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The widely-diversified Zacks Transportation sector shed 18.2% of its value in first-half 2022.
The increase in oil price (up a massive 48% in first-half 2022), which is a major input cost for any transportation player, dented the bottom lines of transportation players. The major catalyst behind oil prices moving north is the prolonged Russia-Ukraine war.
We note that in March, oil price per barrel surged to multi-year highs of $130 due to concerns about supplies from Russia, which is one of the world's largest producers of the commodity. The Biden administration's ban on the import of Russian crude and energy products caused a rapid escalation in oil price.
Supply-chain concerns also hit transportation players in the January-June period. The pandemic disrupted operations, resulting in supply-chain bottlenecks. These supply-chain and capacity challenges flared up transportation and labor costs because of the urgency to deliver finished goods to customers on time.
While the headwinds are unlikely to disappear in the second half of the year, there are enough positives surrounding the sector. Riding on the positives, we believe that stocks like C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Ryder System, and Eagle Bulk Shipping should be added to the portfolios of investors interested in the Zacks Transportation sector.
Can Transports Experience a Better 2H?
After exhibiting a significant downtrend in the first half of the year due to the above-mentioned headwinds, speculations are rife whether stocks in this sector can now turn things around in the second half.
The sector has enough positives for us to be optimistic about despite a brutal first half. Let's delve into the details.
The gradual resumption of economic activities and an uptick in world trade proved to be a boon for the shipping industry stocks. This is because the domain is responsible for transporting the bulk of the goods involved in global trade. Soaring demand for goods and commodities is supporting growth for the industry participants. With demand for goods and commodities likely to remain strong and capacity being limited, rates should remain high in the latter half of the year.
Moreover, owing to the gradual recovery in economic activities, freight demand remains strong despite minor hiccups. The overall improving trend is evident from the fact that the Cass Freight shipments Index has improved month over month in three (February, March and May) of the five months reported so far this year. This bodes well for most corners of the sector, including railroads and transport service providers.
Airlines are also being well-served by the faster-than-anticipated rebound in air-travel demand (mainly for leisure). In the United States, the situation is likely to get rosier, with air-travel demand expected to accelerate in the summer season. In fact, the warmer spell of this year is predicted to be the busiest travel season since the start of the pandemic.
Airlines are likely to benefit hugely from this pent-up demand, which in turn, should boost passenger revenues. Moreover, like the first half of the year, the focus on the cargo segment should continue to serve airlines well in the latter half of the year too.
Owing to the improved demand scenario, the financial positions generally improved. As a result, many transportation players like Union PacificCorp. — a major railroad operator — resorted to shareholder-friendly measures like dividend hikes in the first half of the year. In May, UNP's board cleared a 10% hike in its dividend payout. The move underscores its sound financial health as it utilizes free cash flow for enhancing its shareholders' returns.
Union Pacific raised its quarterly cash dividend to $1.30 per share ($5.20 annually) from $1.18. The new dividend was paid out on Jun 30, 2022, to its shareholders of record as of May 31, 2022. UNP expects a dividend payout of approximately 45% (of earnings) in 2022. It is also active on the buyback front.
With the demand scenario likely to remain strong, thus bolstering the top line, such shareholder-friendly measures are likely to continue in the sector in the latter half of the year as well.
Against this backdrop, we believe that transportation players should grace one's portfolio. Our selected stocks carry either a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Also, each of the stocks witnessed a favorable current-year earnings estimate revision.
Our Choices
Eagle Bulk Shipping: Improved market sentiments surrounding the Drybulk market are aiding the stock. EGLE owns one of the largest fleets of Supramax/Ultramax ships, globally. Efforts to upgrade its fleet also bode well.
Eagle Bulk currently sports a Zacks Rank of 1. EGLE's shares have increased 4.1% in a year's time. Over the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2022 earnings has moved 8.7% north.
C.H. Robinson Worldwide, currently carrying a Zacks Rank #2, operates as an asset-light logistics player. The improving freight scenario in the United States is aiding this Minnesota-based freight broker. Efforts to control costs also bode well. Measures to reward CHRW's shareholders instill further confidence in the stock.
C.H. Robinson has an impressive earnings track record. The bottom line surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters (missing the mark in the remaining one), the average surprise being 17.1%. CHRW has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2022 earnings being revised 0.7% upward over the past 60 days.
Ryder: Miami, FL-based Ryder provides integrated logistics and transportation solutions. Strong freight market conditions in the United States, upbeat rental demand and favorable pricing are key catalysts for R's growth.
Shares of Ryder, which currently has a Zacks Rank of 2, have gained 11.6% over the past three months. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for R's 2022 earnings has been revised 2.8% upward in the past 60 days.
Why Haven't You Looked at Zacks' Top Stocks?
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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 https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
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Zacks Industry Outlook Highlights C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Ryder System, and Eagle Bulk Shipping, and Union Pacific
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – July 7, 2022 – Today, Zacks Equity Research discussesC.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW - Free Report) , Ryder System (R - Free Report) , Eagle Bulk Shipping , and Union Pacific Corp. (UNP - Free Report) .
