J.B. Hunt Q1 Earnings & Revenues Surpass Estimates, Decline Y/Y

Core Insights - J.B. Hunt Transport Services (JBHT) reported first-quarter 2025 earnings per share of $1.17, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.15, although quarterly earnings declined 4.1% year over year due to weak freight demand and excess capacity [1][2] Financial Performance - Total operating revenues for the quarter were $2.92 billion, slightly above the Zacks Consensus Estimate but down 0.8% year over year, primarily due to a 5% decrease in average truck count in the Dedicated Contract Services unit and a 15% drop in stops in the Final Mile Services unit [2] - Total operating income decreased 8% year over year to $178.7 million [2] Segmental Highlights - The Intermodal division generated revenues of $1.47 billion, a 5% increase year over year, with intermodal volume rising 8% [3] - Dedicated Contract Services segment revenues fell 4% year over year to $822 million, impacted by a 5% decline in average trucks [4] - Integrated Capacity Solutions revenues decreased 6% year over year to $268 million, with segmental volumes down 13% [5] - Truckload revenues fell 7% year over year to $167 million, with load volumes increasing 2% [6] - Final Mile Services revenues dropped 12% year over year to $201 million, with operating income plunging 69% [8] Liquidity and Share Buyback - At the end of the first quarter of 2025, JBHT had cash and cash equivalents of $43 million and long-term debt of $880.2 million [9] - The company repurchased 1,400,000 shares for $234 million during the quarter, with approximately $650 million remaining under its share repurchase authorization [9]