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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 11-K

  (X)   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15d OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002
 
  (   )   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                               to                     

Commission file number 0-11757

A.   Full title of the plan and the address of the plan, if different from that of the issuer named below:

J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC. EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLAN

B.   Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address of its principal executive office:

J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.
615 J.B. Hunt Corporate Drive
Lowell, Arkansas 72745
(479) 820-0000

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

REQUIRED INFORMATION
SIGNATURES
J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.
EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLAN
Independent Auditors’ Report
Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits
December 31, 2002 and 2001
Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits
Years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001
Notes to Financial Statements December 31, 2002 and 2001
Schedule H, Line 4 — Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)
December 31, 2002
EX-23 Independent Auditors' Consent
EX-99 Officer's Certification Under Section 906


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REQUIRED INFORMATION

The following financial statements prepared in accordance with the financial reporting requirements of ERISA and exhibits are filed for the J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. Employee Retirement Plan:

Financial Statements and Schedules

Independent Auditors’ Report

Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits, December 31, 2002, and 2001

Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits, Years Ended December 31, 2002, and 2001

Notes to Financial Statements, December 31, 2002, and 2001

Schedule H line 4i; — Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year ), December 31, 2002

Exhibit

23  —  Independent Auditors’ Consent
 
99  —  Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

SIGNATURES

The Plan. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

     
    J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.
EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLAN
 
DATE: June 27, 2003   BY: /s/ Jerry W. Walton

Jerry W. Walton
 
    Executive Vice President Finance & Administration &
Chief Financial Officer of J.B. Hunt Transport
Services, Inc. & 2002 Chairman of the
J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. Employee
Retirement Plan

 


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J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.
EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLAN

Financial Statements and Schedules

December 31, 2002 and 2001

(With Independent Auditors’ Report Thereon)

 


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J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.
EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLAN

Table of Contents

         
    Page
   
Independent Auditors’ Report     1  
         
Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits — December 31, 2002 and 2001     2  
         
Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits — Years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001     3  
         
Notes to Financial Statements     4  
         
Schedule H, line 4i; — Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year) - December 31, 2002     10  

 


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Independent Auditors’ Report

The Board of Trustees
J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.
     Employee Retirement Plan:

We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. Employee Retirement Plan (“Plan”) as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, and the related statements of changes in net assets available for benefits for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. Employee Retirement Plan as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, and the changes in net assets available for benefits for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Our audits were performed for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The supplemental schedule is presented for the purpose of additional analysis and is not a required part of the basic financial statements, but is supplementary information required by the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The supplemental schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audits of the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Tulsa, Oklahoma

June 2, 2003

 


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J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.
EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLAN

Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits

December 31, 2002 and 2001

                       
Assets   2002   2001
   
 
Cash
  $ 468,939       182,666  
Investments, at fair value:
               
 
Mutual funds
    82,277,644       93,017,458  
 
Common/collective trust fund
    76,085,591       73,872,809  
 
Common stock — J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.
    25,835,171       22,996,275  
 
Participant notes receivable
    21,814,512       22,864,367  
 
Common stock — Prudential Financial, Inc.
    2,704,978        
 
   
     
 
     
Total investments
    208,717,896       212,750,909  
 
   
     
 
Receivables:
               
 
Contributions:
               
   
Employer
    153,913       168,784  
   
Employee
    456,485       525,267  
 
Accrued investment income
    8,784       4,859  
 
   
     
 
     
Total receivables
    619,182       698,910  
 
   
     
 
Net assets available for benefits
  $ 209,806,017       213,632,485  
 
   
     
 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

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J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.
EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLAN

Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits

Years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001

                       
          2002   2001
         
 
Additions to net assets attributed to:
               
 
Investment income (loss):
               
   
Net depreciation in fair value of investments
  $ (13,063,094 )     (624,566 )
   
Interest and dividends
    10,447,001       6,833,020  
   
 
   
     
 
 
    (2,616,093 )     6,208,454  
   
 
   
     
 
 
Contributions:
               
   
Employer, net of forfeitures
    6,707,062       7,591,553  
   
Participants
    24,164,534       28,287,774  
   
Transfers from other plans
          1,437,584  
   
 
   
     
 
 
    30,871,596       37,316,911  
   
 
   
     
 
     
Total additions
    28,255,503       43,525,365  
   
 
   
     
 
Deductions from net assets attributed to:
               
