FDX vs ODFL

For growth investors, FedEx Corporation (FDX) is the stronger pick with 0.

3% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -5. 5% for Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (ODFL). FedEx Corporation (FDX) offers the better valuation at 21. 6x trailing P/E (18. 3x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate FedEx Corporation (FDX) a "Buy" — based on 49 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

On trailing P/E, FedEx Corporation (FDX) is the cheapest at 21.

6x versus Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. at 40. 6x. On forward P/E, FedEx Corporation is actually cheaper at 18. 3x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: FedEx Corporation wins at 0. 66x versus Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. 's 3. 33x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.

(ODFL) delivered a total return of +51. 6%, compared to +26. 2% for FedEx Corporation (FDX). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ODFL returned +859. 1% versus FDX's +148. 2%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), FedEx Corporation (FDX) is the lower-risk stock at 1.

03β versus Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. 's 1. 38β — meaning ODFL is approximately 34% more volatile than FDX relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (ODFL) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 3% versus 133% for FedEx Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), FedEx Corporation (FDX) is pulling ahead at 0.

3% versus -5. 5% for Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (ODFL). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: FedEx Corporation grew EPS -2. 3% year-over-year, compared to -11. 9% for Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, FDX leads at -2. 0% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.

(ODFL) is the more profitable company, earning 18. 6% net margin versus 4. 7% for FedEx Corporation — meaning it keeps 18. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ODFL leads at 24. 8% versus 6. 9% for FDX. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ODFL leads at 32. 2%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, FedEx Corporation (FDX) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 66x versus Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. 's 3. 33x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, FedEx Corporation (FDX) trades at 18. 3x forward P/E versus 37. 3x for Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. — 19. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for ODFL: 6. 2% to $208. 19.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

FedEx Corporation (FDX) offers the highest yield at 1. 5%, versus 0. 6% for Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (ODFL).

For long-horizon retirement investors, Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.

(ODFL) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (0. 6% yield, +859. 1% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (ODFL: +859. 1%, FDX: +148. 2%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.