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8-K - CURRENT REPORT - HUNT J B TRANSPORT SERVICES INCjbhunt_8k-012612.htm
 
Exhibit 99.1

The Transportation Logistics Company


 
J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.
615 J.B. Hunt Corporate Drive
Lowell, Arkansas 72745
(NASDAQ:  JBHT)
Contact:  
David G. Mee
Executive Vice President,
Finance/Administration
and Chief Financial Officer
(479) 820-8363
 
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


J. B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC. REPORTS RECORD REVENUES, NET EARNINGS AND EARNINGS PER SHARE FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER AND YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011


 
§
Fourth quarter 2011 Revenue:
$1.2 billion;  up 18%
 
§
Fourth quarter 2011 Operating Income:
$122 million;  up 26%
 
§
Fourth quarter 2011 EPS:
61* cents vs. 46 cents

 
 
§
Full Year 2011 Revenue:
$4.5 billion;  up 19%
 
§
Full Year 2011 Operating Income:
$444 million;  up 28%
 
§
Full Year 2011 EPS:
$2.11 vs. $1.56


*4Q 2011 results included $3.9 million of pretax expense (2 cents per diluted share) related to severance agreements for executive retirees and a charitable contribution.
 
LOWELL, ARKANSAS, January 26, 2012 - J. B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., (NASDAQ:JBHT) announced fourth quarter 2011 net earnings of $72.6 million, or diluted earnings per share of 61 cents vs. fourth quarter 2010 net earnings of $57.9 million, or 46 cents per diluted share.  Fourth quarter 2011 results included $3.9 million of pretax expense related to severance agreements for executive retirees and a charitable contribution, which reduced net earnings by 2 cents per diluted share.

Total operating revenue for the current quarter was $1.2 billion, compared with $1.02 billion for the fourth quarter 2010.  All four segments contributed to this increase in operating revenue.  Load growth of 17% in Intermodal (JBI) helped drive a 24% increase in segment revenue.  Our Dedicated Contract Services (DCS) segment increased operating revenue by 9% primarily from new accounts.  Our Truck (JBT) and Integrated Capacity Solutions (ICS) segments increased revenue 8% and 19%, respectively, due to higher rates and an increase in fuel surcharges.  Current quarter total operating revenue, excluding fuel surcharges, increased 12% vs. the comparable quarter 2010.

Operating income for the current quarter increased to $122 million vs. $97 million for the fourth quarter 2010.  The increase in operating income is primarily from the higher revenue on greater load volumes, a reduction in insurance and claims costs, and continued improvement in other general cost controls.  Again, all four segments contributed to this increase in operating income with JBI and DCS accounting for nearly $22 million of the increase.

Net earnings rose 25% to $72.6 million in the current quarter from $57.9 million in 2010, primarily due to the growth in revenue, effective cost controls and a lower cost of borrowing.  Compared with the same period 2010, net interest expense in the current quarter was down $2.0 million, primarily due to a reduction in our average interest rate.  The effective income tax rate for the current quarter was 37.5% compared with 35.1% in 2010, which included the favorable resolution of uncertain tax positions in the prior year quarter.

 
 

 
 
“We are very pleased to close out the year with record revenues, net earnings and earnings per share in both the fourth quarter and the entire year of 2011.  All four segments improved from 2010 in the fourth quarter and full year.  During 2011, we began implementing improvements to the approach we take with our larger, more complex customers and we are satisfied so far with the results of these efforts.  The primary objective in collaborating with customers is to find new ways to integrate our complementary business segments to drive out cost and create efficiency.  We will continue to invest in customer centric services that produce sufficient rates of return and sustainable cycles of cash for further reinvestment and innovation in transportation solutions,” said John N. Roberts, JBHT President and CEO.

Segment Information:

Intermodal (JBI)
§
Fourth quarter 2011 Segment Revenue:
$729 million;  up 24%
§
Fourth quarter 2011 Operating Income:
$83.9 million;  up 20%  
 
JBI load volume grew 17% during the quarter, compared with 13% growth in the year earlier quarter.  Eastern network loads increased 35% and transcontinental growth showed a 9% improvement during the quarter.  Overall revenue grew 24% as a result of volume growth, fuel surcharge increases and a 4.6% increase in rates.

