cvtiform11k.htm  

 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 11-K


(Mark One)

[X]
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 29, 2011

OR

[  ]
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ___________ to ______________

Commission file number 0-24960

A.
Full title of the plan and the address of the plan, if different from that of the issuer named below:

COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC. 401(K) AND PROFIT SHARING PLAN

B.
Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address of its principal executive office:

Covenant Transportation Group, Inc.
400 Birmingham Highway
Chattanooga, Tennessee 37419

 
 

 


COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC. 401(k)
AND PROFIT SHARING PLAN
Table of Contents
 
The Covenant Transport, Inc. 401(k) and Profit Sharing Plan (the "Plan") is subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA").  Accordingly, in lieu of the requirements of Items 1 – 3 of Form 11-K, the Plan is filing financial statements and a supplemental schedule prepared in accordance with the financial reporting requirements of ERISA.  The following financial statements and supplemental schedule are filed as part of this annual report:
 
 
Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits as of December 29, 2011 and 2010
Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits for the Years ended December 29, 2011 and 2010
Notes to Financial Statements
Schedule H, Line 4i – Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year) – December 29, 2011
   
EXHIBITS
 
Exhibit 23          Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


 
 

 


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 
To Participants and the Administrator of the
Covenant Transport, Inc. 401(k) and Profit Sharing Plan:

 
We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of the Covenant Transport, Inc. 401(k) and Profit Sharing Plan (the “Plan”) as of December 29, 2011 and 2010, and the related statements of changes in net assets available for benefits for the years then ended.  These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Plan as of December 29, 2011 and 2010, and the changes in its net assets available for benefits for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Our audits were performed for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The supplemental schedule of assets (held at end of year) as of December 29, 2011, is presented for the purpose of additional analysis and is not a required part of the basic financial statements, but is supplementary information required by the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The supplemental schedule is the responsibility of the Plan’s management. The supplemental schedule has been subjected to auditing procedures applied in the audit of the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.

/s/ Lattimore Black Morgan & Cain, PC

Chattanooga, Tennessee
June 19, 2012



COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC. 401(k)
 
AND PROFIT SHARING PLAN
 
 
Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits
 
 
December 29, 2011 and 2010
 
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Assets:
       
 
 
Cash
  $ 89,670     $ 81,705  
Investments
    14,915,762       18,136,016  
Notes receivable from participants
    1,194,952       1,277,422  
Net assets available for benefits at fair value
    16,200,384       19,495,143  
                 
Adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts
    (93,245 )     (90,616 )
Net assets available for benefits
  $ 16,107,139     $ 19,404,527  



























See accompanying notes to financial statements

 

 
COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC. 401(k)
 
AND PROFIT SHARING PLAN
 
 
Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits
 
 
Years ended December 29, 2011 and 2010
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Additions:
           
Investment income:
           
Interest and dividends
  $ 126,509     $ 141,975  
Net appreciation (depreciation) in fair value of investments:
               
Mutual funds
    (353,308 )     1,217,491  
Covenant Transportation Group, Inc. common stock
    (2,084,600 )     1,609,163  
Net investment income (loss)
    (2,311,399 )     2,968,629  
                 
Interest on notes receivable from participants
    55,743       54,743  
Contributions from participants
    1,780,980       1,824,147  
Rollovers from participants
    11,000       11,090  
Total additions (reductions)
    (463,676 )     4,858,609  
Deductions:
               
Participants’ benefits
    2,808,591       2,570,595  
Administrative fees
    25,121       22,892  
Total deductions
    2,833,712       2,593,487  
                 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets available for benefits
    (3,297,388 )     2,265,122  
                 
Net assets available for benefits at beginning of year
    19,404,527       17,139,405  
                 
Net assets available for benefits at end of year
  $ 16,107,139     $ 19,404,527  










See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 
3

COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC. 401(k)
AND PROFIT SHARING PLAN

Notes to Financial Statements

 

(1)
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Plan in preparing its financial statements:

 
(a)
Basis of Presentation

The accompanying financial statements of the Plan have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting and present the net assets available for benefits and changes in those net assets.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of net assets available for benefits and changes therein, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 
(b)
Investments

Investments in money market funds, mutual funds, and common stock are stated at fair value based on quoted market prices or as determined by Diversified Investment Advisors (the “Trustee”).  Investments in the Stable Pooled Fund (a common collective trust) are based upon the current value and net investment gain or loss relating to the units as determined by the Trustee.  The common collective trust primarily invests in the Wells Fargo Stable Return Fund.  Securities transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis.

Realized and unrealized investment gains and losses are included in net appreciation in fair value of investments in the statements of changes in net assets available for benefits.  Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on a trade date basis.  Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

The Plan’s investments include funds which invest in various types of investment securities and in various companies in various markets. Investment securities are exposed to several risks, such as interest rate, market, and credit risks. Due to the level of risk associated with the funds, it is reasonably possible that changes in the values of the funds will occur in the near term and such changes could materially affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and supplemental schedule.

