HTLD
Heartland Express, Inc.
Trucking
Market Cap$1.01B
5Y Perf.-40.7%
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Stock Comparison
HTLD vs WERN vs KNX vs JBHT vs CHRW
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
WERN
Werner Enterprises, Inc.
Trucking
Market Cap$2.18B
5Y Perf.-21.3%
KNX
Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.
Trucking
Market Cap$10.30B
5Y Perf.+52.4%
JBHT
J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.
Integrated Freight & Logistics
Market Cap$22.91B
5Y Perf.+102.4%
CHRW
C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.
Integrated Freight & Logistics
Market Cap$20.33B
5Y Perf.+111.2%
HTLD vs WERN vs KNX vs JBHT vs CHRW — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | HTLD | WERN | KNX | JBHT | CHRW |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Trucking | Trucking | Trucking | Integrated Freight & Logistics | Integrated Freight & Logistics |
| Market Cap | $1.01B | $2.18B | $10.30B | $22.91B | $20.33B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $806M | $2.97B | $7.50B | $12.00B | $16.20B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-52M | $-14M | $34M | $598M | $599M |
| Gross Margin | -0.9% | 8.3% | 30.6% | 14.0% | 8.3% |
| Operating Margin | -7.7% | 1.9% | 2.9% | 7.2% | 4.9% |
| Forward P/E | — | 39.8x | 34.3x | 33.0x | 27.9x |
| Total Debt | $161M | $752M | $2.89B | $1.47B | $1.63B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $18M | $60M | $303M | $17M | $161M |
HTLD vs WERN vs KNX vs JBHT vs CHRW — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
HTLD
WERN
KNX
JBHT
CHRW
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heartland Express, … (HTLD) | 100 | 59.3 | -40.7% |
| Werner Enterprises,… (WERN) | 100 | 78.7 | -21.3% |
| Knight-Swift Transp… (KNX) | 100 | 152.4 | +52.4% |
| J.B. Hunt Transport… (JBHT) | 100 | 202.4 | +102.4% |
| C.H. Robinson World… (CHRW) | 100 | 211.2 | +111.2% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: HTLD vs WERN vs KNX vs JBHT vs CHRW
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: CHRW leads in 4 of 7 categories (5-stock set), making it the strongest pick for valuation and capital efficiency and capital preservation and lower volatility. Werner Enterprises, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for dividend income and shareholder returns. KNX and JBHT also each lead in at least one category. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
HTLD
Heartland Express, Inc.
The Industrials Pick
Among these 5 stocks, HTLD doesn't own a clear edge in any measured category.
Best for: industrials exposure
WERN
Werner Enterprises, Inc.
The Income Pick
WERN is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if income & stability is your priority.
- Dividend streak 5 yrs, beta 1.24, yield 1.5%
- 1.5% yield, 5-year raise streak, vs JBHT's 0.7%
Best for: income & stability
KNX
Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.
The Growth Play
KNX ranks third and is worth considering specifically for growth exposure.
- Rev growth 0.8%, EPS growth -43.8%, 3Y rev CAGR 0.2%
- 0.8% revenue growth vs HTLD's -23.1%
Best for: growth exposure
JBHT
J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.
The Long-Run Compounder
JBHT is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 203.9% 10Y total return vs CHRW's 163.6%
- 5.0% margin vs HTLD's -6.5%
Best for: long-term compounding
CHRW
C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.
The Defensive Pick
CHRW carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for sleep-well-at-night and valuation efficiency.
