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ArcBest Corporation (ARCB)
NASDAQ:ARCB

ArcBest (ARCB) AI Stock Analysis

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ARCB

ArcBest

(NASDAQ:ARCB)

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Neutral 66 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:66Neutral
Price Target:
$75.00
â–¼(-5.68% Downside)
ArcBest's overall stock score reflects a stable financial position with strong cash flow generation and conservative leverage. However, declining revenue and net profit margins pose challenges. Technical indicators are mixed, and valuation is fair. Recent corporate actions are positive, but market softness remains a concern.
Positive Factors
Strong Cash Flow Generation
The strong free cash flow growth indicates ArcBest's ability to generate cash efficiently, providing financial flexibility for investments and debt management.
Asset-Light Segment Improvement
Improvement in the Asset-Light segment shows ArcBest's strategic focus on diversifying revenue streams and enhancing operational efficiency, supporting long-term growth.
Board Expansion
The addition of an experienced board member strengthens leadership, aligning with ArcBest's strategy to enhance governance and drive sustainable shareholder value.
Negative Factors
Revenue Decline
Declining revenue indicates challenges in maintaining market share and growth, potentially impacting long-term profitability and competitive positioning.
Net Profit Margin Decrease
A declining net profit margin suggests inefficiencies in cost management, which could hinder ArcBest's ability to sustain profitability in the long run.
Market Softness Impact
Market softness affecting operating ratios indicates external pressures that may challenge ArcBest's ability to maintain efficiency and profitability.

ArcBest (ARCB) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

ArcBest Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionArcBest Corporation provides freight transportation and integrated logistics services. It operates through three segments: Asset-Based, ArcBest, and FleetNet. The Asset-Based segment transports general commodities, such as food, textiles, apparel, furniture, appliances, chemicals, nonbulk petroleum products, rubber, plastics, metal and metal products, wood, glass, automotive parts, machinery, and miscellaneous manufactured products through less-than-truckload services. It also offers motor carrier freight transportation services to customers in Mexico through arrangements with trucking companies. The ArcBest segment provides expedite freight transportation services to commercial and government customers; premium logistics services, such as deployment of specialized equipment to meet linehaul requirements; and international freight transportation with air, ocean, and ground services. It also offers third-party transportation brokerage services by sourcing various capacity solutions, including dry van over the road and intermodal, temperature-controlled and refrigerated, flatbed, intermodal or container shipping, and specialized equipment; full-container and less-than-container load ocean transportation services; warehousing and distribution services; managed transportation services; and moving services to 'do-it-yourself' consumer, as well as provides final mile, time critical, product launch, warehousing, retail logistics, supply chain optimization, and trade show shipping services. The FleetNet segment provides roadside repair solutions and vehicle maintenance management services for commercial and private fleets through a network of third-party service providers. The company was formerly known as Arkansas Best Corporation and changed its name to ArcBest Corporation in May 2014. ArcBest Corporation was founded in 1923 and is headquartered in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
How the Company Makes MoneyArcBest generates revenue primarily through its transportation services, which include both asset-based and asset-light solutions. The asset-based segment, which includes the LTL operations, contributes a significant portion of the company's revenue by offering freight transportation services using its own fleet. The asset-light segment generates income through brokerage services, logistics management, and intermodal transportation, allowing the company to leverage third-party carriers. Key revenue streams include LTL freight shipments, truckload services, and logistics solutions, supplemented by technology and software services that enhance supply chain efficiency. Significant partnerships with major retailers and manufacturers also bolster ArcBest's earnings, as they provide consistent shipping and logistics needs. Additionally, the company benefits from market demand fluctuations, economic conditions, and strategic investments in technology that improve operational efficiencies and customer service.

ArcBest Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Nov 05, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Feb 03, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call highlighted strong performance in Managed Solutions and efficiency initiatives, while facing challenges in revenue decline and service expectations. The outlook for the fourth quarter indicates continued pressure on margins and profitability.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Managed Solutions Achievements
Shipments per day grew by double digits year-over-year in the third quarter, setting a quarterly record for both revenue and volumes. Truckload revenue per shipment increased by nearly 9% with improvements in gross margins.
Efficiency and Innovation
Efficiency and innovation efforts delivered $20 million in year-to-date savings. Digital and AI initiatives like the truckload carrier portal have improved productivity and reduced costs.
Strong Asset-Based LTL Performance
The Asset-Based LTL segment averaged 21,000 shipments per day, a 4% increase year-over-year. Pricing renewals saw a 4.5% average increase.
Asset-Light Segment Improvement
Asset-Light segment delivered $1.6 million of non-GAAP operating income, an improvement of nearly $6 million over last year. SG&A cost per shipment decreased over 13%, reaching the best level in Asset-Light history.
Negative Updates
Overall Revenue Decline
Consolidated revenue was $1 billion, down slightly year-over-year. Adjusted earnings per share were $1.46, down from $1.64 in the third quarter of 2024.
Asset-Based Segment Challenges
The Asset-Based segment saw a $10 million decrease in non-GAAP operating income. ABS non-GAAP operating ratio was 92.5%, an increase of 150 basis points over the third quarter of 2024.
Fourth Quarter Outlook
For the fourth quarter, operating ratio is expected to increase by approximately 400 basis points sequentially, reflecting the broader freight market softness. Asset-Light segment anticipates an operating loss of $1 million to $3 million.
Service Challenges
Service expectations were not met due to higher-than-expected volumes, conservative hiring, and increased reliance on Cartage, impacting on-time pickups and deliveries.
Company Guidance
During the ArcBest Third Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call, several key metrics and guidance were discussed. ArcBest reported a 4% year-over-year increase in Asset-Based LTL shipments per day, averaging 21,000 shipments. Despite this growth, service challenges affected on-time pickups and deliveries, reflected in the Mastio survey results. The company achieved a 4.5% average increase on deferred contract pricing renewals. In the Managed Solutions segment, shipments per day grew by double digits year-over-year, setting records for both revenue and volume. Truckload pricing discipline resulted in a nearly 9% increase in revenue per shipment. Year-to-date savings of $20 million were realized through continuous improvement efforts. ArcBest's long-term targets for 2028 include a non-GAAP operating ratio of 87% to 90% for Asset-Based operations and non-GAAP EPS of $12 to $15. For the fourth quarter, ArcBest anticipates an operating ratio increase of approximately 400 basis points sequentially due to market softness. Capital expenditure guidance for 2025 was updated to $200 million. The company returned over $66 million to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends in the first nine months of the year.

ArcBest Financial Statement Overview

Summary
ArcBest's financial performance is stable with strong gross profit margins and conservative leverage. However, declining revenue and net profit margins indicate challenges in maintaining profitability. Positive cash flow growth suggests resilience in cash generation despite revenue pressures.
Income Statement
65
Positive
ArcBest's income statement shows a mixed performance. The TTM gross profit margin of 31.46% is strong, indicating efficient cost management. However, the net profit margin has decreased to 2.41%, reflecting challenges in converting revenue into profit. Revenue has declined by 3.7% over the TTM, suggesting potential demand issues or competitive pressures. The EBIT and EBITDA margins have also contracted, indicating reduced operational efficiency.
Balance Sheet
72
Positive
The balance sheet reflects a stable financial position with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, indicating conservative leverage. The equity ratio is healthy, suggesting a strong capital structure. However, the return on equity has decreased to 7.43%, which may indicate less effective use of equity capital compared to previous years.
Cash Flow
70
Positive
ArcBest's cash flow statement shows a positive trend in free cash flow growth at 30.8% for the TTM, suggesting improved cash generation. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is 0.21, indicating moderate cash conversion efficiency. The free cash flow to net income ratio of 0.32 suggests that a significant portion of net income is being converted into free cash flow.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue4.04B4.18B4.43B5.03B3.77B2.94B
Gross Profit1.27B350.00M378.43M573.52M406.33M228.13M
EBITDA297.61M376.78M341.74M536.07M406.22M222.58M
Net Income97.25M173.96M195.43M298.21M213.52M71.10M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets2.50B2.43B2.49B2.49B2.11B1.78B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments132.63M157.20M330.07M325.93M124.96M369.36M
Total Debt460.53M413.48M437.73M438.68M337.11M403.55M
Total Liabilities1.18B1.12B1.24B1.34B1.18B950.41M
Stockholders Equity1.32B1.31B1.24B1.15B929.07M828.59M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow85.75M45.85M90.17M305.31M245.04M148.50M
Operating Cash Flow241.09M285.85M322.17M470.82M323.51M205.99M
Investing Cash Flow-95.29M-187.28M-21.70M-261.08M-303.20M7.46M
Financing Cash Flow-175.66M-233.35M-196.61M-127.98M-247.65M-111.41M

ArcBest Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price79.52
Price Trends
50DMA
69.98
Positive
100DMA
71.02
Positive
200DMA
70.30
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
2.90
Negative
RSI
73.23
Negative
STOCH
92.60
Negative
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For ARCB, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 79.52 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 69.02, above the 50-day MA of 69.98, and above the 200-day MA of 70.30, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 2.90 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 73.23 is Negative, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 92.60 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for ARCB.

ArcBest Risk Analysis

ArcBest disclosed 30 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. ArcBest reported the most risks in the "Production" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

ArcBest Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
67
Neutral
$1.82B74.781.78%1.84%-3.42%-43.86%
66
Neutral
$1.78B18.777.40%0.60%-5.34%-48.16%
64
Neutral
$582.85M19.666.84%1.20%1.62%-22.52%
63
Neutral
$10.79B15.437.44%2.01%2.89%-14.66%
58
Neutral
$948.08M48.912.53%2.09%-9.74%-42.57%
55
Neutral
$726.46M-20.66-4.35%0.87%-19.56%-54.39%
52
Neutral
$425.76M-10.65-6.66%2.60%-7.55%-130.67%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
ARCB
ArcBest
79.52
-21.42
-21.22%
CVLG
Covenant Logistics Group
22.59
-4.36
-16.18%
HTLD
Heartland Express
9.22
-2.17
-19.05%
MRTN
Marten Transport
11.50
-4.31
-27.26%
WERN
Werner Enterprises
30.54
-5.70
-15.73%
ULH
Universal Logistics
16.30
-28.16
-63.34%

ArcBest Corporate Events

Financial Disclosures
ArcBest Reports November 2025 Financial Performance Update
Negative
Dec 1, 2025

ArcBest has provided an update on its fourth quarter 2025 financial results, highlighting preliminary statistics for November 2025. The asset-based segment saw an increase in daily shipments and tonnage compared to the previous year, although revenue per hundredweight declined. Sequentially, from October to November, shipments per day increased by 3%, and tonnage per day rose by 8%. However, the company anticipates a sequential deterioration of its non-GAAP operating ratio by about 400 basis points due to market softness and fewer workdays. In the asset-light segment, November 2025 saw a year-over-year decline in daily revenue, attributed to lower revenue per shipment and a higher mix of Managed business. Despite this, shipments grew by 5% year-over-year, supported by the Managed solution. The company expects a non-GAAP operating loss for the fourth quarter of 2025, excluding certain GAAP impacts.

Private Placements and FinancingBusiness Operations and Strategy
ArcBest Amends Credit Facility for Increased Flexibility
Neutral
Nov 26, 2025

On November 25, 2025, ArcBest Corporation amended its revolving credit facility, increasing the letter of credit sub-facility limit and extending the maturity date for consenting lenders. The updated Credit Facility, with a five-year term and a $250 million maximum credit amount, will support general corporate needs and working capital, offering flexibility through an Accordion Feature for additional commitments.

Executive/Board ChangesBusiness Operations and Strategy
ArcBest Expands Board with New Appointment
Neutral
Oct 31, 2025

On October 29, 2025, ArcBest Corporation announced the expansion of its Board of Directors by appointing Chris T. Sultemeier, who brings over 30 years of experience in logistics and transportation, to enhance the board’s capabilities. This move aligns with ArcBest’s strategy to strengthen its leadership as it continues to pursue long-term sustainable value for shareholders. Concurrently, Dr. Craig E. Philip announced his retirement from the board after 14 years of service, effective January 2026, and Eduardo F. Conrado was elected as the Lead Independent Director, succeeding Steven L. Spinner. These changes reflect ArcBest’s ongoing evaluation of board composition and its focus on maintaining a diverse and skilled leadership team.

Dividends
ArcBest Announces Quarterly Cash Dividend Approval
Positive
Oct 31, 2025

On October 31, 2025, ArcBest announced that its Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.12 per share, payable to shareholders on November 28, 2025. This decision reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to returning value to its shareholders and may positively impact its market positioning by reinforcing investor confidence.

Stock BuybackBusiness Operations and Strategy
ArcBest Increases Share Repurchase Authorization to $125M
Positive
Sep 15, 2025

On September 15, 2025, ArcBest announced that its Board of Directors approved an increase in the company’s share repurchase authorization to $125 million. This decision reflects the board’s confidence in ArcBest’s strategy and long-term outlook. The company plans to repurchase shares through various methods, depending on market conditions, while maintaining a balanced capital allocation approach. This move is expected to impact ArcBest’s operations by potentially enhancing shareholder value and reinforcing its industry positioning.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Dec 09, 2025