• Fourth quarter operating income of $198.3 million compares to $216.9 million in the same prior year quarter
• Fourth quarter net income of $131.4 million compares to $153.5 million in Q4 2022, while adjusted net income¹ of $147.0 million compares to $151.8 million in Q4 2022
• Fourth quarter diluted earnings per share (diluted “EPS”) of $1.53 compares to $1.74 in Q4 2022, while adjusted diluted EPS¹ of $1.71 compares to $1.72 in Q4 2022
• Fourth quarter net cash from operating activities grew to $302.6 million, up 22% over the prior year period and free cash flow¹ grew to $243.8 million, up 29% over the prior year period
• The Board of Directors approved a $0.40 quarterly dividend, an increase of 14%

MONTREAL, Feb. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TFI International Inc. (NYSE and TSX: TFII), a North American leader in the transportation and logistics industry, today announced its results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023. All amounts are shown in U.S. dollars.

“We generated robust free cash flow during the quarter, bringing our full-year total to more than $9 per share¹ and wrapping up 2023 on a favorable note as our team continues to strive for day-to-day efficiencies while delivering superior service. Despite market conditions, during the fourth quarter we were able to grow revenue over the prior year period and deliver adjusted diluted EPS of $1.71. Strategically, we capitalized on our cash flow and strong balance sheet by significantly investing during periods of weaker freight demand, committing   $2 billion of capital during 2023 into announced acquisitions and share buybacks,” said Alain Bédard, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We’re entering 2024 in an attractive position across all four business segments, with Logistics outperforming the market boosted by our recent successful acquisition of JHT, with Truckload standing to significantly benefit from our Daseke acquisition expected to close in the second quarter, and with the ongoing turnaround at LTL a top priority.  This involves a renewed focus on LTL growth and quality of revenue through improved service, as evidenced by our latest cargo claims ratio of only 0.5% for US LTL, down from 1.5% a year earlier, and our second-to-none Canadian LTL cargo claims ratio of 0.1%. Looking ahead, while continuing our sharp focus on day-to-day operations, we can also seek highly strategic investment opportunities while returning excess cash to shareholders, consistent with our Board’s recently approved 14% increase to our quarterly dividend.”

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA AND HIGHLIGHTS (UNAUDITED)

¹ This is a non-IFRS measure. For a reconciliation, refer to the "Non-IFRS and Other Financial Measures" section below.

FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS
Total revenue of $1.97 billion compared to $1.96 billion in the prior year period and revenue before fuel surcharge of $1.67 billion compared to $1.62 billion in the prior year period. The increase is primarily due to contributions from business acquisitions offset by reduced volumes driven by weaker end market demand.

Operating income of $198.3 million compared to $216.9 million the prior year period. The decrease is primarily attributable to the decline in revenues as a result of weaker market demand in the quarter and the impact of a decrease in gains from assets held for sale of $23.0 million, partially offset by contributions from business acquisitions of $24.1 million.

Net income of $131.4 million compares to $153.5 million in the prior year period, and net income of $1.53 per diluted share compared to $1.74 in the prior year period.  Adjusted net income, a non-IFRS measure, was $147.0 million, or $1.71 per diluted share, compared to $151.8 million, or $1.72 per diluted share, the prior year period.

Total revenue declined for three segments relative to the prior year period with decreases of 9% for Package and Courier, 6% for Less-Than-Truckload, and 5% for Truckload, while total revenue for Logistics increased 28%. Operating income declined for Package and Courier by 8%, for Less-Than-Truckload by 19%, and for Truckload by 29% and increased for Logistics by 60% in the fourth quarter in comparison to the prior-year. Operating income in the Truckload segment decreased due to a $16.0 million gain on the sale of assets held for sale being recognized in the same prior year period, while operating income in the logistics segment increased primarily through business acquisitions.

FULL-YEAR RESULTS
Total revenue was $7.52 billion for 2023 versus $8.81 billion in 2022.  Revenue before fuel surcharge of $6.42 billion compared to $7.36 billion the prior year.  The decrease is primarily due to weaker market demand and the sale of CFI in 2022 resulting in a decrease of $333.3 million.

Operating income totaled $757.6 million compared to $1,146.0 million. The decrease is mainly attributable to the weaker market demand referenced above, a gain on sale of business of $73.7 million in 2022, as well as $107.3 million less gains from the sale of rolling stock, equipment, and assets held for sale and the 2022 sale of CFI which contributed $46.1 million in 2022.

Net income was $504.9 million, or $5.80 per diluted share, compared to $823.2 million, or $9.02 per diluted share a year earlier.  Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted EPS, non-IFRS measures, were $538.3 million, or $6.18 per diluted share, compared to $731.7 million, or $8.02 per diluted share the prior year.

During 2023, total revenue declined 10% for Package and Courier, 16% for Less-Than-Truckload, 21% for Truckload and 4% for Logistics relative to the prior year.  Operating income was down 15% for Package and Courier, 34% for Less-Than-Truckload, 35% for Truckload, and up 14% for Logistics.

¹ This is a non-IFRS measure. For a reconciliation, refer to the "Non-IFRS and Other Financial Measures" section below.

