J.B. Hunt reports record annual earnings.

J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. said it posted record annual net earnings of $207.3 million, or $1.28 a share, for 2005, a 41 percent increase over last year's $146.2 million, or 88 cents a share.

Operating revenue for 2005 increased 10 percent to $3.1 billion compared with $2.8 billion for 2004.

The trucking company also had record fourth-quarter net earnings of $65.3 million, or 41 cents a share, compared with $19.8 million, or 12 cents a share, in 2004, a 229 percent increase. Earnings beat analysts' estimates by 5 cents a share.

Last year's fourth-quarter net earnings were reduced by $33.6 million after J.B. Hunt established a reserve for contingent tax liability after the Internal Revenue Service disallowed certain tax benefits. The matter is still in dispute, according to the company's news release.

Fourth-quarter operating revenue was $858.4 million, an 11 percent increase over $770.8 million in 2004.

"We are pleased with 2005 financial results, which reflect a 25 percent return on average equity and 23 percent return on average invested capital for the year," Kirk Thompson, president and CEO, said in a news release.