8-K

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.   20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report  (Date of earliest event reported):
October 13, 2006

J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

Arkansas	0-11757	71-0335111
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF	(Commission File Number)	(IRS EMPLOYER
INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)		IDENTIFICATION NO.)
615 J.B. Hunt Corporate Drive
Lowell, Arkansas	72745	(479) 820-0000
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)	(ZIP CODE)	(Registrant’s telephone number)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

oWritten communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

oSoliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

oPre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

oPre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

ITEM 2.02.  RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION.

On October 13, 2006, we issued a news release announcing our revenues and earnings for the third quarter ended September 30, 2006.  A copy of the news release is attached as an exhibit to this Form 8-K.

ITEM 9.01.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

Exhibit 99.1     News release issued by J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. on October 13, 2006.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Lowell, Arkansas, on the 13th day of October 2006.

J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.
BY:	/s/ Kirk Thompson
	Kirk Thompson
	President and Chief Executive Officer
BY:	/s/ Jerry W. Walton
	Jerry W. Walton
	Executive Vice President, Finance and
	Administration,
	Chief Financial Officer
BY:	/s/ Donald G. Cope
	Donald G. Cope
	Senior Vice President, Controller,
	Chief Accounting Officer

2

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.	Contact:  Kirk Thompson
615 J.B. Hunt Corporate Drive	President and
Lowell, Arkansas 72745	Chief Executive Officer
(NASDAQ: JBHT)	(479) 820-8110

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

J. B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC. REPORTS RECORD REVENUES AND EARNINGS
FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 2006

·Third Quarter 2006 Revenue:                          $858 million; up 7%

·Third Quarter 2006 Operating Income:          $100 million; up 11%*

·Third Quarter 2006 EPS:                                  39 cents vs. 35 cents *

                (*3Q05 operating income and EPS excludes a charge)

LOWELL, ARKANSAS, October 13, 2006 - J. B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., (NASDAQ:JBHT) announced record third quarter 2006 net earnings of $57.8 million, or diluted earnings per share of 39 cents vs. 2005 third quarter earnings of $39.8 million, or 25 cents per diluted share.  Third quarter 2005 EPS included a 10 cent per share charge, net of income taxes, for settlement of an arbitration claim.

Total operating revenue for the current quarter was $858 million, a 7% increase over the $801 million for the third quarter of 2005.  This increase in operating revenue was primarily attributable to growth in the fleet from 11,752 trucks in the third quarter of 2005 to 12,106 in the third quarter of 2006.  Containers and trailers grew from 49,598 to 51,889 over the same period.  The growth in the fleet was to support additional intermodal and dedicated business.  Freight rates and fuel surcharges were also higher compared with a year ago.

Operating income, excluding the 2005 arbitration claim of $25.8 million, for the current quarter increased 11% to $100 million vs. $91 million for the third quarter of 2005.  Intermodal’s operating margin, excluding the arbitration claim, expanded vs. the same quarter a year ago by 73 basis points and Dedicated Contract Services’ (DCS) operating margin improved by 180 basis points over the same quarter last year.  Truck saw a decline in the operating margin when compared to last year’s third quarter by 120 basis points.

“Demonstrating the power and balance of our economic model, outstanding results in our Intermodal and DCS segments more than offset lower operating income from our Truck segment, resulting in a 36 basis point improvement in the operating ratio.  In fact, 70% of our revenue and 77% of our operating income in the quarter was from non-traditional truckload services.  Despite moderating demand in the freight sectors that are particularly sensitive to interest rates, such as residential construction and autos, our business continues to produce strong returns and excellent cash flow”, said Kirk Thompson, JBHT President and CEO.

