Zacks.com Features the Following Top Stocks in the Transportation Industry: Kirby Corporation, C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Hornbeck Offshore Services, and UTi Worldwide

Business Wire, Jan 10, 2005

CHICAGO -- The transportation industry looks poised for a solid year, and the All Stars can help move your portfolio to a more profitable level with four recommendations. Read about Kirby Corporation (NYSE:KEX), C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHRW), Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. (NYSE:HOS), and UTi Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ:UTIW). Discover the full story at Zacks.com http://at.zacks.com/?id=96

What Do The All Stars Recommend:

Kirby Corporation (NYSE:KEX) posted net earnings of 53 cents per share for the quarter, compared to 46 cents in the prior year. Consolidated revenues jumped 12% to $173.4 million, versus $154.5 million in the year-ago quarter. Revenues for its marine transportation segment advanced 14%, while revenues for its diesel engine services segment were in line with 2003. Kirby Corporation expects earnings per share between $1.94 and $1.98 for 2004, which would mark a solid improvement from 2003's $1.67. Kirby will report its fourth quarter numbers on January 26th.

C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHRW) will report its fourth quarter numbers on February 8th. In October, the company put together a strong third quarter performance, which included diluted net income advancing 34.4% year-over-year to 43 cents. The result bettered the consensus by more than 13%. The company stated that its ability to be flexible and adapt quickly to changes in the freight environment was pivotal to its strong results in the quarter. C.H. Robinson plans to continue working through this volatility while remaining focused on its long-term strategy, which includes a growth goal of 15%.

Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. (NYSE:HOS) reported a solid third quarter performance in early November. The company posted net income of 15 cents per diluted share, topping the consensus by 36% and bettering the company's guidance of 6 cents to 11 cents. Revenues advanced 16.7% to $32.9 million from $28.2 million. Revenues from the OSV segment improved 16.1% to $20.2 million from $17.4 million in 2003. For the fourth quarter, Hornbeck Offshore expects earnings per diluted share between 13 cents and 17 cents.

UTi Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ:UTIW) posted fiscal third quarter net income of 62 cents per diluted share, marking a solid advance from last year's 42 cents and beating the consensus by almost 11%. Net revenues reached $202 million, marking growth of 29% from last year's $156.5 million, as the company enjoyed improved performance across all service categories. Specifically, UTi Worldwide enjoyed a 28% increase in airfreight forwarding net revenues, a 32% improvements in ocean freight, and a 32% advance in contract logistics. The company said its operating improvement reflects its continued focus on operational productivity and increasing network density to improve operating profit margin.

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