Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.KNX
Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. Revenue Disclosure
Revenue Recognition — Management applies the five-step analysis to the Company's four reportable segments (Truckload, LTL, Logistics, and Intermodal).
•Step 1: Contract Identification — Management has identified that a legally enforceable contract with its customers is executed by both parties at the point of pickup at the shipper's location, as evidenced by the bill of lading. Although the Company may have master agreements with its customers, these master agreements only establish general terms. There is no financial obligation to the shipper until the load is tendered/accepted and the Company takes possession of the load.
•Step 2: Performance Obligations — The Company's only performance obligation is transportation services. The Company's delivery, accessorial, and dedicated operations truck capacity in its dedicated operations represent a bundle of services that are highly interdependent and have the same pattern of transfer to the customer. These services are not capable of being distinct from one another. For example, the Company generally would not provide accessorial services or truck capacity without providing delivery services.
•Step 3: Transaction Price — Depending on the contract, the total transaction price may consist of mileage revenue, fuel surcharge revenue, accessorial fees, truck capacity, and/or non-cash consideration. Non-cash consideration is measured by the estimated fair value of the non-cash consideration at contract inception. There is no significant financing component in the transaction price, as the Company's customers generally pay within the contractual payment terms of 30 to 60 days.
•Step 4: Allocating Transaction Price to Performance Obligations — The transaction price is entirely allocated to the only performance obligation: transportation services.
•Step 5: Revenue Recognition — The performance obligation of providing transportation services is satisfied over time. Accordingly, revenue is recognized over time. Management estimates the amount of revenue in transit at period end based on the number of days completed of the dispatch (which is generally one to three days for the Truckload, LTL, and Logistics segments, but can be longer for intermodal operations). Management believes this to be a faithful depiction of the transfer of services because if a load is dispatched, but terminates mid-route and the load is picked up by another carrier, then that carrier would not need to re-perform the services for the days already traveled.
The Company outsources the transportation of loads to third-party carriers through its logistics operations. Management has determined that the Company is a principal in these arrangements, and therefore records revenue associated with these contracts on a gross basis. The Company has the primary responsibility to meet the customers' requirements. The Company invoices and collects from its customers and maintains discretion over pricing. Additionally, the Company is responsible for the selection of third-party transportation providers to the extent used to satisfy customer freight requirements.
Significant judgments involved in the Company's revenue recognition and corresponding accounts receivable balances include:
•Measuring in-transit revenue at period end (discussed above).
•Estimating the allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts based on historical experience and any known trends or uncertainties related to customer billing and account collectability. Management reviews the adequacy of its allowance for doubtful accounts on a quarterly basis. Uncollectible accounts are written off when deemed uncollectible, and accounts receivable are presented net of an allowance for doubtful accounts.
•Contract Balances — In-transit revenue balances are included in "Contract balance – revenue in transit" in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company's contract liability balances are typically immaterial.
•Revenue Disaggregation — In considering the level at which the Company should disaggregate revenues pertaining to contracts with customers, management determined that there are no significant differences between segments in how the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue or cash flows are affected by economic factors. Additionally, management considered how and where the Company has communicated information about revenue for various purposes, including disclosures outside of the financial statements and how information is regularly reviewed by the Company's chief operating decision makers for evaluating financial performance of the Company's segments, among others. Based on these considerations, management determined that revenues should be disaggregated by reportable segment.
The Company recognizes operating lease revenue from leasing tractors and related equipment to third parties, including independent contractors. Operating lease revenue from rental operations is recognized as earned, which is straight-lined per the rent schedules in the lease agreements. Losses from lease defaults are recognized as offsets to revenue.
Historical Timeline
| Fiscal Year | Filed | |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Feb 19, 2026 | Showing above |
| 2024 | Feb 20, 2025 | |
| 2023 | Feb 22, 2024 | |
About Revenue Disclosures
Revenue disclosures under ASC 606 explain how a company identifies performance obligations, allocates transaction prices, and determines when revenue is recognized. This section is essential for understanding whether reported revenue reflects genuine economic activity or aggressive accounting choices. Analysts examine the mix of point-in-time versus over-time recognition, which directly affects revenue timing and comparability.
Key signals: rising contract liabilities (deferred revenue) suggest strong future revenue visibility, while declining contract assets may indicate slowing project milestones. Watch for variable consideration estimates — rebates, returns, and performance bonuses that require management judgment. Significant changes in disaggregated revenue by geography or product line can reveal shifting business mix before it appears in headline numbers. Compare revenue growth against contract liability growth to assess sustainability, and scrutinize any changes in the timing of recognition that coincide with earnings pressure.