Bull case
ODFL would need investors to value it at roughly 67x earnings — about 27x more generous than today's 41x forward P/E. That requires meaningful multiple expansion on top of continued earnings growth.
Wall Street verdict, consensus price target, and analyst rating breakdown — everything needed to frame the risk/reward at today's price.
Three scenarios for where ODFL stock could go
ODFL would need investors to value it at roughly 67x earnings — about 27x more generous than today's 41x forward P/E. That requires meaningful multiple expansion on top of continued earnings growth.
At 51x on FY1 earnings, the base case reflects a reasonable but not stretched valuation. It prices in continued growth without assuming an exceptional setup.
If investor confidence fades or macro conditions deteriorate, a 8x multiple contraction could push ODFL down roughly 21% from where it trades now.
Not financial advice. Model confidence reflects internal scenario assumptions, not a guarantee of returns. Past performance does not predict future results.

Old Dominion Freight Line is a leading less-than-truckload (LTL) motor carrier that transports smaller freight shipments across regional, inter-regional, and national routes in North America. It generates revenue primarily from LTL freight services — supplemented by value-added offerings like container drayage and truckload brokerage — with pricing based on shipment weight, distance, and service level. The company's competitive advantage stems from its extensive, company-owned terminal network and reputation for superior on-time delivery performance, which creates customer loyalty and pricing power.
Quarterly beat-or-miss track record against analyst estimates, plus forward revenue and EPS outlook for the next two fiscal years.
| Quarter | EPS (Actual / Est) | EPS Surprise | Revenue (Actual / Est) | Rev Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q3 2025 | $1.27/$1.28 | -0.8% | $1.4B/$1.4B | -0.6% |
| Q4 2025 | $1.28/$1.22 | +4.9% | $1.4B/$1.4B | +0.2% |
| Q1 2026 | $1.09/$1.06 | +2.8% | $1.3B/$1.3B | +0.6% |
| Q2 2026 | $1.14/$1.05 | +8.6% | $1.3B/$1.3B | +1.6% |
ODFL beat EPS estimates in 3 of 4 tracked quarters. A strong delivery record supports forward estimate credibility.
Product and geographic revenue mix from the latest annual disclosure, with year-over-year growth by segment.
Latest annual revenue by segment or product family
Tap, hover, or focus a slice to inspect segment detail.
Latest annual revenue by reported region
Current multiples compared to the S&P 500, the company's sector, and its own five-year average.
Fair value est. $214 — implies -3.3% from today's price.
| Metric | ODFL | S&P 500 | Industrials | 5Y Avg ODFL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward PE | 40.5x | 18.8x+116% | 21.2x+91% | — |
| Trailing PE | 45.8x | 24.4x+87% | 25.6x+79% | 32.8x+39% |
| PEG Ratio | 4.08x | 1.66x+146% | 1.65x+148% | — |
| EV/EBITDA | 26.7x | 15.2x+76% | 13.9x+92% | 20.4x+31% |
| Price/FCF | 48.2x | 20.7x+133% | 20.0x+141% | 46.1x |
| Price/Sales | 8.4x | 3.1x+171% | 1.6x+436% | 6.6x+26% |
| Dividend Yield | 0.51% | 1.91% | 1.21% | 0.47% |
Forward P/E and PEG reflect analyst consensus estimates. Historical averages use trailing ratios where forward data is unavailable.S&P 500 and sector benchmarks both use trailing median P/E — similar readings indicate the broader index and sector are priced alike.
Open valuation toolODFL generates $955M in free cash flow at a 17.4% margin — 23.6% ROIC signals a durable competitive advantage · returns 2.1% of market cap to shareholders annually.
Revenue, margins, and cash generation
ROIC, leverage, and debt serviceability
~0.0 years to full repayment at current FCF run-rate
How capital is returned to owners
All figures from the trailing twelve months. ROIC uses invested capital (equity + net debt).
Open full ratios pageKey factors that could pressure the stock price, compress the multiple, or weigh on future results.
AI analysis · updated June 17, 2026
Higher less-than-truckload (LTL) pricing may not fully offset lower shipment volumes, impacting revenue growth.
Shares have plunged 4.2% over the past year, reflecting investor concerns.
Disclosed 38 risk factors in recent earnings, indicating multiple operational and financial challenges.
As a major LTL carrier, competitive pressures could erode pricing power and margins.
These are risk mechanisms, not predictions. The key question is which would force a cut to earnings estimates or a lower multiple than the market currently prices in.
Structural drivers behind the upside case and why the stock could outperform over the next 12 months.
