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8-K - FORM 8-K - HUNT J B TRANSPORT SERVICES INCjbht20150123_8k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.  

 

 

Contact:    

David G. Mee

615 J.B. Hunt Corporate Drive  

 

 

 

Executive Vice President,

Lowell, Arkansas 72745              Finance/Administration
(NASDAQ: JBHT)          and Chief Financial Officer
        (479) 820-8363

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

J. B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC. REPORTS REVENUES, NET EARNINGS AND EARNINGS PER SHARE FOR BOTH THE FOURTH QUARTER AND YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014

 

■     Fourth quarter 2014 Revenue:   

$1.61 billion; up 9%

■     Fourth quarter 2014 Operating Income: 

$182.9 million; up 19%

■     Fourth quarter 2014 EPS:      

93 cents vs. 77 cents; up 21%

 

 

 

 

■     Full Year 2014 Revenue:    

$6.2 billion; up 10%

■     Full Year 2014 Operating Income:   

$631.5 million; up 10%

■     Full Year 2014 EPS:

$3.16 vs. $2.87; up 10%

 

LOWELL, ARKANSAS, January 22, 2015 - J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., (NASDAQ:JBHT) announced fourth quarter 2014 net earnings of $110 million, or diluted earnings per share of 93 cents vs. fourth quarter 2013 net earnings of $92 million, or 77 cents per diluted share.

 

Total operating revenue for the current quarter was $1.61 billion, compared with $1.47 billion for the fourth quarter 2013. Load growth of 6% in Intermodal (JBI) was the primary reason for a 5% increase in segment revenue. Dedicated Contract Services (DCS) segment revenue increased by 10%, primarily from the addition of new customer accounts and rate increases implemented in the current and earlier periods. Integrated Capacity Solutions (ICS) segment revenue increased by 36%, mostly from a higher load count and an increase in revenue per load. Truck (JBT) segment revenue increased 6% primarily from customer rate increases and a 2% increase in fleet size compared to a year ago. Current quarter total operating revenue, excluding fuel surcharges, increased 12% vs. the comparable quarter 2013.

 

Operating income for the current quarter increased to $182.9 million vs. $153.5 million for the fourth quarter 2013. The increase primarily reflects higher revenue in all business segments and the current benefit of rapidly falling fuel prices during the quarter, net of lower fuel surcharge revenue primarily in DCS and JBT. These benefits were partially offset by increased costs paid to hire and retain drivers; higher workers’ compensation and accident costs; and higher costs of equipment ownership.

 

Net earnings rose 20% to $110 million in the current quarter from $92 million in 2013, due to the increased operating income partially offset by higher net interest expense. Compared with the same period 2013, net interest expense in the current quarter increased approximately 16% on a higher average debt balance primarily from higher capital expenditures in the year. The annual and fourth quarter effective tax rates in 2014 were 38.01% and 37.79%, respectively. The annual and fourth quarter effective tax rates in 2013 were 38.15% and 38.23%, respectively.

 

 
 

 

 

Segment Information:

 

Intermodal (JBI)

■     Fourth quarter 2014 Segment Revenue:    

$958 million; up 5%

■     Fourth quarter 2014 Operating Income:   

$128.8 million; up 6%  

 

JBI total volumes grew 6% over the same period in 2013. Inconsistent rail service and limited dray fleet capacity continued during the quarter. Eastern network loads increased 14% and transcontinental loads increased 1% compared to the fourth quarter 2013. Revenue increased 5%, reflecting volume growth of 6% and a 1% decrease in revenue per load which is the combination of freight mix, customer rate increases and fuel surcharges. Revenue per load excluding fuel surcharges increased 1% compared to a year ago.

 

Operating income for the quarter grew 6%. Benefits from customer rate increases, a smaller percentage of empty repositioning moves and a smaller percentage of outsourced dray usage were substantially offset by cost increases in rail and dray purchased transportation, driver recruiting and retention costs and insurance and claims costs. The current period ended with approximately 73,300 units of trailing capacity and approximately 4,700 power units in the dray fleet.

