Earnings News Updates

Truckload carrier J.B. Hunt Transport Services said Monday it earned $57.8 million or 39 cents a share in the fourth quarter, a decline from $65.3 million or 41 cents a year ago.

Truckload carrier Heartland Express said its fourth-quarter profit fell to $19.6 million or 20 cents a share, from $21.6 million or 22 cents a year earlier.

Truckload carrier Swift Transportation Co. said late Wednesday its fourth-quarter profit fell from a year earlier due to a “soft freight environment.”

Truckload carrier USA Truck on Thursday reported its fourth-quarter profit plunged to $1.2 million or 11 cents a share, from $4.3 million or 37 cents a year earlier, on lower tonnage and demand.

Wireless-services provider Qualcomm Inc. said late Wednesday its fiscal first-quarter profit rose to $648 million or 38 cents a share, up from $620 million or 36 cents a year earlier.

Truckload carrier Celadon Group said late Wednesday it earned $6.1 million or 26 cents a share in its fiscal second quarter ended Dec. 31, up from $4.8 million or 21 cents in the same quarter a year earlier.

Eastern freight railroad Norfolk Southern Corp. said Wednesday its fourth-quarter profit rose 6%, as record revenue from coal shipments offset declines in intermodal shipments.

Analysts expect mostly lackluster fourth-quarter earnings from trucking companies, since the industry's annual peak season never materialized and demand further waned amid a general economic slowdown, the Associated Press reported.

Vehicle parts manufacturer Eaton Corp. said Monday that its fourth-quarter earnings rose nearly 15% from a year ago.