UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 17, 2022
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) | (Commission File Number) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | ||||||||||||
(Address of principal executive offices)
(855 ) 976-6951
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
| Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) | |||||
| Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) | |||||
| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) | |||||
| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) | |||||
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.
RXO, Inc. (“RXO”) previously filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement on Form 10, initially publicly filed on September 28, 2022 (as amended, the “Registration Statement”), relating to the distribution by XPO Logistics, Inc. (“XPO” or the “company”) of all of the outstanding shares of common stock of RXO, par value $0.01 per share (the “RXO Common Stock”), to XPO stockholders. On October 17, 2022, the Registration Statement became effective. The Registration Statement includes a preliminary information statement that describes the distribution and provides important information regarding RXO’s business and management.
The final information statement, dated October 17, 2022 (the “Information Statement”), is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.
As further described in the Information Statement, XPO expects to distribute one share of RXO Common Stock for each share of XPO common stock, par value $0.001 per share, held as of the close of business on October 20, 2022, the record date for the distribution. Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions for the distribution, which are described in the Information Statement, the distribution is expected to occur at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on November 1, 2022 (the “Distribution Date”).
Beginning on or around October 27, 2022, RXO Common Stock will trade on a when-issued basis on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “RXO WI”. Subject to the distribution occurring on the Distribution Date, at the close of trading on October 31, 2022, when-issued trading of RXO Common Stock will end and on November 1, 2022, regular way trading under the ticker symbol “RXO” will begin.
The information furnished pursuant to this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities under that Section and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the company under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
| Exhibit No. | Description | |||||||
| 99.1 | ||||||||
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) | |||||||
Forward-looking Statements
This Current Report on Form 8-K includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements relating to the planned spin-off, the expected timing of the spin-off and the anticipated benefits of the spin-off. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “should,” “will,” “expect,” “objective,” “projection,” “forecast,” “goal,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “effort,” “target,” “trajectory” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terms. However, the absence of these words does not mean that the statements are not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the company in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors the company believes are appropriate in the circumstances.
These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause or contribute to a material difference include our ability to effect the spin-off of our tech-enabled brokered transportation platform and meet the related conditions of the spin-off, the expected timing of the
completion of the spin-off and the terms of the spin-off, our ability to achieve the expected benefits of the spin-off, our ability to retain and attract key personnel for the separate businesses, the risks discussed in our filings with the SEC, and the following: economic conditions generally; the severity, magnitude, duration and aftereffects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including supply chain disruptions due to plant and port shutdowns and transportation delays, the global shortage of certain components such as semiconductor chips, strains on production or extraction of raw materials, cost inflation and labor and equipment shortages, which may lower levels of service, including the timeliness, productivity and quality of service, and government responses to these factors; our ability to align our investments in capital assets, including equipment, service centers and warehouses, to our customers’ demands; our ability to implement our cost and revenue initiatives; our ability to benefit from the proposed spin-off; our ability to successfully integrate and realize anticipated synergies, cost savings and profit improvement opportunities with respect to acquired companies; goodwill impairment, including in connection with the proposed spin-off; matters related to our intellectual property rights; fluctuations in currency exchange rates; fuel price and fuel surcharge changes; natural disasters, terrorist attacks, wars or similar incidents, including the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and increased tensions between Taiwan and China; risks and uncertainties regarding the potential timing and expected benefits of the proposed spin-off of our tech-enabled brokered transportation platform, including the risk that the spin-off may not be completed on the terms or timeline currently contemplated, if at all; the impact of the proposed spin-off of our tech-enabled brokered transportation platform on the size and business diversity of our company; the ability of the proposed spin-off of our tech-enabled brokered transportation platform to qualify for tax-free treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes; our ability to develop and implement suitable information technology systems and prevent failures in or breaches of such systems; our indebtedness; our ability to raise debt and equity capital; fluctuations in fixed and floating interest rates; our ability to maintain positive relationships with our network of third-party transportation providers; our ability to attract and retain qualified drivers; labor matters, including our ability to manage our subcontractors, and risks associated with labor disputes at our customers and efforts by labor organizations to organize our employees and independent contractors; litigation, including litigation related to alleged misclassification of independent contractors and securities class actions; risks associated with our self-insured claims; risks associated with defined benefit plans for our current and former employees; the impact of potential sales of common stock by our chairman; governmental regulation, including trade compliance laws, as well as changes in international trade policies, sanctions and tax regimes; governmental or political actions, including the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union; and competition and pricing pressures.
All forward-looking statements set forth in this Current Report on Form 8-K are qualified by these cautionary statements and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by us will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to or effects on us or our business or operations. Forward-looking statements set forth in this Current Report on Form 8-K speak only as of the date hereof, and we do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, changes in expectations or the occurrence of unanticipated events, except to the extent required by law.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this Current Report on Form 8-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| Date: October 20, 2022 | XPO LOGISTICS, INC. | |||||||
| By: | /s/ Ravi Tulsyan | |||||||
| Ravi Tulsyan | ||||||||
| Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||
October 17, 2022
Dear XPO Logistics Stockholder:
In March, we announced our plan to separate XPO Logistics into two independent transportation companies with vast potential. The separation will occur through a distribution to XPO stockholders of all of the outstanding shares of RXO, Inc. (“RXO”), a newly formed, publicly traded company that will be created by the spin-off of our asset-light, tech-enabled brokered transportation platform. XPO will continue to be a publicly traded company after the separation.
The spin-off, once complete, will create two transportation leaders with distinct investment identities and clearly delineated value propositions in their respective industries: RXO will be the fourth largest broker of full truckload freight transportation in the United States, with a proprietary digital freight marketplace, access to massive truckload capacity and complementary brokered services for managed transportation, last mile and freight forwarding. XPO will be a leading provider of less-than-truckload transportation in North America, with a European transportation business that we plan to divest.
Each separate company will be best fit for its purpose, with an independent growth strategy and distinct profit drivers, and will be positioned to effectively manage capital and other resources to best support its strategic priorities. The separate management teams of each company will have more flexibility to tailor decision-making to their company’s strategy, customer requirements, stakeholder interests and employee culture. The separation will also create an independent equity currency for RXO, which will allow each company to structure incentive compensation arrangements that are more closely aligned with the performance of its respective business.
Upon completion of the distribution, each XPO stockholder as of October 20, 2022, the record date for the distribution, will receive one share of RXO common stock for every share of XPO common stock held as of the close of business on the record date. RXO common stock will be issued in book-entry form only, which means that no physical share certificates will be issued. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the distribution is intended to be tax-free both to XPO stockholders and to XPO. No vote of XPO stockholders is required for the distribution. You do not need to take any action to receive shares of RXO to which you are entitled as an XPO stockholder, and you do not need to pay any consideration or surrender or exchange your XPO common stock, which will continue to trade on the New York Stock Exchange.
We encourage you to read the attached information statement, which is being provided to all XPO stockholders that held shares of XPO on the record date for the distribution. The information statement describes the planned distribution of RXO common stock in detail and contains important business and financial information about RXO.
We believe that the separation will create new opportunities for both companies to realize significant growth, led by management teams with a demonstrated commitment to our investors, customers, employees and communities. As a stockholder of our company, you’ve experienced the benefit of XPO’s decade-long commitment to operational excellence and value creation. We look forward to the potential we expect to unlock with this new separation — for XPO, for RXO and for you, as a stockholder of both companies.
| Sincerely, | ||||||||
 | ||||||||
| Brad Jacobs | ||||||||
| Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | ||||||||
| XPO Logistics, Inc. | ||||||||
October 17, 2022
Dear Future RXO Stockholder:
I’m excited to welcome you as a future stockholder of RXO, Inc. (“RXO”), a leader in technology-enabled brokered transportation services in North America. The planned spin-off of RXO from XPO as a standalone company is a compelling prospect for us, and one that we believe will unlock value for all our stakeholders.
The opportunity we see in front of RXO is rooted in years of momentum as part of XPO, during which time our brokerage platform benefited from significant investments in digitization, customer service, talent and scale. As a separate public company, we can build on this strong positioning to capitalize on secular tailwinds in our industry, including the increasing broker penetration of the for-hire truckload industry and the growing shipper and carrier preference for digital brokerage capabilities. Moreover, we’ll be able to deepen our focus on serving our customers by enhancing RXO ConnectTM, our proprietary digital brokerage platform, for our specific end-markets. In doing so, we’ll continue to capitalize on the first-mover technology advantage RXO inherited from XPO and become an increasingly valuable partner to our customers for their transportation needs.
Importantly for you as a stockholder, we’ll be able to intensify our focus on our strategic priorities. RXO will have a simplified business structure, a capital structure tailored to our opportunities and a clearly delineated investment profile. Our standalone stock listing will create an independent equity currency we can use to recruit talent and structure employee incentive compensation arrangements that are more directly tied to our performance, and pursue strategic objectives, including acquisitions. We believe that these and other compelling rationales for the spin-off will amplify our ability to drive profitable growth in our best-in-class truck brokerage business and further leverage our technology advantage in our large and fragmented industry.
RXO’s common stock has been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “RXO” when the spin-off is complete.
Our vision for the future is clear. As an independent company, we intend to continue to deliver superior value for our customers through operational excellence, innovation and reliable access to massive transportation capacity. We plan to continue to invest in top talent and profitable growth and generate strong cash flows, providing excellent outcomes for our stockholders. For our employees, we’ll build on our cohesive, people-centric culture and engage our team in our vision.
We look forward to participating in this future with you as a holder of RXO common stock.
| Sincerely, | ||||||||
 | ||||||||
| Drew Wilkerson | ||||||||
| Chief Executive Officer | ||||||||
| RXO, Inc. | ||||||||
INFORMATION STATEMENT
RXO, INC.
This information statement is being furnished in connection with the distribution by XPO Logistics, Inc. (“XPO”) to its stockholders of the outstanding shares of common stock of RXO, Inc. (“RXO”), a wholly owned subsidiary of XPO that will hold the assets and liabilities associated with XPO’s North American truck brokerage business, as well as its services for managed transportation, last mile and freight forwarding (the “RXO Businesses”). To implement the separation, XPO currently plans to distribute all of the shares of RXO common stock on a pro rata basis to XPO stockholders in a distribution that is intended to be tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes both to XPO stockholders and to XPO. Immediately after the distribution becomes effective, XPO will own no outstanding shares of our common stock.
For every share of common stock of XPO held of record by you as of the close of business on October 20, 2022, which is the record date for the distribution, you will receive one share of RXO common stock. As discussed under “The Separation and Distribution—Trading Between the Record Date and the Distribution Date,” if you sell your shares of XPO common stock in the “regular-way” market after the record date up to the distribution date, you also will be selling your right to receive shares of RXO common stock in connection with the distribution. We expect the shares of RXO common stock to be distributed by XPO to you at 12:01 a.m., Eastern Time, on November 1, 2022. We refer to the date of the distribution of the RXO common stock as the “distribution date.”
Until the distribution occurs, RXO will be a wholly owned subsidiary of XPO, and consequently, XPO will have the sole and absolute discretion to determine and change the terms of the separation (or to terminate the separation), including the establishment of the record date for the distribution and the distribution date.
No vote of XPO stockholders is required for the distribution. Therefore, you are not being asked for a proxy, and you are requested not to send XPO a proxy, in connection with the distribution. You do not need to pay any consideration, exchange or surrender your existing shares of XPO common stock or take any other action to receive your shares of RXO common stock.
There is no current trading market for RXO common stock, although we expect that a limited market, commonly known as a “when-issued” trading market, will develop on or shortly before the distribution date, and we expect “regular-way” trading of RXO common stock to begin on the distribution date. RXO has been approved to list its common stock on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “RXO.” Following the distribution, XPO will continue to trade on the NYSE under the symbol “XPO.”
In reviewing this information statement, you should carefully consider the matters described in the section titled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 23.
Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this information statement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
This information statement does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities.
The date of this information statement is October 17, 2022.
This information statement was first made available to XPO stockholders on or about October 17, 2022.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Presentation of Information
Unless the context otherwise requires or otherwise specifies:
•The information included in this information statement about RXO, including the Combined Financial Statements of RXO, assumes the completion of all of the transactions referred to in this information statement in connection with the separation and distribution.
•Except as otherwise specified herein, references in this information statement to “RXO,” “we,” “us,” “our,” “our company” and “the company” refer to RXO, Inc. (formerly known as RXO, LLC prior to its conversion into a Delaware corporation) and its combined subsidiaries.
•References in this information statement to the “RXO Businesses” refer to XPO’s North American truck brokerage business, as well as its services for managed transportation, last mile and freight forwarding.
•References in this information statement to “XPO” refer to XPO Logistics, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries, including the RXO Businesses prior to completion of the separation and the distribution and excluding the RXO Businesses following completion of the separation and the distribution.
•References in this information statement to the “separation” or “spin-off” refer to the spin-off of the RXO Businesses from XPO’s other businesses and the creation, as a result of the distribution, of an independent, publicly traded company, RXO, to hold the assets and liabilities associated with the RXO Businesses after the distribution.
•References in this information statement to the “distribution” refer to the pro rata distribution of all of RXO’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock to XPO stockholders as of the close of business on the record date for the distribution.
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•References in this information statement to RXO’s per share data assume a distribution ratio of one share of RXO common stock for every share of XPO common stock.
•References in this information statement to RXO’s historical assets, liabilities, products, businesses or activities generally refer to the historical assets, liabilities, products, businesses or activities of the RXO Businesses as the businesses were conducted as part of XPO prior to the completion of the separation.
Industry and Market Information
Unless indicated otherwise, the information concerning the industries and markets in which RXO participates contained in this information statement is based on RXO’s general knowledge of and expectations concerning its operating environment. The market positions, shares, market sizes and growth estimates included in this information statement are based on estimates using RXO’s internal data and estimates, data from various third-party industry analyses, internal research and adjustments, and assumptions that RXO believes to be reasonable. RXO has not independently verified data from industry analyses and cannot guarantee their accuracy or completeness. In addition, RXO believes that data regarding the industry, market positions, shares, market sizes and growth estimates provide general guidance but are inherently imprecise. Further, RXO’s estimates and assumptions involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed in the “Risk Factors” section. These and other factors could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the estimates and assumptions. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on this information.
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INFORMATION STATEMENT SUMMARY
The following is a summary of selected information discussed in this information statement. This summary may not contain all of the details concerning the separation, the distribution or other information that may be important to you. To better understand the separation, the distribution and our business and financial position, you should carefully review this entire information statement. Unless the context otherwise requires, the information included in this information statement about RXO, including the Combined Financial Statements of RXO, assumes the completion of all of the transactions referred to in this information statement in connection with the separation and distribution.
Unless the context otherwise requires, or when otherwise specified, references in this information statement to our historical assets, liabilities, products, businesses or activities of our businesses are generally intended to refer to the historical assets, liabilities, products, businesses or activities of the RXO Businesses as they were conducted as part of XPO prior to completion of the separation and distribution.
Company Overview
RXO is a high-performing brokered transportation platform defined by cutting-edge technology and a nimble, asset-light business model, with the largest component being our core truck brokerage business. We are the fourth largest broker of full truckload freight transportation in the United States, with approximately 4% share of the entire $88 billion brokered truckload industry in 2021. Over 80% of our operating income in 2021 was generated by truck brokerage; the remainder was comprised of our brokered services for managed transportation, last mile and freight forwarding. RXO is led by Drew Wilkerson, chief executive officer, and Jamie Harris, chief financial officer. These executives have deep experience in their respective fields, having previously served in senior roles with industry leaders.
Our truck brokerage business has a variable cost structure with robust free cash flow conversion and a long track record of generating a high return on invested capital. Shippers create demand for our service, and we place their freight with qualified independent carriers using our technology. We price our service on either a contract or a spot basis.
Notable factors driving growth and margin expansion in our business include our ability to access massive truckload capacity for shippers through our carrier relationships, our proprietary, cutting-edge technology, our strong management expertise and favorable industry tailwinds. As of June 30, 2022, we had approximately 98,000 carriers in our North American truck brokerage network, and access to over one and a half million trucks.
We provide our customers with highly efficient access to capacity through our RXO ConnectTM digital brokerage technology. This proprietary platform is a major differentiator for our truck brokerage business, and together with our pricing technology, we believe it can unlock incremental profitable growth well beyond our current levels. All of our services utilize our proprietary platform.
In 2021, we generated $4.7 billion of revenue. See “Summary Historical and Pro Forma Combined Financial Data” for additional information. As of June 30, 2022, we operated with approximately 7,400 team members (comprised of approximately 5,600 full-time and part-time employees and 1,800 temporary workers) and 196 locations.
Drivers of Value Creation
We have identified five key drivers of value creation in our truck brokerage business:
•Critical Scale in an Expanding Industry with Low Penetration: We are the fourth largest broker of full truckload freight transportation in the United States, with a carrier pool that gives us access to vast truck capacity to serve high shipper demand for transportation. We are also well-established as a truckload broker of choice across diversified industry sectors, with a notable presence in the e-commerce and retail sectors. Despite our scale, we have just 4% of the brokered truckload industry revenue, which includes LTL and full truckload transportation provided direct to shippers and via managed transportation providers, and
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expect to benefit from both overall industry growth in demand for truckload transportation, and a long runway for increased broker penetration of for-hire trucking.
•Proprietary Technology: We believe we are strongly differentiated by our technology as a leading innovator of sophisticated brokerage solutions that enhance visibility, reliability, speed, accuracy and cost effectiveness, and by the fully automated transactional capabilities of our digital platform. As more and more shippers outsource their road freight needs to brokers, they increasingly prefer brokers that have the digital capabilities we offer.
•Long-Tenured, Blue-Chip Customer Relationships in Attractive Verticals: Our customer base includes numerous long-term relationships with market leaders and other world-class companies across a diversified array of customer verticals, with a significant presence in consumer-facing sectors. Our tiered sales organization tailors its approach to each prospective customer based on size and profitability potential.
•Asset-Light Model Generates High Returns and Substantial Free Cash Flow: We utilize an asset-light business model that gives us agility and generates strong free cash flow.
•Experienced and Cohesive Leadership and Strong Company Values: Our business operations are led by highly experienced executives who are recognized as leading truck brokerage experts and technologists. These executives have worked together for many years, creating value through operational excellence, data science and a people-centric culture.
Critical Scale in an Expanding Industry with Low Penetration
Our truck brokerage business operates in a growing, $88 billion brokered truckload industry in the United States, within a total addressable for-hire trucking opportunity of approximately $400 billion in 2021. The brokered truckload industry size includes $8 billion from managed transportation services, which represents approximately one third of the total managed transportation industry in the United States. We expect that our industry will continue to grow faster than GDP, propelled by strong secular tailwinds, such as a trend toward outsourcing freight transportation, increased brokerage penetration of for-hire truckload transportation and adoption of digital brokerage technologies by shippers and carriers. In addition, given our size in our industry, we see a significant opportunity to increase our market share through ongoing shipper and carrier adoption of our proprietary RXO ConnectTM platform.
Our best-in-class truck brokerage business has a long track record of outperforming our industry and peers in key metrics. For the full year 2021, compared with 2020 and 2019, respectively: our revenue growth in truck brokerage was 63% and 100%, and our load growth was 29% and 40%, including 39% and 112% load growth from our top 20 customers. Additionally, we grew our 2021 margin dollars, which represent our revenue less the cost of transportation and services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization), by 49% and 86% compared with 2020 and 2019, respectively. From 2013 to 2021, our truck brokerage revenue compound annual growth rate (“CAGR”) was 27% — approximately three times the U.S. brokered truckload industry growth rate, and notably, over 90% of our revenue growth over this period was organic. Over the last three years, we increased our productivity, measured by loads per head per day, by 50%.
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_________________
(1)U.S. brokered truckload industry size; reflects brokered component of ~$400 billion total addressable truckload opportunity
The growing complexity of supply chains, the advent of brokerage technology and the increase in risk aversion by supply chain operators have encouraged shippers to seek out large, third-party transportation partners with on-demand access to trucks and drivers, real-time pricing and continuous visibility into the movement of their goods. This has led to a sustained shift toward utilizing outsourced transportation brokers such as RXO that have a strong technology offering and provide data for better decision-making.
Broker penetration of for-hire truckload transportation has doubled in the last 15 years, and is still less than 25%. The penetration rate is expected to continue a steady climb, with industry forecasts predicting ongoing increases.
Proprietary Technology
Our first-mover advantage in brokerage technology dates back to the start of XPO in 2011, when we foresaw the technological potential in the brokerage model. RXO is capitalizing on that advantage.
A decade ago, truck brokerage was conducted largely by telephone through manual interactions between customers and brokers. This limited the industry’s ability to realize efficiencies and made it challenging for many brokers to maintain high levels of customer service as they grew in scale.
We established our competitive advantage with significant investments in proprietary brokerage technology that harnesses data science. We began matching shippers to carriers using the visibility provided by our Freight Optimizer system. We then developed our RXO ConnectTM digital brokerage platform architecture, which incorporates machine learning and fully automates the brokerage process, making transactions more efficient for all parties involved. Over the past 10 years, we have spent approximately $300 million on developing our technology.
Today, digital brokerage platforms are changing the face of the truck brokerage industry and are expected to continue to grow in importance as shippers increasingly value the efficiencies of automation. Approximately 80% of
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RXO’s brokerage orders are currently created or covered digitally, and we expect the digital nature of our transactions to increase to 95% or higher over time.
Long-Tenured, Blue-Chip Customer Relationships in Attractive Verticals
We have a large opportunity to grow our share in key verticals with durable fundamentals, where we have strong partnerships with preeminent customers and extensive expertise. Our revenue is well-diversified across customers with different demand patterns and seasonality, including more than half of the Fortune 100 companies. In 2021, our revenue profile reflected a strong mix of both verticals and customers, with low concentration risk:
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(1)Before eliminations
(2)Other includes verticals such as agriculture, chemicals, home furnishings, building materials, business and professional services, healthcare and biotechnology, energy, oil and gas, aerospace and defense, and mining.
Our value proposition is a combination of massive carrier capacity, highly efficient technology, deep expertise and the agility to not only solve supply chain challenges, but also proactively improve results — these are benefits that resonate with truck brokerage customers of all sizes. The average relationship tenure of our top 10 customers company-wide, based on revenue, is approximately 16 years, and the average relationship tenures of our top 10 and top 20 truck brokerage customers, based on revenue, are approximately 14 years.
Our tiered sales organization tailors its approach to each prospective customer based on size and profitability potential and has dedicated teams targeting enterprise customers, national customers and emerging growth companies. Our sales organization draws upon vertical-specific experience and leverages internal resources, including the self-service capabilities of RXO Connect™, in order to meet each customer’s needs.
Asset-Light Model Generates High Returns and Substantial Free Cash Flow
RXO’s asset-light business model historically has generated a high return on invested capital across cycles and robust free cash flow. We do not own the great majority of trucks and other assets used to perform our services, and in 2021, only 13% of our costs were fixed. This limits our capital requirements and gives our business substantial flexibility, compared with asset-based transportation providers.
Our largest capital expenditure is technology, which allows us to continually enhance our financial and operational agility. Labor is a significant cost; however, a large part of our labor cost is related to sales commissions. This variable cost structure automatically decreases costs at times of lower demand and increases revenue and
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margin faster than costs as demand returns. The resilience inherent in our business model reduces risk in all macroeconomic environments.
For example, when the market is poised to tighten, our business model gives us the ability to review rates with our top customers, hire employees to increase capacity, onboard more carriers and backstop rates. When the market is poised to loosen, we are able to look for opportunities to reduce carrier costs to expand margins, slow hiring, lean into contractual business and offer dedicated solutions to ensure reliable capacity for key customers. The resilience inherent in our business model reduces risk and facilitates succeeding in all macroeconomic environments.
Experienced and Cohesive Leadership and Strong Company Values
RXO is led by Drew Wilkerson, chief executive officer, and Jamie Harris, chief financial officer. These executives have deep experience in their respective fields, having previously served in senior roles with XPO and other industry leaders.
Mr. Wilkerson is a transportation industry veteran with 16 years of experience in brokerage operations. He joined XPO in May 2012 to spearhead the growth of the company’s flagship truck brokerage hub in Charlotte, North Carolina. In May 2014, he was promoted to regional vice president, with responsibility for major brokerage operations, and served as the key liaison for strategic accounts. In March 2017, he was named president of XPO’s North American brokerage business; and in February 2020, he was named president of XPO’s North American transportation division, with P&L responsibility for truck brokerage, expedite, intermodal, drayage, managed transportation, last mile and freight forwarding. He has served in this role until the separation. Prior to XPO, Mr. Wilkerson held leadership positions in sales, operations, and customer and carrier relationship management with C.H. Robinson Worldwide.
Mr. Harris is a career CFO with 35 years of experience in B2B sectors, including two decades with public companies. He has served as chief financial officer of XPO’s North American transportation division from September 2022 until the separation. Prior to XPO, he was CFO and treasurer of SPX Technologies and earlier held positions as CFO and then interim CEO of Elevate Textiles, Inc. Previously, Mr. Harris held various executive roles with Coca-Cola Consolidated, the largest independent Coca-Cola franchisee in the United States, including eight years as CFO and two years as executive vice president, business transformation.
Our leadership team also provides executive support for our culture, which is defined by our environmental, social and governance framework, and by our values: safe, entrepreneurial, respectful, innovative and inclusive. We strive to move goods most efficiently through supply chains in a way that maximizes value for all our stakeholders. For example, our technology platform is designed to help us operate with minimal waste and reduce the carbon footprint of shipper supply chains, while also reducing “empty miles” for the carriers that provide the transportation. In April 2022, we enhanced the environmental sustainability of our truck brokerage offering with the launch of our Ship Net-Zero program, which gives shippers a way to negate the carbon footprint of their freight by purchasing carbon offsets for the sustainability projects of their choice.
Relationship-Based Operating Structure
Our truck brokerage business operates as an intermediary between shippers and carriers (truck and fleet owners), connecting truckload supply and demand. Our value proposition is based on our ability to access truck capacity on a massive scale; give shippers and carriers the benefits of our proprietary digital freight marketplace; and solve transportation challenges for our customers by utilizing the bench strength of our business — namely, the expertise of our brokerage leaders, technologists and employees.
