Firms Warn of Lower Earnings

Two companies cautioned investors that second-quarter earnings would be below those for the same period in 1998.

Ryder Systems of Miami expects to report earnings between 42 cents and 47 cents a share for the period ending June 30, compared with 61 cents a year ago. The nation’s largest truck leasing company said start-up costs of its logistics divisions cut into anticipated profits.

yder will release its earnings statement July 21.

Frozen Food Express Industries, meanwhile, said it expects to report lower net income for the second quarter, citing larger insurance expenses and indirect costs of bringing a new computerized management information system online as the reasons for the shortfall.



Since the Dallas company consistently ranks as among the safest in the truckload sector, the unusual claims and insurance expenses — $1 million higher than during the same period in 1998 — should not continue, said Chairman Stoney M. “Mit” Stubbs Jr.

He also said FFE, which claims to be the largest temperature-controlled carrier of perishable goods in North America, would “redouble” its efforts to improve operating efficiency.