Integrated Freight & Logistics
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LSTR vs CHRW
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Integrated Freight & Logistics
LSTR vs CHRW — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Integrated Freight & Logistics | Integrated Freight & Logistics |
| Market Cap | $6.16B | $20.00B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $4.77B | $16.20B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $125M | $599M |
| Gross Margin | 17.2% | 8.3% |
| Operating Margin | 3.4% | 4.9% |
| Forward P/E | 32.1x | 27.4x |
| Total Debt | $133M | $1.63B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $397M | $161M |
LSTR vs CHRW — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landstar System, In… (LSTR) | 100 | 156.0 | +56.0% |
| C.H. Robinson World… (CHRW) | 100 | 207.8 | +107.8% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: LSTR vs CHRW
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
LSTR is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 6 yrs, beta 1.06, yield 2.0%
- Rev growth -1.9%, EPS growth -39.9%, 3Y rev CAGR -13.9%
- 209.7% 10Y total return vs CHRW's 160.9%
CHRW carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for value and quality.
- Lower P/E (27.4x vs 32.1x)
- 3.7% margin vs LSTR's 2.6%
- Beta 0.95 vs LSTR's 1.06
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | -1.9% revenue growth vs CHRW's -8.4% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (27.4x vs 32.1x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 3.7% margin vs LSTR's 2.6% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.95 vs LSTR's 1.06 | |
| Dividends | 2.0% yield, 6-year raise streak, vs CHRW's 1.5% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +93.7% vs LSTR's +40.4% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 11.5% ROA vs LSTR's 7.6%, ROIC 18.0% vs 22.1% |
LSTR vs CHRW — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
LSTR vs CHRW — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
Evenly matched — LSTR and CHRW each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CHRW is the larger business by revenue, generating $16.2B annually — 3.4x LSTR's $4.8B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 3.7% (CHRW) to 2.6% (LSTR).
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $4.8B | $16.2B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $209M | $896M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $125M | $599M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $239M | $858M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +17.2% | +8.3% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +3.4% | +4.9% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +2.6% | +3.7% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +5.0% | +5.3% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +1.3% | -0.8% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +36.5% | +9.9% |
Valuation Metrics
CHRW leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 34.9x trailing earnings, CHRW trades at a 36% valuation discount to LSTR's 54.8x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, CHRW's 23.9x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than LSTR's 27.2x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $6.2B | $20.0B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $5.9B | $21.5B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 54.78x | 34.90x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 32.09x | 27.41x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 6.51x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 27.24x | 23.91x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.30x | 1.23x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 7.91x | 11.10x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 28.65x | 22.35x |
Profitability & Efficiency
LSTR leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CHRW delivers a 33.3% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $33 in annual profit, vs $15 for LSTR. LSTR carries lower financial leverage with a 0.17x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to CHRW's 0.88x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), CHRW scores 7/9 vs LSTR's 6/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +14.6% | +33.3% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +7.6% | +11.5% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +22.1% | +18.0% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +16.4% | +25.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.17x | 0.88x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$263M | $1.5B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $397M | $161M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $133M | $1.6B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 79.62x | 6.27x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
CHRW leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in CHRW five years ago would be worth $18,408 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $11,241 for LSTR. Over the past 12 months, CHRW leads with a +93.7% total return vs LSTR's +40.4%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors CHRW at 19.6% vs LSTR's 2.2% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +25.2% | +3.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +40.4% | +93.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +6.7% | +70.9% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +12.4% | +84.1% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +209.7% | +160.9% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +2.2% | +19.6% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — LSTR and CHRW each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CHRW is the less volatile stock with a 0.95 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than LSTR's 1.06 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. LSTR currently trades 92.7% from its 52-week high vs CHRW's 82.9% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.06x | 0.95x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $195.58 | $203.34 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $119.32 | $86.58 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +92.7% | +82.9% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 62.1 | 41.3 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 441K | 1.7M |
Analyst Outlook
LSTR leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates LSTR as "Hold" and CHRW as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 11.1% upside for CHRW (target: $187) vs -5.8% for LSTR (target: $171). For income investors, LSTR offers the higher dividend yield at 1.98% vs CHRW's 1.47%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $170.75 | $187.38 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 33 | 46 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +2.0% | +1.5% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 6 | 5 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $3.59 | $2.48 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +2.9% | +1.8% |
CHRW leads in 2 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Total Returns). LSTR leads in 2 (Profitability & Efficiency, Analyst Outlook). 2 tied.
LSTR vs CHRW: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is LSTR or CHRW a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Landstar System, Inc.
(LSTR) is the stronger pick with -1. 9% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -8. 4% for C. H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (CHRW). C. H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (CHRW) offers the better valuation at 34. 9x trailing P/E (27. 4x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Landstar System, Inc. (LSTR) a "Hold" — based on 33 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.
02Which has the better valuation — LSTR or CHRW?
On trailing P/E, C.
H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (CHRW) is the cheapest at 34. 9x versus Landstar System, Inc. at 54. 8x. On forward P/E, C. H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. is actually cheaper at 27. 4x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — LSTR or CHRW?
Over the past 5 years, C.
H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (CHRW) delivered a total return of +84. 1%, compared to +12. 4% for Landstar System, Inc. (LSTR). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: LSTR returned +209. 7% versus CHRW's +160. 9%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — LSTR or CHRW?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), C.
H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (CHRW) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 95β versus Landstar System, Inc. 's 1. 06β — meaning LSTR is approximately 12% more volatile than CHRW relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Landstar System, Inc. (LSTR) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 17% versus 88% for C. H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — LSTR or CHRW?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Landstar System, Inc.
(LSTR) is pulling ahead at -1. 9% versus -8. 4% for C. H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (CHRW). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: C. H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. grew EPS 25. 1% year-over-year, compared to -39. 9% for Landstar System, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, CHRW leads at -13. 1% 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.
06Which has better profit margins — LSTR or CHRW?
C.
H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (CHRW) is the more profitable company, earning 3. 6% net margin versus 2. 4% for Landstar System, Inc. — meaning it keeps 3. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CHRW leads at 4. 9% versus 3. 6% for LSTR. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — LSTR leads at 13. 1%, 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.
07Is LSTR or CHRW more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, C.
H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (CHRW) trades at 27. 4x forward P/E versus 32. 1x for Landstar System, Inc. — 4. 7x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CHRW: 11. 1% to $187. 38.
08Which pays a better dividend — LSTR or CHRW?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Landstar System, Inc. (LSTR) offers the highest yield at 2. 0%, versus 1. 5% for C. H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (CHRW).
09Is LSTR or CHRW better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, C.
H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (CHRW) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 95), 1. 5% yield, +160. 9% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CHRW: +160. 9%, LSTR: +209. 7%), 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.
10What are the main differences between LSTR and CHRW?
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.
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