ARCBEST CORP /DE/
For the period ended Dec 31, 2025. Filed Feb 25, 2026.
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FY2025 · Filed Feb 25, 2026
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
NOTE A – ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATIO****N
Organization and Description of Business
ArcBest Corporation™ (the “Company”) is a multibillion-dollar integrated logistics company that leverages technology and a full suite of shipping and logistics solutions across multiple modes of transportation to meet customers’ supply chain needs. The Company, which started over a century ago as a local freight hauler, serves as a single end-to-end logistics partner with global reach. The Company’s operations are conducted through itstwo reportable operating segments: Asset‑Based, which consists of ABF Freight System, Inc. and certain other subsidiaries (“ABF Freight”), and Asset‑Light, which includes MoLo Solutions, LLC (“MoLo”), Panther Premium Logistics® (“Panther”), and certain other subsidiaries. References to the Company in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are primarily to the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
The Asset-Based segment represented approximately 66% of the Company’s 2025 total revenues before other revenues and intercompany eliminations. As of December 2025, approximately 81% of the Asset-Based segment’s employees were covered under the ABF National Master Freight Agreement (the “2023 ABF NMFA”), a collective bargaining agreement with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (the “IBT”), which will remain in effect through June 30, 2028.
On February 28, 2023, the Company sold FleetNet America, Inc. (“FleetNet”), a wholly owned subsidiary and reportable operating segment of the Company. The sale of FleetNet was accounted for as discontinued operations. As such, historical results of FleetNet have been excluded from both continuing operations and segment results for all periods presented.
Financial Statement Presentation
Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
Segment Information: The Company uses the “management approach” for determining its reportable segment information. The management approach is based on the way management organizes the reportable segments within the Company for making operating decisions and assessing performance. See Note M for further discussion of segment reporting.
Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual amounts may differ from those estimates.
NOTE B – ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-Term Investments: Short-term investments that have a maturity of ninety days or less when purchased are considered cash equivalents. Short-term investments consist of FDIC-insured certificates of deposit with original maturities greater than ninety days and remaining maturities less than one year. Certificates of deposit are valued at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates fair value. Interest and dividends related to cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments are included in interest and dividend income.
Concentration of Credit Risk: The Company is subject to concentrations of credit risk related to the portion of its cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments, which is not federally insured, as further discussed in Note C.
The Company’s services are provided primarily to customers throughout the United States and, to a lesser extent, Canada, Mexico, and other international locations. On a consolidated basis, the Company had no single customer representing more than 3% of its revenues in 2025, 2024, or 2023 or more than 7% of its accounts receivable balance at December 31, 2025 and 2024. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and generally does not require collateral. Historically, credit losses have been within management’s expectations.
Receivable Allowances: The Company maintains allowances for credit losses and revenue adjustments on its trade receivables. The Company estimates the allowance for credit losses based on historical write-offs, factors surrounding the
credit risk of specific customers, and forecasts of future economic conditions. In order to gather information regarding these trends and factors, the Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of customers, an analysis of accounts receivable aging by business segment, and an analysis of future economic conditions at period end. The allowance for revenue adjustments is an estimate based on historical revenue adjustments and current information regarding trends and business changes. Actual write-offs or adjustments could differ from the allowance estimates due to a number of factors, including future changes in the forecasted economic environment or new factors and risks surrounding a particular customer. Accounts receivable are written off when the accounts are turned over to a collection agency or when the accounts are determined to be uncollectible. Actual write-offs and adjustments are charged against the allowances for credit losses and revenue adjustments. The allowance for credit losses on the Company’s trade accounts receivable totaled $3.3 million at December 31, 2025 and $4.4 million at December 31, 2024. During 2025, the allowance for credit losses increased $3.5 million and was reduced $4.6 million by write-offs, net of recoveries.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Including Repairs and Maintenance: Purchases of property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. For financial reporting purposes, property, plant and equipment is depreciated principally by the straight‑line method, using the following useful lives: structures – primarily 15 to 60 years; revenue equipment –3 to 22 years; and other equipment –2 to 16 years. The Company’s tractors and trailers, which are commonly referred to as “revenue equipment” in the transportation industry, along with other property, plant and equipment are depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Residual values and useful lives are reviewed periodically and adjusted when appropriate. For tax reporting purposes, accelerated depreciation or cost recovery methods are used. Gains and losses on asset sales are reflected in the year of disposal. Nonmonetary asset exchanges with commercial substance are measured at the fair value of the assets exchanged. Tires purchased with revenue equipment are capitalized as a part of the cost of such equipment, while replacement tires are expensed when placed in service. Repair and maintenance costs associated with property, plant and equipment are expensed as incurred unless they extend the useful life of the asset, in which case the costs are capitalized and depreciated over the remaining useful life.
Computer Software for Internal Use, Including Web Site Development and Cloud Computing Costs: The Company capitalizes the costs of software acquired from third parties and qualifying internal computer software costs incurred during the application development stage or during the implementation stage for cloud computing or hosting arrangements for certain enterprise systems, such as finance, human resources, and transportation management applications that are accounted for as service contracts with fees expensed as incurred. Costs incurred in the preliminary project stage and post-implementation/operation stage, including maintenance and training costs, are expensed as incurred. Capitalized software costs are amortized by the straight-line method, generally over 2 to 7 years. Capitalized costs related to cloud computing and hosting arrangements are presented within prepaid expenses and other long‑term assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets depending on the terms of the arrangement. The amount of costs capitalized within any period is dependent on the nature of software development activities and projects in each period.
Impairment Assessment of Long-Lived Assets: The Company reviews its long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment, capitalized software, finite-lived intangible assets and right-of-use assets held under operating leases, which are held and used in its operations, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable*.* If such an event or change in circumstances is present, the Company will estimate the undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. If the sum of the undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the related asset, the Company will record the asset at the lesser of its carrying amount or fair value and recognize an impairment loss, if any, in operating income. During 2025 and 2024, the Company evaluated certain long-lived assets for impairment (see Note C).
Assets to be disposed of are reclassified as assets held for sale at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. Assets held for sale primarily represent certain properties, revenue equipment, and other equipment. Adjustments to write down assets to fair value less the amount of costs to sell are reported in operating income. Assets held for sale are expected to be disposed of by selling the assets within the next 12 months. Gains and losses on sales of property and equipment are reported in operating income. Assets held for sale of $7.8 million and $18.4 million were reported within other long-term assets as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. As of December 31, 2025, assets held for sale primarily include real estate properties. The fair value of these held for sale assets as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, were determined using Level 2 inputs.
The Company recorded a pre-tax impairment charge of $5.4 million during the fourth quarter of 2025 as certain equipment and inventory were evaluated as no longer usable in the current iterations of the Vaux program. These costs were reported in the “Other and eliminations” line of consolidated operating income (see Note M).
**Contingent Consideration:**The Agreement and Plan of Merger for our acquisition of MoLo provided for additional cash consideration based on the achievement of certain incremental targets of adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (“adjusted EBITDA”) for each of the years ended December 31, 2023, 2024, and 2025 (“the earnout period”). The Company recorded the estimated fair value of contingent earnout consideration at the acquisition date as part of the purchase price consideration for the acquisition. The fair value of the contingent earnout consideration liability was determined using a Monte Carlo simulation with Level 3 inputs including volatility factors, projected revenue and expenses or adjusted EBITDA, and the discount rate. The liability for contingent earnout consideration was remeasured at each quarterly reporting date within the earnout period and any change in fair value as a result of the recurring assessments was recognized in operating income (see Note C). The adjusted EBITDA metrics were below threshold target for all three years, resulting inno earnout payment under the agreement andno liability at December 31, 2025.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets: Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price in a business combination over the fair value of net tangible and intangible assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized but rather is evaluated for impairment annually as of October 1 or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist (see Note D). The Company typically assesses qualitative factors but may also use a quantitative analysis to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If the Company determines it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, a quantitative valuation of the reporting unit is prepared to measure the amount of goodwill impairment, if any.
Indefinite-lived intangible assets are also not amortized but rather are evaluated for impairment annually or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist. Consistent with goodwill, the Company typically assesses qualitative factors but may perform a quantitative assessment to determine if it is more likely than not that the fair value of the indefinite‑lived intangible asset is less than its carrying value. A quantitative analysis is performed if it is determined it is more likely than not the indefinite-lived intangible is impaired. The Company’s annual impairment assessment of the indefinite-lived intangible asset within the Asset-Light segment as of October 1, 2025 resulted in a pre-tax noncash asset impairment charge (see Note D).
The Company amortizes finite-lived intangible assets over their respective estimated useful lives.
Income Taxes: The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are recorded as noncurrent by jurisdiction, are recognized based on the temporary differences between the book value and the tax basis of certain assets and liabilities and the tax effect of operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred income taxes relate principally to asset and liability basis differences resulting from the timing of depreciation deductions and to temporary differences in the recognition of certain revenues and expenses. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized as income or expense in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company classifies any interest and penalty amounts related to income tax matters as operating expenses.
Management applies judgment in determining the consolidated income tax provision, including valuation allowances on deferred tax assets. The valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is determined by evaluating whether it is more likely than not that the benefits of deferred tax assets will be realized through future reversal of existing taxable temporary differences, taxable income in carryback years in jurisdictions in which they are allowable, projected future taxable income, or tax-planning strategies. Uncertain tax positions, which also require significant judgment, are measured to determine the amounts to be recognized in the financial statements. The income tax provision and valuation allowances are complicated by complex and frequently changing rules administered in multiple jurisdictions, including U.S. federal, state, and foreign governments.
Book Overdrafts: Issued checks that have not cleared the bank as of December 31 result in book overdraft balances for accounting purposes which are classified within accounts payable in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Book overdrafts amounted to $10.6 million at December 31, 2025 and $15.6 million at December 31, 2024. The change in book overdrafts is reported as a component of financing activities within the statement of cash flows.
Insurance Reserves: The Company is self-insured up to certain limits for workers’ compensation, certain third-party casualty claims, and cargo loss and damage claims. Amounts in excess of the self-insured limits are fully insured to levels
which management considers appropriate for the Company’s operations. The Company’s claims liabilities have not been discounted.
Liabilities for self-insured workers’ compensation and third-party casualty claims are based on the case reserve amounts plus an estimate of loss development and incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) claims, which is developed from an independent actuarial analysis. The process of determining reserve requirements utilizes historical trends and involves an evaluation of claim frequency and severity, claims management, and other factors. Case reserves are evaluated as loss experience develops and new information becomes available. Adjustments to previously estimated aggregate reserves are reflected in financial results in the periods in which they are made. Aggregate reserves represent an estimate of the costs of claims incurred, and it is possible that the ultimate liability may differ significantly from such estimates.
The Company develops an estimate of self-insured cargo loss and damage claims liabilities based on historical trends and certain event-specific information.
Claims liabilities are recorded in accrued expenses and are not offset by insurance receivables which are reported in other accounts receivable.
**Loss Contingencies:**The Company is involved in various legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company assesses loss contingencies by estimating the likelihood of loss or the incurrence of a liability. The Company records a liability and expense for loss contingencies when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company’s legal matters are discussed in Note N.
Leases: The Company leases, primarily under operating lease arrangements, certain facilities used primarily in the Asset‑Based segment service center operations, certain facilities and revenue equipment used in the Asset-Light segment operations, and certain other facilities and office equipment. Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for operating leases are recorded on the balance sheet, and the related lease expense is recorded on a straight-line basis over the lease term in operating expenses. Included in lease expense are any variable lease payments incurred in the period that were not included in the initial lease liability.
The Company elected the practical expedient for leases with a term of 12 months or less exempting balance sheet treatment for all classes of assets to include real property, revenue equipment, and service, office, and other equipment. The Company adopted the policy election as a lessee for all classes of assets to account for each lease component and its related non‑lease component(s) as a single lease component. In determining the discount rate, the Company uses ArcBest Corporation’s incremental borrowing rate unless the rate implicit in the lease is readily determinable when entering into a lease as a lessee. The incremental borrowing rate is determined by the price of a fully collateralized loan with similar terms based on current market rates.
