Revenue during the quarter grew 6.18 percent to $688.21 million from $648.13 million in the previous year period. Total expenses were 99.82 percent of quarterly revenues, up from 98.87 percent for the same period last year. That has resulted in a contraction of 95 basis points in operating margin to 0.18 percent.

Operating income for the quarter was $1.21 million, compared with $7.31 million in the previous year period.

However, the adjusted operating income for the quarter stood at $12.52 million compared to $10.26 million in the prior year period.

"Throughout 2016, during an inconsistent operating environment in our industry, we saw a positive reception from customers about our commitment to provide full supply chain solutions they seek as we continued to grow our company," said ArcBest chairman, president and chief executive officer Judy R. McReynolds. "We accelerated that commitment when we announced a new, enhanced market approach in November that enables us to provide a better customer experience by simplifying our organization and offering logistics solutions primarily under the ArcBest brand. With this new structure operational as of January 1, our ArcBest team is fully engaged and delivering integrated logistics solutions through an exceptional customer experience."

The company has spent $87.17 million cash to meet investing activities during the year as against cash outgo of $125.64 million in the last year. It has incurred net capital expenditure of $69.94 million on net basis during the year, down 12.90 percent or $10.36 million from year ago.

The company has spent $73.78 million cash to carry out financing activities during the year as against cash outgo of $12.44 million in the last year period.

Cash and cash equivalents stood at $114.28 million as on Dec. 31, 2016, down 30.73 percent or $50.69 million from $164.97 million on Dec. 31, 2015.

Working capital drops significantly
ArcBest has witnessed a decline in the working capital over the last year. It stood at $134.52 million as at Dec. 31, 2016, down 28.25 percent or $52.96 million from $187.49 million on Dec. 31, 2015. Current ratio was at 1.35 as on Dec. 31, 2016, down from 1.51 on Dec. 31, 2015.

Debt moves up
ArcBes thas witnessed an increase in total debt over the last one year. It stood at $243.67 million as on Dec. 31, 2016, up 14.66 percent or $31.16 million from $212.51 million on Dec. 31, 2015. Total debt was 18.60 percent of total assets as on Dec. 31, 2016, compared with 16.83 percent on Dec. 31, 2015. Debt to equity ratio was at 0.41 as on Dec. 31, 2016, up from 0.36 as on Dec. 31, 2015. Interest coverage ratio deteriorated to 0.88 for the quarter from 6.01 for the same period last year.