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Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL)
NASDAQ:ODFL

Old Dominion Freight (ODFL) AI Stock Analysis

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ODFL

Old Dominion Freight

(NASDAQ:ODFL)

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Outperform 71 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:71Outperform
Price Target:
$210.00
▲(4.28% Upside)
Action:ReiteratedDate:02/04/26
The score is driven primarily by strong financial quality (high profitability, low leverage, and solid cash generation). Technicals remain supportive with the stock above key moving averages, but overbought signals add near-term risk. Valuation is a meaningful drag due to a high P/E and low yield, and the earnings call indicates continued volume/revenue weakness and margin pressure in the near term despite strong execution and pricing discipline.
Positive Factors
High profitability and margins
Sustained high gross and net margins indicate durable pricing power and operational efficiency in the LTL model. Over a multi-month horizon, strong margins provide a cushion against volume cyclicality, support reinvestment in fleet/terminals and enable steady free cash flow generation.
Very low leverage / strong balance sheet
Minimal leverage gives the firm financial flexibility to absorb demand shocks, fund capex, and continue shareholder returns without stressing liquidity. A conservative balance sheet reduces refinancing risk and supports strategic investments during a multi-quarter recovery period.
Robust cash generation and capital returns
Consistent operating cash flow and sizeable buybacks/dividends demonstrate strong cash conversion and disciplined capital allocation. This durable cash generation supports funding of fleet modernization, network investments, and returns to shareholders even if revenue growth remains muted for several quarters.
Negative Factors
Declining revenue and volumes
Sustained declines in revenue, tons, and shipments signal structural demand softness that erodes operating leverage. If volumes remain depressed for multiple quarters, fixed cost absorption worsens, pressuring margins and the trajectory of earnings despite pricing discipline.
Rising operating ratio and overhead pressure
Higher operating ratio and elevated overhead reflect deleveraging from volume declines and ongoing capex-related depreciation. Persistently higher fixed costs reduce structural profitability and make margin recovery dependent on a sustained rebound in utilization rather than short-term pricing moves.
Higher cost inflation and tax headwinds
Elevated input cost inflation and a higher effective tax rate are structural margin headwinds that compress free cash flow unless offset by sustained yield gains or productivity improvements. Over several quarters, these pressures can limit earnings recovery and constrain discretionary capital allocation.

Old Dominion Freight (ODFL) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Old Dominion Freight Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionOld Dominion Freight Line, Inc. operates as a less-than-truckload (LTL) motor carrier in the United States and North America. It provides regional, inter-regional, and national LTL services, including expedited transportation. The company also offers various value-added services, such as container drayage, truckload brokerage, and supply chain consulting. As of December 31, 2021, it owned and operated 10,403 tractors, 27,917 linehaul trailers, and 13,303 pickup and delivery trailers; 3 fleet maintenance centers; and 251 service centers. Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. was founded in 1934 and is headquartered in Thomasville, North Carolina.
How the Company Makes MoneyOld Dominion Freight Line generates revenue primarily through its LTL transportation services, which involve consolidating shipments from multiple customers into a single truckload for more efficient delivery. The company charges customers based on weight, distance, and type of service required, leading to varied pricing structures. Key revenue streams include base freight charges, fuel surcharges, and additional services such as expedited shipping and logistics solutions. ODFL also benefits from long-term customer relationships and contracts, which provide a stable income base. Strategic investments in technology and an extensive network of terminals and service centers further enhance operational efficiency, contributing to profitability.

Old Dominion Freight Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Intercity Miles
Intercity Miles
Measures the total miles covered between cities, indicating the company's reach and efficiency in long-haul transportation.
Chart InsightsIntercity miles for Old Dominion Freight have been declining since mid-2022, reflecting a broader trend of reduced volumes as highlighted in the latest earnings call. Despite a 9.3% drop in LTL tons per day, the company has managed to maintain yield increases through pricing discipline. However, the persistent decrease in intercity miles and revenue signals ongoing challenges in a soft demand environment, which could impact future profitability if not countered by strategic cost management and investment in service performance.
Data provided by:The Fly

