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Hub Group, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2007 March (Form 10-Q)

Hub Group First Qtr 10Q 2007
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2007 or

[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ________ to ________

Commission file number: 0-27754
Hub Group Logo
HUB GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
36-4007085
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 
3050 Highland Parkway, Suite 100
Downers Grove, Illinois 60515
(Address, including zip code, of principal executive offices)
(630) 271-3600
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes  X    No      

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12-b of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
        Large Accelerated Filer               Accelerated Filer                   Non-Accelerated Filer __

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12-b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes       No  X  

On April 19, 2007, the registrant had 38,785,442 outstanding shares of Class A common stock, par value $.01 per share, and 662,296 outstanding shares of Class B common stock, par value $.01 per share.
 


HUB GROUP, INC.


INDEX


 
Page
PART I. Financial Information:
 
   
Hub Group, Inc. - Registrant
 
   
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - March 31, 2007 (unaudited) and December 31, 2006
3
   
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - Three Months Ended March 31, 2007 and 2006
4
   
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity - Three Months Ended
March 31, 2007
5
   
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Three Months Ended March 31, 2007 and 2006
6
   
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
7
   
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
9
   
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures related to Market Risk
15
   
Controls and Procedures
15
   
PART II. Other Information
16
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
2
 
HUB GROUP, INC.
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
(in thousands, except share amounts)
 
       
   
March 31,
2007
 
December 31,
2006
 
ASSETS
             
CURRENT ASSETS:
             
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
34,730
 
$
43,491
 
Accounts receivable
             
Trade, net
   
150,772
   
158,284
 
Other
   
8,078
   
8,369
 
Prepaid taxes
   
1,098
   
3,202
 
Deferred taxes
   
3,424
   
3,433
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
   
6,794
   
4,450
 
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
   
204,896
   
221,229
 
               
Restricted investments
   
4,278
   
3,017
 
Property and equipment, net
   
27,342
   
26,974
 
Other intangibles, net
   
7,391
   
7,502
 
Goodwill, net
   
225,448
   
225,448
 
Other assets
   
419
   
378
 
TOTAL ASSETS
 
$
469,774
 
$
484,548
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
             
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
             
Accounts payable
             
Trade
 
$
110,441
 
$
117,676
 
Other
   
6,826
   
6,839
 
Accrued expenses
             
Payroll
   
8,545
   
18,294
 
Other
   
31,567
   
26,617
 
        Related party payable
   
-
   
5,000
 
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
   
157,379
   
174,426
 
Non-current liabilities
   
10,989
   
7,691
 
Deferred taxes
   
41,295
   
43,587
 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
             
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 2,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding in 2007 and 2006
   
-
   
-
 
Common stock
             
Class A: $.01 par value; 47,337,700 shares authorized; 41,224,792 shares issued and 38,789,847 outstanding in 2007; 41,224,792 shares issued and 38,943,122 outstanding in 2006
   
412
   
412
 
Class B: $.01 par value; 662,300 shares authorized; 662,296 shares issued and outstanding in 2007 and 2006
   
7
   
7
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
175,779
   
179,203
 
Purchase price in excess of predecessor basis, net of tax benefit of $10,306
   
(15,458
)
 
(15,458
)
Retained earnings
   
157,662
   
146,243
 
Treasury stock; at cost, 2,434,945 shares in 2007 and 2,281,670 shares in 2006
   
(58,291
)
 
(51,563
)
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
   
260,111
   
258,844
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
$
469,774
 
$
484,548
 
See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 
 
 
3

HUB GROUP, INC.
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
   
Three Months
 
   
Ended March 31,
 
   
2007
 
2006
 
           
Revenue
 
$
393,297
 
$
356,764
 
Transportation costs
   
336,636
   
309,391
 
Gross margin
   
56,661
   
47,373
 
               
Costs and expenses:
             
Salaries and benefits
   
25,610
   
22,881
 
General and administrative
   
11,601
   
8,969
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
1,172
   
1,859
 
Total costs and expenses
   
38,383
   
33,709
 
               
Operating income
   
18,278
   
13,664
 
               
Other income (expense):
             
