J.B. Hunt Transport Services Q2 Profit Increases - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. (JBHT) reported that its second quarter 2015 net earnings increased to $103.4 million or $0.88 per share from $93.4 million or $0.79 per share in second quarter 2014. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report earnings of $0.90 per share for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.

Operating income for the latest-quarter totaled $174 million vs. $159 million for the second quarter 2014. The increase in operating income was primarily from customer rate increases, less reliance on outsourced JBI drayage and DCS capacity coverage, load growth, freight mix changes and improved equipment fuel economy.

The operating income increase was partially offset by an approximate $14.1 million charge for corporate wide streamlining and technology redevelopment costs, the benefits of which are expected to be realized over the next two fiscal years, lower box turns from slower train velocities, higher driver recruiting and retention costs, higher workers' compensation costs and increased toll costs compared to second quarter 2014.

Total operating revenue for the quarter was $1.54 billion, compared with $1.55 billion for the second quarter 2014. Wall Street expected revenues of $1.61 billion for the quarter.