Clarke’s First-Quarter Profit Declines; Trucking Unit Improves

Canadian holding company Clarke Inc. said its first-quarter profit fell from a year ago, but its trucking segment improved.

Net income fell to C$3.1 million from C$3.7 million a year ago, while revenue slipped to C$57.9 million from C$61.1 million.

Its freight transportation segment’s earning before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization almost doubled to C$1.7 million on “higher margin revenue, the turnaround of the refrigeration transportation business, lower operating costs and a decrease in accidents and claims,” Clarke said.

Halifax, Nova Scotia-based Clarke, which operates in truckload and less-than-truckload sectors via its Clarke Transport and Clarke Road Transport units, also has a home-heating segment.