Old Dominion Freight Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Feb 04, 2026
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Apr 29, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The call balanced clear operational and financial strengths (industry-leading service, strong cash generation, disciplined yields, and maintained direct cost control) against meaningful near-term demand weakness (declines in revenue, tons and shipments), a higher operating ratio, and higher expected cost and tax pressures. Management expressed cautious optimism about an early-cycle recovery and positioned the company to capture share, but near-term metrics remain challenged.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Service Metrics
Maintained 99% on-time service in Q4 and a cargo claims ratio of 0.1%, reinforcing consistent operational execution and customer satisfaction.
Yield Improvement
LTL revenue per hundredweight increased 5.6% year-over-year in the quarter; excluding fuel surcharges, LTL revenue per hundredweight rose 4.9% versus 2024, supporting revenue quality.
Cash Generation and Capital Allocation
Generated $310.2M in operating cash flow in Q4 and $1.4B for the year; repurchased $124.9M in Q4 and $730.3M for the year; paid $58.4M in Q4 dividends ($235.6M for the year) and announced a $0.29 quarterly dividend for 2026 (+3.6% vs Q1 2025).
Maintained Direct Operating Cost Discipline
Direct operating expenses were ~53% of revenue in 2025 (unchanged vs 2022), demonstrating effective variable cost control despite lower volumes and inflationary pressures; direct operating cost as a percent of revenue improved 60 basis points versus 2024.
Network Capacity and Fleet Positioning
Company reports ~35% spare capacity in its service center network and the tractor fleet average age reduced to ~3.9 years, positioning Old Dominion to capture market-share in an eventual recovery.
Long-Term Financial Performance
Despite the recent freight downturn, the company cited a ten-year average net income growth of ~15% and returns on invested capital in the ~25-30% range, underlining historical profitability and capital efficiency.
Negative Updates
Revenue Decline
Total revenue of $1.31B for the quarter was down 5.7% year-over-year; management expects first-quarter revenue in a range of $1.25B to $1.30B, implying continued near-term top-line pressure.
Volume Weakness: Tons and Shipments
LTL tons per day were down 10.7% year-over-year; sequentially in Q4 LTL tons per day fell 4.8% and LTL shipments per day fell 6.5%. January revenue per day declined 6.8% year-over-year driven by a 9.6% drop in LTL tons per day.
Operating Ratio and Overhead Pressure
Operating ratio increased 80 basis points to 76.7% in Q4. Overhead costs rose 140 basis points as a percent of revenue and depreciation increased 70 basis points, reflecting deleveraging from lower volumes and continued capital investment.
Higher Tax Rate and Expected Cost Inflation
Effective tax rate rose to 24.8% in Q4 (21.5% prior year) and is expected to be ~25% in 2026. Management now expects core cost inflation closer to 5.0%-5.5% for the year (up from prior multi-year averages of ~3.5%-4%).
Headcount and Shipment Decoupling
Headcount declined ~6% while shipments declined nearly 10%, indicating workforce and volume decoupling; management expects to flex hours and rehire as volumes recover, but the decoupling reflects current demand weakness.
Near-Term Mix Pressure on Yield
Increasing weight-per-shipment (from ~1,450 lbs to ~1,520 lbs in Nov-Dec, ~1,492 lbs in Jan) may pressure revenue per hundredweight; management noted a ~50 basis point headwind to revenue-per-hundredweight in Q1 from mix changes.
Company Guidance
Management's near-term guidance called for first-quarter 2026 revenue of roughly $1.25–$1.30 billion and an operating-ratio increase of ~150 basis points (±20 bps) versus Q4; they noted January was below seasonality but said normal seasonality would imply LTL revenue/cwt up ~4–4.5% (with an estimated ~50 bps headwind from higher weight per shipment). They flagged that a typical spring surge has historically driven ~7% sequential revenue growth and ~300–350 bps of sequential OR improvement in Q2 if it materializes, and reiterated confidence in mid‑40s incremental margins as density returns. For 2026 they expect an effective tax rate of ~25%, plan roughly $265 million of capital expenditures (vs $415M in 2025), anticipate core cost inflation of about 5–5.5%, and the Board approved a $0.29 quarterly dividend (a 3.6% increase); 2025 baselines cited included a 76.7% Q4 OR and direct operating costs at ~53% of revenue.

