Stock market trading: Arkansas-Best reports narrower loss in 2010

Arkansas Best Corp. (symbol ABFS on Nasdaq) specializes in “less-than-truckload” shipping, which involves loading freight from a number of customers onto a single truck. In 2010, Arkansas Best’s revenue rose 12.6%, to $1.7 billion from $1.5 billion on 2009. The company lost $32.7 million, or $1.30 per share, in 2010. However, that was a big improvement on the $127.5 million, or $2.46 per share, that it lost in 2009. Arkansas-Best shipped more freight as the economy gradually recovered in 2010, particularly during the fourth quarter. Strong competition has been keeping shipping rates down, however. Arkansas-Best is now raising its rates to cover rising fuel costs. The company holds cash of $141.9 million. Arkansas-Best plans to spend $47 million this year to replace aging equipment with 35 new tractors and 400 trailers. Arkansas-Best trades 40.1 times the $0.60 a share it is expected to earn in 2011. If you’re interested in stock market trading in U.S. stocks like Arkansas-Best, you really should have a subscription to Wall Street Stock Forecaster. What’s more, you can get one month free when you subscribe now. Click here to learn how.

Jim is an associate editor at TSI Network. He is the lead reporter and analyst for The Successful Investor and Wall Street Stock Forecaster and a member of the Investment Planning Committee. Jim has held the Chartered Financial Analyst designation since 1992 and spent more than a decade at the Financial Post DataGroup before joining TSI Network. He has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto.