ARCB

Industrials

ArcBest Corporation · Trucking · $3B

UQS Score — Balanced Preset
39.6
Below Average

ArcBest Corporation scores 39.6/100 using the Balanced preset.

UQS vs Industrials Sector
ARCB
39.6
Sector avg
42.4
Quality
Weak
Moat
Weak
Growth
Neutral
Risk
Neutral
Valuation
Good

What is ArcBest Corporation?

ArcBest Corporation is a mid-cap freight transportation and logistics company headquartered in Fort Smith, Arkansas. It serves commercial and government customers across North America through a mix of asset-based trucking and technology-enabled logistics solutions.

ArcBest generates revenue across three segments. Its Asset-Based segment moves general commodities via less-than-truckload services, including cross-border freight into Mexico. The ArcBest segment covers expedited freight, premium logistics, third-party brokerage, international air and ocean shipping, warehousing, and managed transportation. The FleetNet segment provides fleet maintenance and roadside assistance services. Together, these segments position ArcBest as a diversified freight and supply chain partner rather than a pure-play carrier.

ArcBest was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

  • Less-than-truckload freight transportation across North America
  • Expedited and time-critical logistics for commercial and government clients
  • Third-party freight brokerage and intermodal capacity solutions
  • International air, ocean, and ground freight forwarding
  • Fleet maintenance and roadside assistance via FleetNet

Is ARCB a Good Stock to Buy?

UQS Score rates ARCB as Below Average overall, reflecting meaningful headwinds across several key quality dimensions.

The Valuation pillar stands out as a relative bright spot, suggesting the stock may not be pricing in an optimistic scenario — which can matter to value-oriented investors. The Growth and Risk pillars both land at Neutral, meaning neither accelerating expansion nor acute financial stress dominates the near-term picture.

Both the Quality and Moat pillars register as Weak, pointing to limited competitive differentiation and below-average business fundamentals relative to sector peers.

See the exact pillar breakdown and underlying financial metrics by signing up for a UQS Pro account. Sign up free →

Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.

Does ARCB pay dividends?

Yes — ArcBest Corporation pays a dividend.

ArcBest pays a regular dividend, which is relatively uncommon among mid-cap freight companies still investing in network and technology. The dividend signals a degree of financial stability and management's willingness to return capital to shareholders. Income-focused investors may find this a meaningful feature, though the overall UQS profile warrants careful review alongside the payout.

When does ARCB report earnings?

ArcBest reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with standard practice for US-listed equities.

Freight markets have been cyclically pressured in recent periods, and ArcBest's results reflect the broader industry environment. Revenue trends and margin dynamics across the Asset-Based and ArcBest segments are key variables to watch each quarter.

For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit ArcBest's investor relations page directly.

ARCB Price History

+56.0% over 5Y

Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.

Return Calculator

What if I invested in ArcBest Corporation?

$
Today it would be worth
$17,333
That's a +73.3% total return, or +11.6% annualized.

Based on ArcBest Corporation's historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.

ARCB Long-term Outlook

With Growth and Risk both at Neutral, ArcBest's fundamental trajectory appears stable but not particularly dynamic. The company is not in distress, but it also lacks the visible acceleration that would push the Growth pillar higher. Freight cycle recovery and logistics technology adoption could provide tailwinds, while persistent competitive pricing pressure and thin moat characteristics remain structural concerns.

Growth drivers

  • Freight market recovery as industrial and consumer shipping volumes normalize
  • Expansion of managed transportation and brokerage services within the ArcBest segment
  • Cross-border Mexico freight demand supported by nearshoring trends

Key risks

  • Weak moat leaves pricing power vulnerable in a commoditized freight market
  • Cyclical revenue exposure to industrial production and consumer goods shipments
  • Valuation upside may be limited if freight market recovery is slower than expected

ARCB vs Peers

ArcBest competes in a fragmented freight and logistics market alongside a range of asset-based carriers and technology-enabled brokers.

RXOARCB scores higher
RXO, Inc.

RXO focuses primarily on tech-enabled freight brokerage and managed transportation, operating with a lighter asset footprint than ArcBest.

WERNSimilar UQS
Werner Enterprises, Inc.

Werner is a truckload-focused carrier with a strong dedicated contract business, contrasting with ArcBest's LTL and multi-modal mix.

MTL.TOARCB scores lower
Mullen Group Ltd.

Mullen Group operates primarily in Canada with a decentralized trucking and logistics model, giving it a distinct geographic and structural profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does ArcBest Corporation do?

ArcBest provides freight transportation and integrated logistics services. Its core business includes less-than-truckload shipping, expedited freight, third-party brokerage, international air and ocean forwarding, warehousing, and fleet maintenance. It serves both commercial and government customers across North America and internationally.

Does ARCB pay dividends?

Yes, ArcBest pays a regular dividend. This is a notable feature for a mid-cap freight company, as many peers in the sector prioritize reinvestment over distributions. Investors should review the current dividend details on ArcBest's investor relations page for the latest payout information.

When does ARCB report earnings?

ArcBest reports earnings quarterly, in line with standard US-listed company practice. Specific dates are not covered by our data source. For the most current earnings schedule, check ArcBest's investor relations page or a financial calendar service.

Is ARCB a good stock to buy?

