J.B. Hunt revenue rises 20 percent as operating margin narrows

A 20 percent revenue increase brought J.B. Hunt to $3.68bn in the third quarter, compared with $3.05bn a year earlier, the carrier reported in its October 15 earnings release. Revenue excluding fuel surcharges rose 13 percent.

Operating profit grew more slowly. It increased to $247.1m from $242.7m, leaving the operating margin at 6.7 percent against 7.9 percent a year earlier.

The business lines diverged: intermodal operating income rose to $147.5m from $125.0m, while dedicated-contract services fell to $81.7m from $104.3m. Intermodal loads increased to 585,582 from 539,907.

Net earnings were $172.4m, compared with $170.8m. Diluted earnings per share increased to $1.82 from $1.76, with the average diluted share count falling to 94.6 million from 96.8 million.

Photograph: Wikideas1 / Wikimedia Commons, CC0. Cropped.