Analyst predicts earnings upswing for trucking

John Larkin, an analyst at Legg Mason Wood Walker, says that trucking stands to experience significant earnings soon. He projects modest gains for the first and second quarters of 2002 and the possibility of growth in the 40% range for the second half of 2002 and the first quarter of 2003. The projections are based on research begun in October 2001. In addition, Larkin says that more than 4,000 trucking companies failed in 2001. He notes that a substantial number of tractors traded to manufacturers or repossessed in 2001 have not re-entered active service.