JBHT J B Hunt Transport Services Inc

Arkansas	0-11757	71-0335111
(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization	Commission File Number	(IRS Employer Identification No.)
615 J.B. Hunt Corporate Drive Lowell, Arkansas	72745	(479) 820-0000
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)	(Registrant’s telephone number)

☐	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d- 2(b))

☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e- 4(c))

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value	JBHT	NASDAQ

ITEM 2.02.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION.

ITEM 9.01.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(d)	Exhibits.
99.1	News release dated July 16, 2024, issued by J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.
104	Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL Document)

	J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.
	BY:	/s/ Shelley Simpson
		Shelley Simpson
		President and Chief Executive Officer
		(Principal Executive Officer)

	BY:	/s/ John Kuhlow
		John Kuhlow
		Chief Financial Officer,
		Executive Vice President
		(Principal Financial Officer)

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

 

 

 

J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.		615 J.B. Hunt Corporate Drive
Contact: Brad Delco		Senior Vice President – Finance
Lowell, Arkansas 72745		(479) 820-2723
(NASDAQ: JBHT)

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC. REPORTS U.S. GAAP REVENUES, NET EARNINGS AND

EARNINGS PER SHARE FOR THE SECOND QUARTER 2024

 

■  Second Quarter 2024 Revenue:		$2.93 billion; down 7%
■  Second Quarter 2024 Operating Income:		$205.7 million; down 24%
■  Second Quarter 2024 EPS:		$1.32 vs. $1.81; down 27%

 

LOWELL, Ark., July 16, 2024 - J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: JBHT) announced second quarter 2024 U.S. GAAP (United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) net earnings of $135.9 million, or diluted earnings per share of $1.32 versus second quarter 2023 net earnings of $189.6 million, or $1.81 per diluted share.

 

Total operating revenue for the current quarter was $2.93 billion, compared with $3.13 billion for the second quarter 2023, a decrease of 7%. The decline in revenue was primarily driven by a 5% decrease in gross revenue per load in Intermodal (JBI) and a decline in load volume of 25% in Integrated Capacity Solutions (ICS), 9% in Truckload (JBT), and 9% in Dedicated Contract Services® (DCS®). These items were partially offset by Final Mile Services® (FMS) revenue growth of 5%, primarily driven by new contracts implemented over the past year, and a 5% increase in revenue per load in ICS. Current quarter total operating revenue, excluding fuel surcharge revenue, decreased 6% versus the comparable quarter 2023.

 

Operating income for the current quarter decreased 24% to $205.7 million versus $270.7 million for the second quarter 2023. The decrease in operating income was primarily due to lower revenue, and higher insurance and claims, equipment-related, and certain personnel-related expenses. Operating income as a percentage of gross revenue decreased year-over-year as a result of the same aforementioned expense items, partially offset by lower rail and truck purchased transportation costs as a percentage of gross revenue.

 

Net interest expense for the current quarter increased approximately 38% from the second quarter 2023 due to higher effective interest rates and consolidated debt balance, partially offset by higher interest income.

 

The effective income tax rate was 26.8% in the current quarter compared to 26.0% in the second quarter 2023. We continue to expect our 2024 annual tax rate to be between 24.0% and 25.0%.

 

 

Segment Information:

Intermodal (JBI)

■     Second Quarter 2024 Segment Revenue:		$1.41 billion; down 5%
■     Second Quarter 2024 Operating Income:		$99.2 million; down 31%

 

Intermodal volume decreased 1% over the same period in 2023. Transcontinental network loads increased 4%, while eastern network loads decreased 7% compared to the second quarter 2023. While experiencing some seasonal build in demand through the quarter, overall performance continued to be pressured by the soft freight market and its impact on over-the-road truck competition in the eastern network. Segment gross revenue decreased 5% from the prior-year period, reflecting the 1% decrease in volume and a 5% decrease in gross revenue per load, resulting from changes in customer rates, fuel surcharge revenue, and the mix of freight. Revenue per load excluding fuel surcharge revenue decreased 4% year-over-year.

 

Operating income decreased 31% compared to the second quarter 2023 primarily from a combination of lower yields and the underutilization of assets in the network. JBI segment operating income as a percentage of segment gross revenue declined versus the prior-year period as a result of increases in professional driver and non-driver wages and benefits, ownership costs of underutilized equipment, higher equipment and maintenance expenses, and higher insurance and claims expense, as a percentage of gross revenue. During the period, we onboarded 1,862 new pieces of trailing equipment. We ended the quarter with approximately 121,200 containers and 6,200 power units in the dray fleet.