Segment Information:

Intermodal (JBI)

·Third Quarter 2006 Segment Revenue:                 $366 million; up 12%

·Third Quarter 2006 Operating Income:                $46.4 million; up 18%

Intermodal results reflect $46.4 million of operating income, up 18% when compared to the pre- arbitration results of $39.1 million ($13.3 million after the charge) in the third quarter of 2005.   Revenue growth was the result of continued steady load volume growth in excess of 4%.   Rate per mile was 4.4% higher than the same period a year ago.  The freight mix reflected a slightly shorter length of haul this period as the Company added services in lanes that in the past were more traditional truck lanes.  This trend is expected to continue as rail service continues to improve and shippers seek lower cost alternatives.  Rail purchased transportation costs and delivery costs, though higher than the same quarter a year ago, were in line with expectations.  Fixed costs comparisons were favorable over the same period in 2005.

Dedicated Contract Services (DCS)

·Third Quarter 2006 Segment Revenue:               $239 million; up 9%

·Third Quarter 2006 Operating Income:              $30.8 million; up 26%

DCS continued to add contract business in the current quarter for existing and new customers, resulting in the addition of 66 incremental units during the current quarter, increasing the total tractor fleet count by 284, compared to the third quarter of 2005.  The increase in revenue and operating income was impacted by the contribution of several new accounts emerging from start-up status along with continued focus on base business improvement.  Revenue per truck increased 5% in the current quarter.  Utilization decreased 2.3% and empty miles rose 160 basis points due to moderating demand.   An expected rise in maintenance expenses associated with an older tractor fleet and an unanticipated increase in employee health claims were offset by another solid performance in safety claims and sharply lower fuel prices toward the end of the quarter.

Truck (JBT)

·Third Quarter 2006 Segment Revenue:              $259 million; up 0.3%

·Third Quarter 2006 Operating Income:             $24.1 million; down 11%

Truck was able to deliver a good operating profit despite softer demand in the freight environment and difficult comparisons caused by storm relief efforts in the third quarter of 2005 and a late start to the typical fall peak season.  Rates from consistent shippers continued to increase, growing by 5.9 cents per mile or approximately 3.5%, while rates from unplanned activity (spot pricing, back-up pricing and paid deadhead) fell 6.4 cents per mile, or 3%, vs. the same quarter in 2005.  To combat a shortage of drivers, significant modifications to driver pay plans were made early in the quarter.  The higher driver pay without the expected seasonal pick-up in business negatively impacted operating profit.

Cash Flow and Capitalization:

During the third quarter of 2006, 3.2 million shares of JBHT stock were purchased at a cost of approximately $67 million.  During the quarter a number of trailers that had been leased were purchased by borrowing $100 million.  At the beginning of 2006, $124 million was owed on credit facilities.  As of September 30, 2006, $380 million was owed.

This press release contains 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, 2005. 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 related information will be available immediately to interested parties at 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
	2006				2005
			% Of				% Of
	Amount		Revenue		Amount		Revenue
Operating revenues, excluding fuel surcharge revenues	$	734,139			$	710,936
Fuel surcharge revenues	124,126				90,204
Total operating revenues	858,265		100.0	%	801,140		100.0	%
Operating expenses
Salaries, wages and employee benefits	229,668		26.8	%	218,487		27.3	%
Rents and purchased transportation	288,096		33.6	%	265,951		33.2	%
Fuel and fuel taxes	119,663		13.9	%	104,234		13.0	%
Depreciation and amortization	45,812		5.3	%	41,108		5.1	%
Operating supplies and expenses	37,028		4.3	%	35,535		4.4	%
Insurance and claims	14,325		1.7	%	14,117		1.8	%
Operating taxes and licenses	8,829		1.0	%	9,178		1.1	%
General and administrative expenses, net of gains	8,482		1.0	%	15,943		2.0	%
Communication and utilities	5,873		0.7	%	5,684		0.7	%
Arbitration settlement	—		—		25,801		3.2	%
Total operating expenses	757,776		88.3	%	736,038		91.9	%
Operating income	100,489		11.7	%	65,102		8.1	%
Net interest expense	5,156		0.6	%	1,388		0.2	%
Equity in loss of associated companies	523		0.1	%	856		0.1	%
Earnings before income taxes	94,810		11.0	%	62,858		7.8	%
Income taxes	36,976		4.3	%	23,015		2.9	%
Net earnings	$	57,834	6.7	%	$	39,843	5.0	%
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding	148,680				161,174
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.39			$	0.25

