Matson, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2014 September (Form 10-Q)

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014

 

OR

 

o         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 001-34187

 

Matson, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

(808) 848-1211

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address, and former

fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

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 o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files).  Yes x  No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

 

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

 

Number of shares of common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2014: 43,041,120

 

 

 

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

MATSON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income

(In millions, except per-share amounts) (Unaudited)

 

		Three-Months Ended September 30						Nine-Months Ended September 30
		2014			2013			2014			2013
Operating Revenue:
Ocean transportation		$	329.5		$	310.1		$	945.2		$	920.0
Logistics		112.3			104.9			325.5			306.3
Total operating revenue		441.8			415.0			1,270.7			1,226.3
Costs and Expenses:
Operating costs		363.8			353.6			1,078.5			1,041.3
Equity in (income) loss of terminal joint venture		(3.1		)	2.4			(5.4		)	3.0
Selling, general and administrative		36.1			31.8			107.0			99.6
Total costs and expenses		396.8			387.8			1,180.1			1,143.9
Operating Income		45.0			27.2			90.6			82.4
Interest expense		(4.4		)	(3.6		)	(13.0		)	(10.9		)
Income before income taxes		40.6			23.6			77.6			71.5
Income tax expense		(19.1		)	(6.4		)	(34.6		)	(25.1		)
Net Income		$	21.5		$	17.2		$	43.0		$	46.4
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Income Taxes:
Net Income		$	21.5		$	17.2		$	43.0		$	46.4
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Net loss and prior service cost		—			—			—			(0.8		)
Amortization of prior service cost included in net periodic pension cost		(0.3		)	(0.3		)	(0.8		)	(1.0		)
Amortization of net loss included in net periodic pension cost		0.7			1.2			2.1			3.5
Foreign currency translation adjustment		0.3			0.1			0.2			(0.1		)
Total Other Comprehensive Income		0.7			1.0			1.5			1.6
Comprehensive Income		$	22.2		$	18.2		$	44.5		$	48.0
Basic Earnings Per Share:		$	0.50		$	0.40		$	1.00		$	1.09
Diluted Earnings Per Share:		$	0.50		$	0.40		$	1.00		$	1.08
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding:
Basic		43.0			42.8			43.0			42.7
Diluted		43.4			43.3			43.3			43.1

 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

1

 

MATSON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In millions) (Unaudited)

 

		September			December
		2014			2013
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	230.9		$	114.5
Accounts receivable, net		192.5			182.3
Deferred income taxes		9.2			9.1
Prepaid expenses and other assets		32.1			43.0
Total current assets		464.7			348.9
Investment in terminal joint venture		63.2			57.6
Property and equipment, net		706.3			735.4
Goodwill and intangible assets, net		30.3			31.2
Other long-term assets		96.3			75.2
Total assets		$	1,360.8		$	1,248.3
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt		$	17.1		$	12.5
Accounts payable		126.8			124.0
Payroll and vacation benefits		15.5			16.9
Self-insured liabilities		19.6			15.1
Accrued and other liabilities		25.8			32.1
Total current liabilities		204.8			200.6
Long-term Liabilities:
Long-term debt		360.4			273.6
Deferred income taxes		324.1			326.1
Employee benefit plans		67.8			74.4
Self-insured claims and other liabilities		36.8			35.4
Total long-term liabilities		789.1			709.5
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 7)
Shareholders’ Equity:
Capital stock		32.1			32.1
Additional paid in capital		267.4			261.9
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(22.0		)	(23.5		)
Retained earnings		89.4			67.7
Total shareholders’ equity		366.9			338.2
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		$	1,360.8		$	1,248.3

 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

2

 

MATSON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In millions) (Unaudited)

 

		Nine-Months Ended September 30
		2014			2013
Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities:
Net income		$	43.0		$	46.4
Reconciling adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization		52.5			52.1
Deferred income taxes		(2.9		)	43.9
Share-based compensation expense		5.6			4.3
Equity in (income) loss from terminal joint venture		(5.4		)	3.0
Other		(6.7		)	1.2
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		(10.2		)	3.7
Deferred dry-docking payments		(12.5		)	(10.6		)
Deferred dry-docking amortization		16.0			17.1
Prepaid expenses and other assets		9.6			(23.8		)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		5.8			4.8
Other liabilities		1.3			(4.3		)
Net cash provided by operating activities		96.1			137.8
Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures		(25.6		)	(19.7		)
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment		3.6			4.0
Deposits into Capital Construction Fund		(31.9		)	(4.4		)
Withdrawals from Capital Construction Fund		4.4			4.4
Payments for acquisitions		—			(9.3		)
Net cash used in investing activities		(49.5		)	(25.0		)
Cash Flows Used in Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of debt		100.0			21.0
Repayments of debt		(8.6		)	(53.7		)
Proceeds from issuance of capital stock		1.6			3.2
Tax withholding related to net share settlements of restricted stock units		(1.9		)	(1.5		)
Dividends paid		(21.3		)	(19.9		)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		69.8			(50.9		)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents		116.4			61.9
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period		114.5			19.9
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period		$	230.9		$	81.8
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:
Interest paid		$	10.6		$	8.9
Income tax paid		$	22.1		$	8.9
Non-cash Information:
Capital expenditures included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities		$	0.5		$	3.0
Capital lease obligations		$	—		$	2.9

 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

3

 

1.                                      DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS

 

Matson, Inc., a holding company incorporated in January 2012, in the State of Hawaii, and its subsidiaries (“Matson” or the “Company”), is a leading provider of ocean transportation and logistics services.

