EX-99.1 2 ex_732530.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 ex_732530.htm

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

jbhunt01.jpg

 

 

 

 

J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. Contact: Brad Delco
615 J.B. Hunt Corporate Drive 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 THIRD QUARTER 2024

 

 

  Third Quarter 2024 Revenue: $3.07 billion; down 3%  
  Third Quarter 2024 Operating Income: $224.1 million; down 7%  
  Third Quarter 2024 EPS: $1.49 vs. $1.80; down 17%  

 

LOWELL, Ark., October 15, 2024 - J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., (NASDAQ: JBHT) announced third quarter 2024 U.S. GAAP (United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) net earnings of $152.1 million, or diluted earnings per share of $1.49 versus third quarter 2023 net earnings of $187.4 million, or $1.80 per diluted share.

 

Total operating revenue for the current quarter was $3.07 billion, a decrease of 3% compared with $3.16 billion for the third quarter 2023. The decline in revenue was primarily driven by a 5% and 6% decrease in gross revenue per load in Intermodal (JBI) and JBT, respectively, a decline in load volume of 10% and 6% in Integrated Capacity Solutions (ICS) and Dedicated Contract Services® (DCS®), respectively, and 6% fewer stops in Final Mile Services® (FMS). These items were partially offset by JBI load growth of 5%, which included growth in both the transcontinental and eastern networks, and a 3% increase in revenue per load in ICS. Current quarter total operating revenue, excluding fuel surcharge revenue, decreased less than 1% versus the comparable quarter 2023.

 

Operating income for the current quarter decreased 7% to $224.1 million versus $241.7 million for the third quarter 2023. Operating income decreased primarily due to lower revenue in all segments excluding JBI, and higher personnel-related, insurance and claims, and equipment-related expense compared to third quarter 2023. On a consolidated basis, 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 compared to third quarter 2023 due primarily to higher interest rates and the prior year including an interest component of a discrete income tax benefit.

 

The effective income tax rate in the current quarter was 25.2% versus 18.2% in the third quarter 2023. The increase was due to the recording of a discrete benefit recognized in the prior-year quarter. We expect our 2024 annual tax rate to be approximately 24.5%.

 

 

 

 

Segment Information:

 

 

Intermodal (JBI)

 

  ■ Third Quarter 2024 Segment Revenue:          $1.56 billion; flat

  ■ Third Quarter 2024 Operating Income:          $111.8 million; down 13%

 

Intermodal volume increased 5% over the same period in 2023. Transcontinental network loads increased 7%, while eastern network loads increased 3% compared to the third quarter 2023. Demand for our intermodal service improved throughout the quarter across both the transcontinental and eastern networks, supported by seasonal activity and strong performance from our rail providers. Demand was particularly strong on eastbound transcontinental loads out of Southern California which increased by a double digit percentage as compared to the prior year period. Segment gross revenue was flat from the prior-year period, reflecting the 5% increase 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 2% year-over-year.

 

Operating income decreased 13% in the third quarter primarily from lower yields, which was only partially offset by the resulting impact of absorbing network and equipment costs with higher volume. During the quarter, network imbalance and repositioning costs were elevated, along with driver hiring costs to meet peak season demand for customers in the quarter. JBl 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, higher insurance and claims cost, and higher equipment-related and maintenance expenses as a percentage of gross revenue. During the period, we onboarded 308 new pieces of trailing equipment. We ended the quarter with approximately 121,500 containers and 6,500 power units in the dray fleet.

 

 

Dedicated Contract Services (DCS)

 

  ■ Third Quarter 2024 Segment Revenue:          $846 million; down 5%

  ■ Third Quarter 2024 Operating Income:          $95.5 million; down 7%

 

DCS revenue decreased 5% during the current quarter over the same period 2023 driven by a 3% decline in average trucks combined with a 3% decline in productivity (revenue per truck per week). Productivity excluding fuel surcharge revenue was flat from a year ago driven primarily from lower utilization and increases in idled equipment, offset by contracted indexed­based price escalators. On a net basis, there were 498 fewer revenue producing trucks in the fleet by the end of the quarter compared to the prior-year period, and 128 fewer versus the end of the second quarter 2024. Customer retention rates are approximately 87%, largely reflecting downsizing of fleets and to a lesser extent account losses.

