Arkansas
Four of 11 Arkansas-based publicly-held companies post share gains through June – Talk Business & Politics
Among the 11 largest Arkansas-based publicly traded companies, only four reported gains in their stock prices over the first two quarters ending June 28. Most of the decliners were among banks and shipping companies based in the state.
The largest Arkansas stock by market cap is Bentonville-based Walmart which closed out the first half of 2024 with stock gains of 28.92%, the highest growth among its Arkansas cohorts. Walmart shares (NYSE: WMT) closed on June 28 at $67.71 compared to $52.52 where the stock opened trading on Jan. 2. Walmart also grew its market capitalization by $122.7 billion since Jan. 2, the first trading day of the year. The market capitalization of Walmart shares closed out the first half of 2024 at $544.63 billion.
Close behind Walmart is El Dorado-based Murphy USA. The gasoline and convenience retailer operates more than 1,700 U.S. stores. Shares of Murphy USA (NYSE: MUSA) increased in value by 28.48% in the first six months of 2024. The stock opened the year at $365.39 and closed at $469.46 on June 28. The share price has retreated from weaker-than-expected earnings reported in May. However, the company has grown its market capitalization to $9.6 billion, up from $7.58 billion at the start of 2024.
Little Rock-based Dillard’s is also among the small group of winners through the first half of the year. Shares of Dillard’s (NYSE: DDS) opened the year at $401.02 and closed June 28 at $440.39, up 9.71% for the period. The market capitalization of Dillard’s stock totals $6.94 billion, up from $6.54 billion at the start of the year.
Springdale-based Tyson Foods is the other gainer in terms of stock price. Shares of Tyson Foods (NYSE: TSN) opened the year at $52.61 and closed June 28 at $57.14, up 8.61% for the period. The company’s market capitalization totals about $20.42 billion, up 6.5% during the period.
BANK LOSSES
The seven remaining companies have seen their stock prices stall or decline this year amid ongoing pressures in their sectors. The banking sector continues to see caution among investors primarily because of exposure to commercial real estate.
Home BancShares (NYSE: HOMB) opened the year at $25.07 per share and closed at $23.86 on June 28, down 5%. Market capitalization totals $4.75 billion, down from $5.11 billion at the start of the year.
Pine Bluff-based Simmons First National Bank stock (NASDAQ: SNFC) closed at $17.58 on June 28, down 10.8% from the $19.71 opening price to start the year. Most of the loss came after the bank missed earnings expectations for its first quarter. Revenue dropped 7.3% and net income fell 15% from the year-ago period. The market capitalization for the bank totals $2.92 billion, down 15.% from $2.48 billion to start the year.
Little Rock-based Bank OZK has seen its share price drop 16.88% in the past six months. Bank OZK shares (NASDAQ: OZK) opened the year at $48.33 and closed June 28 at $41. Most of that loss came in late May when Citigroup downgraded the stock from a buy to a sell because of the bank’s exposure to commercial real estate and fewer rate cuts expected this year. The bank’s market capitalization is $4.62 billion, down from $5.63 billion for a loss of 17.9% over the six months.
Bentonville-based America’s Car-Mart operates like a bank since it finances the vehicles it sells. The buy-here pay-here dealer generates the bulk of its revenue from the loans it carries on its books. Car-Mart shares (NASDAQ: CRMT) opened the year at $70.90 and closed on June 28 at $60.21, down 14.07% over the six months. The company’s market capitalization totals $380.29 billion, down 20% from $480 billion where it started the year.
TRUCKING RECESSION
Fort Smith-based ArcBest and most of its freight competitors remain in a recession with excess capacity keeping shipping rates low. Shares of ArcBest (NASDAQ: ARCB) closed out the second quarter at $107.08, falling 10.73% from the start of the year. About half of the loss came after the company missed its first-quarter earnings expectations reporting revenue down 6.3% and a $2.92 million net loss.
Tontitown-based P.A.M. Transportation Services is a thinly traded, small-cap freight company. Shares of P.A.M. Transport (NASDAQ: PTSI) opened the year at $20.47, but ended the mid-year mark at $17.37, down 15.14%. The company missed its first quarter earnings with an operating loss of $677,000 on the heels of a $811,000 loss in the prior quarter because of low shipping rates from excess capacity relative to demand.
Lowell-based J.B. Hunt Transport Services is also struggling this year amid the ongoing freight recession. Company shares (NASDAQ: JBHT) opened the year at $199.82 and closed at $160 on June 28, down 19.9%.
