J.B. Hunt Transport Services (JBHT) 10-Q 2024 Q3 Quarterly report

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2024

OR

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File Number: 0-11757

J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Arkansas	71-0335111
(State or other jurisdiction	(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or	Identification No.)
organization)

615 J.B. Hunt Corporate Drive, Lowell, Arkansas 72745

(Address of principal executive offices)

479-820-0000

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

www.jbhunt.com

(Registrant's web site)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value	JBHT	NASDAQ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to the filing requirements for the past 90 days.

   Yes ☒          No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

   Yes ☒          No ☐  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer  ☒       Accelerated filer ☐       Non-accelerated filer ☐

Smaller reporting company  ☐      Emerging growth company  ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

   Yes ☐          No ☒

The number of shares of the registrant’s $0.01 par value common stock outstanding on September 30, 2024 was 100,829,954.

J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.

Form 10-Q

For The Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2024

Table of Contents

		Page
Part I.    Financial Information
Item 1.	Financial Statements
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023	3
	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023	4
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023	5
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023	6
	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of September 30, 2024	7
Item 2.	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	12
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	20
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	21
Part II.    Other Information
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	21
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	21
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	22
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	22
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	22
Item 5.	Other Information	22
Item 6.	Exhibits	22
Exhibits		23
Signatures		24

Part I.    Financial Information

ITEM 1.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

(unaudited)

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
Operating revenues, excluding fuel surcharge revenues	$	2,678,484	$	2,690,890	$	7,775,991	$	8,140,959
Fuel surcharge revenues		389,687		472,863		1,164,865		1,385,006
Total operating revenues		3,068,171		3,163,753		8,940,856		9,525,965
Operating expenses:
Rents and purchased transportation		1,380,380		1,443,197		3,935,379		4,315,581
Salaries, wages and employee benefits		809,494		803,187		2,420,425		2,450,062
Depreciation and amortization		187,982		187,714		555,637		543,498
Fuel and fuel taxes		158,792		195,962		496,610		563,642
Operating supplies and expenses		127,889		130,905		371,305		388,213
Insurance and claims		78,441		62,675		227,348		196,896
General and administrative expenses, net of asset dispositions		72,389		69,413		223,878		191,291
Operating taxes and licenses		17,705		18,739		52,815		55,797
Communication and utilities		10,991		10,245		33,273		31,067
Total operating expenses		2,844,063		2,922,037		8,316,670		8,736,047
Operating income		224,108		241,716		624,186		789,918
Net interest expense		20,751		12,586		56,598		41,980
Earnings before income taxes		203,357		229,130		567,588		747,938
Income taxes		51,291		41,699		152,156		173,186
Net earnings	$	152,066	$	187,431	$	415,432	$	574,752
Weighted average basic shares outstanding		101,319		103,302		102,312		103,528
Basic earnings per share	$	1.50	$	1.81	$	4.06	$	5.55
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding		102,135		104,394		103,126		104,562
Diluted earnings per share	$	1.49	$	1.80	$	4.03	$	5.50

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

	September 30, 2024		December 31, 2023
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	120,002	$	53,344
Trade accounts receivable, net		1,262,921		1,334,912
Prepaid expenses and other		543,477		696,656
Total current assets		1,926,400		2,084,912
Property and equipment, at cost		9,053,779		8,767,872
Less accumulated depreciation		3,302,505		2,993,959
Net property and equipment		5,751,274		5,773,913
Goodwill and intangible assets, net		250,996		267,953
Other assets		397,280		411,482
Total assets	$	8,325,950	$	8,538,260
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	$	500,000	$	249,961
Trade accounts payable		673,452		737,364
Claims accruals		613,311		547,277
Accrued payroll		108,428		94,563
Other accrued expenses		146,254		150,256
Total current liabilities		2,041,445		1,779,421
Long-term debt		1,032,303		1,326,107
Other long-term liabilities		390,156		392,766
Deferred income taxes		861,828		936,208
Stockholders' equity		4,000,218		4,103,758
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	8,325,950	$	8,538,260

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

(unaudited)

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
			Additional
	Common		Paid-in			Retained			Treasury			Stockholders’
	Stock		Capital			Earnings			Stock			Equity
Balances at June 30, 2023	$	1,671	$	532,503		$	6,723,938		$	(3,346,189	)	$	3,911,923
Comprehensive income:
Net earnings		-		-			187,431			-			187,431
Cash dividend declared and paid ($0.42 per share)		-		-			(43,431	)		-			(43,431	)
Purchase of treasury shares		-		-			-			(51,101	)		(51,101	)
Share-based compensation		-		20,673			-			-			20,673
Restricted share issuances, net of stock repurchased for payroll taxes and other		-		(5,543	)		-			(1,850	)		(7,393	)
Balances at September 30, 2023	$	1,671	$	547,633		$	6,867,938		$	(3,399,140	)	$	4,018,102
Balances at June 30, 2024	$	1,671	$	578,624		$	7,153,058		$	(3,657,357	)	$	4,075,996
Comprehensive income:
Net earnings		-		-			152,066			-			152,066
Cash dividend declared and paid ($0.43 per share)		-		-			(43,686	)		-			(43,686	)
Purchase of treasury shares		-		-			-			(199,998	)		(199,998	)
Share-based compensation		-		19,813			-			-			19,813
Restricted share issuances, net of stock repurchased for payroll taxes and other		-		(3,773	)		-			(200	)		(3,973	)
Balances at September 30, 2024	$	1,671	$	594,664		$	7,261,438		$	(3,857,555	)	$	4,000,218

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
			Additional
	Common		Paid-in			Retained			Treasury			Stockholders’
	Stock		Capital			Earnings			Stock			Equity
Balances at December 31, 2022	$	1,671	$	499,897		$	6,423,730		$	(3,258,530	)	$	3,666,768
Comprehensive income:
Net earnings		-		-			574,752			-			574,752
Cash dividend declared and paid ($1.26 per share)		-		-			(130,544	)		-			(130,544	)
Purchase of treasury shares		-		-			-			(135,036	)		(135,036	)
Share-based compensation		-		60,518			-			-			60,518
Restricted share issuances, net of stock repurchased for payroll taxes and other		-		(12,782	)		-			(5,574	)		(18,356	)
Balances at September 30, 2023	$	1,671	$	547,633		$	6,867,938		$	(3,399,140	)	$	4,018,102
Balances at December 31, 2023	$	1,671	$	549,132		$	6,978,119		$	(3,425,164	)	$	4,103,758
Comprehensive income:
Net earnings		-		-			415,432			-			415,432
Cash dividend declared and paid ($1.29 per share)		-		-			(132,113	)		-			(132,113	)
Purchase of treasury shares		-		-			-			(428,283	)		(428,283	)
Share-based compensation		-		57,376			-			-			57,376
Restricted share issuances, net of stock repurchased for payroll taxes and other		-		(11,844	)		-			(4,108	)		(15,952	)
Balances at September 30, 2024	$	1,671	$	594,664		$	7,261,438		$	(3,857,555	)	$	4,000,218

