ODFL vs. UPS: Old Dominion Freight Line vs. United Parcel Service Stock Comparison
How do Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL) and United Parcel Service (UPS) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.
Company Profile
Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL) and United Parcel Service (UPS) both fall under the Transportation industry group, but ODFL is classified in Ground Transportation while UPS is classified in Air Freight & Logistics.
| Profile Item | ODFL | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. | United Parcel Service, Inc. Class B Common Stock |
| Country/Region | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry Group | Transportation | Transportation |
| GICS Industry | Ground Transportation | Air Freight & Logistics |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Cargo Ground Transportation | Air Freight & Logistics |
| Market Capitalization | 33.98 billion USD | 92.21 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | Nasdaq | NYSE |
| Listing Date | October 24, 1991 | November 10, 1999 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | ODFL | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 22.71% | 23.57% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | -3.43% | -1.91% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | -0.10% | -7.66% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | ODFL | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 38.79% | 29.76% |
| Beta (5Y) | 1.14 | 0.95 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -45.18% | -57.92% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 1.83M | 4.77M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | ODFL | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 0.48 | 0.65 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 0.70 | 0.89 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Both Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL) at 26.01% and United Parcel Service (UPS) at 28.65% sit in the top peer quartile for ROE, suggesting each generates more profit from shareholders’ equity than typical industry peers.
ODFL
Transportation industry group
26.01%
- Max
- 45.08%
- ODFL
- 26.01%
- Q3
- 22.02%
- Median
- 13.94%
- Q1
- 2.89%
- Min
- -10.45%
UPS
Transportation industry group
28.65%
- Max
- 45.08%
- UPS
- 28.65%
- Q3
- 22.02%
- Median
- 13.94%
- Q1
- 2.89%
- Min
- -10.45%
Net Margin (TTM)
Both Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL) at 20.08% and United Parcel Service (UPS) at 4.84% keep about the typical share of revenue as profit for their industries — neither bottom line stands out from peers.
ODFL
Transportation industry group
20.08%
- Max
- 50.36%
- Q3
- 21.18%
- ODFL
- 20.08%
- Median
- 5.58%
- Q1
- 1.55%
- Min
- -11.37%
UPS
Transportation industry group
4.84%
- Max
- 50.36%
- Q3
- 21.18%
- Median
- 5.58%
- UPS
- 4.84%
- Q1
- 1.55%
- Min
- -11.37%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Both Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL) at 28.52% and United Parcel Service (UPS) at 9.28% run core operations about as efficiently as their industries’ norm — neither stands out on operating profitability.
ODFL
Transportation industry group
28.52%
- Max
- 59.18%
- Q3
- 29.30%
- ODFL
- 28.52%
- Median
- 11.50%
- Q1
- 4.62%
- Min
- -8.91%
UPS
Transportation industry group
9.28%
- Max
- 59.18%
- Q3
- 29.30%
- Median
- 11.50%
- UPS
- 9.28%
- Q1
- 4.62%
- Min
- -8.91%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | ODFL | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 26.01% | 28.65% |
| ROA (TTM) | 16.59% | 7.23% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 20.08% | 4.84% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 28.52% | 9.28% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 39.88% | 22.37% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Both Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL) at -5.48% and United Parcel Service (UPS) at -2.65% post bottom-quartile revenue growth versus peers, pointing to weaker demand or pricing momentum than typical rivals.
EPS Growth
Both Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL) at -11.68% and United Parcel Service (UPS) at -2.81% land near their industries' usual EPS growth ranges, so bottom-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | ODFL | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | -5.48% | -2.65% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | -4.24% | -4.04% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | -11.68% | -2.81% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | -7.37% | -20.79% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
United Parcel Service (UPS) at 1.24 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL) at 2.04 sits above its industry’s typical mid-range — comfortable liquidity, though possibly with more idle current assets relative to peers.
