April 19, 2005 9:00 AM, EDT

Werner Reports Improved Income in First Quarter

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ruckload carrier Werner Enterprises Inc. said late Monday its net income for the first quarter was $19.9 million or 25 cents a share, up from $15.6 million or 19 cents a year earlier.

The company’s operating revenues rose 18% to $455.3 million.

Werner said in an earnings statement that continued high fuel prices could cost the company 2 to 3 cents per share in the second quarter.

Fuel costs excluding taxes were 45 cents a gallon higher than the first quarter of last year, the company said in a statement.

Compared to the abnormally strong freight and pricing market [last year], demand for our services remained strong in the first quarter,” Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Clarence Werner said.

“For the first few weeks of April, freight demand is solid and is consistent with normal seasonal freight volume,” he said.

Werner is ranked No. 18 on the Transport Topics 100 list of the largest U.S. and Canadian trucking companies.