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Werner Enterprises (WERN)
NASDAQ:WERN

Werner Enterprises (WERN) AI Stock Analysis

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WERN

Werner Enterprises

(NASDAQ:WERN)

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Neutral 63 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:63Neutral
Price Target:
$37.00
â–²(6.81% Upside)
The score is held back primarily by weak profitability and cash flow (low net margin, low ROE, negative free cash flow), and a stretched valuation (P/E 81). Offsetting these are strong technical momentum and constructive business actions, including ongoing cost savings, growth in Logistics/Dedicated, and the FirstFleet acquisition expected to be accretive with synergy and cash-flow benefits.
Positive Factors
Diversified business model
Werner's multi-pronged revenue model (Truckload, Dedicated, Logistics, brokerage) provides durable demand diversification and cross-selling across industries. This reduces exposure to any single freight cycle, supports steadier revenue streams and long-term client relationships.
High gross profit margin
A sustained gross margin near 58% signals structural cost efficiency in core operations and pricing power on freight services. High gross margins provide room to absorb SG&A, invest in technology, and protect operating profit through industry cycles.
Technology transformation
A complete, cloud-based tech rebuild that cut a major back-office expense 40% is a durable productivity lever. Scalable systems reduce per-unit operating costs, improve routing/asset utilization, and support margin expansion as volumes grow long term.
Negative Factors
Negative free cash flow
Persistent negative free cash flow and sharply declining FCF growth constrain reinvestment, debt reduction, and shareholder returns. Reliance on external financing or capital raises could rise, limiting strategic flexibility and raising funding risk over months.
Low profitability and ROE
Very low net margins and sub-2% ROE indicate weak conversion of revenue into shareholder returns. Structural margin pressure or capital inefficiency reduces capacity to fund growth projects, making sustained improvement necessary to justify continued investment.
Legal, insurance and claims costs
Significant legal settlement and elevated insurance/claims costs are recurring operational risks that compress margins and can signal larger exposure in driver/pay or safety-related liabilities. These issues can raise ongoing expense baselines and reputational risk.

Werner Enterprises (WERN) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Werner Enterprises Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionWerner Enterprises, Inc., a transportation and logistics company, engages in transporting truckload shipments of general commodities in interstate and intrastate commerce in the United States, Mexico, and internationally. It operates through Truckload Transportation Services and Werner Logistics segments. The Truckload Transportation Services segment operates medium-to-long-haul van fleet that transports various consumer nondurable products and other commodities in truckload quantities using dry van trailers; the expedited fleet, which offers time-sensitive truckload services using driver teams; regional short-haul fleet that provides comparable truckload van service in the United States; and temperature controlled fleet, which offers truckload services for temperature sensitive products using temperature-controlled trailers. It transports retail store merchandise, consumer products, food and beverage products, and manufactured products. The Werner Logistics segment provides non-asset-based transportation and logistics services, including truck brokerage; logistics management services and solutions; rail transportation through alliances with rail and drayage providers; and residential and commercial deliveries of large or heavy items using liftgate straight truck. As of December 31, 2021, the company had a fleet of 8,340 trucks, which included 8,050 company-operated, as well as 290 owned and operated by independent contractors;27,225 company-owned trailers that comprised dry vans, flatbeds, temperature-controlled, and other trailers; and 55 intermodal drayage trucks. Werner Enterprises, Inc. was founded in 1956 and is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska.
How the Company Makes MoneyWerner Enterprises generates revenue primarily through its freight transportation services. The company's revenue model is multifaceted, with key revenue streams including Truckload services, which involve transporting goods over long distances; Dedicated services, where trucks are assigned to specific customers for consistent service; and Logistics services, which encompass supply chain management and intermodal transportation solutions. The company also earns revenue from freight brokerage, where it matches shippers with carriers. Significant partnerships with various shippers and manufacturers enhance its earnings potential, while a focus on operational efficiency and technology integration helps optimize costs and improve service delivery.