Interest expense
   
(21
)
 
(18
)
Interest income
   
645
   
446
 
Other, net
   
3
   
30
 
Total other income
   
627
   
458
 
               
Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes
   
18,905
   
14,122
 
               
Provision for income taxes
   
7,486
   
5,649
 
               
Income from continuing operations
   
11,419
   
8,473
 
               
Discontinued operations:
             
Income from discontinued operations of HGDS
   
-
   
1,094
 
Provision for income taxes
   
-
   
437
 
Income from discontinued operations
   
-
   
657
 
               
Net income
 
$
11,419
 
$
9,130
 
               
Basic earnings per common share
             
Income from continuing operations
 
$
0.29
 
$
0.21
 
Income from discontinued operations
 
$
-
 
$
0.02
 
Net income
 
$
0.29
 
$
0.23
 
               
Diluted earnings per common share
             
Income from continuing operations
 
$
0.29
 
$
0.21
 
Income from discontinued operations
 
$
-
 
$
0.01
 
Net income
 
$
0.29
 
$
0.22
 
               
Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding
   
39,257
   
40,196
 
Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding
   
39,766
   
41,302
 
See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
4
 
HUB GROUP, INC
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2007
 
(in thousands, except shares)
 
       
   
March 31,
 
   
2007
 
Class A & B Common Stock Shares Outstanding
       
Beginning of year
   
39,605,418
 
Purchase of treasury shares
   
(415,724
)
Treasury shares issued for restricted stock and stock options exercised
   
262,449
 
Ending balance
   
39,452,143
 
         
Class A & B Common Stock Amount
       
Beginning of year
 
$
419
 
Ending balance
   
419
 
         
Additional Paid-in Capital
       
Beginning of year
   
179,203
 
Exercise of non-qualified stock options
   
(2,124
)
Share-based compensation expense
   
960
 
Tax benefit of share-based compensation plans
   
1,380
 
Issuance of restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures
   
(3,640
)
Ending balance
   
175,779
 
         
Purchase Price in Excess of Predecessor Basis, Net of Tax
       
Beginning of year
   
(15,458
)
Ending balance
   
(15,458
)
         
Retained Earnings
       
Beginning of year
   
146,243
 
Net income
   
11,419
 
Ending balance
   
157,662
 
         
Treasury Stock
       
Beginning of year
   
(51,563
)
Purchase of treasury shares
   
(12,740
)
Issuance of restricted stock and exercise of stock options
   
6,012
 
Ending balance
   
(58,291
)
         
Total stockholders’ equity
 
$
260,111
 
See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 

 
5
 
HUB GROUP, INC.
 
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
(in thousands)
 
   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2007
 
2006
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
             
   Income from continuing operations
 
$
11,419
 
$
8,473
 
   Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash
             
    provided by operating activities:
             
      Depreciation and amortization
   
1,804
   
2,176
 
      Deferred taxes
   
1,652
   
917
 
      Compensation expense related to share-based compensation plans
   
960
   
771
 
      Loss on sale of assets
   
2
   
26
 
   Changes in operating assets and liabilities excluding effects of purchase transaction:
             
         Restricted investments
   
(1,261
)
 
(586
)
         Accounts receivable, net
   
7,803
   
18,172
 
         Prepaid taxes
   
2,104
   
(125
)
         Prepaid expenses and other current assets
   
(2,344
)
 
(1,628
)
         Other assets
   
(41
)
 
299
 
         Accounts payable
   
(7,248
)
 
(5,090
)
         Accrued expenses
   
(4,799
)
 
(8,292
)
         Non-current liabilities
   
(637
)
 
(80
)
            Net cash provided by operating activities
   
9,414
   
15,033
 
   Cash flows from investing activities:
             
      Proceeds from sale of equipment
   
15
   
26
 
      Purchases of property and equipment
   
(2,078
)
 
(1,047
)
      Cash used in acquisition of Comtrak, Inc.
   
