABS business, we're leveraging Ai and Predictive Analytics.

Judy Mcreynolds: These tools are reducing costs, improving service, and enhancing flexibility across our network. As a result, the second quarter marked our most productive quarter since 2021. That same proactive mindset guided our response to the recent NMFTA classification update. We anticipated potential disruption and took early strategic action, collaborating with the NMFTA, engaging with customers, and applying our costing expertise and freight dimensioning tools to help them navigate the changes with confidence. Many customers also turned to our packaging engineers, who are experts in optimizing freight to reduce damage, improve efficiency, and lower costs. Shifting gears, I would like to update you on two recent changes to our board of directors. We are pleased to welcome Tom Albright to the board. Tom brings over 35 years of transportation and logistics industry experience and currently serves as the Chief Revenue Officer at Reliance Partners.

To optimize labor planning, delivery routing, and Doc operations in real time.

These tools are reducing costs improving service and enhancing flexibility across our Network.

As a result, the second quarter marked, our most productive quarter since 2021.

That same proactive mindset guided our response to the recent nmfta classification update.

We anticipated potential disruption and took early strategic actions collaborating with the nmfta engaging with customers and applying our costing expertise and Freight dimensioning Tools to help them navigate the changes with confidence.

Many customers also turn to our packaging Engineers who are experts in optimizing Freight to reduce damage improve efficiency and lower costs.

Shifting gears, I'd like to update you on 2 recent changes to our board of directors.

We're pleased to welcome Tom albrek to the board.

Judy Mcreynolds: His deep expertise in finance, capital allocation, strategy, and insurance, as well as his recognition as a seven-time Wall Street Journal All-Star, will be a tremendous asset as we continue to execute our long-term strategy and deliver value to our shareholders. Also, after 14 years of dedicated service, Steve Spinner will retire from the ArcBest board following our October meeting. Steve has been a valued advisor, serving as our lead independent director and a member of the audit committee, and I have thoroughly enjoyed working closely with him. His experience leading companies through transformational growth has been especially helpful as ArcBest has transformed into an integrated logistics company. On behalf of ArcBest and the board, I want to thank Steve for his service, leadership, and commitment. We continually assess our board's size, composition, and balance of skills and characteristics to drive long-term shareholder value.

Tom brings over 35 years of transportation and Logistics industry experience. And currently serves as the chief Revenue officer at Reliance partners,

his deep expertise in finance Capital, allocations strategy and insurance as well as his recognition as a 7-time Wall Street Journal All-Star will be a tremendous asset as we continue to execute our long-term strategy and deliver value to our shareholders.

Also, after 14 years of dedicated service, Steve spinner will retire from the arc vest board following our October meeting.

Steve has been a valued advisor serving as our lead independent director and a member of the audit committee, and I have thoroughly enjoyed working closely with him.

His experience leading companies through transformational growth has been especially helpful as our best has transformed into an integrated logistics company.

On behalf of Arc, vest and the board. I want to thank Steve for his service leadership and commitment.

Judy Mcreynolds: We expect to announce additional updates in the coming months. Finally, as I recently announced, I plan to retire as CEO at the end of the year. Seth Runser will succeed me as ArcBest's next CEO. Seth and I have worked closely together for many years. He is a values-driven leader who consistently delivers results, and I have full confidence in his ability to lead ArcBest into the future. I will continue to support him and the company as Chairman of the ArcBest board. With that, I will turn the call over to our CEO-elect and President of ArcBest, Seth Runser, who will share more about our progress and priorities for 2025.

We continually assess our board's size, composition and balance of skills and characteristics to drive long-term shareholder value and we expect to announce additional updates in the coming months.

Finally, as I recently announced, I plan to retire as CEO at the end of the year.

Seth runs her will succeed me as art best next CEO.

Seth and I have worked closely together for many years.

He is a values-driven leader who consistently delivers results, and I have full confidence in his ability to lead our best into the future.

I'll continue to support him and the company as chairman of the Ark best board.

Seth Runser: Thanks, Judy, and good morning, everyone. I am honored to lead this incredible company and deeply grateful to Judy McReynolds for her visionary leadership and to the board for their trust in me. Having been with ArcBest for nearly 18 years, I know this business and this industry well. My time as ABF Freight President gave me a front-row seat to the power of our strategy. Now, as ArcBest President, after spending time with our customers and teams across the organization, my conviction in that strategy has only grown stronger. As we have emphasized throughout the year, our 2025 priorities are clear: driving profitable growth, advancing our premium service for customers, and focusing on optimization and efficiency. We are making meaningful progress on all fronts.

And president of Arc Beth Beth Runner who will share more about our progress and priorities for 2025?

Thanks, Judy, and good morning everyone. I'm honored to lead this incredible company and deeply grateful to Judy for her Visionary leadership and to the board for their trust in me.

Having been with ArcBest for nearly 18 years, I know this business and this industry well.

My time as ABF president, gave me a front row seat to the power of our strategy.

And now is our best president after spending time with our customers and teams across the organization, my conviction in that strategy has only grown stronger.

As we've emphasized throughout the year, our 2025 priorities are clear.

Driving profitable growth advancing our premium service for customers and focusing on optimization and efficiency.

Seth Runser: Earlier this year, we realigned resources to better serve our customers and invested in our sales teams, particularly across less-than-truckload (LTL) services, truckload, and managed solutions. These changes are already delivering results. Our pipeline is stronger, with half of the opportunities tied to less-than-truckload (LTL) services and significant growth in both managed and truckload. Despite ongoing market headwinds, these internal efforts drove year-over-year shipment growth in our asset-based segment in the second quarter. We averaged 21,000 ABF Freight shipments per day, a 6% increase. We added over 100 new core less-than-truckload (LTL) services accounts, positioning us well for future upside as the economy improves. In truckload, while shipment volumes declined year over year, we delivered stronger margins and improved profitability. This reflects deliberate strategic choices, focusing on small and mid-sized business customers and reducing lower margin freight. We are reallocating capacity towards more attractive opportunities, and it is paying off.

We're making meaningful progress on all fronts.

Earlier this year, we realigned resources to better serve our customers and invested in our sales teams, particularly across LTL truckload and managed Solutions.

These changes are already delivering results.

Our pipeline is stronger with half of the opportunities tied to LTL and significant growth in both managed and truckload

Despite ongoing Market headwinds these internal efforts drove year-over-year shipment growth in our asset base segment in the second quarter.

We averaged 21,000 ABF shipments per day. A 6% increase

We added over a hundred new core. LTL accounts positioning us, well, for future upside as the economy. Improves

In truckload while shipment volumes declined year-over-year. We delivered stronger. Margins and improved profitability.

This reflects deliberate strategic choices, focusing on small and mid-size, business customers and reducing lower margin Freight.

Seth Runser: Our managed business continues to gain momentum, with double-digit growth in both shipments and revenue. Second quarter managed revenue reached an all-time high. This success stems from our ability to help customers adapt quickly, whether by shifting distribution strategies, optimizing modes, or leveraging our technology and expertise. Because managed feeds less-than-truckload (LTL) services, truckload, and other services, it strengthens the entire ArcBest network. This is the power of our integrated model. We are also expanding our digital quote pool, a key enabler of our dynamic pricing strategy. With deeper integrations across TMS providers and 3PLs, we have grown daily quote volume to over 200,000 quotes per day. That gives us more opportunities to match the right freight with the right capacity at the right price, sharpening our pricing intelligence and driving incremental profit, even in a soft-grade environment.

For reallocating capacity towards more attractive opportunities, and it's paying off.

Our managed business continues to gain momentum with double digit growth in both shipments and Revenue.

Second quarter manage Revenue reached, an all-time high.

This success stems from our ability to help customers adapt quickly, whether by shifting distribution, strategies, optimizing modes or leveraging our technology and expertise.

And because manage feeds LTL truckload and other services. It strengthens the entire arcbest network. This is the power of our integrated model.

We're also expanding our digital quote pool.

A Kia enabler of our Dynamic pricing strategy with deeper Integrations across TMS providers and 3pl. We've grown daily. Quote volume to over 200,000 quotes per day.

Seth Runser: Together, these results underscore the strength of our strategy, one built for margin expansion and sustainable, profitable growth. We're also driving measurable value through innovation and efficiency. Our city route optimization platform, now in phase two and active in over half of our service centers, uses AI and historical data to dynamically optimize routes. Planners can now adjust routes with a single click when conditions change, maximizing resource utilization and improving service consistency. Phase three, now underway in a dozen locations, introduces real-time pickup optimization using AI to predict demand and position drivers where they're needed most. We're also rolling out our dock management system built on Vox technology. This platform enhances visibility into dock operations with real-time dashboards and prioritization tools, streamlining workflows and improving both speed and accuracy.