An assessment is made on or after the effective date of newly signed contracts as to whether the contract is, or contains, a lease at the inception of a contract. The operating right-of-use asset is measured as the initial amount of the operating lease liability, plus any initial direct costs incurred, less any prepayments prior to commencement or lease incentives received. The operating lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments, discounted using the Company’s secured incremental borrowing rate for the same term as the underlying lease unless the interest rate implicit in the lease is readily determined, then the implicit rate will be used. Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability are comprised of the following: (1) the fixed noncancelable lease payments, (2) payments for optional renewal periods where it is reasonably certain the renewal period will be exercised, and (3) payments for early termination options unless it is reasonably certain the lease will not be terminated early. Variable lease payments based on an index or rate are initially measured using the index or rate in effect at lease commencement and included in the measurement of the initial lease liability. Variable lease cost for operating leases consists of subsequent changes in the consumer price index, rent payments that are based on usage, and other lease-related payments which are subject to change and not considered fixed payments. Additional payments based on the change in an index or rate are recorded as a period expense when incurred. Lease modifications result in remeasurement of the lease liability.
Supplemental Benefit and Postretirement Health Benefit Plans: The Company recognizes the funded status of the supplemental benefit plan (the “SBP”) and postretirement health benefit plan in the consolidated balance sheet and recognizes changes in the funded status, net of tax, in the year in which they occur as a component of other comprehensive income or loss. The benefit obligations of the SBP and postretirement health benefit plan represent the funded status, as these plans do not have plan assets. Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income or loss are subsequently expensed
as components of net periodic benefit cost by amortizing unrecognized net actuarial losses over the average remaining active service period of the plan participants and amortizing unrecognized prior service credits over the remaining years of service until full eligibility of the active participants at the time of the plan amendment which created the prior service credit. A corridor approach is not used for determining the amounts of net actuarial losses to be amortized.
The Company has not incurred service costs under the SBP since the accrual of benefits under the plan was frozen on December 31, 2009. The Company incurs service costs under the postretirement health benefit plan which is reported within operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. The other components of net periodic benefit cost (credit) of the SBP (including pension settlement expense) and the postretirement health benefit plan are reported within the other line item of other income (costs).
The expense and liability related to the postretirement health benefit plan are measured based upon a number of assumptions and using the services of a third-party actuary. Assumptions are made regarding the discount rate, expected retirement age, mortality, employee turnover, and future increases in health care costs. The discount rate used to discount the postretirement health benefit plan obligation is determined by matching projected cash distributions with appropriate high-quality corporate bond yields in a yield curve analysis. The assumptions used directly impact the net periodic benefit cost (credit) for a particular year. An actuarial gain or loss results when actual experience varies from the assumptions or when there are changes in actuarial assumptions. Actuarial gains and losses are not included in net periodic benefit cost (credit) in the period when they arise but are recognized as a component of other comprehensive income or loss and subsequently amortized as a component of net periodic benefit cost (credit).
The Company uses December 31 as the measurement date for the SBP and postretirement health benefit plan. Plan obligations are also remeasured upon curtailment and upon settlement. Benefit distributions under the SBP individually exceed the annual interest cost of the plan, which triggers settlement accounting. The Company records the related settlement expense when the amount of the benefit to be distributed is fixed, which is generally upon an employee’s termination of employment. Final pension settlement expense for the SBP was recognized at December 31, 2025, upon retirement of the remaining participant in the plan (see Note I).
Revenue Recognition: Revenues are recognized when or as control of the promised services is transferred to the customer, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those services. Revenue adjustments occur due to freight bill rating or other billing adjustments. The Company also estimates revenue adjustments based on historical information and current trends, and revenue is recognized accordingly.
Asset-Based Segment
Asset-Based segment revenues consist primarily of less-than-truckload freight delivery. Performance obligations are satisfied upon final delivery of the freight to the specified destination. Revenue is recognized in each reporting period based on the expense incurred relative to each shipment’s transit time. A bill‑by‑bill analysis is used to establish estimates of revenue in transit for recognition in the appropriate period. Because the bill‑by‑bill methodology utilizes the approximate location of the shipment in the delivery process to determine the revenue to recognize, management believes it to be a reliable method.
Certain contracts may provide for volume-based or other discounts which are accounted for as variable consideration. The Company estimates these amounts based on a historical expectation of discounts to be earned by customers, and revenue is recognized based on the estimates. Management believes that actual amounts will not vary significantly from estimates of variable consideration.
Revenue, purchased transportation expense, and third-party service expenses are reported on a gross basis for shipments and services where the Company utilizes a third-party carrier for pickup, linehaul, delivery of freight, or performance of services but remains primarily responsible for fulfilling delivery to the customer and maintains discretion in setting the price for the services.
Asset-Light Segment
Asset-Light segment revenues consist primarily of asset-light logistics services using third-party vendors to provide transportation services. Asset-Light segment revenue is recognized based on the relative transit time in each reporting period using estimated standard delivery times for freight in transit at the end of the reporting period. Purchased transportation expense is recognized as incurred consistent with the recognition of revenue.
Revenue and purchased transportation expense are reported on a gross basis for shipments and services where the Company utilizes a third-party carrier for pickup and delivery but remains primarily responsible to the customer for delivery and maintains discretion in setting the price for the service.
Other Recognition and Disclosure
Payment terms with customers may vary depending on the service provided, location or specific agreement with the customer. Payment terms generally vary between 30 to 90 days. For certain services, payment is required before the services are provided to the customer.
The Company expenses sales commissions when incurred because the amortization period isone year or less.
Comprehensive Income or Loss: Comprehensive income or loss consists of net income and other comprehensive income or loss, net of tax. Other comprehensive income or loss refers to revenues, expenses, gains, and losses that are not included in net income for the period but rather are recorded directly to stockholders’ equity. The Company reports the components of other comprehensive income or loss, net of tax, by their nature and discloses the tax effect allocated to each component in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The accumulated balance of other comprehensive income or loss is displayed separately in the consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity, and the components of the balance are reported in Note J. The changes in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss, net of tax, and the significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss are disclosed, by component, in Note J.
Earnings Per Share: Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the daily weighted number of shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated using the treasury stock method. Under this method, the denominator used in calculating diluted earnings per share includes the impact of unvested restricted equity awards.
Share-Based Compensation: The fair value of restricted stock awards is determined based upon the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant, adjusted for the present value of dividends which are not payable with respect to unvested restricted stock units (“RSUs”). The RSUs generally vest over a specified time beginning on the grant date. RSUs granted follow athree-year ratable vesting schedule with one‑third of the grants vesting each year. Awards granted to non‑employee directors typically vest at the end of a one‑year period, subject to accelerated vesting due to death, disability, retirement, or change-in-control provisions. When RSUs become vested, the Company issues new shares in settlement of the RSU award. The Company recognizes the income tax benefits of dividends on share‑based payment awards as income tax expense or benefit in the consolidated statements of operations when awards vest or are settled.
Share-based awards are amortized to compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of awards or over the period to which the recipient first becomes eligible for retirement, whichever is shorter, with vesting accelerated upon death or disability. The Company recognizes forfeitures as they occur, and the income tax effects of awards are recognized in the statement of operations when awards vest or are settled.
Advertising: The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. These costs totaled $23.9 million, $22.3 million, and $27.8 million for 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively.
Fair Value Measurements: The Company discloses the fair value measurements of its financial assets and liabilities. Fair value measurements are disclosed in accordance with the following hierarchy of valuation approaches based on whether the inputs of market data and market assumptions used to measure fair value are observable or unobservable:
| ● | Level 1 – Quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets. |
| ● | Level 2 – Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data. |
| ● | Level 3 – Unobservable inputs (based on the Company’s market assumptions) that are significant to the valuation model. |
Environmental Matters: The Company expenses environmental costs related to existing conditions resulting from past or current operations and from which no current or future benefit is discernible. Expenditures which extend the life of the related property or mitigate or prevent future environmental contamination are capitalized. Amounts accrued reflect
management’s best estimate of the future undiscounted exposure related to identified properties based on current environmental regulations, management’s experience with similar environmental matters, and testing performed at certain sites. The estimated liability is not reduced for possible recoveries from insurance carriers or other third parties.
Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In the fourth quarter of 2025, the Company adopted an amendment to Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 740,Income Taxes, which was amended in December 2023 through the issuance of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2023-09,Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (“ASU 2023-09”), to improve income tax disclosures primarily related to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid information. This ASU was applied prospectively and did not have a significant impact on the Company’s disclosures (see Note E).
Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
ASC Topic 220,Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses, was amended in November 2024 through the issuance of ASU No. 2024-03,Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income – Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (“ASU 2024-03”), which requires additional disclosure of specified information about certain costs and expenses. ASU 2024-03 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026, while early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the amendment’s impact on the Company’s disclosures.
ASC Topic 350,Intangibles - Goodwill and Other, was amended in September 2025 through the issuance of ASU No. 2025-06,Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Internal-Use Software (“ASU 2025-06”), which eliminates accounting consideration of software project development stages and clarifies the threshold applied to begin capitalizing costs. ASU 2025-06 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027, while early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the amendment's impact on the Company's internal-use software capitalization policies, projects, and disclosures.
ASC Topic 270,Interim Reporting, was amended in December 2025 through the issuance of ASU No. 2025-11,Interim Reporting – Narrow-Scope(“ASU 2025-11”), which clarifies interim disclosure requirements. ASU 2025-11 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027, while early adoption is permitted. The ASU does not change the fundamental nature of interim reporting or expand or reduce existing interim disclosure requirements.
NOTE C – FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Financial Instruments
The components of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments as of December 31 are presented in the following table:
| | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · 2025 · · 2024 | |||||||
| · · (in thousands) · | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | | | | | | | |
| Cash deposits(1) | | $72,280 | | $83,048 | | ||
| Money market funds(2) | | 29,750 | | 44,396 | | ||
| Total cash and cash equivalents | | $102,030 | | $127,444 | | ||
| | | | | | | | |
| Short-term investments | | | | | | | |
| Certificates of deposit(3) | | $22,204 | | $29,759 | | ||
| (1) | Recorded at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates fair value. |
| (2) | Recorded at fair value as determined by quoted market prices (see amounts presented in the table of financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value within this Note). |
| (3) | Recorded at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates fair value due to its short-term nature and is categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. |
The Company’s long-term financial instruments are presented in the table of financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value within this Note.
Concentrations of Credit Risk of Financial Instruments
The Company is subject to concentrations of credit risk related to its cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments. The Company reduces credit risk by maintaining its cash deposits and short-term investments in accounts and certificates of deposit that are primarily FDIC‑insured. However, certain cash deposits and certificates of deposit may exceed federally insured limits. At December 31, 2025 and 2024, cash deposits and short-term investments totaling $31.1 million and $51.7 million, respectively, were not FDIC insured. The Company also holds money market funds, which are invested in U.S. government securities and repurchase agreements collateralized solely by U.S. government securities.
