Werner Enterprises Inc., the Omaha, Neb.-based truckload transportation and logistics company, reported revenues increased 1 percent to $525.7 million in fourth quarter 2007 compared to $518.4 million in fourth quarter 2006.

Revenues, excluding fuel surcharges, decreased 4 percent to $435.0 million in fourth quarter 2007 compared to $453.8 million in fourth quarter 2006. Earnings per share declined 30 percent to $.22 per share in fourth quarter 2007 compared to $.31 per share in fourth quarter 2006.
For the full year, revenues decreased slightly to $2.071 billion in 2007 compared to $2.081 billion in 2006. Revenues, excluding fuel surcharges, decreased 1 percent to $1.769 billion in 2007 compared to $1.794 billion in 2006. Earnings per share declined 18 percent to $1.02 in 2007 compared to $1.25 in 2006.
Continued softness in freight demand and the temporary increase in the supply of trucks caused by the industry truck pre-buy made for extremely challenging freight market conditions during fourth quarter 2007. Load counts for Werner's Van Network of non-dedicated fleet trucks were lower almost every week in October, November and December of 2007 compared to the same weeks of the previous four years. So far in January 2008 compared to the same period in January 2007, load counts are approximately equal to levels a year ago for the Regional and Expedited fleets, but are weaker, and are continuing to weaken, for the reduced-sized, medium-to-long-haul Van fleet. Significantly higher fuel prices had a $.05 per share negative impact on earnings in fourth quarter 2007 compared to fourth quarter 2006 and a $.09 per share negative impact on earnings in 2007 compared to 2006.
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