Wrapping up Q4 earnings, we look at the numbers and key takeaways for the ground transportation stocks, including Werner (NASDAQ:WERN) and its peers.
The growth of e-commerce and global trade continues to drive demand for shipping services, especially last-mile delivery, presenting opportunities for ground transportation companies. The industry continues to invest in data, analytics, and autonomous fleets to optimize efficiency and find the most cost-effective routes. Despite the essential services this industry provides, ground transportation companies are still at the whim of economic cycles. Consumer spending, for example, can greatly impact the demand for these companies’ offerings while fuel costs can influence profit margins.
The 15 ground transportation stocks we track reported a slower Q4. As a group, revenues were in line with analysts’ consensus estimates.
While some ground transportation stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 3% since the latest earnings results.
Werner (NASDAQ:WERN)
Conducting business in over a 100 countries, Werner (NASDAQ:WERN) offers full-truckload, less-than-truckload, and intermodal delivery services.
Werner reported revenues of $754.7 million, down 8.2% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 0.9%. Overall, it was a disappointing quarter for the company with a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.
Werner delivered the slowest revenue growth of the whole group. The stock is down 1.4% since reporting and currently trades at $34.16.
Read our full report on Werner here, it’s free .
Best Q4: XPO (NYSE:XPO)
Owning a mobile game simulating freight operations for the Tour de France, XPO (NYSE:XPO) is a transportation company specializing in expedited shipping services.
XPO reported revenues of $1.92 billion, flat year on year, in line with analysts’ expectations. The business had an exceptional quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.
However, the results were likely priced into the stock as it’s traded sideways since reporting. Shares currently sit at $137.40.
Is now the time to buy XPO? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free .
Weakest Q4: Avis Budget Group (NASDAQ:CAR)
The parent company of brands such as Zipcar and Budget Truck Rental, Avis (NASDAQ:CAR) is a provider of car rental and mobility solutions.
Avis Budget Group reported revenues of $2.71 billion, down 2% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 1%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.
Interestingly, the stock is up 5% since the results and currently trades at $94.19.
Read our full analysis of Avis Budget Group’s results here.
Hertz (NASDAQ:HTZ)
Started with a dozen Model T Fords, Hertz (NASDAQ:HTZ) is a global car rental company providing vehicle rental services to leisure and business travelers.
Hertz reported revenues of $2.04 billion, down 6.6% year on year. This number lagged analysts' expectations by 3.7%. Overall, it was a softer quarter as it also produced a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income and EPS estimates.
Hertz had the weakest performance against analyst estimates among its peers. The stock is up 5.7% since reporting and currently trades at $4.50.
Read our full, actionable report on Hertz here, it’s free.
U-Haul (NYSE:UHAL)
Founded by a husband and wife duo, U-Haul (NYSE:UHAL) is a provider of rental trucks and storage facilities.
U-Haul reported revenues of $1.39 billion, up 3.7% year on year. This print beat analysts’ expectations by 3.1%. However, it was a mixed quarter as it logged a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.
The stock is up 3.2% since reporting and currently trades at $73.83.
Read our full, actionable report on U-Haul here, it’s free.
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