 
Benefits paid to participants
    31,870,427       23,442,136  
 
Administrative expenses
    211,544       130,990  
 
Transfers to other plans
          5,603,370  
   
 
   
     
 
     
Total deductions
    32,081,971       29,176,496  
   
 
   
     
 
     
Increase (decrease) in net assets available for benefits
    (3,826,468 )     14,348,869  
Net assets available for benefits:
               
 
Beginning of year
    213,632,485       199,283,616  
   
 
   
     
 
 
End of year
  $ 209,806,017       213,632,485  
   
 
   
     
 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

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J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.
EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLAN

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2002 and 2001

(1)   Description of Plan
 
    The following brief description of the J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (the “Company” or “Employer”) Employee Retirement Plan (the “Plan”) is provided for general information purposes only. Participants should refer to the Plan agreement for a more complete description of the Plan’s provisions.

  (a)   General
 
      The purpose of the Plan is to provide additional incentive and retirement security for eligible employees of the Company by permitting contributions to the Plan that are tax deferred under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. All employees other than employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement, non-resident aliens, leave employees, and independent contractors are eligible to make salary reduction contributions immediately following their employment commencement date. Each employee that has completed one year of eligibility service is eligible to receive matching contributions. The Plan is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”). At December 31, 2002, the Plan had 16,134 eligible participants, of which 5,649 were active.
 
  (b)   Contributions
 
      Each year, participants may defer up to 50% of pretax annual compensation, as defined in the Plan agreement (not to exceed limits determined under Section 415(c) of the Internal Revenue Code). Employer matching contributions are as follows:
           
Participants' Salary
Reduction Contribution
  Employer
Matching

 
 
1%
    0.5 %
 
2%
    1.0 %
 
3%
    1.5 %
 
4%
    2.0 %
 
5%
    2.5 %
6 - 50%
    3.0 %

      Additional amounts may be contributed at the option of the Company’s Board of Directors. No such additional amounts were contributed in 2002 or 2001.
 
  (c)   Participant’s Accounts
 
      Each participant’s account is credited with the participant’s contribution and allocations of (a) the Company’s contribution and (b) Plan earnings. Forfeited balances of terminated participants’ nonvested accounts are used to reduce future Company contributions. Forfeitures for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 amounted to approximately $975,000 and $823,000, respectively.

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J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.
EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLAN

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2002 and 2001

  (d)   Vesting
 
      Participants are immediately vested in their contributions plus actual earnings thereon. Vesting in the Company’s matching and discretionary contribution portion of their accounts plus actual earnings thereon is based on years of service. Upon a participant’s normal retirement, disability or death, he or she becomes fully vested in the Plan. If a participant terminates employment for any other reason on or after being credited with at least six years of vesting service, he or she becomes fully vested in the Plan. Prior to the completion of six years of vesting service, the vesting percentages are as follows: 0 — 1 year — 0%; 2 years — 20%; 3 years — 40%; 4 years — 60%; 5 years — 80%; 6 years — 100%.
 
  (e)   Investment Options
 
      Upon enrollment in the Plan, a participant may direct employee contributions in any of the following investment options:
 
     
Common/Collective Trust Fund:
 
     
Merrill Lynch Retirement Preservation Trust which seeks to provide preservation of participants’ investments, liquidity and current income that is typically higher than money market funds.
 
     
Mutual Funds:
 
     
Merrill Lynch U. S. Government Mortgage Fund (Class I) seeks a current return through investments in obligations of the U. S. government and government agencies, including Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) mortgage-backed certificates and other mortgage-backed government securities. The Fund may seek to enhance its return through the use of certain portfolio strategies involving options, and to hedge its portfolio through the use of options and futures transactions.
 
     
Merrill Lynch Fundamental Growth Fund, Inc. (Class I) seeks long-term growth of capital by investing in a diversified portfolio of equity securities, placing particular emphasis on companies that have exhibited above-average growth rates in earnings resulting from a variety of factors including, but not limited to, above-average growth rates in sales, profit-margin improvement, proprietary or niche products or services, leading market shares and underlying strong industry growth. The Fund may invest in the securities of foreign issuers, including American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), European Depositary Receipts (EDRs) or others that can be converted to foreign-issued securities.
 
     
Van Kampen Growth and Income Fund (Class A) seeks income and long-term growth of capital by investing principally in income-producing equity securities, including common stocks, convertible securities, preferred stocks and debt securities rated at the time of purchase investment grade.