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024			2023
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$	415,432		$	574,752
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		555,637			543,498
Noncash lease expense		75,737			71,766
Share-based compensation		57,376			60,518
Net loss on sale of revenue equipment and other assets		13,305			17,244
Deferred income taxes		(74,380	)		65,989
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade accounts receivable		71,991			224,387
Other assets		191,020			165,622
Trade accounts payable		(107,615	)		(7,564	)
Income taxes payable or receivable		(15,234	)		(2,366	)
Claims accruals		31,943			(8,510	)
Accrued payroll and other accrued expenses		(49,692	)		(175,724	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		1,165,520			1,529,612
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property and equipment		(641,083	)		(1,558,587	)
Proceeds from sale of equipment		153,016			238,682
Proceeds from sale of investment		6,768			-
Business acquisitions		3,785			(85,000	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(477,514	)		(1,404,905	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments on long-term debt		(250,000	)		-
Proceeds from revolving lines of credit and other		2,255,300			2,093,600
Payments on revolving lines of credit and other		(2,050,300	)		(1,911,100	)
Purchase of treasury stock		(428,283	)		(135,036	)
Stock repurchased for payroll taxes and other		(15,952	)		(18,356	)
Dividends paid		(132,113	)		(130,544	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(621,348	)		(101,436	)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		66,658			23,271
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		53,344			51,927
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	120,002		$	75,198
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	$	71,548		$	56,189
Income taxes	$	242,602		$	115,145
Noncash investing activities
Accruals for equipment received	$	88,395		$	75,348

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

1. General

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for interim financial information. We believe such statements include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for the fair statement of our financial position, results of operations and cash flows at the dates and for the periods indicated. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) applicable to quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, the accompanying financial statements do not include all disclosures required by GAAP for annual financial statements. While we believe the disclosures presented are adequate to make the information not misleading, these unaudited interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. Operating results for the periods presented in this report are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the calendar year ending December 31, 2024, or any other interim period. Our business is somewhat seasonal with slightly higher freight volumes typically experienced during August through early November in our full-load freight transportation business.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Property and Equipment

In January 2024, we changed the estimated useful lives of certain trailing equipment used in our Intermodal segment from 20 years to 25 years. This change did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2023-07, Segment Reporting: Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which requires disclosure of significant segment expense categories and amounts for each of our reportable segments. The new standard is effective retrospectively for us on January 1, 2024, for annual periods, and January 1, 2025, for interim periods, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this accounting pronouncement on our financial statements.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes: Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which enhances income tax disclosures to provide more transparency about income tax information, primarily related to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid by jurisdiction information. These disclosures will include consistent categories and greater disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation and require income taxes paid to be disaggregated by jurisdiction as well as additional amendments to improve the effectiveness of income tax disclosures. The new standard is effective prospectively for us on January 1, 2025, with retrospective adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this accounting pronouncement on our financial statements.

Recent Disclosure Rules

In March 2024, the SEC adopted new rules that will require registrants to provide certain climate-related information in their registration statements and annual reports. These rules will require information about our climate-related risks that are reasonably likely to have a material impact on our business, results of operations, or financial condition. The required information about climate-related risks will also include disclosure of our greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, the rules will require us to present certain climate-related financial metrics in our audited financial statements. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of these rules on our financial statements and related disclosures and monitoring the status of the rules while legal challenges are pending.

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2. Earnings Per Share

We compute basic earnings per share by dividing net earnings available to common shareholders by the actual weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the reporting period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if holders of unvested restricted and performance share units converted their holdings into common stock. The dilutive effect of restricted and performance share units was 0.8 million shares during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 1.1 million and 1.0 million shares during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023.

3. Share-based Compensation

The following table summarizes the components of our share-based compensation program expense (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
Restricted share units:
Pretax compensation expense	$	13,842	$	14,433	$	39,659	$	41,886
Tax benefit		3,654		3,722		10,470		10,802
Restricted share unit expense, net of tax	$	10,188	$	10,711	$	29,189	$	31,084
Performance share units:
Pretax compensation expense	$	5,971	$	6,240	$	17,717	$	18,632
Tax benefit		1,576		1,609		4,677		4,805
Performance share unit expense, net of tax	$	4,395	$	4,631	$	13,040	$	13,827

As of September 30, 2024, we had $67.2 million and $34.6 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to restricted share units and performance share units, respectively, that is to be recognized over the remaining weighted average period of approximately 3.0 years for restricted share units and 2.2 years for performance share units. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we issued 104,033 shares for vested restricted share units and 138,115 shares for vested performance share units. Of this total, 67,173 shares for vested restricted share units and zero shares for vested performance share units were issued during the third quarter 2024.

4. Financing Arrangements

Outstanding borrowings, net of unamortized discount and unamortized debt issuance cost, under our current financing arrangements consist of the following (in millions):

	September 30, 2024			December 31, 2023
Senior credit facility	$	833.5		$	627.9
Senior notes		698.8			948.2
Less current portion of long-term debt		(500.0	)		(250.0	)
Total long-term debt	$	1,032.3		$	1,326.1

Senior Credit Facility

At September 30, 2024, we were authorized to borrow up to $1.5 billion through a revolving line of credit and committed term loans, which is supported by a credit agreement with a group of banks. The revolving line of credit authorizes us to borrow up to $1.0 billion under a five-year term expiring September 2027 and allows us to request an increase in the revolving line of credit total commitment by up to $300 million and to request two one-year extensions of the maturity date. The committed term loans authorized us to borrow up to an additional $500 million during the nine-month period beginning September 27, 2022, due September 2025, which we exercised in June 2023. The applicable interest rates under this agreement are based on either the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) or a Base Rate, depending upon the specific type of borrowing, plus an applicable margin and other fees. At September 30, 2024, we had $335 million outstanding on the revolving line of credit and a $500 million outstanding balance of term loans, at an average interest rate of 6.07%, under this agreement.