 
(c)
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
 
Investments in securities are stated at fair value.


 
4

COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC. 401(k)
AND PROFIT SHARING PLAN

Notes to Financial Statements

 

 
(d)
Fully Benefit-Responsive Investment Contracts

Investment contracts held by a defined contribution plan are required to be reported at fair value.  However, contract value is the relevant measurement attribute for that portion of the net assets available for benefits of a defined contribution plan attributable to fully benefit-responsive investment contracts because contract value is the amount participants would receive if they were to initiate permitted transactions under the terms of the Plan.  The Plan invests in investment contracts through a common collective trust.  The statement of net assets available for benefits presents the fair value of the investment in the common collective trust as well as the adjustment of the investment in the common collective trust from fair value to contract value relating to investment contracts.  The statement of changes in net assets available for benefits is prepared on a contract value basis.

 
(e)
Receivables

 
The Plan records participant loans as notes receivable from participants.  They are valued at the unpaid principal balance plus accrued interest.

 
(f)
Events Occurring After Reporting Date

The Company has evaluated events and transactions that occurred between December 29, 2011, and the issuance of the report for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.

(2)
Description of the Plan

The following description of the Plan provides only general information. Participants should refer to the plan agreement for a more complete description of the Plan’s provisions.

 
(a)
General

The Plan is a defined contribution plan and covers substantially all employees of Covenant Transportation Group, Inc. and certain subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”). The Plan provides for retirement savings to qualified active participants through both participant and employer contributions and is subject to certain provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”). Employees are eligible to participate in the Plan at the beginning of a calendar month after the completion of six months of service.  Eligible employees are automatically enrolled into the Plan at a deferral rate of 2% unless the employee opts out.


 
5

COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC. 401(k)
AND PROFIT SHARING PLAN

Notes to Financial Statements

 

 
(b)
Contributions

Contributions to the Plan may be made by both participants and the Company. Participants may contribute up to a maximum of 85% of their annual compensation subject to the limitations of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 415(c) (3). The Company may make discretionary matching contributions to the Plan not to exceed 6% of an employee’s compensation and may make other types of discretionary contributions. Annual additions to a participant’s account during any Plan year, when combined with the total annual additions to the accounts of the participant under any other qualified defined contribution Plan maintained by the Company, cannot exceed certain levels established under IRC Section 402(g).  The Company made no matching contributions during the 2011 and 2010 Plan years.

 
(c)
Participant Accounts

The Plan document requires that the assets of the Plan be accounted for separately as to participant and employer contributions and valued annually, allocating to each participant their share of income and losses. Employer voluntary contributions are allocated to all eligible employees based on the employees’ contributions for the period.  Participant accounts may be invested in one or more of the investment funds available under the Plan at the direction of the participant.

 
(d)  
Notes Receivable From Participants

Other than the financial conditions listed below, there are no restrictions on participants obtaining a loan.  Subject to approval, a participant can secure a loan from the Plan against his/her account balance for a minimum of $1,000 up to the lesser of 50% of the vested account balance or $50,000.  Loans may generally be repaid over one to five years.  Loans must be repaid through automatic payroll deductions unless otherwise provided for by the plan administrator.  A participant may only have one loan outstanding at a time.  The interest rate is the prime rate plus 1% and is fixed over the life of the loan. Individuals with loans may choose to continue to participate in the Plan.

 
 (e)
Payment of Benefits

Upon retirement, death, disability, or termination of service, a participant (or participant’s beneficiary in the event of death) may elect to receive a lump-sum distribution equal to the value of the participant’s vested account balance.

Benefits are recorded when paid.


 
6

COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC. 401(k)
AND PROFIT SHARING PLAN

Notes to Financial Statements

 

 
(f)
Hardship Withdrawals

The Plan permits distributions in the event of a hardship once a participant furnishes proof of hardship, as defined in the plan agreement.  These distributions are taxable and subject to a tax penalty equal to 10% of the hardship distribution amount if the participant is younger than 59 ½.  Hardship withdrawals are limited to the participant’s elective account balance. Participants with a hardship withdrawal are not allowed to make contributions to the Plan for six months after the withdrawal.

 
(g)
Vesting

Participants are immediately vested in their contributions and the investment earnings (losses) thereon.  Participants vest in employer contributions 20% each year and are 100% vested after five years of credited service.

 
(h)
Forfeited Accounts

Amounts forfeited by participants who terminate from the Plan prior to being 100% vested are applied first, to restore participants accounts when a participant is rehired after a break in service, as defined in the Plan document, then to reduce subsequent Company contributions to the Plan, and finally, any remaining are used to pay Plan expenses.  Participants forfeited $24,958 and $37,084 in 2011 and 2010, respectively.  Forfeitures of $89,670 and $81,705 were unallocated at December 29, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 
 (i)
Administrative Expenses

The administrative expenses of the Plan are paid primarily by the Company.  These costs include legal, accounting, and certain administrative fees.