J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)

	Nine Months Ended September 30
	2006				2005
			% Of				% Of
	Amount		Revenue		Amount		Revenue
Operating revenues, excluding fuel surcharge revenues	$	2,148,215			$	2,049,694
Fuel surcharge revenues	328,204				219,830
Total operating revenues	2,476,419		100.0	%	2,269,524		100.0	%
Operating expenses
Salaries, wages and employee benefits	668,295		27.0	%	633,025		27.9	%
Rents and purchased transportation	837,225		33.8	%	758,326		33.4	%
Fuel and fuel taxes	339,446		13.7	%	276,612		12.2	%
Depreciation and amortization	133,862		5.4	%	120,448		5.3	%
Operating supplies and expenses	108,599		4.4	%	98,399		4.3	%
Insurance and claims	42,125		1.7	%	38,947		1.7	%
Operating taxes and licenses	25,921		1.0	%	27,393		1.2	%
General and administrative expenses, net of gains	26,356		1.1	%	36,470		1.6	%
Communication and utilities	17,304		0.7	%	16,828		0.7	%
Arbitration settlement	—		—		25,801		1.1	%
Total operating expenses	2,199,133		88.8	%	2,032,249		89.5	%
Operating income	277,286		11.2	%	237,275		10.5	%
Net interest expense	8,726		0.4	%	4,000		0.2	%
Equity in loss of associated companies	2,744		0.1	%	2,991		0.1	%
Earnings before income taxes	265,816		10.7	%	230,284		10.1	%
Income taxes	103,668		4.2	%	88,311		3.9	%
Net earnings	$	162,148	6.5	%	$	141,973	6.3	%
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding	153,816				163,674
Diluted earnings per share	$	1.05			$	0.87

Financial Information By Segment

(unaudited)

	Three Months Ended September 30
	2006					2005
	Dollar			% Of		Dollar			% Of
	Amounts			Total		Amounts			Total
	(000)					(000)
Revenue
Intermodal	$	366,470		43	%	$	328,337		42	%
Dedicated	238,576			28	%	218,743			27	%
Truck	259,148			30	%	258,481			32	%
Subtotal	864,194			101	%	805,561			101	%
Intersegment eliminations	(5,929		)	(1	)%	(4,421		)	(1	)%
Consolidated revenue	$	858,265		100	%	$	801,140		100	%
Operating income
Intermodal	$	46,358		46	%	$	13,336		21	%
Dedicated	30,817			31	%	24,385			37	%
Truck	24,140			24	%	27,104			42	%
Other (1)	(826		)	(1	)%	277			0	%
Operating income	$	100,489		100	%	$	65,102		100	%

	Nine Months Ended September 30
	2006					2005
	Dollar			% Of		Dollar			% Of
	Amounts			Total		Amounts			Total
	(000)					(000)
Revenue
Intermodal	$	1,043,301		42	%	$	924,833		41	%
Dedicated	681,757			28	%	622,039			27	%
Truck	768,369			31	%	736,363			33	%
Subtotal	2,493,427			101	%	2,283,235			101	%
Intersegment eliminations	(17,008		)	(1	)%	(13,711		)	(1	)%
Consolidated revenue	$	2,476,419		100	%	$	2,269,524		100	%
Operating income
Intermodal	$	125,651		45	%	$	86,362		37	%
Dedicated	79,577			29	%	71,496			30	%
Truck	71,983			26	%	78,572			33	%
Other (1)	75			0	%	845			0	%
Operating income	$	277,286		100	%	$	237,275		100	%

(1) Includes corporate support activity

Operating Statistics by Segment
(unaudited)

