Breaking Down Covenant Logistics Group, Inc. (CVLG) Financial Health: Key Insights for Investors

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Understanding Covenant Logistics Group, Inc. (CVLG) Revenue Streams

Understanding Covenant Logistics Group, Inc. (CVLG)’s Revenue Streams

For the three months ended September 30, 2024, total revenue was $287.9 million, a decrease of 0.3% compared to the same period in 2023. Freight revenue, which excludes revenue from fuel surcharges, was $258.6 million, reflecting an increase of 2.1% year-over-year .

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, total revenue reached $854.1 million, compared to $829.6 million for the same period in 2023, indicating a year-over-year growth of 2.9% .

Breakdown of Primary Revenue Sources

The company’s revenue streams can be categorized into four main segments:

  • Expedited
  • Dedicated
  • Managed Freight
  • Warehousing
Segment Q3 2024 Revenue ($ millions) Q3 2023 Revenue ($ millions) YTD 2024 Revenue ($ millions) YTD 2023 Revenue ($ millions)
Expedited 104.3 113.4 317.8 318.4
Dedicated 80.2 80.2 272.7 241.7
Managed Freight 69.7 69.7 186.7 193.9
Warehousing 25.5 25.3 77.0 75.7
Total Revenue 287.9 288.7 854.1 829.6

Year-over-Year Revenue Growth Rate

Year-over-year revenue growth rates for key segments are as follows:

  • Expedited: Decrease of 9.7% for Q3 2024 compared to Q3 2023.
  • Dedicated: No change for Q3 2024 compared to Q3 2023, with YTD growth of 12.8%.
  • Managed Freight: No change for Q3 2024 compared to Q3 2023, with a YTD decrease of 3.4%.
  • Warehousing: Increase of 0.8% for Q3 2024 compared to Q3 2023, with YTD growth of 1.7%.

Contribution of Different Business Segments to Overall Revenue

In the third quarter of 2024, the asset-based segments (Expedited and Dedicated) contributed approximately 69% of total revenue, while the asset-light segments (Managed Freight and Warehousing) accounted for about 31% .

Analysis of Significant Changes in Revenue Streams

The revenue from the Expedited segment showed a decline due to a decrease in average freight revenue per tractor per week, which fell by 4.8% . Conversely, the Dedicated segment experienced a revenue increase attributed to a 13.5% increase in average tractor count and an 8.7% rise in average freight revenue per tractor per week .

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the total revenue from Dedicated increased by $34.6 million, while Managed Freight revenue decreased by $7.2 million .




A Deep Dive into Covenant Logistics Group, Inc. (CVLG) Profitability

Profitability Metrics

The financial health of a company is often assessed through its profitability metrics, which provide insights into its ability to generate profit relative to its revenue, expenses, and equity. In this section, we will analyze the profitability metrics of Covenant Logistics Group, Inc. as of 2024.

Gross Profit, Operating Profit, and Net Profit Margins

For the third quarter of 2024, the company reported the following:

  • Total Revenue: $287.9 million
  • Gross Profit: Not explicitly stated, but derived from total revenues and operating expenses.
  • Operating Income: $16.2 million
  • Net Income: $13.0 million

The net profit margin, calculated as net income divided by total revenue, is:

Net Profit Margin: (Net Income / Total Revenue) = ($13.0 million / $287.9 million) × 100 = 4.5%

Trends in Profitability Over Time

Comparing the third quarter results of 2024 to the same period in 2023:

  • Operating Income Growth: Increased from $15.1 million in Q3 2023 to $16.2 million in Q3 2024, representing a growth of 7.2%.
  • Net Income: Decreased from $13.5 million in Q3 2023 to $13.0 million in Q3 2024.

Comparison of Profitability Ratios with Industry Averages

The following table provides a comparison of Covenant Logistics Group's profitability ratios against industry averages:

Metric Covenant Logistics Group (2024) Industry Average
Gross Profit Margin Not explicitly stated Approximately 20%
Operating Profit Margin 5.6% 6.5%
Net Profit Margin 4.5% 5.0%

Analysis of Operational Efficiency

Operational efficiency can be gauged by examining the operating ratio, which indicates the percentage of revenue consumed by operating expenses. The operating ratio for the third quarter of 2024 was:

Operating Ratio: (Total Operating Expenses / Total Revenue) = ($271.7 million / $287.9 million) = 94.4%

This reflects a slight improvement compared to the previous year’s ratio of 94.8%. The decrease in operating expenses has contributed positively to the company's operating income.