 

Operating income decreased 7% from the prior-year quarter primarily from lower revenue, higher insurance and claims and new-account start-up costs as compared to the prior-year period. These items were partially offset by lower personnel, bad debt and equipment-related expenses and the maturing of new business onboarded over the trailing twelve months. DCS 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, insurance and claims expense, and higher equipment and maintenance costs, as a percentage of gross revenue.

 

 

Integrated Capacity Solutions (ICS)

 

  ■ Third Quarter 2024 Segment Revenue:           $278 million; down 7%

  ■ Third Quarter 2024 Operating (Loss):            $(3.3) million; vs. $(9.4) million in Q3'23

 

ICS revenue declined 7% during the current quarter versus the third quarter 2023. Overall segment volume decreased 10% versus the prior-year period. Revenue per load increased 3% compared to the third quarter 2023 due to increases in both contractual and transactional rates as well as changes in customer mix. Contractual volume represented approximately 62% of the total load volume and 61% of the total revenue in the current quarter compared to 68% and 67%, respectively, in third quarter 2023.

 

 

 

Operating loss was $3.3 million compared to an operating loss of $9.4 million in the third quarter 2023. The decrease in operating loss was largely driven by an $11.7 million increase in gross profit and lower cargo claims and personnel-related expenses, partially offset by integration and transition costs related to the purchase of the brokerage assets of BNSF Logistics. Gross profit increased 31% as a result of higher gross profit margins compared to the prior-year period. Gross profit margins increased to 17.9% in the current period versus 12.8% in the prior period as a result of our disciplined bid strategy, effective sourcing of capacity and some project-related work. ICS’ carrier base decreased 18% year-over-year, largely driven by changes to carrier qualification requirements to mitigate cargo theft.

 

 

Final Mile Services (FMS)

 

  ■ Third Quarter 2024 Segment Revenue:          $218 million; down 3%         

  ■ Third Quarter 2024 Operating Income:          $12.0 million; down 7%

 

FMS revenue decreased 3% compared to the same period 2023 primarily driven by general weakness in demand across many of the end markets served. The decline in revenue was partially offset by multiple new customer contracts implemented over the trailing twelve months, as well as improved revenue quality on the overall business portfolio.

 

Operating income decreased 7% compared to the prior-year period primarily driven by the decline in segment revenue along with higher purchased transportation costs and insurance premiums as compared to the prior-year period. These items were partially offset by lower personnel-related expenses.

 

 

Truckload (JBT)

 

  ■ Third Quarter 2024 Segment Revenue:          $173 million; down 12%

  ■ Third Quarter 2024 Operating Income:          $8.2 million; up 6%

 

JBT segment gross revenue decreased 12% compared to the same period in the previous year. Segment gross revenue excluding fuel surcharge revenue decreased 9% due to a 6% decline in load volume and a 3% decline in gross revenue per load excluding fuel surcharge revenue. Total average effective trailer count decreased by approximately 300 units, or 2% versus the prior-year period. Trailer turns in the quarter were down 4% from the prior-year period primarily due to softer overall freight demand as compared to the third quarter 2023.

 

JBT segment operating income increased 6% to $8.2 million versus the third quarter 2023. The increase in operating income was primarily driven by improved network balance and lower trailing capacity costs. JBT segment operating income as a percentage of segment gross revenue increased year-over-year due to the aforementioned items, partially offset by higher personnel-related expenses and higher insurance premiums as a percentage of revenue. JBT continues to leverage the J.B. Hunt 360 platform to grow third-party power capacity and capability for the 360box® service offering.

 

 

Cash Flow and Capitalization:

 

At September 30, 2024, we had approximately $1.53 billion outstanding on various debt instruments compared to $1.45 billion at September 30, 2023 and $1.58 billion at December 31, 2023.

 

Our net capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 approximated $488 million compared to $1.32 billion for the same period 2023. At September 30, 2024, we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $120 million.

