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ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION ANNOUNCES 4TH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2006 RESULTS
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Arkansas Best Corporation
Announces 4th Quarter And Full Year 2006 Results

FORT SMITH, Ark., Jan. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Arkansas Best Corporation (Nasdaq: ABFS - News) today announced fourth quarter 2006 income from continuing operations of $14.2 million, or $0.56 per diluted common share, compared to $29.5 million, or $1.15 per diluted common share in the fourth quarter of 2005. Arkansas Best's revenue during the fourth quarter of 2006 was $449.0 million, a per-day decrease of 3.9% compared to the fourth quarter of 2005.

"Despite a challenging economic environment in the last few months of the year, Arkansas Best closed the year with a strong financial position, and ABF generated its fifth best yearly operating ratio since the industry was deregulated in 1980," said Robert A. Davidson, Arkansas Best President and Chief Executive Officer.

For the full year of 2006, Arkansas Best reported income from continuing operations of $3.16 per diluted common share compared to $3.99 per diluted common share in 2005. Excluding a previously disclosed after-tax pension settlement accounting charge of $0.24 per share, full year 2006 earnings from continuing operations were $3.40 per diluted share. This compares to full year 2005 earnings from continuing operations of $3.61 per diluted share, after adjusting for a $0.38 per share gain on the sale of properties to G.I. Trucking Company. Arkansas Best's 2006 full year revenue was $1.86 billion, a per-day increase of 6.6% over 2005 full year revenue from continuing operations of $1.75 billion.

ABF Freight System, Inc.®

ABF Freight System, Inc. had fourth quarter 2006 revenue of $436.1 million, a per-day decrease of 4.3% compared to fourth quarter 2005 revenue of $455.5 million. ABF's total tonnage per day during the fourth quarter of 2006 decreased by 6.8% compared to the same period last year. ABF's operating income during the 2006 fourth quarter was $20.8 million compared to $48.4 million in the same period last year. ABF's fourth quarter 2006 operating ratio was 95.2% compared to its fourth quarter 2005 operating ratio of 89.4%.

"In October and continuing into November, traditionally among the busiest months of the year, ABF experienced a sudden and dramatic reduction in business that mirrored conditions throughout the trucking industry," said Mr. Davidson. "This year's sequential decline in total weight per day from September to October was the largest, by far, in over twenty years. It occurred at a time when ABF was operationally prepared for strong seasonal business and for maintaining the aggressive customer service level improvements initiated in the third quarter of 2006. In addition, ABF was, and continues to be, in the midst of further expansion of its regional service under the Regional Performance Model (RPM). As a result, we were delayed in reducing labor and other costs from the ABF network, and our fourth quarter operating ratio was negatively impacted."

"The negative operating leverage ABF experienced in the fourth quarter was reminiscent of ABF's 2001 results compared to 2000, when similar tonnage declines resulted in a significant increase in ABF's operating ratio," said Mr. Davidson. "In a cyclical industry, ABF has managed through previous periods of declining tonnage by maintaining pricing discipline and closely monitoring costs. We are doing that now. As in the past, when tonnage levels improve, we expect that profitability should return to traditional levels."

"This year's fourth quarter operating ratio deteriorated by about one percentage point due to investments in the RPM initiative, as we anticipated," said Mr. Davidson. "This is in addition to the negative impact of declining tonnage on our quarterly results. Workers' compensation costs added 0.5 percentage points to ABF's operating ratio compared to unusually favorable expenses in the last three months of 2005. This year's fourth quarter workers' compensation costs were in line with expectations and below the ten- year average as a percent of revenue. However, during the fourth quarter of 2005, these costs were unusually low because of favorable claim and severity trends and because of a reserve reduction related to positive information regarding claims covered by the California guaranty fund."

"A large part of ABF's past financial success has been the result of closely matching labor costs with available freight levels. ABF has taken steps to scale expenses to available tonnage although we do expect unit labor costs to be higher until industry tonnage levels recover," said Mr. Davidson. "As we move through 2007, ABF has the flexibility of selling a greater amount of revenue equipment, if needed, in order to better match its fleet size to current business levels."

