JB Hunt Transport Services Has a Blowout Quarter
JB Hunt Transport Services (NAS: JBHT) reported earnings on Jan. 26. Here are the numbers you need to know.
The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), JB Hunt Transport Services beat slightly on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.
Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue improved significantly, and GAAP earnings per share expanded significantly.
Gross margins dropped, operating margins expanded, net margins increased.
Revenue details
JB Hunt Transport Services reported revenue of $1.20 billion. The 20 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected to see revenue of $1.19 billion. Sales were 18% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.02 billion.
Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions.
EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.63. The 27 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.58 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.57 for Q4 were 32% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.46 per share.
Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Figures may be non-GAAP to maintain comparability with estimates.
Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 17.1%, 20 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 10.1%, 60 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 6%, 30 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.
Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.14 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.51.
Next year's average estimate for revenue is $5.06 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.50.
Investor sentiment
The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 143 members out of 195 rating the stock outperform, and 53 members rating it underperform. Among 57 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 42 give JB Hunt Transport Services a green thumbs-up, and 15 give it a red thumbs-down.
Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on JB Hunt Transport Services is outperform, with an average price target of $48.00.
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At the time thisarticle was published Seth Jayson had no position in any company mentioned here at the time of publication. You can view his stock holdings here. He is co-advisor ofMotley Fool Hidden Gems, which provides new small-cap ideas every month, backed by a real-money portfolio. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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