ArcBest revenue up 3.3% in the first quarter, net income declines

Revenue in the first quarter of 2026 for Fort Smith-based ArcBest increased in the company’s two segments thanks in part to an increase in shipments and more tonnage shipped. However, net income and operating income declined in the quarter.

The shipping and logistics company posted a first-quarter net income loss of $1.037 million, off the $3.131 million gain in the same quarter of 2025. Excluding one-time charges, net income in the quarter totaled $7.151 million, down 40% from the comparable $11.937 million in the same quarter of 2025. Net income per share was 32 cents, better than the consensus estimate of 29 cents.

Revenue in the quarter totaled $998.786 million, up 3.3% compared with $967.077 million in the same quarter of 2025, and better than the consensus estimate of $998.38 million.

“We began 2026 with growth in Asset-Based shipments and tonnage and continued improvement in Asset-Light profitability,” Seth Runser, ArcBest president and CEO, said in the earnings report. “Our teams continue to deliver a premium experience for our customers despite a dynamic and uncertain environment, and their alignment around our strategy and priorities gives us confidence in our ability to execute and deliver on our long-term targets.”

ABF Freight, a less-than-truckload carrier and ArcBest’s largest subsidiary, posted first quarter operating income of $17.477 million, below the $26.417 million in the same quarter of 2025. Segment revenue was $655.077 million, above the $646.294 million in the same quarter of 2025.

“Tonnage growth was driven by higher shipment volumes and an increase in weight per shipment, reflecting changes in freight profile,” the company noted in the earnings report. “Revenue per shipment benefited from the higher weight per shipment, partially offset by lower revenue per hundredweight as the freight profile shifted toward heavier shipments.”

The company said labor and fuel prices pushed costs higher in the quarter.

Operating income in the company’s logistics segment was $231,000, an improvement compared with the $4.38 million loss in the same quarter of 2025. Segment revenue was $377.746 million, above the $356.012 million in the same quarter of 2025.

Billed revenue per hundredweight in the quarter was $47.48, down 3.9% compared with $49.40 in the same quarter of 2025. Revenue per shipment was $533.45, up 0.6% compared with the same quarter in 2025. Tonnage shipped per day was 11,146, up 6.5% compared with the 2025 quarter.

Adjusted net income for 2025 was $84.8 million, down 51.2% compared with $173.961 million in 2024. Revenue in 2025 was $4.01 billion, down 4% compared with $4.179 billion in 2024.

Founded in 1923, ArcBest has about 14,000 employees at 250 locations. ArcBest shares (NASDAQ: ARCB) opened Tuesday at $126.99, with the price moving higher in morning trading. During the past 52 weeks the share price has ranged between $55.19 and $130.83.