Operating income for the quarter grew 20%.  Peak season volumes were slightly less than anticipated; however, the demand for conversion from highway to rail continued to be strong.  Cost increases in both rail and dray purchased transportation, container cost and fuel were offset with customer price increases, fuel surcharges, and a lower percentage of empty repositioning moves.  The current period ended with more than 54,500 units of trailing capacity.  JBI incurred approximately $2.8 million in expense due to the severance and charitable commitments.

Dedicated Contract Services (DCS)
§
Fourth quarter 2011 Segment Revenue:
$260 million;  up 9%
§
Fourth quarter 2011 Operating Income:
$27.4 million;  up 40%

DCS revenue increased 9% during the current quarter vs. 2010, while revenue, excluding fuel surcharges, increased 5%.  The increase in revenue related to an increase in truck count as a result of new contracts awarded.  Productivity (revenue per truck per week) was consistent with the fourth quarter 2010.

Operating income increased 40% vs. same quarter 2010.  The increase in operating income primarily related to reductions in insurance and claims costs, the transfer of assets to more profitable accounts, improved cost controls, and the increase in revenue partly related to a higher truck count.  In the current quarter, DCS incurred approximately $0.6 million in expense due to the severance and charitable commitments.

Truck (JBT)
§
Fourth quarter 2011 Segment Revenue:
$128 million;  up 8%
§
Fourth quarter 2011 Operating Income:
$ 7.1 million; up 61%

JBT revenue for the current quarter increased 8% with a 4% reduction in average tractors over the same period in 2010.  Excluding fuel surcharges, revenue increased 3% versus the same quarter in 2010.  Rates per mile, excluding fuel surcharges, increased 4.1% overall due largely to favorable changes in freight mix.  Rates from consistent shippers improved by 2.2% year-over-year.    At the end of the period, JBT’s tractor count was 2,585 compared to 2,588 a year ago.
 
Operating income for the current quarter increased 61% compared to the same quarter of 2010.  Lower maintenance costs; improvements in utilization and miles per gallon; better fuel surcharge recovery and an increase in gains on equipment sales were partially offset by increases in driver and independent contractor costs compared to the fourth quarter 2010.   JBT incurred $0.3 million in expense related to the severance and charitable commitments.
 
 
2

 
 
Integrated Capacity Solutions (ICS)
§
Fourth Quarter 2011 Segment Revenue:
$99 million;  up 19%
§
Fourth Quarter 2011 Operating Income:
$4.1 million;  up 25%

ICS revenue increased 19% in the current quarter vs. the fourth quarter 2010 due to an increase in load volume, higher pricing in both our contractual and transactional business and an increase in the cost of fuel. Gross profit (gross revenue less purchased transportation expense) increased 20% to $13.7 million from fourth quarter 2010. Gross profit margin increased slightly to 13.9% in the current quarter vs. 13.8% last year.  The operating leverage gained from a more experienced workforce contributed to the operating income increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2010.  Our carrier base increased 13% and our employee count increased 17% vs. fourth quarter 2010.  During the current quarter, ICS incurred approximately $0.2 million in expense due to the severance and charitable commitments.

Cash Flow and Capitalization:

At December 31, 2011, we had a total debt outstanding of $749 million on various debt instruments compared to $654 million at December 31, 2010 and $768 million at September 30, 2011.

Our net capital expenditures for the year ended 2011 approximated $446 million vs. $226 million in 2010.  The increase in capital expenditures was primarily due to increases in containers and chassis for our intermodal growth.  At December 31, 2011, we had cash and cash equivalents of $5.5 million.

In 2011, we used $246 million to purchase approximately 6.0 million shares of our common stock.  During the current quarter, our Board of Directors authorized a $500 million share repurchase program.  At December 31, 2011, we had approximately $503 million remaining under our share repurchase authorizations.

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, 2010. 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.

