Landstar System Reports Third Quarter Revenue of $1.512B and Earnings Per Share of $1.42

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Oct. 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Landstar System, Inc. (NASDAQ: LSTR) (“Landstar” or the “Company”) today reported its financial results for the 2026 third quarter. The Company reported total revenue of $1.512 billion in the 2026 third quarter, an increase of 25% as compared to revenue of $1.205 billion in the 2025 third quarter, and basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) of $1.42 in the 2026 third quarter, an increase of 154% as compared to EPS of $0.56 in the 2025 third quarter. It should be noted that EPS in the 2025 third quarter was negatively impacted by non-cash impairment charges of $30.1 million, or $0.66 per share, related to the previously disclosed strategic review of operations conducted during the 2025 third quarter, and, as further described below, the 2026 third quarter EPS was negatively impacted by highly elevated insurance and claim costs. The Company also reported a 14% increase in gross profit and a 25% increase in variable contribution (defined as revenue less the cost of purchased transportation and commissions to agents) in the 2026 third quarter, as compared in each case to the 2025 third quarter.

“The Landstar team of independent business owners and employees excelled in a freight transportation backdrop that continues to improve. Our network generated truck revenue of $1.407 billion, an increase of 29% compared to the 2025 third quarter, with revenue generated via van and unsided/platform equipment each increasing over 30% compared to the 2025 third quarter,” said Landstar President and Chief Executive Officer Frank Lonegro. “In addition, I was highly encouraged to see our net 165 Business Capacity Owner (BCO) truck additions during the third quarter, the strongest quarterly improvement since the third quarter of 2021. We are continuing to deliver safety, security and service for our customers, and our BCOs achieved a 5% year-over-year improvement in DOT accident frequency. Even so, we are not immune to the challenges of the insurance and claims inflation prevalent in our industry.”

 3Q 2026     3Q 2025Change ($)Change (%)
Revenue$1,511,787$1,205,406$306,38125.4%
Gross profit$126,547$111,060$15,48713.9%
Variable contribution$212,066$170,241$41,82524.6%
Operating income$65,540$26,326$39,214149.0%
Basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”)$1.42$0.56$0.86153.6%


 (1)Dollars above in thousands, except per share amounts.
 (2)Please refer to the Consolidated Statements of Income and the Reconciliation of Gross Profit to Variable Contribution included below.
 (3)Operating income and EPS during the 2025 third quarter were negatively impacted by $30.1 million and $0.66, respectively, as a result of non-cash impairment charges. 
   

Third quarter 2026 EPS reflected highly elevated insurance and claim costs of $55.3 million, an increase from $33.0 million of insurance and claim costs reported during the 2025 third quarter. The following items are reflected in insurance and claims for the 2026 third quarter:

  • Approximately $13.0 million, or $0.29 per share, of adverse actuarial adjustments to insurance and claim reserves.
  • $8.0 million, or $0.18 per share, of prior year development attributable to settlements of a 2024 brokered truck accident claim and a 2025 BCO accident.

During the 2026 third quarter, truck revenue was $1,407 million, an increase of 29%, as compared to the 2025 third quarter truck revenue of $1,090 million. Truck revenue per load increased approximately 25% in the 2026 third quarter compared to the 2025 third quarter, and the number of loads hauled via truck increased approximately 3% compared to the 2025 third quarter.

Truck transportation revenue hauled by independent business capacity owners (“BCOs”) and truck brokerage carriers in the 2026 third quarter was 93% of revenue, compared to 90% of revenue in the 2025 third quarter. Truckload transportation revenue hauled via van equipment in the 2026 third quarter was $760 million, compared to $583 million in the 2025 third quarter. Truckload transportation revenue hauled via unsided/platform equipment in the 2026 third quarter was $519 million, compared to $386 million in the 2025 third quarter. Revenue from other truck transportation, which is largely related to power-only services, in the 2026 third quarter was $104 million, compared to $96 million in the 2025 third quarter. Revenue hauled by rail, air and ocean cargo carriers was $83 million, or 5% of revenue, in the 2026 third quarter, compared to $96 million, or 8% of revenue, in the 2025 third quarter.

Gross profit in the 2026 third quarter was $127 million, as compared to $111 million in the 2025 third quarter. Variable contribution in the 2026 third quarter was $212 million, compared to $170 million in the 2025 third quarter. Reconciliations of gross profit to variable contribution and gross profit margin to variable contribution margin for the 2026 and 2025 third quarters and year-to-date periods are provided in the Company’s accompanying financial disclosures.

Landstar continues to return capital to stockholders through the Company’s share purchase program and dividends. During the 2026 third quarter, Landstar purchased 232,645 shares of its common stock at an aggregate cost of $41.4 million, bringing the total number of common shares purchased during the year-to-date period ended September 26, 2026 to 383,568 shares at an aggregate cost of approximately $64.0 million. The Company is currently authorized to purchase up to an additional 882,550 shares of the Company’s common stock under its longstanding share purchase program. Landstar also announced today that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.44 per share payable on December 8, 2026, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 17, 2026. It is currently the intention of the Board to continue to pay dividends on a quarterly basis going forward.