 

Ocean Transportation:  Matson’s ocean transportation business is conducted through Matson Navigation Company, Inc. (“MatNav”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Matson, Inc.  Founded in 1882, MatNav is an asset-based business that provides a vital lifeline of ocean freight transportation services to the island economies of Hawaii, Guam, Micronesia, and various islands in the South Pacific. MatNav also operates a premium, expedited service from China to Long Beach, California.  In addition, a subsidiary of MatNav provides container stevedoring, container equipment maintenance and other terminal services for MatNav and other ocean carriers on the islands of Oahu, Hawaii, Maui and Kauai.

 

The Company has a 35 percent ownership interest in SSA Terminals, LLC (“SSAT”) through a joint venture between Matson Ventures, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of MatNav, and SSA Ventures, Inc. (“SSA”), a subsidiary of Carrix, Inc. (the “Terminal Joint Venture”).  SSAT provides terminal and stevedoring services to various carriers at six terminal facilities on the Pacific Coast of the United States of America (“U.S.”), including to MatNav at several of those facilities.  Matson records its share of income (loss) in the joint venture in operating costs in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income, and within the ocean transportation segment due to the nature of SSAT’s operations.

 

Logistics:  The Company’s logistics business is conducted through Matson Logistics, Inc. (“Matson Logistics” or “Logistics”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of MatNav.  Established in 1987, Matson Logistics is an asset-light business that provides multimodal transportation services, including domestic and international rail intermodal service (“Intermodal”); long-haul and regional highway brokerage, specialized hauling, flat-bed and project services, less-than-truckload services, and expedited freight services (collectively “Highway”); and warehousing and distribution services.

 

2.                                      SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation:  The condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited.  Due to the nature of the Company’s operations, the results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the year.  These condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for fair presentation of the results of the interim periods, and do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.  The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

 

Fiscal Period:  The period end for Matson, Inc. is September 30.  The period end for MatNav occurred on the last Friday in September, except for Matson Logistics Warehousing for which the period closed on September 30.

 

Significant Accounting Policies:  The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of the Company’s Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

 

3.                          CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION FUND

 

During the three-months ended September 30, 2014, the Company made an additional deposit of $65.5 million to its Capital Construction Fund (“CCF”), comprising a cash deposit of $27.5 million and the assignment of an additional $38.0 million of undivided interest in eligible accounts receivable.  The cash deposit of $27.5 million is included in other long-term assets, while the accounts receivable that have been assigned to the CCF continue to be classified as accounts receivable in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.  As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had assigned to the CCF $150.5 million and $112.0 million of eligible accounts receivable, respectively.  In addition, cash on deposit in the CCF was $27.5 million at September 30, 2014.  There was no cash on deposit in the CCF at December 31, 2013.

 

The CCF is described in Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of the Company’s Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

 

4

 

4.                          DEBT

 

At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company’s debt consisted of the following (in millions):

 

		September			December
		2014			2013
Term Notes:
5.79%, payable through 2020		$	42.0		$	45.5
3.66%, payable through 2023		77.5			77.5
4.16%, payable through 2027		55.0			55.0
4.31%, payable through 2032		37.5			37.5
4.35%, payable through 2044		100.0			—
Title XI Bonds:
5.34%, payable through 2028		30.8			33.0
5.27%, payable through 2029		33.0			35.2
Capital leases		1.7			2.4
Total debt		377.5			286.1
Less current portion		(17.1		)	(12.5		)
Total long-term debt		$	360.4		$	273.6

 

In January 2014, the Company issued $100 million of 30-year senior unsecured notes (the “Notes”).  The Notes have a weighted average life of 14.5 years and bear interest at a rate of 4.35 percent, payable semi-annually.  The proceeds are expected to be used for general corporate purposes.  The Notes will begin to mature in 2021, with annual principal payments of $5.0 million in 2021, $7.5 million in 2022 and 2023, $10.0 million from 2024 to 2027, and $8.0 million in 2028.  Starting in 2029, and in each year thereafter until 2044, annual principal payments will be $2.0 million.