AI analysis · updated June 17, 2026
Higher less-than-truckload (LTL) pricing is more than offsetting lower shipment volumes, driving revenue growth.
ODFL maintains the best operating ratio in the LTL industry, showcasing superior cost management and profitability.
The company is recognized as the premier LTL carrier in North America and the gold standard in LTL operations.
Recent reports indicate rising revenue per day, demonstrating the company's ability to maintain financial performance despite volume fluctuations.
ODFL has successfully evolved from a regional carrier to a coast-to-coast LTL powerhouse since its 1934 founding.
A real bull case compounds — each driver matters most when it strengthens margins, supports capital returns, and keeps the company above the market's minimum growth bar simultaneously.
52-week range context and price returns across multiple time horizons. Dividend contribution is shown separately in the Capital Return section.
Range context matters because valuation compression and earnings misses rarely hit from the same starting point. A stock already far below its high can still fall, but it is no longer carrying the same embedded optimism as one pressing a fresh peak.
Valuation, growth, and margin comparison against the closest publicly traded peers for this company.
| Company | Mkt Cap | Fwd PE | Rev Grw | Margin | Rating | Upside |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ODF ODFL Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. | $46.1B | 40.5x | +3.4% | 18.6% | Hold | -1.6% |
SAI SAIA Saia, Inc. | $11.6B | 38.3x | +7.2% | 7.8% | Buy | +3.1% |
ARC ARCB ArcBest Corporation | $3.2B | 24.4x | +1.8% | 1.4% | Buy | -12.5% |
WER WERN Werner Enterprises, Inc. | $2.4B | 42.8x | +7.0% | -0.5% | Hold | -2.4% |
XPO XPO XPO Logistics, Inc. | $23.4B | 40.5x | +7.4% | 4.2% | Buy | +10.3% |
TFI TFII TFI International Inc. | $11.9B | 27.3x | +5.7% | 3.9% | Buy | +1.3% |
This peer comparison reflects companies with similar business models, product lines, or market positioning, supplemented by industry grouping when direct matches are limited.
ODFL returns capital mainly through $730M/year in buybacks (1.6% buyback yield), with a modest 0.51% dividend — combining for 2.1% total shareholder yield. The dividend has grown for 9 consecutive years.
Yield, cadence, and growth quality
How much per-share support comes from repurchases
| Year | Div / Share | YoY Grw | BB Yield | Total Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $0.58 | — | — | — |
| 2025 | $1.12 | +7.7% | 2.2% | 2.9% |
| 2024 | $1.04 | +30.0% | 2.5% | 3.1% |
| 2023 | $0.80 | +33.3% | 1.0% | 1.4% |
| 2022 | $0.60 | +50.0% | 4.0% | 4.4% |
Common questions answered from live analyst data and company financials.
Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (ODFL) is rated Hold by Wall Street analysts as of 2026. Of 36 analysts covering the stock, 11 rate it Buy or Strong Buy, 20 rate it Hold, and 5 rate it Sell or Strong Sell. The consensus 12-month price target is $218, implying -1.6% from the current price of $221. The bear case scenario is $175 and the bull case is $367.
The Wall Street consensus price target for ODFL is $218 based on 36 analyst estimates. The high-end target is $240 (+8.6% from today), and the low-end target is $138 (-37.6%). The base case model target is $278.
ODFL trades at 40.5x times forward earnings. The stock trades at a notable premium to the broad market, which is typical for businesses with strong free cash flow and above-average growth expectations. Based on current multiples versus the peer group, the relative model signals fair versus peers. Whether the stock is over or undervalued ultimately depends on whether consensus earnings estimates are achievable.
The primary risks for ODFL in 2026 are: (1) Stock performance decline — Shares have plunged 4. (2) Revenue pressure — Higher less-than-truckload (LTL) pricing may not fully offset lower shipment volumes, impacting revenue growth. (3) Operational risks — Disclosed 38 risk factors in recent earnings, indicating multiple operational and financial challenges. Each factor has the potential to pressure earnings or compress the stock's valuation multiple.
Analyst consensus estimates ODFL will report consensus revenue of $5.7B (+3.4% year-over-year) and EPS of $5.45 (+11.7% year-over-year) for the upcoming fiscal year. The following year, analysts project $6.0B in revenue.
Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. is expected to report its next earnings on approximately 2026-07-29. Consensus expects EPS of $1.42 and revenue of $1.5B. Over recent quarters, ODFL has beaten EPS estimates 83% of the time.
Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (ODFL) generated $955M in free cash flow over the trailing twelve months — a free cash flow margin of 17.4%. ODFL returns capital to shareholders through dividends (0.5% yield) and share repurchases ($730M TTM).