Truck Stocks' Q2 Earnings This Week: LSTR, SWFT, FWRD

The transportation sector is highly diversified in nature, comprising airline players, truckers, railroads, shippers, to name a few. The sector (one of the 16 Zacks sectors) has made an encouraging start to the Q2 earnings season. As per our latest earnings trends report, all the sector participants (S&P players) who reported as of Jul 15, have outshined the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings. The bottom line has also expanded 5.7% on a year-over-year basis for the sector.

The reassuring start has come on the back of impressive performances on the earnings front from leading players like Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) and CSX Corporation (NASDAQ:CSX) . The current week will see plenty of big names like American Airlines Group (NASDAQ:AAL) and Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) releasing their numbers. The above report predicts that the transportation sector, which is facing multiple headwinds like the upsurge in terror attacks, the Brexit vote and declining coal shipments, is expected to see earnings deceleration to the tune of 13.9% in Q2. With multiple reports lined up for release, we will gain a clearer insight into the performance of the stocks by the end of the week.

Keeping the spotlight on the sector, we highlight 3 truck stocks which are scheduled to report this week.

Landstar System (NASDAQ:LSTR) , an asset-light provider of integrated transportation management solutions across the globe, is scheduled to report second-quarter 2016 results on Jul 20, after market close. Things look gloomy for this Jacksonville, FL-based company. According to our quantitative model, a company needs the right combination of two key ingredients – a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better – to increase its odds of an earnings surprise. However, Landstar System has an Earnings ESP of -1.22% as the Most Accurate estimate is pegged at 81 cents while the Zacks Consensus Estimate is 1 cent higher. The company has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). As it is, we caution against Sell-rated stocks going into the earnings announcement.

LANDSTAR SYSTEM Price and EPS Surprise

LANDSTAR SYSTEM Price and EPS Surprise | LANDSTAR SYSTEM Quote

Swift Transportation Company (NYSE:SWFT) operates one of the largest fleets of truckload equipment in North America from more than 40 terminals near key freight centers and traffic lanes. The Phoenix, AZ-based transportation company is unlikely to beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings in the second quarter, as per our quantitative model. The company has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% as the Most Accurate estimate is in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 31 cents per share. The company has a Zacks Rank #4. Results are scheduled to be announced on Jul 21, after market close.

SWIFT TRANSPORT Price and EPS Surprise

SWIFT TRANSPORT Price and EPS Surprise | SWIFT TRANSPORT Quote

Forward Air Corporation (NASDAQ:FWRD) , based in Greeneville, TN, is also not likely to beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings in the second quarter of 2016. Results are scheduled to be announced on Jul 21, after market close. The company has an Earnings ESP of +1.72% as the Most Accurate estimate is 1 cent higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 58 cents per share. However, that alone is not enough to secure an earnings beat. The company’s Zacks Rank #4 complicates matters, making an earnings beat unlikely.

FORWARD AIR CRP Price and EPS Surprise

FORWARD AIR CRP Price and EPS Surprise | FORWARD AIR CRP Quote