JACKSONVILLE, Fla., July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Landstar System, Inc. (NASDAQ: LSTR) reported second quarter diluted earnings per share of $0.76 on revenue of $775 million in the 2016 second quarter. Net income was negatively impacted by elevated insurance and claims costs, driven mostly by the severity of claims, in the 2016 second quarter, the highest quarterly insurance and claims cost over the past 6 years. Landstar reported diluted earnings per share of $0.92 on revenue of $868 million in the 2015 second quarter. Gross profit (defined as revenue less the cost of purchased transportation and commissions to agents) was $121.0 million in the 2016 second quarter compared to $130.8 million in the 2015 second quarter. Operating margin, representing operating income divided by gross profit, was 43.9 percent in the 2016 second quarter.

Truck transportation revenue hauled by independent business capacity owners ("BCOs") and truck brokerage carriers in the 2016 second quarter was $718.5 million, or 93 percent of revenue, compared to $809.2 million, or 93 percent of revenue, in the 2015 second quarter. Truckload transportation revenue hauled via van equipment in the 2016 second quarter was $458.0 million compared to $496.9 million in the 2015 second quarter. Truckload transportation revenue hauled via unsided/platform equipment in the 2016 second quarter was $242.0 million compared to $291.0 million in the 2015 second quarter. Revenue hauled by rail, air and ocean cargo carriers was $45.1 million, or 6 percent of revenue, in the 2016 second quarter compared to $48.1 million, or 6 percent of revenue, in the 2015 second quarter.

Trailing twelve-month return on average shareholders' equity was 29 percent and trailing twelve-month return on invested capital, net income divided by the sum of average equity plus average debt, was 23 percent. Landstar purchased approximately 423,000 shares of its common stock during the first half of 2016 at an aggregate cost of $26.5 million. Currently, there are approximately 1,386,000 shares of the Company's common stock available for purchase under Landstar's authorized share purchase program. As of June 25, 2016, the Company had $215 million in cash and short term investments and $214 million available for borrowings under the Company's senior credit facility.

In addition, Landstar announced today that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.09 per share payable on August 26, 2016, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on August 8, 2016. This quarterly dividend includes a 12.5 percent increase to the amount of the Company's quarterly dividend declared following each of the prior four quarters. It is currently the intention of the Board to pay dividends on a quarterly basis going forward.

Commenting on Landstar's 2016 second quarter, Landstar's President and CEO Jim Gattoni said, "On April 20(th), we provided second quarter revenue guidance of $770 million to $820 million and second quarter diluted earnings per share guidance of $0.80 to $0.85. On June 8(th), I updated both our revenue and diluted earnings per share guidance by indicating at a webcast investor conference available to the public that I was more comfortable at the lower end of both the revenue and diluted earnings per share guidance. Revenue of $775 million for the second quarter was in-line with our updated guidance. Diluted earnings per share of $0.76 for the second quarter was below the low end of the updated guidance due to an increase in estimated insurance and claims costs, as a result of a severe accident that occurred at the end of the second quarter."

Gattoni continued, "Overall, from a revenue standpoint, I believe we executed well considering the sluggish freight environment. During the 2015 second quarter, we hauled over 13,000 truckloads via unsided/platform equipment for a project on behalf of a customer in the automotive sector, generating $27 million of revenue in the 2015 second quarter. Excluding the loadings related to that project we experienced a slight increase in loads hauled via truck over the 2015 second quarter. However, Landstar's truckload services continued to experience significant pricing pressure throughout the 2016 second quarter, as industry-wide truck capacity was more readily available as compared to the 2015 second quarter and demand continued to be soft. Although we experienced a somewhat normal seasonal uptick in revenue per load from May to June, the pricing pressure continued in the U.S. spot market, in which the Company operates much of its business. Additionally, the average cost of a gallon of diesel fuel was approximately 20 percent lower during the 2016 second quarter compared to the 2015 second quarter putting additional pressure on pricing, especially as it relates to loads hauled via truck brokerage carriers. As such, revenue per load on loads hauled via truck was 9 percent lower in the 2016 second quarter compared to the 2015 second quarter."

Gattoni further commented, "The number of loads hauled via truck in the 2016 second quarter decreased 2 percent from the 2015 second quarter, driven by a 9 percent decrease in the number of loads hauled via unsided/platform equipment, entirely due to the 2015 automotive sector project, partially offset by a 1 percent increase in the number of loads hauled via van equipment. Landstar achieved an 11 percent increase in the number of loads hauled via railroads, ocean cargo carriers and air cargo carriers in the 2016 second quarter over the 2015 second quarter. The softer pricing environment and increased insurance and claims expense drove the 2016 second quarter operating margin down to 43.9 percent, from 50.5 percent in the 2015 second quarter."

Gattoni continued, "Third quarter 2016 over third quarter 2015 revenue comparisons will include the effects of revenue derived from the automotive project previously referenced. The Company's 2015 third quarter included approximately $35 million in revenue from approximately 20,000 loads hauled via truck related to that project. The project was completed at the end of 2015. Historically, revenue in the Company's third fiscal quarter has been relatively consistent with revenue generated in the Company's second fiscal quarter. Revenue per load on loads hauled via truck in the Company's third quarter has been slightly ahead of the second quarter while the number of loads hauled via truck in the third quarter is typically slightly below the second quarter. Through the first few weeks of July, we have experienced the normal seasonal uptick in revenue per load on loads hauled via truck. Also, the number of loads hauled via truck during the first few weeks of July is trending with the historical second quarter to third quarter pattern. As such, I expect 2016 third quarter revenue to be similar to the Company's 2016 second quarter revenue. Assuming insurance and claims costs in the 2016 third quarter are approximately 3.2 percent of BCO revenue, representing average insurance and claims costs as a percent of BCO revenue over the past 5 years, I would expect diluted earnings per share to be in a range of $0.79 to $0.84 in the 2016 third quarter."

Landstar will provide a live webcast of its quarterly earnings conference call tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m. ET. To access the webcast, visit the Company's website at www.landstar.com; click on "Investor Relations" and "Webcasts," then click on "Landstar's Second Quarter 2016 Earnings Release Conference Call."

This earnings announcement, as well as an accompanying slide presentation, is available through the Company's website at http://investor.landstar.com under "Presentations" and on a Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The following is a "safe harbor" statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements contained in this press release that are not based on historical facts are "forward-looking statements". This press release contains forward-looking statements, such as statements which relate to Landstar's business objectives, plans, strategies and expectations. Terms such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "intention," "expects," "plans," "predicts," "may," "should," "could," "will," the negative thereof and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are by nature subject to uncertainties and risks, including but not limited to: an increase in the frequency or severity of accidents or other claims; unfavorable development of existing accident claims; dependence on third party insurance companies; dependence on independent commission sales agents; dependence on third party capacity providers; decreased demand for transportation services; substantial industry competition; disruptions or failures in the Company's computer systems; cyber incidents; dependence on key vendors; changes in fuel taxes; status of independent contractors; regulatory and legislative changes; catastrophic loss of a Company facility; intellectual property; unclaimed property; and other operational, financial or legal risks or uncertainties detailed in Landstar's Form 10K for the 2015 fiscal year, described in Item 1A Risk Factors, and in other SEC filings from time to time. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results or events to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated. Investors should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.

About Landstar:
Landstar System, Inc. is a worldwide, asset-light provider of integrated transportation management solutions delivering safe, specialized transportation logistics services to a broad range of customers utilizing a network of agents, third-party capacity providers and employees. All Landstar transportation services companies are certified to ISO 9001:2008 quality management system standards and RC14001:2013 environmental, health, safety and security management system standards. Landstar System, Inc. is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. Its common stock trades on The NASDAQ Stock Market® under the symbol LSTR.

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(Tables follow)




                                                                                 Landstar System, Inc. and Subsidiary

                                                                                   Consolidated Statements of Income

                                                                           (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

                                                                                              (Unaudited)



                                                           Twenty Six Weeks Ended                                  Thirteen Weeks Ended
                                                           ----------------------                                  --------------------

                                                                  June 25,                                               June 27,                               June 25,                          June 27,

                                                                                     2016                                                     2015                              2016                              2015
                                                                                     ----                                                     ----                              ----                              ----


    Revenue                                                                 $1,486,867                                               $1,630,763                          $775,223                          $868,383

    Investment income                                                             743                                                      693                               363                               339


    Costs and expenses:

                             Purchased
                             transportation    1,129,743                                    1,254,730                                                 589,415                           667,577

                             Commissions to
                             agents              123,931                                      129,816                                                  64,839                            70,032

                            Other operating
                             costs, net of
                             gains on asset
                             sales/
                             dispositions         13,992                                       15,670                                                   6,585                             7,981

                             Insurance and
                             claims                 30,307                                       27,108                                                  16,094                            12,312

                             Selling, general
                             and
                             administrative       71,519                                       74,986                                                  36,905                            37,738

                             Depreciation and
                             amortization         17,093                                       14,068                                                   8,655                             7,049



