Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Knight Transportation Profit Leaps More Than 66%

With strong demand and tight capacity continuing, Knight Transportation's third-quarter profits are up more than 66% over a year ago, thanks to higher revenue per tractor and per loaded mile and fewer empty miles.

Evan Lockridge
Evan LockridgeFormer Business Contributing Editor
Read Evan's Posts
October 22, 2014
Knight Transportation Profit Leaps More Than 66%

 

2 min to read


Truckload and logistics provider Knight Transportation Inc. has reported a more than 66% increase in its third quarter profit.

The Arizona-based operation said net income totaled $25.2 million compared to $15.1 million a year earlier. Earning per share gained 63.2%, hitting 31 cents, versus 19 cents during the third quarter of 2013.

Ad Loading...

Total revenue increased 13.5% to $271.5 million from $239.3 during the same time period.

Year to date, the company’s net income is up 42.2% from the first nine months of last year while total revenue has increased 9.1%.

''During the quarter we improved our revenue, excluding fuel surcharge 16.3%, while improving our consolidated operating ratio by 510 basis points,” said Kevin Knight, chairman and CEO. “The overall demand environment remained strong while capacity continues to be tight. We are pleased with the progress made in both our trucking and logistics segments, as these businesses continue to complement each other and have led to profitable growth.”

According to the company, its trucking business saw revenue per tractor, excluding fuel surcharge, increase 7.2% year-over- year, with a 6.5% improvement in revenue per loaded mile, a 2.5% increase in  length of haul, and an 80-basis-point improvement in non-paid empty mile percentage with miles per tractor essentially unchanged.

Knight said it ended the third quarter with 100 more tractors than the end of the second quarter, a 2.5% increase, and it expected to grow its fleet.

Ad Loading...

“Our logistics segment continues to show meaningful growth and complements our trucking segment by enabling us to source more capacity and offer more solutions for our customers. Our brokerage business increased revenue 91.1% and operating income 311.3%, when compared to the same quarter last year,” the company said in a statement. “Our intermodal business has now been profitable for two consecutive quarters and operated at a 93.7% operating ratio, which represents an improvement of 530 basis points sequentially from the second quarter of 2014 and a 970 basis points improvement when compared to the third quarter of 2013."

The first of this month Knight Transportation announced that it acquired 100% of the outstanding stock of Barr-Nunn Transportation Inc. and certain affiliates. The reported results of the third quarter do not include any revenue or earnings related to the purchase.

More details are on the Knight Transportation website.

More Fleet Management

Daimler-Class8 partnership.
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseFebruary 2, 2026

DTNA Partners with Class8 to Expand Digital Services for Freightliner Owner-Operators

A new partnership brings free wireless ELD service plus load optimization and dispatch planning tools to fourth- and fifth-generation Freightliner Cascadia customers, with broader model availability planned through 2026.

Read More →
SponsoredFebruary 1, 2026

Reducing Fleet Downtime with Advanced Diagnostics

This white paper examines how advanced commercial vehicle diagnostics can significantly reduce fleet downtime as heavy duty vehicles become more complex. It shows how Autel’s CV diagnostic tools enable in-house troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and faster repairs, helping fleets cut emissions-related downtime, reduce dealer dependence, and improve overall vehicle uptime and operating costs.

Read More →
SponsoredFebruary 1, 2026

Stop Watching Footage, Start Driving Results

6 intelligent dashcam tactics to improve safety and boost ROI

Read More →
Ad Loading...
M&A illustration with Werner and FirstFleet logos
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 29, 2026

Werner Expands Dedicated Fleet Nearly 50% With FirstFleet Acquisition

The $283 million acquisition of FirstFleet makes Werner the fifth-largest dedicated carrier and pushes more than half of its revenue into contract freight.

Read More →
Bobit Business Media B2X Rewards.
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseJanuary 29, 2026

Bobit Business Media Launches B2X Rewards Engagement Program

B2X Rewards is a new, gamified rewards program aimed at driving deeper engagement across BBM’s digital platforms, newsletters, events, and TheFleetSource.com.

Read More →
Trucking Trends series graphic
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 29, 2026

AI is Reshaping Trucking in 2026, from the Back Office to the Shop

Trucking’s biggest technology shifts in 2026 have one thing in common: artificial intelligence.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Column graphic illustration with Deborah Lockridge head shot and a small fleet truck in the background
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 27, 2026

Why Small Trucking Fleets Are Still Standing [Commentary]

Why discipline, relationships, and focus have mattered more than size for smaller trucking fleets during the freight recession.

Read More →
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 23, 2026

Cargo Theft Is Surging. A Bill in Congress Could Help. [Video]

Cargo theft losses hit $725 million last year. In this HDT Talks Trucking Short Take video, Scott Cornell explains how a bill moving in Congress could bring federal tracking, enforcement, and prosecutions to help address the problem.

Read More →
CargoNet infographic showing 2025 cargo theft trends
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 22, 2026

Cargo Theft Losses Jump 60% in 2025 as Criminals Target Higher-Value Freight

Cargo theft activity across North America held relatively steady in 2025 — but the financial damage did not, as ever-more-sophisticated organized criminal groups shifted their cargo theft focus to higher-value shipments.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Phillips Connect -- McLeod smart trailer TMS.
Fleet ManagementJanuary 22, 2026

Phillips Connect, McLeod Integrate Smart Trailer Data into TMS Workflows

A new partnership between Phillips Connect and McLeod allows fleets to view trailer health, location, and cargo status inside the same McLeod workflows used for planning, dispatch, and execution.

Read More →