 

5.                          PENSION AND POST-RETIREMENT PLANS

 

The Company sponsors qualified defined-benefit pension and post-retirement plans (collectively, the “Plans”).  The following table provides the components of net periodic benefit cost for the Plans for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (in millions):

 

		Pension Benefits						Post-retirement Benefits
		September 30						September 30
		2014			2013			2014			2013
Service cost		$	2.5		$	2.1		$	0.8		$	0.8
Interest cost		7.1			6.5			1.9			1.6
Expected return on plan assets		(10.5		)	(8.9		)	—			—
Amortization of net loss		2.3			5.1			0.4			0.2
Amortization of prior service cost		(1.7		)	(1.7		)	—			—
Net periodic benefit cost		$	(0.3	)	$	3.1		$	3.1		$	2.6

 

As of September 30, 2014, the Company had paid its expected total cash contributions for the year to its defined benefit pension plans of approximately $6.5 million.

 

6.                          SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

 

During the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014, the Company granted 557 and 350,550 in total of time-based and performance-based shares to certain of its employees at a weighted-average grant date fair value of $26.97 and $23.59, respectively.  The number of performance shares awarded represents the maximum that can be earned, and will ultimately depend on the Company’s performance.

 

Total stock-based compensation cost recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income as a component of selling, general and administrative costs was $1.9 million and $1.5 million for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, and $5.6 million and $4.3 million for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  Total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested share-based compensation arrangements was $10.8 million at September 30, 2014, and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.8 years.  Total unrecognized compensation cost may be adjusted for any unearned performance shares or forfeited shares.

 

5

 

7.                          CONTINGENCIES

 

Employee Matters:  The Company and SSAT are members of the Pacific Maritime Association (“PMA”), which on behalf of its members, negotiates collective bargaining agreements with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (“ILWU”) on the U.S. Pacific Coast.  The PMA/ILWU collective bargaining agreements, which cover substantially all U.S. Pacific Coast longshore labor, expired on July 1, 2014.  The Company also has collective bargaining agreements with ILWU longshore labor in Hawaii and ILWU office clerical workers in Honolulu and Oakland, each of which expired on June 30, 2014.  Although PMA’s and Matson’s collective bargaining agreements have expired, the parties announced a tentative agreement on health benefits in late August; however, the industry is currently facing work slowdowns in the Pacific Northwest ports of Seattle and Tacoma. To date, Matson’s operations have not been significantly impacted, but SSAT’s productivity has been negatively impacted by these work slowdowns. No assurance can be given that these slowdowns will not continue or expand, or a different disruption will not occur, and if a significant disruption were to occur, this would have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

 

Environmental Matter: Molasses was released into Honolulu Harbor from a pipeline system operated by a subsidiary of the Company in September 2013.  The Company is cooperating with federal and state agencies involved in responding to and investigating the incident.  On September 20, 2013, the Hawaii Department of Health (“DOH”) and other responding governmental agencies announced that they had officially transitioned their role from a response phase to a recovery and restoration phase.  The DOH also reported on September 20, 2013 that dissolved oxygen and pH levels in the harbor and nearby Keehi Lagoon had returned to normal target levels and that there was no longer discoloration of the water in those same areas attributable to the molasses release.  Keehi Lagoon was reopened to the public on September 21, 2013.

 

On October 10, 2013, the Company was served with a federal grand jury subpoena seeking documents in connection with a criminal investigation into the release of molasses into Honolulu Harbor.  In addition, in April 2014, the Company received two subpoenas from the Hawaii Attorney General and written requests for information regarding the release from the following governmental agencies:  (i) the DOH; (ii) the State of Hawaii Office of Hawaiian Affairs; and (iii) the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Region IX).

 

On October 21, 2014, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Hawaii (the “U.S. Attorney”) filed an Information with the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii (the “Court”) charging Matson Terminals, Inc. (“MTI”), the subsidiary of the Company that operated the pipeline, with two misdemeanor violations of Section 407 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (the “Refuse Act”) arising from the molasses release.  The U.S. Attorney also filed a Memorandum of Plea Agreement (the “Plea Agreement”), subject to the approval of the Court, to resolve federal criminal charges arising from the molasses release.  Pursuant to the Plea Agreement, MTI agreed to plead guilty to the two violations of the Refuse Act and to pay a penalty of $1 million, comprising a $400,000 fine and community service payments of $600,000.  On October 24, 2014, MTI entered a guilty plea in the Court.  The Court ordered a Pre-Sentence Report from the U.S. Probation Office and sentencing is set for January 29, 2015.  The Company has included the $1 million penalty in accrued and other liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2014.

 

As a result of the guilty plea, the U.S. government could seek to debar MTI and its affiliates from obtaining future U.S. government contracts.  To date, the U.S. government has not indicated that it intends to take such action, and the Company is working with the appropriate U.S. government officials in an effort to avoid such an outcome.

