Universal Truckload’s Profit Dips

Universal Truckload Services's first-quarter profit fell $3.2 million or 20 cents a share, down from $4.6 million or 28 cents last year.

Operating revenue rose 8.9% to $158.9 million, Universal said in a statement Thursday.

Operating revenue included fuel surcharges of $13.8 million and $12 million for the first quarters of 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Universal said its truckload revenue increased by 6.6% to $93.1 million, while brokerage revenue gained 7.5% to $41 million.

Intermodal revenue rose 21.4% to $24.8 million.

 Universal is ranked No. 44 on the Transport Topics 100 list of U.S. and Canadian for-hire carriers.