That gives us more opportunities to match the right Freight, with the right capacity at the right price sharpening, our pricing intelligence and driving incremental profit even in a soft Freight environment.

Together, these results underscore the strength of our strategy, built for margin expansion and sustainable profitable growth.

For also driving measurable value through Innovation and efficiency.

our City route optimization platform now in Phase 2 and active in over half of our service centers, uses Ai and historical data to dynamically optimize routes

Planners can now adjust routes with a single click. When conditions change, maximizing resource utilization and improving service consistency.

Phase 3 is now underway in a dozen locations. It introduces real-time pickup optimization using AI to predict demand and position drivers where they’re needed most.

for also rolling out our doc management system built on box technology.

Seth Runser: As shipment volumes increased in the second quarter, our manpower planning tools helped us respond with agility, aligning labor with demand while improving operational efficiency. These innovations are part of a broader ecosystem of proprietary tools that support data-driven decision-making, from workforce planning to customer service automation. We're embedding intelligence into every layer of our operations. We're also seeing strong returns from our investments in people. In the first half of the year, our compliance training teams visited 18 service centers, delivering targeted support that's already driving results. These efforts have contributed to $14 million in cost savings through better process adherence, smarter use of technology, and enhanced safety practices. Over 230 software installations were paired with in-person training to ensure employees are equipped to succeed. This reflects our broader strategy: invest in people to unlock value.

This platform enhances visibility into doc operations with real-time dashboards, and prioritization tools. Streamlining, workflows and improving both speed and accuracy.

As shipment volumes increased in the second quarter, our manpower planning tools helped us respond with agility, aligning labor with demand while improving operational efficiency.

These Innovations are part of a broader ecosystem of proprietary tools. That support data-driven decision-making from workforce planning to customer service automation.

We're embedding intelligence into every layer of our operations.

We're also seeing strong returns from our investments and people.

Savings through better process, adherence smarter, use of technology and enhanced safety practices.

Over 230 software installations were paired with in-person training to ensure employees are equipped to succeed.

Seth Runser: By embedding best practices and ensuring consistent execution, we're building a safer, more efficient operation that supports both service reliability and long-term growth. Our strategy and optimization team, led by Christopher Atkins, continues to drive high-impact improvements. In the second quarter, the team performed a deep dive on truckload operations, where they identified inefficiencies tied to external load boards. While these boards improve buy rates, they also generate low-value inbound calls. To address this, we enhanced our automated call routing system using AI, prioritizing high-value inquiries and improving carrier support. This boosts productivity and is scalable across the business. Importantly, our integrated approach to efficiency is amplifying the capabilities of our people, especially new hires. With intuitive platforms, embedded training, and guided workflows, they are ramping up faster and contributing sooner. As these tools continue to scale, we will see even greater opportunity ahead.

This reflects our broader strategy to invest in people to unlock value.

By embedding best practices and ensuring consistent execution, or building a safer, more efficient operation that supports both service reliability and long-term growth.

Our strategy and optimization team led by Christopher Atkins continues to drive high impact improvements.

In the second quarter, the team performed, a deep, dive on truckload operations, where they identified, inefficiencies tied to external load boards.

While these boards improved by rates, they also generate low value inbound calls.

To address this, we enhanced our automated call routing system. Using AI, we prioritize high-value inquiries and improve carrier support. This boosts productivity and is scalable across the business.

an importantly, our integrated approach to efficiency is amplifying the capabilities of our people, especially new hires

With intuitive platforms embedded training and guided workflows the ramping up faster, and contributing sooner.

Seth Runser: Looking forward, we remain focused on disciplined execution, delivering long-term value for our customers, our people, and our shareholders. I am excited to build on the strong foundation Judy laid and continue ArcBest's legacy of innovation and service. With that, I will turn it over to Matt to walk through the financials in more detail.

As these tools continue to scale, we will see even greater opportunity ahead.

Looking forward. We remain focused on disciplined execution, delivering long-term value for our customers, our people, and our shareholders, I'm excited to build on the strong Foundation, Judy, laid, and continue our best Legacy of innovation and service.

Matt Beasley: Thank you, Seth, and good morning, everyone. Despite ongoing softness in the freight environment, ArcBest delivered solid second-quarter results. We saw a sequential improvement in our asset-based operating ratio that was consistent with historical trends and achieved quarterly non-GAAP operating incomes in the asset-light segment for the first time since the second quarter of 2023. These results reflect our disciplined execution and focus on long-term value creation. Taking a closer look at our second quarter performance, consolidated revenue was $1 billion, down 5% year over year. Non-GAAP operating income from continuing operations was $45 million, compared to $64 million in the prior year. Our asset-based segment saw a $22 million decrease in operating income, while the asset-light segment's non-GAAP operating income of $1 million was an improvement of nearly $4 million over last year. Adjusted earnings per share were $1.36, down from $1.98 in the second quarter of 2024.

With that, I'll turn it over to Matt to walk through the financials in more detail.

Thank you, Seth and good morning everyone. Despite ongoing softness in the freight environment art best delivered solid second quarter results.

We saw a sequential improvement in our asset base. Operating ratio that was consistent with historical Trends and Achieve quarterly, non-gaap operating income in the asset light segment, for the first time since the second quarter of 2023

These results, reflect our disciplined, execution and focus on long-term value creation.

Taking a closer look at our second quarter performance, Consolidated Revenue was 1 billion dollars down 5% year-over-year.

Down the Gap. Operating income from continuing operations was 45 million compared to 64 million in the prior year.

Our asset base. Segment saw 22 million decrease in operating income while the asset light segments. Non-gaap operating income of 1 million was an improvement in nearly million dollars over last year.

Matt Beasley: Now let's discuss our two segments in more detail. Starting with our asset-based business, second quarter revenue was $713 million, a per day increase of 1%. ABF Freight's operating ratio was 92.8%, an increase of 300 basis points over the second quarter of 2024. ABF Freight's operating ratio improved 310 basis points sequentially, within the historical range of a 300 to 400 basis point improvement. In the second quarter, daily shipments grew by 6%, while weight per shipment decreased by 1%, resulting in a 4% increase in tons per day compared to the previous year. This growth was driven in part by onboarding new core less-than-truckload (LTL) customers through the commercial initiatives Seth mentioned. However, softness in industrial production and housing continues to pressure weight per shipment and profitability.

Adjusted earnings per. Share were 1.36 cents, down from 1.98 in the second quarter of 2024.

Now, let's discuss our 2 segments in more detail.

Starting with our asset based business.

Second quarter revenue was $713 million, reflecting an increase of 1%.

ABS operating ratio was 92.8% an increase of 300 basis points. Over the second quarter of 2024

ABS operating ratio improved 310 basis points. Sequentially within the historical range of a 300 to 400 basis point improvements.

In the second quarter, daily shipments grew by 6%, while weight per shipment decreased by 1%, resulting in a 4% increase in tons per day compared to the previous year.

This growth was driven in part by onboarding new core LTL customers through the commercial initiative. Seth mentioned

Matt Beasley: To support shipment growth, we proactively added labor and strategically used purchase transportation and local carriage to supplement network capacity during peak vacation season. Annual increases in contracted rates for union labor and purchase transportation also contributed to higher operating costs. Still, productivity gains allowed us to onboard new business efficiently and serve our customers with excellence. Despite increased costs, cost per shipment improved both year over year and sequentially. We remain disciplined in our pricing strategy, securing deferred increases averaging 4%, a strong outcome in a market where many shippers are focused on cost savings. This speaks to the strength of our customer relationships and the differentiated value we provide. Even as customers evaluate options, we are retaining business and winning new opportunities at rates that support long-term profitability. Revenue per hundredweight declined 3% year over year. Excluding fuel surcharges, the decrease was in the low single digits.

However, his office and industrial production and housing continues to pressure weight, per shipment and profitability.

To support shipment growth. We proactively added labor and strategically used, purchase transportation and local Cartage to supplement network capacity during Peak vacation season.

Annual increases in contracted rates for union labor and purchased transportation also contributed to higher operating costs.

Still productivity, gains allowed us to onboard, new business, efficiently and serve our customers with excellence.

Despite increased costs cost per shipment improved, both year-over-year and sequentially.

We remain disciplined in our pricing strategy, securing deferred increases averaging 4%.

A strong outcome in a market where many shippers are focused on cost savings.

This speaks to the strength of our customer relationships and the differentiated value we provide.

Revenue per 100 weight declined, 3% year-over-year.

Matt Beasley: This was driven by growth and easier-to-handle freight from core customers, which typically has a lower revenue per hundredweight profile but is operationally more efficient. Additionally, yields were also impacted by fewer shipments in the manufacturing vertical and continued softness in household goods moves due to economic and interest rate conditions. Turning to July 2025 trends in our asset-based business, daily shipments grew by 2% year over year, highlighting continued success and capturing new core business opportunities. The market backdrop drove a 2% decrease in weight per shipment, which resulted in flat daily tonnage levels compared to the same period last year. On July 14th, we announced a general rate increase of 5.9% effective August 4th. Historically, ABF Freight's non-GAAP operating ratio improved by about 70 basis points from the second quarter to the third quarter, and we expect third-quarter performance to be generally in line with that trend.

