J.B. Hunt's Freight Outlook: Soft Demand, Peak Season Signs

J.B. Hunt Transport Services, despite not providing a formal outlook for 2026, focused on controllable factors in the upcoming year. They noted soft freight demand but saw slight improvements, likening it to peak season conditions. Their brokerage business faces challenges due to tight spots in certain markets, yet capacity remains abundant. The truckload business is benefiting from increased short-term bidding opportunities due to service issues and stricter driver rules. The final-mile delivery service shows mixed results, with weakness in large and bulky item deliveries. J.B. Hunt also addressed the intermodal landscape post-Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern merger, emphasizing their preference for two Eastern rail partners and denying active efforts to shift business. Their primary goal is to move freight from roads to rails, aiming to win market share in the East, despite low truck rates and modest fuel prices dampening intermodal demand.The Daily News Now! — Every city. Every story. AI-powered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.