The Company’s balance sheet continues to be very strong, with cash and short-term investments of approximately $351 million as of September 26, 2026. Trailing twelve-month return on average shareholders’ equity was 19%. Return on invested capital, representing net income divided by the sum of average equity plus average debt, was 18%.  

Landstar will provide a live webcast of its quarterly earnings conference call this afternoon at 4:30 p.m. ET. To access the webcast, visit https://www.investor.landstar.com; click on “Webcasts,” then click on “Landstar’s Third Quarter 2026 Earnings Release Conference Call.” A slide presentation to accompany the webcast presentation is also available on Landstar’s investor relations website at https://investor.landstar.com/.

About Landstar:
Landstar System, Inc. is a technology-enabled, asset-light provider of freight transportation and logistics solutions focused on safety, security and service 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 non-GAAP financial measures: 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,” “would,” “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: decreased demand for transportation services; U.S. trade relationships and potential or imposed tariffs; an increase in the frequency or severity of accidents or other claims; unfavorable development of existing accident claims; substantial verdicts or settlements rendered in connection with accidents or other claims; dependence on third party insurance companies; dependence on independent commission sales agents; dependence on third party capacity providers; the impact of the Russian conflict with Ukraine on the operations of certain independent commission sales agents, including the Company’s second largest such agent by revenue in the 2025 fiscal year; 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; acquisitions and investments; increased exposure to broker liability claims; and other operational, financial or legal risks or uncertainties detailed in Landstar’s Form 10-K for the 2025 fiscal year; described in Part I, Item 1A Risk Factors; Landstar’s Form 10-Q for the 2026 second quarter, 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)
          
          
   Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended Thirteen Weeks Ended
   September 26, September 27, September 26, September 27,
   2026 2025 2026 2025
          
Revenue$4,115,342 $3,569,291 $1,511,787 $1,205,406
Investment income 7,943  10,620  2,264  3,293
          
Costs and expenses:       
 Purchased transportation 3,212,442  2,775,761  1,182,045  936,472
 Commissions to agents 319,254  291,529  117,676  98,693
 Other operating costs, net of gains on asset sales/dispositions 53,971  46,996  21,226  15,572
 Insurance and claims 130,193  103,309  55,270  33,008
 Selling, general and administrative 191,534  174,303  62,376  57,015
 Depreciation and amortization 30,887  35,884  9,918  11,509
 Impairment of intangible and other assets -  30,104  -  30,104
          
  Total costs and expenses 3,938,281  3,457,886  1,448,511  1,182,373
          
Operating income 185,004  122,025  65,540  26,326
Interest and debt expense 1,692  756  362  217
          
Income before income taxes 183,312  121,269  65,178  26,109
Income taxes 46,878  30,206  17,135  6,745
          
Net income$136,434 $91,063 $48,043 $19,364
          
Basic and diluted earnings per share$4.02 $2.61 $1.42 $0.56
          
Average basic and diluted shares outstanding 33,943,000  34,885,000  33,871,000  34,581,000
          
Dividends per common share$1.24 $1.16 $0.44 $0.40
          


Landstar System, Inc. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
       
    September 26, December 27,
     2026   2025 
ASSETS    
Current assets:   
 Cash and cash equivalents$297,321  $396,694 
 Short-term investments 53,683   55,531 
 Trade accounts receivable, less allowance   
  of $8,090 and $12,490 892,404   670,137 
 Other receivables, including advances to independent   
  contractors, less allowance of $15,314 and $18,759 77,898   52,784 
 Assets held for sale -   12,231 
 Other current assets 50,217   28,949 
  Total current assets 1,371,523   1,216,326 
       
Operating property, less accumulated depreciation   
   and amortization of $494,295 and $473,642 268,570   261,322 
Goodwill  34,005   34,005 
Other assets 133,617   124,282 
Total assets$1,807,715  $1,635,935 
       
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY   
Current liabilities:   
 Cash overdraft$68,713  $56,654 
 Accounts payable 482,041   369,567 
 Current maturities of long-term debt 25,772   28,342 
 Insurance claims 87,393   87,343 
 Dividends payable -   68,117 
 Liabilities held for sale -   6,961 
 Other current liabilities 101,837   78,856 
  Total current liabilities 765,756   695,840 
       
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities 56,899   48,480 
Insurance claims 103,299   62,706 
Deferred income taxes and other non-current liabilities 51,765   33,244 
       
Shareholders' equity:   
 Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 160,000,000   
  shares, issued 68,636,098 and 68,590,708 686   686 
 Additional paid-in capital 269,696   261,256 
 Retained earnings 2,947,019   2,852,680 
 Cost of 34,927,155 and 34,531,982 shares of common   
  stock in treasury (2,378,302)  (2,313,245)
 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (9,103)  (5,712)
  Total shareholders' equity 829,996   795,665 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity$1,807,715  $1,635,935 
       