 

 

Dedicated Contract Services (DCS)

■      Second Quarter 2024 Segment Revenue:		$851 million; down 4%
■      Second Quarter 2024 Operating Income:		$96.4 million; down 15%

 

DCS revenue decreased 4% during the current quarter over the same period 2023 driven by a 1% decline in average trucks combined with a 3% decline in productivity (revenue per truck per week). Productivity excluding fuel surcharge revenue decreased 3% from a year ago driven primarily from lower utilization and increases in idled equipment, partially offset by contracted indexed-based price escalators. On a net basis, there were 339 fewer revenue-producing trucks in the fleet by the end of the quarter compared to the prior-year period and 365 fewer versus the end of the first quarter 2024. Customer retention rates are approximately 88%, largely reflecting downsizing of fleets and to a lesser extent account losses, as compared to the prior-year period.

 

Operating income decreased 15% from the prior-year quarter primarily from lower revenue, higher insurance and claims, equipment-related and bad debt expenses and higher new account start-up costs as compared to the prior-year period. These items were partially offset by lower maintenance costs and the maturing of new business onboarded over the past trailing twelve months.

 

 

Integrated Capacity Solutions (ICS)

■      Second Quarter 2024 Segment Revenue:		$270 million; down 21%
■      Second Quarter 2024 Operating Loss:		$(13.3) million; vs. $(4.4) million in Q2’23

 

ICS revenue declined 21% during the current quarter versus the second quarter 2023. Overall segment volume decreased 25% versus the prior-year period. Revenue per load increased 5% compared to the second quarter 2023 due to increases in both contractual and transactional rates as well as changes in customer mix. Contractual volume represented approximately 61% of the total load volume and 59% of the gross segment revenue in the current quarter compared to 66% and 64%, respectively, in second quarter 2023.

 

Operating loss was $13.3 million compared to an operating loss of $4.4 million in the second quarter 2023. The increase in operating loss was largely driven by a $4.9 million decrease in gross profit, higher insurance and claims costs, and integration and transition costs related to the purchase of the brokerage assets of BNSF Logistics. These items were partially offset by lower personnel-related expenses and reduced technology costs. Gross profit declined 11% versus the prior-year period as a result of lower revenue, despite gross profit margins improving to 14.8% compared to 13.0% in the prior-year period. This reflects intentional yield management and discipline during bid season and better execution on capacity procurement. The ICS carrier base decreased 24% year-over-year, largely driven by changes to carrier qualification requirements to mitigate cargo theft.

 

 

Final Mile Services (FMS)

■      Second Quarter 2024 Segment Revenue:		$235 million; up 5%
■      Second Quarter 2024 Operating Income:		$19.8 million; up 33%

 

FMS revenue increased 5% compared to the same period 2023. The increase was primarily driven by multiple new contracts implemented over the past year. This was partially offset by ongoing efforts to improve revenue quality and profitability across various accounts which resulted in some loss of business in addition to general weakness in demand across some of the end markets served.

 

Operating income increased 33% compared to the prior-year period. Second quarter 2024 included a $1.1 million net benefit from two offsetting claim settlements. Excluding this impact, operating income increased primarily from higher revenue and lower personnel, equipment-related, and bad debt expenses compared to the prior-year period. These items were partially offset by higher building maintenance expense and loss on sale of equipment as compared to the prior-year period.

 

 

Truckload (JBT)

■      Second Quarter 2024 Segment Revenue:		$168 million; down 12%
■      Second Quarter 2024 Operating Income:		$3.5 million; down 7%

 

JBT revenue decreased 12% compared to the same period in the previous year. Revenue excluding fuel surcharge revenue decreased 13% due to a 9% decline in load volume and a 4% decline in revenue per load excluding fuel surcharge revenue. Total average effective trailer count decreased by approximately 500 units, or 4% versus the prior-year period. Trailer turns in the quarter were down 5% from the prior period primarily due to weaker overall market demand compared to the second quarter 2023.

 

JBT operating income decreased 7% to $3.5 million compared to the second quarter 2023. The decrease in operating income was primarily driven by the decline in revenue. JBT segment operating income as a percentage of segment gross revenue improved slightly year-over-year as a result of overall cost management initiatives, partially offset by higher third-party capacity cost and insurance and claims expense as a percentage of gross revenue.

