CVLG
Covenant Logistics Group, Inc.
Trucking
Market Cap$822M
5Y Perf.+419.7%
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Stock Comparison
CVLG vs WERN
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
WERN
Werner Enterprises, Inc.
Trucking
Market Cap$2.18B
5Y Perf.-21.2%
CVLG vs WERN — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | CVLG | WERN |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Trucking | Trucking |
| Market Cap | $822M | $2.18B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $1.16B | $2.97B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $7M | $-14M |
| Gross Margin | 12.0% | 8.3% |
| Operating Margin | 1.2% | 1.9% |
| Forward P/E | 19.1x | 39.8x |
| Total Debt | $339M | $752M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $296M | $60M |
CVLG vs WERN — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
CVLG
WERN
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Covenant Logistics … (CVLG) | 100 | 519.7 | +419.7% |
| Werner Enterprises,… (WERN) | 100 | 78.8 | -21.2% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: CVLG vs WERN
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: CVLG leads in 5 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. Werner Enterprises, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for capital preservation and lower volatility and dividend income and shareholder returns. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
CVLG
Covenant Logistics Group, Inc.
The Growth Play
CVLG carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 2.9%, EPS growth -79.2%, 3Y rev CAGR -1.5%
- 231.4% 10Y total return vs WERN's 76.0%
- 2.9% revenue growth vs WERN's -1.8%
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
WERN
Werner Enterprises, Inc.
The Income Pick
WERN is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 5 yrs, beta 1.24, yield 1.5%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.24, Low D/E 54.1%, current ratio 1.94x
- Beta 1.24, yield 1.5%, current ratio 1.94x
Best for: income & stability and sleep-well-at-night
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | CVLG | 2.9% revenue growth vs WERN's -1.8% |
| Value | CVLG | Lower P/E (19.1x vs 39.8x) |
| Quality / Margins | CVLG | 0.6% margin vs WERN's -0.5% |
| Stability / Safety | WERN | Beta 1.24 vs CVLG's 1.54, lower leverage |
| Dividends | WERN | 1.5% yield, 5-year raise streak, vs CVLG's 0.9% |
| Momentum (1Y) | CVLG | +62.3% vs WERN's +46.8% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | CVLG | 0.7% ROA vs WERN's -0.5%, ROIC 1.8% vs 2.5% |
CVLG vs WERN — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
CVLG vs WERN — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLCVLGLAGGINGWERN
WERNWerner Enterprises, I…
2leads
CVLGCovenant Logistics Gr…
4leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs WERNMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
CVLG4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
CVLG3/5
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
CVLG5/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
CVLG6/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
WERN2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
WERN2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CVLG leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
WERN is the larger business by revenue, generating $3.0B annually — 2.6x CVLG's $1.2B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 0.6% (CVLG) to -0.5% (WERN). On growth, CVLG holds the edge at +6.5% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | CVLGCovenant Logistic… | WERNWerner Enterprise… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $1.2B | $3.0B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $113M | $343M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $7M | -$14M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $114M | -$69M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +12.0% | +8.3% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +1.2% | +1.9% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +0.6% | -0.5% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +9.8% | -2.3% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +6.5% | -2.3% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -4.0% | -3.4% |
CVLG leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
CVLG leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, CVLG's 7.6x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than WERN's 8.1x.
| Metric | CVLGCovenant Logistic… | WERNWerner Enterprise… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $822M | $2.2B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $864M | $2.9B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 121.26x | -151.67x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 19.06x | 39.82x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 7.64x | 8.07x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.71x | 0.73x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 2.03x | 1.59x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — |
CVLG leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CVLG leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CVLG delivers a 1.7% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $2 in annual profit, vs $-1 for WERN. WERN carries lower financial leverage with a 0.54x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to CVLG's 0.84x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), WERN scores 5/9 vs CVLG's 4/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | CVLGCovenant Logistic… | WERNWerner Enterprise… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +1.7% | -1.0% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +0.7% | -0.5% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +1.8% | +2.5% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +1.6% | +2.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.84x | 0.54x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $42M | $692M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $296M | $60M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $339M | $752M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 1.46x | 0.47x |
CVLG leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
CVLG leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in CVLG five years ago would be worth $30,310 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $8,167 for WERN. Over the past 12 months, CVLG leads with a +62.3% total return vs WERN's +46.8%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors CVLG at 19.5% vs WERN's -5.8% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | CVLGCovenant Logistic… | WERNWerner Enterprise… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +47.1% | +19.8% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +62.3% | +46.8% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +70.6% | -16.4% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +203.1% | -18.3% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +231.4% | +76.0% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +19.5% | -5.8% |
CVLG leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
WERN leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
WERN is the less volatile stock with a 1.24 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than CVLG's 1.54 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. WERN currently trades 94.6% from its 52-week high vs CVLG's 91.2% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | CVLGCovenant Logistic… | WERNWerner Enterprise… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.54x | 1.24x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $35.91 | $38.46 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $18.00 | $23.06 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +91.2% | +94.6% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 58.5 | 58.9 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 149K | 1.0M |
WERN leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
WERN leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates CVLG as "Hold" and WERN as "Hold". For income investors, WERN offers the higher dividend yield at 1.54% vs CVLG's 0.87%.
| Metric | CVLGCovenant Logistic… | WERNWerner Enterprise… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $36.10 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 9 | 36 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.9% | +1.5% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 4 | 5 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.29 | $0.56 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +4.4% | +2.5% |
WERN leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
CVLG leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). WERN leads in 2 (Risk & Volatility, Analyst Outlook).
Best OverallCovenant Logistics Group, I… (CVLG)Leads 4 of 6 categories
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CVLG vs WERN: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is CVLG or WERN a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Covenant Logistics Group, Inc.
(CVLG) is the stronger pick with 2. 9% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -1. 8% for Werner Enterprises, Inc. (WERN). Covenant Logistics Group, Inc. (CVLG) offers the better valuation at 121. 3x trailing P/E (19. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Covenant Logistics Group, Inc. (CVLG) a "Hold" — based on 9 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 — CVLG or WERN?
On forward P/E, Covenant Logistics Group, Inc.
is actually cheaper at 19. 1x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — CVLG or WERN?
Over the past 5 years, Covenant Logistics Group, Inc.
(CVLG) delivered a total return of +203. 1%, compared to -18. 3% for Werner Enterprises, Inc. (WERN). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CVLG returned +231. 4% versus WERN's +76. 0%. 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 — CVLG or WERN?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Werner Enterprises, Inc.
(WERN) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 24β versus Covenant Logistics Group, Inc. 's 1. 54β — meaning CVLG is approximately 24% more volatile than WERN relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Werner Enterprises, Inc. (WERN) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 54% versus 84% for Covenant Logistics Group, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — CVLG or WERN?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Covenant Logistics Group, Inc.
(CVLG) is pulling ahead at 2. 9% versus -1. 8% for Werner Enterprises, Inc. (WERN). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Covenant Logistics Group, Inc. grew EPS -79. 2% year-over-year, compared to -143. 6% for Werner Enterprises, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, CVLG leads at -1. 5% 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 — CVLG or WERN?
Covenant Logistics Group, Inc.
(CVLG) is the more profitable company, earning 0. 6% net margin versus -0. 5% for Werner Enterprises, Inc. — meaning it keeps 0. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: WERN leads at 2. 3% versus 1. 2% for CVLG. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CVLG leads at 8. 0%, 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 CVLG or WERN more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Covenant Logistics Group, Inc.
(CVLG) trades at 19. 1x forward P/E versus 39. 8x for Werner Enterprises, Inc. — 20. 8x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.
08Which pays a better dividend — CVLG or WERN?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Werner Enterprises, Inc. (WERN) offers the highest yield at 1. 5%, versus 0. 9% for Covenant Logistics Group, Inc. (CVLG).
09Is CVLG or WERN better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Werner Enterprises, Inc.
(WERN) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 24), 1. 5% yield). Covenant Logistics Group, Inc. (CVLG) carries a higher beta of 1. 54 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (WERN: +76. 0%, CVLG: +231. 4%), 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 CVLG and WERN?
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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