ODFL

Looking for a stock that has been consistently beating earnings estimates and might be well positioned to keep the streak alive in its next quarterly report? Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL), which belongs to the Zacks Transportation - Truck industry, could be a great candidate to consider. When looking at the last two reports, this trucking company has recorded a strong streak of surpassing earnings estimates. The company has topped estimates by 9.55%, on average, in the last two quarters. For the most recent quarter, Old Dominion was expected to post earnings of $1.52 per share, but it reported $1.68 per share instead, representing a surprise of 10.53%. For the previous quarter, the consensus estimate was $1.05 per share, while it actually produced $1.14 per share, a surprise of 8.57%. Thanks in part to this history, there has been a favorable change in earnings estimates for Old Dominion lately. In fact, the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) for the stock is positive, which is a great indicator of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with its solid Zacks Rank. Our research shows that stocks with the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time. In other words, if you have 10 stocks with this combination, the number of stocks that beat the consensus estimate could be as high as seven. The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a version of the Zacks Consensus whose definition is related to change. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier. Old Dominion has an Earnings ESP of +0.25% at the moment, suggesting that analysts have grown bullish on its near-term earnings potential. When you combine this positive Earnings ESP with the stock's Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), it shows that another beat is possibly around the corner. The company's next earnings report is expected to be released on October 28, 2026. Investors should note, however, that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss, but a negative value does reduce the predictive power of this metric. Many companies end up beating the consensus EPS estimate, though this is not the only reason why their shares gain. Additionally, some stocks may remain stable even if they end up missing the consensus estimate. Because of this, it's really important to check a company's Earnings ESP ahead of its quarterly release to increase the odds of success. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (ODFL) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

THOMASVILLE, N.C., October 22, 2026--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (Nasdaq: ODFL) today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.29 per share of common stock, payable on December 16, 2026, to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 2, 2026. This dividend payment represents a 3.6% increase to the quarterly cash dividend paid in December 2025. Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We caution the reader that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to be materially different from those expressed or implied herein, including, but not limited to, the following: (1) the challenges associated with executing our growth strategy, and developing, marketing and consistently delivering high-quality services that meet customer expectations; (2) various economic factors such as inflationary pressures or downturns in the domestic economy, and our inability to sufficiently increase our customer rates to offset the increase in our costs; (3) changes in our relationships with significant customers; (4) our exposure to claims related to cargo loss and damage, property damage, personal injury, workers' compensation and healthcare, increased self-insured retention or deductible levels or premiums for excess coverage, and claims in excess of insured coverage levels; (5) reductions in the available supply or increases in the cost of equipment and parts; (6) higher costs for or limited availability of suitable real estate; (7) the availability and cost of third-party transportation used to supplement our workforce and equipment needs; (8) fluctuations in the availability and price of diesel fuel and our ability to collect fuel surcharges, as well as the effectiveness of those fuel surcharges in mitigating the impact of fluctuating prices for diesel fuel and other petroleum-based products; (9) seasonal trends in the less-than-truckload ("LTL") industry, harsh weather conditions and disasters; (10) the availability and cost of capital for our significant ongoing cash requirements; (11) decreases in demand for, and the value of, used equipment; (12) our ability to successfully consummate and integrate acquisitions; (13) various risks arising from our international business relationships; (14) the costs and potential adverse impact of compliance with anti-terrorism measures on our business; (15) the competitive environment with respect to our industry, including pricing pressures; (16) changes in international trade policies, including with respect to tariffs; (17) our customers' and suppliers' businesses may be impacted by various economic factors such as recessions, inflation, downturns in the economy, global uncertainty and instability, changes in U.S. social, political, and regulatory conditions or a disruption of financial markets, which may decrease demand for our services or increase our costs; (18) the negative impact of any unionization, or the passage of legislation or regulations that could facilitate unionization, of our employees; (19) increases in the cost of employee compensation and benefit packages used to address general labor market challenges and to attract or retain qualified employees, including drivers and maintenance technicians; (20) our ability to retain our key employees and continue to effectively execute our succession plan; (21) potential costs and liabilities associated with cyber incidents and other risks with respect to our information technology systems or those of our third-party service providers, including system failure, security breach, disruption by malware or ransomware or other damage; (22) the failure to adapt to new technologies implemented by our