Marten Transport, Ltd. announced that for the third quarter of 2006, operating revenue increased 14.1%, to
$135.8 million from $119.1 million for the 2005 quarter. For the nine-month period of 2006, operating revenue increased 15.7%, to $387.2 million from $334.8 million for the 2005 period.
Operating revenue included fuel surcharges of $22.5 million and $59.5 million for the third quarter and nine- month period of 2006, compared with $15.7 million and $38.1 million for the third quarter and nine-month period of 2005. The company's revenue, before fuel surcharges, increased 9.6% over the 2005 quarter and 10.5% over the 2005 nine-month period.
For the third quarter of 2006, net income increased 5.7%, to $6.7 million from $6.4 million for the 2005 quarter. Net income per diluted share for the third quarter increased to 31 cents from 29 cents for the 2005 quarter. For the nine-month period of 2006, net income increased 7.7%, to $19.3 million from $18.0 million for the 2005 period. Net income per diluted share increased to 88 cents from 82 cents for the 2005 nine-month period.
"The third quarter of 2006 marked the 15th consecutive quarter of year- over-year growth in earnings for Marten Transport," said Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Randolph L. Marten. "Our team delivered another quarter of solid results, despite a generally acknowledged slowdown in freight volumes, high diesel prices, and fierce competition for drivers. Our operating ratio for the quarter was a respectable 91.4%, or 89.7% netting fuel surcharges against fuel expense, as many of our peers do.
"We continue to feel very positive about Marten's position in the marketplace with our business continuing to increase with our major accounts. By offering high-quality service and dependable capacity of late-model equipment, we increased our average freight revenue per total mile approximately 3.9% versus the same quarter last year. We believe the rate and volume environment is indicative of solid customer demand, without the extreme volume and tightness in supply of equipment experienced in the second half of 2005."