Le Lézard
Classified in: Business
Subjects: EARNINGS, Conference Call, Webcast

J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. Reports Earnings for the Second Quarter 2019


J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., (NASDAQ: JBHT) announced second quarter 2019 net earnings of $133.6 million, or diluted earnings per share of $1.23 vs. second quarter 2018 net earnings of $151.7 million, or $1.37 per diluted share.

Total operating revenue for the current quarter was $2.26 billion, compared with $2.14 billion for the second quarter 2018, an increase of 6%. Current quarter total operating revenue, excluding fuel surcharges, increased 6.5% vs. the comparable quarter 2018. Revenue growth was driven primarily by a 19% increase in revenue producing trucks and an 8% increase in truck productivity in Dedicated Contract Services (DCS), but partially offset by an 8% decline in volume in Intermodal (JBI), a 7% decline in volume in Integrated Capacity Solutions (ICS), and fewer tractors operating in Truck (JBT) compared to prior year.

The amount of ICS operating revenue executed through Marketplace for J.B. Hunt 360° increased to $222 million from $137 million in second quarter 2018. JBI executed approximately $41 million of third-party dray cost and JBT executed approximately $5 million of its independent contractor costs through the platform during this quarter.

Operating income for the current quarter totaled $193.1 million versus $214.8 million for the second quarter 2018. The benefits of customer rate increases and increases in revenue producing truck counts were partially offset by increases in insurance and claims costs (particularly a $20.0 million pre-tax charge, $0.14 per diluted share, in settlement of a DCS Final Mile claim), increases in rail purchased transportation costs, start-up costs associated with expansion and integration of DCS Final Mile network, higher driver wages and recruiting costs, increased technology costs for modernization and further development of J.B. Hunt 360°, and increased facility costs all compared to the same period 2018.

Interest expense in the current quarter increased due to higher debt levels compared to the same period last year. The effective income tax rate for the quarter was 25% versus 26.0% for the second quarter 2018.

Segment Information:

Intermodal (JBI)

JBI load volumes declined 8% over the same period in 2018. Transcontinental loads decreased approximately 5% and Eastern network volumes declined 11% from second quarter 2018. A softer freight market limited the ability to offset rail network rationalization effects in the Eastern network though loads per workday trends improved throughout the quarter particularly in the Transcontinental network. Revenue decreased 1% reflecting the 8% volume decline and an approximate 7% increase in revenue per load, which is the combination of customer rate changes, fuel surcharges, and freight mix. Revenue per load excluding fuel surcharge revenue increased 8% from second quarter 2018.

Operating income decreased 7% from prior year. Benefits from customer rate increases were offset by the volume decline, higher rail purchased transportation costs, higher driver pay, retention and recruiting costs, increased technology modernization costs, and increased equipment and facilities ownership costs. The current period ended with approximately 96,700 units of trailing capacity and 5,640 power units assigned to the dray fleet.

Dedicated Contract Services (DCS)

DCS revenue increased 28% during the current quarter over the same period in 2018. Productivity, defined as revenue per truck per week, increased approximately 8% vs. 2018. Productivity excluding fuel surcharges increased approximately 9% over a year ago primarily from customer rate increases, improved integration of assets between customer accounts, and increased customer supply chain fluidity. Included in the DCS revenue growth, Final Mile Services (FMS) recorded an increase in revenue of $49 million (primarily from the February 2019 acquisition) compared to second quarter 2018. A net additional 1,755 revenue producing trucks, 259 net additions compared to first quarter 2019, were in the fleet by the end of the quarter compared to prior year. Approximately 44% of these additions represent private fleet conversions and 8% represent FMS versus traditional dedicated capacity fleets. Customer retention rates remain above 98%.

Operating income increased 3% over the prior year quarter. Benefits from increased productivity, additional trucks under contract, and a $4.3 million reduction in salaries and wages accruals were partially offset by increased insurance and claims costs (primarily a $20.0 million pre-tax charge to settle a Final Mile claim), increased technology and facilities costs in the expanding FMS network, increased driver wages and recruiting costs, and an incremental $1.7 million in non-cash amortization expense attributable to the February 2019 acquisition compared to second quarter 2018.

Integrated Capacity Solutions (ICS)

ICS revenue was down 4% compared to the second quarter 2018. Volumes decreased 7% while revenue per load increased approximately 4%, primarily due to customer freight mix. Higher contractual truckload volume was offset by a 33% decrease in less-than-truckload shipments and weaker spot market activity compared to second quarter 2018. Contractual volumes represented approximately 68% of total load volume and 55% of total revenue compared to 68% and 45%, respectively, in second quarter 2018. Of the total reported ICS revenue, $222 million was executed through Marketplace for J.B. Hunt 360° compared to $137 million in second quarter 2018.

