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Will Cost Headwinds Mar J.B. Hunt's (JBHT) Q3 Earnings?

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J.B. Hunt Transport Services (JBHT - Free Report) is scheduled to report third-quarter 2021 results on Oct 15, before market open.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s third-quarter earnings has been revised downward by 1.1% in the past 60 days. However, the company has an impressive earnings surprise history, having outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the past four quarters, while missing estimates in the other.

Let’s see how things are shaping up for this earnings season.

Factors to Note

The Dedicated Contract Services (“DCS”) segment is expected to have benefited from fleet productivity improvement and increase in average revenue producing trucks in the to-be-reported quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DCS segment revenues indicates a 3.9% rise from the sequential quarter’s reported figure.

The Integrated Capacity Solutions (“ICS”) segment is expected to reflect benefits from favorable customer freight mix, as well as higher contractual and spot rates. The consensus mark for ICS unit revenues suggests a 2.6% increase from the second-quarter reported figure.

Increases in eastern network and transcontinental volumes are likely to have boosted J.B. Hunt’s intermodal revenues in the soon-to-be-reported quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for intermodal revenues hints at a 7.5% jump from the previous quarter’s reported figure.

The company’s expanded final mile network (delivery of goods at customers’ doorstep) is likely to have driven its third-quarter performance. The consensus mark for Final Mile Services revenues shows a 1.4% rise from the second-quarter reported number.

However, J.B. Hunt’s bottom line might have been hurt by an expected increase in operating expenses due to rise in rents and purchased transportation costs, as well as salaries, wages and benefits expenses.

Earnings Whispers

The proven Zacks model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for J.B. Huntthis time around. The combination of a positive  Earnings ESP  and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of a positive earnings surprise. However, this is not the case here as elaborated below. You can see  the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Earnings ESP: J.B. Hunt has an Earnings ESP of-0.64% as the Most Accurate Estimate is pegged at $1.76, lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.77. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our  Earnings ESP Filter.

Zacks Rank: J.B. Hunt carries a Zacks Rank #3, currently.

Highlights of Q2 Earnings

In the last reported quarter, J.B. Hunt delivered a positive earnings surprise of 3.9%. The bottom line surged 41.2% year over year due to higher revenues across all segments. Total revenues also outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate and jumped 35.5% year over year.

Stocks to Consider

Investors interested in the broader Transportation sector may consider C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW - Free Report) , Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings (KNX - Free Report) and Landstar System (LSTR - Free Report) , as these stocks possess the right combination of elements to beat on earnings this reporting cycle.

C.H. Robinson has an Earnings ESP of +2.03% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company will report third-quarter results on Oct 26.

Knight-Swift has an Earnings ESP of +0.77% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company is scheduled to report third-quarter earnings numbers on Oct 20.

Landstar Systemhas an Earnings ESP of +4.13% and a Zacks Rank #2. The company is slated to release third-quarter financial numbers on Oct 20.
 

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