Swift Transportation Co. Inc. said revenues for the third quarter of 2005 increased 11.8 percent to $812.9 million compared with $727.3 million for the corresponding quarter of 2004.

The third quarter of 2005 includes $108.1 million of fuel surcharge revenue versus $47.7 million in 2004. Excluding this fuel surcharge revenue, revenues increased 3.7 percent. Net earnings were $12.6 million, or 17 cents per share, for the third quarter of 2005, compared to $25.7 million, or 32 cents per share, for the third quarter of 2004.
For the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2005, the company's revenues increased 15.3 percent to $2.35 billion compared to $2.04 billion in 2004. The first nine months of 2005 includes $263.9 million of fuel surcharge revenue versus $115.1 million in 2004. Excluding this fuel surcharge revenue, revenues increased 8.5 percent. Net earnings for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2005, were $61.9 million, or 84 cents per share, compared to $66.7 million, or 81 cents per share, for the same period in 2004.
Robert W. Cunningham, president and chief operating officer, commented, "Our results in this quarter were impacted by a very soft freight environment in July and most of August. Excluding the adjustments discussed above, our operating ratio would have been 94.2 percent for the quarter. We saw strengthening in September and to date, October freight has remained robust. With the resolution of the SEC matter and the satisfactory rating from the FMCSA, our organization is focused on improving key metrics to drive operating productivity and efficiency."