EX-99.1 2 a07-11581_1ex99d1.htm 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 REVENUES AND EARNINGS
FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2007

·

 

First Quarter 2007 Revenue:

 

$797 million; up 2%

 

·

 

First Quarter 2007 Operating Income:

 

$80 million; down 1%

 

·

 

First Quarter 2007 EPS:

 

30 cents vs. 31 cents

 

LOWELL, ARKANSAS, April 16, 2007 - J. B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., (NASDAQ:JBHT) announced first quarter 2007 net earnings of $44.2 million, or diluted earnings per share of 30 cents vs. 2006 first quarter earnings of $49.0 million, or 31 cents per diluted share.

Total operating revenue for the current quarter was $797 million, a 2% increase from the $780 million for the first quarter of 2006.  The increase in operating revenue was primarily attributable to growth in our Intermodal, Dedicated Contract Services (DCS) and Integrated Capacity Solutions (ICS) segments.  The combined tractor fleet grew from 11,925 in the first quarter of 2006 to 11,971 in the first quarter of 2007.  Containers and trailers grew from 50,215 to 54,814 over the same period.  The growth in the fleet was to support additional intermodal and dedicated business.

Operating income for the current quarter declined slightly to $80.4 million vs. $81.4 million for the first quarter of 2006.  Net interest expense increased significantly from $0.5 million in the first quarter of 2006 to $7.4 million in the first quarter of this year, primarily due to higher levels of debt.  These increased borrowings were related to our purchases of revenue equipment and treasury stock.  Our effective income tax rate increased to 39.1% in 2007, from 37.9% for the calendar year 2006, partially attributed to the adoption of a new accounting principle, FIN 48.

“During the first quarter of 2007, we experienced softer freight volumes in our Truck and Integrated Capacity Solutions segments, harsh winter weather that negatively impacted all our segments in February, the adoption of FIN 48 that resulted in a higher effective income tax rate and additional interest expense, and the write-off of unamortized fees from re-negotiation of previous credit facilities.  Despite those significant obstacles, we still produced an operating ratio under 90% and diluted EPS of 30 cents, which represents the second best EPS performance for a first quarter in our history,” said Kirk Thompson, JBHT President and CEO.




Segment Information:

Intermodal (JBI)

·

 

First Quarter 2007 Segment Revenue:

 

$354 million; up 9%

·

 

First Quarter 2007 Operating Income:

 

$46.6 million; up 30%

 

 

 

 

 

Intermodal segment revenue continued its steady expansion with load volume up more than 8% over the same period of 2006.  Freight mix changes continue to reduce overall length of haul; a trend which is expected to continue as customers partially redirect imports to eastern ports and we expand our focus on the shorter haul domestic market.  Fuel surcharge impact on revenue was marginally lower than the same quarter a year ago and price per loaded mile was 3.5% higher.

Operating expenses were in line with expectations as productivity improvements and cost reductions offset planned increases in driver wages and adverse winter weather. Rail service was consistent throughout the period with the exception of the impact of severe weather in the Midwest and Northeast for part of the quarter.

Dedicated Contract Services (DCS)

·

 

First Quarter 2007 Segment Revenue:

 

$224 million; up 6%

·

 

First Quarter 2007 Operating Income:

 

$22.0 million; down 4%

 

 

 

 

 

DCS revenue grew 6% primarily driven by an increase in average tractors of 256 versus the same quarter last year.  Revenue per truck per week increased less than 1%, as an increase in revenue per loaded mile of approximately 5% offset a decline in total utilization and an increase in empty miles.  The first quarter of 2007 was negatively impacted by severe winter weather resulting in higher towing and maintenance costs and increased engine idle time compared to the first quarter of 2006.  Casualty and workers compensation costs, measured as a percent of gross revenues, increased by 150 basis points, compared to the first quarter of 2006 primarily due to the severe winter weather. 

During the first quarter of 2007, we initiated new business representing 214 additional trucks while closing accounts representing 327 trucks.  The closed accounts were higher than in the past due to some plant closures and reduction of certain fleets providing more generic dedicated business.  These more generic or “value” fleets are a small part of our focus and now make up less than 10% of our truck count.  We are committed to growing our valued-added, dedicated business while achieving appropriate financial returns through disciplined pricing, operational execution and Customer Value Delivery®.  Demand for customized dedicated services remains strong and our growth plan for the year remains unchanged.

