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8-K - FORM 8-K - HUNT J B TRANSPORT SERVICES INCjbht20190118_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 REVENUES, NET EARNINGS AND EARNINGS PER SHARE FOR BOTH THE FOURTH QUARTER AND YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2018

 

 

■   Fourth quarter 2018 Revenue:    $2.32 billion; up 16%
■   Fourth quarter 2018 Operating Income:   $123 million; down 16%
■   Fourth quarter 2018 EPS:   $0.81 vs. $3.48; down 77%
     
■   Full Year 2018 Revenue:   $8.61 billion; up 20%
■   Full Year 2018 Operating Income:   $681 million; up 9%
■   Full Year 2018 EPS:   $4.43 vs. $6.18; down 28%

  

LOWELL, Ark., January 17, 2019 - J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., (NASDAQ:JBHT) announced fourth quarter 2018 net earnings of $88.7 million, or diluted earnings per share of $0.81 vs. fourth quarter 2017 net earnings of $385.3 million, or $3.48 per diluted share. Fourth quarter 2018 net earnings included pre-announced pretax charges of $134.0 million for contingent liabilities related to the ongoing arbitration with BNSF Railway Company. Fourth quarter 2017 net earnings included $38.9 million pre-tax charges for reserve increases on certain outstanding receivables and insurance claims as well as a $309.2 million decrease in income taxes as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted during that quarter.

 

Total operating revenue for the current quarter was $2.32 billion, compared with $1.99 billion for the fourth quarter 2017. A 16% increase in revenue per load in Intermodal (JBI) contributed to a 15% increase in segment revenue. Dedicated Contract Services (DCS) segment revenue increased by 25%, primarily from the addition of new customer accounts and improved asset utilization. Integrated Capacity Solutions (ICS) segment revenue increased by 7% primarily from a 14% increase in load growth. Truck (JBT) segment revenue increased 21% primarily from customer rate per mile increases. Current quarter total operating revenue, excluding fuel surcharges, increased 15% vs. the comparable quarter 2017.

 

Operating income for the current quarter decreased to $122.7 million vs. $145.8 million for the fourth quarter 2017. The benefit from increased revenues was partly offset with cost increases in rail purchase transportation, inclusive of the $134.0 million contingent liability charge, increased driver wages, increased independent contractor rates per mile including outsourced intermodal dray, increased driver and independent contractor recruiting costs, and higher salary and wage expenses for non-driving personnel. Fourth quarter 2017 operating income included $38.9 million in charges for reserve increases on certain outstanding receivables and insurance claims.

 

Net earnings decreased to $88.7 million in the current quarter from $385.3 million in 2017, primarily due to the $309.2 million benefit from estimating the effect of the change in future tax rates on deferred tax balances at December 31, 2017. The fourth quarter effective tax rates for 2018 and 2017 were 20.47% and (175.65)%, respectively. The annual effective tax rates for 2018 and 2017 were 23.6% and (15.29)%, respectively.

 

 

 

 

Segment Information:

 

Intermodal (JBI)

■   Fourth quarter 2018 Segment Revenue: $1.26 billion; up 15%
■   Fourth quarter 2018 Operating Income: $32.4 million; down 65%

 

JBI total volumes declined 1% over the same period in 2017. Eastern network loads grew at 5% and transcontinental loads decreased 4% compared to the fourth quarter 2017. Revenue increased 15%, reflecting a 16% increase in revenue per load, the combination of freight mix, customer rate increases, and fuel surcharges, offset by the 1% decline in volume. Revenue per load excluding fuel surcharges increased approximately 15% compared to a year ago.

 

Operating income decreased 65% from the prior year. Benefits from customer rate increases were offset by the $134 million pre-announced charges for contingent liabilities related to the ongoing arbitration, increased costs to attract and retain drivers, higher third-party dray costs, and increased costs due to inefficiencies in the rail networks due to congestion and service delays. In fourth quarter 2017, JBI recorded $28.7 million in charges from reserve increases on certain receivables and insurance claims. The current period ended with approximately 94,900 units of trailing capacity and approximately 5,650 power units in the dray fleet.

