J.B. Hunt 2Q profit falls 5%, revenue flat

Lowell-based carrier J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. posted a second-quarter earnings decrease and flat revenue, both of which were close to analyst expectations.

After the markets closed Tuesday (July 15), J.B. Hunt reported net income fell by 5.3% to $128.62 million, or $1.31 per share, in the second quarter from $135.87 million, or $1.32 per share, in the same period last year. Revenue was flat at $2.92 billion.

J.B. Hunt narrowly missed earnings expectations that were projected to be flat at $1.32 per share, based on a consensus of 20 analysts. The company slightly beat the revenue expectation, which was projected to be a decline of 0.11%.

In an earnings report, analyst Daniel Imbro, senior associates Brady Lierz and Joe Enderlin, and associate Reed Seay, all of Little Rock-based Stephens Inc., said J.B. Hunt beat their earnings expectations because of higher dedicated margin, higher intermodal margin, higher intermodal revenue per load, and lower share count. This was partially offset by lighter brokerage loads, lower Final Mile Services margin, and higher interest expense.

“We were encouraged by the margin beats at (intermodal) and (dedicated),” the analysts said. “(Brokerage) expenses also remain well-controlled, though loads are lighter than anticipated. (J.B. Hunt) continued to repurchase shares with its excess cash flow, buying (about) 2.4 million shares in the quarter.”

Stephens analysts maintained an overweight (buy) rating for J.B. Hunt shares.

In the earnings call, J.B. Hunt executives highlighted a new cost-cutting initiative.

“Across the company, we launched an initiative to lower our cost to serve,” said CEO Shelley Simpson. “At a high level, this effort is centered around doing more with less to support our future growth and get us back to our long-term margin target.”

The company’s near-term focus is on “repairing our margins and improving our financial performance,” she said. “We remain focused on controlling what we can with our expenses in the near term, without sacrificing our long-term opportunity.”

John Kuhlow, chief financial officer, said that through the cost-cutting initiative, executives have identified $100 million in annual costs to eliminate.

“These costs fall across three main areas: efficiency and productivity, asset utilization and technology, and engineered process improvements,” Kuhlow said. “And we are not done. We continue to expand on these initiatives, and we’ll provide updates on our progress in the quarters to come. While some of these benefits will be realized this year, most will impact 2026 and beyond.”

Through the first half of 2025, the company’s net income declined by 4.2% to $99.22 million, or $2.48 per share, from $103.62 million, or $2.54 per share, in the same period last year. Revenue decreased by 0.39% to $5.84 billion from $5.87 billion.

Shares of J.B. Hunt (NASDAQ: JBHT) closed Tuesday at $148.86, down $3.34 or 2.19%. In the past 52 weeks, the stock has ranged between $122.79 and $200.40.

Following are the financial results by segment in the second quarter compared to the same period last year.

Intermodal
Operating income fell to $95.74 million from $99.24 million. The income comprises 49% of the company’s total operating income. Revenue rose to $1.43 billion from $1.4 billion. The revenue comprises 49% of the company’s total revenue.

Dedicated
Operating income declined to $93.68 million from $96.41 million. The income comprises 47% of the company’s total operating income. Revenue fell to $846.75 million from $851.01 million. The revenue comprises 29% of the company’s total revenue.

Brokerage
The segment had an operating loss of $3.55 million from a loss of $13.28 million. Revenue fell to $260.24 million from $270.37 million.

Final Mile Services
Operating income decreased to $7.99 million from $19.77 million. Revenue fell to $210.62 million from $235.29 million.

Truckload
Operating income declined to $3.36 million from $3.54 million. Revenue increased to $176.96 million from $168.09 million.