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8-K - FORM 8-K - HUNT J B TRANSPORT SERVICES INCjbht20171016_8k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

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 EARNINGS FOR THE THIRD QUARTER 2017

 

■    Third Quarter 2017 Revenue:                    $1.84 billion; up 9%

■    Third Quarter 2017 Operating Income:   $165 million; down 10%

■    Third Quarter 2017 EPS:                            91 cents vs. 97 cents

 

LOWELL, ARKANSAS, October 13, 2017 - J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., (NASDAQ:JBHT) announced third quarter 2017 net earnings of $100.4 million, or diluted earnings per share of 91 cents vs. third quarter 2016 net earnings of $109.4 million, or 97 cents per diluted share.

 

Total operating revenue for the current quarter was $1.84 billion, compared with $1.69 billion for the third quarter 2016. Load growth of 6% in Intermodal (JBI), a 14% increase in revenue producing trucks and improved asset productivity in Dedicated Contract Services (DCS)™ and a 17% increase in revenue per load in Integrated Capacity Solutions (ICS) contributed to the increase in consolidated revenue compared to prior year. Operating revenue growth was partially offset by a 7% decrease in load count in the Truck (JBT) business segment and the disruption caused by hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. Current quarter total operating revenue, excluding fuel surcharges, increased 8% vs. the comparable quarter 2016.

 

Operating income for the current quarter totaled $165 million vs. $183 million for the third quarter 2016. Operating income decreased from third quarter 2016 primarily from increases in driver wages and recruiting costs, increased rail purchase transportation rates, higher insurance and claims costs, increased legal and consulting costs, higher equipment maintenance costs and acquisition and integration costs incurred by DCS with the purchase of Special Logistics Dedicated (SLD) that closed during the quarter.

 

Interest expense in the current quarter increased primarily from higher debt balances and higher interest rates compared to third quarter 2016. The effective income tax rate for the current quarter is 35.9%, compared to 38% in the third quarter 2016. We expect our 2017 annual tax rate to be approximately 35%.

 

 

Segment Information:

 

Intermodal (JBI)

    Third Quarter 2017 Segment Revenue:    $1.05 billion; up 8%

    Third Quarter 2017 Operating Income:    $109.1 million; down 7%

 

Overall volumes increased 6% over the same period in 2016. The Eastern network realized load growth of 2% and Transcontinental loads grew 8% over the third quarter 2016. The network disruption caused from hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria limited our ability to handle approximately 5,500 loads in the current period. Revenue increased 8% reflecting the 6% volume growth and an approximate 2% increase in revenue per load, which is the combination of changes in customer rate, freight mix and fuel surcharges. Revenue per load excluding fuel surcharges was flat compared to third quarter 2016.

 

 

 

 

Operating income decreased 7% over prior year. Benefits from improved volumes were offset by increased costs to attract, place and retain drivers; higher insurance and claims costs; increases in rail purchased transportation rates; increases in costs from inefficiencies due to rail congestion, rationalization and maintenance; and approximately $1.8 million in additional costs and inefficiencies in the dray and rail networks in areas directly affected by natural disasters. The current period ended with approximately 87,000 units of trailing capacity and 5,500 power units assigned to the dray fleet.

 

 

Dedicated Contract Services (DCS)

■    Third Quarter 2017 Segment Revenue:     $438 million; up 11%

    Third Quarter 2017 Operating Income:    $42.9 million; down 18%

 

DCS revenue increased 11% during the current quarter over the same period in 2016. Productivity (revenue per truck per week) increased by approximately 2% vs. 2016. Productivity excluding fuel surcharge revenue was flat from a year ago. Increased revenue from better integration of assets between customer accounts and customer rate increases was partially offset by lower productivity at new contracts implemented during the current quarter. A net additional 1,024 revenue producing trucks, 621 net additions sequentially from second quarter 2017 including 328 acquired in the SLD purchase, were in the fleet by the end of the quarter. Approximately 63% of these additions represent private fleet conversions versus traditional dedicated capacity services. Customer retention rates remain above 98%.

 

Operating income decreased by 18% from a year ago primarily from the timing between increasing driver wages and recovery through customer contracts, increased driver recruiting costs including the length of time to fill open trucks, increased insurance and claims costs, increased salaries and benefits costs, higher equipment ownership costs and approximately $1 million of excess costs associated with operations in the hurricane affected regions compared to the same period in 2016. During the current period, DCS incurred approximately $3 million in acquisition costs and $1.5 million in intangible asset amortization due to the purchase of SLD.

 

 

Integrated Capacity Solutions (ICS)

   Third Quarter 2017 Segment Revenue:     $269 million; up 16%

■   Third Quarter 2017 Operating Income:    $ 7.3 million; down 14%

 

ICS revenue increased 16% in the current quarter vs. the third quarter 2016. Revenue per load increased 17% from increased spot market activity while load volumes decreased 1% vs third quarter 2016. While continuing to meet our customer commitments, increased spot market activity created a better balance between contractual and spot revenues. Contractual volumes represented approximately 65% of total load volume and 48% of total revenue in the current quarter compared to 75% and 64%, respectively, in third quarter 2016.

 

Operating income decreased 14% over the same period 2016. Gross profit margin was flat at 12.8% compared to the prior year as continued compression of gross margins in contractual business offset improvements in spot market gross margins. Higher year over year technology development costs and a higher number of branches open less than two years (23 vs.15) more than offset the increased revenue compared to a year ago. Total location count grew to 44 compared to 40 at the end of third quarter last year. ICS’s carrier base increased 10% and the employee count increased 17% vs. third quarter 2016.

 

 

 

 

Truck (JBT)

   Third Quarter 2017 Segment Revenue:    $ 93 million; down 5%

   Third Quarter 2017 Operating Income:    $ 5.7 million; up 12%

 

JBT revenue was down 5% from the same period in 2016. Revenue excluding fuel surcharge decreased 6%, primarily from a 7% decrease in load count from third quarter 2016. Revenue per load increased approximately 1% due to a 4% increase in rates per loaded mile offset by a 3% decrease in length of haul compared to a year ago. Comparable contractual customer rates were flat compared to the same period in 2016. At the end of the period, JBT operated 2,040 tractors compared to 2,183 a year ago.

 

Operating income increased 12% compared to third quarter 2016. Favorable changes from higher rates per loaded mile and lower insurance and claims costs were partially offset by increased driver wages and independent contractor costs per mile, a decrease in fleet size, lower tractor utilization from an increase in unseated trucks and higher equipment maintenance costs compared to third quarter 2016.

 

 

 

Cash Flow and Capitalization:

 

At September 30, 2017, we had a total of $1.08 billion outstanding on various debt instruments compared to $944 million at September 30, 2016 and $986 million at December 31, 2016.

 

Our net capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 approximated $330 million compared to $359 million for the same period 2016. At September 30, 2017, we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $7.7 million. Other assets include approximately $55-$65 million of amortizable intangible assets related to the purchase of SLD.

 

We had no purchases of our common stock during the third quarter 2017. At September 30,2017, we had approximately $521 million remaining under our combined share repurchase authorizations. Actual shares outstanding at September 30, 2017 approximated 110 million.

 

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, 2016. 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 September 30

 
   

2017

   

2016

 
           

% Of

           

% Of

 
   

Amount

   

Revenue

   

Amount

   

Revenue

 
                                 

Operating revenues, excluding fuel surcharge revenues

  $ 1,657,380             $ 1,538,701          

Fuel surcharge revenues

    185,954               151,958          

Total operating revenues

    1,843,334       100.0%       1,690,659       100.0%  
                                 

Operating expenses

                               

Rents and purchased transportation

    947,145       51.4%       846,238       50.1%  

Salaries, wages and employee benefits

    408,340       22.2%       374,517       22.2%  

Depreciation and amortization

    95,959       5.2%       91,001       5.4%  

Fuel and fuel taxes

    87,006       4.7%       74,179       4.4%  

Operating supplies and expenses

    67,578       3.7%       62,191       3.7%  

Insurance and claims

    26,463       1.4%       21,862       1.3%  

General and administrative expenses, net of asset dispositions

    29,389       1.6%       21,025       1.1%  

Operating taxes and licenses

    10,744       0.6%       11,665       0.7%  

Communication and utilities

    5,738       0.3%       5,004       0.3%  

Total operating expenses

    1,678,362       91.1%       1,507,682       89.2%  

Operating income

    164,972       8.9%       182,977       10.8%  

Net interest expense

    8,310       0.4%       6,485       0.4%  

Earnings before income taxes

    156,662       8.5%       176,492       10.4%  

Income taxes

    56,277       3.1%       67,067       3.9%  

Net earnings

  $ 100,385       5.4%     $ 109,425       6.5%  

Average diluted shares outstanding

    110,628               113,363          

Diluted earnings per share

  $ 0.91             $ 0.97          

 

 

J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings

(in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

 

   

Nine Months Ended September 30

 
   

2017

   

2016

 
           

% Of

           

% Of

 
   

Amount

   

Revenue

   

Amount

   

Revenue

 
                                 

Operating revenues, excluding fuel surcharge revenues

  $ 4,670,200             $ 4,448,709          

Fuel surcharge revenues

    529,208               385,688          

Total operating revenues

    5,199,408       100.0%       4,834,397       100.0%  
                                 

Operating expenses

                               