(5,000
)
 
(40,491
)
            Net cash used in investing activities
   
(7,063
)
 
(41,512
)
   Cash flows from financing activities:
             
      Proceeds from stock options exercised
   
248
   
1,141
 
      Purchase of treasury stock
   
(12,740
)
 
(38
)
      Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation
   
1,380
   
4,767
 
            Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
   
(11,112
)
 
5,870
 
               
Cash flows from operating activities of discontinued operations
   
-
   
1,822
 
Cash flows used in investing activities of discontinued operations
   
-
   
(32
)
            Net cash provided by discontinued operations
   
-
   
1,790
 
               
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
   
(8,761
)
 
(18,819
)
Cash and cash equivalents beginning of period
   
43,491
   
36,133
 
Cash and cash equivalents end of period
 
$
34,730
 
$
17,314
 
               
Supplemental disclosures of cash paid for:
             
      Interest
 
$
21
 
$
17
 
      Income taxes
 
$
232
 
$
91
 
See notes to unaudited condensed financial statements.

6
HUB GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1. Interim Financial Statements

Our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Hub Group, Inc. (“we”, “us” or “our”) have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations. However, we believe that the disclosures contained herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.
 
The financial statements reflect, in our opinion, all material adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to fairly present our financial position at March 31, 2007 and results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006. All number of share and per-share amounts have been retroactively restated to give effect to the two-for-one stock split, which was effected in the form of a 100% stock dividend in June 2006.

These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. Results of operations in interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for a full year due partially to seasonality.

NOTE 2. Share-Based Compensation

During the first quarter of 2007, our Chief Financial Officer resigned. As a result, he forfeited 64,516 performance units. The maximum expense that would have been recorded related to these performance units was $1.5 million. We did not record any expense related to performance units during 2006 or 2007 and so there was no reversing of previous expense.

NOTE 3. Earnings Per Share

The following is a reconciliation of our earnings per share:

   
Three Months Ended
 
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31, 2007
 
March 31, 2006
 
   
(000’s)
 
(000’s)
 
   
Income
 
Shares
 
Per Share Amount
 
Income
 
Shares
 
Per Share Amount
 
Basic EPS
                                     
Income from continuing operations
 
$
11,419
   
39,257
 
$
0.29
 
$
8,473
   
40,196
 
$
0.21
 
Income from discontinued operations
   
-
   
39,257
   
-
   
657
   
40,196
   
0.02
 
Net Income
 
$
11,419
   
39,257
 
$
0.29
 
$
9,130
   
40,196
 
$
0.23
 
                                       
Effect of Dilutive Securities
                                     
Stock options and restricted stock
   
-
   
509
   
-
   
-
   
1,106
   
-
 
                                       
Diluted EPS
                                     
Income from continuing operations
 
$
11,419
   
39,766
 
$
0.29
 
$
8,473
   
41,302
 
$
0.21
 
Income from discontinued operations
   
-
   
39,766
   
-
   
657
   
41,302
   
0.01
 
Net Income
 
$
11,419
   
39,766
 
$
0.29
 
$
9,130
   
41,302
 
$
0.22
 
 
7


NOTE 4. Debt

We had $47.5 million of unused and available borrowings under our bank revolving line of credit at March 31, 2007. We were in compliance with our debt covenants at March 31, 2007.

We have standby letters of credit that expire from 2007 to 2012. As of March 31, 2007, the outstanding letters of credit were $2.5 million.

NOTE 5. Commitments and Contingencies
  
In March 2007, we entered into an equipment purchase contract with Singamas Management Services, Ltd. and Singamas North America, Inc. We agreed to purchase 2,000 fifty-three foot dry freight steel domestic containers for approximately $19.4 million. We expect delivery of 500 units per month during the period May through August 2007. We plan to finance these containers with operating leases.

We are a party to litigation incident to our business, including claims for freight lost or damaged in transit, freight improperly shipped or improperly billed, property damage and personal injury. Some of the lawsuits to which we are party are covered by insurance and are being defended by our insurance carriers. Some of the lawsuits are not covered by insurance and we are defending them. Management does not believe that the outcome of this litigation will have a material adverse effect on our financial position.

