Landstar Posts Higher Quarterly Profit
The trucking operation Landstar System Inc. reported record quarterly revenue on Thursday as part of its fourth quarter earnings release.

Photo: Evan Lockridge

Photo: Evan Lockridge
The trucking operation Landstar System Inc. reported record quarterly revenue on Thursday as part of its fourth quarter earnings release.
Revenue totaled $863 million for its fiscal quarter ending Dec. 27 2014 compared to $692 million for same time period in 2013.
Net income for the Florida-based carrier fell to $38.5 million from $59.6 million a year earlier when its business still included Landstar Supply Chain Solutions before it was sold to XPO Logistics. However, net income from continuing operations was up compared to a year earlier when it totaled $25.2 million.
Diluted earnings per share in the most recent quarter were 86 cents, the highest from continuing operations in the company’s history, compared to 55 cents a year earlier. It fell when compared to discontinued operations in the final quarter of 2013, when it totaled $1.30 per share.
Truck transportation revenue hauled by independent contractors and truck brokerage carriers in the 2014 fourth quarter was $811.2 million, or 94% of revenue, compared to $643.6 million, or 93% of revenue, in the 2013 fourth quarter. Revenue hauled by rail, air and ocean cargo carriers was $41 million, or 5% of revenue, in the 2014 fourth quarter compared to $39 million, or 6% of revenue, the same time a year earlier.
Landstar also announced that effective Jan. 29. company President and CEO Jim Gattoni joined the board of directors of Landstar System.
“Demand for Landstar's truck transportation services in the 2014 fourth quarter continued to be extremely strong, as the number of loads hauled via truck increased 11% over the 2013 fourth quarter. Revenue per load hauled via truck also remained very strong and increased 14% over the 2013 fourth quarter,” said Gattoni. “In fact, Landstar's average revenue per load hauled via truck in the 2014 fourth quarter set a new record and was up 4% over the record set in the company's 2014 third quarter.”
He said Landstar also experienced very strong revenue growth over the 2013 fourth quarter with respect to both loads hauled with van equipment and with unsided/platform equipment, with revenue increasing 28% and 24%, respectively.
“2014 was truly an exceptional year for Landstar as the company surpassed $3 billion in revenue for the first time in its history. In addition to revenue, annual records were set for many other financial metrics including gross profit, operating income, net income and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations."
For its 2014 fiscal year, Landstar revenue was nearly $3.2 billion compared to almost $2.7 billion for 2013, while net income from continuing operations totaled $139 million compared to $109 million during the same time periods.
So far this year, Gattoni said the strength in both the number of loads hauled by truck and truck revenue per load experienced in the 2014 fourth quarter has continued.
“Assuming continued strength in both load volume and revenue per load from truck transportation services throughout the remainder of the 2015 first quarter, I anticipate revenue for the 2015 first quarter to be in a range of $750 million to $800 million. And, assuming that range of estimated revenue, I would anticipate 2015 first quarter diluted earnings per share to be in a range of 71 cents to 76 cents per share compared to 61 cents per diluted share in the 2014 first quarter,” he said.
More Fleet Management

How Telematics Improves Visibility, Control, and Performance in Refrigerated Fleets
Explore how telematics help refrigerated fleets improve visibility, uptime, efficiency, compliance, and cargo protection across connected cold chain operations.
Read More →
What the U.S.-Canada Trade War Means for Trucking
Escalating U.S.-Canada tariffs could disrupt cross-border freight, reduce truck volumes, raise costs, and create new uncertainty for carriers on both sides of the border.
Read More →
What Are Trucking’s Top Concerns for 2026?
The American Transportation Research Institute wants to know what's worrying trucking fleet managers, drivers, and other stakeholders in its annual Industry Issues survey.
Read More →
American Trucking Associations Looks for a New Leader
ATA President and CEO Chris Spear abruptly left his job at the association on August 21, at a pivotal time for the trucking industry.
Read More →
Public Wi-Fi Cybersecurity Risks: How Truck Drivers and Fleets Can Protect Their Data
Public Wi-Fi can expose truck drivers and fleets to credential theft, malware, and other cyber threats. Here’s how to reduce the risk on the road.
Read More →
For Nicky Cupp, Fleet Innovation Starts With Frustration
HDT Truck Fleet Innovator Nicky Cupp turns everyday pain points at Fraley & Schilling into opportunities for better technology and smarter processes.
Read More →
Adam Buttgenbach’s Approach to Electric Trucks: Start With Where They Fit
HDT Truck Fleet Innovator Adam Buttgenbach helped PepsiCo build one of North America’s largest EV fleets by focusing on where electric trucks make operational sense.
Read More →
Deen Albert: Let Automation Do the Math, People Make the Decisions
HDT Truck Fleet Innovator Deen Albert makes sure people are still at the heart of operations at Grand Island Express, even while adopting artificial intelligence tools. AI-assisted dispatch helped boost revenue 25% with the same number of trucks.
Read More →Trimble’s New AI Agent Takes Aim at Fleet Back-Office Busywork
Arc Agent works across Trimble TMS products to automate repetitive tasks such as freight orders, maintenance, invoices, fuel costs and more.
Read More →
How HDT’s 2026 Truck Fleet Innovators Are Rethinking Fleet Operations
Meet five trucking leaders who are challenging assumptions, solving operational problems, and putting innovative ideas to work.
Read More →