Fair value and carrying value disclosures of financial instruments as of December 31 are presented in the following table:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · 2025 · · 2024 | |||||||||||||
| · · (in thousands) · | |||||||||||||
| | | | Carrying | | | Fair | | | Carrying | | | Fair | |
| · · · Value · · Value · · Value · · Value · | |||||||||||||
| Notes payable(1) | | $223,856 | | $225,797 | | $189,134 | | $187,675 | | ||||
| New England Pension Fund withdrawal liability(2) | | | 17,906 | | | 16,258 | | | 18,671 | | | 16,783 | |
| | | $241,762 | | $242,055 | | $207,805 | | $204,458 | | ||||
| (1) | Fair value of the notes payable was determined using a present value income approach based on quoted interest rates from lending institutions with which the Company would enter into similar transactions (Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy). |
| (2) | ABF Freight’s multiemployer pension plan obligation with the New England Teamsters and Trucking Industry Pension Fund (the “New England Pension Fund”) was restructured under a transition agreement effective on August 1, 2018, which resulted in a related withdrawal liability. The fair value of the outstanding withdrawal liability is equal to the present value of the future withdrawal liability payments, discounted at an interest rate of 5.9% at December 31, 2025 and 6.0% at December 31, 2024 determined using the 20‑year U.S. Treasury rate plus a spread (Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy). As of December 31, 2025, the outstanding withdrawal liability totaled $17.9 million, of which $0.8 million was recorded in accrued expenses and the remaining portion was recorded in other long-term liabilities. |
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31 are presented in the following table:
| · · · · · · · · · · · · · | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · 2025 · | |||||||||
| · · · · · Fair Value Measurements Using · | |||||||||
| · · · · · Quoted Prices · · Significant · · Significant · | |||||||||
| · · · · · In Active · · Observable · · Unobservable · | |||||||||
| · · · · · Markets · · Inputs · · Inputs · | |||||||||
| · · Total · · (Level 1) · · (Level 2) · · (Level 3) | |||||||||
| · · (in thousands) · | |||||||||
| Assets: · · · · · · · · · · · · · | |||||||||
| Money market funds(1) | | $29,750 | | $29,750 | | $— | | $— | |
| Equity, bond, and money market mutual funds held in trust related to the Voluntary Savings Plan(2) | | 5,166 | | 5,166 | | — | | — | |
| | | $34,916 | | $34,916 | | $— | | $— | |
| · · · · · · · · · · · · · | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · 2024 · | ||||||||||||
| · · · · · Fair Value Measurements Using · | ||||||||||||
| · · · · · Quoted Prices · · Significant · · Significant · | ||||||||||||
| · · · · · In Active · · Observable · · Unobservable · | ||||||||||||
| · · · · · Markets · · Inputs · · Inputs · | ||||||||||||
| · · Total · · (Level 1) · · (Level 2) · · (Level 3) | ||||||||||||
| · · (in thousands) · | ||||||||||||
| Assets: · · · · · · · · · · · · · | ||||||||||||
| Money market funds(1) | | $44,396 | | $44,396 | | $— | | $— | | |||
| Equity, bond, and money market mutual funds held in trust related to the Voluntary Savings Plan(2) | | 5,570 | | 5,570 | | — | | — | | |||
| | | $49,966 | | $49,966 | | $— | | $— | | |||
| Liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Contingent consideration(3) | | $2,650 | | $— | | $— | | $2,650 | | |||
| (1) | Included in cash and cash equivalents. |
| (2) | Nonqualified deferred compensation plan investments consist of U.S. and international equity mutual funds, government and corporate bond mutual funds, and money market funds which are held in a trust with a third-party brokerage firm. Included in other long-term assets, with a corresponding liability reported within other long-term liabilities. |
| (3) | The estimated fair value of contingent consideration related to the acquisition of MoLo (see Note B) was determined by assessing Level 3 inputs. The Level 3 assessments utilized a Monte Carlo simulation with inputs including scenarios of estimated revenues and expenses to be achieved for the applicable performance periods, volatility factors applied to the simulations, and the discount rate applied, which was 12.9% as of December 31, 2024. The Company reduced the contingent consideration for the MoLo acquisition to zero during 2025 as the related earnout calculation did not meet the required adjusted EBITDA thresholds for payment as specified in the Agreement and Plan of Merger. |
The following table provides the change in fair value of the liabilities measured at fair value using inputs categorized in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy:
| | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Contingent Consideration · | ||||
| · · (in thousands) · | ||||
| Balance at December 31, 2024 | | $2,650 | | |
| Change in fair value included in operating expenses | | | (2,650) | |
| Balance at December 31, 2025 | | $— | | |
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
The Company remeasures certain assets on a nonrecurring basis upon events or changes in circumstances that indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The following table provides the changes in long-lived assets and intangibles measured on a nonrecurring basis during the years ended December 31:
| · · · · · · · | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2025 | | 2024 | |
| · · (in thousands) · | |||||
| Intangible assets(1) | | $(6,640) | | $— | |
| Equity investment(2) | | $— | | $(28,739) | |
| Revenue equipment(3) | | $— | | $(1,393) | |
| Software(3) | | $— | | $(307) | |
| (1) | During the fourth quarter of 2025, the Company recorded an impairment charge related to its indefinite-lived Panther trade name intangible asset within the Asset-Light reporting unit. The impairment was the result of a decline in projected revenue and profitability in the current recessionary freight environment. The fair value of the trade name was estimated as of October 1, 2025 using relief from royalty method by calculating the present value of the after-tax cost savings associated with owning the trade name and, therefore, not having to pay royalties for its use, which incorporates significant unobservable inputs categorized in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. Key assumptions included projected financial information, a royalty rate of 1.3%, and a discount rate of 16.2%. |
| (2) | In November 2021, the Company recorded an equity investment for $25.0 million in Phantom Auto, a startup provider of human-centered remote operation software. The equity investment was accounted for as a nonmarketable equity security without a readily determinable value using the measurement alternative, which allowed the investment to be recorded at cost, less any impairment and adjusted for observable price changes. During 2023, the fair value of the Company’s investment in Phantom Auto increased based on an observable price change upon the closing of Phantom Auto’s Series B-2 funding round as of April 26, 2023. During the first quarter of 2024, the Company was notified that Phantom Auto was ceasing operations due to liquidity concerns from failing to secure additional funding from investors or lenders. As a result, the Company assessed the likelihood of recovering its investment as remote and recorded a pre-tax, noncash impairment charge, to write off the equity investment in Phantom Auto, which was recognized below the operating income line in “Other, net” within “Other income (costs)” using inputs categorized in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. |
| (3) | During the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company recorded impairment charges for certain revenue equipment and software as part of a strategic decision to adjust capacity within Asset-Light’s operations. The impairment charges were reported in operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024. Inputs used in the fair value measurements of these assets were categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The software was impaired after it was determined it was no longer going to be utilized and the revenue equipment was written down to fair value, less cost to sell, of $4.6 million when it was reclassified to assets held for sale at fair value, which is reported within other long-term assets as of December 31, 2024. |
NOTE D – GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of net identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired. The goodwill balance of $304.8 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024 relates to the Asset-Light segment. The accumulated impairment of goodwill at December 31, 2025 and 2024 totaled $20.0 million.
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized but evaluated for impairment annually as of October 1, or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist (see Note B). The annual impairment evaluation of the goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets of the Asset-Light reporting unit was performed as of October 1, 2025. A third-party valuation specialist was utilized in performing the annual impairment analysis and it was determined that there wasno impairment to the recorded goodwill balance. However, it was determined that its indefinite-lived trade name within the Asset-Light reporting unit was impaired. Anoncash asset impairment charge of $6.6 million, included within the asset impairments charges line of Asset-Light segment operating expenses, was recorded during the fourth quarter of 2025 as the result of a decline in projected revenue and profitability in the current recessionary freight environment (see Note C).
The evaluation of goodwill impairment requires management’s judgement and the use of estimates and assumptions to determine if indicators of impairment exist at an interim date. Assumptions require considerable judgement because changes in broad economic factors and industry factors can result in variable and volatile fair values. Changes in key estimates and assumptions that impact the fair value of the operations, including the impact of excess capacity and a soft truckload market rate environment, could materially affect future analyses and result in material impairments of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets.
Intangible assets as of December 31 consisted of the following:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · · · 2025 · · 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| · · Weighted-Average · · · · · Accumulated · · Impairment · · Net · · · · · Accumulated · · Net | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| · · Amortization Period · · Cost · · Amortization · · Charge · · Value · · · Cost · · Amortization · · Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | (in years) | | (in thousands) | | (in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Finite-lived intangible assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Customer relationships | 12 | | $99,579 | | $68,206 | | $— | | $31,373 | | $99,579 | | $59,782 | | $39,797 | | ||||||||
| Other | | 9 | | | 30,655 | | | 18,297 | | | — | | | 12,358 | | | 30,438 | | | 13,920 | | | 16,518 | |
| | 11 | | 130,234 | | 86,503 | | | — | | 43,731 | | | 130,017 | | 73,702 | | 56,315 | | ||||||
| Indefinite-lived intangible asset | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Trade name(1) | N/A | | 32,300 | | N/A | | | 6,640 | | 25,660 | | | 32,300 | | N/A | | 32,300 | | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total intangible assets | N/A | | $162,534 | | $86,503 | | $6,640 | | $69,391 | | $162,317 | | $73,702 | | $88,615 | | ||||||||
| (1) | A noncash asset impairment charge was recorded in fourth quarter 2025, as previously discussed. |
As of December 31, 2025, the future amortization for intangible assets acquired through business acquisitions was as follows:
| | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Amortization of · | ||||
| · · Intangible Assets | ||||
| · · (in thousands) · | ||||
| 2026 | | $8,693 | | |
| 2027 | | 7,269 | | |
| 2028 | | 7,269 | | |
| 2029 | | 7,223 | | |
| 2030 | | | 6,712 | |
| Thereafter | | | 6,565 | |
| Total amortization | | $43,731 | | |
NOTE E – INCOME TAXES
On July 4, 2025, the United States Congress passed budget reconciliation bill H.R. 1 referred to as theOne Big Beautiful Bill Act(the “OBBB”). The OBBB contains several changes to corporate taxation, such as the permanent extension of certain expiring provisions of theTax Cuts and Jobs Actof 2017, including 100% expensing of qualified depreciable assets and modifications to capitalization of research and development expenses. The OBBB has multiple effective dates with certain provisions effective in 2025 and others implemented through 2027. As a result of the OBBB changes, the Company recognized a one-time accelerated current tax benefit of $26.6 million during 2025. This benefit primarily reflects $101.2 million of tax deductions for 100% expensing of fixed asset additions purchased between January 20 and June 30, 2025, and the immediate expensing of previously capitalized research and development costs. These items increased deferred tax liability and reduced the federal income tax liability and related tax payments for 2025, with no material impact on the 2025 effective tax rate.
The Company prospectively applied Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2023-09,Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (“ASU 2023-09”). As such, information presented below for 2024 and 2023 has not been recast to conform to current-year presentation.