 
3

 
 
J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
 
   
Three Months Ended December 31
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
         
% Of
         
% Of
 
   
Amount
   
Revenue
   
Amount
   
Revenue
 
                         
Operating revenues, excluding fuel surcharge revenues
  $ 974,009           $ 873,522        
Fuel surcharge revenues
    230,928             146,490        
     Total operating revenues
    1,204,937       100.0 %     1,020,012       100.0 %
                                 
Operating expenses
                               
     Rents and purchased transportation
    579,910       48.1 %     470,252       46.1 %
     Salaries, wages and employee benefits
    258,483       21.5 %     237,176       23.3 %
     Fuel and fuel taxes
    116,567       9.7 %     94,189       9.2 %
     Depreciation and amortization
    55,632       4.6 %     50,094       4.9 %
     Operating supplies and expenses
    39,636       3.3 %     37,987       3.7 %
     Insurance and claims
    12,399       1.0 %     13,538       1.3 %
     General and administrative expenses, net of asset dispositions
    8,386       0.7 %     8,389       0.8 %
     Operating taxes and licenses
    7,246       0.6 %     6,864       0.7 %
     Communication and utilities
    4,391       0.4 %     4,175       0.5 %
        Total operating expenses
    1,082,650       89.9 %     922,664       90.5 %
        Operating income
    122,287       10.1 %     97,348       9.5 %
Net interest expense
    6,214       0.5 %     8,164       0.8 %
        Earnings before income taxes
    116,073       9.6 %     89,184       8.7 %
Income taxes
    43,508       3.6 %     31,331       3.0 %
        Net earnings
  $ 72,565       6.0 %   $ 57,853       5.7 %
Average diluted shares outstanding
    119,363               125,413          
        Diluted earnings per share
  $ 0.61             $ 0.46          
 
 
4

 
 
J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
 
   
Twelve Months Ended December 31
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
         
% Of
         
% Of
 
   
Amount
   
Revenue
   
Amount
   
Revenue
 
                         
Operating revenues, excluding fuel surcharge revenues
  $ 3,677,679           $ 3,277,218        
Fuel surcharge revenues
    849,163             516,267        
     Total operating revenues
    4,526,842       100.0 %     3,793,485       100.0 %
                                 
Operating expenses
                               
     Rents and purchased transportation
    2,122,811       46.9 %     1,711,204       45.1 %
     Salaries, wages and employee benefits
    1,001,953       22.1 %     911,028       24.0 %
     Fuel and fuel taxes
    463,597       10.2 %     343,700       9.1 %
     Depreciation and amortization
    213,943       4.7 %     197,062       5.2 %
     Operating supplies and expenses
    160,425       3.6 %     152,500       4.0 %
     Insurance and claims
    44,929       1.0 %     48,280       1.3 %
     General and administrative expenses, net of asset dispositions
    28,900       0.7 %     37,017       1.0 %
     Operating taxes and licenses
    27,871       0.6 %     26,895       0.7 %
     Communication and utilities
    18,180       0.4 %     18,174       0.4 %
        Total operating expenses
    4,082,609       90.2 %     3,445,860       90.8 %
        Operating income
    444,233       9.8 %     347,625       9.2 %
Net interest expense
    28,500       0.6 %     27,931       0.8 %
        Earnings before income taxes
    415,733       9.2 %     319,694       8.4 %
Income taxes
    158,727       3.5 %     120,077       3.1 %
        Net earnings
  $ 257,006       5.7 %   $ 199,617       5.3 %
Average diluted shares outstanding
    121,922               127,767          
        Diluted earnings per share
  $ 2.11             $ 1.56          
 
 
5

 
 
Financial Information By Segment
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
   
Three Months Ended December 31
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
         
% Of
         
% Of
 
   
Amount
   
Total
   
Amount
   
Total
 
Revenue
                       
                         
     Intermodal
  $ 728,795       60 %   $ 588,020       58 %
     Dedicated
    260,019       22 %     237,855       23 %
     Truck
    127,928       11 %     118,048       12 %
     Integrated Capacity Solutions
    98,881       8 %     82,929       8 %
          Subtotal
    1,215,623       101 %     1,026,852       101 %
          Intersegment eliminations
    (10,686 )     (1 %)     (6,840 )     (1 %)
               Consolidated revenue
  $ 1,204,937       100 %   $ 1,020,012       100 %
                                 