 

In the third quarter 2024, we purchased approximately 1,200,000 shares of common stock for approximately $200 million. At September 30, 2024, we had approximately $967 million remaining under our share repurchase authorization. Actual shares outstanding at September 30, 2024 approximated 100.8 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 September 30

 
   

2024

   

2023

 
           

% Of

           

% Of

 
   

Amount

   

Revenue

   

Amount

   

Revenue

 
                                 

Operating revenues, excluding fuel surcharge revenues

  $ 2,678,484             $ 2,690,890          

Fuel surcharge revenues

    389,687               472,863          

Total operating revenues

    3,068,171       100.0 %     3,163,753       100.0 %
                                 

Operating expenses

                               

Rents and purchased transportation

    1,380,380       45.0 %     1,443,197       45.6 %

Salaries, wages and employee benefits

    809,494       26.4 %     803,187       25.4 %

Depreciation and amortization

    187,982       6.1 %     187,714       5.9 %

Fuel and fuel taxes

    158,792       5.2 %     195,962       6.2 %

Operating supplies and expenses

    127,889       4.2 %     130,905       4.1 %

Insurance and claims

    78,441       2.6 %     62,675       2.0 %

General and administrative expenses, net of asset dispositions

    72,389       2.2 %     69,413       2.3 %

Operating taxes and licenses

    17,705       0.6 %     18,739       0.6 %

Communication and utilities

    10,991       0.4 %     10,245       0.3 %

Total operating expenses

    2,844,063       92.7 %     2,922,037       92.4 %

Operating income

    224,108       7.3 %     241,716       7.6 %

Net interest expense

    20,751       0.7 %     12,586       0.4 %

Earnings before income taxes

    203,357       6.6 %     229,130       7.2 %

Income taxes

    51,291       1.6 %     41,699       1.3 %

Net earnings

  $ 152,066       5.0 %   $ 187,431       5.9 %

Average diluted shares outstanding

    102,135               104,394          

Diluted earnings per share

  $ 1.49             $ 1.80          

 


J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings

(in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

 

   

Nine Months Ended September 30

 
   

2024

   

2023

 
           

% Of

           

% Of

 
   

Amount

   

Revenue

   

Amount

   

Revenue

 
                                 

Operating revenues, excluding fuel surcharge revenues

  $ 7,775,991             $ 8,140,959          

Fuel surcharge revenues

    1,164,865               1,385,006          

Total operating revenues

    8,940,856       100.0 %     9,525,965       100.0 %
                                 

Operating expenses

                               

Rents and purchased transportation

    3,935,379       44.0 %     4,315,581       45.3 %

Salaries, wages and employee benefits

    2,420,425       27.1 %     2,450,062       25.7 %

Depreciation and amortization

    555,637       6.2 %     543,498       5.7 %

Fuel and fuel taxes

    496,610       5.6 %     563,642       5.9 %

Operating supplies and expenses

    371,305       4.2 %     388,213       4.1 %

Insurance and claims

    227,348       2.5 %     196,896       2.1 %

General and administrative expenses, net of asset dispositions

    223,878       2.4 %     191,291       2.0 %

Operating taxes and licenses

    52,815       0.6 %     55,797       0.6 %

Communication and utilities

    33,273       0.4 %     31,067       0.3 %

Total operating expenses

    8,316,670       93.0 %     8,736,047       91.7 %

Operating income

    624,186       7.0 %     789,918       8.3 %

Net interest expense

    56,598       0.7 %     41,980       0.4 %

Earnings before income taxes

    567,588       6.3 %     747,938       7.9 %

Income taxes

    152,156       1.7 %     173,186       1.9 %

Net earnings

  $ 415,432       4.6 %   $ 574,752       6.0 %

Average diluted shares outstanding

    103,126               104,562          

Diluted earnings per share

  $ 4.03             $ 5.50          

 

 

 

Financial Information By Segment

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

 

   

Three Months Ended September 30

 
   

2024

   

2023

 
           

% Of

           

% Of

 
   

Amount

   

Total

   

Amount

   

Total

 
                                 

Revenue

                               
                                 