Truck (JBT)

·

 

First Quarter 2007 Segment Revenue:

 

$214 million; down 11%

·

 

First Quarter 2007 Operating Income:

 

$11.4 million; down 47%

 

 

 

 

 

Truck revenue declined 11%, on a 7% reduction in loads hauled compared to the same quarter a year ago, as demand was much softer in the quarter vs. last year.  At the end of the first quarter, the fleet was down 258 trucks, or 5%, compared to the first quarter of 2006.  Shippers issued requests for proposals at a rate more than three times the typical amount during a first quarter bid season.  Despite softer conditions, rate per loaded mile, excluding fuel surcharge, increased by 1% compared to last year.  Rates from consistent shippers continued to increase, growing by 1.8 cents per mile, or 1.1%, while rates from unplanned activity (spot pricing, back-up pricing and paid deadhead) fell 10% vs. the same quarter in 2006.

Weather played a significant role in February and March in the upper Midwest and Northeast, shutting trucks down for as long as two complete days because of ice and snow.  The weather also had a general attenuating effect on business levels by preventing spring seasonal merchandise from flowing until mid- to-late March.  Truck segment operating income for the current quarter totaled $11.4 million, compared with $21.4 million in 2006.




Integrated Capacity Solutions (ICS)

·

 

First Quarter 2006 Segment Revenue:

 

$13 million; up 26%

·

 

First Quarter 2006 Operating Income:

 

$0.5 million; down 46%

 

 

 

 

 

ICS provides non-asset and asset-light transportation solutions for our customers through relationships with over 4,000 third-party carriers and integration with JBHT equipment.  ICS encompasses a variety of product lines that include not only dry van, full-truckload carriage, but also flatbed, refrigerated and less-than-truckload solutions.  The financial results for ICS have previously been reported as part of the Truck segment.  Revenue for ICS increased 26% from 2006 on volume gains from both new and existing clients.  Operating income for the first quarter was in line with management expectations and reflects higher expenses of ramping up ICS staff, bolstering technology capabilities and redirecting corporate functions to support ICS.  ICS staff increased 112% during the first quarter of 2007, primarily in sales and operations, in anticipation of more rapid growth for the balance of 2007 and beyond.

Cash Flow and Capitalization:

Just under 4 million shares of treasury stock were purchased during the first quarter of 2007 for approximately $103 million, which completed the current stock repurchase authorization.   As of March 31, 2007, approximately $448 million was owed on our various credit facilities.

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, 2006. 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 amounts)

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31

 

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

Amount

 

% Of
Revenue

 

Amount

 

% Of
Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenues, excluding fuel surcharge revenues

 

$

706,472

 

 

 

$

690,035

 

 

 

 

Fuel surcharge revenues

 

90,979

 

 

 

89,865

 

 

 

 

Total operating revenues

 

797,451

 

100.0

%

779,900

 

100.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rents and purchased transportation

 

266,510

 

33.4

%

265,587

 

34.1

%

 

Salaries, wages and employee benefits

 

219,225

 

27.5

%

214,528

 

27.5

%

 

Fuel and fuel taxes

 

105,045

 

13.2

%

104,582

 

13.4

%

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

49,520

 

6.2

%

43,530

 

5.6

%

 

Operating supplies and expenses

 

36,561

 

4.6

%

34,909

 

4.5

%

 

Insurance and claims

 

17,303

 

2.2

%

12,461

 

1.6

%

 

Operating taxes and licenses

 

8,379

 

1.1

%

8,415

 

1.1

%

 

General and administrative expenses, net of gains

 

9,076

 

1.1

%

8,623

 

1.1

%

 

Communication and utilities

 

5,433

 

0.7

%

5,877

 

0.8

%

 

Total operating expenses

 

717,052

 

89.9

%

698,512

 

89.6

%

 

Operating income

 

80,399

 

10.1

%

81,388

 

10.4

%

 

Net interest expense

 

7,355

 

0.9

%

506

 

0.1

%

 

Equity in loss of associated companies

 

515

 

0.1

%

587

 

0.1

%

 

Earnings before income taxes

 

72,529

 

9.1

%

80,295

 

10.3

%

 

Income taxes

 

28,359

 

3.6

%

31,315

 

4.0

%

 

Net earnings

 

$

44,170

 

5.5

%

$

48,980

 

6.3

%

 

Average diluted shares outstanding

 

146,474

 

 

 

158,245

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

$

0.30

 

 

 

$

0.31

 

 

 

 

 




J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.
Financial Information By Segment
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31

 

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

Dollar
Amounts

 

% Of
Total

 

Dollar
Amounts

 

% Of
Total

 

 

Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intermodal

 

$

354,320

 

44

%

$

323,924

 

42

%

 