Operating income
                               
                                 
     Intermodal
  $ 83,882       69 %   $ 69,884       72 %
     Dedicated
    27,356       22 %     19,614       20 %
     Truck
    7,076       6 %     4,397       5 %
     Integrated Capacity Solutions
    4,072       3 %     3,261       3 %
     Other (1)
    (99 )     (0 %)     192       0 %
          Operating income
  $ 122,287       100 %   $ 97,348       100 %
 
 
   
Twelve Months Ended December 31
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
         
% Of
         
% Of
 
   
Amount
   
Total
   
Amount
   
Total
 
Revenue
                       
                         
     Intermodal
  $ 2,672,955       59 %   $ 2,141,200       56 %
     Dedicated
    1,031,393       23 %     906,760       24 %
     Truck
    504,132       11 %     479,475       13 %
     Integrated Capacity Solutions
    355,817       8 %     290,914       8 %
          Subtotal
    4,564,297       101 %     3,818,349       101 %
          Intersegment eliminations
    (37,455 )     (1 %)     (24,864 )     (1 %)
               Consolidated revenue
  $ 4,526,842       100 %   $ 3,793,485       100 %
                                 
Operating income
                               
                                 
     Intermodal
  $ 301,439       68 %   $ 237,232       68 %
     Dedicated
    103,087       23 %     82,407       24 %
     Truck
    26,670       6 %     18,698       5 %
     Integrated Capacity Solutions
    13,109       3 %     9,275       3 %
     Other (1)
    (72 )     (0 %)     13       0 %
          Operating income
  $ 444,233       100 %   $ 347,625       100 %
 
      (1) Includes corporate support activity
 
 
6

 
 
Operating Statistics by Segment
(unaudited)
 
   
Three Months Ended December 31
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Intermodal
           
             
     Loads
    333,000       285,581  
     Average length of haul
    1,726       1,782  
     Revenue per load
  $ 2,189     $ 2,059  
     Average tractors during the period *
    3,109       2,665  
                 
     Tractors (end of period)
               
          Company-owned
    2,901       2,592  
          Independent contractor
    213       81  
               Total tractors
    3,114       2,673  
                 
     Net change in trailing equipment during the period
    2,584       2,536  
     Trailing equipment (end of period)
    54,506       45,666  
     Average effective trailing equipment usage
    52,540       43,834  
                 
Dedicated
               
                 
     Loads
    354,711       355,047  
     Average length of haul
    210       197  
     Revenue per truck per week**
  $ 4,172     $ 4,076  
     Average trucks during the period***
    4,915       4,573  
                 
     Trucks (end of period)
               
          Company-owned
    4,571       4,259  
          Independent contractor
    17       23  
          Customer-owned (Dedicated operated)
    330       357  
               Total trucks
    4,918       4,639  
                 
     Trailing equipment (end of period)
    11,211       10,688  
     Average effective trailing equipment usage
    12,472       12,323  
                 
Truck
               
                 
     Loads
    113,893       109,923  
     Average length of haul
    506       530  
     Loaded miles (000)
    56,698       57,451  
     Total miles (000)
    65,287       65,901  
     Average nonpaid empty miles per load
    73.9       74.9  
     Revenue per tractor per week**
  $ 3,960     $ 3,445  
     Average tractors during the period *
    2,597       2,707  
                 
     Tractors (end of period)
               
          Company-owned
    1,637       1,697  
          Independent contractor
    948       891  
               Total tractors
    2,585       2,588  
                 
     Trailers (end of period)
    9,302       10,115  
     Average effective trailing equipment usage
    8,124       8,739  
                 
Integrated Capacity Solutions
               
                 
     Loads
    63,997       61,538  
     Revenue per load
  $ 1,545     $ 1,348  
     Gross profit margin
    13.9 %     13.8 %
     Employee count (end of period)
    384       329  
     Approximate number of third-party carriers (end of period)
    28,800       25,600  
 
* Includes company-owned and independent contractor tractors
** Using weighted workdays
*** Includes company-owned, independent contractor, and customer-owned trucks
 