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Senior Notes

Our senior notes consist of $700 million of 3.875% senior notes due March 2026, issued in March 2019. Interest payments under these notes are due semiannually in March and September of each year beginning September 2019. These senior notes were issued by J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., a parent-level holding company with no significant tangible assets or operations. The notes are guaranteed on a full and unconditional basis by our wholly-owned operating subsidiary. All other subsidiaries of the parent are minor. We registered these offerings and the sale of the notes under the Securities Act of 1933, pursuant to a shelf registration statement filed in January 2019. These notes are unsecured obligations and rank equally with our existing and future senior unsecured debt. We may redeem for cash some or all of the notes based on a redemption price set forth in the note indenture. Our $250 million of 3.85% senior notes matured in March 2024. The entire outstanding balance was paid in full at maturity.

Our financing arrangements require us to maintain certain covenants and financial ratios.  We were in compliance with all covenants and financial ratios at September 30, 2024.

5. Capital Stock

On July 20, 2022, our Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to $500 million of our common stock. On August 16, 2024, our Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to an additional $1 billion of our common stock to be effective upon our purchase of the remaining balance under the July 2022 authorization. At September 30, 2024, the July 2022 authorization was fully exhausted, and $967 million of the August 2024 authorization was remaining. We purchased 2,551,033 shares, or $428 million, including applicable taxes, of our common stock under our repurchase authorizations during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, of which 1,200,330 shares, or $200 million, including applicable taxes, were purchased in the third quarter 2024. On July 17, 2024, our Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.43 per common share, which was paid on August 16, 2024, to shareholders of record on August 2, 2024. On October 17, 2024, our Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.43 per common share, which will be paid on November 22, 2024, to shareholders of record on November 8, 2024.

6. Fair Value Measurements

Our assets and liabilities measured at fair value are based on valuation techniques which consider prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets and liabilities. These valuation methods are based on either quoted market prices (Level 1) or inputs, other than quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly (Level 2).

Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The following assets are measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in millions):

	Asset Balance
	September 30, 2024		December 31, 2023		Input Level
Trading investments	$	33.5	$	31.6		1

The fair value of trading investments has been measured using the market approach (Level 1) and reflects quoted market prices. Trading investments are classified in other assets in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Financial Instruments

The carrying amount of our senior credit facility and senior notes was $1.53 billion and $1.58 billion at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The estimated fair value of these liabilities using the income approach (Level 2), based on their net present value, discounted at our current borrowing rate, was $1.53 billion and $1.57 billion at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

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The carrying amounts of all other instruments at September 30, 2024, approximate their fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments.

7. Income Taxes

Our effective income tax rate was 25.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 18.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2023, which included a discrete income tax benefit. Our effective income tax rate was 26.8% for the first nine months of 2024, compared to 23.2% in 2023. In determining our quarterly provision for income taxes, we use an estimated annual effective tax rate, adjusted for discrete items. This rate is based on our expected annual income, statutory tax rates, best estimate of nontaxable and nondeductible items of income and expense, and the ultimate outcome of tax audits.

At September 30, 2024, we had a total of $81.4 million in gross unrecognized tax benefits, which are a component of other long-term liabilities on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Of this amount, $66.0 million represents the amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact our effective tax rate. The total amount of accrued interest and penalties for such unrecognized tax benefits was $14.5 million at September 30, 2024.

8. Commitments and Contingencies

As the result of state use tax audits, we have been assessed amounts owed from which we are vigorously appealing. We have recorded a liability for the estimated probable exposure under these audits and await resolution of the matter.

We purchase insurance coverage for a portion of expenses related to vehicular collisions and accidents. These policies include a level of self-insurance (deductible) coverage applicable to each claim, as well as certain coverage-layer-specific, aggregated reimbursement limits of covered excess claims. Our claims from time to time exceed some of these existing coverage-layer, aggregated reimbursement limits, and accordingly, we have recorded a liability for the estimated probable exposure for these occurrences.

We are involved in certain other claims and pending litigation arising from the normal conduct of business. Based on present knowledge of the facts and, in certain cases, opinions of outside counsel, we believe the resolution of these claims and pending litigation will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.

9. Acquisitions

On September 14, 2023, we entered into an asset purchase agreement to acquire substantially all of the brokerage assets and assume certain specified liabilities of BNSF Logistics, LLC (BNSFL), an affiliate of Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC, subject to customary closing conditions.  The closing of the transaction was effective on September 30, 2023, with a purchase price of $85.0 million. Total consideration paid in cash under the BNSFL agreement was $81.2 million and consisted of the agreed upon purchase price reduced for estimated work capital adjustments. Transaction costs incurred were not material. The BNSFL acquisition was accounted for as a business combination and operates within our Integrated Capacity Solutions business segment. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded in our Consolidated Balance Sheet at their estimated fair values, as of the closing date, using cost, market data and valuation techniques that reflect management’s judgment and estimates. As a result of the acquisition, we recorded approximately $38.5 million of definite-lived intangible assets and approximately $13.6 million of goodwill. Goodwill consists of acquiring and retaining the BNSFL existing brokerage network and expected synergies from the combination of operations.

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10.  Business Segments

We reported five distinct business segments during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023. These segments included Intermodal (JBI), Dedicated Contract Services® (DCS®), Integrated Capacity Solutions (ICS), Final Mile Services® (FMS), and Truckload (JBT). The operation of each of these businesses is described in Note 13, Segment Information, of our Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2023.

A summary of certain segment information is presented below (in millions):

	Assets (Excludes intercompany accounts) As of
	September 30, 2024		December 31, 2023
JBI	$	3,577	$	3,391
DCS		2,297		2,355
ICS		301		350
FMS		556		634
JBT		396		419
Other (includes corporate)		1,199		1,389
Total	$	8,326	$	8,538

	Operating Revenues
	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024			2023			2024			2023
JBI	$	1,557		$	1,555		$	4,360		$	4,584
DCS		846			892			2,557			2,659
ICS		278			298			834			1,026
FMS		218			226			683			675
JBT		173			196			519			594
Subtotal		3,072			3,167			8,953			9,538
Inter-segment eliminations		(4	)		(3	)		(12	)		(12	)
Total	$	3,068		$	3,164		$	8,941		$	9,526

	Operating Income/(Loss)
	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024			2023			2024			2023
JBI	$	111.8		$	128.0		$	312.9		$	439.5
DCS		95.5			102.4			285.6			318.6
ICS		(3.3	)		(9.4	)		(34.1	)		(19.2	)
FMS		12.0			13.0			46.9			34.4
JBT		8.2			7.7			12.9			16.5
Other (includes corporate)		(0.1	)		-			-			0.1
Total	$	224.1		$	241.7		$	624.2		$	789.9

