Hub Group, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2021 March (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2021 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, 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.)

2000 Clearwater Drive

Oak Brook, Illinois 60523

(Address, including zip code, of principal executive offices)

(630) 271-3600

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Title of each class

Trading

Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

HUBG

NASDAQ

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 ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.


Large Accelerated Filer	☒		Accelerated Filer	☐	Non-Accelerated Filer	☐	Smaller Reporting Company	☐
Emerging Growth Company		☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

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

On April 30, 2021, the registrant had 33,764,632 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: Item1. Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheets – March 31, 2021 (unaudited) and December 31, 2020	3
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income – Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020	4
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity – Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020	5
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020	6
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements	7
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	13
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	17
Item 4. Controls and Procedures	17
PART II. Other Information	19
Item 1. Legal Proceedings	19
Item 1A. Risk Factors	19
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	19
Item 6. Exhibits	20

HUB GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share amounts)


	March 31,			December 31,
	2021			2020
ASSETS	(unaudited)
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	226,264		$	124,506
Accounts receivable trade, net		507,377			518,975
Other receivables		3,364			1,265
Prepaid taxes		985			1,336
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		17,898			26,753
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS		755,888			672,835

Restricted investments		21,735			23,353
Property and equipment, net		641,858			671,101
Right-of-use assets - operating leases		42,859			43,573
Right-of-use assets - financing leases		2,973			3,557
Other intangibles, net		150,857			163,953
Goodwill, net		520,592			508,555
Other assets		18,005			18,469
TOTAL ASSETS	$	2,154,767		$	2,105,396

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable trade	$	317,798		$	285,320
Accounts payable other		17,019			12,680
Accrued payroll		33,395			23,044
Accrued other		111,942			102,613
Lease liability - operating leases		10,233			10,093
Lease liability - financing leases		1,023			1,793
Current portion of long term debt		89,531			93,562
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES		580,941			529,105

Long term debt		154,341			176,797
Non-current liabilities		41,085			42,910
Lease liability - operating leases		35,037			36,328
Lease liability - financing leases		6			8
Deferred taxes		166,856			162,325

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock: $.01 par value; 2,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding in 2021 and 2020	-			-
Common stock
Class A: $.01 par value; 97,337,700 shares authorized and 41,224,792 shares issued in 2021 and 2020; 33,755,036 shares outstanding in 2021 and 33,549,708 shares outstanding in 2020		412			412
Class B: $.01 par value; 662,300 shares authorized; 662,296 shares issued and outstanding in 2021 and 2020		7			7
Additional paid-in capital		182,005			186,058
Purchase price in excess of predecessor basis, net of tax benefit of $10,306		(15,458	)		(15,458	)
Retained earnings		1,270,390			1,253,160
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(201	)		(191	)
Treasury stock; at cost, 7,469,756 shares in 2021 and 7,675,084 shares in 2020		(260,654	)		(266,065	)
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY		1,176,501			1,157,923
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	$	2,154,767		$	2,105,396

See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

HUB GROUP, INC.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands, except per share amounts)


	Three Months
	Ended March 31,
	2021			2020

Revenue	$	919,553		$	838,859
Transportation costs		810,806			734,265
Gross margin		108,747			104,594

Costs and expenses:
Salaries and benefits		56,951			50,876
General and administrative		19,243			26,336
Depreciation and amortization		8,502			7,623
Total costs and expenses		84,696			84,835

Operating income		24,051			19,759

Other income (expense):
Interest expense		(1,905	)		(2,455	)
Interest and dividend income		1			403
Other expense, net		(93	)		(222	)
Total other expense		(1,997	)		(2,274	)

Income before provision for income taxes		22,054			17,485

Provision for income taxes		4,824			4,249

Net income		17,230			13,236

Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(10	)		(134	)

Total comprehensive income	$	17,220		$	13,102

Basic earnings per common share	$	0.52		$	0.40

Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.51		$	0.40

Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding		33,419			33,159
Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding		33,775			33,488

See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

HUB GROUP, INC.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in thousands, except per share amounts)


								Purchase Price
	Class A & B							of Excess of					Accumulated
	Common Stock				Additional			Predecessor					Other			Treasury
	Shares				Paid-in			Basis, Net			Retained		Comprehensive			Stock
	Issued		Amount		Capital			of Tax			Earnings		Income			Shares			Amount			Total
Balance December 31, 2019		41,887,088	$	419	$	179,637		$	(15,458	)	$	1,179,601	$	(186	)		(7,870,888	)	$	(268,734	)	$	1,075,279
Stock withheld for payments of withholding taxes		-		-		-			-			-		-			(71,717	)		(3,769	)		(3,769	)
Issuance of restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures		-		-		(8,364	)		-			-		-			262,100			8,364			-
Share-based compensation expense		-		-		4,097			-			-		-			-			-			4,097
Net income		-		-		-			-			13,236		-			-			-			13,236
Foreign currency translation adjustment		-		-		-			-			-		(134	)		-			-			(134	)
Balance March 31, 2020		41,887,088	$	419	$	175,370		$	(15,458	)	$	1,192,837	$	(320	)		(7,680,505	)	$	(264,139	)	$	1,088,709