Operating income decreased approximately 104% from the same period 2018 primarily from lower gross profit margin, higher personnel costs, increased digital marketing costs, and higher technology development costs as investments continue to be made to expand capacity and functionality of Marketplace for J.B. Hunt 360°. Gross profit margins decreased to 13.4% in the current quarter versus 14.8% in the same period last year due to weaker spot market activity and lower contractual rates on committed business. The carrier base increased 26% and the employee count increased 15% from a year ago.

Truck (JBT)

JBT revenue decreased 2% from the same period in 2018. Revenue excluding fuel surcharges was flat compared to second quarter 2018 on flat load count. Revenue per load excluding fuel surcharges was up approximately 1% from a 4% increase in rates per loaded mile and a 3% decrease in length of haul compared to the same period in 2018. At the end of the period, JBT operated 1,879 tractors compared to 1,976 a year ago.

Operating income increased 19% compared to the same quarter 2018. The benefits from lower equipment ownership costs and decreased non-driver personnel expense were partially offset by higher driver and independent contractor costs per mile compared to the second quarter 2018.

Cash Flow and Capitalization:
At June 30, 2019, we had approximately $1.4 billion outstanding on various debt instruments compared to $1.0 billion at June 30, 2018 and $1.15 billion at December 31, 2018.

Our net capital expenditures for the six months ended June 30, 2019 approximated $475 million compared to $354 million for the same period 2018. At June 30, 2019, we had cash and cash equivalents of $6.9 million.

We purchased approximately 1.98 million shares of our common stock during the second quarter 2019 for approximately $190 million. At June 30, 2019, we had approximately $181 million remaining under our share repurchase authorization. Actual shares outstanding at June 30, 2019 approximated 106.8 million.

Conference Call Information:
The Company will hold a conference call today at 4:00 ? 5:00 pm CDT to discuss the quarterly earnings. The call-in number for participants is (877) 369-5230, access code: 0620659##. A replay of the call will be posted on its website later this evening.

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, 2018. 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 immediately to interested parties on our web site, 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

2019

 

2018

 

 

% Of

 

 

 

% Of

Amount

 

Revenue

 

Amount

 

Revenue

 

 

Operating revenues, excluding fuel surcharge revenues

$

1,996,266

 

$

1,874,388

 

Fuel surcharge revenues

265,381

 

264,639

 

Total operating revenues

2,261,647

100.0%

2,139,027

100.0%

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

Rents and purchased transportation

1,086,416

48.0%

1,073,164

50.2%

Salaries, wages and employee benefits

535,147

23.7%

465,326

21.8%

Depreciation and amortization

123,995

5.5%

107,423

5.0%

Fuel and fuel taxes

118,037

5.2%

115,541

5.4%

Operating supplies and expenses

84,264

3.7%

76,446

3.6%

General and administrative expenses, net of asset dispositions

46,539

2.1%

37,306

1.7%

Insurance and claims

52,013

2.3%

28,371

1.3%

Operating taxes and licenses

13,565

0.6%

12,234

0.6%

Communication and utilities

8,578

0.4%

8,404

0.4%

Total operating expenses

2,068,554

91.5%

1,924,215

90.0%

Operating income

193,093

8.5%

214,812

10.0%

Net interest expense

14,763

0.6%

9,855

0.4%

Earnings before income taxes

178,330

7.9%

204,957

9.6%

Income taxes

44,697

2.0%

53,305

2.5%

Net earnings

$

133,633

5.9%

$

151,652

7.1%

Average diluted shares outstanding

108,373

 

110,682

 

Diluted earnings per share

$

1.23

 

$

1.37

 

 

 

 

 

J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings

(in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30

2019

 

2018

 

 

% Of

 

 

 

% Of

Amount

 

Revenue

 

Amount

 

Revenue

 

 

Operating revenues, excluding fuel surcharge revenues

$

3,851,608

 

$

3,587,321

 

Fuel surcharge revenues

499,666

 

499,951

 

Total operating revenues

4,351,274

100.0%

4,087,272

100.0%

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

Rents and purchased transportation

2,086,305

47.9%

2,038,057

49.9%

Salaries, wages and employee benefits

1,051,472

24.2%

915,592

22.4%

Depreciation and amortization

243,924

5.6%

213,006

5.2%

Fuel and fuel taxes

230,162

5.3%

223,422

5.5%

Operating supplies and expenses

162,436

3.7%

147,126

3.6%

General and administrative expenses, net of asset dispositions

91,578

2.1%

69,630

1.6%

Insurance and claims

81,007

1.9%

56,870

1.4%

Operating taxes and licenses

26,725

0.6%

23,822

0.6%

Communication and utilities

16,777

0.4%

16,153

0.4%

Total operating expenses

3,990,386

91.7%

3,703,678

90.6%

Operating income

360,888

8.3%

383,594

9.4%

Net interest expense

27,796

0.6%

19,008

0.5%

Earnings before income taxes

333,092

7.7%

364,586

8.9%

Income taxes

79,858

1.9%

94,792

2.3%

Net earnings

$

253,234

5.8%

$

269,794

6.6%

Average diluted shares outstanding

109,015

 

