Landstar System Reports Improved First Quarter Performance Revenue of $1.171B and Earnings Per Share of $1.16

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., April 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Landstar System, Inc. (NASDAQ:LSTR) ("Landstar" or the "Company") today reported its financial results for the 2026 first quarter. The Company reported total revenue of $1.171 billion in the 2026 first quarter, an increase of 2% as compared to revenue of $1.153 billion in the 2025 first quarter, and basic and diluted earnings per share ("EPS") of $1.16 in the 2026 first quarter, an increase of 36% as compared to EPS of $0.85 per share in the 2025 first quarter. As a reminder, EPS in the 2025 first quarter was unfavorably impacted by approximately $0.10 related to the previously disclosed supply chain fraud matter. The Company also reported a 14% increase in gross profit and a 7% increase in variable contribution (defined as revenue less the cost of purchased transportation and commissions to agents) in the 2026 first quarter, as compared in each case to the 2025 first quarter.

"The Landstar team of independent business owners and employees executed well in a dynamic transportation backdrop, with our network generating higher truck transportation revenues and increased BCO utilization year-over-year," said Landstar President and Chief Executive Officer Frank Lonegro. "I was particularly pleased with our variable contribution performance which reflected Landstar's first year-over-year increase in variable contribution since the third quarter of 2022. We were encouraged by our improved first quarter results, attributable to a strengthening rate environment and the Company's unwavering commitment to safety, security and service."

Landstar continues to return capital to stockholders through the Company's stock purchase program and dividends. During the 2026 first quarter, Landstar purchased 150,923 shares of its common stock at an aggregate cost of $22.6 million. The Company is currently authorized to purchase up to an additional 1,115,195 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 $0.40 per share payable on June 9, 2026, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on May 19, 2026.

During the 2026 first quarter, truck revenue was $1,082 million, or 3% higher, as compared to the 2025 first quarter truck revenue of $1,050 million. Truck revenue per load increased approximately 6% in the 2026 first quarter compared to the 2025 first quarter, while the number of loads hauled via truck decreased approximately 2% compared to the 2025 first quarter.

Truck transportation revenue hauled by independent business capacity owners ("BCOs") and truck brokerage carriers in the 2026 first quarter was 92% of revenue, compared to 91% of revenue in the 2025 first quarter. Truckload transportation revenue hauled via van equipment in the 2026 first quarter was $603 million, compared to $595 million in the 2025 first quarter. Truckload transportation revenue hauled via unsided/platform equipment in the 2026 first quarter was $369 million, compared to $340 million in the 2025 first quarter. Revenue from other truck transportation, which is largely related to power-only services, in the 2026 first quarter was $87 million, compared to $92 million in the 2025 first quarter. Revenue hauled by rail, air and ocean cargo carriers was $67 million, or 6% of revenue, in the 2026 first quarter, compared to $83 million, or 7% of revenue, in the 2025 first quarter.

Gross profit in the 2026 first quarter was $113 million, as compared to $98 million in the 2025 first quarter. Variable contribution in the 2026 first quarter was $172 million, compared to $161 million in the 2025 first quarter. Reconciliations of gross profit to variable contribution and gross profit margin to variable contribution margin for the 2026 and 2025 first quarters are provided in the Company's accompanying financial disclosures.

The Company's balance sheet continues to be very strong, with cash and short-term investments of approximately $411 million as of March 28, 2026. Trailing twelve-month return on average shareholders' equity was 14%. Return on invested capital, representing net income divided by the sum of average equity plus average debt, was 13%.  

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 www.investor.landstar.com; click on "Webcasts," then click on "Landstar's First 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; 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; 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, 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.

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