Landstar System, Inc. and Subsidiary
Supplemental Information
(Unaudited)
             
             
     Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended  Thirteen Weeks Ended
     September 26, September 27,  September 26, September 27,
      2026   2025    2026   2025 
Revenue generated through (in thousands):         
             
 Truck transportation         
  Truckload:         
   Van equipment $2,080,868  $1,769,440   $759,949  $583,369 
   Unsided/platform equipment  1,379,319   1,127,276    518,582   386,006 
  Less-than-truckload  73,845   72,229    24,933   24,480 
  Other truck transportation (1)  289,298   288,807    103,707   96,041 
   Total truck transportation  3,823,330   3,257,752    1,407,171   1,089,896 
 Rail intermodal  74,881   63,183    27,806   23,668 
 Ocean and air cargo carriers  153,047   188,696    55,334   72,270 
 Other (2)  64,084   59,660    21,476   19,572 
     $4,115,342  $3,569,291   $1,511,787  $1,205,406 
             
 Revenue on loads hauled via BCO Independent Contractors (3)         
  included in total truck transportation $1,629,408  $1,345,852   $590,987  $457,363 
             
Number of loads:         
             
 Truck transportation         
  Truckload:         
   Van equipment  870,347   850,047    294,875   277,893 
   Unsided/platform equipment  375,093   369,495    128,398   123,254 
  Less-than-truckload  95,729   115,692    29,834   38,862 
  Other truck transportation (1)  143,311   135,606    47,543   45,421 
   Total truck transportation  1,484,480   1,470,840    500,650   485,430 
 Rail intermodal  23,600   21,960    8,490   7,990 
 Ocean and air cargo carriers  20,840   24,370    6,970   7,810 
      1,528,920   1,517,170    516,110   501,230 
             
 Loads hauled via BCO Independent Contractors (3)         
  included in total truck transportation  644,870   597,010    212,660   199,010 
             
Revenue per load:         
             
 Truck transportation         
  Truckload:         
   Van equipment $2,391  $2,082   $2,577  $2,099 
   Unsided/platform equipment  3,677   3,051    4,039   3,132 
  Less-than-truckload  771   624    836   630 
  Other truck transportation (1)  2,019   2,130    2,181   2,114 
   Total truck transportation  2,576   2,215    2,811   2,245 
 Rail intermodal  3,173   2,877    3,275   2,962 
 Ocean and air cargo carriers  7,344   7,743    7,939   9,254 
             
 Revenue per load on loads hauled via BCO Independent Contractors (3) $2,527  $2,254   $2,779  $2,298 
             
Revenue by capacity type (as a % of total revenue):         
             
 Truck capacity providers:         
  BCO Independent Contractors (3)  40%  38%   39%  38%
  Truck Brokerage Carriers  53%  54%   54%  52%
 Rail intermodal  2%  2%   2%  2%
 Ocean and air cargo carriers  4%  5%   4%  6%
 Other   2%  2%   1%  2%
             
             
          September 26, September 27,
           2026   2025 
Truck Capacity Providers:         
             
 BCO Independent Contractors (3)       7,843   7,827 
 Truck Brokerage Carriers:         
      Approved and active (4)       39,460   40,004 
      Other approved       28,455   27,461 
           67,915   67,465 
 Total available truck capacity providers       75,758   75,292 
             
 Trucks provided by BCO Independent Contractors (3)       8,709   8,618 
             
             
(1) Includes power-only, expedited, straight truck, cargo van, and miscellaneous other truck transportation revenue generated by the transportation logistics segment. Power-only refers to shipments 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)
          
          
   Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended Thirteen Weeks Ended
   September 26, September 27, September 26, September 27,
    2026   2025   2026   2025 
          
Revenue$4,115,342  $3,569,291  $1,511,787  $1,205,406 
          
Costs of revenue:       
  Purchased transportation 3,212,442   2,775,761   1,182,045   936,472 
  Commissions to agents 319,254   291,529   117,676   98,693 
          
 Variable costs of revenue 3,531,696   3,067,290   1,299,721   1,035,165 
          
  Trailing equipment depreciation 19,108   20,829   6,489   6,985 
  Information technology costs (1) 8,186   10,928   2,503   3,319 
  Insurance-related costs (2) 130,955   104,622   55,301   33,305 
  Other operating costs 53,971   46,996   21,226   15,572 
          
 Other costs of revenue 212,220   183,375   85,519   59,181 
          
 Total costs of revenue 3,743,916   3,250,665   1,385,240   1,094,346 
          
Gross profit$371,426  $318,626  $126,547  $111,060 
          
Gross profit margin 9.0%  8.9%  8.4%  9.2%
          
 Plus: other costs of revenue 212,220   183,375   85,519   59,181 
          
Variable contribution$583,646  $502,001  $212,066  $170,241 
          
Variable contribution margin 14.2%  14.1%  14.0%  14.1%
          
(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 costs of claims incurred under those programs; and (iii) brokerage commissions and other fees incurred relating the 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.
      



Contact:
Jim Todd
Chief Financial Officer
904-398-9400

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