Apr 21, 2005 9:11 AM, from staff and wire reports

Mondovi WI-based refrigerated carrier Marten Transport Ltd announced its financial and operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2005.

Operating revenue for the quarter increased 21.7% to $102.9 million from $84.5 million for the same quarter of 2004. For the quarter ended March 31, 2005, net income surged 76.2% to $4.8 million from $2.7 million for the comparable quarter of 2004.

Randolph L Marten, chairman and president, said, “We experienced solid revenue growth for the quarter, but as a profit-focused company, I’m especially pleased with our 76.2% increase in net income. For the quarter, our operating ratio (operating expenses as a percentage of operating income) improved to 92.0%, compared with 94.6% in the first quarter of 2004."