	Depreciation and Amortization Expense
	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
JBI	$	62.2	$	64.7	$	184.0	$	188.8
DCS		82.7		84.8		247.1		240.5
ICS		6.2		1.1		13.8		3.4
FMS		11.1		11.9		34.2		35.8
JBT		8.9		10.9		27.1		32.8
Other (includes corporate)		16.9		14.3		49.4		42.2
Total	$	188.0	$	187.7	$	555.6	$	543.5

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ITEM 2.    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

You should refer to the attached interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes and also to our Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2023, as you read the following discussion. We may make statements in this report that reflect our current expectation regarding future results of operations, performance, and achievements. These are “forward-looking” statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are based on our belief or interpretation of information currently available. When we use words like “may,” “plan,” “contemplate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “continue,” “expect,” “project,” “goals,” “strategy,” “future,” “predict,” “seek,” “estimate,” “likely,” “could,” “should,” “would,” and similar expressions, you should consider them as identifying forward-looking statements, although we may use other phrasing. Forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, subject to risks, and should be viewed with caution. These statements are based on our belief or interpretation of information currently available. Shareholders and prospective investors are cautioned that actual results and future events may differ materially from these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors. Some of the factors and events that are not within our control and that could have a material impact on future operating results include the following: general economic and business conditions; competition and competitive rate fluctuations; excess capacity in the intermodal or trucking industries; a loss of one or more major customers; cost and availability of diesel fuel; interference with or termination of our relationships with certain railroads; rail service delays; disruptions to U.S. port-of-call activity; ability to attract and retain qualified drivers, delivery personnel, independent contractors, and third-party carriers; retention of key employees; insurance costs and availability; litigation and claims expense; determination that independent contractors are employees; new or different environmental or other laws and regulations; volatile financial credit markets or interest rates; terrorist attacks or actions; acts of war; adverse weather conditions; potential business or operational disruptions resulting from the effects of a national or international health pandemic; disruption or failure of information systems; inability to keep pace with technological advances affecting our information technology platforms; operational disruption or adverse effects of business acquisitions; increased costs for and availability of new revenue equipment; increased tariffs assessed on or disruptions in the procurement of imported revenue equipment; decreases in the value of used equipment; and the ability of revenue equipment manufacturers to perform in accordance with agreements for guaranteed equipment trade-in values. Additionally, our business is somewhat seasonal with slightly higher freight volumes typically experienced during August through early November in our full-load transportation business. You should also refer to Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2023, for additional information on risk factors and other events that are not within our control. Our future financial and operating results may fluctuate as a result of these and other risk factors or events as described from time to time in our filings with the SEC. 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.

GENERAL

We are one of the largest surface transportation, delivery, and logistics companies in North America. We operate five distinct, but complementary, business segments and provide a wide range of reliable transportation, brokerage, and delivery services to a diverse group of customers and consumers throughout the continental United States, Canada, and Mexico. Our service offerings include transportation of full-truckload containerized freight, which we directly transport utilizing our company-controlled revenue equipment and company drivers, independent contractors, or third-party carriers. We have arrangements with most of the major North American rail carriers to transport freight in containers or trailers, while we perform the majority of the pickup and delivery services. We also provide customized freight movement, revenue equipment, labor, systems, and delivery services that are tailored to meet individual customers’ requirements and typically involve long-term contracts. These arrangements are generally referred to as dedicated services and may include multiple pickups and drops, freight handling, specialized equipment, and freight network design. In addition, we provide or arrange for local and home delivery services, generally referred to as last-mile delivery services, to customers through a network of cross-dock and other delivery system locations throughout the continental United States. Utilizing thousands of reliable third-party carriers, we also provide comprehensive freight transportation brokerage and logistics services. In addition to dry-van, full-load operations, we also arrange for these unrelated outside carriers to provide flatbed, refrigerated, less-than-truckload (LTL), and other specialized equipment, drivers, and services. Also, we utilize a combination of company-owned and contracted power units to provide traditional over-the-road full truckload delivery services. Our customers, who include many Fortune 500 companies, have extremely diverse businesses. Many of them are served by J.B. Hunt 360°®, an online platform that offers shippers and carriers greater access, visibility and transparency of the supply chain. We account for our business on a calendar year basis, with our full year ending on December 31 and our quarterly reporting periods ending on March 31, June 30, and September 30. The operation of each of our five business segments is described in Note 10, Business Segments, in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in Note 13, Segment Information, of our Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2023.

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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of our financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that impact the amounts reported in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. Therefore, the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and associated disclosures of contingent liabilities are affected by these estimates. We evaluate these estimates on an ongoing basis, utilizing historical experience, consultation with experts, and other methods considered reasonable in the particular circumstances. Nevertheless, actual results may differ significantly from our estimates. Any effects on our business, financial position, or results of operations resulting from revisions to these estimates are recognized in the accounting period in which the facts that give rise to the revision become known.

Information regarding our Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates can be found in our Annual Report (Form 10-K). The critical accounting policies that we believe require us to make more significant judgments and estimates when we prepare our financial statements include those relating to self-insurance accruals, revenue equipment, revenue recognition and income taxes. We have discussed the development and selection of these critical accounting policies and estimates with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors. In addition, Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to the financial statements in our Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2023, contains a summary of our critical accounting policies. There have been no material changes to the methodology we apply for critical accounting estimates as previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Comparison of Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 to Three Months Ended September 30, 2023

	Summary of Operating Segment Results For the Three Months Ended September 30, (in millions)
	Operating Revenues						Operating Income/(Loss)
	2024			2023			2024			2023
JBI	$	1,557		$	1,555		$	111.8		$	128.0
DCS		846			892			95.5			102.4
ICS		278			298			(3.3	)		(9.4	)
FMS		218			226			12.0			13.0
JBT		173			196			8.2			7.7
Other (includes corporate)		-			-			(0.1	)		-
Subtotal		3,072			3,167			224.1			241.7
Inter-Segment eliminations		(4	)		(3	)		-			-
Total	$	3,068		$	3,164		$	224.1		$	241.7

Total consolidated operating revenues were $3.07 billion for the third quarter 2024, a 3% decrease from $3.16 billion in the third quarter 2023. This decrease was primarily the result of decreased revenue per load in JBI and JBT, lower volumes in ICS, JBT, and DCS, and a decrease in stops in FMS when compared to the third quarter 2023. These decreases were partially offset by load volume growth in JBI and an increase in ICS revenue per load in the current quarter over the past year. Total consolidated operating revenue, excluding fuel surcharge revenue, decreased less than 1%.

