HUBG vs HTLD vs JBHT vs WERN

For growth investors, J.

B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (JBHT) is the stronger pick with -0. 7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -23. 1% for Heartland Express, Inc. (HTLD). Hub Group, Inc. (HUBG) offers the better valuation at 25. 3x trailing P/E (26. 2x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate J. B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (JBHT) a "Buy" — based on 45 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, Hub Group, Inc.

(HUBG) is the cheapest at 25. 3x versus J. B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. at 39. 6x. On forward P/E, Hub Group, Inc. is actually cheaper at 26. 2x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: J. B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. wins at 6. 30x versus Hub Group, Inc. 's 21. 49x.

Over the past 5 years, J.

B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (JBHT) delivered a total return of +40. 2%, 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.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), J.

B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (JBHT) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 07β versus Heartland Express, Inc. 's 1. 37β — meaning HTLD is approximately 28% more volatile than JBHT relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Heartland Express, Inc. (HTLD) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 21% versus 54% for Werner Enterprises, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), J.

B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (JBHT) is pulling ahead at -0. 7% versus -23. 1% for Heartland Express, Inc. (HTLD). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: J. B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. grew EPS 10. 1% year-over-year, compared to -143. 6% for Werner Enterprises, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, HUBG leads at -2. 3% 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.

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 — HUBG leads at 85. 4%, 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, J. B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (JBHT) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 6. 30x versus Hub Group, Inc. 's 21. 49x. Both stocks trade at elevated growth-adjusted valuations, so expected growth needs to materialise. On forward earnings alone, Hub Group, Inc. (HUBG) trades at 26. 2x forward P/E versus 39. 8x for Werner Enterprises, Inc. — 13. 6x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for HUBG: 3. 1% to $44. 33.

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).

For long-horizon retirement investors, J.

B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (JBHT) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 07), 0. 7% yield, +203. 9% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (JBHT: +203. 9%, 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.

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.