RLGT vs HUBG vs JBHT vs FWRD

For growth investors, Radiant Logistics, Inc.

(RLGT) is the stronger pick with 12. 5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -6. 1% for Hub Group, Inc. (HUBG). Radiant Logistics, Inc. (RLGT) offers the better valuation at 23. 7x trailing P/E (34. 7x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Radiant Logistics, Inc. (RLGT) a "Buy" — based on 3 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, Radiant Logistics, Inc.

(RLGT) is the cheapest at 23. 7x versus J. B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. at 39. 6x. On forward P/E, Hub Group, Inc. is actually cheaper at 26. 2x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Radiant Logistics, Inc. wins at 3. 23x 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 -80. 2% for Forward Air Corporation (FWRD). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: JBHT returned +203. 9% versus FWRD's -47. 3%. 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 Forward Air Corporation's 2. 28β — meaning FWRD is approximately 114% 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 13% for Forward Air Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Radiant Logistics, Inc.

(RLGT) is pulling ahead at 12. 5% versus -6. 1% for Hub Group, Inc. (HUBG). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Radiant Logistics, Inc. grew EPS 118. 8% year-over-year, compared to -35. 1% for Hub Group, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, FWRD leads at 14. 1% 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 -4. 3% for Forward Air Corporation — 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 1. 5% for FWRD. 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, Radiant Logistics, Inc. (RLGT) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 3. 23x 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 34. 7x for Radiant Logistics, Inc. — 8. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for FWRD: 113. 5% to $37. 00.

In this comparison, HUBG (1.

2% yield), JBHT (0. 7% yield) pay a dividend. RLGT, FWRD do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

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). Forward Air Corporation (FWRD) carries a higher beta of 2. 28 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (JBHT: +203. 9%, FWRD: -47. 3%), 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.

HUBG, JBHT pay a dividend while RLGT, FWRD do not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. 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.