 
7

 
 
Operating Statistics by Segment
(unaudited)
 
   
Twelve Months Ended December 31
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Intermodal
           
             
     Loads
    1,248,302       1,075,027  
     Average length of haul
    1,726       1,777  
     Revenue per load
  $ 2,141     $ 1,992  
     Average tractors during the period *
    2,924       2,531  
                 
     Tractors (end of period)
               
          Company-owned
    2,901       2,592  
          Independent contractor
    213       81  
               Total tractors
    3,114       2,673  
                 
     Net change in trailing equipment during the period
    8,840       5,496  
     Trailing equipment (end of period)
    54,506       45,666  
     Average effective trailing equipment usage
    49,482       41,434  
                 
Dedicated
               
                 
     Loads
    1,444,518       1,383,565  
     Average length of haul
    205       197  
     Revenue per truck per week**
  $ 4,175     $ 3,956  
     Average trucks during the period***
    4,811       4,468  
                 
     Trucks (end of period)
               
          Company-owned
    4,571       4,259  
          Independent contractor
    17       23  
          Customer-owned (Dedicated operated)
    330       357  
               Total trucks
    4,918       4,639  
                 
     Trailing equipment (end of period)
    11,211       10,688  
     Average effective trailing equipment usage
    12,711       12,297  
                 
Truck
               
                 
     Loads
    444,851       465,493  
     Average length of haul
    514       522  
     Loaded miles (000)
    225,997       240,088  
     Total miles (000)
    259,144       274,857  
     Average nonpaid empty miles per load
    72.7       68.7  
     Revenue per tractor per week**
  $ 3,869     $ 3,370  
     Average tractors during the period*
    2,557       2,788  
                 
     Tractors (end of period)
               
          Company-owned
    1,637       1,697  
          Independent contractor
    948       891  
               Total tractors
    2,585       2,588  
                 
     Trailers (end of period)
    9,302       10,115  
     Average effective trailing equipment usage
    8,089       9,329  
                 
Integrated Capacity Solutions
               
                 
     Loads
    253,575       230,726  
     Revenue per load
  $ 1,403     $ 1,261  
     Gross profit margin
    13.5 %     14.2 %
     Employee count (end of period)
    384       329  
     Approximate number of third-party carriers (end of period)
    28,800       25,600  
 
* Includes company-owned and independent contractor tractors
** Using weighted workdays
*** Includes company-owned, independent contractor, and customer-owned trucks
 
 
8

 
 
J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
   
December 31, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
ASSETS
           
     Current assets:
           
          Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 5,450     $ 7,651  
          Accounts Receivable
    411,479       351,187  
          Prepaid expenses and other
    96,613       103,807  
               Total current assets
    513,542       462,645  
     Property and equipment
    2,658,143       2,338,336  
          Less accumulated depreciation
    931,273       858,852  
               Net property and equipment
    1,726,870       1,479,484  
     Other assets
    26,920       19,531  
    $ 2,267,332     $ 1,961,660  
                 
LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
     Current liabilities:
               
          Current debt
  $ 50,000     $ 200,000  
          Trade accounts payable
    251,625       192,103  
          Claims accruals
    42,364       32,641  
          Accrued payroll
    77,107       57,149  
          Other accrued expenses
    17,419       19,191  
          Deferred income taxes
    -       8,865  
               Total current liabilities
    438,515       509,949  
                 
     Long-term debt
    699,177       454,207  
     Other long-term liabilities
    45,382       39,480  
     Deferred income taxes
    516,715       385,003  
     Stockholders' equity
    567,543       573,021  
    $ 2,267,332     $ 1,961,660  
 
Supplemental Data
(unaudited)
 
   
December 31, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
             
Actual shares outstanding at end of period (000)
    116,932       121,490  
                 
Book value per actual share outstanding at end of period
  $ 4.85     $ 4.72  
 
   
Twelve Months Ended December 31
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
             
Net cash provided by operating activities (000)
  $ 635,692     $ 428,078  
                 
Net capital expenditures (000)
  $ 445,869     $ 225,932  
 
 
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