Werner Enterprises Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Oct 30, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Feb 05, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call highlighted strong growth in Logistics and Dedicated segments, as well as significant achievements in technology transformation and operational efficiency. However, these positives were offset by challenges in the One-Way business, margin pressures in Logistics, and significant legal and insurance expenses.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Logistics Double-Digit Growth
Logistics division continued a double-digit growth trajectory with lower operating costs year-over-year, despite some anticipated change in mix.
Dedicated Revenue Growth
Dedicated revenue grew sequentially and year-over-year, driven by recent business awards and startups. Dedicated revenue per truck per week grew 1.3%, marking 29 of the last 31 quarters of growth.
Operational Excellence and Safety Improvements
DOT preventable accidents per million miles declined by a low-double-digit percent from Q3 of last year. The cost savings plan is progressing as planned, with 80% of the $45 million target achieved for 2025.
Technology Transformation Success
Complete rebuild of the technology stack into a modern, scalable, secure, cloud-based platform, resulting in a 40% reduction in largest expense in a back-office department over two years.
Negative Updates
One-Way Business Challenges
The One-Way business faced decreased miles per truck and startup costs in Dedicated were more elevated than anticipated.
Logistics Margin Pressure
Logistics experienced margin pressure due to mix changes and increased purchase transportation costs.
Legal Settlement Impact
The company recorded an $18 million legal settlement and $3.4 million in legal fees related to driver pay litigation, impacting GAAP EPS by $0.26.
Higher Insurance and Claims Expenses
Insurance and claims expenses were significantly higher year-over-year, contributing to a decrease in adjusted operating margin.
Company Guidance
In Werner Enterprises' third quarter 2025 earnings call, the company outlined several key metrics and strategic priorities. Revenue increased by 3% year-over-year to $771 million, with adjusted EPS at negative $0.03 and an adjusted operating margin of 1.4%. The Truckload Transportation Services (TTS) segment reported a flat revenue net of fuel surcharges at $460 million, while the Logistics segment saw a 12% increase in revenue to $233 million. Werner has achieved 80% of its $45 million cost savings target for 2025 and is on track to reach the full goal by year-end. The call also highlighted improvements in safety metrics, with DOT preventable accidents per million miles declining by a low double-digit percentage from Q3 of last year. The company continues to focus on three overarching priorities: driving growth in its core business, operational excellence, and capital efficiencies. Despite challenges in the One-Way business, Werner is optimistic about long-term growth, supported by its tech transformation and strategic positioning in new verticals like tech and aftermarket automotive parts.

Werner Enterprises Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Mixed fundamentals: strong gross margin (57.9%) and a stable balance sheet with moderate leverage (Debt-to-Equity 0.52), but profitability is weak (net margin 0.85%, ROE 1.77%) and cash generation is a concern with negative free cash flow and sharply lower FCF growth (-54.2% TTM).
Income Statement
65
Positive
Werner Enterprises shows a mixed performance in its income statement. The TTM Gross Profit Margin is strong at 57.9%, indicating efficient cost management. However, the Net Profit Margin is low at 0.85%, reflecting challenges in converting revenue into profit. Revenue growth is minimal at 0.87% TTM, suggesting stagnation. The EBIT and EBITDA margins are modest, indicating room for operational improvement.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The balance sheet reflects a stable financial position with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.52 TTM, indicating moderate leverage. The Return on Equity is low at 1.77% TTM, suggesting limited profitability from equity. The Equity Ratio is healthy, showing a strong equity base relative to total assets.
Cash Flow
50
Neutral
Cash flow analysis reveals concerns with negative Free Cash Flow and a significant decline in Free Cash Flow Growth at -54.2% TTM. The Operating Cash Flow to Net Income Ratio is 0.56, indicating a moderate conversion of income to cash. The negative Free Cash Flow to Net Income Ratio highlights cash flow challenges.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue2.99B3.03B3.28B3.29B2.73B2.37B
Gross Profit299.39M338.63M423.65M521.59M477.93M460.89M
EBITDA361.11M372.10M480.82M616.54M618.14M492.19M
Net Income25.28M34.23M112.38M241.26M259.05M169.08M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets2.97B3.05B3.16B3.18B2.68B2.24B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments50.98M40.75M61.72M107.24M54.20M29.33M
Total Debt768.14M701.76M685.26M736.04M456.51M210.37M
Total Liabilities1.54B1.56B1.59B1.70B1.32B1.04B
Stockholders Equity1.40B1.46B1.53B1.44B1.33B1.20B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-54.78M-84.06M-124.42M-58.54M-38.03M32.84M
Operating Cash Flow190.57M329.73M474.37M448.71M332.82M445.91M
Investing Cash Flow-134.75M-241.45M-434.94M-514.33M-397.30M-263.27M
Financing Cash Flow-60.23M-105.72M-87.07M118.03M89.67M-185.96M

Werner Enterprises Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price34.64
Price Trends
50DMA
30.23
Positive
100DMA
28.47
Positive
200DMA
27.91
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
1.07
Positive
RSI
61.79
Neutral
STOCH
66.72
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For WERN, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 34.64 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 33.21, above the 50-day MA of 30.23, and above the 200-day MA of 27.91, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 1.07 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 61.79 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 66.72 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for WERN.

