Landstar System Reports Fourth Quarter Revenue of $1.204B and Earnings Per Share of $1.62


JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Jan. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Landstar System, Inc. (NASDAQ: LSTR) (“Landstar” or the “Company”) reported basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) of $1.62 in the 2023 thirteen-week fourth quarter on revenue of $1.204 billion. Landstar reported EPS of $2.60 on revenue of $1.675 billion in the 2022 fourteen-week fourth quarter.

The Company’s fiscal year ends each year on the last Saturday in December. As such, the Company’s 2022 fourth quarter ended on December 31st and included fourteen weeks of operations, whereas the 2023 fourth quarter ended on December 30th and included thirteen weeks of operations. We estimate the extra week in 2022 contributed revenue of approximately $65 million.

Gross profit in the 2023 fourth quarter was $124.6 million and variable contribution (defined as revenue less the cost of purchased transportation and commissions to agents) in the 2023 fourth quarter was $178.1 million. Gross profit in the 2022 fourth quarter was $180.0 million and variable contribution in the 2022 fourth quarter was $234.0 million. Reconciliations of gross profit to variable contribution and gross profit margin to variable contribution margin for the 2023 and 2022 fourth quarters and full fiscal years are provided in the Company’s accompanying financial disclosures.

Trailing twelve month return on average shareholders’ equity was 27% and return on invested capital, representing net income divided by the sum of average equity plus average debt, was 25%. The Company is currently authorized to purchase up to 3,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock under its previously announced share purchase programs. Landstar announced today that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.33 per share payable on March 8, 2024, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 12, 2024. It is currently the intention of the Board to pay dividends on a quarterly basis going forward.

Truck transportation revenue hauled by independent business capacity owners (“BCOs”) and truck brokerage carriers in the 2023 fourth quarter was $1,085.1 million, or 90% of revenue, compared to $1,533.6 million, or 92% of revenue, in the 2022 fourth quarter. Truckload transportation revenue hauled via van equipment in the 2023 fourth quarter was $618.6 million, compared to $869.8 million in the 2022 fourth quarter. Truckload transportation revenue hauled via unsided/platform equipment in the 2023 fourth quarter was $339.9 million, compared to $423.4 million in the 2022 fourth quarter. Revenue from other truck transportation, which is largely related to power-only services, in the 2023 fourth quarter was $99.7 million, compared to $204.0 million in the 2022 fourth quarter. Revenue hauled by rail, air and ocean cargo carriers was $88.6 million, or 7% of revenue, in the 2023 fourth quarter, compared to $115.1 million, or 7% of revenue, in the 2022 fourth quarter.

“As expected, the soft macro-freight environment experienced throughout 2023 continued through the 2023 fourth quarter. The soft macro-freight environment, along with the additional operating week in the 2022 fourth quarter, made for challenging 2023 fourth quarter to 2022 fourth quarter comparisons,” said Landstar President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Gattoni. “The continuation of soft demand, driven by continued weakness in the U.S. manufacturing sector and a weaker than typical peak season, plus the continuation of a loose truck capacity market drove Landstar’s truck revenue per load and volumes in the 2023 fourth quarter below prior year levels. The number of loads hauled via truck declined 22% as compared to the 2022 fourth quarter, at the low end of the Company’s guidance included as part of the Company’s 2023 third quarter earnings release on October 25, 2023, while truck revenue per load declined 10% as compared to the 2022 fourth quarter, below the low end of the Company’s previously issued guidance.”

Gattoni continued, “Landstar’s financial performance in 2023, coming off back-to-back record setting years in 2022 and 2021 was admirable, considering the very difficult freight transportation backdrop. The Company’s performance during the downcycle in freight markets experienced in 2023 speaks to the strength and resiliency of the Landstar network and the power of our unique agent and capacity network. The Company’s balance sheet continues to be very strong, with cash and short term investments of approximately $541 million as of December 30, 2023. Cash flow from operations was $394 million during fiscal year 2023. The Company is well positioned to capitalize when freight market fundamentals improve.”

