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Forward Air Corporation (FWRD)



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Upturn Advisory Summary
04/01/2025: FWRD (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit 16.54% | Avg. Invested days 33 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Star Rating ![]() ![]() | Upturn Advisory Performance ![]() | Stock Returns Performance ![]() |
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Key Highlights
Company Size Small-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 794.22M USD | Price to earnings Ratio - | 1Y Target Price 35.98 |
Price to earnings Ratio - | 1Y Target Price 35.98 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 718980 | Beta 1.03 | 52 Weeks Range 11.21 - 40.92 | Updated Date 03/30/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 11.21 - 40.92 | Updated Date 03/30/2025 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) - | Basic EPS (TTM) -29.29 |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Earnings Date
Report Date - | When - | Estimate - | Actual - |
Profitability
Profit Margin -31.14% | Operating Margin (TTM) 5.63% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) 2.96% | Return on Equity (TTM) -220.35% |
Valuation
Trailing PE - | Forward PE - | Enterprise Value 2636487477 | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.25 |
Enterprise Value 2636487477 | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.25 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 1.07 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 49.37 | Shares Outstanding 28954400 | Shares Floating 21004977 |
Shares Outstanding 28954400 | Shares Floating 21004977 | ||
Percent Insiders 2.01 | Percent Institutions 115.56 |
Analyst Ratings
Rating 3.5 | Target Price 35.48 | Buy - | Strong Buy 2 |
Buy - | Strong Buy 2 | ||
Hold 6 | Sell - | Strong Sell - | |
Strong Sell - |
Upturn AI SWOT
Forward Air Corporation

Company Overview
History and Background
Forward Air Corporation was founded in 1981. Initially focused on expedited less-than-truckload (LTL) air freight, it has expanded through organic growth and acquisitions to offer a broader range of transportation and logistics services.
Core Business Areas
- Expedited Freight: Offers time-definite freight services, primarily for high-value and time-sensitive goods.
- Intermodal: Provides drayage and intermodal transportation services, connecting seaports and rail ramps with final destinations.
- Truckload: Offers truckload services for shippers who need dedicated transportation for their goods.
- Final Mile: Specializes in delivering heavy goods for e-commerce merchants directly to consumers.
Leadership and Structure
Forward Air's leadership team consists of the CEO, CFO, and other key executives. The organizational structure includes various departments such as operations, sales, finance, and technology.
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- Expedited LTL: Time-definite, premium LTL services. Market share is estimated to be significant within the expedited segment. Competitors include XPO, UPS Supply Chain Solutions, and FedEx Freight. Specific market share data is difficult to ascertain due to the fragmented nature of the expedited LTL market.
- Intermodal Drayage: Transportation of containers between ports/rail ramps and distribution centers. Market share is variable by region. Competitors include Hub Group, J.B. Hunt, and Schneider National. Revenue data is not typically broken out specifically for this segment.
- Final Mile Delivery: Specialized delivery of large or bulky items to residential addresses. Market share is growing with the increase in e-commerce. Competitors include XPO, UPS Supply Chain Solutions, and FedEx Freight. Revenue is not broken down for final mile as a single product.
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The transportation and logistics industry is dynamic and competitive, driven by factors such as economic growth, e-commerce expansion, and global trade. The industry faces challenges including fluctuating fuel prices, labor shortages, and increasing regulatory requirements.
Positioning
Forward Air is positioned as a provider of premium, time-definite transportation solutions. Its competitive advantage lies in its specialized services, focus on high-value freight, and network of independent contractors.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The estimated TAM for Forward Air encompasses various segments, potentially reaching hundreds of billions of dollars across expedited LTL, intermodal, and final mile. Forward Air's positioning allows it to capture a portion of this market by focusing on premium services.
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Strong brand reputation in expedited freight
- Extensive network of independent contractors
- Focus on high-value, time-sensitive shipments
- Specialized service offerings
Weaknesses
- Reliance on independent contractors
- Exposure to economic cycles
- Vulnerability to fuel price fluctuations
- Integration risk from acquisitions
Opportunities
- Expansion of e-commerce final mile services
- Growth in cross-border trade
- Increased demand for specialized logistics solutions
- Acquisitions of complementary businesses
Threats
- Increased competition from larger players
- Economic downturn impacting freight volumes
- Rising fuel costs and labor shortages
- Changes in regulations impacting transportation
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- XPO (XPO)
- JBHT (JB Hunt)
- FDX (FedEx)
- UPS (United Parcel Service)
Competitive Landscape
Forward Air competes with larger and smaller players in various segments. Its focus on premium services and independent contractor model provides a competitive advantage but also presents challenges.
Major Acquisitions
Land Air Express
- Year: 2020
- Acquisition Price (USD millions): 64.9
- Strategic Rationale: Expanded Forward Air's network and service offerings in the expedited LTL market.
FSG
- Year: 2021
- Acquisition Price (USD millions): 120
- Strategic Rationale: Strengthened Forward Air's position in the final mile delivery market.
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: Forward Air has grown through organic expansion and strategic acquisitions. Historical growth can be evaluated by analyzing revenue and profit trends.
Future Projections: Future growth projections depend on analyst estimates and company guidance. These projections are subject to change based on market conditions.
Recent Initiatives: Recent initiatives include expansion of the final mile network, investments in technology, and strategic acquisitions to expand service offerings.
Summary
Forward Air is a player in the expedited freight and logistics market, leveraging its network and specialized services. Its reliance on independent contractors and vulnerability to economic cycles represent potential weaknesses. Expansion into e-commerce final mile and strategic acquisitions offer opportunities for growth. The company faces competition from larger players and must manage its cost structure effectively.
Similar Companies