                             Total costs
                             and
                             expenses          1,386,585                                    1,516,378                                                 722,493                           802,689
                                               ---------                                    ---------                                                 -------                           -------


    Operating income                                                          101,025                                                  115,078                            53,093                            66,033

    Interest and debt expense                                                   1,777                                                    1,494                               888                               713
                                                                                -----                                                    -----                               ---                               ---


    Income before income taxes                                                99,248                                                  113,584                            52,205                            65,320

    Income taxes                                                                37,750                                                   43,098                            19,891                            24,849
                                                                                ------                                                   ------                            ------                            ------


    Net income                                                                 $61,498                                                  $70,486                           $32,314                           $40,471
                                                                               =======                                                  =======                           =======                           =======



    Earnings per common share                                                  $1.45                                                    $1.59                             $0.77                             $0.92
                                                                               =====                                                    =====                             =====                             =====


    Diluted earnings per share                                                  $1.45                                                    $1.59                             $0.76                             $0.92
                                                                                =====                                                    =====                             =====                             =====


    Average number of shares outstanding:

                             Earnings per
                             common share     42,315,000                                   44,240,000                                              42,235,000                        43,892,000


                             Diluted earnings
                             per share        42,424,000                                   44,397,000                                              42,357,000                        44,033,000



    Dividends per common share                                                 $0.16                                                    $0.14                             $0.08                             $0.07
                                                                               =====                                                    =====                             =====                             =====



                                                               Landstar System, Inc. and Subsidiary

                                                                   Consolidated Balance Sheets

                                                         (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

                                                                           (Unaudited)



                                                                                                          June 25,                        December 26,

                                                                                                                         2016                               2015
                                                                                                                         ----                               ----

    ASSETS

    Current assets:

                         Cash and cash
                         equivalents                                                   $153,370                                $114,520

                         Short-term
                         investments                                             61,528                                 48,823

                         Trade accounts
                         receivable, less
                         allowance

                         of $5,092 and
                         $4,327                                                  402,362                                462,699

                         Other receivables,
                         including advances to
                         independent

                         contractors, less
                         allowance of $4,755
                         and $4,143                   18,584                      18,472

                         Other current
                         assets                                                  20,608                                 11,604

                         Total current
                         assets                                                 656,452                                656,118
                                                                                -------                                -------


    Operating property, less accumulated depreciation

                                                and
                                                amortization
                                                of $187,774
                                                and $182,591      236,177                  225,927

    Goodwill                                                                                                        31,134                             31,134

    Other assets                                                                                                   60,994                             78,339

    Total assets                                                                                                 $984,757                           $991,518
                                                                                                                 ========                           ========


    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

    Current liabilities:

                         Cash
                         overdraft                                                        $30,355                                 $35,609

                        Accounts payable                                        191,247                                223,709

                         Current maturities
                         of long-term debt                         42,209                   42,499

                        Insurance claims                                         26,135                                 19,757

                         Other current
                         liabilities                                             44,642                                 47,963

                         Total current
                         liabilities                                            334,588                                369,537
                                                                                -------                                -------


    Long-term debt, excluding current maturities                                                                 76,724                             81,793

    Insurance claims                                                                                               23,042                             21,477

    Deferred income taxes and other non-current
     liabilities                                                                                                 53,148                             52,474


    Shareholders' equity:

                         Common stock, $0.01 par
                         value, authorized
                         160,000,000

                         shares, issued
                         67,504,785 and
                         67,391,616 shares               675                         674

                         Additional paid-
                         in capital                                             197,503                                195,841

                        Retained earnings                                     1,444,691                              1,389,975

                         Cost of 25,397,002 and
                         24,972,079 shares of
                         common

                         stock in
                         treasury                                           (1,143,360)                            (1,116,765)

                         Accumulated other
                         comprehensive loss                     (2,254)                 (3,488)


                         Total
                         shareholders'
                         equity                                                 497,255                                466,237
                                                                                -------                                -------

    Total liabilities and shareholders' equity                                                                 $984,757                           $991,518
                                                                                                               ========                           ========



                                                                     Landstar System, Inc. and Subsidiary

                                                                           Supplemental Information

                                                                                  (Unaudited)



                                                                                                                          Twenty Six Weeks Ended                                     Thirteen Weeks Ended
                                                                                                                          ----------------------                                     --------------------

                                                                                                                                 June 25,                        June 27,                                    June 25,                   June 27,

                                                                                                                                                   2016                         2015                                      2016                       2015
                                                                                                                                                   ----                         ----                                      ----                       ----

    Revenue generated through (in thousands):
    -----------------------------------------


                            Truck transportation

                            Truckload:

                                                           Van equipment                                                                       $886,195                     $946,598                                  $458,002                   $496,910

                                                           Unsided/platform equipment                                                           451,430                      530,515                                   242,008                    291,032

                            Less-than-truckload                                                           35,927                                          40,956                                      18,450                     21,258
                                                                                                          ------                                          ------                                      ------                     ------

                                                           Total truck transportation                                                         1,373,552                    1,518,069                                   718,460                    809,200

                            Rail intermodal                                                               52,337                                          49,522                                      26,229                     26,341

                             Ocean and air cargo
                             carriers                                                                     37,710                                          41,410                                      18,902                     21,778

                            Other (1)                                                                     23,268                                          21,762                                      11,632                     11,064

                                                                                                                                             $1,486,867                   $1,630,763                                  $775,223                   $868,383
                                                                                                                                             ==========                   ==========                                  ========                   ========


                             Revenue on loads hauled
                             via BCO Independent
                             Contractors (2)

                             included in total
                             truck
                             transportation                                                             $707,652                                        $752,030                                    $373,374                   $401,705


    Number of loads:
    ----------------


                            Truck transportation

                            Truckload:

                                                           Van equipment                                                                        556,119                      544,714                                   287,079                    285,762

                                                           Unsided/platform equipment                                                           219,034                      229,452                                   116,292                    127,286

                            Less-than-truckload                                                           55,727                                          54,904                                      28,829                     28,912
                                                                                                          ------                                          ------                                      ------                     ------

                                                           Total truck transportation                                                           830,880                      829,070                                   432,200                    441,960

                            Rail intermodal                                                               24,180                                          20,680                                      12,150                     11,200

                             Ocean and air cargo
                             carriers                                                                      9,780                                           8,620                                       5,220                      4,490

                                                                                                                                                864,840                      858,370                                   449,570                    457,650
                                                                                                                                                =======                      =======                                   =======                    =======


                             Loads hauled via BCO
                             Independent Contractors
                             (2)

                             included in total
                             truck
                             transportation                                                              414,660                                         406,230                                     216,990                    214,930


    Revenue per load:
    -----------------


                            Truck transportation

                            Truckload:

                                                           Van equipment                                                                         $1,594                       $1,738                                    $1,595                     $1,739

                                                           Unsided/platform equipment                                                             2,061                        2,312                                     2,081                      2,286

                            Less-than-truckload                                                              645                                             746                                         640                        735

                                                           Total truck transportation                                                             1,653                        1,831                                     1,662                      1,831

                            Rail intermodal                                                                2,164                                           2,395                                       2,159                      2,352

                             Ocean and air cargo
                             carriers                                                                      3,856                                           4,804                                       3,621                      4,850


                             Revenue per load on
                             loads hauled via BCO
                             Independent Contractors
                             (2)                                                                          $1,707                                          $1,851                                      $1,721                     $1,869


    Revenue by capacity type (as a % of total revenue);
    ---------------------------------------------------


                             Truck capacity
                             providers:

                             BCO Independent
                             Contractors (2)                                                                 48%                                            46%                                        48%                       46%

                             Truck Brokerage
                             Carriers                                                                        45%                                            47%                                        45%                       47%

                            Rail intermodal                                                                   4%                                             3%                                         3%                        3%

                             Ocean and air cargo
                             carriers                                                                         3%                                             3%                                         2%                        3%

                            Other                                                                                                                    2%                          1%                                       2%                        1%



                                                                                                                                                                                                             June 25,                   June 27,

                                                                                                                                                                                                                        2016                       2015
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        ----                       ----

    Truck Capacity Providers
    ------------------------


                             BCO Independent
                             Contractors (2)                                                                                                                                                         8,856                      8,726


                             Truck Brokerage
                             Carriers:

                                 Approved and active (3)                                                                                                                                            30,137                     28,387

                                 Other approved                                                                                                                                                     15,594                     13,126


                                                                                                                                                                                                                      45,731                     41,513
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      ------                     ------

                             Total available truck
                             capacity providers                                                                                                                                                     54,587                     50,239



                             Trucks provided by BCO
                             Independent Contractors
                             (2)                                                                                                                                                                     9,462                      9,308



    (1) Includes primarily premium revenue generated by the insurance segment.


    (2) BCO Independent Contractors are independent contractors who provide truck capacity to the Company under exclusive lease arrangements.


    (3) Active refers to Truck Brokerage Carriers who have moved at least one load in the 180 days immediately preceeding the fiscal quarter end.

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SOURCE Landstar System, Inc.