 

 

Cash Flow and Capitalization:

At June 30, 2024, we had approximately $1.48 billion outstanding on various debt instruments compared to $1.45 billion at June 30, 2023 and $1.58 billion at December 31, 2023.

 

Our net capital expenditures for the six months ended June 30, 2024 approximated $409 million compared to $854 million for the same period 2023. At June 30, 2024, we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $54 million.

 

In the second quarter 2024, we purchased approximately 1,225,000 shares of common stock for approximately $203 million. At June 30, 2024, we had approximately $163 million remaining under our share repurchase authorization. Actual shares outstanding at June 30, 2024 approximated 102.0 million.

 

Conference Call Information:

 

The company will hold a conference call today from 4:00–5:00 p.m. CDT to discuss the quarterly earnings. Investors will have the opportunity to listen to the conference call live over the internet by going to investor.jbhunt.com. Please log on 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software. For those who cannot listen to the live broadcast, an online replay of the earnings call webcast will be available a few hours after the completion of the call.

 

 

Forward-Looking Statements:

 

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, which are based on information currently available. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors, including, but not limited to, those discussed in Item 1A of our Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to the extent we become aware that it will not be achieved for any reason. This press release and additional information will be available to interested parties on our website, www.jbhunt.com.

 

About J.B. Hunt

 

J.B. Hunt’s vision is to create the most efficient transportation network in North America. The company’s industry-leading solutions and mode-neutral approach generate value for customers by eliminating waste, reducing costs and enhancing supply chain visibility. Powered by one of the largest company-owned fleets in the country and third-party capacity through its J.B. Hunt 360°® digital freight marketplace, J.B. Hunt can meet the unique shipping needs of any business, from first mile to final delivery, and every shipment in-between. Through disciplined investments in its people, technology and capacity, J.B. Hunt is delivering exceptional value and service that enable long-term growth for the company and its stakeholders.

 

J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. is a Fortune 500 company, an S&P 500 company and a component of the Dow Jones Transportation Average. Its stock trades on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol JBHT. J.B. Hunt Transport Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of JBHT. The company’s services include intermodal, dedicated, refrigerated, truckload, less-than-truckload, flatbed, single source, last mile, transload and more. For more information, visit www.jbhunt.com.

 

 

J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited)

 

 

		Three Months Ended June 30
		2024								2023
						% Of								% Of
		Amount				Revenue				Amount				Revenue
Operating revenues, excluding fuel surcharge revenues		$	2,545,023							$	2,707,560
Fuel surcharge revenues			383,662								425,063
Total operating revenues			2,928,685				100.0	%			3,132,623				100.0	%
Operating expenses
Rents and purchased transportation			1,274,011				43.5	%			1,404,586				44.8	%
Salaries, wages and employee benefits			803,047				27.4	%			821,876				26.2	%
Depreciation and amortization			184,658				6.3	%			179,972				5.7	%
Fuel and fuel taxes			164,291				5.6	%			171,846				5.5	%
Operating supplies and expenses			120,425				4.1	%			128,949				4.1	%
General and administrative expenses, net of asset dispositions			74,707				2.6	%			61,472				2.1	%
Insurance and claims			73,222				2.5	%			63,893				2.1	%
Operating taxes and licenses			17,575				0.6	%			18,951				0.6	%
Communication and utilities			11,040				0.4	%			10,366				0.3	%
Total operating expenses			2,722,976				93.0	%			2,861,911				91.4	%
Operating income			205,709				7.0	%			270,712				8.6	%
Net interest expense			20,198				0.7	%			14,604				0.4	%
Earnings before income taxes			185,511				6.3	%			256,108				8.2	%
Income taxes			49,638				1.7	%			66,556				2.1	%
Net earnings		$	135,873				4.6	%		$	189,552				6.1	%
Average diluted shares outstanding			103,146								104,566
Diluted earnings per share		$	1.32							$	1.81

 

 