FDX

FedEx Corporation



FDX

FedEx Corporation

JBHT

JB Hunt Transport Services Inc



JBHT

JB Hunt Transport Services Inc

ODFL

Old Dominion Freight Line Inc



ODFL

Old Dominion Freight Line Inc

UPS

United Parcel Service Inc



UPS

United Parcel Service Inc

XPO

XPO Logistics Inc



XPO

XPO Logistics Inc
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- Company Filings (SEC)
- Industry Reports (e.g., IBISWorld, Gartner)
- Financial News Outlets (e.g., Bloomberg, Reuters)
- Company Investor Relations
Disclaimers:
The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Financial data and market conditions are subject to change.
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
About Forward Air Corporation
Exchange NASDAQ | Headquaters Greeneville, TN, United States | ||
IPO Launch date 1993-11-16 | CEO & Director Mr. Shawn Stewart | ||
Sector Industrials | Industry Integrated Freight & Logistics | Full time employees 6319 | Website https://www.forwardair.com/about |
Full time employees 6319 | Website https://www.forwardair.com/about |
Forward Air Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an asset-light freight and logistics company in the United States, Mexico, Europe, Asia, and Canada. It operates through three segments: Expedited Freight, Omni Logistics, and Intermodal. The Expedited Freight segment provides expedited regional, inter-regional, and national less-than-truckload services; local pick-up and delivery services; and other services, which include shipment consolidation and deconsolidation, warehousing, customs brokerage, and other handling. This segment offers expedited truckload brokerage, dedicated fleet, and high security and temperature-controlled logistics services. Its Omni Logistics segment offers full suite of global logistics services, such as air and ocean freight consolidation and forwarding, customs brokerage, warehousing and distribution, time-definite transportation services, and other supply chain solutions. The Intermodal segment provides intermodal container drayage services; and contract and container freight station warehouse and handling services. It serves freight forwarders, third-party logistics companies, integrated air cargo carriers and passenger, passenger and cargo airlines, steamship lines, and retailers. Forward Air Corporation was founded in 1981 and is headquartered in Greeneville, Tennessee.
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