Shares of C.H. Robinson Worldwide climbed 5% to 7% in after-hours trading after the company reported fourth-quarter results that topped several analysts' forecasts and after Benchmark reiterated its Buy rating with a $160.00 price target.
The transportation and logistics firm is trading close to its 52-week high and carries a market capitalization of $22.17 billion. Over the past six months the stock has delivered an 86.31% price return. Platform research data flagged the shares as appearing overvalued versus a Fair Value assessment.
Earnings and full-year results
C.H. Robinson posted adjusted earnings per share of $1.23 for the fourth quarter of 2025, representing a 1.7% increase from the prior year. That result exceeded Benchmark’s estimate of $1.16 and was reported as topping a FactSet consensus of $1.12; other reports cited a consensus estimate of $1.13. For the full fiscal year, the company reported diluted earnings per share of $4.83. Analysts are projecting diluted EPS of $5.14 for fiscal 2026.
Operational trends and segment performance
The company reported market share gains even as the broader industry faced headwinds. North American Surface Transportation (NAST) volumes rose 1% year-over-year, including a 3% increase in truckload volumes. NAST gross margins widened by 20 basis points year-over-year, despite a spike in transportation costs during the final five weeks of the quarter driven by seasonal capacity tightening, winter storms and pressures associated with commercial driver regulations.
Global Forwarding delivered notable margin improvement, with gross margins up 120 basis points year-over-year. That improvement helped net revenue come in 14% above Benchmark’s estimate, even though ocean adjusted gross profit declined by 22% year-over-year.
Profitability and efficiency
Adjusted operating profit for the quarter reached $197.5 million, up 7.1% from a year earlier. That beat Benchmark’s operating-profit estimate of $192.2 million and a consensus figure of $186.8 million. Adjusted operating margin expanded by 320 basis points year-over-year. Benchmark pointed to factors it sees driving the margin improvement: AI-driven automation, a leaner operating model, disciplined revenue management and productivity gains.
Valuation metrics and shareholder returns
Research platform metrics show the company trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.54 and a price/earnings-to-growth ratio of 0.51. The company has a long record of returning capital to shareholders: it has maintained dividend payments for 29 consecutive years and currently yields 1.37%.
Analyst reactions
The fourth-quarter earnings beat prompted several firms to revisit their views and price targets. Benchmark reaffirmed its Buy rating with a $160 target. UBS reiterated a Buy stance while highlighting the earnings surprise in the context of concerns about truckload spot rates and NAST gross margins. Stifel raised its price target to $202 and kept a Buy rating, citing the strong results. Truist Securities lifted its target to $210, pointing to market-share gains and disciplined margins. Raymond James set a new target of $215, attributing the outlook to ongoing operational changes including AI initiatives. Evercore ISI raised its price target to $219, pointing to market-share improvement and productivity gains in the NAST business.
What to watch next
Investors will likely monitor whether the company can sustain margin expansion through productivity and automation initiatives while navigating transportation-cost volatility tied to seasonal demand, weather and regulatory pressures affecting drivers. Analysts will also be tracking how global forwarding dynamics evolve given the decline in ocean adjusted gross profit.
Summary: C.H. Robinson reported modest EPS growth and meaningful margin expansion in Q4 2025. Shares rose 5%-7% in after-hours trading after Benchmark reiterated a Buy rating with a $160 target, and several other brokers raised price targets following the results. The company showed market-share gains, improved gross margins in key segments and beat operating-profit estimates despite late-quarter cost pressures.