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JBI segment reported revenue of $1.56 billion during the third quarter 2024, which was flat compared to third quarter 2023, resulting from a 5% increase in load volume being fully offset by a 5% decrease in revenue per load, which is determined by the combination of customer rates, fuel surcharges, and freight mix. The increase in load volumes was primarily driven by increased customer demand, seasonal activity, and rail network improvements. Transcontinental loads increased 7% and eastern network load volume increased 3% compared to the third quarter 2023. Revenue per load, excluding fuel surcharge revenue, decreased 2% compared to the third quarter 2023. JBI segment operating income decreased 13% to $111.8 million in third quarter 2024 from $128.0 million in 2023. The decrease was primarily due to increased network imbalance and repositioning cost and higher driver wages to meet peak season customer demand as well as increased maintenance and equipment-related costs, higher insurance premium and claims expense, and higher other personnel-related expenses, compared to third quarter 2023. The current quarter ended with approximately 121,500 units of trailing capacity and 6,500 power units assigned to the dray fleet.

DCS segment revenue decreased 5% to $846 million in the third quarter 2024 from $892 million in 2023. Productivity, defined as revenue per truck per week, decreased 3% when compared to the third quarter 2023. Productivity, excluding fuel surcharge revenue, remained flat, primarily due to decreased asset utilization and increased idle equipment, offset by contractual index-based rate increases. On a net basis, revenue-producing trucks in the fleet at the end of the third quarter 2024 decreased by 498 trucks, or 4%, compared to the prior-year period. DCS segment operating income decreased 7% to $95.5 million in the third quarter 2024, from $102.4 million in 2023. The decrease is primarily due to decreased revenue, increased insurance premium and claims expense, and higher new account start-up costs, partially offset by lower maintenance and equipment-related costs, lower bad debt expense, and the maturing of new business onboarded over the past year when compared to the third quarter 2023. Customer retention rates are approximately 87%, primarily due to fleet downsizing and customer account losses.

ICS segment revenue decreased 7% to $278 million in the third quarter 2024, from $298 million in 2023. Overall volumes decreased 10% compared to the third quarter 2023, while revenue per load increased 3%, primarily due to higher contractual and spot rates and changes in customer freight mix. Contractual business represented approximately 62% of total load volume and 61% of total revenue in the third quarter 2024, compared to 68% and 67%, respectively, in 2023. Approximately $92 million of third quarter 2024 ICS revenue was executed through the Marketplace for J.B. Hunt 360, compared to $169 million in the third quarter 2023. ICS segment had an operating loss of $3.3 million in the third quarter 2024, compared to an operating loss of $9.4 million in 2023. The decrease in operating loss was driven primarily by a 31% increase in gross profit, lower cargo claims expense, and lower personnel-related expenses, partially offset by  integration and transition costs related to the purchase of the brokerage assets of BNSF Logistics, LLC (BNSFL). Gross profit margin increased to 17.9% in the third quarter 2024, compared to 12.8% in 2023, reflecting focused bid season yield management, improved capacity procurement, and certain project-related activity. ICS’s carrier base decreased 18% compared to third quarter 2023, primarily due to changes in carrier qualification requirements.

FMS segment revenue decreased 3% to $218 million in the third quarter 2024 from $226 million in 2023, primarily due to general weakness in customer demand, partially offset by the addition of multiple new customer contracts implemented over the past year as well as internal efforts to improve revenue quality across certain accounts. FMS segment operating income decreased to $12.0 million in the third quarter of 2024 compared to $13.0 million in 2023. This decrease was primarily due to decreased revenue, higher purchased transportation costs and higher insurance premiums expense, partially offset by decreased personnel-related expenses compared to the third quarter 2023.

JBT segment revenue decreased 12% to $173 million in the third quarter 2024, from $196 million in 2023. Revenue, excluding fuel surcharge revenue, decreased 9% primarily due to a 6% decrease in load volume and a 3% decrease in revenue per load, excluding fuel surcharge revenue, compared to third quarter 2023. JBT average effective trailer count in third quarter 2024 decreased 2% to 12,588, compared to third quarter 2023. Trailer turns in third quarter 2024 decreased 4% compared to third quarter 2023, due to weakened overall customer demand. At the end of third quarter 2024, the JBT power fleet consisted of 1,989 tractors. JBT segment operating income increased to $8.2 million in 2024, compared with $7.7 million during third quarter 2023. The increase is primarily due to improved network balance, decreased trailing capacity costs, and overall cost management initiatives, partially offset by higher insurance premiums expense.

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Consolidated Operating Expenses

The following table sets forth items in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings as a percentage of operating revenues and the percentage increase or decrease of those items as compared with the prior period.

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	Dollar Amounts as a Percentage of Total Operating Revenues						Percentage Change of Dollar Amounts Between Quarters
	2024			2023			2024 vs. 2023
Total operating revenues		100.0	%		100.0	%		(3.0	)%
Operating expenses:
Rents and purchased transportation		45.0			45.6			(4.4	)
Salaries, wages and employee benefits		26.4			25.4			0.8
Depreciation and amortization		6.1			5.9			0.1
Fuel and fuel taxes		5.2			6.2			(19.0	)
Operating supplies and expenses		4.2			4.1			(2.3	)
Insurance and claims		2.6			2.0			25.2
General and administrative expenses, net of asset dispositions		2.2			2.3			4.3
Operating taxes and licenses		0.6			0.6			(5.5	)
Communication and utilities		0.4			0.3			7.3
Total operating expenses		92.7			92.4			(2.7	)
Operating income		7.3			7.6			(7.3	)
Net interest expense		0.7			0.4			64.9
Earnings before income taxes		6.6			7.2			(11.3	)
Income taxes		1.6			1.3			23.0
Net earnings		5.0	%		5.9	%		(18.9	)%

Total operating expenses decreased 2.7%, while operating revenues decreased 3.0% during the third quarter 2024 from the comparable period 2023. Operating income decreased to $224.1 million during the third quarter 2024 from $241.7 million in 2023.

Rents and purchased transportation costs decreased 4.4% in the third quarter 2024. This decrease was primarily the result of a decrease in rail and truck carrier purchased transportation rates within JBI, ICS, and JBT segments and decreased ICS and JBT load volumes, which decreased services provided by third-party rail and truck carriers during the third quarter 2024 compared to 2023.

Salaries, wages and employee benefits costs increased 0.8% during the third quarter 2024, compared with 2023. This increase was primarily due to increased group medical benefit expenses, partially offset by a decrease in non-driver employee headcounts.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased 0.1% in third quarter 2024 compared with 2023, primarily due to the addition of trailing equipment within JBI and additional depreciation and amortization expense resulting from the recent business acquisition, partially offset by the impact of the change in expected useful lives of our container fleet and equipment reductions within DCS. Fuel costs decreased 19.0% in the third quarter 2024, compared with 2023, due primarily to a decrease in the price of fuel and decreased road miles.