Gattoni further commented, “Typically, revenue in the first quarter is expected to be lower than the revenue of the immediately preceding fourth quarter. Through the first several weeks of January, the number of loads hauled via truck and truck revenue per load have each trended reasonably in-line with historical, pre-pandemic end of fourth quarter to the beginning of first quarter sequential patterns. Assuming a continuation of these recent trends, I expect revenue per load on loads hauled via truck to be in a range of 8% to 10% below the 2023 first quarter and the number of loads hauled via truck to be in a range of 14% to 16% below the 2023 first quarter. As such, I anticipate revenue for the 2024 first quarter to be in a range of $1.10 billion to $1.15 billion.”

Gattoni concluded, “Based on the range of revenue estimated for the 2024 first quarter, I would anticipate EPS to be in a range of $1.25 to $1.35. The anticipated range of EPS for the 2024 first quarter includes estimated insurance and claims costs of approximately 5.5% of BCO revenue. These costs were 5.7% of BCO revenue during fiscal year 2023. The anticipated range of EPS for the 2024 first quarter also reflects an estimated effective income tax rate of 24.5%.”

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 Fourth Quarter 2023 Earnings Release Conference Call.”

About Landstar:
Landstar System, Inc., a Fortune 500 company, is a technology-enabled, asset-light provider of integrated transportation management solutions delivering safe, specialized transportation services to a broad range of customers utilizing a network of agents, third-party capacity providers and employees. Landstar transportation services companies are certified to ISO 9001:2015 quality management system standards and RC14001:2015 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.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures:
In this earnings release and accompanying financial disclosures, the Company provides the following information that may be deemed a non-GAAP financial measure: variable contribution and variable contribution margin. The Company believes variable contribution and variable contribution margin are useful measures of the variable costs that we incur at a shipment-by-shipment level attributable to our transportation network of third-party capacity providers and independent agents in order to provide services to our customers. The Company also believes that it is appropriate to present each of the financial measures that may be deemed a non-GAAP financial measure, as referred to above, for the following reasons: (1) disclosure of these matters will allow investors to better understand the underlying trends in the Company’s financial condition and results of operations; (2) this information will facilitate comparisons by investors of the Company’s results as compared to the results of peer companies; and (3) management considers this financial information in its decision making.

Forward Looking Statements Disclaimer:
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: the impact of the Russian conflict with Ukraine on the operations of certain independent commission sales agents, including the Company’s largest such agent by revenue in the 2023 fiscal year; 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; U.S. trade relationships; substantial industry competition; disruptions or failures in the Company’s computer systems; cyber and other information security incidents; dependence on key vendors; potential changes in taxes; status of independent contractors; regulatory and legislative changes; regulations focused on diesel emissions and other air quality matters; intellectual property; and other operational, financial or legal risks or uncertainties detailed in Landstar’s Form 10-K for the 2022 fiscal year, described in Item 1A Risk Factors, Landstar’s Form 10-Q for the 2023 first and third fiscal quarters, 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.

Landstar System, Inc. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Statements of Income
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
             
      Fiscal Years Ended Fiscal Quarters Ended
      December 30, December 31, December 30, December 31,
       2023  2022  2023  2022
             
Revenue   $5,303,322  $7,436,562 $1,204,445  $1,674,767
Investment income   10,141   3,162  3,267   1,139
             
Costs and expenses:         
 Purchased transportation  4,068,262   5,804,017  927,028   1,291,676
 Commissions to agents  462,668   614,865  99,271   149,106
 Other operating costs, net of gains on asset sales/dispositions  54,191   45,192  13,193   10,314
 Insurance and claims   114,241   125,835  27,270   29,570
 Selling, general and administrative  211,799   221,279  52,728   56,080
 Depreciation and amortization  58,153   57,453  13,655   14,826
             
  Total costs and expenses  4,969,314   6,868,641  1,133,145   1,551,572
             
Operating income   344,149   571,083  74,567   124,334
Interest and debt (income) expense  (3,946)  3,620  (1,867)  345
             
Income before income taxes  348,095   567,463  76,434   123,989
Income taxes    83,701   136,549  18,447   30,687
             
