Landstar System, Inc.: Landstar System Reports First Quarter Revenue of $1.171B and Earnings Per Share of $1.32

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., April 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Landstar System, Inc. (NASDAQ: LSTR) ("Landstar" or the "Company") today reported basic and diluted earnings per share ("EPS") of $1.32 in the 2024 first quarter on revenue of $1.171 billion. Landstar also announced today that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.33 per share payable on May 24, 2024, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on May 8, 2024.

"It's been a privilege to join Landstar and work alongside our customers, independent agents, BCOs, employees and the Board. The Landstar team performed admirably in a challenging freight environment as both the number of loads hauled via truck and revenue per load on loads hauled via truck exceeded the high-end of the Company's guidance issued in our 2023 fourth quarter earnings release," said Landstar President and Chief Executive Officer Frank Lonegro. "The Company is laser-focused on supporting our network of small business owners and executing on our strategic growth initiatives and technology enhancements. We are excited about the future, the new leadership structure of our sales organization and the strength of our balance sheet. Landstar is well positioned to capitalize when freight fundamentals improve. On tomorrow's earnings call, we look forward to discussing first quarter earnings and providing second quarter guidance, which will be included within the slide presentation that accompanies the call."

	1Q 2024		1Q 2023
Revenue	$	1,171,043	$	1,435,675
Gross profit	$	113,902	$	152,948
Variable contribution	$	168,240	$	208,706
Operating income	$	59,961	$	101,284
Basic and diluted earnings per share	$	1.32	$	2.17
(1) Dollars above in thousands, except per share amounts
(2) Please refer to the Consolidated Statements of Income and Reconciliation of Gross Profit to Variable Contribution included below

Truck transportation revenue hauled by independent business capacity owners ("BCOs") and truck brokerage carriers in the 2024 first quarter was $1,068.9 million, or 91% of revenue, compared to $1,323.7 million, or 92% of revenue, in the 2023 first quarter. Truckload transportation revenue hauled via van equipment in the 2024 first quarter was $628.3 million, compared to $755.1 million in the 2023 first quarter. Truckload transportation revenue hauled via unsided/platform equipment in the 2024 first quarter was $343.0 million, compared to $377.6 million in the 2023 first quarter. Revenue from other truck transportation, which is largely related to power-only services, in the 2024 first quarter was $72.0 million, compared to $159.5 million in the 2023 first quarter. Revenue hauled by rail, air and ocean cargo carriers was $76.8 million, or 7% of revenue, in the 2024 first quarter, compared to $86.8 million, or 6% of revenue, in the 2023 first quarter.

While the number of loads hauled via truck declined 13% and truck revenue per load declined 7% in the 2024 first quarter as compared to the 2023 first quarter, each performed slightly better than the high end of the Company's expectations as set forth in its previously issued guidance. On a sequential basis as compared to the 2023 fourth quarter, the number of loads hauled via truck and truck revenue per load in the 2024 first quarter each outperformed historical, pre-pandemic patterns.

Gross profit in the 2024 first quarter was $113.9 million and variable contribution (defined as revenue less the cost of purchased transportation and commissions to agents) in the 2024 first quarter was $168.2 million. Gross profit in the 2023 first quarter was $152.9 million and variable contribution in the 2023 first quarter was $208.7 million. Reconciliations of gross profit to variable contribution and gross profit margin to variable contribution margin for the 2024 and 2023 first quarters are provided in the Company's accompanying financial disclosures.

The Company's balance sheet continues to be very strong, with cash and short term investments of approximately $530 million as of March 30, 2024. Trailing twelve month return on average shareholders' equity was 23%, and return on invested capital, representing net income divided by the sum of average equity plus average debt, was 22%.

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 www.investor.landstar.com; click on "Investor Relations" and "Webcasts," then click on "Landstar's First Quarter 2024 Earnings Release Conference Call."

About Landstar:
Landstar System, Inc., 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; regulations requiring the purchase and use of zero-emission vehicles; intellectual property; and other operational, financial or legal risks or uncertainties detailed in Landstar's Form 10-K for the 2023 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.

Landstar System, Inc. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Statements of Income
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
			Thirteen Weeks Ended
			March 30,				April 1,
				2024				2023
Revenue			$	1,171,043			$	1,435,675
Investment income				3,412				1,368
Costs and expenses:
	Purchased transportation			905,521				1,101,294
	Commissions to agents			97,282				125,675
	Other operating costs, net of gains on asset sales/dispositions			14,859				12,378
	Insurance and claims			26,268				27,647
	Selling, general and administrative			56,422				53,567
	Depreciation and amortization			14,142				15,198
		Total costs and expenses		1,114,494				1,335,759
Operating income				59,961				101,284
Interest and debt (income) expense				(1,611	)			(726	)
Income before income taxes				61,572				102,010
Income taxes				14,476				23,815
Net income			$	47,096			$	78,195
Basic and diluted earnings per share			$	1.32			$	2.17
Average basic and diluted shares outstanding				35,750,000				35,982,000
Dividends per common share			$	0.33			$	0.30