Balance December 31, 2020		41,887,088	$	419	$	186,058		$	(15,458	)	$	1,253,160	$	(191	)		(7,675,084	)	$	(266,065	)	$	1,157,923
Stock withheld for payments of withholding taxes		-		-		-			-			-		-			(65,979	)		(3,759	)		(3,759	)
Issuance of restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures		-		-		(9,170	)		-			-		-			271,307			9,170			-
Share-based compensation expense		-		-		5,117			-			-		-			-			-			5,117
Net income		-		-		-			-			17,230		-			-			-			17,230
Foreign currency translation adjustment		-		-		-			-			-		(10	)		-			-			(10	)
Balance March 31, 2021		41,887,088	$	419	$	182,005		$	(15,458	)	$	1,270,390	$	(201	)		(7,469,756	)	$	(260,654	)	$	1,176,501

See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

HUB GROUP, INC.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2021			2020
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net Income	$	17,230		$	13,236
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		32,111			30,576
Deferred taxes		4,325			696
Compensation expense related to share-based compensation plans		5,117			4,097
(Gain) loss on sale of assets		(1,924	)		121
Other operating activities		-			240
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisition:
Restricted investments		1,618			4,409
Accounts receivable, net		8,389			(9,480	)
Prepaid taxes		350			(50	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		8,825			9,054
Other assets		(189	)		(477	)
Accounts payable		36,820			19,657
Accrued expenses		18,695			(28,551	)
Non-current liabilities		(3,994	)		(2,875	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		127,373			40,653

Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of equipment		14,933			497
Purchases of property and equipment		(9,522	)		(25,467	)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		5,411			(24,970	)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt		(33,381	)		(24,373	)
Stock withheld for payments of withholding taxes		(3,759	)		(3,769	)
Finance lease payments		(772	)		(747	)
Proceeds from issuance of debt		6,894			121,444
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities		(31,018	)		92,555


Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(8	)		(87	)

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents		101,758			108,151
Cash and cash equivalents beginning of the period		124,506			168,729
Cash and cash equivalents end of the period	$	226,264		$	276,880

Supplemental disclosures of cash paid for:
Interest	$	2,005		$	2,563
Income taxes	$	317		$	355

See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

HUB GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1. Interim Financial Statements

Our accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Hub Group, Inc. (the “Company,” “Hub,” “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 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 as of March 31, 2021 and results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.

These unaudited 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, 2020. Results of operations in interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for a full year due partially to seasonality. Certain prior year immaterial amounts have been reclassified in Note 4, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, to conform with the current year presentation.

NOTE 2. Acquisition

On December 9, 2020, we acquired 100% of the equity interest of NonstopDelivery, LLC ("NSD"). Total consideration for the transaction was $104.6 million which consisted of cash paid of $89.7 million, the settlement of Hub’s accounts receivable due from NSD of $14.8 million and the true-up of certain post-closing activities of $0.1 million.

The acquisition of NSD expanded our logistics service offering to include residential last mile logistics. NSD operates through a non-asset business model, working with a network of over 170 carriers throughout the country. The financial results of NSD since the acquisition date are included in our logistics line of business.

The initial accounting for the acquisition of NSD is incomplete as we, with the support of our valuation specialist, are in the process of finalizing the fair market value calculations of the acquired net assets. In addition, the Company is in the process of reviewing the applicable future cash flows used in determining the purchase accounting. Finally, certain post-closing activities outlined in the acquisition agreement remain incomplete. As a result, the amounts recorded in the consolidated financial statements related to the NSD acquisition are preliminary and the measurement period remains open. The following table summarizes the preliminary allocation of the total consideration to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of the acquisition (in thousands):


	December 9, 2020
Cash and cash equivalents	$	4,829
Accounts receivable trade		26,250
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		207
Property and equipment		1,018
Right of use assets - operating leases		1,295
Goodwill, net		36,388
Other intangibles		47,700
Other assets		42
Total assets acquired	$	117,729

Accounts payable trade	$	9,972
Accrued payroll		1,324
Accrued other		578
Lease liability - operating leases short-term		373
Lease liability - operating leases long-term		922
Total liabilities assumed	$	13,169

Total consideration	$	104,560

Cash paid, net	$	84,845

The NSD acquisition was accounted for as a purchase business combination in accordance with ASC 805 “Business Combinations.” Assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at their estimated fair values as of December 9, 2020 with the remaining unallocated purchase price recorded as goodwill. The goodwill recognized in the NSD acquisition was primarily attributable to potential expansion and future development of the acquired business.

