Henry H. Gerkens
Analyst · Morgan Stanley
Thanks, Dory, and good afternoon, and welcome to the Landstar 2014 first quarter earnings conference call. This conference call will be limited to no more than 1 hour. [Operator Instructions] Before we begin, let me read the following statement. The following is a Safe Harbor statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements made during this conference call that are not based on historical facts are forward-looking statements. During this conference call, I and other members of Landstar's management, may make certain statements containing forward-looking statements, such as statements which relate to Landstar's business objectives, plans, strategies and expectations. Such statements are, by nature, subject to uncertainties and risks, including, but not limited to, the operational, financial and legal risks detailed in Landstar's Form 10-K for the 2013 fiscal year described in the section Risk Factors and 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 Landstar undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. In our 2014 first quarter mid-quarter update call, I stated I was very comfortable with our previously announced estimated range of revenue guidance for the 2014 first quarter of $640 million to $690 million and that I was also comfortable with our range of estimated diluted earnings per share from continuing operations guidance of $0.56 to $0.61 per share. As reported in this morning's press release, actual revenue for the 2014 first quarter was $688 million, at the upper end of our revenue range and 10% above the prior year first quarter revenue. Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations was $0.61 per share, also at the upper end of our guidance range and 10% above the prior year first quarter. It should also be noted that the 2014 first quarter included an approximate $0.03 per share impact for the annual Landstar Agent Convention held in the 2014 first quarter versus being held in the 2013 second quarter, and an approximate $0.03 impact from a provision for incentive compensation in the 2014 first quarter versus no provision in the 2013 first quarter. Both the 2014 first quarter revenue and earnings per share amounts were the highest first quarter amounts generated in Landstar history. In short, the 2000 first quarter was an outstanding quarter for Landstar. Let me make a few comments about our revenue performance. As I said, consolidated revenue in the 2014 first quarter was approximately $688 million, up approximately $65 million from the revenue generated in the prior year quarter. The increase was driven by improved demand in Landstar's overall account base, new agent revenue and increased pricing. The 2014 first quarter revenue from truck transportation increased 12% over the prior year first quarter as load count increased 4% and revenue per load increased 8%. On a current year, month over prior year month basis, January truck transportation revenue increased 6%, February revenue increased 9% and March revenue increased a very healthy 19%. Total van truck transportation revenue increased 16% over the 2013 first quarter revenue, split equally between load volume and revenue per load, while platform revenue increased 7% over the 2013 first quarter, 2% due to increased load volume, 5% due to increased revenue per load. Revenue hauled by BCOs in the 2014 first quarter increased 13% over the 2013 first quarter, while revenue hauled by broker carriers increased 11% over the prior year quarter. Revenue hauled by BCOs was 50% of consolidated revenue in the 2014 first quarter versus 49% in the prior year first quarter, and revenue hauled by broker carriers represented 44% in the current year quarter versus 43% in the prior year quarter. Additionally, total revenue generated from new agent additions was $18.8 million in the 2014 first quarter versus $13.6 million in the 2013 first quarter. At this point, I'm going to ask Pat O'Malley to add some more color around our 2014 record first quarter revenue performance. Pat?