Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

Posted by Defense World Staff on Jul 22nd, 2026

Bessemer Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Werner Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ:WERN – Free Report) by 93,053.4% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 122,031 shares of the transportation company’s stock after acquiring an additional 121,900 shares during the period. Bessemer Group Inc. owned 0.20% of Werner Enterprises worth $3,589,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of WERN. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in Werner Enterprises by 1.4% during the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 6,514,200 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $195,491,000 after purchasing an additional 90,480 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its position in Werner Enterprises by 0.6% in the 3rd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 3,791,148 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $99,782,000 after purchasing an additional 24,204 shares during the last quarter. Deprince Race & Zollo Inc. increased its position in Werner Enterprises by 11.1% in the 1st quarter. Deprince Race & Zollo Inc. now owns 3,055,017 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $89,848,000 after purchasing an additional 304,983 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its stake in shares of Werner Enterprises by 605.3% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 2,510,354 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $75,336,000 after purchasing an additional 2,154,428 shares in the last quarter. Finally, State Street Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Werner Enterprises by 0.9% during the 4th quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,490,661 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $74,745,000 after buying an additional 22,075 shares during the last quarter. 89.32% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities analysts recently commented on the company. Robert W. Baird increased their price objective on Werner Enterprises from $39.00 to $43.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, June 17th. TD Cowen lifted their target price on shares of Werner Enterprises from $36.00 to $43.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 29th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Werner Enterprises from $39.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, June 5th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on shares of Werner Enterprises from $36.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, July 13th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on shares of Werner Enterprises from $43.00 to $48.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, June 23rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have issued a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $40.85.

View Our Latest Report on Werner Enterprises

Werner Enterprises Stock Up 2.1% WERN opened at $47.29 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $2.84 billion, a P/E ratio of -315.27, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.91 and a beta of 1.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 1.43 and a current ratio of 1.46. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $42.21 and a 200 day moving average price of $36.02. Werner Enterprises, Inc. has a twelve month low of $23.06 and a twelve month high of $47.49.

Werner Enterprises (NASDAQ:WERN – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 28th. The transportation company reported $0.02 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.03) by $0.05. Werner Enterprises had a positive return on equity of 0.66% and a negative net margin of 0.28%.The company had revenue of $730.14 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $812.50 million. During the same quarter last year, the company posted ($0.12) earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 13.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts forecast that Werner Enterprises, Inc. will post 1.02 EPS for the current year.

Werner Enterprises Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 22nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 6th will be given a dividend of $0.14 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, July 6th. This represents a $0.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.2%. Werner Enterprises’s payout ratio is currently -373.33%.

Werner Enterprises Company Profile (Free Report)

Werner Enterprises, Inc, founded in 1956 by Clarence L. “Chris” Werner, is a leading transportation and logistics provider based in Omaha, Nebraska. The company began as a one‐truck operation and has since grown into one of North America’s largest carriers, offering an array of services to support diverse supply chains.

Werner’s core business activities include full truckload dry van services, dedicated contract carriage, intermodal transport and brokerage solutions. The company also provides value-added services such as warehousing, freight management and fleet maintenance through its network of terminals and service centers.

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Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lessened its holdings in shares of Werner Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ: WERN) by 57.4% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 685,671 shares of the transportation company's stock after selling 925,642 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC

Momentum investing revolves around the idea of following a stock's recent trend in either direction. In "long context," investors will be essentially be "buying high, but hoping to sell even higher." With this methodology, taking advantage of trends in a stock's price is key; once a stock establishes a course, it is more than likely to continue moving that way. The goal is that once a stock heads down a fixed path, it will lead to timely and profitable trades.

While many investors like to look for momentum in stocks, this can be very tough to define. There is a lot of debate surrounding which metrics are the best to focus on and which are poor quality indicators of future performance. The Zacks Momentum Style Score, part of the Zacks Style Scores, helps address this issue for us.

Below, we take a look at Werner Enterprises (WERN - Free Report) , a company that currently holds a Momentum Style Score of A. We also talk about price change and earnings estimate revisions, two of the main aspects of the Momentum Style Score.

It's also important to note that Style Scores work as a complement to the Zacks Rank, our stock rating system that has an impressive track record of outperformance. Werner Enterprises currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy). Our research shows that stocks rated Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and #2 (Buy) and Style Scores of "A or B" outperform the market over the following one-month period.

You can see the current list of Zacks #1 Rank Stocks here >>>

Set to Beat the Market?Let's discuss some of the components of the Momentum Style Score for WERN that show why this transportation company shows promise as a solid momentum pick.