 
(j)
Plan Termination

While it is the Company’s intention to continue the Plan, the Company has the right under the Plan to discontinue its contributions at any time and to terminate the Plan subject to the provisions of ERISA and the plan agreement. In the event of Plan termination, participants will become 100% vested in their accounts.


 
7

COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC. 401(k)
AND PROFIT SHARING PLAN

Notes to Financial Statements

 

(3)
Transactions With Parties-In-Interest

At December 29, 2011 and 2010, the Plan held investments in trust funds and money market accounts sponsored by the Trustee, asset custodian, or affiliated entities with current values of $6,234,731 and $6,866,001, respectively. The Plan also held shares of Covenant Transportation Group, Inc. common stock with current values of $1,225,598 and $2,998,436 at December 29, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The Plan also held receivables in the participants’ loans with interest rates between 4.25% and 9.25% with a current value of $1,194,952 and $1,277,422 as of December 29, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  All administrative fees of the Plan were paid to parties-in-interest.

(4)
Fair Value Measurements

 
Fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement.  Therefore, a fair value measurement should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.  As a basis for considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, fair value accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market participant assumptions based on market data.  The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

 
 
Level 1 - Inputs to the valuation methodology are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Plan has the ability to access.
 
 
 
Level 2 - Inputs to the valuation methodology include:
 
-   Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

-   Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets;

-   Inputs other than quoted prices that is observable for the asset or liability;
 
-   Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
 
     If the asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, the Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
 
 
Level 3 - Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.


 
8

COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC. 401(k)
AND PROFIT SHARING PLAN

Notes to Financial Statements

 

The asset’s or liability’s fair value measurement level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  Valuation techniques used need to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.

The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for asset measurement measured at fair value:

(i)  
Common stocks:  The investments in Covenant Transportation Group, Inc. 401(k) Unitized Stock Fund (“Unitized CVTI fund”) are carried at fair value based on the closing price as reported on the active market.  Investments in the fund are stated at estimated fair values, which have been determined based on unit values.  Unit values are determined by dividing the fund’s net assets at fair value by its units outstanding at the valuation dates.  The unit values of the fund were $1.67 and $5.09 on December 29, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

(ii)  
Mutual funds:  Valued at the net asset value of shares held by the Plan at year end, based on closing price reported on the active market on which the individual securities are traded.

(iii)  
Common collective trust:  The value of the Plan's interest in the common collective trust is based upon the current value of and net investment gain or loss relating to the units of participation held by the Plan.

The methods described above may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values.  Furthermore, while the Plan's management believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.


 
9

COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC. 401(k)
AND PROFIT SHARING PLAN

Notes to Financial Statements

 

The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Plan’s assets at fair value as of December 29, 2011:

   
Fair Value Measurements as of
December 29, 2011 Using the Following Inputs
 
                         
   
Total
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
Mutual funds:
                       
                         
     Stock funds
  $ 4,775,175     $ 4,775,175     $ -     $ -  
                                 
     Bond funds
    1,509,919       1,509,919       -       -  
                                 
     Multi-asset funds
    3,626,234       3,626,234       -       -  
                                 
Unitized CVTI fund
    1,270,080       -       1,270,080       -  
                                 
Common collective funds
    3,734,354       -       3,734,354       -  
                                 
Total
  $ 14,915,762     $ 9,911,328     $ 5,004,434     $ -  

The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Plan’s assets at fair value as of December 29, 2010:

   
Fair Value Measurements as of
December 29, 2010 Using the Following Inputs
 
                         
   
Total
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
Mutual funds:
                       
                         
     Stock funds
  $ 5,602,066     $ 5,602,066     $ -     $ -  
                                 
     Bond funds
    1,657,928       1,657,928       -       -  
                                 
     Multi-asset funds
    3,591,448       3,591,448       -       -  
                                 
Unitized CVTI fund
    3,066,805       -       3,066,805       -  
                                 
Common collective funds
    4,217,769       -       4,217,769       -  
                                 
Total
  $ 18,136,016     $ 10,851,442     $ 7,284,574     $ -  
 
 
10

COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC. 401(k)
AND PROFIT SHARING PLAN

Notes to Financial Statements

 


(5)
Investments
 
            The following investments represent 5% or more of the Plan’s net assets at December 29, 2011 and 2010:

   
2011
   
2010
 
             
Unitized CVTI Fund
    1,270,080       3,066,805  
Diversified Stable Pooled Fund
    3,734,354       4,217,769  
Eaton Vance Large Cap Value A
    999,507       1,193,331  
Transamerica Partners Core Bond
    1,431,521       1,518,374  
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2025 R
    900,954       **  
Mainstay Large Cap Growth R3
    1,066,433       **  
American Growth Fund
    **       1,367,866  