NOTE 6. Income Taxes

Effective January 1, 2007, we adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”), “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes”. Although the implementation of FIN 48 did not impact the amount of our liability for unrecognized tax benefits, we reclassified $4.0 million of our liability for unrecognized tax benefits from deferred tax liabilities to non-current liabilities to conform with the balance sheet presentation requirements of FIN 48. As of January 1, 2007, the amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $4.2 million of which $1.6 million would, if recognized, decrease our effective tax rate.

Hub Group, Inc. or its subsidiaries are subject to income tax in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and numerous state jurisdictions. The Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") has completed its examinations of our federal income tax returns for the tax years 2000 through 2004. However, tax years 1997 and 2000 through 2006 remain open to examination by the major tax jurisdictions to which we are subject.
 
During its examination of our 1997 federal income tax return, the IRS proposed to reclassify our allocation of a significant amount of tax basis in fixed assets to non-amortizable intangibles. This dispute is being reviewed by the IRS Office of Appeals, and it is reasonably possible that it will be resolved by December 31, 2007 resulting in a decrease in our liability for uncertain tax positions of up to $4.0 million. Should the decrease occur, it would have a positive impact on our effective tax rate of up to $1.4 million and the remaining $2.6 million decrease in our liability for uncertain tax positions would be reclassified as additional deferred tax liability.

We recognize interest expense and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in our provision for income taxes. At January 1, 2007, accrued interest was $1.3 million.


 
 
 
 

8

HUB GROUP, INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


OUTLOOK, RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

The information contained in this quarterly report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “expects,” “hopes,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and subject to risks. Such statements should be viewed with caution. Actual results or experience could differ materially from the forward-looking statements as a result of many factors. We assume no liability to update any such forward-looking statements contained in this quarterly report. Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially include:

·  
the degree and rate of market growth in the domestic intermodal, truck brokerage and logistics markets served by us;
·  
deterioration in our relationships with existing railroads or adverse changes to the railroads’ operating rules;
·  
changes in rail service conditions or adverse weather conditions;
·  
further consolidation of railroads;
·  
the impact of competitive pressures in the marketplace, including entry of new competitors, direct marketing efforts by the railroads or marketing efforts of asset-based carriers;
·  
changes in rail, drayage and trucking company capacity;
·  
railroads moving away from ownership of intermodal assets;
·  
equipment shortages or equipment surplus;
·  
changes in the cost of services from rail, drayage, truck or other vendors;
·  
labor unrest in the rail, drayage or trucking company communities;
·  
general economic and business conditions;
·  
fuel shortages or fluctuations in fuel prices;
·  
increases in interest rates;
·  
changes in homeland security or terrorist activity;
·  
difficulties in maintaining or enhancing our information technology systems;
·  
changes to or new governmental regulation;
·  
loss of several of our largest customers;
·  
inability to recruit and retain key personnel;
·  
changes in insurance costs and claims expense; and
·  
inability to close and successfully integrate any future business combinations

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Hub Group, Inc. (“we”, “us” or “our”) is the largest intermodal marketing company (“IMC”) in the United States and a full service transportation provider offering intermodal, truck brokerage and logistics services. We operate through a nationwide network of operating centers.

As an IMC, we arrange for the movement of our customers’ freight in containers and trailers over long distances. We contract with railroads to provide transportation for the long-haul portion of the shipment and with local trucking companies, known as “drayage companies,” for local pickup and delivery. As part of the intermodal services, we negotiate rail and drayage rates, electronically track shipments in transit, consolidate billing and handle claims for freight loss or damage on behalf of our customers.
 
9
Through our subsidiary Comtrak Logistics, Inc. (“Comtrak”), we acquired substantially all the assets of Comtrak Inc. at the close of business on February 28, 2006. Comtrak is a transportation company whose services include primarily rail and international drayage for the intermodal sector. The results of Comtrak are included in our results of operations from March 1, 2006.
 
Our drayage services are provided by our subsidiaries, Comtrak and Quality Services, LLC (“QS”) who assist us in providing reliable, cost effective intermodal services to our customers. Our subsidiaries have terminals in Atlanta, Birmingham, Charleston, Charlotte, Chattanooga, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Houston, Huntsville, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Memphis, Nashville, Perry, Savannah, St. Louis, Stockton, and Tampa. At March 31, 2007, QS and Comtrak owned 304 tractors, leased 71 tractors, leased or owned 605 trailers and employed 364 drivers and contracted with 894 owner-operators.

