J.B. Hunt joins S&P 500 Index

The surface transportation and delivery service provider will replace Integrys Energy Group on the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index.    Surface transportation and delivery service provider J.B. Hunt Transport Services has joined the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index, replacing Integrys Energy Group Inc., according to a statement from S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC.
   S&P said the Lowell, Ark.-based company was added to the S&P 500 Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) Trucking Sub-Industry index, effective June 30 at market close.
   One of the most commonly followed equity indices, the S&P 500 comprises 500 large companies with common stock listed on the NYSE or NASDAQ. Financial analysts consider it to be one of the most accurate representations of the overall U.S. stock market and a bellwether for the U.S. economy as a whole.
   “Joining the S&P 500 Index is an honor for our company made possible by the confidence from our customers and consistent execution from our employees,” J.B. Hunt CFO David Mee said in a statement. “We are excited to continue our commitment to excellence and provide innovative supply chain solutions to our customers.”