While logistics oversees the overall supply chain strategy, including inventory management, warehousing, and customer service, the freight market refers to the industry involved in the transportation of goods from one location to another using various modes such as road, rail, air, and sea. According to a report by Precedence Research, the global freight transport market is valued at $34.53 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach $100.81 billion by 2034, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.31%. North America is estimated to have a market size of $11.74 billion in 2024 and is forecasted to grow at a robust CAGR of 11.45% during the same period. Trade within the North American region, particularly between the United States, Mexico, and Canada, plays a vital role.
In 2023, the US transborder freight flows with these countries totaled $1.57 trillion. Several factors, such as increasing international trade, the expansion retail industry, and the growth of e-commerce platforms are boosting the demand for secure and faster freight services. Similar to other industries, the freight market is also witnessing a rise in sustainability efforts and technological integration. Artificial intelligence, in particular, is revolutionizing the industry by enhancing efficiency and optimizing operations. AI applications, such as real-time inventory monitoring, smart warehousing, traffic management, and freight-matching platforms, are streamlining freight processes.
Companies Brace for Tariff-Induced Challenges
President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on key trade partners such as China, Mexico, and Canada could severely impact the US transportation industry. Sector experts warn that these tariffs could undermine the growth of North American trade and warned that the proposed trade policies could inadvertently harm the US businesses Trump aims to support. Jason Miller, interim chair of supply-chain management at Michigan State University, explained that higher tariffs would drive up prices, reducing demand and leading to a decline in freight movement. This trend could pose revenue risks for major companies dependent on freight activity.
On December 13, Reuters reported that Trump’s tariff strategy, aimed at creating jobs and compensating for lost revenue from planned tax cuts, effectively acts as a new tax on consumers, whose spending drives the US economy. According to Mary Lovely, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, the tariffs could significantly disrupt trade flows. She predicts that the new administration could implement these measures as early as the second or third quarter of 2025.
Trucking, which accounts for about one-third of U.S. transportation, has been particularly vulnerable to tariff-induced economic slowdowns. Dean Croke, principal analyst at DAT Freight and Analytics, noted that tariffs imposed during Trump’s previous term led to a trucking recession throughout most of 2019. The industry is already experiencing its longest downturn, driven by flat industrial production and overcapacity from the pandemic-era shipping boom. Cross-border trade between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada remains one of the few bright spots for the trucking sector. In September 2024, the value of cargo transported across these borders reached $88.5 billion, a 7.7% increase from the previous year. However, new tariffs could jeopardize growth opportunities. The proposed tariffs could also derail railroad companies’ plans for growth.
Freight remains an uncertain yet essential industry, serving as a cornerstone for global trade and a vital base for manufacturing. If manufacturing gains momentum in the US, the freight sector may play an even more critical role in supporting supply chains and economic growth. With that in context, let’s take a look at the 11 best freight stocks to buy now.
A fleet of rented trucks parked alongside a warehouse, emphasizing the company’s logistics services.
Our Methodology
To compile our list of the 11 best freight stocks to buy now, we scanned transportation ETF plus online rankings to compile an initial list of 25 companies that offer freight services. Then we used Insider Monkey’s Hedge Fund database to rank 11 stocks according to the largest number of hedge fund holders, as of Q3 2024. The list is sorted in ascending order of hedge fund sentiment.
Why do we care about what hedge funds do? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).
11 Best Freight Stocks To Buy Now
11. Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (NASDAQ:ODFL)
Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 38
Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (NASDAQ:ODFL) is a leading provider of less-than-truckload (LTL) freight transportation services in North America. The company’s extensive network of 250 service centers and terminals spans the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The company offers a wide range of logistics solutions, including expedited, and intermodal services. Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (NASDAQ:ODFL) is known for its high standards of service, with 15 consecutive years of being named the number one national LTL provider by Mastio & Company.
To sustain its growth and maintain its market leadership, Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (NASDAQ:ODFL) is leveraging technology to enhance operational efficiency, improve customer experience, and drive cost savings. The company is implementing advanced systems for route optimization, real-time tracking, and data analytics, which aims to significantly improve its ability to manage shipments and provide customers with transparent, real-time information. Old Dominion Freight Line (NASDAQ:ODFL) has also announced a 4.9% general rate increase, effective December 2, to offset rising costs and support ongoing investments in service quality and technology.
Despite current economic challenges, Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.’s (NASDAQ:ODFL) management remains confident in the company’s ability to capitalize on future growth opportunities. The company’s disciplined approach to pricing and yield management allows it to consistently improve its yields, offsetting cost inflation and supporting additional investments in capacity and technology.
10. J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:JBHT)
Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 39
J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:JBHT) is a leading provider of freight shipping services and offers a diverse portfolio of solutions that includes Intermodal, Dedicated Contract Services, Truckload, and Integrated Capacity Solutions. J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.’s (NASDAQ:JBHT) client base spans industries such as retail, manufacturing, and consumer goods.
To drive further innovation and solve core challenges, J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:JBHT) has partnered with UP.Labs to establish the Logistics Venture Lab. The collaboration aims to launch up to six startups over the next three years, focusing on key areas such as brokerage, intermodal, and truckload services. The Logistics Venture Lab will leverage big data, generative artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies to develop transformative solutions. The Logistics Venture Lab will bring together several entrepreneurs, product leaders, and technologists to diagnose and address problems in the company’s logistics and freight transportation space. The company aims to repair margins through cost management and strategic capital allocation while focusing on high-quality service and solutions tailored to customer needs.
J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:JBHT) is also actively incorporating alternative-powered vehicles and biogenic fuels into its fleet, to appeal to clients who prioritize sustainable and eco-friendly services. The company has added 20 Nikola Tre fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) to its fleet and is doing a pilot program with Clean Energy featuring the new Cummins X15N engine, which uses renewable natural gas (RNG).
