Landstar System Reports Record Quarterly Revenue of $1.202 Billion and Record Quarterly Diluted Earnings Per Share of $1.63

10/24/18

04:15 PM EDT

3Q 2018 Presentation Slides 1.5 MB

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Oct. 24, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Landstar System, Inc. (NASDAQ: LSTR) reported record quarterly revenue of $1.202 billion in the 2018 third quarter, a 27 percent increase over revenue of $943 million reported in the 2017 third quarter. Net income of $67.0 million and diluted earnings per share of $1.63 were also quarterly records and increased 58 percent and 61 percent, respectively, over net income and diluted earnings per share in the 2017 third quarter. Gross profit (defined as revenue less the cost of purchased transportation and commissions to agents) in the 2018 third quarter was $171.3 million, 22 percent above the 2017 third quarter, while 2018 third quarter operating income was $87.1 million, 44 percent above the 2017 third quarter. Operating income in the 2018 third quarter was an all-time quarterly record, while gross profit was a third quarter record, second all-time only to the Company’s 2018 second quarter.

Truck transportation revenue hauled by independent business capacity owners (“BCOs”) and truck brokerage carriers in the 2018 third quarter was $1.118 billion, or 93 percent of revenue, compared to $877.6 million, or 93 percent of revenue, in the 2017 third quarter. Truckload transportation revenue hauled via van equipment in the 2018 third quarter was $717.0 million compared to $550.5 million in the 2017 third quarter. Truckload transportation revenue hauled via unsided/platform equipment in the 2018 third quarter was $375.7 million compared to $304.5 million in the 2017 third quarter. Revenue hauled by rail, air and ocean cargo carriers was $65.7 million, or 5 percent of revenue, in the 2018 third quarter compared to $53.7 million, or 6 percent of revenue, in the 2017 third quarter.

Landstar did not purchase any shares of its common stock during the 2018 third quarter. Currently, the Company is authorized to purchase up to an additional 2,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock under Landstar’s previously announced share purchase programs. As of September 29, 2018, the Company had $254 million in cash and short term investments and $216 million available for borrowings under the Company’s senior credit facility.

In addition, Landstar announced today that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.165 per share payable on December 7, 2018, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 13, 2018. It is currently the intention of the Board to pay dividends on a quarterly basis going forward.

“I am extremely pleased with Landstar’s financial performance during the 2018 third quarter,” said Landstar’s President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Gattoni. “The 2018 third quarter established all-time Landstar quarterly records for revenue, operating income and diluted earnings per share while gross profit was a third quarter record. The Company also set new all-time Landstar records for trucks provided by BCOs with 10,443 as of the end of the quarter and net truck additions in a single quarter with the net addition of 288 trucks in the third quarter.”

Gattoni continued, “Demand for our services continued to be strong in the 2018 third quarter. The number of loads hauled via truck in the 2018 third quarter was a third quarter record and increased 7 percent over the 2017 third quarter, driven by a 7 percent increase in the number of loads hauled via van equipment, a 5 percent increase in the number of loads hauled via unsided/platform equipment and a 5 percent increase in less-than-truckload volume. Excluding the approximately 16,000 truckloads hauled by Landstar in September 2017 related to the storms that impacted the southeastern U.S. and Texas, truckload volumes increased 10 percent over the 2017 third quarter. The number of loads hauled via railroads, ocean cargo carriers and air cargo carriers was 25 percent higher in the 2018 third quarter compared to the 2017 third quarter, primarily due to a 21 percent increase in rail intermodal volume and a 46 percent increase in ocean volume.”

Gattoni further commented, “As expected, the pricing environment for our truckload services continued to be very strong in the 2018 third quarter, as industry-wide truck capacity continued to be tight. Revenue per load on loads hauled via van equipment increased 21 percent over the 2017 third quarter and revenue per load on loads hauled via unsided/platform equipment increased 17 percent over the 2017 third quarter. As a result, revenue per load on loads hauled via truck was 19 percent higher than the 2017 third quarter.”

Gattoni continued, “Revenue per load and the number of loads hauled via truck in the first few weeks of October continue to significantly exceed the rates and volume of the same period of 2017, however, at a more modest pace than experienced during the first three quarters of 2018. Accordingly, we expect truck revenue per load in the 2018 fourth quarter to exceed prior year fourth quarter in an upper single digit percentage range. The anticipated deceleration in the growth in truck revenue per load is the result of: 1) a more difficult quarter over prior year quarter comparison, as truck revenue per load in the 2017 fourth quarter experienced atypical significant increases on a sequential monthly basis during the quarter and 2) truck revenue per load in the first few weeks of October 2018 is trending slightly below normal seasonal patterns. The number of loads hauled via truck in the first few weeks of October is trending above the same period of 2017 in a high single digit percentage range. We expect that trend to continue and therefore expect the number of loads hauled via truck in the 2018 fourth quarter to exceed the 2017 fourth quarter in an eight to ten percent range. Assuming recent trends continue, I anticipate record revenue for the 2018 fourth quarter in a range of $1.180 billion to $1.230 billion, which would represent growth of 12 percent to 17 percent above our record 2017 fourth quarter. Assuming that range of estimated revenue and insurance and claims expense at 3.5 percent of projected BCO revenue, representing average insurance and claims costs as a percent of BCO revenue over the past five years, I would anticipate record diluted earnings per share in the 2018 fourth quarter in a range of $1.56 to $1.62. As a reminder, the 2017 fourth quarter diluted earnings per share of $1.54 included the effect of one-time tax benefits of $19.5 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, related to the Company’s reasonable estimate of the change in future tax rates on net deferred tax liabilities as a result of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December 2017.”

