EX-99.1 2 a06-21261_1ex99d1.htm EX-99

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