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The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Covenant Transportation Group, Old Dominion Freight Line, P.A.M. Transportation Services and Universal Logistics
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For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – November 21, 2017 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include Covenant Transportation Group Inc. , Old Dominion Freight Line Inc. (ODFL - Free Report) , P.A.M. Transportation Services Inc. (PTSI - Free Report) and Universal Logistics Holdings Inc. (ULH - Free Report) .
Here are highlights from Monday’s Analyst Blog:
Buy 4 Truckers to Gain from Strong Freight Transport
An improving U.S. economy, substantial surge in manufactured and retail goods, and a sharp rebound in a number of end markets are expected to fuel growth of the transportation sector. Of the various means of the U.S. transport, trucking is the largest one, servicing 70% of freight tonnage.
Momentum to Continue
The U.S. trucking industry has witnessed gradual improvement in 2017. As the U.S. economy continues to grow, demand for carriage is also increasing and the momentum is expected to continue in the long-term. The trucking industry is the lifeblood of the economy and an integral part of the manufacturing, transportation and warehousing industries.
In ATA Freight Transportation Forecast 2017, ATA (American Trucking Associations) has projected freight volumes to grow 2.8% in 2017. Thereafter, from 2018 – 2023, the freight volume growth rate will be 3.4% per annum. For 2017, ATA has estimated that 15.18 billion tons of freight will be moved by all modes. The figure will rise 36.6% to 20.73 billion tons in 2028. Trucking revenues will likely grow 5.4% annually between 2018 and 2023 and are expected to reach $1 trillion by 2024.
Truck transport is a “derived demand” industry, which means demand for truckers depends on the demand for the products that trucks haul. Therefore, trucking serves as a barometer of the U.S. economy. Trucking industry will remain the dominant means of domestic freight and its share in the U.S. transportation sector is likely to remain not less than 67% by 2028.
Low Fuel Prices
Declining oil prices is a major boon for many truckers. Fuel cost accounts for a considerable portion of expenses of trucking companies. Lower oil prices have reduced their operating expenditure, thereby giving the bottom line a boost. With declining trucking cost, business enterprises are increasingly opting for this mode for shipment their products instead of railways and other means of transportations.
While a few trucking companies hedge their fuel needs and impose fuel surcharge to customers, this is not the scenario industry-wide. There are many trucking companies which are positioned to gain from the fall in fuel prices.
Capacity Constraint
Capacity constraint in the form of driver shortage is driving top line growth of truckers. However, if the U.S. economy continues to grow steadily, truckers will have to hire more drivers to grab market share. Manufacturing, consumer spending and international trade are likely to be among the key contributors to the rapid growth. More drivers will be required to keep up with the growing demand and the truckers should consider investing more in their fleets.
Trucking Industry Sports Strong Zacks Rank
Trucking industry is currently in a great position from the Zacks Industry Rank perspective. The Industry is currently in the top 17% (43 out of 256) of the Zacks Categorized industries, suggesting it is well-positioned, especially when compared with other segments out there. Except railroads (102 out of 256), no other transportation industry is currently within the top 50% bracket of the Zacks Categorized industries.
Our Top Picks
The ATA is confident that trucking tonnage will continue to grow over the next 10 years. At this stage, we believe investors should choose stocks which carry a favorable Zacks Rank to cash in on future growth opportunities. Taking these factors into account, we present four stocks with either a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) for investors to consider. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Covenant Transportation Group Inc.: Headquartered in Chattanooga, TN, this Zacks Rank #1 company is a truckload carrier that offers just-in-time and other premium transportation service for customers throughout the United States.
For 2018, the company’s Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings stands at $1.36, indicating year-over-year growth of 52.53%. Notably, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings has increased 9 cents over the last 60 days. For 2018, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues stands at $755.10 million, up 7.31% year over year.
Old Dominion Freight Line Inc.: Headquartered in Thomasville, NC, this Zacks Rank #1 company is a leading, less-than-truckload (LTL), union-free company providing super-regional and national LTL service.
For 2018, the company’s Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings stands at $4.92, indicating year-over-year growth of 14.81%. Notably, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings has increased 25 cents over the last 60 days. For 2018, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues stands at $3,660 million, up 10.07% year over year.
P.A.M. Transportation Services Inc.: Headquartered in Tontitown, AR, this Zacks Rank #1 company is an irregular route, common and contract motor carrier authorized to transport general commodities. All freight is transported as truckload quantities.
For 2018, the company’s Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings stands at $1.45, indicating year-over-year growth of 8.21%. Notably, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings has increased 30 cents over the last 60 days. For 2018, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues stands at $498.90 million, up 11.39% year over year.
Universal Logistics Holdings Inc.: Headquartered in Warren, MI, this Zacks Rank #2 company is a primarily non-asset based provider of transportation services to shippers throughout the United States and in the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec.
For 2018, the company’s Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings stands at $1.20, indicating year-over-year growth of 53.85%. Notably, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings has increased 15 cents over the last 60 days. For 2018, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues stands at $1,300 million, up 6.92% year over year.
Bottom Line
In its 2017-2018 Freight Transportation Forecast, the ATA has predicted that there will be continued growth for truckers driven by manufacturing, consumer spending and international trade over the next 12 years. At this stage, we believe that these four stocks with a favorable Zacks Rank are poised to capitalize on the growing opportunities.
Wall Street’s Next Amazon
Zacks EVP Kevin Matras believes this familiar stock has only just begun its climb to become one of the greatest investments of all time. It’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in pure genius.
Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit http://www.zacks.com/performancefor information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
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The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Covenant Transportation Group, Old Dominion Freight Line, P.A.M. Transportation Services and Universal Logistics
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – November 21, 2017 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include Covenant Transportation Group Inc. , Old Dominion Freight Line Inc. (ODFL - Free Report) , P.A.M. Transportation Services Inc. (PTSI - Free Report) and Universal Logistics Holdings Inc. (ULH - Free Report) .
Here are highlights from Monday’s Analyst Blog:
Buy 4 Truckers to Gain from Strong Freight Transport
An improving U.S. economy, substantial surge in manufactured and retail goods, and a sharp rebound in a number of end markets are expected to fuel growth of the transportation sector. Of the various means of the U.S. transport, trucking is the largest one, servicing 70% of freight tonnage.
Momentum to Continue
The U.S. trucking industry has witnessed gradual improvement in 2017. As the U.S. economy continues to grow, demand for carriage is also increasing and the momentum is expected to continue in the long-term. The trucking industry is the lifeblood of the economy and an integral part of the manufacturing, transportation and warehousing industries.
In ATA Freight Transportation Forecast 2017, ATA (American Trucking Associations) has projected freight volumes to grow 2.8% in 2017. Thereafter, from 2018 – 2023, the freight volume growth rate will be 3.4% per annum. For 2017, ATA has estimated that 15.18 billion tons of freight will be moved by all modes. The figure will rise 36.6% to 20.73 billion tons in 2028. Trucking revenues will likely grow 5.4% annually between 2018 and 2023 and are expected to reach $1 trillion by 2024.
Truck transport is a “derived demand” industry, which means demand for truckers depends on the demand for the products that trucks haul. Therefore, trucking serves as a barometer of the U.S. economy. Trucking industry will remain the dominant means of domestic freight and its share in the U.S. transportation sector is likely to remain not less than 67% by 2028.
Low Fuel Prices
Declining oil prices is a major boon for many truckers. Fuel cost accounts for a considerable portion of expenses of trucking companies. Lower oil prices have reduced their operating expenditure, thereby giving the bottom line a boost. With declining trucking cost, business enterprises are increasingly opting for this mode for shipment their products instead of railways and other means of transportations.
While a few trucking companies hedge their fuel needs and impose fuel surcharge to customers, this is not the scenario industry-wide. There are many trucking companies which are positioned to gain from the fall in fuel prices.
Capacity Constraint
Capacity constraint in the form of driver shortage is driving top line growth of truckers. However, if the U.S. economy continues to grow steadily, truckers will have to hire more drivers to grab market share. Manufacturing, consumer spending and international trade are likely to be among the key contributors to the rapid growth. More drivers will be required to keep up with the growing demand and the truckers should consider investing more in their fleets.
Trucking Industry Sports Strong Zacks Rank
Trucking industry is currently in a great position from the Zacks Industry Rank perspective. The Industry is currently in the top 17% (43 out of 256) of the Zacks Categorized industries, suggesting it is well-positioned, especially when compared with other segments out there. Except railroads (102 out of 256), no other transportation industry is currently within the top 50% bracket of the Zacks Categorized industries.
Our Top Picks
The ATA is confident that trucking tonnage will continue to grow over the next 10 years. At this stage, we believe investors should choose stocks which carry a favorable Zacks Rank to cash in on future growth opportunities. Taking these factors into account, we present four stocks with either a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) for investors to consider. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Covenant Transportation Group Inc.: Headquartered in Chattanooga, TN, this Zacks Rank #1 company is a truckload carrier that offers just-in-time and other premium transportation service for customers throughout the United States.
For 2018, the company’s Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings stands at $1.36, indicating year-over-year growth of 52.53%. Notably, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings has increased 9 cents over the last 60 days. For 2018, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues stands at $755.10 million, up 7.31% year over year.
Old Dominion Freight Line Inc.: Headquartered in Thomasville, NC, this Zacks Rank #1 company is a leading, less-than-truckload (LTL), union-free company providing super-regional and national LTL service.
For 2018, the company’s Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings stands at $4.92, indicating year-over-year growth of 14.81%. Notably, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings has increased 25 cents over the last 60 days. For 2018, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues stands at $3,660 million, up 10.07% year over year.
P.A.M. Transportation Services Inc.: Headquartered in Tontitown, AR, this Zacks Rank #1 company is an irregular route, common and contract motor carrier authorized to transport general commodities. All freight is transported as truckload quantities.
For 2018, the company’s Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings stands at $1.45, indicating year-over-year growth of 8.21%. Notably, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings has increased 30 cents over the last 60 days. For 2018, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues stands at $498.90 million, up 11.39% year over year.
Universal Logistics Holdings Inc.: Headquartered in Warren, MI, this Zacks Rank #2 company is a primarily non-asset based provider of transportation services to shippers throughout the United States and in the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec.
For 2018, the company’s Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings stands at $1.20, indicating year-over-year growth of 53.85%. Notably, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings has increased 15 cents over the last 60 days. For 2018, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues stands at $1,300 million, up 6.92% year over year.
Bottom Line
In its 2017-2018 Freight Transportation Forecast, the ATA has predicted that there will be continued growth for truckers driven by manufacturing, consumer spending and international trade over the next 12 years. At this stage, we believe that these four stocks with a favorable Zacks Rank are poised to capitalize on the growing opportunities.
Wall Street’s Next Amazon
Zacks EVP Kevin Matras believes this familiar stock has only just begun its climb to become one of the greatest investments of all time. It’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in pure genius.
Click for details >>
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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit http://www.zacks.com/performancefor information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.