Matson, a leading U.S. carrier in the Pacific, today reported net income of $128.0 million, or $3.80 per diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2024. Net income for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 was $62.4 million, or $1.78 per diluted share. Consolidated revenue for the fourth quarter 2024 was $890.3 million compared with $788.9 million for the fourth quarter 2023.
“Matson had a very strong fourth quarter that exceeded our expectations, capping off a strong year. For the quarter, our China service was the primary driver of the year-over-year increase in Ocean Transportation and consolidated operating income. We saw seasonally stronger freight demand with significantly higher year-over-year freight rates for our industry-leading CLX and MAX services. In Logistics, operating income increased year-over-year primarily due to a higher contribution from supply chain management. For the full year 2024, our consolidated operating income increased year-over-year primarily driven by significantly higher freight rates in our China service. The higher freight rates, which started in the middle of the second quarter and remained through year end, were supported by a resilient U.S. economy and a stable consumer demand environment coupled with tighter supply chain conditions.”
Mr. Cox added, “Looking ahead, we expect elevated freight rates in our China service to continue into the first quarter 2025. Beyond the first quarter, our China service rates will largely be driven by the timing of trade flow normalization in the Red Sea, other geopolitical factors, supply chain activity and the trajectory of the U.S. economy. With respect to the Red Sea, assuming trade conditions normalize by the middle of the year, we expect freight rates in our China service to moderate in the second half of the year. However, if the Red Sea remains disrupted through year end, we expect our freight rates in China to remain elevated throughout the year. For our domestic tradelanes in 2025, we expect volume in Guam to be modestly higher than the levels achieved in 2024 and volume in Hawaii and Alaska to approximate the levels achieved in 2024. For Logistics in 2025, we expect modestly lower operating income due to challenging business conditions for transportation brokerage and a lower contribution from supply chain management.”
“As a result, for the first quarter 2025, we expect Matson’s consolidated operating income to be meaningfully higher than the level achieved in the same period last year. We expect full year 2025 consolidated operating income to be largely driven by the timing of trade flow normalization in the Red Sea, other geopolitical factors, supply chain activity and the trajectory of the U.S. economy. Assuming trade conditions in the Red Sea normalize by the middle of the year and there are no significant changes from today in the other factors referenced above, we expect full year 2025 consolidated operating income to be moderately lower than the level achieved last year. However, if trade conditions in the Red Sea remain disrupted through year end and there are no significant changes from today in the other factors noted above, we expect our full year 2025 consolidated operating income to approach the level achieved in 2024.”
Fourth Quarter 2024 Discussion and Outlook for 2025
Ocean Transportation: The Company’s container volume in the Hawaii service in the fourth quarter 2024 was 1.7 percent lower year-over-year. The decrease was primarily due to lower general demand. Hawaii’s economy is expected to continue to grow slowly supported by modest gains in tourism, a low unemployment rate, and increased construction activity, but partially restrained by continued challenges in population growth and lower discretionary income as a result of high inflation and interest rates. The Company expects volume in 2025 to be comparable to the level achieved in 2024, reflecting modest economic growth in Hawaii and stable market share.
In China, the Company achieved significantly higher freight rates in the fourth quarter 2024 compared to the year ago period. The Company’s container volume in the fourth quarter 2024 also increased 7.2 percent year-over-year due to seasonally stronger freight demand. The elevated freight rates in the fourth quarter 2024 were supported by a resilient U.S. economy and a stable consumer demand environment coupled with tighter supply chain conditions. The Company expects elevated freight rates to continue into the first quarter 2025. Beyond the first quarter, the Company expects freight rates will largely be driven by the timing of trade flow normalization in the Red Sea, other geopolitical factors, supply chain activity and the trajectory of the U.S. economy. With respect to the Red Sea, assuming trade conditions normalize by the middle of the year, the Company expects freight rates to moderate in the second half of the year. However, if the Red Sea remains disrupted through year end, the Company expects freight rates to remain elevated throughout the year.
In Guam, the Company’s container volume in the fourth quarter 2024 decreased 10.0 percent year-over-year. The decrease was primarily due to lower demand from retail and food and beverage segments. In the near term, the Company expects Guam’s economy to grow modestly supported by a low unemployment rate and an increase in construction activity. For the full year 2025, the Company expects volume to be modestly higher than the level achieved last year.
