ArcBest Cautions That Freight Industry Will Remain Difficult Until 2025
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Nov 05 2025
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Source: Benzinga
Third-Quarter Performance: ArcBest Corp. reported third-quarter 2025 results that exceeded analyst expectations, with adjusted EPS of $1.46 and revenue of $1.048 billion, although GAAP EPS fell significantly from the previous year due to a one-time benefit in 2024.
Segment Revenue Insights: The Asset-Based segment saw a revenue increase to $726.5 million, while the Asset-Light segment experienced a decline to $356 million, attributed to lower revenue per shipment and a higher mix of smaller shipments.
Market Challenges: The company anticipates continued pressure in both segments, with expected declines in shipment growth and operating ratios due to a soft freight market, projecting a non-GAAP operating loss in the fourth quarter.
Shareholder Returns and Financial Health: ArcBest has returned over $66 million to shareholders year-to-date and maintains a solid cash position, though it faces challenges with a projected increase in operating losses and a decline in daily revenue.
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Analyst Views on ARCB
Wall Street analysts forecast ARCB stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for ARCB is 87.38 USD with a low forecast of 76.00 USD and a high forecast of 104.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
8 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
5 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 85.980
Low
76.00
Averages
87.38
High
104.00
Current: 85.980
Low
76.00
Averages
87.38
High
104.00
About ARCB
ArcBest Corporation is a logistics company. It leverages technology and a full suite of solutions to meet its customers’ supply chain needs. Its segments include Asset-Based, which consists of ABF Freight System, Inc. and certain other subsidiaries, and Asset-Light, which includes MoLo Solutions, LLC (MoLo), Panther, and certain other subsidiaries. The Asset-Based segment provides less-than-truckload (LTL) services through ABF Freight’s motor carrier operations. Its Asset-Based segment offers transportation of general commodities through standard, time-critical, and LTL services. The Asset-Light segment includes the ground expedite services of Panther; its truckload operations, including the truckload brokerage services of MoLo; household goods moving services under the U-Pack brand and its managed transportation solutions. Its truckload and dedicated services provide third-party transportation brokerage services by sourcing various capacity solutions including dry van over-the-road.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
ArcBest Q4 Earnings Announcement Scheduled
- Earnings Release Date: ArcBest is set to announce its Q4 earnings on January 30 before market open, with a consensus EPS estimate of $0.42, reflecting a significant 68.4% year-over-year decline, which may dampen investor sentiment.
- Revenue Decline: The anticipated revenue of $967.4 million for Q4 represents a 3.3% year-over-year decrease, indicating challenges the company faces in the current economic climate that could impact future investment decisions.
- Performance Forecast Adjustments: Over the past three months, EPS estimates have seen no upward revisions and 13 downward adjustments, while revenue estimates experienced 2 upward revisions and 8 downward adjustments, highlighting increasing market concerns regarding the company's profitability.
- Long-term Goals: Despite short-term pressures, ArcBest has set an ambitious EPS target of $12 to $15 by 2028, demonstrating the company's strategic commitment to strengthening its core LTL business and maintaining cost discipline.
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Analysis of ArcBest's Dividend and Options Trading
- Dividend Yield Expectation: Based on ArcBest Corp's dividend history, the current annualized dividend yield stands at 0.6%, indicating that the sustainability of dividends should be cautiously assessed amid profitability fluctuations.
- Historical Volatility Analysis: ArcBest's trailing twelve-month volatility is calculated at 55%, and with the current stock price at $87.14, this provides investors with a basis for evaluating risk versus reward in their decisions.
- Options Trading Dynamics: On Tuesday, the put volume among S&P 500 components reached 802,997 contracts, while call volume was at 1.61 million, indicating a preference for call options among investors, reflecting an optimistic market sentiment.
- Options Market Trends: The current put-to-call ratio of 0.50 is significantly lower than the long-term median of 0.65, suggesting a marked increase in demand for call options, which may influence future price movements.
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