We also arrange for the transportation of freight by truck, providing customers with another option for their transportation needs. We match the customers’ needs with carriers’ capacity to provide the most effective service and price combinations. As part of our truck brokerage services, we negotiate rates, track shipments in transit and handle claims for freight loss or damage on behalf of our customers.

Our logistics service consists of complex transportation management services, including load consolidation, mode optimization and carrier management. These service offerings are designed to take advantage of the increasing trend for shippers to outsource all or a greater portion of their transportation needs.

We have full time marketing representatives throughout North America who service local, regional and national accounts. We believe that fostering long-term customer relationships is critical to our success and allows us to better understand our customers’ needs and specifically tailor our transportation services to them.

One of our primary goals is to grow our net income. We achieved this growth through an increase in revenue and margin from our existing transportation customers, winning new customers and the acquisition of Comtrak. Our yield management group works with sales and operations to enhance customer margins. Our top 50 customers’ revenue represents approximately 52.6% of our revenue. During 2006, we severed relationships with certain customers, due to profitability issues and credit issues which impeded our intermodal revenue growth. We have mitigated our risks in the automotive sector by significantly reducing or eliminating our relationship with two automotive parts suppliers in 2006. While we continue to do some limited business for this sector, we are carefully managing our credit exposure.

We use various performance indicators to manage our business. We closely monitor margin and gains and losses for our top 50 customers and loads with negative margins. We also evaluate on-time performance, costs per load by location and daily sales outstanding by location. Vendor cost changes and vendor service issues are also monitored closely.

Substantially all of the assets of Hub Group Distribution Services, LLC (“HGDS” or “Hub Distribution”) were sold to the President of the former subsidiary on May 1, 2006. Accordingly, the results of operations of HGDS for the current and prior periods have been reported as discontinued operations, including their revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2006 of $14.4 million.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table summarizes our revenue by business line (in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2007
 
2006
 
% Change
 
               
Revenue
                   
Intermodal
 
$
287,833
 
$
260,693
   
10.4
%
Truck brokerage
   
74,580
   
69,537
   
7.3
 
Logistics
   
30,884
   
26,534
   
16.4
 
Total revenue from continuing operations
 
$
393,297
 
$
356,764
   
10.2
%


The following table includes certain items in the consolidated statement of income as a percentage of revenue:

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2007
 
2006
 
           
Revenue
   
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
               
Transportation costs
   
85.6
   
86.7
 
               
Gross margin
   
14.4
   
13.3
 
               
Costs and expenses:
             
     Salaries and benefits
   
6.5
   
6.4
 
     General and administration
   
3.0
   
2.6
 
     Depreciation and amortization
   
0.3
   
0.5
 
Total costs and expenses
   
9.8
   
9.5
 
               
Operating income
   
4.6
   
3.8
 
               
Other expense:
             
     Interest income
   
0.2
   
0.1
 
     Total other income
   
0.2
   
0.1
 
               
Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes
   
4.8
   
3.9
 
               
Provision for income taxes
   
1.9
   
1.5
 
               
Income from continuing operations
   
2.9
%
 
2.4
%
 
11
Three Months Ended March 31, 2007 Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006

Revenue

Revenue increased 10.2% to $393.3 million in 2007 from $356.8 million in 2006. Intermodal revenue increased 10.4% to $287.8 million due primarily to a 4.3% increase in volume, a 5.0% increase related to Comtrak and 1.1% combined increase related to price, mix and fuel surcharges. Truck brokerage revenue increased 7.3% to $74.6 million due primarily to an increase in volume and revenue per load from price increases and mix. Logistics revenue increased 16.4% to $30.9 million as a result of increased business from existing customers. Hub Distribution’s revenue has been reclassified to discontinued operations due to its sale on May 1, 2006.
  
