C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc. reported fourth-quarter gross profits increased 30.3 percent to $236.1 million in 2005 from $181.2 million in 2004.

Income from operations increased 49.2 percent to $92.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2005 from $62.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2004. Net income increased 50.8 percent to $58.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2005 from $38.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2004. Diluted net income per share increased 50.0 percent to $0.33 per share in the fourth quarter of 2005 from $0.22 per share in the fourth quarter of 2004.
For the 12 months ended Dec. 31, 2005, gross profits increased 33.1 percent to $879.8 million from $661.0 million in 2004. Income from operations increased 46.5 percent to $326.4 million from $222.8 million in 2004. Net income increased 48.2 percent to $203.4 million from $137.3 million in 2004. Diluted net income per share increased 46.8 percent to $1.16 per share from $0.79 per share in 2004.
For the fourth quarter, total transportation gross profits increased 27.5 percent to $205.9 million in 2005 from $161.5 million in 2004. The company’s transportation gross profit margin decreased to 15.7 percent in 2005 from 16.0 percent in 2004.
The increase in Robinson’s truck transportation gross profits of 25.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2005 was driven by volume growth in truckload and less-than-truckload transactions, offset by a slight decrease in gross profit margins. Tight capacity created opportunities with new and existing customers.
Intermodal gross profits increase of 7.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2005 resulted from an increase in gross profit margins, offset by a decrease in volume. The firm’s gross profit margin expanded due to rate increases and the elimination of some lower margin business.