 

 

Dedicated Contract Services (DCS)

■   Fourth quarter 2018 Segment Revenue: $596 million; up 25%
■   Fourth quarter 2018 Operating Income: $59.4 million; up 70%

 

DCS revenue increased 25% during the current quarter over the same period 2017. Productivity (revenue per truck per week) increased approximately 7% vs. 2017. Productivity excluding fuel surcharge revenue increased approximately 5% from a year ago primarily from customer rate increases, improved integration of assets between customer accounts, and increased customer supply chain fluidity. Included in the DCS revenue growth, Final Mile Services (FMS) recorded an increase in revenue of $17 million compared to fourth quarter 2017. A net additional 1,388 revenue producing trucks, 458 net additions sequentially from third quarter 2018, were in the fleet by the end of the quarter. Approximately 32% of these additions represent private fleet conversions and 5% represent FMS versus traditional dedicated capacity fleets. Customer retention rates remain above 98%.

 

Operating income increased by 70% from a year ago. The increase in productivity and additional trucks under contract was partially offset by increased costs expanding the FMS network, increased driver wages and increased driver recruiting costs including the length of time to fill open positions compared to the same period a year ago. Fourth quarter 2017 operating income included $7.6 million of charges for certain insurance and claims reserve increases.

 

 

Integrated Capacity Solutions (ICS)

●     Fourth Quarter 2018 Segment Revenue: $345 million; up 7%
●     Fourth Quarter 2018 Operating Income: $16.1 million; up 43%

 

ICS revenue increased 7% in the current quarter vs. the fourth quarter 2017. Volume increased 14% but revenue per load decreased 6.4%, mostly due to customer mix changes and decreased spot market activity, compared to the prior year. Contractual volumes represent approximately 71% of the total load volume and 53% of the total revenue in the current quarter compared to 66% and 46%, respectively, in fourth quarter 2017. Of the total reported ICS revenue, approximately $174 million was executed through the Marketplace for J.B. Hunt 360 compared to $151 million in third quarter 2018.

 

 

 

 

Operating income increased 43% over the same period in 2017. Gross profit margin increased to 16.9% in the current period from 14.1% last year primarily from customer rate increases on contractual volumes. The increase in gross profit margin was partially offset by higher personnel costs, increased insurance and claims costs, and higher technology spending as the Marketplace for J.B. Hunt 360 expands capacity and adds functionality. ICS recorded a $1.8 million charge for increased reserves on certain insurance claims in the fourth quarter 2017. ICS’s carrier base increased 29% and the employee count increased 20% from a year ago.

 

 

Truck (JBT)

■   Fourth quarter 2018 Segment Revenue: $118 million; up 21%
■   Fourth quarter 2018 Operating Income:     $14.7 million; up 131%

 

JBT revenue increased 21% from the same period in 2017. Revenue excluding fuel surcharges increased approximately 21% compared to a year ago. Revenue per load increased 10% primarily from an 18% increase in rates per loaded mile offset by a 6% decrease in length of haul compared to fourth quarter 2017. Comparable contractual customer rates increased approximately 15% compared to the same period a year ago. At the end of the period, JBT operated 2,112 tractors compared to 2,032 a year ago.

 

Operating income increased 131% from fourth quarter 2017. Favorable changes from higher rates per loaded mile and lower equipment ownership costs were partially offset by higher driver wages and independent contractor costs per mile and higher driver and independent contractor recruiting costs compared to fourth quarter 2017. JBT recorded approximately $0.7 million of the charges for increased reserves on certain insurance claims in the fourth quarter 2017.

 

 

Cash Flow and Capitalization:

 

At December 31, 2018, we had total debt outstanding of $1.15 billion on various debt instruments compared to $1.09 billion at December 31, 2017 and $1.07 billion at September 30, 2018.

 

Our net capital expenditures for 2018 approximated $885 million vs. $511 million in 2017. At December 31, 2018, we had cash and cash equivalents of $7.6 million.

 

In the fourth quarter 2018, we purchased approximately 494,000 shares of our common stock for approximately $50 million. At December 31, 2018, we had approximately $371 million remaining under our share repurchase authorization. Actual shares outstanding at December 31, 2018 approximated 108.7 million.

 

 

Conference Call Information:

The company will hold a conference call today at 4:00-5:00 p.m. CST to discuss the quarterly earnings. The call-in number for participants is (866) 439-5964 and a replay of the call will be posted on its website here later this evening.

 

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, 2017. 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 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  
   

2018

   

2017

 
           

% Of

           

% Of

 
   

Amount

   

Revenue

   

Amount

   

Revenue

 
                                 

Operating revenues, excluding fuel surcharge revenues

  $ 2,033,674             $ 1,765,658          

Fuel surcharge revenues

    284,168               224,502          

Total operating revenues

    2,317,842       100.0%       1,990,160       100.0  
                                 

Operating expenses

                               

Rents and purchased transportation

    1,271,097       54.8%       1,026,100       51.6%  

Salaries, wages and employee benefits

    515,271       22.2%       429,853       21.6%  

Depreciation and amortization

    114,086       4.9%       102,320       5.1%  

Fuel and fuel taxes

    117,613       5.1%       100,848       5.1%  

Operating supplies and expenses

    77,178       3.3%       67,154       3.4%  

General and administrative expenses, net of asset dispositions

    51,191       2.3%       51,279       2.6%  

Insurance and claims

    26,941       1.2%       46,649       2.3%  

Operating taxes and licenses

    14,055       0.6%       12,496       0.6%  

Communication and utilities

    7,670       0.3%       7,647       0.4%  

Total operating expenses

    2,195,102       94.7%       1,844,346       92.7%  

Operating income

    122,740       5.3%       145,814       7.3%  

Net interest expense

    11,235       0.5%       6,030       0.3%  

Earnings before income taxes

    111,505       4.8%       139,784       7.0%  

Income taxes

    22,824       1.0%       (245,524 )     (12.4%)  

Net earnings

  $ 88,681       3.8%     $ 385,308       19.4%  

Average diluted shares outstanding

    109,940               110,737          

Diluted earnings per share

  $ 0.81             $ 3.48          

 

 

 

 

J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings

(in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

 

    Twelve Months Ended December 31       
   

2018

   

2017

 
           

% Of

           

% Of

 
   

Amount

   

Revenue

   

Amount

   

Revenue

 
                                 

Operating revenues, excluding fuel surcharge revenues

  $ 7,557,648             $ 6,435,858          

Fuel surcharge revenues

    1,057,226               753,710          

Total operating revenues

    8,614,874       100.0%       7,189,568       100.0%  
                                 

Operating expenses

                               

Rents and purchased transportation

    4,434,540       51.5%       3,650,806       50.8%  

Salaries, wages and employee benefits

    1,926,213       22.4%       1,608,378       22.4%  

Depreciation and amortization

    435,893       5.1%       383,518       5.3%  

Fuel and fuel taxes

    459,011       5.3%       347,573       4.8%  

Operating supplies and expenses

    303,529       3.5%       257,239       3.6%  

General and administrative expenses, net of asset dispositions

    163,270       1.8%       125,878       1.8%  

Insurance and claims

    129,406       1.5%       123,579       1.7%  

Operating taxes and licenses

    51,080       0.6%       44,825       0.6%  

Communication and utilities

    30,911       0.4%       23,983       0.3%  

Total operating expenses

    7,933,853       92.1%       6,565,779       91.3%  

Operating income

    681,021       7.9%       623,789       8.7%  

Net interest expense

    40,203       0.5%       28,550       0.4%  

Earnings before income taxes

    640,818       7.4%       595,239       8.3%  

Income taxes

    151,233       1.7%       (91,024 )     (1.2%)  

Net earnings

  $ 489,585       5.7%     $ 686,263       9.5%  

Average diluted shares outstanding

    110,428               111,049          

Diluted earnings per share

  $ 4.43             $ 6.18          

 

 

 

 

Financial Information By Segment

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

   

Three Months Ended December 31

 
   

2018

   

2017

 
           

% Of

           

% Of

 
   

Amount

   

Total

   

Amount

   

Total

 
                                 

Revenue

                               

Intermodal

  $ 1,263,469       54%     $ 1,097,671       55%  

Dedicated

    595,809       26%       476,660       24%  

Integrated Capacity Solutions

    345,400       15%       323,241       16%  

Truck

    117,707       5%       97,466       5%  

Subtotal

    2,322,385       100%       1,995,038       100%  

Intersegment eliminations

    (4,543 )     (0%)       (4,878 )     (0%)  

Consolidated revenue

  $ 2,317,842       100%     $ 1,990,160       100%  
                                 
                                 

Operating income

                               

Intermodal

  $ 32,445       27%     $ 93,271       64%  

Dedicated

    59,416       48%       34,918       24%  

Integrated Capacity Solutions

    16,142       13%       11,277       8%  

Truck

    14,737       12%       6,380       4%  

Other (1)

    -       0%       (32 )     (0%)  

Operating income

  $ 122,740       100%     $ 145,814       100%  

 

 

   

Twelve Months Ended December 31

 
   

2018

   

2017

 
           

% Of

           

% Of

 
   

Amount

   

Total

   

Amount

   

Total

 

Revenue

                               

Intermodal

  $ 4,716,649       55%     $ 4,084,418       57%  

Dedicated

    2,163,155       25%       1,718,559       24%  

Integrated Capacity Solutions

    1,334,629       15%       1,024,576       14%  

Truck

    417,351       5%       378,361       5%  

Subtotal

    8,631,784       100%       7,205,914       100%  

Intersegment eliminations

    (16,910 )     (0%)       (16,346 )     (0%)  

Consolidated revenue

  $ 8,614,874       100%     $ 7,189,568       100%  
                                 
                                 

Operating income

                               

Intermodal

  $ 400,999       59%     $ 407,376       65%  

Dedicated

    193,419       29%       171,113       27%  

Integrated Capacity Solutions

    50,167       7%       22,797       4%  

Truck

    36,568       5%       22,597       4%  

Other (1)

    (132 )     (0%)       (94 )     (0%)  

Operating income

  $ 681,021       100%     $ 623,789       100%  

 

(1) Includes corporate support activity

 

 

 

 

Operating Statistics by Segment

(unaudited)

 

    Three Months Ended December 31  
   

2018

   

2017

 
                 

Intermodal

               
                 

Loads

    512,935       515,669  

Average length of haul

    1,660       1,684  

Revenue per load

  $ 2,463     $ 2,129  

Average tractors during the period *

    5,632       5,547  
                 

Tractors (end of period)

               

Company-owned

    5,017       4,776  

Independent contractor

    633       764  

Total tractors

    5,650       5,540  
                 

Net change in trailing equipment during the period

    1,750       1,305  

Trailing equipment (end of period)

    94,902       88,610  

Average effective trailing equipment usage

    91,785       87,522  
                 
                 

Dedicated

               
                 

Loads

    808,043       686,475  

Average length of haul

    173       178  

Revenue per truck per week**

  $ 4,715     $ 4,426  

Average trucks during the period***

    9,914       8,571  
                 

Trucks (end of period)

               

Company-owned

    9,652       8,124  

Independent contractor

    51       59  

Customer-owned (Dedicated operated)

    412       544  

Total trucks

    10,115       8,727  
                 

Trailing equipment (end of period)

    26,710       25,811  

Average effective trailing equipment usage

    27,014       25,823  
                 
                 

Integrated Capacity Solutions

               
                 

Loads

    317,512       277,911  

Revenue per load

  $ 1,088     $ 1,163  

Gross profit margin

    16.9 %     14.1 %

Employee count (end of period)

    1,142       954  

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

    73,100       56,700  
                 
                 

Truck

               
                 

Loads

    95,747       87,538  

Average length of haul

    405       432  

Loaded miles (000)

    38,828       37,852  

Total miles (000)

    47,555       45,206  

Average nonpaid empty miles per load

    91.3       84.0  

Revenue per tractor per week**

  $ 4,513     $ 3,782  

Average tractors during the period *

    2,108       2,085  
                 

Tractors (end of period)