Gross Margin

Gross margin increased 19.6% to $56.7 million in 2007 from $47.4 million in 2006. This margin expansion comes primarily from Comtrak since we only owned it for one month in the first quarter of 2006 and strong results in truck brokerage. As a percent of revenue, gross margin has increased to 14.4% in 2007 from 13.3% in 2006. The increase in gross margin as a percentage of revenue is due to truck brokerage, doing more of our own drayage more efficiently and a one time profitable vendor deal.
 
Salaries and Benefits

As a percentage of revenue, salaries and benefits increased slightly to 6.5% in 2007 from 6.4% in 2006. Salaries and benefits increased to $25.6 million in 2007 from $22.9 million in 2006. The majority of the increase relates to Comtrak. Headcount as of March 31, 2007 was 1,106 which excludes drivers, as driver costs are included in transportation costs. In the first quarter of 2007, we recorded $0.4 million of severance expense.

General and Administrative

General and administrative expenses increased to $11.6 million for 2007 from $9.0 million in 2006. As a percentage of revenue, these expenses increased to 3.0% in 2007 from 2.6% in 2006. The increase relates primarily to Comtrak and to increased spending on consultants of approximately $1.0 million related to a marketing project.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization decreased to $1.2 million in 2007 from $1.9 million in 2006. This expense as a percentage of revenue decreased to 0.3% in 2007 from 0.5% in 2006. The decrease in depreciation and amortization is due primarily to lower computer software depreciation.

Other Income (Expense)

Interest income increased to $0.6 million in 2007 from $0.4 million in 2006. The increase in interest income is due to a higher average investment balance and higher interest rates in 2007.

Provision for Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes increased to $7.5 million in 2007 compared to $5.6 million in 2006. We provided for income taxes using an effective rate of 39.6% in 2007 and an effective rate of 40.0% in the first quarter of 2006. The decrease in the effective tax rate is primarily a consequence of our change in the timing of restricted stock award grants and vesting.

12
Income from Continuing Operations

Income from continuing operations increased to $11.4 million in 2007 from $8.5 million in 2006 due primarily to higher gross margin, lower depreciation and amortization expense and higher interest income.

Income from Discontinued Operations

Income from discontinued operations includes income from the operations of HGDS. This income was $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006.

Earnings Per Common Share

Basic earnings per share from continuing operations was $0.29 in 2007 and $0.21 in 2006. Basic earnings per share from discontinued operations was $0.02 in 2006. Basic earnings per share was $0.29 for 2007 and $0.23 for 2006. Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations increased to $0.29 in 2007 from $0.21 in 2006. Diluted earnings per share from discontinued operations was $0.01 in 2006. Diluted earnings per share were $0.29 for 2007 and $0.22 for 2006.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions. In certain circumstances, those estimates and assumptions can affect amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. We have made our best estimates and judgments of certain amounts included in the financial statements, giving due consideration to materiality. We do not believe there is a great likelihood that materially different amounts would be reported related to the accounting policies described below. However, application of these accounting policies involves the exercise of judgment and use of assumptions as to future uncertainties and, as a result, actual results could differ from these estimates. Note 1 of the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, includes a summary of the significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. The following is a brief discussion of the changes that occured during 2007 to the significant accounting policies and estimates disclosed in Note 1 of the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.


New Pronouncement

Effective January 1, 2007, the Company adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN48”), Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, which is an interpretation of SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. Although the implementation of FIN 48 did not impact the amount of our liability for unrecognized tax benefits, we did reclassify $4.0 million of our liability for unrecognized tax benefits from deferred tax liabilities to non-current liabilities to conform with the balance sheet presentation requirements of FIN 48. FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for income taxes by prescribing the minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, measurement, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. In addition, FIN 48 clearly scopes out income taxes from Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies.

 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

During the first quarter, we have funded operations, capital expenditures, the earn out payment and our stock buy back through cash flows from operations.
 
 
13
Cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2007, was approximately $9.4 million, which resulted primarily from income from continuing operations of $11.4 million, non-cash charges of $4.4 million partially offset by a decrease in the change in operating assets and liabilities of $6.4 million.

Net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2007, was $7.1 million and related primarily to the $5.0 million earn out payment made to the former owner of Comtrak and purchases of property and equipment. We expect capital expenditures to be approximately $10.0 to $11.0 million in 2007.