Old Dominion Freight Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Strong profitability and operating efficiency (net margins ~19–21%, solid EBIT/EBITDA margins), very low leverage with a healthy equity base, and strong operating cash flow/free-cash-flow generation. Main offset is negative/declining revenue trends indicating demand/volume pressure.
Income Statement
75
Positive
Old Dominion Freight shows strong profitability with a consistent gross profit margin around 33-36% and a net profit margin of approximately 19-21%. However, recent revenue growth has been negative, indicating challenges in expanding sales. The EBIT and EBITDA margins are robust, reflecting efficient operations despite the revenue decline.
Balance Sheet
80
Positive
The company maintains a very low debt-to-equity ratio, indicating minimal leverage and financial stability. Return on equity is strong, showcasing effective use of equity to generate profits. The equity ratio is healthy, suggesting a solid financial foundation with a significant portion of assets financed by equity.
Cash Flow
78
Positive
Operating cash flow is strong relative to net income, indicating good cash generation from operations. Free cash flow has grown positively, although the growth rate has fluctuated. The free cash flow to net income ratio is solid, reflecting efficient cash management.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue5.57B5.81B5.87B6.26B5.26B4.02B
Gross Profit1.84B2.02B2.07B2.26B1.78B1.23B
EBITDA1.75B1.90B1.97B2.12B1.65B1.17B
Net Income1.06B1.19B1.24B1.38B1.03B672.68M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets5.52B5.49B5.51B4.84B4.82B4.37B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments46.59M108.68M433.80M235.67M717.00M731.70M
Total Debt84.99M168.29M79.98M99.96M99.95M99.93M
Total Liabilities1.25B1.25B1.25B1.19B1.14B1.04B
Stockholders Equity4.26B4.24B4.26B3.65B3.68B3.33B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow920.72M887.97M811.83M916.43M662.53M707.94M
Operating Cash Flow1.46B1.66B1.57B1.69B1.21B933.02M
Investing Cash Flow-525.19M-751.19M-659.82M-547.47M-455.29M-551.66M
Financing Cash Flow-963.28M-1.23B-661.83M-1.42B-696.18M-383.50M

Old Dominion Freight Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price201.39
Price Trends
50DMA
174.04
Positive
100DMA
156.23
Positive
200DMA
156.32
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
6.98
Positive
RSI
65.59
Neutral
STOCH
63.39
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For ODFL, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 201.39 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 188.89, above the 50-day MA of 174.04, and above the 200-day MA of 156.32, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 6.98 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 65.59 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 63.39 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for ODFL.

Old Dominion Freight Risk Analysis

Old Dominion Freight disclosed 37 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Old Dominion Freight 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

Old Dominion Freight Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
71
Outperform
$40.53B40.0423.93%0.71%-5.90%-13.16%
70
Outperform
$10.40B41.2610.43%1.96%-24.55%
66
Neutral
$5.04B48.763.45%1.40%5.46%2.31%
63
Neutral
$10.79B15.437.44%2.01%2.89%-14.66%
63
Neutral
$2.03B-139.281.78%1.84%-3.42%-43.86%
60
Neutral
$9.63B146.360.93%1.34%>-0.01%279.47%
56
Neutral
$2.32B39.314.61%0.62%-5.34%-48.16%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
ODFL
Old Dominion Freight
201.39
20.72
11.47%
KNX
Knight Transportation
61.70
11.77
23.58%
SAIA
Saia
411.63
-8.72
-2.07%
WERN
Werner Enterprises
35.43
3.21
9.97%
ARCB
ArcBest
105.09
18.24
21.00%
SNDR
Schneider National
29.31
3.13
11.96%

Old Dominion Freight Corporate Events

Executive/Board Changes
Old Dominion Freight Board Member Resigns, Board Size Reduced
Neutral
Dec 9, 2025

On December 3, 2025, Debra S. King resigned from the Board of Directors of Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc., citing time commitments related to other professional obligations. Following her resignation, the Board reduced its size to eleven directors on December 8, 2025, indicating a streamlined governance structure.

The most recent analyst rating on (ODFL) stock is a Buy with a $190.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Old Dominion Freight stock, see the ODFL Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Old Dominion Freight Reports Revenue Decline for November
Negative
Dec 2, 2025

On December 2, 2025, Old Dominion Freight Line reported a 4.4% decrease in revenue per day for November 2025 compared to the previous year, attributed to a 10.0% drop in LTL tons per day. Despite this decline, the company increased its LTL revenue per hundredweight, reflecting ongoing economic softness but maintaining its strategic focus on yield management and service quality. This approach aims to support market share growth and enhance shareholder value over the long term.

The most recent analyst rating on (ODFL) stock is a Buy with a $170.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Old Dominion Freight stock, see the ODFL Stock Forecast page.

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: Feb 04, 2026