Earnings News Updates

Five publicly traded truckload carriers have reported higher quarterly earnings, helped by higher rates and improved productivity.

Norfolk Southern Corp. said its fourth-quarter profit rose 19%, on higher traffic and rates.

Most carriers once again im-proved earnings during the fourth quarter, riding a wave of rate increases and modest but steady freight growth, two trends that are expected to continue in 2012.

FedEx Corp.’s net income climbed 76% in its fiscal 2012 second quarter, helped by a third consecutive profitable quarter at the freight unit and higher earnings at the ground and express businesses.

Many less-than-truckload carriers wrestled better pricing out of shippers, made more money and generated more revenue in the third quarter, even though gains in shipments and tonnage were uneven, according to earnings statements and interviews.

YRC Worldwide Inc.’s third-quarter operating loss jumped 26% to $23.7 million from $18.8 million a year earlier because of higher expenses.

Wright Express Corp.’s third-quarter profit grew to $48 million, or $1.23 per share, from $21 million, or 53 cents, a year earlier.

Trimac Transportation Ltd.’s third-quarter earnings rose to C$4.1 million, or 16 Canadian cents per unit, from C$3.7 million, or 14 cents, a year ago.

TransForce Inc.’s third-quarter net income declined to C$19.3 million, or 20 cents a share, from C$24.7 million, or 26 cents, a year earlier, the Montreal-based trucking and logistics company said Tuesday.