On Thursday, BofA Securities revised its price target for Old Dominion Freight Line (NASDAQ:ODFL), dropping it to $192 from $205, while keeping a Neutral stance on the stock. The adjustment follows Old Dominion's mid-second quarter update, which revealed a deceleration in Less-than-Truckload (LTL) Revenue per Day growth to 5.6% year-over-year in May, down from 6.3% in April. This brings the second quarter-to-date (QTD) average to 6.0%, a figure adjusted from the previously anticipated 6.9%.
Old Dominion reported that for a positive first to second quarter operating ratio improvement of 150 basis points, it would require around a 6% increase in revenue per day, aligning with the firm's expectations. The company's May LTL Tons per Day grew by 1.5% year-over-year, a slower pace compared to the 2.3% increase in April, with the second quarter-to-date average now at 1.9%. This is slightly below the 2.3% growth previously targeted for the second quarter of 2024.
Additionally, Old Dominion experienced a decline in Weight per Shipment by 0.7% in May, contributing to an average decrease of 0.9% for the second quarter-to-date. The firm has now adjusted its forecast to a 0.7% decrease for the second quarter of 2024. Shipments per Day increased by 2.3% in May, which is also a deceleration from the 3.3% growth seen in April and falls short of the 2.8% target set for May. The second quarter-to-date average stands at 2.8%, with the new target for the second quarter adjusted to 2.5%.
Despite these lower-than-expected volume trends, the company's LTL yields were reported to be in line or slightly better than anticipated. Revenue per Hundredweight (cwt) excluding fuel and all-in Revenue per cwt for the second quarter-to-date increased by 4.7% and 4.2% respectively, meeting the targets set by the firm. This suggests that Old Dominion was able to maintain its revenue per cwt growth from April into May, as it continues to focus on service and price discipline.
In other recent news, Old Dominion Freight Line has been the subject of several significant developments. The company reported a 5.6% increase in revenue per day for May 2024, spurred by a 1.5% rise in less-than-truckload (LTL) tons per day and an improvement in LTL revenue per hundredweight. Additionally, the company's Board of Directors approved a 30% increase in its quarterly cash dividend following a two-for-one stock split completed in March 2024.
However, Evercore ISI adjusted its price target on shares of Old Dominion Freight Line to $225 from $241, while maintaining an Outperform rating. This adjustment follows the company's first-quarter earnings report which matched the average forecast but fell slightly short of revenue expectations.
InvestingPro Insights
As Old Dominion Freight Line (NASDAQ:ODFL) navigates the ebbs and flows of the freight industry, the company's financial health and market performance become crucial indicators for investors. According to real-time data from InvestingPro, Old Dominion has a market capitalization of $38.18 billion and is currently trading at a Price/Earnings (P/E) ratio of 30.79. These metrics highlight the company's substantial market presence and the premium valuation investors are willing to pay for its earnings. Furthermore, Old Dominion's gross profit margin stands strong at 40.36% over the last twelve months as of Q1 2023, signifying efficient operations and cost control.
Among the key InvestingPro Tips, Old Dominion's ability to hold more cash than debt on its balance sheet is a testament to its financial resilience. Additionally, the company's consistent dividend growth, with dividends raised for 7 consecutive years, showcases its commitment to returning value to shareholders. These attributes are particularly relevant considering the recent adjustments in revenue and volume trends noted in the article.
Investors may also find it noteworthy that while the stock price has seen a significant drop of 19.18% over the last three months, analysts predict the company will remain profitable this year, and it has been profitable over the last twelve months. For those seeking a deeper dive into Old Dominion's financials and future prospects, InvestingPro offers additional insights and tips. Utilize coupon code PRONEWS24 to get an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription, and explore the 11 additional InvestingPro Tips available for ODFL at https://www.investing.com/pro/ODFL.
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