In Alaska, the Company’s container volume for the fourth quarter 2024 increased 1.1 percent year-over-year. The increase was primarily due to higher northbound volume, partially offset by an additional sailing in the year ago period. In the near term, the Company expects continued economic growth in Alaska supported by a low unemployment rate, jobs growth and continued oil and gas exploration and production activity. For the full year 2025, the Company expects volume to approximate the level achieved last year.
The loss in the fourth quarter 2024 from the Company’s SSAT joint venture investment was $9.5 million, or $13.6 million lower than the income of $4.1 million in fourth quarter 2023. The decrease was due to a $18.4 million impairment charge related to the write-down of a terminal operating lease asset, partially offset by higher year-over-year lift volume. On an after-tax basis, the impairment charge impacted fourth quarter 2024 net income and diluted EPS by $14.0 million and $0.42 per share, respectively. For 2025, the Company expects the contribution from SSAT to approximate the level achieved in 2024, without taking into account the $18.4 million impairment charge in the fourth quarter 2024.
Based on the outlook trends noted above, the Company expects Ocean Transportation operating income for the first quarter 2025 to be meaningfully higher than the $27.6 million achieved in the first quarter 2024. For full year 2025, the Company expects Ocean Transportation operating income to be largely driven by the timing of trade flow normalization in the Red Sea, other geopolitical factors, supply chain activity and the trajectory of the U.S. economy. Assuming trade conditions in the Red Sea normalize by the middle of the year and there are no significant changes from today in the other factors referenced above, the Company expects full year 2025 Ocean Transportation operating income to be moderately lower than the $500.9 million achieved in 2024. However, if trade conditions in the Red Sea remain disrupted through year end and there are no significant changes from today in the other factors noted above, the Company expects full year 2025 Ocean Transportation operating income to approach the level achieved in 2024.
Logistics: In the fourth quarter 2024, operating income for the Company’s Logistics segment was $10.1 million, or $1.2 million higher compared to the level achieved in the fourth quarter 2023. The increase was primarily due to a higher contribution from supply chain management. For 2025, the Company expects challenging business conditions for transportation brokerage for most of the year and a lower contribution from supply chain management, which the Company expects to lead to modestly lower operating income compared to the level achieved in 2024. For the first quarter 2025, the Company expects Logistics operating income to be modestly lower than the $9.3 million achieved in the first quarter 2024.
Consolidated Operating Income: For the first quarter 2025, the Company expects consolidated operating income to be meaningfully higher than the $36.9 million achieved in the first quarter 2024. For full year 2025, the Company expects consolidated operating income to be largely driven by the timing of trade flow normalization in the Red Sea, other geopolitical factors, supply chain activity and the trajectory of the U.S. economy. Assuming trade conditions in the Red Sea normalize by the end of the first half of the year and there are no significant changes from today in the other factors referenced above, the Company expects full year 2025 consolidated operating income to be moderately lower than the $551.3 million achieved in 2024. However, if trade conditions in the Red Sea remain disrupted through year end and there are no significant changes from today in the other factors noted above, the Company expects full year 2025 consolidated operating income to approach the level achieved in 2024.
Depreciation and Amortization: For full year 2025, the Company expects depreciation and amortization expense to be approximately $200 million, inclusive of dry-docking amortization of approximately $26 million.
Interest Income: The Company expects interest income for the full year 2025 to be approximately $31 million.
Interest Expense: The Company expects interest expense for the full year 2025 to be approximately $7 million.
Other Income (Expense): The Company expects full year 2025 other income (expense) to be approximately $9 million in income, which is attributable to the amortization of certain components of net periodic benefit costs or gains related to the Company’s pension and post-retirement plans.
Income Taxes: In the fourth quarter 2024, the Company’s effective tax rate was 19.1 percent. For the full year 2025, the Company expects its effective tax rate to be approximately 22.0 percent.
