January 19, 2006 10:00 AM, EST

Knight’s Fourth-Quarter Income, Revenue Reach Records

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ruckload carrier Knight Transportation said late Wednesday its net income and revenue for the fourth quarter reached record highs.

Knight earned earned a record $18.5 million or 21 cents a share, up from $14.6 million or 17 cents a year earlier, in the quarter.

Fourth-quarter revenue rose 29.8% to $164.6 million, also a record, the company said in a statement.

Knight said the per-share results reflected its 3-for-2 stock split that took place Dec. 23. (Click here for previous coverage.)

For the year, the company earned $61.7 million or 71 cents a share, up from $47.9 million or 55 cents a year earlier. Revenue rose 28.2% to $566.8 million.

“During the fourth quarter our revenue growth was driven by a combination of fleet expansion and improved revenue per mile,” Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Kevin Knight said in a statement.

Knight is ranked No. 49 on the Transport Topics 100 list of the largest U.S. and Canadian trucking companies.