J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. Reports Revenues and Earnings for the Third Quarter 201216:00 EDT Thursday, October 11, 2012 LOWELL, Ark. (Business Wire) -- J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., (NASDAQ:JBHT) announced third quarter 2012 net earnings of $78.2 million, or diluted earnings per share of 65 cents vs. third quarter 2011 net earnings of $68.7million, or 57 cents per diluted share. Total operating revenue for the current quarter was $1.3billion, compared with $1.17 billion for the third quarter 2011. Load growth of 15% in Intermodal (JBI) and 38% in Integrated Capacity Solutions (ICS) helped drive 15% and 30% increases in segment revenue, respectively. Dedicated Contract Services (DCS) segment increased operating revenue by only 1% primarily driven by the start up of new accounts occurring later than expected, while Truck (JBT) segment revenue declined primarily due to operating approximately 9% fewer trucks. Current quarter total operating revenue, excluding fuel surcharges, increased 10.5% vs. the comparable quarter 2011. Operating income for the current quarter totaled $133 million vs. $119 million for the third quarter 2011, as positive results from load growth and improved network balance in JBI and load growth in ICS were partially offset by cost pressures experienced in DCS and JBT. Net earnings rose 14% to $78.2 million in the current quarter from $68.7million in 2011, primarily due to the growth of revenue, slightly less interest expense and a slightly lower tax rate. The effective income tax rate for the quarter was in 38.25% in 2012 and 38.5% in 2011. Segment Information:Intermodal (JBI)Third Quarter 2012 Segment Revenue:$794 million; up 15%Third Quarter 2012 Operating Income:$97.9 million; up 25% JBI segment revenue grew 15% on load volume that increased a similar 15% over the third quarter of 2011. Eastern network load growth and transcontinental load growth were 22% and 11%, respectively, primarily from the continued customer conversion of highway traffic to intermodal. The combination of traffic mix, customer rate increases and changes in fuel surcharges kept revenue per load virtually flat compared to a year ago. Operating income increased 25% over the prior year. Positive results from steady load growth, improved container utilization and drayage efficiencies contributed to better overall network balance. Cost increases in rail purchase transportation and from shortages in the available driver market partially offset the benefits of improved operations. Dedicated Contract Services (DCS)Third Quarter 2012 Segment Revenue:$273 million; up 1%Third Quarter 2012 Operating Income:$25.6 million; down 14% DCS revenue increased 1% during the current quarter while revenue excluding fuel surcharges also increased 1%. Productivity (revenue per truck per week) decreased approximately 2% vs. 2011. New accounts provided a net additional 338 revenue producing trucks over the same period 2011. Operating income decreased by 14% from a year ago primarily related to implementation costs incurred during the current quarter from several new customer accounts starting during the past four months. These implementation costs include, but are not limited to, significant efforts in driver hiring due to shortened lead times for contract start dates, personnel travel and relocation costs, equipment repositioning and costs to establish necessary telecommunications and operational system infrastructure. In addition to the higher implementation costs incurred during the quarter, safety, worker's compensation and employee health care costs were a combined 15% higher than same quarter 2011. Integrated Capacity Solutions (ICS)Third Quarter 2012 Segment Revenue:$121 million; up 30%Third Quarter 2012 Operating Income:$5.5 million; up 43% ICS revenue increased 30% in the current quarter, mostly due to a 38% increase in load volume compared to third quarter 2011. Both transactional and contractual business realized increased volumes, however, contractual business grew