Capital and Vessel Dry-docking Expenditures: For the full year 2024, the Company made capital expenditure payments excluding new vessel construction expenditures of $214.5 million, new vessel construction expenditures (including capitalized interest and owner’s items) of $95.6 million, and dry-docking payments of $30.2 million. For the full year 2025, the Company expects to make other capital expenditure payments, including maintenance capital expenditures, of approximately $120 to $140 million, new vessel construction expenditures (including capitalized interest and owner’s items) of approximately $305 million, and dry-docking payments of approximately $40 million.
| Results By Segment | ||||||||||||
| Ocean Transportation — Three months ended December 31, 2024 compared with 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| (Dollars in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | Change | |||||||||
| Ocean Transportation revenue | $ | 742.1 | $ | 639.7 | $ | 102.4 | 16.0 | % | ||||
| Operating costs and expenses | (604.7) | (573.3) | (31.4) | 5.5 | % | |||||||
| Operating income | $ | 137.4 | $ | 66.4 | $ | 71.0 | 106.9 | % | ||||
| Operating income margin | 18.5 | % | 10.4 | % | ||||||||
| Volume (Forty-foot equivalent units (FEU), except for automobiles) (1) | ||||||||||||
| Hawaii containers | 34,800 | 35,400 | (600) | (1.7) | % | |||||||
| Hawaii automobiles | 7,000 | 10,100 | (3,100) | (30.7) | % | |||||||
| Alaska containers | 18,000 | 17,800 | 200 | 1.1 | % | |||||||
| China containers | 37,400 | 34,900 | 2,500 | 7.2 | % | |||||||
| Guam containers | 4,500 | 5,000 | (500) | (10.0) | % | |||||||
| Other containers (2) | 4,300 | 4,700 | (400) | (8.5) | % | |||||||
| (1) | Approximate volume included for the period are based on the voyage departure date, but revenue and operating income are adjusted to reflect the percentage of revenue and operating income earned during the reporting period for voyages in transit at the end of each reporting period. | |||||||||||||||||||
| (2) | Includes containers from services in various islands in Micronesia and the South Pacific, and Okinawa, Japan. | |||||||||||||||||||
Ocean Transportation revenue increased $102.4 million, or 16.0 percent, during the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared with the three months ended December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily due to significantly higher freight rates in China and higher volume in China.
On a year-over-year FEU basis, Hawaii container volume decreased 1.7 percent primarily due to lower general demand; Alaska volume increased 1.1 percent primarily due to higher northbound volume, partially offset by an additional sailing in the year ago period; China volume was 7.2 percent higher due to seasonally stronger freight demand; Guam volume decreased 10.0 percent primarily due to lower demand from retail and food and beverage segments; and Other containers volume decreased 8.5 percent.
Ocean Transportation operating income increased $71.0 million, or 106.9 percent, during the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared with the three months ended December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily due to significantly higher freight rates in China, the timing of fuel-related surcharge collections, and higher volume in China, partially offset by a lower contribution from SSAT and higher direct cargo expense (primarily in the China service) and general and administrative expenses.
The Company’s SSAT terminal joint venture investment incurred a loss of $9.5 million during the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared to income of $4.1 million during the three months ended December 31, 2023. The decrease was due to a $18.4 million impairment charge related to the write-down of a terminal operating lease asset, partially offset by higher year-over-year lift volume.
| Ocean Transportation — Year ended December 31, 2024 compared with 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| (Dollars in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | Change | |||||||||
| Ocean Transportation revenue | $ | 2,809.7 | $ | 2,477.0 | $ | 332.7 | 13.4 | % | ||||
| Operating costs and expenses | (2,308.8) | (2,182.2) | (126.6) | 5.8 | % | |||||||
| Operating income | $ | 500.9 | $ | 294.8 | $ | 206.1 | 69.9 | % | ||||
| Operating income margin | 17.8 | % | 11.9 | % | ||||||||
| Volume (Forty-foot equivalent units (FEU), except for automobiles) (1) | ||||||||||||
| Hawaii containers | 140,700 | 144,000 | (3,300) | (2.3) | % | |||||||
| Hawaii automobiles | 30,400 | 39,400 | (9,000) | (22.8) | % | |||||||
| Alaska containers | 80,500 | 80,000 | 500 | 0.6 | % | |||||||
| China containers | 144,100 | 140,700 | 3,400 | 2.4 | % | |||||||
| Guam containers | 18,800 | 20,100 | (1,300) | (6.5) | % | |||||||
| Other containers (2) | 17,000 | 17,500 | (500) | (2.9) | % | |||||||
| (1) | Approximate volume included for the period are based on the voyage departure date, but revenue and operating income are adjusted to reflect the percentage of revenue and operating income earned during the reporting period for voyages in transit at the end of each reporting period. | |||||||||||||||||||
| (2) | Includes containers from services in various islands in Micronesia and the South Pacific, and Okinawa, Japan. | |||||||||||||||||||
Ocean Transportation revenue increased $332.7 million, or 13.4 percent, during the year ended December 31, 2024, compared with the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily due to significantly higher freight rates in China, higher freight rates in the domestic tradelanes, and higher volume in China, partially offset by lower domestic tradelane volume.