	Three Months Ended September 30
	2006		2005
Intermodal (JBI)
Loads	158,188		151,556
Average length of haul	1,980		2,007
Revenue per load	$	2,317	$	2,166
Average tractors during the period *	1,527		1,283
Tractors (end of period)
Company owned	1,518		1,294
Independent contractor	19		7
Total Tractors	1,537		1,301
Containers (end of period)	26,263		23,629
Average effective trailing equipment usage	25,433		23,176
Dedicated (DCS)
Loads	353,378		346,936
Average length of haul	261		266
Revenue per truck per week **	$	3,553	$	3,402
Average trucks during the period ***	5,230		4,985
Trucks (end of period)
Company owned	5,070		4,723
Independent contractor	125		173
Customer owned (DCS Operated)	72		87
Total Trucks	5,267		4,983
Trailers (end of period)	6,519		6,286
Average effective trailing equipment usage	12,572		11,980
Truck (JBT)
Loads	224,805		226,103
Average length of haul	527		558
Loaded miles (000)	115,886		125,188
Total miles (000)	130,718		140,655
Average non-paid empty miles per load	66.1		63.2
Revenue per tractor per week **	$	3,817	$	3,710
Average tractors during the period *	5,300		5,409
Tractors (end of period)
Company owned	4,358		4,496
Independent contractor	944		972
Total Tractors	5,302		5,468
Trailers (end of period)	19,107		19,683
Average effective trailing equipment usage	13,412		14,138

* 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
	2006		2005
Intermodal (JBI)
Loads	461,770		441,035
Average length of haul	1,991		2,006
Revenue per load	$	2,259	$	2,097
Average tractors during the period *	1,458		1,235
Tractors (end of period)
Company owned	1,518		1,294
Independent contractor	19		7
Total Tractors	1,537		1,301
Containers (end of period)	26,263		23,629
Average effective trailing equipment usage	24,567		22,667
Dedicated (DCS)
Loads	1,026,993		1,014,086
Average length of haul	265		264
Revenue per truck per week **	$	3,460	$	3,221
Average trucks during the period ***	5,118		5,006
Trucks (end of period)
Company owned	5,070		4,723
Independent contractor	125		173
Customer owned (DCS Operated)	72		87
Total Trucks	5,267		4,983
Trailers (end of period)	6,519		6,286
Average effective trailing equipment usage	12,486		11,854
Truck (JBT)
Loads	676,961		678,901
Average length of haul	535		551
Loaded miles (000)	354,464		370,775
Total miles (000)	397,720		414,026
Average non-paid empty miles per load	63.6		62.1
Revenue per tractor per week **	$	3,715	$	3,535
Average tractors during the period *	5,382		5,416
Tractors (end of period)
Company owned	4,358		4,496
Independent contractor	944		972
Total Tractors	5,302		5,468
Trailers (end of period)	19,107		19,683
Average effective trailing equipment usage	13,609		14,388

* 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, 2006		December 31, 2005
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	18,076	$	7,412
Accounts receivable	343,473		343,501
Prepaid expenses and other	77,747		123,777
Total current assets	439,296		474,690
Property and equipment	1,856,699		1,591,561
Less accumulated depreciation	600,596		537,502
Net property and equipment	1,256,103		1,054,059
Other assets	15,411		20,125
	$	1,710,810	$	1,548,874
LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current debt	$	214,000	$	—
Trade accounts payable	177,251		162,749
Claims accruals	19,629		15,651
Accrued payroll	52,320		61,001
Other accrued expenses	9,062		9,198
Deferred income taxes	6,034		27,487
Total current liabilities	478,296		276,086
Long-term debt	166,000		124,000
Other long-term liabilities	58,103		45,834
Deferred income taxes	305,301		285,929
Stockholders’ equity	703,110		817,025
	$	1,710,810	$	1,548,874

Supplemental Data

(unaudited)

	September 30, 2006		December 31, 2005
Actual shares outstanding at end of period (000)	144,292		153,813
Book value per actual share outstanding at end of period	$	4.87	$	5.31