Income before provision for income taxes was as follows for the year ended December 31:
| · · · · | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2025 | |
| · · (in thousands) | |||
| Domestic | | $81,820 | |
| Foreign | | 1,275 | |
| Total income before income taxes | | $83,095 | |
Significant components of the total provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · 2025 · · 2024 · · 2023 · | ||||||||||
| · · (in thousands) | ||||||||||
| Current provision (benefit) on continuing operations: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Federal | | $(10,336) | | $18,195 | | $38,860 | | |||
| State | | (464) | | 3,793 | | 10,949 | | |||
| Foreign | | 425 | | 928 | | 508 | | |||
| | | (10,375) | | 22,916 | | 50,317 | | |||
| Deferred provision (benefit) on continuing operations: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Federal | | 27,288 | | 17,532 | | (4,882) | | |||
| State | | 6,161 | | 5,058 | | (682) | | |||
| Foreign | | (77) | | (153) | | (2) | | |||
| | | 33,372 | | 22,437 | | (5,566) | | |||
| Current provision on discontinued operations: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Federal | | | — | | | 169 | | | 14,656 | |
| State | | — | | 36 | | 3,599 | | |||
| | | — | | 205 | | 18,255 | | |||
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total provision for income taxes | | $22,997 | | $45,558 | | $63,006 | | |||
Reconciliation of the provision for income taxes to the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to income before income taxes after the adoption of ASU 2023-09 is as follows for the year ended December 31:
| | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · 2025 · · | |||||||
| · · (in thousands, except percentages) | |||||||
| Income tax provision at the statutory federal rate | | $17,450 | | 21.0% | | ||
| State income taxes, net of federal income tax effect(1) | | 6,158 | | 7.4 | | | |
| Foreign income tax provision | | 1,169 | | 1.4 | | | |
| Tax credits | | | | | | | |
| Federal research and development tax credits | | | (1,543) | | (1.9) | | |
| Federal employment tax credits | | | (1,577) | | (1.9) | | |
| Foreign tax credits generated | | | (1,068) | | (1.3) | | |
| Net increase in valuation allowance | | | 1,063 | | 1.3 | | |
| Nontaxable and nondeductible items | | | 237 | | 0.3 | | |
| Other adjustments | | 1,108 | | 1.4 | | | |
| Total provision for income taxes | | $22,997 | | 27.7% | | ||
| (1) | The states and local jurisdictions that contribute to the majority (greater than 50%) of the tax effect in this category include Pennsylvania, California, Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, New Mexico, and Florida. |
Reconciliation between effective income tax rate, as computed on income from continuing operations before income taxes, and the statutory federal income tax rate for years ended December 31 prior to the adoption of ASU 2023-09 is presented in the following table:
| | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · 2024 · · 2023 · | |||||||
| · · (in thousands, except percentages) · | |||||||
| Income tax provision at the statutory federal rate of 21.0% | | $45,930 | | $39,252 | | ||
| Federal income tax effects of: | | | | | | | |
| State income taxes | | (1,859) | | (2,156) | | ||
| Settlement of share-based compensation(1) | | | (9,169) | | | (3,989) | |
| Non-deductible compensation under IRC Section 162(m) | | | 3,668 | | | 3,103 | |
| Other | | (2,843) | | (2,232) | | ||
| Federal income tax provision | | 35,727 | | 33,978 | | ||
| State income tax provision | | 8,851 | | 10,267 | | ||
| Foreign income tax provision | | 775 | | 506 | | ||
| Total provision for income taxes | | $45,353 | | $44,751 | | ||
| Effective tax rate | | 20.7% | 23.9% | ||||
| (1) | The tax benefits for 2024 and 2023 are primarily due to the vesting of RSUs granted in 2021 and 2022 at the end of a four-year and three-year period, respectively. RSUs granted subsequent to 2021 follow a graded vesting schedule, with RSUs vesting incrementally over a specified period of time, rather than fully vesting at the end of the vesting period. |
The Company's total effective tax rate was 27.7%,20.8% and 24.4% for 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively, including discontinued operations. The effective tax rate from discontinued operations was 25.5% for both 2024 and 2023. State tax rates vary among states and average approximately 6.0%, although some state rates are higher, and a small number of states do not impose an income tax.
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of the deferred tax assets and liabilities of continuing operations at December 31 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · 2025 · · 2024 | |||||||
| · · (in thousands) | |||||||
| Deferred tax assets: | | | | | | | |
| Accrued expenses | | $67,563 | | $66,211 | | ||
| Operating lease right-of-use liabilities | | | 60,067 | | | 56,119 | |
| Multiemployer pension fund withdrawal | | | 4,468 | | | 4,688 | |
| Postretirement liabilities other than pensions | | 3,599 | | 3,428 | | ||
| Share-based compensation | | 2,044 | | 2,239 | | ||
| Federal and state net operating loss carryovers | | 6,722 | | 4,383 | | ||
| Receivable allowances | | | 2,556 | | | 2,666 | |
| Other | | 4,038 | | 2,580 | | ||
| Total deferred tax assets | | 151,057 | | 142,314 | | ||
| Valuation allowance | | (4,452) | | (1,731) | | ||
| Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance | | $146,605 | | $140,583 | | ||
| | | | | | | | |
| Deferred tax liabilities: | | | | | | | |
| Amortization, depreciation, and basis differences for property, plant and equipment, and other long-lived assets | | $153,825 | | $121,400 | | ||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | | | 55,010 | | | 48,271 | |
| Intangibles | | 33,392 | | 33,680 | | ||
| Prepaid expenses | | 6,655 | | 6,345 | | ||
| Total deferred tax liabilities | | 248,882 | | 209,696 | | ||
| Net deferred tax liabilities | | $(102,277) | | $(69,113) | | ||
Income taxes paid, net of refunds, were as follows for the year ended December 31:
| | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · 2025 · | ||||
| · · (in thousands) | ||||
| Federal | | $2,300 | | |
| | | | | |
| State | | $2,275 | | |
| Tennessee | | | 594 | |
| | | | | |
| Foreign | | $2,203 | | |
| Canada Federal | | | 1,621 | |
| | | | | |
| Total income taxes paid, net of refunds | | $6,778 | | |
Income taxes paid, excluding income tax refunds of $33.1 million, totaled $71.1 million in 2024, while income taxes paid, excluding income tax refunds of $36.4 million, totaled $115.7 million in 2023.
Under Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718,Compensation – Stock Compensation, the Company may experience volatility in its income tax provision as a result of recording all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies in the income statement upon settlement of awards, which occurs primarily during the second quarter of each year. The 2025 tax rate reflects an expense of 1.2% related to the settlement of share-based compensation, while the 2024 and 2023 tax rates reflect tax benefits of 5.2% and 2.8%, respectively.
At December 31, 2025, the Company had gross federal net operating loss carryforwards of $0.3 million, which do not expire. Gross state net operating losses of $155.3 million have expiration dates ranging from 2033 through 2045. Gross state net operating losses of $63.9 million are for subsidiaries that have had taxable losses forthree or more prior tax years in jurisdictions with a carryforward period of less than 15 years or have other nexus issues that reduce the likelihood of the losses. These net operating loss carryforwards have been fully reserved with valuation allowances of $2.4 million at December 31, 2025 and $0.7 million at December 31, 2024.
As the Canadian tax rate is higher than the U.S. tax rate, it is unlikely that foreign tax credit carryforwards will be usable, as U.S. taxes will be paid at a lower rate than the tax rates in Canada. Thus, the foreign tax credit carryover is fully reserved, resulting in valuation allowances of $2.1 million at December 31, 2025 and $1.0 million at December 31, 2024.
Consolidated federal income tax returns filed for tax years through 2021 are closed by the applicable statute of limitations. The Company is currently under examination bytwo foreign taxing authorities at December 31, 2025. No federal orstate examinations were in process at December 31, 2025.
NOTE F – LEASES
The Company has operating lease arrangements for certain facilities and revenue equipment used in the Asset-Based and Asset-Light segment operations and certain other facilities and office equipment. Current operating leases have remaining terms of approximately 22 years or less, some of which include one or more options to renew, with renewal option terms up toten years. There isone early termination option available on an operating lease as of December 31, 2025, provided notification is given 24 months prior to the end of the lease term, which is included in the right-of-use assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2025.
The components of operating lease expense for the years ended December 31 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · 2025 · · 2024 · · 2023 | |||||||||
| · · (in thousands) | |||||||||
| Operating lease expense | | $46,453 | | $42,772 | | $38,794 | |||
| Variable lease expense | | | 9,080 | | | 7,183 | | | 6,804 |
| Sublease income | | | (4,722) | | | (2,631) | | | (246) |
| Total operating lease expense | | $50,811 | | $47,324 | | $45,352 | |||
The operating cash flows from operating lease activity for the years ended December 31 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · 2025 · · 2024 · · 2023 | |||||||||
| · · (in thousands) | |||||||||
| Noncash change in operating right-of-use assets | | $34,292 | | $34,445 | | $33,470 | |||
| Cash payments to obtain right-of-use assets | | | (11,500) | | | (7,752) | | | — |
| Change in operating lease liabilities | | | (33,811) | | | (33,898) | | | (30,550) |
| Changes in operating right-of-use assets and lease liabilities, net | | $(11,019) | | $(7,205) | | $2,920 | |||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Supplemental cash flow information | | | | | | | | | |
| Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities | | $46,018 | | $42,173 | | $35,759 | |||
| Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities | | $50,195 | | $49,452 | | $62,425 | |||
The weighted-average remaining lease term for our outstanding operating lease obligations was 7.9 years as of December 31, 2025 and 7.4 years as of December 31, 2024. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the weighted-average discount rate was 4.79% and 4.59%, respectively. Maturities of operating lease liabilities at December 31, 2025 were as follows:
| | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Operating · | ||||
| · · Lease · | ||||
| · · Liabilities · | ||||
| · (in thousands) · | ||||
| 2026 | | $46,841 | | |
| 2027 | | 41,657 | | |
| 2028 | | 37,748 | | |
| 2029 | | 32,655 | | |
| 2030 | | 29,851 | | |
| Thereafter | | 104,974 | | |
| Total lease payments | | | 293,726 | |
| Less imputed interest | | | (52,999) | |
| Total | | $240,727 | | |
Lease Impairment Charges
In 2023, lease impairment charges totaling $30.2 million were recognized as a component of operating expenses for impairment of certain long-lived operating right-of-use assets that were made available for sublease and continued to be classified as held and used.
NOTE G – LONG-TERM DEBT AND FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS
Long-Term Debt Obligations
Long-term debt, which consisted of notes payable related to the financing of revenue equipment (tractors and trailers used primarily in Asset-Based segment operations) and certain other equipment at December 31, 2025 and 2024, was as follows:
| · · · · · · · | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · 2025 · · 2024 | |||||
| · · (in thousands) · | |||||
| Notes payable (weighted-average interest rate of 5.0% at December 31, 2025) | | $223,856 | | $189,134 | |
| Less current portion | | 87,882 | | 63,978 | |
| Long-term debt, less current portion | | $135,974 | | $125,156 | |
Scheduled payments of long-term debt obligations as of December 31, 2025 were as follows:
| | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Notes · | ||||
| · · Payable · | ||||
| · · (in thousands) · | ||||
| 2026 | | $97,114 | | |
| 2027 | | 85,622 | | |
| 2028 | | 46,435 | | |
| 2029 | | 10,675 | | |
| 2030 | | — | | |
| Total payments | | | 239,846 | |
| Less amounts representing interest | | 15,990 | | |
| Long-term debt | | $223,856 | | |
Assets securing notes payable, primarily consisting of revenue equipment, which were included in property, plant and equipment, totaled $362.5 million at December 31, 2025 and $333.5 million at December 31, 2024.
The Company paid interest of $11.8 million, $8.5 million, and $8.7 million in 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively, net of capitalized interest which totaled $0.4 million for both 2025 and 2024 and $0.3 million for 2023.
Financing Arrangements
Credit Facility
The Company’s revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) was amended and restated under its Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) in November 2025. The amendment, among other things, increased the letter of credit sub-facility sublimit from $20.0 million to $50.0 million and extended the maturity date from October 7, 2027 to November 25, 2030.
The Credit Facility has an initial maximum credit amount of $250.0 million, including a swing line facility in an aggregate amount of up to $40.0 million and a letter of credit sub-facility providing for the issuance of letters of credit up to an aggregate amount of $50.0 million. The Company may request additional revolving commitments or incremental term loans thereunder up to an aggregate amount of up to $125.0 million, subject to the satisfaction of certain additional conditions as provided in the Credit Agreement. The Company borrowed and repaid $25.0 million under the Credit Facility during 2025. As of December 31, 2025 the Company had available borrowing capacity of $250.0 million under the initial maximum credit amount of the Credit Facility.
Principal payments under the Credit Facility are due upon maturity of the facility; however, borrowings may be repaid, at the Company’s discretion, in whole or in part at any time, without penalty, subject to required notice periods and compliance with minimum prepayment amounts. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement can either be, at the Company’s election: (i) at an Alternate Base Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement) plus a spread ranging from 0.125% to 1.00%, or (ii) the Adjusted Term SOFR Screen Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement) plus a spread ranging from 1.125% to 2.00%. The applicable spread is dependent upon the Company’s Adjusted Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement). In addition, the Credit Facility requires the Company to pay a fee on unused commitments. The Credit Agreement contains conditions, representations and warranties, events of default, and indemnification provisions that are customary for financings of this type, including, but not limited to, a minimum interest coverage ratio, a maximum adjusted leverage ratio, and limitations on incurrence of debt, investments, liens on assets, certain sale and leaseback transactions, transactions with affiliates, mergers, consolidations, and sales of assets. The Company was in compliance with the covenants under the Credit Agreement at December 31, 2025.
