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FWRD · Forward Air Corp

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$18.93 -1.27 (-6.29%) At close · Aug 14
Market Cap
$682.37M
Shares
33.78M
All earnings calls

Earnings call · FY2026 Q1

Forward Air Corp Q1 FY2026 Earnings Call

Forward Air Corp Q1 FY2026 Earnings Call

Concluded May 7, 2026 Audio replay
May 7, 2026 40:51 60 turns
Period
FY2026 Q1
Runtime
40:51
Sources
5 artifacts

Executive readout · one minute

What matters this quarter

Forward Air reported Q1 2026 operating income of $20 million versus $5 million a year ago, but consolidated EBITDA slipped to $70 million from $73 million and revenue fell to $582 million from $613 million. The company disclosed it is in discussions to lose a significant portion of a large customer's business starting in 2027, and will pivot from a company sale to divesting non-core assets after receiving no actionable sale proposals.

Strategic alternatives review and asset sales 16 Customer transition / loss risk 14 Q1 financial results 7 Geopolitical tensions and fuel costs 6 Tariffs and macroeconomic uncertainty 5 Freight market and supply tightening 4

Management tone

Balanced

Net tone -10 · moderate hedging

Grounding quotes
  • “we are in discussions with one of our largest customers to transition a significant portion of their business to other providers”
  • “due to a variety of factors, including the developments that I just mentioned, no actionable proposals for sale of the company were received”
  • “while we are optimistic about the improving freight dynamics, we remain focused on prioritizing customer service and thoughtful cost management”
  • “we are now pivoting our focus to pursue a sale of non-core assets, including our intermodal segment and two of our smaller legacy omni-businesses, which in aggregate represent approximately $394 million of our 2025 revenue”

Research coverage

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Revenue $582.05M -5.1% YoY
Diluted EPS -$1.09
Net income -$34.32M

Research materials

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Key takeaways

What improved, and what deserves a closer read.

Constructive signals

  • Operating income rose to $20 million from $5 million year-over-year.
  • Expedited Freight segment Reported EBITDA improved to $28 million from $26 million, with margin expanding to 10.4% from 10.1% sequentially.
  • Cash provided by operating activities improved to $46 million from $28 million year-over-year.
  • Liquidity increased to $402 million ($141 million cash plus $261 million credit facility availability), the highest ending cash balance in two years.
  • Omni Logistics margin improved to 8.3% from 7.9% on higher contract logistics volume.
  • Named 2026 Surface Carrier of the Year by the Air Forwarders Association.

Risks & pressure points

  • Consolidated revenue declined to $582 million from $613 million year-over-year.
  • Consolidated EBITDA fell to $70 million from $73 million year-over-year.
  • In discussions to lose a significant portion of a large customer's business (total 2025 spend of $250 million), with majority of transitioned volume expected to start in early 2027.
  • Strategic review yielded no actionable sale proposals for the company, ending pursuit of a whole-company sale.
  • Intermodal segment Reported EBITDA fell to $5 million from $10 million, with margin contracting to 10.1% from 16.4% on reduced port activity and key customer softness.
  • Macroeconomic risks cited, including Middle East tensions and elevated fuel prices that could pressure demand and delay freight recovery.

Key moments

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Quarter detail

How the reported period landed and where the business moved.

Revenue · segments

Omni Logistics Segment$302.42M -6.5% YoY
Expedited Freight Segment$227.17M +0% YoY
Intermodal Segment$52.45M -16% YoY
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