Air cargo company Forward Air Corp posted a quarterly profit that beat market estimates, helped by strong performance at all its segments, and said improving macroeconomic environment along with company-specific positive trends will continue this year.

The company, which provides surface transportation and related logistics to the deferred airfreight market, said it sees first-quarter earn ings of 20-24 cents a sh are. The Greeneville, Tennessee-based company also sees first-quarter sales to rise 9-13 percent , compared to year-ago period.

Analysts were expecting earnings of 22 cen ts a share on revenue of $120.2 million, ac cording to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

For October-December, the company earn ed $11.8 million, or 41 cents a sh are, compared with $6.3 million, or 22 cents a share, a year ago.

Operating reve nue rose 13 percent to $133.3 million.

Analysts expected earnings of 37 cents a share on revenue of $134.3 million, ac cording to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. (Reuters)