Our asset-light business model relies on our business relationships with independent motor carriers for the transportation of our customers’ freight. We typically sign a non-exclusive, one-year, renewable agreement with carriers; this agreement establishes the carrier’s role as an independent contractor and provides that the carrier is solely responsible for aspects of their service. In 2021, more than 90% of our truck brokerage revenue was generated from independent contractor services provided to truck brokerage customers, with the balance provided to customers of other RXO businesses through co-brokerage agreements.
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We conduct our truck brokerage operations by striving to best utilize our resources of people, technology and data. Our sales representatives communicate with customers about truckload freight that needs to be shipped, and we locate trucks with available capacity using our RXO ConnectTM technology platform. In addition, our technology interfaces give customers the ability to post their freight loads and tap into truck capacity on our platform. On the supply side, truck drivers and fleet owners use our carrier interfaces to find loads and better utilize their assets. Carriers can bid and book loads online and through our platform’s mobile app. Our brokerage platform synergizes these operating strengths within a single digital freight marketplace. Approximately 80% of our truck brokerage transactions have a digital profile — and, as that percentage continues to grow, we are able to process more volume per head over time.
Our Strategy
Our strategy is designed to deliver value through our resources, including extensive carrier relationships, automated shipper-carrier interactions, end-to-end digital tracking and data analyses generated by our proprietary algorithms. Our growth and optimization strategy encompasses:
•Marketing our brokerage capabilities and value-added services to new and existing customers of all sizes, using a partnership approach that creates enduring relationships;
•Leveraging our positioning to increasingly capitalize on secular trends in demand, such as the increasing broker penetration of the for-hire truckload industry and the growing shipper preference for digital brokerage services;
•Continuing to recruit and retain talented customer and carrier sales representatives, and continuously improve their productivity with our state-of-the-art technology;
•Continuing to attract high-caliber independent carriers to provide third-party transportation services for our customers; and
•Capitalizing on our first-mover technology advantage to continue to gain share of the truck brokerage industry by optimizing brokerage processes and pricing for customers and carriers, and by enhancing the productivity of our operations.
Technology and Intellectual Property
RXO benefits from first-mover advantage in brokerage technology, with a fully automated, cloud-based digital platform that enables us to enhance our service, capture share and reduce costs. We established our advantage through more than a decade of investment in proprietary technology, and we are committed to staying at the forefront of the technological evolution of our industry.
Our RXO ConnectTM digital brokerage platform is scalable and self-learning. It gives shippers access to our growing transportation network and our valuable market data, and it gives independent truck drivers the ability to secure loads through our mobile app. As of June 30, 2022, we had nearly 800,000 cumulative truck driver downloads of the app.
Importantly, our digital brokerage platform creates ongoing value for RXO by: (i) giving us real-time visibility into available supply and demand for current and future time periods; (ii) engaging customers and carriers through user-friendly interfaces underpinned by cutting-edge pricing technology; (iii) optimizing for value and margin through superior real-time market intelligence derived from data harvested during load-matching; and (iv) facilitating transactions through cost-efficient automation. See “Technology and Intellectual Property” for more information.
Other Brokered Transportation Services
In addition to our core truck brokerage business, we also offer asset-light services for managed transportation, last mile for heavy goods and freight forwarding. We believe this comprehensive suite of brokered transportation solutions, provided through a single source, is a differentiator for RXO and capitalizes on synergy opportunities
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between the services in the form of cross-selling and shared technology. In 2021, over 60% of our revenue was related to customers that did business with more than one of our services. We estimate that the total addressable industry opportunity for the range of services we offer was over $750 billion in 2021. This includes the $400 billion U.S. for-hire truckload industry.
Managed Transportation
Our managed transportation service provides asset-light solutions for shippers who outsource their freight transportation to gain reliability, visibility and cost savings. This service uses proprietary technology to enhance revenue synergies with truck brokerage, last mile and freight forwarding. We are the sixth largest provider of managed transportation services in the United States and have grown our freight under management by more than 80% since 2019. In 2021, we had approximately 3% revenue share of the U.S. managed transportation industry, and, for the twelve months ended June 30, 2022, approximately $3.9 billion of freight under management. We estimate that the total addressable market for the managed transportation services we offer was $23 billion in 2021. Based on historical trends, industry data and our own internal analyses, we estimate that this market will have a growth rate of 10% from 2021 to 2026. This estimate does not reflect expectations regarding the growth of our business.
Our managed transportation offering includes bespoke load planning and procurement, complex solutions tailored to specific challenges, performance monitoring, engineering and data analytics, among other services. Our control tower solution leverages the expertise of a dedicated team focused on continuous improvement, and digital, door-to-door visibility into order status and freight in transit. In 2021, we managed more than 2.8 million shipments using control tower technology. In addition, we offer technology-enabled managed expedite services that automate transportation procurement for time-critical freight moved by independent road and air charter carriers.
Last Mile
Our last mile offering is an asset-light service that facilitates the delivery of heavy goods to consumers, performed by highly qualified third-party contractors; this gives us daily access to approximately 6,700 independent contractor drivers. We are the largest provider of outsourced last mile service for heavy goods in the United States, with approximately 7% market share and a network that is positioned within 125 miles of the vast majority of the U.S. population. In 2021, we facilitated over 11 million last mile deliveries and installations for omnichannel and e-commerce retailers and direct-to-consumer manufacturers. We estimate that the total addressable market for the last mile services we offer was $16 billion in 2021. Based on historical trends, industry data and our own internal analyses, we estimate that this market will have a growth rate of 10% from 2021 to 2024. This estimate does not reflect expectations regarding the growth of our business.
We operate our last mile business using a proprietary technology platform we developed specifically for the last mile consumer experience, integrated with RXO Connect™. This enables real-time tracking and on-demand delivery updates and rescheduling, customized notifications and signature-less release upon delivery. Approximately 50% of our eligible last mile orders are now self-scheduled by the consumer via the web or automated calls, and all data regarding a shipment’s progress is visible in one place. Our automation capabilities are a major lever in driving superior customer satisfaction and a 30% reduction in calls per delivery since 2018.
Freight Forwarding
Our freight forwarding service is a scalable, asset-light offering managed with advanced technology that facilitates ocean, road and air transportation and assists with customs brokerage. We are a U.S.-based freight forwarder with a global network of company-owned and partner-owned locations and coverage of key trade lanes that reach approximately 160 countries and territories through more than 2,500 domestic and 400 international carriers. Based on historical trends, industry data and our own internal analyses, we estimate that the market growth rate for the total addressable market for the freight forwarding services will be 3% from 2021 to 2026. This estimate does not reflect expectations regarding the growth of our business.
Our freight forwarding service provides valuable support to other RXO operations by providing centralized procurement for domestic and cross-border capacity management. We leverage economies of scale, carrier relationships and local market expertise at thousands of destinations to connect key production and consumption
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centers hundreds or thousands of miles apart. Our freight forwarding business model is nimble and resilient to changes in demand; we can readily increase capacity to manage volume, while retaining inherent flexibility in capital expenditures.
The Separation and Distribution
In March 2022, XPO announced its intention to separate into two independent, publicly traded companies. The separation will occur through a pro rata distribution to XPO stockholders of all of the shares of common stock of RXO, the newly formed company that will consist of XPO’s existing tech-enabled brokered transportation services platform in North America. XPO will remain a publicly traded company after the separation and distribution, consisting of its existing asset-based North American less-than-truckload business and its European transportation business.
On October 10, 2022, the XPO board of directors approved the distribution of all of the shares of RXO common stock, on the basis of one share of RXO common stock for every share of XPO common stock held as of the close of business on October 20, 2022, the record date for the distribution.
RXO’s Post-Separation Relationship with XPO
Upon the distribution, XPO and RXO will become two separate companies with separate management teams and boards of directors. Prior to the distribution, XPO and RXO will enter into the separation agreement. We will also enter into various other agreements that will provide a framework for our relationship with XPO after the separation, including a transition services agreement, a tax matters agreement, an employee matters agreement and an intellectual property license agreement. These agreements will provide for the allocation between RXO and XPO of the assets, employees, liabilities and obligations (including, among others, investments, property and employee benefits, insurance and tax-related assets and liabilities) of XPO and its subsidiaries attributable to periods prior to, at and after the separation and will govern the relationship between us and XPO subsequent to the completion of the separation. For additional information regarding the separation agreement and other transaction agreements, see the sections titled “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Separation and Distribution” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”
Reasons for the Separation
The XPO board of directors believes that the separation of XPO into two independent, publicly traded companies through the separation of the RXO Businesses from XPO is in the best interests of XPO and its stockholders for a number of reasons, including:
•Enhanced Management Focus on Core Businesses. The separation will create two companies more fit for purpose, and give each company’s management team an undiluted focus on their specific operating and strategic priorities and customer requirements. The separation will enable the management teams of each company to better focus on strengthening its core businesses and operations, to more effectively address unique operating and other needs, and to pursue distinct and targeted opportunities for long-term growth and profitability. The separation will enable each company to deepen its competitive differentiation by having its technology team focus on enhancing the proprietary software developed for its specific service offerings, including XPO’s less-than-truckload (“LTL”) technology platform and RXO’s digital brokerage platform.
•Clear-Cut Investment Identities. The separation will allow investors to more clearly understand the separate business models, financial profiles and investment identities of the two companies and to invest in each company based on a better appreciation of these characteristics. The separation will also provide an opportunity to allow each company to have less debt relative to its market capitalization. To the extent that enhanced investor understanding of each business model and demonstrated deleveraging result in greater investor demand for shares of XPO stock and/or RXO stock, it could cause each company to be valued at multiples higher than XPO’s current multiple, and higher than its publicly traded peers. Any such increase in the aggregate market value of XPO and RXO following the separation, relative to XPO’s current market value, would benefit XPO, RXO and their respective stakeholders.
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•Creation of Independent Equity Currencies and Enhanced Strategic Opportunities. The separation will provide each of XPO and RXO with its own pure-play equity currency that can be used to facilitate raising capital and to pursue M&A opportunities that are more closely aligned with each company’s strategic goals and expected growth opportunities. To the extent that the separate equity currencies are more attractively valued, this would further increase these benefits to XPO and RXO.
•Improved Alignment of Management Incentives and Performance. The separation will allow each company to more effectively recruit, retain and motivate employees through the use of equity-based compensation that more closely aligns management and employee incentives with specific growth objectives, financial goals and business attributes. To the extent that the separate equity currencies are more attractively valued, this would further benefit XPO and RXO.
•Separate Capital Structures and Allocation of Financial Resources. The separation will permit each company to allocate its financial resources to meet the unique needs of its business and intensify the focus on its distinct operating and strategic priorities, including by investing in enhancements to the proprietary software developed for its service offerings. The separation will also give each business its own capital structure and allow it to manage capital allocation and capital return strategies with greater agility in response to changes in the operating environment and industry landscape. Further, the separation will eliminate internal competition for capital between the two businesses and enable each business to implement a capital structure tailored to its strategy and business needs.
The XPO board of directors also considered a number of potentially negative factors in evaluating the separation, including:
•Risk of Failure to Achieve Anticipated Benefits of the Separation. We may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the separation for a variety of reasons, including, among others: the separation will demand significant management resources and require significant amounts of management’s time and effort, which may divert management’s attention from operating our business; following the separation, we may be more susceptible to market fluctuations, and other events may be more disadvantageous for us than if we were still part of XPO, because our business would be less diversified than XPO’s business is prior to the completion of the separation.
•Disruptions and Costs Related to the Separation. The actions required to separate the RXO Businesses from XPO could disrupt our operations. In addition, in connection with the separation and the transition to being a standalone public company, we will incur costs that will, in the aggregate, be substantial. These costs may include accounting, tax, legal and other professional services costs, recruiting and relocation costs associated with hiring key senior management personnel who are new to RXO, tax costs, and costs to separate information systems.
•Loss of Scale and Increased Administrative Costs. Prior to the separation, RXO is able to take advantage of XPO’s size and purchasing power in procuring certain goods, services and technologies. After the separation, as a standalone company, we may be unable to obtain these goods, services and technologies at prices or on terms as favorable as those XPO obtained prior to completion of the separation. In addition, as part of XPO, RXO benefits from certain functions performed by XPO, such as accounting, tax, legal, human resources and other general and administrative functions. After the separation, XPO will not perform these functions for us, other than certain functions that will be provided for a limited time pursuant to the transition services agreement, and, because of our smaller scale as a standalone company, our cost of performing such functions could be higher than the amounts reflected in our historical financial statements, which would cause our profitability to decrease.
•Limitations on Strategic Transactions. Under the terms of the tax matters agreement that we will enter into with XPO, we will be restricted from taking certain actions that could cause the distribution or certain related transactions (or certain transactions undertaken as part of the internal reorganization) to fail to qualify as tax-free under applicable law. These restrictions may limit, for a period of time, our ability to pursue certain strategic transactions and equity issuances or engage in other transactions that might increase the value of our business.
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•Uncertainty Regarding Stock Prices. We cannot predict with certainty the effect of the separation on the trading prices of RXO or XPO common stock or know whether the combined market value of one share of our common stock and one share of XPO common stock will be less than, equal to or greater than the market value of one share of XPO common stock prior to the distribution.
In determining whether to pursue the separation, the XPO board of directors concluded the potential benefits of the separation outweighed the potential negative factors. See the sections titled “The Separation and Distribution—Reasons for the Separation” and “Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this information statement.
Capitalization Summary
For information regarding the post-distribution capitalization of RXO, see the section titled “Capitalization.”
Summary of Risk Factors
An investment in our company is subject to a number of risks, including risks related to our business, risks related to the separation and distribution and risks related to our common stock. Set forth below is a high-level summary of some, but not all, of these risks. Please read the information in the section titled “Risk Factors” of this information statement for a more thorough description of these and other risks.
Risks Related to Our Business
Risks Related to Industry Dynamics
•We operate in a highly competitive industry and, if we are unable to adequately address factors that may adversely affect our revenue and costs, our business could suffer.
•Economic recessions and other factors that reduce economic activity could have a material adverse impact on our business.
•If we continue to face unfavorable market conditions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results may be negatively impacted.
•Volatility in fuel prices impacts our fuel surcharge revenue and may impact our profitability.
•Higher carrier prices may result in decreased income from operations and increases in working capital.
•Extreme or unusual weather conditions can disrupt our operations, impact freight volumes, and increase our costs, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business results.
•Our operations may be subject to seasonal fluctuations, and our inability to manage these fluctuations could negatively affect our business and our results of operations.
Risks Related to Third-Party Relationships
•We depend on third parties in the operation of our business.
•Our business relies on third-party carriers to conduct its operations, and the status of these parties as independent contractors, rather than employees, is being challenged.
•Our business may be materially adversely affected by labor disputes or organizing efforts.
Risks Related to Our Use of Technology
•Our business will be seriously harmed if we fail to develop, implement, maintain, upgrade, enhance, protect and integrate our information technology systems, including those systems of any businesses that we acquire.
•We could be affected by cyberattacks or breaches of our information systems, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business.
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•A failure of our information technology infrastructure, information systems, networks or processes may materially adversely affect our business.
•Issues related to the intellectual property rights on which our business depends, whether related to our failure to enforce our own rights or infringement claims brought by others, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
•Third-party security incidents could result in the loss of our or our customers’ data, expose us to liability, harm our reputation, damage our competitiveness and adversely impact our financial results.
Risks Related to Litigation and Regulation
•We are subject to claims arising from our transportation operations.
•From time to time, we are involved in lawsuits and are subject to various claims that could result in significant expenditures and impact our operations.
•Our third-party carriers are subject to increasingly stringent laws protecting the environment, including transitional risks relating to climate change, which could directly or indirectly have a material adverse effect on our business.
•We are subject to governmental regulations and political conditions, which could negatively impact our business.
Risks Related to Our Strategy and Operations
•We depend on our ability to attract and retain qualified employees and temporary workers.
•Failure to successfully implement our cost and revenue initiatives could cause our future financial results to suffer.
•We may not successfully manage our growth.
•Our inability to successfully manage the costs and operational difficulties of adding new customers or more volume from existing customers may negatively affect our financial condition and operations.
•We derive a significant portion of our total revenue from our largest customers.
•The contractual terms between us and our customers could expose us to penalties and costs in the event we do not meet the contractually prescribed performance levels.
•Damage to our reputation through unfavorable publicity or the actions of our employees or independent contractors could adversely affect our financial condition.
•If we determine that our goodwill has become impaired, we may incur impairment charges, which would negatively impact our operating results.
•Any acquisitions that we may complete in the future may be unsuccessful or result in other risks or developments that adversely affect our financial condition and results.
•We may not realize all of the anticipated benefits of any divestitures we may make in the future, or the benefits of any such divestitures may take longer to realize than expected.
Risks Related to the Separation and Distribution
•We have no history of operating as an independent company, and our historical and pro forma financial information is not necessarily representative of the results that we would have achieved as a separate, publicly traded company and may not be a reliable indicator of our future results.
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•Following the separation and distribution, our financial profile will change, and we will be a smaller, less diversified company than XPO prior to the separation.
•We may not achieve some or all of the expected benefits of the separation and distribution, and the separation and distribution may materially adversely affect our business.
•XPO’s plan to separate into two independent, publicly traded companies is subject to various risks and uncertainties and may not be completed in accordance with the expected plans or anticipated timeline, or at all, and will involve significant time and expense, which could disrupt or adversely affect our business.
•Challenges in the commercial and credit environment may adversely affect the expected benefits of the separation, the expected plans or anticipated timeline to complete the separation and our future access to capital on favorable terms.
•We intend to incur, and may in the future incur, additional debt obligations, that could adversely affect our business and profitability and our ability to meet other obligations.
•We could experience temporary interruptions in business operations and incur additional costs as we build our information technology infrastructure and transition our data to our own systems.
•Our accounting, tax and other management systems and resources may not be adequately prepared to meet the financial reporting and other requirements to which we will be subject as a standalone, publicly traded company following the separation and distribution.
•In connection with the separation into two public companies, each of XPO and RXO will indemnify each other for certain liabilities. If we are required to pay under these indemnities to XPO, our financial results could be negatively impacted. The XPO indemnities may not be sufficient to hold us harmless from the full amount of liabilities for which XPO will be allocated responsibility, and XPO may not be able to satisfy its indemnification obligations in the future.
•XPO may fail to perform under various transaction agreements that will be executed as part of the separation, or we may fail to have necessary systems and services in place when certain of the transaction agreements expire.
•We may be held liable to XPO if we fail to perform certain services under the transition services agreement, and the performance of such services may negatively impact our business and operations.
•The terms we will receive in our agreements with XPO could be less beneficial than the terms we may have otherwise received from unaffiliated third parties.
•If the distribution, together with certain related transactions, does not qualify as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we, as well as XPO and XPO’s stockholders, could be subject to significant tax liabilities, and, in certain circumstances, we could be required to indemnify XPO for material amounts of taxes and other related amounts pursuant to indemnification obligations under the tax matters agreement. In addition, if certain internal restructuring transactions were to fail to qualify as transactions that are generally tax-free for U.S. federal or non-U.S. income tax purposes, we, as well as XPO, could be subject to significant tax liabilities.
•We may not be able to engage in desirable capital-raising or strategic transactions following the separation.
•The transfer to us of certain contracts, permits and other assets and rights may require the consents or approvals of, or provide other rights to, third parties and governmental authorities. If such consents or approvals are not obtained, we may not be entitled to the benefit of such contracts, permits and other assets and rights, which could increase our expenses or otherwise harm our business and financial performance.
•Following the distribution, certain of our directors and employees may have actual or potential conflicts of interest because of their positions with or financial interests in XPO.
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•Until the distribution occurs, the XPO board of directors has sole and absolute discretion to change the terms of the separation and distribution in ways that may be unfavorable to us.
•No vote of XPO stockholders is required in connection with the distribution. As a result, if you do not want to receive our common stock in the distribution, your sole recourse will be to divest yourself of your XPO common stock prior to the record date for the distribution.
Risks Related to Our Common Stock
•We cannot be certain that an active trading market for our common stock will develop or be sustained after the distribution and, following the distribution, our stock price may fluctuate significantly.
•The combined post-separation value of one share of XPO common stock and one share of RXO common stock may not equal or exceed the pre-distribution value of one share of XPO common stock.
•There may be substantial and rapid changes in our stockholder base, which may cause our stock price to fluctuate significantly.
•A significant number of shares of our common stock may be sold following the distribution, which may cause our stock price to decline.
•Sales of shares of our common stock in connection with the Registration Rights Agreement, or the prospect of any such sales, could affect the market price of our common stock and could impair our ability to raise capital through future sales of equity securities.
•Any stockholder’s percentage of ownership in RXO may be diluted in the future at any given time.
•We cannot guarantee the timing, amount or payment of any dividends on our common stock.
•Certain provisions in RXO’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws, and of Delaware law, may prevent or delay an acquisition of RXO, which could decrease the trading price of RXO’s common stock.
•RXO’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation will contain an exclusive forum provision that may discourage lawsuits against RXO and RXO’s directors and officers.
Corporate Information
RXO was formed as a Delaware limited liability company on May 5, 2022 for the purpose of holding the RXO Businesses in connection with the separation and distribution described herein. Prior to the transfer of the RXO Businesses to us by XPO, which will occur prior to the distribution, RXO will have no operations other than those incidental to the separation and related transactions. Prior to the separation and distribution, RXO will be converted into a Delaware corporation. The address of our principal executive offices will be 11215 North Community House Road, Charlotte, NC 28277. Our telephone number currently is (855) 976-6951. We maintain an internet site at www.rxo.com. Our website and the information contained therein or connected thereto are not incorporated into this information statement or the registration statement of which this information statement forms a part, or in any other filings with, or any information furnished or submitted to, the SEC.
Reason for Furnishing this Information Statement
This information statement is being furnished solely to provide information to XPO stockholders who will receive shares of RXO common stock in the distribution. It is not, and is not to be construed as, an inducement or encouragement to buy or sell any of XPO’s or RXO’s securities. The information contained in this information statement is believed by RXO to be accurate as of the date set forth on its cover. Changes may occur after that date, and neither XPO nor RXO undertakes any obligation to update the information except as may be required in the normal course of their respective disclosure obligations and practices, or as required by applicable law.