 

Furthermore, the Company has not yet resolved any potential civil claims by the governmental agencies arising out of the molasses release.  However, except with respect to the matters discussed above, government agencies have not initiated any legal actions in connection with the release of molasses.  Therefore, the Company is not able to estimate the future costs, penalties, damages or expenses that it may incur related to the incident.  As a result, at this time no assurance can be given that the impact of the incident on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows will not be material. The Company continues to respond to governmental requests for information, and is engaging in dialogue with governmental agencies in order to reasonably resolve these matters.

 

In addition to the molasses release discussed above, the Company’s shipping business has certain other risks that could result in expenditures for environmental remediation.  The Company believes that based on all information available to it, the Company is currently in compliance, in all material respects, with applicable environmental laws and regulations.

 

Other Legal Matters:  On June 10, 2013, the Company was served with a complaint filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California by an individual plaintiff as relator on behalf of the United States asserting claims against the Company and certain other ocean carriers and freight forwarders for violations of the False Claims Act.  The case is entitled United States of America, ex rel. Mario Rizzo v. Horizon Lines, LLC et al.  On February 23, 2014, Matson’s Board of Directors approved a settlement of $9.0 million in full settlement of all claims, and $0.95 million for plaintiff’s legal expenses.  On July 17, 2014, the settlement was approved by the United States Government, and the Company paid the settlement amount.  On July 22, 2014, the case was dismissed with prejudice by the District Court.  The amount of the settlement was included in accrued and other liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2013.

 

6

 

The Company and its subsidiaries are parties to, or may be contingently liable in connection with other legal actions arising in the normal course of their businesses, the outcomes of which, in the opinion of management after consultation with counsel, would not have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

 

8.                          EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

The number of shares used to compute basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, is as follows (in millions, except per share data):

 

		Three-Months Ended September 30, 2014								Three-Months Ended September 30, 2013
					Weighted		Per						Weighted		Per
					Average		Common						Average		Common
		Net			Common		Share			Net			Common		Share
		Income			Shares		Amount			Income			Shares		Amount
Basic:		$	21.5		43.0		$	0.50		$	17.2		42.8		$	0.40
Effect of dilutive restricted stock units and stock options					0.4		—						0.5		—
Diluted:		$	21.5		43.4		$	0.50		$	17.2		43.3		$	0.40

 

		Nine-Months Ended September 30, 2014								Nine-Months Ended September 30, 2013
					Weighted		Per						Weighted		Per
					Average		Common						Average		Common
		Net			Common		Share			Net			Common		Share
		Income			Shares		Amount			Income			Shares		Amount
Basic:		$	43.0		43.0		$	1.00		$	46.4		42.7		$	1.09
Effect of dilutive restricted stock units and stock options					0.3		—						0.4		—
Diluted:		$	43.0		43.3		$	1.00		$	46.4		43.1		$	1.08

 

Basic earnings per share are determined by dividing net income by the weighted-average common shares outstanding during the period.  The calculation of diluted earnings per share includes the dilutive effect of unexercised non-qualified stock options and non-vested restricted stock units.

 

The computation of weighted average dilutive shares outstanding excludes certain non-qualified stock options to purchase shares of common stock where the options’ exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the Company’s common stock for the periods presented and, therefore, the effect would be anti-dilutive.

 

9.                          FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

The Company values its financial instruments based on the fair value hierarchy of valuation techniques for fair value measurements.  Level 1 inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.  Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets and inputs other than quoted prices observable for the asset or liability.  Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.  If the technique used to measure fair value includes inputs from multiple levels of the fair value hierarchy, the lowest level of significant input determines the placement of the entire fair value measurement in the hierarchy.

 

The Company uses Level 1 inputs for the fair values of its cash equivalents and Level 2 inputs for its long-term debt.  The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, receivables and short-term borrowings approximate their carrying values due to the short-term nature of the instruments.  The fair value of the Company’s debt is calculated based upon interest rates available for debt with terms and maturities similar to the Company’s existing debt arrangements.

 

7

 

The carrying value and fair value of the Company’s financial instruments as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are as follows (in millions):

 

		Carrying Value at September 30, 2014			Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2014
(in millions)		Total			Total			Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)			Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Cash and cash equivalents		$	230.9		$	230.9		$	230.9		$	—		$	—
Accounts receivable, net		192.5			192.5			—			192.5			—
Fixed rate debt		377.5			393.5			—			393.5			—

 

		Carrying Value at December 31, 2013			Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2013
(in millions)		Total			Total			Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)			Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Cash and cash equivalents		$	114.5		$	114.5		$	114.5		$	—		$	—
Accounts receivable, net		182.3			182.3			—			182.3			—
Fixed rate debt		286.1			292.7			—			292.7			—

 

10.                   REPORTABLE SEGMENTS

 

The Company consists of two segments, ocean transportation and logistics, which are further described in Note 1.  Reportable segments are measured based on operating income, exclusive of interest expense and income taxes.  In arrangements where the customer purchases ocean transportation and logistics services, the revenues are allocated to each reportable segment based upon the contractual amounts for each type of service.

