ArcBest Corp (ARCB)

Return on total capital

		Dec 31, 2024	Sep 30, 2024	Jun 30, 2024	Mar 31, 2024	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
Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) (ttm)	US$ in thousands	244,434	270,526	180,624	173,895	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
Long-term debt	US$ in thousands	125,156	118,312	144,972	148,992	161,990	176,296	168,105	—	198,371	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Total stockholders’ equity	US$ in thousands	1,314,360	1,307,100	1,231,540	1,222,730	1,242,360	1,220,730	1,211,360	1,205,860	1,151,400	1,126,290	1,063,210	983,172	929,067	961,043	898,134	851,909	828,593	802,639	775,091	759,206
Return on total capital		16.98%	18.98%	13.12%	12.68%	12.29%	11.69%	16.93%	27.16%	29.58%	38.29%	37.95%	34.76%	30.24%	23.34%	19.65%	14.40%	11.86%	7.08%	6.22%	8.30%

December 31, 2024 calculation

Return on total capital = EBIT (ttm) ÷ (Long-term debt + Total stockholders’ equity)
= $244,434K ÷ ($125,156K + $1,314,360K)
= 16.98%

ArcBest Corp's return on total capital has shown fluctuations over the period from March 31, 2020, to December 31, 2024. The trend indicates an initial increase in returns, with a significant rise from March 2021 onwards, reaching a peak of 38.29% by September 30, 2022. However, from that point onwards, the return on total capital experienced a decline, dropping to 12.68% by March 31, 2024. Subsequently, there was some recovery as the return slightly improved to 16.98% by December 31, 2024.

Overall, the return on total capital for ArcBest Corp demonstrates some volatility, with periods of both growth and decline. Investors and stakeholders may need to closely monitor future financial performance to assess the company's ability to generate returns on its total capital effectively.