Is the decrease was in the low single digits.

This was driven by growth in easier to handle Freight from core customers which typically has a lower Revenue per 100 weight profile, but is operationally more efficient.

Additionally yields were also impacted by fewer shipments in the manufacturing vertical and continued softness and household. Goods moves due to economic and interest rate conditions.

Turning to July 2025 Trends in our asset base business. Daily shipments grew by 2% year-over-year highlighting continued success. And capturing new core business opportunities.

The market backdrop drove a 2% decrease in weight per shipment, which resulted in flat daily tonnage levels compared to the same period last year.

On July 14th. We announced a general rate increase of 5.9% effective August, 4th,

Matt Beasley: Moving on to the asset-light segment, second quarter revenue was $342 million, a daily decrease of 13% year over year. Shipments per day were down 7% as we strategically reduced less profitable truckload volumes, offsetting double-digit growth in our managed solution. Revenue per shipment decreased by 7% due to the soft freight market and growth in our managed business, which has smaller shipment sizes and lower revenue per shipment levels. Our non-GAAP operating income of $1 million was an improvement compared to last year's non-GAAP operating loss of $2.5 million. This improvement was driven by our focus on improving margins while reducing our operating costs. In July, asset-light daily revenue was down 7% year over year, primarily due to lower revenue per shipment from the soft freight market. Managed continued to show strength, though its smaller shipment sizes contributed to lower revenue per shipment.

Historically, ABF's non-GAAP operating ratio improved by about 70 basis points from the second quarter to the third quarter, and we expect third quarter performance to be generally in line with that trend.

Moving on to the asset-light segment.

second quarter Revenue was 342 million, the daily decrease of 13% year-over-year

We're down 7% as we strategically reduced less profitable truckload volumes offsetting double-digit growth and are managed Solutions.

Revenue per shipment decreased by 7% due to the soft rate market and growth in our managed business, which has smaller shipment sizes and lower revenue per shipment levels.

Our non-gaap operating income of 1 million dollars was an improvement compared to last year's non-gaap operating loss of 2.5 million.

This Improvement was driven by our focus on improving margins while reducing our operating costs.

In July, as a light, daily revenue was down 7% year-over-year, primarily due to lower Revenue, per shipment from the soft Freight Market.

Matt Beasley: Overall volume trends have stabilized, with July 2025 shipment counts holding steady year over year compared to July 2024. Given current conditions, we expect non-GAAP operating income to range from break-even to $1 million in profit for the third quarter. We continue to take a balanced, long-term approach to capital allocation. Our 2025 capital expenditure guidance of $225 million to $275 million reflects maintenance spending to optimize total cost of ownership and strategic investments that enhance service, efficiency, and growth. We currently expect to be at the lower end of that range. In the first half of 2025, we returned over $47 million to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends. We will remain opportunistic with repurchases based on share price while prioritizing high-returning organic investments and maintaining prudent leverage. Our balance sheet remains strong with approximately $400 million in available liquidity.

Managed continued to show strength though, at smaller shipment sizes, contributed to lower Revenue per shipment.

Overall, volume trends stabilized with July 2025 shipment counts holding steady year-over-year compared to July 2024.

Given current conditions. We expect non-gaap operating income to range from Break, Even to 1 million dollars in profit for the third quarter.

We continue to take a balanced long-term approach to capital allocation.

Our 2025 capital expenditure guidance of 225 million to 275 million, reflects maintenance, spending to optimize total cost of ownership in strategic Investments, that enhance service, efficiency and growth.

We currently expect to be at the lower end of that range.

in the first half of 2025, we returned over 47 million to shareholders to share repurchases and dividends

We'll remain opportunistic with repurchases based on share price while prioritizing high-returning organic investments and maintaining prudent leverage.

Our balance sheet remains strong with approximately $400 million in available liquidity.

Matt Beasley: While external conditions remain dynamic, ArcBest is well-positioned for the future. We are focused on what we can control: delivering exceptional service, operating with discipline, and making smart, strategic decisions that strengthen our business and create long-term value. I will now hand the call back to Judy.

While external conditions remain dynamic, ArcBest is well positioned for the future.

We're focused on what we can control.

Delivering exceptional service, operating with discipline and making smart strategic decisions that our business and create long-term value.

Judy Mcreynolds: Thank you, Matt. I was recently asked what makes ArcBest truly stand out. There are many things that make this company special, but one defining trait rises above the rest: our ability to turn challenges into opportunities. "We'll find a way" is more than our motto. It's a mindset that drives how we operate, especially in uncertain times. In the softer freight market, we've leaned into that mindset by making strategic investments that position us for long-term success. We've enhanced our facilities to support future growth. We've accelerated innovation to improve efficiency and service quality. Most importantly, we've invested in our people, equipping them with the skills, tools, and support they need to deliver exceptional value to our customers. These actions not only strengthen our business, they create meaningful returns for our shareholders. Before we wrap up, I'm pleased to share an exciting milestone.

I'll now hand the call back to Jesus.

Thank you, Matt. I was recently asked what makes art best truly stand out.

There are many things that make this company special, but one defining trait rises above the rest.

Our ability to turn challenges into opportunities.

"We'll find a way" is more than our motto. It's a mindset that drives how we operate.

Specially in uncertain times.

In the softer Freight market, we've leaned into that mindset by making strategic Investments that position us for long-term success.

We've enhanced our facilities to support future growth. We've accelerated innovation to improve efficiency and service quality, and most importantly, we've invested in our people, equipping them with the skills, tools, and support they need to deliver exceptional value to our customers.

These actions not only strengthen our business, they create meaningful returns for our shareholders.

Judy Mcreynolds: ArcBest will host its first Investor Day in the decade on September 29th. This event will offer a deeper look into our strategic priorities, innovation roadmap, and long-term financial targets that will guide our next phase of growth. We're eager to showcase how ArcBest is delivering value today and building for tomorrow. That concludes our prepared remarks. I'll now turn it over to the operator for questions.

Before we wrap up, I'm pleased to share an exciting Milestones. Our best will host its first investor day in the decade on September 29th.

This event will offer a deeper look into our strategic priorities, innovation roadmaps, and long-term financial targets that will guide our next phase of growth.

Showcase. How ArcBest is delivering value today and building for tomorrow?

That concludes our prepared remarks. I'll now turn it over to the operator for questions.

Operator: Thank you. We will now begin the question and answer session. If you have dialed in and would like to ask a question, please press star one on your telephone keypad to raise your hand and join the queue. If you would like to withdraw your question, simply press star one a second time. If you are called upon to ask your question and are listening via speakerphone on your device, please pick up your handset and ensure that your phone is not on mute when asking your question. To be able to take as many questions as possible, we ask that you please limit yourself to one question. If you do have follow-up questions, you may rejoin the queue. Again, it is star one to join the queue. Our first question comes from the line of Jordan Alliger with Goldman Sachs. Your line is open.

Thank you, and we will now begin the question and answer session.

If you have dialed in and would like to ask a question, please press star 1 on your telephone keypad to raise your hand and join the queue.

If you would like to withdraw your question, simply press *1 a second time.

If you are called upon to ask your question and are listening via speakerphone on your device, please pick up your handset and ensure that your phone is not on mute when asking your question.

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Jordan Alliger: Yeah, hi, morning. Question. I believe you have some easier comps coming up in your trends year over year for August and September, revenue per day, tons per day, etc. I am just curious, do you think that could lead to sort of a step up in the trend line on a year-over-year basis as we move past July and the trends we are seeing there? Could we even see some inflection on revenue per day? Thanks.

And our first question comes from the line of Jordan Alger with Goldman Sachs, your line is open.

Yeah, hi morning. Um,

question. So if I, I believe you have some easier comps coming up in your trends year-over-year for, uh, August and September Revenue per day, tons per day, you know, Etc. Um,

I'm just curious. Do you think that could lead to sort of a step up in the trend line on a year-over-year basis as we move past July? And the trends we're seeing there, I mean, could we even see some inflection on revenue per day? Thanks.

Matt Beasley: Yeah, hey, Jordan, good morning. This is Matt. So, the trends that we saw when we moved from Q1 to Q2, we certainly were ahead of history when we look at shipment per day versus the 10-year historical trend. I think, as we look from Q2 to Q3, in large part just due to the commercial efforts that we have ongoing and the success that we've seen there, I do think that there's some potential to outperform a little bit versus what historical seasonality has been on shipments per day.