Operating supplies and expenses decreased 2.3%, driven primarily by decreased tolls expense, lower towing costs, and decreased other operating supply costs, partially offset by higher equipment maintenance costs. Insurance and claims expenses increased 25.2% in 2024 compared with 2023, primarily due to higher insurance policy premiums expense. General and administrative expenses increased 4.3% for the current quarter from the comparable period in 2023, primarily due to higher building and yard rental expense and increased professional services expense, partially offset by a decrease in net loss from sale or disposal of assets and lower bad debt expense. Net loss from sale or disposal of assets was $0.8 million in 2024, compared to a net loss from sale or disposal of assets of $7.7 million in 2023.

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Net interest expense increased 64.9% in 2024 due to an increase in effective interest rates on our debt and an increase in our average debt balance compared to third quarter 2023. In addition, third quarter 2023 interest expense included an interest component of a discrete income tax benefit recognized in the quarter. Income tax expense increased 23.0% in 2024, compared with 2023, primarily due to a higher effective income tax rate in the third quarter 2024 compared with 2023, which included the recording of a discrete benefit, partially offset by lower taxable earnings. Our effective income tax rate was 25.2% for the third quarter of 2024, compared to 18.2% in 2023. Our annual tax rate for 2024 is expected to be approximately 24.5.%. In determining our quarterly provision for income taxes, we use an estimated annual effective tax rate, adjusted for discrete items.  This rate is based on our expected annual income, statutory tax rates, best estimate of nontaxable and nondeductible items of income and expense, and the ultimate outcome of tax audits.

Comparison of Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023

	Summary of Operating Segment Results For the Nine Months Ended September 30, (in millions)
	Operating Revenues						Operating Income/(loss)
	2024			2023			2024			2023
JBI	$	4,360		$	4,584		$	312.9		$	439.5
DCS		2,557			2,659			285.6			318.6
ICS		834			1,026			(34.1	)		(19.2	)
FMS		683			675			46.9			34.4
JBT		519			594			12.9			16.5
Other (includes corporate)		-			-			-			0.1
Subtotal		8,953			9,538			624.2			789.9
Inter-segment eliminations		(12	)		(12	)		-			-
Total	$	8,941		$	9,526		$	624.2		$	789.9

Total consolidated operating revenues were $8.94 billion for the first nine months of 2024, a 6% decrease from $9.53 billion for the comparable period 2023. Fuel surcharge revenue decreased to $1.16 billion during the first nine months of 2024, compared with $1.39 billion in 2023. Total consolidated operating revenue, excluding fuel surcharge revenue, decreased 5% for the first nine months of 2024 compared to the prior-year period.

JBI segment revenue decreased 5% to $4.36 billion during the first nine months of 2024, compared with $4.58 billion in 2023. Load volume during the first nine months of 2024 increased 1% and revenue per load decreased 6%, compared to a year ago. Revenue per load, excluding fuel surcharge revenue, decreased 5% compared to the first nine months of 2023. JBI segment operating income decreased 29% to $312.9 million in the first nine months of 2024, from $439.5 million in 2023. The decrease is primarily due to decreased revenue and higher driver wages and benefits, increased maintenance and equipment-related costs, and higher insurance premiums expense.

DCS segment revenue decreased 4% to $2.56 billion during the first nine months of 2024, from $2.66 billion in 2023. Productivity, defined as revenue per truck per week, decreased 2% from a year ago. Productivity, excluding fuel surcharge revenue, for the first nine months of 2024 decreased 1% from a year ago. The decrease in productivity was primarily due to decreased utilization of equipment, partially offset by contractual index-based rate increases during the current period. Operating income of our DCS segment decreased to $285.6 million in the first nine months of 2024, from $318.6 million in 2023. The decrease is primarily due to decreased revenue, higher insurance premiums expense, and higher new account start-up costs, partially offset by decreased equipment-related costs, lower personnel costs, decreased loss on equipment sales, and the maturing of new business onboarded over the past year, when compared to the first nine months of 2023.

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ICS revenue decreased 19% to $834 million during the first nine months of 2024, from $1.03 billion in 2023. Overall volumes decreased 20%, while revenue per load increased 1% compared to 2023. Approximately $302 million of ICS revenue for the first nine months of 2024 was executed through the Marketplace for J.B. Hunt 360 compared to $644 million in 2023. ICS segment had an operating loss of $34.1 million in the first nine months of 2024 compared to an operating loss of $19.2 million in 2023, primarily due to decreased gross profit and integration and transition costs related to the purchase of the brokerage assets of BNSFL. These items were partially offset by lower salary, wages, and benefits expenses and reduced equipment rental expense during the first nine months of 2024. Gross profit margin increased to 15.7% in the current period compared to 13.1% in 2023, reflecting our focused bid season yield management and improved capacity procurement.

FMS revenue increased 1% to $683 million during the first nine months of 2024, from $675 million in 2023, primarily due to the addition of multiple new customer contracts implemented over the past year, partially offset by internal efforts to improve revenue quality across certain accounts and general weakness in customer demand. FMS segment had operating income of $46.9 million in the first nine months of 2024 compared to $34.4 million in 2023. This increase was primarily due to increased revenue and decreased personnel expenses as well as a $4.2 million net benefit from offsetting claim settlements, partially offset by higher insurance premiums expense compared to the first nine months of 2023.

JBT segment revenue decreased 13% to $519 million for the first nine months of 2024, from $594 million in 2023. Revenue, excluding fuel surcharge revenue, decreased 12%, primarily due to a 5% decrease in revenue per load, excluding fuel surcharge revenue, and a 7% decrease in load volume compared to the first nine months of 2023. Operating income of our JBT segment decreased to $12.9 million in the first nine months of 2024, from $16.5 million in 2023. The decrease in operating income was driven primarily by the decrease in revenue and higher insurance premiums expense, partially offset by overall cost management initiatives.

Consolidated Operating Expenses

The following table sets forth items in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings as a percentage of operating revenues and the percentage increase or decrease of those items as compared with the prior period.

