Matson announces Q3 2018 results
Matson, Inc., a leading U.S. carrier in the Pacific, has reported net income of $41.6 million, or $0.97 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2018. Net income for the quarter ended September 30, 2017 was $34.1 million, or $0.79 per diluted share. Consolidated revenue for the third quarter 2018 was $589.4 million compared with $543.9 million reported for the third quarter 2017.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, Matson reported net income of $88.4 million, or $2.06 per diluted share compared with $65.1 million, or $1.50 per diluted share in 2017. Consolidated revenue for the nine month period ended September 30, 2018 was $1,657.9 million, compared with $1,530.8 million in 2017.
The Company's container volume in the Hawaii service in the third quarter 2018 was 1.1 percent lower year-over-year primarily due to one less sailing. The Hawaii economy continues to be strong, supported primarily by healthy tourism activity and low unemployment. The Company expects volume in 2018 to approximate the level achieved in 2017, reflecting a solid Hawaii economy and stable market share.
In China, the Company's container volume in the third quarter 2018 was 3.3 percent lower year-over-year largely due to a dry-dock return sailing in the year ago period. Matson continued to realize a sizeable rate premium in the third quarter 2018 and achieved average freight rates higher than the third quarter 2017. For 2018, the Company expects freight rates to be higher than the average rate achieved in 2017 and volume to be modestly lower than the level achieved in 2017.
In Guam, the Company's container volume in the third quarter 2018 was flat on a year-over-year and sequential basis. For 2018, the Company continues to expect a heightened competitive environment and lower volume than the levels achieved in 2017.
In Alaska, the Company's container volume for the third quarter 2018 was 2.0 percent lower year-over-year, primarily due to lower southbound volume as a result of a weaker-than-expected seafood season compared with the very strong seafood harvest levels in 2017, partially offset by an increase in northbound volume. For 2018, the Company expects volume to be modestly higher than the level achieved in 2017 with improvement in northbound volume largely due to the dry-docking of a competitor's vessel, partially offset by lower southbound volume primarily due to a weaker-than-expected seafood season compared with the very strong seafood harvest levels in 2017.
As a result of the performance in the first nine months and the outlook trends noted above, the Company expects full year 2018 Ocean Transportation operating income to be modestly higher than the $126.4 million† achieved in 2017.