The following table presents the carrying amount of goodwill (in thousands):


	Total
Balance at January 1, 2021	$	508,555
Acquisition		12,073
Other		(36	)
Balance at March 31, 2021	$	520,592

The changes noted as "acquisition" in the above table refer to purchase accounting adjustments related to the NSD acquisition.

The changes noted as "other" in the above table refer to the amortization of the income tax benefit of tax goodwill in excess of financial statement goodwill.

Tax history and attributes are not inherited in an equity purchase of this kind; however, the goodwill and other intangibles recognized in this purchase will be fully tax deductible over a period of 15 years.

The components of “Other intangibles” listed in the above table as of the acquisition date are preliminarily estimated as follows (in thousands):


			Accumulated		Balance at		Estimated Useful
	Amount		Amortization		March 31, 2021		Life
Customer relationships	$	46,200	$	1,027	$	45,173	15 years
Agent relationships	$	600	$	50	$	550	4 years
Trade name	$	900	$	200	$	700	18 months

The above intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method. Amortization expense related to this acquisition for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $0.8 million. The intangible assets have a weighted average useful life of approximately 14.33 years. Amortization expense related to NSD for the next five years is as follows (in thousands):


	Total
Remainder of 2021	$	2,873
2022		3,480
2023		3,230
2024		3,218
2025		3,080

The following unaudited pro forma consolidated results of operations present the effects of NSD as though it had been acquired as of January 1, 2020 (in thousands, except for per share amounts):


	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2020
Revenue	$	854,960
Net income	$	13,789
Earnings per share
Basic	$	0.42
Diluted	$	0.41

The unaudited pro forma consolidated results for the periods shown were prepared using the acquisition method of accounting and are based on the historical financial information of Hub and NSD. The historical financial information has been adjusted to give effect to the pro forma adjustments that are: (i) directly attributable to the acquisition, (ii) factually supportable and (iii) expected to have a continuing impact on the combined results. The unaudited pro forma consolidated results are not necessarily indicative of what our consolidated results of operations actually would have been had we completed the acquisition on January 1, 2020.

NOTE 3. Earnings Per Share

The following is a reconciliation of our earnings per share (in thousands, except for per share data):


	Three Months Ended, March 31,
	2021		2020

Net income for basic and diluted earnings per share	$	17,230	$	13,236

Weighted average shares outstanding - basic		33,419		33,159

Dilutive effect of restricted stock		356		329

Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted		33,775		33,488

Earnings per share - basic	$	0.52	$	0.40

Earnings per share - diluted	$	0.51	$	0.40

NOTE 4. Revenue from Contracts with Customers

Hub offers comprehensive multimodal solutions including intermodal, logistics, truck brokerage, and dedicated services. Hub has full time employees located throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Intermodal. As an intermodal provider, we arrange for the movement of our customers’ freight in containers, typically over long distances of 750 miles or more. We contract with railroads to provide transportation for the long-haul portion of the shipment between rail terminals. Local pickup and delivery services between origin or destination and rail terminals (referred to as “drayage”) are provided by our subsidiary Hub Group Trucking, Inc. (“HGT”) and third-party local trucking companies.

Logistics. Hub’s logistics operation offers a wide range of transportation management services and technology solutions including shipment optimization, load consolidation, mode selection, carrier management, load planning and execution and web-based shipment visibility. Our multi-modal transportation capabilities include small parcel, heavyweight, expedited, less-than-truckload, truckload, intermodal, last mile delivery, railcar and international shipping. We leverage proprietary technology along with collaborative relationships with retailers and logistics providers to deliver cost savings and performance-enhancing supply chain services to consumer-packaged goods clients. We contract with third-party warehouse providers in seven markets across North America to which our customers ship their goods to be stored and eventually consolidated, along with goods from other customers into full truckload shipments destined to major North American retailers. These services offer our customers shipment visibility, transportation cost savings, high service levels and compliance with retailers’ increasingly stringent supply chain requirements.

On December 9, 2020, we acquired NSD. NSD provides basic, residential last mile delivery services through a non-asset business model, working with a network of over 170 carriers throughout the country. The financial results of NSD since the acquisition are included in our logistics line of business.

Truck Brokerage. We operate one of the largest truck brokerage operations, providing customers with an over the road service option for their transportation needs. Our brokerage service does not operate any trucks; instead we match customers’ needs with carriers’ capacity to provide the most effective service and price combination. We have contracts with a substantial base of carriers allowing us to meet the varied needs of our customers.

Dedicated. Our dedicated operation contracts with customers who seek to outsource a portion of their trucking transportation needs. We offer a dedicated fleet of equipment and drivers to each customer, as well as the management and infrastructure to operate according to the customer’s high service expectations. Contracts with customers generally include fixed and variable pricing arrangements and may include charges for early termination which serves to reduce the financial risk we bear with respect to the utilization of our equipment.

