Two Sigma Advisers LP Boosts Stake in J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:JBHT)

Two Sigma Advisers LP increased its holdings in shares of J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:JBHT - Free Report) by 201.3% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 48,200 shares of the transportation company's stock after purchasing an additional 32,200 shares during the period. Two Sigma Advisers LP's holdings in J.B. Hunt Transport Services were worth $8,226,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC grew its stake in J.B. Hunt Transport Services by 33.9% during the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 340 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $58,000 after purchasing an additional 86 shares during the period. LPL Financial LLC grew its stake in J.B. Hunt Transport Services by 56.7% during the fourth quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 69,200 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $11,810,000 after purchasing an additional 25,034 shares during the period. Keybank National Association OH acquired a new stake in J.B. Hunt Transport Services during the fourth quarter worth approximately $255,000. Merit Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in J.B. Hunt Transport Services during the fourth quarter worth approximately $253,000. Finally, Narwhal Capital Management acquired a new stake in J.B. Hunt Transport Services during the fourth quarter worth approximately $345,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.95% of the company's stock.

J.B. Hunt Transport Services Stock Performance

Shares of JBHT traded down $0.16 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $138.48. The stock had a trading volume of 209,478 shares, compared to its average volume of 985,175. The firm has a market cap of $13.74 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.86, a PEG ratio of 1.61 and a beta of 1.33. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $138.13 and a 200-day moving average price of $160.51. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24, a current ratio of 1.03 and a quick ratio of 0.94. J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. has a 52 week low of $122.79 and a 52 week high of $200.40.

J.B. Hunt Transport Services (NASDAQ:JBHT - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, April 15th. The transportation company reported $1.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.15 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $2.92 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.92 billion. J.B. Hunt Transport Services had a return on equity of 14.05% and a net margin of 4.72%. On average, equities research analysts expect that J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. will post 6.37 EPS for the current year.

J.B. Hunt Transport Services Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 23rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 9th were paid a $0.44 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 9th. This represents a $1.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.27%. J.B. Hunt Transport Services's payout ratio is presently 31.94%.

Insider Buying and Selling at J.B. Hunt Transport Services

In related news, COO Nicholas Hobbs acquired 1,529 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, April 23rd. The shares were bought at an average cost of $130.75 per share, for a total transaction of $199,916.75. Following the purchase, the chief operating officer now owns 91,847 shares in the company, valued at $12,008,995.25. This trade represents a 1.69% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Darren P. Field sold 1,200 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Friday, March 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $161.67, for a total value of $194,004.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 17,822 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,881,282.74. The trade was a 6.31% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 2.30% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

JBHT has been the subject of a number of research reports. Citigroup reduced their price objective on J.B. Hunt Transport Services from $193.00 to $164.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 8th. Susquehanna set a $140.00 price objective on J.B. Hunt Transport Services and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 16th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on J.B. Hunt Transport Services in a research note on Friday, March 7th. They issued a "hold" rating and a $167.00 price objective for the company. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on J.B. Hunt Transport Services from $170.00 to $150.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 16th. Finally, Bank of America raised their price objective on J.B. Hunt Transport Services from $150.00 to $166.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, May 16th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $162.00.

J.B. Hunt Transport Services Company Profile

J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc provides surface transportation, delivery, and logistic services in the United States. It operates through five segments: Intermodal (JBI), Dedicated Contract Services (DCS), Integrated Capacity Solutions (ICS), Final Mile Services (FMS), and Truckload (JBT). The JBI segment offers intermodal freight solutions.