HUBG vs JBHT

For growth investors, J.

B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (JBHT) is the stronger pick with -0. 7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -6. 1% for Hub Group, Inc. (HUBG). Hub Group, Inc. (HUBG) offers the better valuation at 25. 4x trailing P/E (26. 4x 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. 4x versus J. B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. at 40. 2x. On forward P/E, Hub Group, Inc. is actually cheaper at 26. 4x. 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. 40x versus Hub Group, Inc. 's 21. 60x.

Over the past 5 years, J.

B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (JBHT) delivered a total return of +45. 3%, compared to +27. 2% for Hub Group, Inc. (HUBG). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: JBHT returned +211. 3% versus HUBG's +126. 4%. 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 Hub Group, Inc. 's 1. 21β — meaning HUBG is approximately 13% more volatile than JBHT relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Hub Group, Inc. (HUBG) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 30% versus 41% for J. B. Hunt Transport Services, 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 -6. 1% for Hub Group, Inc. (HUBG). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: J. B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. grew EPS 10. 1% year-over-year, compared to -35. 1% for Hub Group, 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 2. 6% for Hub Group, 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 3. 6% for HUBG. 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. 40x versus Hub Group, Inc. 's 21. 60x. 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. 4x forward P/E versus 33. 6x for J. B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. — 7. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for HUBG: 2. 5% to $44. 33.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Hub Group, Inc. (HUBG) offers the highest yield at 1. 1%, versus 0. 7% for J. B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (JBHT).

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, +211. 3% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (JBHT: +211. 3%, HUBG: +126. 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.

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.