J.B. Hunt Shares Plunge After Third-Quarter Earnings Warning

Shares of J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. fell more than 12% by September 17, 2026, after the company warned that third-quarter earnings would likely drop between 5% and 10% compared to the second quarter. Chief Financial Officer Brad Delco attributed the decline to approximately $25 million in increased costs for recruiting, advertising, onboarding, training, and sign-on bonuses, as well as a $10 million headwind from record-high diesel prices.

Delco characterized these expenses as preparation for growth and described the earnings drop as primarily a timing issue. While the company plans to recover these costs through client surcharges, the delay in revenue recovery led analysts at Wells Fargo and Bank of America Securities to cut their price targets.

Market reactions remained mixed. Jeff Kauffman of Citizens upgraded the stock to market outperform with a $300 price target, suggesting a 27% upside. Kauffman noted that while diesel prices affect the entire industry, J.B. Hunt specifically faces a tight driver shortage in intermodal drayage. He expects these short-term pressures to be offset by future rates and surcharges, citing the company's strong second-quarter performance as a positive indicator.