Landstar System Reports Improved First Quarter Performance Revenue of $1.171B and Earnings Per Share of $1.16
Rhea-AI Summary
Landstar System (NASDAQ: LSTR) reported 1Q 2026 revenue of $1.171 billion and EPS of $1.16, up 2% and 36% year-over-year, respectively. Gross profit rose to $112.5 million (+14.5%) and operating income to $53.2 million (+35.1%).
The company repurchased 150,923 shares for $22.6 million, declared a quarterly dividend of $0.40 per share payable June 9, 2026, and reported cash and short-term investments of about $411 million as of March 28, 2026.
Positive
- EPS +36% to $1.16 in 1Q 2026
- Gross profit +14.5% to $112.5 million
- Operating income +35.1% to $53.2 million
- Share repurchases $22.6M in 1Q 2026
- Quarterly dividend $0.40 declared, payable June 9, 2026
- Cash and short-term investments $411M at March 28, 2026
Negative
- Revenue essentially flat, up 1.6% to $1.171 billion
- Rail/air/ocean revenue -19% to $67 million from $83 million year-over-year
Market Reaction – LSTR
Following this news, LSTR has gained 4.11%, reflecting a moderate positive market reaction. The stock is currently trading at $189.90. This price movement has added approximately $245M to the company's valuation.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus (15 min delayed). Upgrade to Gold for real-time data.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
LSTR gained 0.62% with normal volume, while key logistics peers like HUBG, PBI, GXO, JBHT, and EXPD also showed modest gains between 0.18% and 2.03%. However, no broad sector momentum was flagged by the scanner.
Previous Earnings Reports
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 28 | Earnings release | Negative | -2.3% | 4Q25 revenue and EPS declined vs 4Q24 amid elevated insurance and claims costs. |
| Oct 28 | Earnings release | Negative | -3.8% | 3Q25 revenue and GAAP EPS down year-over-year; EPS impacted by impairment charges. |
| Jul 29 | Earnings release | Negative | -3.3% | Q2 2025 revenue and EPS lower than Q2 2024 despite solid truck metrics. |
| Jan 29 | Earnings release | Negative | -3.5% | 4Q24 showed first revenue growth since 3Q22 but EPS was below prior year. |
| Oct 29 | Earnings release | Negative | -1.9% | 3Q24 EPS declined vs 3Q23 despite higher truck revenue per load. |
Recent earnings releases (last 5) all saw negative next-day moves, averaging -2.96%, often tied to softer year-over-year comparisons or one-time charges.
Over the past five earnings announcements (from Oct 2024 to Jan 2026), Landstar repeatedly reported year-over-year EPS pressure, often from weaker freight conditions, higher insurance costs, and non-cash impairment charges. Revenue generally hovered around the $1.2B level, with strong cash balances and ongoing dividends and buybacks. Those updates still produced average next-day moves of about -2.96%. Today’s first-quarter 2026 release contrasts with that trend by delivering year-over-year growth in revenue, EPS, gross profit, and variable contribution.
Historical Comparison
In the last five earnings releases, LSTR’s average next-day move was -2.96%, mostly on weaker year-over-year EPS. The latest quarter instead reports growth in revenue, EPS, gross profit, and variable contribution, marking a fundamentally stronger update than recent history.
Recent earnings showed pressured EPS and one-time charges, while today’s report delivers year-over-year growth in revenue, EPS, gross profit, and the first year-over-year increase in variable contribution since 3Q 2022.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights a solid first-quarter rebound, with revenue of $1.171B, EPS of $1.16, and year-over-year increases in gross profit and variable contribution. Management points to a strengthening rate environment, higher truck transportation revenue, and continued dividends and buybacks, including $22.6M of repurchases. Compared with recent earnings periods that featured weaker year-over-year EPS, this marks a firmer footing. Investors may track freight demand trends, margin resilience, and ongoing balance-sheet strength in upcoming quarters.
Key Terms
non-gaap financial measures financial
return on invested capital financial
iso 9001:2015 technical
rc14001:2015 technical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., April 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Landstar System, Inc. (NASDAQ: LSTR) (“Landstar” or the “Company”) today reported its financial results for the 2026 first quarter. The Company reported total revenue of
“The Landstar team of independent business owners and employees executed well in a dynamic transportation backdrop, with our network generating higher truck transportation revenues and increased BCO utilization year-over-year,” said Landstar President and Chief Executive Officer Frank Lonegro. “I was particularly pleased with our variable contribution performance which reflected Landstar’s first year-over-year increase in variable contribution since the third quarter of 2022. We were encouraged by our improved first quarter results, attributable to a strengthening rate environment and the Company’s unwavering commitment to safety, security and service.”