Landstar will provide a live webcast of its quarterly earnings conference call tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m. ET. To access the webcast, visit the Company’s website at www.landstar.com; click on “Investor Relations” and “Webcasts,” then click on “Landstar’s Third Quarter 2018 Earnings Release Conference Call.”

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”. This press release contains forward-looking statements, such as statements which relate to Landstar’s business objectives, plans, strategies and expectations. Terms such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “intention,” “expects,” “plans,” “predicts,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “will,” the negative thereof and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are by nature subject to uncertainties and risks, including but not limited to: an increase in the frequency or severity of accidents or other claims; unfavorable development of existing accident claims; dependence on third party insurance companies; dependence on independent commission sales agents; dependence on third party capacity providers; decreased demand for transportation services; U.S. foreign trade relationships; substantial industry competition; disruptions or failures in the Company’s computer systems; cyber and other information security incidents; dependence on key vendors; changes in fuel taxes; status of independent contractors; regulatory and legislative changes; regulations focused on diesel emissions and other air quality matters; catastrophic loss of a Company facility; intellectual property; unclaimed property; and other operational, financial or legal risks or uncertainties detailed in Landstar’s Form 10K for the 2017 fiscal year, described in Item 1A Risk Factors, and in other SEC filings from time to time. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results or events to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated. Investors should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.

About Landstar:
Landstar System, Inc. is a worldwide, asset-light provider of integrated transportation management solutions delivering safe, specialized transportation services to a broad range of customers utilizing a network of agents, third-party capacity providers and employees. Landstar transportation services companies are certified to ISO 9001:2015 quality management system standards and RC14001:2015 environmental, health, safety and security management system standards. Landstar System, Inc. is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. Its common stock trades on The NASDAQ Stock Market® under the symbol LSTR.


Landstar System, Inc. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Statements of Income
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


	Thirty Nine Weeks Ended						Thirteen Weeks Ended
	September 29,			September 30,			September 29,			September 30,
		2018			2017			2018			2017

Revenue	$	3,432,793		$	2,594,772		$	1,202,081		$	943,430
Investment income		2,754			1,733			1,002			711

Costs and expenses:
Purchased transportation		2,658,710			1,989,938			931,473			726,827
Commissions to agents		275,828			210,678			99,304			76,598
Other operating costs, net of gains on asset sales/dispositions		24,176			22,497			8,966			8,097
Insurance and claims		57,718			46,333			18,819			17,927
Selling, general and administrative		140,948			123,179			46,699			43,995
Depreciation and amortization		32,520			29,961			10,754			10,130

Total costs and expenses		3,189,900			2,422,586			1,116,015			883,574

Operating income		245,647			173,919			87,068			60,567
Interest and debt expense		2,455			2,559			816			657

Income before income taxes		243,192			171,360			86,252			59,910
Income taxes		56,279			59,047			19,304			17,490

Net income		186,913			112,313			66,948			42,420
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		(112	)		(23	)		(37	)		(23	)
Net income attributable to Landstar System,
Inc. and subsidiary	$	187,025		$	112,336		$	66,985		$	42,443

Earnings per common share attributable to
Landstar System, Inc. and subsidiary	$	4.50		$	2.68		$	1.63		$	1.01

Diluted earnings per share attributable to
Landstar System, Inc. and subsidiary	$	4.50		$	2.67		$	1.63		$	1.01

Average number of shares outstanding:
Earnings per common share		41,530,000			41,924,000			41,101,000			41,957,000
Diluted earnings per share		41,576,000			42,013,000			41,137,000			42,028,000

Dividends per common share	$	0.465		$	0.280		$	0.165		$	0.100

Landstar System, Inc. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


	September 29,			December 30,
		2018			2017
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	213,974		$	242,416
Short-term investments		40,203			48,928
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance
of $6,173 and $6,131		702,183			631,164
Other receivables, including advances to independent
contractors, less allowance of $6,188 and $6,012		18,586			24,301
Other current assets		24,191			14,394
Total current assets		999,137			961,203