On a year-over-year FEU basis, Hawaii container volume decreased 2.3 percent primarily due to lower general demand; Alaska volume increased 0.6 percent due to higher general demand, partially offset by one less northbound sailing; China volume increased 2.4 percent due to stronger seasonal volume in the fourth quarter 2024 and one additional sailing; Guam volume decreased 6.5 percent primarily due to lower general demand; and Other containers volume decreased 2.9 percent.
Ocean Transportation operating income increased $206.1 million, or 69.9 percent, during the year ended December 31, 2024, compared with the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily due to significantly higher freight rates in China, higher freight rates in the domestic tradelanes, and higher volume in China, partially offset by higher operating costs and general and administrative expenses.
The Company’s SSAT terminal joint venture investment incurred a loss of $1.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to income of $2.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease was due to an impairment charge related to the write-down of a terminal operating lease asset in the fourth quarter 2024 of $18.4 million, partially offset by higher lift volume.
| Logistics — Three months ended December 31, 2024 compared with 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| (Dollars in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | Change | |||||||||
| Logistics revenue | $ | 148.2 | $ | 149.2 | $ | (1.0) | (0.7) | % | ||||
| Operating costs and expenses | (138.1) | (140.3) | 2.2 | (1.6) | % | |||||||
| Operating income | $ | 10.1 | $ | 8.9 | $ | 1.2 | 13.5 | % | ||||
| Operating income margin | 6.8 | % | 6.0 | % | ||||||||
Logistics revenue decreased $1.0 million, or 0.7 percent, during the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared with the three months ended December 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily due to lower revenue in transportation brokerage, partially offset by higher revenue in supply chain management.
Logistics operating income increased $1.2 million, or 13.5 percent, during the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared with the three months ended December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily due to a higher contribution from supply chain management.
| Logistics — Year ended December 31, 2024 compared with 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| (Dollars in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | Change | |||||||||
| Logistics revenue | $ | 612.1 | $ | 617.6 | $ | (5.5) | (0.9) | % | ||||
| Operating costs and expenses | (561.7) | (569.6) | 7.9 | (1.4) | % | |||||||
| Operating income | $ | 50.4 | $ | 48.0 | $ | 2.4 | 5.0 | % | ||||
| Operating income margin | 8.2 | % | 7.8 | % | ||||||||
Logistics revenue decreased $5.5 million, or 0.9 percent, during the year ended December 31, 2024, compared with the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily due to lower revenue in transportation brokerage, partially offset by higher revenue in supply chain management.
Logistics operating income increased $2.4 million, or 5.0 percent, during the year ended December 31, 2024, compared with the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily due to a higher contribution from supply chain management.
Liquidity, Cash Flows and Capital Allocation
Matson’s Cash and Cash Equivalents increased by $132.8 million from $134.0 million at December 31, 2023 to $266.8 million at December 31, 2024. As of December 31, 2024, there was $642.6 million of cash and cash equivalents and investments in fixed-rate U.S. Treasuries in the Capital Construction Fund. Matson generated net cash from operating activities of $767.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $510.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. Capital expenditures (including capitalized vessel construction expenditures) totaled $310.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared with $248.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Total debt decreased by $39.7 million during the year to $400.9 million as of December 31, 2024, of which $361.2 million was classified as long-term debt.1 As of December 31, 2024, Matson had available borrowings under its revolving credit facility of $643.9 million.
During the fourth quarter 2024, Matson repurchased approximately 0.2 million shares for a total cost of $31.8 million. As of December 31, 2024, there were approximately 0.8 million shares remaining in the Company’s share repurchase program. For the full year 2024, Matson repurchased approximately 1.6 million shares for a total cost of $201.0 million. Matson’s Board of Directors also declared a cash dividend of $0.34 per share payable on March 6, 2025 to all shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 6, 2025.
| 1 Total debt is presented before any reduction for deferred loan fees as required by GAAP. |
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