UPS vs. XPO: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at UPS and XPO, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | UPS | XPO |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | United Parcel Service, Inc. | XPO, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Air Freight & Logistics | Ground Transportation |
| Market Capitalization | 73.10 billion USD | 16.20 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | November 10, 1999 | October 7, 2003 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of UPS and XPO by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | UPS | XPO |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.79% | 8.47% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -15.57% | 4.12% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -13.85% | 43.30% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -34.26% | 30.59% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 3.26% | 6.43% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -31.60% | 4.90% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 7.36M | 1.12M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 7.21M | 1.19M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 28.61% | 40.17% |
| Beta | 1.09 | 2.10 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
UPS
35.27%
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 35.27%
- Q3
- 18.63%
- Median
- 11.99%
- Q1
- 7.41%
- Min
- 2.11%
In the upper quartile for the Air Freight & Logistics industry, UPS’s Return on Equity of 35.27% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
XPO
20.71%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 23.35%
- Q3
- 13.74%
- Median
- 9.05%
- Q1
- 6.86%
- Min
- 1.73%
In the upper quartile for the Ground Transportation industry, XPO’s Return on Equity of 20.71% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
UPS
6.34%
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 7.92%
- Q3
- 5.98%
- Median
- 4.11%
- Q1
- 2.45%
- Min
- 0.50%
A Net Profit Margin of 6.34% places UPS in the upper quartile for the Air Freight & Logistics industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
XPO
4.31%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 32.19%
- Q3
- 17.08%
- Median
- 7.19%
- Q1
- 4.45%
- Min
- -5.54%
Falling into the lower quartile for the Ground Transportation industry, XPO’s Net Profit Margin of 4.31% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
UPS
9.30%
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 11.33%
- Q3
- 8.19%
- Median
- 5.82%
- Q1
- 3.63%
- Min
- 1.06%
An Operating Profit Margin of 9.30% places UPS in the upper quartile for the Air Freight & Logistics industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
XPO
8.35%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 42.90%
- Q3
- 23.80%
- Median
- 10.93%
- Q1
- 7.06%
- Min
- -12.94%
XPO’s Operating Profit Margin of 8.35% is around the midpoint for the Ground Transportation industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | UPS | XPO |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 35.27% | 20.71% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 8.25% | 4.36% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 6.34% | 4.31% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 9.30% | 8.35% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 81.60% | 59.99% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
UPS
1.32
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 1.73
- Q3
- 1.33
- Median
- 1.15
- Q1
- 0.95
- Min
- 0.61
UPS’s Current Ratio of 1.32 aligns with the median group of the Air Freight & Logistics industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
XPO
1.02
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 2.00
- Q3
- 1.31
- Median
- 0.98
- Q1
- 0.74
- Min
- 0.35
XPO’s Current Ratio of 1.02 aligns with the median group of the Ground Transportation industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
UPS
1.57
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 1.57
- Q3
- 1.25
- Median
- 0.77
- Q1
- 0.32
- Min
- 0.00
UPS’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Air Freight & Logistics industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.57. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
XPO
1.91
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 2.51
- Q3
- 1.48
- Median
- 1.02
- Q1
- 0.48
- Min
- 0.00
XPO’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Ground Transportation industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.91. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
UPS
9.59
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 49.07
- Q3
- 23.59
- Median
- 8.92
- Q1
- 6.34
- Min
- -0.60
UPS’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 9.59 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Air Freight & Logistics industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
XPO
3.12
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 59.80
- Q3
- 25.78
- Median
- 8.23
- Q1
- 2.52
- Min
- -24.57
XPO’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.12 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Ground Transportation industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | UPS | XPO |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.32 | 1.02 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.32 | 1.02 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.57 | 1.91 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 9.59 | 3.12 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
UPS
7.33%
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 6.28%
- Q3
- 3.20%
- Median
- 1.90%
- Q1
- 0.55%
- Min
- 0.00%
UPS’s Dividend Yield of 7.33% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Air Freight & Logistics industry. While this may seem attractive, an unusually high yield can sometimes be a warning sign, reflecting a falling stock price or market concerns about the dividend’s sustainability.
XPO
0.00%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 5.29%
- Q3
- 2.57%
- Median
- 1.59%
- Q1
- 0.71%
- Min
- 0.00%
XPO currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
UPS
94.15%
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 160.95%
- Q3
- 92.80%
- Median
- 60.17%
- Q1
- 4.60%
- Min
- 0.00%
UPS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 94.15% is in the upper quartile for the Air Freight & Logistics industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
XPO
0.00%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 149.12%
- Q3
- 75.08%
- Median
- 41.35%
- Q1
- 16.42%
- Min
- 0.00%
XPO has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | UPS | XPO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 7.33% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 94.15% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
UPS
12.85
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 30.08
- Q3
- 23.03
- Median
- 18.40
- Q1
- 12.84
- Min
- 5.90
UPS’s P/E Ratio of 12.85 is within the middle range for the Air Freight & Logistics industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
XPO
44.70
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 39.04
- Q3
- 24.45
- Median
- 17.51
- Q1
- 12.92
- Min
- 5.87
At 44.70, XPO’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Ground Transportation industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
UPS
0.82
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 2.28
- Q3
- 1.40
- Median
- 0.63
- Q1
- 0.46
- Min
- 0.19
UPS’s P/S Ratio of 0.82 aligns with the market consensus for the Air Freight & Logistics industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
XPO
1.93
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 2.82
- Q3
- 2.22
- Median
- 1.41
- Q1
- 0.88
- Min
- 0.24
XPO’s P/S Ratio of 1.93 aligns with the market consensus for the Ground Transportation industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
UPS
5.43
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 5.68
- Q3
- 3.23
- Median
- 1.97
- Q1
- 1.31
- Min
- 0.80
UPS’s P/B Ratio of 5.43 is in the upper tier for the Air Freight & Logistics industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
XPO
8.35
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 5.27
- Q3
- 3.03
- Median
- 1.40
- Q1
- 1.18
- Min
- 0.67
At 8.35, XPO’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Ground Transportation industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | UPS | XPO |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 12.85 | 44.70 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.82 | 1.93 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 5.43 | 8.35 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 13.70 | 73.43 |