Looking at a stock's short-term price activity is a great way to gauge if it has momentum, since this can reflect both the current interest in a stock and if buyers or sellers have the upper hand at the moment. It is also useful to compare a security to its industry, as this can help investors pinpoint the top companies in a particular area.

For WERN, shares are up 1.5% over the past week while the Zacks Transportation - Truck industry is up 0.64% over the same time period. Shares are looking quite well from a longer time frame too, as the monthly price change of 9.35% compares favorably with the industry's 3.15% performance as well.

While any stock can see its price increase, it takes a real winner to consistently beat the market. That is why looking at longer term price metrics -- such as performance over the past three months or year -- can be useful as well. Shares of Werner Enterprises have increased 31.24% over the past quarter, and have gained 55.64% in the last year. In comparison, the S&P 500 has only moved 8.13% and 22.65%, respectively.

Investors should also pay attention to WERN's average 20-day trading volume. Volume is a useful item in many ways, and the 20-day average establishes a good price-to-volume baseline; a rising stock with above average volume is generally a bullish sign, whereas a declining stock on above average volume is typically bearish. WERN is currently averaging 924,052 shares for the last 20 days.

Earnings OutlookThe Zacks Momentum Style Score also takes into account trends in estimate revisions, in addition to price changes. Please note that estimate revision trends remain at the core of Zacks Rank as well. A nice path here can help show promise, and we have recently been seeing that with WERN.

Over the past two months, 4 earnings estimates moved higher compared to none lower for the full year. These revisions helped boost WERN's consensus estimate, increasing from $0.94 to $1.02 in the past 60 days. Looking at the next fiscal year, 3 estimates have moved upwards while there have been 1 downward revision in the same time period.

Bottom LineTaking into account all of these elements, it should come as no surprise that WERN is a #2 (Buy) stock with a Momentum Score of A. If you've been searching for a fresh pick that's set to rise in the near-term, make sure to keep Werner Enterprises on your short list.

Momentum investing is essentially the opposite of the tried-and-tested Wall Street adage -- "buy low and sell high." Investors following this investing style typically avoid betting on cheap stocks and waiting long for them to recover. They believe instead that one could make far more money in lesser time by "buying high and selling higher."

Everyone likes betting on fast-moving trending stocks, but it isn't easy to determine the right entry point. These stocks often lose momentum when their future growth potential fails to justify their swelled-up valuation. In that phase, investors find themselves invested in shares that have limited to no upside or even a downside. So, betting on a stock just by looking at the traditional momentum parameters could be risky at times.

It could be safer to invest in bargain stocks that have been witnessing price momentum recently. While the Zacks Momentum Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which pays close attention to trends in a stock's price or earnings, is pretty useful in identifying great momentum stocks, our 'Fast-Paced Momentum at a Bargain' screen comes handy in spotting fast-moving stocks that are still attractively priced.

There are several stocks that currently pass through the screen and Werner Enterprises (WERN - Free Report) is one of them. Here are the key reasons why this stock is a great candidate.

Investors' growing interest in a stock is reflected in its recent price increase. A price change of 2.4% over the past four weeks positions the stock of this transportation company well in this regard.

While any stock can see a spike in price for a short period, it takes a real momentum player to deliver positive returns for a longer time frame. WERN meets this criterion too, as the stock gained 31.6% over the past 12 weeks.

Moreover, the momentum for WERN is fast paced, as the stock currently has a beta of 1.26. This indicates that the stock moves 26% higher than the market in either direction.

Given this price performance, it is no surprise that WERN has a Momentum Score of A, which indicates that this is the right time to enter the stock to take advantage of the momentum with the highest probability of success.

In addition to a favorable Momentum Score, an upward trend in earnings estimate revisions has helped WERN earn a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Our research shows that the momentum-effect is quite strong among Zacks Rank #1 and #2 stocks. That's because as covering analysts raise their earnings estimates for a stock, more and more investors take an interest in it, helping its price race to keep up. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>>

Most importantly, despite possessing fast-paced momentum features, WERN is trading at a reasonable valuation. In terms of Price-to-Sales ratio, which is considered as one of the best valuation metrics, the stock looks quite cheap now. WERN is currently trading at 0.86 times its sales. In other words, investors need to pay only 86 cents for each dollar of sales.

So, WERN appears to have plenty of room to run, and that too at a fast pace.

In addition to WERN, there are several other stocks that currently pass through our 'Fast-Paced Momentum at a Bargain' screen. You may consider investing in them and start looking for the newest stocks that fit these criteria.

This is not the only screen that could help you find your next winning stock pick. Based on your personal investing style, you may choose from over 45 Zacks Premium Screens that are strategically created to beat the market.

