J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:JBHT) Sees Significant Growth in Short Interest

J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:JBHT - Get Free Report) was the target of a large increase in short interest during the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 2,570,000 shares, an increase of 28.5% from the March 15th total of 2,000,000 shares. Currently, 3.1% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 764,300 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.4 days.

J.B. Hunt Transport Services Price Performance

JBHT stock traded down $0.37 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $185.10. The company had a trading volume of 788,818 shares, compared to its average volume of 761,231. The company has a market capitalization of $19.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.56, a P/E/G ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 1.11. J.B. Hunt Transport Services has a 12-month low of $164.39 and a 12-month high of $219.51. The company has a quick ratio of 1.15, a current ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $201.37 and a 200 day moving average price of $193.38.

J.B. Hunt Transport Services (NASDAQ:JBHT - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 18th. The transportation company reported $1.47 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.74 by ($0.27). The company had revenue of $3.30 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $3.29 billion. J.B. Hunt Transport Services had a return on equity of 18.40% and a net margin of 5.68%. The firm's revenue for the quarter was down 9.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.92 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that J.B. Hunt Transport Services will post 7.61 earnings per share for the current year.

J.B. Hunt Transport Services Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 23rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 9th were paid a $0.43 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 8th. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.93%. This is a boost from J.B. Hunt Transport Services's previous quarterly dividend of $0.42. J.B. Hunt Transport Services's payout ratio is presently 24.68%.

Insider Activity at J.B. Hunt Transport Services

In other news, CFO John Kuhlow sold 3,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Friday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $213.00, for a total transaction of $745,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 10,537 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,244,381. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other J.B. Hunt Transport Services news, Director Patrick J. Ottensmeyer acquired 5,000 shares of J.B. Hunt Transport Services stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 4th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $202.99 per share, for a total transaction of $1,014,950.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now directly owns 5,000 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,014,950. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CFO John Kuhlow sold 3,500 shares of J.B. Hunt Transport Services stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $213.00, for a total transaction of $745,500.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 10,537 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,244,381. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 20,432 shares of company stock valued at $4,309,687 in the last quarter. Insiders own 2.10% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of J.B. Hunt Transport Services

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Clear Street Markets LLC raised its position in shares of J.B. Hunt Transport Services by 94.0% during the 1st quarter. Clear Street Markets LLC now owns 161 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 78 shares in the last quarter. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC raised its position in shares of J.B. Hunt Transport Services by 104.8% during the 3rd quarter. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC now owns 170 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 87 shares in the last quarter. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. raised its position in shares of J.B. Hunt Transport Services by 69.1% during the 2nd quarter. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. now owns 208 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 85 shares in the last quarter. Operose Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of J.B. Hunt Transport Services during the 3rd quarter valued at about $34,000. Finally, Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of J.B. Hunt Transport Services during the 3rd quarter valued at about $36,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.95% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Benchmark reissued a "buy" rating and set a $215.00 price objective on shares of J.B. Hunt Transport Services in a report on Wednesday, March 13th. Raymond James raised their price target on J.B. Hunt Transport Services from $200.00 to $209.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Tuesday, January 16th. Robert W. Baird reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and issued a $215.00 price target on shares of J.B. Hunt Transport Services in a report on Friday, January 19th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on J.B. Hunt Transport Services from $220.00 to $212.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, December 21st. Finally, Stephens cut their price target on J.B. Hunt Transport Services from $212.00 to $210.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 4th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $205.56.

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.