The net cash used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2007, was $11.1 million. We generated $0.2 million of cash from stock options being exercised and used $12.7 million of cash to purchase treasury stock.  We also reported $1.4 million of excess tax benefits from share-based compensation as a financing cash in-flow.

We had $47.5 million of unused and available borrowings under our bank revolving line of credit at March 31, 2007. We were in compliance with our debt covenants at March 31, 2007.
 
        We have standby letters of credit that expire from 2007 to 2012. As of March 31, 2007, the outstanding letters of credit were $2.5 million.

The $5.0 million related party payable was paid out during the first quarter of 2007. This amount relates to the 2006 earn out payment due to the former owner of Comtrak. A similar amount will be paid in 2008 if the 2007 earn out is achieved.

We spent approximately $12.5 million on stock repurchases in 2007. We have authorization to spend an additional $62.5 million to purchase common stock through June of 2008. We may make additional purchases from time to time as market conditions warrant.

Contractual Obligations

Our contractual cash obligations as of March 31, 2007 are minimum rental commitments. Minimum annual rental commitments, at March 31, 2007, under non-cancelable operating leases, principally for real estate, containers and equipment are payable as follows (in thousands):

       
2007
 
$
16,203
 
2008
   
16,636
 
2009
   
13,437
 
2010
   
11,317
 
2011
   
10,529
 
2012 and thereafter
   
12,923
 
   
$
81,045
 

In March 2007, we entered into an equipment purchase contract with Singamas Management Services, Ltd. and Singamas North America, Inc. We agreed to purchase 2,000 fifty-three foot dry freight steel domestic containers for approximately $19.4 million. We expect delivery of 500 units per month during the period May through August 2007. We plan to finance these containers with operating leases. These commitments are not included in the table above since the arrangements have not yet been finalized.
 

 
14
Deferred Compensation

Under our Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Plan”), participants can elect to defer certain compensation. Payments under the Plan are due as follows as of March 31, 2007 (in thousands):

2007
 
$
-
 
2008
   
2,012
 
2009
   
956
 
2010
   
1,488
 
2011
   
585
 
2012 and thereafter
   
3,961
 
   
$
9,002
 
 
 
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates on our bank line of credit which may adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.



CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

As of March 31, 2007, an evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2007. There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with such evaluation that occurred during the last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
15
 

PART II. Other Information

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

On October 26, 2006, our Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to $75.0 million of our Class A Common Stock. This authorization expires June 30, 2008. We intend to hold the repurchased shares in treasury for future use. During the first quarter we made purchases of 408,205 shares at a value of $12.5 million. We may make additional purchases from time to time as market conditions warrant.

The following table displays the number of shares purchased and the maximum value of shares that may yet be purchased under the plan:

   
Total Number of Shares Purchased
 
Average Price Paid Per Share
 
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plan
 
Maximum Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plan (in 000’s)
 
January 1 to
January 31
   
--
   
--
   
--
 
$
75,000
 
February 1 to
February 28
   
--
   
--
   
--
   
75,000
 
March 1 to
March 31
   
408,205
 
$
30.62
   
408,205
   
62,500
 
Total
   
408,205
 
$
30.62
   
408,205
 
$
62,500
 

Item 6. Exhibits

The exhibits included as part of the Form 10-Q are set forth in the Exhibit Index immediately preceding such Exhibits and are incorporated herein by reference. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
16


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                            HUB GROUP, INC.


DATE: April 23, 2007   
 
   /s/ Terri A. Pizzuto
   Terri A. Pizzuto
   Executive Vice President-Chief Financial
   Officer and Treasurer
   (Principal Financial Officer)








EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No. Description


10.1              
Equipment Purchase Contract, dated as of March 8, 2007, by and between Hub City Terminals, Inc., Singamas Management Services, Ltd. and Singamas North America, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s report on Form 8-K filed March 12, 2007, File No. 000-27754)

31.1             
Certification of David P. Yeager, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

31.2             
Certification of Terri A. Pizzuto, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

32.1             
Certification of David P. Yeager and Terri A. Pizzuto, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, respectively, Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.