Yeah, hey, Jordan, good morning. This is Matt. So, you know, the trends that we saw when we moved from the first quarter to second quarter, you know, we certainly were ahead of history when we look at shipment per day, um, versus the 10 year historical Trend. I think, you know, as we look to from the second quarter, to the third quarter.

you know, in in large part, just due to the commercial efforts that we have ongoing in the success that we've seen their

You know, I do think that there's some potential to outperform a little bit versus what historical seasonality has been on shipments per day.

Operator: Our next question comes from the line of Jason Seidl with TD Cowen. Your line is open.

Our next question comes from the line of Jason Sidle with TD Cowen. Your line is open.

Jason Seidl: Thanks, operator. Good morning, Judy. Good morning, Seth. First of all, Seth, congratulations. Also, I should probably give a little shout out to Tom. I think he is a great addition to your board. I wanted to look at sort of the push into the SMBs. We have heard that from a lot of other less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers. I was just wondering, is there becoming more price aggression in that area, or is that just sort of a market that is not as price sensitive as some of maybe the other larger national accounts? Sticking on that, is the freight profile different among the SMB customers, and how should we think about that in the model?

Uh, thank you, our operator. Uh, good morning, Judy. Good morning, Seth. Keem, first of all, Seth, congratulations! And then also, I should probably give a little shout out to Tom. I think he's a great addition to your board. Uh, I wanted to look at sort of the push into the SMBs. We've heard that from a lot of other LDL carriers. You know, I was just wondering, is there becoming more price aggression in that area, or is that just sort of a market that is not as price sensitive as some of maybe the other larger national accounts? And then also sticking up,

On that, is the freight profile different among the SMD customers? And how should we think about that in the model?

Eddie Sorg: Hey, Jason, this is Eddie. Yeah, I mean, we are remaining focused, especially with our field sales force on that SMB market. That really kind of includes the middle market as well. I would not say that there is a different price point with that. Every customer is unique in terms of their business, their location, the competitors in those markets. We like that business because we can build long-term, lasting relationships. It is stickier for us. What we excel in from a sales perspective is those relationships. That is part of the focus. Historically, SMB middle market, it is less price sensitive than what you would consider with big enterprise customers, especially in the retail space. We like it from that perspective. Profile really is a mixed bag with those customers.

Hey, Jason, this is Eddie. Um, yeah, I mean, the, you know, we are remaining focused uh, especially with our field sales or on that SMB Market. Uh, and that really kind of includes the Middle Market as well. Um, you know, I wouldn't say that there's a different price point uh, with that. You know, every customer is unique in terms of uh, their business, their location. Um, the competitors in those markets. Um, you know, we like that business because we can build long-term lasting relationships. It's stickier for us. Uh, you know what? We excel in from a sales perspective is, is those relationships. And so, you know, that's part of the focus. I mean, historically, um, SMB Middle Market, you know, it is less price sensitive than what you would consider with big Enterprise customers especially in the retail space. So we like it from that perspective. Uh profile really is a mixed bag uh with

Eddie Sorg: You can imagine there is a lot of verticals that are representative in the SMB and middle market spaces. For us, it is just good business that we feel like we have a value proposition for those customers that allow us to excel.

Uh, that with those customers. And you can imagine there's a lot of verticals that are representative in the SMB and Middle Market spaces. So, uh, for us, it's just it's good business. That we feel like we have a value proposition. For those customers that that allow us to excel.

Operator: Our next question comes from the line of Chris Wetherbee with Wells Fargo. Your line is open.

And our next question comes from the line of Chris Weatherbee with Wells. Fargo, your line is open

Jason Seidl: Yeah, hey, thanks. Good morning, guys, and congrats to Seth and Judy. I wanted to ask about your ability to kind of outgrow the industry. It's been, yeah, I think several months now where you've been able to tap into this pool of freight that appears to be coming at a little bit of a different mix and revenue per shipment dynamic. But it is driving outperformance relative to some of the volume numbers that we're seeing from the peers. So maybe you can talk a little bit about what the freight kind of looks like, where you're getting it from, how deep the pool you think it is, and how sustainable this outperformance can be over the next couple of quarters. That'd be helpful.

Yeah. Hey thanks. Good morning, guys, and congrats to uh Seth and Judy. Um,

Looks like where you're getting it from? How deep do you think the pool is, and sort of how sustainable kind of this outperformance can be over the next couple of quarters? That'd be helpful.

Eddie Sorg: Yeah, thanks, Chris. This is Seth here. When we look at our active accounts and cross-sold accounts, they continue to grow, and that is great to see. I continue to have conversations with customers, and they are looking for more solutions. I think we will grow across the board in a lot of the areas because our strategy is really based on finding ways to say yes to customers. When I think about the dynamic mix, we mentioned last quarter we were over 200,000 quotes per day. We really have not changed our strategy there on how much we are bringing into the network. What you saw in the second quarter is what you are going to see in the third and fourth quarter as well.

Yeah, thanks, Chris. This is Seth here. Um, when we look at our active accounts and cross-sold accounts, they continue to grow, and that's great to see. Um, I can continue to have conversations with customers, and they're looking for more solutions, so I think we'll grow the board in a lot of the areas because our strategy is really based.

Eddie Sorg: Really, where we are seeing the outperformance is on the core business mix. We have added over 100 new accounts, and we feel like that is just going to continue to improve as we move forward because the pipeline is strong, and we just continue to have success by providing that value that Eddie Sorg just talked about to our customers. We remain disciplined on profitable growth and improving efficiency to help improve our margin. That really starts with the service we provide our customers, and we feel like we have made progress there as well. We think when we look longer term ahead, we think as demand grows and capacity tightens, we will be well positioned to improve even more with further rate increases and just the business we are bringing in.

Eddie Sorg: We are not waiting on the market to turn. There is just a lot of noise out there, but we are focused on our initiatives, and we are seeing success around all those three pillars that we mentioned in our prepared remarks around growth, efficiency, and innovation. We are positioning ourselves to service our customers with excellence, and we think that is going to continue to lead to growth opportunities.

On finding ways to say yes to customer. So, when I think about the dynamic mix, uh, we mentioned last quarter, we were over 200,000 quotes per day. We really haven't changed our strategy there on how much we're bringing into the network. Uh, what you saw in the second quarter is what you're going to see in the third and fourth quarter as well. Really, where we're seeing the outperformance is on the Core Business. Mix, uh, We've added over 100 new accounts and we feel like that's just going to continue to improve as we move forward because the pipeline's strong and we just continue to have success by by providing that value, that Eddie just talked about to our customers. So uh, we remain disciplined on on profitable growth and Improvement efficiency to help improve our margin. Uh, and that really starts with the service. We provide our customers and we feel like we've made uh, progress there as well. So and we think, when we look longer term ahead, we think as demand grows and capacity, Titans will be will be well, positioned to, uh, improve even more with further rate increases and just the business, we're

Bring it in, uh, but we're not waiting on the market, uh, to turn. There's just a lot of noise out there, but we're focused on our initiatives, and we're seeing success around all those three pillars that we mentioned in our prepared remarks: growth, efficiency, and innovation. So we're positioning ourselves to service our customers with excellence, and we think that's going to continue to lead to growth opportunities.

Operator: Our next question comes from the line of Daniel Imbro with Stephens Inc. Your line is open.

Our next question comes from the line of Daniel imbro with Stevens. Your line is open.

Daniel Imbro: Yeah, hey, good morning, guys. Seth, congrats on the promotion and Judy, congrats on the retirement. Maybe a follow-up on the less-than-truckload (LTL) pricing side. You announced the 5.9% GRI a couple of weeks ago. Can you talk about the strategy of maybe why implement that a month earlier this year? What has early customer feedback been since it has been a couple of weeks? Then how much of your business does this GRI cover? Can you just remind us? Thanks.

Yeah. Hey good morning guys. Uh, yes, congrats on the promotion and Judy Congressman retirement.

Um, maybe you follow up on the lto pricing side. Do you announce the 519 percent gri a couple weeks ago? Can you talk about the strategy of maybe why Implement that a month earlier this year? What what has early customer feedback? Been since it has been a couple weeks and then how much of your business does this year I cover can you just remind us? Thanks.

Eddie Sorg: Yeah, Daniel, this is Eddie again. You know, this is kind of our typical cycle for general rate increases. You know, I think if you go back far enough, I think there was a general idea that it would happen every year, but on average, it is 10 to 11 months that this cycle is happening. We really do believe that the timing is right for this increase. We are providing exceptional service, value to our customers. Obviously, costs continue to go up, and we have to get better increases to cover those inflationary costs. We feel like we are well positioned with our customers through the solutions we provide them to meet really any of the challenges that they are facing. So we anticipate this will go off pretty much, as our history has shown, to be pretty successful.