SHARE PERFORMANCE – January-June 2024
Walmart (NYSE: WMT)
Jan. 2: $52.52
June 28: $67.71
up 28.92%
Murphy USA (NYSE: MUSA)
Jan. 2: $365.39
June 28: $469.46
up 28.48%
Dillard’s (NYSE: DDS)
Jan. 2: $401.02
June 28: $440.39
up 9.71%
Tyson Food (NYSE: TSN)
Jan. 2: $52.61
June 28: $57.14
up 8.61%
Home Bank (NYSE: HOMB)
Jan. 2 $25.07
June 28: $23.86
down 4.94%
ArcBest (NASDAQ: ARCB)
Jan. 2: $119.62
June 28: $107.08
down 10.73%
Simmons Bank (NASDAQ: SFNC)
Jan. 2: $19.71
June 28: $17.58
down 10.8%
America’s Car-Mart (NASDAQ: CRMT)
Jan. 2: $70.90
June 28: $60.21
down 14.07%
P.A.M. Transportation Services (NASDAQ: PTSI)
Jan. 2: $20.47
June 28: $17.37
down 15.14%
Bank of OZK (NASDAQ: OZK)
Jan. 2: $49.33
June 28: $41
down 16.88%
J.B. Hunt Transport (NASDAQ: JBHT)
Jan. 2: $199.82
June 28: $160
down 19.92%
Related
CORNING, Ark. (KATV) — Regulatory Enforcement Agents with the Department of Finance and Administration, along with local police, seized a significant amount of illegal THC products from Pacific Green in Corning on Tuesday.
According to the DFA, more than a dozen agents joined the City of Corning Police in the day-long operation that resulted in two arrests.
DFA agents seized more than 25 pounds of illegal products consisting of flower, vapes, and edibles.
Owner Ben Bennett and employee Sharia Shipman were arrested and both charged with the following:
- Delivery of a Schedule VI controlled substance (Class D Felony)
- Possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance with the purpose to deliver (Class B Felony)
- Controlled substances – Offenses relating to records, maintaining premises (Class C Felony)
- Possession of drug paraphernalia (Class D Felony)
- Unauthorized use of another person’s property to facilitate certain crimes (Class C Felony)
Bennett’s bond was set at $150,000, while Shipman’s bond was set at $100,000.
“In addition to selling illegal products, investigators confirmed violations involving underage access at this location,” said David Potter, Director of the Regulatory Enforcement Division. “This retailer, which was located within 1,000 feet of a school, presented significant public health and safety concerns. We are proud to partner with the Corning Police Department in addressing these violations. We seized a substantial quantity of illegal products, including flower, vapes, edibles, and other items, during the operation. We appreciate the cooperation of local law enforcement and information received from the community that led to yesterday’s operation and stopped this blatant disregard of the law.”
Note: All suspects accused of a crime are presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of law.
The Department of Finance and Administration said Arkansans can use Apple Wallet to present their license or ID in person, online and in apps at select organizations, including at more than 250 Transportation Security
IDEMIA Public Security North America and the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration’s Division of Driver Services and Motor Vehicles have launched Arkansas driver’s licenses and state IDs in Apple Wallet, allowing residents to securely store and use their credentials on an iPhone or Apple Watch.
The new feature gives Arkansans the ability to present their identification at participating businesses and venues, at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints in more than 250 airports, and online or within apps when age or identity verification is required.
The launch builds on Arkansas’ ongoing efforts to expand digital identification options. In March 2025, the state introduced the Arkansas Mobile ID app, and officials say adding IDs to Apple Wallet offers residents another secure and convenient way to access their credentials.
“We’re proud to build on our partnership with the Arkansas DFA’s Division of Driver Services and Motor Vehicles, expanding on the launch of the Arkansas Mobile ID app in March 2025. The launch of ID in Apple Wallet in the state provides Arkansas residents a new, secure way to store and present their digital credentials, with transparency and control over how their information is shared at the forefront,” said Rob Gardner, CEO, IDEMIA Civil Identity.
To add an Arkansas driver’s license or state ID to Apple Wallet, users can tap the plus sign at the top of the Wallet app on their iPhone, select “Driver’s License or State ID,” and follow the verification process.
Officials say privacy and security were central considerations in the rollout. Information stored in Apple Wallet is encrypted on a user’s device, and users control when and how their information is shared. When presenting an ID, only the information necessary to verify age or identity is provided.
Apple and the Arkansas Division of Driver Services and Motor Vehicles also do not receive information about when or where residents use their digital IDs.
The technology is also designed to make verification easier for businesses. Participating businesses can use IDEMIA’s Mobile ID Verify app to accept and verify mobile IDs directly from an iPhone without requiring customers to hand over their devices or use additional hardware.
The launch marks another step toward broader adoption of digital credentials in Arkansas, giving residents a secure alternative to carrying a physical driver’s license or state ID while maintaining control over their personal information.
For information on the launch of IDs in Apple Wallet in Arkansas, click here.
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