Following the release of its Q1 results, JB Hunt Transport Services stock traded lower on Wednesday, April 16th. Although the trucking company reported first-quarter revenue of $2.92 billion and earnings per share of $1.17—both slightly above analysts’ estimates of $2.91 billion in sales and $1.15 EPS—these figures marked a year-over-year decline. Investors were concerned by management’s remarks about tariff-related demand pressures and rising costs.
We believe JBHT stock, which is currently priced near $125, poses a risky investment. However, this elevated risk has contributed to its low valuation, potentially making it appealing to investors comfortable with volatility.
Our view is based on a comparison of JBHT’s current valuation against its operating metrics over the years, along with a review of its financial health. Our analysis—spanning Growth, Profitability, Financial Stability, and Downturn Resilience—highlights operational and financial weaknesses, as detailed below.
How Does JB Hunt Transport Services’ Valuation Compare With The S&P 500?
In terms of sales or profit multiples, JBHT stock appears slightly undervalued relative to the broader market.
- JB Hunt Transport Services has a price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 1.1, compared to 2.8 for the S&P 500
How Have JB Hunt Transport Services’ Revenues Trended Recently?
JB Hunt Transport Services’ Revenues have declined in recent years.
- Revenue growth has averaged 0.9% annually over the past three years (vs. 6.2% for the S&P 500)
- Revenue fell 5.8% from $13 billion to $12 billion over the last twelve months (vs. 5.3% growth for the S&P 500)
- Quarterly revenue dropped 4.8% to $3.1 billion, from $3.3 billion a year ago (vs. 4.9% growth for the S&P 500)
How Profitable Is JB Hunt Transport Services?
JB Hunt Transport Services’ margins are subpar relative to peers in the Trefis universe.
Is JB Hunt Transport Services Financially Stable?
The company’s balance sheet appears relatively weak.
- Debt stood at $1.5 billion as of the most recent quarter, while its market cap was $14 billion (as of 4/15/2025), implying a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 10.6% (vs. 21.5% for the S&P 500). [Lower is better]
- Cash and equivalents total $47 million out of $8.3 billion in assets, resulting in a Cash-to-Assets Ratio of 0.6%(vs. 15.0% for the S&P 500)
How Resilient Is JBHT Stock During Market Downturns?
JBHT has shown slightly better performance than the S&P 500 during select downturns. For a detailed analysis, check our dashboard How Low Can JB Hunt Transport Services Stock Go In A Market Crash? and our overview of market crashes.
Inflation Shock (2022)
- Stock dropped 29.0% from $218.06 (Mar 16, 2022) to $154.88 (Jun 17, 2022), compared to 25.4% for the S&P 500
- Fully recovered to its prior peak by Feb 15, 2024
- Peaked at $218.78 on Feb 15, 2024; currently around $123
Covid Pandemic (2020)
- Stock declined 37.1% from $119.76 (Jan 16, 2020) to $75.38 (Mar 16, 2020), compared to 33.9% for the S&P 500
- Recovered to pre-crisis levels by Jun 5, 2020
Global Financial Crisis (2008)
- Stock declined 53.5% from $39.95 (Aug 8, 2008) to $18.59 (Mar 9, 2009), vs. 56.8% for the S&P 500
- Returned to its pre-crisis peak by Dec 7, 2010
Putting All The Pieces Together: What It Means For JBHT Stock
Here’s how JB Hunt Transport Services scores across our framework:
- Growth: Weak
- Profitability: Very Weak
- Financial Stability: Weak
- Downturn Resilience: Neutral
- Overall: Weak
Although JBHT demonstrates underperformance across several metrics, its historical resilience and current low valuation—potentially reflecting near-term risks like tariffs—suggest a possible upside. In our view, this may present a buying opportunity for long-term investors.
For those with lower risk tolerance, a hedged approach within a diversified portfolio, such as the Trefis Reinforced Value (RV) Portfolio, which has outperformed its all-cap stocks benchmark, might offer a smoother ride while still capturing potential upside. Why is that? The quarterly rebalanced mix of large-, mid- and small-cap RV Portfolio stocks provided a responsive way to make the most of upbeat market conditions while limiting losses when markets head south, as detailed in RV Portfolio performance metrics.
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