110,771

 

Diluted earnings per share

$

2.32

 

$

2.44

 

 

 

 

 

Financial Information By Segment

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30

 

2019

 

2018

 

 

 

% Of

 

 

 

% Of

 

Amount

 

Total

 

Amount

 

Total

 

 

 

Revenue  

 

 

Intermodal  

$

1,149,723

51%

$

1,164,508

54%

Dedicated  

679,871

30%

529,982

25%

Integrated Capacity Solutions  

334,267

15%

347,295

16%

Truck  

99,627

4%

101,241

5%

Subtotal  

2,263,488

100%

2,143,026

100%

Intersegment eliminations  

(1,841)

(0%)

(3,999)

(0%)

Consolidated revenue  

$

2,261,647

100%

$

2,139,027

100%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income  

 

 

Intermodal  

$

124,357

64%

$

133,993

62%

Dedicated  

60,489

31%

58,452

27%

Integrated Capacity Solutions  

(570)

(0%)

14,934

7%

Truck  

8,889

5%

7,484

4%

Other (1)  

(72)

(0%)

(51)

(0%)

Operating income  

$

193,093

100%

$

214,812

100%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30

 

2019

2018

 

% Of

% Of

  Amount

Total

Amount

Total

Revenue  

 

 

Intermodal  

$

2,237,822

51%

$

2,234,772

54%

Dedicated  

1,281,783

29%

1,024,462

25%

Integrated Capacity Solutions  

635,078

15%

643,400

16%

Truck  

201,479

5%

193,959

5%

Subtotal  

4,356,162

100%

4,096,593

100%

Intersegment eliminations  

(4,888)

(0%)

(9,321)

(0%)

Consolidated revenue  

$

4,351,274

100%

$

4,087,272

100%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income  

 

 

Intermodal  

$

227,674

63%

$

248,235

65%

Dedicated  

110,734

31%

99,013

26%

Integrated Capacity Solutions  

6,395

2%

23,810

6%

Truck  

16,128

4%

12,614

3%

Other (1)  

(43)

(0%)

(78)

(0%)

Operating income  

$

360,888

100%

$

383,594

100%

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes corporate support activity
Operating Statistics by Segment
(unaudited)
 

Three Months Ended June 30

2019

 

 

2018

 
Intermodal  
 
Loads

480,938

 

520,341

Average length of haul

1,660

 

1,634

Revenue per load

$

2,391

 

$

2,238

Average tractors during the period *

5,652

 

5,496

 
Tractors (end of period)  
Company-owned

4,969

 

4,873

Independent contractor

668

 

666

Total tractors

5,637

 

5,539

 
Net change in trailing equipment during the period

847

 

1,082

Trailing equipment (end of period)

96,659

 

90,575

Average effective trailing equipment usage

82,367

 

86,451

 
 
Dedicated  
 
Loads

915,033

 

731,137

Average length of haul

169

 

179

Revenue per truck per week**

$

4,915

 

$

4,565

Average trucks during the period***

10,710

 

8,973

 
Trucks (end of period)  
Company-owned

10,311

 

8,526

Independent contractor

41

 

57

Customer-owned (Dedicated operated)

462

 

476

Total trucks

10,814

 

9,059

 
Trailing equipment (end of period)

27,882

 

25,501

Average effective trailing equipment usage

28,357

 

26,540

 
 
Integrated Capacity Solutions  
 
Loads

306,817

 

331,278

Revenue per load

$

1,089

 

$

1,048

Gross profit margin

13.4%

 

14.8%

Employee count (end of period)

1,198

 

1,043

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

80,000

 

63,500

Marketplace for J.B. Hunt 360°:  
Approximate carrier tractor count (end of period)

600,600

 

412,100

Revenue (millions)

$

222.4

 

$

136.8

 
 
Truck  
 
Loads

87,994

 

88,301

Average length of haul

418

 

433

Loaded miles (000)

36,744

 

38,221

Total miles (000)

45,155

 

45,468

Average nonpaid empty miles per load

95.6

 

82.1

Revenue per tractor per week**

$

3,940

 

$

3,935

Average tractors during the period *

1,973

 

2,003

 
Tractors (end of period)  
Company-owned

946

 

1,262

Independent contractor

933

 

714

Total tractors

1,879

 

1,976

 
Trailers (end of period)

6,829

 

6,928

Average effective trailing equipment usage

6,580

 

6,497

 
 
* 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

2019

 

 

2018

 
Intermodal  
 
Loads

940,862

 