Total billed revenue per hundredweight was $25.07, an increase of 3.2% over last year's fourth quarter figure of $24.30. "Despite a very challenging freight environment, ABF's pricing has remained very good," said Mr. Davidson. "During a quarter when more than a third of ABF's contract and deferred pricing agreements renewed, the average price increase on that portion of ABF's business was 4.6%. This is encouraging and an indication of the success of ABF's focus on individual account profitability. It also demonstrates that ABF's customers recognize the value ABF offers as a result of lower freight claims, improved transit time reliability, better cargo handling, superior technology and a higher level of personal customer service."

For the full year of 2006, ABF's revenue was $1.81 billion, a per-day increase of 6.4% over 2005 revenue. ABF's 2006 operating ratio was 92.5%, after adjusting for the settlement accounting charge, versus an operating ratio of 90.9% in 2005. ABF's 2006 operating income was $125.1 million versus $155.7 million during 2005. Excluding the settlement accounting charge, ABF's 2006 operating income was $135.3 million. Total tonnage per day in 2006 increased 1.5% over 2005. Total billed revenue per hundredweight for 2006 was $25.03, an increase of 4.7% over last year's full year figure of $23.90.

ABF's 2006 full year cargo claim ratio, a measure of net cash payouts to revenue, was 0.76%, the best ABF has experienced in over twenty years. "We believe this is one of the lowest cargo claim ratios in the LTL industry and an illustration of ABF's reliable freight handling and superior customer service," said Mr. Davidson. In addition, ABF's 2006 Department of Transportation (DOT) reportable accidents per million road miles decreased by 14% versus 2005 and ABF's 2006 DOT reportable accidents per million city miles decreased by 25%. "These significant improvements in reducing vehicular accidents confirm ABF's reputation as the safest carrier on our nation's highways," said Mr. Davidson.

In early January, ABF began the marketing of the Central and Southern portions of its Regional Performance Model (RPM), which now provides improved next-day and second-day services in the eastern two-thirds of the United States. The RPM network, which features enhanced flexibility and operational efficiency for short-haul freight transportation, includes regional linehaul operating models that are separate from and parallel to those of ABF's national linehaul network. "ABF continues to develop the RPM infrastructure in order to provide competitive service in these lanes," said Mr. Davidson. "ABF's sales force and our other employees are enthusiastic and fully engaged in this exciting new effort. Our customers are pleased that ABF is able to extend its high level of service and value to shorter-haul shipments."

"The RPM initiative did not have a significant impact on our system revenue totals in the fourth quarter of 2006. Until it gains traction, possibly not until the latter half of this year, we do not anticipate that RPM will have a meaningful impact on revenue. However, we will continue the operational investments necessary to fully implement RPM. As in our traditional long-haul markets, ABF will sell higher value rather than cheaper prices. As a result, market penetration will require patience, but the additional business will be more profitable and lasting customer relationships will be developed," said Mr. Davidson. "The current economic environment hasn't been a particularly good time to begin this important initiative. Nevertheless, it's vital for our company's future, and the sooner we start, the sooner we reach our goals. We believe that enhanced regional capabilities and improved service throughout our system are excellent investments that, over time, will yield solid results."

Capital Expenditures

Arkansas Best estimates 2007 net capital expenditures will be approximately $110 million to $135 million. Total net capital expenditures in 2006 were $136 million. Other than purchases related to the RPM initiative, the 2007 capital expenditure plan does not include expansion of the road tractor and doubles trailer fleets. Road and city equipment replacements are expected to be $63 million, and investments in RPM should be $20 million.

The low-end 2007 capital expenditure plan is below our net capital expenditures for 2006 because in 2007 ABF does not expect to purchase rail trailers and is adding less city delivery equipment.

There is the potential for additional capital expenditures amounting to as much as $25 million above the low-end figure of $110 million. These could include real estate opportunities throughout ABF's network and purchases of city equipment, if needed.

Arkansas Best's depreciation and amortization for 2007 is estimated to be approximately $75 million to $80 million.

