The end of an earnings season can be a great time to discover new stocks and assess how companies are handling the current business environment. Let’s take a look at how Universal Logistics (NASDAQ: ULH) and the rest of the ground transportation stocks fared in Q2.

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 16 ground transportation stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q2. 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.

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 $393.8 million, down 14.8% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 1.2%. Overall, it was a softer quarter for the company with a significant miss of analysts’ EPS and EBITDA estimates.

"Universal's results for the second quarter, although muted, were broadly in-line with our previously guided expectations," stated Tim Phillips, Universal's CEO.

Unsurprisingly, the stock is down 8.1% since reporting and currently trades at $25.21.

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

Best Q2: 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 $753.1 million, down 1% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 3%. The business had a stunning quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS and adjusted operating income estimates.

However, the results were likely priced into the stock as it’s traded sideways since reporting. Shares currently sit at $27.60.

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

Weakest Q2: Heartland Express (NASDAQ: HTLD)

Founded by the son of a trucker, Heartland Express (NASDAQ: HTLD) offers full-truckload deliveries across the United States and Mexico.

Heartland Express reported revenues of $210.4 million, down 23.4% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 10.4%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

Heartland Express delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates and slowest revenue growth in the group. As expected, the stock is down 1.9% since the results and currently trades at $8.50.

Read our full analysis of Heartland Express’s results here.

Schneider (NYSE: SNDR)

Employing thousands of drivers across the country to make deliveries, Schneider (NYSE: SNDR) makes full truckload and intermodal deliveries regionally and across borders.

Schneider reported revenues of $1.42 billion, up 7.9% year on year. This number surpassed analysts’ expectations by 0.7%. Overall, it was a strong quarter as it also produced and an impressive beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

The stock is down 6% since reporting and currently trades at $23.01.

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

Saia (NASDAQ: SAIA)

Pivoting its business model after realizing there was more success in delivering produce than selling it, Saia (NASDAQ: SAIA) is a provider of freight transportation solutions.

Saia reported revenues of $817.1 million, flat year on year. This result beat analysts’ expectations by 1.2%. It was a very strong quarter as it also put up a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

The stock is up 1.7% since reporting and currently trades at $316.

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

Market Update

As a result of the Fed’s rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, inflation has come down from frothy levels post-pandemic. The general rise in the price of goods and services is trending towards the Fed’s 2% goal as of late, which is good news. The higher rates that fought inflation also didn't slow economic activity enough to catalyze a recession. So far, soft landing. This, combined with recent rate cuts (half a percent in September 2024 and a quarter percent in November 2024) have led to strong stock market performance in 2024. The icing on the cake for 2024 returns was Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. Presidential Election in early November, sending major indices to all-time highs in the week following the election. Still, debates around the health of the economy and the impact of potential tariffs and corporate tax cuts remain, leaving much uncertainty around 2025.

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