 

 

Dedicated Contract Services (DCS)

■     Fourth quarter 2014 Segment Revenue:     

$363 million; up 10%

■     Fourth quarter 2014 Operating Income:  

$37.0 million; up 25%

 

DCS revenue increased 10% during the current quarter over the same period 2013 primarily from rate increases implemented during the past 9 months and more activity at customer accounts. Revenue excluding fuel surcharges increased 11% compared to fourth quarter 2013. A net additional 473 revenue producing trucks were in the fleet by the end of the quarter compared to prior year primarily reflecting new contract implementations in the current and prior periods.

 

Operating income was up 25% from a year ago. The increase is primarily due to the increase in revenue, improved asset utilization, less reliance on outsourced power units and the current period benefit of rapidly declining fuel costs, but was partially offset by continued higher costs for driver hiring and retention, increased insurance and claims costs and higher workers’ compensation costs.

 

 

Integrated Capacity Solutions (ICS)

●     Fourth Quarter 2014 Segment Revenue: 

$197 million; up 36%

●     Fourth Quarter 2014 Operating Income: 

$9.1 million; up 158%

   

ICS revenue increased 36% in the current quarter vs. the fourth quarter 2013 mostly due to a 25% increase in load volume and a 9% increase in revenue per load. Both contractual and transactional business realized volume increases. Contractual business was approximately 66% of the total load volume but only 57% of the total revenue in the current quarter compared to 65% of the total load volume and 61% of the total revenue in fourth quarter 2013.

 

Operating income increased 158% over the same period in 2013 primarily from increased revenue and higher gross profit margin. Gross profit margin increased to 13.7% in the current period from 12.0% last year primarily from customer rate increases in contractual business and maintaining margin discipline in the transactional business. Personnel costs increased from the comparable period last year as we continued to on-board and train staff to expand our branch network. Total branches at the end of the period grew to 29 from 24 at the end of the same period in 2013. ICS’s carrier base increased 13% and the employee count increased 16% from a year ago.

 

 
 

 

 

Truck (JBT)

■     Fourth quarter 2014 Segment Revenue:     

$ 96 million; up 6%

■     Fourth quarter 2014 Operating Income

$ 8.1 million; compared to an Operating Loss of $1.0 million in 2013

 

   

JBT revenue for the current quarter increased 6% from the same period in 2013 on a 2% larger fleet size. Revenue excluding fuel surcharges increased 10% primarily from increased asset utilization, intentional freight mix change and core customer rate increases of approximately 9% compared to fourth quarter 2013. At the end of the period, JBT operated 1,886 tractors compared to 1,857 a year ago.

 

Operating income increased $9.1 million from fourth quarter 2013 levels. Favorable changes from increased rates per loaded mile, rapidly declining fuel prices and higher utilization of company owned assets were partially offset by increased driver and independent contract costs per mile, increased hiring costs and higher safety and insurance costs compared to fourth quarter 2013.

 

 

Cash Flow and Capitalization:

 

At December 31, 2014, we had total debt outstanding of $934 million on various debt instruments compared to $708 million at December 31, 2013 and $837 million at September 30, 2014.

 

Our net capital expenditures for 2014 approximated $660 million vs. $443 million in 2013. The increase in capital expenditures was primarily due to purchasing additional containers and chassis for JBI and additional and replacement tractors and trailers across all asset business units. At December 31, 2014, we had cash and cash equivalents of $6.0 million.

 

In the fourth quarter 2014, we purchased approximately 615,000 shares of our common stock for $50 million. At December 31, 2014, we had approximately $213 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, 2013. 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.