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


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2021		2020
Intermodal	$	506,004	$	478,034
Logistics		217,035		200,202
Truck brokerage		127,262		98,017
Dedicated		69,252		62,606
Total revenue	$	919,553	$	838,859

NOTE 5. Fair Value Measurement

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and borrowings under our revolving line of credit approximated fair value as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the fair value of the Company’s fixed-rate borrowings was $4.1 million and $6.1 million more than the historical carrying value of $243.9 million and $270.4 million, respectively. The fair value of the fixed-rate borrowings was estimated using an income approach based on current interest rates available to the Company for borrowings on similar terms and maturities.

We consider as cash equivalents all highly liquid instruments with an original maturity of three months or less. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, our cash and temporary investments were with high quality financial institutions in demand deposit accounts (DDAs), savings accounts and an interest bearing checking account.

Restricted investments included $21.7 million and $23.4 million as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, of mutual funds which are reported at fair value. These investments relate to our nonqualified deferred compensation plan.

Our assets and liabilities measured at fair value are based on valuation techniques which consider prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets and liabilities. These valuation methods are based on either quoted market prices (Level 1) or inputs, other than quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly (Level 2), or unobservable inputs (Level 3). Cash and cash equivalents, mutual funds, accounts receivable and accounts payable are defined as “Level 1,” while long-term debt is defined as “Level 2” of the fair value hierarchy in the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic of the Codification.

NOTE 6. Long-Term Debt and Financing Arrangements

On July 1, 2017, we entered into a $350 million unsecured credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) that matures on July 1, 2022. At March 31, 2021, we had standby letters of credit that expire at various dates in 2021. As of March 31, 2021, our letters of credit were $37.4 million.

Our unused and available borrowings were $312.6 million as of March 31, 2021 and $312.3 million as of December 31, 2020. We were in compliance with our debt covenants as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

We have entered into various Equipment Notes (“Notes”) for the purchase of tractors, trailers and containers. The Notes are secured by the underlying equipment financed with the proceeds from the Notes.


	March 31,			December 31,
	2021			2020
	(in thousands)

Interim funding for equipment received and expected to be converted to an equipment note in subsequent period; interest paid at a variable rate	$	2,265		$	8,902

Secured Equipment Notes due on various dates in 2026 commencing on various dates in 2021; interest is paid monthly at a fixed annual rate of 1.72%		13,529			-

Secured Equipment Notes due on various dates in 2025 commencing on various dates in 2020; interest is paid monthly at a fixed annual rate between 1.51% and 1.80%		70,749			74,494

Secured Equipment Notes due on various dates in 2024 commencing on various dates in 2017, 2019 and 2020; interest is paid monthly at a fixed annual rate between 2.50% and 3.59%		46,042			49,920

Secured Equipment Notes due on various dates in 2023 commencing on various dates in 2016 through 2019; interest is paid monthly at a fixed annual rate of between 2.20% and 4.20%		93,331			112,668

Secured Equipment Notes due on various dates in 2022 commencing on various dates in 2015 through 2017; interest is paid monthly at a fixed annual rate between 2.20% and 2.90%		7,840			8,943

Secured Equipment Notes due on various dates in 2021 commencing on various dates in 2014 through 2017; interest is paid monthly at a fixed annual rate between 2.02% and 2.96%		10,116			15,432

		243,872			270,359

Less current portion		(89,531	)		(93,562	)
Total long-term debt	$	154,341		$	176,797

NOTE 7. Legal Matters

Robles

On January 25, 2013, a complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California (Sacramento Division) by Salvador Robles against our subsidiary HGT. The action was brought on behalf of a class comprised of present and former California-based truck drivers for HGT who, from January 2009 to September 2014 were classified as independent contractors. It alleged that HGT misclassified these drivers as independent contractors and that such drivers were employees. It asserted various violations of the California Labor Code and claimed that HGT engaged in unfair competition practices. The complaint sought, among other things, declaratory and injunctive relief, monetary damages and attorney’s fees. In May 2013, the complaint was amended to add similar claims based on Mr. Robles’ status as an employed company driver. These additional claims were only on behalf of Mr. Robles and not a putative class.

Although the Company believes that the California drivers were properly classified as independent contractors at all times because litigation is expensive, time-consuming and could interrupt our business operations, HGT made settlement offers to individual drivers with respect to the claims alleged in this lawsuit, without admitting liability. In late 2014, HGT converted its model from independent contractors to employee drivers in California. In early 2016, HGT closed its operations in Southern California.

Adame

On August 5, 2015, a suit was filed in state court in San Bernardino County, California on behalf of 63 named plaintiffs against HGT and five Company employees. The lawsuit alleges claims similar to those being made in the Robles case and seeks monetary penalties under the Private Attorneys General Act.

In September 2019, the Plaintiffs’ counsel and Hub agreed in principle to settle all claims under both the Robles and Adame matters for $4.8 million, which was recorded in the third quarter of 2019 and is included in Accrued other on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet. The settlements are subject to final court approval.