 

Segment results for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were as follows (in millions):

 

		Three-Months Ended September 30						Nine-Months Ended September 30
		2014			2013			2014			2013
Revenue:
Ocean transportation		$	329.5		$	310.1		$	945.2		$	920.0
Logistics		112.3			104.9			325.5			306.3
Total revenue		$	441.8		$	415.0		$	1,270.7		$	1,226.3
Operating Income:
Ocean transportation		$	42.6		$	25.5		$	84.8		$	78.3
Logistics		2.4			1.7			5.8			4.1
Total operating income		45.0			27.2			90.6			82.4
Interest expense, net		(4.4		)	(3.6		)	(13.0		)	(10.9		)
Income before income taxes		40.6			23.6			77.6			71.5
Income taxes		(19.1		)	(6.4		)	(34.6		)	(25.1		)
Net income		$	21.5		$	17.2		$	43.0		$	46.4

 

8

 

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

 

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes, and the other financial information appearing elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Except for historical information, the statements made in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Security Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such forward-looking statements may be contained in, among other things, SEC filings, such as the Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, the Annual Report to Shareholders, press releases made by the Company, the Company’s Internet Web sites (including Web sites of its subsidiaries), and oral statements made by the officers of the Company.

 

This report, and other statements that the Company may make, may contain forward-looking statements with respect to the Company’s future financial or business performance, strategies or expectations.  Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as “trend,” “potential,” “opportunity,” “pipeline,” “believe,” “comfortable,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “current,” “intention,” “estimate,” “position,” “assume,” “outlook,” “continue,” “remain,” “maintain,” “sustain,” “seek,” “achieve,” and similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may” or similar expressions.

 

The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time, including, but not limited to, the factors that are described in Part I, Item 1A under the caption of “Risk Factors” of Matson’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, filed with the Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 28, 2014, and Matson’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2014, filed with the SEC on July 31, 2014.  Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company assumes no duty to and does not undertake to update forward-looking statements.  Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements and future results could differ materially from historical performance.

 

OVERVIEW

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is designed to provide a discussion of the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and certain other factors that may affect its future results from the perspective of management.  The discussion that follows is intended to provide information that will assist in understanding the changes in the Company’s financial statements from period to period, the primary factors that accounted for those changes, and how certain accounting principles, policies and estimates affect the Company’s financial statements.  MD&A is provided as a supplement to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and notes herein, and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, and the Company’s reports filed on Forms 10-Q and 8-K, and other publicly available information.

 

BUSINESS OUTLOOK

 

Ocean Transportation:  In the third quarter 2014, Hawaii container volume was driven higher by market growth.  For the fourth quarter 2014, the Company expects continued market growth in the Hawaii trade, with its Hawaii volume expected to be modestly higher than the fourth quarter 2013.  A competitor is expected to launch new containership capacity into the Hawaii trade early in 2015, and therefore, is not expected to impact the Company’s volume for the remainder of 2014.  In the China trade, overcapacity is expected to continue.  However, the Company expects to maintain high vessel utilization and achieve higher average freight rates, as its expedited service continues to realize a significant premium to market rates.  In Guam, the Company expects volume to be modestly better than 2013, assuming no new competitors enter the market.

 

In the fourth quarter 2014, the Company expects ocean transportation operating income to increase from the $26.0 million achieved in the fourth quarter 2013 (excluding a $9.95 million litigation charge).  This outlook excludes any future impact from the September 2013 molasses incident.

 

Logistics:  In the fourth quarter 2014, the Company expects operating income to be slightly higher than comparable 2013 levels, reflecting continuing improvement in volume growth, expense control and warehouse operations.

 

Interest Expense:  The Company expects its interest expense in 2014 to be approximately $17.3 million, an increase over the 2013 amount due primarily to the Notes financing transaction that closed on January 28, 2014.

 

Income Tax Expense:  The Company expects the full year 2014 effective tax rate to be approximately 43 percent.

 

9

 

Other:  The Company expects maintenance capital expenditures for 2014 to be approximately $40.0 million.  Additionally, the Company does not have any scheduled contract payments in 2014 related to its two vessels under construction.  However, in the third quarter 2014 the Company made an additional deposit of $65.5 million to its Capital Construction Fund (“CCF”) comprised of $27.5 million in cash and $38.0 million of eligible receivables.  These deposits will have the effect of deferring a portion of the Company’s current cash tax liabilities.

 

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Consolidated Results:  Three-month Period ended September 30, 2014 compared with 2013:

 

		Three-Months Ended September 30
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts)		2014			2013			Change
Operating revenue		$	441.8		$	415.0		6.5	%
Operating costs and expenses		396.8			387.8			2.3	%
Operating income		45.0			27.2			65.4	%
Interest expense		(4.4		)	(3.6		)	22.2	%
Income before income taxes		40.6			23.6			72.0	%
Income tax expense		(19.1		)	(6.4		)	198.4	%
Net income		$	21.5		$	17.2		25.0	%
Basic earnings per share		$	0.50		$	0.40		25.0	%
Diluted earnings per share		$	0.50		$	0.40		25.0	%

 

Consolidated operating revenue for the third quarter 2014 increased $26.8 million, or 6.5 percent, compared to 2013.  This increase was due to $19.4 million and $7.4 million in higher revenue from ocean transportation and logistics services, respectively.