Yeah. Uh, Daniel, this is Eddie again, um, yeah, you know, this is kind of our typical cycle for generating increases. Um, you know, I think if you go back far enough, you know, I think there was a general idea that it would happen every year. But, you know, on average, it's 10 to 11 months that this cycle is happening. You know? We we really do believe that the timing is right for this increase. We're providing exceptional Service, uh, value to our customers, obviously costs, continue to go up and we have to, you know, get better.

Increases to cover those inflationary costs. Um, you know, we feel like we're well positioned with our customers through the solutions we provide them, uh, to meet really any of the challenges that they're facing. Um, and so we anticipate this will go off, uh, pretty much as just, you know, as our history has shown to be pretty successful.

Operator: Our next question comes from the line of Ravi Shanker with Morgan Stanley. Your line is open.

Ravi Shanker: Good morning, and allow me to chime in. Judy, end of an era. We will see you on the Investor Day, but congratulations and congrats to you as well. Just kind of on that same point, if I may, just in your conversations with your customers, do these volumes you are picking up right now, do they feel sticky? Do they feel transitory and somewhat opportunistic? Also, I suspect your competitors are not going to be sitting back waiting for you to take more share from them. So are you seeing them potentially loosen the purse strings on price and maybe try and come off with some of these volumes as well? Thank you.

In our next question, we come from Robbie Chancre with Morgan Stanley. Your line is open.

Uh, good night. Uh, good morning, and, uh, allow me to chime in, Judy. End of an era. We will see you at the Investor Day, but congratulations. Uh, and congrats to you as well. Uh, just kind of on that same point. Uh, if I may, kind of uh, just in your conversations with your customers and I do, do these volumes you're picking up right now, uh, do they feel sticky? Do they feel transitory and kind of somewhat opportunistic? And also, uh, I suspect you are a competitor that is not going to be sitting back waiting for you to take more share from them. So, are you seeing them potentially loosen the purse strings on price and maybe try and come up with some of these volumes as well? Thank you.

Eddie Sorg: Hey, Ravi, it's Seth. I appreciate the kind words there. There's no doubt the macro remains challenging, and there's a lot of uncertainty out there, but we feel confident in our ability to grow and provide that service to our customers. We feel we're better positioned with our multiple solutions to respond in any environment, and that's exactly what we're seeing in these customer conversations. We act as a strategic advisor, navigate those uncertain times, and that's really what differentiates us from the competition. What we're seeing in our pipeline numbers and the continued growth, like Eddie mentioned, not every opportunity makes sense for us to bring on. We need to focus on the right price to provide value over the long term.

Hey, Robbie, it's Seth, appreciate the, the kind words there, and uh, there there's no doubt, the macro remains challenging, and there's a lot of uncertainty out there, but we feel confident in our ability to grow and provide that service to our customers. We feel we're better positioned with our multiple solutions to respond to any environment. And that's exactly what we're seeing in these customer conversations. We act as a strategic advisor.

Eddie Sorg: I've spent a lot of time with customers throughout this year, and it's apparent that they're looking for customers or companies who they can trust and partner with to navigate all these challenges. I do think a lot of this business is sticky. A lot of what they're talking to us about as well is cost efficiency and supply chain stability, and that's really what we bring to the table with our solution set. I've been encouraged that we've been adding new business across all solutions, not just LTL, and our customers have had confidence in our service offerings. We view markets like this as opportunities, and we think as we provide that value to customers, it's going to be sticky over the long term.

A lot of this business is sticky. A lot of what they're talking to us about as well is cost efficiency and Supply St, supply chain stability. Uh, and that's really what we bring to the table with our solution set. So I've been encouraged that we've been adding new business across all solutions. Uh, not just LTL, and our customers have had confidence in our service offering. So we view markets, like this as opportunities, and we think as we provide that value to customers, it's going to be sticky over the long term. So,

Operator: Our next question comes from the line of Brian Ossenbeck with JP Morgan. Your line is open.

And our next question comes from the line of Brian. Austin Beck with JP Morgan. Your line is open.

Daniel Imbro: Hey, good morning. Thanks for taking the question. Can you expand a little bit more on your service levels and performance tying into the receptivity and stickiness of some of this new freight growth and the GRI that just came out? Also, Judy McReynolds, I think you made a few comments on the NMFTA transition with some disruptions and perhaps some other issues that you were anticipating. It would be great if you could give a little bit more color on that. Obviously, we saw one of the larger competitors push out the compliance is not the right word, but at least the implementation of that. We would be interested to hear your further thoughts on that and the impact for you guys and also the industry. Thank you.

Hey, good morning. Thanks for taking the question. Um, maybe just um,

Can you explain a little bit more on kind of your service levels and performance? Um, tying into the receptivity and stickiness of um of some of this new Freight growth and the Geri that just came out. And then also do you think made a few comments on the nspa transition with some disruptions and perhaps some other issues that you were anticipating would be great if you can give a little bit more color on that. Obviously, we saw 1 of the larger competitors, kind of push out. The compliance is not the right word, but at least the, uh, implementation of that. So, it would be interesting to hear your further, thoughts on that, and the impact for you guys, and also the industry

Eddie Sorg: Good morning, Brian. This is Matt Godfrey. I will start on the service side. You know, we have a long history of being resilient regardless of the macro. As Judy McReynolds talked about earlier, we look to turn challenges into opportunities, and you have seen that with the results that we had around efficiency and service in Q2. It is really a collaborative effort, not only internally. Our leaders visit our field locations. We hear from our teams on the tools they need, how they can be more efficient, how we can service our customers better. It is also collaborative with our customers. I just heard a story this week of where we had a customer site visit, walked through a situation they were experiencing, a suggestion was made, and the customer is looking to implement that, and it is really going to be a win-win for all parties.

Thank you.

Eddie Sorg: That is the approach we take on the collaborative side. We are also continuing to invest in our optimization initiatives around manpower planning, network visibility, and we continue to deploy our teams of operational experts around the company. We have seen savings with that group in 2024. We built on that with over $14 million in savings in 2025. So we have our robust portfolio. We mentioned some of those initiatives earlier around city route optimization. I am very excited about what phase three will bring on the pickup side, giving our frontline leaders better tools to service our customers. The dock software is a big step forward for us, and we are very excited as we continue to roll these out in 2025.

Good morning, Brian. This is Matt Godfrey. I'll start on the service side and, you know, we have a long history of being resilient, regardless of the macro it was Judy talked about, uh, earlier we looked to turn challenges, uh, into opportunities. And you've seen that with the results that we had, uh, around efficiency and Service, uh, in the second quarter and it's really a collaborative effort. Um, not only internally, you know, our leaders uh visit our field locations, we hear from our teams on on the tools. They need how they can be more efficient how we can service our customers better. Um but it's also collaborative uh with our customers. Is it just just heard a story this week. We had a customer site. Visit walked through a situation. They were experiencing uh suggestion was made in the customers looking to implement that and it's really going to be a win-win uh for all parties. And and so that's the approach we take on the collaborative side and then we're also continuing to invest in our optimization uh initiatives around Manpower planning.

uh, Network visibility, and we continue to deploy our teams of operational, experts around the company and and we've seen savings

Seth Runser: Hey, Brian, this is Seth on the NMFC change. Really, we view this as a positive for the industry. When you condense commodity codes, that will give us the shipment's actual characteristics, and that is going to provide our customers more accurate freight rates up front. We already mentioned about 98% of our freight, and we really, we saw this coming. Throughout the first half of this year, we partnered with our customers, talked about the change, made changes to pricing or whatever we needed to do to make sure when the change was implemented, I believe it was last weekend on July 19th, our customers weren't surprised.

With that group in 2024 we built on that with, with over 14 million in Savings in in 2025. So we have our our robust portfolio. We mentioned some of those initiatives. Earlier around City route, optimization, very excited about what phase 3 will bring on the pickup side, giving our Frontline leaders, a better tools to service our our customers. And so um the doc software is a big step forward for us and we're very excited because we continue to roll these out in 2025.

Seth Runser: We saw this change coming years ago. That is why we started developing Box Vision, because that allows us to dimension freight in real time, and also why we did space-based pricing a long time ago as well, because we view the industry continuing to go towards this route. As far as the actual implementation, we have minor hiccups, but nothing that I would call material in any way, mostly just old bill ratings that just weren't updated with the new NMFC. Really, it has been a non-event because of the way we prepared our customers.