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION
| What is RXO and why is XPO separating the RXO Businesses and distributing RXO common stock? | RXO, which is currently a wholly owned subsidiary of XPO, was formed to own and operate XPO’s RXO Businesses. The separation of RXO from XPO and the distribution of RXO common stock is intended, among other things, to simplify XPO’s business structure, enable the management of the two companies to pursue opportunities for long-term growth and profitability unique to each company’s business, and allow each business to more effectively implement its own capital structure, investment identity, and resource allocation strategies. XPO expects that the separation will result in enhanced long-term performance of each business for the reasons discussed in the section titled “The Separation and Distribution—Reasons for the Separation.” | ||||
| Why am I receiving this document? | XPO is delivering this document to you because you are a holder of shares of XPO common stock. If you are a holder of shares of XPO common stock as of the close of business on October 20, 2022, the record date for the distribution, you will be entitled to receive one share of RXO common stock for every share of XPO common stock that you hold at the close of business on such date. This document is intended to describe the separation and distribution and help you understand how the separation and distribution will affect your post-separation ownership in XPO and RXO. | ||||
| How will the separation of RXO from XPO work? | As part of the separation, and prior to the distribution, XPO and its subsidiaries expect to complete an internal reorganization (which we refer to as the “internal reorganization”) to transfer to RXO the RXO Businesses that RXO will own following the separation. To complete the separation, XPO will distribute all of the outstanding shares of RXO common stock to XPO stockholders on a pro rata basis in a distribution intended to be tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes both to XPO stockholders and to XPO. Following the separation, the number of shares of XPO common stock you own will not change as a result of the separation. | ||||
| What is the record date for the distribution? | The record date for the distribution will be October 20, 2022. | ||||
| When will the distribution occur? | We expect that all of the outstanding shares of RXO common stock will be distributed by XPO at 12:01 a.m., Eastern Time, on November 1, 2022, to holders of record of shares of XPO common stock at the close of business on October 20, 2022, the record date for the distribution. | ||||
| What do stockholders need to do to participate in the distribution? | Stockholders of XPO as of the record date for the distribution will not be required to take any action to receive RXO common stock in the distribution, but you are urged to read this entire information statement carefully. No stockholder approval of the distribution is required. You are not being asked for a proxy. You do not need to pay any consideration, exchange or surrender your existing shares of XPO common stock or take any other action to receive your shares of RXO common stock. Please do not send in your XPO stock certificates. The distribution will not affect the number of outstanding shares of XPO common stock or any rights of XPO stockholders, although it will affect the market value of each outstanding share of XPO common stock. | ||||
| How will shares of RXO common stock be issued? | You will receive shares of RXO common stock through the same channels that you currently use to hold or trade shares of XPO common stock, whether through a brokerage account, 401(k) plan or other channel. Receipt of RXO shares will be documented for you in the same manner that you typically receive stockholder updates, such as monthly broker statements and 401(k) statements. | ||||
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If you own shares of XPO common stock as of the close of business on the record date for the distribution, including shares owned in certificate form, XPO, with the assistance of American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, the distribution agent for the distribution (the “distribution agent” or “AST”), will electronically distribute shares of RXO common stock to you or to your brokerage firm on your behalf in book-entry form. The distribution agent will mail you a book-entry account statement that reflects your shares of RXO common stock, or your bank or brokerage firm will credit your account for the shares. | |||||
| How many shares of RXO common stock will I receive in the distribution? | XPO will distribute to you one share of RXO common stock for every share of XPO common stock held by you as of close of business on the record date for the distribution. Based on approximately 115,113,629 shares of XPO common stock outstanding as of October 7, 2022, a total of approximately 115,113,629 shares of RXO common stock will be distributed to XPO’s stockholders. For additional information on the distribution, see “The Separation and Distribution.” | ||||
| Will RXO issue fractional shares of its common stock in the distribution? | No. XPO will distribute one share of our common stock for each share of XPO common stock you own as of the close of business on the record date. | ||||
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| What are the conditions to the distribution? | The distribution is subject to final approval by the XPO board of directors, as well as to the satisfaction (or waiver by XPO in its sole and absolute discretion) of a number of conditions, including, among others: •the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) declaring effective the registration statement of which this information statement forms a part; there being no order suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement; and no proceedings for such purposes having been instituted or threatened by the SEC; •this information statement (or notice of internet availability of this information statement) having been made available to XPO stockholders; •the receipt by XPO and continuing validity of an opinion of its outside counsel, satisfactory to the XPO board of directors, regarding the qualification of the distribution, together with certain related transactions, as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”); •the separation and other transactions contemplated by the separation and distribution agreement, which is described below in this information statement (the “separation agreement”), and by the plan of reorganization included in the separation agreement, to occur prior to the distribution having been completed in accordance with the plan of reorganization; •an independent appraisal firm acceptable to the XPO board of directors having delivered one or more opinions to the XPO board confirming the solvency and financial viability of XPO before the completion of the distribution, and each of XPO and RXO after completion of the distribution, in each case in a form and substance acceptable to the XPO board in its sole and absolute discretion, and with such opinions not having been withdrawn or rescinded; •all actions and filings necessary or appropriate under applicable U.S. federal, state or other securities or blue sky laws and the rules and regulations thereunder relating to the separation and distribution having been taken or made and, where applicable, having become effective or been accepted; •the transaction agreements relating to the separation and distribution having been duly executed and delivered by the parties thereto; •no order, injunction or decree issued by any government authority of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of the separation, the distribution or any of the related transactions being in effect; •the shares of RXO common stock to be distributed having been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of distribution; •XPO having received certain proceeds from the RXO financing arrangements described under “Description of Material Indebtedness” and being satisfied in its sole and absolute discretion that, as of the effective time of the distribution, it will have no further liability under such arrangements; and •no other event or development existing or having occurred that, in the judgment of XPO’s board of directors, in its sole and absolute discretion, makes it inadvisable to effect the separation, the distribution or the other related transactions. XPO and RXO cannot assure you that any or all of these conditions will be met, or that the separation or distribution will be consummated even if all of the conditions are met. XPO can decline at any time to go forward with the separation and distribution. In addition, XPO may waive any of the conditions to the distribution. For a complete discussion of all of the conditions to the distribution, see “The Separation and Distribution—Conditions to the Distribution.” | ||||
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| What is the expected date of completion of the separation? | The completion and timing of the separation are dependent upon a number of conditions. We expect that the shares of RXO common stock will be distributed by XPO at 12:01 a.m., Eastern Time, on November 1, 2022, to the holders of record of shares of XPO common stock at the close of business on October 20, 2022, the record date for the distribution. However, no assurance can be provided as to the timing of the separation or distribution or that all conditions to the distribution will be met. | ||||
| Can XPO decide to cancel the distribution of RXO common stock even if all of the conditions have been met? | Yes. Until the distribution has occurred, the XPO board of directors has the right to terminate the distribution, even if all of the conditions are satisfied. | ||||
| What if I want to sell my XPO common stock or my RXO common stock? | You should consult with your financial advisors, such as your stock broker, bank and/or tax advisor. If you sell your shares of XPO common stock in the “regular-way” market after the record date and before the distribution date, you also will be selling your right to receive shares of RXO common stock in connection with the distribution. | ||||
| What is “regular-way” and “ex-distribution” trading of XPO common stock? | Beginning three trading days before the distribution date and continuing up to the distribution date, we expect that there will be two markets in XPO common stock: a “regular-way” market and an “ex-distribution” market. XPO common stock that trades in the “regular-way” market will trade with an entitlement to shares of RXO common stock distributed pursuant to the distribution. Shares that trade in the “ex-distribution” market will trade without an entitlement to RXO common stock distributed pursuant to the distribution. If you decide to sell any shares of XPO common stock in the “regular-way” market after the close of business on the Record Date up to the distribution date, you should make sure your stockbroker, bank or other nominee understands whether you want to sell your XPO common stock with or without your entitlement to RXO common stock pursuant to the distribution. If trading on an “ex-distribution” basis, you may purchase or sell XPO common stock up to the distribution date, but your transaction will not settle until after the distribution date. | ||||
| Where will I be able to trade shares of RXO common stock? | RXO will list its common stock on the NYSE under the symbol “RXO.” RXO anticipates that trading in shares of its common stock will begin on a “when-issued” basis on or shortly before the distribution date and will continue up to the distribution date, and that “regular-way” trading in RXO common stock will begin on the distribution date. If trading begins on a “when-issued” basis, you may purchase or sell RXO common stock up to the distribution date, but your transaction will not settle until after the distribution date. RXO cannot predict the trading prices for its common stock before, on or after the distribution date. | ||||
| What will happen to the listing of XPO common stock? | XPO common stock will continue to trade on the NYSE after the distribution. | ||||
| Will the number of shares of XPO common stock that I own change as a result of the distribution? | No. The number of shares of XPO common stock that you own will not change as a result of the distribution. | ||||
| Will the distribution affect the market price of my XPO common stock? | Yes. As a result of the distribution, XPO expects the trading price of shares of XPO common stock immediately following the distribution to be different from the “regular-way” trading price of such shares immediately prior to the distribution because the trading price will no longer reflect the value of the RXO Businesses. There can be no assurance that the aggregate market value of XPO common stock and RXO common stock following the separation will be higher or lower than the market value of XPO common stock if the separation did not occur. This means, for example, that the combined trading prices of a share of XPO common stock and a share of RXO common stock after the distribution may be equal to, greater than or less than the trading price of a share of XPO common stock before the distribution. | ||||
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| What are the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the separation and the distribution? | It is a condition to the distribution that XPO receives an opinion of its outside counsel, satisfactory to the XPO board of directors, regarding the qualification of the distribution, together with certain related transactions, as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code. If the distribution, together with certain related transactions, so qualifies, generally no gain or loss will be recognized by you, and no amount will be included in your income, for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon your receipt of RXO common stock in the distribution. You should carefully read the section titled “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” and should consult your own tax advisor as to the particular consequences of the distribution to you, including the applicability and effect of any U.S. federal, state and local tax laws, as well as any non-U.S. tax laws. | ||||
| What will RXO’s relationship be with XPO following the separation? | Upon the distribution, XPO and RXO will become two separate companies with separate management teams and boards of directors. RXO will enter into a separation and distribution agreement with XPO to effect the separation and to provide a framework for RXO’s relationship with XPO after the separation, and will enter into certain other agreements, including a transition services agreement, a tax matters agreement, an employee matters agreement and an intellectual property license agreement. These agreements will provide for the allocation between RXO and XPO of the assets, employees, liabilities and obligations (including, among others, investments, property and employee benefits, insurance and tax-related assets and liabilities) of XPO and its subsidiaries attributable to periods prior to, at and after the separation and will govern the relationship between RXO and XPO subsequent to the completion of the separation. For additional information regarding the separation agreement and other transaction agreements, see the sections titled “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Separation and Distribution” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.” | ||||
| Who will manage RXO after the separation? | RXO will benefit from a management team with an extensive background in the RXO Businesses. For more information regarding RXO’s management and directors, see “Management” and “Directors.” | ||||
| Are there risks associated with owning RXO common stock? | Yes. Ownership of RXO common stock is subject to both general and specific risks relating to the RXO Businesses, the industry and macroeconomy in which it operates, its ongoing contractual relationships with XPO and its status as a separate, publicly traded company. Ownership of RXO common stock is also subject to risks relating to the separation. Certain of these risks are described in the “Risk Factors” section of this information statement. We encourage you to read that section carefully. | ||||
| Does RXO plan to pay dividends? | The declaration and payment of any dividends in the future by RXO will be subject to the sole discretion of its board of directors and will depend upon many factors. See “Dividend Policy.” | ||||
| Will RXO incur any indebtedness prior to or at the time of the distribution? | Yes. RXO anticipates issuing $355 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes and $100 million in aggregate principal amount of term loans. We also anticipate entering into a revolving credit facility in aggregate principal amount of up to $500 million. We expect to transfer all or a portion of the net proceeds of the notes and the term loans to XPO, which XPO intends to use to repay existing indebtedness prior to the 12-month anniversary of the distribution. Assuming the completion of such transactions, RXO anticipates having approximately $455 million of indebtedness upon completion of the distribution. See “Description of Material Indebtedness” and “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Business.” | ||||
| Who will be the distribution agent for the distribution and transfer agent and registrar for RXO common stock? | The distribution agent, transfer agent and registrar for the RXO common stock will be AST. For questions relating to the transfer or mechanics of the stock distribution, you should contact AST at 877-248-6417 (toll free) or 718-921-8317. | ||||
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| Where can I find more information about XPO and RXO? | Before the distribution, if you have any questions relating to XPO, you should contact: XPO Logistics, Inc. Five American Lane Greenwich, CT 06831 Attention: Investor Relations After the distribution, RXO stockholders who have any questions relating to RXO should contact: RXO, Inc. 11215 North Community House Road Charlotte, NC 28277 Attention: Investor Relations The RXO investor relations website is at investors.rxo.com. The RXO website and the information contained therein or connected thereto are not incorporated into this information statement or the registration statement of which this information statement forms a part, or in any other filings with, or any information furnished or submitted to, the SEC. | ||||
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SUMMARY HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA
The following summary financial data reflects the combined operations of RXO. We derived the summary Combined Income Statement Data for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, and summary Combined Balance Sheet Data as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, as set forth below, from our audited Combined Financial Statements, which are included in the “Index to Financial Statements” section of this information statement. We derived our summary Combined Balance Sheet Data as of December 31, 2019, also as set forth below, from our unaudited underlying financial records, which were derived from the financial records of XPO. We derived the summary Combined Income Statement Data for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, and summary Combined Balance Sheet Data as of June 30, 2022, as set forth below, from our unaudited Condensed Combined Financial Statements, which are included in the “Index to Financial Statements” section of this information statement. The historical results do not necessarily indicate the results expected for any future period.
The summary Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Data as of June 30, 2022, for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2021 has been prepared to reflect the spin-off, including the incurrence of indebtedness of $455 million, and the distribution of approximately $554 million of cash to XPO. The Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations presented assumes the spin-off occurred on January 1, 2021, the beginning of our most recently completed fiscal year. The Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet presented for June 30, 2022 assumes the spin-off occurred on June 30, 2022, our latest balance sheet date. The assumptions used and pro forma adjustments derived from such assumptions are based on currently available information, and we believe such assumptions are reasonable under the circumstances.
The Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information is not necessarily indicative of our results of operations or financial condition had the distribution and our anticipated post-spin-off capital structure been completed on the dates assumed. It may not reflect the results of operations or financial condition that would have resulted had we been operating as an independent, publicly traded company during such periods. In addition, it is not necessarily indicative of our future results of operations or financial condition.
You should read this summary financial data together with “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information,” “Capitalization,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” our Combined Financial Statements and accompanying notes and our Condensed Combined Financial Statements and accompanying notes included elsewhere in this information statement.
| Pro Forma | Historical | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Six Months Ended June 30, | Year Ended December 31, | Six Months Ended June 30, | Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions, except per share data) | 2022 | 2021 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating results | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 2,538 | $ | 2,164 | $ | 4,689 | $ | 2,538 | $ | 2,164 | $ | 4,689 | $ | 3,357 | $ | 3,141 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | 106 | 89 | 179 | 109 | 99 | 192 | 60 | 82 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 89 | 70 | 141 | 110 | 98 | 191 | 57 | 84 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | 68 | 53 | 112 | 83 | 75 | 150 | 43 | 62 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pro forma earnings per share | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | 0.59 | $ | 0.49 | $ | 1.00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted | $ | 0.59 | $ | 0.47 | $ | 0.98 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other data (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 173 | $ | 133 | $ | 268 | $ | 176 | $ | 138 | $ | 277 | $ | 157 | $ | 168 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Free cash flow | $ | 153 | $ | 78 | $ | 117 | $ | (14) | $ | 68 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
__________________
(1)Refer to non-GAAP reconciliations included below.
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| Pro Forma | Historical | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
As of June 30, | As of June 30, | As of December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | 2022 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Financial position | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents (1) | $ | 100 | $ | 212 | $ | 29 | $ | 70 | $ | 51 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | 2,264 | 2,372 | 2,068 | 1,870 | 1,622 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt | 442 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total equity | 645 | 1,199 | 1,070 | 1,068 | 979 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
__________________
(1)It is anticipated that, on the distribution date, RXO will have approximately $100 million of cash. The separation agreement will provide for an adjustment payment to potentially be made following the distribution from RXO to XPO, or from XPO to RXO, so that RXO’s final cash balance as of the effective time of the distribution is equal to $100 million.
The tables below reconcile our non-GAAP measures to the nearest financial measure that is in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for the periods presented.
| Adjusted EBITDA | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pro Forma | Historical | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Six Months Ended June 30, | Year Ended December 31, | Six Months Ended June 30, | Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | 2022 | 2021 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 68 | $ | 53 | $ | 112 | $ | 83 | $ | 75 | $ | 150 | $ | 43 | $ | 62 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 18 | 18 | 37 | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax provision | 21 | 17 | 29 | 27 | 23 | 41 | 14 | 22 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization expense (1) | 42 | 40 | 81 | 42 | 40 | 81 | 76 | 74 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transaction and integration costs | 21 | 5 | 7 | 21 | 1 | 2 | 14 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring costs | 3 | — | 2 | 3 | — | 2 | 10 | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | — | — | — | — | (1) | 1 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 173 | $ | 133 | $ | 268 | $ | 176 | $ | 138 | $ | 277 | $ | 157 | $ | 168 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
__________________
(1)Includes amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets of $11 million and $12 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and $24 million, $25 million and $34 million for the years 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
| Free Cash Flow - Historical | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Six Months Ended June 30, | Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | 2022 | 2021 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 177 | $ | 96 | $ | 155 | $ | 25 | $ | 123 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Payment for purchases of property and equipment | (24) | (19) | (39) | (47) | (56) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from sale of property and equipment | — | 1 | 1 | 8 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Free cash flow | $ | 153 | $ | 78 | $ | 117 | $ | (14) | $ | 68 | |||||||||||||||||||
Statement Regarding Non-GAAP Measures
RXO’s non-GAAP financial measures for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 and the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 and the unaudited pro forma financial data for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, and the year ended December 31, 2021 used in this information statement include adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“adjusted EBITDA”) and free cash flow on a combined basis.
We believe the above adjusted financial measures facilitate analysis of our ongoing business operations because they exclude items that may not be reflective of, or are unrelated to, RXO’s core operating performance, and may assist investors with comparisons to prior periods and assessing trends in our underlying business. Other companies may calculate these non-GAAP financial measures differently, and therefore our measures may not be comparable to
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similarly titled measures of other companies. These non-GAAP financial measures should only be used as supplemental measures of our operating performance.
Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as net income before interest expense, income tax, depreciation and amortization expense, transaction and integration costs, restructuring costs and other adjustments as set forth in the above table. Transaction and integration costs are generally incremental costs that result from an actual or planned acquisition, divestiture or spin-off and may include third-party financial, legal and tax expenditures, consulting fees and retention awards. Restructuring costs primarily relate to severance costs associated with business optimization initiatives. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in making financial, operating and planning decisions and evaluating RXO’s ongoing performance.
We believe that adjusted EBITDA improves comparability from period to period by removing the impact of our capital structure (interest and financing expenses), asset base (depreciation and amortization), tax impacts and other adjustments that management has determined are not reflective of core operating activities and thereby assists investors with assessing trends in our underlying business.
We believe that free cash flow is an important measure of our ability to repay maturing debt or fund other uses of capital that we believe will enhance stockholder value. We calculate free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities, less payment for purchases of property and equipment plus proceeds from sale of property and equipment.
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RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider the following risks and other information in this information statement in evaluating RXO and RXO common stock (“our common stock”). Any of the following risks and uncertainties could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial also may impair our business, including our results of operations, liquidity and financial condition.
Risks Related to Our Business
Risks Related to Industry Dynamics
We operate in a highly competitive industry and, if we are unable to adequately address factors that may adversely affect our revenue and costs, our business could suffer.
Competition in the transportation services industry is intense. Increased competition may lead to a reduction in revenues, reduced profit margins, or a loss of market share, any one of which could harm our business. There are many factors that could impair our profitability, including the following: (i) competition from other transportation services companies, some of which offer different services or have a broader coverage network, more fully developed information technology systems and greater capital resources than we do; (ii) a reduction in the rates charged by our competitors to gain business, especially during times of declining economic growth, which may limit our ability to maintain or increase our rates, maintain our operating margins or achieve significant growth in our business; (iii) shippers soliciting bids from multiple carriers for their shipping needs, which may result in the depression of freight rates or loss of business to competitors; (iv) the establishment by our competitors of cooperative relationships to increase their ability to address shipper needs; (v) decisions by our current or prospective customers to develop or expand internal capabilities for some of the services we provide; (vi) the development of new technologies or business models that could result in our disintermediation in certain services we provide; and (vii) competition from other transportation services companies and technology companies that are aggressively pursuing strategies and business models to digitize their services and expand their digital service offerings, including through the development and implementation of new technology that provides a significant competitive advantage.
Economic recessions and other factors that reduce economic activity could have a material adverse impact on our business.
The transportation industry in North America historically has experienced cyclical fluctuations in financial results due to economic recessions, downturns in the business cycles of our customers, increases in the prices charged by third-party carriers, interest rate fluctuations, prolonged periods of inflation, political instability, geopolitical conflict and war, changes in international trade policies and other U.S. and global economic factors beyond our control. During economic downturns, a reduction in overall demand for transportation services will likely reduce demand for our services and exert downward pressures on our rates and margins. In addition, in periods of strong economic growth, overall demand may exceed the available supply of transportation resources, resulting in increased network congestion and operating inefficiencies. Changes in international trade policies could significantly reduce the volume of goods transported globally and adversely affect our business and results of operations. These factors subject our business to various risks that may have a material impact on our operating results and future prospects. These risks may include the following:
•A reduction in overall freight volume reduces our opportunities for growth. In addition, if a downturn in our customers’ business causes a reduction in the volume of freight shipped by those customers, our operating results could be adversely affected;
•Some of our customers may experience financial distress, file for bankruptcy protection, go out of business, or suffer disruptions in their business and may be unable to pay us. In addition, some customers may not pay us as quickly as they have in the past, causing our working capital needs to increase;
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•A significant number of our carriers may go out of business or may be unable to secure sufficient equipment capacity or services to enable us to meet our commitments to our customers;
•We may not be able to adjust appropriately our expenses to rapid changes in market demand. In order to maintain high variability in our business model, it is necessary to adjust staffing levels when market demand changes. In periods of rapid change, it is more difficult to match our staffing levels to our business needs. In addition, we have other expenses that are primarily variable but are fixed for a period of time, as well as certain significant fixed expenses;
•A prolonged, escalated or expanded war in Ukraine or sanctions imposed in response to the war and future conflicts may adversely impact global supply chain activities and the economy at large; and
•The U.S. government has made significant changes in U.S. trade policy and has taken certain actions that have negatively impacted U.S. trade, including imposing tariffs on certain goods imported into the United States. To date, several governments, including the European Union (“EU”) and China have imposed tariffs on certain goods imported from the United States. These actions may contribute to weakness in the global economy that could adversely affect our results of operations. Any further changes in U.S. or international trade policy could trigger additional retaliatory actions by affected countries, resulting in “trade wars” and further increased costs for goods transported globally, which may reduce customer demand for these products if the parties having to pay those tariffs increase their prices, or in trading partners limiting their trade with countries that impose anti-trade measures.
Any of these factors could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition, as well as on the price of our common stock.
If we continue to face unfavorable market conditions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results may be negatively impacted.
The COVID-19 pandemic that emerged in 2020 affected, and may continue to affect, economic activity broadly and customer sectors served by our industry. We continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on all aspects of our business and geographies, including how it has impacted, and may continue to impact, our employees, customers and business partners. The COVID-19 pandemic has created significant volatility, uncertainty and economic disruption, which may adversely affect our business operations and may materially and adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows and financial position.
Our operations and those of our customers have been subject to supply chain disruptions due to pandemic-related plant and port shutdowns, transportation delays, government actions and other factors beyond our control. The global shortage of certain components such as semiconductor chips, strains on production or extraction of raw materials, cost inflation, and labor and equipment shortages, could escalate in future quarters. Labor shortages, particularly of truck drivers, mechanics and others employed by our third-party carriers, have led and may continue to lead to increased costs of procuring transportation services, and along with equipment shortages, can result in lower levels of service, including timeliness, productivity and quality of service. If these providers continue to face unfavorable market conditions, our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results may be negatively impacted.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we incurred additional costs to meet the needs of our customers and employees and implemented operational changes. Further operational changes, including extended periods of remote work arrangements, could strain our business continuity plans, introduce operational risk, including but not limited to cybersecurity risks, impair our ability to manage our business, and cause us to incur additional costs, which may be significant.
The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and new strains of the virus that cause COVID-19 may remain prevalent for a significant period of time and may continue to adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition even after the COVID-19 outbreak has subsided. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacts us will depend on numerous evolving factors and future developments that we are not able to predict. We cannot predict how long the dynamics described above will last in the economic recovery, or whether future
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challenges, if any, will adversely affect our results of operations. As a result, the pandemic and related supply chain and operational disruptions could have a material impact on our results of operations and heighten many of our other known risks described herein.
Volatility in fuel prices impacts our fuel surcharge revenue and may impact our profitability.
We are subject to risks associated with the availability and price of fuel, all of which are subject to political, economic and market factors that are outside of our control.
Fuel expense constitutes one of the greatest costs to the independent contractor drivers and third-party carriers who transport freight arranged by our operations. Accordingly, we may be adversely affected by the timing and degree of fuel price fluctuations. As is customary in our industry, most of our customer contracts include fuel surcharge programs or other cost-recovery mechanisms to mitigate the effect of any fuel price increases over base amounts established in the contract. However, these mechanisms may not fully capture an increase in fuel price. Furthermore, market pressures may limit our ability to assess fuel surcharges in the future. The extent to which we are able to recover increases in fuel costs may be impacted by the amount of empty or out-of-route truck miles or engine idling time.
Decreases in fuel prices reduce the cost of transportation services and, accordingly, will reduce our revenues and may reduce margins. Significant changes in the price or availability of fuel in future periods, or significant changes in our ability to mitigate fuel price increases through the use of fuel surcharges, could have a material adverse impact on our operations, fleet capacity and ability to generate both revenues and profits.
Higher carrier prices may result in decreased income from operations and increases in working capital.
Motor carriers can be expected to charge higher prices if market conditions warrant or to cover higher operating expenses. Our income from operations may decrease if we are unable to increase our pricing to our customers. Increased demand for over the road transportation services and changes in regulations may reduce available capacity and increase motor carrier pricing. In some instances where we have entered into contract freight rates with customers, in the event market conditions change and those contracted rates are below market rates, we may be required to provide transportation services at a loss. To date, such losses have not been material, but there can be no assurances that such losses will not be material in the future. As our volumes increase or we increase freight rates charged to our customers, the resulting increase in revenues may increase our working capital needs due to our business model which generally has a higher length of days sales outstanding than days payables outstanding.
Extreme or unusual weather conditions can disrupt our operations, impact freight volumes, and increase our costs, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business results.
Our business depends, in part, on predictable temperate weather patterns. Certain seasonal weather conditions and isolated weather events can disrupt our operations. At least some of our operations are constantly at risk of extreme adverse weather conditions. Any unusual or prolonged adverse weather patterns in our areas of operations or markets, whether due to climate change or otherwise, can temporarily impact freight volumes and increase our costs.
Our operations may be subject to seasonal fluctuations, and our inability to manage these fluctuations could negatively affect our business and our results of operations.
Many of our customers typically realize a significant portion of their sales in the fourth quarter of each year during the holiday season. Although not all of our customers experience the same seasonal variation, and some customers may have seasonal peaks that occur in periods other than the fourth quarter, the seasonality of our customers’ businesses places higher demands on our services, requiring us to take measures, including temporarily expanding our workforce, to meet our customers’ demands. Our failure to meet our customers’ expectations during these seasonal peaks may negatively affect our customer relationships, could expose us to penalties under our contractual arrangements with customers and ultimately could negatively affect our business and our results of operations.
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Risks Related to Third-Party Relationships
We depend on third parties in the operation of our business.
We generally do not own or control the transportation assets that deliver our customers’ freight, and we do not employ the people directly involved in delivering this freight. In addition, we engage third-party contractors who own and operate their own equipment and vendors to provide value-added services. Accordingly, we are dependent on third parties to provide truck, rail, ocean, air and other transportation and related services and to report certain events to us, including delivery information and cargo claims. This reliance on third parties could cause delays in reporting certain events, impacting our ability to recognize revenue and claims in a timely manner.
Our inability to maintain positive relationships with independent carriers could significantly limit our ability to serve our customers on competitive terms. In addition, changes in the terms of the relationships with our vendors may make our value-added services less compelling to customers and adversely impact our results. Our ability to secure sufficient equipment or other transportation services to meet our commitments to customers or provide our services on competitive terms is subject to inherent risks, many of which are beyond our control, including equipment and labor shortages in the transportation industry, interruptions or stoppages in transportation services, “Acts of God” or acts of terrorism, changes in regulations impacting transportation, increases in operating expenses for carriers that result in a reduction in available carriers, and changes in transportation rates; and if we are unable to meet our commitments to our customers or provide our services on competitive terms, our operating results could be materially and adversely affected, and our customers could shift their business to our competitors temporarily or permanently.
Our business relies on third-party carriers to conduct its operations, and the status of these parties as independent contractors, rather than employees, is being challenged.
Federal and state legislation as well as tax and other regulatory authorities have sought to assert that independent contractors in the transportation service industry are employees rather than independent contractors. There can be no assurance that interpretations supporting independent contractor status will not change, that other federal or state legislation will not be enacted or that various authorities will not successfully assert a position that re-classifies independent contractors to be employees. If the third-party carriers with which we contract for the performance of delivery services, or their delivery workers, are determined to be our employees, that determination could materially increase our exposure under a variety of federal and state tax, workers’ compensation, unemployment benefits, labor, employment and tort laws, as well as our potential liability for employee benefits and tax withholdings. Any of the above increased costs would adversely affect our business and operating results.