at a faster pace to become 64% of total volumes vs. 56% in third quarter 2011. Operating income increased 43% over the same period 2011, primarily due to higher operating revenue and improved productivity from a more experienced workforce. Gross profit margin decreased to 12.8% in the current quarter vs. 13.5% last year. While there was some volatility in the market during the current quarter, customer demand remained relatively constant and purchased transportation costs were higher from a generally tighter supply of qualified transportation providers compared to a year ago. Our carrier base increased 12% and our employee count increased 16% vs. third quarter 2011. Truck (JBT)Third Quarter 2012 Segment Revenue:$117 million; down 8%Third Quarter 2012 Operating Income:$4 million; down 41% JBT revenue decreased 8% from the same period in 2011 on an approximate 9% reduction in fleet size. Revenue excluding fuel surcharges decreased 7%. Rates per mile, excluding fuel surcharge, increased 5.9% due largely to freight mix changes, spot pricing, and temporary customer fleet activity related to one-time weather events. Rates from consistent shippers increased 2.6% compared to same quarter a year ago. At the end of the period, JBT operated 2,381 tractors compared to 2,605 a year ago. Operating income decreased 41% compared to third quarter 2011 as improved rates were not sufficient to offset lower utilization and increases in empty miles, employee health care costs, driver wages, and costs to attract independent contractors. Cash Flow and Capitalization: At September 30, 2012, we had a total of $645 million outstanding on various debt instruments compared to $768 million at September 30, 2011 and $749 million at December 31, 2011. Our net capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 approximated $279 million compared to $324 million for the same period 2011. At September 30, 2012, we had cash and cash equivalents of $5.7 million compared to $7.7 million at September 30, 2011. We did not purchase any shares of our common stock during the quarter. At September 30, 2012 we had approximately $503 million remaining under two separate share repurchase authorities. Actual shares outstanding at September 30, 2012 approximated 118.3 million. This press release may contain forward-looking statements, which are based on information currently available. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors, including, but not limited to, those discussed in Item 1A of our Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to the extent we become aware that it will not be achieved for any reason. This press release and additional information will be available immediately to interested parties on our web site, www.jbhunt.com.   J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited)         Three Months Ended September 3020122011% Of% OfAmount   RevenueAmount   Revenue   Operating revenues, excluding fuel surcharge revenues $ 1,046,769 $ 947,381 Fuel surcharge revenues 249,023 223,889 Total operating revenues 1,295,792 100.0% 1,171,270 100.0%   Operating expenses Rents and purchased transportation 646,049 49.9% 552,509 47.2% Salaries, wages and employee benefits 260,911 20.1% 255,982 21.9% Fuel and fuel taxes 114,694 8.9% 117,779 10.1% Depreciation and amortization 57,773 4.5% 54,404 4.6% Operating supplies and expenses 48,281 3.7% 43,164 3.7% Insurance and claims 13,745 1.1% 11,042 0.9% General and administrative expenses, net of asset dispositions 9,369 0.6% 6,114 0.5% Operating taxes and licenses 7,451 0.6% 7,095 0.6% Communication and utilities 4,467 0.3% 4,501 0.4% Total operating expenses 1,162,740 89.7% 1,052,590 89.9% Operating income 133,052 10.3% 118,680 10.1% Net interest expense 6,346 0.5% 7,145 0.6% Earnings before income taxes 126,706 9.8% 111,535 9.5% Income taxes 48,465 3.8% 42,885 3.6% Net earnings $ 78,241 6.0% $ 68,650 5.9% Average diluted shares outstanding 120,281 121,126 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.65 $ 0.57                           