J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. on Thursday announced fourth-quarter net earnings of $110 million, or 93 cents per share, up 20 percent from the year-ago $92 million, or 77 cents per share.
The Lowell-based trucking company also announced full-year 2014 results, reporting net earnings of $375 million, or $3.16 per share, up about 9.5 percent from $342 million, or $2.87 per share, in 2013.
The company reported higher revenue in all business segments — its intermodal operations, its brokerage division and its dedicated contract services — and said it benefited from rapidly falling fuel prices during the fourth quarter.
It also said its gains were partly offset by the rising costs of hiring and retaining drivers, paying out for workers’ compensation and accidents, and owning and maintaining equipment.
