Let’s dig into the relative performance of Werner (NASDAQ: WERN) and its peers as we unravel the now-completed Q4 ground transportation earnings season.

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 softer Q4. As a group, revenues missed analysts’ consensus estimates by 0.8%.

While some ground transportation stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 1.2% 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 $737.6 million, down 2.3% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 2.8%. Overall, it was a disappointing quarter for the company with a significant miss of analysts’ revenue and adjusted operating income estimates.

The stock is down 24.4% since reporting and currently trades at $28.65.

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 $2.01 billion, up 4.7% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 2.9%. The business had an exceptional quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ revenue estimates.

XPO delivered the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. The market seems content with the results as the stock is up 3.8% since reporting. It currently trades at $186.44.

Is now the time to buy XPO? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

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 $2.66 billion, down 1.7% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 2.9%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ revenue and adjusted operating income estimates.

Interestingly, the stock is up 9.9% since the results and currently trades at $135.54.

Read our full analysis of Avis Budget Group’s results here.

Universal Logistics (NASDAQ: ULH)

Founded in 1932, Universal Logistics (NASDAQ: ULH) is a provider of customized transportation and logistics solutions operating throughout the United States and in Mexico, Canada, and Colombia.

Universal Logistics reported revenues of $385.4 million, down 17.1% year on year. This print beat analysts’ expectations by 2.5%. It was a strong quarter as it also put up a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ revenue estimates.

The stock is up 41.6% since reporting and currently trades at $20.50.

Read our full, actionable report on Universal Logistics here, it’s free.

Old Dominion Freight Line (NASDAQ: ODFL)

With its name deriving from the Commonwealth of Virginia’s nickname, Old Dominion (NASDAQ: ODFL) delivers less-than-truckload (LTL) and full-container load freight.

Old Dominion Freight Line reported revenues of $1.31 billion, down 5.7% year on year. This number was in line with analysts’ expectations. Overall, it was a strong quarter as it also produced a decent beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

The stock is flat since reporting and currently trades at $189.81.

Read our full, actionable report on Old Dominion Freight Line here, it’s free.

Market Update

Late in 2025 into early 2026, there was hand wringing around artificial intelligence. For software companies, the fear was that AI would erode pricing power and compress margins as new tools made it easier to replicate what once required expensive enterprise platforms. Crypto investors had their own version of the same anxiety: if AI agents could trade, allocate capital, and manage wallets autonomously, what exactly was the long-term value of today’s crypto infrastructure?

These concerns triggered a noticeable rotation away from these sectors and into safer havens. But markets rarely dwell on one narrative for long. Spring 2026 came, and the focus shifted abruptly from technological disruption to geopolitical risk. The US’ conflict with Iran became the dominant driver of market psychology, and when geopolitics takes center stage, the script changes quickly. Investors stop debating growth rates and start worrying about oil supply, inflation, and global stability.

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