competitors in the LTL and transportation industry, which could negatively affect our ability to compete; (23) the failure to keep pace with developments in technology, any disruption to our technology infrastructure, or failures of essential services upon which our technology platforms rely, which could cause us to incur costs or result in a loss of business; (24) disruption in the operational and technical services (including software as a service) provided to us by third parties, which could result in operational delays and/or increased costs; (25) the Compliance, Safety, Accountability initiative of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration ("FMCSA"), which could adversely impact our ability to hire qualified drivers, meet our growth projections and maintain our customer relationships; (26) the costs and potential adverse impact of compliance with, or violations of, current and future rules issued by the Department of Transportation, the FMCSA and other regulatory agencies; (27) the costs and potential liabilities related to compliance with, or violations of, existing or future governmental laws and regulations, including environmental laws; (28) the effects of legal, regulatory or market responses to climate change concerns; (29) emissions-control and fuel efficiency regulations that could substantially increase operating expenses; (30) varied stakeholder expectations relating to evolving sustainability considerations and related reporting obligations; (31) the increase in costs associated with healthcare and other mandated benefits; (32) the costs and potential liabilities related to legal proceedings and claims, governmental inquiries, notices and investigations; (33) the impact of changes in tax laws, rates, guidance and interpretations; (34) the concentration of our stock ownership with the Congdon family; (35) the ability or the failure to declare and pay future cash dividends; (36) fluctuations in the amount and frequency of our stock repurchases; (37) volatility in the market value of our common stock; (38) the impact of certain provisions in our articles of incorporation, bylaws, and Virginia law that could discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of us or a change in our management; and (39) other risks and uncertainties described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the SEC. Our forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs and assumptions using information available at the time the statements are made. We caution the reader not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements as (i) these statements are neither a prediction nor a guarantee of future events or circumstances and (ii) the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and projections about future events may differ materially from actual results. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect developments occurring after the statement is made, except to the extent required by law. Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. is one of the largest North American LTL motor carriers and provides regional, inter-regional and national LTL services through a single integrated, union-free organization. Our service offerings, which include expedited transportation, are provided through an expansive network of service centers located throughout the continental United States. Through strategic alliances, we also provide LTL services throughout North America. In addition to our core LTL services, we offer a range of value-added services including container drayage, truckload brokerage and supply chain consulting. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261022154802/en/ Contacts Adam N. Satterfield Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (336) 822-5721

Marten Transport, Ltd. (MRTN) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.04 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.06 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.03 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items. This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of -33.33%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this company would post earnings of $0.07 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.07, delivering no surprise. Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates just once. Marten Transport, which belongs to the Zacks Transportation - Truck industry, posted revenues of $223.23 million for the quarter ended September 2026, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.36%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $220.47 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates just once over the last four quarters. The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call. Marten Transport shares have added about 11.3% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 13.3%. While Marten Transport has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock? There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately. Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions. Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Marten Transport was unfavorable. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to underperform the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $0.10 on $243 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $0.24 on $900 million in revenues for the current fiscal year. Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Transportation - Truck is currently in the top 43% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1. One other stock from the same industry, Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL), is yet to report results for the quarter ended September 2026. The results are expected to be released on October 28. This trucking company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.61 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +25.8%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 1.8% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. Old Dominion Freight Line's revenues are expected to be $1.56 billion, up 10.7% from the year-ago quarter. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Marten Transport, Ltd. (MRTN) : Free Stock Analysis Report Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (ODFL) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

