ArcBest Corporation – Ticker: ARCB

1. Executive Summary

  • Company: ArcBest Corporation
  • Ticker: ARCB
  • Sector: Transportation & Logistics
  • Current Price: $60.77
  • Market Cap: ~$1.39 billion
  • Analyst Rating: Consensus = Buy (5 Buy, 7 Hold, 1 Sell)
  • 12-Month Target Price (Avg.): $92.25 (+49.47% upside) (Source: StockAnalysis)

2. Company Overview

  • Business Model: ArcBest provides integrated logistics and freight solutions. It operates LTL freight services through ABF Freight, expedited logistics via Panther Premium, and truckload brokerage via MoLo Solutions.
  • Industry Position: One of the top 15 U.S. trucking/logistics companies, managing over 240 facilities and a fleet of ~4,000 tractors and 22,000+ trailers.
  • Brands/Divisions:
    • ABF Freight (LTL shipping)
    • U-Pack (residential moving)
    • Panther Premium Logistics (expedited freight)
    • MoLo Solutions (brokerage)
  • Leadership: Judy R. McReynolds – Chairman, President, and CEO

3. Financial Analysis

  • Revenue: $4.18 billion in FY 2024, down 5.6% YoY
  • Net Income: $173 million in 2024, up 21.9% YoY
  • EPS: GAAP EPS = $7.28; non-GAAP = $6.28
  • Balance Sheet:
    • Total Assets: ~$3.0 billion
    • Total Liabilities: ~$1.5 billion (stable leverage)
  • Cash Flow: $350 million in operating cash flow for 2024, showing strength

4. Stock Performance

  • 1-Year Return: –34.67% (underperformed market)
  • Dividend: Annual dividend = $0.32 (Yield ~0.5%)
  • Volatility: Beta = 1.38 (more volatile than market)
  • Recent Result: Q1 2025 net income = $3.1 million (return to profitability after previous quarterly loss)

5. Valuation Analysis

  • P/E Ratio: ~11.13 (reasonable vs. peers)
  • P/S Ratio: ~0.33 (undervalued relative to sales)
  • P/B Ratio: ~1.0 (fairly valued to book)
  • DCF: Not disclosed
  • Peer Comparison: Valuation attractive vs. peers due to cash flow strength and low P/S

6. Industry & Market Analysis

  • Trends: Growth in e-commerce and B2B logistics driving demand for LTL and integrated freight services
  • Market Position: Strong U.S. footprint with differentiated offerings in freight brokerage, LTL, and residential moving
  • Macro Risks: Labor shortages, fuel price volatility, inflation, and interest rate changes could affect profitability

7. Risk Analysis

  • Market Risk: Economic slowdown could reduce shipping volumes
  • Financial Risk: Moderate debt; rising interest rates may increase financing costs
  • Regulatory Risk: Environmental and safety regulations could increase operating expenses
  • Geopolitical Risk: Trade conflicts or tariffs may disrupt freight demand

8. Growth Catalysts

  • Digital Logistics: Investments in tech-enabled freight management platforms
  • Network Expansion: Expanding into emerging markets and deepening coverage in existing areas
  • M&A: Acquired MoLo Solutions in 2021, enhancing truckload brokerage capabilities
  • Industry Tailwinds: Long-term logistics demand driven by omnichannel retail and e-commerce

9. Analyst Sentiment

  • Consensus: Buy
  • Target Price: $92.25
  • Recent News: Returned to profitability in Q1 2025 with $3.1M net income; analysts view performance rebound positively

10. Conclusion

ArcBest is a well-established logistics firm with a diversified revenue base across LTL freight, moving services, and brokerage. Despite recent stock underperformance, the company’s strong cash flows, solid leadership, and undervalued metrics make it attractive to long-term investors. However, macroeconomic and operational risks require close monitoring.

Investor Type Fit: Suitable for value and turnaround investors seeking exposure to U.S. logistics infrastructure.


11. Appendix

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