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Fourth-quarter trucking earnings reports kicked off with J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. posting 5.8% higher earnings of $116.7 million, or $1.01 per share, led by improved profits in its dedicated, over-the-road and brokerage businesses.

Knight Transportation Inc. lowered its fourth-quarter earnings estimate by about 15%, citing more moderate rate increases, fewer spot market opportunities, additional driver pay increases and reduced gains on used equipment sales.

This U.S. earnings season is on track to be the worst since 2009 as profits from oil and gas and commodity-related companies plummet.

UPS Inc. posted a 3.5% increase in third-quarter net income to $1.26 billion, compared with the same three months in 2014, even as quarterly revenue dipped by 0.4% to $14.24 billion.

Roadrunner Transportation Systems said third-quarter earnings would be 14 cents to 17 cents per share, far below the 44 cents per share average estimate, citing a combination of one-time costs and a weaker-than-expected freight market.

Ryder System Inc. became the third publicly traded trucking industry company to lower third-quarter earnings expectations by announcing that its profits would be 10 cents per share to 13 cents per share below its earlier forecast.

Swift Transportation Co. said its third-quarter and full-year results will lag analyst forecasts and its own profit guidance because of costs from past accidents and weaker freight volumes in the fourth quarter.

A.P. Moeller-Maersk A/S, owner of the world’s largest container line, said profit exceeded estimates despite a slump in freight rates.