Net income   $264,394  $430,914 $57,987  $93,302
             
Basic and diluted earnings per share $7.36  $11.76 $1.62  $2.60
             
Average basic and diluted shares outstanding  35,920,000   36,633,000  35,804,000   35,930,000
             
Dividends per common share $3.26  $3.10 $2.33  $2.30
             


Landstar System, Inc. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
          
          
       December 30, December 31,
        2023   2022 
ASSETS       
Current assets:      
 Cash and cash equivalents  $481,043  $339,581 
 Short-term investments   59,661   53,955 
 Trade accounts receivable, less allowance   
  of $11,738 and $12,121   743,762   967,793 
 Other receivables, including advances to independent   
  contractors, less allowance of $14,010 and $10,579 43,339   56,235 
 Other current assets   24,936   21,826 
  Total current assets   1,352,741   1,439,390 
          
Operating property, less accumulated depreciation   
   and amortization of $436,682 and $393,274 284,300   314,990 
Goodwill     42,275   41,220 
Other assets    122,530   136,279 
Total assets   $1,801,846  $1,931,879 
          
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY   
Current liabilities:     
 Cash overdraft  $61,541  $92,953 
 Accounts payable   395,980   527,372 
 Current maturities of long-term debt 27,876   36,175 
 Insurance claims   41,825   50,836 
 Dividends payable   71,433   71,854 
 Other current liabilities   76,569   98,945 
  Total current liabilities   675,224   878,135 
          
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities 43,264   67,225 
Insurance claims   58,922   58,268 
Deferred income taxes and other non-current liabilities 40,513   41,030 
          
Shareholders' equity:     
 Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 160,000,000   
  shares, issued 68,497,324 and 68,382,310 685   684 
 Additional paid-in capital   254,642   258,487 
 Retained earnings   2,783,645   2,635,960 
 Cost of 32,780,651 and 32,455,300 shares of common   
  stock in treasury   (2,048,184)  (1,992,886)
 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (6,865)  (15,024)
  Total shareholders' equity   983,923   887,221 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity$1,801,846  $1,931,879 
          


 Landstar System, Inc. and Subsidiary
 Supplemental Information
 (Unaudited)
             
     Fiscal Years Ended  Fiscal Quarters Ended
     December 30, December 31,  December 30, December 31,
      2023   2022    2023   2022 
Revenue generated through (in thousands):         
             
 Truck transportation         
  Truckload:         
   Van equipment $2,742,281  $3,892,085   $618,588  $869,788 
   Unsided/platform equipment  1,490,393   1,760,357    339,910   423,401 
  Less-than-truckload  117,683   142,438    26,913   36,444 
  Other truck transportation (1)  479,173   835,959    99,702   203,958 
   Total truck transportation  4,829,530   6,630,839    1,085,113   1,533,591 
 Rail intermodal  98,297   145,017    24,344   31,255 
 Ocean and air cargo carriers  266,638   558,986    64,280   83,830 
 Other (2)  108,857   101,720    30,708   26,091 
     $5,303,322  $7,436,562   $1,204,445  $1,674,767 
             
 Revenue on loads hauled via BCO Independent Contractors (3)         
  included in total truck transportation $1,998,408  $2,636,036   $454,774  $592,264 
             
Number of loads:         
             
 Truck transportation         
  Truckload:         
   Van equipment  1,259,578   1,496,247    292,711   365,984 
   Unsided/platform equipment  504,765   558,530    115,294   138,094 
  Less-than-truckload  175,650   191,233    41,070   48,493 
  Other truck transportation (1)  201,407   320,790    44,295   77,449 
   Total truck transportation  2,141,400   2,566,800    493,370   630,020 
 Rail intermodal  29,620   40,710    7,470   8,770 
 Ocean and air cargo carriers  32,820   41,850    7,440   7,440 
      2,203,840   2,649,360    508,280   646,230 
             
 Loads hauled via BCO Independent Contractors (3)         
  included in total truck transportation  898,610   1,027,480    209,350   250,230 
             
Revenue per load:         
             