The market expects Saia (SAIA) to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended September 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook is important in assessing the company's earnings picture, but a powerful factor that might influence its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates. The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on October 29. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower. While management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call will mostly determine the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations, it's worth having a handicapping insight into the odds of a positive EPS surprise. This trucking company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $3.31 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +17.8%. Revenues are expected to be $973.81 million, up 16% from the year-ago quarter. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.18% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period. Investors should keep in mind that the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts may not always get reflected in the aggregate change. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Estimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. Our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) -- has this insight at its core. The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier. Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only. A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP. Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell). For Saia, the Most Accurate Estimate is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bearish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -0.01%. On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3. So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Saia will beat the consensus EPS estimate. Analysts often consider to what extent a company has been able to match consensus estimates in the past while calculating their estimates for its future earnings. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number. For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Saia would post earnings of $3.34 per share when it actually produced earnings of $3.51, delivering a surprise of +5.09%. Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates three times. An earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss. That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported. Saia doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release. Another stock from the Zacks Transportation - Truck industry, Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL), is soon expected to post earnings of $1.61 per share for the quarter ended September 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +25.8%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $1.56 billion, up 10.7% from the year-ago quarter. The consensus EPS estimate for Old Dominion has been revised 1.8% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. However, a higher Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +0.25%. This Earnings ESP, combined with its Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), suggests that Old Dominion will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate. The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters. Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Saia, Inc. (SAIA) : Free Stock Analysis Report Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (ODFL) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

With a market cap of $39.2 billion, Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (ODFL) is one of North America's largest less-than-truckload (LTL) freight carriers, transporting shipments that do not require an entire truck. The Thomasville, North Carolina-based company provides regional, interregional, and nationwide freight transportation, along with expedited shipping, container drayage, truckload brokerage, and supply chain consulting services. The company is scheduled to release its fiscal Q3 2026 results before the market opens on Wednesday, Oct. 28. Aheadof this event, analysts forecast ODFL to post an EPS of $1.61, a rise of 25.8% from $1.28 in the year-ago quarter. It has surpassed Wall Street's earnings estimates in each of the last four quarters. - 'No Question Tesla's Going to Merge With SpaceX' — Kevin O'Leary Says If You Own Tesla Stock, You'll Own the New Company After Flying Roadster Demo - Jensen Huang Says the Next Wave of AI Is Physical. Forget Nvidia and Tesla, I'd Bet on These 2 Mid-Cap Stocks Instead. - AST SpaceMobile Stock Gets a New Catalyst. Wall Street Sees 93% Upside. - Markets move fast. Keep up by reading our FREE midday Barchart Brief newsletter for exclusive charts, analysis, and headlines. For fiscal 2026, analysts expect the trucking company to report an EPS of $5.86, up 21.1% from $4.84 in fiscal 2025. Moreover, EPS is anticipated to surge 14.9% year over year to $6.73 in fiscal 2027. Shares of Old Dominion Freight Line have returned 30.9% over the past 52 weeks, outperforming the S&P 500 Index's ($SPX) 15.2% gain and the State Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF's (XLI) 8.7% increase over the same period. Old Dominion Freight Line has outpaced the broader market over the past year, supported by strong earnings growth, improving operating efficiency, and resilient pricing. On Oct. 15, ODFL shares rose 2.5% after Raymond James Financial, Inc. (RJF) lowered its price target to $215 from $241 while maintaining an "Outperform" rating. Despite the price cut, the analyst cited improving truckload fundamentals, including a 31.5% year-over-year increase in spot rates and a favorable 40-cent-per-mile spot rate-to-cost spread, which could support higher contract rates and stronger margins for asset-based carriers. Analysts' consensus view on ODFL stock is cautiously bullish, with a "Moderate Buy" rating overall. Among 25 analysts covering the stock, nine recommend "Strong Buy," one "Moderate Buy," 14 suggest "Hold," and one advise "Strong Sell." The average analyst price target of $224.83 is a premium of 19% to current levels. On the date of publication, Kritika Sarmah did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com