Industry: Transportation
Link: https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/1948804/grab-3-transportation-stocks-for-2h22-whats-the-road-ahead
The widely-diversified Zacks Transportation sector shed 18.2% of its value in first-half 2022.
The increase in oil price (up a massive 48% in first-half 2022), which is a major input cost for any transportation player, dented the bottom lines of transportation players. The major catalyst behind oil prices moving north is the prolonged Russia-Ukraine war.
We note that in March, oil price per barrel surged to multi-year highs of $130 due to concerns about supplies from Russia, which is one of the world's largest producers of the commodity. The Biden administration's ban on the import of Russian crude and energy products caused a rapid escalation in oil price.
Supply-chain concerns also hit transportation players in the January-June period. The pandemic disrupted operations, resulting in supply-chain bottlenecks. These supply-chain and capacity challenges flared up transportation and labor costs because of the urgency to deliver finished goods to customers on time.
While the headwinds are unlikely to disappear in the second half of the year, there are enough positives surrounding the sector. Riding on the positives, we believe that stocks like C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Ryder System, and Eagle Bulk Shipping should be added to the portfolios of investors interested in the Zacks Transportation sector.
Can Transports Experience a Better 2H?
After exhibiting a significant downtrend in the first half of the year due to the above-mentioned headwinds, speculations are rife whether stocks in this sector can now turn things around in the second half.
The sector has enough positives for us to be optimistic about despite a brutal first half. Let's delve into the details.
The gradual resumption of economic activities and an uptick in world trade proved to be a boon for the shipping industry stocks. This is because the domain is responsible for transporting the bulk of the goods involved in global trade. Soaring demand for goods and commodities is supporting growth for the industry participants. With demand for goods and commodities likely to remain strong and capacity being limited, rates should remain high in the latter half of the year.
Moreover, owing to the gradual recovery in economic activities, freight demand remains strong despite minor hiccups. The overall improving trend is evident from the fact that the Cass Freight shipments Index has improved month over month in three (February, March and May) of the five months reported so far this year. This bodes well for most corners of the sector, including railroads and transport service providers.
Airlines are also being well-served by the faster-than-anticipated rebound in air-travel demand (mainly for leisure). In the United States, the situation is likely to get rosier, with air-travel demand expected to accelerate in the summer season. In fact, the warmer spell of this year is predicted to be the busiest travel season since the start of the pandemic.
Airlines are likely to benefit hugely from this pent-up demand, which in turn, should boost passenger revenues. Moreover, like the first half of the year, the focus on the cargo segment should continue to serve airlines well in the latter half of the year too.
Owing to the improved demand scenario, the financial positions generally improved. As a result, many transportation players like Union Pacific Corp. — a major railroad operator — resorted to shareholder-friendly measures like dividend hikes in the first half of the year. In May, UNP's board cleared a 10% hike in its dividend payout. The move underscores its sound financial health as it utilizes free cash flow for enhancing its shareholders' returns.
Union Pacific raised its quarterly cash dividend to $1.30 per share ($5.20 annually) from $1.18. The new dividend was paid out on Jun 30, 2022, to its shareholders of record as of May 31, 2022. UNP expects a dividend payout of approximately 45% (of earnings) in 2022. It is also active on the buyback front.
With the demand scenario likely to remain strong, thus bolstering the top line, such shareholder-friendly measures are likely to continue in the sector in the latter half of the year as well.
Against this backdrop, we believe that transportation players should grace one's portfolio. Our selected stocks carry either a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Also, each of the stocks witnessed a favorable current-year earnings estimate revision.
Our Choices
Eagle Bulk Shipping: Improved market sentiments surrounding the Drybulk market are aiding the stock. EGLE owns one of the largest fleets of Supramax/Ultramax ships, globally. Efforts to upgrade its fleet also bode well.
Eagle Bulk currently sports a Zacks Rank of 1. EGLE's shares have increased 4.1% in a year's time. Over the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2022 earnings has moved 8.7% north.
C.H. Robinson Worldwide, currently carrying a Zacks Rank #2, operates as an asset-light logistics player. The improving freight scenario in the United States is aiding this Minnesota-based freight broker. Efforts to control costs also bode well. Measures to reward CHRW's shareholders instill further confidence in the stock.
C.H. Robinson has an impressive earnings track record. The bottom line surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters (missing the mark in the remaining one), the average surprise being 17.1%. CHRW has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2022 earnings being revised 0.7% upward over the past 60 days.
Ryder: Miami, FL-based Ryder provides integrated logistics and transportation solutions. Strong freight market conditions in the United States, upbeat rental demand and favorable pricing are key catalysts for R's growth.
Shares of Ryder, which currently has a Zacks Rank of 2, have gained 11.6% over the past three months. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for R's 2022 earnings has been revised 2.8% upward in the past 60 days.
Why Haven't You Looked at Zacks' Top Stocks?
Our 5 best-performing strategies have blown away the S&P's impressive +28.8% gain in 2021. Amazingly, they soared +40.3%, +48.2%, +67.6%, +94.4%, and +95.3%. Today you can access their live picks without cost or obligation.
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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 https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.