We are involved in certain other claims and pending litigation arising from the normal conduct of business, including putative class-action lawsuits in which the plaintiffs are current and former California-based drivers who allege claims for unpaid wages, failure to provide meal and rest periods, failure to reimburse incurred business expenses and other items. Based on management's present knowledge, management does not believe that loss contingencies arising from these pending matters are likely to have a material adverse

effect on the Company's overall financial position, operating results, or cash flows after taking into account any existing accruals. However, actual outcomes could be material to the Company's financial position, operating results, or cash flows for any particular period.

NOTE 8. New Pronouncements

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. This ASU clarifies and simplifies accounting for income taxes by eliminating certain exceptions for intraperiod tax allocation principles, the methodology for calculating income tax rates in an interim period, and recognition of deferred taxes for outside basis differences in an investment, among other updates. We adopted this standard on January 1, 2021, as required, but it did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Forward-Looking Information

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,” “predicts,” “projects,” “potential,” “may,” “could,” “might,” “should,” and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurance of future performance. Instead, they are based on our beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Such factors include, but are not limited to, uncertainties caused by adverse economic conditions, including, without limitation, as a result of extraordinary events or circumstances such as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and their impact on our customers’ businesses and workforce levels, disruptions of our business and operations, or the operations of our customers.

Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements made by us in this report are based upon information available to us on the date of this report and speak only as of the date in which they are made. Except as required by law, we expressly disclaim any obligations to publicly update any forward-looking statements whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements, in addition to those identified in “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 (the “2020 10-K”), include the following, either in their own right or as they may be affected, either individually, or in the aggregate, by the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 outbreak:



the degree and rate of market growth in the domestic intermodal, truck brokerage, dedicated and logistics markets served by us;



deterioration in our relationships, service conditions or provision of equipment with existing railroads or adverse changes to the railroads’ operating rules;

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inability to recruit and retain company drivers and owner-operators;

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inability to hire or retain management and other key personnel that are critical to our continued success;

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the impact of competitive pressures in the marketplace, including entry of new competitors including digital freight matching companies, direct marketing efforts by the railroads or marketing efforts of asset-based carriers;

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unanticipated changes in rail, drayage, warehousing and trucking company capacity or costs of services;

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increases in costs related to any reclassification or change in our treatment of drivers, owner-operators or other workers due to regulatory, judicial and legal decisions, including workers directly contracted with the Company and those contracted to the Company’s vendors;



joint employer claims alleging that the Company is a co-employer of any workers providing services to a Company contractor;



labor unrest in the rail, drayage and warehouse or trucking company communities;



significant deterioration in our customers’ financial condition, particularly in the retail, consumer products and durable goods sectors;



inability to identify, close and successfully integrate any future business combinations;



fuel shortages or fluctuations in fuel prices;

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increases in interest rates;



acts of terrorism and military action and the resulting effects on security;



difficulties in maintaining or enhancing our information technology systems, implementing new systems or protecting against cyber-attacks;

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increases in costs associated with changes to or new governmental regulations;

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significant increases to employee health insurance costs;



loss of several of our largest customers;



awards received during annual customer bids not materializing;



changes in insurance costs and claims expense;



union organizing efforts and changes to current laws which will aid in these efforts;



further consolidation of railroads;



the effects or perceived effects of epidemics, pandemics or other health concerns;



imposition of new tariffs or trade barriers or withdrawal from or renegotiation of existing free trade agreements which could reduce international trade and economic activity;



losses sustained on insured matters where the liability materially exceeds available insurance proceeds; and



disruptions due to adverse weather conditions.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Hub Group, Inc. (the “Company”, “Hub”, “we”, “us” or “our”) is a leading supply chain solutions provider that offers comprehensive transportation and logistics management services focused on reliability, visibility and value for our customers. Our mission is to continuously elevate each customer’s business to drive long term success. Our vision is to build the industry’s premier supply chain solutions. Our service offerings include comprehensive intermodal, truck brokerage, dedicated trucking, managed transportation, freight consolidation, warehousing, last mile delivery, international transportation and other logistics services.

As an intermodal provider, we arrange for the movement of our customers’ freight in containers, typically over long distances of 750 miles or more. We contract with railroads to provide transportation for the long-haul portion of the shipment between rail terminals. Local pickup and delivery services between origin or destination and rail terminals (referred to as “drayage”) are provided by our Hub Group Trucking ("HGT") subsidiary and third-party local trucking companies.

For the three months ended March 31, 2021, HGT accounted for approximately 53% of Hub’s drayage needs by assisting us in providing reliable, cost effective intermodal services to our customers. As of March 31, 2021, HGT leased or owned approximately 1,500 tractors and 200 trailers, employed approximately 1,500 drivers and contracted with approximately 900 owner-operators.