However, keep in mind that the key to a successful stock-picking strategy is to ensure that it produced profitable results in the past. You could easily do that with the help of the Zacks Research Wizard. In addition to allowing you to backtest the effectiveness of your strategy, the program comes loaded with some of our most successful stock-picking strategies.

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For new and old investors, taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals. Zacks Premium provides lots of different ways to do both.

The research service features daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, all of which will help you become a smarter, more confident investor.

Zacks Premium also includes the Zacks Style Scores.

What are the Zacks Style Scores? Developed alongside the Zacks Rank, the Zacks Style Scores are a group of complementary indicators that help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.

Each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics. Just like in school, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on -- that means the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

Value ScoreValue investors love finding good stocks at good prices, especially before the broader market catches on to a stock's true value. Utilizing ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and many other multiples, the Value Style Score identifies the most attractive and most discounted stocks.

Growth ScoreGrowth investors, on the other hand, are more concerned with a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score examines things like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will experience sustainable growth over time.

Momentum ScoreMomentum investors, who live by the saying "the trend is your friend," are most interested in taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Utilizing one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, among other factors, the Momentum Style Score can help determine favorable times to buy high-momentum stocks.

VGM ScoreWhat if you like to use all three types of investing? The VGM Score is a combination of all Style Scores, making it one of the most comprehensive indicators to use with the Zacks Rank. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, which helps narrow down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.

How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank, which is a proprietary stock-rating model, employs earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to make building a winning portfolio easier.

#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +23.94% average annual return since 1988, which is more than double the S&P 500's performance over the same time frame. However, the Zacks Rank examines a ton of stocks, and there can be more than 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, and another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

But it can feel overwhelming to pick the right stocks for you and your investing goals with over 800 top-rated stocks to choose from.

That's where the Style Scores come in.

You want to make sure you're buying stocks with the highest likelihood of success, and to do that, you'll need to pick stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you like a stock that only has a #3 (Hold) rank, it should also have Scores of A or B to guarantee as much upside potential as possible.

The direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should always be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy, since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank.

For instance, a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one that boasts Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings forecast, and a much greater likelihood its share price will decline as well.

Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.

Stock to Watch: Werner Enterprises (WERN - Free Report) Werner Enterprises, Inc. is a transportation and logistics company founded in 1956. Headquartered in Omaha, NE, the company is primarily focused on transporting the truckload shipments such as retail store merchandise, consumer products, grocery products and manufactured products. The company operates mainly under two segments — Truckload Transporation Services (TTS) and Werner Logistics.

WERN is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.

It also boasts a Value Style Score of B thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 44.04; value investors should take notice.

Two analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.04 to $0.98 per share. WERN also boasts an average earnings surprise of +30.6%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, WERN should be on investors' short list.

OMAHA, Neb.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Werner Enterprises, Inc. (Nasdaq: WERN), a premier transportation and logistics provider, will release its second quarter earnings on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, after market close. Werner will also hold a conference call to discuss the second quarter 2026 results and 2026 outlook on the same day, beginning at 4:00 p.m. CT. The news release, live webcast of the earnings conference call, and accompanying slide presentation will be available at werner.com in the “Investo.

Taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for new and old investors, and Zacks Premium offers many different ways to do both.

The research service features daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, all of which will help you become a smarter, more confident investor.

Zacks Premium also includes the Zacks Style Scores.

What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores, developed alongside the Zacks Rank, are complementary indicators that rate stocks based on three widely-followed investing methodologies; they also help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.

Each stock is given an alphabetic rating of A, B, C, D or F based on their value, growth, and momentum qualities. With this system, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on, meaning the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

Value ScoreValue investors love finding good stocks at good prices, especially before the broader market catches on to a stock's true value. Utilizing ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and many other multiples, the Value Style Score identifies the most attractive and most discounted stocks.

Growth ScoreGrowth investors, on the other hand, are more concerned with a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score examines things like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will experience sustainable growth over time.

Momentum ScoreMomentum trading is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook, and these investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." The Momentum Style Score can pinpoint good times to build a position in a stock, using factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates.

VGM ScoreIf you want a combination of all three Style Scores, then the VGM Score will be your friend. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, helping you find the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum. It's also one of the best indicators to use with the Zacks Rank.

How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank, which is a proprietary stock-rating model, employs earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to make building a winning portfolio easier.

It's highly successful, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +24% average annual return since 1988. That's more than double the S&P 500. But because of the large number of stocks we rate, there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

But it can feel overwhelming to pick the right stocks for you and your investing goals with over 800 top-rated stocks to choose from.

That's where the Style Scores come in.