Common Stock Purchase

During the fourth quarter of 2006, Arkansas Best purchased 250,000 shares of its common stock in the open market for an aggregate cost of $10.1 million. These common shares were added to the company's treasury stock. Since January 2003, Arkansas Best has purchased 1,493,150 shares totaling $51.9 million. Under a program announced in July 2005, Arkansas Best currently has authorization to purchase up to an additional $23.1 million of its common stock. Arkansas Best plans to continue making open-market purchases of its stock on an opportunistic basis.

Pension Plans

Arkansas Best has an unfunded supplemental pension benefit plan for the purpose of providing supplemental retirement benefits to executive officers of the company. As a result of benefit distributions under this plan, in 2006 Arkansas Best recorded pre-tax settlement accounting charges of $10.2 million, or $0.24 per diluted common share, net of taxes. Likewise, an upcoming distribution of benefits to another retiring officer will result in Arkansas Best recording, in the first quarter of 2007, pre-tax charges estimated to be $1.1 million, or $0.03 per diluted common share, net of taxes. Effective December 16, 2005, Arkansas Best's supplemental pension benefit plan was closed to new participants, and executive officers added since that date are participating in a three-year, performance-based plan.

In order to recognize the funded status of Arkansas Best's nonunion defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans on its balance sheet, as now required by Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 158, Arkansas Best's stockholders' equity was reduced, net of deferred taxes, by $34 million as of December 31, 2006.

Conference Call

Arkansas Best Corporation will host a conference call with company executives to discuss the 2006 fourth quarter results. The call will be today, Wednesday, January 24, at 11:00 a.m. EST (10:00 a.m. CST). Interested parties are invited to listen by calling (877) 275-1257 or (706) 634-6529 (for international callers). Following the call, a recorded playback will be available through the end of the day on Friday, February 16, 2007. To listen to the playback, dial (800) 642-1687 or (706) 645-9291 (for international callers). The conference call ID for the playback is 5755425. The conference call and playback can also be accessed, through Friday, February 16, on Arkansas Best's Web site at http://www.arkbest.com .

Company Description

Arkansas Best Corporation, headquartered in Fort Smith, Arkansas, is a transportation holding company. ABF Freight System, Inc., Arkansas Best's largest subsidiary, has been in continuous service since 1923. ABF provides transportation of less-than-truckload ("LTL") general commodities throughout North America. More information is available at http://www.arkbest.com and http://www.abf.com .

Forward-Looking Statements

The following is a "safe harbor" statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements contained in this press release that are not based on historical facts are "forward-looking statements." Terms such as "estimate," "forecast," "expect," "predict," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "intend," "should," "would," "scheduled," and similar expressions and the negatives of such terms are intended to identify forward- looking statements. Such statements are by their nature subject to uncertainties and risks, including, but not limited to, union relations; availability and cost of capital; shifts in market demand; weather conditions; the performance and needs of industries served by Arkansas Best's subsidiaries; actual future costs of operating expenses such as fuel and related taxes; self-insurance claims; union and nonunion employee wages and benefits; actual costs of continuing investments in technology; the timing and amount of capital expenditures; competitive initiatives and pricing pressures; general economic conditions; and other financial, operational and legal risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in Arkansas Best's Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") public filings.

The following tables show financial data and operating statistics on Arkansas Best Corporation and its subsidiary companies.

 
	ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION 
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME 
 
                               Three Months Ended            Year Ended 
                                   December 31               December 31 
                                2006        2005         2006          2005 
                                               (Unaudited) 
                             ($ thousands, except share and per share data) 
 
    OPERATING REVENUES      $448,954    $467,023   $1,860,477    $1,752,017 
 
    OPERATING EXPENSES 
     AND COSTS(A)            428,369     420,265    1,735,798     1,585,493 
 
    OPERATING INCOME          20,585      46,758      124,679       166,524 
 
    OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) 
      Short-term investment 
       income                  1,449         863        4,996         2,382 
      Interest expense and 
       other related financing 
       costs                    (287)       (382)      (1,119)       (2,157) 
      Other, net               1,182         839        2,963         1,702 
                               2,344       1,320        6,840         1,927 
 