Dedicated

 

224,287

 

28

%

210,877

 

27

%

 

Truck

 

214,312

 

27

%

240,498

 

31

%

 

Integrated Capacity Solutions

 

12,977

 

2

%

10,274

 

1

%

 

Subtotal

 

805,896

 

101

%

785,573

 

101

%

 

Intersegment eliminations

 

(8,445

)

(1

%)

(5,673

)

(1

%)

 

Consolidated revenue

 

$

797,451

 

100

%

$

779,900

 

100

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intermodal

 

$

46,562

 

58

%

$

35,926

 

44

%

 

Dedicated

 

21,966

 

27

%

22,834

 

28

%

 

Truck

 

11,425

 

14

%

21,402

 

26

%

 

Integrated Capacity Solutions

 

478

 

1

%

884

 

1

%

 

Other (1)

 

(32

)

(0

%)

342

 

1

%

 

Operating income

 

$

80,399

 

100

%

$

81,388

 

100

%

 


(1)             Includes corporate support activity




 

J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.
Operating Statistics by Segment
(unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Intermodal (JBI)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loads

 

160,858

 

148,629

 

Length of haul

 

1,954

 

1,997

 

Revenue per load

 

$

2,203

 

$

2,179

 

Average tractors during the period *

 

1,573

 

1,379

 

Tractors (end of period)

 

 

 

 

 

Company-owned

 

1,565

 

1,396

 

Independent contractor

 

16

 

14

 

Total Tractors

 

1,581

 

1,410

 

Containers (end of period)

 

28,648

 

24,351

 

Average effective trailing equipment usage

 

27,274

 

23,961

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dedicated (DCS)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loads

 

337,941

 

320,741

 

Length of haul

 

260

 

270

 

Revenue per truck per week**

 

$

3,318

 

$

3,298

 

Average trucks during the period***

 

5,264

 

5,008

 

Trucks (end of period)

 

 

 

 

 

Company-owned

 

5,016

 

4,811

 

Independent contractor

 

120

 

133

 

Customer-owned (DCS Operated)

 

48

 

107

 

Total Trucks

 

5,184

 

5,051

 

Trailers (end of period)

 

7,044

 

6,348

 

Average effective trailing equipment usage

 

12,926

 

12,365

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Truck (JBT)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loads

 

201,738

 

215,999

 

Length of haul

 

526

 

557

 

Loaded miles (000)

 

107,652

 

121,413

 

Total miles (000)

 

122,471

 

135,540

 

Average non-paid empty miles per load

 

73.0

 

63.4

 

Revenue per tractor per week**

 

$

3,439

 

$

3,561

 

Average tractors during the period *

 

5,201

 

5,515

 

Tractors (end of period)

 

 

 

 

 

Company-owned

 

4,132

 

4,361

 

Independent contractor

 

1,074

 

1,103

 

Total Tractors

 

5,206

 

5,464

 

Trailers (end of period)

 

19,122

 

19,516

 

Average effective trailing equipment usage

 

13,294

 

13,744

 


*                    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)

 

 

March 31,
2007

 

December 31,
2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

       Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

9,484

 

$

7,371

 

       Accounts receivable

 

329,751

 

346,251

 

       Income tax receivable

 

0

 

11,824

 

       Prepaid expenses and other

 

89,530

 

105,797

 

               Total current assets

 

428,765

 

471,243

 

Property and equipment

 

1,961,230

 

1,884,318

 

     Less accumulated depreciation

 

632,315

 

600,767

 

               Net property and equipment

 

1,328,915

 

1,283,551

 

Other assets

 

15,046

 

15,263

 

 

 

$

1,772,726

 

$

1,770,057

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

     Current debt

 

$

164,000

 

$

214,000

 

     Trade accounts payable

 

175,162

 

170,672

 

     Other current payables

 

61,890

 

0

 

     Claims accruals

 

18,516

 

20,042

 

     Accrued Payroll

 

40,697

 

42,352

 

     Other accrued expenses

 

21,304

 

7,961

 

     Deferred income taxes

 

35,751

 

23,703

 

               Total current liabilities

 

517,320

 

478,730

 

Long-term debt

 

284,340

 

182,400

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

28,009

 

54,656

 

Deferred income taxes

 

254,544

 

294,534

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

688,513

 

759,737

 

 

 

$

1,772,726

 

$

1,770,057

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,
2007

 

December 31,
2006

 

Actual shares outstanding at end of period (000)

 

$

141,182

 

$

144,555

 

Book value per actual share outstanding at end of period

 

$

4.88

 

$

5.26