Our logistics business offers a wide range of transportation management services and technology solutions including shipment optimization, load consolidation, mode selection, carrier management, load planning and execution and web-based shipment visibility. Our multi-modal transportation capabilities include small parcel, heavyweight, expedited, less-than-truckload, truckload, intermodal, last mile, railcar and international shipping. We leverage proprietary technology along with collaborative relationships with retailers and logistics providers to deliver cost savings and performance-enhancing supply chain services to consumer goods clients. We contract with third-party warehouse providers in seven markets across North America to which our customers ship their goods to be stored and eventually consolidated, along with goods from other customers, into full truckload shipments destined to major North American retailers. These services offer our customers shipment visibility, transportation cost savings, high service and compliance with retailers’ increasingly stringent supply chain requirements.

In December 2020, we expanded our logistics services through the acquisition of NSD. NSD provides basic, threshold and white glove residential last mile delivery services including warehousing and distribution, product assembly and reverse logistics to many of the largest retailers in the United States. NSD operates a non-asset business model, working with a network of over 170 carriers through the country. NSD provides high levels of service to customers and end consumers through a centralized call center and dedicated account management teams. NSD’s logistics technology provides customers with real-time visibility to shipments, access to analytical tools and seamless integration with other platforms.

We operate one of the largest truck brokerage operations in the United States, providing customers with an over the road service option for their transportation needs. Our brokerage does not operate any trucks; instead we match customers’ needs with trucking carriers’ capacity to provide the most effective service and price combination. We have contracts with a substantial base of carriers allowing us to meet the varied needs of our customers.

Our dedicated service line contracts with customers who seek to outsource a portion of their trucking transportation needs. We offer a dedicated fleet of equipment and drivers to each customer, as well as the management and infrastructure to operate according to the customer’s high service expectations. Contracts with customers generally include fixed and variable pricing arrangements and may include charges for early termination which serves to reduce the financial risk we bear with respect to the utilization of our equipment. Our dedicated operation currently operates a fleet of approximately 1,100 tractors and 4,600 trailers at 60 locations throughout the U.S. As of March 31, 2021, our dedicated operation employed approximately 1,300 drivers.

We employ sales and 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.

Our multimodal solutions group works with pricing, account management and operations to enhance our profit margins across all lines of business. We are working on margin enhancement projects including pricing optimization, matching of inbound and outbound loads, reducing empty miles, improving the retention of our drivers, improving our recovery of accessorial costs, optimizing our drayage costs, enhancing our procurement strategy, reducing repositioning costs, providing holistic solutions and reviewing and improving low profit freight.

Hub’s top 50 customers represent approximately 71% of revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2021. We use various performance indicators to manage our business. We closely monitor margin and gains and losses for our top 50 customers. We also evaluate on-time performance, customer service, cost per load and daily sales outstanding by customer account. Vendor cost changes and vendor service issues are also monitored closely.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020

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


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2021		2020
Intermodal	$	506,004	$	478,034
Logistics		217,035		200,202
Truck brokerage		127,262		98,017
Dedicated		69,252		62,606
Total revenue	$	919,553	$	838,859

The following is a summary of operating results and certain items in the consolidated statements of income as a percentage of revenue:


	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021			2020
Revenue	$	919,553	100.0%	$	838,859	100.0%
Transportation costs		810,806	88.2%		734,265	87.5%
Gross margin		108,747	11.8%		104,594	12.5%

Costs and expenses:
Salaries and benefits		56,951	6.2%		50,876	6.1%
General and administrative		19,243	2.1%		26,336	3.1%
Depreciation and amortization		8,502	0.9%		7,623	0.9%
Total costs and expenses		84,696	9.2%		84,835	10.1%

Operating income	$	24,051	2.6%	$	19,759	2.4%

Revenue

Revenue increased 9.6% to $919.6 million in 2021 from $838.9 million in 2020. Intermodal revenue increased 6% to $506 million primarily due to a 2% increase in volume as well as higher pricing. Logistics revenue increased 8% to $217 million primarily due to growth of our retail supplier solutions services and the contribution of NSD, partially offset by the impact of lost customers. Truck brokerage revenue increased 30% to $127 million due to a 36% increase in revenue per load (price, fuel, and mix), partially offset by a 6% decrease in volume. Dedicated revenue increased 11% to $69 million primarily due to growth with new and existing accounts, partially offset by business we exited.

Transportation Costs

Transportation costs increased 10.4% to $810.8 million in 2021 from $734.3 million in 2020. Transportation costs in 2021 consisted of purchased transportation costs of $647.5 million and equipment and driver related costs of $163.3 million. In 2020, purchased transportation costs were $568.7 million and equipment and driver related costs were $165.5 million. The 13.8% increase in purchased transportation costs was primarily due to increased usage, capacity constraints in the market which resulted in higher costs and an increase in intermodal volume, partially offset by a decrease in truck brokerage volume. Equipment and driver related costs

decreased 1.3% in 2021 primarily due to lower driver costs and decreased equipment depreciation expense, partially offset by an increase in repairs and maintenance expense.