In addition, we are involved in several class action and collective action lawsuits claiming that the third-party carriers with which we contract, or their delivery workers, should be treated as our employees, rather than independent contractors. These lawsuits may seek substantial monetary damages (including claims for unpaid wages, overtime, unreimbursed business expenses, deductions from wages and other items), injunctive relief, or both.
While we believe that our third-party carriers are properly classified as independent contractors rather than as employees, and that their delivery workers are not employees of the company, adverse final outcomes in these matters could result in changes to their independent contractor status and could, among other things, entitle certain claimants to reimbursement of certain expenses and to the benefit of wage-and-hour laws, and result in employment and withholding taxes, back wages and benefit liability for us. These claims involve potentially significant classes that could involve thousands of claimants and, accordingly, significant potential damages and litigation costs, and could lead others to bring similar claims. Adverse final outcomes in these matters or changes to state or federal laws could cause us to change our business model, which could have a material adverse effect on our business strategies, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
The results of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty and an unfavorable resolution of one or more of these matters could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
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Our business may be materially adversely affected by labor disputes or organizing efforts.
Our business could be adversely affected by strikes and labor negotiations at seaports, labor disputes between railroads and their union employees, or by a work stoppage at one or more railroads or local trucking companies servicing rail or port terminals, including work disruptions involving owner-operators under contract with our local trucking operations. Port shutdowns and similar disruptions to major points in national or international transportation networks, most of which are beyond our control, could result in terminal embargoes, disrupt equipment and freight flows, depress volumes and revenues, increase costs and have other negative effects on our operations and financial results.
Labor disputes involving our customers could affect our operations. If our customers experience plant slowdowns or closures because they are unable to negotiate labor contracts, our revenue and profitability could be negatively impacted.
Although our work force in the United States is not unionized, labor unions may attempt to organize our employees. Successful unionization by our employees or organizing efforts could lead to business interruptions, work stoppages and the reduction of service levels due to work rules that could have an adverse effect on our customer relationships and our revenues, earnings, financial position and outlook.
Risks Related to Our Use of Technology
Our business will be seriously harmed if we fail to develop, implement, maintain, upgrade, enhance, protect and integrate our information technology systems, including those systems of any businesses that we acquire.
We rely heavily on our information technology systems in managing our business; they are a key component of our customer-facing services and internal growth strategy. In general, we expect our customers to continue to demand more sophisticated, fully integrated technology from their carriers. To keep pace with changing technologies and customer demands, we must correctly address market trends and enhance the features and functionality of our proprietary technology platform in response to these trends. This process of continuous enhancement may lead to significant ongoing software development costs, which will continue to increase if we pursue new acquisitions of companies and their current systems. In addition, we may fail to accurately determine the needs of our customers or trends in the transportation industry, or we may fail to respond appropriately by implementing functionality for our technology platform in a timely or cost-effective manner. Any such failures could result in decreased demand for our services and a corresponding decrease in our revenues.
We must ensure that our information technology systems remain competitive. If our information technology systems are unable to manage high volumes with reliability, accuracy and speed as we grow, or if such systems are not suited to manage the various services we offer, our service levels and operating efficiency could decline. In addition, if we fail to hire and retain qualified personnel to implement, protect and maintain our information technology systems, or if we fail to enhance our systems to meet our customers’ needs, our results of operations could be seriously harmed.
Our technology may not be successful or may not achieve the desired results, and we may require additional training or different personnel to successfully implement this technology. Our technology development process may be subject to cost overruns or delays in obtaining the expected results, which may result in disruptions to our operations.
We could be affected by cyberattacks or breaches of our information systems, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business.
We may be subject to cybersecurity attacks and other intentional hacking. Any failure to identify and address such defects or errors or prevent a cyber-attack could result in service interruptions, operational difficulties, loss of revenues or market share, liability to our customers or others, the diversion of corporate resources, injury to our reputation or increased service and maintenance costs. Addressing such issues could prove to be impossible or very costly and responding to the resulting claims or liability could similarly involve substantial cost. Also, due to recent advances in technology and well-known efforts on the part of computer hackers and cyber-terrorists to breach data
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security of companies, we face risks associated with potential failure to adequately protect critical corporate, customer and employee data, which, if released, could adversely impact our customer relationships, our reputation, and even violate privacy laws. Recently, regulatory and enforcement focus on data protection has heightened in the United States. Failure to comply with applicable data protection regulations or other data protection standards may expose us to litigation, fines, sanctions or other penalties, which could harm our business, our reputation, results of operations and financial condition.
A failure of our information technology infrastructure, information systems, networks or processes may materially adversely affect our business.
The efficient operation of our business depends on our information technology systems. We rely on our information technology systems to effectively manage our sales and marketing, financial, legal and compliance functions, engineering and product development tasks, research and development data, communications, order entry and fulfillment and other business processes. We also rely on third parties and virtualized infrastructure to operate our information technology systems. Despite significant testing for risk management, external and internal risks, such as malware, insecure coding, “Acts of God,” data leakage and human error pose a direct threat to the stability or effectiveness of our information technology systems and operations. The failure of our information technology systems to perform as we anticipate could adversely affect our business through transaction errors, billing and invoicing errors, internal recordkeeping and reporting errors, processing inefficiencies and loss of sales, receivables collection or customers. Any such failure could result in harm to our reputation and have an ongoing adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition, including after the underlying failures have been remedied. Further, the delay or failure to implement information system upgrades and new systems effectively could disrupt our business, distract management’s focus and attention from our business operations, and increase our implementation and operating costs, any of which could negatively impact our operations and operating results.
Issues related to the intellectual property rights on which our business depends, whether related to our failure to enforce our own rights or infringement claims brought by others, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We use both internally developed and purchased technologies in conducting our business. Whether internally developed or purchased, it is possible that users of these technologies could be claimed to infringe upon or violate the intellectual property rights of third parties. In the event that a claim is made against us by a third-party for the infringement of intellectual property rights, a settlement or adverse judgment against us could result in increased costs to license the technology or a legal prohibition against our using the technology. Thus, our failure to obtain, maintain or enforce our intellectual property rights could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We rely on a combination of intellectual property rights, including patents, copyrights, trademarks, domain names, trade secrets, intellectual property licenses and other contractual rights, to protect our intellectual property and technology. Any of our owned or licensed intellectual property rights could be challenged, invalidated, circumvented, infringed or misappropriated; our trade secrets and other confidential information could be disclosed in an unauthorized manner to third parties; or we may fail to secure the rights to intellectual property developed by our employees, contractors and others. Efforts to enforce our intellectual property rights may be time-consuming and costly, distract management’s attention, divert our resources and ultimately be unsuccessful. Moreover, should we fail to develop and properly manage future intellectual property, this could adversely affect our market positions and business opportunities.
Third-party security incidents could result in the loss of our or our customers’ data, expose us to liability, harm our reputation, damage our competitiveness and adversely impact our financial results.
We rely on third parties to provide us with a number of operational and technical services. These third parties may have access to our systems, provide hosting services or otherwise process data about us or our customers, employees or partners. Our ability to monitor such third parties’ security measures is limited. Any security incident involving such third parties could compromise the integrity or availability of, or result in the theft of, our and our customers’ data. Unauthorized access to data and other confidential or proprietary information may be obtained
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through break-ins, network breaches by unauthorized parties, employee theft or misuse, or other misconduct. If any of the foregoing were to occur or to be perceived to occur, our reputation may suffer, our competitive position may be diminished, we could face lawsuits, regulatory investigation, fines, and potential liability and our financial results could be negatively impacted.
Risks Related to Litigation and Regulation
We are subject to claims arising from our transportation operations.
We use the services of thousands of transportation companies in connection with our transportation operations. From time to time, the drivers employed and engaged by the motor carriers we contract with are involved in accidents, which may result in serious personal injuries. The resulting types and/or amounts of damages may be excluded by or exceed the amount of insurance coverage maintained by the third-party carrier. Although these drivers are not our employees and all of these drivers are employees, owner-operators, or independent contractors working for the third-party carriers, from time to time, claims may be asserted against us for their actions or for our actions in retaining them. Claims against us may exceed the amount of our insurance coverage or may not be covered by insurance at all. A material increase in the frequency or severity of accidents, liability claims or workers’ compensation claims, or unfavorable resolutions of claims could materially and adversely affect our operating results. In addition, significant increases in insurance costs or the inability to purchase insurance as a result of these claims could reduce our profitability. Our involvement in the transportation of certain goods, including but not limited to, hazardous materials, could also increase our exposure in the event one of our third-party carriers is involved in an accident resulting in injuries or contamination.
In North America, as a property freight broker, we are not legally liable for loss or damage to our customers' cargo. In our customer contracts, we may agree to assume cargo liability up to a stated maximum. We typically do not assume cargo liability to our customers above minimum industry standards in our international freight forwarding, ocean transportation, or air freight businesses on international or domestic air shipments. Although we are not legally liable for loss or damage to our customers' cargo, from time to time, claims may be asserted against us for cargo losses.
From time to time, we are involved in lawsuits and are subject to various claims that could result in significant expenditures and impact our operations.
The nature of our business exposes us to the potential for various types of claims and litigation. We are subject to claims and litigation related to independent contractor classification, labor and employment, personal injury, vehicular accidents, cargo and other property damage, commercial disputes, environmental liability and other matters, including with respect to claims asserted under various other theories of agency or employer liability. Claims against us may exceed the amount of insurance coverage that we have or may not be covered by insurance at all. Businesses that we acquire also increase our exposure to litigation. Material increases in liability claims or workers’ compensation claims, or the unfavorable resolution of claims, or our failure to recover, in full or in part, under indemnity provisions could materially and adversely affect our operating results. In addition, significant increases in insurance costs or the inability to purchase insurance as a result of these claims could reduce our profitability.
Our third-party carriers are subject to increasingly stringent laws protecting the environment, including transitional risks relating to climate change, which could directly or indirectly have a material adverse effect on our business.
Future and existing environmental regulatory requirements, including evolving transportation technology, in the United States and abroad could adversely affect operations and increase operating expenses, which in turn could increase our purchased transportation costs or further exacerbate shortages of trucking equipment. If we are unable to retain compliant third-party carriers or pass such operating expenses along to our customers, our business could be materially and adversely affected. Even without any new legislation or regulation, increased public concern regarding greenhouse gases emitted by transportation carriers could harm the reputations of companies operating in the transportation industry and shift consumer demand toward more locally sourced products and away from our services.
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We are subject to governmental regulations and political conditions, which could negatively impact our business.
Our operations are regulated and licensed by various governmental agencies at the local, state and federal levels in the United States and in the foreign countries where we operate. These regulatory agencies have authority and oversight of domestic and international activities. Our subsidiaries must also comply with applicable regulations and requirements of various agencies.
The regulatory landscape in which we operate is constantly evolving and subject to significant change, including as a result of evolving political and social attitudes. Future laws, regulations and regulatory reforms, including without limitation future laws and regulations related to increased minimum wages, the expansion of union organization rights or changes in the classification of employees and independent contractors, may be more stringent and may require changes to our operating practices that influence the demand for our services or require us to incur significant additional costs. For instance, recent regulatory proposals and statements by the Biden administration suggest that certain regulatory bodies, including the National Labor Relations Board, Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, may promulgate regulations that could limit our operational flexibility. We are unable to predict the impact that recently enacted and future regulations may have on our business. If higher costs are incurred by us as a result of future changes in regulations, this could adversely affect our results of operations to the extent we are unable to obtain a corresponding increase in price from our customers.
Furthermore, political conditions may increase the level of intensity of regulations that impact our business, may require changes to our operating practices, may influence demand for our services, or may require us to incur significant additional costs, any of which could negatively impact our business.
Risks Related to Our Strategy and Operations
We depend on our ability to attract and retain qualified employees and temporary workers.
We depend on our ability to attract and retain qualified talent, including temporary, part-time and full-time team members; sales representatives; brokerage agents; managers; and executive officers. If we are unable to attract and retain such individuals, we may be unable to maintain our current competitive position within the industry, meet our customers’ expectations or successfully expand and grow our business.
In addition to our permanent employees, our ability to meet customer demands and expectations, especially during periods of peak volume, is substantially dependent on our ability to recruit and retain qualified temporary workers. Increased demand for temporary workers, low unemployment or changes in federal or state minimum wage laws may increase the costs of temporary labor, and any such increases in labor costs could adversely affect our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. Moreover, our inability to recruit a qualified temporary workforce may result in our inability to meet our customers’ performance targets.
Failure to successfully implement our cost and revenue initiatives could cause our future financial results to suffer.
We are implementing various cost and revenue initiatives to further increase our profitability, including advanced pricing analytics and revenue management tools, our digital brokerage platform, our shared distribution network, cross-selling to strategic accounts, workforce productivity and further back-office optimization. If we are not able to successfully implement these cost and revenue initiatives, our future financial results may suffer.
We may not successfully manage our growth.
We have grown rapidly and substantially over prior years, including by expanding our internal resources, making acquisitions and entering into new markets, and we intend to continue to focus on rapid growth, including organic growth and potentially additional acquisitions. We may experience difficulties and higher-than-expected expenses in executing this strategy as a result of unfamiliarity with new markets, changes in revenue and business models, entry into new geographic areas and increased pressure on our existing infrastructure and information technology systems.
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Our growth will place a significant strain on our management, operational, financial and information technology resources. We will need to continually improve existing procedures and controls, as well as implement new transaction processing, operational and financial systems, and procedures and controls to expand, train and manage our employee base. Our working capital needs will continue to increase as our operations grow. Failure to manage our growth effectively, or obtain necessary working capital, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
Our inability to successfully manage the costs and operational difficulties of adding new customers or more volume from existing customers may negatively affect our financial condition and operations.
Establishing new customer relationships or adding operational sites for existing customers requires a significant amount of time, operational focus and capital. Although we typically partner with our new customers to ensure that onboarding is smooth and allocate costs appropriately, our inability to integrate new customers or operational sites into our technology systems or recruit additional employees to manage new customer relationships, or higher than anticipated costs to onboard new customers may negatively affect our financial condition or operations.
We derive a significant portion of our total revenue from our largest customers.
Our top five customers comprised approximately 19% of our consolidated total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2021. Our largest customer comprised approximately 8% of our consolidated total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2021. The sudden loss of one or more major customers could materially and adversely affect our operating results.
The contractual terms between us and our customers could expose us to penalties and costs in the event we do not meet the contractually prescribed performance levels.
We maintain long-term contracts with the majority of our customers, many of which include performance-based minimum levels of service. Although we manage our business to exceed prescribed performance levels, our inability to meet these service levels, due to labor shortages, volume peaks, our inability to procure temporary labor, technological malfunctions or other events that may or may not be within our control, may expose us to penalties or incremental costs or lead to the termination of customer contracts, all of which could negatively affect our business and financial condition.
Damage to our reputation through unfavorable publicity or the actions of our employees or independent contractors could adversely affect our financial condition.
Our success depends on our ability to consistently deliver operational excellence and strong customer service. Our inability to deliver our services and solutions as promised on a consistent basis, or our customers having a negative experience or otherwise becoming dissatisfied, can negatively impact our relationships with new or existing customers and adversely affect our brand and reputation, which could, in turn, adversely affect revenue and earnings growth. Adverse publicity (whether or not justified) relating to activities by our employees, contractors, agents or others with whom we do business, such as customer service mishaps or noncompliance with laws, could tarnish our reputation and reduce the value of our brand. With the increase in the use of social media outlets, adverse publicity can be disseminated quickly and broadly, making it increasingly difficult for us to effectively respond. This unfavorable publicity could also require us to allocate significant resources to rebuild our reputation.
If we determine that our goodwill has become impaired, we may incur impairment charges, which would negatively impact our operating results.
As of December 31, 2021, we had $630 million of goodwill on our consolidated balance sheet. Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of net assets acquired in business combinations. We assess potential impairment of our goodwill annually, or more frequently if an event or circumstance indicates an impairment loss may have been incurred. Impairment may result from significant changes in the manner or use of the acquired assets, in connection with the sale, spin off or other divestiture of a business unit, negative industry or economic trends and/or significant underperformance relative to historic or projected operating results. For a discussion of our goodwill
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impairment testing, see “Critical Accounting Policies—Evaluation of Goodwill” in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
Any acquisitions that we may complete in the future may be unsuccessful or result in other risks or developments that adversely affect our financial condition and results.
While we intend for acquisitions to improve our competitiveness and profitability, we cannot be certain that any future acquisitions will be accretive to earnings or otherwise meet our operational or strategic expectations. Special risks, including accounting, regulatory, compliance, information technology or human resources issues, may arise in connection with, or as a result of, the acquisition of an existing company, including the assumption of unanticipated liabilities and contingencies, difficulties in integrating acquired businesses, possible management distractions, or the inability of the acquired business to achieve the levels of revenue, profit, productivity or synergies we anticipate or otherwise perform as we expect on the timeline contemplated.
If the performance of a business we acquire varies from our projections or assumptions, or if estimates about the future profitability of business we acquire changes, our revenues, earnings or other aspects of our financial condition could be adversely affected. We may also experience difficulties in connection with integrating any company we may acquire into our existing businesses and operations, including our existing infrastructure and information technology systems. The infrastructure and information technology systems of acquired companies could present issues that we were unable to identify prior to the acquisition and that could adversely affect our financial condition and results. Also, we may not realize all of the synergies we anticipate from potential future acquisitions. Any of these events could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We may not realize all of the anticipated benefits of any divestitures we may make in the future, or the benefits of any such divestitures may take longer to realize than expected.
We may in the future sell certain businesses or exit particular markets. Any such divestitures may not yield the targeted improvements in our business. Divestitures involve risks, including difficulties in the separation of operations, services, and personnel, disruption in our operations or businesses, finding a suitable purchaser, and the diversion of management’s attention from our other businesses. Any impairments and losses on divestiture resulting from this process may cause us to record significant charges, including those related to goodwill and other intangible assets. Any charges that we are required to record or the failure to achieve the intended financial results associated with divestitures of businesses or assets could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Risks Related to the Separation and Distribution
We have no history of operating as an independent company, and our historical and pro forma financial information is not necessarily representative of the results that we would have achieved as a separate, publicly traded company and may not be a reliable indicator of our future results.
The historical information about RXO in this information statement refers to the RXO Businesses as operated by and integrated with XPO. Our historical financial information included in this information statement is derived from XPO’s accounting records and is presented on a standalone basis as if the RXO Businesses have been conducted independently from XPO. Additionally, the pro forma financial information included in this information statement is derived from our historical financial information and (i) gives effect to the separation and (ii) reflects RXO’s anticipated post-separation capital structure, including the assignment of certain assets and assumption of certain liabilities not included in the historical financial statements. Accordingly, the historical and pro forma financial information does not necessarily reflect the financial condition, results of operations or cash flows that we would have achieved as a separate, publicly traded company during the periods presented or those that we will achieve in the future primarily as a result of the factors described below:
•Generally, our working capital requirements and capital for our general corporate purposes, including capital expenditures and acquisitions, have historically been satisfied as part of the corporate-wide cash management policies of XPO. Following the completion of the distribution, our results of operations and cash flows are likely to be more volatile, and we may need to obtain additional financing from banks,
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through public offerings or private placements of debt or equity securities, strategic relationships or other arrangements, which may or may not be available and may be more costly.
•Prior to the distribution, our business has been operated by XPO as part of its broader corporate organization, rather than as an independent company. XPO or one of its affiliates performed various corporate functions for us, such as legal, treasury, accounting, auditing, human resources, investor relations, and finance. Our historical and pro forma financial results reflect allocations of corporate expenses from XPO for such functions, which may be less than the expenses we would have incurred had we operated as a separate, publicly traded company.
•Currently, our business is integrated with the other businesses of XPO. Historically, we have shared economies of scope and scale in costs, employees, vendor relationships and customer relationships. While we have sought to minimize the impact on RXO when separating these arrangements, there is no guarantee these arrangements will continue to capture these benefits in the future.
•As a current part of XPO, we take advantage of XPO’s overall size and scope to obtain more advantageous procurement terms. After the distribution, as a standalone company, we may be unable to obtain similar arrangements to the same extent that XPO did, or on terms as favorable as those XPO obtained, prior to completion of the distribution.
•After the completion of the distribution, the cost of capital for our business may be higher than XPO’s cost of capital prior to the distribution.
•Our historical financial information does not reflect the debt that we will incur as part of the distribution.
•As an independent public company, we will separately become subject to, among other things, the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and the regulations of the NYSE and will be required to prepare our standalone financial statements according to the rules and regulations required by the SEC. These reporting and other obligations will place significant demands on our management and administrative and operational resources. Moreover, to comply with these requirements, we anticipate that we will need to migrate our systems, including information technology systems, implement additional financial and management controls, reporting systems and procedures and hire additional accounting and finance staff. We expect to incur additional annual expenses related to these steps, and those expenses may be significant. If we are unable to implement our financial and management controls, reporting systems, information technology and procedures in a timely and effective fashion, our ability to comply with our financial reporting requirements and other rules that apply to reporting companies under the Exchange Act could be impaired.
Other significant changes may occur in our cost structure, management, financing and business operations as a result of operating as a company separate from XPO. For additional information about the past financial performance of our business and the basis of presentation of the historical combined financial statements and the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements of our business, see “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the historical financial statements and accompanying notes included elsewhere in this information statement.
Following the separation and distribution, our financial profile will change, and we will be a smaller, less diversified company than XPO prior to the separation.
The separation will result in each of XPO and RXO being smaller, less diversified companies with more limited businesses concentrated in their respective industries. As a result, our company may be more vulnerable to changing market conditions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the diversification of our revenues, costs, and cash flows will diminish as a standalone company, such that our results of operations, cash flows, working capital and financing requirements may be subject to increased volatility and, as we will no longer be able to use cash flow from XPO to fund our investments and
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operations, our ability to fund capital expenditures and investments, pay dividends and service debt may be diminished.
We may not achieve some or all of the expected benefits of the separation and distribution, and the separation and distribution may materially adversely affect our business.
We may not be able to achieve the full strategic and financial benefits expected to result from the separation and distribution, or such benefits may be delayed or not occur at all. The distribution is expected to provide a number of benefits, including those described elsewhere in this information statement.
We may not achieve these and other anticipated benefits for a variety of reasons, including, among others: (i) the separation will demand significant management resources and require significant amounts of management’s time and effort, which may divert management’s attention from operating and growing our business; (ii) following the separation, we may be more susceptible to market fluctuations and other adverse events than if we were still a part of XPO because our business will be less diversified than XPO’s business prior to the completion of the separation; (iii) after the separation, as a standalone company, we may be unable to obtain certain goods, services and technologies at prices or on terms as favorable as those XPO obtained prior to completion of the separation; (iv) in connection with the separation and transition to being a standalone public company, we will incur costs that will, in the aggregate, be substantial, and these costs may include accounting, tax, legal and other professional services costs, recruiting and relocation costs associated with hiring key senior management and personnel new to RXO, tax costs and costs to separate information systems; (v) under the terms of the tax matters agreement that we will enter into with XPO, we will be restricted from taking certain actions that could cause the distribution or certain related transactions (or certain transactions undertaken as part of the internal reorganization) to fail to qualify as tax-free, and these restrictions may limit us for a period of time from pursuing certain strategic transactions and equity issuances or engaging in other transactions that might increase the value of our business; and (vi) after the separation, we cannot predict the trading prices of RXO common stock or know whether the combined value of one share of our common stock and one share of XPO common stock will be less than, equal to or greater than the market value of one share of XPO common stock prior to the distribution. If we fail to achieve some or all of the benefits expected to result from the separation, or if such benefits are delayed, it could have a material adverse effect on our competitive position, business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
XPO’s plan to separate into two independent, publicly traded companies is subject to various risks and uncertainties and may not be completed in accordance with the expected plans or anticipated timeline, or at all, and will involve significant time and expense, which could disrupt or adversely affect our business.
XPO’s separation into two independent, publicly traded companies is complex in nature, and unanticipated developments or changes, including changes in the law, the macroeconomic environment, competitive conditions of XPO’s markets, regulatory approvals or clearances, the uncertainty of the financial markets and challenges in executing the separation, could delay or prevent the completion of the proposed separation, or cause the separation to occur on terms or conditions that are different or less favorable than expected. Additionally, the XPO board of directors, in its sole and absolute discretion, may decide not to proceed with the distribution at any time prior to the distribution date.
The process of completing the proposed separation has been and is expected to continue to be time-consuming and involves significant costs and expenses. The separation costs may be significantly higher than what we currently anticipate and may not yield a discernible benefit if the separation is not completed or is not well executed, or the expected benefits of the separation are not realized. Executing the proposed separation will also require significant amounts of management’s time and effort, which may divert management’s attention from operating and growing our business. Other challenges associated with effectively executing the separation include attracting, retaining and motivating employees during the pendency of the separation and following its completion; addressing disruptions to our procurement, sales and distribution, and other operations resulting from separating XPO into two independent companies; and separating XPO’s information systems.
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Challenges in the commercial and credit environment may adversely affect the expected benefits of the separation, the expected plans or anticipated timeline to complete the separation and our future access to capital on favorable terms.
Volatility in the world financial markets could increase borrowing costs or affect our ability to access the capital markets. Our ability to issue debt or enter into other financing arrangements on acceptable terms could be adversely affected if there is a material decline in the demand for our services or in the financial health of our customers or suppliers or if there are other significantly unfavorable changes in economic conditions. These conditions may adversely affect our anticipated timeline to complete the separation and the expected benefits of the separation, including by increasing the time and expense involved in the separation.
We intend to incur, and may in the future incur, additional debt obligations, that could adversely affect our business and profitability and our ability to meet other obligations.
We anticipate issuing $355 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes and $100 million in aggregate principal amount of term loans. We also anticipate entering into a revolving credit facility in aggregate principal amount of up to $500 million. We expect to transfer all or a portion of the net proceeds of the notes and the term loans to XPO, which will use such cash to repay existing indebtedness prior to the 12-month anniversary of the distribution. As a result of such transactions, we anticipate having approximately $455 million of indebtedness upon completion of the distribution. See “Description of Material Indebtedness.” We may also incur additional indebtedness in the future.
This significant amount of debt could potentially have important consequences to us and our debt and equity investors, including:
•requiring a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to make interest payments;
•making it more difficult to satisfy debt service and other obligations;
•increasing the risk of a future credit ratings downgrade of our debt, which could increase future debt costs and limit the future availability of debt financing;
•increasing our vulnerability to adverse economic and industry conditions;
•reducing the cash flow available to fund capital expenditures and other corporate purposes and to grow our business;
•limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry;
•placing us at a competitive disadvantage relative to our competitors that may not be as highly leveraged with debt; and
•limiting our ability to borrow additional funds as needed or take advantage of business opportunities as they arise, pay cash dividends or repurchase common shares.
To the extent that we incur additional indebtedness, the foregoing risks could increase. In addition, our actual cash requirements in the future may be greater than expected. Our cash flow from operations may not be sufficient to repay all of the outstanding debt as it becomes due, and we may not be able to borrow money, sell assets or otherwise raise funds on acceptable terms, or at all, to refinance our debt.
We could experience temporary interruptions in business operations and incur additional costs as we build our information technology infrastructure and transition our data to our own systems.
We are in the process of creating our own, or engaging third parties to provide, information technology infrastructure and systems to support our critical business functions, including accounting and reporting, in order to replace many of the systems XPO currently provides to us. We may incur temporary interruptions in business operations if we cannot transition effectively from XPO’s existing operating systems, databases and programming
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languages that support these functions to our own systems. Our failure to implement the new systems and transition our data successfully and cost-effectively could disrupt our business operations and have a material adverse effect on our profitability. In addition, our costs for the operation of these systems may be higher than the amounts reflected in our historical combined financial statements.
Our accounting, tax and other management systems and resources may not be adequately prepared to meet the financial reporting and other requirements to which we will be subject as a standalone, publicly traded company following the separation and distribution.
Our financial results previously were included within the consolidated results of XPO, and we believe that our reporting and control systems were appropriate for those of subsidiaries of a public company. However, we were not directly subject to the reporting and other requirements of the Exchange Act. As a result of the distribution, we will be directly subject to reporting and other obligations under the Exchange Act, including the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which, beginning with our second required annual report on Form 10-K, will require annual management assessments of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and a report by our independent registered public accounting firm addressing these assessments. These reporting and other obligations will place significant demands on our management and administrative and operational resources, including accounting resources. We may not have sufficient time following the separation to meet these obligations by the applicable deadlines.
Moreover, to comply with these requirements, we anticipate that we will need to migrate our systems, including information technology systems, implement additional financial and management controls, reporting systems and procedures and hire additional accounting, tax and finance staff. We expect to incur additional annual expenses related to these steps, and those expenses may be significant. If we are unable to implement our financial and management controls, reporting systems, information technology and procedures in a timely and effective fashion, our ability to comply with our financial reporting requirements and other rules that apply to reporting companies under the Exchange Act could be impaired. In the event we are unable to implement a sufficient tax reporting system and related processes, we may be unable to comply with tax law and face penalties associated with our lack of compliance. Any failure to achieve and maintain effective internal controls could result in adverse regulatory consequences and/or loss of investor confidence, which could limit RXO’s ability to access the global capital markets and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or the market price of RXO securities.
In connection with the separation into two public companies, each of XPO and RXO will indemnify each other for certain liabilities. If we are required to pay under these indemnities to XPO, our financial results could be negatively impacted. The XPO indemnities may not be sufficient to hold us harmless from the full amount of liabilities for which XPO will be allocated responsibility, and XPO may not be able to satisfy its indemnification obligations in the future.
Pursuant to the separation agreement and certain other agreements between XPO and RXO, each party will agree to indemnify the other for certain liabilities, in each case for uncapped amounts, as discussed further in the section titled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Separation Agreement” of this information statement. Indemnities that we may be required to provide XPO are not subject to any cap, may be significant and could negatively impact our business. Third parties could also seek to hold us responsible for any of the liabilities that XPO has agreed to retain. Any amounts we are required to pay pursuant to these indemnification obligations and other liabilities could require us to divert cash that would otherwise have been used in furtherance of our operating business. Further, the indemnities from XPO for our benefit may not be sufficient to protect us against the full amount of such liabilities, and XPO may not be able to fully satisfy its indemnification obligations.
Moreover, even if we ultimately succeed in recovering from XPO any amounts for which we are held liable, we may be temporarily required to bear these losses ourselves. Each of these risks could negatively affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
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XPO may fail to perform under various transaction agreements that will be executed as part of the separation, or we may fail to have necessary systems and services in place when certain of the transaction agreements expire.
In connection with the separation and prior to the distribution, RXO and XPO will enter into the separation agreement and will also enter into various other agreements, including a transition services agreement, a tax matters agreement, an employee matters agreement and an intellectual property license agreement. The separation agreement, the tax matters agreement, the employee matters agreement and the intellectual property license agreement, together with the documents and agreements by which the internal reorganization will be effected, will determine the allocation of assets and liabilities between the companies following the separation for those respective areas and will include any necessary indemnifications related to liabilities and obligations. The transition services agreement will provide for the performance of certain services by each company for the benefit of the other for a period of time after the separation. RXO will rely on XPO to satisfy its performance and payment obligations under these agreements. If XPO is unable or unwilling to satisfy its obligations under these agreements, including its indemnification obligations, we could incur operational difficulties and/or losses. If we do not have in place our own systems and services, or if we do not have agreements with other providers of these services once certain transaction agreements expire, we may not be able to operate our business effectively, and our profitability may decline. We are in the process of creating our own, or engaging third parties to provide, systems and services to replace many of the systems and services that XPO currently provides to us. However, we may not be successful in implementing these systems and services in a timely manner or at all, we may incur additional costs in connection with, or following, the implementation of these systems and services, and we may not be successful in transitioning data from XPO’s systems to ours.
We may be held liable to XPO if we fail to perform certain services under the transition services agreement, and the performance of such services may negatively impact our business and operations.
In connection with the separation, RXO and XPO will enter into a transition services agreement that will provide for the performance of certain services by each company for the benefit of the other for a period of time after the separation. If we do not satisfactorily perform our obligations under the agreement, we may be held liable for any resulting losses suffered by XPO, subject to certain limits. In addition, during the transition services periods, our management and employees may be required to divert their attention away from our business in order to provide services to XPO, which could adversely affect our business.
The terms we will receive in our agreements with XPO could be less beneficial than the terms we may have otherwise received from unaffiliated third parties.
The agreements we will enter into with XPO in connection with the separation, including the separation agreement, a transition services agreement, a tax matters agreement, an employee matters agreement and an intellectual property license agreement, were prepared in the context of the separation while we were still a wholly owned subsidiary of XPO. Accordingly, during the period in which the terms of those agreements were prepared, we did not have an independent board of directors or a management team that was independent of XPO. As a result, the terms of those agreements may not reflect terms that would have resulted from arm’s-length negotiations between unaffiliated third parties. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”
If the distribution, together with certain related transactions, does not qualify as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we, as well as XPO and XPO’s stockholders, could be subject to significant tax liabilities, and, in certain circumstances, we could be required to indemnify XPO for material amounts of taxes and other related amounts pursuant to indemnification obligations under the tax matters agreement. In addition, if certain internal restructuring transactions were to fail to qualify as transactions that are generally tax-free for U.S. federal or non-U.S. income tax purposes, we, as well as XPO, could be subject to significant tax liabilities.
It is a condition to the distribution that XPO receives an opinion of its outside counsel, satisfactory to the XPO board of directors, regarding the qualification of the distribution, together with certain related transactions, as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code. The opinion of counsel will be based upon and rely on, among other things, various facts and assumptions, as well as certain representations,
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statements and undertakings of XPO and RXO, including those relating to the past and future conduct of XPO and RXO. If any of these facts, assumptions, representations, statements or undertakings is, or becomes, inaccurate or incomplete, or if XPO or RXO breaches any of its representations or covenants contained in the separation agreement and certain other agreements and documents or in any documents relating to the opinion of counsel, the opinion of counsel may be invalid and the conclusions reached therein could be jeopardized.
Notwithstanding receipt of the opinion of counsel, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) could determine that the distribution and/or certain related transactions should be treated as taxable transactions for U.S. federal income tax purposes if it determines that any of the representations, assumptions or undertakings upon which the opinion of counsel was based are false or have been violated. In addition, the opinion of counsel will represent the judgment of such counsel and will not be binding on the IRS or any court, and the IRS or a court may disagree with the conclusions in the opinion of counsel. Accordingly, notwithstanding receipt of the opinion of counsel, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not assert that the distribution and/or certain related transactions do not qualify for tax-free treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes or that a court would not sustain such a challenge. In the event the IRS were to prevail with such challenge, we, as well as XPO and XPO’s stockholders, could be subject to significant U.S. federal income tax liability.
If the distribution, together with certain related transactions, were to fail to qualify as a transaction that is tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code, in general, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, XPO would recognize taxable gain as if it had sold the RXO common stock in a taxable sale for its fair market value (unless XPO and we jointly make an election under Section 336(e) of the Code with respect to the distribution, in which case, in general, (a) the XPO group would recognize taxable gain as if we had sold all of our assets in a taxable sale in exchange for an amount equal to the fair market value of RXO common stock and the assumption of all our liabilities and (b) we would obtain a related step-up in the tax basis of our assets), and XPO stockholders who receive such RXO shares in the distribution would be subject to tax as if they had received a taxable distribution equal to the fair market value of such shares. For more information, see “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.”
In addition, as part of the separation, and prior to the distribution, XPO and its subsidiaries expect to complete the internal reorganization, and XPO, RXO and their respective subsidiaries expect to incur certain tax costs in connection with the internal reorganization, including non-U.S. tax costs resulting from transactions in non-U.S. jurisdictions, which may be material. With respect to certain transactions undertaken as part of the internal reorganization, XPO intends to obtain opinions of external tax advisors, in each case, regarding the tax treatment of such transactions. Such opinions will be based upon and rely on, among other things, various facts and assumptions, as well as certain representations, statements and undertakings of XPO, RXO or their respective subsidiaries. If any of these representations or statements is, or becomes, inaccurate or incomplete, or if XPO, RXO or their respective subsidiaries do not fulfill or otherwise comply with any such undertakings or covenants, such opinions may be invalid or the conclusions reached therein could be jeopardized. Further, notwithstanding receipt of any such tax opinions, there can be no assurance that the relevant taxing authorities will not assert that the tax treatment of the relevant transactions differs from the conclusions reached in the relevant tax opinions. In the event the relevant taxing authorities prevail with any challenge in respect of any relevant transaction, XPO, RXO and their subsidiaries could be subject to significant tax liabilities.
Under the tax matters agreement to be entered into between XPO and RXO in connection with the separation, we generally would be required to indemnify XPO for any taxes resulting from the separation (and any related costs and other damages) to the extent such amounts resulted from: (i) an acquisition of all or a portion of the equity securities or assets of RXO, whether by merger or otherwise (and regardless of whether we participated in or otherwise facilitated the acquisition), (ii) certain other actions or failures to act by RXO, or (iii) any breach of RXO’s covenants or undertakings contained in the separation agreement and certain other agreements and documents. Further, under the tax matters agreement, we generally would be required to indemnify XPO for a specified portion of any taxes (and any related costs and other damages) arising as a result of the failure of the distribution and certain related transactions to qualify as a transaction that is generally tax-free (including as a result of Section 355(e) of the Code) or a failure of any internal distribution that is intended to qualify as a transaction that is generally tax-free to so qualify, in each case, to the extent such amounts did not result from a disqualifying action
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by, or acquisition of equity securities of, XPO or RXO. Any such indemnity obligations could be material. For a more detailed discussion, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Tax Matters Agreement.”
We may not be able to engage in desirable capital-raising or strategic transactions following the separation.
Under current U.S. federal income tax law, a spin-off that otherwise qualifies for tax-free treatment can be rendered taxable to the parent corporation and its stockholders as a result of certain post-spin-off transactions, including certain acquisitions of shares or assets of the spun-off corporation. For example, a spin-off may result in taxable gain to the parent corporation under Section 355(e) of the Code if it were later deemed to be part of a plan (or series of related transactions) pursuant to which one or more persons acquire, directly or indirectly, shares representing a 50 percent or greater interest (by vote or value) in the spun-off corporation. To preserve the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the separation and distribution, and in addition to our indemnity obligation described above, the tax matters agreement will restrict us, for the two-year period following the distribution, except in specific circumstances, from, among other things: (i) ceasing to actively conduct certain of our businesses; (ii) entering into certain transactions or series of transactions pursuant to which all or a portion of the shares of RXO stock would be acquired, whether by merger or otherwise; (iii) liquidating or merging or consolidating with any other person; (iv) issuing equity securities beyond certain thresholds; (v) repurchasing shares of RXO stock other than in certain open-market transactions; or (vi) taking or failing to take any other action that would jeopardize the expected U.S. federal income tax treatment of the distribution and certain related transactions. Further, the tax matters agreement will impose similar restrictions on us and our subsidiaries during the two-year period following the distribution that are intended to prevent certain transactions undertaken as part of the internal reorganization from failing to qualify as transactions that are generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code or for applicable non-U.S. income tax purposes. These restrictions may limit our ability to pursue certain equity issuances, strategic transactions, repurchases or other transactions that we may otherwise believe to be in the best interests of our stockholders or that might increase the value of our business. Also, we may be responsible for liabilities arising from the failure of the distribution, together with certain related transactions, to qualify for tax-free treatment (see the discussion under the section titled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Tax Matters Agreement”), and our indemnity obligations for such liabilities under the tax matters agreement, may discourage, delay, or prevent certain third parties from acquiring us. For more information, see the sections titled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Tax Matters Agreement” and “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.”
The transfer to us of certain contracts, permits and other assets and rights may require the consents or approvals of, or provide other rights to, third parties and governmental authorities. If such consents or approvals are not obtained, we may not be entitled to the benefit of such contracts, permits and other assets and rights, which could increase our expenses or otherwise harm our business and financial performance.
The separation agreement will provide that certain contracts, permits and other assets and rights are to be transferred from XPO or its subsidiaries to RXO or its subsidiaries in connection with the separation. The transfer of certain of these contracts, permits and other assets and rights may require consents or approvals of third parties or governmental authorities or provide other rights to third parties. In addition, in some circumstances, we and XPO are joint beneficiaries of contracts, and we and XPO may need the consents of third parties in order to split or separate the existing contracts or the relevant portion of the existing contracts to us or XPO.
Some parties may use consent requirements or other rights to seek to terminate contracts or obtain more favorable contractual terms from us, which, for example, could take the form of adverse price changes, require us to expend additional resources in order to obtain the services or assets previously provided under the contract or require us to seek arrangements with new third parties or obtain letters of credit or other forms of credit support. If we are unable to obtain required consents or approvals, we may be unable to obtain the benefits, permits, assets and contractual commitments that are intended to be allocated to us as part of our separation from XPO, and we may be required to seek alternative arrangements to obtain services and assets which may be more costly and/or of lower quality. The termination or modification of these contracts or permits or the failure to timely complete the transfer or separation of these contracts or permits could negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
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Following the distribution, certain of our directors and employees may have actual or potential conflicts of interest because of their positions with or financial interests in XPO.
Because of their current or former positions with XPO, certain of our expected executive officers and directors will continue to own equity interests in XPO following the distribution. In addition, we currently expect Mr. Jacobs to serve as executive chairman of XPO while also serving as chairman of our board of directors. These factors could create, or appear to create, potential conflicts of interest to the extent that we and XPO face decisions that could have different implications for the two companies. For example, potential conflicts of interest could arise in connection with the resolution of any dispute that may arise between XPO and our company regarding the terms of the agreements governing the separation and the relationship thereafter between the companies.
Until the distribution occurs, the XPO board of directors has sole and absolute discretion to change the terms of the separation and distribution in ways that may be unfavorable to us.
Until the distribution occurs, RXO will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of XPO. Accordingly, the XPO board of directors will have the sole and absolute discretion to determine and change the terms of the separation, including the establishment of the record date for the distribution and the distribution date. These changes could be unfavorable to us. In addition, the XPO board of directors, in its sole and absolute discretion, may decide not to proceed with the distribution at any time prior to the distribution date.
No vote of XPO stockholders is required in connection with the distribution. As a result, if you do not want to receive our common stock in the distribution, your sole recourse will be to divest yourself of your XPO common stock prior to the record date for the distribution.
No vote of XPO stockholders is required in connection with the distribution. Accordingly, if you do not want to receive our common stock in the distribution, your only recourse will be to divest yourself of your XPO common stock prior to the record date for the distribution.
Risks Related to Our Common Stock
We cannot be certain that an active trading market for our common stock will develop or be sustained after the distribution and, following the distribution, our stock price may fluctuate significantly.
A public market for our common stock does not currently exist. We anticipate that shortly before the distribution date, trading of shares of our common stock will begin on a “when-issued” basis and will continue up to the distribution date. However, we cannot guarantee that an active trading market will develop or be sustained for our common stock after the distribution, nor can we predict the prices at which shares of our common stock may trade after the distribution. Similarly, we cannot predict the effect of the distribution on the trading prices of our common stock.
Until the market has fully evaluated XPO’s businesses without RXO, the price at which each share of XPO common stock trades may fluctuate more significantly than might otherwise be typical, even with other market conditions, including general volatility, held constant. Similarly, until the market has fully evaluated our business as a standalone entity, the prices at which shares of our common stock trade may fluctuate more significantly than might otherwise be typical, even with other market conditions, including general volatility, held constant. The increased volatility of our stock price following the distribution may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly due to a number of factors, some of which may be beyond our control, including:
•actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results;
•changes in earnings estimated by securities analysts or our ability to meet those estimates;
•the operating and stock price performance of comparable companies;
•changes to the regulatory and legal environment under which we operate;
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•actual or anticipated fluctuations in commodities prices; and
•domestic and worldwide economic conditions.
The combined post-separation value of one share of XPO common stock and one share of RXO common stock may not equal or exceed the pre-distribution value of one share of XPO common stock.
As a result of the separation, we expect the trading price of shares of XPO common stock immediately following the separation to be different from the “regular-way” trading price of XPO common shares immediately prior to the separation because the trading price will no longer reflect the value of the RXO Businesses. There can be no assurance that the aggregate market value of one share of XPO common stock and one share of RXO common stock following the separation will be higher than, lower than or the same as the market value of a share of XPO common stock if the separation did not occur.
There may be substantial and rapid changes in our stockholder base, which may cause our stock price to fluctuate significantly.
Many investors holding shares of XPO common stock may hold that stock because of a decision to invest in a company with XPO’s profile. Following the distribution, the shares of RXO common stock held by those investors will represent an investment in a company with a different profile. This may not be aligned with a holder’s investment strategy and may cause the holder to sell the shares rapidly. As a result, the price of RXO common stock may decline or experience volatility as RXO’s stockholder base changes.
A significant number of shares of our common stock may be sold following the distribution, which may cause our stock price to decline.
Any sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market or the perception that such sales might occur, in connection with the distribution or otherwise, may cause the market price of our common stock to decline. Upon completion of the distribution, based on approximately 115,113,629 shares of XPO common stock outstanding as of October 7, 2022, we expect that we will have an aggregate of approximately 115,113,629 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding. Shares distributed to XPO stockholders in the separation will generally be freely tradeable without restriction or further registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), except for shares owned by one of our “affiliates,” as that term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act.
We are unable to predict whether large amounts of our common stock will be sold in the open market following the distribution. We are also unable to predict whether a sufficient number of buyers of our common stock to meet the demand to sell shares of our common stock at attractive prices would exist at that time.
Sales of shares of our common stock in connection with the Registration Rights Agreement, or the prospect of any such sales, could affect the market price of our common stock and could impair our ability to raise capital through future sales of equity securities.
We will enter into a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with Jacobs Private Equity, LLC (“JPE”), an affiliate of Brad Jacobs, who will be appointed as RXO’s chairman following the completion of the distribution. As of October 7, 2022, JPE beneficially owned 1,300,701 shares of XPO common stock, which will represent approximately 1.1% of the outstanding shares of RXO common stock immediately following the completion of the distribution, based on the distribution ratio of one share of RXO common stock for every share of XPO common stock. Any sales in connection with the Registration Rights Agreement, or the prospect of any such sales, could adversely impact the market price of our common stock. In addition, in connection with a registration request under the Registration Rights Agreement for an underwritten offering, we may be required to agree to be restricted from selling or disposing any of our common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for common stock for a period of 90 days (subject to certain exceptions and our ability
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to defer a registration request or suspend use of a registration statement under certain circumstances). As a result, we may be restricted in our ability to raise capital through future sales of equity securities.
Any stockholder’s percentage of ownership in RXO may be diluted in the future at any given time.
In the future, your percentage ownership in RXO may be diluted because of equity issuances for acquisitions, capital market transactions or otherwise, including any equity awards that we will grant to our directors, officers and employees. Our employees will have stock-based awards that correspond to shares of our common stock after the distribution as a result of conversion of their XPO stock-based awards. We anticipate that the compensation committee of our board of directors will grant additional stock-based awards to our employees after the distribution. Such awards will have a dilutive effect on the number of RXO shares outstanding, and therefore on our earnings per share, which could adversely affect the market price of our common stock. From time to time, we will issue additional stock-based awards to our employees under our employee benefits plans.
We cannot guarantee the timing, amount or payment of any dividends on our common stock.
The payment of any dividends in the future, and the timing and amount thereof, is within the discretion of RXO’s board of directors. The board of directors’ decisions regarding the payment of dividends will depend on many factors, such as our financial condition, earnings, capital requirements, debt service obligations, restrictive covenants in our debt, industry practice, legal requirements, regulatory constraints and other factors that our board of directors deems relevant. Our ability to pay dividends will depend on our ongoing ability to generate cash from operations and on our access to the capital markets. We cannot guarantee that we will pay a dividend in the future or continue to pay any dividends if and when we commence paying dividends. For more information, see “Dividend Policy.”
Certain provisions in RXO’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws, and of Delaware law, may prevent or delay an acquisition of RXO, which could decrease the trading price of RXO’s common stock.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws will contain, and Delaware law contains, provisions that are intended to deter coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids by making such practices or bids unacceptably expensive to the bidder and to encourage prospective acquirers to negotiate with our board of directors rather than to attempt a hostile takeover. These provisions are expected to include, among others:
•the ability of our remaining directors to fill vacancies on our board of directors;
•limitations on stockholders’ ability to call a special stockholder meeting or act by written consent;
•rules regarding how stockholders may present proposals or nominate directors for election at stockholder meetings;
•the right of our board of directors to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval; and
•a classified board of directors, with each class serving a staggered three-year term, which could have the effect of making the replacement of incumbent directors more time consuming and difficult.
In addition, we expect to be subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporate Law (the “DGCL”), which could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control that you may favor. Section 203 provides that, subject to limited exceptions, persons that acquire, or are affiliated with persons that acquire, more than 15% of the outstanding voting stock of a Delaware corporation may not engage in a business combination with that corporation, including by merger, consolidation or acquisitions of additional shares, for a three-year period following the date on which that person or any of its affiliates becomes the holder of more than 15% of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock.
We believe these provisions will protect our stockholders from coercive or otherwise unfair takeover tactics by requiring potential acquirers to negotiate with our board of directors and by providing our board of directors with more time to assess any acquisition proposal. These provisions are not intended to make RXO immune from
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takeovers; however, these provisions will apply even if the offer may be considered beneficial by some stockholders and could delay or prevent an acquisition that our board of directors determines is not in the best interests of RXO and our stockholders. These provisions may also prevent or discourage attempts to remove and replace incumbent directors. See “Description of Capital Stock.”
In addition, an acquisition or further issuance of our common stock could trigger the application of Section 355(e) of the Code, causing the distribution to be taxable to XPO. For a discussion of Section 355(e) of the Code, see “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.” Under the tax matters agreement, we would be required to indemnify XPO for the resulting tax, and this indemnity obligation might discourage, delay or prevent a change of control that our stockholders may consider favorable.
RXO’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation will contain an exclusive forum provision that may discourage lawsuits against RXO and RXO’s directors and officers.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that unless the board of directors otherwise determines, the state courts within the State of Delaware (or, if no state court located within the State of Delaware has jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware) will be the sole and exclusive forum for any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of RXO, any action asserting a claim for or based on a breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director or officer or other employee or stockholder of RXO in such capacity to RXO or to RXO stockholders, including a claim alleging the aiding and abetting of such a breach of fiduciary duty, any action asserting a claim against RXO or any current or former director or officer or other employee or stockholder of RXO in such capacity arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or amended and restated bylaws, any action asserting a claim relating to or involving RXO governed by the internal affairs doctrine, or any action asserting an “internal corporate claim” as that term is defined in Section 115 of the DGCL.
Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. Accordingly, both state and federal courts have jurisdiction to entertain such claims. To prevent having to litigate claims in multiple jurisdictions and the threat of inconsistent or contrary rulings by different courts, among other considerations, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will further provide that the federal district courts of the United States will be the exclusive forum for resolving any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act. Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty of liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder, and as a result, the exclusive forum provision does not apply to actions arising under the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. While the Delaware Supreme Court ruled in March 2020 that federal forum selection provisions purporting to require claims under the Securities Act be brought in federal court are “facially valid” under Delaware law, there is uncertainty as to whether other courts will enforce our federal forum provision described above. Our stockholders will not be deemed to have waived compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.
This exclusive forum provision may limit the ability of our stockholders to bring a claim in a judicial forum that such stockholders find favorable for disputes with RXO or our directors or officers, which may discourage such lawsuits against RXO and our directors and officers. Alternatively, if a court were to find this exclusive forum provision inapplicable to, or unenforceable in respect of, one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings described above, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could negatively affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This information statement and other materials XPO and RXO have filed or will file with the SEC (and oral communications that XPO or RXO may make) contain or incorporate by reference forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “should,” “will,” “expect,” “objective,” “projection,” “forecast,” “goal,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “effort,” “target,” “trajectory” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terms. However, the absence of these words does not mean that the statements are not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the company in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors (including risks, uncertainties and assumptions) that might cause or contribute to a material difference include, but are not limited to:
•competition and pricing pressures;
•economic conditions generally;
•the severity, magnitude, duration and aftereffects of the COVID-19 pandemic and government responses to the COVID-19 pandemic;
•fluctuations in fuel prices;
•increased carrier prices;
•severe weather, natural disasters, terrorist attacks or similar incidents that cause material disruptions to our operations or the operations of the third-party carriers and independent contractors with which we contract;
•our dependence on third-party carriers and independent contractors;
•labor disputes or organizing efforts affecting our workforce and those of our third-party carriers;
•legal and regulatory challenges to the status of the third-party carriers with which we contract, and their delivery workers, as independent contractors, rather than employees;
•litigation that may adversely affect our business or reputation;
•increasingly stringent laws protecting the environment, including transitional risks relating to climate change, that impact our third-party carriers;
•governmental regulation and political conditions;
•our ability to develop and implement suitable information technology systems and prevent failures in or breaches of such systems;
•the impact of potential cyber-attacks and information technology or data security breaches;
•issues related to our intellectual property rights;
•our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel;
•our ability to successfully implement our cost and revenue initiatives and other strategies;
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•our ability to successfully manage our growth;
•our reliance on certain large customers for a significant portion of our revenue;
•damage to our reputation through unfavorable publicity;
•our failure to meet performance levels required by our contracts with our customers;
•the inability to achieve the level of revenue growth, cash generation, cost savings, improvement in profitability and margins, fiscal discipline, or strengthening of competitiveness and operations anticipated or targeted;
•the expected benefits and timing of the separation, and uncertainties regarding the planned separation, including the risk that conditions to the separation will not be satisfied and that it will not be completed pursuant to the targeted timing, asset perimeters, and other anticipated terms, if at all, and that the separation will not produce the desired benefits;
•a determination by the IRS that the distribution or certain related transactions should be treated as taxable transactions;
•the possibility that any consents or approvals required in connection with the separation will not be received or obtained within the expected time frame, on the expected terms or at all;
•expected financing transactions undertaken in connection with the separation and risks associated with additional indebtedness;
•the risk that dis-synergy costs, costs of restructuring transactions and other costs incurred in connection with the separation will exceed our estimates; and
•the impact of the separation on our businesses, our operations, our relationships with customers, suppliers, employees and other business counterparties, and the risk that the businesses will not be separated successfully or that such separation may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected, which could result in additional demands on our resources, systems, procedures and controls, disruption of our ongoing business, and diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns.
There can be no assurance that the separation, distribution or any other transaction described above will in fact be consummated in the manner described or at all. There can also be no assurance that XPO’s planned divesture of the European transportation business will occur, or of the terms or timing of the divestiture. Where required by law, no binding decision will be made with respect to the divestiture of the European transportation business other than in compliance with applicable employee information and consultation requirements.
The above list of factors is not exhaustive or necessarily in order of importance. For additional information on identifying factors that may cause actual results to vary materially from those stated in forward-looking statements, see the discussions under “Risk Factors” in this information statement. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and each of XPO and RXO assumes no obligation to update or revise such statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
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THE SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION
Overview
On March 8, 2022, XPO announced its intention to separate into two independent, publicly traded companies. The separation will occur through a pro rata distribution to the XPO stockholders of all of the shares of common stock of RXO, which was formed to hold the RXO Businesses.
In connection with the distribution, we expect that:
•XPO will complete the internal reorganization, which will result in RXO becoming the parent company of the XPO operations comprising, and the entities that will conduct, the RXO Businesses;
•RXO will incur approximately $455 million of indebtedness, as described under “Description of Material Indebtedness;” and
•RXO will use all or a portion of the proceeds from one or more financing transactions at or prior to the completion of the distribution and cash on hand to transfer approximately $554 million of cash to XPO, which XPO will use to repay existing indebtedness prior to the 12-month anniversary of the distribution.
On October 10, 2022, the XPO board of directors approved the distribution of all of the shares of RXO common stock, on the basis of one share of RXO common stock for every share of XPO common stock held as of the close of business on October 20, 2022, the record date for the distribution.
At 12:01 a.m., Eastern Time, on November 1, 2022, the distribution date, each XPO stockholder will receive one share of RXO common stock for every share of XPO common stock held at the close of business on the record date for the distribution, as described below. Upon completion of the separation, each RXO stockholder as of the record date will continue to own shares of XPO and will receive a proportionate share of the outstanding common stock of RXO to be distributed. You will not be required to make any payment, surrender or exchange your XPO common stock or take any other action to receive your shares of RXO common stock in the distribution. The distribution of RXO common stock as described in this information statement is subject to the final approval of the XPO board of directors and the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions. For a more detailed description of these conditions, see “The Separation and Distribution—Conditions to the Distribution.”
Reasons for the Separation
The XPO board of directors believes that the separation of XPO into two independent, publicly traded companies through the separation of the RXO Businesses from XPO is in the best interests of XPO and its stockholders for a number of reasons, including:
•Enhanced Management Focus on Core Businesses. The separation will create two companies more fit for purpose, and give each company’s management team an undiluted focus on their specific operating and strategic priorities and customer requirements. The separation will enable the management teams of each company to better focus on strengthening its core businesses and operations, to more effectively address unique operating and other needs, and to pursue distinct and targeted opportunities for long-term growth and profitability. The separation will enable each company to deepen its competitive differentiation by having its technology team focus on enhancing the proprietary software developed for its specific service offerings, including XPO’s LTL technology platform and RXO’s digital brokerage platform.
•Clear-Cut Investment Identities. The separation will allow investors to more clearly understand the separate business models, financial profiles and investment identities of the two companies and to invest in each company based on a better appreciation of these characteristics. The separation will also provide an opportunity to allow each company to have less debt relative to its market capitalization. To the extent that enhanced investor understanding of each business model and demonstrated deleveraging result in greater investor demand for shares of XPO stock and/or RXO stock, it could cause each company to be valued at multiples higher than XPO’s current multiple, and higher than its publicly traded peers. Any such increase
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in the aggregate market value of XPO and RXO following the separation, relative to XPO’s current market value, would benefit XPO, RXO and their respective stakeholders.
•Creation of Independent Equity Currencies and Enhanced Strategic Opportunities. The separation will provide each of XPO and RXO with its own pure-play equity currency that can be used to facilitate raising capital and to pursue M&A opportunities that are more closely aligned with each company’s strategic goals and expected growth opportunities. To the extent that the separate equity currencies are more attractively valued, this would further increase these benefits to XPO and RXO.
•Improved Alignment of Management Incentives and Performance. The separation will allow each company to more effectively recruit, retain and motivate employees through the use of equity-based compensation that more closely aligns management and employee incentives with specific growth objectives, financial goals and business attributes. To the extent that the separate equity currencies are more attractively valued, this would further benefit XPO and RXO.
•Separate Capital Structures and Allocation of Financial Resources. The separation will permit each company to allocate its financial resources to meet the unique needs of its business and intensify the focus on its distinct operating and strategic priorities, including by investing in enhancements to the proprietary software developed for its service offerings. The separation will also give each business its own capital structure and allow it to manage capital allocation and capital return strategies with greater agility in response to changes in the operating environment and industry landscape. Further, the separation will eliminate internal competition for capital between the two businesses and enable each business to implement a capital structure tailored to its strategy and business needs.
The XPO board of directors also considered a number of potentially negative factors in evaluating the separation, including:
•Risk of Failure to Achieve Anticipated Benefits of the Separation. We may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the separation for a variety of reasons, including, among others: the separation will demand significant management resources and require significant amounts of management’s time and effort, which may divert management’s attention from operating our business; following the separation, we may be more susceptible to market fluctuations, and other events may be more disadvantageous for us than if we were still part of XPO, because our business would be less diversified than XPO’s business is prior to the completion of the separation.
•Disruptions and Costs Related to the Separation. The actions required to separate the RXO Businesses from XPO could disrupt our operations. In addition, in connection with the separation and the transition to being a standalone public company, we will incur costs that will, in the aggregate, be substantial. These costs may include accounting, tax, legal and other professional services costs, recruiting and relocation costs associated with hiring key senior management personnel who are new to RXO, tax costs, and costs to separate information systems.
•Loss of Scale and Increased Administrative Costs. Prior to the separation, RXO is able to take advantage of XPO’s size and purchasing power in procuring certain goods, services and technologies. After the separation, as a standalone company, we may be unable to obtain these goods, services and technologies at prices or on terms as favorable as those XPO obtained prior to completion of the separation. In addition, as part of XPO, RXO benefits from certain functions performed by XPO, such as accounting, tax, legal, human resources and other general and administrative functions. After the separation, XPO will not perform these functions for us, other than certain functions that will be provided for a limited time pursuant to the transition services agreement, and, because of our smaller scale as a standalone company, our cost of performing such functions could be higher than the amounts reflected in our historical financial statements, which would cause our profitability to decrease.
•Limitations on Strategic Transactions. Under the terms of the tax matters agreement that we will enter into with XPO, we will be restricted from taking certain actions that could cause the distribution or certain related transactions (or certain transactions undertaken as part of the internal reorganization) to fail to
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qualify as tax-free under applicable law. These restrictions may limit, for a period of time, our ability to pursue certain strategic transactions and equity issuances or engage in other transactions that might increase the value of our business.
•Uncertainty Regarding Stock Prices. We cannot predict with certainty the effect of the separation on the trading prices of RXO or XPO common stock or know whether the combined market value of one share of our common stock and one share of XPO common stock will be less than, equal to or greater than the market value of one share of XPO common stock prior to the distribution.
In determining whether to pursue the separation, the XPO board of directors concluded the potential benefits of the separation outweighed the potential negative factors. See the sections titled “The Separation and Distribution—Reasons for the Separation” and “Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this information statement.
Formation of RXO
RXO, Inc. was formed as a Delaware limited liability company in May 2022 for the purpose of holding the RXO Businesses and was converted into a Delaware corporation in October 2022. As part of XPO’s plan to separate the RXO Businesses from the remainder of its business, in connection with the internal reorganization, XPO plans to transfer the equity interests of certain entities that are expected to operate the RXO Businesses and the assets and liabilities of the RXO Businesses to RXO prior to the distribution. For additional information, see “The Separation and Distribution—Internal Reorganization.”
When and How You Will Receive the Distribution
With the assistance of AST, XPO expects to distribute RXO common stock at 12:01 a.m., Eastern Time, on November 1, 2022, the distribution date, to all holders of outstanding XPO common stock as of the close of business on October 20, 2022, the record date for the distribution. AST will serve as the settlement and distribution agent in connection with the distribution and the transfer agent and registrar for RXO common stock.
If you own XPO common stock as of the close of business on the record date for the distribution, RXO common stock that you are entitled to receive in the distribution will be issued electronically, as of the distribution date, to you in direct registration form or to your bank or brokerage firm on your behalf. If you are a registered holder, AST will then mail you a direct registration account statement that reflects your shares of RXO common stock. If you hold your XPO shares through a bank or brokerage firm, your bank or brokerage firm will credit your account for the RXO shares. Direct registration form refers to a method of recording share ownership when no physical share certificates are issued to stockholders, as is the case in this distribution. If you sell XPO common stock in the “regular-way” market on the trading day prior to the record date for the distribution up to and including the distribution date, you will be selling your right to receive shares of RXO common stock in the distribution.
Commencing on or shortly after the distribution date, if you hold physical share certificates that represent your XPO common stock and you are the registered holder of the shares represented by those certificates, the distribution agent will mail to you an account statement that indicates the number of shares of RXO common stock that have been registered in book-entry form in your name.
Most XPO stockholders hold their common stock through a bank or brokerage firm. In such cases, the bank or brokerage firm is said to hold the shares in “street name” and ownership would be recorded on the bank or brokerage firm’s books. If you hold your XPO common stock through a bank or brokerage firm, your bank or brokerage firm will credit your account for the RXO common stock that you are entitled to receive in the distribution. If you have any questions concerning the mechanics of having shares held in “street name,” please contact your bank or brokerage firm.
Transferability of Shares You Receive
Shares of RXO common stock distributed to holders in connection with the distribution will be transferable without registration under the Securities Act, except for shares received by persons who may be deemed to be our affiliates. Persons who may be deemed to be our affiliates after the distribution generally include individuals or entities that control, are controlled by or are under common control with us, which may include certain of our
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executive officers or directors. Securities held by our affiliates will be subject to resale restrictions under the Securities Act. Our affiliates will be permitted to sell shares of our common stock only pursuant to an effective registration statement or an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, such as the exemption afforded by Rule 144 under the Securities Act.
Number of Shares of RXO Common Stock You Will Receive
For every share of XPO common stock that you own at the close of business on October 20, 2022, the record date for the distribution, you will receive one share of RXO common stock on the distribution date. XPO will not distribute any fractional shares of RXO common stock to its stockholders.
Treatment of Equity-Based Compensation
The employee matters agreement will provide for the adjustment of XPO equity-based compensation awards that are outstanding immediately prior to the separation and distribution to reflect the impact of the separation. Such adjustments are summarized below. Prior to the effective time of the distribution, the XPO Compensation Committee may provide for different adjustments with respect to certain XPO equity-based compensation awards to the extent that the XPO Compensation Committee deems such adjustments necessary and appropriate.
It is anticipated that XPO equity-based compensation awards outstanding as of October 7, 2022 (i) relating to up to approximately 1,111,480 shares of XPO common stock will be converted, using the methodologies described below, into awards relating solely to RXO common stock and (ii) relating to up to approximately 3,239,457 shares of XPO common stock will be adjusted, using the methodologies described below, into two awards, the original XPO equity-based award and a new award relating to RXO common stock.
Treatment of XPO Equity-Based Awards held by RXO Employees and Transferring Directors
Outstanding XPO equity awards held by RXO employees and XPO non-employee directors who are transferring to the RXO board on the distribution date (“Transferring Directors”) are expected to be treated as shown in the table below:
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| Award Type | Treatment | |||||||
| Restricted Stock Units | As of the effective time of the distribution, each outstanding XPO restricted stock unit award held by an RXO employee (other than Mr. Wilkerson) or a Transferring Director will be converted into an award of restricted stock units relating to RXO common stock, with the number of shares subject to the award to be adjusted in a manner intended to preserve the aggregate intrinsic value of the original XPO award immediately after the distributions when compared to the aggregate intrinsic value immediately prior to the distribution (in each case, as calculated based on the applicable stock price measurements specified in the employee matters agreement), subject to rounding. Each adjusted RXO restricted stock unit award will generally be subject to the same terms and vesting conditions that applied to the original XPO award immediately before the effective time of the distribution. XPO restricted stock unit awards held by Mr. Wilkerson will be treated as described below. | |||||||
| Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units | As of the effective time of the distribution, each outstanding XPO performance-based restricted stock unit award held by an RXO employee (including the Wilkerson Incentive Grant (as defined below in the section entitled “Executive Compensation”) held by Mr. Wilkerson) will be converted into an RXO performance-based restricted stock unit award relating to RXO common stock, with the number of shares subject to the award to be adjusted in a manner intended to preserve the aggregate intrinsic value of the original XPO award immediately after the distributions when compared to the aggregate intrinsic value immediately prior to the distribution (in each case, as calculated based on the applicable stock price measurements specified in the employee matters agreement), subject to rounding. Each adjusted RXO performance-based restricted stock unit award will generally be subject to the same terms and vesting conditions that applied to the original XPO award immediately before the effective time of the distribution, provided that the XPO Compensation Committee may modify the applicable performance-based vesting conditions prior to the effective time (including by deeming the applicable performance-based vesting conditions to be achieved at a designated performance level). | |||||||
Treatment of XPO Equity-Based Awards Held by XPO Employees, Former Employees, XPO Directors and Mr. Wilkerson
Outstanding XPO equity awards held by XPO employees, former employees of XPO as of the distribution date (“Former Employees”), XPO non-employee directors who are remaining on the XPO Board of Directors on the distribution date (“XPO Directors”) and Mr. Wilkerson (other than the Wilkerson Incentive Grant) are expected to be treated as shown in the table below. In general, the treatment for active XPO employees varies depending on
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whether such employees are employed in XPO’s LTL business (such employees, the “Concentration Treatment Employees”) or XPO’s other businesses and corporate office (such employees, the “Basket Treatment Employees”).
| Award Type | Treatment | |||||||
| Restricted Stock Units | As of the effective time of the distribution, each outstanding XPO restricted stock unit award held by a Concentration Treatment Employee, a Former Employee, or an XPO Director will continue to relate to XPO common stock, with the number of shares subject to the award to be adjusted in a manner intended to preserve the aggregate intrinsic value of the original XPO award immediately after the distributions when compared to the aggregate intrinsic value immediately prior to the distribution (in each case, as calculated based on the applicable stock price measurements specified in the employee matters agreement), subject to rounding. Each adjusted XPO restricted stock unit award will generally be subject to the same terms and vesting conditions that applied to the original XPO award immediately before the effective time of the distribution. As of the effective time of the distribution, each outstanding XPO restricted stock unit award held by a Basket Treatment Employment or Mr. Wilkerson will be converted into an award in respect of both shares of XPO common stock and shares of RXO common stock. The number of shares of XPO common stock subject to each award will be the same as the number subject to the award prior to the distribution, while the number of shares of RXO common stock subject to the award will equal the number of shares of XPO common stock subject to the award, multiplied by the distribution ratio. The adjusted restricted stock unit awards will be subject to the same terms and vesting conditions that applied to the original XPO award immediately before the distribution. | |||||||
| Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units | As of the effective time of the distribution, each outstanding XPO performance-based restricted stock unit award held by a Concentration Treatment Employee or Former Employee (other than any former employee of XPO who is being paid for consulting services by XPO as of the effective time (a “Consultant”)) will continue to relate to XPO common stock, with the number of shares subject to the award to be adjusted in a manner intended to preserve the aggregate intrinsic value of the original XPO award immediately after the distributions when compared to the aggregate intrinsic value immediately prior to the distribution (in each case, as calculated based on the applicable stock price measurements specified in the employee matters agreement), subject to rounding. Each adjusted XPO performance-based restricted stock unit award will generally be subject to the same terms and vesting conditions that applied to the original XPO award immediately before the distribution, provided that the XPO Compensation Committee may modify the applicable performance-based vesting conditions prior to the effective time (including by deeming the applicable performance-based vesting conditions to be achieved at a designated performance level). As of the effective time of the distribution, each outstanding XPO performance-based restricted stock unit award held by a Basket Treatment Employee, a Consultant or Mr. Wilkerson (other than the Wilkerson Incentive Grant) will be converted into an award in respect of both shares of XPO common stock and shares of RXO common stock. The number of shares of XPO common stock subject to each award will be the same as the number subject to the award prior to the distribution, while the number of shares of RXO common stock subject to the award will equal the number of shares of XPO common stock subject to the award, multiplied by the distribution ratio. The adjusted performance-based restricted stock unit awards will be subject to the same terms and vesting conditions that applied to the original XPO award immediately before the distribution, provided that the XPO Compensation Committee may modify the applicable performance-based vesting conditions prior to the effective time (including by deeming the applicable performance-based vesting conditions to be achieved at a designated performance level). | |||||||
Internal Reorganization
As part of the separation, and prior to the distribution, XPO and its subsidiaries expect to complete an internal reorganization in order to transfer to RXO the RXO Businesses that it will hold following the separation. Among
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other things, and subject to limited exceptions, the internal reorganization is expected to result in RXO owning, directly or indirectly, the operations comprising, and the entities that conduct, the RXO Businesses.
The internal reorganization is expected to include various restructuring transactions pursuant to which: (i) the operations, assets (including certain digital brokerage technology) and liabilities of XPO and its subsidiaries used to conduct the RXO Businesses will be separated from the operations, assets and liabilities of XPO and its subsidiaries used to conduct XPO’s other businesses, and (ii) such RXO Business operations, assets (including certain digital brokerage technology) and liabilities will be contributed, transferred or otherwise allocated to RXO or one of its direct or indirect subsidiaries. These restructuring transactions may take the form of asset transfers, dividends, contributions and similar transactions, and may involve the formation of new subsidiaries in U.S. and non-U.S. jurisdictions to own and operate the RXO Businesses in such jurisdictions.
As part of this internal reorganization, XPO will contribute, directly or indirectly, to RXO certain liabilities and certain assets, including certain digital brokerage technology and including equity interests in entities that are expected to conduct the RXO Businesses.
Following the completion of the internal reorganization and immediately prior to the distribution, RXO will be the parent company of the entities that are expected to conduct the RXO Businesses and XPO will remain the parent company of the entities that currently conduct all of XPO’s operations except the RXO Businesses.
Results of the Distribution
After the distribution, RXO will be an independent, publicly traded company. The actual number of shares to be distributed will be determined at the close of business on October 20, 2022, the record date for the distribution, and will reflect any exercise of XPO options between the date the XPO board of directors declares the distribution and the record date for the distribution. The distribution will not affect the number of outstanding shares of XPO common stock or any rights of XPO stockholders. XPO will not distribute any fractional shares of RXO common stock.
We will enter into a separation agreement and other related agreements with XPO to effect the separation and to provide a framework for our relationship with XPO after the separation, and will enter into certain other agreements, including a transition services agreement, a tax matters agreement, an employee matters agreement, and an intellectual property license agreement. These agreements will provide for the allocation between RXO and XPO of the assets, employees, liabilities and obligations (including, among others, investments, property and employee benefits, insurance and tax-related assets and liabilities) of XPO and its subsidiaries attributable to periods prior to, at and after RXO’s separation from XPO and will govern the relationship between RXO and XPO subsequent to the completion of the separation. For additional information regarding the separation agreement and other transaction agreements, see the sections titled “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Separation and Distribution” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”
Market for RXO Common Stock
There is currently no public trading market for RXO common stock. RXO has been approved to list its common stock on the NYSE under the symbol “RXO.” RXO has not and will not set the initial price of its common stock. The initial price will be established by the public markets.
We cannot predict the price at which RXO common stock will trade after the distribution. In fact, the combined trading prices, after the distribution, of the shares of RXO common stock that each XPO stockholder will receive in the distribution, together with the XPO common stock held at the record date for the distribution, may not equal the “regular-way” trading price of the XPO common stock immediately prior to the distribution. The price at which RXO common stock trades may fluctuate significantly, particularly until an orderly public market develops. Trading prices for RXO common stock will be determined in the public markets and may be influenced by many factors. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Common Stock.”
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Incurrence of Debt
RXO anticipates issuing $355 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes and $100 million in aggregate principal amount of term loans. We also anticipate entering into a revolving credit facility in aggregate principal amount of up to $500 million. We expect to transfer all or a portion of the net proceeds of the notes and the term loans to XPO, which intends to use such cash to repay existing indebtedness prior to the 12-month anniversary of the distribution. As a result of such transactions, RXO anticipates having approximately $455 million of indebtedness upon completion of the distribution. For more information, see “Description of Material Indebtedness.”
Trading Between the Record Date and the Distribution Date
Beginning three trading days before the distribution date and continuing up to the distribution date, XPO expects that there will be two markets in XPO common stock: a “regular-way” market and an “ex-distribution” market. XPO common stock that trades on the “regular-way” market will trade with an entitlement to RXO common stock distributed in the distribution. XPO common stock that trades on the “ex-distribution” market will trade without an entitlement to RXO common stock distributed in the distribution. Therefore, if you sell shares of XPO common stock in the “regular-way” market on the trading day prior to the record date for the distribution up to the distribution date, you will be selling your right to receive shares of RXO common stock in the distribution. If you own XPO common stock at the close of business on the record date and sell those shares on the “ex-distribution” market up to the distribution date, you will receive the shares of RXO common stock that you are entitled to receive pursuant to your ownership of shares of XPO common stock as of the record date.
Furthermore, beginning three trading days before the distribution date and continuing up to and including the distribution date, RXO expects that there will be a “when-issued” market in its common stock. “When-issued” trading refers to a sale or purchase made conditionally because the security has been authorized but not yet issued. The “when-issued” trading market will be a market for RXO common stock that will be distributed to holders of XPO common stock on the distribution date. If you owned XPO common stock at the close of business on the record date for the distribution, you would be entitled to RXO common stock distributed pursuant to the distribution. You may trade this entitlement to shares of RXO common stock, without trading the XPO common stock you own, on the “when-issued” market. On the distribution date, “when-issued” trading with respect to RXO common stock will end, and “regular-way” trading with respect to RXO common stock will begin.
Conditions to the Distribution
The distribution will be effective at 12:01 a.m., Eastern Time, on November 1, 2022, which is the distribution date, subject to final approval by the XPO board of directors, as well as to the satisfaction (or waiver by XPO in its sole and absolute discretion), of a number of conditions set forth in the separation agreement, including, among others:
•the SEC declaring effective the registration statement of which this information statement forms a part; there being no order suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement; and no proceedings for such purposes having been instituted or threatened by the SEC;
•this information statement (or notice of internet availability of the information statement) having been made available to XPO stockholders;
•the receipt by XPO and continuing validity of an opinion of its outside counsel, satisfactory to the XPO board of directors, regarding the qualification of the distribution, together with certain related transactions, as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code;
•the separation and other transactions contemplated by the separation agreement and by the plan of reorganization included in the separation agreement, to occur prior to the distribution having been completed in accordance with the plan of reorganization;
•an independent appraisal firm acceptable to the XPO board of directors having delivered one or more opinions to the XPO board confirming the solvency and financial viability of XPO before the completion of, and after giving effect to, the distribution, in each case in a form and substance acceptable to the XPO board in its sole and absolute discretion;
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•all actions and filings necessary or appropriate under applicable U.S. federal, state or other securities or blue sky laws and the rules and regulations thereunder relating to the separation and distribution having been taken or made and, where applicable, having become effective or been accepted;
•the transaction agreements relating to the separation and distribution having been duly executed and delivered by the parties thereto;
•no order, injunction or decree issued by any government authority of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of the separation, the distribution or any of the related transactions being in effect;
•the shares of RXO common stock to be distributed having been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of distribution;
•XPO having received certain proceeds from the financing arrangements described under “Description of Material Indebtedness” and being satisfied in its sole and absolute discretion that, as of the effective time of the distribution, it will have no further liability under such arrangements; and
•no other event or development existing or having occurred that, in the judgment of XPO’s board of directors, in its sole and absolute discretion, makes it inadvisable to effect the separation, the distribution or the other related transactions.
XPO will have the sole and absolute discretion to determine (and change) the terms of, and whether to proceed with, the distribution and, to the extent it determines to so proceed, to determine the record date for the distribution, the distribution date and the distribution ratio. XPO will also have sole and absolute discretion to waive any of the conditions to the distribution. As of the date of this information statement, XPO does not intend to waive any of the conditions of the distribution. XPO does not intend to notify its stockholders of any modifications to the terms of the separation or distribution, including the waiver of any conditions to the spin-off, that, in the judgment of its board of directors, are not material. However, the XPO board would likely consider material such matters as significant changes to the distribution ratio, or the assets to be contributed or the liabilities to be assumed in the separation, as well as the waiver of the condition that the XPO board receives a tax opinion with respect to the spin-off. To the extent that the XPO board determines that any modification by XPO materially changes the material terms of the distribution, including through the waiver of a condition to the distribution, XPO will notify its stockholders in a manner reasonably calculated to inform them about the modification as may be required by law, by, for example, publishing a press release, filing a current report on Form 8-K or circulating a supplement to this information statement.
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DIVIDEND POLICY
The payment of any dividends in the future, and the timing and amount thereof, is within the discretion of RXO’s board of directors. The board’s decisions regarding the payment of dividends will depend on many factors, such as our financial condition, earnings, capital requirements, debt service obligations, restrictive covenants in our debt, industry practice, legal requirements, regulatory constraints and other factors that our board deems relevant. Our ability to pay dividends will depend on our ongoing ability to generate cash from operations and on our access to the capital markets. We cannot guarantee that we will pay a dividend in the future or continue to pay any dividends if and when we commence paying dividends.
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CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth our capitalization as of June 30, 2022, on an unaudited historical basis and on a pro forma basis to give effect to the pro forma adjustments included in our Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information. The information below is not necessarily indicative of what our capitalization would have been had the spin-off, distribution and related financing transactions been completed as of June 30, 2022. In addition, it is not indicative of our future capitalization. This table should be read in conjunction with “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our Combined Financial Statements and accompanying notes included elsewhere in this information statement.
| As of June 30, 2022 | |||||||||||
| (In millions, except per share data) | Historical | Pro Forma | |||||||||
| Cash | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 212 | $ | 100 | |||||||
| Debt | |||||||||||
| Short-term borrowings | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||
Long-term debt (a) | — | 442 | |||||||||
| Total indebtedness | — | 442 | |||||||||
| Equity | |||||||||||
| Common stock, par value $0.01 | — | 1 | |||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | — | 646 | |||||||||
| XPO investment | 1,201 | — | |||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | (2) | (2) | |||||||||
| Total equity | 1,199 | 645 | |||||||||
Total capitalization | $ | 1,199 | $ | 1,087 | |||||||
_________________
(a)Reflects the incurrence of $455 million of indebtedness, net of debt issuance costs of $13 million.
It is anticipated that, on the distribution date, RXO will have approximately $100 million of cash. The separation agreement will provide for an adjustment payment to potentially be made following the distribution from RXO to XPO, or from XPO to RXO, so that RXO’s final cash balance as of the effective time of the distribution is equal to $100 million.
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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The following Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information of RXO consists of the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2021, and the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2022, which have been derived from our historical Combined Financial Statements included elsewhere in this information statement.
The Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations gives effect to the Pro Forma Transactions (as defined below) as if they occurred on January 1, 2021, the beginning of the most recently completed fiscal year. The Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet gives effect to the Pro Forma Transactions as if they occurred as of June 30, 2022, our latest balance sheet date.
The pro forma adjustments include transaction accounting adjustments that reflect the accounting for transactions in accordance with GAAP, and autonomous entity adjustments that reflect certain incremental expense or other changes necessary, if any, to reflect the financial condition and results of operations as if RXO was a standalone entity. The following Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information illustrates the effects of the following transactions (collectively, the “Pro Forma Transactions”):
•The separation of the assets (including the equity interests of certain subsidiaries) and liabilities related to the RXO Businesses from XPO and the transfer of those assets (including the equity interests of certain subsidiaries) and liabilities to RXO;
•The distribution of all of our issued and outstanding common stock by XPO in connection with the spin-off;
•The effect of our anticipated post-spin-off capital structure, including the incurrence of indebtedness of $455 million, and the distribution of approximately $554 million of cash to XPO; and
•The impact of, and transactions contemplated by, the separation agreement, the transition services agreement, the tax matters agreement, the employee matters agreement and the intellectual property license agreement between us and XPO and the provisions contained therein.
The operating expenses reported in our historical Combined Statement of Operations include allocations of certain XPO costs. These costs include allocation of XPO corporate costs that benefit us, including corporate governance, executive management, finance, legal, information technology, human resources, other general and administrative costs, shared services and depreciation on shared XPO assets.
To operate as an independent publicly traded company, we expect our recurring costs for these services to be higher than the expenses historically allocated to us from XPO as presented in our historical Combined Statement of Operations. The significant assumptions involved in determining our estimates of the recurring costs of being an independent, publicly traded company include:
•Costs to perform financial reporting, tax, regulatory compliance, corporate governance, treasury, legal, internal audit and investor relations activities;
•Compensation, including equity-based awards, and benefits with respect to new and existing positions and the board of directors; and
•Incremental third-party costs with respect to insurance, audit services, tax services, employee benefits and legal services.
We estimate that the net impact of these costs as compared to our historical Combined Statement of Operations would have been an increase in Sales, general and administrative expense of between approximately $6 million and $11 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The estimated net impact of these costs as compared to our historical Combined Statement of Operations would have been an increase in Sales, general and administrative expense of between approximately $11 million and $21 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. Certain
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factors could impact these standalone public company costs, including the finalization of our staffing and infrastructure needs. A pro forma adjustment has not been made to the accompanying Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations to reflect the anticipated adjustment in the level of these expenses, as they are projected amounts based on estimates.
The pro forma adjustments are based on available information and assumptions our management believes are reasonable; however, such adjustments are subject to change as transaction-related agreements are finalized and the costs of operating as a standalone company are determined. In addition, such adjustments are estimates and may not prove to be accurate. The Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information is based on information and assumptions which are described in the accompanying notes.
The Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information should be read in conjunction with “Capitalization,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our Combined Financial Statements and accompanying notes and our Condensed Combined Financial Statements and accompanying notes included elsewhere in this information statement. The Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information constitutes forward-looking information and is subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” included elsewhere in this information statement.
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RXO
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet
As of June 30, 2022
(In millions, except per share data) | Historical | Transaction Accounting Adjustments | Autonomous Entity Adjustments | Pro Forma | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 212 | $ | (112) | (a) (b) | $ | — | $ | 100 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accounts receivable, net of allowances | 1,107 | — | — | 1,107 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other current assets | 32 | — | — | 32 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total current assets | 1,351 | (112) | — | 1,239 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 114 | — | — | 114 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating lease assets | 170 | — | 4 | (j) | 174 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill | 630 | — | — | 630 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Identifiable intangible assets, net | 90 | — | — | 90 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other long-term assets | 17 | — | — | 17 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total long-term assets | 1,021 | — | 4 | 1,025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total assets | $ | 2,372 | $ | (112) | $ | 4 | $ | 2,264 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 615 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 615 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accrued expenses | 291 | — | — | 291 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Short-term operating lease liabilities | 47 | — | 1 | (j) | 48 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other current liabilities | 4 | — | — | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total current liabilities | 957 | — | 1 | 958 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt | — | 442 | (b) | — | 442 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred tax liability | 51 | — | — | 51 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term operating lease liabilities | 127 | — | 3 | (j) | 130 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other long-term liabilities | 38 | — | — | 38 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total long-term liabilities | 216 | 442 | 3 | 661 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock, par value $0.01 | — | 1 | (d) | — | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | — | 646 | (i) | — | 646 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| XPO investment | 1,201 | (1,201) | (d) | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (2) | — | — | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total equity | 1,199 | (554) | — | 645 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total liabilities and equity | $ | 2,372 | $ | (112) | $ | 4 | $ | 2,264 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements.
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RXO
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2022
(In millions, except per share data) | Historical | Transaction Accounting Adjustments | Autonomous Entity Adjustments | Pro Forma | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue | $ | 2,538 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 2,538 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of transportation and services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) | 1,925 | — | — | 1,925 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Direct operating expense (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) | 111 | — | — | 111 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sales, general and administrative expense | 327 | — | 3 | (j) (k) | 330 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization expense | 42 | — | — | 42 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transaction and integration costs | 21 | — | — | 21 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring costs | 3 | — | — | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating income | 109 | — | (3) | 106 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other income | (1) | — | — | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | — | 18 | (e) | — | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income before income taxes | 110 | (18) | (3) | 89 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax provision | 27 | (5) | (c) | (1) | (c) | 21 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 83 | $ | (13) | $ | (2) | $ | 68 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings per share: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | 0.59 | (f) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted | $ | 0.59 | (g) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic | 115 | (f) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted | 116 | (g) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements.
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RXO
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2021
(In millions, except per share data) | Historical | Transaction Accounting Adjustments | Autonomous Entity Adjustments | Pro Forma | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue | $ | 2,164 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 2,164 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of transportation and services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) | 1,672 | — | — | 1,672 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Direct operating expense (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) | 95 | — | — | 95 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sales, general and administrative expense | 257 | — | 6 | (j) (k) (l) | 263 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization expense | 40 | — | — | 40 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transaction and integration costs | 1 | 4 | (h) | — | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating income | 99 | (4) | (6) | 89 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other expense | 1 | — | — | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | — | 18 | (e) | — | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income before income taxes | 98 | (22) | (6) | 70 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax provision | 23 | (5) | (c) | (1) | (c) | 17 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 75 | $ | (17) | $ | (5) | $ | 53 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings per share: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | 0.49 | (f) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted | $ | 0.47 | (g) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic | 109 | (f) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted | 113 | (g) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements.
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RXO
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 2021
(In millions, except per share data) | Historical | Transaction Accounting Adjustments | Autonomous Entity Adjustments | Pro Forma | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue | $ | 4,689 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 4,689 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of transportation and services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) | 3,681 | — | — | 3,681 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Direct operating expense (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) | 192 | — | — | 192 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sales, general and administrative expense | 539 | — | 8 | (j) (k) (l) | 547 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization expense | 81 | — | — | 81 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transaction and integration costs | 2 | 5 | (h) | — | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring costs | 2 | — | — | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating income | 192 | (5) | (8) | 179 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other expense | 1 | — | — | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | — | 37 | (e) | — | 37 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income before income taxes | 191 | (42) | (8) | 141 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax provision | 41 | (10) | (c) | (2) | (c) | 29 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 150 | $ | (32) | $ | (6) | $ | 112 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings per share: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | 1.00 | (f) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted | $ | 0.98 | (g) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic | 112 | (f) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted | 114 | (g) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements.
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Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements
Transaction Accounting Adjustments
(a)Reflects an adjustment to provide RXO with $100 million of pro forma cash at June 30, 2022. The cash amount presented reflects the distribution of approximately $554 million of cash to XPO. Cash adjustments are summarized as follows:
| (in millions) | ||||||||
Cash payment to XPO (a) | $ | (554) | ||||||
Proceeds from incurrence of debt, net of debt issuance costs (b) | 442 | |||||||
Total | (112) | |||||||
(b)Reflects the incurrence of $455 million of indebtedness, net of original issue discount and debt issuance costs of $13 million. The indebtedness is assumed to consist of $355 million in senior unsecured notes and a $100 million term loan, with a weighted average interest rate of 7.16%. A 0.125% change to the annual interest rate on variable rate indebtedness would have no material impact on pro forma interest expense or net income for the year ended December 31, 2021. The terms of such indebtedness are subject to change and will be finalized prior to the closing of the separation and distribution, and the pro forma adjustments may change accordingly. We also expect to enter into a revolving credit facility; however, the facility is not expected to be utilized at the closing of the separation and distribution.
(c)Reflects the income tax impact of the pro forma adjustments. For the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, the tax impact was calculated using a forecasted full-year effective tax rate of approximately 25.1% and 24.8%, respectively. For December 31, 2021, the tax impact was calculated using the jurisdictional tax rate associated with each adjustment. The final income tax impact may be materially different, as more detailed information will become available after the consummation of the spin-off and related transactions.
(d)Represents the reclassification of XPO’s net investment in RXO, including the additional net assets expected to be contributed by XPO and other pro forma adjustments, into Additional paid-in capital and Common stock, par value $0.01, to reflect the number of shares of RXO common stock expected to be outstanding at the distribution date.
(e)Reflects the adjustment to interest expense included in the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations of $18 million for each of the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2022, respectively, and $37 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, for the issuance of the senior unsecured notes and term loan.
(f)Reflects the number of shares of RXO common stock which are expected to be outstanding upon completion of the distribution. We have assumed the number of outstanding shares of common stock based on the number of XPO common shares outstanding at June 30, 2022 and an assumed pro-rata distribution ratio of one share of RXO common stock for each share of XPO common stock. The actual number of shares of RXO common stock outstanding upon completion of the distribution may be different from this estimated amount.
(g)Reflects the estimated number of shares of RXO common stock that are expected to be outstanding upon completion of the distribution and reflects the potential issuance of shares of our common stock under our equity plans, based on the distribution ratio of one share of RXO common stock for each share of XPO common stock. The actual number of shares of RXO common stock outstanding upon completion of the distribution may be different from this estimated amount.
(h)All transaction costs incurred in 2021 and the first six months of 2022 related to the separation and distribution are included in our historical combined financial statements. We expect to incur an additional $5 million to $10 million in transaction costs related to branding and other transitional costs, such as those to convert to a standalone public company, between June 30, 2022 and twelve months after the separation
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and distribution. We have included an adjustment of $5 million related to this estimate for the year ended December 31, 2021. Adjustments for the six months ended June 30, 2021 include estimates for additional charges we expect to incur between June 30, 2022 and six months after the separation and distribution. We have included an adjustment of $4 million related to this estimate for the six months ended June 30, 2021. An adjustment has not been made for the six months ended June 30, 2022 as a reasonable estimate of transaction costs we expect to incur in the first six months of the second year after the separation cannot be made at this time. Actual amounts may differ from these estimates.
(i)The additional paid-in capital adjustments are summarized below:
| (in millions) | ||||||||
Cash payment to XPO (a) | $ | (554) | ||||||
Net parent investment (d) | 1,201 | |||||||
Common stock issuance (d) | (1) | |||||||
Total | 646 | |||||||
Autonomous Entity Adjustments
(j)Reflects the impact of new lease agreements for RXO corporate offices. These adjustments recognize operating lease assets and liabilities of $4 million based on the estimated present value of the lease payments over the lease term. Additionally, adjustments were made to increase Sales, general and administrative expense by $1 million for each of the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2022 and for the year ended December 31, 2021 for the associated lease expense.
(k)Reflects the net impact of new compensation agreements for current executives of RXO. These adjustments relate primarily to increases in salary, bonus and stock-based compensation of $4 million, $2 million, and $6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, six months ended June 30, 2022, and the year ended December 31, 2021, respectively.
(l)Reflects the impact of the transition services agreement, which results in incremental corporate and administrative costs not included in RXO’s historical Combined Financial Statements. An adjustment of $1 million to increase Sales, general and administrative expense was recorded for each of the six months ended June 30, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2021.
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BUSINESS
This section discusses RXO’s business assuming the completion of all of the transactions described in this information statement, including the separation. All monetary amounts discussed in this section are in millions of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated.
Company Overview
RXO is a high-performing brokered transportation platform defined by cutting-edge technology and a nimble, asset-light business model, with the largest component being our core truck brokerage business. We are the fourth largest broker of full truckload freight transportation in the United States, with approximately 4% share of the entire $88 billion brokered truckload industry as of 2021. Over 80% of our operating income in 2021 was generated by truck brokerage; the remainder was comprised of our brokered services for managed transportation, last mile and freight forwarding. RXO is led by Drew Wilkerson, chief executive officer, and Jamie Harris, chief financial officer. These executives have deep experience in their respective fields, having previously served in senior roles with industry leaders.
Our truck brokerage business has a variable cost structure with robust free cash flow conversion and a long track record of generating a high return on invested capital. Shippers create demand for our service, and we place their freight with qualified independent carriers using our technology. We price our service on either a contract or a spot basis.
Notable factors driving growth and margin expansion in our business include our ability to access massive truckload capacity for shippers through our carrier relationships, our proprietary, cutting-edge technology, our strong management expertise and favorable industry tailwinds. As of June 30, 2022, we had approximately 98,000 carriers in our North American truck brokerage network, and access to over one and a half million trucks.
We provide our customers with highly efficient access to capacity through our RXO ConnectTM digital brokerage technology. This proprietary platform is a major differentiator for our truck brokerage business, and together with our pricing technology, we believe it can unlock incremental profitable growth well beyond our current levels. All of our services utilize our proprietary platform.
Drivers of Value Creation
We have identified five key drivers of value creation in our truck brokerage business:
•Critical Scale in an Expanding Industry with Low Penetration: We are the fourth largest broker of full truckload freight transportation in the United States, with a carrier pool that gives us access to vast truck capacity to serve high shipper demand for transportation. We are also well-established as a truckload broker of choice across diversified industry sectors, with a notable presence in the e-commerce and retail sectors. Despite our scale, we have just 4% of the brokered truckload industry revenue, which includes LTL and full truckload transportation provided direct to shippers and via managed transportation providers, and expect to benefit from both overall industry growth in demand for truckload transportation, and a long runway for increased broker penetration of for-hire trucking.
•Proprietary Technology: We believe we are strongly differentiated by our technology as a leading innovator of sophisticated brokerage solutions that enhance visibility, reliability, speed, accuracy and cost effectiveness, and by the fully automated transactional capabilities of our digital platform. As more and more shippers outsource their road freight needs to brokers, they increasingly prefer brokers that have the digital capabilities we offer.
•Long-Tenured, Blue-Chip Customer Relationships in Attractive Verticals: Our customer base includes numerous long-term relationships with market leaders and other world-class companies across a diversified array of customer verticals, with a significant presence in consumer-facing sectors. Our tiered sales organization tailors its approach to each prospective customer based on size and profitability potential.
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•Asset-Light Model Generates High Returns and Substantial Free Cash Flow: We utilize an asset-light business model that gives us agility and generates strong free cash flow.
•Experienced and Cohesive Leadership and Strong Company Values: Our business operations are led by highly experienced executives who are recognized as leading truck brokerage experts and technologists. These executives have worked together for many years, creating value through operational excellence, data science and a people-centric culture.
In summary, we believe we are well-positioned to capitalize on the significant growth drivers in our industry through our unique combination of scale, technology, expertise and business excellence.
| Pro Forma | Historical | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Six Months Ended June 30, | Year Ended December 31, | Six Months Ended June 30, | Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 2,538 | $ | 2,164 | $ | 4,689 | $ | 2,538 | $ | 2,164 | $ | 4,689 | $ | 3,357 | $ | 3,141 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | 106 | 89 | 179 | 109 | 99 | 192 | 60 | 82 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | 173 | $ | 133 | 268 | 176 | 138 | 277 | 157 | 168 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Critical Scale in an Expanding Industry with Low Penetration
Our truck brokerage business operates in a growing, $88 billion brokered truckload industry in the United States, within a total addressable for-hire trucking opportunity of approximately $400 billion in 2021. The brokered truckload industry size includes $8 billion from managed transportation services, which represents approximately one third of the total managed transportation industry in the United States. We expect that our industry will continue to grow faster than GDP, propelled by strong secular tailwinds, such as a trend toward outsourcing freight transportation, increased brokerage penetration of for-hire truckload transportation and adoption of digital brokerage technologies by shippers and carriers. In addition, given our size in our industry, we see a significant opportunity to increase our market share through ongoing shipper and carrier adoption of our proprietary RXO ConnectTM platform.
Our best-in-class truck brokerage business has a long track record of outperforming our industry and peers in key metrics. For the full year 2021, compared with 2020 and 2019, respectively: our revenue growth in truck brokerage was 63% and 100%, and our load growth was 29% and 40%, including 39% and 112% load growth from our top 20 customers. Additionally, we grew our 2021 margin dollars, which represent our revenue less the cost of transportation and services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization), by 49% and 86% compared with 2020 and 2019, respectively. From 2013 to 2021, our truck brokerage revenue CAGR was 27% — approximately three times
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the U.S. brokered truckload industry growth rate, and notably, over 90% of our revenue growth over this period was organic. Over the last three years, we increased our productivity, measured by loads per head per day, by 50%.
_________________
(1)U.S. brokered truckload industry size; reflects brokered component of ~$400 billion total addressable truckload opportunity
The growing complexity of supply chains, the advent of brokerage technology and the increase in risk aversion by supply chain operators have encouraged shippers to seek out large, third-party transportation partners with on-demand access to trucks and drivers, real-time pricing and continuous visibility into the movement of their goods. This has led to a sustained shift toward utilizing outsourced transportation brokers such as RXO that have a strong technology offering and provide data for better decision-making.
Broker penetration of for-hire truckload transportation has doubled in the last 15 years, and is still less than 25%. The penetration rate is expected to continue a steady climb, with industry forecasts predicting ongoing increases.
Proprietary Technology
Our first-mover advantage in brokerage technology dates back to the start of XPO in 2011, when we foresaw the technological potential in the brokerage model. RXO is capitalizing on that advantage.
A decade ago, truck brokerage was conducted largely by telephone through manual interactions between customers and brokers. This limited the industry’s ability to realize efficiencies and made it challenging for many brokers to maintain high levels of customer service as they grew in scale.
We established our competitive advantage with significant investments in proprietary brokerage technology that harnesses data science. We began matching shippers to carriers using the visibility provided by our Freight Optimizer system. We then developed our RXO ConnectTM digital brokerage platform architecture, which incorporates machine learning and fully automates the brokerage process, making transactions more efficient for all parties involved. Over the past 10 years, we have spent approximately $300 million on developing our technology.
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Today, digital brokerage platforms are changing the face of the truck brokerage industry and are expected to continue to grow in importance as shippers increasingly value the efficiencies of automation. Approximately 80% of RXO’s brokerage orders are currently created or covered digitally, and we expect the digital nature of our transactions to increase to 95% or higher over time.
Long-Tenured, Blue-Chip Customer Relationships in Attractive Verticals
We have a large opportunity to grow our share in key verticals with durable fundamentals, where we have strong partnerships with preeminent customers and extensive expertise. Our revenue is well-diversified across customers with different demand patterns and seasonality, including more than half of the Fortune 100 companies. In 2021, our revenue profile reflected a strong mix of both verticals and customers, with low concentration risk:
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(1)Before eliminations
(2)Other includes verticals such as agriculture, chemicals, home furnishings, building materials, business and professional services, healthcare and biotechnology, energy, oil and gas, aerospace and defense, and mining.
Our value proposition is a combination of massive carrier capacity, highly efficient technology, deep expertise and the agility to not only solve supply chain challenges, but also proactively improve results — these are benefits that resonate with truck brokerage customers of all sizes. The average relationship tenure of our top 10 customers company-wide, based on revenue, is approximately 16 years, and the average relationship tenures of our top 10 and top 20 truck brokerage customers, based on revenue, are approximately 14 years.
Our tiered sales organization tailors its approach to each prospective customer based on size and profitability potential and has dedicated teams targeting enterprise customers, national customers and emerging growth companies. Our sales organization draws upon vertical-specific experience and leverages internal resources, including the self-service capabilities of RXO Connect™, in order to meet each customer’s needs.
Asset-Light Model Generates High Returns and Substantial Free Cash Flow
RXO’s asset-light business model historically has generated a high return on invested capital across cycles and robust free cash flow. We do not own the great majority of trucks and other assets used to perform our services, and, for the year ended December 31, 2021, only 13% of our costs were fixed. This limits our capital requirements and gives our business substantial flexibility, compared with asset-based transportation providers.
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Our largest capital expenditure is technology, which allows us to continually enhance our financial and operational agility. Labor is a significant cost; however, a large part of our labor cost is related to sales commissions. This variable cost structure automatically decreases costs at times of lower demand and increases revenue and margin faster than costs as demand returns. The resilience inherent in our business model reduces risk in all macroeconomic environments.
For example, when the market is poised to tighten, our business model gives us the ability to review rates with our top customers, hire employees to increase capacity, onboard more carriers and backstop rates. When the market is poised to loosen, we are able to look for opportunities to reduce carrier costs to expand margins, slow hiring, lean into contractual business and offer dedicated solutions to ensure reliable capacity for key customers. The resilience inherent in our business model reduces risk and facilitates succeeding in all macroeconomic environments.
Experienced and Cohesive Leadership and Strong Company Values
RXO is led by Drew Wilkerson, chief executive officer, and Jamie Harris, chief financial officer. These executives have deep experience in their respective fields, having previously served in senior roles with XPO and other industry leaders.
Mr. Wilkerson is a transportation industry veteran with 16 years of experience in brokerage operations. He joined XPO in May 2012 to spearhead the growth of the company’s flagship truck brokerage hub in Charlotte, North Carolina. In May 2014, he was promoted to regional vice president, with responsibility for major brokerage operations, and served as the key liaison for strategic accounts. In March 2017, he was named president of XPO’s North American brokerage business; and in February 2020, he was named president of XPO’s North American transportation division, with P&L responsibility for truck brokerage, expedite, intermodal, drayage, managed transportation, last mile and freight forwarding. He has served in this role until the separation. Prior to XPO, Mr. Wilkerson held leadership positions in sales, operations, and customer and carrier relationship management with C.H. Robinson Worldwide.
Mr. Harris is a career CFO with 35 years of experience in B2B sectors, including two decades with public companies. He has served as chief financial officer of XPO’s North American transportation division from September 2022 until the separation. Prior to XPO, he was CFO and treasurer of SPX Technologies and earlier held positions as CFO and then interim CEO of Elevate Textiles, Inc. Previously, Mr. Harris held various executive roles with Coca-Cola Consolidated, the largest independent Coca-Cola franchisee in the United States, including eight years as CFO and two years as executive vice president, business transformation.
