J.B. Hunt Transport Services (NASDAQ:JBHT) Sets New 12-Month Low at $160.07

J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:JBHT)’s stock price reached a new 52-week low on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $160.07 and last traded at $169.52, with a volume of 903467 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $182.99.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently weighed in on JBHT. Raymond James raised their price objective on shares of J.B. Hunt Transport Services from $200.00 to $209.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 16th. Susquehanna reduced their price objective on shares of J.B. Hunt Transport Services from $200.00 to $195.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, March 25th. Benchmark restated a “buy” rating and set a $215.00 price objective on shares of J.B. Hunt Transport Services in a research report on Wednesday, March 13th. Stifel Nicolaus reaffirmed a “hold” rating and set a $188.00 price objective on shares of J.B. Hunt Transport Services in a research note on Friday, January 19th. Finally, UBS Group raised shares of J.B. Hunt Transport Services from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and upped their price objective for the company from $205.00 to $234.00 in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $205.56.

J.B. Hunt Transport Services Stock Down 8.2 %

The business’s 50-day moving average price is $200.81 and its 200-day moving average price is $193.34. 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 firm has a market capitalization of $17.35 billion, a PE ratio of 26.25, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 1.11.

J.B. Hunt Transport Services (NASDAQ:JBHT) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 18th. The transportation company reported $1.47 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.74 by ($0.27). J.B. Hunt Transport Services had a return on equity of 18.40% and a net margin of 5.68%. The company had revenue of $3.30 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.29 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.92 earnings per share. J.B. Hunt Transport Services’s revenue for the quarter was down 9.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts predict that J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. will post 7.61 EPS for the current fiscal year.

J.B. Hunt Transport Services Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 23rd. Investors of record on Friday, February 9th were issued a $0.43 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 8th. This represents a $1.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.02%. This is an increase from J.B. Hunt Transport Services’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.42. J.B. Hunt Transport Services’s dividend payout ratio is currently 24.68%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, SVP Kevin Bracy sold 754 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $211.79, for a total value of $159,689.66. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 8,235 shares in the company, valued at $1,744,090.65. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other J.B. Hunt Transport Services news, CFO John Kuhlow sold 3,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 23rd. The stock was 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 in the company, valued at $2,244,381. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, SVP Kevin Bracy sold 754 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $211.79, for a total value of $159,689.66. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 8,235 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,744,090.65. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 20,432 shares of company stock worth $4,309,687. Insiders own 2.10% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On J.B. Hunt Transport Services

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Clear Street Markets LLC grew its holdings in J.B. Hunt Transport Services by 94.0% during the first quarter. Clear Street Markets LLC now owns 161 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 78 shares during the last quarter. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC grew its holdings in J.B. Hunt Transport Services by 104.8% during the third quarter. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC now owns 170 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 87 shares during the last quarter. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. grew its holdings in J.B. Hunt Transport Services by 69.1% during the second quarter. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. now owns 208 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 85 shares during the last quarter. Operose Advisors LLC acquired a new position in J.B. Hunt Transport Services during the third quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Finally, Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of J.B. Hunt Transport Services in the third quarter worth $36,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.95% of the company’s stock.

About J.B. Hunt Transport Services

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.