    INCOME FROM CONTINUING 
     OPERATIONS 
      BEFORE INCOME TAXES     22,929      48,078      131,519       168,451 
 
    FEDERAL AND STATE INCOME 
     TAXES 
      Current                  3,858      14,215       50,667        71,933 
      Deferred                 4,904       4,393          351        (6,235) 
                               8,762      18,608       51,018        65,698 
 
    INCOME FROM CONTINUING 
     OPERATIONS               14,167      29,470       80,501       102,753 
 
    DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, 
     NET OF TAX 
      Income from operations     ---         718          530         1,873 
      Gain from disposal         ---         ---        3,063           --- 
                                 ---         718        3,593         1,873 
 
    NET INCOME               $14,167     $30,188      $84,094      $104,626 
 
    BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE: 
      Income from continuing 
       operations              $0.57       $1.17       $3.21          $4.06 
      Income from discontinued 
       operations                ---        0.03        0.14           0.07 
    NET INCOME                 $0.57       $1.20       $3.35          $4.13 
 
    AVERAGE COMMON SHARES 
     OUTSTANDING (BASIC)  24,938,196  25,129,739  25,134,308     25,328,975 
 
    DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE: 
      Income from continuing 
       operations              $0.56       $1.15       $3.16          $3.99 
      Income from discontinued 
       operations                ---        0.03        0.14           0.07 
    NET INCOME                 $0.56       $1.18       $3.30          $4.06 
 
    AVERAGE COMMON SHARES 
     OUTSTANDING 
      (DILUTED)           25,297,848  25,571,283  25,503,799     25,741,540 
 
    CASH DIVIDENDS PAID PER 
     COMMON SHARE              $0.15       $0.15       $0.60          $0.54 
 
     Note: Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 
           current year presentation. 
 
     (A) The year ended December 31, 2005 includes a $15.4 million pre-tax 
         gain from the sale of properties to G.I. Trucking Company. 
 
 
 
    ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION 
    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 
 
                                                  December 31    December 31 
                                                      2006           2005 
                                                  (Unaudited)        Note 
                                              ($ thousands, except share data) 
 
    ASSETS 
 
    CURRENT ASSETS 
      Cash and cash equivalents                     $5,009         $5,767 
      Short-term investment securities             135,317        121,239 
      Accounts receivable, less allowances 
       (2006 - $4,476; 2005 - $4,643)              143,216        149,551 
      Other accounts receivable, less allowances 
       (2006 - $1,272; 2005 - $1,536)                8,912          8,568 
      Prepaid expenses                              11,735         13,830 
      Deferred income taxes                         36,532         34,859 
      Prepaid income taxes                           3,024          3,346 
      Other                                          7,212          7,821 
      Assets of discontinued operations                ---         23,901 
         TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS                      350,957        368,882 
 
    PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 
      Land and structures                          228,375        228,329 
      Revenue equipment                            498,844        413,609 
      Service, office and other equipment          140,516        121,488 
      Leasehold improvements                        17,735         15,686 
                                                   885,470        779,112 
      Less allowances for depreciation and 
       amortization                                423,587        397,036 
                                                   461,883        382,076 
 
    PREPAID PENSION COSTS                              ---         25,855 
 
    OTHER ASSETS                                    61,959         80,331 
 
    GOODWILL, less accumulated amortization 
    (2006 and 2005 - $32,037)                       63,917         63,916 
                                                  $938,716       $921,060 
                                             

Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans: Effective December 31, 2006, Arkansas Best Corporation adopted Financial Accounting Standards No. 158, "Employers' Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans," which requires the funded status of defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans to be recognized in the balance sheet. As a result, the year-to-year comparisons of prepaid pension, pension and postretirement liabilities, deferred taxes and accumulated other comprehensive loss are impacted by the adoption of this new standard. Note: The balance sheet at December 31, 2005 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

 
 
 
 
    ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION 
    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - continued 
 
 
                                                  December 31   December 31 
                                                      2006          2005 
                                                  (Unaudited)       Note 
                                              ($ thousands, except share data) 
 