Intermodal

  $ 1,556,774       51 %   $ 1,555,382       49 %

Dedicated

    845,963       28 %     892,257       28 %

Integrated Capacity Solutions

    278,177       9 %     298,015       9 %

Final Mile Services

    218,318       7 %     225,929       8 %

Truckload

    173,223       5 %     196,338       6 %

Subtotal

    3,072,455       100 %     3,167,921       100 %

Intersegment eliminations

    (4,284 )     (0 %)     (4,168 )     (0 %)

Consolidated revenue

  $ 3,068,171       100 %   $ 3,163,753       100 %
                                 
                                 

Operating income

                               
                                 

Intermodal

  $ 111,785       50 %   $ 127,972       53 %

Dedicated

    95,510       43 %     102,435       42 %

Integrated Capacity Solutions

    (3,255 )     (1 %)     (9,375 )     (4 %)

Final Mile Services

    12,021       5 %     12,975       6 %

Truckload

    8,151       3 %     7,715       3 %

Other (1)

    (104 )     (0 %)     (6 )     (0 %)

Operating income

  $ 224,108       100 %   $ 241,716       100 %

 

 

   

Nine Months Ended September 30

 
   

2024

   

2023

 
           

% Of

           

% Of

 
   

Amount

   

Total

   

Amount

   

Total

 

Revenue

                               
                                 

Intermodal

  $ 4,359,621       49 %   $ 4,584,089       48 %

Dedicated

    2,556,989       29 %     2,658,993       28 %

Integrated Capacity Solutions

    833,841       9 %     1,026,480       11 %

Final Mile Services

    682,887       8 %     674,945       7 %

Truckload

    519,631       5 %     594,003       6 %

Subtotal

    8,952,969       100 %     9,538,510       100 %

Intersegment eliminations

    (12,113 )     (0 %)     (12,545 )     (0 %)

Consolidated revenue

  $ 8,940,856       100 %   $ 9,525,965       100 %
                                 
                                 

Operating income

                               
                                 

Intermodal

  $ 312,918       50 %   $ 439,490       56 %

Dedicated

    285,569       46 %     318,610       40 %

Integrated Capacity Solutions

    (34,084 )     (5 %)     (19,166 )     (2 %)

Final Mile Services

    46,886       8 %     34,419       4 %

Truckload

    12,928       1 %     16,503       2 %

Other (1)

    (31 )     (0 %)     62       0 %

Operating income

  $ 624,186       100 %   $ 789,918       100 %

 

(1) Includes corporate support activity

 

 

 

 

Operating Statistics by Segment

(unaudited)

 

   

Three Months Ended September 30

 
   

2024

   

2023

 
                 

Intermodal

               
                 

Loads

    547,988       521,221  

Average length of haul

    1,697       1,683  

Revenue per load

  $ 2,841     $ 2,984  

Average tractors during the period *

    6,374       6,447  

Tractors (end of period) *

    6,514       6,398  

Trailing equipment (end of period)

    121,477       117,387  

Average effective trailing equipment usage

    108,632       100,593  
                 
                 

Dedicated

               
                 

Loads

    1,005,515       1,070,626  

Average length of haul

    180       176  

Revenue per truck per week**

  $ 5,073     $ 5,215  

Average trucks during the period***

    12,800       13,242  

Trucks (end of period) ***

    12,761       13,259  

Trailing equipment (end of period)

    31,967       32,875  

Average effective trailing equipment usage

    32,525       33,185  
                 
                 

Integrated Capacity Solutions

               
                 

Loads

    147,805       163,745  

Revenue per load

  $ 1,882     $ 1,820  

Gross profit margin

    17.9 %     12.8 %

Employee count (end of period)

    640       680  

Approximate number of third-party carriers (end of period)

    108,000       131,600  

Marketplace for J.B. Hunt 360 revenue (millions)

  $ 92.2     $ 168.5  
                 
                 

Final Mile Services

               
                 

Stops

    1,051,428       1,123,435  

Average trucks during the period***

    1,334       1,487  
                 
                 

Truckload

               
                 