 

 
 

 

 

J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings

 

(in thousands, except per share data)

 
 

(unaudited)

 

 

   

Three Months Ended December 31

 
   

2014

   

2013

 
           

% Of

           

% Of

 
   

Amount

   

Revenue

   

Amount

   

Revenue

 
                                     

Operating revenues, excluding fuel surcharge revenues

  $ 1,344,891               $ 1,202,168            

Fuel surcharge revenues

    264,620                 272,108            

Total operating revenues

    1,609,511       100.0 %       1,474,276       100.0 %  
                                     

Operating expenses

                                   

Rents and purchased transportation

    802,284       49.8 %       742,824       50.4 %  

Salaries, wages and employee benefits

    338,888       21.1 %       302,448       20.5 %  

Fuel and fuel taxes

    101,467       6.3 %       114,939       7.8 %  

Depreciation and amortization

    78,386       4.9 %       66,077       4.5 %  

Operating supplies and expenses

    52,600       3.3 %       52,782       3.6 %  

Insurance and claims

    23,440       1.5 %       16,400       1.1 %  

General and administrative expenses, net of asset dispositions

    14,071       0.8 %       11,884       0.8 %  

Operating taxes and licenses

    10,279       0.6 %       8,585       0.6 %  

Communication and utilities

    5,191       0.3 %       4,804       0.3 %  

Total operating expenses

    1,426,606       88.6 %       1,320,743       89.6 %  

Operating income

    182,905       11.4 %       153,533       10.4 %  

Net interest expense

    5,583       0.4 %       4,820       0.3 %  

Earnings before income taxes

    177,322       11.0 %       148,713       10.1 %  

Income taxes

    67,016       4.1 %       56,849       3.9 %  

Net earnings

  $ 110,306       6.9 %     $ 91,864       6.2 %  

Average diluted shares outstanding

    118,078                 118,960            

Diluted earnings per share

  $ 0.93               $ 0.77            

 

 

J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings

(in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

 

   

Twelve Months Ended December 31

 
   

2014

   

2013

 
           

% Of

           

% Of

 
   

Amount

   

Revenue

   

Amount

   

Revenue

 
                                     

Operating revenues, excluding fuel surcharge revenues

  $ 5,082,827               $ 4,527,238            

Fuel surcharge revenues

    1,082,614                 1,057,333            

Total operating revenues

    6,165,441       100.0 %       5,584,571       100.0 %  
                                     

Operating expenses

                                   

Rents and purchased transportation

    3,085,276       50.0 %       2,805,568       50.2 %  

Salaries, wages and employee benefits

    1,290,404       20.9 %       1,138,213       20.4 %  

Fuel and fuel taxes

    453,919       7.4 %       455,926       8.2 %  

Depreciation and amortization

    294,496       4.8 %       253,380       4.5 %  

Operating supplies and expenses

    218,539       3.5 %       202,700       3.6 %  

Insurance and claims

    81,062       1.3 %       55,158       1.0 %  

General and administrative expenses, net of asset dispositions

    50,596       0.8 %       45,469       0.8 %  

Operating taxes and licenses

    38,796       0.7 %       32,307       0.7 %  

Communication and utilities

    20,811       0.4 %       19,142       0.3 %  

Total operating expenses

    5,533,899       89.8 %       5,007,863       89.7 %  

Operating income

    631,542       10.2 %       576,708       10.3 %  

Net interest expense

    26,941       0.4 %       23,140       0.4 %  

Earnings before income taxes

    604,601       9.8 %       553,568       9.9 %  

Income taxes

    229,809       3.7 %       211,186       3.8 %  

Net earnings

  $ 374,792       6.1 %     $ 342,382       6.1 %  

Average diluted shares outstanding

    118,445                 119,404            

Diluted earnings per share

  $ 3.16               $ 2.87            

 

 
 

 

 

 

Financial Information By Segment

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

   

Three Months Ended December 31

 
   

2014

   

2013

 
           

% Of

           

% Of

 
   

Amount

   

Total

   

Amount

   

Total

 
                                     

Revenue

                                   
                                     

Intermodal

  $ 957,714       59 %     $ 915,071       62 %  

Dedicated

    362,966       23 %       330,684       23 %  

Integrated Capacity Solutions

    197,417       12 %       145,293       10 %  

Truck

    96,306       6 %       91,213       6 %  

Subtotal

    1,614,403       100 %       1,482,261       101 %  

Intersegment eliminations

    (4,892 )     (0 %)       (7,985 )     (1 %)  

Consolidated revenue

  $ 1,609,511       100 %     $ 1,474,276       100 %  
                                     
                                     

Operating income

                                   
                                     

