A recovery in transportation stocks would please Dow Theorists, but don't hold your breath.
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Oct 15 2025
0mins
Should l Buy ODFL?
Source: CNBC
Dow Theory and Market Confirmation: The bull market is three years old, but Dow Theory suggests it may not be fully confirmed as the Dow Jones Industrial Average and Dow Jones Transportation Average have not been trending in unison, with transports lagging significantly.
Transport Sector Struggles: The Dow Transports are down 2.3% year-to-date, with only 9 out of 20 stocks in the index performing well, largely affected by tariff uncertainties impacting airlines, railroads, and trucking companies.
Focus on J.B. Hunt Transport Services: J.B. Hunt is expected to report soon, but its stock has been on a downward trend, with analysts suggesting a potential better entry point around $125, as the stock struggles to gain traction.
Future Outlook for Trucking Stocks: A turnaround in the transport sector may require more certainty regarding trade, with a need for stocks to clear the $150 level to join the ongoing bull market, which would be favorable for Dow Theorists.
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Analyst Views on ODFL
Wall Street analysts forecast ODFL stock price to fall over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for ODFL is 162.18 USD with a low forecast of 114.00 USD and a high forecast of 196.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
18 Analyst Rating
7 Buy
8 Hold
3 Sell
Hold
Current: 202.470
Low
114.00
Averages
162.18
High
196.00
Current: 202.470
Low
114.00
Averages
162.18
High
196.00
About ODFL
Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. is a less-than-truckload (LTL) motor carrier. The Company provides regional, inter-regional and national LTL services through a single integrated, union-free organization. Its service offerings, which include expedited transportation, are provided through an expansive network of service centers located throughout the continental United States. It offers a range of value-added services including container drayage, truckload brokerage and supply chain consulting. It operates approximately 261 service center locations, of which it owns 239 and leased 22. Its service centers are responsible for the pickup and delivery of freight within their local service area. Its systems allow it to offer its customers access to information, such as freight tracking, shipping documents, rate quotes, rate databases and account activity. Its integrated systems and customer service department provide its customers with a single point of contact to access information.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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