The asset-light trucking and logistics provider Roadrunner Transportation Systems Inc. reported its first quarter operating results on Monday that showed a bigger loss than it reported a year earlier as it also said its now in compliance with government reporting rules.
Roadrunner Loss Widens Amid Financial Probe
The asset-light trucking and logistics provider Roadrunner Transportation Systems Inc. reported its first quarter operating results on Monday that showed a bigger loss than it reported a year earlier as it also said its now in compliance with government reporting rules.

Its net loss increased to $23.6 million for the first quarter of 2018, compared to a net loss of $19.9 million for the first quarter of 2017. According to the company, this was primarily due to higher interest costs related to the company’s preferred stock issued in May 2017.
Revenues for the quarter ended March 31 totaled $570, a 19% increase from $478.9 million for the quarter a year earlier.
“Comparable quarter to quarter operating results in our truckload and express services and Ascent segments improved significantly in the first quarter of 2018 versus 2017,” said Curt Stoelting, CEO. “We expect positive trends in these segments to continue in 2018. As part of our investment in turning around the LTL segment, we expected to incur higher operating losses in the first quarter of 2018 than in the prior year.”
According to him, the company’s less-than-truckload management team is working to improve the quality of freight and the density within the company’s key lanes as well as improving its service and operating metrics.
“By accelerating our focus on reducing our service area and eliminating unprofitable freight, we expect a reduction in 2018 second quarter revenue as compared to the prior year second quarter, Stoelting said. “We expect a sequential quarterly improvement in LTL operating results in the 2018 second quarter and we anticipate improvements in operating trends in the second half of 2018 compared to the first half.”
Earlier this year the company announced the integration and rebranding of several operating companies, including Roadrunner Truckload Plus, into Ascent Global Logistics. More recently the company announced the integration of its time definite ground and air transportation operations. Also the company restructured its temperature controlled truckload business by completing the integration of multiple operating companies into one business unit.
These latest numbers follow Roadrunner releasing full 2017 numbers about two weeks earlier in which it reported a net loss was $91.2 million compared to a net loss of $360.3 million all of 2016.
According to Roadrunner, the company is now current when it comes to reporting requirements from the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Earlier, Roadrunner said it discovered significant financial errors made by the company’s previous management team when it came to its accounting practices and has been working clear up past financial statements.
The matter has gotten the attention of the U.S. Justice Department. So far, at least two former Roadrunner executives have been indicted for their alleged role in an accounting fraud scheme.
Related: 5 More Fleets Report Improved 1st Quarter Results
More Fleet Management

ATA’s Spear Warns Fuel Prices, Trade Policy, and Global Conflict Could Stall Trucking Recovery
Speaking at the TMC Annual Meeting in Nashville, ATA President Chris Spear said trucking faces mounting pressure from rising fuel prices, geopolitical instability, and uncertainty around trade policy.
Read More →
New Entrants, Chameleon Carriers, and Safety: Is It Too Easy to Start a Trucking Company?
More than 100,000 new trucking companies enter the industry each year, but regulators manage to audit only a fraction of them. That churn creates opportunities for inexperienced startups — and for “chameleon carriers” that shut down after safety violations and reappear under new identities. Read more from Deborah Lockridge in this commentary.
Read More →
Fleet Managers Invited to Apply for Exclusive HDT Exchange Event
HDTX is an intimate event that connects heavy-duty trucking fleet managers with industry suppliers through small-group discussions, educational sessions, and structured one-on-one meetings.
Read More →
DAT Launches iPhone Widget to Help Owner-Operators Find Loads Faster
New DAT One feature shows top-paying loads directly on an iPhone’s home screen, helping carriers react faster to spot-market opportunities.
Read More →
Optimal Dynamics Launches AI System to Help Carriers Choose Better Freight
Optimal Dynamics says its new Scale platform uses AI agents and optimization to help carriers find and secure freight that improves network balance and profitability.
Read More →
DAT: Flatbed Demand Climbs as Van and Reefer Rates Soften
DAT Freight & Analytics data shows tightening flatbed capacity, easing produce markets, and softening van and reefer rates.
Read More →
Run on Less “Messy Middle” Data Shows Multiple Paths Forward for Truck Powertrains [Watch]
NACFE's Run on Less - Messy Middle project demonstrates the power of data in helping to guide the future of alternative fuels and powertrains for heavy-duty trucks.
Read More →
Federal Court Lets NYC Congestion Pricing Continue
A federal court ruling allows New York City’s congestion pricing program to continue, leaving truck tolls in place for fleets delivering into Manhattan.
Read More →
Fontaine Modification Launches Real-Time Truck Modification Tracking Portal
Fontaine Modification has introduced a new customer portal designed to give fleets real-time visibility into the truck modification process, addressing one of the most common questions fleet managers face: “Where’s my truck?”
Read More →
FTR: Trucking Conditions Index Climbs to Highest Level Since 2022
Strong freight rates, rising volumes and tighter capacity push trucking conditions higher, though diesel prices could temper gains in the near term, FTR cautions.
Read More →
