Arkansas Best, J.B. Hunt Rated ?Strong Buy?

John Larkin, an analyst with Legg Mason Wood Walker Inc. of Baltimore, Md., said in a Feb. 22 press release that he expects a significant earnings upswing in the near future for the American trucking industry. The same day, he initiated coverage of eight trucking industry stock, including J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. of Lowell and Arkansas Best Corp. of Fort Smith.

J.B. Hunt and Arkansas Best, along with Landstar System Inc. of Jacksonville, Fla., all received “strong buy” ratings from Larkin. His target prices for the three stocks imply a minimum of 30 percent upside potential to current trading levels over the next 12 to 18 months.

“When measured in terms of revenues, the trucking industry comprises 82 percent of the freight transportation industry in the United States,” Larkin said. “As a result, it is the critical cog in the efficient functioning of the overall manufacturing and consumer sectors of our economy.”