 

Operating costs and expenses for the third quarter 2014 increased $9.0 million, or 2.3 percent, compared to 2013.  The increase was due to a $2.3 million and $6.7 million increase in operating costs from ocean transportation and logistics segments, respectively.  Changes in operating revenue and expense are described below in the Analysis of Operating Revenue and Income by Segment, as part of the discussion of trends in operating revenues and operating costs and expenses.

 

Interest expense increased $0.8 million to $4.4 million for the third quarter of 2014 compared to $3.6 million in 2013, due to increased borrowings during the year.

 

Income tax expense was $19.1 million, or 47.0 percent of income before income taxes, for the third quarter of 2014, compared to $6.4 million, or 27.1 percent of income before income taxes, in 2013.  The increase in the income tax rate was due to a non-cash valuation allowance recorded in the third quarter of 2014 against deferred tax assets related to foreign operations, and the release of income tax liabilities for the third quarter of 2013, which reduced the income tax rate for that period.

 

Consolidated Results:  Nine-month Period ended September 30, 2014 compared with 2013:

 

		Nine-Months Ended September 30
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts)		2014			2013			Change
Operating revenue		$	1,270.7		$	1,226.3		3.6	%
Operating costs and expenses		1,180.1			1,143.9			3.2	%
Operating income		90.6			82.4			10.0	%
Interest expense		(13.0		)	(10.9		)	19.3	%
Income before income taxes		77.6			71.5			8.5	%
Income tax expense		(34.6		)	(25.1		)	37.8	%
Net income		$	43.0		$	46.4		(7.3	)%
Basic earnings per share		$	1.00		$	1.09		(8.3	)%
Diluted earnings per share		$	1.00		$	1.08		(7.4	)%

 

Consolidated operating revenue for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014 increased $44.4 million, or 3.6 percent, compared to 2013.  This increase was due to $25.2 million and $19.2 million in higher revenue from ocean transportation and logistics services, respectively.

 

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Operating costs and expenses for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014 increased $36.2 million, or 3.2 percent, compared to 2013.  The increase was due to $18.7 million and $17.5 million in higher operating costs from ocean transportation and logistics segments, respectively.  Changes in operating revenue and expense are described below in the Analysis of Operating Revenue and Income by Segment, as part of the discussion of trends in operating revenues and operating costs and expenses.

 

Interest expense increased $2.1 million to $13.0 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014 compared to $10.9 million in 2013 due to increased borrowings during the year.

 

Income tax expense was $34.6 million, or 44.6 percent of income before income taxes, for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014, compared to $25.1 million, or 35.1 percent of income before income taxes, for 2013.  The increase in the income tax rate was due to a non-cash valuation allowance recorded in the third quarter of 2014 against deferred tax assets related to foreign operations, and certain non-recurring costs that increased the tax rate in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014.

 

ANALYSIS OF OPERATING REVENUE AND INCOME BY SEGMENT

 

Ocean Transportation Operating Results:  Three-month Period ended September 30, 2014 compared with 2013:

 

		Three-Months Ended September 30
(dollars in millions)		2014			2013			Change
Ocean transportation revenue		$	329.5		$	310.1		6.3	%
Operating costs and expenses		286.9			284.6			0.8	%
Operating income		$	42.6		$	25.5		67.1	%
Operating income margin		12.9		%	8.2		%
Volume (Units) (1)
Hawaii containers		35,900			34,600			3.8	%
Hawaii automobiles		13,300			16,800			(20.8	)%
China containers		15,000			16,200			(7.4	)%
Guam containers		6,100			6,000			1.7	%
Micronesia/South Pacific containers		4,400			3,200			37.5	%

 

(1)         Approximate container volumes included for the period are based on the voyage departure date, but revenue and operating income are adjusted to reflect the percentage of revenue and operating income earned during the reporting period for voyages that straddle the beginning or end of each reporting period.

 

Ocean transportation revenue increased $19.4 million, or 6.3 percent, during the third quarter 2014 compared with 2013.  The increase was due primarily to higher fuel surcharge revenue, Hawaii container volume growth and higher freight yields across all major trade lanes, partially offset by lower automobile volume.

 

Compared with the third quarter 2013, Hawaii container volume increased 3.8 percent due primarily to market growth; China volume decreased 7.4 percent, the result of one fewer sailing; Guam volume increased slightly; and Micronesia/South Pacific volume increased 37.5 percent due to reconfiguration of the South Pacific service.  Hawaii automobile volume decreased 20.8 percent primarily due to certain customer losses.