Hey, Brian. This is Seth on the on the nmfc change. Really? We, we view this as a positive for the industry, when you condense commodity codes, uh, that will give us the shipments actual characteristics, and that's going to get provide our customers more accurate. Freight rates up up front. So we already Dimension about 98 for percent of our freight and we really we saw this coming. So, throughout the first half of this year, we partnered with our customers talked about the change made made changes to pricing or whatever we needed to do to make sure. So, when the change was implemented, uh, I believe it was last weekend on July 19th. Our customers weren't surprised. So we saw this change coming years ago. Uh, that's why we started developing box Vision because that allows us to Dimension Freight in real time. Uh, and also why we did space-based pricing, uh, a long time ago as well, because we, we view the industry continuing to go towards this route. So, uh, as far as the actual implementation, we have a minor hiccups, but nothing that I would call material in any way.

mostly just old bill of ladings that just weren't updated with the new nmfc, but really it's it's been a non-event because the way we prepared our customers

Operator: Our next question comes from the line of Scott Group with Wolfe Research. Your line is open.

and our next question comes from the line of Scott group, with wolf research, your line is open.

Matt Beasley: Hey, thanks. Good morning, and again, congrats, Seth, Judy, and Tom. The 5% sequential drop in tonnage in July, any context of how that is versus normal? Following up on the GRI, there are two months of the GRI in Q3 this year. I think last year was one month, and typically, it has not been in Q3. How much does that help the margin in this year versus that normal seasonality? Is that sort of baked into your view of the margin for Q3 and any other sort of puts and takes to think about that margin versus normal seasonality? Thank you. This is Matt. On the sequential move, if we look just versus history in July, I would say that what we are seeing is generally in line with the historical performance, maybe just slightly ahead of it. I will let Seth take the next part.

Hey thanks. Uh good morning and again congrats Seth Judy and and Tom um the

Baked into your your view of of the of the margin for Q3 or and and any other sort of puts and takes to think about um that margin versus normal seasonality. Thank you.

Yeah, so Scott, this is Matt on the sequential move. If we look just versus history um in July, you know, I would say that what we are seeing is generally in line with the historical performance, maybe just slightly ahead of it.

Eddie Sorg: Yeah, I would say, Scott, when you think about just what happened throughout the second quarter, there was a lot more variability in the daily business volumes than normal. We saw surges at certain points in the quarter and then kind of later weeks following that. We are confident, hopefully, if all the trade policies go smoothly, like we have seen some of the announcements recently, that we will see some of that stuff settle down. As we move into the rest of this quarter, we believe that it is going to be more normalized to match some of those statistics that Matt just said. We want to make sure that we are evaluating our mix and our labor and make sure that we are in line to move with those freight flows.

And then I'll let that take the next part. Yeah. And I, I would say Scott, when you, when you think about

Eddie Sorg: We see a more normal seasonal pattern as we move into the third quarter as some of those trade policies start to get resolved. This is Eddie. The timing of the GRI, again, as I kind of mentioned earlier on the call, this is kind of part of our normal cycle of when we take it. Obviously, the timing of it in the third quarter with historical freight volumes increasing, due to peak, it is a good time to take it. Ultimately, it is because we are providing the value to our customers that we believe they are willing to pay for that. In terms of the impact to the quarter, again, our volume of our business subject to the GRI is not as great as it was in previous years.

Just what happened throughout the second quarter. There was a lot more variability in the Daily Business volumes than normal. So we saw surges at certain points points in the quarter and then kind of later weeks following that. So, uh, we're we're confident, hopefully, if all the trade policies go, you know, smoothly. Like we've seen some of the announcements recently that we'll see some of that stuff settled down. So as we move into, uh, the rest of this quarter, we believe that it's going to be more normalized to match. Some of those statistics that matches said so. Um, so we want to make sure that we're evaluating our mix and our labor and make sure that we're aligned to to move with those Freight flows but we see a more normal seasonal pattern as we move into third quarter, as some of those uh trade policies start to start to get resolved.

Eddie Sorg: We do not think the impact will be overly great, but obviously, it is needed from an inflationary cost standpoint.

Yeah. And this is Eddie, you know, the timing of the gri, you know, again, as a kind of mentioned earlier on the call, you know, this is kind of part of our normal cycle of when we take it. I mean, obviously the timing of it in the third quarter with historical Freight volumes, um, you know, increasing, uh, due to Peak. I mean, it it's a good, it's a good time to take it. But ultimately, it's because we we're providing the value to our customers that that we believe they're willing to, um, pay for pay for that. Um, in terms of the impact to the quarter, you know, it's again, our our volume of our business. Substitute your eye is not as great as it was in previous years. So we don't think the impact will be overly great. Uh but obviously it's it's deeded from a deflationary cost standpoint.

Matt Beasley: Okay. Thank you.

Okay, thank you.

Operator: Our next question comes from the line of Bruce Chan with Stifel. Your line is open.

And our next question comes from the line of Bruce Chan with Stifel. Your line is open.

Bruce Chan: Hey, thanks, and good morning, everybody. Congrats to the entire team here. Maybe on the asset-light side, it is good to see you back in the black. I know you have been working hard, and you gave us some good color on some of the measures that you are taking. I guess my question is, where do you think we are in that process in terms of innings? Can you continue with the double-digit growth numbers that you are seeing in that shipments per employee per day metric? We do not have as much clarity on the historical quarter-to-quarter trends in this business given the changes. Maybe some color on OR trajectory in the business in the back half would be helpful as well.

Hey, thanks. And, uh, good morning, everybody. And you know, congrats to the entire team here. Um, you know, maybe on the asset-light side it's good to see you back in the black. I know, you know, you've been working hard and you gave us some good color on some of the measures that you're taking. Um, I guess my question is, you know, where do you think we are in that process in terms of innings? And, you know, can you continue with the double-digit growth numbers that you're seeing in that shipments per employee per day metric?

Um, and then, you know, we don't have as much clarity on the historical kind of quarter-to-quarter trends in this business, given the trade, uh, the changes. So, you know, maybe some color on our trajectory in the business in the back half would be helpful as well.

Eddie Sorg: This is Seth. When you think about what is going on with asset-light, we continue to be affected by the soft freight market and just the excess truckload capacity. We have talked about that in the past. We have been encouraged with our managed business, and now it has continued to hit all-time highs for revenue and shipments. That is operationally good for us and also producing operating income. We continue to act to strategically reduce some of those less profitable lanes within our truckload segment. We think most of that work is done, but it is going to be a continual optimization process that we go through. We saw improved margins, reduced employee costs, and we improved productivity by almost 15% within asset-light. We think there is a lot of opportunity ahead as well.

Eddie Sorg: Sequentially, it is a lot of the same story with what is going on with the market conditions as we see moving into the third quarter. We think it is going to be just continued excess capacity, but we are going to be focused on what we can control. That is why we are happy to be back in the black, but we are nowhere near satisfied with where we are at. We got a lot of different things that we are working on to improve profitability, not only the account base, but also our mix. We talked about the SMB space earlier. I know Eddie was referencing LTL, but we are also attacking that within the truckload segment. We have added a lot of sellers in the SMB space within truckload, and we are seeing them hit their ramp and actually exceed expectations.

Yeah, this is uh Seth Bruce. Uh well when you think about what's going on with asset light, we continue to be affected by the soft Freight market and just the excess truck load capacity. And we've talked about that in the past. We are, we have been encouraged with our management business. And now it's continued to hit all-time highs for revenue and shipments, and that is uh, operation operationally, good for us and also producing operating income. But we continue to act as strategically reduce some of those less profitable Lanes uh within our truckload segment. We think most of that work is done but it's going to be a continual optimization process that we go through and we saw improved. Margins reduced employee costs and we improved productivity by almost 15% with an asset light and we think there's a lot of opportunity ahead as well. Um sequentially. It's a lot of the same story with what's going on with the market conditions. As we see moving into the third quarter, we think it's going to be just continued excess capacity but we're going to be focused on what we can control and that's why we we're happy.

Eddie Sorg: We are kind of early inning there. Then really around productivity, we got a lot of different things going on around productivity with AI and optimizing some of the less value calls, categorizing emails. There is just a lot of different things. I think we are still early stages on productivity improvements, and I feel like we can make even greater strides. If you fast forward to January, a little bit longer term, I am excited about Matt coming on because he just has a perspective and the experience leading the largest brokerage in the United States that I think that is going to benefit us to have that experience on board to take it even further.

Matt Beasley: Bruce, it's Matt. I'll just chime in as well. Seth said, we're very proud of the team and the execution in Q2, the operating income result. The forward look that we put out today is, we expect to be generally in line with that result in Q3 as well. We put out a range on a non-GAAP basis for operating income for that business from flat to a million dollars in operating income for Q3.

He just has a perspective and the experience leading the largest Brokerage in the United States. That I think that's going to benefit us to have that experience on board to, to take it even further. And Bruce, it's Matt, I'll just chime in as well. So like Seth said, we're very proud of the team and the execution in the second quarter of the operating income result, you know, the the forward look that we put out today is, you know, we expect to be generally in line with that result in the third quarter as well. We put out a range on a non-gaap basis for operating income for that business from Flat to a million dollars in operating income for the third quarter.

Operator: Our next question comes from the line of Stephanie Moore with Jefferies. Your line is open.

