JB Hunt

JB Hunt's (JBHT - Analyst Report) business improved throughout the second quarter, allowing the company to increase prices compared to the first quarter of 2010. This helped the company to report better-than-expected earnings for the second quarter.

Growth and Income

The company is expected to grow its earnings per share 39.2% in 2010, 30.6% in 2011, and 11.6% over the long term. Its trailing 12-month return on equity is 27.3%. The stock also offers investors a dividend yield of 1.4%.

This Zacks #2 Rank stock trades at 23.0x 2010 consensus EPS estimates and 17.6x 2011 consensus EPS estimates. Given its expected EPS growth over the next two years, its forward P/Es are reasonable.

Business

JB Hunt operates as a surface transportation and delivery services company in North America. It provides flatbed, refrigerated, expedited, and less-than-truckload, as well as various dry-van and intermodal solutions.

Recent News

On July 15, JB Hunt reported financial results for the second quarter. The company had revenue of $943 million up 22% year-over-year. JBHT earned $0.40 per share, an increase of 74% compared to the year-ago quarter. Its second-quarter earnings topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4 cents, or 11.1%.

President and CEO Kirk Thompson said, "Demand for transportation services has increased fairly dramatically as we have emerged from a multi-year freight recession."

Estimates

In the last week, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2010 has increased 4 cents, or 2.7%, to $1.53, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2011 increased 7 cents, or 3.6%, $2.00.

The Chart

Since September 2009, JBHT shares have been trading in a range from about $32 to $38. Its stock is currently in the middle of that range. Still, JBHT shares are above both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, which is bullish.

Read the full analyst report on JBHT