UQS Score rates ARCB as Below Average overall. The Valuation pillar is a relative positive, while Quality and Moat both register as Weak. Whether ARCB fits a portfolio depends on individual risk tolerance and investment goals. The full pillar breakdown is available to UQS Pro members.

Is ARCB overvalued?

The UQS Valuation pillar for ARCB is rated Good, suggesting the stock is not obviously expensive relative to its fundamentals. However, a favorable valuation label alone does not offset the Weak Quality and Moat scores. Pro members can view the complete valuation metrics behind this rating.

How does ARCB compare to its competitors?

ArcBest competes with carriers and brokers including RXO, Werner Enterprises, and Mullen Group. Each competitor has a distinct model — RXO leans on brokerage technology, Werner on truckload contracts, and Mullen on Canadian regional operations. ArcBest's multi-segment structure differentiates it but does not yet translate into a strong moat rating.

What is ARCB's market cap bracket?

ARCB is classified as a mid-cap stock. This places it in a tier that typically offers more liquidity than small-caps while remaining more sensitive to sector cycles than large-cap freight and logistics leaders.

Who founded ArcBest Corporation?

ArcBest was founded in 1992. The company traces its roots to ABF Freight System, a long-established less-than-truckload carrier. Detailed founding history is publicly available through ArcBest's corporate website and investor relations materials.

Is ARCB a long-term quality investment?

As a long-term quality indicator, the UQS Score for ARCB is Below Average, driven by Weak Quality and Moat pillars. Long-term compounders typically require durable competitive advantages and strong business fundamentals — areas where ARCB currently scores below sector peers. Pro members can track how these scores evolve over time.

What is the main competitive advantage of ArcBest?

ArcBest's breadth across LTL, expedited freight, brokerage, and international logistics gives it a multi-modal service offering that some single-mode carriers cannot match. However, the UQS Moat pillar rates this advantage as Weak, indicating the company has not yet translated its service range into durable pricing power or above-average returns.

What sector does ARCB belong to?

ARCB belongs to the Industrials sector, specifically within freight transportation and logistics. The sector is cyclically sensitive, meaning ArcBest's results tend to track broader trends in manufacturing output, consumer goods shipments, and supply chain activity.

Is ARCB a growth stock or value stock?

Based on UQS pillar labels, ARCB shows a Neutral Growth profile and a Good Valuation rating — a combination that leans more toward value than growth. It does not exhibit the accelerating revenue or earnings expansion typically associated with growth stocks, but it may appeal to investors seeking a freight name that is not priced for perfection.

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Pro Analysis

ARCB — Score History

3035404550Apr 2Apr 12Apr 22May 2May 12May 22May 24v5
Score changes· 30/36 most recent
DateUQSQualityMoatGrowthRiskValueChange
May 21, 202639.524.920.047.251.573.9-0.2
May 20, 202639.724.920.047.251.575.5+0.3
May 17, 202639.424.420.047.251.574.00.0
May 16, 202639.424.420.047.251.574.2-0.6
May 15, 202640.025.720.047.251.576.2-0.3
May 14, 202640.325.720.047.251.578.3+0.3
May 13, 202640.024.920.047.251.577.3+0.2
May 12, 202639.824.920.047.251.575.8+0.3
May 11, 202639.524.620.047.251.574.8-0.8
May 10, 202640.326.920.047.251.575.9+2.7

ARCB — Pillar Breakdown

Quality

24.9/100 (25%)

ArcBest Corporation currently shows below-average quality metrics, suggesting challenges with profitability.

Capital Efficiency (ROIC)Weak

How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.

Return on EquityWeak

Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.

Operating ProfitabilityWeak

Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.

Net ProfitabilityWeak

Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.

Gross Profit / AssetsWeak

Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.

Cash GenerationStrong

Free cash flow relative to market value.

Growth

47.2/100 (20%)

ArcBest Corporation shows steady but unspectacular growth, typical for mature companies.

Recent Revenue TrendWeak

Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.

3Y Revenue CAGRWeak

Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.

EPS GrowthWeak

Year-over-year earnings per share growth.

Forward Revenue OutlookStrong

Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.

Forward EPS GrowthStrong

Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.

Risk

51.5/100 (15%)

ArcBest Corporation has some risk factors including moderate leverage or solvency concerns.

Financial LeverageModerate

Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.

Debt/EquityStrong

Total debt relative to shareholder equity.

Current RatioWeak

Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.

Interest CoverageWeak

Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.

Valuation

74.5/100 (15%)

ArcBest Corporation trades at a reasonable valuation with decent earnings yield and FCF multiples.

Earnings YieldModerate

Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.

Price to Free Cash FlowModerate

How many years of FCF the market cap represents.

PEG RatioStrong

P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.

EV/EBITDA vs SectorModerate

Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.

Moat

20/100 (25%)

ArcBest Corporation operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for ARCB.

Score Composition

Quality
24.9×25%6.2
Growth
47.2×20%9.4
Risk
51.5×15%7.7
Valuation
74.5×15%11.2
Moat
20.0×25%5.0
Total
39.6Below Average

Financial Data

More Stock Analysis

How is the ARCB UQS Score Calculated?

The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for ArcBest Corporation is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.

Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.

Moat (25%) assesses ArcBest Corporation's competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.

Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.

Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.

Valuation (15%) measures whether ArcBest Corporation is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.

Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.