Gregory T. Swienton
Analyst · Stifel, Nicolaus
Thanks, Bob. Good morning, everyone. Today, we'll recap our first quarter 2012 results, review the asset management area and discuss our current outlook for the business. And then after our initial remarks, we will open up the call for questions. So let me get right into an overview of our first quarter results and beginning on Page 4 for those of you who are following on the PowerPoint. Net earnings per diluted share from continuing operations were $0.68 for the first quarter in 2012, up from $0.50 in the prior year period. The first quarter results included a $0.09 net benefit related to the resolution of a tax matter, partially offset by a restructuring charge related to the Hill Hire acquisition. The prior year's first quarter included a $0.01 acquisition-related restructuring charge. So excluding these items in each period, comparable EPS was $0.59 in the first quarter 2012, up from $0.51 in the prior year. This is an improvement of $0.08 or 16% over the prior year period. First quarter EPS was slightly above the high end of our forecast range of $0.55 to $0.58. Overall results in Fleet Management were generally in line with our expectations and benefited from accretive acquisitions, organic growth of the lease fleet, strong Used Vehicle sales and higher commercial rental performance. Supply chain generated better-than-expected earnings improvement, driven by higher volumes and new business. Total revenue grew 8% from the prior year. Operating revenue, which excludes the FMS fuel and all subcontracted transportation revenue, increased 9% from the prior year. The increase in revenue reflects both the benefit of organic growth and acquisitions. Page 5 includes some additional financial statistics for the first quarter. The average number of diluted shares outstanding for the quarter declined slightly to 50.9 million. During the first quarter, we purchased approximately 223,000 shares at an average price of $53.38 under our 2 million share anti-dilutive program, which expires in December 2013. As of March 31, there were 51.3 million shares outstanding, of which 50.9 million are currently included in the diluted share calculation. The first quarter 2012 tax rate was 26.9%, which reflects the favorable resolution of a tax matter related to prior years. The prior year's tax rate was 40.7%, which was negatively impacted last year by a tax law change in Illinois. Excluding the tax benefit item in 2012, comparable tax rate would have been 37.1% versus last year's rate of 40.7%. The adjusted return on capital was 5.6% versus 5.1% in the prior year, as growth in earnings outpaced growth in capital. We have a positive spread between adjusted return on capital and cost of capital of 30 basis points for the trailing 12 months, and this represents an improvement in the spread of approximately 100 basis points from the prior year. I'll turn now to Page 6 to discuss some of the key trends we saw during the first quarter in each of the business segments. In Fleet Management, total revenue grew 9% versus the prior year. Total FMS revenue includes a 7% increase in fuel services revenue, reflecting higher fuel cost pass-throughs. FMS operating revenue, which excludes fuel, grew 10%, mainly due to the Hill Hire acquisition and higher organic Commercial Rental and Full Service Lease revenue. Contractual revenue, which includes both Full Service Lease and contract maintenance, was up by 6%. Full Service Lease revenue grew 6% versus the prior year, due to fleet growth and higher prices on replacement vehicles. The average lease fleet size increased 9% from the prior year's first quarter, largely due to acquisitions. On an organic basis, excluding the acquisitions, the global lease fleet increased sequentially from the fourth quarter by approximately 700 vehicles, reflecting both improved new lease sales activity and higher retention rates. This represents the second consecutive quarter of organic lease fleet growth. Miles driven per vehicle per day on the U.S. lease power units were flat compared to the prior year. Commercial Rental revenue increased 26%, reflecting higher pricing, improved global demand on a larger fleet, as well as acquisitions. The average rental fleet increased 31%. It was up by 13%, excluding the acquisitions. While total demand increased strongly, it grew somewhat below our expectations, and therefore, power fleet utilization declined to 68.9% from 72.5% in the prior year on a larger fleet. Global pricing on power units was up 5% versus the prior year, which was generally in line with our expectations in the quarter. In Fleet Management, we also saw better Used Vehicle results during the quarter, reflecting a continued strong pricing and demand environment. And Robert Sanchez will discuss those results separately in a few minutes. Improved FMS results were partially offset by higher costs to maintain a slightly older lease fleet, increased vehicle out-servicing costs and commissions on used sales. Earnings before tax in Fleet Management were up 20%. Fleet Management earnings, as a percent of operating revenue, increased by 50 basis points to 6.4% in the first quarter. As a reminder, beginning this quarter, we moved the non-service portion of pension costs below the business segment line for reporting purposes. We believe this provides better visibility to the segment's operating performance, as well as to the performance of the frozen pension plans. Historical results under this new presentation are included in the appendix for your reference. Turning to the Supply Chain Solutions segment on Page 7, which now includes all Dedicated Contract Carriage activity. Both total and operating revenues were up 7%. Revenue increased due to both higher freight volumes and new business, as well as a 1-month benefit from the Scully acquisition. The strongest growth came from the automotive, retail and consumer packaged goods industry verticals, including 13% growth in the Dedicated Contract Carriage product. Improved earnings in the segment were driven by higher volumes and new sales. In total, SCS earnings before tax were up 8% from the prior year. Supply chain's earnings before tax, as a percent of operating revenue, were unchanged at 4.5% compared to the prior period. Page 8 shows the business segment view of our income statement, which I just discussed and is included here for your reference. At this point, I'll turn the call over to our Chief Financial Officer, Art Garcia, to cover several items beginning with capital expenditures.