JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Feb. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Landstar System, Inc. (NASDAQ: LSTR) reported revenue of $717.5 million in the fourteen-week 2011 fourth quarter compared to $587.5 million in the 2010 thirteen-week fourth quarter. The Company also reported earnings of $0.70 per diluted share, from net income of $32.6 million, compared to net income of $24.1 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, for the 2010 fourth quarter.  Diluted earnings per share in the 2011 fourth quarter equals the highest quarterly diluted earnings per share in Landstar history.  Further, operating margin, representing operating income divided by gross profit (gross profit defined as revenue less the cost of purchased transportation and commissions to agents) was 45.0 percent in the 2011 fourth quarter compared to 36.4 percent in the 2010 fourth quarter.

Truck transportation revenue hauled by independent business capacity owners ("BCOs") and truck brokerage carriers in the 2011 fourth quarter was $659.3 million, or 92 percent of revenue, compared to $537.6 million, or 91 percent of revenue, in the 2010 fourth quarter.  In the 2011 and 2010 fourth quarters, the Company invoiced customers $76.1 million and $51.1 million, respectively, of fuel surcharges that were passed 100 percent to BCOs and excluded from revenue.  Included in revenue hauled by third-party truck capacity providers in the 2011 and 2010 fourth quarters were $30.0 million and $17.6 million, respectively, of fuel surcharges invoiced to customers on revenue hauled by third-party truck brokerage carriers.  Revenue hauled by rail, air and ocean cargo carriers was $44.2 million, or 6 percent of revenue, in the 2011 fourth quarter compared to $36.7 million, or 6 percent of revenue, in the 2010 fourth quarter.  Transportation management fee revenue generated by the supply chain solutions companies was $5.1 million and $4.4 million in the 2011 and 2010 fourth quarters, respectively.

Return on average shareholder's equity was 41 percent and return on invested capital, net income divided by the sum of average equity plus average debt, was 29 percent for fiscal year 2011.  During 2011, the Company purchased 1,206,000 shares of its common stock under its authorized share purchase programs at a total cost of $50,450,000.  Under the Company's authorized share purchase program, the Company currently has a total of 517,000 shares of its common stock available for purchase.  Landstar also announced that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.055 per share.  The dividend is payable on March 16, 2012 to stockholders of record at the close of business on February 20, 2012.  It is the intention of the Board of Directors to continue to pay a quarterly dividend.    

"I am extremely pleased with Landstar's 2011 fourth quarter and full year performance," said Landstar's Chairman, President and CEO, Henry Gerkens.  "Revenue in the 2011 fourth quarter increased 22 percent over the 2010 fourth quarter.  I estimate that the extra week in the 2011 fourth quarter contributed approximately $25 to $30 million in additional revenue.  Revenue growth was driven by continued strength in revenue per load and a significant increase in volumes over the prior year fourth quarter. Gross profit and operating income in the 2011 fourth quarter increased 15 percent and 42 percent, respectively, over the 2010 fourth quarter, resulting in operating margin expansion from 36.4 percent in the 2010 fourth quarter to 45.0 percent in the 2011 fourth quarter. Diluted earnings per share increased 40 percent over the 2010 fourth quarter to $0.70."

Gerkens continued, "2011 was a very strong year.  Landstar completed fiscal year 2011 with record annual revenue of $2,649.1 million compared to $2,400.2 million for the 2010 fiscal year and record annual diluted earnings per share of $2.38 compared to $1.77 for the 2010 fiscal year.  On a full year basis, operating margin was 42.4 percent for the 2011 fiscal year compared to 35.5 percent for the 2010 fiscal year.  I expect that strength to continue into 2012.  As to the 2012 first quarter, revenue in the first quarter of the year has historically been seasonally lower than any other quarter of the year and, as a result, operating margin in the first quarter of the year is also generally lower than any other quarter of the year. We expect we will experience that seasonal impact in the 2012 first quarter, as well.  Revenue per load continues to remain strong into the first several weeks of January and volume remains strong compared to the first several weeks of January 2011.  Based on current trends and assuming those trends continue throughout 2012, I anticipate diluted earnings per share to be within a range of $0.51 to $0.56 for the 2012 first quarter and within a range of $2.62 to $2.82 for fiscal year 2012."

Landstar will provide a live webcast of its quarterly earnings conference call this afternoon at 2:00 pm 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 Fourth Quarter 2011 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, expectations and intentions.  Terms such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "intention," "plans," "predicts," "may," "should," "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 workers' compensation claims; unfavorable development of existing claims; dependence on independent sales agents; dependence on third-party capacity providers; disruptions or failures in our computer systems; a downturn in domestic or international economic growth or growth in the transportation sector; substantial industry competition; and other operational, financial or legal risks or uncertainties detailed in Landstar's Form 10K for the 2010 fiscal year, described in Item 1A Risk Factors, and 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 Landstar undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.

About Landstar:

Landstar System, Inc. is a non-asset based provider of integrated supply chain solutions.  Landstar delivers safe, specialized transportation and logistics services to a broad range of customers worldwide utilizing a network of agents, third-party capacity owners and employees.  All Landstar transportation services companies are certified to ISO 9001:2008 quality management system standards and RC14001:2008 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.

SOURCE Landstar System, Inc.

Jim Gattoni, Landstar System, Inc., +1-904-398-9400, www.landstar.com