Is Ryder System a Better Buy Than JB Hunt Transport Services?

JBHT: JB Hunt Transport Services logo
JBHT
JB Hunt Transport Services

JB Hunt Transport Services surged 18% during the past Month. You may be tempted to buy more, or may want to reduce your exposure. But there is an entirely different perspective you might be missing. Is there a better alternative? Turns out, its peer Ryder System gives you more. Ryder System (R) stock offers superior revenue growth across key periods, better profitability, and relatively lower valuation vs JB Hunt Transport Services (JBHT) stock, suggesting you may be better off investing in R

  • R’s quarterly revenue growth was -0.3%, vs. JBHT’s -0.5%.
  • In addition, its Last 12 Months revenue growth came in at 1.3%, ahead of JBHT’s -1.6%.
  • R leads on profitability over both periods – LTM margin of 8.8% and 3-year average of 8.8%.

These differences become even clearer when you look at the financials side by side. The table highlights how JBHT’s fundamentals stack up against those of R on growth, margins, momentum, and valuation multiples.

Valuation & Performance Overview

  JBHT R Preferred
     
Valuation      
P/EBIT Ratio 23.1 7.1 R
     
Revenue Growth      
Last Quarter -0.5% -0.3% R
Last 12 Months -1.6% 1.3% R
Last 3 Year Average -6.3% 2.0% R
     
Operating Margins      
Last 12 Months 6.9% 8.8% R
Last 3 Year Average 7.2% 8.8% R
     
Momentum      
Last 3 Year Return 14.7% 148.5% R

Note: For “Last 3 Year Return” metric, preferred stock is one with higher returns unless the returns are too high (>300%) which creates risk of sell off.
See more revenue details: JBHT Revenue Comparison | R Revenue Comparison
See more margin details: JBHT Operating Income Comparison | R Operating Income Comparison

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See detailed fundamentals on Buy or Sell R Stock and Buy or Sell JBHT Stock. Below we compare market return and related metrics across years.

Historical Market Performance

  2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Total [1] Avg Best
Returns
JBHT Return 18% 51% -14% 16% -14% 12% 72%  
R Return 20% 38% 4% 42% 40% 21% 313% <===
S&P 500 Return 16% 27% -19% 24% 23% 17% 113%  
Monthly Win Rates [3]
JBHT Win Rate 58% 67% 42% 50% 50% 60%   54%  
R Win Rate 58% 75% 50% 67% 83% 70%   67% <===
S&P 500 Win Rate 58% 75% 42% 67% 75% 70%   64%  
Max Drawdowns [4]
JBHT Max Drawdown -35% -1% -24% -5% -22% -27%   -19%  
R Max Drawdown -57% -1% -23% -7% -6% -17%   -18%  
S&P 500 Max Drawdown -31% -1% -25% -1% -2% -15%   -12% <===

[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] 2025 data is for the year up to 12/10/2025 (YTD)
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year

No matter how good the numbers, stock investment is never a smooth ride. There is a risk you must factor in. Read R Dip Buyer Analyses to see how the stock has fallen and recovered in the past.

Still not sure about JBHT or R? Consider portfolio approach.

The Best Investors Think In Portfolios

Stocks can jump or crash but long term success comes from staying invested. The right portfolio helps you ride gains and cushion single stock drops

The Trefis High Quality (HQ) Portfolio, with a collection of 30 stocks, has a track record of comfortably outperforming its benchmark that includes all 3 – the S&P 500, S&P mid-cap, and Russell 2000 indices. Why is that? As a group, HQ Portfolio stocks provided better returns with less risk versus the benchmark index; less of a roller-coaster ride, as evident in HQ Portfolio performance metrics.