Norfolk Southern Corporation NSC is scheduled to release third-quarter 2026 results on Oct. 22, before market open. The railroad exits the September-end quarter amid inflationary cost pressure, network-efficiency challenges and uncertainty surrounding parts of the freight market. Higher wages, competitive pressure following the merger announcement and softer international intermodal trends might have weighed on profitability despite strength in select end markets. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NSC's third-quarter 2026 earnings has been revised downward by 0.57% over the past 60 days to $3.48 per share. The consensus mark for earnings implies a 5.45% rise from the year-ago actuals. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NSC's third-quarter 2026 revenues is pegged at $3.46 billion, indicating an increase of 11.6% year over year. Norfolk Southern has an encouraging earnings surprise history. The company's earnings outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average beat of 8.54%. Norfolk Southern Corporation price-eps-surprise | Norfolk Southern Corporation Quote Higher Labor Costs: Wage inflation is likely to have pressured Norfolk Southern's third-quarter expenses. Management indicated that an approximately 4% wage increase took effect in July, which was expected to temper some of the sequential cost benefits entering the quarter. Competitive Volume Pressure: The competitive environment associated with Norfolk Southern's proposed merger is likely to have remained a headwind. The company specifically noted that the enhanced competitive environment following the merger announcement was expected to adversely affect volumes in the short and medium term. Management also acknowledged that earlier share losses affected intermodal growth, creating another difficult comparison for the business. International Intermodal Uncertainty: Tariff and trade uncertainty might have constrained international intermodal volumes. While domestic intermodal demand benefited from tighter trucking capacity, management noted that trade-related uncertainty continued to weigh on international volumes. Network and Cost Challenges: Higher volumes and network disruptions had previously placed pressure on crew resources and network fluidity. Although operating metrics were improving entering the third quarter, management was still focused on reducing terminal dwell, improving train velocity and addressing resource constraints. Inflationary pressure also remained evident across compensation, purchased services and materials, which could have limited margin improvement. Our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Norfolk Southern this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. But that is not the case here. Norfolk Southern has an Earnings ESP of -0.10% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they're reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. Norfolk Southern reported adjusted second-quarter 2026 earnings of $3.52 per share, which increased 7% year over year and surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.23 by 9%. Railway operating revenues rose 11% to a record $3.47 billion, beating the consensus mark of $3.32 billion by 4.4%. The top-line gain reflected 4% volume growth, stronger revenue per unit and higher fuel surcharges. Total units reached 1.86 million, while adjusted income from railway operations increased 5% to $1.20 billion. Here are a few stocks from the broader Zacks Transportation sector that investors may consider, as our model shows that they have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings this reporting cycle. Old Dominion Freight Line ODFL has an Earnings ESP of +0.25% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. ODFL is scheduled to report third-quarter 2026 earnings on Oct. 28. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter 2026 earnings has been revised upward by 0.63% over the past 60 days. ODFL's earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the preceding four quarters, with the average beat being 6.71%. Kirby Corporation KEX has an Earnings ESP of +1.87% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present. KEX is scheduled to report third-quarter 2026 earnings on Oct. 28. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter 2026 earnings has been revised upward by 0.51% to $1.96 per share over the past 60 days. KEX's earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the preceding four quarters and missed the mark on the other occasion. The average beat is 2.86%. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) : Free Stock Analysis Report Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (ODFL) : Free Stock Analysis Report Kirby Corporation (KEX) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL) is expected to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended September 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price. The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on October 28. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower. While management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call will mostly determine the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations, it's worth having a handicapping insight into the odds of a positive EPS surprise. This trucking company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.61 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +25.8%. Revenues are expected to be $1.56 billion, up 10.7% from the year-ago quarter. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 1.82% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period. Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Estimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. Our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) -- has this insight at its core. The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier. Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only. A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP. Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell). For Old Dominion, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +0.25%. On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #2. So, this combination indicates that Old Dominion will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate. While calculating estimates for a company's future earnings, analysts often consider to what extent it has been able to match past consensus estimates. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number. For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Old Dominion would post earnings of $1.52 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.68, delivering a surprise of +10.53%. Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates four times. An earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss. That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported. Old Dominion appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release. Landstar System (LSTR), another stock in the Zacks Transportation - Truck industry, is expected to report earnings per share of $1.62 for the quarter ended September 2026. This estimate points to a year-over-year change of +32.8%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $1.48 billion, up 22.7% from the year-ago quarter. Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for Landstar has been revised 0.1% down to the current level. Nevertheless, the company now has an Earnings ESP of +4.84%, reflecting a higher Most Accurate Estimate. When combined with a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold), this Earnings ESP indicates that Landstar will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate. Over the last four quarters, the company surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (ODFL) : Free Stock Analysis Report Landstar System, Inc. (LSTR) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. ODFL is scheduled to release third-quarter 2026 results on Oct. 28, before market open. The company exits the September-end quarter amid improving freight demand, disciplined pricing and continued operational efficiency. Better tonnage trends, strong service levels and ample network capacity are likely to have supported profitable revenue growth during the quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter 2026 earnings has been revised upward by 0.63% over the past 60 days to $1.61 per share. The consensus mark indicates a 25.78% increase from third-quarter 2025 actuals. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter 2026 revenues is pegged at $1.56 billion, indicating a 10.68% increase from the third quarter of 2025 actuals. Old Dominion has an encouraging earnings surprise history. The company's earnings have outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average beat of 6.71%. Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. price-eps-surprise | Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. Quote Improving Demand Trends: Freight demand is likely to have remained supportive in the third quarter. Management noted that demand continued to improve and that July tonnage trends were significantly better than normal seasonality. The company indicated that, if momentum continued, third-quarter revenues could increase around 10% year over year. Yield Discipline: Old Dominion's disciplined pricing strategy is likely to have aided revenues and margins. Management expected third-quarter LTL revenue per hundredweight, excluding fuel surcharges, to improve 4-4.5%, supported by its continued focus on revenue quality and account-level profitability. Strong Service and Available Capacity: Superior service levels and excess capacity might have helped ODFL capture incremental freight opportunities. The company maintained 99% on-time service with a claims ratio of just 0.1%, while management said it had sufficient service-center, equipment and labor capacity to accommodate additional growth. Operating Leverage: Improving volumes without a corresponding increase in headcount could have supported profitability. Management noted that it handled a 4% sequential increase in tonnage with essentially the same workforce and expected incremental margins of roughly 45-50% on revenue growth entering the third quarter. Our proven model predicts an earnings beat for Old Dominion this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. ODFL has an Earnings ESP of +0.25% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they're reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. Old Dominion reported second-quarter 2026 earnings of $1.68 per share, up 32.3% year over year. The figure beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.52 by 10.5%. Revenues rose 10.4% to $1.55 billion and inched past the consensus mark of $1.54 billion by 0.8%. The upside reflected stronger yield, with LTL revenue per hundredweight increasing 15.2%, despite lower freight volumes. Here are a few stocks from the broader Zacks Transportation sector that investors may consider, as our model shows that they also have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings this reporting cycle. United Parcel Service UPS has an Earnings ESP of +0.95% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. UPS is scheduled to report third-quarter 2026 earnings on Oct. 28. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter 2026 earnings has remained flat at $1.63 per share over the past 60 days. UPS' earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the preceding four quarters, with the average beat being 12.4%. Kirby Corporation KEX has an Earnings ESP of +1.87% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present. KEX is scheduled to report third-quarter 2026 earnings on Oct. 28. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter 2026 earnings has been revised upward by 0.51% to $1.96 per share over the past 60 days. KEX's earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the preceding four quarters and missed the mark on the other occasion. The average beat is 2.86%. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (ODFL) : Free Stock Analysis Report United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS) : Free Stock Analysis Report Kirby Corporation (KEX) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