Werner Enterprises Risk Analysis

Werner Enterprises disclosed 18 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Werner Enterprises 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

Werner Enterprises Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
64
Neutral
$1.00B58.572.53%2.07%-9.74%-42.57%
63
Neutral
$10.79B15.437.44%2.01%2.89%-14.66%
63
Neutral
$2.05B84.191.78%1.84%-3.42%-43.86%
58
Neutral
$781.45M-22.61-4.35%0.87%-19.56%-54.39%
57
Neutral
$4.71B45.493.45%1.40%5.46%2.31%
56
Neutral
$2.03B34.444.61%0.62%-5.34%-48.16%
52
Neutral
$421.54M-10.46-6.66%2.76%-7.55%-130.67%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
WERN
Werner Enterprises
34.25
-0.06
-0.16%
HTLD
Heartland Express
10.09
-0.94
-8.52%
MRTN
Marten Transport
12.30
-2.54
-17.12%
ARCB
ArcBest
90.22
-0.57
-0.62%
ULH
Universal Logistics
16.01
-26.09
-61.97%
SNDR
Schneider National
26.84
-1.77
-6.19%

Werner Enterprises Corporate Events

Business Operations and Strategy
Werner Enterprises to Present at Multiple February Conferences
Positive
Jan 29, 2026

On January 29, 2026, Werner Enterprises announced it will participate in three Miami-based investment conferences in February 2026: the Stifel 2026 Transportation and Logistics Conference on February 10, Citi’s 2026 Global Industrial Tech and Mobility Conference on February 17, and the Barclays 43rd Annual Industrial Select Conference on February 18, each featuring Werner fireside chat presentations and investor meetings. Live webcasts and 30-day archived replays of these events will be available via the company’s investor website, underscoring Werner’s effort to engage the investment community and provide greater visibility into its operations and strategy, with timing and access details subject to potential schedule updates communicated through its public disclosure channels.

The most recent analyst rating on (WERN) stock is a Hold with a $35.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Werner Enterprises stock, see the WERN Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyM&A Transactions
Werner Enterprises Acquires FirstFleet, Expanding Dedicated Trucking
Positive
Jan 28, 2026

On January 27, 2026, Werner Enterprises acquired 100% of First Enterprises, Inc. (FirstFleet), a privately held dedicated trucking company based in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, for approximately $245 million in cash, plus a separate $37.8 million purchase of 11 real estate properties, funded through cash on hand and its existing revolving credit facility. The deal, which adds roughly 2,400 tractors, 11,000 trailers and 37 properties serving about 130 customer sites, elevates Werner to the fifth-largest dedicated carrier in North America, boosts its exposure to resilient end markets such as grocery, bakery goods and corrugated packaging, and is expected to be immediately accretive to EPS, with around $18 million in annual synergies and stronger free cash flow anticipated as FirstFleet operates as a business unit within Werner’s Truckload Transportation Services segment while largely retaining its management and Murfreesboro headquarters.

The most recent analyst rating on (WERN) stock is a Hold with a $36.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Werner Enterprises stock, see the WERN Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and Strategy
Werner Enterprises to Attend Key Investment Conferences
Positive
Nov 4, 2025

On November 4, 2025, Werner Enterprises announced its participation in four upcoming investment conferences, including the Baird Global Industrial Conference and UBS Global Industrials and Transportation Conference, where it will engage in investor meetings and presentations. The company will provide live webcasts for some conferences, with replays available for a limited time, reflecting its proactive engagement with investors and stakeholders. This participation underscores Werner’s strategic efforts to enhance its visibility and communicate its market position and future prospects to the investment community.

The most recent analyst rating on (WERN) stock is a Hold with a $28.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Werner Enterprises stock, see the WERN 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: Jan 30, 2026