J.B. Hunt (NASDAQ:JBHT) reported fourth-quarter 2017 earnings per share (excluding $2.44 from non-recurring items) of $1.04, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.03. Earnings increased 7.2% on a year-over-year basis.
How Was the Estimate Revision Trend?
Investors should note that the earnings estimate revisions for J.B. Hunt depicted a gloomy picture prior to the earnings release. The stock had seen the Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter earnings being revised 1.9% downward over the last 90 days.
Moreover, J.B. Hunt has an unimpressive earnings surprise history. Before posting the earnings beat in the fourth-quarter, the company delivered negative surprises in three of the past four quarters. The average earnings miss was 1.7%.
J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise
J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise | J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. Quote
Revenues Higher Than Expected
J.B. Hunt recorded revenues of $1.99 billion, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.93 billion. Also, it increased 16% on a year-over-year basis.
Key Q4 Statistics: During the quarter, the company did not repurchase shares. The company said that $521 million were remaining under its share buyback program as of Dec 31, 2017. Operating income in the fourth quarter decreased 25% to $146 million (on a reported basis). Outstanding debt was $1.09 billion at the end of the quarter.
Zacks Rank: Currently, J.B. Hunt carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) which is subject to change following the earnings announcement. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Check back later for our full write up on this J.B. Hunt earnings report later!
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J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (JBHT): Free Stock Analysis Report
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