Gross Margin

Gross margin increased 4.0% to $108.7 million in 2021 from $104.6 million in 2020. As a percentage of revenue, gross margin decreased to 11.8% in 2021 from 12.5% in 2020. The $4.2 million gross margin increase was the result of increases in Logistics, Truck Brokerage, and Dedicated, partially offset by a decrease in Intermodal. Intermodal gross margin decreased primarily due to increased purchased transportation costs, the impact of winter storms and higher equipment repositioning costs, partially offset by a 2.1% increase in volume and improved pricing to customers. Intermodal gross margin as a percentage of revenue decreased 190 basis points. Logistics gross margin increased primarily due to actions we have taken to improve profitability, higher revenue, and the contribution of NSD, partially offset by higher warehousing costs. Logistics gross margin as a percentage of revenue increased 180 basis points. Truck brokerage gross margin increased primarily due to revenue per load growth in both contractual and transactional freight, partially offset by the impact of higher purchased transportation costs. Truck brokerage gross margin as a percentage of revenue decreased 110 basis points. Dedicated gross margin increased primarily due to our profit improvement actions and growth in revenue, partially offset by higher driver costs. Dedicated gross margin as a percentage of revenue decreased 90 basis points.

CONSOLIDATED OPERATING EXPENSES

Salaries and Benefits

Salaries and benefits increased to $57.0 million in 2021 from $50.9 million in 2020. As a percentage of revenue, salaries and benefits increased to 6.2% in 2021 from 6.1% in 2020.

The salaries and benefits increase of $6.1 million is primarily due to the addition of NSD, as well as increases in incentive compensation of $6.7 million, restricted stock and payroll tax expense of $0.6 million each, and $0.3 million of commission expense. These increases were partially offset by a reduction in severance expense.

Headcount as of March 31, 2021 and 2020 was 1,958 and 1,971, respectively, which excludes drivers, as driver costs are included in transportation costs. The decrease in headcount is primarily due to technology driven efficiencies and improved processes, partially offset by the addition of NSD employees.

General and Administrative

General and administrative expenses decreased to $19.2 million in 2021 from $26.3 million in 2020. These expenses, as a percentage of revenue, decreased to 2.1% in 2021 from 3.1% in 2020. The decrease of $7.1 million in general and administrative was primarily due to a $3.4 million decrease in professional services primarily related to decreased legal expenses and completion of consulting projects, a $2.0 million net increase in gain on sale of property and equipment, and a $1.1 million decrease in travel, meals and entertainment, partially offset by additional costs from NSD.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization increased to $8.5 million in 2021 from $7.6 million 2020. This expense as a percentage of revenue was consistent from 2020 to 2021 at 0.9% of revenue. This increase was related primarily to the amortization of the NSD other intangibles.

Other Income (Expense)

Other expense decreased to $2.0 million in 2021 from $2.3 million in 2020 due to lower interest expense on debt related to equipment purchases.

Provision for Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes increased to $4.8 million in 2021 from $4.2 million in 2020. We provided for income taxes using an effective rate of 21.9% in 2021 and an effective rate of 24.3% in 2020. The 2021 effective tax rate was lower primarily due to the expiration of a statute of limitations causing the reversal of unrecognized tax benefits in the first quarter of 2021.

Net Income

Net income increased to $17.2 million in 2021 from $13.2 million in 2020 due primarily to increased gross margin, lower costs and expenses and a lower provision for income taxes.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

During the first three months of 2021, we funded operations, capital expenditures, finance leases, repayments of debt and the purchase of our stock related to employee withholding upon vesting of restricted stock through cash flows from operations, proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt and cash on hand. We believe that our cash, cash flows from operations and borrowings available under our credit agreement will be sufficient to meet our cash needs for at least the next twelve months.

Cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $127.4 million, which resulted primarily from changes in operating assets and liabilities of $70.5 million, non-cash charges of $39.7 million and net income of $17.2 million.

Cash provided by operating activities increased $86.7 million in 2021 versus 2020. The increase was due to a positive change of $78.8 million in operating assets and liabilities, a $4.0 million increase in net income and a $3.9 million increase in non-cash items.

The increase in the change of operating assets and liabilities of $78.8 million was caused by increases in the change of accrued expenses of $47.2 million, accounts receivable of $17.9 million, accounts payable of $17.1 million, prepaid taxes of $0.4 million and other assets of $0.3 million, partially offset by decreases in restricted investments of $2.8 million, non-current liabilities of $1.1 million and prepaid expenses of $0.2 million. The positive change in non-cash items of $3.9 million was due to increases in deferred taxes of $3.6 million, depreciation and amortization of $1.5 million and compensation expense related to stock-based compensation plans of $1.0 million. These increases were partially offset by gains on the sale of fixed assets of $2.0 million in 2021 and a decrease in other operating activities of $0.2 million.