Accounts Receivable Securitization Program
In June 2025, the Company amended and restated its accounts receivable securitization program (“A/R Securitization”), extending the maturity date to July 1, 2026. The A/R Securitization provides available cash proceeds of $50.0 million and has an accordion feature allowing the Company to request additional borrowings up to $100.0 million, subject to certain conditions. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company hadno borrowings outstanding under the A/R Securitization.
Under this program, certain subsidiaries of the Company continuously sell a designated pool of trade accounts receivables to a wholly owned subsidiary which, in turn, may borrow funds on a revolving basis. The A/R Securitization does not qualify for sale treatment. Accordingly, the accounts receivable and related debt obligation remain on the Company’s
consolidated balance sheets. This wholly owned consolidated subsidiary is a separate bankruptcy-remote entity, and its assets would be available only to satisfy the claims related to the lenders’ interest in the trade accounts receivable. Borrowings under the A/R Securitization bear interest based upon SOFR, or, to the extent funded by the conduit lender through the issuance of notes, at the commercial paper rate as defined in the agreement, plus a margin in each case, and an annual facility fee. The securitization agreement contains representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants, and events of default that are customary for financings of this type, including a maximum adjusted leverage ratio covenant. The Company was in compliance with the covenants under the A/R Securitization at December 31, 2025.
The A/R Securitization includes a provision under which the Company may request, and the program’s letter of credit issuer may issue, standby letters of credit (“LOCs”). These LOCs are primarily in support of the Company’s workers’ compensation and third-party casualty claims liabilities in various states in which the Company is self-insured. The issuance of standby LOCs reduces the availability of borrowings under the program. As of December 31, 2025, standby LOCs of $23.5 million have been issued under the program, reducing the available borrowing capacity to $26.5 million.
Notes Payable
The Company has financed the purchase of certain revenue equipment through promissory note arrangements totaling $117.9 million and $80.7 million during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
NOTE H – ACCRUED EXPENSES
| | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · December 31 · | |||||||
| · · 2025 · · 2024 · | |||||||
| · · (in thousands) · | |||||||
| Workers’ compensation, third-party casualty, and loss and damage claims reserves | | $222,643 | | $217,161 | | ||
| Accrued vacation pay | | 64,078 | | 63,437 | | ||
| Accrued compensation, including retirement benefits | | | 60,661 | | | 75,900 | |
| Taxes other than income | | 7,019 | | 9,924 | | ||
| Other | | 23,724 | | 28,458 | | ||
| Total accrued expenses | | $378,125 | | $394,880 | | ||
NOTE I – EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Supplemental Benefit and Postretirement Health Benefit Plans
The Company has an unfunded supplemental benefit plan (the “SBP”), which was designed to supplement benefits under the Company’s legacy nonunion defined benefit pension plan (for which plan termination and liquidation was completed in 2019) for designated executive officers. The SBP was closed to new entrants, and a cap was placed on the maximum payment per participant in the SBP effective January 1, 2006. In place of the SBP, eligible officers of the Company appointed after 2005 participate in a long-term cash incentive plan (see Long‑Term Incentive Compensation Plan section within this Note). Effective December 31, 2009, the accrual of benefits and the valuation inputs for calculating SBP benefits to be paid to participants, including final average salary and the interest rate, were frozen, with the exception of early retirement penalties that may apply in certain cases. Final pension settlement expense for the SBP was recognized at December 31, 2025, upon retirement of the remaining participant in the plan.
The Company sponsors an insured postretirement health benefit plan that provides supplemental medical benefits and dental and vision benefits primarily to certain officers of the Company and certain subsidiaries. New entrants have not been added to the postretirement health benefit plan since January 1, 2017.
The following table discloses the changes in benefit obligations and plan assets of the Company’s nonunion defined benefit plans for years ended December 31, the measurement date of the plans:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Supplemental · · Postretirement | |||||||||||||
| · · Benefit Plan · · Health Benefit Plan | |||||||||||||
| · · 2025 · · 2024 · · 2025 · · 2024 | |||||||||||||
| · · (in thousands) | |||||||||||||
| Change in benefit obligations | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Benefit obligations, beginning of year | | $368 | | $358 | | $13,825 | | $13,668 | | ||||
| Service cost | | — | | — | | 51 | | 60 | | ||||
| Interest cost | | 18 | | 15 | | 712 | | 632 | | ||||
| Actuarial (gain) loss (1) | | 38 | | (5) | | 685 | | 162 | | ||||
| Benefits paid | | — | | — | | (755) | | (697) | | ||||
| Benefit obligations, end of year | | 424 | | 368 | | 14,518 | | 13,825 | | ||||
| Change in plan assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fair value of plan asset, beginning of year | | — | | — | | — | | — | | ||||
| Employer contributions | | — | | — | | 755 | | 697 | | ||||
| Benefits paid | | — | | — | | (755) | | (697) | | ||||
| Fair value of plan assets, end of year | | — | | — | | — | | — | | ||||
| Funded status at period end | | $(424) | | $(368) | | $(14,518) | | $(13,825) | | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Accumulated benefit obligation | | $424 | | $368 | | $14,518 | | $13,825 | | ||||
| (1) | The higher actuarial loss on the postretirement health benefit plan for 2025, compared to 2024, is due to an increase in the healthcare cost trend rate and a decrease in the discount rate used to remeasure the plan obligation at December 31, 2025. |
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets at December 31 consisted of the following:
| · · · · · · · · · · · · · | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Supplemental · · Postretirement | |||||||||
| · · Benefit Plan · · Health Benefit Plan | |||||||||
| · · 2025 · · 2024 · · 2025 · · 2024 | |||||||||
| · · (in thousands) | |||||||||
| Current portion of pension and postretirement liabilities | | $(424) | | $— | | $(822) | | $(832) | |
| Pension and postretirement liabilities, less current portion | | — | | (368) | | (13,696) | | (12,993) | |
| Liabilities recognized | | $(424) | | $(368) | | $(14,518) | | $(13,825) | |
The following is a summary of the components of net periodic benefit cost for the Company’s nonunion benefit plans for the years ended December 31:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Supplemental · · Postretirement · | |||||||||||||||||||
| · · Benefit Plan · · Health Benefit Plan · | |||||||||||||||||||
| · 2025 · · 2024 · · 2023 · · 2025 · · 2024 · · 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||
| · · (in thousands) · | |||||||||||||||||||
| Service cost | | $— | | $— | | $— | | $51 | | $60 | | $78 | | ||||||
| Interest cost | | 18 | | 15 | | 16 | | 712 | | 632 | | 599 | | ||||||
| Pension settlement expense | | | 31 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| Amortization of net actuarial gain(1) | | (4) | | (2) | | (4) | | (837) | | (997) | | (1,326) | | ||||||
| Net periodic benefit cost (credit) | | $45 | | $13 | | $12 | | $(74) | | $(305) | | $(649) | | ||||||
| (1) | The Company amortizes actuarial gains and losses over the average remaining active service period of the plan participants and does not use a corridor approach. |
Included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at December 31 were the following pre-tax amounts that have not yet been recognized in net periodic benefit cost:
| · · · · · · · · · · · · · | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Supplemental · · Postretirement | |||||||||
| · · Benefit Plan · · Health Benefit Plan | |||||||||
| · · 2025 · · 2024 · · 2025 · · 2024 | |||||||||
| · · (in thousands) · | |||||||||
| Unrecognized net actuarial gain | | $— | | $(12) | | $(4,125) | | $(5,647) | |
The discount rate is determined by matching projected cash distributions with appropriate high-quality corporate bond yields in a yield curve analysis. Weighted-average assumptions used to determine nonunion benefit obligations at December 31 were as follows:
| · · · · · · · · · | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Supplemental · · Postretirement | |||||
| · · Benefit Plan · · Health Benefit Plan | |||||
| · · 2025 · · 2024 · · 2025 · · 2024 · | |||||
| Discount rate | | —% | 4.8% | 5.4% | 5.5% |
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for the Company’s nonunion benefit plans for the years ended December 31 were as follows:
| · · · · · · · · · · · · · | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Supplemental · · Postretirement | |||||||
| · · Benefit Plan · · Health Benefit Plan | |||||||
| · · 2025 · · 2024 · · 2023 · · 2025 · · 2024 · · 2023 · | |||||||
| Discount rate | | 4.8% | 4.3% | 4.6% | 5.5% | 4.8% | 5.0% |
The assumed health care cost trend rates for the Company’s postretirement health benefit plan at December 31 were as follows:
| · · · · · | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| · · 2025 · · 2024 · | |||
| Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year(1) | | 8.0% | 7.0% |
| Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline | | 4.5% | 4.5% |
| Year that the rate reaches the cost trend assumed rate | 2041 | 2036 | |
| (1) | At each December 31 measurement date, health care cost rates for the following year are based on known premiums for the fully insured postretirement health benefit plan. Therefore, the first year of assumed health care cost trend rates presented as of December 31, 2025 are for 2027 and 2024 are for 2026. |
Estimated future benefit payments from the Company’s SBP and postretirement health benefit plans, which reflect expected future service as appropriate, as of December 31, 2025 are as follows:
| · · · · · · · | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Supplemental · · Postretirement | |||||
| · · Benefit · · Health | |||||
| · · Plan · · Benefit Plan | |||||
| · · (in thousands) | |||||
| 2026 | | $424 | | $822 | |
| 2027 | | $— | | $828 | |
| 2028 | | $— | | $833 | |
| 2029 | | $— | | $888 | |
| 2030 | | $— | | $898 | |
| 2031-2035 | | $— | | $4,518 | |
Voluntary Savings Plan
The Company maintains a Voluntary Savings Plan (“VSP”), a nonqualified deferred compensation program for the benefit of certain executives of the Company and certain subsidiaries. Eligible employees may defer receipt of a portion of their salary and incentive compensation into the VSP by making an election prior to the beginning of the year in which the salary compensation is payable and, for incentive compensation, by making an election at leastsix months prior to the end of the performance period to which the incentive relates. The Company credits participants’ accounts with applicable rates of return based on a portfolio selected by the participants from the investments available in the plan. The Company match related to the VSP was suspended beginning January 1, 2010. All deferrals, Company match, and investment earnings are considered part of the general assets of the Company until paid. Accordingly, the consolidated balance sheets reflect the fair value of the aggregate participant balances, based on quoted prices of the mutual fund investments, as both an asset and a liability of the Company. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, VSP balances of $5.2 million and $5.6 million, respectively, were included in other long-term assets with a corresponding amount recorded in other long-term liabilities.
Defined Contribution Plans
The Company and its subsidiaries have defined contribution 401(k) plans that cover substantially all nonunion employees. The plans permit participants to defer a portion of their salary up to a maximum of 75% as determined under Section
401(k) of the IRC. For certain participating subsidiaries, the Company matches 50% of nonunion participant contributions up to the first 6% of annual compensation. The Company’s matching expense for the nonunion 401(k) plans totaled $10.0 million, $9.2 million, and $7.1 million for 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively. The plans also allow for discretionary 401(k) Company contributions determined annually. The Company recognized expense of $10.6 million, $11.5 million, and $13.1 million in 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively, related to its discretionary contributions to the nonunion defined contribution 401(k) plans. Participants are fully vested in the Company’s contributions under the defined contribution 401(k) plans after three years of service.
Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan
The Company maintains a performance-based Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan (“LTIP”) for certain officers of the Company or its subsidiaries. The LTIP incentive, which is earned over three years, is based, in part, upon a proportionate weighting of return on capital employed and shareholder returns compared to a peer group, as specifically defined in the plan document. As of December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, $9.6 million, $21.0 million, $26.3 million, respectively, were accrued for future payments under the plans.
Other Plans
Other long-term assets include $45.5 million at December 31, 2025 and $51.7 million at December 31, 2024 in the cash surrender value of life insurance policies. These policies are intended to provide funding for certain of the Company’s long-term nonunion benefit plans. A portion of the Company’s cash surrender value of variable life insurance policies have investments, through separate accounts, in equity and fixed income securities and, therefore, are subject to market volatility. The Company recognized a gain of $3.3 million, $3.3 million and $4.6 million for 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively, associated with changes in the cash surrender value and proceeds from life insurance policies, included below the operating income line in “Other, net” within “Other income (costs).”
