J.B. Hunt Transport Services’ (JBHT - Free Report) second-quarter 2019 earnings (excluding 14 cents from non-recurring items) of $1.37 per share outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2 cents. Moreover, total operating revenues came in at $2,261.6 million, which increased 5.7% year over year on the back of a strong performance by the Dedicated Contract Services (DCS) segment.
Despite a challenging freight environment, this bottom-line outperformance and top-line growth pleased investors. As a result, the stock gained 7.9% in after-market trading on Jul 15.
However, quarterly revenues fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,275.9 million. Moreover, earnings were flat on a year-over-year basis.
Bleak Cost Picture
Quarterly operating income (on a reported basis) decreased 10% to $193.1 million primarily due to higher costs. Furthermore, increased costs related to insurance and claims apart from those associated with rail purchase transportation resulted in higher expenses.
Also, operating ratio (operating expenses as a percentage of revenues) deteriorated to 91.5% from 90% in the prior-year quarter due to a 7.5% year over year rise in operating expenses. Notably, effective tax rate decreased to 25% from 26% recorded in the second quarter of 2018.
Segmental Performance
The Intermodal (JBI) division generated quarterly revenues of $1.15 billion, down 1% year over year. Moreover, load volumes in the segment fell 8%. Revenue per load, excluding fuel surcharge revenues, climbed 8% on a year-over-year basis. On a year-over-year basis, operating income declined 7% due to increased rail purchased transportation costs and driver wages among other factors.
Revenues at DCS rose 28% year over year to $680 million, courtesy of an 8% increase in truck productivity. Excluding fuel surcharges, productivity increased roughly 9% a year ago driven by factors like higher customer rates that were above 98%. Operating income improved 3% year over year to $60.5 million owing to the addition of new trucks and a $4.3 million decrease in salaries and wages accruals.
Integrated Capacity Solutions (ICS) revenues declined 4% year over year to $334 million, with volumes declining 7%. Revenue per load, however, increased 4% year over year due to favorable customer freight mix. In the second quarter, ICS incurred an operating loss of $0.6 million compared to an operating income of $14.9 million reported in the year-ago quarter. This dismal performance can be attributed to lower gross margin apart from higher personnel and technology costs.
Truck (JBT) revenues decreased 2% year over year to $99.6 million. At the end of the second quarter, total tractors were 1,879 (out of which 946 were company owned) compared with 1,976 in the year-ago quarter. Trailers fell to 6,829 in the period compared with 6,928 a year ago. Nonetheless, operating income increased 19% to $8.9 million, courtesy of favorable factors like lower equipment ownership costs apart from reduced non-driver personnel expenses.
Zacks Names "Single Best Pick to Double"
From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.
It’s a little-known chemical company that’s up 65% over last year, yet still dirt cheap. With unrelenting demand, soaring 2022 earnings estimates, and $1.5 billion for repurchasing shares, retail investors could jump in at any time.
This company could rival or surpass other recent Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.
Free: See Our Top Stock and 4 Runners Up >>
J.B. Hunt Transport Services’ (JBHT - Free Report) second-quarter 2019 earnings (excluding 14 cents from non-recurring items) of $1.37 per share outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2 cents. Moreover, total operating revenues came in at $2,261.6 million, which increased 5.7% year over year on the back of a strong performance by the Dedicated Contract Services (DCS) segment.
Despite a challenging freight environment, this bottom-line outperformance and top-line growth pleased investors. As a result, the stock gained 7.9% in after-market trading on Jul 15.
However, quarterly revenues fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,275.9 million. Moreover, earnings were flat on a year-over-year basis.
Bleak Cost Picture
Quarterly operating income (on a reported basis) decreased 10% to $193.1 million primarily due to higher costs. Furthermore, increased costs related to insurance and claims apart from those associated with rail purchase transportation resulted in higher expenses.
Also, operating ratio (operating expenses as a percentage of revenues) deteriorated to 91.5% from 90% in the prior-year quarter due to a 7.5% year over year rise in operating expenses. Notably, effective tax rate decreased to 25% from 26% recorded in the second quarter of 2018.
Segmental Performance
The Intermodal (JBI) division generated quarterly revenues of $1.15 billion, down 1% year over year. Moreover, load volumes in the segment fell 8%. Revenue per load, excluding fuel surcharge revenues, climbed 8% on a year-over-year basis. On a year-over-year basis, operating income declined 7% due to increased rail purchased transportation costs and driver wages among other factors.
Revenues at DCS rose 28% year over year to $680 million, courtesy of an 8% increase in truck productivity. Excluding fuel surcharges, productivity increased roughly 9% a year ago driven by factors like higher customer rates that were above 98%. Operating income improved 3% year over year to $60.5 million owing to the addition of new trucks and a $4.3 million decrease in salaries and wages accruals.
Integrated Capacity Solutions (ICS) revenues declined 4% year over year to $334 million, with volumes declining 7%. Revenue per load, however, increased 4% year over year due to favorable customer freight mix. In the second quarter, ICS incurred an operating loss of $0.6 million compared to an operating income of $14.9 million reported in the year-ago quarter. This dismal performance can be attributed to lower gross margin apart from higher personnel and technology costs.
Truck (JBT) revenues decreased 2% year over year to $99.6 million. At the end of the second quarter, total tractors were 1,879 (out of which 946 were company owned) compared with 1,976 in the year-ago quarter. Trailers fell to 6,829 in the period compared with 6,928 a year ago. Nonetheless, operating income increased 19% to $8.9 million, courtesy of favorable factors like lower equipment ownership costs apart from reduced non-driver personnel expenses.
Zacks Names "Single Best Pick to Double"
From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.
It’s a little-known chemical company that’s up 65% over last year, yet still dirt cheap. With unrelenting demand, soaring 2022 earnings estimates, and $1.5 billion for repurchasing shares, retail investors could jump in at any time.
This company could rival or surpass other recent Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.
Free: See Our Top Stock and 4 Runners Up >>
Get the latest research report on LUV - FREE
Get the latest research report on UNP - FREE
Get the latest research report on JBHT - FREE
Get the latest research report on UPS - FREE