		Six Months Ended June 30
		2024								2023
						% Of								% Of
		Amount				Revenue				Amount				Revenue
Operating revenues, excluding fuel surcharge revenues		$	5,097,508							$	5,450,070
Fuel surcharge revenues			775,177								912,142
Total operating revenues			5,872,685				100.0	%			6,362,212				100.0	%
Operating expenses
Rents and purchased transportation			2,554,998				43.5	%			2,872,384				45.1	%
Salaries, wages and employee benefits			1,610,931				27.4	%			1,646,875				25.9	%
Depreciation and amortization			367,655				6.3	%			355,784				5.6	%
Fuel and fuel taxes			337,817				5.8	%			367,680				5.8	%
Operating supplies and expenses			243,416				4.1	%			257,308				4.0	%
General and administrative expenses, net of asset dispositions			151,490				2.6	%			121,879				2.0	%
Insurance and claims			148,908				2.5	%			134,221				2.1	%
Operating taxes and licenses			35,110				0.6	%			37,058				0.6	%
Communication and utilities			22,282				0.4	%			20,822				0.3	%
Total operating expenses			5,472,607				93.2	%			5,814,011				91.4	%
Operating income			400,078				6.8	%			548,201				8.6	%
Net interest expense			35,847				0.6	%			29,393				0.4	%
Earnings before income taxes			364,231				6.2	%			518,808				8.2	%
Income taxes			100,865				1.7	%			131,488				2.1	%
Net earnings		$	263,366				4.5	%		$	387,320				6.1	%
Average diluted shares outstanding			103,626								104,647
Diluted earnings per share		$	2.54							$	3.70

 

 

Financial Information By Segment

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

		Three Months Ended June 30
		2024								2023
						% Of								% Of
		Amount				Total				Amount				Total
Revenue
Intermodal		$	1,407,496				48	%		$	1,489,148				48	%
Dedicated			851,010				29	%			887,593				28	%
Integrated Capacity Solutions			270,378				9	%			343,691				11	%
Final Mile Services			235,290				8	%			223,939				7	%
Truckload			168,095				6	%			191,803				6	%
Subtotal			2,932,269				100	%			3,136,174				100	%
Intersegment eliminations			(3,584	)			(0	%)			(3,551	)			(0	%)
Consolidated revenue		$	2,928,685				100	%		$	3,132,623				100	%
Operating income
Intermodal		$	99,244				48	%		$	142,860				53	%
Dedicated			96,410				47	%			113,615				42	%
Integrated Capacity Solutions			(13,287	)			(7	%)			(4,419	)			(2	%)
Final Mile Services			19,778				10	%			14,824				5	%
Truckload			3,549				2	%			3,798				2	%
Other (1)			15				0	%			34				0	%
Operating income		$	205,709				100	%		$	270,712				100	%

 

 

		Six Months Ended June 30
		2024								2023
						% Of								% Of
		Amount				Total				Amount				Total
Revenue
Intermodal		$	2,802,846				48	%		$	3,028,707				48	%
Dedicated			1,711,026				29	%			1,766,735				28	%
Integrated Capacity Solutions			555,665				9	%			728,465				11	%
Final Mile Services			464,570				8	%			449,016				7	%
Truckload			346,407				6	%			397,665				6	%
Subtotal			5,880,514				100	%			6,370,588				100	%
Intersegment eliminations			(7,829	)			(0	%)			(8,376	)			(0	%)
Consolidated revenue		$	5,872,685				100	%		$	6,362,212				100	%
Operating income
Intermodal		$	201,133				50	%		$	311,518				57	%
Dedicated			190,060				48	%			216,175				39	%
Integrated Capacity Solutions			(30,828	)			(8	%)			(9,791	)			(2	%)
Final Mile Services			34,864				9	%			21,444				4	%
Truckload			4,778				1	%			8,788				2	%
Other (1)			71				0	%			67				0	%
Operating income		$	400,078				100	%		$	548,201				100	%

 

 

(1) Includes corporate support activity

 

 

Operating Statistics by Segment

(unaudited)

 

		Three Months Ended June 30
		2024				2023
Intermodal
Loads			497,446				501,681
Average length of haul			1,689				1,655
Revenue per load		$	2,829			$	2,968
Average tractors during the period *			6,209				6,517
Tractors (end of period) *			6,162				6,491
Trailing equipment (end of period)			121,169				116,481
Average effective trailing equipment usage			98,350				95,815
Dedicated
Loads			1,007,798				1,104,896
Average length of haul			182				172
Revenue per truck per week**		$	5,004			$	5,182
Average trucks during the period***			13,142				13,236
Trucks (end of period) ***			12,889				13,228
Trailing equipment (end of period)			31,802				31,280
Average effective trailing equipment usage			32,461				31,979
Integrated Capacity Solutions
Loads			145,362				194,635
Revenue per load		$	1,860			$	1,766
Gross profit margin			14.8	%			13.0	%
Employee count (end of period)			708				769
Approximate number of third-party carriers (end of period)			109,200				144,600
Marketplace for J.B. Hunt 360 revenue (millions)		$	104.1			$	225.0
Final Mile Services
Stops			1,098,521				1,141,415
Average trucks during the period***			1,374				1,551
Truckload
Loads			92,628				101,402
Revenue per load		$	1,815			$	1,892
Average length of haul			646				659
Tractors (end of period)
Company-owned			23				33
Independent contractor			1,874				2,035
Total tractors			1,897				2,068
Trailers (end of period)			13,299				13,851
Average effective trailing equipment usage			12,600				13,108