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J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.
EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLAN

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2002 and 2001

     
ING Pilgrim International Value Fund (Class A) seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing at least 65% of its assets in equity securities of companies located in at least three foreign countries. The Fund may invest up to 25% of its assets in foreign small-capitalization companies, and up to 25% of its assets in issuers located in emerging-market countries. The advisor selects stocks that it judges to be selling at prices below the company’s intrinsic value.
 
     
Merrill Lynch S&P 500 Index Fund (Class I) seeks to provide investment results that, before expenses, replicate the total return of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Stock Price Index. The Index is composed of the common stocks of 500 large-capitalization companies within various industrial sectors, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
 
     
Franklin Balance Sheet Investment Fund (Class A) seeks high total return, of which capital appreciation and income are components by investing primarily in equity and debt securities which, in the opinion of Fund management, are undervalued in the marketplace and are trading at low price to book value.
 
     
ING Pilgrim Small Cap Opportunities Fund (Class A) seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation by investing in equity securities of primarily smaller, lesser known U. S. companies that the Fund manager feels have above-average prospects for growth.
 
     
PIMCO Total Return Fund (Class A) seeks to maximize total return, consistent with preservation of capital and prudent investment management.
 
     
Common Stock:
 
   
J. B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. — Contributions are invested exclusively in Company common stock.
 
     
Prudential Financial, Inc. — These shares resulted from the demutualization of Prudential during 2002. These shares were distributed on a pro-rata basis to participating employees. Employees can not purchase additional shares, but they can retain the existing shares.
 
  (f)   Participant Notes Receivable
 
      Participants may borrow from their fund accounts a minimum of $1,000 up to a maximum equal to the lesser of $50,000 or 50 percent of their vested account balance. Loan terms range from 1 — 5 years or up to 20 years for the purchase of a primary residence. The loans are secured by the balance in the participant’s account and bear interest at the prime rate, as shown in the Wall Street Journal, plus one percent, (5.25% at December 31, 2002). Principal and interest is paid ratably through monthly payroll deductions.

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J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.
EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLAN

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2002 and 2001

  (g)   Transfers to and from Other Plans
 
      During the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively, the Plan transferred certain net assets to other plans in connection with participants who have terminated employment and began participating in other employer plans. Such transfers are recorded at the fair value of the assets on the date transferred. Similarly, the Plan allows new employees to rollover or transfer-in assets held in other qualified plans. Such transfers are also recorded at fair value.
 
  (h)   Payment of Benefits
 
      On termination of service due to normal retirement, disability or death, a participant will receive a lump-sum amount in cash equal to the value of the participant’s vested interest in his or her account.
 
      At December 31, 2002 and 2001, approximately $32,100,000 and $32,200,000, respectively, of the net assets available for benefits as shown on the statements of net assets available for benefits are allocated to accounts of terminated employees who are no longer actively participating in the Plan.
 
  (i)   Administrative Expenses
 
      The Company may elect to pay all administrative expenses of the Plan. Administrative expenses not paid by the Company are paid from Plan assets. All administrative expenses were paid by the Plan in 2002 and 2001.

(2)   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

  (a)   Basis of Presentation
 
      The accompanying financial statements of the Plan are prepared utilizing the accrual method of accounting.
 
  (b)   Investment Valuation
 
      The Plan’s investments are valued at fair value on December 31, 2002 and 2001. Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on a trade-date basis. Shares of mutual funds are valued at quoted market prices which represent the net asset value of shares held by the Plan at year-end. Shares of Company common stock are valued at quoted market prices. Net appreciation (depreciation) in fair value of investments represents increases or decreases in value resulting from realized and unrealized gains and losses. Participant notes receivable are carried at the unpaid principal balance which approximates fair value. The cost of securities sold is determined by the weighted average cost method.
 
  (c)   Payment of Benefits
 
      Benefits are recorded when paid. Defaults on participant notes receivable are recorded as benefits paid.

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J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.
EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLAN

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2002 and 2001

  (d)   Use of Estimates
 
      The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
  (e)   Concentration of Credit Risk
 
      Financial instruments which potentially subject the Plan to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash, participant loans, corporate bonds, commercial paper, government bonds and fixed income securities. Such credit risk is considered by management to be limited due to the diversity of investments and the financial stability of the institutions. Generally, the Plan does not require collateral with respect to its investments.