               

Company-owned

    1,139       1,291  

Independent contractor

    973       741  

Total tractors

    2,112       2,032  
                 

Trailers (end of period)

    6,800       7,120  

Average effective trailing equipment usage

    6,532       6,771  

 

* 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

 
   

2018

   

2017

 
                 

Intermodal

               
                 

Loads

    2,049,014       1,999,807  

Average length of haul

    1,648       1,681  

Revenue per load

  $ 2,302     $ 2,042  

Average tractors during the period *

    5,551       5,362  
                 

Tractors (end of period)

               

Company-owned

    5,017       4,776  

Independent contractor

    633       764  

Total tractors

    5,650       5,540  
                 

Net change in trailing equipment during the period

    6,262       4,016  

Trailing equipment (end of period)

    94,902       88,610  

Average effective trailing equipment usage

    88,739       82,969  
                 
                 

Dedicated

               
                 

Loads

    2,981,344       2,575,245  

Average length of haul

    177       178  

Revenue per truck per week**

  $ 4,534     $ 4,226  

Average trucks during the period***

    9,264       7,946  
                 

Trucks (end of period)

               

Company-owned

    9,652       8,124  

Independent contractor

    51       59  

Customer-owned (Dedicated operated)

    412       544  

Total trucks

    10,115       8,727  
                 

Trailing equipment (end of period)

    26,710       25,811  

Average effective trailing equipment usage

    26,806       24,550  
                 
                 

Integrated Capacity Solutions

               
                 

Loads

    1,234,632       992,834  

Revenue per load

  $ 1,081     $ 1,032  

Gross profit margin

    15.4 %     13.3 %

Employee count (end of period)

    1,142       954  

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

    73,100       56,700  
                 
                 

Truck

               
                 

Loads

    355,038       370,591  

Average length of haul

    427       435  

Loaded miles (000)

    151,322       160,932  

Total miles (000)

    181,718       192,433  

Average nonpaid empty miles per load

    85.5       85.1  

Revenue per tractor per week**

  $ 4,148     $ 3,556  

Average tractors during the period*

    1,990       2,098  
                 

Tractors (end of period)

               

Company-owned

    1,139       1,291  

Independent contractor

    973       741  

Total tractors

    2,112       2,032  
                 

Trailers (end of period)

    6,800       7,120  

Average effective trailing equipment usage

    6,513       7,066  

 

* 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, 2018

   

December 31, 2017

 

ASSETS

               

Current assets:

               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 7,600     $ 14,612  

Accounts Receivable

    1,051,698       920,767  

Prepaid expenses and other

    443,683       403,349  

Total current assets

    1,502,981       1,338,728  

Property and equipment

    5,329,243       4,670,464  

Less accumulated depreciation

    1,884,132       1,687,133  

Net property and equipment

    3,445,111       2,983,331  

Other assets, net

    143,555       143,290  
    $ 5,091,647     $ 4,465,349  
                 
                 

LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

               

Current liabilities:

               

Current debt

  $ 250,706     $ -  

Trade accounts payable

    709,736       598,594  

Claims accruals

    275,139       251,980  

Accrued payroll

    80,922       42,382  

Other accrued expenses

    35,845       28,888  

Total current liabilities

    1,352,348       921,844  
                 

Long-term debt

    898,398       1,085,649  

Other long-term liabilities

    96,056       76,661  

Deferred income taxes

    643,461       541,870  

Stockholders' equity

    2,101,384       1,839,325  
    $ 5,091,647     $ 4,465,349  

 

 

Supplemental Data

(unaudited)

 

   

December 31, 2018

   

December 31, 2017

 
                 

Actual shares outstanding at end of period (000)

    108,711       109,753  
                 

Book value per actual share outstanding at end of period

  $ 19.33     $ 16.76  

 

 

   

Twelve Months Ended December 31

 
   

2018

   

2017

 
                 

Net cash provided by operating activities (000)

  $ 1,087,841     $ 855,153  
                 

Net capital expenditures (000)

  $ 885,485     $ 510,515