Additionally, the company reported significant improvements in cost management, particularly:

  • Decrease in Expedited Operating Expenses: $8.1 million year-over-year.
  • Decrease in Managed Freight Operating Expenses: $8.4 million year-over-year.

Conclusion

The profitability metrics of Covenant Logistics Group indicate a mixed performance in 2024, with improvements in operating income and operational efficiency, but a decline in net income compared to the previous year.




Debt vs. Equity: How Covenant Logistics Group, Inc. (CVLG) Finances Its Growth

Debt vs. Equity: How Covenant Logistics Group, Inc. Finances Its Growth

Debt Levels:

As of September 30, 2024, the total debt and lease obligations amounted to $316.5 million, compared to $293.5 million on December 31, 2023. This includes:

  • Revenue equipment installment notes: $247.4 million (2024) vs. $213.9 million (2023)
  • Real estate notes: $18.1 million (2024) vs. $19.1 million (2023)
  • Principal portion of finance lease obligations: $6.3 million (2024) vs. $6.1 million (2023)
  • Operating lease obligations: $44.6 million (2024) vs. $42.8 million (2023)

Debt-to-Equity Ratio:

The debt-to-equity ratio as of September 30, 2024, stands at 0.55 calculated by dividing total debt of $316.5 million by total stockholders' equity of $431.6 million. This is lower than the industry average of approximately 0.75.

Recent Debt Issuances and Refinancing Activity:

In the third quarter of 2024, the company had no outstanding borrowings under its Credit Facility, which has a total capacity of $110 million. The company also has an available borrowing capacity of $90.3 million as of September 30, 2024.

Interest Expense:

The interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2024, was $3.2 million, which represents 1.1% of total revenue. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the interest expense increased to $10.3 million, representing 1.2% of total revenue.

Balance Between Debt Financing and Equity Funding:

The company has maintained a balanced approach to financing growth through a mix of debt and equity. Stockholders' equity increased to $431.6 million as of September 30, 2024, reflecting a strong financial position to support future growth initiatives.

Debt Type September 30, 2024 (in millions) December 31, 2023 (in millions)
Revenue Equipment Installment Notes 247.4 213.9
Real Estate Notes 18.1 19.1
Finance Lease Obligations 6.3 6.1
Operating Lease Obligations 44.6 42.8
Total Debt 316.5 293.5

The leverage ratio, reflecting total indebtedness divided by the sum of operating income, depreciation, and amortization, was 1.76 as of September 30, 2024. This indicates a strong capacity to manage debt levels in relation to operational cash flows, underscoring the company's strategic focus on maintaining financial health while pursuing growth opportunities.




Assessing Covenant Logistics Group, Inc. (CVLG) Liquidity

Assessing Covenant Logistics Group, Inc.'s Liquidity

Current Ratio: As of September 30, 2024, the current assets amounted to $403,779, while current liabilities were $383,679, resulting in a current ratio of 1.05.

Quick Ratio: The quick assets (current assets minus inventory) stood at $392,196, with the same current liabilities of $383,679, yielding a quick ratio of 1.02.

Analysis of Working Capital Trends

Working capital as of September 30, 2024, was $20.1 million, reflecting an increase from $15.7 million as of December 31, 2023. This indicates a positive trend in liquidity management.

Date Current Assets ($ million) Current Liabilities ($ million) Working Capital ($ million)
September 30, 2024 $403.8 $383.7 $20.1
December 31, 2023 $392.2 $376.5 $15.7

Cash Flow Statements Overview

Operating Cash Flow: For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, net cash flows provided by operating activities were $100.96 million, up from $52.97 million for the same period in 2023.

Investing Cash Flow: Net cash used by investing activities totaled ($104.21 million) for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to ($144.60 million) in 2023.

Financing Cash Flow: Net cash provided by financing activities was $36.10 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, an increase from $30.40 million in 2023.

Cash Flow Type 2024 ($ million) 2023 ($ million)
Operating Activities $100.96 $52.97
Investing Activities ($104.21) ($144.60)
Financing Activities $36.10 $30.40

Potential Liquidity Concerns or Strengths

The company has reported a decrease in total indebtedness by $11.6 million to $236.7 million since December 31, 2023, indicating improved liquidity. The leverage ratio stood at 1.76 as of September 30, 2024, providing a measure of financial stability.

