J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc.

In mid-October, Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services revised its outlook on J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. to “stable” from “negative” based on the company’s good operating performance.

“The outlook change was driven by the Lowell company’s operating improvements, through continued growth in the higher margin intermodal and dedicated contract services units, and an increase in asset utilization, despite the weak economy,” said Kenneth L. Farer, S&P’s credit analyst.

For the first nine months of 2002, Hunt reported earnings of $37.1 million, resulting in a consolidated operating ratio (operating expenses divided by operating revenue) of 95.7 percent. That was an improvement from earnings of $14.8 million and operating ratio of 97.7 percent for the same period in 2001.

The ratings on Hunt reflect its position as the nation’s third-largest truckload carrier and a satisfactory financial profile.