Intermodal

  $ 128,767       70 %     $ 121,523       79 %  

Dedicated

    37,031       20 %       29,532       19 %  

Integrated Capacity Solutions

    9,092       5 %       3,518       3 %  

Truck

    8,079       5 %       (1,041 )     (1 %)  

Other (1)

    (64 )     (0 %)       1       0 %  

Operating income

  $ 182,905       100 %     $ 153,533       100 %  
                                     
                                     
                                     
                                     
                                     
   

Twelve Months Ended December 31

 
   

2014

   

2013

 
           

% Of

           

% Of

 
   

Amount

   

Total

   

Amount

   

Total

 

Revenue

                                   
                                     

Intermodal

  $ 3,687,444       60 %     $ 3,456,164       62 %  

Dedicated

    1,393,768       22 %       1,231,342       22 %  

Integrated Capacity Solutions

    718,076       12 %       536,844       10 %  

Truck

    385,603       6 %       391,086       7 %  

Subtotal

    6,184,891       100 %       5,615,436       101 %  

Intersegment eliminations

    (19,450 )     (0 %)       (30,865 )     (1 %)  

Consolidated revenue

  $ 6,165,441       100 %     $ 5,584,571       100 %  
                                     
                                     

Operating income

                                   
                                     

Intermodal

  $ 460,377       73 %     $ 447,030       77 %  

Dedicated

    117,243       18 %       110,438       19 %  

Integrated Capacity Solutions

    29,880       5 %       15,693       3 %  

Truck

    24,223       4 %       3,658       1 %  

Other (1)

    (181 )     (0 %)       (111 )     (0 %)  

Operating income

  $ 631,542       100 %     $ 576,708       100 %  

 

 

 

 

 

      (1) Includes corporate support activity

 

 
 

 
 

Operating Statistics by Segment

(unaudited)

 

   

Three Months Ended December 31

 
   

2014

   

2013

 
                 

Intermodal

               
                 

Loads

    439,565       415,601  

Average length of haul

    1,666       1,703  

Revenue per load

  $ 2,179     $ 2,202  

Average tractors during the period *

    4,697       4,084  
                 

Tractors (end of period)

               

Company-owned

    3,916       3,448  

Independent contractor

    761       646  

Total tractors

    4,677       4,094  
                 

Net change in trailing equipment during the period

    1,620       2,059  

Trailing equipment (end of period)

    73,298       65,979  

Average effective trailing equipment usage

    71,481       63,914  
                 
                 

Dedicated

               
                 

Loads

    548,615       504,738  

Average length of haul

    174       179  

Revenue per truck per week**

  $ 4,184     $ 4,198  

Average trucks during the period***

    6,885       6,271  
                 

Trucks (end of period)

               

Company-owned

    6,425       5,805  

Independent contractor

    7       10  

Customer-owned (Dedicated operated)

    448       592  

Total trucks

    6,880       6,407  
                 

Trailing equipment (end of period)

    20,516       19,062  

Average effective trailing equipment usage

    21,589       20,099  
                 
                 

Integrated Capacity Solutions

               
                 

Loads

    124,123       99,444  

Revenue per load

  $ 1,590     $ 1,461  

Gross profit margin

    13.7 %     12.0 %

Employee count (end of period)

    582       503  

Approximate number of third-party carriers (end of period)

    39,100       34,600  
                 
                 

Truck

               
                 

Loads

    89,877       89,663  

Average length of haul

    433       432  

Loaded miles (000)

    38,337       38,629  

Total miles (000)

    45,411       45,422  

Average nonpaid empty miles per load

    78.3       74.7  

Revenue per tractor per week**

  $ 4,086     $ 3,804  

Average tractors during the period *

    1,887       1,921  
                 

Tractors (end of period)

               

Company-owned

    1,296       1,200  

Independent contractor

    590       657  

Total tractors

    1,886       1,857  
                 

Trailers (end of period)

    7,215       6,828  

Average effective trailing equipment usage

    6,201       6,114  

 

* Includes company-owned and independent contractor tractors

** Using weighted workdays

*** Includes company-owned, independent contractor, and customer-owned trucks

 

 
 

 
 