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 
 
    CURRENT LIABILITIES 
      Bank overdraft and drafts payable            $17,423        $18,851 
      Accounts payable                              63,477         54,137 
      Income taxes payable                           5,833         12,239 
      Accrued expenses                             169,610        173,293 
      Current portion of long-term debt                249            317 
      Liabilities of discontinued operations           ---         10,193 
         TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES                 256,592        269,030 
 
    LONG-TERM DEBT, less current portion             1,184          1,433 
 
    PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT LIABILITIES          56,438         33,679 
 
    OTHER LIABILITIES                               25,655         25,586 
 
    DEFERRED INCOME TAXES                           19,452         37,251 
 
    OTHER COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES                ---            --- 
 
    STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 
      Common stock, $.01 par value, 
       authorized 70,000,000 shares; 
       issued 2006: 26,407,472 shares; 
       2005: 26,281,801 shares                         264            263 
      Additional paid-in capital                   250,469        242,953 
      Retained earnings                            415,876        347,051 
      Treasury stock, at cost, 
       2006: 1,552,932 shares; 
       2005: 902,932 shares                        (52,825)       (25,955) 
      Unearned compensation - restricted stock         ---         (5,103) 
      Accumulated other comprehensive loss         (34,389)        (5,128) 
         TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                579,395        554,081 
                                                  $938,716       $921,060 
 
 

Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans: Effective December 31, 2006, Arkansas Best Corporation adopted Financial Accounting Standards No. 158, "Employers' Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans," which requires the funded status of defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans to be recognized in the balance sheet. As a result, the year-to-year comparisons of prepaid pension, pension and postretirement liabilities, deferred taxes and accumulated other comprehensive loss are impacted by the adoption of this new standard.

Note: The balance sheet at December 31, 2005 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

 
	ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION 
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
 
                                                           Year Ended 
                                                           December 31 
                                                       2006          2005 
                                                           (Unaudited) 
                                                          ($ thousands) 
    OPERATING ACTIVITIES 
      Net income                                    $84,094      $104,626 
      Adjustments to reconcile net income 
       to net cash provided by 
       operating activities: 
        Depreciation and amortization                67,727        61,851 
        Other amortization                              211           245 
        Settlement accounting expense                10,192           --- 
        Share-based compensation expense              4,708           842 
        Provision for losses on accounts receivable   1,023         2,145 
        Deferred income tax provision (credit)          351        (5,370) 
        Fair value of interest rate swap                ---          (873) 
        Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, 
         net of taxes                                (3,063)          --- 
        Gain on sales of assets and other            (3,547)      (17,302) 
        Excess tax benefits from share-based 
         compensation                                (1,710)          --- 
        Changes in operating assets and liabilities: 
          Receivables                                 6,108       (17,090) 
          Prepaid expenses                            2,058         1,803 
          Other assets                               18,631       (10,560) 
          Accounts payable, taxes payable, 
           accrued expenses and other liabilities   (18,327)       27,230 
    NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES       168,456       147,547 
 
    INVESTING ACTIVITIES 
      Purchases of property, plant and 
       equipment (A)                               (147,463)      (93,119) 
      Proceeds from asset sales                      11,913        29,129 
      Proceeds from disposal of discontinued 
       operations                                    21,450           --- 
      Purchases of short-term investment 
       securities                                  (386,358)     (378,445) 
      Proceeds from sales of short-term 
       investment securities                        372,280       295,680 
      Capitalization of internally developed 
       software and other                            (4,117)       (4,026) 
    NET CASH USED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES          (132,295)     (150,781) 
 
    FINANCING ACTIVITIES 
      Payments on long-term debt                       (317)         (388) 
      Net change in bank overdraft                   (2,050)       (1,566) 
      Payment of common stock dividends             (15,269)      (13,704) 
      Purchases of treasury stock                   (26,870)      (12,621) 
      Excess tax benefits from share-based 
       compensation                                   1,710           --- 
      Proceeds from the exercise of stock options 
       and other                                      5,877         4,921 
    NET CASH USED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES           (36,919)      (23,358) 
 
    NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS          (758)      (26,592) 
      Cash and cash equivalents at beginning 
       of period                                      5,767        32,359 
    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD       $5,009        $5,767 
 
     (A)  Does not include $6.5 million of revenue equipment which was 
          received but not yet paid for at December 31, 2006. 
 