Multiemployer Plans
ABF Freight System, Inc. and certain other subsidiaries reported in the Company’s Asset-Based operating segment (“ABF Freight”) contribute to multiemployer pension and health and welfare plans, which have been established pursuant to the Taft-Hartley Act to provide benefits for its contractual employees. ABF Freight’s contributions generally are based on the time worked by its contractual employees, in accordance with the 2023 ABF NMFA and other related supplemental agreements, which will remain in effect through June 30, 2028. ABF Freight recognizes as expense the contractually required contributions for each period and recognizes as a liability any contributions due and unpaid.
The multiemployer plans to which ABF Freight primarily contributes are jointly trusteed (half of the trustees of each plan are selected by the participating employers, the other half by the IBT) and cover collectively bargained employees of multiple unrelated employers. Due to the inherent nature of multiemployer plans, there are risks associated with participation in these plans that differ from single-employer plans. Assets received by the plans are not segregated by employer, and contributions made by one employer can be and are used to provide benefits to current and former employees of other employers. If a participating employer in a multiemployer pension plan no longer contributes to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by the remaining participating employers. If ABF Freight were to completely withdraw from certain multiemployer pension plans, whether in connection with a mass withdrawal or otherwise, under current law, ABF Freight would have material liabilities for its share of the unfunded vested liabilities of each such plan.
Pension Plans
The 25 multiemployer pension plans to which ABF Freight contributes vary greatly in size and in funded status. The funding obligations to the pension plans are intended to satisfy the requirements imposed by thePension Protection Act of 2006 (the “PPA”), which was permanently extended by theMultiemployer Pension Reform Act of 2014 (the “Reform Act”) included in theConsolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2015. Through the term of its current collective bargaining agreement, ABF Freight’s contribution obligations generally will be satisfied by making the specified contributions when due. However, the Company cannot determine with any certainty the contributions that will be required under future collective bargaining agreements for ABF Freight’s contractual employees.
The PPA requires that “endangered” (generally less than 80% funded and commonly called “yellow zone”) plans adopt “funding improvement plans” and that “critical” (generally less than 65% funded and commonly called “red zone”) plans
adopt “rehabilitation plans” that are intended to improve the plan’s funded status over time. The Reform Act includes provisions to address the funding of multiemployer pension plans in “critical and declining” status, including certain of those in which ABF Freight participates. Critical and declining status is applicable to critical status plans that are projected to become insolvent anytime within the next 14 plan years, or if the plan is projected to become insolvent within the next 19 plan years and either the plan’s ratio of inactive participants to active participants exceedstwo to one or the plan’s funded percentage is less than 80%. Provisions of the Reform Act include, among others, providing qualifying plans the ability to self-correct funding issues, subject to various requirements and restrictions, including applying to the U.S. Department of Treasury for the reduction of certain accrued benefits.
TheAmerican Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (the “American Rescue Plan Act”) includes theButch Lewis Emergency Pension Plan Relief Act of 2021 (the “Pension Relief Act”). The Pension Relief Act includes provisions to improve funding for multiemployer pension plans, including financial assistance provided through the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation (the “PBGC”) to qualifying underfunded plans to secure pension benefits for plan participants. Without the funding provided by the Pension Relief Act, many of the multiemployer pension funds to which ABF Freight contributes could become insolvent in the near future; however, ABF Freight would continue to be obligated to make contributions to those funds under the terms of the 2023 ABF NMFA.
In connection with the American Rescue Plan Act, the PBGC established the Special Financial Assistance Program (the “SFA Program”) to administer funds to severely underfunded eligible multiemployer pension plans under the Pension Relief Act. Certain multiemployer pension plans to which ABF Freight contributes, including the Central States, Southeast and Southwest Areas Pension Plan (the “Central States Pension Plan”) and the New England Teamsters Pension Fund, have received funds under the SFA Program which could allow them to avoid insolvency and improve their funded status. Under the American Rescue Plan Act and in accordance with regulations of the PBGC, plans receiving funding under the SFA Program are not permitted to reduce employer contributions to their funds. The Company will continue to evaluate the impact of assistance provided by the SFA Program on ABF Freight’s multiemployer pension plan contributions. Through the term of the 2023 ABF NMFA, ABF Freight’s multiemployer pension contribution obligations generally will be satisfied by making the specified contributions when due. Future contribution rates will be determined through the negotiation process for contract periods following the term of the current collective bargaining agreement.
Based on the most recent funding information the Company has received, none of ABF Freight’s multiemployer pension plan contributions for the year ended December 31, 2025 were made to plans that are in “critical and declining status;” approximately 56% were made to plans that are in “critical status,” including the Central States Pension Plan and New England Teamsters Pension Fund discussed below; andno contributions were made to plans that are in “endangered status,” each as defined by the PPA. ABF Freight’s participation in multiemployer pension plans is summarized in the table below. The Central States Pension Plan and the New England Teamsters Pension Fund are the only funds individually listed in the table which received financial assistance from the SFA Program. The severity of a plan’s underfunded status considered in the analysis of individually significant funds to be separately disclosed was after the financial assistance from the SFA Program.
Individually significant multiemployer pension funds based on the amount and the related key participation information were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · · · Pension · · FIP/RP · · · · · · · · · · | |||||||||||||||||||
| · · · · Protection Act · · Status · · Contributions(d) · · | |||||||||||||||||||
| · · EIN/Pension · · Zone Status(b) · · Pending/ · · (in thousands) · · Surcharge | |||||||||||||||||||
| Legal Name of Plan · · Plan Number(a) · · 2025 · · 2024 · · Implemented(c) · · 2025 · · 2024 · · 2023 · · Imposed(e) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Central States, Southeast and Southwest Areas Pension Plan(1)(2) | 36-6044243 | Critical | Critical | Implemented | | $75,876 | | $75,004 | | $77,708 | No | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Plan(1)(2) | 91-6145047 | Green | Green | No | | 34,034 | | 27,701 | | 29,540 | No | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Central Pennsylvania Teamsters Defined Benefit Plan(1)(2) | 23-6262789 | Green | Green | No | | 14,634 | | 15,261 | | 15,540 | No | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| I. B. of T. Union Local No. 710 Pension Fund(1)(2) | 36-2377656 | Green | Green | No | | 11,484 | | 11,560 | | 10,676 | No | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| New England Teamsters Pension Fund(3)(4) | 04-6372430 | Critical(5) | Critical and Declining(5) | Implemented(6) | | 4,546 | | 4,548 | | 4,636 | | No | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| All other plans in the aggregate | | | | | | | | | | 23,524 | | 23,818 | | 24,384 | | | |||
| Total multiemployer pension contributions paid(7) | | | | | | | | | | $164,098 | | $157,892 | | $162,484 | | | |||
Table Heading Definitions
| (a) | The “EIN/Pension Plan Number” column provides the Federal Employer Identification Number (“EIN”) and the three-digit plan number, if applicable. |
|---|
| (b) | Unless otherwise noted, the most recent PPA zone status available in 2025 and 2024 is for 2024 and 2023 plan years, respectively. The zone status is based on information received from the plan and was certified by the plan’s actuary. Green zone funds are those that are not in endangered, critical, or critical and declining status and generally have a funded percentage of at least 80%. |
|---|
| (c) | The “FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented” column indicates if a funding improvement plan (“FIP”) or a rehabilitation plan (“RP”), if applicable, is pending or has been implemented. |
|---|
| (d) | Amounts reflect contributions made in the respective year and differ from amounts expensed during the year. |
|---|
| (e) | The surcharge column indicates if a surcharge was paid by ABF Freight to the plan. |
|---|
Table Footnotes
| (1) | Of the multiemployer pension plans considered individually significant, ABF Freight System, Inc. was listed by the following plans as providing more than 5% of the total contributions: Central States, Southeast and Southwest Areas Pension Plan for the plan years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023; Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Plan for the plan year ended December 31, 2023; Central Pennsylvania Teamsters Defined Benefit Plan for the plan years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023; and I. B. of T. Union Local No. 710 Pension Fund for the plan years ended January 31, 2025 and 2024. |
| (2) | Information for this fund was obtained from the annual funding notice, other notices received from the plan, and the Form 5500 filed for the 2024 and 2023 plan years. |
| (3) | Contributions include $1.6 million each year for 2025, 2024, and 2023, related to the multiemployer pension fund withdrawal liability. ABF Freight’s multiemployer pension plan obligation with the New England Teamsters and Trucking Industry Pension Fund was restructured under a transition agreement effective on August 1, 2018, which triggered a withdrawal liability settlement to satisfy ABF Freight’s existing potential withdrawal liability obligation to the fund. The withdrawal liability obligation totaled $25.0 million at December 31, 2025 and $26.6 million at December 31, 2024, with monthly payments due over the remaining 16 years as of December 31, 2025. |
| (4) | Information for this fund was obtained from the annual funding notice, other notices received from the plan, and the Form 5500 filed for the 2023 and 2022 plan years. |
| (5) | PPA zone status relates to 2023 and 2022 plan years. |
| (6) | On November 19, 2024, the rehabilitation plan was amended and restated, setting contribution and benefit structures that are intended to enable the fund to emerge from critical status, which took effect on January 1, 2025. |
| (7) | Contribution levels can be impacted by several factors such as changes in business levels and the related time worked by contractual employees, contractual rate increases for pension benefits, and the specific funding structure, which differs among funds. The |
current and prior collective bargaining agreements and the related supplemental agreements provided for contributions to multiemployer pension plans to be frozen at the current rates for each fund, although certain funds have imposed contribution increases under their rehabilitation or funding improvement plans. The year-over-year changes in multiemployer pension plan contributions presented above were influenced by changes in Asset-Based shipment levels.
For 2025, 2024, and 2023, nearly one-half of ABF Freight’s multiemployer pension contributions were made to the Central States Pension Plan. The funded percentages of the Central States Pension Plan, as set forth in information provided by the Central States Pension Plan, were 96.9%, and 98.5% as of January 1, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Despite the funded percentage exceeding 80% as of January 1, 2023, the plan is deemed to be in critical status through 2051 due to the receipt of funding from the SFA Program in January 2023. The plan announced that the SFA Program funding allowed the Central States Pension Plan to avoid insolvency in 2025 and that full funding will be reached over time.
As of September 30, 2025 and 2024, the funded percentages of the New England Teamsters Pension Fund were less than 65%. The fund is deemed to be in critical status through 2051 due to the receipt of funding from the SFA Program in August 2024. The fund announced that the SFA Program substantially improved the financial health and long-term viability of the fund.
The funding notices for the 2022 plan year for the Western Pennsylvania Teamsters and Employers Pension Fund, the New York State Teamsters Conference Pension and Retirement Fund, and the Trucking Employees of North Jersey Welfare Fund, Inc. – Pension Fund reflected the reinstatement of benefits previously suspended due to the significantly improved status of each fund due to the funding provided by the SFA Program; however, these funds will be deemed to be in critical status through the end of 2051. The Company also previously received notice that the PBGC will provide financial assistance (by paying retiree benefits not to exceed the PBGC guarantee limits) to the Road Carriers Local 707 Pension Fund, which was declared insolvent; however, this fund received SFA Program funding during 2022. Approximately 1% to 2% of ABF Freight’s total multiemployer pension contributions for the year ended December 31, 2025 were made to each of these funds.
ABF Freight has not received any other notification of plan reorganization or plan insolvency with respect to any multiemployer pension plan to which it contributes.
Health and Welfare Plans
ABF Freight contributes to 38 multiemployer health and welfare plans which provide health care benefits for active employees and retirees covered under labor agreements. Contributions to multiemployer health and welfare plans totaled $219.9 million, $218.5 million, and $215.6 million, for the year ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively. The benefit contribution rate for health and welfare benefits increased by an average of approximately 1.4%,3.7%, and 5.4% on August 1, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively, under ABF Freight’s current collective bargaining agreement with the IBT.
