AI Takeaway
J.B. Hunt Transport Services delivered strong Q1 2026 earnings growth with net income up 20.2% YoY to $141.6M and EPS up 27.4% to $1.49, though operating cash flow declined 12.7% and long-term debt surged 48% to $1.30B.
EPS (Basic)
$1.50
++27.12% YoY
Operating Income
$207.05M
++15.88% YoY
Filed · Source: SEC EDGAR 10-Q filing
Net income rose 20.2% YoY to $141.6M and diluted EPS jumped 27.4% to $1.49, suggesting meaningful operating leverage and/or cost discipline even as the broader freight market remained challenging. Operating income grew 15.9% YoY to $207.0M.
Source: Source: 10-Q Income Statement (XBRL Financial Data)
Long-term debt rose 48.0% YoY to $1.30B from $880.2M, indicating the company took on additional leverage during the quarter. This may reflect capital allocation decisions such as fleet investment, refinancing of short-term obligations, or strategic acquisitions.
Source: Source: 10-Q Balance Sheet (XBRL Financial Data)
Current liabilities fell 27.2% YoY to $1.37B, which contributed to an improved current ratio of 1.26x. This shift, combined with the rise in long-term debt, suggests the company refinanced short-term obligations into longer-dated instruments.
Source: Source: 10-Q Balance Sheet (XBRL Financial Data)
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Upgrade to unlockLong-term debt surged 48.0% YoY to $1.30B, significantly increasing JBHT's financial obligations. Higher interest expense could pressure future net income, and the company's ability to service this debt depends on sustained freight demand and cash generation. ROE of 3.94% and ROA of 1.78% remain relatively modest, limiting financial cushion.
Source: Source: 10-Q Balance Sheet (XBRL Financial Data)
Unlock 4 more detailed risk analysis
Upgrade to unlockReported EPS of $1.49 versus the $1.47 analyst consensus — a +1.4% beat for Q1 FY2026.
| Metric | Current | Previous | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
Operating Income | $207.05M | $178.68M | +15.88% |
Net Income | $141.55M | $117.74M | +20.23% |
EPS (Basic) | $1.50 | $1.18 | +27.12% |
EPS (Diluted) | $1.49 | $1.17 | +27.35% |
| Metric | Current | Previous | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
Total Assets | $7.93B | $8.26B | -3.94% |
Current Assets | $1.72B | $1.67B | +2.81% |
Current Liabilities | $1.37B | $1.87B | -27.17% |
Stockholders' Equity | $3.59B | $3.87B | -7.04% |
Cash & Equivalents | $4.56M | $43.41M | -89.49% |
Long-Term Debt | $1.3B | $880.24M | +48.01% |
| Metric | Current | Previous | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
Operating Cash Flow | $353.04M | $404.19M | -12.66% |
Investing Cash Flow | $-70.73M | $-225.05M | +68.57% |
Financing Cash Flow | $-295.03M | $-182.72M | -61.47% |
Dividends Paid | $42.59M | $44M | -3.20% |
Share Buybacks | $80.06M | $234.13M | -65.80% |
D&A | $179.41M | $179.48M | -0.04% |
| Metric | Current | Previous | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
ROE | 3.9% | — | — |
ROA | 1.8% | — | — |
Current Ratio | $1.258 | — | — |
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JBHT reported Q1 2026 diluted EPS of $1.49, up 27.4% from $1.17 in Q1 2025, and net income of $141.6M, up 20.2% YoY. While specific analyst consensus estimates are not included in the filing, the strong double-digit growth across earnings metrics suggests a solid quarter relative to the prior year.
The headline story was strong earnings growth — net income up 20.2% to $141.6M and EPS up 27.4% to $1.49 — alongside a significant 48% increase in long-term debt to $1.30B and a near-total depletion of cash reserves to just $4.6M. Operating cash flow declined 12.7% to $353.0M despite the earnings improvement, and share buybacks were cut by 65.8% YoY to $80.1M.
Based on the financial data, key risks include the sharp rise in long-term debt (up 48% to $1.30B), a near-zero cash balance of just $4.6M (down 89.5% YoY), and declining operating cash flow despite earnings growth. The company also faces ongoing exposure to cyclical freight demand, which could pressure volumes and margins if the freight market softens further.
JBHT's near-term liquidity improved with a current ratio of 1.26x as current liabilities fell 27.2% YoY, but the company's cash position dropped to a very thin $4.6M and long-term debt surged 48% to $1.30B. ROE stood at 3.94% and ROA at 1.78%, reflecting the capital-intensive nature of the trucking business.
No, JBHT's dividends paid in Q1 2026 were $42.6M, a slight decrease of 3.2% compared to $44.0M in Q1 2025. The company also significantly reduced share buybacks by 65.8% YoY to $80.1M, suggesting a more conservative capital return posture amid higher debt levels.