And our next question comes from the line of Stephanie Moore with Jefferies. Your line is open.

Stephanie Moore: Hi. Good morning. Good to hear everybody. I am looking forward to seeing you all in September and Judy McReynolds, I guess, wishing you an official bon voyage, but it is good. All good stuff. I wanted to, if it was possible, we could talk a little bit about the puts and takes of costs in the second quarter. I mean, I know that it has been an ongoing investment and journey in terms of efficiency tools around manpower planning, etc. We also saw higher shipments per day. So I just wanted to think about how you are managing staffing in this environment. Any thoughts on labor costs into the third quarter? I ask only because the OR improvement was very good, but it was a little bit on the lower end of the range that you laid out.

Hi, excuse me. Hi, good morning. Good to hear everybody. And looking forward to seeing you all in September and Judy, I guess, wishing you an official Bond, boyage but, um, good all good stuff.

Um,

I wanted to you know if possible we could talk a little bit about the puts and takes of costs in the second quarter. I mean I know that you know it's been an ongoing investment in J journey in terms of efficiency Tools around, you know, Manpower planning Etc. You also saw higher shipments per day, so I just wanted to think about how you're managing Staffing in this environment. Any thoughts on labor costs into the third quarter? You know, I asked only because, you know, the O Improvement was, you know, very good.

Stephanie Moore: So just trying to walk through those puts and takes again and anything that can be learned from the second quarter that we should think about into the third. Thank you.

But it was a little bit on the lower end of kind of the, the range that you, that you laid out. So, just trying to kind of walk through those puts and takes, um, again anything that can be learned from the second quarter that we should think about into the third. Thank you.

Eddie Sorg: Yeah, good morning, Stephanie. This is Matt Godfrey. As we've talked about a little bit, as part of our normal cadence of operations, we manage the use of our internal labor along with outside resources to make sure we optimize service and efficiency for our customers. As we said, we really like the growth we are seeing, especially with our core LTL customers, and we will continue to align our resources to continue to service that business at a high level. On the network side, we are using our mixed management tools, and we make dynamic changes within our operational network to meet those targets. We have been able to improve our cost per shipment operationally both year over year and sequentially in the asset-based network.

Eddie Sorg: In addition to that, we continue to invest in those optimization tools. We have talked a lot about our hiring strategy to build flex within our network, the ability to flex up to say yes to customers when they approach us, and we hire in line with that. We have already talked about city route optimization phase two, kind of giving one-click optimization tools to our planners so they can deal with real-time conditions. Phase three focused on the pickups and, again, working to make our planners better, make their jobs easier, augment their decision-making process while servicing our customers at a high level. We saw our productivity metrics continue to achieve multi-year highs, with the second quarter of 2025 being our best quarter since 2021.

Yeah, good morning Stephanie. This is Matt Godfrey. And, and as we've talked about a little bit, you know, as part of our normal, Cadence of operations, we we manage the use of our internal labor along with outside resources, to make sure we optimize Service, uh, and efficiency for, for our customers. So, as we've said, we really like the growth. Uh, we are seeing especially with our core LTL customers. And, and we'll continue to align our resources, to continue to service that business, uh, at a high level. So, on, on the network side, um, we're using our mix management tools and we make Dynamic changes, uh, within our operational Network to meet those targets. And, and we've been able to improve our cost per shipment, uh, operationally both year-over-year and sequentially in the asset base Network. And so, in addition to that, we continue to invest in those optimization tools. Uh, we've talked a lot about our hiring uh, strategy, uh, to build Flex within our Network. The ability to flex up to say, yes to customers, uh, when they approached us and

And we hire in line, uh, with that. We've already talked about city route optimization, Phase 2. Um, and kind of given one-click optimization tools to our planners so they can deal with real-time conditions. Phase 3, uh, focused.

Eddie Sorg: We have made a lot of progress, and we know we have more work to do, which is why I continue to be excited about the portfolio of optimization projects we have coming in the pipeline.

Matt Beasley: Stephanie, this is Matt. I will just chime in. Matt Beasley, I guess I should say. That was Matt Godfrey. We are definitely proud of the ABF team, the execution there, the continued work on the compliance campaigns and the optimization projects. It was great that we have been able to highlight some of that this year, just all the different work, including the technology projects that we have been doing there. I would say certainly we did see a nice step up in shipments as a result of our commercial efforts that was well executed efficiently on the ABF side. We laid that out in the presentation. You can see that just visually how that has trended over time and certainly good performance, but just as you would expect with the step up in shipments.

Uh on the pickups um and and again working to make our planners better, make their jobs easier augment, their decision making process while servicing our customers at a high level. So we saw our productivity metrics continue to cheer multi-year highs with a second quarter of 25, being our best uh quarter uh, since 2021. And we've made a lot of progress and we know we have more work to do, which is why I continue to be excited about the uh, portfolio of optimization projects. We have coming in the pipeline and and Stephanie, this is Matt, I'll just chime in Matt Beasley I guess I should say that was Matt Godfrey, so, um, definitely proud of the ABF team, the execution there, uh, to continue work and the compliance campaigns, and the optimization projects. Um, you know, it's great to that we've been able to highlight some of that this year. Um, just all the different work, including the technology projects that we've been, um, doing their. You know, I, I would say

Matt Beasley: We, of course, had a step up in cost to serve, but on a cost per shipment basis, that performance was great. Just one other note, we did have an approximately $3 million year-over-year increase in workers' comp costs as well that impacted costs in the second quarter.

Certainly, we did see a nice Step Up in shipments as a result of our commercial efforts that was well, uh, executed efficiently on the ABF side. We laid that out in the presentation. You can see that just visually how, that's how that's trended over time, and certainly good performance. But just, as you would expect with the Step Up in shipments, you know, we, of course, have a step up in cost to serve but on a cost per shipment basis. That performance was great and then just 1 other note. We did have uh, approximately 3 million dollar year-over-year increase in workers comp costs as well, that impacted costs in the second quarter.

Operator: Our next question comes from the line of Ken Hoexter with Bank of America. Your line is open.

Jason Seidl: Hey, great. Good morning all. Judy and Seth, congrats, and Tom on the next phase for each of you. Just want to revisit the messaging here a bit. You have a big drop in tons per day in June, down slowed down to 2.8%. Now it is flat in July. Again, somewhat easy comps, right? Down double-digit volumes a year ago. So, are you suggesting the market is getting more competitive? Then, Seth, we have seen a shift where you have taken on dynamic freight. You have moved to unloaded, taken it on. Where are we in the mix that you view in the need to take on the dynamic freight versus the core freight? If Matt, you said earlier volumes are outperforming and you are taking yields earlier, why are we not seeing the margins outperform?

And our next question comes from the line of Ken hexter with Bank of America. Your line is open,

In June down uh down, slowed down to 2.8%. Now it's flat in July again somewhat easy comps right down double digit volumes a year ago. So uh are you suggesting is the market getting more competitive and then Seth

You know, we've seen a shift where you've taken on Dynamic Freight, you've moved to unload, it taken it on. Where are we? In the mix that you View Inn in the need to take on the dynamic Freight versus the core Freight?

And if, Matt, you said earlier, volumes are outperforming and you're taking yields earlier, why are we not seeing the margins outperform?

Matt Beasley: Yeah, so again, it is Matt. I will maybe take the first parts of the question there. As it relates to the development of the quarter, you are right. If you look, overall, we were up for the quarter versus historical seasonality on a sequential basis, both for tonnage and shipments per day. We did see in April and May, if you just look versus the trend, a lot of that outperformance was driven by the performance that we saw in April and May. Yes, when you look at June, certainly that is a peak vacation month. We were prioritizing service in the network just as a normal course of business. We are always looking at yield and profitability of accounts. We took some action that had some impact on shipments there, but we think it was the right decision from an overall yield and profitability standpoint.

Yeah, so again it's Matt I'll maybe take the first parts of the, the question there, you know, as it relates to the development of the quarter, you know, you're right? So if you look, I mean, overall, we were up for the quarter, you know, um, versus historical seasonality on a sequential basis, both for tonnage and shipments per day, um, you know, we did see in April and May, you know, if you just look versus the trend, you know, a lot of that, um, outperformance was driven by the performance that we saw in April and May and so, yes, when you look at June, I mean, certainly that's a peak vacation month. We were prioritizing service in the network just as normal course of business. You know, we're always looking at, um, yield and profitability of accounts, you know, we took some action, uh, that, um, had some impact on shipments there, but we

Matt Beasley: Just given where the housing market is, certainly we did not see the step up in shipments in June on the UPAC side that we would normally see just given the softness there.