ODFL
Transportation industry group
2.04
- Max
- 2.58
- ODFL
- 2.04
- Q3
- 1.62
- Median
- 1.16
- Q1
- 0.78
- Min
- 0.22
UPS
Transportation industry group
1.24
- Max
- 2.58
- Q3
- 1.62
- UPS
- 1.24
- Median
- 1.16
- Q1
- 0.78
- Min
- 0.22
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL) at 0.00 keeps leverage in the lower quartile, while United Parcel Service (UPS) at 2.03 sits in the higher-leverage quartile.
ODFL
Transportation industry group
0.00
- Max
- 2.75
- Q3
- 1.37
- Median
- 0.78
- Q1
- 0.35
- ODFL
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
UPS
Transportation industry group
2.03
- Max
- 2.75
- UPS
- 2.03
- Q3
- 1.37
- Median
- 0.78
- Q1
- 0.35
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | ODFL | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.04 | 1.24 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 0.00 | 2.03 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | -0.24 | 1.94 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL) at 0.67% pays an industry-typical yield; United Parcel Service (UPS) at 5.91% is above its entire peer range — the higher number, but one that calls for a look at payout sustainability before treating it as an advantage.
ODFL
Transportation industry group
0.67%
- Max
- 4.68%
- Q3
- 1.99%
- Median
- 0.74%
- ODFL
- 0.67%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
UPS
Transportation industry group
5.91%
- UPS
- 5.91%
- Max
- 4.68%
- Q3
- 1.99%
- Median
- 0.74%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
United Parcel Service (UPS) reports payout ratio above 100% at 126.40%, meaning dividends exceeded current-period earnings and sustainability needs extra context. Meanwhile Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL) reports 20.65%, ranking against industry peers normally.
ODFL
Transportation industry group
20.65%
- Max
- 100.89%
- Q3
- 41.68%
- ODFL
- 20.65%
- Median
- 20.43%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
UPS
Transportation industry group
126.40%
- UPS
- 126.40%
- Max
- 100.89%
- Q3
- 41.68%
- Median
- 20.43%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | ODFL | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.67% | 5.91% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 20.65% | 126.40% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Both Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL) at 29.61 and United Parcel Service (UPS) at 20.87 land around their industries’ usual P/E ratio levels — neither is getting a clear earnings-multiple discount or premium versus peers.
ODFL
Transportation industry group
29.61
- Max
- 46.76
- Q3
- 30.87
- ODFL
- 29.61
- Median
- 20.58
- Q1
- 10.44
- Min
- 0.00
UPS
Transportation industry group
20.87
- Max
- 46.76
- Q3
- 30.87
- UPS
- 20.87
- Median
- 20.58
- Q1
- 10.44
- Min
- 0.00
P/S Ratio (TTM)
United Parcel Service (UPS) at 1.01 prices around its industry’s typical P/S ratio, while Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL) at 5.87 clears its benchmark range — ODFL looks notably rich on sales.
ODFL
Transportation industry group
5.87
- ODFL
- 5.87
- Max
- 4.35
- Q3
- 2.07
- Median
- 0.93
- Q1
- 0.53
- Min
- 0.04
UPS
Transportation industry group
1.01
- Max
- 4.35
- Q3
- 2.07
- UPS
- 1.01
- Median
- 0.93
- Q1
- 0.53
- Min
- 0.04
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
Both look rich against book: United Parcel Service (UPS) at 6.15 sits in the upper P/B ratio quartile, and Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL) at 7.29 prices even higher, above its industry range.
ODFL
Transportation industry group
7.29
- ODFL
- 7.29
- Max
- 6.29
- Q3
- 3.39
- Median
- 1.90
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- -2.07
UPS
Transportation industry group
6.15
- Max
- 6.29
- UPS
- 6.15
- Q3
- 3.39
- Median
- 1.90
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- -2.07
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | ODFL | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 29.61 | 20.87 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 5.87 | 1.01 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 7.29 | 6.15 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 2.93% | 6.79% |