 Truck transportation         
  Truckload:         
   Van equipment $2,177  $2,601   $2,113  $2,377 
   Unsided/platform equipment  2,953   3,152    2,948   3,066 
  Less-than-truckload  670   745    655   752 
  Other truck transportation (1)  2,379   2,606    2,251   2,633 
   Total truck transportation  2,255   2,583    2,199   2,434 
 Rail intermodal  3,319   3,562    3,259   3,564 
 Ocean and air cargo carriers  8,124   13,357    8,640   11,267 
             
 Revenue per load on loads hauled via BCO Independent Contractors (3) $2,224  $2,566   $2,172  $2,367 
             
Revenue by capacity type (as a % of total revenue):         
             
 Truck capacity providers:         
  BCO Independent Contractors (3)  38%  35%   38%  35%
  Truck Brokerage Carriers  53%  54%   52%  56%
 Rail intermodal  2%  2%   2%  2%
 Ocean and air cargo carriers  5%  8%   5%  5%
 Other   2%  1%   3%  2%
             
             
          December 30, December 31,
           2023   2022 
Truck Capacity Providers         
             
 BCO Independent Contractors (3)       9,024   10,393 
 Truck Brokerage Carriers:         
      Approved and active (4)       49,111   66,745 
      Other approved       27,524   30,999 
           76,635   97,744 
 Total available truck capacity providers       85,659   108,137 
             
 Trucks provided by BCO Independent Contractors (3)       9,809   11,281 
             

(1) Includes power-only, expedited, straight truck, cargo van, and miscellaneous other truck transportation revenue generated by the transportation logistics segment. Power-only refers to shipments where the Company furnishes a power unit and an operator but not trailing equipment, which is typically provided by the shipper or consignee.
(2) Includes primarily reinsurance premium revenue generated by the insurance segment and intra-Mexico transportation services revenue generated by Landstar Metro.
(3) BCO Independent Contractors are independent contractors who provide truck capacity to the Company under exclusive lease arrangements.
(4) Active refers to Truck Brokerage Carriers who moved at least one load in the 180 days immediately preceding the fiscal quarter end.

 
Landstar System, Inc. and Subsidiary
Reconciliation of Gross Profit to Variable Contribution
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
             
      Fiscal Years Ended Fiscal Quarters Ended
      December 30, December 31, December 30, December 31,
       2023   2022   2023   2022 
             
Revenue   $5,303,322  $7,436,562  $1,204,445  $1,674,767 
             
Costs of revenue:         
  Purchased transportation  4,068,262   5,804,017   927,028   1,291,676 
  Commissions to agents  462,668   614,865   99,271   149,106 
             
 Variable costs of revenue  4,530,930   6,418,882   1,026,299   1,440,782 
             
  Trailing equipment depreciation  31,319   36,653   7,079   8,893 
  Information technology costs (1)  25,486   19,834   5,695   5,966 
  Insurance-related costs (2)  116,069   127,605   27,585   28,784 
  Other operating costs  54,191   45,192   13,193   10,314 
             
 Other costs of revenue  227,065   229,284   53,552   53,957 
             
 Total costs of revenue  4,757,995   6,648,166   1,079,851   1,494,739 
             
Gross profit   $545,327  $788,396  $124,594  $180,028 
             
Gross profit margin   10.3%  10.6%  10.3%  10.7%
             
 Plus: other costs of revenue  227,065   229,284   53,552   53,957 
             
Variable contribution  $772,392  $1,017,680  $178,146  $233,985 
             
Variable contribution margin  14.6%  13.7%  14.8%  14.0%
             

(1) Includes costs of revenue incurred related to internally developed software including ASC 350-40 amortization, implementation costs, hosting costs and other support costs utilized to support the Company’s independent commission sales agents, third party capacity providers, and customers, included as a portion of depreciation and amortization and of selling, general and administrative in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income.
(2) Primarily includes (i) insurance premiums paid for commercial auto liability, general liability, cargo and other lines of coverage related to the transportation of freight; (ii) the related cost of claims incurred under those programs; and (iii) brokerage commissions and other fees incurred relating to the administration of insurance programs available to BCO Independent Contractors that are reinsured by the Company, which are included in selling, general and administrative in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income.

 

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