Operating property, less accumulated depreciation
and amortization of $241,321 and $218,700		268,011			276,011
Goodwill		38,560			39,065
Other assets		85,004			76,181
Total assets	$	1,390,712		$	1,352,460

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Cash overdraft	$	39,759		$	42,242
Accounts payable		313,728			285,132
Current maturities of long-term debt		40,960			42,051
Insurance claims		43,268			38,919
Dividends payable		-			62,985
Accrued compensation		23,908			30,103
Other current liabilities		53,553			47,211
Total current liabilities		515,176			548,643

Long-term debt, excluding current maturities		72,887			83,062
Insurance claims		30,775			30,141
Deferred income taxes and other non-current liabilities		45,664			36,737

Equity
Landstar System, Inc. and subsidiary shareholders' equity
Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 160,000,000
shares, issued 67,869,378 and 67,740,380 shares		679			677
Additional paid-in capital		221,563			209,599
Retained earnings		1,779,680			1,611,158
Cost of 26,755,001 and 25,749,493 shares of common
stock in treasury		(1,273,512	)		(1,167,600	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(4,569	)		(3,162	)
Total Landstar System, Inc. and subsidiary shareholders'
equity		723,841			650,672
Noncontrolling interest		2,369			3,205
Total equity		726,210			653,877
Total liabilities and equity	$	1,390,712		$	1,352,460

Landstar System, Inc. and Subsidiary
Supplemental Information
(Unaudited)


	Thirty Nine Weeks Ended						Thirteen Weeks Ended
	September 29,			September 30,			September 29,			September 30,
		2018			2017			2018			2017
Revenue generated through (in thousands):

Truck transportation
Truckload:
Van equipment	$	2,086,523		$	1,529,402		$	717,047		$	550,484
Unsided/platform equipment		1,039,784			825,194			375,739			304,536
Less-than-truckload		76,448			65,397			25,500			22,598
Total truck transportation		3,202,755			2,419,993			1,118,286			877,618
Rail intermodal		96,026			68,570			34,439			24,213
Ocean and air cargo carriers		82,719			70,708			31,213			29,523
Other ⁽¹⁾		51,293			35,501			18,143			12,076
	$	3,432,793		$	2,594,772		$	1,202,081		$	943,430

Revenue on loads hauled via BCO Independent Contractors ⁽²⁾
included in total truck transportation	$	1,519,344		$	1,211,564		$	520,391		$	435,479

Number of loads:

Truck transportation
Truckload:
Van equipment		1,045,322			942,894			353,456			329,329
Unsided/platform equipment		388,759			362,936			133,425			126,509
Less-than-truckload		106,639			98,740			35,969			34,232
Total truck transportation		1,540,720			1,404,570			522,850			490,070
Rail intermodal		40,260			32,040			13,420			11,080
Ocean and air cargo carriers		21,250			18,150			8,220			6,210
		1,602,230			1,454,760			544,490			507,360

Loads hauled via BCO Independent Contractors ⁽²⁾
included in total truck transportation		717,470			686,830			236,580			232,970

Revenue per load:

Truck transportation
Truckload:
Van equipment	$	1,996		$	1,622		$	2,029		$	1,672
Unsided/platform equipment		2,675			2,274			2,816			2,407
Less-than-truckload		717			662			709			660
Total truck transportation		2,079			1,723			2,139			1,791
Rail intermodal		2,385			2,140			2,566			2,185
Ocean and air cargo carriers		3,893			3,896			3,797			4,754

Revenue per load on loads hauled via BCO Independent Contractors ⁽²⁾	$	2,118		$	1,764		$	2,200		$	1,869

Revenue by capacity type (as a % of total revenue):

Truck capacity providers:
BCO Independent Contractors ⁽²⁾		44	%		47	%		43	%		46	%
Truck Brokerage Carriers		49	%		47	%		50	%		47	%
Rail intermodal		3	%		3	%		3	%		3	%
Ocean and air cargo carriers		2	%		3	%		3	%		3	%
Other		1	%		1	%		2	%		1	%


							September 29,			September 30,
								2018			2017
Truck Capacity Providers

BCO Independent Contractors ⁽²⁾								9,751			8,939
Truck Brokerage Carriers:
Approved and active ⁽³⁾								40,151			32,925
Other approved								16,803			15,138
								56,954			48,063
Total available truck capacity providers								66,705			57,002

Trucks provided by BCO Independent Contractors ⁽²⁾								10,443			9,548


(1) Includes primarily reinsurance premium revenue generated by the insurance segment and intra-Mexico transportation services revenue generated by Landstar Metro.

(2) BCO Independent Contractors are independent contractors who provide truck capacity to the Company under exclusive lease arrangements.

(3) Active refers to Truck Brokerage Carriers who moved at least one load in the 180 days immediately preceding the fiscal quarter end.

Contact: Kevin StoutLandstar System, Inc.www.landstar.com
904-398-9400

Source: Landstar System, Inc.