Our leadership team also provides executive support for our culture, which is defined by our environmental, social and governance framework, and by our values: safe, entrepreneurial, respectful, innovative and inclusive. We strive to move goods most efficiently through supply chains in a way that maximizes value for all our stakeholders. For example, our technology platform is designed to help us operate with minimal waste and reduce the carbon footprint of shipper supply chains, while also reducing “empty miles” for the carriers that provide the transportation. In April 2022, we enhanced the environmental sustainability of our truck brokerage offering with the launch of our Ship Net-Zero program, which gives shippers a way to negate the carbon footprint of their freight by purchasing carbon offsets for the sustainability projects of their choice.
Relationship-Based Operating Structure
Our truck brokerage business operates as an intermediary between shippers and carriers (truck and fleet owners), connecting truckload supply and demand. Our value proposition is based on our ability to access truck capacity on a massive scale; give shippers and carriers the benefits of our proprietary digital freight marketplace; and solve transportation challenges for our customers by utilizing the bench strength of our business — namely, the expertise of our brokerage leaders, technologists and employees.
Our asset-light business model relies on our business relationships with independent motor carriers for the transportation of our customers’ freight. We typically sign a non-exclusive, one-year, renewable agreement with carriers; this agreement establishes the carrier’s role as an independent contractor and provides that the carrier is solely responsible for aspects of their service, such as insurance, equipment maintenance and inspection and claims
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for freight loss or damage. In 2021, more than 90% of our truck brokerage revenue was generated from independent contractor services provided to truck brokerage customers, with the balance provided to customers of other RXO businesses through co-brokerage agreements.
We conduct our truck brokerage operations by striving to best utilize our resources of people, technology and data:
•Our sales representatives communicate with customers about truckload freight that needs to be shipped, and we locate trucks with available capacity using our RXO ConnectTM technology platform. We have proprietary algorithms that use machine learning to price these transactions, taking into account current market conditions, historical data and future indicators.
•Our technology interfaces give customers the ability to post their freight loads and tap into truck capacity on our platform. They can buy capacity online or through system integrations, leverage data for decision-making and see the real-time status of freight in transit. On the supply side, truck drivers and fleet owners use our carrier interfaces to find loads and better utilize their assets. Carriers can bid and book loads online and through our platform’s mobile app.
Our brokerage platform synergizes these operating strengths within a single digital freight marketplace. Approximately 80% of our truck brokerage transactions have a digital profile — and, as that percentage continues to grow, we are able to process more volume per head over time.
Our Strategy
Our strategy is designed to deliver value through our resources, including extensive carrier relationships, automated shipper-carrier interactions, end-to-end digital tracking and data analyses generated by our proprietary algorithms. Our services are both highly responsive to customer needs and proactive in identifying potential improvements. Furthermore, we have instilled a culture that defines success as mutually beneficial results for our stockholders and other stakeholders.
Management’s growth and optimization strategy is to:
•Market our brokerage capabilities and value-added services to new and existing customers of all sizes, using a partnership approach that creates enduring relationships;
•Leverage our positioning to increasingly capitalize on secular trends in demand, such as the increasing broker penetration of the for-hire truckload industry and the growing shipper preference for digital brokerage services;
•Continue to recruit and retain talented customer and carrier sales representatives, and continuously improve their productivity with our state-of-the-art technology;
•Continue to attract high-caliber independent carriers to provide third-party transportation services for our customers; and
•Capitalize on our first-mover technology advantage to continue to gain share of the truck brokerage industry by optimizing brokerage processes and pricing for customers and carriers, and by enhancing the productivity of our operations.
Technology and Intellectual Property
We benefit from two interrelated industry trends — more shippers are relying on brokers for freight transportation, rather than deal directly with carriers, and at the same time, more shippers want brokers with digital capabilities that leverage data for the best outcomes. RXO benefits from first-mover advantage in brokerage technology, and we continue to innovate to stay at the forefront of the technological evolution of our industry.
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Overview of Our Digital Brokerage Platform
Our self-learning RXO ConnectTM digital brokerage platform (known as XPO Connect® prior to the completion of the separation and distribution) gives us a scalable framework to continually enhance our service, capture share and reduce costs. This fully automated, cloud-based platform encompasses Freight Optimizer, as well as our mobile app, API integrations, self-service dashboards and real-time functionality for transacting and tracking freight shipments.
The technology gives shippers access to our growing transportation network and our valuable market data, and it gives independent truck drivers the ability to secure loads through our mobile app. As of June 30, 2022, we had nearly 800,000 cumulative truck driver downloads of the app.
Importantly, our digital brokerage platform creates ongoing value for RXO in four key areas:
•Increases share and revenue generation by providing real-time visibility into available supply and demand for current and future time periods, leading to optimal transportation management;
•Ensures competitive rates by engaging customers and carriers through user-friendly interfaces underpinned by cutting-edge pricing technology;
•Optimizes for value and margin with dynamic pricing algorithms that use machine learning, and generates superior, real-time market intelligence harvested from load-matching data; and
•Improves productivity by facilitating transactions through cost-efficient automated processes and messaging, increasing the productivity of RXO’s customer and carrier representatives, and enabling our business to manage more volume without a commensurate increase in expense.
Other Brokered Transportation Services
In addition to our core truck brokerage business, we also offer asset-light services for managed transportation, last mile for heavy goods and freight forwarding. We believe this comprehensive suite of brokered transportation solutions, provided through a single source, is a differentiator for RXO and capitalizes on synergy opportunities between the services in the form of cross-selling and shared technology. In 2021, over 60% of our revenue was related to customers that did business with more than one of our services.We estimate that the total addressable industry opportunity for the range of services we offer was over $750 billion in 2021. This includes the $400 billion U.S. for-hire truckload industry.
Managed Transportation
Our managed transportation service provides asset-light solutions for shippers who outsource their freight transportation to gain reliability, visibility and cost savings. This service uses proprietary technology to enhance revenue synergies with truck brokerage, last mile and freight forwarding. We are the sixth largest provider of managed transportation services in the United States and have grown our freight under management by more than 80% since 2019. In 2021, we had approximately 3% revenue share of the U.S. managed transportation industry, and, for the twelve months ended June 30, 2022, approximately $3.9 billion of freight under management. We estimate that the total addressable market for the managed transportation services we offer was $23 billion in 2021. Based on historical trends, industry data and our own internal analyses, we estimate that this market will have a growth rate of 10% from 2021 to 2026. This estimate does not reflect expectations regarding the growth of our business.
Our managed transportation offering includes bespoke load planning and procurement, complex solutions tailored to specific challenges, performance monitoring, engineering and data analytics, among other services. Our control tower solution leverages the expertise of a dedicated team focused on continuous improvement, and digital, door-to-door visibility into order status and freight in transit. In 2021, we managed more than 2.8 million shipments using control tower technology. In addition, we offer technology-enabled managed expedite services that automate transportation procurement for time-critical freight moved by independent road and air charter carriers.
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Last Mile
Our last mile offering is an asset-light service that facilitates the delivery of heavy goods to consumers, performed by highly qualified third-party contractors; this gives us daily access to approximately 6,700 independent contractor drivers. We are the largest provider of outsourced last mile service for heavy goods in the United States, with approximately 7% market share and a network that is positioned within 125 miles of the vast majority of the U.S. population. In 2021, we facilitated over 11 million last mile deliveries and installations for omnichannel and e-commerce retailers and direct-to-consumer manufacturers. We estimate that the total addressable market for the last mile services we offer was $16 billion in 2021. Based on historical trends, industry data and our own internal analyses, we estimate that this market will have a growth rate of 10% from 2021 to 2024. This estimate does not reflect expectations regarding the growth of our business.
We operate our last mile business using a proprietary technology platform we developed specifically for the last mile consumer experience, integrated with RXO Connect™. This enables real-time tracking and on-demand delivery updates and rescheduling, customized notifications and signature-less release upon delivery. Approximately 50% of our eligible last mile orders are now self-scheduled by the consumer via the web or automated calls, and all data regarding a shipment’s progress is visible in one place. Our automation capabilities are a major lever in driving superior customer satisfaction and a 30% reduction in calls per delivery since 2018.
Freight Forwarding
Our freight forwarding service is a scalable, asset-light offering managed with advanced technology that facilitates ocean, road and air transportation and assists with customs brokerage. We are a U.S.-based freight forwarder with a global network of company-owned and partner-owned locations and coverage of key trade lanes that reach approximately 160 countries and territories through more than 2,500 domestic and 400 international carriers. Based on historical trends, industry data and our own internal analyses, we estimate that the market growth rate for the total addressable market for the freight forwarding services will be 3% from 2021 to 2026. This estimate does not reflect expectations regarding the growth of our business.
Our freight forwarding service provides valuable support to other RXO operations by providing centralized procurement for domestic and cross-border capacity management. We leverage economies of scale, carrier relationships and local market expertise at thousands of destinations to connect key production and consumption centers hundreds or thousands of miles apart. Our freight forwarding business model is nimble and resilient to changes in demand; we can readily increase capacity to manage volume, while retaining inherent flexibility in capital expenditures.
Customers and End-Markets
RXO provides services to approximately 10,000 customers ranging in size from small businesses to Fortune 100 companies and sector leaders. The diversification of our customer base minimizes concentration risk: in 2021, our top 20 customers in total and our top five customers in total accounted for approximately 35% and 19% of our revenue, respectively, with our largest customer accounting for approximately 8% of revenue.
Our customer end-markets are also highly diversified; we derive our revenue from a robust mix of verticals for retail and e-commerce, automotive, food and beverage, industrial and manufacturing, agriculture and chemicals, logistics and transportation and consumer goods.
Competition
RXO operates in a highly fragmented industry with thousands of companies competing to provide brokered transportation services for customer freight. We compete on quality of service, depth of capacity, technological capabilities, reliability, expertise and price.
Our competitors include local, regional, national and international companies operating in North America that offer the same services we provide; some have larger customer bases, significantly more resources and more experience than we have. Some of our competitors include C.H. Robinson, Convoy, Coyote, Echo, Expeditors,
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Forward Air, Flexport, J.B. Hunt, Landstar System, Total Quality Logistics, Transfix and Uber Freight. Due to the competitive nature of our industry, we strive to strengthen existing business relationships and forge new relationships.
The health of the freight transportation industry overall will continue to be a function of economic growth, as well as secular trends that stem from shipper and consumer behaviors independent of economic conditions. We believe that RXO is strongly positioned to benefit from these trends, including consumer demand for e-commerce, shipper demand for strong outsourcing partners and the growing adoption of digital capabilities by industry customers and carriers.
Properties
As of June 30, 2022, we operated 196 locations, primarily in North America.
| Location | Leased Facilities | Owned Facilities | Customer Facilities(1) | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| North America | 168 | 2 | 13 | 183 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asia | 9 | — | — | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate | 4 | — | — | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | 181 | 2 | 13 | 196 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(1)Locations owned or leased by customers.
We lease our current executive office located in Charlotte, North Carolina. We believe that our facilities are sufficient for our current needs.
Regulation
Our operations are regulated and licensed by various governmental agencies in the United States and in other countries where we conduct business. These regulations impact us directly in the various subsidiary operating companies’ respective capacity as transportation service providers and, to some extent, also indirectly when they regulate third-party providers we arrange and/or contract with to transport freight for our customers.
Regulations Affecting Motor Carriers. In the United States, our subsidiaries that operate as motor carriers are licensed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (“FMCSA”) of the U.S. Department of Transportation (“DOT”). Our motor carrier subsidiaries must comply with the safety and fitness regulations of the DOT, including those related to, without limitation, controlled substances and alcohol, hours-of service compliance, vehicle maintenance, hazardous materials compliance, driver fitness, unsafe driving, and minimum insurance requirements. These carriers are subject to the FMCSA’s Compliance Safety Accountability (“CSA”) program, which uses a Safety Measurement System (“SMS”) to rank motor carriers on seven categories of safety-related data, known as Behavioral Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories (“BASICs”). Other federal agencies, such as the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”), and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”), also regulate aspects of our operations.
In addition, our motor carriers that engage independent contractor owner-operators to provide transportation and delivery services are subject to the Federal Leasing Regulations, which are applicable to written agreements between the carriers and those owner-operators. Also, separate from regulatory requirements, the use of independent contractors within the transportation industry continues to face legal changes from regulatory agencies and private litigants. This risk is addressed in greater detail below.
Our motor carriers are also subject to various state regulations, including state operating authority requirements where intrastate motor carriage is regulated, emission-compliance standards such as those promulgated by the California Air Resources Board, and vehicle registration and licensing requirements in certain states and local jurisdictions where we operate. In addition, motor carriers that move freight to and from ports are subject to various registration requirements. In foreign jurisdictions where we operate, our operations are regulated by the appropriate governmental authorities. We may become subject to new or more restrictive regulations relating to emissions,
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drivers’ hours-of-service, independent contractor eligibility requirements, onboard reporting of operations, air cargo security and other matters affecting safety or operating methods.
Regulations, Private Causes of Action Affecting Ground Property Brokers and Freight Forwarders. In the United States, our subsidiaries that operate as ground property brokers and freight forwarders (collectively, “brokers”) are licensed by the FMCSA. Our brokers must comply with certain federal bonding requirements. In a limited number of states that regulate intrastate property brokerage and/or freight forwarding, our brokers are subject to licensing requirements.
Separate from regulatory requirements, private litigants are more regularly adding brokers as defendants in lawsuits arising from highway accidents, including on the grounds that brokers were negligent in selecting unsafe carriers to which they tender freight. “Negligent selection,” as the cause of action has come to be known, is an allegation, under state law, that the broker failed to act reasonably in deciding whether to hire a carrier. Because the cause of action is based on state law, and because what constitutes “negligence” is a question of fact that is decided by the jury, caselaw has not developed hard and fast rules regarding what constitutes lack of reasonable care in a carrier selection decision.
Regulations Affecting Warehouse Operators. Our subsidiaries in the United States that operate warehouses are subject to various state permitting and licensing requirements relating to either general warehousing operations or the freight maintained at the warehouse.
Regulations Affecting Our Subsidiaries Providing Ocean and Air Transportation. One of our subsidiaries is licensed as a U.S. Customs broker by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (the “CBP”) of the DHS in each U.S. district where it performs services. All U.S. Customs brokers are required to maintain prescribed records and are subject to periodic audits by the CBP. In non-U.S. jurisdictions where we perform customs brokerage services, our operations are licensed, where necessary, by the appropriate governmental authorities.
Our subsidiaries that offer air freight and expedited air charter transportation services are subject to regulation by the Transportation Security Administration (“TSA”) of the DHS governing air cargo security for all loads, regardless of origin or destination. Some of our subsidiaries are regulated as “indirect air carriers” by the TSA. The CBP, TSA and relevant non-U.S. governmental agencies provide requirements and guidance and, in some cases, administer licensing requirements and processes applicable to the air freight forwarding industry.
To facilitate our international operations, RXO is a member of the Cargo Network Services Corp., which is a representative of International Air Transportation Association (“IATA”), a voluntary association of airlines and air freight forwarders that outlines operating procedures for forwarders acting as agents or third-party intermediaries for IATA members. A substantial portion of our international air freight business is transacted with other IATA members.
Additionally, some of our subsidiaries are licensed as an Ocean Transportation Intermediary (“OTI”), since they operate as a non-vessel-operating common carrier (“NVOCC”), and/or as an Ocean Freight Forwarder (“OFF”) licensed by the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (“FMC”), which establishes the qualifications, regulations, licensing and bonding requirements for arranging international transportation to or from the United States as an OTI.
Other Regulations. We are subject to a variety of other U.S. and foreign laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other anti-bribery and anti-corruption statutes, and export sanction laws. We are also subject to state and U.S. federal laws and regulations addressing some types of cargo transported or stored by our subsidiaries, or transported pursuant to a government contract or subcontract.
Classification of Independent Contractors. U.S. tax and other federal and state regulatory authorities, as well as private litigants, continue to assert that independent contractors in the trucking industry are employees rather than independent contractors, while applying a variety of standards in their determinations of independent contractor status. Federal legislators have introduced legislation in the past to make it easier for tax and other authorities to reclassify independent contractors as employees, including legislation to increase the recordkeeping requirements and heighten the penalties for companies that misclassify workers and are found to have violated overtime or wage requirements. Additionally, federal legislators have sought to abolish the current safe harbor, which allows taxpayers
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that meet certain criteria to treat individuals as independent contractors if they are following a longstanding, recognized practice. Federal legislators also sought to expand the Fair Labor Standards Act to cover “non-employees” who perform labor or services for businesses, even if said non-employees are properly classified as independent contractors; require taxpayers to provide written notice to workers based upon their classification as either an employee or a non-employee; and impose penalties and fines for violations of the notice requirement or for misclassifications. Some states have launched initiatives to increase tax revenues from items such as unemployment, workers’ compensation and income taxes, and the reclassification of independent contractors as employees could help states increase these revenues. In addition to these possible legislative changes, the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”) and NLRB’s general counsel have signaled the desire to reverse several pro-employer precedents, to make it more difficult for a worker to be classified as an independent contractor by changing the factors used in determining worker classification. The NLRB has also entered into a Memorandum Of Understanding with the U.S. Department of Labor regarding the exchange of information and cooperation in enforcement activities regarding the misclassification of employees as independent contractors. If the independent contractor drivers that provide services to RXO are determined to be our employees, we could incur additional exposure under some or all of the following: federal and state employer taxes, workers’ compensation, unemployment benefits, and labor, employment and tort laws, including for prior periods, as well as potential liability for employee benefits and tax withholdings.
Environmental Regulations. Our operations and the independent contractors with which we contract are subject to various environmental laws and regulations in the jurisdictions where we operate. In the United States, these laws and regulations deal with the hauling, handling and disposal of hazardous materials, emissions from vehicles, engine-idling, fuel tanks and related fuel spillage and seepage, discharge and retention of storm water, and other environmental matters that involve inherent environmental risks. We may be responsible for the cleanup of any spill or other incident involving hazardous materials caused by our business. In the past, we have been responsible for the cost to clean up diesel fuel spills caused by traffic accidents or other events, and none of these incidents materially affected our business or operations. We generally transport only hazardous materials rated as low-to-medium-risk, and only a small percentage of our total loads contain hazardous materials.
We believe that our operations are in substantial compliance with current laws and regulations, and we do not know of any existing environmental condition that reasonably would be expected to have a material adverse effect on our business or operating results.
Seasonality
Our volumes are typically higher in the fourth quarter due to peak season demand for our services from our customers in consumer sectors.
Human Capital Management
At RXO, every action we take is based on our values – we are safe, entrepreneurial, respectful, innovative and inclusive. Our values shape our approach to human capital management and ensure we provide an excellent work environment for our employees. Our success relies heavily on our strong governance structure, Code of Business Ethics, good corporate citizenship and commitment to employee engagement.
As a customer-centric company with a strong service culture, we continually strive to be an employer of choice. This requires an unwavering commitment to workplace inclusion and safety, professional growth opportunities and competitive total compensation that meets the needs of our employees and their families.
Employee Base Profile
As of June 30, 2022, we operated with approximately 7,400 team members (comprised of approximately 5,600 full-time and part-time employees and 1,800 temporary workers), and of the employees, 49% were in hourly roles and 51% were in salaried positions. None of our employees were covered by collective bargaining agreements. By gender, approximately 41% of our employees are female.
We have made significant investments in the safety, well-being and satisfaction of our employees in the following areas, among others:
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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
We take pride in having an inclusive workplace that encourages a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives and mandates fair treatment for all individuals — these attributes of our culture make us a stronger organization and a better partner to all RXO stakeholders. We welcome employees of every gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, life experience, veteran status and disability.
Health and Safety
The physical and emotional safety of our employees is our top priority, and we have numerous protocols in place to ensure a safe work environment. We aim to maintain an Occupational Safety and Health Administration total recordable incident rate (“TRIR”) that is less than half the published rate for the Truck Transportation industry based on the “Industry Injury and Illness Data” from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In 2021, our North American Transport business unit exceeded our target expectation with a TRIR 2.63 points lower than the BLS national benchmark.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have continued to prioritize employee physical and mental health and have aimed to balance protecting employee health while creating a comfortable work environment. We remain diligent in upholding RXO’s COVID-19 safety protocols, including daily health attestations and access to mental health counseling services for employees and their dependents. We continue to offer pandemic paid sick leave to provide employees up to an additional two weeks of fully-paid sick leave.
Talent Development and Engagement
Our employees are critically important to our ability to provide best-in-class service. We ask our employees for feedback through engagement surveys, roundtables and town halls, and we use periodic engagement surveys to gauge our progress, assess satisfaction and ask for constructive suggestions. In this way, our employees help drive the continuous improvement of our business. We seek to identify top talent in all aspects of the recruitment process, and we emphasize training and development.
We tailor our recruitment efforts by geography and job function using an array of channels to ensure a diverse candidate pool. Our talent development infrastructure provides resources to employees throughout their career path, such as tailored skills development, training and mentoring for employees who aspire to grow into higher-paying positions with more responsibility. In addition, we maintain a robust pipeline of future operations leaders by using structured sponsorships and incidental learning techniques to develop internal candidates who demonstrate high potential in supervisory roles into positions as site leaders. The programs also help retain top talent by defining personalized development paths, and they attract new talent by differentiating RXO from its competitors.
Expansive Total Rewards
We appreciate that our employees choose to work for RXO from among many options inside and outside our industry. We offer a total compensation package that is both competitive and progressive to attract and retain outstanding talent. We offer competitive wages and a comprehensive suite of health and welfare benefit programs to support employees and their families.
Legal Proceedings
In the ordinary course of conducting our business activities, we and our subsidiaries become involved in judicial, administrative and regulatory proceedings involving both private parties and governmental authorities. These proceedings include insured and uninsured matters that are brought on an individual, collective, representative and class action basis, and other proceedings involving personal injury claims arising from the transportation and handling of goods, contractual disputes, employment-related claims, including alleged violations of wage and hour laws, and general and commercial liability matters.
Based on facts currently available, we do not expect any of these proceedings to have a material effect, individually or in the aggregate, on our reputation, business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows;
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however, we can give no assurance that the results of any such proceedings will not materially affect our reputation, business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
You should read the following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) in conjunction with the unaudited Condensed Combined Financial Statements and the audited Combined Financial Statements and accompanying notes included elsewhere in this information statement. This MD&A contains forward-looking statements. The matters discussed in these forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied in the forward-looking statements. Please see “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements.
Business Overview
RXO is a high-performing brokered transportation platform defined by cutting-edge technology and a nimble, asset-light business model, with the largest component being our core truck brokerage business. We are the fourth largest broker of full truckload freight transportation in the United States, and have approximately 4% share of the entire $88 billion brokered truckload industry. In 2021, over 80% of our operating income was generated by truck brokerage; the remainder was comprised of our brokered services for managed transportation, last mile and freight forwarding.
Our truck brokerage business has a variable cost structure with robust free cash flow conversion and a long track record of generating a high return on invested capital. Shippers create demand for our service, and we place their freight with qualified independent carriers using our technology. We price our service on either a contract or a spot basis.
Notable factors driving growth and margin expansion in our business include our ability to access massive truckload capacity for shippers through our carrier relationships, our proprietary, cutting-edge technology, our strong management expertise and favorable industry tailwinds. As of June 30, 2022, we had approximately 98,000 carriers in our North American truck brokerage network, and access to approximately one and a half million trucks.
We provide our customers with highly efficient access to capacity through our digital brokerage technology. This proprietary platform is a major differentiator for our truck brokerage business, and together with our pricing technology, we believe it can unlock incremental profitable growth well beyond our current levels. Our other brokered transportation services for managed transportation, last mile and freight forwarding also utilize our digital brokerage technology — these services are described below.
Our managed transportation service provides asset-light solutions for shippers who outsource their freight transportation to gain reliability, visibility and cost savings. The service uses proprietary technology to enhance our revenue synergy, with cross-selling to truck brokerage, last mile and freight forwarding.
Our last mile offering is an asset-light service that facilitates consumer deliveries performed by highly qualified third-party contractors. We are the largest provider of outsourced last mile for heavy goods in the United States, positioned within 125 miles of the vast majority of the U.S. population and serving a customer base of omnichannel and e-commerce retailers and direct-to-consumer manufacturers.
Our freight forwarding service is a scalable, asset-light offering managed with advanced technology that facilitates ocean, road and air transportation and assists with customs brokerage. We are a global freight forwarder with a network of company-owned and partner-owned locations and coverage of key trade lanes that reach approximately 160 countries and territories.
Impacts of COVID-19 and Other Notable External Conditions
As a leading provider of freight transportation services, our business can be impacted to varying degrees by factors beyond our control. The COVID-19 pandemic that emerged in 2020 affected, and may continue to affect, economic activity broadly and customer sectors served by our industry. Labor shortages, particularly a shortage of
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truck drivers, and equipment shortages continue to present challenges to many transportation-related industries. Additionally, disruptions in supply chains for industrial materials and supplies, such as semiconductor chips, have impacted some of the end-market activities that create demand for our services. We cannot predict how long these dynamics will last in the economic recovery, or whether future challenges, if any, will adversely affect our results of operations. To date, the totality of the actions we have taken during the pandemic, and continue to take in the recovery, have mitigated the impact on our profitability relative to the impact on our revenue and volumes, while our historically strong liquidity and disciplined capital management enable us to continue to invest in growth initiatives.
Additionally, economic inflation can have a negative impact on our operating costs. A prolonged period of inflation could cause interest rates, fuel, wages and other costs to continue to increase, which would adversely affect our results of operations unless our pricing to our customers correspondingly increases. During 2021 and the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, the transportation industry’s truck driver shortage, together with rising fuel prices, resulted in higher transportation procurement costs to meet growing demand, which costs were largely offset by mechanisms in our customer contracts, including fuel surcharge clauses and general rate increases. An economic recession could depress activity levels and adversely affect our results of operations.
Regarding the war between Russia and Ukraine, we have no direct exposure to those geographies. We cannot predict how global supply chain activities or the economy at large may be impacted by a prolonged war in Ukraine or sanctions imposed in response to the war, or whether future conflicts, if any, may adversely affect our results of operations.
Basis of Presentation
The Combined Financial Statements of the Company were prepared on a standalone basis and have been derived from the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of XPO. Historically, separate financial statements have not been prepared for the Company, and it has not operated as a standalone business separate from XPO. The Combined Financial Statements include certain assets and liabilities that have historically been held by XPO or by other XPO subsidiaries but a