NOTE J – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows at December 31:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · 2025 · · 2024 · · 2023 | ||||||||||
| | | (in thousands) | ||||||||
| Pre-tax amounts: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Unrecognized net periodic benefit credit | | $4,126 | | $5,660 | | $6,816 | | |||
| Interest rate swap | | | — | | | — | | | 1,710 | |
| Foreign currency translation | | (4,717) | | (5,323) | | (2,709) | | |||
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total | | $(591) | | $337 | | $5,817 | | |||
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| After-tax amounts: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Unrecognized net periodic benefit credit | | $3,064 | | $4,203 | | $5,061 | | |||
| Interest rate swap | | | — | | | — | | | 1,263 | |
| Foreign currency translation | | (3,503) | | (3,931) | | (2,000) | | |||
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total | | $(439) | | $272 | | $4,324 | | |||
The following is a summary of the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, by component:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · · · · Unrecognized · · · Interest · · Foreign · | |||||||||||||
| · · · · · Net Periodic · · · Rate · · Currency · | |||||||||||||
| · Total · · Benefit Credit · · · Swap · · Translation · | |||||||||||||
| · · (in thousands) · | |||||||||||||
| Balances at December 31, 2023 | | $4,324 | | $5,061 | | $1,263 | | $(2,000) | | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications | | | (3,310) | | | (116) | | | (1,263) | | | (1,931) | |
| Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income | | | (742) | | | (742) | | | — | | | — | |
| Net current-period other comprehensive loss | | | (4,052) | | | (858) | | | (1,263) | | | (1,931) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Balances at December 31, 2024 | | $272 | | $4,203 | | $— | | $(3,931) | | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications | | (110) | | (538) | | | — | | 428 | | |||
| Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income | | (601) | | (601) | | | — | | — | | |||
| Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) | | (711) | | (1,139) | | | — | | 428 | | |||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Balances at December 31, 2025 | | $(439) | | $3,064 | | $— | | $(3,503) | | ||||
The following is a summary of the significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component for the years ended December 31:
| · · · · · · · | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Unrecognized Net Periodic · | ||||||
| · · Benefit Credit | ||||||
| · · 2025 · · 2024 | ||||||
| · · (in thousands) | ||||||
| Amortization of net actuarial gain(1) | | $841 | | $999 | | |
| Pension settlement expense(2) | | | (31) | | — | |
| Total, pre-tax | | | 810 | | 999 | |
| Tax expense | | | (209) | | (257) | |
| Total, net of tax | | $601 | | $742 | | |
| (1) | Included in the computation of net periodic benefit credit of the Company’s SBP and postretirement health benefit plan (see Note I). |
| (2) | Represents final pension settlement expense for the SBP recognized at December 31, 2025. |
Dividends on Common Stock
The following table is a summary of dividends declared during the applicable quarter:
| · · · · · · · · · · · · · | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · 2025 · · 2024 · | |||||||||
| · · Per Share · · Amount · · Per Share · · Amount | |||||||||
| · · (in thousands, except per share data) | |||||||||
| First quarter | | $0.12 | | $2,785 | | $0.12 | | $2,828 | |
| Second quarter | | $0.12 | | $2,758 | | $0.12 | | $2,819 | |
| Third quarter | | $0.12 | | $2,727 | | $0.12 | | $2,838 | |
| Fourth quarter | | $0.12 | | $2,700 | | $0.12 | | $2,810 | |
On January 27, 2026, the Company announced its Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.12 per share to stockholders of record as of February 10, 2026.
Treasury Stock
The Company has a program to repurchase its common stock in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions (the “share repurchase program”). The share repurchase program has no expiration date but may be terminated at any time at the Board of Directors’ discretion. Repurchases may be made using the Company’s cash reserves or other available sources.
As of December 31, 2024, the Company had $56.6 million available for repurchases of its common stock under the share repurchase program. In September 2025, the Board of Directors reauthorized the share repurchase program and increased the total amount available for purchases of the Company’s common stock under the program to $125.0 million.
During 2025, the Company purchased 1,025,524 shares for an aggregate cost of $75.6 million, including excise taxes. The Company’s treasury share repurchases are recorded at cost within shareholders’ equity, reflecting the substance of the transaction. The Company had $104.7 million remaining under its share repurchase program as of December 31, 2025. Treasury shares totaled 8,140,368 as of December 31, 2025 and 7,114,844 as of December 31, 2024.
NOTE K – SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
Stock Awards
The Company had outstanding RSUs granted under the ArcBest Corporation Ownership Incentive Plan (the “Ownership Incentive Plan”) as of December 31, 2025 and 2024. The Ownership Incentive Plan provides for the granting of 4.9 million shares, which may be awarded as incentive and nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, RSUs, or performance award units.
Restricted Stock Units
A summary of the Company’s RSU award program is presented below:
| · · · · · · | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | Weighted-Average | |
| | | | | Grant Date | |
| · · Units · · Fair Value | |||||
| Outstanding – January 1, 2025 | | 242,462 | | $91.75 | |
| Granted | | 223,725 | | $57.64 | |
| Vested | | (123,001) | | $92.08 | |
| Forfeited(1) | | (43,349) | | $75.55 | |
| Outstanding – December 31, 2025 | | 299,837 | | $68.51 | |
| (1) | Forfeitures are recognized as they occur. |
The Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors granted RSUs during the years ended December 31 as follows:
k
| · · · · · · | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | Weighted-Average |
| | | | | Grant Date |
| | | Units | | Fair Value |
| 2025 | 223,725 | | $57.64 | |
| 2024 | 101,238 | | $115.85 | |
| 2023 | 149,350 | | $86.53 | |
The fair value of restricted stock awards that vested in 2025, 2024, and 2023 was $7.5 million, $67.5 million, and $34.2 million, respectively. Unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock awards outstanding as of December 31, 2025 was $12.0 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.8 years.
NOTE L – EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following table reflects the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share for the years ended December 31:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| · · December 31 · | ||||||||||
| · 2025 · · 2024 · · 2023 | ||||||||||
| | | (in thousands, except share and per share data) | ||||||||
| Basic | | | | | | | | | | |
| Numerator: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net income from continuing operations | | $60,098 | | $173,361 | | $142,164 | | |||
| Net income from discontinued operations | | — | | 600 | | 53,269 | | |||
| Net income | | $60,098 | | $173,961 | | $195,433 | | |||
| Denominator: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Weighted-average shares | | 22,837,401 | | 23,553,410 | | 24,018,801 | | |||
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Basic earnings per common share | | | | | | | | | | |
| Continuing operations | | $2.63 | | $7.36 | | $5.92 | | |||
| Discontinued operations | | | — | | | 0.03 | | | 2.22 | |
| Total basic earnings per common share(1) | | $2.63 | | $7.39 | | $8.14 | | |||
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Diluted | | | | | | | | | | |
| Numerator: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net income from continuing operations | | $60,098 | | $173,361 | | $142,164 | | |||
| Net income from discontinued operations | | — | | 600 | | 53,269 | | |||
| Net income | | $60,098 | | $173,961 | | $195,433 | | |||
| Denominator: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Weighted-average shares | | | 22,837,401 | | 23,553,410 | | 24,018,801 | | ||
| Effect of dilutive securities | | 95,706 | | 266,765 | | 615,816 | | |||
| Adjusted weighted-average shares and assumed conversions | | 22,933,107 | | 23,820,175 | | 24,634,617 | | |||
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Diluted earnings per common share | | | | | | | | | | |
| Continuing operations | | $2.62 | | $7.28 | | $5.77 | | |||
| Discontinued operations | | | — | | | 0.03 | | | 2.16 | |
| Total diluted earnings per common share(1) | | $2.62 | | $7.30 | | $7.93 | | |||
| (1) | Earnings per common share is calculated in total and may not equal the sum of earnings per common share from continuing operations and discontinued operations due to rounding. |
NOTE M – OPERATING SEGMENT DATA
The Company uses the “management approach” to determine its reportable operating segments, as well as to determine the basis of reporting the operating segment information. Operating segments are defined as components of an entity for which separate financial information is available and that is regularly reviewed by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) in deciding how to allocate resources to an individual segment and in assessing performance. The Company's former Chief Executive Officer and current Chairman of the Board was the CODM through December 31, 2025 and made decisions about resources to be acquired, allocated and utilized in each operating segment. The Company’s current President and Chief Executive Officer became the CODM as of January 1, 2026. The CODM uses segment revenues, operating expense categories, operating ratios, operating income (loss), and key operating statistics to evaluate performance and allocate resources to the Company’s operations.
The Company’s reportable operating segments are as follows:
| ● | The Asset-Based segment includes the results of operations of ABF Freight System, Inc. and certain other subsidiaries. The segment operations include national, inter-regional, and regional transportation of general commodities through standard, expedited, and guaranteed LTL services. The Asset-Based segment provides services to the Asset-Light segment, including freight transportation related to managed transportation solutions and other services. |
| ● | The Asset-Light segment includes the results of operations of the Company’s service offerings in truckload, managed transportation, ground expedite, intermodal, household goods moving, warehousing and distribution, and international freight transportation for air, ocean, and ground. The Asset-Light segment provides services to the Asset-Based segment. |
The Company’s other business activities and operations that are not reportable segments include ArcBest Corporation (the parent holding company) and certain subsidiaries. Certain costs incurred by the parent holding company and the Company’s shared services subsidiary are allocated to the reporting segments. The Company eliminates intercompany transactions in consolidation. However, the information used by the CODM with respect to its reportable operating segments is before intersegment eliminations of revenues and expenses. Likewise, the CODM does not review, evaluate, or consider asset information by segment when assessing segment operating performance or allocating resources. Accordingly, the Company does not report segment assets, and as such, a table of assets by reportable segment has not been presented.
Shared services represent costs incurred to support all segments, including sales, pricing, customer service, marketing, capacity sourcing functions, human resources, financial services, information technology, and other company-wide services. Certain overhead costs are not attributable to any segment and remain unallocated in “Other and eliminations.” Included in unallocated costs are expenses related to investor relations, legal, certain strategic expenses and investments, and certain investments in technology. Shared services costs attributable to the reportable operating segments are predominantly allocated based upon estimated and planned resource utilization‑related metrics such as estimated shipment levels or number of personnel supported. The bases for such charges are modified and adjusted by management when necessary or appropriate to reflect fairly and equitably the actual incidence of cost incurred by the reportable operating segments. Management believes the methods used to allocate expenses are reasonable.
Further classifications of operations or revenues by geographic location are impracticable and, therefore, are not provided. The Company’s foreign operations are not significant.