 
 
    ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION 
    FINANCIAL STATEMENT OPERATING SEGMENT DATA, OPERATING RATIOS AND FINANCIAL 
    STATISTICS 
 
                                   Three Months Ended 
                                       December 31 
                            2006                        2005 
                                       (Unaudited) 
                                      ($ thousands) 
    OPERATING REVENUES 
    ABF Freight System, 
     Inc.(A)             $436,072                   $455,547 
    Other revenues 
    and eliminations       12,882                     11,476 
    Total consolidated 
    operating 
    revenues             $448,954                   $467,023 
 
    OPERATING EXPENSES AND COSTS 
    ABF Freight System, 
     Inc.(A) 
    Salaries, wages 
     and benefits        $263,216     60.4%         $254,441     55.9% 
    Supplies and expenses  72,472     16.6            71,196     15.6 
    Operating taxes and 
     licenses              12,645      2.9            11,824      2.6 
    Insurance               6,792      1.6             6,896      1.5 
    Communications and 
     utilities              3,728      0.9             3,523      0.8 
    Depreciation and 
     amortization          16,916      3.9            15,547      3.4 
    Rents and purchased 
     transportation        38,644      8.9            42,946      9.4 
    Other                   1,280      0.1             1,422      0.3 
    Settlement accounting 
     expense                   88      ---               ---      --- 
    Gain on sale of property 
     and equipment           (541)    (0.1)             (648)    (0.1) 
                          415,240     95.2%          407,147     89.4% 
 
    Other expenses and 
     eliminations(B)       13,129                     13,118 
    Total consolidated 
     operating expenses 
     and costs           $428,369                   $420,265 
    OPERATING INCOME 
     (LOSS) 
    ABF Freight System, 
     Inc.(A)              $20,832                    $48,400 
    Other income and 
    eliminations(B)          (247)                    (1,642) 
    Total consolidated 
    operating income      $20,585                    $46,758 
 
 
 
                                         Year Ended 
                                         December 31 
                              2006                        2005 
                                         (Unaudited) 
                                        ($ thousands) 
    OPERATING REVENUES 
    ABF Freight System, 
     Inc.(A)            $1,810,328                  $1,708,961 
    Other revenues 
     and eliminations       50,149                      43,056 
    Total consolidated 
     operating revenues $1,860,477                  $1,752,017 
 
    OPERATING EXPENSES AND COSTS 
    ABF Freight System, 
     Inc.(A) 
    Salaries, wages 
     and benefits       $1,067,174     58.9%        $1,006,188     58.9% 
    Supplies and expenses  293,203     16.2            254,774     14.9 
    Operating taxes and 
     licenses               48,116      2.7             44,534      2.6 
    Insurance               28,584      1.6             27,724      1.6 
    Communications and 
     utilities              15,269      0.8             14,156      0.8 
    Depreciation and 
     amortization           63,519      3.5             55,106      3.2 
    Rents and purchased 
     transportation        158,564      8.8            148,479      8.7 
    Other                    4,007      0.2              4,356      0.3 
    Settlement accounting 
     expense                10,192      0.6                ---      --- 
    Gain on sale of property 
     and equipment          (3,416)    (0.2)            (2,012)    (0.1) 
                         1,685,212     93.1%         1,553,305     90.9% 
 
    Other expenses and 
     eliminations(B)        50,586                      32,188 
 
    Total consolidated 
     operating expenses 
     and costs          $1,735,798                  $1,585,493 
    OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) 
    ABF Freight System, 
     Inc.(A)              $125,116                    $155,656 
    Other income and 
     eliminations(B)          (437)                     10,868 
    Total consolidated 
     operating income     $124,679                    $166,524 
 
 
    Note:  Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to 
           current year presentation. 
 