(3)   Investments
 
    The following table presents the fair value of investments. Investments representing 5% or more of the Plan’s net assets are separately identified:
                                     
        December 31
       
        2002   2001
       
 
        Number of           Number of        
        Shares           Shares        
        or Units   Fair Value   or Units   Fair Value
       
 
 
 
Mutual funds:
                               
 
VanKampen Growth & Income
    1,482,765     $ 21,188,711       1,555,272     $ 26,455,181  
 
ING Pilgrim International Value
    888,880       9,146,579       837,298       10,767,652  
 
US Government Mortgage
    1,038,340       10,746,819       883,629       8,765,597  
 
Fundamental Growth
    1,861,890       24,037,004       1,845,353       33,419,330  
 
Other
          17,158,531             13,609,698  
Common/Collective Trust - Retirement Preservation Trust
    76,085,591       76,085,591       73,872,809       73,872,809  
Common stock — J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.
    881,746       25,835,171       991,219       22,996,275  
Common stock — Prudential Financial Inc.
    85,223       2,704,978              
Participant notes receivable
          21,814,512             22,864,367  
 
 
         
           
 
   
Total
          $ 208,717,896             $ 212,750,909  
 
 
         
           
 

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J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.
EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLAN

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2002 and 2001

    During 2002 and 2001, the Plan’s investments (including investments bought, sold, and held during the year) appreciated (depreciated) in value as follows:
                 
    December 31
   
    2002   2001
   
 
Mutual funds
  $ (19,163,415 )     (10,838,956 )
Common stock
    6,100,321       10,214,390  
 
   
     
 
 
  $ (13,063,094 )     (624,566 )
 
   
     
 

(4)   Plan Termination
 
    Although it has not expressed any intent to do so, the Company has the right under the Plan to discontinue its contributions at any time and to terminate the Plan subject to the provisions of ERISA. In the event of Plan termination, participants will become 100 percent vested in their accounts.
 
(5)   Related Party Transactions
 
    At December 31, 2002, certain plan investments are a common/collective trust fund and shares of mutual funds managed by Merrill Lynch affiliates, Merrill Lynch Bank USA, Fund Asset Management, L.P., and Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P. Merrill Lynch Retirement Services Group performs record keeping responsibilities for the Plan and Merrill Lynch Trust Company is the Plan trustee.
 
(6)   Federal Income Taxes
 
    The Internal Revenue Service has determined and informed the Company by letter dated January 3, 2003, that the Plan and related trust are designed in accordance with applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”). The Plan administrator believes that the Plan is currently being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the IRC.

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Schedule 1

J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES, INC.
EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLAN

Schedule H, Line 4i — Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)

December 31, 2002

                                 
Column (a)   Column (b)   Column (c)   Column (d)   Column (e)
       
            Description of Investment                
Party-in-           Including Maturity Date,                
Interest   Identity of Issue, Borrower,   Rate of Interest,           Current
Identification   Lessor, or Similar Party   Par or Maturity Value   Cost   Value

 
 
 
 
*
  Merrill Lynch:                        
 
 
Retirement Preservation Trust
  Common/Collective Trust   $ 76,085,591     $ 76,085,591  
 
 
S&P 500 Index Fund Class I
  Mutual Fund     10,252,902       8,293,308  
 
 
U.S. Government Mortgage Class I
  Mutual Fund     10,408,464       10,746,819  
 
 
Fundamental Growth Fund Class I
  Mutual Fund     31,927,932       24,037,004  
 
 
PIMCO Total Return Fund Class A
  Mutual Fund     4,128,704       4,131,596  
 
 
ING Pilgrim:
                       
 
 
International Value Fund Class A
  Mutual Fund     11,110,367       9,146,579  
 
 
Small Cap Opportunities Class A
  Mutual Fund     1,581,452       1,191,292  
 
 
Van Kampen Growth and Income
                       
 
 
Fund Class A
  Mutual Fund     24,714,276       21,188,711  
 
 
Franklin Balance Sheet Class A
  Mutual Fund     3,817,232       3,542,335  
*
 
J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. Common Stock
  Common Stock     21,706,017       25,835,171  
 
 
Prudential Financial Inc. Common Stock
            2,706,109       2,704,978  
*
  Participant Loans             21,814,512       21,814,512  
 
               
     
 
 
                  $ 220,253,558     $ 208,717,896  
 
               
     
 
*
 
Party-in-interest
                       

See accompanying independent auditors’ report and notes to the financial statements.

10