JetBlue Airways Corporation JBLU is scheduled to release third-quarter 2026 results on Oct. 27, before the market opens. The airline exits the September-end quarter amid elevated fuel costs, continued non-fuel expense pressure and operational challenges. Although demand remained resilient, higher fuel prices, labor and maintenance expenses and air-traffic-control constraints are likely to have weighed on profitability. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for JBLU's third-quarter 2026 loss per share has widened in the past 60 days to 52 cents from 41 cents. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for JBLU's third-quarter 2026 revenues is pegged at $2.82 billion, indicating 21.54% growth year over year. JBLU has a discouraging earnings surprise history, having outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the preceding four quarters, and missing twice in the remaining two, with the average miss being 4.26%. JetBlue Airways Corporation price-eps-surprise | JetBlue Airways Corporation Quote Elevated Fuel Costs: Higher fuel expenses are likely to have remained a major headwind for JetBlue. The company had expected an average third-quarter fuel price of $3.49 per gallon. Management noted that it had recaptured nearly 50% of higher fuel costs and expected further progress, suggesting that fuel inflation had still not been fully offset during the quarter. Non-Fuel Cost Pressure: Rising operating expenses are also likely to have hurt the bottom line. JetBlue had guided for third-quarter CASM ex-fuel growth of 2.5-4.5% year over year. Labor, maintenance and other operating expenses are likely to have remained important cost pressures as the airline continues investing in its operations and JetForward initiatives. The company's filings also highlight increased maintenance costs associated with fleet age and higher salaries, wages and benefits as ongoing risks. Operational Challenges: Operational disruptions may have further pressured results. Management described July as operationally challenging because of weather, air-traffic-control staffing constraints and other disruptions. The company's third-quarter outlook had assumed completion factors would return to historical levels during the balance of the quarter, leaving execution dependent on improved operating conditions. High Interest Burden: JetBlue's sizable debt load continues to constrain earnings. As of June 30, 2026, the company had about $8.48 billion of debt and finance lease obligations, while its full-year outlook contemplated approximately $590 million of interest expense. The elevated financing burden is likely to have remained a drag on the bottom line. Our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for JetBlue this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. But that is not the case here. JetBlue has an Earnings ESP of -6.22% and a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) at present. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they're reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. JetBlue Airways reported a second-quarter 2026 loss of 66 cents per share, narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 70 cents. The result marked a 5.7% earnings surprise, though the loss widened from a year ago. Operating revenues of $2.7 billion beat the consensus estimate by 0.1% and rose 14.5% year over year. Strong demand and commercial execution lifted revenue per available seat mile, or RASM, 10.9%. Here are a few stocks from the broader Zacks Transportation sector that investors may consider, as our model shows that they have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings this reporting cycle. Old Dominion Freight Line ODFL has an Earnings ESP of +0.25% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. ODFL is scheduled to report third-quarter 2026 earnings on Oct. 28. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter 2026 earnings has been revised upward by 0.63% over the past 60 days. The company's earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the preceding four quarters, with the average beat being 6.71%. Kirby Corporation KEX has an Earnings ESP of +1.87% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present. KEX is scheduled to report third-quarter 2026 earnings on Oct. 28. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter 2026 earnings has been revised upward by 0.51% to $1.96 per share over the past 60 days. KEX's earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the preceding four quarters and met the mark on the other occasion. The average beat is 2.86%. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report JetBlue Airways Corporation (JBLU) : Free Stock Analysis Report Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (ODFL) : Free Stock Analysis Report Kirby Corporation (KEX) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

American Airlines Group Inc. AAL is scheduled to report third-quarter 2026results on Oct. 22, before market open. American Airlines has an encouraging earnings surprise history. The company's earnings outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters (missed the mark in the remaining quarter), delivering an average beat of 97.57%. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Let's see how things have shaped up for American Airlines this earnings season. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AAL's third-quarter 2026 loss has been revised downward by more than 100% in the past 60 days to 28 cents per share. Moreover, the consensus mark implies a downside of 64.71% from the year-ago actual. The consensus estimate lies within the company-provided guidance between a loss of 70 cents and a loss of 10 cents per share. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research We expect high fuel costs to have dented AAL's bottom-line performance in the September quarter. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has sharply raised oil prices. This has been naturally hurting the bottom line of airlines because fuel expenses represent a key input cost for airlines. With most U.S. carriers having abandoned fuel hedging strategies, such an oil supply disruption has left them fully exposed to price spikes. The company's outlook assumes an average fuel cost of $3.75 per gallon for the third quarter. Escalated labor and airport costs are likely to have negatively impacted the company's bottom-line performance in the September quarter. AAL expects to continue experiencing increased cost pressure from the labor agreements and deals inked with the pilots. We expect operating costs to increase 18.8% in third-quarter 2026 from third-quarter 2025 actuals. Management expects third-quarter cost per available seat mile, excluding fuel, special items and profit sharing, to rise 2.5-4.5%. High debt remains a concern. Despite the sharp rise in jet fuel prices, solid bookings are likely to have aided AAL's top-line performance in the September quarter. American Airlines continues to broaden its network while focusing on profitable hub growth. Renegotiated agency contracts and restored distribution relationships are helping American Airlines regain higher-value customers. Overall, AAL continues to benefit from network optimization, premium demand, corporate recovery, loyalty growth and customer investments, supporting durable revenue gains and long-term earnings recovery prospects. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AAL's third-quarter 2026 revenues is pegged at $16.20 billion, indicating 18.35% growth year over year. Management anticipates third-quarter 2026 revenues to increase 16% to 19% year over year, with capacity projected to surge 3-5% year over year. Our estimate for passenger revenues in the to-be-reported quarter indicates an 18.4% increase from third-quarter 2025 actual. Our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for American Airlines this time. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat, which is not the case here. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. American Airlines has an Earnings ESP of -2.66% and a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) at present. American Airlines Group Inc. price-eps-surprise | American Airlines Group Inc. Quote American Airlines reported second-quarter 2026 earnings of 15 cents per share (excluding 4 cents from non-recurring items), down 84.2% year over year but well above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 3 cents. The result represented a 400% earnings surprise. Operating revenues rose 16.3% to a record $16.74 billion and surpassed the consensus mark of $16.70 billion by 0.2%. Revenue growth was strong across all entities and cabins, with premium, Main Cabin, domestic and international all increasing meaningfully year over year. Total revenue per available seat mile increased 10.3%. Here are a few stocks from the broader Zacks Transportation sector that investors may consider, as our model shows that they have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings this reporting cycle. Old Dominion Freight Line ODFL has an Earnings ESP of +0.25% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. ODFL is scheduled to report third-quarter 2026 earnings on Oct. 28. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter 2026 earnings has been revised upward by 0.63% over the past 60 days. ODFL's earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the preceding four quarters, with the average beat being 6.71%. Kirby Corporation KEX has an Earnings ESP of +1.87% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present. KEX is scheduled to report third-quarter 2026 earnings on Oct. 28. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter 2026 earnings has been revised upward by 0.51% to $1.96 per share over the past 60 days. KEX's earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the preceding four quarters and met the mark on the other occasion. The average beat is 2.86%. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report American Airlines Group Inc. (AAL) : Free Stock Analysis Report Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (ODFL) : Free Stock Analysis Report Kirby Corporation (KEX) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

Ryder System, Inc. R is scheduled to release third-quarter 2026 results on Oct. 22, before market open. The company exits the September-end quarter amid continued benefits from its strategic initiatives, improving used-vehicle market conditions and strong contractual sales activity. Higher rental utilization and a healthy pipeline across Fleet Management and Dedicated Transportation are also likely to have supported the quarter's performance. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for R's soon-to-be-reported quarter's earnings has remained flat at $4.17 per share over the past 60 days. Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Ryder's third-quarter 2026 revenues is pegged at $3.37 billion, indicating 6.36% growth year over year. Ryder has an impressive earnings surprise history. The company's earnings outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters and missed once in the remaining, delivering an average surprise of 2.53%. Ryder System, Inc. price-eps-surprise | Ryder System, Inc. Quote Strategic Initiatives to Aid Earnings: Ryder's multiyear strategic initiatives are likely to have remained a key earnings driver in 2026. The company anticipates $70 million of incremental benefits this year from lease pricing and maintenance savings in Fleet Management, the Flex operating structure in Dedicated and omnichannel network optimization in Supply Chain. Improving Used-Vehicle Market: Better used-vehicle market conditions are likely to have supported Fleet Management results. Ryder raised its full-year expectation for used-vehicle gains to approximately $40 million, reflecting an additional $10 million benefit. Management also expected continued improvement in used-vehicle pricing during the second half of 2026. Strong Contractual Sales Activity: Contractual businesses are likely to have provided further support. Management reported strong sales activity across all three segments, while the Dedicated pipeline reached record levels as tighter industry capacity encouraged customers to consider dedicated solutions. Rental Trends Improving: Commercial rental utilization returned to Ryder's targeted 75% level, while management expected rental