1,016,105

Average length of haul

1,656

 

1,648

Revenue per load

$

2,378

 

$

2,199

Average tractors during the period *

5,656

 

5,495

 
Tractors (end of period)  
Company-owned

4,969

 

4,873

Independent contractor

668

 

666

Total tractors

5,637

 

5,539

 
Net change in trailing equipment during the period

1,757

 

1,965

Trailing equipment (end of period)

96,659

 

90,575

Average effective trailing equipment usage

82,798

 

86,858

 
 
Dedicated  
 
Loads

1,740,207

 

1,419,487

Average length of haul

171

 

180

Revenue per truck per week**

$

4,757

 

$

4,453

Average trucks during the period***

10,522

 

8,906

 
Trucks (end of period)  
Company-owned

10,311

 

8,526

Independent contractor

41

 

57

Customer-owned (Dedicated operated)

462

 

476

Total trucks

10,814

 

9,059

 
Trailing equipment (end of period)

27,882

 

25,501

Average effective trailing equipment usage

27,977

 

26,804

 
 
Integrated Capacity Solutions  
 
Loads

595,750

 

582,799

Revenue per load

$

1,066

 

$

1,104

Gross profit margin

14.9%

 

14.6%

Employee count (end of period)

1,198

 

1,043

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

80,000

 

63,500

Marketplace for J.B. Hunt 360°:  
Approximate carrier tractor count (end of period)

600,600

 

412,100

Revenue (millions)

$

408.9

 

$

233.2

 
 
Truck  
 
Loads

172,922

 

169,800

Average length of haul

427

 

443

Loaded miles (000)

73,712

 

75,146

Total miles (000)

90,852

 

89,313

Average nonpaid empty miles per load

99.3

 

83.5

Revenue per tractor per week**

$

3,913

 

$

3,857

Average tractors during the period*

2,024

 

1,973

 
Tractors (end of period)  
Company-owned

946

 

1,262

Independent contractor

933

 

714

Total tractors

1,879

 

1,976

 
Trailers (end of period)

6,829

 

6,928

Average effective trailing equipment usage

6,583

 

6,529

 
 
* 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, 2019 December 31, 2018
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents

$

6,875

$

7,600

Accounts Receivable, net

1,040,153

1,051,698

Prepaid expenses and other, net

337,336

443,683

Total current assets

1,384,364

1,502,981

Property and equipment

5,635,867

5,329,243

Less accumulated depreciation

1,957,782

1,884,132

Net property and equipment

3,678,085

3,445,111

Other assets, net

358,290

143,555

$

5,420,739

$

5,091,647

 
 
LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current debt

$

-

$

250,706

Trade accounts payable

640,324

709,736

Claims accruals

277,669

275,139

Accrued payroll

59,282

80,922

Other accrued expenses

84,247

35,845

Total current liabilities

1,061,522

1,352,348

 
Long-term debt

1,372,143

898,398

Other long-term liabilities

175,656

96,056

Deferred income taxes

676,062

643,461

Stockholders' equity

2,135,356

2,101,384

$

5,420,739

$

5,091,647

 
 
 
Supplemental Data
(unaudited)
 
June 30, 2019 December 31, 2018
 
Actual shares outstanding at end of period (000)

106,768

108,711

 
Book value per actual share outstanding at end of period

$

20.00

$

19.33

 
 
 

Six Months Ended June 30

2019

 

 

 

2018

 
Net cash provided by operating activities (000)

$

606,661

$

529,033

 
Net capital expenditures (000)

$

475,331

$

354,131

 

 


These press releases may also interest you

at 17:52
In view of the passing of Thomas G. Kamp, a Director on the Board of Directors of The Taiwan Fund, Inc. (TWN) (the "Fund"), on March 20, 2024, the Board has approved amending the size of the Board to four Directors.  The Board will consider later in...

at 17:46
iA Financial Group today announces that the Annual Shareholder Meeting of iA Financial Corporation Inc. ("iA Financial Corporation") and the Annual Meeting of the Sole Common Shareholder and of the Participating Policyholders of Industrial Alliance...

at 17:37
Alto Adige Wines continues its Digging Deeper Roots campaign in the US market through comprehensive and thoughtful trade and media initiatives. Launched in 2023, the program enhances this Italian region's reach, awareness and understanding with key...

at 17:30
TuanChe Limited ("TuanChe" or the "Company") , a leading integrated automotive marketplace in China, today announced that it filed its annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 with the Securities and Exchange Commission...

at 17:30
Chesswood Group Limited ("Chesswood") , a specialty finance company with 40 years of experience in the commercial equipment finance market, today announces an update on its review of strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value, previously...

at 17:30
The federal government will make a housing announcement in Watson Lake. Media are invited to join Brendan Hanley, Member of...



News published on and distributed by: