Trucking
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ETS vs ARCB
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Trucking
ETS vs ARCB — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Trucking | Trucking |
| Market Cap | $9M | $2.72B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $2M | $4.04B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-208K | $56M |
| Gross Margin | 7.1% | 4.1% |
| Operating Margin | -7.8% | 2.2% |
| Forward P/E | — | 23.6x |
| Total Debt | $647K | $669M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $55K | $102M |
Quick Verdict: ETS vs ARCB
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
In this particular matchup, ETS is outpaced on most metrics by others in the set.
ARCB carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for long-term compounding and sleep-well-at-night.
- 6.3% 10Y total return vs ETS's -84.5%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.90, Low D/E 51.6%, current ratio 0.95x
- Beta 1.90, yield 0.4%, current ratio 0.95x
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Quality / Margins | 1.4% margin vs ETS's -8.6% | |
| Stability / Safety | Lower D/E ratio (51.6% vs 16.2%) | |
| Dividends | 0.4% yield; 4-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +107.5% vs ETS's -84.5% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 2.3% ROA vs ETS's -28.8%, ROIC 3.9% vs -22.5% |
ETS vs ARCB — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
ETS vs ARCB — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ARCB leads this category, winning 3 of 4 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ARCB is the larger business by revenue, generating $4.0B annually — 1666.0x ETS's $2M. ARCB is the more profitable business, keeping 1.4% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to ETS's -8.6%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $2M | $4.0B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | — | $217M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | — | $56M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | — | $169M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +7.1% | +4.1% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -7.8% | +2.2% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -8.6% | +1.4% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -0.6% | +4.2% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | +3.3% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | -138.5% |
Valuation Metrics
ARCB leads this category, winning 3 of 4 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, ARCB's 12.6x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than ETS's 234.6x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $9M | $2.7B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $10M | $3.3B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -43.46x | 46.48x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | 23.61x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 234.63x | 12.59x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 3.74x | 0.68x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 227.19x | 2.16x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 23.78x |
Profitability & Efficiency
ARCB leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
ARCB delivers a 4.3% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $4 in annual profit, vs $-5 for ETS. ARCB carries lower financial leverage with a 0.52x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to ETS's 16.20x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), ETS scores 6/9 vs ARCB's 4/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -5.2% | +4.3% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -28.8% | +2.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -22.5% | +3.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -41.1% | +5.1% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 16.20x | 0.52x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $592,611 | $567M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $54,712 | $102M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $647,323 | $669M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -6.33x | 6.58x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
ARCB leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in ARCB five years ago would be worth $13,711 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $1,552 for ETS. Over the past 12 months, ARCB leads with a +107.5% total return vs ETS's -84.5%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors ARCB at 12.0% vs ETS's -46.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +6.9% | +58.0% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -84.5% | +107.5% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -84.5% | +40.5% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -84.5% | +37.1% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -84.5% | +627.8% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -46.3% | +12.0% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — ETS and ARCB each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
ETS is the less volatile stock with a -0.61 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than ARCB's 1.90 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. ARCB currently trades 90.1% from its 52-week high vs ETS's 12.8% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | -0.61x | 1.90x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $4.23 | $135.10 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $0.39 | $58.16 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +12.8% | +90.1% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 45.6 | 60.5 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 73K | 307K |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
ARCB is the only dividend payer here at 0.39% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $117.14 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | 24 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +0.4% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | 4 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $0.48 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.0% | +2.8% |
ARCB leads in 4 of 6 categories — strongest in Income & Cash Flow and Valuation Metrics. 1 category is tied.
ETS vs ARCB: Frequently Asked Questions
7 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is ETS or ARCB a better buy right now?
ArcBest Corporation (ARCB) offers the better valuation at 46.
5x trailing P/E (23. 6x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate ArcBest Corporation (ARCB) a "Buy" — based on 24 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 is the better long-term investment — ETS or ARCB?
Over the past 5 years, ArcBest Corporation (ARCB) delivered a total return of +37.
1%, compared to -84. 5% for Elite Express Holding Inc. (ETS). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ARCB returned +627. 8% versus ETS's -84. 5%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
03Which is safer — ETS or ARCB?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Elite Express Holding Inc.
(ETS) is the lower-risk stock at -0. 61β versus ArcBest Corporation's 1. 90β — meaning ARCB is approximately -411% more volatile than ETS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, ArcBest Corporation (ARCB) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 52% versus 16% for Elite Express Holding Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which has better profit margins — ETS or ARCB?
ArcBest Corporation (ARCB) is the more profitable company, earning 1.
5% net margin versus -8. 6% for Elite Express Holding Inc. — meaning it keeps 1. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ARCB leads at 2. 3% versus -7. 8% for ETS. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ETS leads at 7. 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.
05Which pays a better dividend — ETS or ARCB?
In this comparison, ARCB (0.
4% yield) pays a dividend. ETS does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
06Is ETS or ARCB better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Elite Express Holding Inc.
(ETS) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β -0. 61)). ArcBest Corporation (ARCB) carries a higher beta of 1. 90 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (ETS: -84. 5%, ARCB: +627. 8%), 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.
07What are the main differences between ETS and ARCB?
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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