| 1Q 2026 | 1Q 2025 | Change ($) | Change (%) | |||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 1,171,291 | $ | 1,152,502 | $ | 18,789 | 1.6 | % | ||||
| Gross profit | $ | 112,542 | $ | 98,305 | $ | 14,237 | 14.5 | % | ||||
| Variable contribution | $ | 172,151 | $ | 161,310 | $ | 10,841 | 6.7 | % | ||||
| Operating income | $ | 53,236 | $ | 39,419 | $ | 13,817 | 35.1 | % | ||||
| Basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) | $ | 1.16 | $ | 0.85 | $ | 0.31 | 36.5 | % | ||||
| (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. | ||||||||||||
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
During the 2026 first quarter, truck revenue was
Truck transportation revenue hauled by independent business capacity owners (“BCOs”) and truck brokerage carriers in the 2026 first quarter was
Gross profit in the 2026 first quarter was
The Company’s balance sheet continues to be very strong, with cash and short-term investments of approximately
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.
| Landstar System, Inc. and Subsidiary | |||||||
| Consolidated Statements of Income | |||||||
| (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) | |||||||
| (Unaudited) | |||||||
| Thirteen Weeks Ended | |||||||
| March 28, | March 29, | ||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | ||||||
| Revenue | $ | 1,171,291 | $ | 1,152,502 | |||
| Investment income | 2,974 | 3,598 | |||||
| Costs and expenses: | |||||||
| Purchased transportation | 906,997 | 897,878 | |||||
| Commissions to agents | 92,143 | 93,314 | |||||
| Other operating costs, net of gains on asset sales/dispositions | 14,800 | 11,829 | |||||
| Insurance and claims | 35,564 | 39,852 | |||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 60,965 | 61,582 | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 10,560 | 12,226 | |||||
| Total costs and expenses | 1,121,029 | 1,116,681 | |||||
| Operating income | 53,236 | 39,419 | |||||
| Interest and debt expense (income) | 518 | (159 | ) | ||||
| Income before income taxes | 52,718 | 39,578 | |||||
| Income taxes | 13,278 | 9,772 | |||||
| Net income | $ | 39,440 | $ | 29,806 | |||
| Basic and diluted earnings per share | $ | 1.16 | $ | 0.85 | |||
| Average basic and diluted shares outstanding | 34,022,000 | 35,203,000 | |||||
| Dividends per common share | $ | 0.40 | $ | 0.36 | |||
| Landstar System, Inc. and Subsidiary | |||||||
| Consolidated Balance Sheets | |||||||
| (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) | |||||||
| (Unaudited) | |||||||
| March 28, | December 27, | ||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | ||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||
| Current assets: | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 353,255 | $ | 396,694 | |||
| Short-term investments | 57,697 | 55,531 | |||||
| Trade accounts receivable, less allowance of | 692,016 | 670,137 | |||||
| Other receivables, including advances to independent contractors, less allowance of | 48,402 | 52,784 | |||||
| Assets held for sale | 11,788 | 12,231 | |||||
| Other current assets | 20,443 | 28,949 | |||||
| Total current assets | 1,183,601 | 1,216,326 | |||||
| Operating property, less accumulated depreciation and amortization of | 255,738 | 261,322 | |||||
| Goodwill | 34,005 | 34,005 | |||||
| Other assets | 128,854 | 124,282 | |||||
| Total assets | $ | 1,602,198 | $ | 1,635,935 | |||
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | |||||||
| Current liabilities: | |||||||
| Cash overdraft | $ | 54,432 | $ | 56,654 | |||
| Accounts payable | 396,654 | 369,567 | |||||
| Current maturities of long-term debt | 26,121 | 28,342 | |||||
| Insurance claims | 56,794 | 87,343 | |||||
| Dividends payable | - | 68,117 | |||||
| Liabilities held for sale | 8,468 | 6,961 | |||||
| Other current liabilities | 88,251 | 78,856 | |||||
| Total current liabilities | 630,720 | 695,840 | |||||
| Long-term debt, excluding current maturities | 43,145 | 48,480 | |||||
| Insurance claims | 96,502 | 62,706 | |||||
| Deferred income taxes and other non-current liabilities | 32,855 | 33,244 | |||||
| Shareholders' equity: | |||||||
| Common stock, shares, issued 68,619,240 and 68,590,708 | 686 | 686 | |||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 263,740 | 261,256 | |||||
| Retained earnings | 2,878,506 | 2,852,680 | |||||