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	Dollar Amounts as a Percentage of Total Operating Revenues						Percentage Change of Dollar Amounts Between Periods
	2024			2023			2024 vs 2023
Total operating revenues		100.0	%		100.0	%		(6.1	)%
Operating expenses:
Rents and purchased transportation		44.0			45.3			(8.8	)
Salaries, wages and employee benefits		27.1			25.7			(1.2	)
Depreciation and amortization		6.2			5.7			2.2
Fuel and fuel taxes		5.6			5.9			(11.9	)
Operating supplies and expenses		4.2			4.1			(4.4	)
Insurance and claims		2.5			2.1			15.5
General and administrative expenses, net of asset dispositions		2.4			2.0			17.0
Operating taxes and licenses		0.6			0.6			(5.3	)
Communication and utilities		0.4			0.3			7.1
Total operating expenses		93.0			91.7			(4.8	)
Operating income		7.0			8.3			(21.0	)
Net interest expense		0.7			0.4			34.8
Earnings before income taxes		6.3			7.9			(24.1	)
Income taxes		1.7			1.9			(12.1	)
Net earnings		4.6	%		6.0	%		(27.7	)%

Total operating expenses decreased 4.8%, while operating revenues decreased 6.1%, during the first nine months of 2024, from the comparable period of 2023. Operating income decreased to $624.2 million during the first nine months of 2024, from $789.9 million in 2023.

Rents and purchased transportation costs decreased 8.8% in 2024. This decrease was primarily the result of a decrease in rail and truck carrier purchased transportation rates within JBI, ICS, and JBT segments and decreased ICS and JBT load volume, which decreased services provided by third-party rail and truck carriers during the current period.

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Salaries, wages and employee benefits costs decreased 1.2% in 2024 from 2023. This decrease was primarily due to a decrease in driver and office employee headcounts, partially offset by an increase in group medical benefit expenses.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased 2.2% in 2024 primarily due to equipment purchases related to the addition of tractors and trailing equipment within JBI and additional depreciation and amortization expense resulting from the recent business acquisition, partially offset by the impact of the change in expected useful lives of our container fleet and equipment reductions within DCS. Fuel costs decreased 11.9% in 2024, compared with 2023, due primarily to a decrease in the price of fuel and decreased road miles.

Operating supplies and expenses decreased 4.4% primarily due to lower equipment maintenance costs, decreased towing expenses, lower tolls expense, decreased other operating supply costs, and lower travel and entertainment expenses. Insurance and claims expense increased 15.5% in 2024 compared with 2023, primarily due to higher insurance policy premium expense, partially offset by decreased cost per claim and lower claim volume in the current period. General and administrative expenses increased 17.0% from the comparable period in 2023, primarily due to an increase in building and yard rental expense, higher professional services expense, increased technology costs, and higher bad debt expense, partially offset by lower advertising costs and lower net losses from sale or disposal of assets. Net loss from sale or disposal of assets was $13.3 million in 2024, compared to a net loss from sale or disposal of assets of $17.2 million in 2023.

Net interest expense increased 34.8% in 2024, due primarily to an increase in effective interest rates on our debt and an increase in our average debt balance. Income tax expense decreased 12.1% during the first nine months of 2024 compared with 2023, primarily due to decreased taxable earnings, partially offset by a higher effective income tax rate in the first nine months of 2024. Our effective income tax rate was 26.8% for the first nine months of 2024, compared to 23.2% in 2023 due to discrete tax items. Our annual tax rate for 2024 is expected to be approximately 24.5.%. In determining our quarterly provision for income taxes, we use an estimated annual effective tax rate, adjusted for discrete items.  This rate is based on our expected annual income, statutory tax rates, best estimate of nontaxable and nondeductible items of income and expense, and the ultimate outcome of tax audits.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash Flow

Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $1.17 billion during the first nine months of 2024, compared with $1.53 billion for the same period 2023. Operating cash flows decreased primarily due to decreased earnings, partially offset by the timing of general working capital activities. Net cash used in investing activities totaled $477.5 million in 2024, compared with $1.40 billion in 2023. The decrease resulted primarily from a decrease in equipment purchases, net of proceeds from the sale of equipment in the current period. Net cash used in financing activities was $621.3 million in 2024, compared with $101.4 million in 2023. This increase resulted primarily from the retirement of long-term debt that matured in the first quarter of 2024 and an increase in treasury stock purchased during the current period.

Liquidity

Our need for capital has typically resulted from the acquisition of containers and chassis, trucks, tractors, and trailers required to support our growth and the replacement of older equipment, as well as periodic business acquisitions and real estate transactions. We are frequently able to accelerate or postpone a portion of equipment replacements or other capital expenditures depending on market and overall economic conditions. In recent years, we have obtained capital through cash generated from operations, revolving lines of credit, and long-term debt issuances. We have also periodically utilized operating leases to acquire revenue equipment. For our senior credit facility term loans maturing in 2025, it is our intent to pay the entire outstanding balances in full, on or before the maturity dates, using our existing cash balance, revolving line of credit or other sources of long-term financing.

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We believe our liquid assets, cash generated from operations, and revolving line of credit will provide sufficient funds for our operating and capital requirements for the foreseeable future. At September 30, 2024 we were authorized to borrow up to $1.5 billion through a revolving line of credit and committed term loans, which is supported by a credit agreement with a group of banks. The revolving line of credit authorizes us to borrow up to $1.0 billion under a five-year term expiring September 2027 and allows us to request an increase in the revolving line of credit total commitment by up to $300 million and to request two one-year extensions of the maturity date. The committed term loans authorized us to borrow up to an additional $500 million during the nine-month period beginning September 27, 2022, due September 2025, which we exercised in June 2023. The applicable interest rates under this agreement are based on either the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR), or a Base Rate, depending upon the specific type of borrowing, plus an applicable margin and other fees. At September 30, 2024, we had a cash balance of $120.0 million. Under our senior credit facility, we had a $335 million outstanding balance on the revolving line of credit and a $500 million outstanding balance of term loans at an average interest rate of 6.07%.

We continue to evaluate the possible effects of current economic conditions and reasonable and supportable economic forecasts on operational cash flows, including the risks of declines in the overall freight market and our customers' liquidity and ability to pay. We regularly monitor working capital and maintain frequent communication with our customers, suppliers and service providers. A large portion of our cost structure is variable. Purchased transportation expense represents more than half of our total costs and is heavily tied to load volumes. Our second largest cost item is salaries and wages, the largest portion of which is driver pay, which includes a large variable component.

Our financing arrangements require us to maintain certain covenants and financial ratios. At September 30, 2024, we were compliant with all covenants and financial ratios.

Our net capital expenditures were approximately $488.1 million during the first nine months of 2024, compared with $1.32 billion for the same period 2023. Our net capital expenditures include net additions to revenue equipment and non-revenue producing assets that are necessary to contribute to and support the future growth of our various business segments. Capital expenditures in 2024 were primarily for tractors, intermodal containers and chassis and other trailing equipment. We expect to spend approximately $625 million for net capital expenditures during the full calendar year 2024. We are currently committed to spend approximately $385 million, net of proceeds from sales or trade-ins, during the years 2024 and 2025, as well as an additional $237 million thereafter. These expenditures will relate primarily to the acquisition of tractors, containers and chassis, and other trailing equipment. At September 30, 2024, our aggregate future minimum lease payments under operating lease obligations totaled $370 million, related primarily to the rental of maintenance and support facilities, cross-dock and delivery system facilities, office space, parking yards, and equipment.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We had no off-balance sheet arrangements, other than our net purchase commitments of $622 million, as of September 30, 2024.

