(Fort Smith, Arkansas, July 21, 2010) – Arkansas Best Corporation (Nasdaq: ABFS) today announced a second quarter 2010 net loss of $7.4 million, or $0.30 per share, compared to a net loss of $15.4 million, or $0.62 per share, in the second quarter of 2009.

“An improvement in daily tonnage levels at ABF was the major reason our second quarter loss narrowed compared to last year,” said Judy R. McReynolds, Arkansas Best President and Chief Executive Officer. “We have been encouraged by the modest, but positive, pricing trend during the quarter and the fact that our customers continue to benefit from the traditional level of superior service for which ABF is known. However, overall freight levels and yields need to continue to improve in order for ABF to return to consistent profitability.” 

Arkansas Best Corporation

Second Quarter 2010

• Revenue of $411.3 million, a per day increase of 13.4% from prior year quarter of $362.6 million
• Net loss of $0.30 per share compared to a net loss of $0.62 per share in the prior year period

ABF Freight System, Inc.^®

Second Quarter 2010

• Revenue of $379.4 million compared to $343.8 million in 2009, a per-day increase of 10.4%
• Tonnage per day increase of 11.9% versus second quarter of 2009 and a sequential increase of 14.0% versus first quarter 2010 
• Total billed revenue per hundredweight of $23.59 compared to $23.81 in second quarter 2009, a decrease of 0.9%
• Operating loss of $12.6 million compared to operating loss of $26.8 million in second quarter 2009
• Operating ratio of 103.3% compared to 107.8% in second quarter of 2009 

“Though some additional labor and equipment have been required as a result of the recent tonnage increases, this quarter’s improved operating ratio illustrates the operating leverage that is achieved from greater freight levels moving through the ABF network,” said Ms. McReynolds.

“Compared to second quarter last year, ABF benefited from lower nonunion fringe benefit costs which remain on track to produce yearly savings at the high end of the previously discussed $15 – $18 million range. Additionally, workers’ compensation and third-party casualty insurance claim costs, as a percent of revenue, were below the unusually high levels of last year’s second quarter, though somewhat above longer-term historical averages.”

“Recent competitor commentary suggests that there is a renewed industry focus on improved pricing and better operating margins,” said Ms. McReynolds. “ABF has traditionally focused on individual account profitability by offering a high level of value to its customers in return for compensatory revenues. ABF’s localized, personal service and its unique ability to ‘do the difficult things well’ results in a distinctive customer experience. We are finding that this level of service is once again valued in the marketplace.”

“We have been encouraged by the improved economy so far this year and its resulting positive impact on our business. However, the economy remains fragile and we are therefore prepared for a modest rate of recovery. Our corporate strategy is designed to effectively manage through all market conditions,” said Ms. McReynolds.”

Conference Call

Arkansas Best Corporation will host a conference call with company executives to discuss the 2010 second quarter results. The call will be today, Wednesday, July 21, at 11:00 a.m. ET (10:00 a.m. CT). 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 Thursday, August 12, 2010. To listen to the playback, dial (800) 642-1687 or (706) 645-9291 (for international callers). The conference call ID for the playback is 84971448. The conference call and playback can also be accessed, through Thursday, August 12, on Arkansas Best’s website at 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 arkbest.com and 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 “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “plan,” “predict,” “prospects,” “scheduled,” “should,” “would,” 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 risk including, but not limited to, recessionary economic conditions; competitive initiatives, pricing pressures and effect of volatility in fuel prices and the associated changes in fuel surcharges on securing increases in base freight rates, the impact of any limitations on our customers’ access to adequate financial resources; availability and cost of capital; shifts in market demand; weather conditions; the performance and needs of industries served by Arkansas Best Corporation’s subsidiaries; future costs of operating expenses such as fuel and related taxes; self-insurance claims and insurance premium costs; relationships with employees, including unions; union and non-union employee wages and benefits, including changes in required contributions to multiemployer pension plans; governmental regulations and policies; future climate change legislation; costs of continuing investments in technology; the timing and amount of capital expenditures; the cost, integration and performance of any future acquisitions; and other financial, operational and legal risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in Arkansas Best Corporation’s Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) public filings.

The following table shows financial data and operating statistics on ABF Freight System, Inc.

ABF FREIGHT SYSTEM, INC.
OPERATING STATISTICS
 

	Three Months Ended Jun 30				Six Months Ended Jun 30
	2010	2009	% Chg		2010	2009	% Chg
Workdays	63.5	63.5			126.5	126.0
Billed Revenue* / CWT	$   23.59	$  23.81	(0.9)%		$    23.60	$  23.83	(1.0)%
Billed Revenue* / Shipment	$ 339.17	$ 310.19	9.3%		$  331.23	$ 307.23	7.8%
Shipments	1,130,062	1,114,148	1.4%		2,164,916	2,178,473	(0.6)%
Shipments/Day Tonnage (tons)            Tons/Day	17,796       812,355      12,793	17,546     725,835     11,430	1.4%  11.9%  11.9%		17,114  1,519,354       12,011	17,289     1,404,532         11,147	(1.0)%     8.2%     7.7%

*Billed revenue does not include revenue deferral required for financial statement purposes under the company’s revenue recognition policy.  

Includes U.S., Canadian and Puerto Rican operations of ABF affiliates.

Arkansas Best Corporation Financial Report

Contact:   Vice President Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
              Telephone: (479) 785-6200