 

Ocean transportation operating income increased $17.1 million, or 67.1 percent, during the third quarter 2014 compared with 2013.  The increase can be attributed primarily to the timing of fuel surcharge recoveries, improved results at SSAT, higher container volume in Hawaii, and higher freight yields across all major trade lanes, partially offset by higher terminal handling expenses.  In addition, the third quarter 2013 was impacted by certain unfavorable items including an adverse arbitration decision of $3.8 million related to previously co-owned Guam terminal assets and a $2.2 million tax allocation item related to the Company’s separation from Alexander & Baldwin, Inc.  In the third quarter 2014, the Company incurred $2.1 million in penalties, legal and other expenses related to the molasses released into Honolulu Harbor in September 2013.

 

The Company’s SSAT terminal joint venture contributed $3.1 million during the third quarter 2014, compared to a $2.4 million loss in 2013.  The increase was primarily attributable to increased lift volume and improved productivity.  In addition, the third quarter 2013 included transition costs related to the expansion of SSAT’s terminal operations in Oakland.

 

11

 

 

Ocean Transportation Operating Results:  Nine-month Period ended September 30, 2014 compared with 2013:

 

		Nine-Months Ended September 30
(dollars in millions)		2014			2013			Change
Ocean transportation revenue		$	945.2		$	920.0		2.7	%
Operating costs and expenses		860.4			841.7			2.2	%
Operating income		$	84.8		$	78.3		8.3	%
Operating income margin		9.0		%	8.5		%
Volume (Units) (1)
Hawaii containers		104,000			104,600			(0.6	)%
Hawaii automobiles		56,100			63,000			(11.0	)%
China containers		44,400			45,800			(3.1	)%
Guam containers		18,300			17,900			2.2	%
Micronesia/South Pacific containers		10,700			8,000			33.8	%

(1)         Approximate container volumes included for the period are based on the voyage departure date, but revenue and operating income are adjusted to reflect the percentage of revenue and operating income earned during the reporting period for voyages that straddle the beginning or end of each reporting period.

 

Ocean transportation revenue increased $25.2 million, or 2.7 percent, during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014 compared to 2013.  The increase was due primarily to higher freight yields across all major trade lanes and increased volume in the South Pacific, partially offset by lower automobile volume.

 

During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014, Hawaii container volume was relatively flat; China volume declined 3.1 percent, the result of two additional sailings in the prior year; Guam volume increased modestly due to timing of shipments; and Micronesia/South Pacific volume increased 33.8 percent reflecting a full nine months of operations and service reconfiguration in the South Pacific.  Hawaii automobile volume decreased 11.0 percent primarily due to certain customer losses.

 

Ocean transportation operating income increased $6.5 million, or 8.3 percent, during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014 compared with 2013.  The increase can be attributed primarily to higher freight yields across all major trade lanes, lower outside transportation costs, and improved results at SSAT, which were partially offset by increased terminal handling costs.  In addition, the third quarter 2013 was impacted by certain unfavorable items including an adverse arbitration decision of $3.8 million related to previously co-owned Guam terminal assets and a $2.2 million tax allocation item related to the Company’s separation from Alexander & Baldwin, Inc.  Year-to-date 2014, the Company has incurred $4.2 million in penalties, legal and other expenses related to the molasses released into Honolulu Harbor in September 2013.

 

The Company’s SSAT terminal joint venture contributed $5.4 million during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014, compared to a $3.0 million loss in 2013.  The increase was primarily attributable to increased lift volume and improved productivity.  In addition, the third quarter 2013 included transition costs related to the expansion of SSAT’s terminal operations in Oakland.

 

Logistics Operating Results:  Three-month Period ended September 30, 2014 compared with 2013:

 

		Three-Months Ended September 30
(dollars in millions)		2014			2013			Change
Intermodal revenue		$	63.5		$	63.0		0.8	%
Highway revenue		48.8			41.9			16.5	%
Total Logistics Revenue		112.3			104.9			7.1	%
Operating costs and expenses		109.9			103.2			6.5	%
Operating income		$	2.4		$	1.7		41.2	%
Operating income margin		2.1		%	1.6		%

 

Logistics revenue increased $7.4 million, or 7.1 percent, during the third quarter 2014 compared to 2013.  This increase was primarily due to higher highway volume.

 

Logistics operating income increased by $0.7 million during the third quarter 2014 compared to 2013.  The increase was primarily due to warehouse operating improvements and increased highway volume, partially offset by lower intermodal yield.

 

12

 

Logistics Operating Results:  Nine-month Period ended September 30, 2014 compared with 2013:

 

		Nine-Months Ended September 30
(dollars in millions)		2014			2013			Change
Intermodal revenue		$	185.3		$	185.2		0.1	%
Highway revenue		140.2			121.1			15.8	%
Total Logistics Revenue		325.5			306.3			6.3	%
Operating costs and expenses		319.7			302.2			5.8	%
Operating income		$	5.8		$	4.1		41.5	%
Operating income margin		1.8		%	1.3		%

 

Logistics revenue increased $19.2 million, or 6.3 percent, during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014 compared to 2013.  This increase was primarily due to higher highway and international intermodal volume, partially offset by lower domestic intermodal volume.