demand to continue building through the second half. Improving utilization, coupled with the company's reduced rental fleet, may have supported Fleet Management profitability. Ryder projected third-quarter comparable EPS of $4-$4.20, above the year-ago figure of $3.57. Our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Ryder this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. Ryder has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they're reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. Ryder reported impressive second-quarter 2026 results, wherein both earnings and revenues surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Quarterly earnings per share (EPS) of $3.73 beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.70 and improved 12.4% year over year, reflecting share repurchases and higher earnings in the Fleet Management Solutions segment. Total revenues of $3.35 billion beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.31 billion and rose 5% year over year. Operating revenues of $2.69 billion increased 3% year over year. Here are a few stocks from the broader Zacks Transportation sector that investors may consider, as our model shows that they have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings this reporting cycle. Old Dominion Freight Line ODFL has an Earnings ESP of +0.25% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. ODFL is scheduled to report third-quarter 2026 earnings on Oct. 28. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter 2026 earnings has been revised upward by 0.63% over the past 60 days. ODFL's earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the preceding four quarters, with the average beat being 6.71%. Kirby Corporation KEX has an Earnings ESP of +1.87% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present. KEX is scheduled to report third-quarter 2026 earnings on Oct. 28. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter 2026 earnings has been revised upward by 0.51% to $1.96 per share over the past 60 days. KEX's earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the preceding four quarters and met the mark on the other occasion. The average beat is 2.86%. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Ryder System, Inc. (R) : Free Stock Analysis Report Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (ODFL) : Free Stock Analysis Report Kirby Corporation (KEX) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

Union Pacific Corporation UNP is scheduled to report third-quarter 2026 results on Oct. 22, before market open. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for UNP's third-quarter 2026 earnings has been revised upward by 2.06% over the past 60 days to $3.47 per share. The consensus mark for earnings implies a 12.7% rise from the year-ago actuals. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for UNP's third-quarter 2026 revenues is pegged at $7.12 billion, indicating 13.97% growth year over year. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Union Pacific has an encouraging earnings surprise history. The company's earnings have surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the preceding four quarters and missed once in the remaining, delivering an average beat of 2.75%. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Let's see how things are likely to have shaped up for Union Pacific this earnings season. We expect the company's top-line performance in the to-be-reported quarter to have been boosted by an uptick in demand for services. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for freight revenues (which account for most of total revenue) is $6.81 billion, indicating a 14.8% increase from third-quarter 2025 actuals. The consensus mark for other revenues is pegged at $311 million, implying a 1.8% decrease from the third-quarter 2025 actuals. On the contrary, persistent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and ongoing supply-chain disruptions are also likely to have pressured the company's bottom line. The decline in shipment volumes is likely to have offset the benefits of pricing initiatives, hampering the company's third-quarter prospects. Our proven model predicts an earnings beat for Union Pacific this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they're reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. Union Pacific has an Earnings ESP of +0.28% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present. Union Pacific Corporation price-eps-surprise | Union Pacific Corporation Quote Union Pacific second-quarter 2026 earnings (excluding 5 cents from non-recurring items) of $3.41 per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6.6% and increased roughly 13% on a year-over-year basis. Operating revenues of $6.86 billion beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.65 billion and rose 11.5% on a year-over-year basis, driven by core pricing gains, volume growth and higher fuel surcharge revenues, partially offset by business mix. Revenue carloads increased 2% year over year. Old Dominion Freight Line ODFL has an Earnings ESP of +0.25% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. ODFL is scheduled to report third-quarter 2026 earnings on Oct. 28. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter 2026 earnings has been revised upward by 0.63% over the past 60 days. ODFL's earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the preceding four quarters, with the average beat being 6.71%. Kirby Corporation KEX has an Earnings ESP of +1.87% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present. KEX is scheduled to report third-quarter 2026 earnings on Oct. 28. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter 2026 earnings has been revised upward by 0.51% to $1.96 per share over the past 60 days. KEX beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the preceding four quarters and met the mark on the other occasion. The average beat is 2.86%. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Union Pacific Corporation (UNP) : Free Stock Analysis Report Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (ODFL) : Free Stock Analysis Report Kirby Corporation (KEX) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research