     (A) Includes U.S., Canadian and Puerto Rican operations of ABF 
         affiliates. 
     (B) The year ended December 31, 2005 includes a $15.4 million pre-tax 
         gain from the sale of properties to G.I. Trucking Company. 
 
                                    Rolling Twelve Months Ended 
                                         December 31, 2006 
    FINANCIAL STATISTICS 
    After-Tax Return on Capital Employed ©    15.4% 
 
     © (Net income from continuing operations, excluding settlement 
          accounting expense + interest after tax) / (average total debt + 
          average equity) 
 
 
 
    ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION 
    RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP EARNINGS AND EARNINGS PER SHARE 
 
 
                                                            Year Ended 
                                                            December 31 
                                                        2006           2005 
                                                            (Unaudited) 
                                          ($ thousands, except per share data) 
 
    ABF Freight System, Inc. 
 
    Operating Income 
      Amounts from continuing operations, 
       on a GAAP basis                                $125,116       $155,656 
      Settlement accounting charges, pre-tax            10,192            --- 
      Non-GAAP amounts disclosed                      $135,308       $155,656 
 
    Operating Ratio 
      Amounts from continuing operations, 
       on a GAAP basis                                    93.1%          90.9% 
      Settlement accounting charges, pre-tax              (0.6)           --- 
      Non-GAAP amounts disclosed                          92.5%           0.9% 
 
    Arkansas Best Corporation - Consolidated 
 
    Operating Income 
      Amounts from continuing operations, 
       on a GAAP basis                                $124,679       $166,524 
      Settlement accounting charges, pre-tax            10,192            --- 
      Gain on sale of properties to G.I. Trucking 
       Company, pre-tax                                    ---        (15,370) 
      Non-GAAP amounts disclosed                      $134,871       $151,154 
 
    Income from Continuing Operations 
      Amounts from continuing operations, 
       on a GAAP basis                                 $80,501       $102,753 
      Settlement accounting charges, after-tax           6,194            --- 
      Gain on sale of properties to G.I. Trucking 
       Company, after-tax                                  ---         (9,757) 
      Non-GAAP amounts disclosed                       $86,695        $92,996 
 
    Diluted Earnings Per Share 
      Amounts from continuing operations, 
       on a GAAP basis                                   $3.16          $3.99 
      Settlement accounting charges, after-tax            0.24            --- 
      Gain on sale of properties to G.I. Trucking 
       Company, after-tax                                  ---          (0.38) 
    Non-GAAP amounts disclosed                           $3.40          $3.61 
 
	 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures. The company reports its financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). However, management believes that certain non-GAAP performance measures and ratios utilized for internal analysis provide financial statement users meaningful comparisons between current and prior period results, as well as important information regarding performance trends. Certain information discussed in this press release and in the scheduled conference call could be considered non-GAAP measures. Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, the company's reported results.

 
	ABF FREIGHT SYSTEM, INC. 
    OPERATING STATISTICS 
 
 
                           Three Months Ended                 Year Ended 
                               December 31                   December 31 
                          2006      2005  %Change       2006     2005  %Change 
                                               (Unaudited) 
 
    Workdays                61        61                252       253 
 
    Billed Revenue*/ 
     CWT                $25.07    $24.30   3.2%      $25.03    $23.90    4.7% 
 
    Billed Revenue*/ 
     Shipment          $313.84   $319.62  (1.8)%    $317.72   $301.47    5.4% 
 
    Shipments        1,368,842 1,398,377  (2.1)%  5,692,275 5,669,092    0.4% 
 
    Tonnage (tons)     856,816   919,760  (6.8)%  3,613,471 3,574,816    1.1% 
 
    Tons/Day            14,046    15,078  (6.8)%     14,339    14,130    1.5% 
 
 
    * Billed revenue does not include revenue deferral required for financial 
      statement purposes under the company's revenue recognition policy. 
 

Contact: Ms. Judy R. McReynolds, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
              Telephone: (479) 785-6281        

              Mr. David Humphrey, Director of Investor Relations
              Telephone (479) 785-6200



 
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