** Investment does not represent 5% or more of the Plan’s net assets for the respective year.

(6)
Income Tax Status
 
The Internal Revenue Service made a favorable ruling on the application for determination of qualification submitted by the Company on September 8, 2003. The plan administrator is not aware of any course of action or series of events that might adversely affect the Plan’s qualification under Section 401(a) of the IRC, and under which the Plan would be subject to tax under present income tax law.  Subsequent to the issuance of the determination letter, the Plan was amended.  Once qualified, the Plan is required to operate in conformity with the IRC to maintain its qualifications.  The plan administrator believes the Plan is being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the IRC and, therefore believes that the Plan, as amended, is qualified and the related trust is tax exempt.
 
Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require Plan management to evaluate tax positions taken by the Plan and recognize a tax liability (or asset) if the Plan has taken an uncertain position that more likely than not would not be sustained upon examination by the IRS. The plan administrator has analyzed the tax positions taken by the Plan, and has concluded that as of December 29, 2011, there are no uncertain positions taken or expected to be taken that would require recognition of a liability (or asset) or disclosure in the financial statements. The Plan is subject to routine audits by taxing jurisdictions; however, there are currently no audits for any tax periods in progress. The plan administrator believes it is no longer subject to income tax examinations for years prior to 2009.




 
COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC. 401(k)
AND PROFIT SHARING PLAN
 
EIN 88-0320154 Plan No. 001
Schedule H, Line 4i - Schedule of Assets (Held at the End of the Year)
December 29, 2011
 
 (a)  
(b)
(c)
 
(e)
 
   
Identity of Issue, Borrower,
Lessor, or Similar Party
Description of Investment, Including Maturity Date,
Rate of Interest, Par or Maturity Value
 
CURRENT
VALUE
 
 *  
Diversified Retirement Corporation
Cash Reserve Account
  $ 89,670  
                 
     
American Century
American Century Real Estate Inv
    197,808  
     
American Funds
American Funds EuroPacific Growth R3
    526,365  
     
Eaton Vance
Eaton Vance Large Cap Value A
    999,507  
     
Keeley
Keeley Small Cap Value A
    352,070  
     
Mainstay
MainStay Large Cap Growth R3
    1,066,433  
     
Nuveen
Nuveen Mid Cap Growth Opportunities A
    697,311  
     
T. Rowe Price
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2005 R
    21,822  
     
T. Rowe Price
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2010 R
    83,756  
     
T. Rowe Price
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2015 R
    320,475  
     
T. Rowe Price
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2020 R
    567,331  
     
T. Rowe Price
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2025 R
    900,954  
     
T. Rowe Price
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2030 R
    520,937  
     
T. Rowe Price
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2035 R
    461,999  
     
T. Rowe Price
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2040 R
    384,424  
     
T. Rowe Price
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2045 R
    227,215  
     
T. Rowe Price
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050 R
    127,738  
     
T. Rowe Price
T. Rowe Price Retirement 2055 R
    9,583  
     
T. Rowe Price
T. Rowe Price Retirement Income R
    977  
 *  
Transamerica Partners Funds Group
Transamerica Partners Core Bond
    1,431,521  
 *  
Transamerica Partners Funds Group
Transamerica Partners Mid Value
    313,882  
 *  
Transamerica Partners Funds Group
Transamerica Partners Stock Index Fund
    620,822  
     
Vanguard
Vanguard Treasury Money Market Adm
    78,398  
       
Mutual Funds Total
    9,911,328  
                 
 *  
Diversified Retirement Corporation
Stable Pooled Fund
    3,734,354  
       
Collective Trust Total
    3,734,354  
                 
 *  
Covenant Transportation Group, Inc.
Covenant Transportation Group, Inc. Class A Common Stock, 416,870 shares
    1,225,598  
 *  
State Street Bank & Trust Co.
State Street Institutional Reserves
    44,482  
       
Unitized CVTI Fund
    1,270,080  
                 
 *  
Participants
Notes Receivable with interest rates of 4.25% to 9.25%
    1,194,952  
       
TOTAL PLAN ASSETS
  $ 16,200,384  
 
* Indicates Party-In-Interest to the Plan
    Cost not required for participant directed plans
       
 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the trustees (or other persons who administer the employee benefit plan) have duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 
COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC. 401(K) AND PROFIT SHARING PLAN
     
     
     
Dated: June 19, 2012
By:
/s/ R. H. Lovin, Jr.                                                                                      
   
R.H. Lovin, Jr., Administrator


 
 

 
 
INDEX TO EXHIBITS


Exhibit Number
Description of Exhibit
23
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm