Gregory T. Swienton
Analyst · BB&T Capital Markets
Thank you, Bob, and good morning, everyone. Today we'll recap our fourth quarter 2012 results, review the asset management area and discuss our current outlook and forecast for 2013. And then after our initial remarks, as always, we'll open up the call for questions. But before I get into the actual numbers, please allow me to make a few personal comments. As you are aware, in December, we announced our organization plans and that I'll be retiring as Chairman after our annual shareholders meeting on May 3, and we've transitioned to Robert Sanchez as our new CEO effective the first of this year. And as you've known him in various positions at Ryder over the years as CIO, CFO, President of FMS and Chief Operating Officer of the company, I know you agree he's an ideal and a great choice. For myself, it's hard to believe how time flies by. But today, I am presenting Ryder results for the 55th consecutive quarter. And in reaching almost 14 years, I wanted to say how privileged and grateful I've been to not only to serve Ryder and our customers and our employees, but also to thank all of you as investors and analysts for the relationships and the time we [Audio Gap] Improving our business model and direction and results that this was time very well spent together. We've not only worked on improving our performance and credibility, but we've also diligently worked at always providing solid and improved disclosure so you could understand our business. We are unique in our portfolio of business and structure, and therefore believe that the better you understand us and our business model and its subtleties, the better you could be at analysis and investment, which ultimately serves both of our mutual interests. We believe in telling it to you straight, in good times or bad times, with challenged results or with great results. And though I may not be the one personally delivering the earnings report in the future, those commitments from the team at Ryder will not change. So with that, let me move on to our presentation. On Page 4, fourth quarter results, net earnings per diluted share from continuing operations were $1.07 for the fourth quarter 2012, up from $0.92 in the prior-year period. Fourth quarter results included a $0.10 charge for vehicle-related losses from Superstorm Sandy, and these vehicles were owned by Full Service Lease customers for which Ryder had liability under certain agreements. We're currently pursuing recovery of these losses under the applicable insurance programs. But at this time, recovery remains uncertain. We since enhanced our insurance coverage in order to mitigate this type of risk going forward. In 2011, the fourth quarter included a $0.05 charge for acquisition-related restructuring costs. So excluding these items in each year, comparable EPS was $1.17 in the fourth quarter 2012, up from $0.97 in the prior year. And this is an improvement of $0.20 or 21% over the prior-year period. Our results also represent outperformance of $0.06 to $0.11 versus our fourth quarter forecast of $1.06 to $1.11. And our outperformance this quarter primarily reflects better-than-expected rental demand, and we estimate that Superstorm Sandy recovery efforts benefited operating results by approximately $0.03, largely due to increased rental demand, as well as some additional used vehicle sales. Total revenue increased 3% over the prior year. And operating revenue, which excludes FMS fuel and all subcontracted transportation revenue, increased 4%. The increase in revenue reflects organic growth in Full Service Lease, as well as increased volumes in new business in the SCS automotive sector. Page 5 includes some additional financial statistics for the fourth quarter. The average number of diluted shares outstanding for the quarter increased slightly to 50.8 million shares. During the fourth quarter, we did not purchase any shares under our $2 million share anti-dilutive program, which expires in December 2013. As of December 31, there were 51.4 million shares outstanding, of which 50.8 million are included in the diluted share calculation. The fourth quarter 2012 tax rate was 32.9%, and this tax rate includes the impact of the Superstorm Sandy vehicle-related losses. Excluding this item, the comparable tax rate would be 33.3%, and the prior year's tax rate of 34.8% was impacted by acquisition-related restructuring costs. And excluding this item in 2011, the comparable tax rate would've been 34.4%. Earnings per share excluding the nonoperating portion of pension expense, were $1.26 up by $0.24 or 24% over fourth quarter 2011. And as a reminder, beginning in 2013, we'll report comparable earnings per share on this basis by excluding nonoperating pension costs. Page 6 highlights key financial statistics on a full-year basis. Operating revenue was up by 5%. Comparable EPS from continuing operations were $4.04, up by 16% from $3.49 in the prior year. The spread between adjusted return on capital and cost of capital was 80 basis points for the year, which represents an improvement of 60 basis points from 2011. Earnings per share excluding nonoperating pension costs were $4.41 versus $3.71 last year, up by $0.70 or 19%. I'd like to turn now to Page 7 to discuss some of the key trends we saw during the fourth quarter in the business segments. In Fleet Management, total revenue grew 4% versus the prior year. In total, FMS revenue includes a 3% increase in fuel services revenue, reflecting higher fuel prices. FMS operating revenue, which excludes fuel, grew 4% as well. And this increase primarily reflects organic growth in Full Service Lease. Contractual revenue, which includes both Full Service Lease and contract maintenance, was up by 5%. Full Service Lease revenue grew 6% versus the prior year due to higher rates on replacement vehicles and organic fleet growth. At year-end, the lease fleet size increased by 1,400 vehicles versus the prior year, with organic growth of 900 vehicles. On a sequential basis, the organic lease fleet decreased by approximately 300 units from the end of the third quarter this year. The sequential lease growth was impacted by planned nonrenewal of some lower margin trailers in the U.K. and Sandy-related vehicle losses. In contract maintenance, the fleet grew year-over-year by 2,500 units and sequentially, by 800 units. The lease fleet aides began to decline in June and has steadily improved since then due to continued solid replacement of units by customers on higher-than-average lease expirations. In the fourth quarter, the lease fleet age was down by another month sequentially, and was down by a total of 4 months during the year. Miles driven per vehicle per day on U.S. lease power units increased 2% compared to the prior year. Commercial Rental revenue was down 1% reflecting lower demand on a smaller fleet. Rental demand was down 4% compared to the prior-year, but was a little above expectations, partly due to Superstorm Sandy recovery activity. Rental utilization on power units was strong and above expectations, although it declined 70 basis points to 78.2% from 78.9% in the prior year. The average Rental fleet decreased 3% versus the prior year. Global pricing on power units was up 3%, which was generally in line with our expectation. In the used vehicle area, we saw a continued strong demand environment and good pricing. Robert Sanchez will discuss those results separately in a few minutes. Overall, improved FMS results were driven by improved lease performance due mainly to lower maintenance costs and organic growth. Earnings also benefited from lower compensation cost versus the prior year. These benefits were partially offset by lower Commercial Rental results. Earnings before tax and Fleet Management were up 17%. FMS earnings as a percent of operating revenue were up -- were 10.1%, which were up 100 basis points from the prior year. Turning to Page 8, in the Supply Chain Solutions segment, total revenue was up 2% versus the prior year, and operating revenue was up 4%, as higher operating revenue was partially offset by lower subcontracted transportation. SCS operating revenue grew due to higher volumes and new business in both the automotive sector and in Dedicated services. Included in higher operating revenue was an 8% increase in revenue from Dedicated services. Improved segment earnings were driven by increased volumes and new business in both automotive and Dedicated, partially offset by higher medical benefit costs. Supply chains earnings before tax as a percent of operating revenue were 6.3%, up 90 basis points from the prior year. And in total, SCS earnings before tax were up 22% from the prior year. Page 9 shows the business segment view of our income statement, which I just discussed and is included here for your reference. Page 10 highlights our full-year results by business segment. We saw a mid-single digit operating revenue growth and double-digit earnings growth in both segments. Comparable full-year earnings from continuing operations were $207.4 million, up by 15% from $180.6 million in the prior year. And at this point, I'll turn the call over to our Chief Financial Officer, Art Garcia, to cover several items beginning with capital expenditures.