- Lower volatility, beta 0.95, Low D/E 88.3%, current ratio 1.53x
- PEG 5.20 vs JBHT's 6.30
- Beta 0.95, yield 1.4%, current ratio 1.53x
- Lower P/E (27.9x vs 33.0x), PEG 5.20 vs 6.30
Best for: sleep-well-at-night and valuation efficiency
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | KNX | 0.8% revenue growth vs HTLD's -23.1% |
| Value | CHRW | Lower P/E (27.9x vs 33.0x), PEG 5.20 vs 6.30 |
| Quality / Margins | JBHT | 5.0% margin vs HTLD's -6.5% |
| Stability / Safety | CHRW | Beta 0.95 vs KNX's 1.40 |
| Dividends | WERN | 1.5% yield, 5-year raise streak, vs JBHT's 0.7% |
| Momentum (1Y) | CHRW | +98.6% vs WERN's +45.8% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | CHRW | 11.5% ROA vs HTLD's -4.1%, ROIC 18.0% vs -4.8% |
HTLD vs WERN vs KNX vs JBHT vs CHRW — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
FY 2025
FY 2025
FY 2025
FY 2025
HTLD vs WERN vs KNX vs JBHT vs CHRW — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 5 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLCHRWLAGGINGJBHT
Who Leads Where
CHRW leads in 2 of 6 categories
WERN leads 1 • HTLD leads 0 • KNX leads 0 • JBHT leads 0 • 3 tied
Explore the data ↓JBHTJ.B. Hunt Transport S…
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KNXKnight-Swift Transpor…
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HTLDHeartland Express, In…
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WERNWerner Enterprises, I…
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CHRWC.H. Robinson Worldwi…
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6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs WERNvs HTLDMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
Tied
—
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
WERN3/7
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
CHRW5/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
CHRW4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
Evenly matched — KNX and JBHT 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 — 20.1x HTLD's $806M. JBHT is the more profitable business, keeping 5.0% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to HTLD's -6.5%. On growth, KNX holds the edge at +1.4% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | HTLDHeartland Express… | WERNWerner Enterprise… | KNXKnight-Swift Tran… | JBHTJ.B. Hunt Transpo… | CHRWC.H. Robinson Wor… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $806M | $3.0B | $7.5B | $12.0B | $16.2B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $97M | $343M | $1.0B | $1.6B | $896M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$52M | -$14M | $34M | $598M | $599M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$67M | -$69M | $1.3B | $948M | $858M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | -0.9% | +8.3% | +30.6% | +14.0% | +8.3% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -7.7% | +1.9% | +2.9% | +7.2% | +4.9% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -6.5% | -0.5% | +0.5% | +5.0% | +3.7% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -8.3% | -2.3% | +17.8% | +7.9% | +5.3% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -26.1% | -2.3% | +1.4% | -1.6% | -0.8% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -9.6% | -3.4% | -104.3% | +24.2% | +9.9% |
Evenly matched — KNX and JBHT each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
WERN leads this category, winning 3 of 7 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 35.5x trailing earnings, CHRW trades at a 77% valuation discount to KNX's 154.7x P/E. Adjusting for growth (PEG ratio), CHRW offers better value at 6.62x vs JBHT's 7.55x — a lower PEG means you pay less per unit of expected earnings growth.
| Metric | HTLDHeartland Express… | WERNWerner Enterprise… | KNXKnight-Swift Tran… | JBHTJ.B. Hunt Transpo… | CHRWC.H. Robinson Wor… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $1.0B | $2.2B | $10.3B | $22.9B | $20.3B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $1.1B | $2.9B | $12.9B | $24.4B | $21.8B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -19.37x | -151.58x | 154.71x | 39.57x | 35.48x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | 39.79x | 34.28x | 33.04x | 27.86x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — | — | 7.55x | 6.62x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 11.80x | 8.07x | 12.41x | 15.42x | 24.28x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.25x | 0.73x | 1.38x | 1.91x | 1.25x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.34x | 1.59x | 1.46x | 6.64x | 11.28x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — | 13.50x | 24.18x | 22.72x |
WERN leads this category, winning 3 of 7 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CHRW 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 $-7 for HTLD. HTLD carries lower financial leverage with a 0.21x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to CHRW's 0.88x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), JBHT scores 7/9 vs HTLD's 4/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | HTLDHeartland Express… | WERNWerner Enterprise… | KNXKnight-Swift Tran… | JBHTJ.B. Hunt Transpo… | CHRWC.H. Robinson Wor… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -6.7% | -1.0% | +0.5% | +16.8% | +33.3% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -4.1% | -0.5% | +0.3% | +7.5% | +11.5% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -4.8% | +2.5% | +2.0% | +12.0% | +18.0% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -5.4% | +2.6% | +2.3% | +13.5% | +25.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.21x | 0.54x | 0.41x | 0.41x | 0.88x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $143M | $692M | $2.6B | $1.4B | $1.5B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $18M | $60M | $303M | $17M | $161M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $161M | $752M | $2.9B | $1.5B | $1.6B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -4.93x | 0.47x | 1.36x | 12.19x | 6.27x |
CHRW leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
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 $18,412 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $7,237 for HTLD. Over the past 12 months, CHRW leads with a +98.6% total return vs WERN's +45.8%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors CHRW at 20.2% vs WERN's -5.8% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | HTLDHeartland Express… | WERNWerner Enterprise… | KNXKnight-Swift Tran… | JBHTJ.B. Hunt Transpo… | CHRWC.H. Robinson Wor… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +42.1% | +19.8% | +21.8% | +23.3% | +5.1% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +72.8% | +45.8% | +54.4% | +83.5% | +98.6% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -13.7% | -16.5% | +14.1% | +38.8% | +73.6% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -27.6% | -19.0% | +34.4% | +40.2% | +84.1% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -19.6% | +78.1% | +156.2% | +203.9% | +163.6% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -4.8% | -5.8% | +4.5% | +11.5% | +20.2% |
CHRW leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — WERN 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 KNX's 1.40 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 CHRW's 84.3% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | HTLDHeartland Express… | WERNWerner Enterprise… | KNXKnight-Swift Tran… | JBHTJ.B. Hunt Transpo… | CHRWC.H. Robinson Wor… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.37x | 1.24x | 1.40x | 1.07x | 0.95x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $13.92 | $38.46 | $67.75 | $256.18 | $203.34 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $7.00 | $23.06 | $38.63 | $130.12 | $86.58 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +93.2% | +94.6% | +93.6% | +94.5% | +84.3% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 63.9 | 65.9 | 56.4 | 58.0 | 42.9 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 398K | 1.0M | 3.0M | 902K | 1.7M |
Evenly matched — WERN and CHRW each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — WERN and JBHT each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: HTLD as "Hold", WERN as "Hold", KNX as "Buy", JBHT as "Buy", CHRW as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 9.3% upside for CHRW (target: $187) vs -7.6% for HTLD (target: $12). For income investors, WERN offers the higher dividend yield at 1.55% vs HTLD's 0.62%.
