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FWRD vs JBHT
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Forward Air Corporation (FWRD) vs. J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (JBHT) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Both FWRD and JBHT operate in the freight and logistics sector, but JBHT offers broader diversification across intermodal, truckload, and dedicated services.
- JBHT reported strong Q1 2026 results with revenue up 5% to $3.06 billion and EPS up 27% to $1.49, driving recent stock momentum.
- FWRD has experienced volatility in recent weeks, trading around $21 with a 52-week range of $14.82 to $32.47, influenced by strategic announcements and board changes.
- JBHT shares have risen over 20% in the past 30 days and nearly 86% over the past year, outperforming FWRD's more modest 20% annual gain.
- Market sentiment favors JBHT for its operational turnaround via intermodal growth and cost reductions.
Introduction
This stock comparison examines FWRD and JBHT, two key players in the North American freight and logistics industry. Investors tracking the transportation sector, particularly those focused on supply chain dynamics and intermodal services, will find value in understanding their relative performance amid fluctuating freight volumes and economic shifts. Recent market activity highlights contrasts in momentum and strategic positioning, aiding decisions on sector exposure or relative value plays in portfolios.
FWRD Overview and Recent Performance
Forward Air Corporation (FWRD) is an asset-light freight and logistics provider specializing in expedited less-than-truckload (LTL) services, ground transportation for air freight, and intermodal solutions across North America. In recent market activity, FWRD shares have shown volatility, trading near $21 with significant swings, including a 52-week range from $14.82 to $32.47. Sentiment has been influenced by reports of an unlikely full company sale, board changes with directors stepping down, and a 2026 growth strategy emphasizing technology transformation. These developments have contributed to downward pressure amid broader sector challenges, though the company's focus on expedited freight offers niche resilience.
JBHT Overview and Recent Performance
J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (JBHT) delivers a wide range of surface transportation and logistics services, including intermodal (rail-truck combinations), truckload, dedicated contract services, and final-mile delivery across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Recent weeks have seen robust performance, with shares around $249 and a 52-week range of $130 to $256. Q1 2026 earnings marked a record quarter, with revenue rising 5% to $3.06 billion and GAAP EPS increasing 27% to $1.49, fueled by intermodal volume growth and cost-cutting measures. This turnaround has boosted investor confidence, supporting upward momentum in a recovering freight environment.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
FWRD and JBHT both navigate freight logistics but differ in scale and focus: FWRD's niche in expedited LTL contrasts with JBHT's diversified intermodal dominance. Growth drivers include JBHT's intermodal expansion versus FWRD's tech upgrades, with JBHT showing superior recent momentum (20%+ past month) over FWRD's volatility. Risk factors weigh heavier on FWRD due to merger integration issues and sale speculation, while JBHT benefits from operational stability. Sector exposure ties both to industrials, but JBHT exhibits stronger market sentiment and relative outperformance over the past year.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI models currently favor JBHT over FWRD, based on superior trend consistency, recent earnings catalysts, and relative strength in intermodal positioning. While FWRD holds potential in expedited freight recovery, JBHT's stability and momentum suggest higher probability of near-term outperformance in the current logistics environment.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer. Disclaimers and Limitations
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is FWRD is a Hold and JBHT is a Hold.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
FWRD’s FA Score shows that 0 FA rating(s) are green whileJBHT’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- FWRD’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
- JBHT’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
FWRD’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while JBHT’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- FWRD’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 5 bearish.
- JBHT’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 5 bearish.
Price Growth
FWRD (@Other Transportation) experienced а -11.25% price change this week, while JBHT (@Other Transportation) price change was +6.85% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Other Transportation industry was -1.91%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -0.46%, and the average quarterly price growth was +5.69%.
Reported Earning Dates
JBHT is expected to report earnings on Jul 21, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Other Transportation (-1.91% weekly)Other Transportation includes transportation services like providing airport ground transportation, airport management and equipment, shipping services, as well as businesses that operate bridges, expressways and other public services such as taxis and subways. Grupo Aero-pac, Corporacion America Airports S.A. and Matson, Inc. are some of the major companies operating in this space.
| FWRD | JBHT | FWRD / JBHT | |
| Capitalization | 277M | 24.7B | 1% |
| EBITDA | 189M | 1.61B | 12% |
| Gain YTD | -64.960 | 35.445 | -183% |
| P/E Ratio | 10.21 | 40.70 | 25% |
| Revenue | 2.46B | 12.1B | 20% |
| Total Cash | 141M | 4.56M | 3,090% |
| Total Debt | 2.15B | 1.3B | 165% |
FWRD | JBHT | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 57 | 94 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 88 Overvalued | 87 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 100 | 45 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 98 | 51 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 97 | 13 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 77 | 17 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 75 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
JBHT's Valuation (87) in the Trucking industry is in the same range as FWRD (88) in the Air Freight Or Couriers industry. This means that JBHT’s stock grew similarly to FWRD’s over the last 12 months.
JBHT's Profit vs Risk Rating (45) in the Trucking industry is somewhat better than the same rating for FWRD (100) in the Air Freight Or Couriers industry. This means that JBHT’s stock grew somewhat faster than FWRD’s over the last 12 months.
JBHT's SMR Rating (51) in the Trucking industry is somewhat better than the same rating for FWRD (98) in the Air Freight Or Couriers industry. This means that JBHT’s stock grew somewhat faster than FWRD’s over the last 12 months.
JBHT's Price Growth Rating (13) in the Trucking industry is significantly better than the same rating for FWRD (97) in the Air Freight Or Couriers industry. This means that JBHT’s stock grew significantly faster than FWRD’s over the last 12 months.
JBHT's P/E Growth Rating (17) in the Trucking industry is somewhat better than the same rating for FWRD (77) in the Air Freight Or Couriers industry. This means that JBHT’s stock grew somewhat faster than FWRD’s over the last 12 months.
| FWRD | JBHT | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 65% | 4 days ago 71% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 74% | 4 days ago 61% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 76% | 4 days ago 66% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 73% | 4 days ago 58% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 78% | 4 days ago 66% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 80% | 4 days ago 62% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 13 days ago 71% | 4 days ago 66% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 6 days ago 78% | 7 days ago 57% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 69% | 4 days ago 60% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 66% | 4 days ago 53% |
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| SPXS | 27.69 | 1.00 | +3.75% |
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FWRD and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, FWRD has been closely correlated with XPO. These tickers have moved in lockstep 75% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if FWRD jumps, then XPO could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To FWRD | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FWRD | 100% | -6.81% | ||
| XPO - FWRD | 75% Closely correlated | -0.64% | ||
| PAL - FWRD | 43% Loosely correlated | -6.82% | ||
| GXO - FWRD | 39% Loosely correlated | -3.49% | ||
| FDX - FWRD | 37% Loosely correlated | -1.11% | ||
| UPS - FWRD | 34% Loosely correlated | +0.52% | ||
More | ||||
JBHT and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, JBHT has been closely correlated with XPO. These tickers have moved in lockstep 68% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if JBHT jumps, then XPO could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To JBHT | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JBHT | 100% | +2.96% | ||
| XPO - JBHT | 68% Closely correlated | -0.64% | ||
| LSTR - JBHT | 64% Loosely correlated | +4.82% | ||
| UPS - JBHT | 59% Loosely correlated | +0.52% | ||
| HUBG - JBHT | 59% Loosely correlated | +0.16% | ||
| EXPD - JBHT | 58% Loosely correlated | +1.20% | ||
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