Available borrowing capacity under the Credit Facility was $90.3 million, suggesting that the company has sufficient liquidity to meet its operational needs without immediate concern for liquidity constraints.




Is Covenant Logistics Group, Inc. (CVLG) Overvalued or Undervalued?

Valuation Analysis

To determine if the company is overvalued or undervalued, we will analyze its valuation ratios, stock price trends, dividend yield, and analyst consensus.

Price-to-Earnings (P/E) Ratio

The price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio as of September 30, 2024, is calculated as follows:

  • Stock Price: $49.27
  • Basic Earnings Per Share (EPS): $2.22
  • P/E Ratio: 22.19

Price-to-Book (P/B) Ratio

The price-to-book (P/B) ratio is determined using the following data:

  • Market Price per Share: $49.27
  • Book Value per Share: $24.83 (calculated as Total Stockholders' Equity of $431.6 million divided by total shares outstanding of 17.4 million)
  • P/B Ratio: 1.98

Enterprise Value-to-EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) Ratio

The enterprise value-to-EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) ratio is calculated as follows:

  • Market Capitalization: $530.3 million
  • Total Debt: $192.5 million
  • Cash and Cash Equivalents: $35.2 million
  • Enterprise Value: $530.3 million + $192.5 million - $35.2 million = $687.6 million
  • EBITDA (Last Twelve Months): $60.7 million
  • EV/EBITDA Ratio: 11.32

Stock Price Trends

Over the past 12 months, the stock price has shown the following trends:

  • 52-Week High: $55.00
  • 52-Week Low: $40.00
  • Current Price: $49.27
  • Price Change (1 Year): +12.5%

Dividend Yield and Payout Ratios

The dividend yield and payout ratios are summarized as follows:

  • Annual Dividend per Share: $0.44
  • Current Dividend Yield: 0.89%
  • Payout Ratio: 19.8%

Analyst Consensus on Stock Valuation

The consensus from analysts regarding the stock valuation is:

  • Buy: 5 analysts
  • Hold: 3 analysts
  • Sell: 1 analyst

Summary Table of Valuation Ratios

Valuation Metric Value
P/E Ratio 22.19
P/B Ratio 1.98
EV/EBITDA Ratio 11.32
Current Price $49.27
Dividend Yield 0.89%
Payout Ratio 19.8%

This analysis provides a detailed overview of the company's valuation metrics as of 2024, helping investors to assess whether the stock is currently overvalued or undervalued based on comparative insights.




Key Risks Facing Covenant Logistics Group, Inc. (CVLG)

Key Risks Facing Covenant Logistics Group, Inc.

Understanding the risk factors that impact the financial health of Covenant Logistics Group, Inc. is essential for investors. Here, we analyze both internal and external risks that could affect the company's performance in 2024.

Industry Competition

The logistics and transportation industry is highly competitive. Covenant faces pressure from both established players and new entrants. As of September 30, 2024, the company's total revenue was $287.9 million, reflecting a slight decrease of 0.3% compared to the same period in 2023. This competitive environment may impact pricing strategies and profit margins.

Regulatory Changes

Changes in regulations can significantly impact operational costs. Compliance with safety and environmental regulations may require additional investment. The company reported operating expenses of $110.8 million for salaries, wages, and related expenses in the third quarter of 2024, which accounted for 38.5% of total revenue, highlighting the financial impact of regulatory compliance.

Market Conditions

The overall freight market remains in a down cycle, which adds uncertainty to revenue streams. The company’s freight revenue from Managed Freight decreased by $6.3 million in the third quarter of 2024, further exacerbating financial pressures. The operational environment includes high fuel prices and fluctuating demand, which could lead to increased costs in the future.

Operational Risks

Operational risks include the management of the fleet and workforce. As of September 30, 2024, the average age of the tractor fleet was 1.6 years. The company took delivery of approximately 691 new tractors and 757 new trailers but also disposed of 791 used tractors and 319 used trailers. This turnover requires careful management to maintain operational efficiency.

