Two major trucking companies, Marten Transport And J.B. Hunt, reported record earnings for the fourth quarter of 2011.


Marten had a net income of $7.7 million for the fourth quarter, a 47.1% increase from $5.2 million in 2012 and the highest net income for any quarter in the company's history.

Earnings per diluted share were 35 cents, compared with 24 cents for 2010's fourth quarter. It was the company's seventh consecutive year-over-year increase in quarterly profitability. For 2011, Marten's net income increased 23% to $24.3 million, or $1.10 per diluted share, compared with $19.7 million, or 90 cents per diluted share, in 2010.

"We are pleased that our long-term strategic planning is driving our continued profitability growth," says Randy Marten, chairman and CEO. "Over the past year, we have emphasized developing a diverse customer base that gains value from and expands each of our operating units."

J.B. Hunt announced fourth quarter 2011 net earnings of $72.6 million, or diluted earnings per share of 61 cents versus fourth quarter 2010 net earnings of $57.9 million, or 46 cents per diluted share.

Total operating revenue for the current quarter was $1.2 billion, compared with $1.02 billion for the fourth quarter 2010. Net earnings rose 25% to $72.6 million in the current quarter from $57.9 million in 2010, primarily due to the growth in revenue, effective cost controls and a lower cost of borrowing.

"During 2011, we began implementing improvements to the approach we take with our larger, more complex customers and we are satisfied so far with the results of these efforts," says said John N. Roberts, JBHT President and CEO.