You want to make sure you're buying stocks with the highest likelihood of success, and to do that, you'll need to pick stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you like a stock that only has a #3 (Hold) rank, it should also have Scores of A or B to guarantee as much upside potential as possible.

The direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should always be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy, since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank.

A stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, for instance, even one with Scores of A and B, will still have a declining earnings forecast, and a greater chance its share price will fall too.

Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.

Stock to Watch: Werner Enterprises (WERN - Free Report) Werner Enterprises, Inc. is a transportation and logistics company founded in 1956. Headquartered in Omaha, NE, the company is primarily focused on transporting the truckload shipments such as retail store merchandise, consumer products, grocery products and manufactured products. The company operates mainly under two segments — Truckload Transporation Services (TTS) and Werner Logistics.

WERN is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.

Momentum investors should take note of this Transportation stock. WERN has a Momentum Style Score of B, and shares are up 2.2% over the past four weeks.

For fiscal 2026, four analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.10 to $0.94 per share. WERN boasts an average earnings surprise of +30.6%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, WERN should be on investors' short list.

On April 16, 2026, Werner Enterprises Inc WERN shares rose 5.4% today, bringing the current price to $32.49. Over the past month, the stock has seen a notable increase of 19.7%, despite a decline of 10.1% over the last three years. The shares are trading within a 52-week range of $23.02 to $38.45.

GF Value™ verdict: Shares are currently priced at $32.49, which is 15.3% below the GF Value™ estimate of $38.35.GF Score™ of 84/100 indicates a strong overall rating for the company.Insider activity has seen a slight decline, with insiders selling $0.1M worth of shares in the last three months. Is WERN Overvalued or Undervalued? According to the GF Value™, Werner Enterprises Inc is currently undervalued, with a market price of $32.49 compared to the GF Value™ estimate of $38.35. This indicates a potential upside of 15.3%, providing a margin of safety for those considering an investment in WERN. The GF Valuation label classifies WERN as "Modestly Undervalued," suggesting that the stock may present a reasonable opportunity for long-term investors. GF Value™ is GuruFocus' proprietary measure of intrinsic value, calculated from historical trading multiples, past business growth, and future performance estimates.

While the stock appears to be undervalued based on GF Value™, it is essential to consider the broader market conditions and the company's financial health. The presence of a modestly undervalued status does not guarantee future price increases, and potential investors should remain cautious of market volatility and any unforeseen risks that could impact the company's performance.

How Does WERN's Valuation Compare to Its History? MetricCurrentHistorical P/E (TTM)44.0x16.2x WERN's current P/E ratio of 44.0x is significantly above its 5-year median P/E of 16.2x, indicating that the stock is trading at a much higher valuation compared to its historical averages. This suggests that while the GF Value™ indicates the stock is undervalued, the P/E analysis presents a contrasting view, raising concerns regarding whether the current price accurately reflects the company's earnings potential.

What Does WERN's GF Score™ Tell Us? MetricRating GF Score™84/100 Financial Strength5/10 Profitability7/10 Growth7/10 Valuation8/10 Momentum7/10 The GF Score™ of 84/100 indicates a strong overall performance for Werner Enterprises, with particularly high scores in Valuation (8/10) suggesting that the stock's pricing is favorable relative to its fundamental metrics. Profitability and Growth scores of 7/10 also highlight the company's effective management in generating earnings and expanding operations. However, the Financial Strength score of 5/10 indicates that there may be some concerns about the company’s balance sheet and overall financial stability, which could impact its long-term viability.

What Are Insiders Doing with WERN Stock? In the last three months, insiders at Werner Enterprises have sold approximately $0.1 million worth of shares, with no insider buying reported. This pattern of selling could suggest a lack of confidence among insiders about the company's near-term prospects, as typically, insider buying is viewed as a bullish signal. However, the absence of significant insider buying does not necessarily indicate a negative outlook; it may also reflect personal financial decisions unrelated to the company's performance.

What This Means for Investors Based on the GF Value™ assessment, Werner Enterprises Inc is currently undervalued, presenting a potential opportunity for investors. However, the elevated P/E ratio compared to historical levels raises questions about the sustainability of the current price. As such, potential investors should weigh these factors carefully when considering their investment strategies.

For the complete analysis, visit the Werner Enterprises Inc WERN stock page. You can also explore the GF Value™ page for detailed valuation methodology, or use the GuruFocus Stock Screener to find similar opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions What is WERN's GF Score™?

WERN has a GF Score™ of 84/100, indicating a strong overall rating based on various fundamental factors.

Is WERN overvalued or undervalued?

WERN is currently undervalued according to the GF Value™, with shares trading at 15.3% below the estimated fair value.

