Q1 26 EPS
$1.49
Q1 26 Revenue
$3.06B
BEAT +3.49%
Est. $2.95B
vs S&P Since Q1 26
+5.9%
BEATING MARKET
JBHT +8.6% vs S&P +2.7%
Market Reaction
Did JBHT Beat Earnings? Q1 2026 Results
J.B. Hunt Transport Services kicked off 2026 on solid footing, posting first-quarter earnings per diluted share of $1.49, beating the consensus estimate of $1.45 by 3.02%, while revenue of $3.06 billion cleared expectations by 3.49% and grew 4.6% fro… Read more J.B. Hunt Transport Services kicked off 2026 on solid footing, posting first-quarter earnings per diluted share of $1.49, beating the consensus estimate of $1.45 by 3.02%, while revenue of $3.06 billion cleared expectations by 3.49% and grew 4.6% from a year ago. The headline driver was a standout performance in Intermodal, the company's largest segment at nearly half of total revenue, where broad-based volume growth and network efficiency gains, including fewer empty container moves and reduced storage costs, lifted segment operating income 21% and helped expand the overall operating margin to 6.8% from 6.1% a year ago. Net earnings climbed 27% to $141.6 million, aided by a lower effective tax rate of 25.2% versus 26.5% in the prior year period, with full-year 2026 tax guidance set at 24.0% to 25.0%. The quarter also attracted renewed analyst confidence, with at least one major firm raising its price target following the results, reflecting broader optimism about J.B. Hunt's ongoing pivot toward technology-driven logistics and disciplined cost management.
Key Takeaways
- • Increased intermodal load volumes with highest first-quarter volume in company history
- • Strong eastern network growth with 7% load increase driving mode conversion
- • Structural cost elimination initiatives and improved productivity across the organization
- • Lower equipment-related costs year-over-year
- • Improved network efficiency with fewer empty container moves and lower container storage expense
- • ICS volume grew 10% with 9% higher revenue per load
- • Truckload load volume increased 19% with 15% improvement in trailer turns
- • DCS customer retention improved to approximately 96%
- • Lower effective tax rate of 25.2% versus 26.5% from discrete tax items
JBHT Forward Guidance & Outlook
The company expects its 2026 annual effective tax rate to be between 24.0% and 25.0%. Management highlighted that the operating environment remains dynamic but expressed confidence in leveraging investments in people, technology, and capacity to drive long-term shareholder value. The company continues executing on structural cost elimination initiatives across the organization.
JBHT YoY Financials
Q1 2026 vs Q1 2025, source: SEC Filings
JBHT Revenue by Segment
With YoY comparisons, source: SEC Filings
“I'm thankful for our team and their unwavering focus on operational excellence, even as we navigated challenging winter weather and elevated demand across the business. We began the year with strong financial results, building on the momentum we established in 2025 and once again executed well in safety performance by setting a first‑quarter record. While the operating environment remains dynamic, we continue to leverage our investments in our People, Technology, and Capacity, positioning the company to drive long‑term value for our shareholders.”
— Shelley Simpson, Q1 2026 Earnings Press Release
JBHT Earnings Trends
JBHT vs Market 30 Day Price Reactions
30-day stock return vs benchmark after each earnings
JBHT EPS Trend
Earnings per share: estimate vs actual
JBHT Revenue Trend
Quarterly revenue: estimate vs actual
JBHT Quarterly Results
5 quarters of earnings data
| Quarter | EPS Est. | EPS Act. | Surprise | Revenue | Rev. Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 26 | — | $1.49 | — | $3.06B | +3.49% |
| Q4 25 BEAT FY | $1.81 | $1.90 | +4.78% | $3.10B | -0.70% |
| FY Full Year | $6.04 | $6.12 | +1.33% | $12.00B | -0.18% |
| Q3 25 BEAT | $1.46 | $1.76 | +20.55% | $3.05B | +0.99% |
| Q2 25 MISS | $1.32 | $1.31 | -0.86% | $2.93B | +0.09% |
| Q1 25 BEAT | $1.15 | $1.17 | +2.18% | $2.92B | +0.66% |