JACKSONVILLE, Fla., April 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Landstar System, Inc. (NASDAQ: LSTR) reported record first quarter net income of $27.6 million, or $0.61 per diluted share, on record first quarter revenue of $688 million in the 2014 first quarter. Landstar reported net income from continuing operations of $25.8 million, or $0.55 per diluted share, on revenue from continuing operations of $623 million in the 2013 first quarter. Gross profit (defined as revenue less the cost of purchased transportation and commissions to agents) was $105 million in the 2014 first quarter compared to $96 million in gross profit from continuing operations in the 2013 first quarter. Operating margin, representing operating income divided by gross profit, was 42.7 percent in the 2014 first quarter.           

Truck transportation revenue hauled by independent business capacity owners ("BCOs") and truck brokerage carriers in the 2014 first quarter was $645.2 million, or 94 percent of revenue, compared to $574.7 million, or 92 percent of revenue from continuing operations, in the 2013 first quarter.  Revenue hauled by rail, air and ocean cargo carriers was $33.5 million, or 5 percent of revenue, in the 2014 first quarter compared to $39.1 million, or 6 percent of revenue from continuing operations, in the 2013 first quarter. 

Trailing twelve-month return on average shareholder's equity was 35 percent and trailing twelve-month return on invested capital, net income divided by the sum of average equity plus average debt, was 28 percent.  As of March 29, 2014, the Company had $150 million in cash and short term investments. As of March 29, 2014, there was $192 million available for borrowing under the Company's senior credit facility.  Landstar purchased approximately 637,000 shares of its common stock during the 2014 first quarter at an aggregate cost of $37.1 million. Currently, there are approximately 2,131,000 shares of the Company's common stock available for purchase under Landstar's authorized share purchase program.  In addition, Landstar announced that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.06 per share payable on May 30, 2014 to stockholders of record at the close of business on May 8, 2014.  It is currently the intention of the Board to pay dividends on a quarterly basis going forward.

"I am extremely pleased with the Company's 2014 first quarter performance," said Landstar Chairman and CEO Henry Gerkens. "2014 first quarter revenue, gross profit, operating income, net income, and diluted earnings per share were all first quarter records. Strength in demand for truck transportation services that began in the 2013 fourth quarter increased as we moved through the 2014 first quarter. Significant growth in revenue hauled via van equipment outpaced the growth in revenue hauled via unsided/platform equipment, though I believe that the growth in revenue hauled via unsided/platform equipment was slightly reduced due to the harsh weather experienced in January and February. Overall, the number of loads hauled via truck in the 2014 first quarter increased 4 percent over the 2013 first quarter while revenue per load increased 8 percent over the same period. It should also be noted that 2014 first quarter diluted earnings per share was negatively impacted compared to 2013 first quarter diluted earnings per share from continuing operations by approximately $0.03 per diluted share due to the fact that the Company's annual agent meeting was held in the 2014 first quarter compared to 2013, when it was held in the second quarter. In addition, no provision for incentive compensation was included in the 2013 first quarter, whereas, a provision for incentive compensation of approximately $0.03 per diluted share was recorded in the 2014 first quarter. Operating margin in the first quarter is typically lower than the operating margin of any other quarter. In the 2014 first quarter, operating margin on a quarter over prior year quarter comparison was negatively impacted by the timing of the agent convention and provision for incentive compensation, although in-line with the operating margin anticipated in our previously issued guidance."

Gerkens continued, "As I mentioned earlier, the underlying increase in demand that began in the 2013 fourth quarter accelerated as we moved through the 2014 first quarter.  The increase in underlying demand combined with an industry-wide reduction in truck productivity, reflecting regulatory changes and severe weather that impacted the country during the 2014 first quarter, created supply chain disruption, tightening capacity and increasing spot rates. As we move into the second quarter, I expect that normal uptick in seasonal freight patterns will continue to drive strong demand for our truck services.  Supporting this expectation, demand for the Company's truck services accelerated during the first few weeks of the April fiscal period. During this period, the rate of growth in both the number of loads hauled and revenue per load on truck transportation revenue as compared to the comparable period of the prior year has exceeded the rate of growth experienced in the 2014 first quarter compared to the 2013 first quarter. Based on current trends, I anticipate 2014 second quarter revenue to be within a range of $750 million to $800 million. I also anticipate diluted earnings per share in the 2014 second quarter to be in a range of $0.73 to $0.78."

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 First Quarter 2014 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," "expects," "plans," "predicts," "projects," "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 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; substantial industry competition; disruptions or failures in our computer systems; dependence on key vendors; changes in fuel taxes; status of independent contractors; regulatory and legislative changes; catastrophic loss of a Company facility; acquired businesses; intellectual property; and other operational, financial or legal risks or uncertainties detailed in Landstar's Form 10K for the 2013 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 Landstar 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 logistics services to a broad range of customers 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.

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SOURCE Landstar System, Inc.

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