What is WERN's P/E ratio?

WERN's current P/E ratio is 44.0x, which is significantly higher than its 5-year median P/E of 16.2x, indicating a premium valuation compared to its historical norms.

This stock alert was generated using automated technology and GuruFocus financial data to provide readers with timely and accurate market reporting. This content was reviewed by GuruFocus editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].

OMAHA, Neb.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Werner Enterprises, Inc. (Nasdaq: WERN), a premier transportation and logistics provider, is expanding its intermodal presence in Mexico to give local customers more reliable shipping options. Building on a long-standing commitment to the region, Werner is deploying its fleet of 53-foot containers into the Mexican market. There are currently 400 containers in the fleet, with an additional 400 units hitting the network throughout 2026. "We want Mexican businesses to.

Werner Enterprises (WERN - Free Report) reported $808.61 million in revenue for the quarter ended March 2026, representing a year-over-year increase of 13.6%. EPS of $0.02 for the same period compares to -$0.12 a year ago.

The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $804.78 million, representing a surprise of +0.48%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of +171.69%, with the consensus EPS estimate being -$0.03.

While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance.

Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.

Here is how Werner performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:

Operating Ratio: 99.5% compared to the 99% average estimate based on three analysts.Truckload Transportation Services - Operating Ratio: 97.7% versus the three-analyst average estimate of 98.1%.One-Way Truckload - Average % change YOY in revenues per total mile: 3.6% versus the two-analyst average estimate of 1.5%.One-Way Truckload - Total trucks (at quarter end): 1,960 versus 2,215 estimated by two analysts on average.One-Way Truckload - Average percentage of empty miles: 15.6% versus the two-analyst average estimate of 15.8%.Revenues- Werner Logistics: $195.84 million versus the three-analyst average estimate of $198.16 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +0.1%.Revenues- Truckload Transportation Services- Trucking fuel surcharge revenues: $78.47 million versus $69.44 million estimated by three analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +36.1% change.Revenues- Truckload Transportation Services: $594.31 million versus $588.74 million estimated by three analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +18.4% change.Revenues- Truckload Transportation Services- Non-trucking and other: $7.56 million versus the three-analyst average estimate of $9.23 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of -32.2%.Revenues- Truckload Transportation Services- Trucking revenues, net of fuel surcharge: $508.28 million versus the three-analyst average estimate of $510.07 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +17.4%.Trucking revenues, net of fuel surcharge- Dedicated: $371.88 million compared to the $385.95 million average estimate based on two analysts. The reported number represents a change of +33.5% year over year.Trucking revenues, net of fuel surcharge- One-Way Truckload: $136.4 million compared to the $136.5 million average estimate based on two analysts. The reported number represents a change of -11.7% year over year.View all Key Company Metrics for Werner here>>>

Shares of Werner have returned +19.2% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +12.8% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

Werner Enterprises, Inc. (WERN) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

Key Takeaways Werner reported Q1 EPS of 2 cents and $808.6M in revenue, both above estimates and up Y/Y.Q1 revenues gain from strength across both its Truckload Transportation Services and Logistics segments.Werner issued 2026 guidance, projecting TTS truck growth of 23-28% and capex of $185-$225M. Werner Enterprises, Inc. (WERN - Free Report)  reported solid first-quarter 2026 results wherein both earnings and revenues surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate and improved year over year.

Werner reported first-quarter earnings per share of 2 cents against the Zacks Consensus Estimate loss of 3 cents per share. In the year-ago quarter, the company reported a loss of 12 cents per share.

Total revenues of $808.6 million surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $804.8 million and grew 14% on a year-over-year basis, owing to a $92.4 million, or 18% increase in Truckload Transportation Services (“TTS”) revenues and a slight increase in Werner Logistics revenues of $0.3 million.

WERN reported adjusted operating income of $11.9 million against an adjusted operating loss of $1.8 million in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted operating margin of 1.5% increased 180 basis points from the year-ago quarter.

Derek Leathers, Werner’s chairman and chief executive officer, stated, "The first quarter reflects early results from our strategic positioning and positive momentum in our core business. Dedicated revenue and fleet size grew, bolstered by our FirstFleet acquisition, improving rates, and a strong 95% customer retention rate. Restructuring in our One-Way Truckload business is yielding a near double-digit increase in revenue per truck. Logistics revenues remained flat year-over-year, with growth in Intermodal and Final Mile. And, overall operating margins are improving. Through continued cost discipline, and a relentless focus on safety, service and innovation, Werner remains well-positioned to drive better financial results as market conditions tighten throughout the year."

