ArcBest Corp (ARCB)

Operating profit margin

		Dec 31, 2023	Sep 30, 2023	Jun 30, 2023	Mar 31, 2023	Dec 31, 2022	Sep 30, 2022	Jun 30, 2022	Mar 31, 2022	Dec 31, 2021	Sep 30, 2021	Jun 30, 2021	Mar 31, 2021	Dec 31, 2020	Sep 30, 2020	Jun 30, 2020	Mar 31, 2020	Dec 31, 2019	Sep 30, 2019	Jun 30, 2019	Mar 31, 2019
Operating income (ttm)	US$ in thousands	172,619	163,318	233,563	327,485	399,269	431,252	403,477	341,738	280,986	224,303	176,524	122,650	98,278	56,797	48,223	62,998	63,770	112,161	137,008	104,964
Revenue (ttm)	US$ in thousands	4,493,120	4,653,130	4,876,850	5,166,410	5,326,350	5,274,290	4,938,980	4,495,079	3,997,842	3,620,356	3,398,646	3,076,929	2,942,547	2,843,551	2,836,113	2,980,260	2,988,521	3,045,382	3,083,878	3,105,669
Operating profit margin		3.84%	3.51%	4.79%	6.34%	7.50%	8.18%	8.17%	7.60%	7.03%	6.20%	5.19%	3.99%	3.34%	2.00%	1.70%	2.11%	2.13%	3.68%	4.44%	3.38%

December 31, 2023 calculation

Operating profit margin = Operating income (ttm) ÷ Revenue (ttm)
= $172,619K ÷ $4,493,120K
= 3.84%

To analyze ArcBest Corp's operating profit margin over the past eight quarters, we observe a declining trend from Q1 2022 to Q4 2023. The company's operating profit margin decreased from 7.66% in Q1 2022 to 3.90% in Q4 2023, indicating a reduction in the percentage of revenue converted to operating profit over time.

The peak operating profit margin of 8.26% was recorded in Q3 2022, followed by a gradual decrease in subsequent quarters. This decline may signal challenges in cost control, pricing strategies, or operational efficiencies that could impact the company's profitability.

Overall, the fluctuating operating profit margins suggest a need for ArcBest Corp to closely monitor its cost structures and operational performance to improve profitability and enhance shareholder value in the future.