As the craze of earnings season draws to a close, here’s a look back at some of the most exciting (and some less so) results from Q1. Today, we are looking at ground transportation stocks, starting with Heartland Express (NASDAQ: HTLD).

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 Q1. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 2.1%.

In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady as they are up 2.9% on average since the latest earnings results.

Best Q1: 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 $176.3 million, down 19.7% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 2.6%. Overall, it was a stunning quarter for the company with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA 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 March 31, 2026, reflect significant operating ratio improvement (101.9%) as compared to the first quarter of 2025 (106.8%) and sequential non-GAAP adjusted operating ratio(1) improvement in each quarter since the first quarter of 2025."

Heartland Express delivered the slowest revenue growth of the whole group. Interestingly, the stock is up 23.9% since reporting and currently trades at $14.35.

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

Avis Budget Group (NASDAQ: CAR)

The parent company of brands such as Zipcar and Budget Truck Rental, Avis (NASDAQ: CAR) is a provider of car rental and mobility solutions.

Avis Budget Group reported revenues of $2.53 billion, up 4.1% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 4.7%. The business had an exceptional quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Although it had a fine quarter compared to its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 7.8% since reporting. It currently trades at $167.86.

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

Weakest Q1: Universal Logistics (NASDAQ: ULH)

Founded in 1932, Universal Logistics (NASDAQ: ULH) is a provider of customized transportation and logistics solutions operating throughout the United States and in Mexico, Canada, and Colombia.

Universal Logistics reported revenues of $367.6 million, down 3.9% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 1.3%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

Universal Logistics delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates in the group. As expected, the stock is down 36.6% since the results and currently trades at $14.20.

Read our full analysis of Universal Logistics’s results here.

Ryder (NYSE: R)

As one of the first companies to introduce the idea of leasing trucks, Ryder (NYSE: R) provides rental vehicles to businesses and delivers packages directly to homes or businesses.

Ryder reported revenues of $3.13 billion, flat year on year. This number met analysts’ expectations. Overall, it was a very strong quarter as it also logged an impressive beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates and full-year EPS guidance exceeding analysts’ expectations.

The stock is up 6% since reporting and currently trades at $241.14.

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

Schneider (NYSE: SNDR)

Employing thousands of drivers across the country to make deliveries, Schneider (NYSE: SNDR) makes full truckload and intermodal deliveries regionally and across borders.

Schneider reported revenues of $1.40 billion, flat year on year. This result missed analysts’ expectations by 0.7%. In spite of that, it was a very strong quarter as it produced a beat of analysts’ EPS and adjusted operating income estimates.

The stock is up 7.4% since reporting and currently trades at $33.40.

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

Market Update

Late in 2025 into early 2026, there was hand wringing around artificial intelligence. For software companies, the fear was that AI would erode pricing power and compress margins as new tools made it easier to replicate what once required expensive enterprise platforms. Crypto investors had their own version of the same anxiety: if AI agents could trade, allocate capital, and manage wallets autonomously, what exactly was the long-term value of today’s crypto infrastructure?

These concerns triggered a noticeable rotation away from these sectors and into safer havens. But markets rarely dwell on one narrative for long. Spring 2026 came, and the focus shifted abruptly from technological disruption to geopolitical risk. The US’ conflict with Iran became the dominant driver of market psychology, and when geopolitics takes center stage, the script changes quickly. Investors stop debating growth rates and start worrying about oil supply, inflation, and global stability.

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