J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited)   Nine Months Ended September 3020122011% Of% OfAmount   RevenueAmount   Revenue   Operating revenues, excluding fuel surcharge revenues $ 2,990,971 $ 2,703,670 Fuel surcharge revenues 725,873 618,235 Total operating revenues 3,716,844 100.0% 3,321,905 100.0%   Operating expenses Rents and purchased transportation 1,818,890 48.9% 1,542,901 46.4% Salaries, wages and employee benefits 766,820 20.6% 743,470 22.4% Fuel and fuel taxes 348,332 9.4% 347,030 10.4% Depreciation and amortization 170,120 4.6% 158,312 4.8% Operating supplies and expenses 133,632 3.6% 120,789 3.6% Insurance and claims 37,385 1.0% 32,531 1.0% General and administrative expenses, net of asset dispositions 19,718 0.5% 20,511 0.7% Operating taxes and licenses 21,916 0.6% 20,626 0.6% Communication and utilities 13,166 0.4% 13,789 0.4% Total operating expenses 3,329,979 89.6% 2,999,959 90.3% Operating income 386,865 10.4% 321,946 9.7% Net interest expense 20,263 0.5% 22,286 0.7% Earnings before income taxes 366,602 9.9% 299,660 9.0% Income taxes 140,225 3.8% 115,219 3.4% Net earnings $ 226,377 6.1% $ 184,441 5.6% Average diluted shares outstanding 120,022 122,784 Diluted earnings per share $ 1.89 $ 1.50                         Financial Information By Segment (in thousands) (unaudited)             Three Months Ended September 3020122011% Of% OfAmount   TotalAmount   Total   Revenue   Intermodal $ 793,759 62 % $ 691,283 59 % Dedicated 272,624 21 % 268,752 23 % Truck 116,699 9 % 127,133 11 % Integrated Capacity Solutions 121,268   9 % 93,163   8 % Subtotal 1,304,350 101 % 1,180,331 101 % Intersegment eliminations (8,558 ) (1 %) (9,061 ) (1 %) Consolidated revenue $ 1,295,792   100 % $ 1,171,270   100 %     Operating income   Intermodal $ 97,943 74 % $ 78,388 66 % Dedicated 25,592 19 % 29,726 25 % Truck 4,006 3 % 6,816 6 % Integrated Capacity Solutions 5,496 4 % 3,844 3 % Other (1) 15   0 % (94 ) (0 %) Operating income $ 133,052   100 % $ 118,680   100 %           Nine Months Ended September 3020122011% Of% OfAmount   TotalAmount   TotalRevenue   Intermodal $ 2,249,918 61 % $ 1,944,160 59 % Dedicated 795,786 21 % 771,374 23 % Truck 371,035 10 % 376,204 11 % Integrated Capacity Solutions 327,814   9 % 256,936   8 % Subtotal 3,744,553 101 % 3,348,674 101 % Intersegment eliminations (27,709 ) (1 %) (26,769 ) (1 %) Consolidated revenue $ 3,716,844   100 % $ 3,321,905   100 %     Operating income   Intermodal $ 270,742 70 % $ 217,557 68 % Dedicated 86,939 22 % 75,731 23 % Truck 17,731 5 % 19,595 6 % Integrated Capacity Solutions 11,516 3 % 9,037 3 % Other (1) (63 ) (0 %) 26   0 % Operating income $ 386,865   100 % $ 321,946   100 %       (1) Includes corporate support activity   Operating Statistics by Segment (unaudited)             Three Months Ended September 3020122011   Intermodal   Loads 368,709 320,889 Average length of haul 1,697 1,723 Revenue per load $ 2,153 $ 2,154 Average tractors during the period * 3,522 3,057   Tractors (end of period) Company-owned 3,134 2,896 Independent contractor 413 202 Total tractors 3,547 3,098   Net change in trailing equipment during the period 1,901 1,733 Trailing equipment (end of period) 57,913 51,922 Average effective trailing equipment usage 56,088 50,394     Dedicated   Loads 395,912 375,666 Average length of haul 198 206 Revenue per truck per week** $ 4,146 $ 4,212 Average trucks during the period*** 5,153 4,917   Trucks (end of period) Company-owned 4,819 4,559 Independent contractor 15 16 Customer-owned (Dedicated operated) 410 331 Total trucks 5,244 4,906   Trailing equipment (end of period) 13,176 11,206 Average effective trailing equipment usage 14,555 12,849     Truck   Loads 109,268 111,525 Average length of haul 462 508 Loaded miles (000) 49,885 56,448 Total miles (000) 58,313 64,772 Average nonpaid empty miles per load 77.4 73.8 Revenue per tractor per week** $ 3,783 $ 3,825 Average tractors during the period * 2,406 2,569   Tractors (end of period) Company-owned 1,425 1,640 Independent contractor 956 965 Total tractors 2,381 2,605   Trailers (end of period) 