Net cash provided by investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $5.4 million. Proceeds from the sale of equipment were $14.9 million. Capital expenditures of $9.5 million related primarily to technology investments of $4.6 million, tractors of $2.6 million, trailers of $2.1 million and the remainder for leasehold improvements.

Net cash used in investing activities for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 was $25.0 million. The change from net cash used in investing activities in 2020 to net cash provided by investing activities in 2021 of $30.4 million was due primarily to a decrease in capital expenditures of $16.0 million related primarily to fewer purchases in 2021 of containers, trailers, technology development and construction of a new building on our corporate headquarters campus and the increase in proceeds from the sale of equipment of $14.4 million in 2021.

We estimate capital expenditures for the remainder of 2021 will range from $155 million to $165 million and will primarily consist of purchases for tractors, trailers and containers to support growth in our business, as well as technology investments. We plan to fund these expenditures with a combination of cash and debt.

The net cash used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2021 of $31.0 million resulted from the repayment of long-term debt of $33.4 million, stock withheld for payments of withholding taxes of $3.7 million and finance lease payments of $0.8 million, partially offset by proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt of $6.9 million.

Net cash provided by financing activities for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 was $92.6 million. The change from net cash provided by financing activities in 2020 to net cash used in financing activities in 2021 of $123.6 million was primarily due to a decrease of proceeds from the issuance of debt of $114.6 million, including the $100.0 million borrowed under our revolving line of credit in the first quarter of 2020, and an increase in the repayment of long-term debt of $9.0 million.

As a result of anticipated favorable timing differences, primarily related to depreciation, we expect our cash paid for income taxes in 2021 to be less than our income tax expense.

We have standby letters of credit that expire in 2021. As of March 31, 2021, our letters of credit were $37.4 million.

We are continually evaluating the possible effects of current economic conditions and reasonable and supportable economic forecasts in operational cash flows, including the risks of declines in the overall freight market and our customers’ liquidity and ability to pay. We are monitoring working capital on a daily basis and are in frequent communications with our customers.

Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

There have been no material changes in our market risk as of March 31, 2021 from that presented in our 2020 10-K.

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a) Disclosure Controls and Procedures. As of March 31, 2021, 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 (as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)). Based upon this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2021.

(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f)) during the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2021 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

On December 9, 2020, we completed the acquisition of NSD. We are currently integrating processes, employees, technologies and operations. Management will continue to evaluate our internal controls over financial reporting as we complete our integration.

PART II. Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

During the three months ended March 31, 2021, there have been no material developments from the legal proceedings disclosed in our 2020 10-K.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Investing in shares of our stock involves certain risks, including those identified and described in Part I, Item 1A of our 2020 10-K, as well as cautionary statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including those under the caption “Forward-Looking Information” in Part I, Item 2 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in our other filings with the SEC.

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

On May 28, 2019, our Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to $100 million of our Class A Common Stock. Under the program, the shares may be repurchased in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, from time to time subject to market and other conditions. We made no purchases under this authorization during the first quarter of 2021 and 2020. The approved share repurchase program does not obligate us to repurchase any dollar amount or number of shares, and the program may be extended, modified, suspended, or discontinued at any time.

We purchased 65,979 shares for $3.8 million during the first quarter of 2021 and 71,717 shares for $3.8 million during the first quarter of 2020 related to employee withholding upon vesting of restricted stock. The table below gives information on a monthly basis regarding the number of shares delivered to us by employees to satisfy the mandatory tax withholding requirement upon vesting of restricted stock during the first quarter of 2021:



							Maximum Value of
	Total				Total Number of		Shares that May Yet
	Number of		Average		Shares Purchased as		Be Purchased Under
	Shares		Price Paid		Part of Publicly		the Plan
	Purchased		Per Share		Announced Plan		(in 000’s)
1/1/2021 - 1/31/2021		63,349	$	57.00		-	$	75,002
2/1/2021 - 2/28/2021		2,630	$	56.29		-	$	75,002
3/1/2021 - 3/31/2021		-	$	-		-	$	75,002
Total		65,979	$	56.97		-	$	75,002

Item 6. Exhibits

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

EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit No.	Description
31.1	Certification of David P. Yeager, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

31.2	Certification of Geoffrey F. DeMartino, 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 Geoffrey F. DeMartino, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, respectively, Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
101	Interactive data files for the following financial statements and footnotes from the Hub Group, Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 formatted in iXBRL: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income and Other Comprehensive Income; (iii) Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Stockholders Equity; (iv) Cash Flows Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (v) Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
104	The cover page from Hub Group, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 (formatted in Inline XBRL and included in Exhibit 101).

SIGNATURE

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:	May 7, 2021	/s/ Geoffrey F. DeMartino
		Geoffrey F. DeMartino
		Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
		Officer and Treasurer
		(Principal Financial Officer)

		/s/ Kevin W. Beth
		Kevin W. Beth
		Executive Vice President, Chief
		Accounting Officer
		(Principal Accounting Officer)