Eddie Sorg: Hey, Ken, this is Seth on the dynamic question. I just want to make sure that it is clear that the majority of our business is core business, LTL. What we try to do with the transactional business dynamic, and you can include UPAC and the volume loads in there as well, is we try to maintain consistency in the network and fill that empty capacity and make sure that we are well positioned when the market turns as well. As our core business starts to increase and we feel great about our pipeline, we want to make sure that we are focused on that profitable growth and the mixed management. What you have seen with dynamic in the second quarter is the same thing we have been doing for the past year and a half. We do not expect that to change in the future.

I think it was the right decision from an overall yield and profitability standpoint. And then, you know, just given where the housing market is, we certainly didn't see the step-up in shipments in June on the UPAC side that we would normally see, just given the softness there.

Eddie Sorg: What really is important to understand with what we do with dynamic is we optimize our mix on a daily basis, and in turn, it is based on profit maximization. That is based on market prices and available capacity we have that is already moving that would otherwise be empty. Peers use, when you look at our peer group, they use 3PLs to make those adjustments. We are the 3PL. I think that is the way we go to market, and we believe that is the winning formula.

Yeah. Hey Ken. This is Seth on the dynamic question. I just want to make sure that it's clear that the majority of our business is Core Business, LTL. What we try to do with the transactional business, Dynamic, and you can include UPAC and the volume loads in there as well, is we try to maintain consistency in the network, fill that empty capacity, and make sure that we're well positioned when the market turns as well. So, as our Core Business starts to increase and we feel great about our pipeline, we want to make sure that we're focused on that profitable growth in the mix management. But what you've seen with Dynamic in the second quarter is the same thing we've been doing for the past year and a half; we don't expect that to change in the future. So what really is important to understand with what we do with Dynamic is we optimize our mix on a daily basis, and in turn, it's based on profit maximization, and that's based on market prices and available capacity we have that's already moving, that would otherwise be empty. So, peers use, when you look at our peer group, they use 3PLs to make those adjustments. We are.

Matt Beasley: Yeah, and then maybe back to your question on pricing. We feel great about where we are from a pricing perspective. We have got a long history of pricing intelligence and pricing discipline. We continue to focus there. Certainly, we felt like that the 4% increase in contract and deferreds for the quarter was a great outcome in the current environment. We just assessing the market, felt confident in moving forward with the 5.9% GRI. I think generally you are just seeing some of the impacts of the market that we find ourselves in. So certainly, when you look at business coming out of the manufacturing vertical, which tends to generally carry a higher revenue per hundredweight and makes up a good portion of our business, we have served that business well. That market has softened as we move through the year and as the PMI moved back under 50.

Matt Beasley: So we are adding good new, good new profitable business to the network. Some of that comes with a little bit higher revenue per hundredweight, but we still have the highest revenue per hundredweight, revenue per shipment metrics. Like we talked about before, we are executing that well on the cost side too.

The 3pl and I think that's the way we go to market and we believe that's the winning formula. Yeah. And then maybe back to your question on pricing. I mean we feel great about where we are from a pricing perspective. We've got a long history of pricing intelligence and and pricing discipline. You know, we continue to um to focus there. Certainly we felt like that the 4% increase in contract and deferred for the quarter was a great outcome in the current environment. You know, we we um, just assessing the market, you know, felt confident in moving forward with the 5.9% gri. I mean, I think generally, you're just seeing just some of the impacts of the market that we find ourselves in. And so, certainly when you look at business coming out of the manufacturing vertical, which tends to generally carry, you know, higher Revenue per 100 weight, and um, you know, makes up a good portion of our business. We serve that business. Well, you know, that market that has softened you know as we move to the year and as the PMI moved back under 50 and so you know we're adding good new good new profitable business to the network, you know.

Some of that comes in a little bit higher revenue per underweight, but we still have the highest revenue per 100 weight and revenue per shipment metrics. And like we talked about before, we're executing that well on the cost side, too.

Operator: As a reminder, it is star one if you would like to ask a question. Our next question comes from the line of Tom Wadewitz with UBS. Your line is open.

As a reminder, it is star 1. If you would like to ask a question, our next question comes from the line of Tom Wits with UPS. Your line is open.

Jason Seidl: Yeah, good morning. Also, Judy McReynolds, Seth Runser, and Tom Wadewitz as well. Congratulations to all three of you. Let's see. I wanted to get, I do not know if there has been a lot of comment on demand.

Uh yeah, good, good morning and uh also uh, you know, Judy and Seth and uh, and Tom as well. Congratulations to all 3 of you, um,

Jason Seidl: I know it is kind of tough to read and it continues to be soft, but are you getting any feedback from customers that is a little more optimistic, whether that be related to just getting beyond, you know, getting some trade deals in place and maybe getting a little bit more stability related to tariff or related to the, you know, the tax bill and some of the, you know, kind of quickly realized cash tax savings? I am just wondering if you are getting any feedback, you know, industrial or retail customers or wherever that is just a little bit more optimistic, or is that something you would not necessarily expect to hear? Thanks.

You know, kind of quickly realized uh cash tax savings. I'm just wondering if you're, you're getting any feedback, you know, industrial or retail customers or wherever, that's just a little bit more optimistic. Or is that something you you wouldn't necessarily expect to hear? Thanks.

Eddie Sorg: Hey, Tom, this is Eddie. We have been talking to our customers a lot about the current environment that they are facing, whether it is tariffs, whether it is just the uncertainty of interest rates and investment. It is really continued to be a mixed bag. We have some customers that are still experiencing disruption across their industries. They are having to spend a lot more time and resources to understand the impacts of tariffs specifically. Some common themes are continued softness, some uncertainty. When we get to the tariff side, there has been a lot of work to determine, is there a better country to outsource their business? Some are having to cancel orders because of the tariffs. It is really important for those customers to be nimble.

Eddie Sorg: That is where I think we come in and we offer great solutions and allow them to handle this environment from a day-to-day standpoint. I think when you start talking about long term with the bill that has recently passed, customers' perspective is it is still wait and see. Is this going to, when is the investment, when do the tax breaks hit? I think it is still out in the future in terms of what those impacts would be.

Hey, Tom, this is Eddie. Yeah. We we've been talking to our customers a lot about, you know, the, you know, kind of the current environment that they're they're facing whether its tariffs. Um, whether it's just the uncertainty of interest rates and Investments. Um, you know, from it's really continues to be kind of a mixed bag. I mean, we, you know, we have some customers that are still experiencing disruption, um, across their Industries. They're having to spend a lot more time and resources to understand the impacts of, uh, tariff specifically. Uh, but you know, some common themes is, you know, continued softness, some uncertainty. Um, and we get to the Tariff side, you know, there's been a lot of work, uh, to determine, you know, is there a better country to Outsource their business? Uh, you know, some are having to cancel orders because of the tariffs. Um, and, um, and so it's, it's really important for those customers to, you know, be nimble. And, and that's where I think we come in, and we offer, great.

Matt Beasley: Tom, this is Matt. I will just add on here. I do think that there is good potential in terms of stimulus from the impacts of the bill. I will just highlight what we are seeing. If we look at the first six months of the year and the capital spend that we have had from mid-January through the end of Q2, and then some of the benefits that are going to flow through on some immediate expensing of R&D, which will have impacts both on capitalized software and some of the spending that we have in the box area, we see potential cash tax savings from just the first six months of the year of around $25 million. We are certainly encouraged about where those changes, where the bonus depreciation may drive spending, and then of course, a knock-on freight impacts from that as well.

Solutions that allows them um, to handle this environment from a day-to-day uh, standpoint. Uh, you know, I think when you start talking about long-term with the uh, the bill that was recently passed. You know, customers perspective is um it's still wait and see, you know, is this going to you know when is the investment? When is the tax breaks hit? You know you know I think it's still out in the future in terms of what those impacts would be and Tom, this is Matt I'll just add on here. I mean I do think that there is good potential in terms of stimulus from the impacts of the bill. Um I'll just highlight what we're seeing. So if we look at the first 6 months of the year and the capital spend that we've had from mid January through the end of the second quarter and then some of the benefits that are going to flow through on some of the immediate expensing of R&D, which will have impact both on capitalized software. And, um, some of the spending that we have in the Box area, you know, we see,

Potential Cash, Cash tax, tax savings um from just the first 6 months of the year of around 25 million dollars. And so certainly, we're encouraged about you know, where that um where those changes where the bonus depreciation may drive spending. And then of course, a knock on freight impacts from that as well.

Operator: That concludes our question and answer session. I will now turn the conference back over to Ms. Amy Mendenhall for closing remarks. I just wanted to thank everyone for joining us today. We certainly appreciate your interest in ArcBest. Have a great day. Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes today's call, and we thank you for your participation. You may now disconnect.

And that concludes our question and answer session. I'll now turn the conference back over to Miss. Amy, Mendon hall for closing remarks.

I just wanted to thank everyone for joining us today. We certainly appreciate your interest in our best, have a great day.

And ladies and gentlemen, this concludes today's call, and we thank you for your participation. You may now disconnect.