Ground Transportation Stocks Q3 Results: Benchmarking Landstar (NASDAQ:LSTR)

As the Q3 earnings season comes to a close, it’s time to take stock of this quarter’s best and worst performers in the ground transportation industry, including Landstar and its peers.

The growth of e-commerce and global trade continues to drive demand for shipping services, especially last-mile delivery, presenting opportunities for ground transportation companies. The industry continues to invest in data, analytics, and autonomous fleets to optimize efficiency and find the most cost-effective routes. Despite the essential services this industry provides, ground transportation companies are still at the whim of economic cycles. Consumer spending, for example, can greatly impact the demand for these companies’ offerings while fuel costs can influence profit margins.

The 14 ground transportation stocks we track reported a mixed Q3. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 0.7%.

Thankfully, share prices of the companies have been resilient as they are up 9.2% on average since the latest earnings results.

Landstar

Covering billions of miles throughout North America, Landstar is a transportation company specializing in freight and last-mile delivery services.

Landstar reported revenues of $1.21 billion, flat year on year. This print was in line with analysts’ expectations, but overall, it was a mixed quarter for the company with a narrow beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates but a miss of analysts’ Van Equipment revenue estimates.

“The Landstar team of independent business owners and employees executed admirably during the 2025 third quarter despite continued challenges in the overall economic environment for truck transportation services,” said Landstar President and Chief Executive Officer Frank Lonegro.

Interestingly, the stock is up 14.9% since reporting and currently trades at $148.66.

Read our full report on Landstar here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Best Q3: Hertz

Started with a dozen Model T Fords, Hertz is a global car rental company providing vehicle rental services to leisure and business travelers.

Hertz reported revenues of $2.48 billion, down 3.8% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 3.1%. The business had a stunning quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Hertz delivered the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 5% since reporting. It currently trades at $5.21.

Is now the time to buy Hertz? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Weakest Q3: U-Haul

Founded by a husband and wife duo, U-Haul is a provider of rental trucks and storage facilities.

U-Haul reported revenues of $1.72 billion, up 3.7% year on year, in line with analysts’ expectations. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

The stock is flat since the results and currently trades at $53.75.

Read our full analysis of U-Haul’s results here.

Covenant Logistics

Started with 25 trucks and 50 trailers, Covenant Logistics (NASDAQ:CVLG) is a provider of expedited long haul freight services, offering a range of logistics solutions.

Covenant Logistics reported revenues of $296.9 million, up 3.1% year on year. This print was in line with analysts’ expectations. It was a strong quarter as it also recorded an impressive beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates and a decent beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

The stock is up 7.3% since reporting and currently trades at $23.47.

Read our full, actionable report on Covenant Logistics here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Saia

Pivoting its business model after realizing there was more success in delivering produce than selling it, Saia is a provider of freight transportation solutions.

Saia reported revenues of $839.6 million, flat year on year. This result beat analysts’ expectations by 1%. Overall, it was an exceptional quarter as it also produced an impressive beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

The stock is up 29.4% since reporting and currently trades at $359.00.

Read our full, actionable report on Saia here, it’s free for active Edge members.