Revenue Analysis:
Total Revenue for LSTR in 2024-03-31 was $1,171,043,000, a decrease compared to $1,204,445,000 in 2023-12-31. The trend differs from earlier quarters including $1,289,345,000 in 2023-09-30 and $1,373,857,000 in 2023-06-30.
Operating Revenue followed a similar pattern, noting a decline to $1,145,701,000 in 2024-03-31 from $1,173,737,000 in 2023-12-31.
Gross Profit also saw a decrease from $164,491,000 in 2023-12-31 to $154,098,000 in 2024-03-31. This observation suggests tightening in revenue generating capacity or a potential increase in cost pressures affecting margins.
Cost Management:
Cost of Revenue was $1,016,945,000 in the latest quarter, down from $1,039,954,000 in the previous period. This suggests some efficiency in cost control despite declining revenues.
Operating Expense was also managed better in the latest quarter at $97,549,000 compared to $93,191,000 previously.
Total Expenses mirrored this improvement albeit more mildly from $1,133,145,000 in the previous quarter to $1,114,494,000 in the latest 2024 period.
Profitability Analysis:
EBITDA declined to $70,691,000 in 2024-03-31 from $84,955,000 in 2023-12-31, while Operating Income decreased from $71,300,000 to $56,549,000 over the same period.
Pretax Income decreased from $76,434,000 to $61,572,000, indicating a contraction across all key profitability metrics.
Net Income saw a significant decrease from $57,987,000 in 2023-12-31 to $47,096,000 in 2024-03-31.
Cash Flow Indicators:
Reconciled Depreciation increased suggesting potentially more investment in capital assets, rising to $14,142,000 in 2024-03-31 from $13,655,000 in the previous period.
Net Interest Income decreased slightly to $1,611,000, reflecting lower income from financial investments or higher interest obligations.
Taxation:
The Tax Rate for Calcs was slightly lower in 2024 at 0.235 compared to 0.241345 and 0.244 in previous periods.
Tax Provision was also reduced to $14,476,000 in 2024 from $18,447,000 in 2023-12-31.
Tax Effect Of Unusual Items showed minor changes, amounting to $801,820 in the latest reporting period.
Shareholder Metrics:
Diluted EPS was reported at 1.32 in the latest period, a decrease from 1.62 in the previous quarter.
Average Shares (Diluted) remained roughly constant around 35,750,000.
Net Income Available to Common Stockholders decreased to $47,096,000 in 2024-03-31 from $57,987,000 in 2023-12-31.
Conclusion:
The analysis indicates a contraction in both revenue and profitability for LSTR during this period. Although there is some efficiency observed in cost management, the falling net income and EPS suggest a challenging environment. Recommendations would include exploring strategic options to enhance revenue streams and further tightening of cost controls while monitoring cash flows closely for sustainable growth.