Analyzing C.H. Robinson Worldwide (NASDAQ:CHRW) and Proficient Auto Logistics (NASDAQ:PAL)

C.H. Robinson Worldwide (NASDAQ:CHRW) and Proficient Auto Logistics (NASDAQ:PAL) are both transportation companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, valuation, institutional ownership, risk, profitability, dividends and earnings.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current ratings and price targets for C.H. Robinson Worldwide and Proficient Auto Logistics, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
C.H. Robinson Worldwide	1	8	16	1	2.65
Proficient Auto Logistics	1	1	2	0	2.25

C.H. Robinson Worldwide presently has a consensus target price of $151.87, indicating a potential downside of 8.92%. Proficient Auto Logistics has a consensus target price of $12.00, indicating a potential upside of 19.05%. Given Proficient Auto Logistics’ higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Proficient Auto Logistics is more favorable than C.H. Robinson Worldwide.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares C.H. Robinson Worldwide and Proficient Auto Logistics”s gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
C.H. Robinson Worldwide	$17.72 billion	1.11	$465.69 million	$4.93	33.82
Proficient Auto Logistics	$240.85 million	1.16	-$8.48 million	($0.02)	-504.00

C.H. Robinson Worldwide has higher revenue and earnings than Proficient Auto Logistics. Proficient Auto Logistics is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than C.H. Robinson Worldwide, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Profitability

This table compares C.H. Robinson Worldwide and Proficient Auto Logistics’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
C.H. Robinson Worldwide	3.64%	34.77%	11.71%
Proficient Auto Logistics	-3.12%	-1.44%	-0.95%

Volatility & Risk

C.H. Robinson Worldwide has a beta of 0.91, meaning that its stock price is 9% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Proficient Auto Logistics has a beta of 2.18, meaning that its stock price is 118% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

93.2% of C.H. Robinson Worldwide shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.5% of C.H. Robinson Worldwide shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 13.9% of Proficient Auto Logistics shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

C.H. Robinson Worldwide beats Proficient Auto Logistics on 11 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.

About C.H. Robinson Worldwide

C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides freight transportation services, and related logistics and supply chain services in the United States and internationally. It operates through two segments: North American Surface Transportation and Global Forwarding. The company offers transportation and logistics services, such as truckload, less than truckload transportation brokerage services, which include the shipment of single or multiple pallets of freight; intermodal transportation that comprises the shipment service of freight in containers or trailers by a combination of truck and rail; and non-vessel operating common carrier and freight forwarding services, as well as organizes air shipments and provides door-to-door services. It also provides customs brokerage services; and other logistics services, such as fee-based managed, warehousing, small parcel, and other services. It has contractual relationships with approximately 45,000 transportation companies, including motor carriers, railroads, and ocean and air carriers. In addition, the company is involved in the buying, selling, and/or marketing of fresh fruits, vegetables, and other value-added perishable items under the Robinson Fresh brand name. Further, the company offers transportation management services or managed TMS; and other surface transportation services. It provides its fresh produce to grocery retailers, restaurants, produce wholesalers, and foodservice distributors through a network of independent produce growers and suppliers. The company was founded in 1905 and is headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

About Proficient Auto Logistics

Proficient Auto Logistics, Inc. focuses on providing auto transportation and logistics services in North America. It primarily focuses on transporting and delivering finished vehicles from automotive production facilities, ports of entry, and rail yards to a network of automotive dealerships. The company operates approximately 1,130 auto transport vehicles and trailers, including 615 company-owned transport vehicles and trailers. It serves auto companies, electric vehicle producers, auto dealers, auto auctions, rental car companies, and auto leasing companies. The company was formerly known as AH Acquisition Corp. and changed its name to Proficient Auto Logistics, Inc. in October 2023. The company was incorporated in 2023 and is based in Jacksonville, Florida.