J.B. Hunt Raises Quarterly Dividend, Launches $1 Billion Buyback Program

JB Hunt announces quarterly dividend


By GTM Staff (October 22, 2025)

J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. (NASDAQ: JBHT), a stock of the GTM’s Golden 23, on Wednesday announced a quarterly dividend of $0.44 per share, payable Nov. 21 to shareholders of record as of Nov. 7. This matches the three prior quarterly payouts in 2025, continuing a pattern of steady growth from $0.43 in late 2024.

Based on the Nov. 7, 2025 closing price of approximately $170.96, the forward dividend yield is roughly 1.0%, calculated using the annualized $1.76 dividend. The trailing dividend yield, based on the last four quarters’ $1.72 in dividends, is also approximately 1.0%, reflecting consistent, modest payout increases over the past year.

New $1 Billion Share Repurchase Program

The board also approved a new $1 billion share repurchase program, to begin after completion of the company’s existing plan, which had $107 million remaining as of Sept. 30, 2025. The timing and scale of repurchases will depend on market conditions, cash flows, and securities law limitations, with no expiration date set.

Investors view the combination of a steady dividend and a large buyback as a signal of confidence in J.B. Hunt’s long-term cash-generation capacity, even amid a challenging freight environment. The company operates one of North America’s largest transportation networks, blending asset-based fleet operations with digital freight marketplace services.

J.B. Hunt, a component of the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Transportation Average, has raised its dividend in 11 of the last 12 years, underlining its commitment to returning capital to shareholders. The new repurchase program aims to further enhance value while providing flexibility to manage capital through freight market cycles.

Dividend Comparison

CompanyTickerQuarterly DividendAnnualized DividendYield (forward/trailing)
J.B. Hunt Transport ServicesJBHT$0.44$1.761.0% / 1.0%
Schneider NationalSNDR$0.35$1.401.1% / 1.1%
Old Dominion Freight LineODFL$0.20$0.800.2% / 0.2%
Knight-Swift TransportationKNX$0.32$1.280.8% / 0.8%

Interpretation: JBHT’s forward and trailing yields are modest but reflect strong confidence in cash flow stability rather than income-focused payouts. Compared with peers, the company sits in the middle of the pack, balancing shareholder returns with operational investment.

Market Takeaway

J.B. Hunt’s steady dividend and new $1 billion share buyback program underscore management’s confidence in the company’s cash flow and balance sheet. While the yield remains modest, these moves provide shareholders with both income and capital return, signaling that the company is well-positioned to navigate ongoing freight market volatility and invest in long-term operational efficiency.