 

Logistics operating income increased by $1.7 million during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014 compared to 2013.  The increase was primarily due to, warehouse operating improvements, increased highway volume, and a favorable litigation settlement, partially offset by lower intermodal yield.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Overview:

 

Cash flows provided by operating activities are generally the Company’s primary source of liquidity.  Additional sources of liquidity were provided by available cash and cash equivalent balances as well as borrowings from the Company’s term notes.

 

Cash Flows:

 

Cash flows provided by operating activities were $96.1 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014, compared with $137.8 million for 2013.  The decrease in cash flows provided by operating activities was primarily due to a decrease in the benefit from deferred income taxes, an increase in accounts receivable, and an increase in equity income from the terminal joint venture, partially offset by a decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets.

 

Cash flows used in investing activities were $49.5 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014, compared with $25.0 million for 2013.  The increase in cash flows used in investing activities was primarily due to an increase of $27.5 million in deposits into the Capital Construction Fund, and an increase of $5.9 million in capital expenditures, offset by payments for acquisitions of $9.3 million in 2013.  Capital expenditures were $25.6 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014, compared to $19.7 million for 2013, and primarily related to the ocean transportation segment.

 

Cash flows provided by financing activities were $69.8 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014, compared to cash flows used in financing activities of $50.9 million for 2013.  The change was primarily due to increased proceeds from issuance of long-term debt net of repayments of $91.4 million during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014, and by higher debt repayments during 2013.

 

Other Sources of Liquidity:

 

Additional sources of liquidity totaled $423.4 million at September 30, 2014, consisting of cash and cash equivalents, and accounts receivable, an increase of $126.6 million compared to December 31, 2013.  The increase was due primarily to a $116.4 million and $10.2 million increase in cash and cash equivalents, and accounts receivable, respectively.  The Company had working capital of $259.9 million at September 30, 2014, compared to $148.3 million at December 31, 2013.

 

Total debt was $377.5 million as of September 30, 2014, compared with $286.1 million at December 31, 2013.  The increase in debt is primarily due to the issuance of $100 million of 30-year senior unsecured notes during the first quarter of 2014, offset by repayments of debt.

 

13

 

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS, COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

 

Except as described below, there were no material changes during this quarter to the Company’s contractual obligations and commitments that are described in Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.  The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

The Company and SSAT are members of the Pacific Maritime Association (“PMA”), which on behalf of its members, negotiates collective bargaining agreements with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (“ILWU”) on the U.S. Pacific Coast.  The PMA/ILWU collective bargaining agreements, which cover substantially all U.S. Pacific Coast longshore labor, expired on July 1, 2014.  The Company also has collective bargaining agreements with ILWU longshore labor in Hawaii and ILWU office clerical workers in Honolulu and Oakland, each of which expired on June 30, 2014.  Although PMA’s and Matson’s collective bargaining agreements have expired, the parties announced a tentative agreement on health benefits in date August; however, the industry is currently facing worth slowdowns in the Pacific Northwest ports of Seattle and Tacoma. To date, Matson’s operations have not been significantly impacted, but SSAT’s productivity has been negatively impacted by these worth slowdowns. No assurance can be given that these slowdowns will not continue or expend, or a different disruption will not occur, and if a significant disruption were to occur, this would have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

 

A description of contingencies at September 30, 2014, is included in Note 7 to the condensed consolidated financial statements of Item 1 in this Form 10-Q, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

 

There have been no changes during this quarter to the Company’s critical accounting estimates as discussed in Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

 

OTHER MATTERS

 

The Company’s third quarter dividend of $0.17 per share to shareholders was declared on June 26, 2014, to shareholders of record on August 7, 2014, and was paid on September 4, 2014.  On October 23, 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.17 per share payable December 4, 2014, to all shareholders of record as of the close of business on November 6, 2014.

 

ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

There have been no material changes to the Company’s market risk position from the information provided under Part II, Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” of our 2013 Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, except for the inclusion of the $100 million 30-year senior unsecured notes issued in January 2014, in the table below.

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s debt obligations at September 30, 2014, presenting principal cash flows and related interest rates by the expected fiscal year of repayment:

 

		Expected Fiscal Year Repayments as of September 30 (dollars in millions)
		2015			2016			2017			2018			2019			Thereafter			Total
Fixed rate		$	17.1		$	21.1		$	24.3		$	28.2		$	28.2		$	258.6		$	377.5
Average interest rate		4.4		%	4.3		%	4.3		%	4.2		%	4.2		%	3.8		%	3.9		%
Variable rate		—			—			—			—			—			—			—
Average interest rate		—			—			—			—			—			—			—

 

ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

 

The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based on such evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of September 30, 2014, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.

 

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the three-month period ended September 30, 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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