For-hire motor carriers of freight, top carriers

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The top 97 for-hire carriers (Canadian-based trucking companies earning $25 million or more annually) generated operating revenue of $2.6 billion and operating expenses of $2.4 billion in the second quarter of 2008.

For these carriers, the second quarter year-over-year growth in expenses (+2.9%) was slightly higher than that of revenue (+2.6%). During the previous eight quarters, on a year-over-year basis, growth in expenses exceeded growth in revenue, resulting in lower operating profits.

In the second quarter, the operating ratio (operating expenses divided by operating revenue) was 0.95 compared with 0.94 the previous year. A ratio greater than 1.00 represents an operating loss.

Note: Readers should note that, with few exceptions, additions and deletions to the top carriers are done only for the first quarter of each calendar year, while the composition of a top carrier may change at any time due to acquisitions or divestitures. Year-over-year variations in revenues and expenses may arise from changes to the mix of companies included in the top carriers and/or changes in the financial results reported by individual carriers. The revenues and expenses attributed to top carriers may also include that of some companies with less than $25 million in annual revenue, particularly when these companies exist in complex corporate structures where their individual activities may be difficult to accurately measure.

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 2748.

For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact the Dissemination Unit (toll-free 1-866-500-8400; fax: 613-951-0009; transportationstatistics@statcan.gc.ca), Transportation Division.