J.B. Hunt Transport Services net income rose 30.6% and revenue increased 19.9% in the third quarter but missed analyst expectations as customer rate increases were partially offset by increases in driver wages and recruiting costs, startup costs for new dedicated contracts and rail purchase transportation.

After the markets closed Monday (Oct. 15), the Lowell-based carrier reported earnings for the quarter that ended Sept. 30 were $131.11 million, or $1.19 per share, up from $100.385 million, or 91 cents per share. Revenue was $2.21 billion. J.B. Hunt missed analysts’ expectations for earnings by 20 cents per share and revenue by $10 million.

Between January and September, earnings rose 33.2% to $400.904 million, or $3.63 per share, and revenue increased 21.1% to $6.297 billion, from the same period in 2017.     MORE