As the craze of earnings season draws to a close, here’s a look back at some of the most exciting (and some less so) results from Q4. Today, we are looking at ground transportation stocks, starting with Universal Logistics (NASDAQ: ULH).

The growth of e-commerce and global trade continues to drive demand for shipping services, especially last-mile delivery, presenting opportunities for ground transportation companies. The industry continues to invest in data, analytics, and autonomous fleets to optimize efficiency and find the most cost-effective routes. Despite the essential services this industry provides, ground transportation companies are still at the whim of economic cycles. Consumer spending, for example, can greatly impact the demand for these companies’ offerings while fuel costs can influence profit margins.

The 15 ground transportation stocks we track reported a softer Q4. As a group, revenues missed analysts’ consensus estimates by 0.8%.

Luckily, ground transportation stocks have performed well with share prices up 38.2% on average since the latest earnings results.

Universal Logistics (NASDAQ: ULH)

Founded in 1932, Universal Logistics (NASDAQ: ULH) is a provider of customized transportation and logistics solutions operating throughout the United States and in Mexico, Canada, and Colombia.

Universal Logistics reported revenues of $385.4 million, down 17.1% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 2.5%. Overall, it was a very strong quarter for the company with a beat of analysts’ EPS and adjusted operating income estimates.

Interestingly, the stock is up 65.7% since reporting and currently trades at $23.37.

Is now the time to buy Universal Logistics? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Best Q4: XPO (NYSE: XPO)

Owning a mobile game simulating freight operations for the Tour de France, XPO (NYSE: XPO) is a transportation company specializing in expedited shipping services.

XPO reported revenues of $2.01 billion, up 4.7% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 2.9%. The business had an exceptional quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income and revenue estimates.

XPO scored the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 25.3% since reporting. It currently trades at $225.14.

Is now the time to buy XPO? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q4: Werner (NASDAQ: WERN)

Conducting business in over a 100 countries, Werner (NASDAQ: WERN) offers full-truckload, less-than-truckload, and intermodal delivery services.

Werner reported revenues of $737.6 million, down 2.3% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 2.8%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ revenue and adjusted operating income estimates.

As expected, the stock is down 13.9% since the results and currently trades at $32.59.

Read our full analysis of Werner’s results here.

Heartland Express (NASDAQ: HTLD)

Founded by the son of a trucker, Heartland Express (NASDAQ: HTLD) offers full-truckload deliveries across the United States and Mexico.

Heartland Express reported revenues of $179.4 million, down 26.1% year on year. This number came in 6% below analysts' expectations. Overall, it was a softer quarter as it also logged a significant miss of analysts’ revenue and adjusted operating income estimates.

Heartland Express had the weakest performance against analyst estimates and slowest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is up 6.3% since reporting and currently trades at $11.63.

Read our full, actionable report on Heartland Express here, it’s free.

RXO (NYSE: RXO)

With access to millions of trucks, RXO (NYSE: RXO) offers full-truckload, less-than-truckload, and last-mile deliveries.

RXO reported revenues of $1.47 billion, down 11.9% year on year. This result lagged analysts' expectations by 0.7%. It was a disappointing quarter as it also recorded a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates and a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

The stock is up 11.9% since reporting and currently trades at $18.55.

Read our full, actionable report on RXO here, it’s free.

Market Update

Late in 2025 into early 2026, there was hand wringing around artificial intelligence. For software companies, the fear was that AI would erode pricing power and compress margins as new tools made it easier to replicate what once required expensive enterprise platforms. Crypto investors had their own version of the same anxiety: if AI agents could trade, allocate capital, and manage wallets autonomously, what exactly was the long-term value of today’s crypto infrastructure?

These concerns triggered a noticeable rotation away from these sectors and into safer havens. But markets rarely dwell on one narrative for long. Spring 2026 came, and the focus shifted abruptly from technological disruption to geopolitical risk. The US’ conflict with Iran became the dominant driver of market psychology, and when geopolitics takes center stage, the script changes quickly. Investors stop debating growth rates and start worrying about oil supply, inflation, and global stability.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Top 5 Quality Compounder Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.