WERN’s Q1 Segmental ResultsRevenues in the TTS segment grew 18% on a year-over-year basis to $594.31 million. Adjusted operating income of $14.8 million surged more than 100% year over year. The adjusted operating margin of 2.5% improved 210 basis points.

Logistics’ revenues totaled $195.83 million, down 3% year over year. Segmental adjusted operating loss was $0.9 million against an adjusted operating income of $0.7 million in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted operating margin of (0.4)% decreased 70 basis points from the year-ago quarter.

LiquidityAs of March 31, 2026, Werner had cash and cash equivalents of $61.54 million compared with $59.92 million at the prior-quarter end. Long-term debt (net of current portion) was $869.6 million compared with $752 million at the end of the prior quarter.

The company generated $89.2 million of cash from operations in first-quarter 2026. Net capital expenditure amounted to$2 million.

Werner did not repurchase any shares in the first quarter of 2026. As of March 31, 2026, WERN had 5.0 million shares remaining under its share repurchase authorization.

WERN’s OutlookFor 2026, Werner anticipates TTS truck growth to improve in the range of 23-28%. Net capital expenditure is estimated to be in the range of $185-$225 million.

Under the TTS guidance, WERN projects dedicated revenues per truck per week to improve from flat to up 3% (prior view: decline from 1% to grow to 2%) in 2026. The full-year 2026 tax rate is now anticipated to be in the range of 25.5%-26.5%.

Currently, Werner carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Q1 Performances of Other Transportation CompaniesDelta Air Lines (DAL - Free Report) reported first-quarter 2026 earnings (excluding $1.08 from non-recurring items) of 64 cents per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 61 cents. Earnings increased 39.1% on a year-over-year basis due to high labor costs. Adjusted revenues in the March-end quarter were $14.2 billion, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $14 billion and increasing on a year-over-year basis. 

United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (UAL - Free Report) reported solid first-quarter 2026 results wherein the company’s earnings and revenues beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate as well as improved on a year-over-year basis.

UAL's first-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) (excluding 95 cents from non-recurring items) of $1.19 surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.08 and increased 30.8% on a year-over-year basis. The reported figure lies within the guided range of $1.00-$1.50.

Operating revenues of $14.6 billion outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $14.3 billion and increased 10.5% year over year. Passenger revenues (which accounted for 90.1% of the top line) increased 11% year over year to $13.1 billion. UAL flights transported 42,486 passengers in the first quarter, up 4.1% year over year.

Cargo revenues fell 1.6% year over year to $422 million. Revenues from other sources rose 10.5% year over year to $1.02 billion.

J.B. Hunt Transport Services (JBHT - Free Report)  posted first-quarter 2026 earnings per share of $1.49, up 27% from $1.17 a year ago. The result topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate by $0.04, a 2.8% surprise.

Operating revenues totaled $3.06 billion, rising 4.6% year over year. Revenues beat the consensus mark of $2.94 billion, resulting in a 3.9% surprise, as demand proved resilient across several service offerings, led by Intermodal volume growth and higher revenue per load in select highway-related businesses.

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Based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics, each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F. The better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform; an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on.

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

Value ScoreValue investors love finding good stocks at good prices, especially before the broader market catches on to a stock's true value. Utilizing ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and many other multiples, the Value Style Score identifies the most attractive and most discounted stocks.

Growth ScoreWhile good value is important, growth investors are more focused on a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score takes projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow into account to uncover stocks that will see long-term, sustainable growth.

Momentum ScoreMomentum investors, who live by the saying "the trend is your friend," are most interested in taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Utilizing one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, among other factors, the Momentum Style Score can help determine favorable times to buy high-momentum stocks.

VGM ScoreWhat if you like to use all three types of investing? The VGM Score is a combination of all Style Scores, making it one of the most comprehensive indicators to use with the Zacks Rank. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, which helps narrow down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.

How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank, which is a proprietary stock-rating model, employs earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to make building a winning portfolio easier.

#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +23.7% average annual return since 1988, which is more than double the S&P 500's performance over the same time frame. However, the Zacks Rank examines a ton of stocks, and there can be more than 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, and another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

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Since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank, the direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy.

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Stock to Watch: Werner Enterprises (WERN - Free Report) Werner Enterprises, Inc. is a transportation and logistics company founded in 1956. Headquartered in Omaha, NE, the company is primarily focused on transporting the truckload shipments such as retail store merchandise, consumer products, grocery products and manufactured products. The company operates mainly under two segments — Truckload Transporation Services (TTS) and Werner Logistics.

WERN is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.

Momentum investors should take note of this Transportation stock. WERN has a Momentum Style Score of A, and shares are up 14.9% over the past four weeks.

