Boyd Brothers Transportation has reported an increase in profits for the second quarter ended June 30, 2001, despite a decrease in operating revenues.

Net income for the second quarter 2001 increased 35 percent to $282,711 from $208,934 for the same time period in 2000. Earnings increased 43 percent to 10 cents per share from 7 cents during the same time last year.

The company announced that Boyd Bros. returned to a profitable operating level in the second quarter, marking continued improvement from the losses incurred over the past several quarters. Boyd believes this slower-than-expected ramp up in freight volume is largely attributable to the ongoing weakness of the steel industry, which accounts for a large portion of its business.

Operating revenues declined 3 percent for the second quarter to $31 .6 million from $32.6 million one year ago. The Clayton, AL-based company's operating ratio for the second quarter was 96.3 percent, up from a 98.5 percent operating ratio during the first quarter 2001, but below the 95.7 percent ratio reported for the second quarter 2000.

Boyd Bros. blamed its decline of comparative operating ratio for the second quarter mostly on continued weakness in freight revenues, which has affected the company's fleet efficiency, combined with higher costs.