| Metric | HTLDHeartland Express… | WERNWerner Enterprise… | KNXKnight-Swift Tran… | JBHTJ.B. Hunt Transpo… | CHRWC.H. Robinson Wor… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Hold | Buy | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $12.00 | $36.10 | $65.10 | $224.88 | $187.38 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 22 | 36 | 36 | 45 | 46 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.6% | +1.5% | +1.1% | +0.7% | +1.4% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 5 | 8 | 12 | 5 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.08 | $0.56 | $0.72 | $1.75 | $2.48 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +1.0% | +2.5% | 0.0% | 0.0% | +1.7% |
Evenly matched — WERN and JBHT each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
CHRW leads in 2 of 6 categories (Profitability & Efficiency, Total Returns). WERN leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 3 tied.
Best OverallC.H. Robinson Worldwide, In… (CHRW)Leads 2 of 6 categories
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HTLD vs WERN vs KNX vs JBHT vs CHRW: Key Questions Answered
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is HTLD or WERN or KNX or JBHT or CHRW a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.
(KNX) is the stronger pick with 0. 8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -23. 1% for Heartland Express, Inc. (HTLD). C. H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (CHRW) offers the better valuation at 35. 5x trailing P/E (27. 9x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. (KNX) a "Buy" — based on 36 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 — HTLD or WERN or KNX or JBHT or CHRW?
On trailing P/E, C.
H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (CHRW) is the cheapest at 35. 5x versus Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. at 154. 7x. On forward P/E, C. H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. is actually cheaper at 27. 9x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: C. H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. wins at 5. 20x versus J. B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. 's 6. 30x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — HTLD or WERN or KNX or JBHT or CHRW?
Over the past 5 years, C.
H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (CHRW) delivered a total return of +84. 1%, compared to -27. 6% for Heartland Express, Inc. (HTLD). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: JBHT returned +203. 9% versus HTLD's -19. 6%. 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 — HTLD or WERN or KNX or JBHT or CHRW?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), C.
H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (CHRW) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 95β versus Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. 's 1. 40β — meaning KNX is approximately 47% more volatile than CHRW relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Heartland Express, Inc. (HTLD) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 21% versus 88% for C. H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — HTLD or WERN or KNX or JBHT or CHRW?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.
(KNX) is pulling ahead at 0. 8% versus -23. 1% for Heartland Express, Inc. (HTLD). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: C. H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. grew EPS 25. 1% year-over-year, compared to -143. 6% for Werner Enterprises, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, KNX leads at 0. 2% 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 — HTLD or WERN or KNX or JBHT or CHRW?
J.
B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (JBHT) is the more profitable company, earning 5. 0% net margin versus -6. 5% for Heartland Express, Inc. — meaning it keeps 5. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: JBHT leads at 7. 2% versus -7. 7% for HTLD. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — KNX leads at 28. 3%, 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 HTLD or WERN or KNX or JBHT or CHRW more undervalued right now?
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, C. H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (CHRW) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 5. 20x versus J. B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. 's 6. 30x. Both stocks trade at elevated growth-adjusted valuations, so expected growth needs to materialise. On forward earnings alone, C. H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (CHRW) trades at 27. 9x forward P/E versus 39. 8x for Werner Enterprises, Inc. — 11. 9x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CHRW: 9. 3% to $187. 38.
08Which pays a better dividend — HTLD or WERN or KNX or JBHT or CHRW?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Werner Enterprises, Inc. (WERN) offers the highest yield at 1. 5%, versus 0. 6% for Heartland Express, Inc. (HTLD).
09Is HTLD or WERN or KNX or JBHT 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. 4% yield, +163. 6% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CHRW: +163. 6%, HTLD: -19. 6%), 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 HTLD and WERN and KNX and JBHT 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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