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J.B. Hunt (JBHT) Stock Up 6% on Q4 Earnings & Revenue Beat
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J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (JBHT - Free Report) performed impressively in the fourth quarter of 2018, delivering better-than-expected earnings per share and revenues.
The earnings and revenues beat boosted investors’ optimism. As a result, shares of the company appreciated 5.7% in after-hours trading on Jan 17.
The transportation company’s earnings (excluding 96 cents from non-recurring items) of $1.77 per share outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.48. However, increased costs associated with the ongoing arbitration with BNSF Railway Company hurt the bottom line.
Total operating revenues increased 16.5% year over year to $2,317.84 million and beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,297.8 million. The upside can be attributed to strong segmental performance.
Additionally, operating income decreased 15.8% to $122.74 million (on a reported basis) due to costs associated with rail purchase transportation. Also, operating ratio (operating expenses as a percentage of revenues) deteriorated to 94.7% from 92.7% in the prior-year quarter due to 19% rise in operating expenses from the year-ago quarter’s tally. Notably, effective tax rate increased to 20.5% sequentially in the quarter under discussion from 20.4% in the third quarter of 2018.
Segmental Performance
The Intermodal (JBI) division reported quarterly revenues of $1.26 billion, up 15% year over year. However, load volumes in the segment dipped 1%. Revenue per load excluding fuel surcharge revenues climbed 15% on a year-over-year basis. Operating income plunged 65% year over year, due to increased costs stemming from service delays and congestion.
Dedicated Contract Services (DCS) revenues rallied 25% year over year to $596 million. The company added 458 trucks to the fleet during the fourth quarter, while customer retention rates were above 98%. Operating income surged 70% year over year to $59.4 million due to addition of new trucks and increased productivity.
Integrated Capacity Solutions (ICS) revenues increased 7% year over year to $345 million. Revenue per load declined 6.4% year over year due to customer mix changes and reduced spot market activity compared with the year-ago quarter’s level. Meanwhile, volumes improved 14% year over year. The segment delivered an operating income of $16.1 million, up 43% year over year owing to higher gross profit margin.
Truck (JBT) revenues improved 21% year over year to $118 million. At the end of the fourth quarter, J.B. Hunt operated 2,112 tractors compared with 2,032 in the year-ago quarter. Trailers fell to 6,800 in the period compared with 7,120 a year ago. Operating income soared 131% to $14.7 million, courtesy of favorable factors like higher rates per loaded mile and lower equipment ownership costs.
J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company exited 2018 with cash and cash equivalents of $7.6 million compared with $14.61 million at the end of 2017. Long-term debt was $898.4 million compared with $1.09 billion at 2017-end. Net capital expenditures for 2018 totaled $885 million compared with $511 million in 2017.
Share Repurchases
In the quarter under review, J.B. Hunt repurchased 494,000 shares for approximately $50 million. As of Dec 31, 2018, the company had around $371 million remaining under its buyback program. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
2019 Outlook
Capex for 2019 is estimated to be around $200 million less than the 2018 level. J.B. Hunt expects to allocate a major portion of Capex spending toward DCS and JBI segments and spend around $50 million for technological improvement in digital platforms.
Upcoming Releases
Investors interested in the broader Transportation Sector are keenly awaiting fourth-quarter 2018 earnings reports from key players like American Airlines Group Inc. (AAL - Free Report) , C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (CHRW - Free Report) and Allegiant Travel Company (ALGT - Free Report) . While American Airlines is scheduled to report fourth-quarter earnings on Jan 24, C.H. Robinson and Allegiant will release the same on Jan 29 and Jan 30, respectively.
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J.B. Hunt (JBHT) Stock Up 6% on Q4 Earnings & Revenue Beat
J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (JBHT - Free Report) performed impressively in the fourth quarter of 2018, delivering better-than-expected earnings per share and revenues.
The earnings and revenues beat boosted investors’ optimism. As a result, shares of the company appreciated 5.7% in after-hours trading on Jan 17.
The transportation company’s earnings (excluding 96 cents from non-recurring items) of $1.77 per share outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.48. However, increased costs associated with the ongoing arbitration with BNSF Railway Company hurt the bottom line.
Total operating revenues increased 16.5% year over year to $2,317.84 million and beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,297.8 million. The upside can be attributed to strong segmental performance.
Additionally, operating income decreased 15.8% to $122.74 million (on a reported basis) due to costs associated with rail purchase transportation. Also, operating ratio (operating expenses as a percentage of revenues) deteriorated to 94.7% from 92.7% in the prior-year quarter due to 19% rise in operating expenses from the year-ago quarter’s tally. Notably, effective tax rate increased to 20.5% sequentially in the quarter under discussion from 20.4% in the third quarter of 2018.
Segmental Performance
The Intermodal (JBI) division reported quarterly revenues of $1.26 billion, up 15% year over year. However, load volumes in the segment dipped 1%. Revenue per load excluding fuel surcharge revenues climbed 15% on a year-over-year basis. Operating income plunged 65% year over year, due to increased costs stemming from service delays and congestion.
Dedicated Contract Services (DCS) revenues rallied 25% year over year to $596 million. The company added 458 trucks to the fleet during the fourth quarter, while customer retention rates were above 98%. Operating income surged 70% year over year to $59.4 million due to addition of new trucks and increased productivity.
Integrated Capacity Solutions (ICS) revenues increased 7% year over year to $345 million. Revenue per load declined 6.4% year over year due to customer mix changes and reduced spot market activity compared with the year-ago quarter’s level. Meanwhile, volumes improved 14% year over year. The segment delivered an operating income of $16.1 million, up 43% year over year owing to higher gross profit margin.
Truck (JBT) revenues improved 21% year over year to $118 million. At the end of the fourth quarter, J.B. Hunt operated 2,112 tractors compared with 2,032 in the year-ago quarter. Trailers fell to 6,800 in the period compared with 7,120 a year ago. Operating income soared 131% to $14.7 million, courtesy of favorable factors like higher rates per loaded mile and lower equipment ownership costs.
J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. Quote
Liquidity
This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company exited 2018 with cash and cash equivalents of $7.6 million compared with $14.61 million at the end of 2017. Long-term debt was $898.4 million compared with $1.09 billion at 2017-end. Net capital expenditures for 2018 totaled $885 million compared with $511 million in 2017.
Share Repurchases
In the quarter under review, J.B. Hunt repurchased 494,000 shares for approximately $50 million. As of Dec 31, 2018, the company had around $371 million remaining under its buyback program. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
2019 Outlook
Capex for 2019 is estimated to be around $200 million less than the 2018 level. J.B. Hunt expects to allocate a major portion of Capex spending toward DCS and JBI segments and spend around $50 million for technological improvement in digital platforms.
Upcoming Releases
Investors interested in the broader Transportation Sector are keenly awaiting fourth-quarter 2018 earnings reports from key players like American Airlines Group Inc. (AAL - Free Report) , C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (CHRW - Free Report) and Allegiant Travel Company (ALGT - Free Report) . While American Airlines is scheduled to report fourth-quarter earnings on Jan 24, C.H. Robinson and Allegiant will release the same on Jan 29 and Jan 30, respectively.
Looking for Stocks with Skyrocketing Upside?
Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana.
Ignited by new referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $6.7 billion to $20.2 billion in 2021. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look.
See the pot trades we're targeting>>