LSTR vs ODFL

For growth investors, Landstar System, Inc.

(LSTR) is the stronger pick with -1. 9% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -5. 5% for Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (ODFL). Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (ODFL) offers the better valuation at 41. 0x trailing P/E (37. 7x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Landstar System, Inc. (LSTR) a "Hold" — based on 33 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, Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.

(ODFL) is the cheapest at 41. 0x versus Landstar System, Inc. at 55. 0x. On forward P/E, Landstar System, Inc. is actually cheaper at 32. 2x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.

(ODFL) delivered a total return of +50. 0%, compared to +11. 1% for Landstar System, Inc. (LSTR). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ODFL returned +841. 8% versus LSTR's +208. 2%. 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), Landstar System, Inc.

(LSTR) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 06β versus Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. 's 1. 38β — meaning ODFL is approximately 30% more volatile than LSTR relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (ODFL) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 3% versus 17% for Landstar System, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Landstar System, Inc.

(LSTR) is pulling ahead at -1. 9% versus -5. 5% for Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (ODFL). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. grew EPS -11. 9% year-over-year, compared to -39. 9% for Landstar System, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, ODFL leads at -4. 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.

Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.

(ODFL) is the more profitable company, earning 18. 6% net margin versus 2. 4% for Landstar System, Inc. — meaning it keeps 18. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ODFL leads at 24. 8% versus 3. 6% for LSTR. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ODFL leads at 32. 2%, 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.

On forward earnings alone, Landstar System, Inc.

(LSTR) trades at 32. 2x forward P/E versus 37. 7x for Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. — 5. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for ODFL: 5. 1% to $208. 19.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Landstar System, Inc. (LSTR) offers the highest yield at 2. 0%, versus 0. 6% for Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (ODFL).

For long-horizon retirement investors, Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.

(ODFL) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (0. 6% yield, +841. 8% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (ODFL: +841. 8%, LSTR: +208. 2%), 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.