J.B. Hunt Transport Services Q1 Revenues Up, Operating Income Down

J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., (NASDAQ: JBHT) announced first quarter 2017 net earnings of $102.7 million, or diluted earnings per share of 92 cents vs. first quarter 2016 net earnings of $100.1 million, or 88 cents per diluted share.

Total operating revenue for the current quarter was $1.63 billion, compared with $1.53 billion for the first quarter 2016. Current quarter total operating revenue, excluding fuel surcharges, increased 2% vs. first quarter 2016. Intermodal (JBI) load growth was 2% over first quarter 2016 levels. Dedicated Contract Services (DCS) segment revenue increased by 10% over prior year primarily from additional customer contracts from a year ago and customer rate increases. Integrated Capacity Solutions (ICS) load growth was 36% over the same period in 2016. Truck (JBT) segment revenue decreased 2% primarily from a lower revenue per load.

Operating income for the current quarter totaled $149 million vs. $168 million for the first quarter 2016. Benefits from volume growth and new customer contracts were more than offset by lower customer rates from competitive pricing, increased purchased transportation costs, higher driver wages, continuing branch network expansion, increased equipment ownership costs and increased insurance and claims costs.

Specific group performance was as follows:

Intermodal (JBI)

First Quarter 2017 Segment Revenue: $937 million; up 5%
First Quarter 2017 Operating Income: $95 million; down 8%

Dedicated Contract Services (DCS)

First Quarter 2017 Segment Revenue: $392 million; up 10%
First Quarter 2017 Operating Income: $45 million; flat

Integrated Capacity Solutions (ICS)

First Quarter 2017 Segment Revenue: $209 million; up 14%
First Quarter 2017 Operating Income: $4.5 million; down 59%

Truck (JBT)

First Quarter 2017 Segment Revenue: $94 million; down 2%
First Quarter 2017 Operating Income: $4.9 million; down 46%

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