U.S. Xpress shows loss in first quarter

SAN FRANCISCO, April 19 (Reuters) - Trucking company U.S. Xpress Enterprises Inc. XPRSA.O on Thursday reported a loss in the first quarter, citing lower-than-expected freight demand, severe winter weather and higher fuel prices, after a profit in the year-ago period.

U.S. Xpress said its net loss was $2.6 million, or 17 cents a share, compared with a year-ago profit of $734,000, or 5 cents a share. The loss was a penny worse than the 16 cents a share analysts were expecting, according to Reuters Estimates.

Revenue rose by 20 percent to $360.9 million.