9,095 9,141 Average effective trailing equipment usage 7,982 7,975     Integrated Capacity Solutions   Loads 90,009 65,377 Revenue per load $ 1,347 $ 1,425 Gross profit margin 12.8% 13.5% Employee count (end of period) 428 369 Approximate number of third-party carriers (end of period) 31,400 28,100     * Includes company-owned and independent contractor tractors ** Using weighted workdays *** Includes company-owned, independent contractor, and customer-owned trucks         Operating Statistics by Segment (unaudited)             Nine Months Ended September 3020122011   Intermodal   Loads 1,047,641 915,302 Average length of haul 1,696 1,726 Revenue per load $ 2,148 $ 2,124 Average tractors during the period * 3,362 2,863   Tractors (end of period) Company-owned 3,134 2,896 Independent contractor 413 202 Total tractors 3,547 3,098   Net change in trailing equipment during the period 3,407 6,256 Trailing equipment (end of period) 57,913 51,922 Average effective trailing equipment usage 53,578 48,463     Dedicated   Loads 1,114,939 1,089,807 Average length of haul 203 203 Revenue per truck per week** $ 4,145 $ 4,177 Average trucks during the period*** 4,978 4,777   Trucks (end of period) Company-owned 4,819 4,559 Independent contractor 15 16 Customer-owned (Dedicated operated) 410 331 Total trucks 5,244 4,906   Trailing equipment (end of period) 13,176 11,206 Average effective trailing equipment usage 13,615 12,791     Truck   Loads 344,672 330,958 Average length of haul 472 516 Loaded miles (000) 160,987 169,298 Total miles (000) 187,024 193,857 Average nonpaid empty miles per load 75.8 72.3 Revenue per tractor per week** $ 3,866 $ 3,839 Average tractors during the period* 2,494 2,544   Tractors (end of period) Company-owned 1,425 1,640 Independent contractor 956 965 Total tractors 2,381 2,605   Trailers (end of period) 9,095 9,141 Average effective trailing equipment usage 8,072 8,077     Integrated Capacity Solutions   Loads 232,259 189,077 Revenue per load $ 1,411 $ 1,359 Gross profit margin 12.5% 13.4% Employee count (end of period) 428 369 Approximate number of third-party carriers (end of period) 31,400 28,100     * Includes company-owned and independent contractor tractors ** Using weighted workdays *** Includes company-owned, independent contractor, and customer-owned trucks             J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands) (unaudited)           September 30, 2012           December 31, 2011ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 5,659 $ 5,450 Accounts Receivable 504,252 411,479 Prepaid expenses and other       53,346           96,613 Total current assets       563,257           513,542 Property and equipment 2,862,385 2,658,143 Less accumulated depreciation       1,013,932           931,273 Net property and equipment       1,848,453           1,726,870 Other assets       26,632           26,920       $ 2,438,342         $ 2,267,332     LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Current debt $ 100,000 $ 50,000 Trade accounts payable 328,757 251,625 Claims accruals 48,194 42,364 Accrued payroll 58,315 77,107 Other accrued expenses       13,409           17,419 Total current liabilities       548,675           438,515   Long-term debt 544,904 699,177 Other long-term liabilities 46,849 45,382 Deferred income taxes 516,724 516,715 Stockholders' equity       781,190           567,543       $ 2,438,342         $ 2,267,332       Supplemental Data (unaudited)                               September 30, 2012     December 31, 2011   Actual shares outstanding at end of period (000)       118,258           116,932   Book value per actual share outstanding at end of period     $ 6.61         $ 4.85                           Nine Months Ended September 3020122011   Net cash provided by operating activities (000)     $ 417,339         $ 488,209   Net capital expenditures (000)     $ 279,037         $ 324,266 J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.David G. Mee, 479-820-8363Executive Vice President, Finance/Administrationand Chief Financial Officer