Quarterly earnings results are a good time to check in on a company’s progress, especially compared to its peers in the same sector. Today we are looking at Heartland Express (NASDAQ: HTLD) and the best and worst performers in the ground transportation industry.

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 strong Q2. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.7%.

While some ground transportation stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 4.4% since the latest earnings results.

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 $184.1 million, down 12.5% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 2.2%. Overall, it was a mixed quarter for the company with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Heartland Express Chief Executive Officer Mike Gerdin commented on the quarterly operating results and ongoing initiatives of the Company, "Our consolidated operating results for the three months ended June 30, 2026, reflect significant operating ratio improvement (91.0%) as compared to the second quarter of 2025 (105.9%) and sequential non-GAAP adjusted operating ratio(1) improvement in each quarter since the first quarter of 2025. We are pleased with our operational improvements and profitability as we continue toward our foundational goal of an operating ratio of 85.0% or lower and return to a debt-free balance sheet. The improved financial results delivered reflect stronger freight volumes and improved customer pricing resulting from ongoing industry capacity reductions along with reduced operating costs and strategic disposals of under-utilized assets. We expect to rely on our positive cash flows from operations to make a significant investment in our fleet of tractors and trailers over the remainder of the year along with additional reductions of the remaining acquisition-related debt."

Heartland Express delivered the slowest revenue growth in the group. The market seems disappointed with the results as the stock is down 5.1% since reporting and currently trades at $12.33.

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

Best Q2: 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 $1.77 billion, up 25% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 7.9%. The business had an incredible quarter with EBITDA guidance for next quarter exceeding analysts’ expectations and a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

RXO delivered the biggest analyst estimate beat and fastest revenue growth among its peers. Although it had a fine quarter compared to its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 7.3% since reporting. It currently trades at $19.48.

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

Weakest Q2: 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 $933.9 million, up 24% year on year, in line with analysts’ expectations. It was a slower quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates and adjusted operating income in line with analysts’ estimates.

As expected, the stock is down 2.7% since the results and currently trades at $37.28.

Read our full analysis of Werner’s results here.

Old Dominion Freight Line (NASDAQ: ODFL)

With its name deriving from the Commonwealth of Virginia’s nickname, Old Dominion (NASDAQ: ODFL) delivers less-than-truckload (LTL) and full-container load freight.

Old Dominion Freight Line reported revenues of $1.55 billion, up 10.4% year on year. This print topped analysts’ expectations by 0.7%. It was a strong quarter as it also recorded a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

The stock is down 20.4% since reporting and currently trades at $180.07.

Read our full, actionable report on Old Dominion Freight Line here, it’s free.

Landstar (NASDAQ: LSTR)

Covering billions of miles throughout North America, Landstar (NASDAQ: LSTR) is a transportation company specializing in freight and last-mile delivery services.

Landstar reported revenues of $1.43 billion, up 18.1% year on year. This number beat analysts’ expectations by 7%. Overall, it was a strong quarter for the company.

The stock is down 6.8% since reporting and currently trades at $172.80.

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

Market Update

Over the past year, investors have been forced to repeatedly answer the same question: what is the market’s biggest risk? The answer has changed several times, and each shift has reshaped market leadership.

Late in 2025 and early 2026, artificial intelligence became the market’s primary uncertainty. Investors questioned whether AI would erode software pricing power and weaken competitive moats as AI made it easier to replicate once-differentiated products.

By the spring, technology took a back seat to geopolitics. The U.S. conflict with Iran briefly became the market’s dominant narrative, raising concerns about oil prices, inflation, and global growth. But as energy markets remained orderly and fears of a prolonged supply disruption faded, investors quickly turned their focus back to fundamentals.

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