Risk Factors

You should refer to Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2023, under the caption “Risk Factors” for specific details on the following factors and events that are not within our control and could affect our financial results.

Risks Related to Our Industry

● Our business is significantly impacted by economic conditions, customer business cycles, and seasonal factors.

● Extreme or unusual weather conditions can disrupt our operations, impact freight volumes, and increase our costs, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business results.

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● Our operations are subject to various environmental laws and regulations, including legislative and regulatory responses to climate change. Compliance with environmental requirements could result in significant expenditures and the violation of these regulations could result in substantial fines or penalties.

● We depend on third parties in the operation of our business.

● Rapid changes in fuel costs could impact our periodic financial results.

● Insurance and claims expenses could significantly reduce our earnings.

● We operate in a regulated industry, and increased direct and indirect costs of compliance with, or liability for violation of, existing or future regulations could have a material adverse effect on our business.

● Difficulty in attracting and retaining drivers and delivery personnel could affect our profitability and ability to grow.

● Our business is significantly impacted by the effects of national or international health pandemics on general economic conditions and the operations of our customers and third-party suppliers and service providers.

● We operate in a competitive and highly fragmented industry. Numerous factors could impair our ability to maintain our current profitability and to compete with other carriers and private fleets.

Risks Related to Our Business

● We derive a significant portion of our revenue from a few major customers, the loss of one or more of which could have a material adverse effect on our business.

● A determination that independent contractors are employees could expose us to various liabilities and additional costs.

● We may be subject to litigation claims that could result in significant expenditures.

● We rely significantly on our information technology systems, a disruption, failure or security breach of which or inability to keep pace with technological advances could have a material adverse effect on our business.

● Acquisitions or business combinations may disrupt or have a material adverse effect on our operations or earnings.

ITEM 3.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Interest rate risk can be quantified by measuring the financial impact of a near-term adverse increase in short-term interest rates on variable-rate debt outstanding. Our total long-term debt consists of both fixed and variable interest rate facilities. Our senior notes have a fixed interest rate of 3.875%. These fixed-rate facilities reduce the impact of changes to market interest rates on future interest expense. Our senior credit facility has variable interest rates, which are based on either SOFR or a Base Rate, depending upon the specific type of borrowing, plus an applicable margin and other fees. At September 30, 2024, the average interest rate under our senior credit facility was 6.07%. Our earnings would be affected by changes in these short-term variable interest rates. At our current level of borrowing, a one-percentage-point increase in our applicable rate would reduce annual pretax earnings by $8.4 million.

Although we conduct business in foreign countries, foreign currency transaction gains and losses were not material to our results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. Accordingly, we are not currently subject to material foreign currency exchange rate risks from the effects that exchange rate movements of foreign currencies would have on our future costs or on future cash flows we would receive from our foreign investment. As of September 30, 2024, we had no foreign currency forward exchange contracts or other derivative financial instruments to hedge the effects of adverse fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.

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The price and availability of diesel fuel are subject to fluctuations due to changes in the level of global oil production, seasonality, weather, and other market factors. Historically, we have been able to recover a majority of fuel price increases from our customers in the form of fuel surcharges. We cannot predict the extent to which high fuel price levels may occur in the future or the extent to which fuel surcharges could be collected to offset such increases. As of September 30, 2024, we had no derivative financial instruments to reduce our exposure to fuel price fluctuations.

ITEM 4.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

We maintain controls and procedures designed to ensure that the information we are required to disclose in the reports we file with the SEC is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC rules, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2024.

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the third quarter of 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Part II.    Other Information

ITEM 1.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are involved in certain claims and pending litigation arising from the normal conduct of business. Based on present knowledge of the facts and, in certain cases, opinions of outside counsel, we believe the resolution of these claims and pending litigation will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

Information regarding risk factors appears in Part I, Item 2, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of this report on Form 10-Q and in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

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ITEM 2.    UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Purchases of Equity Securities

The following table summarizes purchases of our common stock during the three months ended September 30, 2024:

Period	Number of Common Shares Purchased		Average Price Paid Per Common Share Purchased		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of a Publicly Announced Plan  (1)		Maximum Dollar Amount of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plan (in millions) (1)
July 1 through July 31, 2024		366,932	$	162.59		366,932	$	106
August 1 through August 31, 2024		606,492		164.58		606,492		1,006
September 1 through September 30, 2024		226,906		170.07		226,906		967
Total		1,200,330	$	165.01		1,200,330	$	967

(1)       On July 20, 2022, our Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to $500 million of our common stock. On August 16, 2024, our Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to an additional $1 billion of our common stock to be effective upon our purchase of the remaining balance under the July 2022 authorization. These stock repurchase programs have no expiration date.

ITEM 3.    DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

Not applicable.

ITEM 4.    MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

ITEM 5.    OTHER INFORMATION

During the three months ended September 30, 2024, none of our directors or officers adopted or terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as each term is defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K.

ITEM 6.    EXHIBITS

Index to Exhibits

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Exhibit Number Exhibits

3.1	Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. dated May 19, 1988 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2005, filed April 29, 2005)
3.2	Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. dated October 21, 2021 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s current report on Form 8-K, filed October 27, 2021)
3.3	Amendment No. 1 to the Second Amended and Restated Bylaws J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. dated July 20, 2022 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s current report on Form 8-K, filed July 26, 2022)
3.4	Amendment No. 2 to the Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., dated January 19, 2023 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s current report on Form 8-K, filed January 24, 2023)
3.5	Amendment No. 3 to the Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., dated October 19, 2023 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s current report on Form 8-K, filed October 24, 2023)
22.1	List of Guarantor Subsidiaries of J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 22.1 of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed February 25, 2022)
31.1	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification
31.2	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification
32.1	Section 1350 Certification
32.2	Section 1350 Certification

101.INS	Inline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document
101.SCH	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104	Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL Document and include in Exhibit 101)

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Lowell, Arkansas, on the 25th day of October 2024.

J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.
(Registrant)
BY:	/s/ Shelley Simpson
	Shelley Simpson
	President and Chief Executive Officer
	(Principal Executive Officer)
BY:	/s/ John Kuhlow
	John Kuhlow
	Chief Financial Officer,
	Executive Vice President
	(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

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