| Cost of 34,691,030 and 34,531,982 shares of common stock in treasury | (2,336,869 | ) | (2,313,245 | ) | |||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (7,087 | ) | (5,712 | ) | |||
| Total shareholders' equity | 798,976 | 795,665 | |||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ | 1,602,198 | $ | 1,635,935 | |||
| Landstar System, Inc. and Subsidiary | |||||||
| Supplemental Information | |||||||
| (Unaudited) | |||||||
| Thirteen Weeks Ended | |||||||
| March 28, | March 29, | ||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | ||||||
| Revenue generated through (in thousands): | |||||||
| Truck transportation | |||||||
| Truckload: | |||||||
| Van equipment | $ | 603,406 | $ | 594,795 | |||
| Unsided/platform equipment | 368,569 | 340,408 | |||||
| Less-than-truckload | 23,788 | 22,436 | |||||
| Other truck transportation (1) | 86,518 | 92,079 | |||||
| Total truck transportation | 1,082,281 | 1,049,718 | |||||
| Rail intermodal | 19,314 | 17,487 | |||||
| Ocean and air cargo carriers | 47,969 | 65,637 | |||||
| Other (2) | 21,727 | 19,660 | |||||
| $ | 1,171,291 | $ | 1,152,502 | ||||
| Revenue on loads hauled via BCO Independent Contractors (3) included in total truck transportation | $ | 475,348 | $ | 427,057 | |||
| Number of loads: | |||||||
| Truck transportation | |||||||
| Truckload: | |||||||
| Van equipment | 277,711 | 288,063 | |||||
| Unsided/platform equipment | 114,554 | 117,245 | |||||
| Less-than-truckload | 34,925 | 35,580 | |||||
| Other truck transportation (1) | 46,390 | 44,012 | |||||
| Total truck transportation | 473,580 | 484,900 | |||||
| Rail intermodal | 6,590 | 6,150 | |||||
| Ocean and air cargo carriers | 6,710 | 9,120 | |||||
| 486,880 | 500,170 | ||||||
| Loads hauled via BCO Independent Contractors (3) included in total truck transportation | 207,610 | 194,070 | |||||
| Revenue per load: | |||||||
| Truck transportation | |||||||
| Truckload: | |||||||
| Van equipment | $ | 2,173 | $ | 2,065 | |||
| Unsided/platform equipment | 3,217 | 2,903 | |||||
| Less-than-truckload | 681 | 631 | |||||
| Other truck transportation (1) | 1,865 | 2,092 | |||||
| Total truck transportation | 2,285 | 2,165 | |||||
| Rail intermodal | 2,931 | 2,843 | |||||
| Ocean and air cargo carriers | 7,149 | 7,197 | |||||
| Revenue per load on loads hauled via BCO Independent Contractors (3) | $ | 2,290 | $ | 2,201 | |||
| Revenue by capacity type (as a % of total revenue): | |||||||
| Truck capacity providers: | |||||||
| BCO Independent Contractors (3) | 41 | % | 37 | % | |||
| Truck Brokerage Carriers | 52 | % | 54 | % | |||
| Rail intermodal | 2 | % | 2 | % | |||
| Ocean and air cargo carriers | 4 | % | 6 | % | |||
| Other | 2 | % | 2 | % | |||
| March 28, | March 29, | ||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | ||||||
| Truck Capacity Providers: | |||||||
| BCO Independent Contractors (3) | 7,663 | 7,871 | |||||
| Truck Brokerage Carriers: | |||||||
| Approved and active (4) | 37,647 | 47,323 | |||||
| Other approved | 27,420 | 33,275 | |||||
| 65,067 | 80,598 | ||||||
| Total available truck capacity providers | 72,730 | 88,469 | |||||
| Trucks provided by BCO Independent Contractors (3) | 8,476 | 8,620 | |||||
| (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) | |||||||
| Thirteen Weeks Ended | |||||||
| March 28, | March 29, | ||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | ||||||
| Revenue | $ | 1,171,291 | $ | 1,152,502 | |||
| Costs of revenue: | |||||||
| Purchased transportation | 906,997 | 897,878 | |||||
| Commissions to agents | 92,143 | 93,314 | |||||
| Variable costs of revenue | 999,140 | 991,192 | |||||
| Trailing equipment depreciation | 6,268 | 6,977 | |||||
| Information technology costs (1) | 2,603 | 3,675 | |||||
| Insurance-related costs (2) | 35,938 | 40,524 | |||||
| Other operating costs | 14,800 | 11,829 | |||||
| Other costs of revenue | 59,609 | 63,005 | |||||
| Total costs of revenue | 1,058,749 | 1,054,197 | |||||
| Gross profit | $ | 112,542 | $ | 98,305 | |||
| Gross profit margin | 9.6 | % | 8.5 | % | |||
| Plus: other costs of revenue | 59,609 | 63,005 | |||||
| Variable contribution | $ | 172,151 | $ | 161,310 | |||
| Variable contribution margin | 14.7 | % | 14.0 | % | |||
| (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 cost of claims incurred under those programs; and (iii) brokerage commissions and other fees incurred relating to 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