Four analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.09 to $0.94 per share. WERN boasts an average earnings surprise of +30.6%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, WERN should be on investors' short list.

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OMAHA, Neb.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Werner Enterprises, Inc. (Nasdaq: WERN), a premier transportation and logistics provider, announced participation in the following investment conferences.

Wolfe Research 19th Annual Global Transportation & Industrials Conference: Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in New York City, including investor meetings. Werner will participate in a panel discussion from 2:05 p.m. to 2:55 p.m. ET.

Wells Fargo 16th Industrials & Materials Conference: Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Chicago, including investor meetings. Werner fireside chat presentation from 9:30 a.m. to 10:05 a.m. CT.

A live webcast for the Wells Fargo conference will be available on the conference date on the Werner® website at werner.com in the "Investors" section under “News & Events” and then “Events Calendar.” An archive will then be available on the Werner website during the 30-day period following the conference date.

The conference dates and times provided in this press release may be subject to change. Should any such change occur, Werner may update the information by giving notice on its website or through other methods of public disclosure. Please consult the Werner website before or on the conference date for any such updated notices.

Werner Enterprises, Inc. delivers superior truckload transportation and logistics services to customers across the United States, Mexico and Canada. With 2025 revenues of nearly $3.0 billion, a modern truck and trailer fleet, more than 14,500 talented associates and our innovative Werner EDGE® technology, we are an essential solutions provider for customers who value the integrity of their supply chain and require safe and exceptional on-time service. Werner® provides Dedicated and One-Way Truckload services as well as Logistics services that include truckload brokerage, freight management, intermodal and final mile. Werner embraces inclusion as a core value and manages key risks and opportunities through a balanced sustainability strategy.

This press release, as well as the oral public statements made by any Werner representative during the webcast announced in this press release, may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Such forward-looking statements are based on information presently available to Werner’s management and are current only as of the date made. Actual results could also differ materially from those anticipated as a result of a number of factors, including, but not limited to, those discussed in the Company’s latest available Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. For those reasons, undue reliance should not be placed on any forward-looking statement. Werner assumes no duty or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, although it may do so from time to time as management believes is warranted or as may be required by applicable securities law. Any such updates or revisions may be made by filing reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, through the issuance of press releases or by other methods of public disclosure.

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For new and old investors, taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals. Zacks Premium provides lots of different ways to do both.

Featuring daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, the research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor.

Zacks Premium also includes the Zacks Style Scores.

What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores is a unique set of guidelines that rates stocks based on three popular investing types, and were developed as complementary indicators for the Zacks Rank. This combination helps investors choose securities with the highest chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.

Each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics. Just like in school, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on -- that means the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

Value ScoreFor value investors, it's all about finding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value before the broader market catches on. The Value Style Score utilizes ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to help pick out the most attractive and discounted stocks.

Growth ScoreGrowth investors, on the other hand, are more concerned with a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score examines things like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will experience sustainable growth over time.

Momentum ScoreMomentum traders and investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." This investing style is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Employing factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, the Momentum Style Score can indicate favorable times to build a position in high-momentum stocks.

VGM ScoreIf you want a combination of all three Style Scores, then the VGM Score will be your friend. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, helping you find the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum. It's also one of the best indicators to use with the Zacks Rank.

How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank is a proprietary stock-rating model that harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to help investors build a successful portfolio.

#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +23.7% average annual return since 1988, which is more than double the S&P 500's performance over the same time frame. However, the Zacks Rank examines a ton of stocks, and there can be more than 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, and another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

This totals more than 800 top-rated stocks, and it can be overwhelming to try and pick the best stocks for you and your portfolio.

That's where the Style Scores come in.

You want to make sure you're buying stocks with the highest likelihood of success, and to do that, you'll need to pick stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you like a stock that only has a #3 (Hold) rank, it should also have Scores of A or B to guarantee as much upside potential as possible.

Since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank, the direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy.

For instance, a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one that boasts Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings forecast, and a much greater likelihood its share price will decline as well.

Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.

Stock to Watch: Werner Enterprises (WERN - Free Report) Werner Enterprises, Inc. is a transportation and logistics company founded in 1956. Headquartered in Omaha, NE, the company is primarily focused on transporting the truckload shipments such as retail store merchandise, consumer products, grocery products and manufactured products. The company operates mainly under two segments — Truckload Transporation Services (TTS) and Werner Logistics.

WERN is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.

Momentum investors should take note of this Transportation stock. WERN has a Momentum Style Score of B, and shares are up 17.6% over the past four weeks.

