Old Dominion Freight Line Second-Quarter Earnings Increase to $0.64 Per Diluted Share

THOMASVILLE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (NASDAQ: ODFL) today announced financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2008. Revenue increased 16.2% to $417.8 million for the quarter from $359.6 million for the second quarter of 2007. Net income increased 6.0% to $23.9 million for the second quarter of 2008 from $22.5 million for the prior-year quarter. Earnings per diluted share for the second quarter of 2008 were $0.64, an increase of 6.7% from $0.60 for the second quarter of 2007. The results for the second quarter of 2007 included the final resolution of a customer pricing issue from periods prior to 2007, which resulted in the recognition of $2.0 million in revenue, or $0.03 per diluted share after tax. Old Dominion's operating ratio for the second quarter of 2008 was 89.7% compared with 88.7% for the second quarter of 2007.

Revenue for the first six months of 2008 increased 15.7% to $786.0 million from $679.6 million for the comparable period in 2007. Net income declined to $34.3 million, or $0.92 per diluted share, for the first half of 2008 from $36.1 million, or $0.97 per diluted share, for the first six months of 2007. The Company's operating ratio was 91.9% for the latest six-month period compared with 90.3% for the first six months last year.

Earl Congdon, Executive Chairman of Old Dominion, remarked, "Old Dominion continued to perform well in the second quarter of 2008 relative to a period in which rising fuel prices and an uncertain economic environment created challenging industry conditions. Our revenue growth for the quarter primarily resulted from a 10.2% increase in tonnage, which slightly exceeded our expectations at the beginning of the quarter. The tonnage growth was a result of a 7.1% increase in weight per shipment and a 2.8% increase in the number of shipments. Revenue per hundredweight increased 5.4% as compared to the second quarter of 2007 due mostly to the impact of higher fuel prices on our fuel surcharges. Our revenue per hundredweight, however, was negatively affected by both the increase in weight per shipment and a 3.1% decline in length of haul. The impact of these two changes makes the comparison of our pricing metrics difficult; however, we believe that the overall pricing environment has somewhat stabilized but remains challenging.

"We also benefited from operational efficiencies in the second quarter, as productivity improvements were realized in our linehaul, pickup and delivery, and dock operations. In addition, insurance and claims decreased as a percentage of revenue for the fifth consecutive comparable-quarter period, with our cargo claims ratio again falling to the best level in our Company's history. Similar to our first-quarter experience, however, these and other margin improvements resulting from improved freight density were not sufficient to overcome the impact of a difficult pricing environment that did not allow us to fully recover the significant rise in operating expenses.

"Consistent with our focus on improving freight density, we again produced over 95% of our tonnage growth for the second quarter through service centers in operation for more than one year. We opened one service center during the second quarter in Pocatello, Idaho, and combined the operations of two service centers, giving us a total of 204 service centers in operation at the quarter's end, compared with 188 at the end of the second quarter of 2007. With a lower capital expenditure budget for 2008 as compared with 2007, we expect to produce free cash flow for 2008. In addition, with net debt to total capitalization of 29.5% at the end of the second quarter, compared with 35.6% at the same time in 2007, we have ample financial capacity to pursue any additional growth opportunities that might develop in this challenging environment."

Mr. Congdon concluded, "The substantial growth in second-quarter tonnage further validates our unceasing efforts to enhance the value proposition we provide our customers. Through one fully-integrated and non-union Company, we can provide shippers with comprehensive, high-quality service, broad geographic coverage, rapid transit times and on-time deliveries. Due to the successful execution of our business strategies and experience of our management team, we believe Old Dominion is positioned to continue gaining market share and to outperform the LTL industry averages for revenue and tonnage growth and operating ratio. Despite our achievements for the first half of 2008, we continue to be cautious with our guidance for the remainder of 2008 because of the challenging industry conditions that persist. As a result, we today affirm our recently updated earnings guidance for 2008 earnings per diluted share of $1.90 to $1.95."

Old Dominion will hold a conference call to discuss this release today at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Investors will have the opportunity to listen to the conference call live over the Internet by going to www.odfl.com. Please log on at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software. For those who cannot listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available at these websites shortly after the call through August 24, 2008. A telephonic replay will also be available through July 31, 2008 at (719) 457-0820, Confirmation Number 8004753.

Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to be materially different from those expressed or implied herein, including, but not limited to, the following: (1) the Company's ability to complete and successfully integrate acquired businesses and assets and produce the anticipated benefits from such transactions; (2) the competitive environment with respect to industry capacity and pricing, including fuel surcharges; (3) the negative impact of any unionization of the Company's employees; (4) the challenges associated with executing the Company's growth strategy; (5) various economic factors such as economic recessions and downturns in customers' business cycles and shipping requirements; (6) the availability and cost of fuel; (7) difficulty in attracting or retaining qualified drivers; (8) the Company's exposure to claims related to cargo loss and damage, property damage, personal injury, workers' compensation, long-term disability and group health and the cost of insurance coverage above retention levels; (9) the Company's significant ongoing cash requirements; (10) the availability and cost of new equipment; (11) the costs of compliance with, or liability for violation of, existing or future governmental regulation; (12) seasonal trends in the industry, including the possibility of harsh weather conditions; (13) the Company's dependence on key employees; (14) changes in the Company's goals and strategies, which are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the Company; and (15) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. is a less-than-truckload multi-regional motor carrier providing one-to-five day service among six regions in the United States and next-day and second-day service within these regions. Through its four product groups, OD-Domestic, OD-Expedited, OD-Global and OD- Technology, the Company offers an array of innovative products and services that provide direct service to 48 states within the Southeast, Gulf Coast, Northeast, Midwest, Central and West regions of the country, including 39 states within which it provides full-state coverage. In addition to domestic less-than-truckload services, the Company offers assembly and distribution services as well as container delivery services to and from all of North America, Central America, South America and the Far East. The Company also offers a broad range of expedited and logistical services for both its domestic and global markets.



                   OLD DOMINION FREIGHT LINE, INC.
                         Financial Highlights
               (In thousands, except per share amounts)


                Three Months Ended           Six Months Ended
                     June 30,         %          June 30,         %
                -------------------         -------------------
                  2008      2007    Chg.      2008      2007     Chg.
                --------- --------- -----   --------- --------- ------
Revenue from
 operations     $417,840  $359,617  16.2%   $786,014  $679,559  15.7%
Operating
 income         $ 42,990  $ 40,650   5.8%   $ 63,836  $ 65,694  (2.8)%
Operating
 ratio              89.7%     88.7%             91.9%     90.3%
Net income      $ 23,881  $ 22,539   6.0%   $ 34,270  $ 36,110  (5.1)%
Basic and
 diluted
 earnings per
 share          $   0.64  $   0.60   6.7%   $   0.92  $   0.97  (5.2)%
Basic and
 diluted
 weighted
 average
 shares
 outstanding      37,285    37,285   0.0%     37,285    37,285   0.0%


                   OLD DOMINION FREIGHT LINE, INC.


Statements of Operations
----------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands, except per share amounts)


                                        Second Quarter
                         ---------------------------------------------

                               2008              2007          % Chg.
                         ----------------  -----------------  --------

Revenue                  $417,840  100.0%  $359,617   100.0%    16.2%

Operating expenses:
Salaries, wages &
 benefits                 208,217   49.8%   187,005    52.0%    11.3%
Operating supplies &
 expenses                  90,859   21.8%    58,414    16.2%    55.5%
General supplies &
 expenses                  11,864    2.8%    10,604     2.9%    11.9%
Operating taxes &
 licenses                  13,932    3.3%    12,562     3.5%    10.9%
Insurance & claims          6,772    1.6%     9,002     2.5%   (24.8%)
Communications &
 utilities                  3,692    0.9%     3,447     1.0%     7.1%
Depreciation &
 amortization              21,513    5.2%    20,062     5.6%     7.2%
Purchased
 transportation            12,074    2.9%    12,089     3.4%    (0.1%)
Building and office
 equipment rents            3,690    0.9%     3,017     0.8%    22.3%
Miscellaneous expenses,
 net                        2,237    0.5%     2,765     0.8%   (19.1%)

  Total operating
   expenses               374,850   89.7%   318,967    88.7%    17.5%

Operating income           42,990   10.3%    40,650    11.3%     5.8%

Other deductions:
Interest expense, net       3,389    0.8%     3,404     0.9%    (0.4%)
Other expense, net            451    0.1%        (9)    0.0%  5111.1%

Income before income
 taxes                     39,150    9.4%    37,255    10.4%     5.1%

Provision for income
 taxes                     15,269    3.7%    14,716     4.1%     3.8%

Net income               $ 23,881    5.7%  $ 22,539     6.3%     6.0%
                         ========          =========

Earnings per share:

Basic and Diluted        $   0.64          $   0.60              6.7%

Weighted average
 outstanding shares:

Basic and Diluted          37,285            37,285              0.0%


                                         Year To Date
                         ---------------------------------------------

                               2008              2007          % Chg.
                         ----------------  -----------------  --------

Revenue                  $786,014  100.0%  $ 679,559  100.0%    15.7%

Operating expenses:
Salaries, wages &
 benefits                 409,742   52.1%    363,260   53.4%    12.8%
Operating supplies &
 expenses                 164,426   20.9%    107,904   15.9%    52.4%
General supplies &
 expenses                  23,059    3.0%     19,903    2.9%    15.9%
Operating taxes &
 licenses                  27,280    3.5%     24,783    3.6%    10.1%
Insurance & claims         14,875    1.9%     20,114    3.0%   (26.0%)
Communications &
 utilities                  7,599    1.0%      7,329    1.1%     3.7%
Depreciation &
 amortization              42,682    5.4%     38,494    5.7%    10.9%
Purchased
 transportation            22,631    2.9%     21,881    3.2%     3.4%
Building and office
 equipment rents            7,281    0.9%      5,734    0.8%    27.0%
Miscellaneous expenses,
 net                        2,603    0.3%      4,463    0.7%   (41.7%)

  Total operating
   expenses               722,178   91.9%    613,865   90.3%    17.6%

Operating income           63,836    8.1%     65,694    9.7%    (2.8%)

Other deductions:
Interest expense, net       6,532    0.8%      6,427    1.0%     1.6%
Other expense, net          1,123    0.1%        242    0.0%   364.0%

Income before income
 taxes                     56,181    7.2%     59,025    8.7%    (4.8%)

Provision for income
 taxes                     21,911    2.8%     22,915    3.4%    (4.4%)

Net income               $ 34,270    4.4%  $  36,110    5.3%    (5.1%)
                         ========          =========

Earnings per share:

Basic and Diluted        $   0.92          $    0.97            (5.2%)

Weighted average
 outstanding shares:

Basic and Diluted          37,285             37,285             0.0%


                   OLD DOMINION FREIGHT LINE, INC.


                       Second Quarter              Year to Date
                  ------------------------  --------------------------

Operating
 Statistics         2008     2007   % Chg.    2008      2007    % Chg.
----------------  -------- -------- ------  --------- --------- ------

Operating ratio      89.7%    88.7%  1.1%       91.9%     90.3%  1.8%
Intercity miles
 (1)               87,110   81,153   7.3%    168,879   156,131   8.2%
Total tons (1)      1,478    1,341  10.2%      2,823     2,583   9.3%
Total shipments
 (1)                1,772    1,723   2.8%      3,482     3,343   4.2%
Revenue per
 intercity mile   $  4.80  $  4.43   8.4%   $   4.65  $   4.35   6.9%
Rev/cwt (2)       $ 14.17  $ 13.44   5.4%   $  13.98  $  13.20   5.9%
Rev/cwt less FSC
 (2)              $ 11.44  $ 11.81  (3.1%)  $  11.54  $  11.69  (1.3%)
Rev/shp (2)       $236.34  $209.21  13.0%   $ 226.67  $ 204.04  11.1%
Rev/shp less FSC
 (2)              $190.83  $183.89   3.8%   $ 187.08  $ 180.70   3.5%
Weight per
 shipment           1,668    1,557   7.1%      1,621     1,546   4.9%
Average length
 of haul              905      934  (3.1%)       918       939  (2.2%)


(1) - In thousands
(2) - For statistical purposes only, revenue does not include
 adjustments for undelivered freight required for financial statement
 purposes in accordance with the Company's revenue recognition policy.




                                      June 30,   December 31,
Balance Sheets                          2008         2007
-----------------------------------  ----------- ------------
 (In thousands)

Current assets                       $  260,966     $216,277
Net property and equipment              747,274      721,450
Other assets                             45,866       43,321
                                     ----------- ------------
Total assets                         $1,054,106     $981,048
                                     =========== ============

Current maturities of long-term
 debt                                $   16,452     $ 12,193
Other current liabilities               146,222      115,530
                                     ----------- ------------
Total current liabilities               162,674      127,723
Long-term debt                          240,476      251,561
Other non-current liabilities           127,234      112,312
                                     ----------- ------------
Total liabilities                       530,384      491,596
Equity                                  523,722      489,452
                                     ----------- ------------
Total liabilities & equity           $1,054,106     $981,048
                                     =========== ============


Notes: Financial and operating data are unaudited LTL is less than
 10,000 lbs.

Source: Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.