Landstar System, Inc. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
				March 30,				December 30,
					2024				2023
ASSETS
Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents			$	467,671			$	481,043
	Short-term investments				62,781				59,661
	Trade accounts receivable, less allowance
		of $11,764 and $11,738			723,841				743,762
	Other receivables, including advances to independent
		contractors, less allowance of $14,310 and $14,010			40,535				43,339
	Other current assets				15,540				24,936
		Total current assets			1,310,368				1,352,741
Operating property, less accumulated depreciation
			and amortization of $442,898 and $436,682		279,552				284,300
Goodwill					42,381				42,275
Other assets					113,540				122,530
Total assets				$	1,745,841			$	1,801,846
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
	Cash overdraft			$	51,674			$	61,541
	Accounts payable				384,267				395,980
	Current maturities of long-term debt				26,730				27,876
	Insurance claims				40,683				41,825
	Dividends payable				-				71,433
	Other current liabilities				86,318				76,569
		Total current liabilities			589,672				675,224
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities					38,496				43,264
Insurance claims					59,668				58,922
Deferred income taxes and other non-current liabilities					40,094				40,513
Shareholders' equity:
	Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 160,000,000
		shares, issued 68,547,553 and 68,497,324			685				685
	Additional paid-in capital				254,192				254,642
	Retained earnings				2,818,939				2,783,645
	Cost of 32,785,515 and 32,780,651 shares of common
		stock in treasury			(2,049,070	)			(2,048,184	)
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss				(6,835	)			(6,865	)
		Total shareholders' equity			1,017,911				983,923
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity				$	1,745,841			$	1,801,846

	Landstar System, Inc. and Subsidiary
	Supplemental Information
	(Unaudited)
					Thirteen Weeks Ended
					March 30,				April 1,
						2024				2023
Revenue generated through (in thousands):
	Truck transportation
		Truckload:
			Van equipment		$	628,304			$	755,083
			Unsided/platform equipment			343,045				377,564
		Less-than-truckload				25,617				31,558
		Other truck transportation (1)				71,966				159,503
			Total truck transportation			1,068,932				1,323,708
	Rail intermodal					22,695				25,657
	Ocean and air cargo carriers					54,074				61,093
	Other (2)					25,342				25,217
					$	1,171,043			$	1,435,675
	Revenue on loads hauled via BCO Independent Contractors (3)
		included in total truck transportation			$	452,561			$	519,526
Number of loads:
	Truck transportation
		Truckload:
			Van equipment			299,014				331,954
			Unsided/platform equipment			117,947				127,572
		Less-than-truckload				40,233				46,192
		Other truck transportation (1)				33,526				58,062
			Total truck transportation			490,720				563,780
	Rail intermodal					7,150				7,760
	Ocean and air cargo carriers					8,720				8,440
						506,590				579,980
	Loads hauled via BCO Independent Contractors (3)
		included in total truck transportation				208,740				232,550
Revenue per load:
	Truck transportation
		Truckload:
			Van equipment		$	2,101			$	2,275
			Unsided/platform equipment			2,908				2,960
		Less-than-truckload				637				683
		Other truck transportation (1)				2,147				2,747
			Total truck transportation			2,178				2,348
	Rail intermodal					3,174				3,306
	Ocean and air cargo carriers					6,201				7,239
	Revenue per load on loads hauled via BCO Independent Contractors (3)				$	2,168			$	2,234
Revenue by capacity type (as a % of total revenue):
	Truck capacity providers:
		BCO Independent Contractors (3)				39	%			36	%
		Truck Brokerage Carriers				53	%			56	%
	Rail intermodal					2	%			2	%
	Ocean and air cargo carriers					5	%			4	%
	Other					2	%			2	%
					March 30,				April 1,
						2024				2023
Truck Capacity Providers
	BCO Independent Contractors (3)					8,619				9,996
	Truck Brokerage Carriers:
		Approved and active (4)				45,919				61,771
	Other approved					26,320				30,893
						72,239				92,664
	Total available truck capacity providers					80,858				102,660
	Trucks provided by BCO Independent Contractors (3)					9,410				10,809
(1) Includes power-only, expedited, straight truck, cargo van, and miscellaneous other truck transportation revenue generated by the transportation shipments logistics segment. Power-only refers to 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)
			Thirteen Weeks Ended
			March 30,				April 1,
				2024				2023
Revenue			$	1,171,043			$	1,435,675
Costs of revenue:
		Purchased transportation		905,521				1,101,294
		Commissions to agents		97,282				125,675
	Variable costs of revenue			1,002,803				1,226,969
		Trailing equipment depreciation		6,897				8,369
		Information technology costs (1)		5,804				6,751
		Insurance-related costs (2)		26,778				28,260
		Other operating costs		14,859				12,378
	Other costs of revenue			54,338				55,758
	Total costs of revenue			1,057,141				1,282,727
Gross profit			$	113,902			$	152,948
Gross profit margin				9.7	%			10.7	%
	Plus: other costs of revenue			54,338				55,758
Variable contribution			$	168,240			$	208,706
Variable contribution margin				14.4	%			14.5	%

(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.