Operating Statistics by Segment

(unaudited)

 

   

Twelve Months Ended December 31

 
   

2014

   

2013

 
                 

Intermodal

               
                 

Loads

    1,700,374       1,593,511  

Average length of haul

    1,656       1,694  

Revenue per load

  $ 2,169     $ 2,169  

Average tractors during the period *

    4,502       3,916  
                 

Tractors (end of period)

               

Company-owned

    3,916       3,448  

Independent contractor

    761       646  

Total tractors

    4,677       4,094  
                 

Net change in trailing equipment during the period

    7,319       7,017  

Trailing equipment (end of period)

    73,298       65,979  

Average effective trailing equipment usage

    68,683       60,612  
                 
                 

Dedicated

               
                 

Loads

    2,101,707       1,835,872  

Average length of haul

    177       190  

Revenue per truck per week**

  $ 4,098     $ 4,109  

Average trucks during the period***

    6,641       5,865  
                 

Trucks (end of period)

               

Company-owned

    6,425       5,805  

Independent contractor

    7       10  

Customer-owned (Dedicated operated)

    448       592  

Total trucks

    6,880       6,407  
                 

Trailing equipment (end of period)

    20,516       19,062  

Average effective trailing equipment usage

    20,927       19,229  
                 
                 

Integrated Capacity Solutions

               
                 

Loads

    453,410       388,987  

Revenue per load

  $ 1,584     $ 1,380  

Gross profit margin

    13.0 %     11.8 %

Employee count (end of period)

    582       503  

Approximate number of third-party carriers (end of period)

    39,100       34,600  
                 
                 

Truck

               
                 

Loads

    370,555       386,875  

Average length of haul

    411       431  

Loaded miles (000)

    151,725       165,543  

Total miles (000)

    179,036       194,046  

Average nonpaid empty miles per load

    71.8       73.3  

Revenue per tractor per week**

  $ 4,068     $ 3,828  

Average tractors during the period*

    1,868       2,007  
                 

Tractors (end of period)

               

Company-owned

    1,296       1,200  

Independent contractor

    590       657  

Total tractors

    1,886       1,857  
                 

Trailers (end of period)

    7,215       6,828  

Average effective trailing equipment usage

    5,891       6,877  

 

* Includes company-owned and independent contractor tractors

** Using weighted workdays

*** Includes company-owned, independent contractor, and customer-owned trucks

 

 
 

 

 

J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

 

    December 31, 2014     December 31, 2013  

ASSETS

               

Current assets:

               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 5,961     $ 5,831  

Accounts Receivable

    653,795       568,519  

Prepaid expenses and other

    201,743       105,853  

Deferred income taxes

    18,631       -  

Total current assets

    880,130       680,203  

Property and equipment

    3,719,757       3,259,814  

Less accumulated depreciation

    1,237,225       1,147,610  

Net property and equipment

    2,482,532       2,112,204  

Other assets

    34,455       26,997  
    $ 3,397,117     $ 2,819,404  
                 
                 

LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

               

Current liabilities:

               

Current debt

  $ 250,000     $ 250,000  

Trade accounts payable

    325,838       305,465  

Claims accruals

    96,719       68,221  

Accrued payroll

    80,547       72,063  

Other accrued expenses

    17,966       14,062  

Deferred income taxes

    -       2,485  

Total current liabilities

    771,070       712,296  
                 

Long-term debt

    683,539       458,417  

Other long-term liabilities

    59,561       58,274  

Deferred income taxes

    678,424       577,965  

Stockholders' equity

    1,204,523       1,012,452  
    $ 3,397,117     $ 2,819,404  

 

 

Supplemental Data

(unaudited)

             
   

December 31, 2014

   

December 31, 2013

 
                 

Actual shares outstanding at end of period (000)

    116,575       117,241  
                 

Book value per actual share outstanding at end of period

  $ 10.33     $ 8.64  
                 
                 
                 
   

Twelve Months Ended December 31

 
   

2014

   

2013

 
                 

Net cash provided by operating activities (000)

  $ 646,779     $ 574,351  
                 

Net capital expenditures (000)

  $ 659,710     $ 442,504