Loads

    100,896       107,149  

Revenue per load

  $ 1,717     $ 1,832  

Average length of haul

    601       644  
                 

Tractors (end of period)

               

Company-owned

    18       29  

Independent contractor

    1,971       1,960  

Total tractors

    1,989       1,989  
                 

Trailers (end of period)

    13,205       13,409  

Average effective trailing equipment usage

    12,588       12,869  

 

* Includes company-owned and independent contractor tractors

** Using weighted workdays

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

 

 

 

Operating Statistics by Segment

(unaudited)

 

   

Nine Months Ended September 30

 
   

2024

   

2023

 
                 

Intermodal

               
                 

Loads

    1,530,600       1,508,993  

Average length of haul

    1,692       1,663  

Revenue per load

  $ 2,848     $ 3,038  

Average tractors during the period *

    6,309       6,521  

Tractors (end of period) *

    6,514       6,398  

Trailing equipment (end of period)

    121,477       117,387  

Average effective trailing equipment usage

    101,031       97,571  
                 
                 

Dedicated

               
                 

Loads

    3,017,650       3,252,894  

Average length of haul

    181       173  

Revenue per truck per week**

  $ 5,032     $ 5,152  

Average trucks during the period***

    13,080       13,316  

Trucks (end of period) ***

    12,761       13,259  

Trailing equipment (end of period)

    31,967       32,875  

Average effective trailing equipment usage

    32,660       32,181  
                 
                 

Integrated Capacity Solutions

               
                 

Loads

    451,414       560,912  

Revenue per load

  $ 1,847     $ 1,830  

Gross profit margin

    15.7 %     13.1 %

Employee count (end of period)

    640       680  

Approximate number of third-party carriers (end of period)

    108,000       131,600  

Marketplace for J.B. Hunt 360 revenue (millions)

  $ 301.8     $ 644.1  
                 
                 

Final Mile Services

               
                 

Stops

    3,226,638       3,426,988  

Average trucks during the period***

    1,372       1,563  
                 
                 

Truckload

               
                 

Loads

    287,209       307,336  

Revenue per load

  $ 1,809     $ 1,933  

Average length of haul

    642       648  
                 

Tractors (end of period)

               

Company-owned

    18       29  

Independent contractor

    1,971       1,960  

Total tractors

    1,989       1,989  
                 

Trailers (end of period)

    13,205       13,409  

Average effective trailing equipment usage

    12,693       13,035  

 

* 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)

 

   

September 30, 2024

   

December 31, 2023

 

ASSETS

               

Current assets:

               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 120,002     $ 53,344  

Accounts Receivable, net

    1,262,921       1,334,912  

Prepaid expenses and other

    543,477       696,656  

Total current assets

    1,926,400       2,084,912  

Property and equipment

    9,053,779       8,767,872  

Less accumulated depreciation

    3,302,505       2,993,959  

Net property and equipment

    5,751,274       5,773,913  

Other assets, net

    648,276       679,435  
    $ 8,325,950     $ 8,538,260  
                 
                 

LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

               

Current liabilities:

               

Current debt

  $ 500,000     $ 249,961  

Trade accounts payable

    673,452       737,364  

Claims accruals

    613,311       547,277  

Accrued payroll

    108,428       94,563  

Other accrued expenses

    146,254       150,256  

Total current liabilities

    2,041,445       1,779,421  
                 

Long-term debt

    1,032,303       1,326,107  

Other long-term liabilities

    390,156       392,766  

Deferred income taxes

    861,828       936,208  

Stockholders' equity

    4,000,218       4,103,758  
    $ 8,325,950     $ 8,538,260  

 

Supplemental Data

(unaudited)

 

   

September 30, 2024

   

December 31, 2023

 
                 

Actual shares outstanding at end of period (000)

    100,830       103,220  
                 

Book value per actual share outstanding at end of period

  $ 39.67     $ 39.76  

 

 

   

Nine Months Ended September 30

 
   

2024

   

2023

 
                 

Net cash provided by operating activities (000)

  $ 1,165,520     $ 1,529,612  
                 

Net capital expenditures (000)

  $ 488,067     $ 1,319,905