The following tables reflect the Company’s reportable operating segment information from continuing operations for the years ended December 31:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · 2025 · · 2024 · · 2023 | ||||||||||
| | | (in thousands) | ||||||||
| REVENUES | | | | | | | | | | |
| Asset-Based | | $2,734,871 | | $2,750,134 | | $2,871,004 | | |||
| Asset-Light | | 1,407,436 | | 1,552,936 | | 1,680,645 | | |||
| Other and eliminations | | (132,149) | | (124,051) | | (124,206) | | |||
| Total consolidated revenues | | $4,010,158 | | $4,179,019 | | $4,427,443 | | |||
| OPERATING EXPENSES | | | | | | | | | | |
| Asset-Based | | | | | | | | | | |
| Salaries, wages, and benefits | | $1,428,225 | | $1,387,491 | | $1,379,756 | | |||
| Fuel, supplies, and expenses | | 317,126 | | 316,526 | | 361,355 | | |||
| Operating taxes and licenses | | 53,545 | | 54,056 | | 55,918 | | |||
| Insurance | | 70,121 | | 72,610 | | 52,025 | | |||
| Communications and utilities | | 21,541 | | 19,336 | | 19,288 | | |||
| Depreciation and amortization | | 133,014 | | 110,021 | | 104,165 | | |||
| Rents and purchased transportation | | 291,704 | | 274,312 | | 338,575 | | |||
| Shared services | | | 258,971 | | | 270,182 | | | 279,248 | |
| (Gain) loss on sale of property and equipment and asset impairment charges(1) | | (15,818) | | (803) | | 982 | | |||
| Innovative technology costs(2) | | | — | | | — | | | 21,711 | |
| Other | | 4,447 | | 3,800 | | 4,829 | | |||
| Total Asset-Based | | 2,562,876 | | 2,507,531 | | 2,617,852 | | |||
| Asset-Light | | | | | | | | | | |
| Purchased transportation | | 1,201,122 | | 1,339,783 | | 1,435,604 | | |||
| Salaries, wages, and benefits | | | 99,060 | | | 118,983 | | | 129,083 | |
| Supplies and expenses | | 6,951 | | 10,232 | | 12,094 | | |||
| Depreciation and amortization(3) | | 18,494 | | 20,062 | | 20,370 | | |||
| Shared services | | | 73,092 | | | 68,346 | | | 65,308 | |
| Contingent consideration(4) | | | (2,650) | | | (90,250) | | | (19,100) | |
| Asset impairment charges(5) | | | 6,640 | | | 1,700 | | | 14,407 | |
| Legal settlement(6) | | | — | | | 274 | | | 9,500 | |
| Other | | | 19,988 | | 25,362 | | 25,650 | | ||
| Total Asset-Light | | 1,422,697 | | 1,494,492 | | 1,692,916 | | |||
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Other and eliminations | | (65,724) | | (67,438) | | (55,944) | | |||
| Total consolidated operating expenses | | $3,919,849 | | $3,934,585 | | $4,254,824 | | |||
| (1) | For 2025, includes a net gain of $15.7 million, primarily related to two service center sales during third quarter 2025. For 2023, includes a $0.7 million noncash lease-related impairment charge for an Asset-Based service center. |
| (2) | Represents costs associated with the freight handling pilot test program at ABF Freight, for which the decision was made to pause the pilot during third quarter 2023. |
| (3) | Includes amortization of intangibles associated with acquired businesses. |
| (4) | Represents the change in fair value of the contingent earnout consideration recorded for the MoLo acquisition (see Note C). |
| (5) | For 2025, represents a noncash asset impairment charge recognized during fourth quarter 2025 related to the indefinite-lived intangible asset within the Asset-Light segment (see Notes C and D). For 2024, represents noncash asset impairment charges for certain revenue equipment and software recognized during fourth quarter 2024 as part of a strategic decision to adjust capacity within Asset-Light’s operations. For 2023, represents noncash lease-related impairment charges for certain office spaces that were made available for sublease. |
| (6) | Represents settlement expenses related to the classification of certain Asset-Light employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act, which were paid during first quarter 2025. |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · 2025 · · 2024 · · 2023 | ||||||||||
| · (in thousands) | ||||||||||
| OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS | | | | | | | | | | |
| Asset-Based | | $171,995 | | $242,603 | | $253,152 | | |||
| Asset-Light(1) | | (15,261) | | 58,444 | | (12,271) | | |||
| Other and eliminations(2) | | (66,425) | | (56,613) | | (68,262) | | |||
| Total consolidated operating income | | $90,309 | | $244,434 | | $172,619 | | |||
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| OTHER INCOME (COSTS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest and dividend income | | $4,755 | | $11,618 | | $14,728 | | |||
| Interest and other related financing costs | | (12,363) | | (8,980) | | (9,094) | | |||
| Other, net(3) | | 394 | | (28,358) | | 8,662 | | |||
| Total other income (costs) | | (7,214) | | (25,720) | | 14,296 | | |||
| INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES | | $83,095 | | $218,714 | | $186,915 | | |||
| (1) | Includes the change in fair value of the contingent earnout consideration related to the MoLo acquisition (see Note C). |
| (2) | For 2025, includes noncash asset impairment charges recognized during fourth quarter 2025 of $5.4 million associated with the write-off of certain obsolete assets utilized in the Vaux suite (see Note B). For 2023, includes $15.1 million of noncash lease‑related impairment charges for a freight handling pilot facility. |
| (3) | Includes the components of net periodic benefit cost (credit) other than service cost related to the Company’s SBP and postretirement plans (see Note I) and proceeds and changes in cash surrender value of life insurance policies. For 2024, includes a $28.7 million noncash impairment charge to write off the Company’s equity investment in Phantom Auto (see Note C). |
The following table reflects information about revenues from customers and intersegment revenues for the years ended December 31:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · 2025 · · 2024 · · 2023 | ||||||||||
| | | (in thousands) | ||||||||
| Revenues from customers | | | | | | | | | | |
| Asset-Based | | $2,603,859 | | $2,626,408 | | $2,749,803 | | |||
| Asset-Light | | 1,400,735 | | 1,547,627 | | 1,673,399 | | |||
| Other | | 5,564 | | 4,984 | | 4,241 | | |||
| Total consolidated revenues | | $4,010,158 | | $4,179,019 | | $4,427,443 | | |||
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Intersegment revenues | | | | | | | | | | |
| Asset-Based | | $131,012 | | $123,726 | | $121,201 | | |||
| Asset-Light | | | 6,701 | | | 5,309 | | | 7,246 | |
| Other and eliminations | | | (137,713) | | | (129,035) | | | (128,447) | |
| Total intersegment revenues | | $— | | $— | | $— | | |||
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total segment revenues | | | | | | | | | | |
| Asset-Based | | $2,734,871 | | $2,750,134 | | $2,871,004 | | |||
| Asset-Light | | | 1,407,436 | | | 1,552,936 | | | 1,680,645 | |
| Other and eliminations | | | (132,149) | | | (124,051) | | | (124,206) | |
| Total consolidated revenues | | $4,010,158 | | $4,179,019 | | $4,427,443 | | |||
The following table provides capital expenditure and depreciation and amortization information by reportable operating segment from continuing operations for the years ended December 31:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · 2025 · · 2024 · · 2023 · | ||||||||||
| · · (in thousands) · | ||||||||||
| CAPITAL EXPENDITURES, GROSS | | | | | | | | | | |
| Asset-Based(1) | | $210,547 | | $239,842 | | $207,072 | | |||
| Asset-Light | | | 867 | | | 3,062 | | | 7,587 | |
| Other and eliminations(2) | | 21,216 | | 60,913 | | 37,752 | | |||
| | | $232,630 | | $303,817 | | $252,411 | | |||
| | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · 2025 · · 2024 · · 2023 · | ||||||||||
| · · (in thousands) · | ||||||||||
| DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE(2) | | | | | | | | | | |
| Asset-Based | | $133,014 | | $110,021 | | $104,165 | | |||
| Asset-Light(3) | | | 18,494 | | | 20,062 | | | 20,370 | |
| Other and eliminations(2) | | 18,827 | | 19,004 | | 20,814 | | |||
| | | $170,335 | | $149,087 | | $145,349 | | |||
| (1) | Includes assets acquired through notes payable of $117.9 million, $80.7 million, and $33.5 million in 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively. |
| (2) | Includes certain assets held for the benefit of multiple segments, including information systems equipment. Depreciation and amortization associated with these assets is allocated to the reporting segments. Depreciation and amortization expense includes amortization of internally developed capitalized software which has not been included in gross capital expenditures presented in the table. |
| (3) | Includes amortization of intangibles of $12.8 million for each of the three years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023. |
The Company incurred research and development costs of $29.1 million, $34.1 million, and $52.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively, related to innovative technology initiatives.
The following table presents operating expenses by category on a consolidated basis for the years ended December 31:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · 2025 · · 2024 · · 2023 | ||||||||||
| · · (in thousands) · | ||||||||||
| OPERATING EXPENSES | | | | | | | | | | |
| Salaries, wages, and benefits | | $1,782,603 | | $1,768,581 | | $1,781,304 | | |||
| Rents, purchased transportation, and other costs of services | | 1,348,922 | | 1,478,114 | | 1,642,669 | | |||
| Fuel, supplies, and expenses | | 433,042 | | 433,237 | | 479,688 | | |||
| Depreciation and amortization(1) | | 170,335 | | 149,087 | | 145,349 | | |||
| Contingent consideration(2) | | | (2,650) | | | (90,250) | | | (19,100) | |
| Asset impairment charges(3) | | | 12,037 | | | 1,700 | | | 30,162 | |
| Other(4) | | 175,560 | | 194,116 | | 194,752 | | |||
| | | $3,919,849 | | $3,934,585 | | $4,254,824 | | |||
| (1) | Includes amortization of intangible assets. |
| (2) | Represents the change in fair value of the contingent earnout consideration related to the MoLo acquisition (see Note C). |
| (3) | For 2025, includes noncash asset impairment charges recognized during fourth quarter 2025 of $6.6 million related to intangible assets within the Asset-Light segment (see Notes C and D) and the write-off of certain obsolete assets utilized in the Vaux suite of $5.4 million. For 2024, represents noncash asset impairment charges for certain revenue equipment and software recognized during fourth quarter 2024 as part of a strategic decision to adjust capacity within Asset-Light’s operations. For 2023, represents noncash lease-related impairment charges for a freight handling pilot facility, a service center, and office spaces that were made available for sublease. |
| (4) | For 2025, includes a net gain of $15.7 million, primarily related to two service center sales during third quarter 2025. For 2023, includes $9.5 million settlement expenses related to the classification of certain Asset-Light employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act, which were paid during first quarter 2025. Includes research and development costs for innovative technology initiatives, as discussed previously. For 2023, innovative technology costs were also incurred associated with the freight handling pilot program at ABF Freight, until the decision was made to pause the pilot during third quarter 2023. |
NOTE N – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
In the normal course of business, the Company enters into contracts and commitments that result in future payment obligations. In addition to the long-term debt and financing arrangements discussed in Note G, operating lease obligations discussed in Note F, employee benefit plans discussed in Note I, and a pension fund withdrawal liability discussed in Note C, the Company has contractual obligations such as described in the following paragraphs.
Surety Bond Programs
The Company has programs in place with multiple surety companies for the issuance of surety bonds in support of its self‑insurance program. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, surety bonds outstanding related to the self-insurance program totaled $76.0 million and $63.2 million, respectively.
Purchase Obligations
The Company has purchase obligations, consisting of authorizations to purchase and binding agreements with vendors, relating to revenue equipment used in our Asset-Based operations, other equipment, facility improvements, software, service contracts, and other items for which amounts were not accrued in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2025, which were as follows:
| · · · · | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| | | Purchase | |
| | | Obligations | |
| | | (in thousands) | |
| 2026 | | $86,663 | |
| 2027 | | 10,125 | |
| 2028 | | 7,037 | |
| 2029 | | 1,809 | |
| 2030 | | 179 | |
| Total | | $105,813 | |
Other Events
The Company has received two Notices of Assessment from a state regarding ongoing sales and use tax audits alleging uncollected sales and use tax, including interest and penalties, for the periods December 1, 2018 to March 31, 2021 and September 1, 2016 to November 30, 2018. The Company does not agree with the basis of these assessments and filed appeals for the assessments in October 2023 and May 2021 on the same legal basis. The Company has estimated the range of loss to be from $0.2 million to $14.2 million. The Company has previously accrued $0.2 million related to these assessments consistent with applicable accounting guidance, but if the state prevails in its position, the Company may owe additional tax. Management does not believe the resolution of this matter will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
Legal Matters
The Company is involved in various legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company maintains liability insurance against certain risks arising out of the normal course of its business, subject to certain self-insured retention limits. The Company routinely establishes and reviews the adequacy of reserves for estimated legal, environmental, and self-insurance exposures. While management believes that amounts accrued in the consolidated financial statements are adequate, estimates of these liabilities may change as circumstances develop. Considering amounts recorded, routine legal matters are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
In January 2023, the Company and MoLo were named as defendants in lawsuits related to an auto accident which involved a MoLo contract carrier. The accident occurred prior to the Company’s acquisition of MoLo. During the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company settled this claim, along with a claim for $9.8 million related to the classification of certain Asset‑Light employees under theFair Labor Standards Act. These settlements were paid in January 2025, including through insurance for the accident-related claim. Reserves for these claims were maintained within accrued expenses in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2024.
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.