 

 

* Includes company-owned and independent contractor tractors

** Using weighted workdays

*** Includes company-owned, independent contractor, and customer-owned trucks

 

 

Operating Statistics by Segment

(unaudited)

 

		Six Months Ended June 30
		2024				2023
Intermodal
Loads			982,612				987,772
Average length of haul			1,689				1,653
Revenue per load		$	2,852			$	3,066
Average tractors during the period *			6,277				6,558
Tractors (end of period) *			6,162				6,491
Trailing equipment (end of period)			121,169				116,481
Average effective trailing equipment usage			97,231				96,061
Dedicated
Loads			2,012,135				2,182,268
Average length of haul			181				172
Revenue per truck per week**		$	5,012			$	5,120
Average trucks during the period***			13,220				13,353
Trucks (end of period) ***			12,889				13,228
Trailing equipment (end of period)			31,802				31,280
Average effective trailing equipment usage			32,728				31,679
Integrated Capacity Solutions
Loads			303,609				397,166
Revenue per load		$	1,830			$	1,834
Gross profit margin			14.5	%			13.3	%
Employee count (end of period)			708				769
Approximate number of third-party carriers (end of period)			109,200				144,600
Marketplace for J.B. Hunt 360 revenue (millions)		$	209.6			$	475.6
Final Mile Services
Stops			2,175,210				2,303,553
Average trucks during the period***			1,391				1,601
Truckload
Loads			186,313				200,186
Revenue per load		$	1,859			$	1,986
Average length of haul			662				650
Tractors (end of period)
Company-owned			23				33
Independent contractor			1,874				2,035
Total tractors			1,897				2,068
Trailers (end of period)			13,299				13,851
Average effective trailing equipment usage			12,746				13,118

 

 

* Includes company-owned and independent contractor tractors

** Using weighted workdays

*** Includes company-owned, independent contractor, and customer-owned trucks

 

 

 

J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

		June 30, 2024				December 31, 2023
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	53,505			$	53,344
Accounts Receivable, net			1,251,665				1,334,912
Prepaid expenses and other			608,540				696,656
Total current assets			1,913,710				2,084,912
Property and equipment			9,007,510				8,767,872
Less accumulated depreciation			3,174,017				2,993,959
Net property and equipment			5,833,493				5,773,913
Other assets, net			668,677				679,435
		$	8,415,880			$	8,538,260
LIABILITIES & SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current debt		$	-			$	249,961
Trade accounts payable			724,862				737,364
Claims accruals			594,482				547,277
Accrued payroll			111,234				94,563
Other accrued expenses			150,882				150,256
Total current liabilities			1,581,460				1,779,421
Long-term debt			1,483,804				1,326,107
Other long-term liabilities			394,494				392,766
Deferred income taxes			880,126				936,208
Shareholders' equity			4,075,996				4,103,758
		$	8,415,880			$	8,538,260

 

Supplemental Data

(unaudited)

 

		June 30, 2024				December 31, 2023
Actual shares outstanding at end of period (000)			101,987				103,220
Book value per actual share outstanding at end of period		$	39.97			$	39.76

 

 

		Six Months Ended June 30
		2024				2023
Net cash provided by operating activities (000)		$	827,021			$	1,097,290
Net capital expenditures (000)		$	408,853			$	853,778

 

v3.24.2

Document And Entity Information	Jul. 16, 2024
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity, Registrant Name	J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.
Document, Type	8-K
Document, Period End Date	Jul. 16, 2024
Entity, Incorporation, State or Country Code	AR
Entity, File Number	0-11757
Entity, Tax Identification Number	71-0335111
Entity, Address, Address Line One	615 J.B. Hunt Corporate Drive
Entity, Address, City or Town	Lowell
Entity, Address, State or Province	AR
Entity, Address, Postal Zip Code	72745
City Area Code	479
Local Phone Number	820-0000
Written Communications	false
Soliciting Material	false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer	false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Trading Symbol	JBHT
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity, Emerging Growth Company	false
Amendment Flag	false
Entity, Central Index Key	0000728535

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