Financial Risks

Covenant's total indebtedness stood at $236.7 million as of September 30, 2024, reflecting a decrease of $11.6 million from prior periods. The leverage ratio was reported at 1.76, indicating a manageable level of debt relative to earnings. However, rising interest rates could increase the cost of borrowing, further impacting financial health.

Strategic Risks

Strategic acquisitions pose both opportunities and risks. The company acquired LTST for $114.5 million in April 2023, with an earnout of up to $30 million based on performance. The integration of such acquisitions may present operational challenges that could affect financial results.

Mitigation Strategies

Covenant has implemented various strategies to mitigate risks, including diversifying its service offerings and focusing on cost control. The company has also increased its borrowing capacity, with $90.3 million available under its Credit Facility as of September 30, 2024, to ensure liquidity in challenging market conditions.

Risk Category Description Financial Impact
Industry Competition High competition affecting pricing and margins Revenue: $287.9 million (down 0.3%)
Regulatory Changes Compliance costs and operational adjustments Operating expenses: $110.8 million (38.5% of revenue)
Market Conditions Down cycle in freight market Freight revenue decline: $6.3 million
Operational Risks Management of fleet and workforce Average age of fleet: 1.6 years
Financial Risks Total indebtedness and rising interest rates Indebtedness: $236.7 million, Leverage ratio: 1.76
Strategic Risks Integration of acquisitions Acquisition cost: $114.5 million + potential earnout
Mitigation Strategies Diversification and cost control Available borrowing capacity: $90.3 million



Future Growth Prospects for Covenant Logistics Group, Inc. (CVLG)

Future Growth Prospects for Covenant Logistics Group, Inc. (CVLG)

Key Growth Drivers

The growth opportunities for the company are primarily driven by several key factors:

  • Product Innovations: The company continues to innovate its service offerings, particularly in its Dedicated and Managed Freight segments. Revenue from Dedicated services increased by 13.5% year-over-year, contributing significantly to overall growth.
  • Market Expansions: The company is actively expanding into new markets, enhancing its operational footprint. For example, the acquisition of Sims in August 2023 has contributed to improved market reach and service capabilities.
  • Acquisitions: The acquisitions of LTST and Sims in 2023 for a combined total of $107.9 million are expected to enhance operational efficiencies and drive growth in the Managed Freight segment.

Future Revenue Growth Projections and Earnings Estimates

Revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, reached $854.1 million, reflecting a 2.9% increase compared to $829.6 million in the same period of 2023. The company anticipates continued revenue growth driven by:

  • Increased freight revenue per tractor per week, which rose by 7.1% year-over-year.
  • Expansion of dedicated operations, which accounted for approximately 31% of total revenue.

Strategic Initiatives or Partnerships

The company is strategically positioning itself through various initiatives:

  • Partnerships: Collaborations with technology providers to enhance logistics efficiency and reduce costs.
  • Fleet Enhancement: The average age of the tractor fleet is currently 1.6 years, with plans to maintain this through regular evaluations and upgrades, thereby improving operational uptime.

Competitive Advantages

The company has several competitive advantages that position it favorably for growth:

  • Asset-Based Segments: Its asset-based segments (Expedited and Dedicated) contributed approximately 69% of total revenue in the latest quarter, providing a stable revenue base.
  • Operational Efficiency: The company reported an operating income of $16.2 million for the third quarter of 2024, up from $15.1 million year-over-year, demonstrating improved cost control and operational efficiency.
Metric Q3 2024 Q3 2023 Change (%)
Total Revenue $287.9 million $288.7 million -0.3%
Freight Revenue $258.6 million $253.4 million +2.1%
Operating Income $16.2 million $15.1 million +7.2%
Net Income $13.0 million $13.5 million -3.7%
Debt $236.7 million $248.3 million -4.7%

As of September 30, 2024, the company reported a leverage ratio of 1.76, indicating strong financial health and the ability to manage its debt effectively. The company also has approximately $90.3 million available under its credit facility, providing ample liquidity for future growth initiatives.

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Article updated on 8 Nov 2024

Resources:

  • Covenant Logistics Group, Inc. (CVLG) Financial Statements – Access the full quarterly financial statements for Q3 2024 to get an in-depth view of Covenant Logistics Group, Inc. (CVLG)' financial performance, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.
  • SEC Filings – View Covenant Logistics Group, Inc. (CVLG)' latest filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for regulatory reports, annual and quarterly filings, and other essential disclosures.