For fiscal 2026, four analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.10 to $0.94 per share. WERN boasts an average earnings surprise of +30.6%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, WERN should be on investors' short list.

A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Werner Enterprises (WERN - Free Report) . Shares have added about 12.5% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500.

But investors have to be wondering, will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Werner due for a pullback? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its latest earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers.

Werner's Q1 Earnings Beat EstimatesWerner reported solid first-quarter 2026 results wherein both earnings and revenues surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate as well as improved year over year.

Werner reported first quarter earnings per share of 2 cents against the Zacks Consensus Estimate loss of 3 cents per share. In the year-ago quarter, the company reported loss of 12 cents per share.

Total revenues of $808.6 million surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $804.8 million and grew 14% on a year-over-year basis owing to a $92.4 million, or 18% increase in Truckload Transportation Services (“TTS”) revenues and a slight increase in Werner Logistics revenues of $0.3 million.

WERN reported adjusted operating income of $11.9 million compared with adjusted operating loss of $1.8 million in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted operating margin of 1.5% increased 180 basis points from the year-ago quarter.

Derek Leathers, Werner’s chairman and chief executive officer, stated, "The first quarter reflects early results from our strategic positioning and positive momentum in our core business. Dedicated revenue and fleet size grew, bolstered by our FirstFleet acquisition, improving rates, and a strong 95% customer retention rate. Restructuring in our One-Way Truckload business is yielding a near double-digit increase in revenue per truck. Logistics revenues remained flat year-over-year, with growth in Intermodal and Final Mile. And, overall operating margins are improving. Through continued cost discipline, and a relentless focus on safety, service and innovation, Werner remains well-positioned to drive better financial results as market conditions tighten throughout the year."

WERN’s Q1 Segmental Results

Revenues in the TTS segment grew 18% on a year-over-year basis to $594.31 million. Adjusted operating income of $14.8 million surged more than 100% year over year. The adjusted operating margin of 2.5% improved 210 basis points.

Logistics’ revenues totaled $195.83 million, down 3% year over year. Segmental adjusted operating loss was $0.9 million, compared with adjusted operating income of $0.7 million in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted operating margin of (0.4)% decreased 70 basis points from the year-ago quarter.

Liquidity

As of Mar. 31, 2026, Werner had cash and cash equivalents of $61.54 million compared with $59.92 million at the prior-quarter end. Long-term debt (net of current portion) came in at $869.6 million compared with $752 million at the end of prior quarter.

The company generated $89.2 million of cash from operations in first-quarter 2026. Net capital expenditure amounted to$2 million.

Werner did not repurchase any shares in the first quarter of 2026. As of Mar 31, 2026, WERN had 5.0 million shares remaining under its share repurchase authorization.

WERN’s Outlook

For 2026, Werner anticipates TTS truck growth to improve in the range of 23-28%. Net capital expenditure is estimated to be in the range of $185-$225 million.

Under the TTS guidance, WERN projects dedicated revenues per truck per week to improve from flat to up 3% (prior view: decline from 1% to grow to 2%) in 2026. The full-year 2026 tax rate is now anticipated to be in the range of 25.5%-26.5%.

How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?Since the earnings release, investors have witnessed a upward trend in estimates revision.

The consensus estimate has shifted 18.12% due to these changes.

VGM ScoresAt this time, Werner has a great Growth Score of A, though it is lagging a bit on the Momentum Score front with a B. Following the exact same course, the stock was allocated a score of B on the value side, putting it in the second quintile for value investors.

Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of A. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.

OutlookEstimates have been trending upward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions looks promising. Interestingly, Werner has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.

Performance of an Industry PlayerWerner is part of the Zacks Transportation - Truck industry. Over the past month, Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings (KNX - Free Report) , a stock from the same industry, has gained 17.1%. The company reported its results for the quarter ended March 2026 more than a month ago.

Knight-Swift reported revenues of $1.85 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +1.4%. EPS of $0.09 for the same period compares with $0.28 a year ago.

Knight-Swift is expected to post earnings of $0.47 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +34.3%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed +0.2%.

The overall direction and magnitude of estimate revisions translate into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for Knight-Swift. Also, the stock has a VGM Score of B.

OMAHA, Neb.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Werner Enterprises, Inc. (Nasdaq: WERN), a premier transportation and logistics provider, is pleased to announce its inclusion as a 2026 Top Green Fleet by Heavy Duty Trucking. This prestigious industry honor highlights Werner's leadership in sustainable trucking, data-driven freight efficiency and its ongoing commitment to lowering real-world emissions. This marks the fifth time Werner has taken home the honor since 2020. Heavy Duty Trucking's Top Green Fleets pro.