Rents and purchased transportation

    2,624,707       50.5%       2,381,547       49.3%  

Salaries, wages and employee benefits

    1,178,524       22.7%       1,108,997       22.9%  

Depreciation and amortization

    281,198       5.4%       269,717       5.6%  

Fuel and fuel taxes

    246,725       4.7%       205,082       4.2%  

Operating supplies and expenses

    190,085       3.7%       173,222       3.6%  

Insurance and claims

    76,930       1.5%       58,384       1.2%  

General and administrative expenses, net of asset dispositions

    74,597       1.4%       61,570       1.3%  

Operating taxes and licenses

    32,329       0.6%       34,156       0.7%  

Communication and utilities

    16,337       0.3%       15,063       0.3%  

Total operating expenses

    4,721,432       90.8%       4,307,738       89.1%  

Operating income

    477,976       9.2%       526,659       10.9%  

Net interest expense

    22,521       0.4%       19,347       0.4%  

Earnings before income taxes

    455,455       8.8%       507,312       10.5%  

Income taxes

    154,499       3.0%       192,778       4.0%  

Net earnings

  $ 300,956       5.8%     $ 314,534       6.5%  

Average diluted shares outstanding

    111,154               113,709          

Diluted earnings per share

  $ 2.71             $ 2.77          

 

 

 

 

Financial Information By Segment

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

 

   

Three Months Ended September 30

 
   

2017

   

2016

 
           

% Of

           

% Of

 
   

Amount

   

Total

   

Amount

   

Total

 
                                 

Revenue

                               
                                 

Intermodal

  $ 1,048,187       57%     $ 969,654       57%  

Dedicated

    437,521       24%       393,770       23%  

Integrated Capacity Solutions

    269,451       14%       233,022       14%  

Truck

    92,632       5%       97,154       6%  

Subtotal

    1,847,791       100%       1,693,600       100%  

Intersegment eliminations

    (4,457 )     (0%)       (2,941 )     (0%)  

Consolidated revenue

  $ 1,843,334       100%     $ 1,690,659       100%  
                                 
                                 

Operating income

                               
                                 

Intermodal

  $ 109,130       66%     $ 116,885       64%  

Dedicated

    42,867       26%       52,463       28%  

Integrated Capacity Solutions

    7,291       4%       8,516       5%  

Truck

    5,713       4%       5,080       3%  

Other (1)

    (29 )     (0%)       33       0%  

Operating income

  $ 164,972       100%     $ 182,977       100%  

 

 

 

 

   

Nine Months Ended September 30

 
   

2017

   

2016

 
           

% Of

           

% Of

 
   

Amount

   

Total

   

Amount

   

Total

 

Revenue

                               
                                 

Intermodal

  $ 2,986,746       57%     $ 2,798,284       58%  

Dedicated

    1,241,899       24%       1,134,861       23%  

Integrated Capacity Solutions

    701,335       14%       619,956       13%  

Truck

    280,895       5%       291,468       6%  

Subtotal

    5,210,875       100%       4,844,569       100%  

Intersegment eliminations

    (11,467 )     (0%)       (10,172 )     (0%)  

Consolidated revenue

  $ 5,199,408       100%     $ 4,834,397       100%  
                                 
                                 

Operating income

                               
                                 

Intermodal

  $ 314,105       66%     $ 325,625       62%  

Dedicated

    136,195       29%       147,700       28%  

Integrated Capacity Solutions

    11,520       2%       30,186       6%  

Truck

    16,216       3%       23,112       4%  

Other (1)

    (60 )     (0%)       36       0%  

Operating income

  $ 477,976       100%     $ 526,659       100%  

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes corporate support activity

 

 

 

 

Operating Statistics by Segment

(unaudited)

 

   

Three Months Ended September 30

 
   

2017

   

2016

 
                 

Intermodal

               
                 

Loads

    516,260       489,109  

Average length of haul

    1,685       1,662  

Revenue per load

  $ 2,030     $ 1,983  

Average tractors during the period *

    5,461       5,279  
                 

Tractors (end of period)

               

Company-owned

    4,768       4,568  

Independent contractor

    773       714  

Total tractors

    5,541       5,282  
                 

Net change in trailing equipment during the period

    1,724       1,578  

Trailing equipment (end of period)

    87,305       82,821  

Average effective trailing equipment usage

    86,622       79,107  
                 
                 

Dedicated

               
                 

Loads

    655,881       607,876  

Average length of haul

    177       177  

Revenue per truck per week**

  $ 4,196     $ 4,120  

Average trucks during the period***

    8,105       7,357  
                 

Trucks (end of period)

               

Company-owned

    7,792       6,936  

Independent contractor

    55       22  

Customer-owned (Dedicated operated)

    549       414  

Total trucks

    8,396       7,372  
                 

Trailing equipment (end of period)

    24,524       22,391  

Average effective trailing equipment usage

    24,914       22,939  
                 
                 

Integrated Capacity Solutions

               
                 

Loads

    236,796       239,399  

Revenue per load

  $ 1,138     $ 973  

Gross profit margin

    12.8 %     12.8 %

Employee count (end of period)

    899       769  

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

    54,900       50,100  
                 
                 

Truck

               
                 

Loads

    90,520       97,052  

Average length of haul

    437       453  

Loaded miles (000)

    39,516       43,865  

Total miles (000)

    47,292       52,317  

Average nonpaid empty miles per load

    86.0       87.2  

Revenue per tractor per week**

  $ 3,524     $ 3,468  

Average tractors during the period *

    2,055       2,162  
                 

Tractors (end of period)

               

Company-owned

    1,340       1,384  

Independent contractor

    700       799  

Total tractors

    2,040       2,183  
                 

Trailers (end of period)

    7,538       7,572  

Average effective trailing equipment usage

    7,099       7,083  

 

 

* Includes company-owned and independent contractor tractors

** Using weighted workdays

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

 

 

 

 

Operating Statistics by Segment

(unaudited)

 

   

Nine Months Ended September 30

 
   

2017

   

2016

 
                 

Intermodal

               
                 

Loads

    1,484,138       1,424,733  

Average length of haul

    1,680       1,648  

Revenue per load

  $ 2,012     $ 1,964  

Average tractors during the period *

    5,301       5,206  
                 

Tractors (end of period)

               

Company-owned

    4,768       4,568  

Independent contractor

    773       714  

Total tractors

    5,541       5,282  
                 

Net change in trailing equipment during the period

    2,711       3,864  

Trailing equipment (end of period)

    87,305       82,821  

Average effective trailing equipment usage

    85,719       75,702  
                 
                 

Dedicated

               
                 

Loads

    1,888,770       1,794,432  

Average length of haul

    178       175  

Revenue per truck per week**

  $ 4,156     $ 4,021  

Average trucks during the period***

    7,737       7,280  
                 

Trucks (end of period)

               

Company-owned

    7,792       6,936  

Independent contractor

    55       22  

Customer-owned (Dedicated operated)

    549       414  

Total trucks

    8,396       7,372  
                 

Trailing equipment (end of period)

    24,524       22,391  

Average effective trailing equipment usage

    24,126       22,657  
                 
                 

Integrated Capacity Solutions

               
                 

Loads

    714,923       614,334  

Revenue per load

  $ 981     $ 1,009  

Gross profit margin

    12.9 %     14.9 %

Employee count (end of period)

    899       769  

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

    54,900       50,100  
                 
                 

Truck

               
                 

Loads

    283,053       288,392  

Average length of haul

    435       460  

Loaded miles (000)

    123,080       132,562  

Total miles (000)

    147,227       157,526  

Average nonpaid empty miles per load

    86.1       86.6  

Revenue per tractor per week**

  $ 3,484     $ 3,432  

Average tractors during the period*

    2,103       2,202  
                 

Tractors (end of period)

               

Company-owned

    1,340       1,384  

Independent contractor

    700       799  

Total tractors

    2,040       2,183  
                 

Trailers (end of period)

    7,538       7,572  

Average effective trailing equipment usage

    7,165       6,846  

 

 

* 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)

 

   

September 30, 2017

   

December 31, 2016

 

ASSETS

               

Current assets:

               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 7,707     $ 6,377  

Accounts receivable

    858,720       745,288  

Prepaid expenses and other

    140,164       194,016  

Total current assets

    1,006,591       945,681  

Property and equipment

    4,507,917       4,258,915  

Less accumulated depreciation

    1,632,108       1,440,124  

Net property and equipment

    2,875,809       2,818,791  

Other assets

    171,523       64,516  
    $ 4,053,923     $ 3,828,988  
                 
                 

LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

               

Current liabilities:

               

Trade accounts payable

  $ 493,585     $ 384,308  

Claims accruals

    117,645       109,745  

Accrued payroll

    47,514       51,929  

Other accrued expenses

    23,011       27,152  

Total current liabilities

    681,755       573,134  
                 

Long-term debt

    1,084,801       986,278  

Other long-term liabilities

    68,564       64,881  

Deferred income taxes

    746,833       790,634  

Stockholders' equity

    1,471,970       1,414,061  
    $ 4,053,923     $ 3,828,988  

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

(unaudited)

 

   

September 30, 2017

   

December 31, 2016

 
                 

Actual shares outstanding at end of period (000)

    109,752       111,305  
                 

Book value per actual share outstanding at end of period

  $ 13.41     $ 12.70  

 

 

 

   

Nine Months Ended September 30

 
   

2017

   

2016

 
                 

Net cash provided by operating activities (000)

  $ 628,549     $ 683,963  
                 

Net capital expenditures (000)

  $ 329,775     $ 358,754