SEGMENTED RESULTS

To facilitate the comparison of business level activity and operating costs between periods, the Company compares the revenue before fuel surcharge (“revenue”) and reallocates the fuel surcharge revenue to materials and services expenses within operating expenses. Note that “Total revenue” is not affected by this reallocation.

Selected segmented financial information

¹ Includes intersegment revenue.
² Segment revenue including fuel and intersegment revenue to consolidated revenue including fuel and intersegment revenue.
³ This is a non-IFRS measure. For a reconciliation, refer to the “Non-IFRS and Other Financial Measures” section below.
⁴ As a percentage of revenue before fuel surcharge.

CASH FLOW AND CAPITAL DEPLOYMENT

Net cash flow from operating activities was $1,013.8 million during 2023 compared to $971.6 million the prior year. The 4% increase was due to stronger working capital conversion. The Company returned $409.1 million to shareholders during the year, of which $121.1 million was through dividends and $288.0 million was through share repurchases. In addition, the Company deployed $628.7 million for business combinations and announced another $1.1 billion expected to be closed in the second quarter of 2024.

On December 15, 2023, the Board of Directors of TFI International declared a quarterly dividend of $0.40 per outstanding common share paid on January 15, 2024, representing a 14% increase over the $0.35 quarterly dividend declared in Q4 2022.

CONFERENCE CALL

TFI International will host a conference call on Friday, February 9, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss these results. Interested parties can join the call by dialing 1-877-704-4453 or 1-201-389-0920. A recording of the call will be available until 11:59 p.m Eastern, Friday, February 23, 2024 by dialing 1-844-512-2921 or 1-412-317-6671 by entering passcode 13743370.

ABOUT TFI INTERNATIONAL

TFI International Inc. is a North American leader in the transportation and logistics industry, operating across the United States and Canada through its subsidiaries. TFI International creates value for shareholders by identifying strategic acquisitions and managing a growing network of wholly-owned operating subsidiaries. Under the TFI International umbrella, companies benefit from financial and operational resources to build their businesses and increase their efficiency. TFI International companies service the following segments:

• Package and Courier;
• Less-Than-Truckload;
• Truckload;
• Logistics.

TFI International Inc. is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange under symbol TFII. For more information, visit www.tfiintl.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The Company may make statements in this report that reflect its current expectations regarding future results of operations, performance and achievements. These are “forward-looking” statements and reflect management’s current beliefs. They are based on information currently available to management. Words such as “may”, “might”, “expect”, “intend”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “foresee”, “believe”, “to its knowledge”, “could”, “design”, “forecast”, “goal”, “hope”, “intend”, “likely”, “predict”, “project”, “seek”, “should”, “target”, “will”, “would” or “continue” and words and expressions of similar import are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results and those presently anticipated or projected.

The Company wishes to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements which reference issues only as of the date made. The following important factors could cause the Company’s actual financial performance to differ materially from that expressed in any forward-looking statement: the highly competitive market conditions, the Company’s ability to recruit, train and retain qualified drivers, fuel price variations and the Company’s ability to recover these costs from its customers, foreign currency fluctuations, the impact of environmental standards and regulations, changes in governmental regulations applicable to the Company’s operations, adverse weather conditions, accidents, the market for used equipment, changes in interest rates, cost of liability insurance coverage, downturns in general economic conditions affecting the Company and its customers, credit market liquidity, and the Company’s ability to identify, negotiate, consummate, and successfully integrate acquisitions. In addition, any material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting that are identified, and the cost of remediation of any such material weakness and any other control deficiencies, may have adverse effects on the Company and impact future results. 

The foregoing list should not be construed as exhaustive, and the Company disclaims any subsequent obligation to revise or update any previously made forward-looking statements unless required to do so by applicable securities laws. Unanticipated events are likely to occur. Readers should also refer to the section “Risks and Uncertainties” at the end of the 2023 Q3 MD&A for additional information on risk factors and other events that are not within the Company’s control. The Company’s future financial and operating results may fluctuate as a result of these and other risk factors.

NON-IFRS FINANCIAL MEASURES

This press release includes references to certain non-IFRS financial measures as described below. These non-IFRS measures do not have any standardized meanings prescribed by International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the international Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Accordingly, they should not be considered in isolation, in addition to, not as a substitute for or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. The terms and definitions of the non-IFRS measures used in this press release and a reconciliation of each non-IFRS measure to the most directly comparable IFRS measure are provided in the exhibits.

For further information:
Alain Bédard
Chairman, President and CEO
TFI International Inc.
647-729-4079
abedard@tfiintl.com

** The Company's financial reporting framework is IFRS as issued by the IASB.

SEGMENT INFORMATION

Geographical information (Unaudited)

Total revenue is attributed to geographical locations based on the origin of service’s location.

Package and Courier

¹ This is a non-IFRS measure. For a reconciliation, please refer to the “Non-IFRS and Other Financial Measures” section below.

Less-Than-Truckload

¹ This is a non-IFRS measure. For a reconciliation, please refer to the “Non-IFRS and Other Financial Measures” section below.

Truckload